I’M TYPING on my laptop while looking at the vinyl records of my father that I intentionally hung on the wall just to have a nostalgic feel of my young life. Truth is, I was digging through my brain cells – not literally though – for something to write about since I haven’t traveled for several days now, but a topic eludes me for the time being. It’s probably physical exhaustion. The past couple of days were filled with physical activity.
So, what’s the vinyl record all about? My father – the late Atty. Isabelo M. Sales, Jr. – loved music. He had the rhythm – he dances with aplomb, he sings with gusto, and knows how to play the guitar! Growing up, I saw Papa regularly carry home new long-playing albums and play the same repeatedly like there’s no tomorrow, haha! Yes, that’s him. I kept hearing Frank Sinatra, The Stylistics, The Lettermen, even the Hotdogs, to name a few, over and over again. Thus, as I am drafting this article, I also listen to The Stylistics just to complete the ambience.
All this nostalgia is prompted by our bungalow in Baguio Drive, Taloto District, Tagbilaran City. I remember when we first resided in our modest house in early 1974, we had no neighbors. It was incredibly quiet, trees occupy all the vacant lots, and there was no electricity! Can you imagine we had lived in the city with electricity and transferred to the city outskirts without power? It was insufferable!
I remember our distant – literally distant – neighbors were the Bayrons – the nearest, Zamoras, and Viñalons. For a time, the Israels, too, until they transferred to main Taloto. You see, our location is along the national highway while interior Taloto hosted the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Taloto Church, Taloto Elementary School, and Tubig Dako beach where many of the Girl Scout and Boy Scout camping activities were held. I remember as well, two sari-sari stores at Taloto Crossing, where we buy stuff like the popular soda product at the time.
Funny, but people used to ask me why we chose our location. “Ngano naa man mo puyo diha? Taw-an man nang lugara labi na ang acacia diha.” Translation: Why have you chosen to live there? It’s haunted especially because of the acacia trees.” This commentary is usually concluded with, “A Kapre (‘Kapre is a tree-dwelling creature in Philippine mythology’) lives there.” Strangely enough, a huge bamboo grass grew between the two acacia trees. And this furthered the legend. Accordingly, this big bamboo caused road mishaps at night because they bend towards the road blinding many motorists. I have often wondered if there was any truth to the folklore because there were occasional road accidents happening along the stretch.
Anyway, I was asked several times if the kapre ever visited us. Unfortunately, or fortunately for us, no kapre visits ever haunted us, and the giant bamboo seemed friendly. What disturbed us were the small snakes that stealthily appeared in our drawers and cabinets, no thanks to the lush vegetation in the unoccupied spaces.
When the bank constructed their head office right across the house, they kept the acacia trees – kudos to you! – but the bamboo has dwindled and lost its glory.
The acacias have grown so big, and their branches have accommodated Drynaria ferns. I wonder how old these trees are now considering my age. When we first resided in Taloto in 1974, the trees were already tall, but the trunks were still thinner. Presently, it probably takes three people to wrap their outstretched arms around one trunk. It will be nice to determine their ages. Who knows the trees are as old as me! In the meantime, the bank utility person must sweep the falling leaves every single day!
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Congratulations to Edu Gelo L. Orig, DVM, for opening Orig VetCare on Sunday, September 18, 2022. Thank you so much for having us Nong Eddie Orig and wife Ethyl Emma, and family. Orig VetCare is located at 1193 CPG North Avenue, Ubujan District, Tagbilaran City. Like Orig VetCare on Facebook.
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Our guest for Woman Talk with Belinda Sales tomorrow, Saturday, is Atty. Alma “Kins” E. Aparece, a justice and peace advocate, women, student, youth, and environment champion, and a lawyer.
Join us tomorrow, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. over 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. Like us on Facebook at Woman Talk with Belinda Sales.
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
