Filipino Millennials: When Streets Were Our Playgrounds and Hangers Weren't Just for Clothes

Ah, the Filipino millennial childhood. A time when WiFi was a mystery, and the only 'streaming' we did was when we built tiny boats to race down the roadside during a heavy downpour. Let's take a delightful stroll down the memory lane of 'Batang 90's', shall we?

Remember the afternoons spent under the blazing sun, chasing friends in a riveting game of Patintero or Tumbang Preso? And oh! The sheer pride in mastering the Sipa, sending that rattan ball skyrocketing and secretly hoping it would hit that naughty kid from the other street. Pure, innocent victory!

One of the most epic, life-defining games we played? "Kneel on the Mung Beans" - sounds weird, right? Luhod sa Munggo in our local dialect. This wasn't a game for fun. No siree! It was a disciplinary tactic our parents cleverly disguised as a 'game'. When we misbehaved, we'd kneel on those tiny beans, feeling each one press into our knees, contemplating the life choices of a seven-year-old. Dramatic? Totally! But hey, it built character (and strong kneecaps).

But, the pièce de résistance of our childhood punishments? The hanger and belt. Now, before you gasp in horror, it's not as barbaric as it sounds! These items served as multi-purpose tools. Need to hang a shirt? Use a hanger. Need to ensure your pants stayed up? Belt. Need to instill some fear? Just the mere sight of these items would send us racing to complete our chores.

Jokes aside, our childhood, with its eccentricities and unique experiences, shaped us. It was a simpler time when joys were found in the smallest things - like successfully trading a lower-tier teks card for a holographic one, or the elation when the ice candy vendor passed by on a scorching afternoon.

And to the Gen Z peering into our past with wide-eyed wonder (or confusion, we can't tell): We may not have had TikTok or VR, but we had real, tangible experiences. Our games taught us strategy, teamwork, and resilience. Our punishments, as humorous as they sound now, instilled discipline and respect.

To my fellow Filipino millennials, let's wear our childhood like a badge of honor. We're a blend of the old and the new, tradition and innovation. We've grown up to value both street-smart skills and book knowledge, to respect the wisdom of the old while embracing the novelties of the present.

So, here's to us, the generation that straddled two worlds, proving that no matter the changes, our roots remain strong, and our spirits ever resilient. Cheers to the good ol' days!