Rudolph, the Red-shirted Boy

"Plok" another Chico fruit fell from the Chico tree as Rudolph stretched out his tired legs from yesterday's work. He held his twenty peso-bill tightly as he crossed the busy streets of Divisoria, Manila and pass by the bakery. With his stomach relentlessly growling he approached the saleslady and bought two hot pandesals. He hurried to the market and found himself selling grocery plastic bags and offers his service to carry their grocery bags for a minimal fee. He can see people buying lots of fruits and Christmas hams for the coming Christmas. It was until seven o'clock in the evening when he felt his need to rest and went to the nearby church. He can see people coming in and out of the church while the others are eating "bibingka" which resembles the known pancake but with salted egg on top and cheese. He can feel that his slippers would break apart soon and the sole was too thin already.

He went inside the church with his friend and sat at the back and as he looked around he saw a lady leaving behind a paper bag, his friend nudged him to give it back to the lady, he got the paper bag from the pew but since the lady got inside the car already he wasn't able to give it back. He opened the paper bag outside and found a newly bought red shirt, he handed it to his friend but told him "Sa iyo na yan mukhang bago pa naman damit ko eh ung sayo gutay-gutay na" (It yours since my shirt still looks okay compared to yours it is already ripped). His friend helped him to put it on and Rudolph flashed a big smile at him. Afterwards his friend said to him "Tara dun mukhang may handaan sila dun" (Hey! Let's go over there; it seems that they have a feast). They both ran without even noticing the cars entering the church compound. As they took a peep at the window they can see other street children singing Christmas carols to a group of foreign people in front. His friend tugged his shirt and went inside the building; Rudolph went inside as well and took a seat beside him. They can see lots of Christmas lights and decorations around and what looks like a pile of packed foods.

After the presentation his friend told him "Dito lang tayo, baka bigyan din tayo ng pagkain" (Let's stay here, they might give us food in here). He nodded with a big smile on his face. After the presentation the emcee encouraged children to go in front for a final show. Later, a lady from behind suddenly burst into anger as she caught the attention of the people, accusing Rudolph of snatching. Rudolph remembers her as the lady from the church awhile ago and started tugging his red shirt while pointing at the lady. Afterwards the lady talked to the emcee and Rudolph was forced to remove his shirt. The lady was mad at him and demanded that he was to be taken outside. His friend defended him and told them "Huwag niyo siyang ilabas, wala naman siyang ginawang masama. Hindi niya masabi gusto niya sabihin kasi pipi siya, maawa kayo sakanya" (Don't tug him outside, he didn't do anything wrong. He cannot tell what he wants to say because he is mute). The lady is not convinced and still pleaded the emcee to take him outside. Rudolph sensing trouble ran outside while his friend was left behind telling the lady what happened earlier.

The next morning his friend greeted him "Merry Christmas" while wearing a red shirt. He recalls the same shirt from last night and tells him to take it off but instead his friend gave him a plastic bag with what seems to be a red shirt too. His friend told him "Yung babae kagabi magsosorry sana siya sayo kaso tumakbo kana at hindi na kita nakita. Ayun niregaluhan tayo nung shirt na ito tignan mo parehas na tayo!" (The lady from last night would like to apologize to you but since you ran away and I wasn't able to find you. There she gave us these shirts as gifts, look we even have matching shirts!). He was full of joy to have him as his friend and both shared a hug.