A trip down memory lane...

Memory lane is not only a prominent road down South, but it holds a special place in my ever-so-slowly-deteriorating-brain. It’s not on any map, but exists in every place. A virtual “cemetery”, if you will, where has-been’s and used-to-be’s go to slowly fade away and die, until some die-hard like me kicks up the dust a bit and to see if something’s still stirring.

While the BF that I know now is teeming with Starbucks and Pancake House, Ice Monster and Mercury Drug, Shakey’s and Pizza Hut and even Holy Kettle Corn! – big names in business that we only used to see in the “big cities” – it is the BF of yore that I, of course, miss (despite the fact that I can now get an ice cold Grande frappucino at 2 in the am!) and wonder if life would ever be the same if BF hadn’t changed at all…

Here’s a little trip down memory lane. My version of what BF Phase I used to look like. See if you can remember any of these old “haunts” and feel free to add your own.

The Cinema – believe it or night, my oldest memory of BF involved catching Jimmy Santos starrers at the cinema. Am sure it had a name, but with Jimmy Santos on my mind, who could remember? It stood blue and majestic on that block where Center Mall now stands. Right next to it was a Magnolia Ice Cream house. A bag of popcorn, Tito, Vic & Joey, and possibly a sundae that looked like a clown after. Ah! Those were the days…

Orange Tree – quaint little bookstore along Elizalde, in that commercial center that now houses Banco Filipino, Cardinal Ceramics and (what used to be) Pa-Goofy-t (it still is a “salon” for kids, but since my kids are way beyond sitting in plastic cars watching Barney, I haven’t set foot in that place for years, let alone what it is now called!) I remember agonizingly saving up 30 pesos (yes, AGONY na yon!) so I could buy Dell paperback books. I actually bought my first ever book there. “Don’t be mad, Ivy” by Christine McDonnell. (I still have it!)

O’Smile – O’Smile was THE gift shop to go to loaded with knick knacks and toys, gift items. The second floor was stocked with cloth and various sewing accoutrements. Eventually, a second shop opened on the second floor called Hobby & Co. Craft Store and they carried specialized bric-a-brac (teddy bears, sunflowers, farm animals) with a country feel. The whole store is now called Hobby & Co. but of course, old timers like us still like to call it O’Smile.

Chow King – located at the first level of Greenworld Plaza, it will surely be missed for its convenient halo-halo and chicharap. (The nearest Chow King is now along Sucat Road near Jaka Plaza.)

Greenworld – remember when Greenworld Plaza didn’t exist, and that whole lot was dedicated to plants and gardening equipment? It was a refreshing breather to see bunches of green leaves and lovely orchids as you drove by President’s Avenue.

Joy World Plaza – the name evokes total world domination! Today BF, tomorrow the world! Alas, it didn’t even live to see the birth of my first born. It was a near-massive structure (occupying almost a whole block) along Elsie Gaches St. (behind A&C mini-mart) and was the closest thing to a “mall” BF residents would have. And, take note!, they would also have their own midnight madness thingies! Perhaps it’s poor selection of items led to it’s demise. Tsk tsk.

Tita Mae – back when it was still fashionable to shop at PX stores, Tita Mae was THE PX supplier. Needed a can of Spam? Or Carpet Fresh? All you had to do was pop in at her store located at the back of Tropical Hut FoodMart. When the grocery demolished its back units as part of its expansion, Tita Mae moved across the street and was now known as Tag Tales. The store may still be there to this very day…

Coney Island – when ice cream was ice cream! Used to be where Starbucks is now. Would frequent that place after every dental check up and treat my inflamed gums to bubble gum (with real bubble gum bits!)

RF Video – if you actually know what RF stands for – boy, you’re an RF junkie like moi! Back in the days when those ubiquitous black blocks were THE ultimate form of entertainment. New Arrivals, Overnight, 3 days only…sigh…you don’t see those labels on pirated DVDs anymore! Again, used to reign supreme at the corner of President’s Avenue and Aguirre Avenue (after Coney Island, obviously way before Starbucks).

Sparky’s – where have all the Chinese take-out boxes gone? Sorely missed! A quick fix late at night or early morning, churning out Genghis Khan’s and Dragons faster than you could say “rice-in-a-box.” Couldn’t miss this blue and orange giant take-out box-shaped thing causing traffic along President’s Avenue (near Greenworld). It disappeared for a while, and later on emerged with a place of its own (not anymore freestanding, thank you very much!) at the first level of a building at the corner of Aguirre and Elizalde. Perhaps the idea of actually parking you car, getting inside an air-conditioned space to order and have to wait for it while actually sitting on chairs turned off many and left it to do a natural death. Sigh.

I could go on and on (haven’t I already?) but then I’d be robbing you of the satisfaction of remembering your first dates at FIC, buying basketball cards at Comic Quest, of slipping behind the “hidden door” of Laser Magic, or checking out cartoons at Video Bug and Bijou. Remember when the Phase I church was just a teeny tiny chapel? Or, speaking of teeny tiny, remember when KFC was just a small corner store at Gil Puyat/President’s Avenue? L.A. Supermarket, anyone? Bowling at Center Mall?

Share your favorite spot down south that, sadly, now only exists in our minds. C’mon! I know some of you guys are older than me! Don’t be afraid to let it show! Reminisce!