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ZambalesForum (ZF2)
Discussion Group's selected
message thread year 2002
--- In ZambalesForum2@...."Fara Rodriguez" wrote: Ok, I guess it's time to post something I've been wanting to post for some time now. I hope everybody makes time for this! Here are 3 questions for you to share. Don't be shy now! This is not mushy stuff! 1. What do you remember most about your town in Zambales? (fondest memory) 2. Who were your 2 best friends from there and why? 3. When you close your eyes, how do you picture Zambales? To break the ice, here are my answers: 1. My fondest memory is when I was a little girl, too young to join the clan's "summer sports fest". The fields were clear and I was left pretty much to do what I wanted. I would spend afternoons sharing the ilog with a carabao, where the soft tide passed the carabao before I could enjoy it. By the time I was through bathing, the carabao was clean and I'd smell like the carabao! As you can tell, these were times of innocence, green fields, and far from the wrath of Mt. Pinatubo. 2. My best friends were my cousins. One was slightly older, the other slightly younger. But we pretty much got along since I was only there for the weekends or summer. We'd spend afternoons going on expeditions which was actually composed of the main road (and not more than 3 blocks away), WLAC - the Western Luzon Agricultural College, and the dusty road fronting our farm (also not exceeding 3 blocks away). 3. When I close my eyes, I see the green fields along the main road from Castillejos to the town of San Marcelino. I always found it serene. The quiet hospital to the left. Approaching the curb, the first signs of the town come alive, a rattan (or abaca) furniture stall to the left and an Ice Plant (which I would enter just to watch the men clip blocks and blocks of ice with their tweezers-looking tools!) on the right. I remember St. William's and the church. There were always so many people and I always wondered how they always knew each other and who they were related to, and what they were up to. All that is Zambales for me. If it isn't too much, I'd like to know what Zambales is to you! =) --- End forwarded message --- **** 3154
From: polim@p... 1. What do you remember about your town in Zambales? I will be very candid. Our house is in poblacion and what stick in my memory are six things that reminds me of Botolan. First, is holy week when 'prosisyon or libot' were held. Every 'prosisyon or libot' during that time, barrio folks bring their whole family and ride their respective 'kariton' (carabao carriage with steel plate wheels instead of present day tires) or 'kangga' (a carabao pulled sled) with 'hasag' or kerosene lamp as light. After, the 'prosisyon', these 'kariton' race home and you will know it because their wheels create a distinctive noise and people are joyful and tease each others. Second, during 'salubungan or allelulia' when we rush in early morning event to watch little girls in angel outfit hand lifted from an improvised tower. There are two distinct custom in our town. The catholics sit their angel in a chair tied in a rope and hand lifted while the Aglipayan knot their angel at the waist and lifted by hand. Well, read between the lines what it means. Third, is the town fiesta of Botolan where the upland aetas will come down with their goods like 'gugo', 'pulot', 'camote', bananas, 'pindang ya uyha boy baboy ramo', rattan,'eel', etc. Some are clad in 'bahag' and bring their bow and arrow. After the fiesta, they will buy rice and other food stuff. As we have a store, the sales during these days are high. You could see how these upland people ride the 'weapon carrier' and even the roof are flowered by riders. On the other hand, there is the carnival - ferris wheel, 'kalo-kalo', 'ping pong', 'target' and stalls made of coconut leaves are set up and sells 'halo halo', 'inihaw or nilagang mais' etc. There are free movies and on the fiesta day, 'mga artista' are invited to perform. Fourth, during my childhood days after the town fiesta, my Mom will gather all our laundry and we will go to Bucao river to wash it. It is a laundry day for my Mom and her alalays while us kids will bathe and play. Come lunchtime, the 'inihaw na bangus' and 'inihaw na baboy' plus 'kamatis and bagoong' will be a great feast. We will end this with mangoes and bananas. Fifth, Garden Day. Every year, public elementary schools participate and gather at the town plaza to exhibit the best and the biggest produce of fruit or vegetables. Folk dance number or calisthenics are also part of the event. Sixth, the Catholic Church. I just cannot forget the smell of mush and the cold draft of air inside our Church. The Church was made of adobe and I think century old. I could remember we will offer 'alay' of flowers and the Priest will give us candies in return. There are also a lot of bats inside the church and the Priest will exchange candies for every bat killed by slingshot. 2.Who were your best friends from there? Same with you, they are my cousins as we are a big family and almost always there are at least two cousins in the same age, grade or classmate. We grew up at the same time and all are like 'barkada'. 3.When you close your eyes, how do you picture Zambales. I could imagine the green fields, the imposing mountain range (sad it is barren), the smell of hay during harvest time, mangoes, 'baralyete', 'arosep', 'kasoy', 'linga', 'pastillas', 'singkamas', 'camoteng kahoy', beaches, the long and winding asphalt roads, 'taka damuag', etc. It is so refreshing to go home and trace our roots but sad to know some of these things I mentioned and remember are no longer there. I pity those born later not to experience the same thing I experienced before. There may be things better now but no thanks I still prefer the old way. Thanks and kind regards to all. Lito
Lim ps. my apology for not putting in the counterpart word for some things I described - it is intentional on my part as I remember those things as they are called. **** 3156 From: William Francia bradpans@hot... Here is a continuation of the sight in Zambales...in San Marcelino plaza where the victory liner stops you always hear the first cry of San Marcelino "singkamas". |
I usually buy the singkamas because it is fresh...Next is the town of San Antonio. At your left before you reach the town is TR Yangco high school, named after TR Yangco a philantrophist. Next stop after the plaza is crossing..who is the sailor who don't remember the place...then the town of San Narciso.. then you pass Alusiis.. the barrio of Ceres. At the boundary is Macolcol bridge or we call it Long Bridge..before Pinatubo eruption.this is where the bulk of the river from the mountain usually flow towards China sea but now it is diverted to different routes. Then you reach the town of San Felipe who have three times won the Green and Clean contest. San Felipe has the smallest population compared to all towns in Zambales. The average population of the towns in Zambales is around 11,000. San Felipe has only 9,000. Where are the other folks...yes they are all abroad...If you want to see big houses..go to San Felipe...and of course the prizes of some commodities is more than neighboring towns. Try our famous chicharon but you have to go early or order in advance.. to learn more about our town check this website: San Felipe Connection "It is not how long you live that counts but it is how you enjoy your life!!!" Willy
"bradpans" Francia **** 3159
From: Ugalde Gaylord L DLVA ugaldegl@ns... Fara and all, Looks like at least a few responses to this email can end up on the "Kwentong Cowboy" stories and or "The Way We Were", "Doon Po Sa Amin", or "Pista Sa Nayon". It's almost self explanatory on what these serial stories are about, but, for everyone's edification, here's some guidelines: Kwentong Cowboy.......Stories (of guys and gals) about growing up in the province, on the farms, around the mountains, lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, valleys, beaches, valleys taking the horses, cows, carabaos, goats, out to pasture...and farming, fishing, roaming, cruising in the jeep, jeepney, bicycle, motorcycle, camping, drinking, swimming, partying with the barkada or all alone. The Way We Were........ Reminiscing of the by-gone days with the sweetheart, barkada, relatives, family, school, etc Doon Po Sa Amin......... Stories about the town, home, traditions, festivals, culture. Days of old and growing up in the mother-town. Having more memories and hoping to do again what was once the thing to do back then. Pista Sa Nayon....... Traditions, Festivals, Contests, Memories of the old days and what to expect even today. I'm sure Fara would agree that answering her 3 questions can give ample contributions to any or all of these Sari-Sari Store pages. I personally would invite stories for my own "Kwentong Cowboy". I'm sure that the caretakers of these pages will appropriately honor the contributors of articles that end up on their pages. Cowboy **** 3160
From: Ugalde Gaylord L DLVA ugaldegl@ns.. Fara, Please tell more of your own answer #1. Looks like (from the little bit told) that you were in your own right a young cowgirl by chores and at heart. Yes!!! Please tell more. Cowboy **** 3162
From: linus2u linus2u@y.... Ok, I guess it's time to post something I've been wanting to post for some time now. I hope everybody makes time for this! Here are 3 questions for you to share. Don't be shy now! This is not mushy stuff! 1. What do you remember most about your town in Zambales? (fondest memory) 2. Who were your 2 best friends from there and why? 3. When you close your eyes, how do you picture Zambales? 1. What I remember most about my town is the old house of course. I occupied the room adjacent to the street and in my childhood, before the road was widened and paved, there was an ilang ilang tree right in front of my room. Of course I had a hard time sleeping whenever I came for a vacation from school in Manila because I would always imagine someone sitting on the branch staring at me inside. The stories of tikbalangs and kapres from my cousins didn't help at all. So no matter how hot it was, I had my blanket over my face and it was always a relief to wake up in the morning with the sound of the first trip of the Victory Liner honking that extremely loud horn, announcing more than the cock crowing, that morning has broken. And then there are those kids blowing little air horns and shouting pandesal. And lastly, I would now it's really safe to take off the covers when I hear mama's walis tingting (I don't know the English translation of this kind of broom) sweeping the front of the store. When I hear that broom, down I go for I knew there would be waiting for me fried eggs and sinanglay (fried rice) with sinuman na mangulitin (I hope I got the name right for that little fish) and fresh mangoes. Of course, I will always remember too the nights hanging out the Lipay Bridge, making small talk with the cousins. And the strolls down Ginipang Island where kids our age would meet other kids also vacationing from Manila. 2. My best friends were my cousins. The Maniago clan was a big clan and there were always cousins belonging to the same age group. What I remember most is that being the "writer" among us, I was always called upon to write those ligaw (courting) letters for my cousins. It was fun writing those letters of course and it never fails to put a smile on my face when I remember those days because some of them have actually married those girls. It's nice to know inside you that you had a hand in that marriage. 3. When I close my eyes, I see sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets, bankas criscrossing the waves, and my favorite mangoes. Sadly, the old faces are gone, they've since left for other shores. Nothing is left but the memories. Lino |
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