W hile I had already started to do bit parts and character roles in movies, I was principally still a television writer and “Ang Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora” was among the shows I wrote for.
This family breadwinner was finally able to make enough money to move her family out of the silong occupied since 1971, to a three-storey apartment on K-1 street, in Kamuning.
Problem was the talent fees I was expecting to make the downpayment for the move weren’t out yet.
I went to see the woman, asked if she could advance me the money and promised I’d give it back to her soon as I got it. She stared at me for a long beat, she must have been reading if I was telling the truth.
She asked someone to make a check, she signed it, then gave it to me at once.
Nakalipat kami, yes!
A month or so later, I got paid. I had no checking account, so I brought the money to her. She wasn’t home. I left the cash with the same person who prepared the check for me.
Evening of that same day, lo and behold, came a basket of fruits and the very same envelope of cash I had earlier left in her house.
I rushed to her place in Valencia. She had guests. Our eyes met. I waved the envelope at her. She put a finger to her mouth, shook her head, gave me a beer, while also putting the envelope back in my bag.
She wasn’t perfect. But she was this.
