Some Reminders of Summer

Lately, many of us have been experiencing the hot weather in the Philippines, which tells us that summer is on its heyday.  Now that I'm of working age, summer reminds me of those times that I have a long vacation from school every year.




To counteract the hot summer winds, I held and waved the pamaypay made from the leaves of anahaw, a native palm species.  The  pamaypay has proved to be a sustainable alternative to electric fans and air conditioners.  The waving motion required to generate ventilation can also burn the user's extra calories.

The reliable pamaypay: IT'S MORE FAN IN THE PHILIPPINES (with pun intended)

I also spent those vacations sleeping on the banig or mat made of woven pandan leaves.  Aside from being made of  environment-friendly materials, the banig shields my body from the coldness of the concrete floor.  Until now, I occasionally sleep on this mat. 

Rolled banig in front of our door

The banig on the floor

A portion of the unrolled banig

Once upon a time there was no Beyblades, and the trumpo caught the children's fancy.  There was no school days during most of the summer, so it was an opportune time to play the trumpo or top.  The head of the trumpo is carved from hardwoods endemic to the Philippines, while the tip is made of a nail.
I remember children play the trumpo by wrapping the cord tightly from the tip up to half the head. They have varying techniques in throwing such that the trumpo spins seamlessly on the ground.

A hand-painted trumpo with cord

The trumpo was so popular, a television gag-show was named after it: Tropang Trumpo.


I am still struggling in learning how to play this timeless toy, however.


The handcrafted pamaypay, banig, and trumpo are some things that have and continue to evoke feelings of summer within me.