Valle: Slice of life at Roxas night market

THERE'S something at the night market of Roxas street that keeps people coming. I can see that it’s not only the ukay-ukay, or the street food that looks palatable at first, or the delectable barbeque and sinugba but perhaps it's just the coming together of people from all walks of life.

There were elderly who were holding hands like they’re walking in a park, and little babies carried by their mothers or their fathers, and I thought these kids should have been tucked in bed as it was already past their bedtime stories.

Then there were lots of young people around, having fun, and just enjoying themselves. And I thought, why can’t I be like them?

So I tried to be nonchalant and looking a bit relaxed, peering through the hanged dresses and slacks, minding some stuffed toys. I thought I haven’t really gone past my fears yet as memories of that bloody mess a year ago stubbornly stuck in my head.

I tasted some food and munched on potato chips as I then watched the masseurs and the people who seemed to be relishing the relaxing massage. Some time ago, I went to that exact place just to watch and observe in that part of the night market.

It’s hard not to remember what happened there, and the anguish left by so many who died in that senseless carnage. Though the area was encircled and planted with some shrubs, one still feels the presence of an energy of sorts, though it seemed like the people who are having their massage and the masseurs have lived through the pain of their loss.

Most have moved forward and continued life like it should be.

I thought I haven’t moved on yet, as that sense of dread is still there. Then I thought a massage would do me good, but still, I can’t bring myself to do it.

Then last night, my focus rested on a lady garbed in blue. She was working on a large guy and I thought she must be tired already because it was almost midnight and she was still working. As she knead her client’s arms, I could see her small fingers and forearms putting pressure on her client’s muscled arm and by such efforts, straining her veins and muscles.

And I thought this woman might be having a hard time. At some point she used the ball of her elbow to knead the upper back of her client, and by doing so, she tiptoed on her shoes and exert so much effort that her back arched and twisted. Then I noticed that something seems to be protruding on her back, and then I realized she must have scoliosis, as evident on the hump-like portion of her body.

It’s hard not to be affected by this sight as one realizes what great sacrifice this woman is doing for her family. While other women might have been dozing comfortably in the safety and comfort of their homes, here are these women at Roxas night market, putting so much effort to earn a little more to bring food on the table back home or buy stuff their children needed in school.

But then, mothers will do everything for their children, even at their expense. Women will always make the most of time given her just to ensure that life goes on.

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