How Sir Neil loves Valenzuela/Caloocan

I found it interesting how Sir Neil seemed piqued when I talked about Western Valenzuela in terms of cell site names and GPS coordinates. To him it must have seemed impersonal. He grew up there, you see. He knows the people and the places and the culture. It would be strange for me too if I grew up in the perpetually flooded streets of Coloong and some kid started referring to it as BISIGVALZ1, telling you to turn the car left and right in search of some invisible signal.

My favorite Globe driver got nostalgic and teary eyed when he talked about his childhood. He said that when the tide was high brackish water would flood the streets of Coloong, and he would wade home from school waist deep in it.

He pointed out that some homes were situated lower than road-level while others were above it. He further explained that families with money pay to have their dwellings elevated so the water drains out of them. Poor families have the water drain into their houses from the streets. The families that make really good progress in society move away, and others come in replacing them.

It's sad. Hopefully as the Philippines grows older and richer we can let the sea take this place back for itself.


BLOGGING FOR WHAT'S RIGHT!
June 28, 2008 12:44 pm