Glimpsed of the past, life at the countryside.

Every time there is someone who would ask about my residence I would tell them I grew up in the countryside and most of the my friends who grew up in the city were amazed. They keep on telling me how they love to live in such kind a place.

Well most of the time, those who grew up in the city will love the calmness and how peaceful it is in the countryside. Plus the way of living was so simple and I can guarantee you won't suffer in hunger as long as you know how to stretch your bones, literally.
They just didn't know how hard life way back then. I was actually inspired to write this article after I read what @DennMarc published last night. In which he shared his life living without an electricity.

Glimpsed of the past.

My parents were both jobless, they are not a degree holder, my Mom managed only to graduate in elementary. During their time, parents are not supportive when it comes to their children's education. They both learned to stand on their own and even work to live even in an early age. My Nanay ( what we call our mother) was a vendor of fruits or whatever "kakanin". Everyday, she would go to the city and consign whatever merchandise to her fellow vendors. She would place it in a basket and would sell them house to house. Yes, she would walk the entire day, while having those two heavy baskets in her arms. Most of the time she is not earning well. Her profit is only enough to buy something enough for our dinner and breakfast. She also needs to save something for our daily allowance as we are too far away from school. I have seven siblings actually. My Tatay ( what we call our father) was just making charcoals. I am telling you guys, labor or effort exerted in making charcoal is no joke but the income was like a joke too. Charcoal was so cheap in the province. Like my Tatay income in making charcoal for one month was only enough to buy a one sack of rice. It was not enough to feed eights mouth plus them.

Mocked by our neighbors.

Most of our neighbors are also selling fruits but not the local one. They are into grapes, apples, oranges or what they called (imported). Profit in selling this was quite big like they could earn $20 in a day. During that time, it was already a huge amount compared to my Nanay who sometimes earned only $6. They would often mock Nanay for sending us to school despite the thought that most of the time, she just borrowed money for our daily allowance. Well, as for them they don't value education as they are already earning well. They just let their children stay at home to take care of their other siblings. They also focused on building their houses. The one made in cement. Nanay ,being a combative woman, would always answer them back.

I remembered one time, one of them asked my Mom why we kept on studying instead of renovating our house. As our house looks like it will be blown away by typhoons. They are really hilarious, their attitude sucks.

It was way 2012 when our place got electricity, imagine how long we live in the dark? hehe, I was in my last year in college during that time. Sad to say, due to financial issues, we are unable to apply for electricity. Our house was I guess 500 meters away from the electrical post and how much are we going to spend for cable wires? We don't have enough money.
It was one evening while I was working on my assignments, my parents arrived and they were furious. Why? They were watching TV in one of our neighbor's houses when suddenly Uncle Ted ( the owner of the house) told them that they might die without being able to experience seeing the light (what he meant, unable to experience having electricity). I was furious upon hearing it but I can do nothing about it. I was just a mere student back then. So I just told them to be content in listening to our FM radio.

And there was light.
It was 2015 my sister (next to me) and I were already working hard . Together with our other two sisters, we managed to save enough money for our electricity. And I was right, it was indeed expensive! My parents was so excited and kept on telling everyone about it. I could still imagine the happiness in their faces the first night we already had an electricity. I almost cry just by staring at them! They were even having a short argument about who would turn on and off the light, as both of them want it. Silly. So if you're gonna asked me @Amjad_Ali_Waince this was the most unforgettable moment in my life. Before I forget, we also bought 42inches television! For them not to go to our other's neighbors house just to watch TV.

Closing thoughts.
You might be wondering why I still have a picture of our old house, simply because Tatay still wants that house. We already managed to build a stronger house for them ( made in cement). Yet he still chose to stay in our old house even though it was already wrecked. He just placed his bed (katre) in an area which he is safe just in case it is raining. I don't know what's with him.
If you asked me if I am still mad with my neighbors my answer was NO. I actually pity them as life was hard on them since pandemic. Sometimes, they would borrow rice to my Mom or would sell there unsold fruits. They are still working hard for their everyday living even though they are old.
We , yes we, my sisters and actually want to thank them. If it's not because they always mocked my parents we won't strive , work hard just to give them a better life. Maybe we will only stay content of what was our life before.

If there is something I have learned, never take negative comments negatively. Instead make this as one of your inspirations.

That's all for today, and have a nice day.

By the way, wanna say thank you to my newest sponsor the generous @Talecharm.

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