My Generation

I'm proud to proclaim that I belong to the 80's generation. It was the era of New Wave, Punk and Anarchy...non-conformity was a common cause. We ain't got no cell phones, no internet, no text messages, no yahoo messenger, no goggle yet the kids of my generation is still connected with an unseen bond that confuses even me. What is that common denominator that keeps such generation cool? The music perhaps, The attitude? The fashion or maybe the passion. It is undeniable that 80’s music is one of the best in terms of musical genre.

New wave music, which is a mix of the music of the 60’s and the 70’s is such a classic. Romanticism, poetry and psychedelic vibes blended magnificently. I can still hear new wave influenced bands invading the airwaves. Some local bands even had the guts in changing the lyrics and claiming such tunes as theirs. Can’t blame them though cause the hooks and the melodies are so addictive and at the same time soothing for someone to think that it was written especially for him. Several classics were produced during that highly creative era.

The fashion statement was also one of a kind. Black which was often used during funerals and mourning became the color of the moment. We were once branded as Satanists or cult members for wearing black outfits with spiky hair. It was during those times when an alleged cult would abduct little children, dressed in black with spiky hair do, and offer the poor kids during their satanic rituals. Hahaha, I guess some government bureaucrat was successful in covering whatever he the government was trying to hide by creating such public hysteria. In those days we were frowned upon, people would treat you differently because you have porcupine hair and studded boots. But it was more than just a fashion statement; the attitude comes with it too. Can’t explain how it works though. Hehehe

The art scene was also very much alive during the 80’s. Local artists were busy creating. Shows and exhibits were all around and the resulting art work really reflected the moment that was then. The atmosphere was really conducive in creating art and music that we would be at the Museo Iloilo almost every month to support an exhibit or a one man show.

Local bands also started to sprout out. The local music scene then was limited to a few restaurants that have cover bands that play whatever you wish them to play. Much like a jukebox, drop a coin, choose a song and press play. They were good no doubt about that, what’s missing is the feeling and the attitude that should go with every song. There’s no passion if I might say. The only way local acts would get gig is if New Wave concerts were organized, the favorite venue was at UP auditorium because it’s cheap. Bands would also play cover tunes but of their own choosing and also their own interpretation of a particular song. That’s how things started as far as I see it. Look at the scene now.

To quote the station I.D. of a now defunct but still have a cult following radio station,

“The station that dares to be different”

You dare?

Mr. Postman Partyline

This is my first ever blog. I have been planning to do this for a long time but laziness always prevails. Had been doing some "blogging" via our high school egroup and that's it. Mostly narrative accounts of our activities here. No heavy stuff really. Had been doing it for almost three (3) years now. I would get some positive reactions from my classmates after each post. Must have motivated me to do this.

My father works abroad since I was 2 years old. It was during those times when cell phones were science fiction and the landline number is 5 digits long. Overseas calls were operator assisted with the option to receive or refuse a collect call. Having a telephone line is a status symbol during those days. There are no textmates but we have phone pals, no emails but snail mail. The postman becomes part of your family because of his constant deliveries. Overseas calls have to be scheduled in advance via telegram and I can still recall how everyone would sit by the telephone, silently waiting for its analog ringing tone on the appointed time and date. Oh, one has to be friendly with the partyline too. Partylines is a very common thing during the early days of PLDT, I'm not sure if I can describe it correctly but I guess it's having someone share the same phone line but with a different phone number. To give you younglings an idea what it is, picture this: If you are trying to call your girlfriend and your girlfriends partyline is using their phone you'll get a busy signal. Or it can be the otherway around. The most annoying thing about partyline is they can listen to your conversations. So you have to learn how to live with partylines during those days. (I was pretty young then...hehehe).

Anyway, my dad is oftentimes away for a year straight, sometimes two years straight depending on his contract. He would leave me in my diapers and return to see me pee on my own. Until I was able to learn to read and write, my mom encouraged me to write letters for him to read something when they dock. The more letters you send the more chances of having a lot of toys and surprises when he comes home. That's where this writing thing comes in. For over 10 years we communicated that way until the advent of the email and text messaging. It's a different form of communication text messaging, although very convenient but the art of letter writing seems lost in the sense that nowadays you can send an email and get a response on the same day, even on the same hour for that matter. The anxiety, nervousness and excitement of receiving a reply has disappeared in this modern day culture. Perhaps no one notices this but such a simple thing changes people. I mean, romanticism is dwindling because everything is instantaneous nowadays. Imagination and anticipation is changed...

Gee, this is getting nowhere...hehehe. Don't get me wrong though, i love using my cell phone and i certainly love my laptop.