I love Vintage Pop
Vintage Pop is closing its doors. After five years at the Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao (or “Cubao X” as its alternately been referred to), the shop that started it all, that augured in the emergence of the area as a cultural hotspot, is moving. Its owner, Bong Salaveria, is emigrating with his family to Canada, a process they started about the same time he first opened the store.
“I remember when I was having the floors done, Raymond (Red) would hang out and drink, and ask me if ‘totoo na ba ‘to?’” recalls Salaveria, pointing out to his friend and fellow filmmaker that he was indeed doing this for real. At that time, apart from Bellini’s, the Marikina Shoe Expo was exactly what its name declared itself to be: just an enclave of stores selling shoes. Times were hard and several shops had closed. It was only fortuitous that Salaveria was having lunch at the Italian restaurant and spotted the vacancy beside it. After some inquiries, he decided to take the space. He wanted to open something, but what exactly wasn’t too clear to him. But that would hardly deter somebody with a background in independent filmmaking and trained at Mowelfund — in an era way before the first hipster with a digital camera ever used the term “indie” in his social networking profile. An idea had already formed in Salaveria’s mind.
The way he describes Vintage Pop is that he just wanted to put up a space that would be like the kind of place you always dreamed about. With a passion and eye for beautiful things as well the skilled discipline of a craftsman, he did just that: filling the store with wonderful items that he collected as well as some he would tinker with. He also invited friends and artists to put their stuff on display there, not accepting any cut from any sales made. “I really have no idea how to run a store,” says Salaveria, referring to the fact that making money was never the focus of Vintage Pop. As several visitors can attest, he’d rather give you the item than sell it to you, just because you really, really looked like you wanted it. “I want them to have nice homes,” he says.
“That’s bad for Cubao,” says art collector and patron Norman Crisologo, upon hearing the news. This sentiment was echoed by “fans” of the store in varying degrees of dismay and resignation. Overall, it’s the loss of the presence of Salaveria at Cubao that weighs most heavily on everyone’s minds rather than any of the items contained in his store. In many ways, the way he ran Vintage Pop was the spirit of Cubao X — that gracious spirit and openness with those who entered his store, not to sell you his stuff but to allow you to share in his enjoyment of it. That’s what made it special (although certain items such as the phonograph players, the Coca Cola refrigerator, those 8mm blue movies — the latter since acquired by Men’s Health’s Peejo Pilar — are indeed quite lovely).
Salaveria is planning to maybe reopen Vintage Pop in Vancouver. It’s just as well. Looking around the Markina Shoe Expo these days, it’s obvious much has changed. It’s certainly become more fashionable — and we’re not just talking about the shoes. That’s good, in Salaveria’s view, although he hopes that the area retains its initial character. Asked about where he’s planning to move, he reveals he’s never been there. He’s heard though that it’s quite laidback and quiet. If his plans push through, Canada is sure not to be as boring as Americans joke it is. Whatever he does though, Salaveria will be a welcome presence in any community, that’s for sure. As for us here, much like the stuff he has in Vintage Pop, he’s irreplaceable. He will be missed.
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