Friday, December 15, 2006 Sus! Mama Uy By Rene Lizada Papa's Table
NO THAT is not a Chinese name. It is the expression that Miguel uses when he hears something from his mother. And because Miguel uses it, so do his brothers Eps and Gabo. Let me share some stories.
Last Sunday, my wife called me Miguel to check on him. The conversation went like this:
C: Kuys! Kumusta ka na! How are you doing?
K: Am okay. (Miguel is famous for his short replies much to the consternation of his mother who likes kilometric responses.)
C: Oh asan ka now? Ano ginagawa mo?
K: Studying.
C: Asan ka naga aral?
K: Nandito sa Seattle's Best.
C: (Taas kilay Mama!) Sa Seattle's Best ka naga aral?
K: Oo. (see!)
C: Bakit ka dyan naga aral?
K: Group work kasi ito, alangan papuntahin ko sila sa dorm.
C: Hindi ba magastos dyan? And teka, di ba may bagyo dyan?
K: (Taraaaaaan!) Sus Mama uy!
Then there is the story about the hair of Raphael. You see ever since Raphael left high school, which had a haircut rule, Eps has decided to keep his hair long.
Too long if you ask me, but what do I know about today's hairstyle. Anyway. Chona always thought that Raphael's hair was all right but it seems she is having a change of heart with the hair because now Raphael's hair is way too long:
C: Eps may balak ka bang magpagupit?
E: Dami ba ako ginagawa Ma. Aral pa ako and may band practice pa ako.( Yes, he has a band. And according to him they sing Emotional Gothic. Do not ask me what that is! If ever I have an image it would probably a gargoyle crying.)
C: Medyo na kasi mahaba yang hair mo Eps. Gusto ko sana yung a little shorter.
E: dapat kasi medyo mahaba buhok ko kasi dahil sa band.
C: Alam ko pero yang patilya mo lampas na sa ears mo. (Are they an Elvis band?)
K: Okay man lang yan Mama. Bagay nga sa akin sabi ng friends ko.
C: I think sobra na kahaba yang patilya mo. Dapat siguro paputulin mo na yang hair mo.
E: (Drum roll please!) Sus Mama Uy.
And then of course there is Gabriel. Now Gabriel's passion is basketball and if you want to pick a fight with him try basketball.
And since Gabriel is just like Chona they always seem to have an argument. Sometime ago, their dialogue went like this:
C: Gabo, naga practice ka ba ng shooting mo?
G: Oo, sa school pag may practice kami.
C: Bakit hindi ka mag practice dito sa bahay? Kaya nga nagpa gawa ako ng half court para maka practice ka. I spent some money for that court and now ayaw mo mag practice?
G: Sinabi ko ba na hindi ako naga practice? Ang sabi ko lang sa school ako naga practice ng shooting.
C: Alam ko, pero dapat wag mo isayang yang court natin, dapat mag practice ka paminsan minsam naman.
G: Mama, naga practice man ako ng shooting sa court natin.
C: Oo nga pero bihira lang. Kung ayaw mo mag practice buti pa mag dry na lang tayo ng copra or coffee beans dyan sa court!
G: (with a technical foul look) Sus Mama uy!
Yes my children have been able to summarize all that they feel when there mother says something about something. The "sus mama uy" expression is a be all and end all saying that would aptly sum up all they feel. All the boys feel the same way. And all the boys include me.
C: Hoy Rene, tama na yan kain mo. Mataba ka na.
R: Sus Mama uy.
C: Eto bago gel.
R: Sus Mama uy.
C: Eto shampoo and conditioner for you kasi gamit ka gel.
R: Sus Mama uy.
C: Bakit kabilis maubos ang gasoline?
R: Sus Mama uy.
And there are times when we eat out and Chona looks at all of us. After looking at the menu she just remains silent and stares at us. And when we order she smiles her charming smile and says, "sige order anything you want but this is our budget." And we all sigh and say: "Sus Mama uy!"
