Memories--- As a Child
By: Adelino L. Masigla
I was probably between 3 to 4 years old, one Christmas season, my father
brought me to the carnival at the Manila Sunken Garden, Intramuros Park.
The sight of the skyline with the bright rays from the huge ex-US Army
search lights touching the clouds told me that we are near the carnival.
Holding a box of pop corn, we would take all the rides and watch the shows
including the circus and stage magic then back home at midnight. For me
those were fabulous evenings I cannot forget.
Several times, my father brought me with him on board the tug boats he
used to work with. We would stay on board for several days and I would
enjoy watching the clean and unpolluted waters of Manila South Harbor. It
was so clean that I can even see schools of colorful fish at the bottom of the
harbor. One morning I was donned in a life jacket and together with another
child of a crew, we swam alongside the boat. Another Sunday morning, my
father and I went fishing along the Luneta breakwater just behind the old
Manila Hotel. With live shrimps as baits we caught four regular size grouper
which we grilled on the rocks using drift woods and ate together with our
packed steamed rice. My excitement was beyond compare when I had a bite
on the fishing line and hauled my first catch. We caught another three after
lunch and brought them home for my mother.
At about the same age, I clearly remember that I had my first 3-wheeled foot
bike that I used to brag about with my neighbors to the envy of all the boys
because of its wheels made of solid forged aluminum steel fitted with roller
bearings.
It was on the Christmas season of 1947 that I had my first aluminum toy gun
that produces popping sounds out of paper rolled powder drops. My father
would give me at least 10 to 20 rolls each time and I would finish all of them
off the whole day.
My other favorite toys were a small hand held power less radio receiver that
can be tuned to real stations; a wooden puppet dog that stands on strings;
small flashlight; small compass; U-magnet; wrist watch; magnifying glass;
and, several stuff toys.
My father used to work for the US Army Transport Group as a civilian
employee assigned on board harbor tugs as Marine Engineer and had a
privilege access to PX Commissary Store therefore I enjoyed the ample
supply of chocolates and candies and other PX goods. At times he would
bring me to the commissary and his GI friends would give me bags of goods
more than I can carry.
My playmates were Carmen Tria and Boy Tria, Totoy Lake and Totoy Liit.
We used to play puppets movies on sticks (not string) on candle shadow
behind a while linen.
By the time I went to school (kindergarten) in 1949, the PX privilege ceased
as my father's employment was transferred to a private company who
absorbed the working services.
By May of 1950 the whole family went with my father for a voyage to Roxas,
Palawan where his assigned tug boat was stationed. This was my first sea
voyage.
§
By: Adelino L. Masigla
I was probably between 3 to 4 years old, one Christmas season, my father
brought me to the carnival at the Manila Sunken Garden, Intramuros Park.
The sight of the skyline with the bright rays from the huge ex-US Army
search lights touching the clouds told me that we are near the carnival.
Holding a box of pop corn, we would take all the rides and watch the shows
including the circus and stage magic then back home at midnight. For me
those were fabulous evenings I cannot forget.
Several times, my father brought me with him on board the tug boats he
used to work with. We would stay on board for several days and I would
enjoy watching the clean and unpolluted waters of Manila South Harbor. It
was so clean that I can even see schools of colorful fish at the bottom of the
harbor. One morning I was donned in a life jacket and together with another
child of a crew, we swam alongside the boat. Another Sunday morning, my
father and I went fishing along the Luneta breakwater just behind the old
Manila Hotel. With live shrimps as baits we caught four regular size grouper
which we grilled on the rocks using drift woods and ate together with our
packed steamed rice. My excitement was beyond compare when I had a bite
on the fishing line and hauled my first catch. We caught another three after
lunch and brought them home for my mother.
At about the same age, I clearly remember that I had my first 3-wheeled foot
bike that I used to brag about with my neighbors to the envy of all the boys
because of its wheels made of solid forged aluminum steel fitted with roller
bearings.
It was on the Christmas season of 1947 that I had my first aluminum toy gun
that produces popping sounds out of paper rolled powder drops. My father
would give me at least 10 to 20 rolls each time and I would finish all of them
off the whole day.
My other favorite toys were a small hand held power less radio receiver that
can be tuned to real stations; a wooden puppet dog that stands on strings;
small flashlight; small compass; U-magnet; wrist watch; magnifying glass;
and, several stuff toys.
My father used to work for the US Army Transport Group as a civilian
employee assigned on board harbor tugs as Marine Engineer and had a
privilege access to PX Commissary Store therefore I enjoyed the ample
supply of chocolates and candies and other PX goods. At times he would
bring me to the commissary and his GI friends would give me bags of goods
more than I can carry.
My playmates were Carmen Tria and Boy Tria, Totoy Lake and Totoy Liit.
We used to play puppets movies on sticks (not string) on candle shadow
behind a while linen.
By the time I went to school (kindergarten) in 1949, the PX privilege ceased
as my father's employment was transferred to a private company who
absorbed the working services.
By May of 1950 the whole family went with my father for a voyage to Roxas,
Palawan where his assigned tug boat was stationed. This was my first sea
voyage.
§
| Adelino at 3 yrs old |
MEMORIES
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