I had the most unusual childhood home and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I grew up in an apartment, our parents both worked and lived there, Dad as the building administrator and Ma as the switchboard supervisor back when landlines were still the main source of communication. Bel-Air was built in 1938, an Art Deco masterpiece by National Artist Pablo Antonio, survived World War 2 and still stands proudly today facing Manila Bay. Two years ago, it was declared a heritage building and a national historical marker was installed on its frontage. As a heritage and historical nerd, I cried buckets of tears when I learned about it.
There are nine floors mostly residential then but now it is used as commercial spaces.
My parents knew the tenants and their families like neighbors, all 36 units. It was a loving and fun community. My parents hosted Bingo nights with the staff. Whenever I needed something, I just had to go down one floor where Dad and Ma stayed in adjacent offices. If I wanted to go and see nature, Dad would take me to Luneta Park and Manila Bay, a 15-minute walk away. If I wanted to know the latest political situation, I just had to see the protesters in front of US embassy getting tear gas or being hosed down by police or check out rallies in Quirino Grandstand. If we craved for halo-halo, Mama would order at the back kitchen of Chowking because she’s friendly with the manager and got extra servings.
We stayed there for more than 25 years up until Dad had to retire, I stayed there for half of my life and that is why I still love buildings more than stand-alone houses.
There used to be tigers in the building garage. Yes, not in the zoo but small cages which housed two large tigers and small ones owned by Daktari, a tenant in the building. He made the place a tourist attraction where guests could go inside the cage and have their photos taken with the big cats. My siblings were able to go but Dad wouldn’t let me since I was just seven that time and so I would just peep into holes so I could see them.
For tenants who couldn’t pay their rent anymore, the rule was they need to leave their stuff behind. The owner gave Dad the liberty to dispose or take some of these items at his discretion. So we had mixed and matched furniture, appliances and home decorations. Our ref was a 1960’s Frigidaire US model, Asian wooden bookends, ceramic elephants from Thailand, a vinyl turntable, old film projector and other fascinating collectibles. My favorite stuff were books of course. At 11, I was reading grown-up books because some tenant had a collection of war related materials. Dad acquired VHS tapes featuring a James Bond filmography.
I remembered my final day in Bel-Air. It was Christmas Day. I felt the walls comforting me. It will be fine. You will be fine. Through the years, I kept coming back especially when Dad was around or when I worked near it. I passed by it everyday on my walk to the office and seeing it made me think of Mama.
They say home is where the heart is and part of mine will always live in this happy place.