Flashback

Philippines was once a wonderful place. No traffics, no pollution, no rapists. Our country might be colonized many years ago but we can’t resist the fact that the beauty of the country from the past is more appreciated now. Why? Because lot of things had changed. If we can just turn back time and go back to that era, without the conquerors, its a wonderful place isn’t it?

Years ago, girls wear filipinana, boys wear barong tagalog. Women were called “Binibini” while men were “Ginoo”. Filipinas used to be shy and Filipinos are careful with their actions trying their best not to touch the girls without their permission. Filipinos from the past used to be more respectful toward the girls. Filipinas wear long skirts, sleeved blouses and clothes that will not show off their skin.

In addition, ‘panliligaw’ is a big responsibility for a man who wants to make a girl his girlfriend. They need to pump water from the balon (pag-iigib), they need to cut trees branches (pagsisibak ng kahoy) and the best part is “pangha-harana” where the man will go the woman’s house to sing a song for her.

Also, when two people doesn’t have time to meet in person to talk, they don’t just get their phones and chat or text the person, they personally write the message in a paper and send it to the person they want. Handwritten letters will never gets old

Filipinos also used to ride kalesa, where horses carry the carriage. There were also small number of cars which doesn’t cause any traffic at all. Streets were clean, if you will look at it, you can’t even recognize that it’s Philippines.

Morever, when technology is not yet this broad and necessary for daily living, children used to play tumbang preso, chinese garter, habulan, taguan, langit lupa and etc. Kids were always outside and not locked in their rooms playing gadgets.

Maybe it’s wonderful to be in the modern world where everything is one click away but it’s also a good thing living on those times where everyone talks to each other personally, panliligaw is a must and playing outside is the trend. The clean surroundings, the old houses, the classic clothings, it’s all magnificient years ago. Philippines was once beautiful and peaceful. If I could just go back, I will. For me, those times were good old days. Nothing can beat classic and it will always be a dream for me to experience those kind of living.