First things first

Retired Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala has very valuable insights into why "basic steps" should be taken first before the Philippines and its people fritter away much precious time in amending the 1987 Constitution. "There are far too many other urgent pending measures to be acted upon for the good and general welfare of our people, before we talk or Cha-Cha," he said.

* * *

Arizala noted that since 1899, we have had six Constitutions: the 1899 Malolos Constitution; 1935 Commonwealth Constitution; 1943 Laurel Constitution; 1973 Marcos Constitution; 1986 Aquino Revolutionary Constitution; and the 1987 Aquino Republic Constitution. We have also tried virtually all kinds of presidents from farmer-landowner, lawyer, mechanic, business/economic expert, military expert, movie idol and actor, to housewife as well as male and female ones. We have also tried various forms of government, from dictatorship to a republic, commonwealth, republic again, then martial law, people power, revolutionary and recently to a republic again.

* * *

"We have had Congress with a unicameral body, bicameral then to unicameral again and lastly to bicameral one. With respect to political parties, we also tried various kinds such as the Federalista, Nacionalista, Liberal, NUCD/LAKAS, "Rainbow Coalition," PPC, PnB, etc.," he added.

* * *

While it is true that we have attained political independence and experimented on various forms of government, constitution and political parties, economic and social problems remain to confront whoever is in power as president. The government is still confronted with the problems of whether we have enough rice or food, water, housing, schools, hospitals, transport system, jobs, security/defense, peace and order for our increasing population.

* * *

"It goes to show that aside from noble objectives (providing land, shelter, job and food), a country should have strong political parties, stable democratic institutions, and collective leadership. Merely changing the Constitution, form of government of Congress – bicameral or unicameral – would not suffice. Let us learn or have the basic steps first before attempting to do the "Cha-Cha," Arizala correctly stated.

* * *

My good friend Billy Esposo, who recently had a kidney transplant and now spends his time with his personal computer, wrote to apologize for the "SPUNKBALL urban legend. "Sorry for passing that to you without researching it thoroughly. At the time, I was really concerned about the poor victims – assuming it was for real," he said.

* * *

Billy then went on to memory lane. He went on a nostalgic trip after he read my description of the simple pleasures of our youth when there seemed to be plenty all around and prices were so low that many young people today find very hard to fathom that there was such a Philippines.

* * *

"Of course I remember with fondness the time when the panciteria in Manila had menus that were in Spanish as was still the practice until the late ’60s. Fried rice was morosquieta tostada. Sweet and sour pork was puerco con agrio y dulce. Food was served in the appetizing and exotic elevated tin plates where the rich sauces would ooze into the mantels of tables before the feast would start. It was good value for money then," he recalled.

* * *

The old panciteria during the days of his youth were all in the city of Manila. In Avenida Rizal were the Aroma and Moonlit Terrace, right across each other on the corner of Claro M. Recto. In Ongpin St. were Panciteria China, Panciteria Far Eastern, Panciteria See Kee among others. Nearby was Panciteria Carvajal on Nueva St. On T. Pinpin, and nearby Dasmariñas were TOHO, Smart, Marquina, Rice Bowl and San Jacinto.

* * *

"Around Plaza Goiti near the Sta. Cruz Church were the Panciteria Moderna, Panciteria National and Panciteria Nido. Tucked away in an obscure street in Binondo is the oldest of them all which is the Ilang-Ilang. These were the most prominent panciterias of that wonderful era when life was much simpler and crooks in government were the minority," he remembered.

* * *

In the late ’50s, Japanese food was unheard of. A nice weekend consisted of a good movie around the Avenida Rizal and a snack at Fairmont Soda Fountain afterwards. Even the entertainment game was much simpler. You went to Ideal theatre for MGM movies, Ever for FOX, State for Columbia, Universal for Universal and Avenue for Warner Bros. and Paramount. There were the Dalisay and Center Theatres for the local productions. Elite shoppers went to the Escolta, while the masa went to Carriedo and the Avenida, Rizal.

* * *

"What you mentioned as P5 movie coast was in the later years but I remember that first run movies were at only P1 for orchestra and it became a major issue when this was raised to P1.20, Billy said. The old panciterias almost always had a typical look and ambience. There will be two floors most likely, the ground floor is not air conditioned and is made of tiled floors, with booth tables on the sides where one can slurp his Chinese food with ultimate gusto in private, and where there are the wide glasses on the walls on which the menu is written. On the entrance one will be likely to find a display of enticing meats – asado pork, bituka, roast duck, pata hamon, slabs of lechon Macao.

* * *

"But those were the good old days when I remember my Dad would bring us to TOHO and for all the food we ate, which include the favorite but expensive abalone with mushroom (which has since been dropped from the menu as very few can afford it). Dad would spend no more than P20. This was for a feast where there would be about eight or nine of us," Billy added.

* * *

The minimum wage then was only P4 a day. These expensive dishes like abalone, crabs and prawns were dropped from the TOHO menu as few of its Manila patrons could afford it when the bad times came in the late ’70s. It was also in the late ’70s when the panciterias started to become an endangered species.

* * *

"I better terminate this discussion as my mouth now begins to salivate. I am now on the 4th month of my quarantine of six months. After this quarantine is over, I will invite you to eat in just about the only old panciteria left still serving the dishes of yesteryears – TOHO Antigua which is now also in Parañaque," Billy said.

* * *

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:

Life is full of ups and downs,
The trick is to enjoy the ups
And have courage during the downs.
May today be all ups for you.

* * *

Friends are special treasures of the heart.
They make you feel loved, needed and secured.
It is often not said but felt.

* * *

My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]