| The baby barrier or alubaybayan in local parlance is a | | | | here where Nicky would shed tears deeply longing |
| part of Nicky's physical makeup. We devised one in | | | | for his mothers' warm embrace. It is here where |
| the nipa house we rented with in Patag, Catbalogan. | | | | countless sleepy moods have overtook him. In fact, |
| A baby barrier serves several purposes, it prevents a | | | | he did a number of times sleep making his folded |
| toddler from wandering out the house even if the | | | | arms on the baby barrier as his pillow. Just imagine |
| door is open and it is also a handy tool for a baby | | | | the loneliness the child has undergone up to the time |
| who is just learning how to walk on his own. Made up | | | | his mother graduated college. |
| of two pieces of wooden boards, they are tied | | | | The main baby barrier was Nicky's favorite hangout. |
| securely or nailed across the doorway. | | | | Left alone to himself most of the time with only the |
| The baby barrier serves other equally important | | | | yaya [servant] attending to his needs, Nicky would |
| purposes as well. When the baby is asleep, a mother | | | | crawl on fours towards it. Then he climbs and stands |
| can do chores outside the house, such as washing | | | | by it for hours and there he would take his catnap as |
| clothes, hanging clothes on the line, buying | | | | well as answer nature calls. |
| commodities nearby, feeding the chickens and pigs, | | | | Indeed I have had chances to witness these things |
| backyard gardening, etc. A mother or anybody | | | | personally when I arrived home from work. My work |
| assigned to tend the baby can accomplish any of the | | | | was some 43 kilometers away south as a barrio |
| foregoing tasks with complete peace of mind. He or | | | | school teacher in Barrio Angyap, Motiong, Samar. Tita |
| she is pretty sure that the baby is safe and sound in | | | | had the same observation as well. Upon arrival from |
| the confines of the house with the baby barriers. | | | | school, Tita- being a kind and loving mother- would at |
| Even if the baby wakes up, the mother is still safe | | | | once pick up, hug and shower Nicky with tender |
| from worry because she is assured that nothing | | | | kisses. Just imagine the joy and happiness of both |
| untoward will happen to the baby. | | | | child and mother at those tender moments. |
| Constructing a baby barrier is easy as ABC. It can be | | | | In the end both mother and child deserve warm |
| done by anybody at home. It can be installed by | | | | congratulations for their sacrifices. With flying colors, |
| even a 12-year old boy with minimal assistance from | | | | they have successfully climbed mountains of |
| his parent. Two pieces of wooden boards measuring | | | | hardships and crossed rivers of heartaches. Nicky, |
| one-half inch thick by eight inches wide by eight feet | | | | after finishing the 4-year BSIT degree course, landed |
| long can be purchased through vendors or through | | | | a permanent job in the Department of Agrarian |
| wood and lumber dealers. Presently the wooden | | | | Reform. He is still connected with the DAR up to this |
| board cost forty pesos locally. In places where | | | | writing. For her part, her mother, Tita, after finishing |
| sawed board is not available, substitute materials can | | | | a 4-year education course, found herself a public |
| be fashioned in place of board. Wooden poles as big | | | | schoolteacher and now she is a DECS-GSIS |
| as a mans' arm will do as baby barrier. But | | | | pensioner. |
| construction must be so that distances between | | | | This write-up projects a very sensible lesson. It |
| poles will not permit a foothold for the baby to climb | | | | declares that problems are not hindrances to success. |
| over. | | | | It points out that married women or nursing mothers |
| In the year 1966 when he was about twelve months | | | | can still finish a college course despite their status in |
| old, Nicky was a familiar figure crawling, climbing and | | | | life. It presents a simple device called baby barrier to |
| clinging on to the main baby barrier which was | | | | lessen the problem of child raring so that mothers |
| located on the main porch leading to the stairs. With | | | | can pursue other equally important priorities. All that |
| his head an inch or two over it, Nicky would train his | | | | one needs to find his place in the sun are but two |
| sight northward following the wooden pathway, | | | | most important ingredients in life- will and |
| waiting and anticipating the arrival from school of his | | | | determination. Have a strong will so you can find |
| Nanay [Mother]. He would do this for hours during | | | | ways to solve problems. Possess and develop an |
| school days. Tita, his Nanay was finishing college. For | | | | unwavering spirit of determination so that you can |
| the uninitiated, this scene with Nicky by the baby | | | | realize your objectives despite obstacles. |
| barrier is the most poignant part of this account. It is | | | | |