I never fail to notice someone's hair or hairstyle for that matter. I'm vain when it comes to my hair. I don't have the shiniest and the most commercial-worthy hair but I take care of it like others would take care of their face.
The other day, I noticed Mary's hair (not her real name) which was ultimately short. Her hair was up to her waist when I last saw her. I told her that it's nice for a teener like her to sport such hairdo 'coz it fits her age very well.
She then gave me 300 pesos and ordered a set of P.E. uniform (I'm a Music, Arts, P.E. and Health teacher - just so you know). I gave her the uniform and saw the delight and excitement on her face. It's unusual so I asked her why;
me: "Oh, labhan mo muna 'yan bago mo suotin. Mukhang excited ka masyado eh"
mary: "Eh kasi po ma'am masaya lang talaga ako"
me: "Oo mukha nga, bakit ba kasi?"
mary: "Eh kasi ma'am naalala mo 'yung buhok ko na hanggang bewang?"
me: "Oo naman, mabuti nga at nagpagupit ka na kasi mainit saka mas bagay sa'yo 'yan"
mary: "Binenta ko po kasi 'yung buhok ko sa parlor para makabili ng P.E. uniform"
me: (In awe - just in awe)
mary: "Kasi po wala talaga kaming pera"
me: "Ok... So magkano naman binili sa parlor?"
mary: "400 pesos po"
me: "Aba! sa haba ng hair mo pwedeng mga 800 'yun ah... Hmm... 'Yaan mo na basta labhan mo na muna 'yan bago mo suotin ha? Balik ka na sa klase mo.
mary: "400 pesos po"
me: "Aba! sa haba ng hair mo pwedeng mga 800 'yun ah... Hmm... 'Yaan mo na basta labhan mo na muna 'yan bago mo suotin ha? Balik ka na sa klase mo.
*****END*****
I was stunned for like 5 minutes and a co-teacher asked me why. I told her the story and we were just looking at each other for another minute - speechless. For those of you who don't have a clue why do parlors buy those hair, it's because they sell it to wig makers. And a 13-year old's hair is better compared to older ones' hair.
I felt multitude of things. All at the same time. I was happy for the resiliency of the kid but I was sad about this simple fact of life. I just don't want her to grow up with the idea of selling something from her just to get instant money. For now it's her hair and for tomorrow what?
How 'bout you? Would you trade your waist-length hair for 400 bucks?
awww... nakakalungkot naman yun. Meron din akong friend na nag MMK pa sa parlor dahil ayaw niyang ipagupit. Yung tipong konting gupit, napapasigaw pa siya. hahahah! Anyway, tutubo din naman yun. Yun na lang mapapayo ko. Patience is a virtue.
ReplyDeleteHay! Nainggit nga ko sa hair mo no. Prang gusto ko ng pumunta sa parlor now na!
ay naku maricar, sana lang wag maisip nung bagets na pag wala na siyang pera eh pwede niyang ipuhunan ang body parts niya... yun ang nakakatakot...
ReplyDeletesa hair ko naman...haha, saya nga ng short hair, ang blower mo eh ang hangin sa jeep at balik ayos din... go pagupit ka! samahan kita
reality of life..my only wish is sana hangang dun lang. haist! hirap tlga ng buhay kaya sa mga story na ganito I thank God for all the blessing.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing:)
hahaba naman ulit yung hair nya, so keri na. at sa chakka ng hair ko, di sya mabibili! haha
ReplyDeletekasi naman ikaw, di mo pa nilibre ng PE uniform. hihi
hi sunny toast... everyday parang may pang MMK story sa school...:c
ReplyDeletehi chyng! gusto ko na nga ilibre eh kaya lang pag ganun dapat ilibre ko na yung lahat ng mga wala di ba?
ReplyDeleteyung hair ko kaya magkano pag binenta ko? ;p
Awww... keri na un hair wag lang ibang body parts... pag hair ko din walang tatanggap, :p
ReplyDeletesuch stories will give you lessons in life talaga... lalo na you're seeing a lot in your field...
korek ka jan gladys! pag ganun pala nangyayari everyday masasanay ka din...
ReplyDeletei also had this student n nag ooffer maglabada sakin pra mkpgbyad ng mga projects/class pictures at bayarin sa skul, pambaon etc, nga nmn knya knyang paraan pra mka survive
ReplyDeletetrue ka diyan ehm...
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