If you could bring back the hands of time, which part of your life would you like to relive, and why?

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: I don’t relive my past. I simply store it in my memory fully intact.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Almost everybody would like to reminisce the good ol’ days when we enjoyed the many firsts of being young and stupid.

Days of youth

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: My teen years. They were so full of vigor, zest and life. I had no body pains, was always carefree and my needs were amply provided for by ever-doting parents.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I would like to relive my early 20s. Life then was a dream full of inspiration.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I would relive my pre-teen and teenage years. The world was mine to take then. There were lots of trials and errors, but there were no responsibilities, for there was always the understanding and kindness of nanay, lola, tiya and ‘insan. There were lots of joys.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: I wish to leisurely relive that part of my life when I was one and 20. Every experience was marked with excitement. They were challenging, yet pleasurable.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I would like to go back to my 20s when the economy was good and the country was doing very well. It was also a time in my life when things were still young, bright and beautiful. Of course, things are still bright and beautiful now, but on a different level.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: I’d go back to 1979 to 1981. During that period, my ex-wife Jo and I were still on. I had a jazz band (Pinatubo Minefields) and money. We drank at the PWU Fine Arts Building’s canteen after hours. We joked about converting it into Karaoke Bonifacio and Ramen Jacinto Noodle House because right across it was Cafe Malvar. Jo left for CA; VVW came and left for PA; Ginger took over my love life; then came Julie, my wife for 28 years. She met all three and accepted the fact that “you have to kiss many princesses, before you marry the frog.” Just kidding! I’m just reminiscing.

Romantic moments

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: I want to relive the day I got married. That was the happiest day of my life. I got the love of my life and received lots of gifts and cash.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: The courtship years with my wife. They were like living in suspended animation beyond the worries of this world.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: I would go back to my wedding day with my wife. That was the start of a wonderful life that produced three intelligent and talented children a marriage that would last forever.

Salvacion Tomines, Tarlac City: Of course, my love life sure na, considering that I am not married to the love of my life. I am not completely happy with my married life.

I’d rework my life plan

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I think I would like to relive the time I was in heaven before being born and work with God on my life plan.

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: From womb to tomb, Rose. All of it past, present, future so that I may shape up all that I was, is, and shall be, having things all in proper order and have the eternal peace and light shining upon me with our Creator.

Carefree childhood days

Ching Gaspar, Laoag City: I would go back to my childhood days, and enjoy being free from the worries of adult life. My carefree days were full of wonderful memories, which, up to now, still linger vividly and refuse to be forgotten.

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: I would relive my childhood days, when we swam in clean rivers and breathed fresh air. Everything was cheap, and drug addiction and gang wars were unknown.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: My childhood. Back then, pollution was not an issue; there were no expensive and sophisticated toys and no fastfood restaurants; rivers had waters and abound with fish; playing outside the house was safe; and, of course, my 50 centavos could buy me a decent merienda.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: I would surely relive my life as a kid so I would be able to savor once more an unhurried, stress-free life.

I’ve lived life to the fullest

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: I have drunk the umpteenth bottle of wine, smelled the perfume of dozens of women, sang the songs when nights were gay and blue, cried tears of joy and sadness, ran the distance, and saw the sights. There is nothing more to experience yet again. I could never thank God enough for life, a life lived to its heights which I never imagined reaching even in my dreams.

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I would not want to relive any of my past life and would just leave them as they are. If the question is asking what parts I wish to remember, I would probably say almost everything: the fun times growing up in Baguio without any care; the jolt into independence and manhood from four years of study overseas; the experience of meeting and loving someone from that overseas sojourn and then later raising a loving family back here at home; the life and death challenges of serving one’s country during the best years of one’s life; the rare opportunities of seeing the world from below and from above; the unique opportunities of living both public and private sectors in one’s life; and, to date, the blessed opportunities of being invited by God to become closer to Him.

Eddith Puddoc, Metro Manila: None. Though I belong to a poor family, I have developed a positive outlook in life and learned the values of hard work, respect, honesty, determination.

Merlino Quinsay, Ilocos Sur: I’d like to relive my life in the exact same way bad times, good times and everything else in between.

Time with deceased loved ones

Daniel Abellera, San Leandro, California, USA: My early 20s in the early 1980s, when I was far from my only child and daughter. I was with the US Army back then, and I had only been with her two times when I came home to see her. I wish I could bring that small segment of time back, so I could give her all the love and time to be with her always. If I only knew she would die that young and early. Up to now, I cry when I remember her, but life has to go on even though God no longer blessed me with a child.

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: I can’t remember anything about my father. He was among those massacred ay Japanese soldiers in 1944.

Be with people I miss

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: I would like to go back to the time when my parents and grandparents were alive. I would like to chat with them, listen to their stories about the past. Oh, how I miss them.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I want to relive that moment in my life when, as a small boy, we would all lie down on the shiny bamboo floor of our bahay kubo after lunch with me in between my mom and dad for our afternoon siesta. The breeze coming from the field outside was exhilarating and as a small boy I felt so secure snuggling between two special people in my life. My dad would tenderly stroke my back to lull me to sleep. Although an adult now, this recollection still flashes in my mind every time I remember my mom and dad, who passed away many, many years ago. 

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: I’d like to relive the last time I spent with my late father, so I could say I love him. It pains me that I didn’t do that while I had the chance.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: I would like to relive my childhood days. I want to see my younger sister and my mother again because I miss them.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: I would relive my childhood with a Catholic priest who was my surrogate grandfather. I will always fondly relish his tender loving care, which I never received even from my real grandfather. My “Lolo Pare” tucked me in bed in his room at the convent. He also tied my shoelace as I tagged along with him on his way to say the morning mass at the church. So many memories forever etched in my mind!

A proud moment

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The time I received my national award as outstanding farmer from the President is worth reliving.

School days

Felmar Rowell Singco, Northern Samar: I would like to relive the golden years of the 1980s, when I was in elementary and high school. I like that era because of its music, its style, its politics, its variety, and its sunny and rustic atmosphere. The 1980s is the best because of its close ties to the also wonderful years of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, as well as the absence of the malice and evils of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism during that time.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: I’d most likely relive my high school years. Those where the times when I had the most fun and when I made life-long friends.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I’d go back to college in the 1980s-1990s when times were better in terms of government, economy, living and media. No dumb telenovelas!

Ronali dela Cruz, Metro Manila: I would like to bring back my high school days, when I was passionately honing my writing skills. I was a scriptwriter and an editor.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: It would be my school life, especially my high school days. Those were our carefree days, and we looked forward only to our allowance from our parents.

Darwin Fonte, Bulacan: I want to relive my college days and work hard for the thing I consider now as the greatest frustration of my life.

Norman Villamayor, Mandaluyong City: I would go back to high school to relive some of the best years of my life. Student life during the 1970s was simple and uncomplicated. We didn’t have to rely on mobile phones and internet social networks to keep in touch with friends. And the music during that era was one of the best. It was pure fun during those years.

June Deoferio, Cavite: I’d go back to my college days. As a self-supporting student, I enjoyed both my studies and work. I finished school with my hard-earned income.  

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: My college days at UST. Panahon ‘yon ng First Quarter Storm ng mga demonstrations at rallies sa Mendiola.

The best time of my life

Jonette Joy Almonia, General Santos City: I would relive the days of April 18 to 20, 2007. Those were the best times of my life.

I’d rather live in the now

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Do we need to? Past is past, so let’s forget about it and move on, and live peaceful and productive lives.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: We are living in the most critical time of our history: The coming 2010 elections or absence of elections can mean deliverance or the final ruin of the nation. This is the climax of decades of cheating, lying and stealing by officials and unscrupulous businessmen. I wouldn’t want to miss witnessing this event by reliving any part of my past life somewhere in time.

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: I’d rather not regain the past. The here and now is more important.

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: I would like to relive the time when I had plenty of money and every girl I encountered was my honey! One should never regret the past, so the past won’t spoil the present. Reliving ain’t worth it! If turning back the hands of time requires reincarnation, then I must die first in order for me to relive the sweet past! 

Days in the farm

Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte: I wish to relive my childhood in the 60s when I would walk to school without a hat on and yet the sun was gentle even at noontime; when the monsoon rain would last weeks; when Decembers were really very cold and we had to make fire with the dry leaves in the yard very early in the morning to keep us warm; when the Guisit River was still deep with clear cool water even during summer and we enjoyed swimming at the river bend; when there was no electricity, but we would go out at night talking, singing and playing under the light of the moon and stars; when my father and our farmer-neighbors would cooperatively plow, plant and harvest their fields and even construct or repair our houses bayanihan style (we called it ammuyo); when our farmers would plant traditional rice varieties one cropping a year and yet we did not experience hunger. Those were the times of a caring earth, plentiful harvests, simple life and cohesive, peaceful community.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: I’d go back to the days when I was a young boy in the ’50s, living on our farmland and having a pollution-free life, helping bring our carabao to pasture, planting and harvest.

Correct past mistakes

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: I promised my baby niece I’d be a millionaire when she reaches 18. That was 18 years ago. She’s now 18 and I’m still not a millionaire. Needless to say, somewhere in between, something missed its mark. I would like to give it another try.

Geeann Rivera, Laguna: I think the part of my life when I was so pasaway to my parents and I was forgetting God. I should value them a lot. That’s why now I’m trying to become a better person.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: The times of my life when I made irreversible fatal mistakes are in plurality. I surely want to relive the moments before I erred. The most notable, considering the agony and anguish I presently experience as a consequence, is that of being illegally dismissed from my job.

I wish my children were still young

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I’d go back to when my six children were still young, to spend more time with them because we seldom saw each other due to my far-flung assignments as a PC soldier.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I’d like to go back to the time when my five children were still young, especially the years they were still studying from high school to college. Back then, my compensation afforded us some luxuries and since I was a weekend parent due to the nature of my work, which took me to many travels in the provinces, I used all my available time with my family during weekends and holidays. We used to go to early masses on Sundays and took our breakfasts in five-star hotels along Roxas Boulevard or in well-known restaurants. At times, also, especially when I received checks for incentives earned, I took them to lunch at these hotels. It was a really good way for family bonding purposes where we all would enjoy some hours going back and forth to the buffet tables, laughing at who ate the most. Many times we would go sight-seeing and travel to nearby provinces. The favorite places to go then were either Los Baños or Tagaytay, where we would bring food to eat under the trees in the former and at the picnic grove in the latter. Those were wonderful years for my family!  

Fun times with family and loved ones

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: I’d relive my childhood days back in the ’60s in the barrio of Palanginan in Iba, Zambales, where I grew up and took my elementary education. During weekends, relatives and neighbors would usually bond and get-together and gather around a table under a mango tree. Old folks, including my parents, uncles and aunties, would drink some wine and have some pulutan and share daily life stories and funny jokes while the kids, including myself, would play around with their slingshots and toy guns and sometimes climb up the mango trees. Those were memorable days I would not forget for the rest of my life.

Better days

Nick Ocampo, Angeles City: During the time of late Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, the cost of one ganta of rice was only 70 centavos. Cost of living was very low at that time.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I’d relive the pre-Marcos era, when our country was second to Japan economically. My mother was an elementary school teacher and my father was an ordinary farmer and fisherman. We always had food on the table. We prayed the Holy Rosary each evening. We had very peaceful surroundings, less pollution, very respectable police and soldiers, a decent judiciary, a highly respected Senate and Church. We had a drug-free environment, with less sickness. Collusion and corruption in government were unheard of, schools were not congested, and elections were honest! That all seems like a dream now!

Cris Rivera, Rizal: The post-war era. We had a simple way of life then. There was poverty, but not like the one we’re dealing with and living wasn’t as costly like today.

Let’s focus on reality

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: I don’t believe in time machines and I don’t want to relive any part of my life. I’m content with my past and present life. No regrets, no replays.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: In the early morning, when I get hold of Phil. Star, the first column I turn to is Inbox. The texters’ opinions are not only interesting, but also show how intelligent the texters are. May I suggest, therefore, that we get views and opinions of the texters relating to current events, like the demands of the Abu Sayyaf on the ICRC abduction case, text tax, etc. The Inbox column is read worldwide, according to my Yahoo Groups and Skype contacts.

Japanese Occupation

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I wish to bring back the time when we were in the evacuation center in the remote countryside during the Japanese Occupation. We always prayed and everybody was treated with brotherly love. The rich and the city people were with us and they felt secure, even without the amenities of urban life. The air was cool and the water from the stream was clean and potable. We walked through rugged terrain to pick up fruits, dig up root crops and gather firewood in the forest. We had nightly serenata under the moonlight with guitars and bumbong kawayan providing music. Alas, those were the days our parents cursed, because our life then was in jeopardy as some Filipinos became Makapili who would point our haven to the Japanese. No matter how happy those days were for us children, I always feel a tinge of sadness remembering it because after the liberation, the rich and the city evacuees avoided us poor rural folk.

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