“Saan ka galing, Papa?” (“Where have you been, Papa?”)

With the one question nagging perhaps at his innocent young mind for the past two weeks, three-year-old Baby James Yap drove home a point that had his two-time PBA Most Valuable Player father reeling in search of an answer.

“Di ako nakapagsalita agad,” James Yap said on the phone on Saturday. “Nabigla ako. Di ko expect magtanong siya ng ganoon.” (“I was caught flat-footed. I didn’t expect him to ask such question.”)

The B-Meg Derby Ace hotshot recalled mumbling something about having to work in order to buy him the toy Yap brought with him that night as a gift.

“Parang ganoon na lang ang nasabi ko. Pero ang saya-saya namin pareho noong magkita kami. Sobrang saya.”

Yap and his wife, TV host-actress Kris Aquino, had been locked in a bitter and much-publicized feud for the past few months, with Aquino declaring in public that she would be seeking an annulment of their five-year marriage.

The estranged couple’s disagreement came to a head when the basketball star claimed that he had not seen his son, baptized James Yap Jr., for the past two weeks, petitioning the court through lawyer Lorna Kapunan to grant him visitation rights.

Last Friday, Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Cristine Javellana-Sulit granted Yap’s petition, forging an agreement from both parties, allowing Yap to visit his son during Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

“Under the compromise agreement, James can have Baby James on Wednesdays from 2 to 8 p.m., and he can have an overnight with his son on Fridays and Saturdays. He can also bring him to his games,” Kapunan said.

At the hearing’s conclusion, Yap drove over to the One Roxas Tower in Makati, the place he and his wife shared, at around 8 p.m. where his son met him at the door.

“Pareho kaming sabik na sabik sa isa’t isa,” Yap said. “Ang daming tanong, ang daming kuwento.”

Father and son were inseparable for the next few hours before they went to bed at 11 p.m.

“Wala lang, naglaro kami, kuwentuhan, kumain dinner, andon lang kami buong gabi,” Yap said.

They woke up at 8:30 the next morning, with Baby James, on opening his eyes, asking for the toy his father had brought with him the night before.

Baby James also asked for his iPod.

“Oo, alam na niya yung mga iPod,” James said proudly when asked if Baby James knows how to operate one. (“Yes, he knows iPod.”) “Three pa lang siya, pero marami na siyang alam.” (He’s only three years old but he knows a lot.”)

Yap is set to fly to the States for a two-week vacation, but said he will try to find time to visit his son later yesterday before leaving.

“Baka puwede pa,” he said. “Ita-try ko.” (“It might still be possible. I’ll try.”)

Asked whether Baby James’ mom was around that night when he visited, Yap said, “Yes, pero nasa ibang room siya." (She’s in the other room.”)

And how were the two of them?

“OK naman. Alam mo na 'yon, civil,” Yap said. “Pero masaya ako. Nagpapa-thank you nga ako sa kanya na pumayag siya na makadalaw ako kay Baby James."

Texted later if there was any possibility of mother and son joining him later in the States, James Yap initially didn't reply.

Then came the laconic: “No comment.”