Ate

Ate is the Filipino term for older sister. Being one, I’ve always tried my best to be a role model to my three other siblings.

I’ve always tried my best to know if they need me and be there. I tried to respond to their other needs including the financial aspect ever since I started working and when we started living away from our father. It was difficult. I won’t elaborate on that further.

So I thought I did a good job on being an older sister. I was never really really close to all of them. But despite that, I thought I was able to fulfill their needs from an Ate. The guidance, companionship, friendship, I thought I was able to give them these. I thought. Maybe I did. But it wasn’t enough. I thought maybe I’ve left them too early. I thought I can still give them the guidance they need even if we don’t all live under the same roof. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was not a good Ate after all…