It’s easier to translate than German. “Pak ganern!” is young talk—“tumpak ganon” (synonym: “boom panis!”), according to the two bachelor grandsons who live with me.
My childhood in the 1930s was in Quiapo when there was no Quezon Boulevard and no Quezon Bridge, which were constructed during the Commonwealth era in 1939 (when I was nine). These were named after the much revered and handsome mestizo president Manuel Luis Quezon. He was the first president of the Commonwealth era in 1935, which promised full Philippine independence from America in 10 years, or 1946.
My daughter Wendy was having lunch with Pia Lim and I thought, what an old old name.
I think the first ukay-ukay outlet I encountered was in Baguio some decades ago. Maybe because the bundles consisted mainly of jackets. I remember climbing a low hill or incline to get to them.
It’s there at the corner of Panay and Roces and it is indeed a waiting shed, although some people practically live in it and make their living there.
Time zones are getting blurred. Naps are no longer only during siesta time. I have just wakened up from one that lasted from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. It was a misplaced nap and a slow wake for me, fin, by fin, by fin, until I am swimming on my bedspread. I plan to get up soon and write. It is a good intention. But it could begin way past midnight.
It was once just a tiny turtle that one of my grandsons had gotten as a party favor. My son Mol kept it in the vat of growing lotuses in their part of the compound. But as the reptile grew, it would climb out of the vat to take a walk (or a leak). One day the turtle decided to live with the koi in my indoor reflecting pool.
IT DISMAYS me that I see so many beautiful stuffed toys and various other playthings, and don’t buy any of them. There are no more little children in the family. And it doesn’t look like any of my nine healthy, good-looking adult grandchildren are interested in gifting me with an apo-sa-tuhod yet.
A group of philosopher Rudolf Steiner followers who call themselves “anthroposophists” offer something they call a biography workshop, ideally for people 28 years old and above.
