Narra's New Radio Flyer Bike & Why This One's a Keeper

Narra's new Radio Flyer Steer and Stroll Trike.

It was on sale, it's what we wanted for Narra, should we buy it? There was just one problem. Narra already had a generic pink bike that she used and liked. So why get her this Radio Flyer trike that she didn't need? Oliver was calling me to consult. I could tell he really wanted to get her this new bike. So I gave him a supportive reply: "Go get it babe, I'll sell her current bike on-line".  I just heard the words "Radio Flyer" and I was sold, I didn't need any more info. I wanted that bike too, even without seeing it, and here's why.

There are brands that evoke certain memories, that make you feel nostalgic and fuzzy inside, they tug at your heartstrings and make a purchase done in the present, an act of paying homage to the past and preparing for the future.  When I see Radio Flyer bikes, I see old photos in my head. One picture is of my sister Marion from 1980, riding her red steel trike with a step at the back - the step was for me, her little sister. She would pedal, and I would stand behind her, and round and round we went, in the cramped little "hi-way" from our living room to our kitchen back in our old house in New Manila (a house that is no more). The other photograph goes farther back in time - it is a photo of my dad, in black and white, taken in 1950, with his own little brother Elvin. He was dressed in a striped shirt, tucked in khaki shorts, he had black leather shoes with white socks - such a formal look - and he was sitting on a trike, made of steel.  Let me tell you what I see in my head - from my dad's face - to my sister's face - to Narra's .... I see one look, their shared blood evident in the common manner in which their faces break into smiles.  

Narra's first time to take her new bike for a spin. Mall of Asia, by the bay.

Narra's new bike is the Girl's Deluxe Steer and Stroll model. It is more streamlined and simpler than her older bike (which had lights and sounds, an attached bear head with beeping horn, and front and rear baskets, a safety bar, and padded seat - so much stuff!) I loved the simplicity of this new bike - it looks sleeker, and more like a classic bike than her more elaborate older one. Sometimes less really is more.  I push her with the sturdy steel push bar. It feels solid.  The wheels look robust, and they ride well on tiled pavements.  Then there's that tiny little bell, the old-fashioned round ones that go "ding!"...sigh. Hearing it brings back memories.

I wanted to get Narra a Radio Flyer when I was away in Singapore to finish my dissertation two years ago in 2010. Near National University of Singapore, there was a bike shop that carried the Radio Flyer line, and I badly wanted to buy  a bike which was a tad bit too heavy and costly to take on the plane with me. Oh how I regretted not buying it the moment I got home.  So when Oliver found this bike on sale, I jumped at a chance to erase an item on my Big List of Little Regrets.

I just sold Narra's older bike. I posted an ad on-line and had a buyer (or buyers!) in a snap. It was picked up today and I was happy to sell it. Just like that. Now, this Radio Flyer - haha. I have no plans of selling it even when Narra outgrows it. I am imagining a nice spot in my dad's huge attic where this bike will bide its time before I get it refurbished for my grandchildren to come. After watching marathon episodes of "American Pickers" and the joys of finding classic old toys in rustic barns and untouched attics, I have my own hopes of keeping my own treasure trove. This one's a keeper.

On Spirits and Aswangs: Tambay sa Tabi Tabi

See www.anvilpublishing.com

When I was a little girl, my mother taught me my place in the Pinoy universe: I am a human being - but I must not mistake that as license to have dominion over sea and land - oh no! - we humans share the earth with a host of elemental and spiritual creatures who have as much right (or even more right) to be here.  My mother taught me the choreography of deference: take a submissive pose, crouch down a bit - head down - and audibly recite: "tabi po, tabi po" (please move aside, please move aside) every time I walk through a patch of grass, a garden path, or a wooded area. I must make it clear that I mean no disrespect and do not wish to accidentally hit (ma sagi) spirits living along the paths I pass through.

My mother also taught me to be mindful of that specific moment during the day when humankind's reign over the earth gives way to the reign of the spirits - this moment of transition can be "takip-silim" (when darkness covers the earth) or "agaw-dilim" (when the sky is being wrestled away from light and into the dark). I remember playing in the garden, watering plants, and practicing volleyball or gymnastics, until the sun begins to set - then, without fail, my mother would call me from inside the house with a sense of urgency, as though any second outside beyond the prescribed time frame, is a violation of an unspoken treaty between humankind and the spirit world. At 6 pm sharp, we would be gathered around the altar to pray the Angelus. It was my mother's way of protecting us with prayer, and she'd psychically cover us with a mantle of motherly protection to last us through the night.

I learned many other things: not to disturb a termite mound or ant hill to respect the "nuno sa punso" who lives there; not to point at anything when hiking in a forest - and to bite my pointing finger if I forget myself and happen to point at something; to make an offering of chicken blood from a white virgin hen when building any structure; to address a "territorial dispute" between humans and spirits by using incense, holy water, and salt as arsenal in staking my claim over a certain space. My mother equipped me with a set of skills not only for preventing conflict with spirits - but also for fighting malevolent spirits when a conflict has become unavoidable.

I sometimes resent my mother for planting fear in my overactive imagination. It made those moments when I had to live alone a rather scary experience. Of course when something fishy goes on, I am thankful for the extra skills my mother equipped me with, I am given a course of action to take even in the weirdest situations.  I always wondered whether I'd introduce my children to Pinoy spirits, and  how I'd do it in such a way that I don't spook them. I want to make sure my kids are in touch with their Pinoy roots, their language and culture, and the unique Pinoy world view on all things, including the spirit world...but I wanted it to be a healthy engagement.

So when I saw the book "Mga Tambay sa Tabi-Tabi: Creatures of Philippine Folklore" published by Anvil and illustrated by artists from INK (Ilustrador ng Kabataan), I was excited! My Japanese friend Kanami was visiting me when we chanced upon the book at A Different Bookstore, and she graciously bought it as a gift for my daughter. What a great gift - it is now Narra's favorite book! Without scaring her too much, I am able to use the kid-friendly and witty illustrations to introduce her to the neighborhood aswang, mananaggal, kapre, white lady, tiktik, tiyanak, etc. in a humorous way.  The illustrations are very current - things like an ipod, a foot spa, and a jeepney make their appearance, making the creatures of folklore come to life in the contemporary urban setting.  I find it a great visual aid in helping me introduce my kids to the spirit world in a uniquely Pinoy way while keeping things fun and kid-friendly... what an awesome achievement! And at P195, it's value for money!