We are the Labkids. We have been given that nickname for as long as I can remember. A collective term for the children of the unbeatable tandem of Robert and Ging Labayen ; their extremely lucky offspring.
There are five of us in the brood; three boys and two girls. Five unique individuals; each one of us are different yet also quite alike. If people were to ask us who our leader is, we wouldn’t know. But ask us who stands out the most and I can say that it’s probably me – the most different, the odd one.
If you must know, this essay is already five months (and still counting) in the making. Life gets in the way of me finishing it, and I have yet to find the perfect words to sum up our relationship as siblings. It’s not an easy topic but I write about them anyway because for the past years of my existence, they have been my life. There’s just no other suitable translation for “sila ang karugtong ng buhay ko.” And now that I already left our hideout to start married life, I know I would miss them the most.
How do I know for sure that I’m the odd one among us five? Well, because at times, I make it a point to be different from them. To understand what I’m saying and why I do the things I do, you have to know each of my siblings first.
The eldest is our Kuya Joma. People may refer to him now as the role he used to play on TV. Yes, that’s our big brother. He may be the oldest, but among all of us, he’s the one who is most like a little boy; the most playful and rowdy. Whenever he has free time, he makes sure we do something fun together. He’s a free-spirit. Yet, at times when we need the support of an elder brother, Kuya makes sure that he is there for us. He’s also the most generous among us five. Although, if there’s one dreadful thing that we all have, it’s our short temper, and it’s Kuya Joma that is, well, least patient among us. Or maybe Rocky. Kuya is one to start or attract fights because of his sly exterior. But I was never fooled by his machismo. His whiny tone when he complains gives it away. That’s why I was never afraid of him; because I know that he’s a loving brother. When we were saying goodbye at the airport, that was my reminder to him – be nice. I know you’re a genuinely good person. You were my first role model. Be more patient with our younger siblings and our parents, and be kinder to our friends too. And I’m sorry if I couldn’t take your offer to stay if you would give us all your money, including your talent fee. I knew you meant it and we were very touched by that. I really hope that all goes well for you, so that I can watch you on TFC. But you have to wake up early for your call-time. I won’t be there to be your alarm clock.
Next to me is my brother, Boggs. He’s the one who is always in-charge so in the house, we used to call him “Batas”. He has rightfully earned it though. Ever since we were kids, he was always the one doing errands for our Mama; going to Meralco/PLDT to pay the bills, withdrawing money from our parent’s ATM, installing stuff around the house, he was the one who had to do grownup stuff first. So unofficially, he’s the one in-charge when the parents are not around. Boggs, like our Papa, is a renaissance man and is self-taught at almost every skill. Music, photography, gadgets, sports, driving, etc. He never gives up on something unless he has mastered it. We rely on him a lot, especially on stuff that we don’t know about such as configuring the internet connection or operating the other gadgets around the house. That’s why I’m confident that Boggs is around; a sensible sibling to look after the overly artsy ones. Someone who will drive Kuya to the emergency room when he’s had too much to drink and has trouble breathing (I hope that doesn’t happen anymore), who will make sure that Katherine isn’t drinking Papa’s wines, that Rocky will be home before curfew and who will keep calm when there’s a screaming match at the dining table. Of all my siblings, I know you are the one who needs me the least, but I will always be your ate. In a way, I’m becoming more independent now, just like you have always been.
Rocky, our youngest brother, is the baby of the family. Like my husband, he is also a ‘baller.’ He is my second favourite basketball player in the world. But like me, Rocky is also a writer; even better, he’s a poet. In our “family of artists,” Rocky is the one with a real tortured soul. He has a serious way of looking at things that people never would have guessed about him because he’s quite a hardcourt heartthrob. When our siblings are out of the house and it’s just the two of us and the help, we just let each other be, doing our own thing, with our delivery from McDonalds and Nickelodeon on TV. When our sister is out for her overnight shoots, Rocky usually stays in the girls’ room and sleeps beside me. I think he appreciates that I don’t meddle with what he’s doing, which is how my brothers show their affection to him. I know it was hard for my husband to let his dream of becoming a professional basketball player pass him by, despite how good he is. I know Rocky really wants it bad too, so I push him and encourage him while he’s still young. His older brothers who are frustrated actors (matinee idol wannabes like our Papa) convince him to go to auditions and submit tapes, because they know that it is our baby who can get a break, considering how exceptional he is as a dancer. We are all protective of his dreams because we feel that he has the potential, the chance and means to be who he wants to be. I’m more protective in a way that I don’t want him wasting his time impressing girls or his friends and testing our parents’ patience. Kaye is protective and bossy to Rocky because she’s older than him. Take our word for it Rock, grab every opportunity while you can. Time may be on your side now but it won’t be there forever. Of course, you are still free to live your own life. We just want what’s best for you.
Katherine is my only sister. And when two girls are thrown together in a big family dominated by men, they are most likely to become the worst of rivals, and the best of friends. When I was a kid, I might have wanted a sister to play with, so when Kaye was born, they named her after my imaginary friend. So she’s the playmate and roommate I was stuck with. We shared a room (she secretly read my diary, I secretly read hers) and clothes (she’s fond of buying from the ukay-ukay, but always ends up using my store-bought ones in the long run), we shop together, do girly stuff together, she is my main home girl. There is really that uncanny bond between sisters, that love-hate thing going on. Apart from my husband and my mother, no one else knows me like Kaye does. The minute she walks into the room, she’ll know with my tone of voice if I’m having a bad mood. In the same way, one look at her and I know if it’s best to stay out of her big, messy hair. I miss that a lot right now.
When she was that little doll-faced girl, Kaye wanted to become like her big sis. Well, she’s me, only better, or worse depending on how people see me. If you think I’m good, then she’s a lot better. But if you think I’m bad, she’s much worse. Every achievement and mischief I did in my youth, Kaye has totally surpassed that. And that’s exactly what I expected from her. She is friendly and loyal, feisty, strong-willed and outspoken. She’s not afraid to drive by herself at night, in the rain (and pick me up or drop me off somewhere when I need her to), and stand up to the boys when she thinks something is unfair, which is why I think she must be having a tough time now with the brothers ganging up on her. But don’t you worry sis, you can always reach me for backup. But since you’re the unica hija there right now, please refrain from getting into our parents’ nerves and coming home so late. You know Mama doesn’t sleep well until we’re all safe at home. Please... And you can have the rest of my things. I also give you custody of my clothes, granted that Jai gets the ones that’s not your style (I am attached to my clothes, but for my two best girls, go ahead). You also have access to my closest girl friends and the big barkada to keep you company while I’m away. But before you know it, I’ll be back for good and I will be on your hair again.
And then there’s me - Labkid number 2 and eldest daughter. It must be really nice to have an elder sister; someone to do the boring stuff for you, to worry for you and about you. That’s me in the family. I have been raised well by our mother, I guess. Kuya and Boggs were really rowdy when we were kids so Mama counted on me to be well-behaved; to be polite and mind my manners because I’m a lady. And I think it stuck with me. My siblings are exceptionally crazy and creative it’s really hard to get a hold of their energy and willpower. They would do what they want regardless of what other people would think. Our parents would totally lose their minds if all their kids were running around in circles, so I took the liberty of being the straight one, the disciplinarian. I wouldn’t say I’m a tyrant, but I’m the sibling who wants to act mature and responsible. I think that kind of balances the scale a little bit. I’m the one who says no if they’re about to do something wild, the first one to feel guilty if we lied to our mother about going to church, the one who would usually pass on death-defying and embarrassing stunts, and a stickler to rules and etiquette. I’m also the most “kuripot,” always reminding them to save up for a rainy day. On my wedding day, I know they were happy to see me with someone who can make me laugh and less-grumpy. Call me boring, moral compass, party-pooper, I don’t mind... I own it. That’s who I have to be if I want to look out for the four. I have to be who I am so that they can freely live like hippies. That’s how I show my love to them. But I believe they love that about me; that they can rely on me to do something mundane like wrapping their presents for Christmas Eve, or checking the movie schedule or typing something on Microsoft Word... I wonder who does that now. And because I’m always the first one to do hardcore grownup things like graduate, get a job, quit a job and get married, it’s just equally heartbreaking and befitting that I am the first one to leave the house. I know it’s paradise at home and we can really stay there forever, but I have to do it because I am your responsible sister and I will show you that we’re ready for the world and our family can grow. We’re too much of a good thing to be extinct in the next hundred years.
I miss them a lot every day, despite of the chats and phone calls; I miss our bickering and being silly with each other. Most of the time, I dream that I’m in the dining table with them. We were really just used to being with each other. Our closest friends know how attached we are to our siblings, and we’re needy in a way that we call one’s attention if that Labkid isn’t spending quality time with us. We’re used to going out and having plans, secrets and inside jokes among ourselves. Sometimes, we even listen to our siblings more than to our parents. When someone is in a fight with one of the parents, we make it our business to push him to apologize. “Magsorry ka na.” I don’t know how it is with other families, but that’s what I love about mine.
I may be part of an awesome twosome now, and my husband is my new partner in crime, but I will always be part of this circus-rockband of a group, this fab five. I will always think of them, love them and look out for them, wherever I may be. That’s how I am as their sister. That’s how it is for our family, and that’s how we roll. We are the Labkids.
There are five of us in the brood; three boys and two girls. Five unique individuals; each one of us are different yet also quite alike. If people were to ask us who our leader is, we wouldn’t know. But ask us who stands out the most and I can say that it’s probably me – the most different, the odd one.
If you must know, this essay is already five months (and still counting) in the making. Life gets in the way of me finishing it, and I have yet to find the perfect words to sum up our relationship as siblings. It’s not an easy topic but I write about them anyway because for the past years of my existence, they have been my life. There’s just no other suitable translation for “sila ang karugtong ng buhay ko.” And now that I already left our hideout to start married life, I know I would miss them the most.
How do I know for sure that I’m the odd one among us five? Well, because at times, I make it a point to be different from them. To understand what I’m saying and why I do the things I do, you have to know each of my siblings first.
The eldest is our Kuya Joma. People may refer to him now as the role he used to play on TV. Yes, that’s our big brother. He may be the oldest, but among all of us, he’s the one who is most like a little boy; the most playful and rowdy. Whenever he has free time, he makes sure we do something fun together. He’s a free-spirit. Yet, at times when we need the support of an elder brother, Kuya makes sure that he is there for us. He’s also the most generous among us five. Although, if there’s one dreadful thing that we all have, it’s our short temper, and it’s Kuya Joma that is, well, least patient among us. Or maybe Rocky. Kuya is one to start or attract fights because of his sly exterior. But I was never fooled by his machismo. His whiny tone when he complains gives it away. That’s why I was never afraid of him; because I know that he’s a loving brother. When we were saying goodbye at the airport, that was my reminder to him – be nice. I know you’re a genuinely good person. You were my first role model. Be more patient with our younger siblings and our parents, and be kinder to our friends too. And I’m sorry if I couldn’t take your offer to stay if you would give us all your money, including your talent fee. I knew you meant it and we were very touched by that. I really hope that all goes well for you, so that I can watch you on TFC. But you have to wake up early for your call-time. I won’t be there to be your alarm clock.
Next to me is my brother, Boggs. He’s the one who is always in-charge so in the house, we used to call him “Batas”. He has rightfully earned it though. Ever since we were kids, he was always the one doing errands for our Mama; going to Meralco/PLDT to pay the bills, withdrawing money from our parent’s ATM, installing stuff around the house, he was the one who had to do grownup stuff first. So unofficially, he’s the one in-charge when the parents are not around. Boggs, like our Papa, is a renaissance man and is self-taught at almost every skill. Music, photography, gadgets, sports, driving, etc. He never gives up on something unless he has mastered it. We rely on him a lot, especially on stuff that we don’t know about such as configuring the internet connection or operating the other gadgets around the house. That’s why I’m confident that Boggs is around; a sensible sibling to look after the overly artsy ones. Someone who will drive Kuya to the emergency room when he’s had too much to drink and has trouble breathing (I hope that doesn’t happen anymore), who will make sure that Katherine isn’t drinking Papa’s wines, that Rocky will be home before curfew and who will keep calm when there’s a screaming match at the dining table. Of all my siblings, I know you are the one who needs me the least, but I will always be your ate. In a way, I’m becoming more independent now, just like you have always been.
Rocky, our youngest brother, is the baby of the family. Like my husband, he is also a ‘baller.’ He is my second favourite basketball player in the world. But like me, Rocky is also a writer; even better, he’s a poet. In our “family of artists,” Rocky is the one with a real tortured soul. He has a serious way of looking at things that people never would have guessed about him because he’s quite a hardcourt heartthrob. When our siblings are out of the house and it’s just the two of us and the help, we just let each other be, doing our own thing, with our delivery from McDonalds and Nickelodeon on TV. When our sister is out for her overnight shoots, Rocky usually stays in the girls’ room and sleeps beside me. I think he appreciates that I don’t meddle with what he’s doing, which is how my brothers show their affection to him. I know it was hard for my husband to let his dream of becoming a professional basketball player pass him by, despite how good he is. I know Rocky really wants it bad too, so I push him and encourage him while he’s still young. His older brothers who are frustrated actors (matinee idol wannabes like our Papa) convince him to go to auditions and submit tapes, because they know that it is our baby who can get a break, considering how exceptional he is as a dancer. We are all protective of his dreams because we feel that he has the potential, the chance and means to be who he wants to be. I’m more protective in a way that I don’t want him wasting his time impressing girls or his friends and testing our parents’ patience. Kaye is protective and bossy to Rocky because she’s older than him. Take our word for it Rock, grab every opportunity while you can. Time may be on your side now but it won’t be there forever. Of course, you are still free to live your own life. We just want what’s best for you.
Katherine is my only sister. And when two girls are thrown together in a big family dominated by men, they are most likely to become the worst of rivals, and the best of friends. When I was a kid, I might have wanted a sister to play with, so when Kaye was born, they named her after my imaginary friend. So she’s the playmate and roommate I was stuck with. We shared a room (she secretly read my diary, I secretly read hers) and clothes (she’s fond of buying from the ukay-ukay, but always ends up using my store-bought ones in the long run), we shop together, do girly stuff together, she is my main home girl. There is really that uncanny bond between sisters, that love-hate thing going on. Apart from my husband and my mother, no one else knows me like Kaye does. The minute she walks into the room, she’ll know with my tone of voice if I’m having a bad mood. In the same way, one look at her and I know if it’s best to stay out of her big, messy hair. I miss that a lot right now.
When she was that little doll-faced girl, Kaye wanted to become like her big sis. Well, she’s me, only better, or worse depending on how people see me. If you think I’m good, then she’s a lot better. But if you think I’m bad, she’s much worse. Every achievement and mischief I did in my youth, Kaye has totally surpassed that. And that’s exactly what I expected from her. She is friendly and loyal, feisty, strong-willed and outspoken. She’s not afraid to drive by herself at night, in the rain (and pick me up or drop me off somewhere when I need her to), and stand up to the boys when she thinks something is unfair, which is why I think she must be having a tough time now with the brothers ganging up on her. But don’t you worry sis, you can always reach me for backup. But since you’re the unica hija there right now, please refrain from getting into our parents’ nerves and coming home so late. You know Mama doesn’t sleep well until we’re all safe at home. Please... And you can have the rest of my things. I also give you custody of my clothes, granted that Jai gets the ones that’s not your style (I am attached to my clothes, but for my two best girls, go ahead). You also have access to my closest girl friends and the big barkada to keep you company while I’m away. But before you know it, I’ll be back for good and I will be on your hair again.
And then there’s me - Labkid number 2 and eldest daughter. It must be really nice to have an elder sister; someone to do the boring stuff for you, to worry for you and about you. That’s me in the family. I have been raised well by our mother, I guess. Kuya and Boggs were really rowdy when we were kids so Mama counted on me to be well-behaved; to be polite and mind my manners because I’m a lady. And I think it stuck with me. My siblings are exceptionally crazy and creative it’s really hard to get a hold of their energy and willpower. They would do what they want regardless of what other people would think. Our parents would totally lose their minds if all their kids were running around in circles, so I took the liberty of being the straight one, the disciplinarian. I wouldn’t say I’m a tyrant, but I’m the sibling who wants to act mature and responsible. I think that kind of balances the scale a little bit. I’m the one who says no if they’re about to do something wild, the first one to feel guilty if we lied to our mother about going to church, the one who would usually pass on death-defying and embarrassing stunts, and a stickler to rules and etiquette. I’m also the most “kuripot,” always reminding them to save up for a rainy day. On my wedding day, I know they were happy to see me with someone who can make me laugh and less-grumpy. Call me boring, moral compass, party-pooper, I don’t mind... I own it. That’s who I have to be if I want to look out for the four. I have to be who I am so that they can freely live like hippies. That’s how I show my love to them. But I believe they love that about me; that they can rely on me to do something mundane like wrapping their presents for Christmas Eve, or checking the movie schedule or typing something on Microsoft Word... I wonder who does that now. And because I’m always the first one to do hardcore grownup things like graduate, get a job, quit a job and get married, it’s just equally heartbreaking and befitting that I am the first one to leave the house. I know it’s paradise at home and we can really stay there forever, but I have to do it because I am your responsible sister and I will show you that we’re ready for the world and our family can grow. We’re too much of a good thing to be extinct in the next hundred years.
I miss them a lot every day, despite of the chats and phone calls; I miss our bickering and being silly with each other. Most of the time, I dream that I’m in the dining table with them. We were really just used to being with each other. Our closest friends know how attached we are to our siblings, and we’re needy in a way that we call one’s attention if that Labkid isn’t spending quality time with us. We’re used to going out and having plans, secrets and inside jokes among ourselves. Sometimes, we even listen to our siblings more than to our parents. When someone is in a fight with one of the parents, we make it our business to push him to apologize. “Magsorry ka na.” I don’t know how it is with other families, but that’s what I love about mine.
I may be part of an awesome twosome now, and my husband is my new partner in crime, but I will always be part of this circus-rockband of a group, this fab five. I will always think of them, love them and look out for them, wherever I may be. That’s how I am as their sister. That’s how it is for our family, and that’s how we roll. We are the Labkids.
