by Tara Frejas
Minsan Tayo – Sometimes (There’s) Us
Himig ng Pag-uwi – Coming Home
Limang Linggong Liham – Five Weeks’ Worth of Letters
The following titles are actual OPM (Original Pilipino Music) songs* mentioned in the book:
Iniibig Kita (I Love You/I am In Love With You), words and music by Ryan Cayabyab
Maghihintay Sa ‘Yo (I Will Wait For You), words and music by Dingdong Avanzado
Nandito Ako (I am Here), words and music by Aaron Paul del Rosario
Ikaw Lamang (Only You), words and music by Dodgie Simon
*If you want to listen to these songs (and the other songs in my Waiting in the Wings playlist), here’s a link to my Spotify playlist.
Copyright
Waiting in the Wings is a work of fiction. It is NOT fake news. While inspired by real people and events, all characters, events, and some places depicted in this book are entirely fictitious.
Copyright © Tara Claudine S. Frejas, 2017. All rights reserved.
Cover illustration and design by Miles Tan
Edited by Layla Tanjutco
With special thanks to Rix Forto, Ines Bautista-Yao, and Jay E. Tria
Glossary
ate, n. (Filipino) | big sister
bagoong, n. (Filipino) | a condiment partially or completely made out of either fermented fish or tiny shrimps
bola-bola, n. (Filipino) | bola literally means “ball.” In the case of bola-bola siopao, bola-bola means the steamed bun filling is a meatball made up of ground pork, chorizo, some herbs, and salted egg
chismis, n. (colloq., Filipino) | gossip
chismoso, n. (colloq., Filipino) | someone who engages in and spreads gossip (female, chismosa)
direk, n. (Filipino) | short for “direktor” (director)
ensalada, n. (Spanish) | salad
gago, n. (colloq., Filipino) | stupid, a fool
gawad, v. (Filipino) | to give/grant
guwapo, adj. (Filipino) | from the Spanish word “guapo,” meaning “handsome”
hijo, n. (Spanish) | son
“Hindi halata” (Filipino) | literally, “(It’s) not obvious.” Often used in a sarcastic manner.
isaw, n. (Filipino) | grilled chicken or pig intestine, a popular Filipino street food
kapeng barako (Filipino) | or barako coffee, is a variety of strong coffee grown particularly in the Philippine provinces of Batangas and Cavite. Separately, the word barako is the Filipino term for the male stud of an animal, and is associated with the image of manliness.
kolehiyala, n. (Filipino) | a female college student
kuya, n. (Filipino) | big brother
“Labyu” (colloq., Filipino) | another expression for “I love you.”
lagablab, n. (Filipino) | flame
“Mahiya ka, uy” (Filipino) | closest translation would be, “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
malambing, adj. (Filipino) | sweet or affectionate. When used to describe a voice, malambing could mean melodious, or pleasing to the ear
mestizo, n. (Spanish) | in the Philippines, the term mestizo (female version, mestiza) is used to describe someone of mixed Filipino and any foreign ancestry. It’s also used to refer to skin color, whereas mestizos and mestizas have fairer skin than pure-blooded Filipinos
naku, interj. (Filipino) | “Oh no!” or “Oh my!”
pamangkin, n. (Filipino) | niece/nephew
pare, n. (colloq., Filipino) | buddy, friend
poknat, n. (Filipino) | a scar or bald spot on the head that’s visible even if you have thick hair
pulutan, n. (Filipino) | bar food, snacks usually eaten with beer/liquor
simpatico, adj. (Spanish/Italian) | likable, easy to get along with
sinigang, n. (Filipino) | a Filipino sour soup dish, usually cooked with pork and vegetables. Other variants use beef, shrimp or fish.
siopao, n. (Hokkien) | steamed bun, usually filled with meat
teleserye, n. (Filipino) | a coined term used to refer to Filipino TV series, from the words “television” and “serye” (series)
tita, n. (Filipino) | aunt
ulit, adv. (Filipino) | again
yabang, adj. (Filipino) | pride, arrogance
Special Thanks
Waiting in the Wings took me on an emotional roller coaster ride that lasted eight months, and I wouldn’t have survived it without the help of these amazing, wonderful people who cheered me on in many different ways. Thank you so much...
To my family—Mama, Daddy, Jill and Tita Taba—for this, that, and everything in between. I couldn’t have asked for a more loving, supportive family. I hope I always make you proud. I love you all to the moon and back!
To Rix—the first person who has ever laid eyes on Ramon and Pio (heh!)—thank you, always, for loving my babies even when they’re being difficult. Thank you too, for your patience every time I spazz at you on our Telegram window. Labyuberimats.
To my ClingyGirls, Pach & Kush—for the friendship and kagagahan, always.
To my wonderful beta readers—TDR, Carla, KB, and Ines—for taking this journey with me and helping me see and feel things through your eyes and hearts, thank you. (I’ll say this here, though: On the off chance that you’ve fallen for Pio’s charms, please get in line behind Carla de Guzman. She has dibs. ^_^)
To Jay—for the pompoms. Thanks for listening to me. I’m so happy we’re friends. Labyulabyu.
To Ninang Layla, again—for helping me whip this manuscript into shape. I live for the comments you leave on my margins. I hope your little Mamon has made you proud now. ^_^ Labyuhuhubels.
To Miles—for your patience and skill in creating the amazing, super red (my favorite color!) cover of this book. Hope to work with you again soon!
To Pepe—for being super game, answering my questions in between your crazy Ang Probinsyano filming schedules. It was you who said Paper Planes Back Home could be a musical, and it’s here! (Sort of, haha.) Thank you, be well, and see you soon, my friend.
To Archie—for replying (so quickly too!) and being so candid with your answers. Your honesty was refreshing. You might not be able to read this, but part of Ramon is you. Thank you.
To the awesome theatre people I look up to (some of you I have the honor of calling my friends)—OJ, Gio, Gab, Gold, Kim, Jerald, Poppert, Johnnie...basically everyone who was involved in Rak of Aegis—watching you perform was and will always be the best part of my research process. I am so happy the theatre industry has talented, passionate people like you. I live vicariously through you. Super labyu guys. Kitakits!
To every single one of you who has cheered me on while I was wrangling this story to completion, thank you. Some people say actions speak louder than words, but your words were enough to keep me going.
And to you, dear reader, who took a chance on this book—I hope you enjoyed this journey. I know your time is valuable, so thanks for sharing some with me (and Erin, Ramon, and Pio). Hope you support your local theatre productions, and more Filipino authors as well! ^_^
About the Author
Tara Frejas is a cloud-walker who needs caffeine to fuel her travels. When she's not on work mode, she keeps herself busy by weaving her daydreams into stories.
Aside from her obvious love affair with words and persistent muses, this full-fledged Piscean (who cares what NASA says?) is passionate about being caffeinated, musical theatre, certain genres of music, dance, dogs, good food, and romancing Norae, her ukelele. She owns a male bunny named Max who sometimes tries to nibble on her writing notes.
In another life, she wishes to be a musical theatre actress. Or a director, maybe. But in the meantime, she’ll continue being an avid supporter of the local theatre scene one show at a time.
MORE BOOKS FROM TARA
Paper Planes Back Home | The “Forget You” Brew | Settle the Score/Hustle Play | Scandalized | Make My Wish Come True (a #romanceclass Christmas anthology)
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