Hating Kapatid

"Hating Kapatid"

Some firstborn children can remember that golden time from when they were The Only One. The time when they had a whole of everything. All of the mother’s attention. All of the father’s time.

But sometimes, a family needs to grow. And it is then that the firstborn, now the eldest, becomes first acquainted with the pangs of jealousy. Some find out how surprisingly easy it is to be selfish.

But it could also be the time when they feel their heart expand. Their heart is now a muscle with endless capacity for care. They learn to be responsible for another, to give, and to share.

They learn the early acts of love.

They learn that love gives without keeping score or expecting anything in return.

When we say the Filipino phrase “hating kapatid”, rarely do we mean a perfect, equal half of a whole. It means giving what is needed — even if what is left for you might not be close to a perfect, equal half of a whole.

In collaboration with Nobody Clothing.