Padre Noval’s daughter

by: Chienalee Garcia

She picks on the long gash on her right arm; something her little brother gave to her as a treat instead of the usual candies. She covers it neatly with a tattered handkerchief, not wanting to disinfect it with rubbing alcohol because she hates how it feels when it stings. She walks along the street, chatting up familiar faces passing by, not conscious of their glances at her bare, dirty feet.

Girlie Gallardo is just one of the many children seen along Padre Noval Street, just behind the University of Santo Tomas. At the tender age of 11, she spends her afternoons begging for alms from students hanging around that part of the University. Even with her parents taking minimum wage jobs just to alleviate everyday expenses, Girlie, along with her other siblings, has to resort to her own means to earn money for her personal costs.

“Minsan naga-absent ako para makapaglimos ako para may pambayad ako sa project.” says Girlie, who is currently enrolled as a 5th grader at a nearby public school. As the third child in a brood of four, she takes it as part of her responsibility to help her parents in earning money for the family.

“Minsan pag marami akong naipon, binibigay ko kay mama.”

Girlie earns an average amount of P100 a day from begging. One time, she was able to earn P600 after an entire week of begging for alms. She gave her entire savings to her father to pay for their pedicab’s installment.

Courting Danger
Aware of the impending dangers of hanging around the streets until the wee hours of the morning, Girlie shares that she is no longer afraid of what is to happen.

“Sanay na kami. Sa sobrang tagal na naming dito, hindi na kami natatakot. Wala din naman kasing nangyayari sa amin,” she says. “Ang kalaban dito yung mga guwardiya.”

Girlie recalls that time when one of her friends was caught by the guards stationed at the gate. They were teasing a particular guard on-duty when he suddenly lunged for one of Girlie’s male companions and beat him mercilessly. “Nakakaawa si Bunso noon. Pinagpapalo siya ng batuta tapos pinaggu gulpi nung mga guwardiya. Meron pa ngang isa e, si JP, hinubaran ng shorts.”

“Pero hindi naman lahat salbahe at nambubugbog. Meron ding mababait.” Girlie admits that their jokes about the guards most often provoke anger. “Minsan tinatawag namin silang Mr. Bean, Ju Mong, Xaido Blue, Zaido Red…” she laughs.

But apart from the violent scenes along P. Noval, Girlie also shares about the rugby boys. The older members of their circle of young beggars would go around and hit any kid they see with rugby.

“Pag nabugbog na sila, hindi na sila magra-rugby ulit. Nagtitino na,” she tells. Asked if she had any vices, Girlie shakes her head with a firm no. “Wala akong bisyo. Ewan ko ba kung bakit nila ginagawa yun, e masama yun e.”

The Catch
While into the conversation, a group of Engineering students pass by and Girlie waves at them merrily.

“Suki ko yung mga yun!” she exclaims. “Pinapahingi nila yung number ng mga magaganda kong suki.” Apparently, Girlie’s friends from the University use her as a messenger to get the names and hopefully, phone numbers of her good-looking female patrons. Girlie, as she good-naturedly greets every student passing by, seems to be amused by this as she gets treats from them if she manages to complete her mission.

She also shares that since her birthday falls every Paskuhan, her patrons would give her gifts and extra money as a treat.

But sometimes, people give her treats not out of compensation for a prior task, or because of events, but out of sheer kindness.

One particular student patron, who happens to be American, wanted to send Girlie to school. She was willing to pay for all her expenses provided that she studies. Another was volunteering to help her out with her assignments, which made Girlie happy because this was what she wanted, a tutor.

Truly, Girlie is lucky with the people who surround her.

The Dream
Because of her family’s obviously desperate situation, Girlie no longer thinks of going to college. “Gusto ko pa sanang makapag-aral, pero hindi na ako umaasa,” she shares. “Naghihirap kasi kami.”

When asked what she wanted to take up in college if someone sponsored her education, Girlie’s eyes avert to her dirty feet, as if contemplating well on how to answer the question.
 
“Gusto kong maging CFAD,” she suddenly pipes. “Alaala sa’kin yun nung mga suki ko pag nawala sila at naka-graduate na.”

What does she want to do? “Gusto ko magtrabaho sa McDo!” she says this with a hint of happiness in her eyes. “Pero ayaw ko pang mag-asawa. Mahirap ang buhay e.”

Girlie explains that because of her family’s situation, she is more determined to work hard so that her future family will not be able to experience the same ordeal.

“Pero gusto ko makapangasawa ng Amerikano, para madaming pera…” she giggles.

Although she has been exposed to the harsh realities of life at such an early age, Girlie never runs out of optimism and smiles. “Ganito na kasi talaga kami, wala naman dapat sisihin.” she explains.

Girlie stands up and dusts the dirt off of her khaki shorts.  She adjusts the tourniquet on her arm and prepares to head home. She cheerfully says her goodbyes and thanks yous and crosses to the other side of the street. She is happy that many people still possess the kindness she needs from them. To her, her patrons are not only those who giver her money and food; they are also her friends. Friends who, despite the obvious differences in their status in life, never fail to make her feel loved like an own sibling.