His Notes and Hopes

Tatay Kusapi: Old and Gold

Pleasure is the burning heat that rests on his skin, and uncertainties amidst the noise are nothing but his thing.

At his old age of 72, Tatay Kusapi quietly sits on a rusty speaker, listening to both music and the world around him. He stays in his comfortable position, waiting for anyone to notice him and perhaps leaves some coins in the worn-out and recycled plastic bottle hanging from his neck.

Tatay Kusapi has been begging at Session Road since 1980. He doesn’t do this every day, as he chooses to stay at home for most days of the week. But when he does, he collects as much as P300 on days as busy as Sunday. However, when the streets are calmer, Tatay Kusapi’s belt bag also feels lighter, as he can only bring home P200 to P250—enough to feed himself for the day and pay for his transportation.

Residing in Bayabas, La Trinidad, Tatay Kusapi takes the jeepney home to his family waiting for him. He leaves his spot at 5:00 PM, ready to take the roads and pavements to the terminal. The 46 years he has spent walking the earth with only the power of his senses and a walking stick have made him memorise every corner and turn, along with all the steps and stops. He lives with his grandchildren, with whom he spends his time when he takes days off away from the bustling roads at the heart of the City of Pines.

On a typical day, he starts begging at 10 in the morning. Accompanied by the familiar notes of songs that play from his speaker, he spends the day with admirable patience and hope. The heat doesn’t bother Tatay Kusapi, as he especially prefers to be under the sun’s rays than to feel the cool breeze on his brown skin.

To a stranger who knows nothing about the depth of Tatay Kusapi’s life, he could be described as zealous. He is a symbol of strength and courage, and his persistence allows him to stay on his feet, balanced despite the weight of the world unseen.