My parents have their own quirks when it comes to birthdays.

Tatay started counting his age backwards when he hit 65 in 2001. No particular reason, except that he associates numerically increasing ages as a self-fulfilling prophecy, i.e., the more advancing in age, the greater risk to anything, particularly in the medical aspect.

Nanay does not have any strange practices like Tatay. The only time she made a big deal out of her adding another year was last year, when she turned 70. I suppose it's something worth noting, considering that out of the eight or nine siblings she has (even I don't keep proper count), there are only four of them left and all of them are women. 70 was also a year worth tracking because finally, she'll start receiving her monthly GSIS cheques, which she never fails to note is non-taxable and is quite neat (though she wouldn't use the word 'neat'), since if you think about it, she's being 'paid' for being, well, alive.

So after all the hoopla about 70 and getting her first pension cheque, today ushered Year 71. Somehow, it doesn't have the same ring as 70. 71 feels like that unlikely lottery number every ticket holder would swear at. I mean, who would ever think of putting 71 on his or her ticket? 71? I would even think of 72. 72 has a better ring to it. Not to mention that in Philippine history 1972 corresponds to the year Martial Law was declared. Yes, 72, and probably 75, but not 71.

But yes, a day is a day and Year 71 and for Nanay, it was business as usual. The only trace of a birthday were the morning greetings and kisses and the suggestion that we have lunch at Joe's. I had to make the suggestion because personally, I felt rather embarassed that I've dined at Joe's many, many times and yet my own parents have not. I also thought of making a last-minute order of flowers but decided that this would be more touching for Mother's Day.

Made it before the appointed time and thought of placing the orders since it does take time for the meals to arrive at the table. I thought since they're first-timers, I'd get them a representative sample: cheezy bacon linguine (one of my favorites), puttanesca (for the anchovies' saltiness) and spicy rigatoni, plus three glasses of New York iced teas.

They finally came. I had to let out a mental laugh since they came with their tops in matching blue color. (Who knew my parents still had some cheese left in their systems? Hello, Valentine's Day?) Of course there had to be a story, courtesy of Tatay. While he was relating the story of how they got lost (they walked from the house to Joe's), Nanay was trying hard not to roll her eyes. I immediately shot back a look that said 'Not now, Mudder.'

And then, the pasta sampling. They found the iced teas quite refreshing. The linguine was, according to Tatay, friendly. (I had to ask, did it come with a basket of cookies?) Nanay was particular drawn to the rigatoni and asked constantly if this or that dish had this or that herb. I warned them that the fare could well be like paella: it could expand in their stomachs.

And it did, risking towards sleepiness, so I thought it best to order a cup of coffee. Tatay took a sip and let out this 'My brew is better than this sorry-ass of a cup' grin. (Of course he wouldn't say 'sorry-ass' but he has tried using 'shit' several times before. Of course I cringed upon hearing it.)

From the looks on their faces, I could see that they were pleased with lunch. Nanay's daily thoughts of 'What's for dinner?' were conveniently put on hold.

P.S. I got my stash of Bath and Body Works' Cotton Blossom from Candy (c/o her mom). Thank you so much. Layering, activated. Now I smell like clean sheets (and it's not Surf). I can't stop sniffing myself.