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Friday, May 5, 2006

MAYTIME IN ASINGAN..pt 2

If you recognize the lyrics of this song:

Flowers are blooming in May,

Flowers that speak of romancing,

Hearts that are reckless and gay,

Beautiful moments together..

And you recognize the singer who was Carmen Perenia, then..it means you belong to the same hobby and age bracket as I am..As the first day of May came during the '50s in the Philippines, many radio stations started playing this song. There was this radio in the house which can only get 3 stations in Manila..My favorite program before was Tugtugin Natin emceed by Dely Magpayo..DZRH..and sometimes she worked in the same Radio station with Ric Tierro..

The sampaguita bush in front of our house would start blooming too, attracting bees and passers by. There was also this big firetree in the corner stone dividing the Aglipayan church and the Sampaga Studio.At that time, the Studio was not still in existence: the spot was a garden with bushes and plants that started growing as soon as the first rains of May arrived. This big fire tree sprouted fiery red flowers that lasted for a while..

The Asingan Town Fiesta has just been finished; some side shows sometimes  stayed for a couple more weeks until the rains would become so bad..Every night there would be the loyal fans to come and watch the Vaudeville type of show that were hosted by unknown but talented comedians/singers/drama stars from Manila..They are just as good as any stage star anywhere in the world, but they just practice their art wherever they can, whenever they can..Even  in just a small town like Asingan. A few Bingo booths would also linger on while the Vaudevelle was still around. You could still hear their clamor and music far into the night.

The saddest time would be when the last tent or booth have already packed and the plaza became silent as a graveyard for the first time in months. The morning after, some friends and I would be foraging into the debris of paper, garbage, etc. hoping against hope that we might find some money left behind unknowingly by the performers. Never found any myself. If ever there was, somebody faster to the draw might have beaten me to the punch!---#

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