Burnham in the Sixties

I can't get over this photo saved by my sister, non-Facebook user Evelyn Marie. We are wearing pantsuits, long before they were called such. The camera belonged to one of those itinerant Burnham Park photographers. It could only have been our mother, Gliceria D. Lolarga, who wanted this moment preserved. Who instructed us to put our left foot forward? I think it was part of our upbringing in the Sixties, that if a full-body shot was to be taken, you put your left foot forward for better balance. Thanks, sis, for storing the original of this picture. Happy days! And wasn't the park lovely then? Even if the picture is black and white, the splendor of the flowers and the pergola is captured.

TBT: Our ancestors

Formal portrait of Telesfora Cariño Lolarga and her five children. Seated are: Pacita L. Romero and Febe L. Valdellon. Standing (from left): Celso, Enrique Jr. and Ernesto.

My very (emphasis on the "very") organized sister Suzy, the one who has taken it upon herself to sort things out, in a manner of speaking, in the Pasig and Baguio houses unfailingly brings out from some ignored or rarely visited corner precious finds like this formal portrait of our grandmother, Telesfora Cariño Lolarga, and her five adult children in their graduation togas. Knowing how much education was valued in her time (she was, after all, an elementary school teacher in her youth), I'm guessing that the serene smile on her face is maternal pride because her kids are all professionals, and more!

This adoring granddaughter reposts this photo on what's known as Throwback Thursday (TBT) in other parts of social media today.

When my correspondence buddy Benjie Abellera once saw Lola's picture, he compared her beauty to that of a young Kim Novak.

TBT also makes me recall writer-anthropologist-bookshop owner Padma Perez and the rueful text she sent me when her Lola Darling passed away and she had to suddenly leave Baguio for the rites. She asked if we would ever be as gracious as that generation of lolas. I could only come up with this answer: "In our own way, in our own way."

The picture used to hang in Lola's house in Lower Brookside, Baguio. It's now with us, still in its laminated form. I know that lamination is not exactly kind to photographs. How to un-laminate is the next move when future budget allows.

Meanwhile, we keep the memory of our Lola and the three sons and one daughter, who are reunited with her, evergreen in our hearts. Auntie Fe is still in Virginia, and our loving thoughts of continued good health fly to her on this Thursday.

How green it was

I've often wondered who took this early in the 20th-century photo of La Trinidad in the province of Benguet. It must have been early in the last century because the Philippines is referred to here as PI (Philippine Islands). It looks colorized, but most of all it makes you want to exclaim: "How green was my valley!" Once upon a time, not very long ago, this was how it was. Whoever took this picture, thank you so much. I don't want to ruin the moment by posting an After (what La Trinidad looks like today) picture. Screensaver, anyone? Photo shared by Manong Ed Maranan