After what felt like an eternity of El Niño here in the tropics, the arrival of La Niña is now approaching its way. Because we are still eclipsing into this phenomenon, a sign of rain here and there is a good thing to ease the heat and humidity. A few decades back, it wasn't as hot and as wet as it was then compared to now. Despite the bearable heat of the setting sun and the customary storms we experience then, it was - I would say for someone raised in this clime - fairly normal and nothing out of the ordinary. Now rain has finally came and paid this side of the world a visit. It's about to get cozy and nostalgic.

Today is a Thursday and in the spirit of all things throwback, I would like to reset my calendar back to the 1990s. There I was, my usual skinny pre-teen self, noticing the looming dark clouds bearing promise of a downpour. Along with neighbourhood kids in tow, after wrapping up a smorgasbord of  playground games, we decided to meet up a little later as soon as the rain descends upon us. It was, in one way or another, an extension of more fun in the works. The mission - go out and play in the rain.

So we all headed home to rummage through the day-old laundry basket to change into our 'rain clothes'. With no specific time in mind, those who were done and ready would just roam around the neighbourhood knocking on houses to fetch us kids personally until such time that our numbers grow from three to seven or more kids. Back then, there was no such thing as extreme flooding, it was just a steady downpour and the rain was at its purest form of water. It smelled good and dammit, it was delicious.

Because the entire neighbourhood compound was directly facing an open field, we would all go and play out in the open. A host of games would be enjoyed all together, chasing everyone, laughing with each other and talking about anything. It was that time in my childhood among other things that I felt we were at our free-est. It was timeless and magical.

The pitter patter of the rain on the ground, on our skin, in our faces was amazing. The drizzling sound of the million countless raindrops was comforting. The sight of slim, almost unbreakable traces of pouring rain near and far was mesmerizing. We owned that moment. I did too.

And so today, on a Thursday, I am reminded once more of that time with the sound of the rain against my window. I am reminded just as well with the thought running through my head, "When was the last time you enjoyed the rain?"

Silently, I say to myself, "Today, today, today."



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Photo: @cjcanonigo

Cebu has, is, and will always be the darling of the furniture industry in the Philippines. With a very rich history of craftsmanship and artisanship, the quality of work produced in the island are classified as among world-class status. Its reputation speaks for itself when it comes to excellence and production.

I remember the very first furnitures I was surrounded with when I was a kid. They were these bulky and cumbersome pieces of highly-durable quality wood, similar to those estate furnitures seen on ancestral homes in historic towns of the south. They had these weave works on the back rest that helps cushion a seater's back and provides better seating posture. I remember those furnitures vividly. The feel and smell of the wood, its thick caramel colour and its unforgiving weight especially during spring cleaning.

I have always had this fascination to wood but I guess in some ways, I have parked it at the back of my mind that I never knew they would come in handy someday, in any way I suppose.

But then when you grew up with people associated with carpentry, architecture and arts, there will always be that flicker of interest that appears out of nowhere from time to time. There was even that time when we had that old Sears catalogue at home that I kept flipping page after page looking at their furniture products.

A few years after, when I lived overseas, those old Sears catalogue have now been replaced with Ikea ones. Every time I get my hands on those, I would immerse myself in the world of furniture and just get awed by the design and ergonomics of it all. It's almost like looking at porn, but hey, in a good and healthy way, mind you.

Now back to the present, a few days ago, I came about this Vito Selma furniture showcase in Ayala and was reminded once again of my love of wood and furniture. So, as a not so subtle tribute to that little kid in me, I decided to document that yearning once again by taking a quick photo of that reminder.

Here's to you kiddo! :)


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Photo: @cjcanonigo