Throwback Thursday: Remembering Lola Iyay

Lola Iyay was my Mama Lola's* sister. I probably met her when I was 8 months old when my parents brought me to Villa Merced for the first time. Lola Iyay had a house across the beach and she'd take care of us whenever we'd go home to Pasacao. 

Lola Iyay was the complete opposite of my Mama Lola. She had a very hearty laugh and always had a ready smile. She also had a very good command of the English language because she used to be a teacher. They told me she also acted as a nurse during the war. Whenever I think about Lola Iyay, I always picture her wearing a daster, a farmer's hat, boots and she always had an itak hanging from her waist. It was also easy to trigger her tears. 

Villa Merced 

We spent many summers in Pasacao. Some of our neighbors would come with us, so they also knew Lola Iyay. That only stopped when the situation in the area became risky and we were advised not to visit. I don't even remember the last time I saw Lola Iyay and when she passed away. At least I still her remember her crazy laugh and the animated way she'd tell stories. I loved hanging around her when I was a child because she was a fun person. 

Too bad I was so young when she was still around. I could just imagine the many adventures she's been through. She was the youngest in the family and I can just imagine how she drove my very prim and proper Mama Lola when they were growing up. They also told me that her eldest sister, Ma Edad, was super strict. I hope I can get more information about my lolas from my Titas and my Mom. I'm at the point in my life where I want to learn more about my ancestors :)

Did you ever have a makulit na grandparent?

*Mama Lola - my maternal grandmother

**Itak = bolo

***Happy birthday Mama Mary!***

#BeKind #StaySafe

My Childhood in Camangui, Pasacao

I'm feeling child-like today because I'm finally moving on to what I really like doing. My new teammate told me I sparkled when I talked about what I love doing. This triggered happy childhood memories.

My parents started bringing me to out of town trips when I was less than a year old. We'd go to my Mom's hometown in Bicol every summer. That was when I earned the nickname "kutong tubig" (water flea) because they always had a hard time getting me out of the water. The only time I learned to voluntarily get out of the sun was when I had a very bad sunburn. Oh my it was so painful and since then I don't stay long under the sun anymore.

Villa Merced was the name of the our place. It was named after my Mama Lola (grandma). Back then we didn't have electricity so every night the trees would be filled with fireflies. I tried catching some of them, but never did. I feared the tuko though. It's a gecko with a big voice. You'd know it's near you because it chirps "tuko". It's quite loud so I always thought it was a huge gecko.  I was scared of it because they told me it would cling to you if it gets near you (thus the term "kapit tuko".

Taken from the rooftop of Casa Moderna (called Moderna Bakery back then). 

When you go up early in the morning you can see the beautiful Mayon Volcano.

I was quite mischievous when I was a child and my Mom would always tell me, "Ang malikot nakakadampot ng ipot!" (A naughty child will pick up poo). I remember one time I was collecting cats eye and stones and my Mom was telling me to clean up already because we were going to eat lunch. I ignored her and continued to poke on interesting looking stones and shells. I saw a shiny, brown round stone and I was ecstatic to find a very nice piece. I poked it and it wasn't a stone... so since then I became obedient!

I was really happy whenever we went to Pasacao. I loved that we would sleep in a nipa hut and bathe in the poso (manual pump). It was a very simple life. Uncomplicated and I'll always remember being with my family there. I'm happy Miggy experienced that also when he was a child and I hope he keeps it in his treasure of happy memories too. 

Save the Philippine Seas, Save Pasacao

We've been seeing news about how exploitative foreign companies with local partners have harvested corals twice the size of Manila. This made me really sad because I love going to the beach. I was just 8 months old when my parents started bringing me to our place in Pasacao, Camarines Sur eveyr summer. During low tide I would usually explore the reefs that would jut out from the water and I do that year in, year out.

What's alarming though is how our lovely beachfront has been ruined by a neighbor who built an illegal pier. Their area used to show a bed of coral reefs during low tide. My Dad tried to fight them numerous times by reporting the illegal port, but the local government did not do anything about it. My Mom called me up the other night to tell me that there are now three illegal ports in Pasacao and that's why the government port isn't earning anything.

The illegal pier.

When our neighbor built the illegal pier I observed that the number of fish and sea creatures I used to see lessened significantly. I have also witnessed them dump water (probably dirty) into the sea from the ships (not small bangkas) docked at their pier. I know my Dad did his best to report this illegal activity, but the local government in our area has just continued to ignore it.

Our small place in Pasacao is my home. A place that holds happy childhood memories for me. Unfortunately today it's now part of a statistic of places that need saving. But how can we possibly save a place that's being exploited by people with money?