Lipad,Darna, Lipad! Sigaw,Totoy,Sigaw!

Timing couldn't be better! It's a month away from Halloween and as I was researching online for old Pinoy Komiks (the ones our parents used to read), I stumbled upon the official website of Mars Ravelo (popular creator of unforgettable Pinoy Komik classics like Kenkoy and Darna).

Lo and behold! I came face-to-face (albeit figuratively) with one source of my countless childhood nightmares: the Impakta in "Si Darna at ang Impakta".

This B/W Darna movie, originally shown in 1963, had Liza Moreno playing Darna and Gina Alonzo as Roma. I watched this movie for the first time on TV with my sister and our yaya late one night when I was a kid. At that time I knew it was ridiculous to be excited about watching this movie and at the same time be absolutely terrified. We should have just turned off the TV but as to why we stayed on I didn't know.The rest of the family had already gone up to bed and there were only the three of us left in the living room. Outside the nighttime sky was dark (syempre pa!), the branches swayed, and leaves rustled with the wind.

As the movie progressed, we found ourselves almost frozen in our seats while fearful of what lay beyond the windows and doors outside. Our imagination was running on hyper-drive out in the pitch black night. And so without taking our eyes off the screen, we folded down the jalousies of all the windows, locked all the doors and turned on all the overhead flourescent lighting. And yet, as glaringly bright as the room ever could be, we were still completely horrified. We were no doubt, true to character movie fans, totally immersed in the scenes playing before us. Our hearts were strickened with fear for the cityfolks, the Manilenos (pretty much like us) in the story who went on innocent trips to the probinsya only to become the Impakta's victims.

Everytime the hideous creature appeared behind the beautiful Roma, and everytime we heard her high-pitched voice, I must have jumped out of my hair and skin (Here you also heard the staple coyote howling of all Pinoy Horror movies and radio dramas. Ahoo...hoohoo...ahoo!). Impakta, very demon-looking with monstrous eyes, horns, and long hair, tried to stay hidden behind Roma in the daytime but at night would control her until they became almost one. That was when the killing spree took place. Night after night, one rural barrio after another became gruesome site of the Impakta's savage attack. It got totally out of control and the police were clueless and without any leads. Inevitably, the news reached Narda and Ding. They set out and found the creature responsible for all the mayhem. Narda swallowed the legendary stone that transformed her into Darna. But not without a fight. Impakta strangled Narda as the girl tried to shout her alter-ego's name. Meanwhile, us supermovie fans were momentarily out of "fright mode" and rooting for the good guys.

We shamelessly screamed with delight as Narda broke free of the struggle, and in unison with her let out, "Darna!", transforming the frail-looking Narda to the Wonder Woman-look-alike, Darna. The super hero battle with her nemesis ensued. And the rest is Darna history, with good winning over evil and Pinoy happy endings.

I surely did not describe the exact storyline, my memory now muddled and not as clear as it was the first time I saw the movie. I however realize the subtle differences between Wonder Woman and Darna was the iconic eagle in the upper torso of the former's costume as compared to Darna's twin star bra cups. Also, Darna had a scarf(?) dangling from her waist.


More Random Recall Machine: Mementos From the Friendly Skies

Also Read: Remembering Philippine Airlines in the 70's

Technorati Tags:70s, 80s, memories, nostalgia

Mementos From the Friendly Skies

Back in the day, airline bags were given free to first class passengers. With convenient adjustable straps, these vinyl, zippered carriers sported the airline s logo and were considered by many as status symbols of the jetsetters.

As a child, I did not really pay attention to that. So I did not even think of asking my dad why he had one hidden in his bedroom closet amidst the jumble of clothes and knick-knacks. All I knew was that the bag called to me, enticing me to discover the treats that await, like a can of mixed nuts or a bag of imported candies.

When family members would come home from trips abroad, among the pasalubong they handed out to us kids were special airline pens, stationery, playing cards, and airline wings pins. We enjoyed peeling off the cellophane wrap and sniffing in the scent of a fresh deck of cards. But what really gave us a kick was pinning on our airline wings to our shirts. Having those pins on us made us feel important and gave us the impetus to dream bigger, loftier dreams. The boys wanted to become pilots and the girls, stewardesses.

Through the years, those items and other airline collectibles became scarce. This may be attributed to rising costs in advertising in a fiercer, more competitive industry; or it may be due to practices many guilty balikbayans hope would not point to them as culprits.

Dare I disclose these? Was I not guilty myself? I was, after all, a beneficiary of toothbrushes, toothpastes, colognes, postcards, pillows, blankets, etc. These paraphernalias were readily available to the passengers for the taking with just a quick trip to the "lavatory" (sa CR). However, a line was drawn somewhere. Obviously, the stewardesses never expected that it was their last time to see some of the cutlery and glass tumblers they handed out to in-flight diners on the Amsterdam to New York route.

Like Houdini or the modern-day illusionist , Cris Angel (Mind Freak) , my frequent flying family's slight-of-hand tricks collected along with their miles a handsome hoard of airline silverware. Several pieces were added to the set everytime they flew home until there was enough for service for twelve. The elders beamed with pride as we used these classy utensils for our everyday suppers. Perhaps there were some among us who even imagined they were still up at thirty thousand feet, while proudly showing off their sophisticated table manners as they cut pork adobo with their shiny, Singapore Airlines knife and fork.

But one evening, we were about to have supper when the maids scurried to remove the source of pride and joy from the dinnertable. It turned out that we were expecting company, our aunt s high-profile airline executive. The shiny silvers were quickly replaced by everyday spoon and forks. We thought the coast was clear until halfway through the meal someone inadvertently used the big spoon with the conspicuous airline image to serve the stew. Everyone had a hard time covering up the tip of the handle and steering away the dish from the clueless guest of honor. All we could do afterwards was suppress our giggles and hope we don t choke ourselves.

Years passed and Mr. Airline Executive became part of the family. We knew that through all the dinners and parties he attented at home, he subsequently found out about the family s secret. We never heard of him mentioning this to his wife, unless my aunt just kept it to herself. To this day, he remains a quiet, retired gentleman with nary a remark about our mementos from the friendly skies.


More Random Recall Machine: All-Time Wonder Guy Popeye!

Also Read: Remembering Philippine Airlines in the 70's

Technorati Tags:70s, 80s, memories, nostalgia

All-Time Wonder Guy Popeye!

"I'm Popeye the Sailor Man,I'm Popeye that's who I am,I'm strong to the finish 'cause I eats me spinach, I'm Popeye the Sailor Man! (toot,toot!)"

The Popeye cartoons I used to watch on TV as a kid was still in classic black and white. Do they still show them today?

This Popeye guy must have been popular with the average Pinoy kids. Pinoy kids are typically small in build and very thin. Since their diet contains mostly starchy rice and vegetables rather than bigger meat portions, it would have been surprising for them to develop muscular physiques, unless they actually trained in athletics. After all, it is protein often lacking in their diets that build strong muscles, and not the vitamins and minerals (which is still important for a healthy diet) that they get from green, leafy vegetables such as spinach.

Spinach however, was Popeye's secret weapon. Fresh spinach to be exact. Although in dire cicumstances, he also retorted to the canned variety when Bluto (or Brutus) was dangerously pursuing the love of his life, his "goil" Olive Oyl.

The cartoon's plot was pretty much the same in every episode. Popeye romances Olive. Bluto kidnaps Olive and tries to take advantage of her. Popeye tries to rescue Olive but is overpowered by his arch-enemy, because Bluto is much bigger and stronger. The turning point is when Popeye finds a patch of spinach plant or a stack of canned spinach, and proceeds to gulp them down. If he used a can opener for the tins, I don't remember. Popeye flexes his arm and pops out his "muskels". He may have been a weak old-timer with that cackling gruff voice, petite frame, and signature pipe. But once he digests all his spinach, he is transformed into a superman and makes minced meat out of Bluto. Pow! Pow! Pow! A jab here, a big wollop there! He pounces on Bluto and recovers his sweetheart Olive.

Olive Oyl? Is it just a coincidence that she was named after vegetable extract?

All these hints on eating healthy food helped in stressing to us kids the importance of eating our veggies if we surely wanted to grow up strong and healthy, and hopefully to be smart as well.

Oh, and I almost forgot about the other character, J. Wellington Wimpy. I figured he was the teaching tool for the rest of us who do nothing all day but eat and sleep. He, of rotund figure, did nothing all day but chomp on his favorite burgers. Much like Jughead of Archie's except that Jughead retained his slim build. If you ask me, he was actually a walking anti-Mcdonald's crusade and a vivid picture of the sorry state of things to come if you end up overweight from eating high callorie and high-in-fat fastfood.


More Random Recall Machine: Kapamilya TV

Technorati Tags:70s, 80s, memories, nostalgia

Let's Go Back In Time With Totoy Time Machine's Awit Hulaan!

Oras na namang mag-side trip ang Totoy Time Machine patungo sa mga nagdaang dekada. Gaya ni Marty McFly, mahilig rin tayong maglakbay sa "Time-Space Continuum" pabalik sa nakalipas na panahon sakay sa magarang Delorean sports car ng ating mapaglarong isipan at imahinasyon.

Espesyal ang byaheng ito, byaheng Nostagia Manila! Pinahaba at pinaluwag ang sasakyan para magkasya ang mas maraming pasahero. Nariyan si Totoy sa manibela, si NM ang flight navigator, at mga byaherong pumuslit pa sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya at barkada para makasama lang: Jake, Jon, Edmond, Vince, Neo (Uy! Salamat rin!), gatorPinoy66, Mary Ann, Gigi, etc. Sino pa bang kulang? May lugar pa, gusto mo bang sumama? Halina at sumama kayo!

Ibigay lang ang tamang pamagat ng awiting pinanggalingan ng mga sumusunod na linya:

Awit1
"Ang nakalipas ay ibabalik natin, Ipapaalala ko sa'yo"

Awit2
"Sana'y maaaring ibalik ang kahapon at iguhit na muli ang nakaraan"

Awit3
"Mga araw na nagdaan kailanma'y hindi malilimutan, kay tamis ng araw ng pagmamahalan, ang akala ko'y walang hangganan"

Awit4
"At sana'y nakikinig s'ya, naaalala kaya n'ya ang love song namin noon na niluma na ng panahon?"

Awit5
"Di na madaig o mabalik ang dating matamis na kahapon, pilit ma'y tuyo na'ng damdamin"

Ano? Sirit na?

Technorati Tags:70s, 80s, quiz, music, nostalgia

Kapamilya TV

It was getting obvious that watching alot of variety shows on TV with the yayas was seeping into our play routine. Our pretend "program-programan" has now graduated into the live TV format. For starters, we have claimed one floor area of the master bedroom as our stage, designated the tall, stand-up fan as the TV camera, and gathered all the hairbrushes we could find to use as our microphones. The bed was perfect as risers and so I directed my two younger siblings to sit back and act as members of the audience.

In Nora Aunor's "Superstar", she always opened the show with a song or two. If I remember right, the songs were mostly standards very popular with the lolos and lolas; as in "Send In The Clowns" and "Those Were The Days" (You know this one, it goes like this, "Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end. We'd sing and dance forever and a day...lalalalala...lalalala...) The audience would be seen clapping along. We agreed that Jepoy and Mabel would do the same. But first, of course, it was time to start the show.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the first part of our program is a song number from..." I gave the microphone/hairbrush to our "guest" (another sibling) and she proceeded to sing...what? "You Light Up My Life". I had to run fast and disappear behind the camera. I have to man the camera and shoot her every move. I had a hard time doing that because peeking from behind a "camera" with spinning blades and an oscillating head gave me a choppy view of the performer. I also had to be careful not to get my fingers actually get caught up in the mechanism for fear of a much bloody situation. How hard it is to be the Director and stand-in Cameraman; plus be the Emcee. This really proves that producing a TV show is really complicated. Everything was impromptu. You get to learn the title of your guest's song at the last minute. Worst, the talent can not even complete her performance. Midway through her act, she decided she did not know all the lyrics and dared walk out with out even a curtsy. "Bow!" I had to remind her; and to my audience, "Applause! Palakpak kayo d'yan!". I should have known that time that placards were used for prompters. But anyway, this audience won't be able to read them so that's a useless idea.

We needed another guest so one of the "audience" was yanked away from his comfy seat so he could pretend to be the next guest. "The second part of our program is a dance number from..." Jepoy didn't move an inch. He just gave a cute grin but never budged. (Quality talents are so hard to find!) He was pushed back to the bedside, er, risers as I wrapped my head with one of the flat sheets. "Just pretend I'm a woman with long hair." I got hold of one of the mics and gave my best version of "Mc Arthur Park".

"Mac Arthur Park was melting in the dark... I don't think that I can make it coz it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again. Oh nooooo...!"

"Kakain na!" Someone hollered from downstairs and we scrambled to get ready for dinner. The TV studio turned back into a bedroom, a very messy bedroom of pillows, blankets, and hairbrushes scattered on the floor. We did not even pause to pick up the items because Lola told us never ever keep food waiting on the table or God will take away His blessings and we will end up hungry forever.


More Random Recall Machine: Nag-Plano Ang Mga Chickboy

Technorati Tags:70s, 80s, memories, nostalgia

Nag-Plano Ang Mga Chickboy

Pare, bakasyon na naman! Tapos na ang klase! O ba t mukhang Byernes-Santo ka na kaagad? Ah, Remedial Classes. Buti na lang pasado ako.

Tama na nga yang pagmumokmok. May panahon pa namang mag-hapi-hapi. Sa Sabado ng umaga may beach outing ang barkada. Sa Batangas. Oo, ayos na ang transpo. Si Jake ang nag-arkila ng pampasaherong jeepney para maraming sakay. Isi-split na lang natin ang rental at gas. Magdala ka ng fifty pesos. Kasya na yon. Beynte tayo eh. O, hwag mong kalimutan ang chichirya - Pringles, Kropek, Chippy, Coke, alam mo na yon! Tutal sagot naman ng uncle ni Macario ang lunch. Doon tayo sa kanila didiretcho pag dating natin ng tanghali.

Nga pala, diba may extra kang Wayfarers? Pakidala na rin. Pam-porma, Pare!

Sino, yun? Syempre sasama yun. Nandoon lahat ng mga girls. Hehehe magbe-bathing suit na naman sila at maglalakad sa tabi ng dagat - nakatapis ng tuwalya! Dapat mag palda na lang sila!

Ano?! Magta-trunks ka? Speedo kamo?! Hwag! Pagtatawanan ka ng mga yon. Ganoon ang ginawa nila last year kay %$@_?!

Si Gracia? malamang naka T-Shirt at shorts ulit yon pag naligo. Manang talaga!

Paki-dala mo na rin yung yung cassettes mo ng Dance Mix. Dadalhin naman ni Alvin yung boombox nya kaya may sounds tayo. Oo nga. Baka naka eight track pa yung jeepney. Hehehe, hindi madadala sa beach yon!

Sabado, alas-sais, sa labas nina Sandy ang unang pick-up. Kita tayo doon.

Si mommy mo hindi papayag? Balikan naman, papayagan ka non! Sabihin mo, uuwian natin sya ng Mazapan Sweets at buko pie. Oo, tatluhin mo pa.

Masaya yon, bro. Summer na summer na ako! Sige, hasta la bye-bye!


More Random Recall Machine: A Whole Lot of Shakey's Goin' On

Technorati Tags:70s, 80s, memories, nostalgia

A Whole Lot of Shakey's Goin' On

Caught the re-run of Ate Sha's timeless flick, "Dear Heart", on the movie channel while I was surfing recently. The scene was inside a Shakey’s Pizza Parlor where April (Sharon Cuneta) and her barkada were hanging out. The atmosphere was classic Shakey's: noisy laughter from diners while banjo players and a pianist in their signature Shakey’s striped uniforms and foam hats played Dixieland jazz.

As if on cue, something clicked in my brain and all the sights and sounds transported me back thru time. I was a young kid again in mid-70s Makati with my family. We were on a weekend stroll around Greenbelt Park when the siblings and I decided to take our favored stop outside Shakey's.

We fumbled to climb on a perch to get a closer view thru the glass window. Inside, a chef was about to perform his regular show in Pizza-making. This experience was a novelty to us at that time. From the outdoors looking in we watched as a chef kneaded, twirled, threw dough in the air, and with a flourish caught it back again. The bread was shaped into a large circle and laid flat on a dish in preparation for baking. Tomato Sauce was ladled onto it and the choice toppings were added: shredded cheese, ham, green peppers, mushroom, pepperoni, etc. Finally, his masterpiece was ready. He cranked the oven door open and slipped the garnished disc into the waiting heat.

I also recall dining within this restaurant. I vividly remember the casual setting and the same lively chatter of other patrons in nearby tables. Someone also played the familiar banjo and piano music. During breaks, a solo act would alternate playing the acoustic guitar and singing folk songs. Meanwhile, our parents ordered root beers with our pizzas. The waiters brought our beverage in tall pitchers and poured individual servings into our mugs.

As we waited for our pizza to arrive, my eyes roamed the place. I took note of the different pans adorning one wall towards the kitchen. They were in succession and were labeled: Large. Medium. Small. Family.

Sometimes, the air-conditioning got too cold for comfort. I reminded myself that it was OK. Soon our delicious pizza will arrive and all its warmth would cover us and wipe out my discomfort. I just made sure to eat a little faster. Kuya gobbled up pizza slices like Cookie Monster would with his cookies and we little ones were left to fight for our seconds.

Trivia Note: Shakey's Pizza is tagged as the "World's Greatest Pizza". The first Shakey's Pizza Parlor in the Philippines opened in 1975. Its namesake was one of its founders, Sherwood "Shakey" Johnson. Johnson was an American G.I. who caught malaria during WWII and got the "shakes". Find out more about it here.


More Random Recall Machine: Sine-Swerte-Swerte Lang

Technorati Tags:70s, memories, nostalgia

Sine-Swerte-Swerte Lang

Swerte rin naman talaga itong mga anak ko. Pag type nilang manood ng favorite movies nila, hahanapin lang nila ang DVD nito at isasaksak sa DVD player. Instant gratification! Sa bahay pa lang, napanuod na nila ang sine. Hindi na nila kailangang hagilapin pa ito sa mga second-run theaters. Anytime of the day, basta gusto nilang mapanuod si Buzz Lightyear o makipag-halakhakan kay Shrek, pwedeng-pwede!

Kami nuon, swerte na kung payagan kami ng mga magulang namin na manuod ng sine. Ang dami pa kasing restrictions.

Pag Action, hindi pwede; puro barilan at suntukan lang raw naman. Pag may seksing mga bebots, hindi rin pwede. Bomba raw yun, For Adults Only . Eh kung may Nora o Vilma, hindi rin pwede. Bakya! Si Dolphy kaya? Yan, sige, OK. Hayun, kasama mo pa sila sa last full show ng Omeng Satanasya. Hindi ko nga man lang naintindihan yung buong storya. Sa haba eh nakatulog pa ata ako. Ang naaalala ko lang, tatlo ang roles ni Dolphy duon- matandang scientist na nagpabata, anghel, at baklang dimonyo.

Pero pag Disney Animated Films, aprub naman ang mga parents namin. Dumbo, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty,etc.; wholesome at pang-pamilya ang tema ng mga storya kaya OK sa kanila.

Ang problema, once in a blue moon nga lang kung ipalabas. Tipong papatayin ka sa pananabik; kaya pag napanuod mo tuloy, gusto mo pang ulitin. Parang gusto mo nang tumira sa loob ng sinehan. Kasi naman, kapag natapos mo na ang palabas at pa-exit ka na sa lobby, alam mo na bawal nang bumalik sa loob. Sabi kasi nung guard bawal ang repeats at milagro lang kung magbayad pa ulit sa Papa at Mama, para lang pagbigyan ang kapritcho mo.

Kaya kung nag-enjoy kang panuorin ang mga UFOs at aliens sa Close Encounters of the Third Kind, at gusto mo pang ulitin, (Bakit kasi nagalit kay Richard Dreyfuss yung asawa nya? Para gumagawa lang naman ng bundok ng mashed potatoes ) sorry ka na lang!

Hindi pa kasi naimbento ang betamax o VHS nuon. Mga dalawang dekada pa ang iintayin mo bago mauso ang DVDs.

Siguro naman, pag inabot mo pa ang araw na yon, kung se-swertehin ka at kumikita ka na; can afford mo nang bumili ng sarili mong DVD player at mangolekta ng ibat-ibang titulo sa DVD. Pagdating ng araw na yon, betcha by golly wow!

I betcha, gagasgasin mo ang mga DVDs mo ng Star Wars Collection at walang pwedeng pumigil sa yo, kahit na mapudpod pa ang daliri mo sa remote. Anak, tabi nga dyan, ako naman.


More Random Recall Machine: The Makati We Once Knew

Technorati Tags:70s, memories, nostalgia

The Makati We Once Knew

"Sa Maynila, saan sa Maynila?" a kababayan would always ask as a follow-up to the usual queries on one’s link to the mother land. "Sa Makati" and to this the usual reply, "Talaga? Wow! Ang sosyal mo naman!"

I guess those who have only visited Makati once or twice only associate the city with its popular shopping and financial districts. Many automatically think of the high-rise office buildings of Ayala Avenue or the posh malls and restaurants in the area. This is, of course, a fraction of a much larger community where I grew up in and spent almost a quarter of my lifetime.

Entering Makati: The "Salamat Po" sign was there to thank motorists passing Mandaluyong. This is a shot of Highway 54, now known as Edsa. The buildings on the left are Euroclean and the Guadalupe Shopping Center.

The Makati of my childhood in the seventies was not a city then but a municipality in Rizal. We lived in the residential area near the municipal hall on J.P. Rizal Avenue, the main road plied by jeepneys and buses from Taft to "Ilalim" or "ibabaw" (Guadalupe stops on opposite sides of EDSA), or to Ayala and Buendia. Going to Guadalupe meant you would pass by the Lola Theater (a second-rate-looking movie house) before reaching Burgos and Makati Ave.; and Rockwell Station, a power plant across the banks of the Pasig River. I heard that this site is now home to an upscale shopping center. Memorable stops also included the Loyola Funeral Homes and ABC, another movie theater popular for showing many Tagalog blockbusters.

The popular shopping destination was the Makati Commercial Center, long before there was Greenbelt and before it was renamed Ayala Center. If you wanted to watch a movie, you would go to the Rizal Theater or to the Quad. The Makati Supermart was where you would get your groceries and popular restaurants were The Plaza and Sulu. Outdoor mass and concerts were held at the Glorietta, a park like setting at the rear of the Quad and accessible to Makati Supermart and nearby Rustan's, said to be one of Madame Imelda's favorite department stores. The Manila Inter-Continental Hotel was adjacent to Shoemart on Edsa and Ayala Avenues. Having been gone for many years, I do not know which of the landmarks mentioned remain or closed shop.

The Automat: A very popular place to eat. To the left is Rustan's, and in the middle is the Manila Intercon.

As a youngster, my errands took me to the post office which was just a few blocks from the munisipyo, right next to the Rizal Superette, the neighborhood grocery. Across the road is Mercury Drug. Its storefront is one long, white counter open directly to pedestrians and customers, and a back drop of endless rows of medicine bottles. In the evening hours, motorists driving by can't help but notice its glaringly bright overhead lighting. Nearby were a Magnolia Ice Cream House and another snack house families and barkadas frequent when the weather gets very hot and you just want to be some place air-conditioned. Also within walking distance is the parish church of St. Andrew the Apostle on Reposo Street (later renamed Nicanor Garcia St.) and Pasig Line (later renamed Imelda Ave. and post People Power days Kalayaan Ave. ). One direction of Imelda Avenue borders the Makati Cemetery while the opposite direction will take you towards the I.S. or International School and Makati Avenue's restaurant row.

Along Makati Avenue, facing Paseo de Roxas: IBM, RCPI, and Dona Narcisa De Leon Building.


A very spacious Makati in 1973. There was an abundance of empty lots yet to be developed into commercial areas and new buildings.

As for our neighborhood, apart from the minor brawls of the local tambays, we felt generally secure. Our streets and sidewalks were adequately paved, some even landscaped. Bakeries, sari-sari stores and street vendors cater our morning pan de sal and taho, "pish bol" meryenda, and night cap balut. The area was definitely no Forbes Park or Dasmarinas Village, the prominent subdivisions that time. But to us bulilits, our only concern was to get our homework done in time to join the playmates outside. The gang would gather out in the street for a lively game of patintero, tubigan, habulan, moro-moro, taguan, etc. Some of the kids even started go-cart races, yo-yo matches, and skateboard exhibitions when skateboarding became trendy. We relished active, noisy play and screaming and yelling like miniature Tarzans of our urban jungle. We occasionally take a "taym awt" to give way to a car or two passing by, but for most part our street belongs to us and is our common playground. We also welcomed the occasional visits of the carabao-drawn caravan to our neighborhood. The caravan is an amusing traveling tindahan of native handicrafts and household items. Everyone stopped to marvel at the colorful parade before us. The adults said that the family aboard came from the probinsya to sell their wares. We would try to peek at the rear of the caravan to get an idea of how the people lived and slept within. But we failed to see its interiors, obstructed by hundreds of sabits of walis-tambo, salakot, banig, banko, bunot, and so much more. Merchandize and curiosities fill all sides of the cart all the way to the roof!

Seasonal downpours did not stop us from having fun. We risked pneumonia and frolicked and splashed at each other in the rain as if our street was a huge waterpark; except that the girls weren't in their bathing suits or the guys in their trunks. T-shirts and shorts were the norm to achieve our "wet look".

I look back to the Makati of yesteryears and the childhood friends I miss and realize one funny thing: Man, that was one long play date!




Technorati Tags:70s, memories, nostalgia