Brads

I'M BLESSED to have two brothers. I can't imagine growing up without them. Sure, we had our share of quarrels—about toys, TV programs, which spoon belonged to whom, who should wash the dishes—but that was to be expected. Familiarity breeds contempt; we had to hurt each other somehow. Only when we had lived separately did we realize we sort of missed one another.

I can get as cheesy as I wish to be. My brothers hardly check this blog, but they know I write about them once in a while. They're used to it by now. Manong Ralph (27), the eldest, calls my website an avenue for my endless self-promotion. The youngest, Sean (22), hardly reads anything at all.

But I'm glad I have them. We live in separate houses now: Manong is in Quezon City, Sean is in Davao, and I'm in Manila. When time permits I call them up. Hearing their familiar voices is therapeutic, as if I'm home and they're only in the other room, watching TV.

I was contemplating on quitting med school on a post-duty day when Manong Ralph told me, "Don't make decisions when you're tired. You're bound to regret them." Sean said the same thing, "You're so near the end; quitting is the most stupid thing you can ever do." They have a weird way of knocking some sense into me.

I'm proud of my brothers. I'm thankful for all the blessings God has given them. They are where they are now because of God's hand. They know that by heart and are extremely thankful for it. Manong is a human rights lawyer, while Sean is set to graduate in Dentistry this year. More than their degrees I esteem them for their character. Even my brother Sean is wiser and more mature than me in so many respects.

So let me celebrate National Siblings Day (I'm two days late, I know) by sharing these photos.





My brothers showed me kindness, love, and faith; but they also demonstrated the cruelty of humanity—the fact that you can wash the dishes without rinsing them properly and blaming the innocent (that is, yours truly) for it.