By: Gay Mare Capones
A Break Diver in the Philippines
During my childhood in the Philippines, I took this route every day after eating my meal for lunch. I would go outside to take a walk to calm myself. These are the places I would walk by that have really become a part of my memory. I decided to walk that same route recently, now that I’m an adult.
Walking under the sun, and passing into these mango trees, and feeling the fresh wind on my face—my mind suddenly went back to the past. I smiled a little, flashing back to this place. We used to climb this mango tree to get its fruits. I remember there was an old man who always got angry, shouting at us not to pick those mango fruits. Seven years of doing the routine during the peak season of mangos, and seven years of an old man yelling. As children, we really loved to pick its fruits, and now I am wondering where that old man is now. What did he do and how is he now? I am always wondering if he still remembers me.
And these creeks along the road are always the same–no water at all but the difference is that today it is even more drier than before. We also played here after class or when walking home. As far as I remember, the green grasses are growing more healthier than before. This road near the creek was not cement before. And the iron on the handrail is rustier now. It’s good to know that there is still a little bit change on this road.
Next from the river, I kept moving forward until I reached this creepy tree. People say that a ghost lives around this tree. I was a scaredycat when I was young. Every day when we passed by this area, irrational goosebumps appeared all over me. It made me walk fast, and sometimes, run! We even ran in group because everyone was scared of this place.
On the side, when walking together with a group, and feeling less scared, we would sometimes use the tree to play basketball. If you notice the roots of this tree, there is a basketball ring shaped root. We would shoot a stone like a basketball through the hole! That’s the fun side of this tree. The most interesting part is that boys would climb this tree to get its fruits. This trees fruit is called “Santol” in Filipino, or Cotton Fruit in English.
And lastly, when I was in elementary school, our allowance was 5 peso coins or 10 peso coins, because in years past, prices of meryendas were less expensive. If I had an extra 3 pesos in coins, I would hide this in this area near this wall, cover it with a rock, and when it was time to go home, I would just pick them up where I hid them. I was sure to hide the coins alone and memorize where they were hidden!
I’ve had many smiling childhood experiences, and it’s nice to remember them again. I am fortunate to have been born in the 1990’s and I am lucky to have experienced such a memorable childhood.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi, I’m Gay Mare Capones. I’m a filipino hometown girl achieving something big that I can add to my life. I hope to become accomplished at writing and photography, and one day become part of a movie. I love creating artistic works, and my best hobby is planting. I also enjoy playing basketball and riding my bicycle. I work as Dining Staff in a Korean restaurant, and at the same time, I work as Service Crew at a Burger station. In my free time, I have my own network marketing business.
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