It's another week to do another challenge! When I checked the challenge for this week, I couldn't stop but smile... In the main challenge page, ASEAN Hive Community Challenge #28 - Childhood Photos, @justinparke said:
I think it's safe to say the majority of ASEAN Hivers were born in the 1980s, an era when hairspray became cheap and globally available, allowing for gravity-defying hairstyles.
For the record, I am a 90s baby. I was born in 1991, but the said statement reminded me of something. I was in the fourth grade that time (I was 9 years old since I started elementary earlier than my peers), and there is this hairstyle that my mama used to fix my hair with. Let me show you my picture.
During that time, telenovela or soap opera from Latin America were taking over Philippine television and there was this series called Lazos de Amor and one of the main characters was really rocking this hairstyle. I was too young to understand this series, but my mama liked it and she thought the hairstyle suits me. lol
Anyway, let me tell a story about this picture...
As you may have guessed, it was taken in a photo studio which was really popular back then. The dress I was wearing was made by my grandma for me for the acquaintance party we have at school. I transferred to this international school during my fourth grade, so it was my first event there and for some reasons my family were so excited that they prepared this dress and even took me to the studio. haha
After taking this photo, the owner of the studio asked us if he could display my picture in front of the store. hahahah He humbly declined though... I didn't want to be famous! Kidding aside, it was an honor, but it didn't sit well with us.
Now, let me show you other pictures of my childhood together with some very special people in my life.
If I'm not mistaken, this was after the recognition ceremony in my third grade in elementary. I went to school with my parents and one of my very close cousin who is almost like a brother to me. This picture was taken in our small living room. I was with my mama, grandma, and two cousins.
I grew up with these two. They are my older cousins. They're the reason why I grew to love anime and drawing. The shirtless one is my closest cousin. He taught me how to draw and do many things like play basketball and volleyball. He was also always present in special occasions especially at my school. They both grew up in grandma's house which is literally beside my house that time. They're also the reason why I'm quite the boyish type. haha
As for my paternal side, there were more girls than boys. Out of my 12 cousins, there are only four boys and the rest were girls. This picture was taken during our eldest cousin's birthday. I live far from them, but I usually spent my summer vacation with them in my grandparents' house which is in my father's hometown.
My two older male cousins aren't in this picture, but we were about to go to the beach when it was taken. As I've mentioned, I used to spend my summer vacation in my father's hometown. So, all of my cousins gather in my grandparents' house and we go either to the beach or to the mountains.
I really miss those days.
I am an only child but I never felt lonely growing up... thanks to my cousins on both sides of the family.
We are all grown ups now. My youngest cousins on both sides are now teenagers and most of my older cousins are married and have their own families. Some of them are also in various parts of the Philippines and the world, but we still keep in touch. We enjoy reminiscing our childhood days every time we gather and our days would be flooded with nostalgia.
I must say, I had a great childhood because of them. <3
