A Memory Triggered by This Week's Hullabaloo

With all the hullabaloo happening in our country this week, I started remembering a lot of childhood memories. It's weird, but the charged political issues happening today are reminiscent of the issues in the 80s. Add the rotating brownouts and it just feels like the 80s again. 

I just realized I'm about my parents' age now in the 80s. They were so protective of us and Tito Ben would always call us to stay put if there were any movements happening. That's why I missed a lot of classes in the mid to the late 80s (EDSA + coup d'etats). 

Late 80s/early 90s? Rockin' 'em teased bangs

Since my mind went back to the 80s, I remembered a few people who were (more or less) part of the off my childhood/memories with my parents. I mentioned to Sweetie that my Dad worked for GSIS for awhile. I remember Mom and I heading there to bring food for Daddy's birthday (that fateful day we experienced a gun pointed at us in Manila). 

I remember meeting Former Speaker Sonny Belmonte on that day. He said I was a very perceptive child because I noticed how rundown the office was (it was the old GSIS building and I was incorrigible even back then). Tito Sonny was my Dad's seatmate in law school (as well as Former Rep. Sergio Apostol). He wasn't successful in convincing my Dad to get into politics (my Mom made sure of it). [This is why I remember my seatmates].

Anyway, I just thought I'd write about this random memory since I'll probably forget about it eventually. My Dad went into government service when I was in elementary school. He always wanted to do that and only went into it when my siblings completed their degrees. His reached his dream to become a judge. He did and eventually moved on to other government agencies. It's probably why I took polsci and legal management. He hoped I'd become a lawyer. But alas, I followed a different path. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

The 80s: Why I Enjoyed Watching Stranger Things

We decided to watch Stranger Things again from the beginning. We only started watching it in 2021 when we got home. Internet was pretty bad in our old home, so when we watched season 1 and 2 it was like watching on a 2G phone, haha. So, I said, let's watch it from the beginning. 

The characters were just a bit older than me when I was a child. It was a treat to see the era again especially the toys, the food and essentially how they lived without phones, the internet and Google! Back then people went to see other people when they were bored. They were not stuck in front of their TVs/their phones/gaming consoles or computers. 

One of my 80s birthdays

In the 80s, our parents watched us like hawks, but we still went out to see our friends. I remember I'd bike around our village and bike to a friend's house to play. I'm glad I lived through that era minus gory monsters. Well, we had monsters and my childhood was riddled with political upheavals. 

Sweetie in the 80s

Anyway, I enjoyed watching the series from start to end. We got to review the earlier seasons and got to connect the story easier. If you watch it from the beginning, you'll also notice some nuances that you didn't see when you first watched it, like the different crazy 80s hairstyles which reminded us of some movies. The colorful outfits and even the socks they wore reminded me of some that I used to wear, haha. 

Of course, there were some noticeable holes in the story, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

GenXers Childhood Boyfriend

We didn't have gadgets in the 80s. Our playtime consisted of either playing outdoors with friends or Lego, Barbie, Transformers, cartoon figures etc. indoors. Some were privileged to have Atari/Nintendo gaming consoles.

My parents prohibited gaming consoles at home, so my playtime revolved around Barbie and Lego. I was relieved to find my Barbie doll collection* and lonesome Ken. Funny, I had dressed up Ken with just a belt before I stored them over 3 decades ago. Sorry Ken.

I found his one and only outfit and washed it. Ken has finally been reunited with his clothes. I think I removed them because I wanted to experiment on sewing clothes for him. I never learned to make clothes, so he suffered 3+ decades covered up with a belt. 

Anyway, Ken was a common childhood boyfriend, haha. I don't recall what kind of stories I made up while playing with them. I do recall I separated him from the Barbie dolls so they won't fight over him, hahaha. They're still not together. 

Since I'm not good at making clothes, I found out you can buy clothes for Ken online. I'll get him a summer outfit to update his 80s Michael Knight look. Hahaha.

#BeKind #StaySafe

*Most of them came from Titay :)

My Yummiest Potato Salad to Date

It's been awhile since I made potato salad at home. I "learned" it from Mom. She gave me a list of ingredients and told me to just "mix it up". The list did not include measurements (as usual), so I have been winging it.

Found some potatoes in the fridge. I planned to make afritada, but the other ingredients weren't fresh anymore. Potatoes last longer, so I popped everything in a pot and boiled it. Sweetie helped peel and dice it. I took care of slicing the other veggies. 

I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl, then added the diced potatoes. Added a bit more mayo and put it in the fridge. I forgot to try it before storing it, so I was really surprised how good it was when we had it for dinner. Yum! Yum! Yum! It tasted like Dayrit's/Makati Supermart Coffee Shop's potato salad (I usually get these when I'm lazy to make). Of course, it reminded me of the potato salad we'd usually have during family reunions. 

Here's how I made it:

Recipe here: https://recipesformyson.blogspot.com/2025/06/recipes-for-my-son-moms-potato-salad.html

Let me know if you try making it based on what I have figured out how to make a proper 80s potato salad. :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Throwback Thursday: Care Bear Stare!

Look what I found while sorting stuff. My Care Bare sticker book! I think I was in 4th grade when this came out. I remember saving my allowance so I could buy stickers! And sometimes (when lucky), I'd be able to convince Mom or Dad to buy some for me at National Bookstore. 

I wasn't able to complete the book. I missed just a few and I guess I just gave up since it would eat up my allowance. I loved the textured stickers the best. I don't think I had any other Care Bear items, so I got myself a stuffed toy a few years ago while traveling. It was an indulgence, but it made my inner child happy (haha). 

I'm actually surprised the sticker book survived. I thought it was washed away already during Typhoon Ondoy. Together with it were my high school newspapers. I placed them inside a plastic folder. The plastic folder did a good job. It bore the wear and tear of time and temperature.

Great find! It reminded me how simple life was back then. I've been trying to remember those  days before the harsh world infiltrated my being (weh drama!). With so many things going on nowadays, finding childhood things that made me happy gives me joy.

#BeKind #StaySafe