While it’s true that it was patterned from, as well as inspired by the far more reaching “Titos and Titas of Manila” Facebook group which apparently has been conceptualized from its recently implied premise, “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio“ on the other hand was initially thought of and created for the purpose of a more nonchalant acceptance given its commonplace exclusivity other than reliving the good old times as an acknowledgment of the difference from any other generation.
Come to think of it, the connotation behind “Tito/Tita of (what place)” as currently referred to doesn’t actually have “that sweet” forethought. It’s almost leaning towards “that sourness” caught between “nagmumurang kamatis” and being “may asim pa”... Imagine (say) one in his 40s at a party among a bunch most likely half his age “leveling” with the young ones still yet courteously addressed as “Tito” (not to mention, that’s with ”po” and ”opo”)...
However, not to appear defensive and at the same time brush off that seeming denial phase, it’s deemed by “Titos and Titas” as some means to counteract with a “comparative difference” based on partiality to their time and the outward projection that they can still keep up.
Here in Baguio however, Uncle and Auntie (Tito and Tita) has a “relatively familiar and traditional” undertone; at least, during the time of “Titos and Titas”. Its use extends further to courteously address anyone old enough to qualify as such. Even those manning sari-sari stores were referred to as Uncle or Auntie; “Manong and Manang” were for those just-a-bit-older than us...
There seemed to be no strangers considering how small Baguio (population-wise) was. The “every body knows everybody” frame of reference back then manifests in that “you’re from Baguio” familiarity. I remember how we greet or acknowledge our “acquaintance” upon seeing a co-Baguio resident anywhere outside of the city (“Uy, taga Baguio...”). There was one instance sometime ago when I saw former Mayor then-City Councilor Peter Rey Bautista at SM City North Edsa, we nodded in recognition and even shook hands... Had the same experience with other “familiar faces” several times.
As an “Uncle (or Tito of Baguio and Manila)” myself, I’ve seen the difference and the progression of/from both ends from back then to now. Like anyone else, we may not know everything but we’re certain though of the fact based on our own discretion and discrimination that we grew up along the best music era as we were in harmony. In fact, you can expect one of the best night life of fun for a party even among today’s generation (or millennials as we call them) with a DJ from the 80’s behind the turntable. Yes, “turn the tables” even, no prob; we’re flexible that way. We’ve also donned a colorful array of overlays (physically and figuratively) as cool as we thought we were only to be included among the “worst fashion styles” today... This said, we’ve had our share of ups and downs, enough to confirm we’re far from the epitome of what and how life should be... Yet we manage... We're not perfect but, at least, we're happy. Similarly with the "Uncles and Aunties" Facebook group, despite the "imperfection", it's better than the likewise annoying social media posts from clashing parties and what-not.
Life was simple back then, nonetheless, we know how to be “passive impassive” when dealing with intricacies as well as complications. Notwithstanding, we rather maintain our even-tempered disposition.
For the current “Uncles and Aunties”, we’ve seen as much as experienced the time of our lives growing in a laidback and peaceful community and along the way, have gone through leaps-and-bounds kind of changes and technological breakthrough in every aspect of our being; more so, becoming today’s “Uncles and Aunties” (of Baguio). While today’s generation, our children’s (or “nephews/nieces’) generation continues to grow and thrive in this modern “world wide web (www)” so to speak, we’ve gone through both worlds with our own “www” for a reason giving us “that edge”. That “www” might as well stand for “Who We Were!” or “Ways We Went-through/by...” It sure gave us a formidable foundation.
Through this “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” Facebook group, we hope to bring back Baguio’s old glory even just through our happy memories if only to serve as some basis for all of us to look back where we came from and, if possible, to apply the same virtue, tranquility, love and warmth (for our own kind/our Baguio/visitors given its tourist destination status/others, etc.) amidst today’s social media noise, detrimental issues, political turmoil and even proliferation of fake news among other concerns. Because Uncles and Aunties of Baguio are as real as we can get as much as how fun and real it was were our good ol’ days...
Thinning hairline, bulging waistline and all, “maasim na kam- este may asim pa kami noh!! Adda pay ibuga mi met or in this case, addu pay ibaga/i-post mi...”
Come to think of it, the connotation behind “Tito/Tita of (what place)” as currently referred to doesn’t actually have “that sweet” forethought. It’s almost leaning towards “that sourness” caught between “nagmumurang kamatis” and being “may asim pa”... Imagine (say) one in his 40s at a party among a bunch most likely half his age “leveling” with the young ones still yet courteously addressed as “Tito” (not to mention, that’s with ”po” and ”opo”)...
However, not to appear defensive and at the same time brush off that seeming denial phase, it’s deemed by “Titos and Titas” as some means to counteract with a “comparative difference” based on partiality to their time and the outward projection that they can still keep up.
Here in Baguio however, Uncle and Auntie (Tito and Tita) has a “relatively familiar and traditional” undertone; at least, during the time of “Titos and Titas”. Its use extends further to courteously address anyone old enough to qualify as such. Even those manning sari-sari stores were referred to as Uncle or Auntie; “Manong and Manang” were for those just-a-bit-older than us...
There seemed to be no strangers considering how small Baguio (population-wise) was. The “every body knows everybody” frame of reference back then manifests in that “you’re from Baguio” familiarity. I remember how we greet or acknowledge our “acquaintance” upon seeing a co-Baguio resident anywhere outside of the city (“Uy, taga Baguio...”). There was one instance sometime ago when I saw former Mayor then-City Councilor Peter Rey Bautista at SM City North Edsa, we nodded in recognition and even shook hands... Had the same experience with other “familiar faces” several times.
As an “Uncle (or Tito of Baguio and Manila)” myself, I’ve seen the difference and the progression of/from both ends from back then to now. Like anyone else, we may not know everything but we’re certain though of the fact based on our own discretion and discrimination that we grew up along the best music era as we were in harmony. In fact, you can expect one of the best night life of fun for a party even among today’s generation (or millennials as we call them) with a DJ from the 80’s behind the turntable. Yes, “turn the tables” even, no prob; we’re flexible that way. We’ve also donned a colorful array of overlays (physically and figuratively) as cool as we thought we were only to be included among the “worst fashion styles” today... This said, we’ve had our share of ups and downs, enough to confirm we’re far from the epitome of what and how life should be... Yet we manage... We're not perfect but, at least, we're happy. Similarly with the "Uncles and Aunties" Facebook group, despite the "imperfection", it's better than the likewise annoying social media posts from clashing parties and what-not.
Life was simple back then, nonetheless, we know how to be “passive impassive” when dealing with intricacies as well as complications. Notwithstanding, we rather maintain our even-tempered disposition.
For the current “Uncles and Aunties”, we’ve seen as much as experienced the time of our lives growing in a laidback and peaceful community and along the way, have gone through leaps-and-bounds kind of changes and technological breakthrough in every aspect of our being; more so, becoming today’s “Uncles and Aunties” (of Baguio). While today’s generation, our children’s (or “nephews/nieces’) generation continues to grow and thrive in this modern “world wide web (www)” so to speak, we’ve gone through both worlds with our own “www” for a reason giving us “that edge”. That “www” might as well stand for “Who We Were!” or “Ways We Went-through/by...” It sure gave us a formidable foundation.
Through this “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” Facebook group, we hope to bring back Baguio’s old glory even just through our happy memories if only to serve as some basis for all of us to look back where we came from and, if possible, to apply the same virtue, tranquility, love and warmth (for our own kind/our Baguio/visitors given its tourist destination status/others, etc.) amidst today’s social media noise, detrimental issues, political turmoil and even proliferation of fake news among other concerns. Because Uncles and Aunties of Baguio are as real as we can get as much as how fun and real it was were our good ol’ days...
Thinning hairline, bulging waistline and all, “maasim na kam- este may asim pa kami noh!! Adda pay ibuga mi met or in this case, addu pay ibaga/i-post mi...”