An Afternoon With Nong Bador
Nong Bador is already 70 yo.
For many, 70 yo is the age for retirement but retiring is far from the future plans of Nong Bador not by choice, but by necessity. He needed to work for money to fend for his wife, his children and grandchildren who were all living with him.
I first met Nong Bador when he worked as a laborer, earning P150/day hauling sand, stone and cement in a construction project. Despite his age, he surprisingly ably met the physical demands of his work. Shirtless, he was called Brad Pitt by his co-workers likely reminiscent of Brad Pitt's role as a hunk in Legends of the Fall. In a certain way, he could be the 70 yo filipino version of Brad Pitt. Ok, probably that would be stretching the imagination too far....probably more of Fernando Poe.
When the construction was completed, we hired Nong Bador as caretaker. Since Nong Bador was at the site most of the time, we asked him to entertain all personal inquiries about the spaces for rent. Although Nong Bador can carry a sack of cement seemingly without difficulty, he has a hard time remembering things.
One time, he excitedly reported that somebody came and was interested to rent a room.
"Who Nong Bador? "
He scratched his head and cheekily said, " Day, I cannot remember his name."
" It's ok Nong Bador. Next time, please let them write their name and contact number. " I handed him a pad and pen.
A few days later, Nong Bador told me that someone came and inquired.
"That is good Nong Bador! Did you write down the name and contact number? "
" Yes Day! ". He searched the pockets of his pants. Went to look for the paper and after a few minutes came back apologetically. " I had the name and number Day, but I forgot where I placed the paper." TOINK!
This Christmas, my secretary and I were deliberating on what to give Nong Bador. We wanted to give him something that hopefully will be "unforgettable" to him.
Nong Bador's packed lunch often consisted of rice and dried fish, and we thought of treating him to a nice lunch in a place he has never been to.
After our clinic, we picked up Nong Bador. We drove to Robinson's Mall and learned that it was Nong Bador's first time to be there. He initially wanted to remain in the car because he felt conscious going in wearing shorts and slippers.
"If you wait outside Nong Bador, we might be charged a parking fee because the space is only for cars, " He obliged.
Inside, I noticed that Nong Bador purposely kept a distance from us. He would stop at his tracks whenever we stop to wait for him.
"Dont you want to be seen with two beautiful sexy ladies Nong Bador?", I kidded him.
"Yes Day. Where are they?" He rebutted. We laughed. I knew there was something mischievous in him.
Mmm? Is Nong Bador a Dirty Old Man?
There were shirts and shorts displayed on sale at the entrance and I told Nong Bador to choose a shirt. He picked a shirt with "ACID ROCK" printed across. I thought it was too hippie for him and suggested he pick a polo shirt instead in toned down colors.
"I like this Day. I 'll look young in this! " he said.
Mmm? Is Nong Bador a Dirty Old Man?
The restaurants near the entrance were packed so we decided to walk to the back where more restaurants were located.
Someone observing us will likely be amused. I was at the lead since I walk like an army sergeant, followed by my secretary who walks like a model on the ramp, followed by Nong Bador who walked like one of the seven dwarfs.
We took our seats in Moon Cafe. The waiter gave Nong Bador a menu and with a big smile confessed that he could not read. I read the choices and his face lit up when I mentioned sisig.
When our orders came, Nong Bador unfolded his napkin and the knife and fork fell off with a loud clang. He hurriedly picked them up and said he was expecting a male visitor. This is in reference to the belief that if a fork falls, a male visitor will arrive and if the spoon, a female visitor.
"What about the knife Nong Bador?" , I asked.
"Probably a gay person Day." he replied.
We each had Chimichanga in addition to the sisig. When my cousin asked him later what we ate, Nong Bador told her he cannot remember the name but it was "lumpia" with grass (referring to the lettuce strips).
The moviehouse was visible from where we were sitting and I asked him when he last saw a movie.
" I think I was 15 yo Day. And the movie was in black and white." he said.
We decided to watch a movie after our lunch. Among the three movies showing, "Narnia" seemed to be the best option being an adventure movie. Unfortunately, the film already started when we got there so we were left with the "Paranormal 2", a horror movie and "Life As We Know It", a love story. Both were in english. The horror movie seemed a better choice.
We were about to get our tickets when we got a call for us to go back to the hospital.
Fortunately, my 20+ female single cousin MaiMai was free when I called her. She was excited to watch a movie unaware that she will be with watching it with a 70 yo man!
Mai arrived all perked up. Before she can fully digest what is happening, I gave her the tickets and ushered her and Nong Bador inside. Mai's face was a bit in shock but Nong Bador was all smiles.
Mmmmm. Is Nong Bador a Dirty Old Man?
A few minutes later, I received a text, " Nong Bador is shivering from the cold". I texted back " Embrace him Mai. Haha"
The following day, Mai narrated how Nong Bador tried to pull hard on the EXIT door thinking it was the door to the Men's CR. She stopped him and gave the direction to the comfort rooms. When he did not come back after a few minutes, she went after him thinking he got lost and saw him coming out of the women's CR.
After the movie, MaiMai drove Nong Bador on her motorbike back to the site. I can just imagine how the two of them looked together!
Mmmm. For those who did not know, Nong Bador must have appeared like a Dirty Old Man.
"How did Nong Bador like the movie Mai?" I asked. They changed their tickets to the english love story since she did not like horror films.
MaiMai said Nong Bador seemed to have enjoyed the movie since he was laughing most of the time.
"He was probably ecstatic to have a young date with him in a moviehouse Mai." I teased. " You made him very happy."
That afternoon, we were privileged to have been given the opportunity to give Nong Bador a lot of firsts:
First time to be in Robinson's
First time to eat chimichanga
First time to watch a colored movie AND ...
First time to have a date 50 years his junior! ( Mmmm. I 'm not sure about this but Nong Bador is likely NOT a Dirty Old Man. )
For many, 70 yo is the age for retirement but retiring is far from the future plans of Nong Bador not by choice, but by necessity. He needed to work for money to fend for his wife, his children and grandchildren who were all living with him.
I first met Nong Bador when he worked as a laborer, earning P150/day hauling sand, stone and cement in a construction project. Despite his age, he surprisingly ably met the physical demands of his work. Shirtless, he was called Brad Pitt by his co-workers likely reminiscent of Brad Pitt's role as a hunk in Legends of the Fall. In a certain way, he could be the 70 yo filipino version of Brad Pitt. Ok, probably that would be stretching the imagination too far....probably more of Fernando Poe.
When the construction was completed, we hired Nong Bador as caretaker. Since Nong Bador was at the site most of the time, we asked him to entertain all personal inquiries about the spaces for rent. Although Nong Bador can carry a sack of cement seemingly without difficulty, he has a hard time remembering things.
One time, he excitedly reported that somebody came and was interested to rent a room.
"Who Nong Bador? "
He scratched his head and cheekily said, " Day, I cannot remember his name."
" It's ok Nong Bador. Next time, please let them write their name and contact number. " I handed him a pad and pen.
A few days later, Nong Bador told me that someone came and inquired.
"That is good Nong Bador! Did you write down the name and contact number? "
" Yes Day! ". He searched the pockets of his pants. Went to look for the paper and after a few minutes came back apologetically. " I had the name and number Day, but I forgot where I placed the paper." TOINK!
This Christmas, my secretary and I were deliberating on what to give Nong Bador. We wanted to give him something that hopefully will be "unforgettable" to him.
Nong Bador's packed lunch often consisted of rice and dried fish, and we thought of treating him to a nice lunch in a place he has never been to.
After our clinic, we picked up Nong Bador. We drove to Robinson's Mall and learned that it was Nong Bador's first time to be there. He initially wanted to remain in the car because he felt conscious going in wearing shorts and slippers.
"If you wait outside Nong Bador, we might be charged a parking fee because the space is only for cars, " He obliged.
Inside, I noticed that Nong Bador purposely kept a distance from us. He would stop at his tracks whenever we stop to wait for him.
"Dont you want to be seen with two beautiful sexy ladies Nong Bador?", I kidded him.
"Yes Day. Where are they?" He rebutted. We laughed. I knew there was something mischievous in him.
Mmm? Is Nong Bador a Dirty Old Man?
There were shirts and shorts displayed on sale at the entrance and I told Nong Bador to choose a shirt. He picked a shirt with "ACID ROCK" printed across. I thought it was too hippie for him and suggested he pick a polo shirt instead in toned down colors.
"I like this Day. I 'll look young in this! " he said.
Mmm? Is Nong Bador a Dirty Old Man?
The restaurants near the entrance were packed so we decided to walk to the back where more restaurants were located.
Someone observing us will likely be amused. I was at the lead since I walk like an army sergeant, followed by my secretary who walks like a model on the ramp, followed by Nong Bador who walked like one of the seven dwarfs.
We took our seats in Moon Cafe. The waiter gave Nong Bador a menu and with a big smile confessed that he could not read. I read the choices and his face lit up when I mentioned sisig.
When our orders came, Nong Bador unfolded his napkin and the knife and fork fell off with a loud clang. He hurriedly picked them up and said he was expecting a male visitor. This is in reference to the belief that if a fork falls, a male visitor will arrive and if the spoon, a female visitor.
"What about the knife Nong Bador?" , I asked.
"Probably a gay person Day." he replied.
We each had Chimichanga in addition to the sisig. When my cousin asked him later what we ate, Nong Bador told her he cannot remember the name but it was "lumpia" with grass (referring to the lettuce strips).
The moviehouse was visible from where we were sitting and I asked him when he last saw a movie.
" I think I was 15 yo Day. And the movie was in black and white." he said.
We decided to watch a movie after our lunch. Among the three movies showing, "Narnia" seemed to be the best option being an adventure movie. Unfortunately, the film already started when we got there so we were left with the "Paranormal 2", a horror movie and "Life As We Know It", a love story. Both were in english. The horror movie seemed a better choice.
We were about to get our tickets when we got a call for us to go back to the hospital.
Fortunately, my 20+ female single cousin MaiMai was free when I called her. She was excited to watch a movie unaware that she will be with watching it with a 70 yo man!
Mai arrived all perked up. Before she can fully digest what is happening, I gave her the tickets and ushered her and Nong Bador inside. Mai's face was a bit in shock but Nong Bador was all smiles.
Mmmmm. Is Nong Bador a Dirty Old Man?
A few minutes later, I received a text, " Nong Bador is shivering from the cold". I texted back " Embrace him Mai. Haha"
The following day, Mai narrated how Nong Bador tried to pull hard on the EXIT door thinking it was the door to the Men's CR. She stopped him and gave the direction to the comfort rooms. When he did not come back after a few minutes, she went after him thinking he got lost and saw him coming out of the women's CR.
After the movie, MaiMai drove Nong Bador on her motorbike back to the site. I can just imagine how the two of them looked together!
Mmmm. For those who did not know, Nong Bador must have appeared like a Dirty Old Man.
"How did Nong Bador like the movie Mai?" I asked. They changed their tickets to the english love story since she did not like horror films.
MaiMai said Nong Bador seemed to have enjoyed the movie since he was laughing most of the time.
"He was probably ecstatic to have a young date with him in a moviehouse Mai." I teased. " You made him very happy."
That afternoon, we were privileged to have been given the opportunity to give Nong Bador a lot of firsts:
First time to be in Robinson's
First time to eat chimichanga
First time to watch a colored movie AND ...
First time to have a date 50 years his junior! ( Mmmm. I 'm not sure about this but Nong Bador is likely NOT a Dirty Old Man. )
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