About July 1950, my dad brought me to Luneta to watch the Independence Day celebration. That was before some wise ass Politician changed the date to June 16 ( is it?) saying this day is the REAL INDEPENDENCE DAY..Whatever..Anyways..
What's unforgettable about this trip was: It was my first time to see Manila. The best feeling, they say, comes from seeing a place for the first time.That is why holidays are so popular.. I can not recall every minute of that trip, but I do recall a few vignettes..I was awed being in Luneta, near the city hall ( called by some as butas ng siyudad ) watching a big float. The float contained a replica of a humungous gold painted key. It was the backdrop of a platform on which stood a beautiful Filipina dressed up with an equally beautiful gown. Then there was this giant cigarette case: Golden Key cigarretes.I never smoked all my life, but I remember a few cigarette brands during that year: Chelsea, Golden Coin, Old Gold, etc..These are the minor, local brands...This is just one of the many floats that made up the Independence Day parade that year. Then I remember my dad holding my hand tightly, in case someone would kidnap me while we continued walking towards the Quirino Grandstand.I do not know if it is still called as such.
Then I remember going to an event called MANILA INTERNATIONAL FAIR. The entrance to this fair was a big arch, roughly shaped like half of a McDonald arch. On top of the arch was a flame - shaped embellishment. This top part lighted at night like a pinkish glow seen from miles all around because of its altitude. It was called Gateway to the East or something. This structure was featured in many postage stamps several months later commemorating this great Manila event. During this trade show, many kinds of beautiful booths were put up by several Asian nations showcasing their new products..I remember seeing a TV for the first time..in here. The booth must have belonged to Japan. It was a 12 inch black and white set and it was showing nothing but a waterfalls running: no sound, no other scenery except that water falls. Again to a first timer, I felt as if I saw the Holy Grail upon seeing the TV picture move like a movie.I was fixated to the screen for several minutes ( my dad too ) before I felt a tug on my sleeve, and away we went again.
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Later that night, I remember watching a little parade ( like one of the coronation events during our town fiesta ) within a small plaza. It may have been in a part of Intramuros because we passed by several scarred brick walls when we visited this event. I recall seeing a small American girl about 7 or 8, dressed up as Snow White and pulling her coach were 7 little people in cartoon-like costumes and masks. From a distance the girl was beautiful. The entourage passed by close to our spot and the people were just cheering.
A few days later ( when I was back in Asingan ) I saw a full page photo of that Snow White I saw in a Sunday Times magazine.. Below the photo was her name. It said Shirley Temple. Was it really her, or is my imagination playing tricks on me now?..But there are things I can not really forget, especially when connected with Hollywood movies. But then, I was not still watching US movies at that age. I could not still comprehend the English being spoken in the theatres.
At this time of writing, the more I think of it, the surer I know that the girl was Shirley. Now she is Shirley Temple Black former child star prodigy and now working as an Ambassador of goodwill for the United Nations--#
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