First some places.
1) In 1947, the first modern supermarket was set up in Manila by a partnership of Filipino, Chinese and British businessmen. In May 1953, buoyed by the success of that first establishment, the group, led by R. Carbonnel, K. C. Wu, Charles Herdman, Scott Ng and N. Hawkins, set up a second supermarket in the new suburb of Makati. Where was this supermarket located, and what was the name shared by both establishments? (Hint: The supermarket chain’s name is commonly used in popular Warner Bros. cartoons.)
2) It was the biggest nightspot in all of Manila for 65 years until its demolition in 1970. At close to 100 meters in length by 30 meters in width, its dance hall was, in fact, the largest in the whole world until the Second World War. Aside from the humongous hall, the four-acre complex included a family pavilion, another structure which housed the manager’s office and a cocktail lounge where patrons could "get to know the girls better." These girls were known as bailarinas and in those days, the calling didn’t automatically mean they were call girls.
The whole establishment actually had a good reputation, akin to that of today’s hotels. Its origins go all the way back to 1905 when a US army volunteer, John Canson, decided to stay and make a go of it in the islands. It became a tourist spot and a favorite of politicians as well as the well-to-do. President Manuel Quezon would motor down to the place regularly. The Liberal Party was launched here after the war by another Manuel – Manuel Roxas. It lasted until 1970 when the Makati government bought it to construct a school complex. What was its name?
3) A question for the guys at the MMDA: Where was the first overhead pedestrian bridge constructed? After the war, Manila was bursting at the seams with refugees and immigrants. The city developed a huge problem in its business and commercial districts with the battle between pedestrians and vehicles. Something had to be done. A wood and metal-framed bridge was built to separate people from cars. Eventually, a futuristic underground passageway was built to replace it in the early 1960s. Where was this pedestrian bridge built? (The MMDA’s current bridges look a lot like the 1949 version, don’t they? Of course, they are more colorful today in blue and pink!)
4) I love bookstores. I can spend a whole day in many of the larger ones today and they are the first stores I look for while traveling. In the Seventies, there was only one large bookstore left after Peco and Erewhon folded up. The owners decided to build a multi-story structure and make sure it was well-stocked. What was the name of his bookstore and where was it located?
5) Gas stations went native in the 1960s. Otillio Arellano, the nephew of the famous Juan Arellano, designed this station, which was replicated countrywide. What was the brand of gasoline sold here?
Now, some people.
6) She used to smile more often, like in this picture when she was much younger. Of course, today she carries a heavier burden. And it shows. Despite this, she appears a winner by all accounts and surveys. Who is she?
7) Jasmine Trias is the flavor of the moment for all Filipinos, Filipino-Americans and Hawaiians. She will probably win and go for record deals and regular runs in Las Vegas where Martin Nievera made waves recently. Mr. Big Mouth was not the first to play in Vegas. That honor goes to a dynamic duo a few decades earlier. The two comedian/entertainers started as a Bodavil act at the old Clover Theater. The bright lights and neon of Las Vegas beckoned and they became the first Filipino act to perform regularly there. Who were they and what was their act called?
8) These three angelic-looking children were the darlings of the Philippine version of Camelot. The boy, like John-John Kennedy, has a repeating name and is now following in his father’s footsteps. The girls have since followed suit, too, while their mom, although dethroned, still is influential despite living several notches below her luxurious norm. Who are they?
9) He was awarded the US Silver Star and the Gold Cross Medal both for gallantry in the Korean War. His exploits there were reported by a young Manila Times correspondent with the byline Benigno Aquino. Ninoy reported on this officer’s daring exploits leading commando teams behind enemy lines. This lieutenant came home a hero and carried on with his military career with as much gallantry in peace as in war. A street is named after him in Quezon City. He passed away in 1970, a colonel in the army. Who was he?
And now, meet some men and their machines.
10) There was a time when we had an Air Force to reckon with. We flew the most modern jet fighters in Asia, next to the Americans. Our fighter pilots were among the best in the world. I wanted to be one. They trained in the States and at the local fighter base, Basa. The Philippine Air Force also had one of the world’s most daring aerobatic teams. Today, they fly planes that ought to be in museums, with enough fuel just to take off and land. Who were these magnificent men in their flying machines? What were the names of the aerobatic teams and name at least two of the planes they flew.
11) Jet fighters they were not but this suburban Manila police force was glad to have these Volkswagens as patrol cars. They were not fast, but they floated in flood-prone streets. Who drove in these bugs?
12) Finally: Nokia may be today’s leader in mobile phones and camera phone technology, but they were not the pioneers. A Filipino was. The first Filipino TV-phone was designed and built in 1961. Who was this unsung hero of Philippine science?
The answers
1) The Acme Supermarket in Forbes Park. 2) The Santa Ana Cabaret. 3) Quiapo. 4) National Book Store, Avenida Rizal. 5) Filoil. 6) GMA. 7) Reynaldo Ramirez and Ricardo Castro made up the Reycards. They now play regularly in that big lounge up in the sky. 8) The Marcos kids — Bong Bong, Irene and Imee. 9) Colonel Bonny Serrano. 10) General Pedro Molina and his Blue Diamonds on the tarmac of Basa Airbase in 1960. They flew P-51 Mustangs, F-86 Sabres and F-105 Freedom Fighters. The Philippine Air Force is celebrating its 70th anniversary soon. I hope they have enough avgas to do a proper fly-by. 11) The Quezon City police in the late ’60s. 12) Dean G. Y. Zara of Feati University designed and built the first TV-phone in 1961.