What so special about a doughnut?

Well, aside from it’s a Krispy Kreme, it was brought home by my son when he went home from a field trip, two or three days ago.

My son went on an ‘exposure’ field trip last week where they went to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Now, I actually envy him because I’ve never been to those places.

And since they have lots of time to spare in their hands, they proceeded to the Mall of Asia (MOA) afterwards. Honestly, I suspect it was actually included in their itinerary. That’s where Ralph bought those Krispy Kreme and brought them all the way home to Angeles City.

We know there is already a branch of the creamy doughnut in Marquee Mall here, but we’ve never been there yet. And Ralph was always curious about this much talked-about doughnut brand, so when he had a chance, he made sure he’ll take a bite. I’m glad he was thoughtful enough to bring home some and share it with us.

Although the ones he brought home were the smaller version, still they are not really lacking in creaminess.  I believe I have eaten more shares than what Edgar and Angel had, especially since I ate them with my coffee (One of those instances that I tend to forget I’m the adult).

By the way, he enjoyed his field trip – in the PSE, BSP, and MOA. The doughnuts were just highlighted because it was over these doughnuts that he was sharing his adventures… especially, the ‘extra’ free doughnuts he got from Krispy Kreme.

After getting a sampling of those mini-doughnuts Ralph brought home, I now want to go to Marquee Mall because I really wanted to taste that original glazed doughnut variety Rey shared in PatayGutom.com

Pretty soon, I will…

Back in 2004, my eldest son Ralph Emerson was in his first year in high school. I was still working then.

I came home quite late one day, my son told me they will have a classroom presentation the next day… and he was the appointed leader of their group. He asked me to prepare something for them.

Again, the presentation would be the next day.

So I asked him the details, what subject? what is required of them? how many are they in the group? and what else do I need to know?

It will be for their English subject, they are required to present something – drama, play, song, dance… anything! As long as they would present the different Parts of Speech in the most creative way.

They were 6 in the group, including my son who is the group leader, and they left everything to him and expected him to have something the next morning.

That’s all I need to know. Great!

I hardly ate dinner that night. My mind was swirling… thinking of something that can satisfy the requirements given the limitation of time. It should be something short enough that they can rehearse quickly in the morning, yet complete enough to mention all the different parts of speech.

I never thought my son had so much faith in me.

I hardly slept. It was almost 1AM and I haven’t written anything yet. I don’t know if I will write a song or a short play…

3AM, inspiration struck me!

The Philippine franchise of The Weakest Link was a very popular game show then, especially with Edu Manzano as an effective host. So, I started writing the sript for the presentation… except that I changed the title… and here is how it came out….

The Strongest Link

Ralph: Good day to all our viewers! Welcome to the hottest game show today – The Stongest Link! Today, we will learn from our contestants, who are all parts of speech, which of them is the strongest link. Let’s meet them and hear what they have to say.

Noun: I am Noun, and as you can obviously see, I am the strongest link! Without me, what would you call your mother? You wouldn’t have a pet dog… hey! You wouldn’t even have birthday without me! That’s why I should be the strongest link!

Pronoun: (Ehem) With all due respect, listen to the following sentences… My mother went to market. My mother cooks delicious food. My mother loves us very much. Hmmm… doesn’t it sound like a broken record. Surely, this sounds better… My mother went to market. She cooks delicious food. She loves us very much. See! It sounds better! That is why I, Pronoun, should be the strongest link!

Verb: Hey! Wait a minute! You’ve just proven that I am the strongest link! Without me, your mother can’t go to the market, she can’t even cook if there are no verbs. Just imagine a world without action… isn’t that boring?! I am really the strongest link!

Adjective: How can you be the strongest link? Without me, you wouldn’t even know the meaning of strongest at all! You won’t know how delicious your mother cooks or how much she loves you! There’s no question about it. When it comes to comparison, I am the strongest link!

Adverb: Well, you may have a point there. But just like Mr. Noun, you’re kinda boring by yourself. That is where I come in, I put more colors and meaning to you Mr. Adjective, and not only you but including Mr. Verb there. In fact, I put excitement to the whole sentence! Isn’t that what the strongest link should be?!

Ralph: Well, there they are ladies and gentlemen. We all have heard what they have to say, and honestly, each one has a point. Who then should be the strongest link?

The truth is, all of them are important, all deserve to be the strongest link. But here’s the news here, if you, my fellow students would learn how to use them all, together with other parts of speech – preposition, conjunction and interjection… without a doubt then, you will be the strongest link!

Goodbye! (wink)