That's So '90s: This is My Decade

Original artwork by Bren DJ. Adofina

So there must be a million versions of write ups about this era. And it actually is getting more and more over rated. But I really miss the decade, so from now on this is gonna be one of my filters.

Whenever I remember my childhood in the 90s, it always makes me smile. Especially the Tagalog-dubbed-Japanese-made-shows. I remember the very first time I saw Dragonball, i think it was aired in ABC 5 then (now TV5).  Who would forget Bioman, Mask Rider Black, Shaider, and all other Japanese superheroes. Ultraman (for all the version that they’ve had), I remember a time when they had an episode where one of the Ultraman died and all the other versions of Ultraman got together. BTX, Magic Knights Rayearth, Flame of Recca, Ghost Fighter, Gundam Wing, Animes were a big hit for the 90s kids and kids at heart. 

“Esmuski!” the famous line of  Ang TV, an afternoon kiddie gag show that airs 4:30pm (four thirty na! Ang TV na!). Also, POWER RANGERS (the originals), with their robot dinosaurs that combines and forms a gigantic Megazoid (This is the only Power Ranger Show that has been made into a movie, oh what I give to have a complete set of those).

Who wouldn’t love to put Pritos rings around their fingers? Collect the free toys inside those “piso snacks”. Blow the biggest Bazooka Bubble gum while reading the comic book wrapper. Enjoy the ice-cold Jolly. Enjoy a piece of Tootsieroll and eat the paper wrapper of White Rabbit (haha!).

Cedie, Sarah, Remi, Judie Abbot, Romeo, and “Ang Kambal ng Tadhana” Julio & Julia... they were just some of the cartoon characters that had taught the 90s kids GMRC.  Sineskwela, Math Tinik & Bayani, easy ways to learn Science, Math and History. And of course... who would not want to sing along with Pong Pagong as he sings the Batibot theme song?

Late afternoon games! Tumbang Preso, Patintero, Moro-Moro, Teleteleponohan, Piko, Mahuli Taya, Mahuli Upo (sit), Finish, Tagu-taguan, Sipa, Sipa-Bola, Luksong Baka, Luksong Tinik, Dr Kwak-kwak, Follow the Leader, and soooooooo many other outdoor games. Not to be biased but I think we were the last ones who played these games with so much excitement and boy all the players were competitive.

There’s also Text, Pog, Tau-Tauhan, Jolen, etc. Each year then, 1 or 2 of these will be “uso” and during afternoons, kids will flood the streets to compete on games using those as bets. Back then, my brother and my cousin were among the high roller kids of the Brgy. Those who won often are the gods of the season. These gods who have the best “pamato” won’t stop until they have all of the small fry’s stuffs.

Eraserheads, Parokya ni Egar, Rivermaya, South Border, gained their grounds in this decade. Go international and you’ll hear Westlife, Backstreetboys, A1, Spice Girls, Vengaboyz and many others. Well, all of the 90’s bands and singers won’t be where they are/were without the infamous Cassette tapes that you can rewind using a Panda pen. 

Walkman, Pager, Gameboy, and Family Computers, Brick Games, those were the “it” gadgets back then. To take a picture, you have to have a camera and a roll of film and have it developed in the nearest Kodak shop. To watch a movie at home, you have to have a Betamax Player and rent the Betamax itself for a few days.  How to find your “syota” in the 90s... I always heard from my older cousins then how they talk about Pen pals, Phone pals, and the ones they talk to using 2-way radios.

I think a lot about my childhood these days. But more than that, the 90s is humanity’s kick-start era for the 21^st century (overstatement maybe). Everything and everyone was evolving and so a lot has changed. The turn of the millennia has brought with it major modifications on how we live our lives. Nothing has ever been the same since then. But no matter how different we are now from before, we always carry a part of the decade that has encouraged us to keep on enjoying life. And sometimes, it just can’t be helped but to remember the 90s; the times when everyday was an opportunity for fun.

**This post traces back to my facebook note: