Revisiting Childhood Places

Yesterday, as we celebrated Mothers' Day, we went back to Mandaluyong to try and retrace the places where we used to live. 

The first place we explored was Santo Rosario. Gone is the old Raymond Theatre where we used to watch movies like Red Sonia or Di Bale Na Lang. My kindergarten school ran by Ms. Walo was also no longer there. The apartment where we used to live is either no longer there or has expanded that we no longer recognize it. The junkshop next to it is also no longer there and has probably been replaced by a house.

The Munisipyo is filled with high rise buildings. I no longer saw the playgrounds where we used to spend our time on swings and slides. And I could no longer see the stage where my kindergarten graduation rites were held. 

We went to R.O. Santos. The street felt more crowded with cars parked left and right. We did not recognize the house of Mrs. Cityar which used to have a Sari-Sari store in front, and a big gate for delivery trucks to pass through. She used to have a packaging plant where they repacked shampoos and other stuff. And our apartment was a small 2 bedroom unit tucked away in their lot's corner.

We saw Good Shepherd Christian School at the end of R.O. Santos. The school has expanded to it's left side. I still saw the school grounds where we held our flag ceremonies in the morning. But the buildings were taller and now made of concrete. We took a picture in front of the old school gate.

The church of the Good Shepherd was still in front. It's façade has been improved. But it still reminds me of the old design. This church building was where we held our recognition rites for grades 1 and 2. It was also where we performed My Little Drummer Boy and Itik Itik sa Manila Zoo.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to revisit the places where I spent some of my childhood years.