Rebond

For many, a simple hair treatment like a rebond is treated like mandatory shopping routine every payday because of the need to look presentable at the very least, and to maintain healthy hair as they age.

For some people, especially mothers, however, it seems like it is a rare indulgence—something that they quietly treat as a “want” rather than a “need,” despite the hair being one of the most important aspects of the external physical body. However, I do not think that they do not really “need” or “want” it because, like what most mothers say to their children when they ask for permission to date, “There is a perfect timing for everything.”

So, when is the perfect timing?

To know the answer, we must recognize and understand what means the most to mothers—and that’s easy: their children.

Then, what is the most important occasion for children aside from their birthdays? Their graduation day.

Hence, it can be deduced that most mothers will literally wait for their child’s closing exercises, moving-up ceremonies, graduation, or recognition programs before having the neglected necessity: a hair rebond.

If we think about it, they could have had their well-deserved salon treatment on their birthdays, or even when they have an extra amount from their hard-earned money, but they choose to have it for a program that is not mainly about them, and where their hair is not even the center of attraction.

For them, they needed that hair rebond not just to look good and the most beautiful in the venue, but to look even more dignified than they already are so they could say: “This is my son. This is my daughter. I am proud!”

I know all of these because I remember my mother during my college’s recognition program a few years back. She dressed up and had her hair rebonded while I was only in a gala uniform with barely any grooming products on my face and most importantly, a messy hair without a wax to hold it together or a baby oil to make it more polished. So, guess who was recognized? Despite how stupid I looked, she was proud of me but I was even prouder of her not because she had her hair straightened but because she managed to guide a problem child like me to walk the right path. For that, I am forever grateful.

Now that I am already a teacher, I can see my mother in the mothers that go up on stage with their child, not only in their well-groomed hair, but also with their hearts jumping with joy as their sacrifices like putting off salon treatments just to provide or serve their child have finally paid off.

I am sure that there are times when they no longer know what to do with the little resources they have that they do not take the time to take a look at themselves anymore. However, never have I ever seen a mother frowning or worrying about tomorrow at the center of a graduation stage because of two reasons: she might be brimming with pride or does not want to stress her hair out. I am even more sure that it is the former, because that’s what mothers are like.

Maybe their own children and “amigas” will use the rebond angle to tease these proud mothers. However, I would like the movers and graduates to reflect on this seemingly small action and sacrifice. Mothers would literally spend a thousand pesos or less for a rebond that could lose its form after the graduation ceremony because they have to work extra hours the day, week, and month after that, knowing that the school year ahead requires new notebooks, uniforms, and bags.

And yet, even knowing that the straightened hair might get ruined by sweat and sacrifice—they still do it. The only way to make their rebond worth it is by honoring their efforts. Reciprocate it with the simplest gestures.

Since these realizations, I had to ask these questions: Why would they rebond in March, April, or May when these months are the hottest in temperature and could damage their hair?

Most mothers I know work in fields from sunrise to sunset without any shelter at all, will they be able to maintain their hair quality right after their children’s graduation?

They are already beautiful without getting their hair done. Isn’t it a waste of money after all?

While I already know the answer, I still can’t make sense of it—and that is what makes it make sense: Mothers do not care about any of that because their love for their children defies logic.

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Keith Russell Gacho, 24, is a teacher.