I returned the comb to the table, spinning around in front of the mirror as I finished preparing. Gradually the sides of my lips began to lift, releasing a satisfied sigh as I gazed at myself. Ilang buwan rin akong hindi nakapag-suot ng Tapis. Mabuti nalang at Ethnic attire ang uniform ng Worship Team ngayong Church Anniversary. Had been a church tradition for years now says Ma'am Johanna.

Huminga ako ng malalim at lumabas sa kuwarto. As soon as I stepped out, the view of Ma'am Johanna also in a Cordilleran Wrap-around skirt filled my gaze. Napasinghap nalang ako nang makita siya. "Wow, ang ganda mo naman, Ma'am!" I exclaimed.

She smiled sweetly and looked me from head to toe, "Don't speak as though you're not as lovely," Her gaze narrowed as it reached my feet. Naconscious tuloy ako at ibinaba rin ang tingin. "Lapit ka nga, Grace," She beckoned.

I took a step forward, "Bakit po, Ma'am?"

Lalong naningkit ang mga mata niya, "Grace, dear, you look so beautiful! But are you seriously going to wear those shoes?"

My cheek burned, gazing down at my school black shoes at her word. "Ah," I forced a chuckle, "Hala Ma'am, ito lang at yung puting sneakers ko po kasi ang meron ako. Unless my flip-flops would look better?"

Umiling siya at bumuntong-hininga, "Hold on, hold on," She gazed upwards, "I think may iniwan akong heels dito noon eh." She walked past me and entered the room beside mine. I followed behind her. "Ipinatago ko 'yun dati kay Pastora Jane kaya sa tingin ko dito niya inilagay."

Pinanood ko lang siya habang binuksan nito ang cabinet, "Ah, there it is!" She bent down and took something from the inside. I bit my lip in anticipation. Swiftly, she stood back up, a pair of sophisticated black heels in her hand as she did so. "This will look so much better!"

Nakangiti siyang lumapit at inilapag ang heels sa harap ko, "O-okay lang po ba talaga, Ma'am?"

"Of course!" She beamed, "Go ahead, try it on, dear."

I took a deep breath and smiled, "S-sige po," Sliding the worn shoes off my feet, I slipped a foot onto the heels, one foot after the other as I did. My gaze widened. It fit perfectly. "Ma'am ano pong size niyo?"

"37," She breathed.

Ah kaya naman pala, pareho lang kami. Ngumiti ako at sinubukang maglakad. It may sound real weird, but for the whole seventeen years I had living, this was the first time I've worn anything as lavish.

Bahagyang lumayo si Ma'am, "See? That looks so much better!"

"Thank you po, Ma'am," Pasalamat ko, "Angmahal po siguro nito 'no?"

She only chuckled and waved a dismissive hand, "O hala, prepare ka na d'yan ha. Ikaw pa naman maglelead ngayon."

Tumango ako, "Yes po, Ma'am,"

With another smile, she turned around and walked out the door, her long hair swaying as she advanced. Huminga ako ng malalim at ipinikit ang mata. It had been a few months since I started leading worship here, almost a year now but I still somehow feel nervous whenever I do it.

I bit my lips and gazed upwards. Lord, have Your way today.

Akmang hahakbang na sana ako nang marinig ang pag-ring ng aking phone mula sa kuwarto. At its sound I turned around and went for my room, opening the door in haste as I listened to the ringtone.

Bumungad ang salitang 'Mama' sa screen nang buksan ko ito, and with an excited swipe I lifted the phone to my ear.

"Hello Ma?"

"O anak, kamusta naman? Church Anniversary niyo ngayon d'yan sa church hindi ba?"

"Opo," Kumpirmasyon ko, "Magsastart na po in thirty minutes Ma,"

"Ganon ba anak? Naku, enjoy ha. Nasabi mo nga pala noong kasama ka sa Worship Team d'yan 'di ba?"

Lumawak ang ngiti sa aking labi, "Wen Ma. Sa katunayan nga po ako ang maglelead ngayon."

"Talaga anak!?" I could hear excitement from her voice, "Praise God! I'm real proud of you, anak!"

"Thank you, Ma." I breathed, "Mama, punta na akong church muna ha? Prepared lang konti,"

"Okay anak, but can I ask a favor?"

"Ano po 'yon, Ma?"

"Mag-picture ka naman anak at isend mo sa akin," She asked, "Gusto kong makita ang hitsura mo ngayon,"

Nangunot ang noo ko, "Pero Ma, keypad po ang phone niyo, panong...?"

"Isend mo sa facebook ng Tita Lucia mo. Andito siya sa bahay ngayon eh,"

"Ah," Tumango ako, "Sige po Ma!"

After a few more words, we exchanged our goodbyes and ended the call. Hay, miss ko na si Mama, pati na rin sila George. What I would give to see them again. Naglakad ako palabas ng kuwarto at agad na rin itong isinara. Kailangan ko pang magpicture. Swiftly I walked out the pastoral house and lifted the phone. Low quality ang camera pero basta ba it does the job. I smiled my best and snapped the picture, sending it to my Aunt's account as I walked towards the church.

Rinig na rinig na ang tugtog ng mga instrumentalists mula sa loob ng simbahan, and people were already streaming from the gate, all with bright smiles as they went in. Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko ng mamataan si Rhoe, a group of students I recognize from school right behind her.

"Rhoe!" Tawag ko. Agad naman itong lumapit at pinagmasdan ako.

"Woah," I heard her breathe, "You look regal, Grace!"

Natawa nalang ako at tinignan ang mga kasama niya. Leah and Ryan were among them.

"Hello!" I waved towards them, "Mabuti't naka-rating kayo!"

I saw Ryan step up, eyes upon me as he smiled, "You look beautiful, Grace."

Nagbaba ako ng tingin, stomach fluttering as I heard his words. Makatingin naman itong si Bro Ryan eh. "T-thanks,"

I took another glance towards the young people behind Rhoe, smiling as I did. And after a few words, napagdesisyunan na rin naming pumasok sa church building. I clung to Rhoe's arm, chatting with her as we advanced. The view of the instrumentalists immediately filled my vision. As expected, they all wore something ethnic to their array.

I probed the stage with my gaze, and soon was taken aback as I recognized Gabriel among them, an electric guitar in hand as he turned around. I felt myself halt, held in awe as I saw his form.

He wore a white polo tucked in dark slacks, and a cordilleran waistcoast wrapped his torso, all the more elevating his look among the others. I sucked I breath. Goodness, he's real handsome today.

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Media: Portrayal of the Ifugao Tapis. (Photo mine)