In a remote sitio in Nueva Ecija, Kiko is known as the most passionate young man when it comes to love. Nothing can stop his determination to get the sweet “yes” from the most beautiful girl in the barangay, Ligaya. Kiko decided to level up his courtship. A simple guitar was no longer enough. He needed something explosive. He rented his uncle’s biggest sound system, complete with LED lights and a smoke machine, to perform a grandiose serenade.

By eight o’clock in the evening, the sitio was shrouded in darkness because the streetlight pole was down. Together with three close friends, they carefully pushed the cart with two large speakers towards the house with a large mango tree in the yard. This was Kiko’s sign. Because of the darkness and nervousness, he didn’t notice that they had crossed a lot.

“Toll, are you okay? Play the minus one, the ‘Ikaw’ to pierce the heart,” Kiko whispered.

When the switch was turned on, a very loud intro rang out that shook the roofs. It was accompanied by a puff of smoke and a swirl of pink LED lights that hit the second-floor window. Kiko closed his eyes with all his heart, grabbed the microphone, and hissed with intense emotion. His love was palpable.

While in the middle of the performance, the window slowly opened. Kiko raised his voice even louder, expecting Ligaya’s thrilled face. However, when his eyes opened, a big surprise greeted him. Sometimes, stories like this are only read on Page: SAY – Story Around You | Original story, but now it is actually happening. What was staring back was not Ligaya’s smooth face, but the wrinkled face of Lola Pacing, the seventy-year-old widow of the barangay.

Lola Pacing was wearing a duster with a floral print, smiling widely, and her dentures were clearly missing. The old man was thrilled! He gathered his strength and gave Kiko a crisp flying kiss down.

“Thank you, son! It’s been a long time since Kanor died!” squealed Lola Pacing.

Kiko almost dropped the microphone. His friends were rolling on the grass laughing. Kiko almost died of embarrassment when he realized his mistake. Wrong house! Wrong window! Wrong generation!

Kiko was about to run to escape the embarrassment, but Lola Pacing quickly came down carrying a large bilao. To everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t hot water that was poured on them, but the grandmother pulled him into the yard.

“Come on! I cooked a lot of suman and made hot chocolate!” the old man’s nurse said enthusiastically.

Kiko had no choice but to follow. They sat down at the bamboo table. His friends fell silent as they smelled the appetizing aroma. As he chewed the suman with a stick, he looked over to the house next door. The light was bright in the window, and he saw Ligaya. His true love was looking out, holding her smartphone, and laughing while making a video. Ligaya gave him a thumbs up and shouted, “You’re doing great, Kiko! Let’s share the suman!”

But here comes the biggest twist. As Kiko ate the suman, he realized something. The suman was so delicious. It was so delicious that he felt like he was about to cry with joy. When he tasted the chocolate, its warmth seemed to embrace his soul. He looked at Ligaya who was still videoing, and then looked at Lola Pacing.

Suddenly, Kiko stood up and announced into the microphone. “Barangay members! I want to announce that I am no longer a lover of Ligaya! From now on, my heart and stomach are slaves to Lola Pacing’s suman! Lola, can I apply to be your seller at the market?!”

The laughter grew louder. The epic fail serenade turned into a successful business partnership. The next day, people flocked to Lola Pacing’s house to buy the suman that changed the heart of the desperate young man.