Miguel laughed.
And Zeus, well, he frowned and shook his head. “But Ma’am Carmen, white is more practical,” he said.
“White is boring!” she exclaimed.
Miguel grabbed Mamá and kissed her. “Zeus, my man … the lady has a point.”
“Kuya Pab-low,” said Chiqui, pulling on my shirt.
We left the adults behind and stood on the curb, waiting for the tricycles to pass by. Finally, the road cleared. A gust of wind blew above us, shaking the narra trees. Hundreds, maybe thousands, maybe even millions of tiny yellow flowers showered down. It was as if particles of light were falling straight from the sun.
I held Chiqui’s hand as we crossed. There was still part of me that was disgusted by the cheesy powder on her fingers. There was still part of me that wondered what bacteria, what viruses, what germs were floating in the air and oozing under our feet. There was still part of me that wanted to count every single flower on the ground, and then sweep them up with the old-fashioned broom and dustpan in my closet. But there was also another part of me that didn’t care quite as much.
We reached the other side.
Jem waved.
Bing and Lito bounced up and down, shouting, “Chiqui! Chiqui! Chiqui!”
Happy smiled like she really, truly was happy to see us.
I blushed.
She removed one of her pink, sparkly flip-flops from her feet and handed it to me. “Ikaw na. You’re it, Pablo!”
I took it, germs, dirt, and all, and flung it as hard as I could.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It takes a village to raise a book baby.
Believe me, nothing could be truer.
This book would not have seen the light of day without my amazing literary agent, Wendy Schmalz, who never stopped reminding me that “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for keeping me on track. Thank you for pushing me toward the finish line.
I finally won the race, Wendy!
To my editor, Joy Peskin—thank you for adopting my book baby and giving it the best home possible. I will forever be grateful. To my second editor, my kababayan, Trisha de Guzman—thank you for your keen eye, your sound advice, and for laughing at all my corny Pinoy jokes.
This book wouldn’t have grown into what it is today without the nurturing of the entire FSG BYR/Macmillan team. Thank you for putting in all that hard work every step of the way. Special shout-out to book designer extraordinaire, Aram Kim, for transforming my words into a book-shaped masterpiece.
To my cover artist, my kababayan, Christine Almeda—thank you for bringing Pablo and Chiqui to life with so much color, style, and attention to detail. You definitely made my cover fantasies come true.
To my mom, Helena—thank you for being the best cheerleader a girl could have. Surviving this journey would have been impossible without your love.
To my dad, Wahoo—I’m thankful for the support. Pursuing my dreams would have been a lot harder without your help.
To my big sister, Katya—thank you for always encouraging me no matter what.
There was no way I could have ever clocked in those endless hours of drafting if my husband hadn’t taken over some of the child-rearing duties. Thank you, Daemon.
My daughter, Violet—you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for being my inspiration. Thank you for making me laugh, and for reminding me that I can make others laugh too. I love you, infinity fins.
To my childhood friends, Michelle, Apple, and Guada—thank you for the enduring love and loyalty. We might not see one another often, but when we do, it’s like eighth grade all over again.
It’s been a chaotic few years; I could not have endured them without my fellow Roaring 20s debuts and Class of 2K20 Books classmates. Thank you for taking this wild ride with me.
To my MG Squad, Janae Marks, Lorien Lawrence, and Shannon Doleski—thanks for all the laughs and for keeping it real, always.
To my time-zone buddy—Melly Sutjitro—thank you for being there and listening to all my nonsense and whining over the years. I truly appreciate you.
I am grateful to Joseph Cole for allowing me to immortalize Justice’s life through Lucky the superhero dog. His memory lives on.
And lastly, to the readers—thank you for taking a chance on my book. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
GLOSSARY OF TAGALOG WORDS AND PHRASES
Ang ganda ng bahay mo: Your house is so nice.
Ang ganda ng ibon, diba?: The birds are beautiful, aren’t they?
Ano ang paborito mong kulay?: What is your favorite color?
Anong nangyari? Bulag ba siya?: What happened? Is he blind?
Ate: a term of respect used to address one’s older sister, but it can also be used to address an older female friend or acquaintance
Ayoko: I don’t want.
Bangka: an outrigger boat commonly used for transport and fishing
Bangsilog: a popular breakfast meal consisting of fried marinated milkfish, fried egg, and garlic rice
Buti nga sa’yo!: Serves you right!
Chismosa: a person who gossips
Dagat: sea
Dahan dahan: Go slowly or carefully.
Diba?: Right?
Durian: a large, spiky tropical fruit with a sweet yellow custard-like flesh. To some, it has an unpleasant aroma.
Duwendes: goblins, elves, or dwarves in Filipino folklore
Hay: Sigh.
Hay naku: Oh dear. Oh my.
Hindi: No.
Hindi ko alam: I do not know.
Huwag: Don’t.
Huwag ka na makialam!: Don’t meddle. Stay out of this. Mind your own business.
Huwag kang matatakot. Aalagaan kita: Don’t be afraid. I will take care of you.
Huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi kita hahayaang mahulog: Do not worry. I won’t let you fall.
Ikaw na!: It’s your turn!
Itatago ko ang iyong lihim: I will keep your secret.
Ito si: this is
Jeepney: a small decorative-looking bus that is one of the most popular modes of affordable public transportation
Kahapon: yesterday
Kain tayo: Let’s eat.
Kainan sa palengke: market eatery
Kalabaw: water buffalo
Kapres: menacing tree giants in Filipino folklore
Kawawa naman: poor thing
Konti lang: just a little
Kumusta?: How are you?
Kuya: a term of respect used to address one’s older brother, but it can also be used to address an older male friend or acquaintance
Kuya, sa palengke tayo. Salamat: Bro [slang, not actual brother], to the market. Please.
Laban: fight
Libro: book
Lolo: grandfather
Lugaw: a rice porridge, oftentimes eaten when someone isn’t feeling well
Mabuhay: Literally translates as “Live!” But it is often used to welcome someone, or as a cheer when toasting drinks.
Mabuti naman po: Quite good, sir.
Magandang umaga: Good morning.
Mahal kita: I love you.
Mamaya: later
Manang: a term of respect used to address one’s older sister (someone aged forty or older), but it can also be used to address an older female friend or acquaintance
Mangosteen: a purple tropical fruit with fragrant, slightly acidic flesh
Maniwala ka sa akin: You can trust me.
Manong: a term of respect used to address one’s older brother (someone aged forty or older), but it can also be used to address an older male friend or acquaintance
Merienda: afternoon snack
Monggo: a soup or stew made with dried mung beans (similar to lentils)
&nbs
p; Nanay: mother
Ngiti: smile
Opo: a polite or respectful way of saying yes
Palengke: market
Pancit: a traditional Filipino dish made with rice or egg noodles and mixed with vegetables, meat, or seafood and hard-boiled eggs.
Pasalubong: a gift or souvenir given to a friend or relative by someone who had just returned from travel
Pulis: police
Rambutan: a tropical fruit related to the lychee and longan fruit with a hairy-looking outer shell
Sa bahay: at home
Sa baryo: at the village
Sa kubo: in the hut
Sa munisipyo: at the municipality
Saging: banana
Salamat po: Thank you.
Sarap: delicious
Sari-sari store: a small convenience store
Sige. Maglaro tayo: Okay. Let’s play.
Siguradong, gusto mo ng French fries, noh?: I’m sure you want French fries, right?
Sorbetes: ice cream
Suka: vomit
Sus. Ang taray mo naman: Jesus. You’re so sassy/prickly/mean.
Susmaryosep: a contraction of “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” to express anger, frustration, or disbelief
Taho: a breakfast or snack food made of silken tofu, sugar syrup, and sago pearls, usually sold by a roving street vendor
Takot ka ba?: Are you afraid?
Tao po: a phrase used to announce his/her/their presence at an entrance of someone’s home
Tara: Let’s go.
Tita: a term of respect used to address one’s aunt, but it can also be used to address a much older female friend or acquaintance
Tito: a term of respect used to address one’s uncle, but it can also be used to address a much older male friend or acquaintance
Turon: a popular snack consisting of ripe plantain banana, brown sugar, and sometimes jackfruit, rolled in rice paper sheets and deep fried
Ube: a purple sweet yam often used as an ingredient in sweets and ice cream
Unggoy: monkey
Walis tingting: a handleless broom made from the stiff midribs of palm leaves, used to sweep outdoors
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Most of us take our smiles for granted.
They just happen.
When we’re happy.
When we’re laughing.
When we’re nervous.
Lips curled at the corners.
Teeth, exposed.
Perhaps a dimple or two, like exclamation points at the end of a sentence.
But this isn’t the case for the 4,000 plus children born with cleft lips and palates every year in the Philippines. For them, smiles are a source of sadness, of heartache, of pain, of anger.
In developed nations like the United States, cleft lips and palates are, by and large, surgically corrected very early in life. But in poorer countries like the Philippines, birth defects are commonly left untreated into childhood and even adulthood, because the majority of families simply cannot afford the cost.
Like Chiqui, these children often live isolated lives, staying home rather than going to school—where they can be bullied, laughed at, and stared at. Some, in more extreme cases, may even have difficulty breathing, eating, and speaking.
Thankfully, there are now organizations dedicated to giving children with cleft lips and palates free medical treatment. With the help of donors and volunteer surgeons and nurses, they’ll get their second chances—to smile without shame or embarrassment.
Lips curled at the corners.
Teeth, exposed.
Perhaps a dimple or two, like exclamation points at the end of a sentence.
A smile.
Just like yours and mine.
But never taken for granted.
* * *
If you would like to learn more about the wonderful work these organizations are doing in the Philippines, you may visit them online:
1. Mabuhay Deseret Foundation: mabuhaydeseretfoundation.org
2. Operation Smile Philippines: operationsmile.org.ph
3. Smile Train Philippines: smiletrain.ph
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Guerrero is Filipino and Spanish by birth, but has been fortunate enough to call three countries home—the Philippines, Spain, and the United States. Currently, she lives in a shipping-container home in the suburbs of Manila with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of rescued cats and dogs. In her free time, she grows her own food, bakes bread, and reads. How to Make Friends with the Sea is her debut novel.
Visit her online at tanyaguerrero.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Acknowledgments
Glossary of Tagalog Words and Phrases
Author’s Note
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 by Tanya Guerrero
Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers
An imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
mackids.com
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
First hardcover edition, 2020
eBook edition, March 2020
eISBN 978-0-374-31200-8
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