I came across this program early this morning on PTV4, a government-owned channel that featured ASEAN member countries. It made me quite nostalgic seeing those features on handicrafts and hand-made products using materials which are locally grown. I remember the early years of childhood when I was growing up in the province. Back then, my mom used to stay a lot with Dad here in Manila so my older brother and I were left to the care of our maternal grandma until both of us graduated from grade school and we transferred to UST to spend our high school years there. Growing up having a simple life made me appreciate simple things and embraced what I learned early on.
A friend posted a prayer in our group accompanied by this beautiful painting of a mother and child. Coincidence? Maybe. I planned earlier to blog about mat weaving which I learned from Baing Cion (Bai or Baing is the local equivalent of a grandmother in our Pangasinan dialect).
This is called Mag-ina sa Banig, a 1960 painting done by Nestor Leynes. I thought this is a perfect capture of the simplicity of provincial life forty or so years ago. No aircon to speak of, no TV disruption to idle your time away. That bamboo flooring was enough to enjoy an uninterrupted sleep. It was always cool to the touch and so easy to clean. Buffing it with semi-dried banana leaves was enough.
My grandma taught me how to weave sleeping mats ( like the one you see in the picture) made of buri palm which we had plenty of back then. We would gather buri palms, dry them in the sun then remove the middle portion when they are dried, roll them one by one into as big as a plate then when it is time to weave a mat, we would cut them into long strips by using wood-mounted razor blades for uniform width. More than learning the art of weaving, I enjoyed those endless stories which would usually start during the 2nd World War and how they survived as a family and always ends with how she raised her kids with the emphasis on Mom being the brightest of the four girls.
Oh, I almost forgot, today I celebrate my 4th year at WordPress as a blogger. The first two years were mostly about my journey as a cancer patient/survivor and the next two were random entries about life, faith, gardening, photography and such. Life is good and I am well. Thank God for all the wonderful blessings.
Beautiful post and congratulations on your four years of writing as well as your health and happiness. I love this blog, and have to save more for later:) Thank you. I am now thinking about my grandmother this morning…
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Thanks a lot Casey! Thank you too for following my blog, I just clicked “follow” on yours. Would love to explore your site too.
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Like you I was raised by my grandparents, then aunts as my parents got married while they were starting college. I miss them all as I got a chance to be loved by them in different stages of my life. Life was simple then and our wants were simple. For me to be able to play with the neighbors when it was my nap time was one of them.
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And congratulations Arlene – keep on blogging! Happy Mother and Grandmother’s Day – you deserve it!
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Thank you so much Lou! Grandparents had their share of fun and laughter too when we were young. We will always remember them with fondness.
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congratulations on your 4th year.. looking forward to more of your lovely entries.. your post brought a lot of wonderful memories.. i remember sleeping on those handmade mats when we’re small.. it’s the ‘in’ thing in those days.. when my kids are just babies, i order those mats which i use as ‘sapin’ on their ‘duyan’.. i also have the big one which i lay on the floor where the baby could crawl and play..
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Thanks Elizz! Yeay, those were the days. I think these handmade mats are still used in some areas. They are actually better than the plastic ones they sell in the market nowadays. One could not bring back time but we could reminisce on the days of old….nostalgic, isn’t it?
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so true arlene, i still prefer the handmate mats instead of the plastic ones.. have an awesome sunday 🙂
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You too….happy Mother’s Day!
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Such a great timing ma’am – your post and the painting of mother and child are just fitting – ‘coz it’s Mother’s Day. =)
Happy Mother’s Day to you and your readers.
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Thanks Chellet! Happy Mother’s Day to all of our lovely mom bloggers at WordPress.
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That’s an amazing story! I am awed that you know how weave bang. =>
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I still remember how 🙂 Thanks!
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