I just finished my shower in the gym. I was fixing my things and drying my feet when a younger man called my attention.
“Manong, imo na gamit ang nabilin?”
What?! He called me MA-NONG?
Manong means older brother. It’s a term we call our older brothers. But generally, it can be used to respectfully address someone older than you.
If he called me nong, which is just a shortcut for manong, I won’t be bothered. I use it to any stranger.
Or since it’s a gym, maybe we can call each other pare, instead. Or ‘pre, migs, part. Even bro.
Yet, he chose to call me manong. As in MA-NONG!
And there was something in his voice, probably his tone, or maybe the way he carefully said every syllable that made me feel older than I already am.
Fine. I just turned 40. But I am not ready to be called manong by a stranger.
