From Singalong to Forbes

Then: Sept. 10, 1987 — 23 years ago.

Addresses are getting to be symbolic of social position. In the modern context it connotes the individual’s economic progress. If your address is Forbes or Alabang, then people automatically think you are worthy of PCGG’s attention. The truth is you could just be poor relation living with a rich aunt who makes you eat your meals with household help.

It is not easy to live in Forbes or Corinthian when you are a prolet (Proletarian, my dear.) The houses are big and the walls are high. It is meant for people who move around in cars. If you are the type who thinks a tricycle could come to your rescue if stranded on Banyan street, you are wrong. This was exactly what happened to Maei Martinez of Singalong, whose daughter Marivic used to work in “Gapo” but has since moved with her American husband to Forbes since he accepted an executive position in a transnational corporation. Marivic now sends her children to the International School in a chauffeured car with their yaya. So Aling Maria waited for a tricycle at the intersection going to Forbes. When she grew tired of waiting she finally decided to take a cab to her daughter’s house. When she complained about the lack of tricycles, the maids snubbed her.

There is something distressing about friends and acquaintances moving although it may be moving up. For one thing it messes up your address book and telephone numbers. I usually update mine at the start of the year. This is the same address book I have kept for the last 10 years and it has the addresses and telephone numbers of friends in journalism, entertainment and other kinds of businesses.

Very few in my book live in Forbes Park. Most of my friends live in Singalong, Quezon City, Ermita, San Juan, Makati, Sta. Cruz and Pasay. Elvira Manahan used to live in Forbes and so did Leah Navarro when Lola Masay was alive. They have since moved on to other places. Nestor Torres has moved to a street near Valencia from Wack Wack while Behn Cervantes has kept the same address in Quezon City.

The most “movable” friends are those in the entertainment business. Nora Aunor has filled up almost a page in my book with all her different addresses. She is now occupying her 18th house and I have just gotten her latest phone number. Cynthia Patag has moved to Ecology near Edu Manzano’s pad. Sharon Cuneta has left the conjugal home in Alabang which she shared with Gabby Concepcion and is now living as a single parent at Twin Towers. Inday Badiday has moved from Novaliches to Esteban Abada near Ateneo and is now planning to sell her house to buy a new one.

Even Joe Quirino (JAQ to everyone) has moved from Camaerino St. in project 4 to White Plains. Nick Joaquin however, has the same address in San Juan.

Friends in foreign countries move away more often than friends here. It is very distressing to be in a foreign country and to discover that a good friend you hoped to see has moved with no forwarding address. My friend Lydia was like that. Her first address in my book was listed as East 43rd St., New York. I can still picture the place with Louis XIVth furniture and Chippendale chairs. She was married to a gorgeous Italian who deals in antiques. When I went back to New York a few years after, Lydia was not at that address anymore. Her Italian husband still lives there but he was not so friendly anymore. He used to be so charming, cooking all those Italian pasta smothered in white wine whenever I come to visit.

Later, I found out from Lydia that the gorgeous Italian is gay and she found him in bed with his pianist lover.

NOW: June 28, 2010.

Nora is now living in the States but with no permanent address as of the present. Cynthia lives in Iloilo but comes to Manila occasionally. Leah has become an activist and does not live in Forbes anymore. Sharon now lives in Wack Wack with her husband, Sen. Francis Pangilinan and her adorable daughters. Nestor now lives in Paco with his mother. Inday Badiday, JQ, Nick Joaquin and Elvira Manahan moved on to the great beyond.

My friend Lydia now lives in Nebraska and is married to an Indonesian American.