Wish ko lang

Posted on by

I wonder if Vicky Morales’s show Wish Ko Lang still exists?
Vicky was a schoolmate from Assumption, and I still bump in Vicky once in a while. I wonder if could make a wish through her show.
See, there’s this house on 8th Street, New Manila, which used to belong to my grandparents.
Here’s a picture of me, my elder sister and my Mom in that house, back in the day.

Mom, Diday and I at 8th Street

We spent a lot of time there. All weekends and summers of my childhood. We swam, read Pinoy komiks, bought Magnolia ice cream from the cart, played patin-tero and piko (hopscotch), while the adults played mahjohngg and cuajo all the time.

Mahjongg at 8th Street

There was a big pebble wash area near the pool. I still remember those glass doors and that couch. I scanned these from my Tita Noni’s photo album, that’s why she’s in most of the photos.

The terrace, Papa's house

Here’s the view from inside the house. My grandfather is in red, my grandmother is in the green dress.

I miss Mama's house

I have vivid memories of these windows

Outside Papa's house

These were the Galang relatives in the veranda, where the kids used to eat

Papa's house

I wish I had more pictures. The house was sold when my grandparents became too old to climb the stairs and moved to a bungalow. I don’t know who bought the house, but it’s still there and once in a blue moon I drive by and wish I could go inside. I distinctly remember the wavy walls—can you see the slight curve?

47 8th Street

This is how it looked two years ago.

47 8th Street

I am dying to go back and visit. I literally dream about it.
Sometimes I wish I could just go there with an artista (popular actor) like Maxene Magalona and her mother Pia, and just ring the doorbell. I think Filipinos would be awfully kind to celebrities who appear on their doorstep.
I still remember when Sharon Cuneta rang my doorbell in the ’80s to use the toilet due to the heavy traffic. She was with my former schoolmates, stuck in an unmoving car and my house wasn’t far away. They decided to walk to my house to use the toilet and ask for water.
I wish Sharon and I were close. Maybe she would ring the doorbell for me. :)
That said, I do hope someone in the universe will make it happen. Does anybody know anyone who lives in this house?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

  • http://twitter.com/katipunera cathy a. del rosario

    This post really spoke to me. I hope you get to visit. I did this with my grandparents’ house by looking up the new owners and calling them. They were gracious enough to show me and my cousin around. Since the house has historical significance (The Jesuit House of 1730 in Cebu), its now open to the public as a museum and our old family photos are on the walls. I think its great how the new owners were kind enough to recognize the family that lived in the house before it became theirs, and I’m happy I can visit and show my kid who his ancestors are. 

    [Reply]

  • Tina

    My grandparents used to live all around New Manila, “all around” meaning they move houses every 2-3 years but around New Manila area only. I know what you mean, whenever I pass by the area of 2 of their memorable houses (where fun childhood memories where spent) I would always wonder what the new owners did to place. :)

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/matromao Marielle Ong

    Hmm… I’ve thought of visiting my childhood home a lot, but last I heard it was converted into a special education school. No idea if it’s still that now.

    [Reply]

  • Lialily

    Oh its Tita Noni pala!  My mom standing in the white dress with Tita Noni.

    [Reply]

  • Lialily

    I showed my brother Rico the picture with your mom.  That’s Honey with Tita Tita!! Thanks for posting! 

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    February 3rd, 2013 at 4:55 PM

    saan? That’s Tita Noni with your mom??

    [Reply]

    avatar

    Lialily Reply:
    February 3rd, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    The lady in the white dress with your mommy is my mommy!

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    February 3rd, 2013 at 7:59 PM

    wow!!!

  • Lialily

    Cil!  The lady with the big smile in the table full of oldies is my Lola Ely.  =)  I have fond memories of Lolo Millo’s house too.  Swimming Partyyyy!!!!  

    [Reply]

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CNZJXNL2RPY2PKPAKJODMPLSXI E

    I agree with Myleen Castro and most of the readers. bring photos of the old house. Most people will be flattered that you are interested in visiting and reminiscing. Hindi ka naman mukhang lukaret and dangerous  so they probably will let you in. Yes, always bring someone with you, never go alone and tell someone where you are going.

    I wonder if Lola Chuchi (Pineda) ever visited your lola in this house? her daughter’s house was in New Manila I think. I can’t remember but it was Art Deco-ish.

    [Reply]

    avatar

    tsakiwaki Reply:
    February 26th, 2013 at 11:29 PM

    I’m Lola Chuchi’s grandson, and am curious as to how you got to know her. She passed away in 2007, but it amazes us that some of the clothes she designed are still being sold online 50 years later.

    -Chuck Pineda Macaspac

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    February 27th, 2013 at 11:57 PM

    who is Lola Chuchi?

    [Reply]

    avatar

    tsakiwaki Reply:
    February 28th, 2013 at 12:07 AM

    She was one of Manila’s top coutouriers from the 30s to the 70s before she moved to Canada. She used to be the costume designer for most of Sampaguita Pictures’ movies during its heyday.

  • http://twitter.com/Janina_Dizon Janina Dizon

    I also have fond memories of this house.  Mom would take us with her to visit Lola Mary and they’d talk for hours (!) about jewellery!  Wasnt’ there a metal swing of some sorts in the garden?

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    February 3rd, 2013 at 4:56 PM

    no metal swing, maybe a metal chair that swings?

    [Reply]

  • rchavez5432

    Very nice pics.

    [Reply]

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JRAZKWMVKSLV6PKAIAD3MMHTM4 isobel

    yung mga posing mo chuva nung bata ka parang walang pinagkaiba sa mga pictures mo ngayon.  hehehe. 

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    February 1st, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    lol

    [Reply]

  • http://thekaloka.com/ kaloka

    We visited my husband’s grandparents’ house 2 years ago. Though their family still owns the house, they have it rented but kept the masters bedroom locked (excluded from the rent). I went inside and lie for a few minutes in the very old four-poster bed as I was so tired. I couldn’t take it, it was so eerie.

    [Reply]

  • Qwertyface311

    I work as a visiting nurse here in LA so i get to see rich and poor people houses! Haha yung isang patient ko sobrang yaman as in feeling ko yung bahay nila palasyo talaga! May website pa naka feature ung bahay nila, i would share the link pero ayoko naman mapublic hehe!

    [Reply]

    avatar

    Mark Canizares
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    February 1st, 2013 at 12:49 AM

    ahmm..Sorry, anong connect? Just asking.

    [Reply]

    avatar

    Qwertyface311 Reply:
    February 1st, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Nabasa ko kase yung comment ni Topaz Horizon, parang mas connected ata dun yung sinabi ko, pasenya

    [Reply]

    avatar

    Mark Canizares
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    February 2nd, 2013 at 1:01 AM

    ahh got it. Thanks.

  • Cricket Uy

    Your story got me thinking about the house I grew up in now long gone. How I wish I could have taken pictures of every room, every nook & cranny, and special places meaningful only through the eyes of me as a kid.

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/incubusbaby Myleen Castro

    i suggest you bring the old photos for proof. :) good luck miss C!

    [Reply]

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/FYZGBP2TP7JZZZPQKOWDBYG6U4 diana

    this happened to us, but we were the “new” owners. this family just knocked on our gate one morning and asked if they could look around and take pictures in their childhood home. we let them in :)

    [Reply]

  • http://www.currystrumpet.com/ Deepa

    Ang cute ng mini CVS. Hehe. 

    Random Sharon Cuneta kwento: my preschool was in Dasma where Sharon lived at the time. One of my earliest childhood memories was showing up at Sharon’s house with my yaya, who was a huge Sharonian. As in we just showed up after school, rang the doorbell and asked to see Sharon (well my yaya did anyway, I was too young to know who she was). She happened to be home and was gracious enough to invite us inside. I remember seeing a baby in a crib, who turned out to be KC.

    Mamatay-matay sa kilig si yaya. Sayang lang daw wala si Gabby. LOL.

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/SungEmpress Mayo

    Like other people said here, I think the new owners will understand if you just showed up and explained why you want to see the house. It’s not like you’re a kibitzer or Akyat-Bahay Gang member, right? :) The house holds a lot of good memories for you personally, and for your family and I think they would understand that, and probably feel the same way in the same situation. 

    That said, you and your Ate look cute in your uniforms. :)

    [Reply]

  • http://twitter.com/thatsmarkC Mark Canizares

    Why need Vicky Morales when you are CVS! :)

    The new house owner just rang, they wont mind having you in the house, just don’t bring Sharon! i am kidding, Sharonians. hehe

    [Reply]

  • macy diaz

    Just ring the doorbell and tell them the story! 

    My cousins and I did that at the old house my grandparents used to live in. We were all in Bacolod for a vacation and was driving around and stopped by the old house. We knocked and told them our grandparents used to live in the house and we would go stay there during summer vacations. We asked if we can take pictures outside the house and then the new owners said we can go inside. We eventually had our pictures taken by the stairways just like how we used too as kids. we went to the second floor and reminisced of where we would sleep as kids during summer vacations. It was totally fun and everyone was close to tears.  The house looked a lot smaller than how it used to though. Maybe because we were smaller then and had more space versus us all going there as adults, lol

    [Reply]

    avatar

    Anette Aas
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    February 1st, 2013 at 2:43 PM

     I can relate to your story. Me and my mom sold our house back in Norway when I was 15 and I was totally devastated because my dad literally built it with a couple of contractors. Hence, we moved here. I totally loved that house. A few years back, I came back to our old house and it was still the same but as you mentioned, it was indeed smaller than I had remembered and the stairs in our garden seemed so huge when I was younger but now they were average sized (thank God for no huge fences like here in the Phils so I could see e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g). Even the “mountain we had behind our garden now just seemed like a hill. Haha but nevertheless, it was a tearfull moment as well. How I wish we could just buy it back, but I’ve heard the new owners really like the house. Bummer.

    [Reply]

  • macy diaz

    Just ring the doorbell and tell them the story! 

    My cousins and I did that at the old house my grandparents used to live in. We were all in Bacolod for a vacation and was driving around and stopped by the old house. We knocked and told them our grandparents used to live in the house and we would go stay there during summer vacations. We asked if we can take pictures outside the house and then the new owners said we can go inside. We eventually had our pictures taken by the stairways just like how we used too as kids. we went to the second floor and reminisced of where we would sleep as kids during summer vacations. It was totally fun and everyone was close to tears.  The house looked a lot smaller than how it used to though. Maybe because we were smaller then and had more space versus us all going there as adults, lol. 

    [Reply]

  • http://www.topazhorizon.com Topaz Horizon

    Just do it! =) 

    I do that all the time! I’d ring people’s doorbells (if I’m curious about their house) and say, “Hi! I’m Frances! I like your house. Can I look inside?” Believe it or not, 9 times out of 10, pumapayag sila! Lalo na pag kasama ko si Vito haha. Talagang they will tour me pa, tell me the history, papakainin pa kami (I usually decline this, though).

    This used to unnerve Vince but he got used to it. He’d laugh and shake his head now when I come home and go like this, “You’ll never believe the shoe closet of our neighbor! It’s like the entire second bedroom!” or “I just found out so-and-so is gay pala. I went to his house and he and I chatted in his bedroom and he told me his super kilig love life!”  

    Do it, Cecile!!! It helps if you have food, too =)

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    January 31st, 2013 at 12:15 AM

    samahan mo ako!!!

    [Reply]

    avatar

    Topaz Horizon Reply:
    January 31st, 2013 at 12:38 AM

    Pwede, pwede! Importante na andun yung owner. Pag katulong lang andun, syempre hindi papayag. As in they will slam the gate to your face. Okay lang, tama lang yun.

    Kung super curious ako, talagang mag-iiwan pa ako ng note sa maid with my name and number and blog URL haha (promote talaga ang blog!). I’ll write sa note, “I’m really fascinated with your house. Can I visit on so-and-so?” Cecile, minsan they call back and invite! Papayag yun kasi bahay ng grandparents mo yun dati =)

    Basta never go alone. I always have the kids and yaya or minsan Vince gets dragged along (i.e. nasa elevator kami and I’ll chat up the people and then I invite myself over and Vince gets mortified but comes along anyway).

    [Reply]

    avatar

    CVS Reply:
    January 31st, 2013 at 1:08 AM

    okay! i shall call you!!

    avatar

    Lorenzo Leviste
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    February 7th, 2013 at 9:43 AM

     LOVELY story

    avatar

    E
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    February 10th, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    have you tried again? hinihintay ko anong mangyayari. sigurado kung nandun yung owner nakapasok ka na. does anyone know the owner, maybe if someone shows them your blog….

    avatar

    Anette Aas
    Twitter:
    Reply:
    February 1st, 2013 at 2:44 PM

     LOL :)

    [Reply]