Memories--- As a Teenager
By: Adelino L. Masigla
(as far as I can recall)
AT SCHOOL
After graduating Grade 6 (11 yrs old) at Roxas Central School , Roxas, Palawan the
family moved to Pasig , Rizal during the summer of 1955. By 1956, I was enrolled at
Rizal High School and stayed from 1st year to 4 th year and graduated in 1960 at the age
of 15.
During 1st year high, I was the youngest and one of the smallest among the boys in the
class of Section I-16. With the new environment I had a hard time getting along with the
older and bigger boys who were on their teens until I fought my way in to the tough group
of the campus, from thereon I gained respect and though small was considered as an
equal. To maintain this special status, I started smoking cigarettes and drinking liquor at
the age of 12. Once after being caught smoking and drinking outside the campus I was
called by the Guidance Counselor and in the presence of the school Principal, was
asked why I had to smoke and drink liquor, I promptly replied--- “for self protection
against the campus muggers. No one in this school can watch over my safety all the time
except me. Make them behave then I shall cease from being one like them.”
Few boys would at times associated with me that would be construed as a gesture
support against the toughies of the campus. As the first year in high school was a period
of adjustment, my scholastic performance was not too good, however was able to
improve by landing to the mid-section during the 2nd year, II-8, then III-8 during third year
under Mrs. Rosario Perez as adviser, then IV-6 during fourth year under Mrs.
Emerinciana Ruiz as adviser. During 2nd year I was appointed as Junior Police and
Assistant Chief of Junior Police during 3rd Year and finally as Chief of Junior Police
during 4th Year.
I was also a contributor to the bi-monthly school organ, the “Rizalian” and was fond of
writing poems and short stories. Among the familiar friends were Orlando Cruz, Jose
Umali, Juan Herras, Purita Sison, Herminia Raymundo, Carolina Castillo, Lilia Bato and
many others. Further away, in San Pablo, Laguna (now San Pablo City) I had Vida
Victoria, as one of my pen pal and a very special friend that went along for several years
after.
COMMUNITY LIFE
Kid's outdoor games had always occupied every pre-adolescence period. Like any other
boy in the area I would be playing with self made toys such as: top (trumpo), kite,
marbles (holen), rubber bands, gyro, sling shot, etc. For sports: swimming, since we
reside along the Pasig River; fishing; bridge diving; and later basketball. Among my
favorite kid's game where we used to compete with each other individually or with teams
were tops and marbles. While the object of the top is to break your opponent's toy while
saving your team mate's, the marble is played something like a small scale club free
golf with 8-12 holes. Spider fighting was a popular event during summer periods.
Pasig River during the late ‘50s was practically pollution free and teeming with fresh
water resources. The river was so clean with very minimal bottom silts to the extent that
swimming elsewhere is regarded safe for health and during spare times the kids would
be playing and racing across the river. Tulya (shell fish) were so abundant that all one
needs to do is scrape the bottom sand with bare hands to get a handful of the live shells.
Several specie of fresh water fish were also abundant and caught with much less effort.
At frequent times the kids would go on gathering tulya and catching fish for picnic along
the banks of Pasig River. It was an exceptional moment no more to be experienced by
the next generations.
TOPPING THE TOUGH
The late ‘50s starts the music revolution when rock and roll dominated the listening
public. It was also the point in history when television began invading every living room.
Likewise the period when teenagers became concerned in grouping themselves into a
sort of brotherhoods called gangs. Joining the JR. NIGHT HAWK GANG was not too
difficult since it was based in the community where we lived. For several hours at night I
would stay where the gangs used to standby and learned to emulate what they practiced.
As I went along, several street lessons vital to existence and good teamwork practice
were learned, the most important of which was the development of my outlook in life.
EARNING MY FIRST PESO
Right after graduating high school in 1960, times went hard and for a while and I kept my
self occupied with other kids and the gang members. One time a neighbor offered a
hefty sum to transfer three truck loads of (about 21 cbm) construction sand and
aggregates from where it was dumped on the side street to a place about 25 meters
behind their house. After 2 days, working continuously at 12 hours a day with a
wheelbarrow, the tasked was completed and I was paid a hefty P21.00 or P1 per cubic
meter. That, made me felt richer out of my own sweat.
OTHER INCOME
My first peso taught me how to convert effort into cash. For almost a year I was engaged
in several odd jobs. As a reliever to someone who permanently drives, I tried making
extra living with a manual tricycle transporting passengers at short trips. It was fun and I
enjoyed it. For awhile I likewise made income vending duck eggs (balot) cigarettes and
pork rind on the streets during night. Also, I engaged in bread deliveries to regular clients
of a bakery shop.
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE
As a young man I had a very memorable life along with those around me. With a little
assessment I can always find ways for a subject to like me thus my teenage memories
should have sounded smoothly colorful when it comes to romance if not for this girl who
was too conservative and forward thinking who discouraged me not to pursue for
reasons that she can see no future for her with me at the style I was conducting my life.
After hearing her antagonisms I quickly pointed that she knows not the real me and told
her that I will someday be a successful man of a happy family and she will be an
inspiring witness to each step I take towards the future. I treated that conversation not as
discouragement but as the greatest challenge of my life. I did not stop getting in touch
with her and true enough after about five years, just before I took the first of a series of
board examinations (3rd marine officer), she granted me her acceptance.
WORKING STUDENT
I had lot of fun making errands here and there though the income was too irregular.
These occupied much of my time which minimized my association with the gang and
while learning the wisdom of "effort, time and money" I began to realize the significance
of pursuing college, however, my income was not sufficient to support my own studies
therefore I did not enroll college until I landed a job with more regular income. By June
19, 1961 I was accepted as a messenger of the Structural Department of Atlantic Gulf
and Pacific Corporation. While working as a messenger I got familiar with the structural
plans (of Araneta Coliseum), piping plans etc., and its construction procedures. By 1962,
I earned my permanent employment status and was promoted and during the opening
of the next school year, I enrolled night classes at PMI Colleges (Nautical School) and
took Associate in Nautical Science. Sometime in early 1963, I had an accident at work
when a huge steel I-beam fell on my right foot. I was brought to the company hospital
where my right foot was plaster cast. I was confined for six weeks, however did not
prevented me from reporting at school every night. I would scape from the ward and take
a cab and be back at 9:00 p.m. (Note: I learned later that my nightly escapade did not
went on unnoticed even the first time I did it. The hospital staff reported the same
immediately to my immediate supervisor. The second day, someone followed me to
check what I was up to. When they found out that I was really going to school, they
tolerated without me knowing, to the extent of giving me chance to scape every afternoon
and clearing my way in every 9:20 at night)
By the end of 1963, I was again promoted as quality control checker and maintained this
position until I graduated college in 1964.
BIDDING FAREWELL
The hours before graduation, I talked with my immediate supervisor at work, (a person
who I so well respected, who in so many instances, gave me fatherly words) and told
him that I shall be boarding vessel the following day and therefore resigning now. With
wet eyes, he tried to persuade me not and promised more promotions at work should I
stay further. He even asked me to enroll and take any other engineering course which he
was willing to extend financial support if necessary. I told him that:
"You had been a good father to me ever since you accepted me to work though you
knew that I was only 16. Because my reasons was to pursue studies, you even told me to
change my age to 18. When I started, you first assigned me to the lightest job in your own
office and while there guided me to the many operational and technical procedures
about the department. Much more you enriched my values in life. In all those days and
for 3-years, you considered my being a working student as if it was your future. I
appreciate very sincerely your offer for me to stay but I love the sea very much."
After an hour or so, I left his office with my head bowed down. I did not notice anything as
I walked out of the compound. I preferred not to attend the graduation exercises at Manila
Hotel. The following morning, I joined my first ship as cadet midshipman.
§
By: Adelino L. Masigla
(as far as I can recall)
AT SCHOOL
After graduating Grade 6 (11 yrs old) at Roxas Central School , Roxas, Palawan the
family moved to Pasig , Rizal during the summer of 1955. By 1956, I was enrolled at
Rizal High School and stayed from 1st year to 4 th year and graduated in 1960 at the age
of 15.
During 1st year high, I was the youngest and one of the smallest among the boys in the
class of Section I-16. With the new environment I had a hard time getting along with the
older and bigger boys who were on their teens until I fought my way in to the tough group
of the campus, from thereon I gained respect and though small was considered as an
equal. To maintain this special status, I started smoking cigarettes and drinking liquor at
the age of 12. Once after being caught smoking and drinking outside the campus I was
called by the Guidance Counselor and in the presence of the school Principal, was
asked why I had to smoke and drink liquor, I promptly replied--- “for self protection
against the campus muggers. No one in this school can watch over my safety all the time
except me. Make them behave then I shall cease from being one like them.”
Few boys would at times associated with me that would be construed as a gesture
support against the toughies of the campus. As the first year in high school was a period
of adjustment, my scholastic performance was not too good, however was able to
improve by landing to the mid-section during the 2nd year, II-8, then III-8 during third year
under Mrs. Rosario Perez as adviser, then IV-6 during fourth year under Mrs.
Emerinciana Ruiz as adviser. During 2nd year I was appointed as Junior Police and
Assistant Chief of Junior Police during 3rd Year and finally as Chief of Junior Police
during 4th Year.
I was also a contributor to the bi-monthly school organ, the “Rizalian” and was fond of
writing poems and short stories. Among the familiar friends were Orlando Cruz, Jose
Umali, Juan Herras, Purita Sison, Herminia Raymundo, Carolina Castillo, Lilia Bato and
many others. Further away, in San Pablo, Laguna (now San Pablo City) I had Vida
Victoria, as one of my pen pal and a very special friend that went along for several years
after.
COMMUNITY LIFE
Kid's outdoor games had always occupied every pre-adolescence period. Like any other
boy in the area I would be playing with self made toys such as: top (trumpo), kite,
marbles (holen), rubber bands, gyro, sling shot, etc. For sports: swimming, since we
reside along the Pasig River; fishing; bridge diving; and later basketball. Among my
favorite kid's game where we used to compete with each other individually or with teams
were tops and marbles. While the object of the top is to break your opponent's toy while
saving your team mate's, the marble is played something like a small scale club free
golf with 8-12 holes. Spider fighting was a popular event during summer periods.
Pasig River during the late ‘50s was practically pollution free and teeming with fresh
water resources. The river was so clean with very minimal bottom silts to the extent that
swimming elsewhere is regarded safe for health and during spare times the kids would
be playing and racing across the river. Tulya (shell fish) were so abundant that all one
needs to do is scrape the bottom sand with bare hands to get a handful of the live shells.
Several specie of fresh water fish were also abundant and caught with much less effort.
At frequent times the kids would go on gathering tulya and catching fish for picnic along
the banks of Pasig River. It was an exceptional moment no more to be experienced by
the next generations.
TOPPING THE TOUGH
The late ‘50s starts the music revolution when rock and roll dominated the listening
public. It was also the point in history when television began invading every living room.
Likewise the period when teenagers became concerned in grouping themselves into a
sort of brotherhoods called gangs. Joining the JR. NIGHT HAWK GANG was not too
difficult since it was based in the community where we lived. For several hours at night I
would stay where the gangs used to standby and learned to emulate what they practiced.
As I went along, several street lessons vital to existence and good teamwork practice
were learned, the most important of which was the development of my outlook in life.
EARNING MY FIRST PESO
Right after graduating high school in 1960, times went hard and for a while and I kept my
self occupied with other kids and the gang members. One time a neighbor offered a
hefty sum to transfer three truck loads of (about 21 cbm) construction sand and
aggregates from where it was dumped on the side street to a place about 25 meters
behind their house. After 2 days, working continuously at 12 hours a day with a
wheelbarrow, the tasked was completed and I was paid a hefty P21.00 or P1 per cubic
meter. That, made me felt richer out of my own sweat.
OTHER INCOME
My first peso taught me how to convert effort into cash. For almost a year I was engaged
in several odd jobs. As a reliever to someone who permanently drives, I tried making
extra living with a manual tricycle transporting passengers at short trips. It was fun and I
enjoyed it. For awhile I likewise made income vending duck eggs (balot) cigarettes and
pork rind on the streets during night. Also, I engaged in bread deliveries to regular clients
of a bakery shop.
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE
As a young man I had a very memorable life along with those around me. With a little
assessment I can always find ways for a subject to like me thus my teenage memories
should have sounded smoothly colorful when it comes to romance if not for this girl who
was too conservative and forward thinking who discouraged me not to pursue for
reasons that she can see no future for her with me at the style I was conducting my life.
After hearing her antagonisms I quickly pointed that she knows not the real me and told
her that I will someday be a successful man of a happy family and she will be an
inspiring witness to each step I take towards the future. I treated that conversation not as
discouragement but as the greatest challenge of my life. I did not stop getting in touch
with her and true enough after about five years, just before I took the first of a series of
board examinations (3rd marine officer), she granted me her acceptance.
WORKING STUDENT
I had lot of fun making errands here and there though the income was too irregular.
These occupied much of my time which minimized my association with the gang and
while learning the wisdom of "effort, time and money" I began to realize the significance
of pursuing college, however, my income was not sufficient to support my own studies
therefore I did not enroll college until I landed a job with more regular income. By June
19, 1961 I was accepted as a messenger of the Structural Department of Atlantic Gulf
and Pacific Corporation. While working as a messenger I got familiar with the structural
plans (of Araneta Coliseum), piping plans etc., and its construction procedures. By 1962,
I earned my permanent employment status and was promoted and during the opening
of the next school year, I enrolled night classes at PMI Colleges (Nautical School) and
took Associate in Nautical Science. Sometime in early 1963, I had an accident at work
when a huge steel I-beam fell on my right foot. I was brought to the company hospital
where my right foot was plaster cast. I was confined for six weeks, however did not
prevented me from reporting at school every night. I would scape from the ward and take
a cab and be back at 9:00 p.m. (Note: I learned later that my nightly escapade did not
went on unnoticed even the first time I did it. The hospital staff reported the same
immediately to my immediate supervisor. The second day, someone followed me to
check what I was up to. When they found out that I was really going to school, they
tolerated without me knowing, to the extent of giving me chance to scape every afternoon
and clearing my way in every 9:20 at night)
By the end of 1963, I was again promoted as quality control checker and maintained this
position until I graduated college in 1964.
BIDDING FAREWELL
The hours before graduation, I talked with my immediate supervisor at work, (a person
who I so well respected, who in so many instances, gave me fatherly words) and told
him that I shall be boarding vessel the following day and therefore resigning now. With
wet eyes, he tried to persuade me not and promised more promotions at work should I
stay further. He even asked me to enroll and take any other engineering course which he
was willing to extend financial support if necessary. I told him that:
"You had been a good father to me ever since you accepted me to work though you
knew that I was only 16. Because my reasons was to pursue studies, you even told me to
change my age to 18. When I started, you first assigned me to the lightest job in your own
office and while there guided me to the many operational and technical procedures
about the department. Much more you enriched my values in life. In all those days and
for 3-years, you considered my being a working student as if it was your future. I
appreciate very sincerely your offer for me to stay but I love the sea very much."
After an hour or so, I left his office with my head bowed down. I did not notice anything as
I walked out of the compound. I preferred not to attend the graduation exercises at Manila
Hotel. The following morning, I joined my first ship as cadet midshipman.
§
1959. Section III-8
Rizal High School
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class picture
Rizal High School
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class picture
1960. Section IV-6
Rizal High School
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class picture
Rizal High School
Click icon to view
class picture
MEMORIES
masigla.com
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