What’s on your summer heat list?
May 8, 2004 | 12:00am
Two more "sleeps" and it’s voting time. A third of the population is gearing up to elect new "old" officials, another third is trying to convince the others to vote for their choices while the last third has already escaped to resorts, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe or the "istayts." Honestly, no one can think amid all the election noise, billboards, and the still-pervasive heat of summer. So, I’ll offer another cool dose of City Sense "Lite" for your trivial enjoyment.
Last week, many readers apparently enjoyed the pursuit of non-essential ’60s information. Many still sent in answers and one correction – the other bathing beauty on the beach with Gloria Diaz was Binky Montinola, not Czarina Zaragoza. This week, we continue with beauties again (this time, I double checked their identities), beaches and miscellaneous eclectic summer fluff.
1) In the ’60s and ’70s, residential developments sprouted beyond Makati and Greenhills and PhilAm Homes. Proponents of this sprawl sold their suburban lots and modularly-built homes using proximity to Makati Commercial Center, the provision of cemented streets, elaborate storm-drainage system guaranteed to make the place flood-free, and 24-hour security. The subdivision in the picture boasted you need not go to a resort because they had one. Where was this two-letter-acronymed housing development and who were these three beauty queens they hired for their pictorial? (Additional points to who provided their outfits.)
2) A few years earlier, a Greater Manila school threw a parade for this first international beauty queen, Gemma Cruz. What was the name of this school, and where was it? (Added points if you can identify the car Gemma rode on.)
3) Still in the city, summer was the time for the local football league. Well-attended games were held behind the Makati Stock Exchange building at the Ayala triangle. What was the name of this football field? (Plus points to anyone who can name 1979’s Mr. Football.)
4) Across town by the Luneta, there were two popular swimming pools. This picture shows the Manila Hotel pool in the ’50s (the printer of this postcard decided to spice up the image by pasting a blonde beauty on it – the card is a collector’s item). Where was the other pool?
5) Summer couture in the 1960s went places. One wonders how women could keep all coiffed and poised in those days. This picture shows a travel terno modeled on a ridge. Where was this picture taken, who were the model and the designer?
6) Elevated places were sought out for summer. Manilans trekked up 2, 250 feet above sea level to spend cool nights and days in this famous Tudor-style resort. Where was this? (For bonus points, who was the architect?)
7) Pools were also a crowd-drawer even in far-flung resorts. Where was this amoeba-shaped, free-form pool located?
8) Lakes were also on everyone’s summer heat list. This pre-war picture of frolicking kids was taken at a lake that was formerly salt-water and had sharks until the late 19th century. Where is this (now) inland lake?
9) Beaches were and still are the favorite summer destination. Before Boracay, there were other stretches of white sand and cool huts. Where was this popular beach located? Hint: It had a wow factor.
10) One did not have to go far to gain access to a beach. This one was in a neighboring province and soon, may be accessible by LRT. Where is this beach?
11) In the summers of the late ’70s, this upscale resort was built south of Manila. It was one of the first (after Batulao) to build a golf course to cater to more expensive pursuits. Blue waters and majestic resort architecture by Jorge Ramos with landscape architecture by IP Santos made the destination rival those in Bali. What is the name of this resort and where is it?
12) Finally, our beach bumming days were influenced by Hollywood. Previously, Filipinos never really thought of the beach as a leisure destination, being adverse to the strong sun and sand in difficult places. Famous beach movies involved bikini-clad bimbos and predominantly white teenagers wreaking PG-rated havoc on pre-Baywatch Californian beaches. Annette Funicello was one of the most popular teen actresses then. The question – what did she have in common with today’s navel-baring Britney Spears?
The answers: 1) BF Homes in Parañaque hosted Margie Moran, Marilen Ojeda and Ann Marie Bautista with chic outfits by Auggie Cordero.
2) The school was the Dalubhasaang Epifanio De Los Santos in Malabon. The car looks like a Triumph convertible, but I’m sure I’ll get corrected by car buffs.
3) The Ugarte Field. Mr. Football that year was Bert Honasan (Gringo’s younger brother).
4) The other pool was at the Army Navy Club.
5) Tagaytay. The model and designer were not identified in the travel brochure it was printed on. I would appreciate it if anyone could identify the two.
6) Taal Vista Lodge. The architect seems to be Andres Luna de San Pedro, but I would appreciate information from anyone who remembers.
7) Bauang, La Union.
8) Taal Lake.
9) White Rock Beach in Subic, Gordon territory and still popular.
10) Lido Beach in Cavite.
11) Puerto Azul.
12) Annette, Britney and Christina Aguilera were all Mouseketeers on the Walt Disney Show (albeit decades apart).
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