A LIFE WELL-LIVED...

WHERE I GREW UP Early Childhood

Growing up in a small town in the 1960s has both challenges and perks. Third of four siblings of a USAFFE veteran turned security guard of the only industrial plant within ten-mile radius, Red V Coconut Products Ltd., and a fulltime home-maker mother. With a regular weekly wage, there was always food on the table, clothing was modest yet decent, toys, not so many but not so few. Early on, I was quite privileged. ELECTRICITY Early on, like most homes, we only had kerosene lamps and in the Poblacion, few lamp posts were erected every several meters. Some well-to-do families had "Hasag", or "Petromax" and in the late, "Coleman" - all were lit by kerosene. A decade or so later, a town enterpreneur provided the town proper with electricity, albeit limited. WATER SUPPLY When it comes to water, it was to each household to its own. Luckily, for potable water, there was a spring close to the Embangs, by the creek in Ibabao, another one in Tubod and in some wells (atabay), water was clean and potable. Around the same time, the national government, through the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) was fast drilling for water in several locations in Aloran alone. Some folks bought their own pumps and converted their old wells and some actually dig from scratch. SOUND BOX Long before transistor radio, there was "tube" radio. Regalado Wire Broadcasting Network (RWBN) provided radio connection to nearby houses for a fee. Timing was good. My father afforded the fee and I enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley, Jerry Vale, Pat Boone, The Platters and several others, as a young boy. The kind of music that I enjoy singing now that I'm in my twilight. The most unforgettable one was Iyo Endong's "tok to gaok" (wake up call) very early every morning. TRANSISTOR RADIO (or just TRANSISTOR) The coolest gadget at that time. There was Avegon, Constellation, Sony and many more. They come in different shapes and colors. There were two radio stations, both broadcasting from Cebu City vying for tuners-in: DYRC DYCB DY - broadcasting from the Visayas DX - broadcasting from Mindanao DZ - broadcasting from Luzon DW - was added to ease jam in Luzon. Radio Stations usually sign-on around 5:00AM and sign-off around 9:00PM. and in-between, all sorts of "Dula Sa Kahanginan" are aired. To me, Diego Salvador was the greatest! period. There was, for every audience. Agent 006 (o-o-sik), Magno Lagrimas, Anay Nga Nagabakya, Dugo Ni Satanas, and countless others. The latter two were aired at 8:00PM, the time when Dracula, wak-wak, bal-bal, anananggal and other creatures of darkness roam around for their prey. For the girls, there was Maria Flor De Luna, Melodyna, and the likes - mostly sentimental. They sit around the transistor radio, we, boys, watch them weep taking joy teasing them. Beautiful sight to behold! TV There was only one TV within blocks, at The Orinos, across the street from us. Lucky to have a neighbour like them. Twice a week, at least, they put their TV set on the stairs-landing of their two-storey house, facing the road. From their gate to the bottom of the stairs was a good twenty meters, that's where the benches and chairs are lined-up for easy viewing. What we, boys, look forward-to watching was basketball games. Before PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), MICAA (Manila Industrial & Commercial Athletic Association), was the country's premier basketball league. Who could forget Jaworski, Arnaiz, Paner, Regullano, Adornado, Atoy Co, Fernandez,,, and hundreds more, but most of all, Jesse Sullano of Mariwasa - he's from Tudela, Misamis Occidental, and I actually have watched him play in an exhibition game in Oroquieta, Mis Occ. We couldn't thank enough Nong Gabriel & Nang Taling for their kindness.