Our family is known for the heroic acts of our late ancestors especially the bravery of serving people during the second World War, standing up against the Japanese invaders, the writers of our family documenting all their experiences and of the Filipinos, the Guerillas, the ones who lend their home sheltering our people, the leaders and the followers--- we, Basa, are known for being brave.
But not me.
"Oh my goodness! Primo you stupid kid--- what have you done?!"
My nanay's voice sounded like it came out of a megaphone, I have shattered one of our glass windows for playing basketball--- inside our house, and now I am running away to escape her harsh scolding. Tito Kanor saw me running and he started laughing, making his pet dog bark--- the tiny vessel of the devil.
"Ay susko po, you're running from your nanay again, ano? Binata na pagkaka-duwag pa rin!"
I heard the laughter of our neighbors--- which is also my relatives since we live in a single compound, and the news easily spreads of course, I was marked as the Basang Sisiw. A soaked chick. Pitiful. Kawawa. They said that I am so scared of anything, I run away from tiny problems, some of our titas even told me that when I get married I should be the one to change surname, for it is embarrassing that I am carrying the surname of the brave.
That's why I cannot understand, in the hundreds of Basas, I was chosen to have this kind of fate.
"Primero Asuncion Basa IV."
My mother nodded as our visitors gasped, I just finished cleaning our whole kitchen for my punishment, some guests just arrived and now--- here I am, sitting on the couch in front of them, my nanay talking about my tiny achievements for joining a school writing contest.
But what surprised them the most is my name, I was named after a survivor of WW2, Lolo Primero, I am the fourth one--- but not the last, I've heard Tita Maribeth that she will name her second son Primero too.
"Aba, oo nga! Very handsome young boy, got girlfriends already?"
I shook my head continuously while forcing a lame smile.
They laughed and started talking about the increase of their electricity bills, Jonny who is in the hospital, Jenna who is rumored to be pregnant, the mayor who is stealing the people's money and using it for gambling and about the family reunion.
"You guys should attend--- Primo ha, I want to see you there, don't be a shy boy my Denver is there, you guys will be good friends!" Tita Rica said, her mansion is the one going to be used for the reunion, I nodded carefuly.
After that they continued talking about many things for more than an hour--- not including me in their conversation but won't let me leave the room they're in, of course.
The reunion is in seven days, my last seven days before the universe decided to play a massive trick on me, the sickest trick in my life--- I got into an accident.