Many of us were born in the 60's, 70's and the 80's. But admit it, there's nothing more like it than to relive every nostalgic moments of the 80's. Why? For each decade from the 60's, to 80's, can you name one or two events, band names, icons. If you'll try to "wiki" it, there are dozens of lists. But to enlighten you while I try to make a point, I'll give you an honest answer. I can name one or two! In the 60's we got the first man on the moon. Jimi Hendrix set an iconic performance during the 1969 Woodstock. Then in the 70's, there's Juan dela Cruz Band, and the oil crisis in the U.S.. Fin'lly in the 80's, I can name plenty. There was Marcos' regime, the Mendiola massacre, and its government's downfall. Speaking of Marcos, there was Voltes V, Daimos and Bioman. Gandhi was assassinated in India. The Rubik's Cube. Nintendo was born. First Macintosh computer was introduced. The Cure, Fra Lippo Lippi, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, and of course, Madonna. There's more...MTV, music videos, and New Wave. What else? MOVIES! I love Movies! Who would forget Alien, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future and E.T.? Now, do you see what I'm trying to insist?
I was born in 1980. Life back then was simpler. Everyday I would wake up early for school. Eat Hot Pandesal with Lady's Choice stuffings (Ham Spread). My mom was the one who would always accompany me to school. My baon (allowance) back then was P5 ... a week! And if I'm lucky enough, mom would add some coins to it. I'll be contended with a lugaw (rice porridge) or sopas (pasta soup) for meryenda (snack) that would cost a peso for a bowl. Magnolia Chocolait drinks were used to be delivered in glass bottles. Toothpaste tubes were made of metal aluminum I think "at sobrang anghang sa dila!" (the burning sensation on your tongue was overwhelming). I was fond of playing Fying Tee (a plastic propeller with a stick that would be rubbed, slide and let-go to witnessed its flying action). The Plastic Balloon (with the aroma of a strong chemical ingredients). And who would've thought that Sundot Kulangot ("Booger Picker") was a delicious delicacy from our childhood?
Back home, after a satisfying lunch, my brother, Meg and I will be forced to take a siyesta (nap). Then after that, we would find a way to sneak outside our yard. We were rarely seen to be playing with other children. Sometimes, our only companion during long hours in the afternoon was a Martinez bird. That bird will completely mimic a two to five syllable word. Too bad it committed suicide and died. They all did.
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| Pong Pagong, Ate Sienna, and Kiko Matsing (image from |
If we were nowhere to be found watching T.V., we would be out playing. Games back then were much simpler. We'll play Siyato, Monkey-monkey, Langit-Lupa (yes, with the mispronounced syllable "imferno"), Tayaan, Agawan-base, Teks, Tagu-taguan, Luksong-Baka and Luksong-Tinik. Kids nowadays are delighted on playing with their gadgets, cellphones, digital cameras, PC games, PS3, Wii, and Xbox-360. Oh, and don't forget PSP and DS!
I was just 6 years old back then. I really don't have an idea of what's really goin' on. Then people over the news swarmed just outside Camp Crame. There were tanks, priests and nuns, human barricades, and with little kids too. I just sat and watched the T.V. with my Lola Coring (Grandmother Coring). I still remember her cursing Cory Aquino. My late Lola was a loyalist.
Just late last night, I watched a documentary about Ninoy Aquino entitled "Ninoy, sa Puso ng Pinoy". The documentary wishes to impart knowledge how he continued and struggled for truth. And despite of his courage, he was shot at the back of his head by an assassin named Rolando Galman. Until now, a mastermind behind the crime has never floated yet. They said it was too obvious who plotted the idea.
Sometime in 1989, our dad, who was on the Saudi that time, came home and brought a stunning 250 games-in-one Family Computer. Both controllers have A+B Turbo. He replaced our old console, Atari. Meg and I were fond of playing Super Mario Brothers and Tetris. I always got the player one 'coz it always got to chose the game. Then later that month, dad had to go back to the Saudi. We were saddened to see dad went away again. After we got home from the airport, our mom felt bad on seeing how Meg cried. Me on the other hand managed to held it back (hehe). So mom grabbed the Family Com and played Tetris with us.
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| Meg and I inside karnabal (carnival), Cubao |
Then our mom would let us ride the tyubibo (carousel) and the train. That was all I could remember. She would not let us ride the katerpilar and rodilyo (caterpillar and roller-coaster). She said it was too dangerous for us. Well I said "Kulang lang ang pampayad n'ya nu'n." (Her money was just not enough for the fare). Then after we got exhausted, we would head straight somewhere between Araneta Colosseum and EDSA to buy waffle hotdogs. Meg and I will totally dig the taste and aroma of the steaming waffle. It was a real haven!
On some occasions, Lola would cook suman (rice cake). Mom would do a pansit canton (canton noodles) and buko salad. I remembered complaining, "mommy, bakit hindi ka gumawa ng spaghetti?" (mommy, why won't you make a spaghetti?). "Kulang siguro pera ni mommy noon kaya ganon." (Mom could've had a short-budget). But we would eat it anyway. And with Lola's suman, it would go on for days!
I can still remember how they put the suman and glass of water in front of the altar together with my late Lolo Delfin's portrait at the top of the shelves. My Lola said the dead would feast on that food. So I would leave it. And from time to time, I would examine if the suman will be consumed. I will be taken aback whenever I noticed that it would somehow diminish. But then I've found out that it was just a saying and our way of culture. And mom was the one who "devoured" the suman.
There are many nostalgic and sentimental moments inside the very capsule of our memories. I've asked some other friends to share one of their childhood memories.
Guinah Espartero (The Magnolia Kid)
80’s or shall I say my childhood days. Looking back, I miss all my day to day activities; playing on the streets every afternoon makes me thrilled and become miserable every time my nanay would call me to go home. Every morning you would hear outside the house the taho and puto vendor yell on the streets encouraging people to buy while in the afternoon there’s the fishball, scramble, cotton candy vendors roam around the streets and many others. But there’s this one I’ve really miss it’s the Magnolia Chocolait inside the glass bottle that taste so good it was being delivered to every household even Yakult drink . The way of life back then is so plain. Simple needs less demand that can easily convene. Youngsters, are not into gadgets, as far as I can recall kids that time are active that they focus more into outdoor activities even if there are battery operated games introduced. Kids loved riding a bike that BMX bicycle is one of the famous in every community.
Im not into Television but most likely in locals always has been a fan of Eat Bulaga. Their show is well loved by every household. Though some dialogues are quite offending at times but it’s entertaining. Another is Kulit Bulilit all kids show that I can relate well and Ang Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, a Filipino version of fairy tales and before I forget That’s Entertainment who came well-known during the late eighties is one of the show everybody watch even if they don’t admit it. I myself become a fan and also how can I overlook Lotlot and friends every Saturday at channel 9 4:30 in the afternoon. In foreign it’s of course Sesame Streets, Knight Rider the talking car and among others but I loved The Karate Kid Ralph Macho is one of the famous among the young people that many even tried to be a copy-cat. With music new wave is still one of the best that up to now I still listen and I think the music of the eighties is really the greatest, it’s all original made by creative people.
Childhood memories brings happiness and joy, sometimes tears and sadness, but sometimes they could be both. Some memories draws out our hidden strength, while some memories are meant to be kept forever. Some are meant to be proud of, others meant to be left behind. In our lives where our present dwells from the past, and where one should not mistook it for honing the future, memories from our childhood are truly treasured moments. Forgetting our past is like dimming the future. By learning from it, we will always be prepared for whatever may come ahead.
And it's time for my off. I'll strike again next time. So I say adieu, until then, adios! (Back to present)
