From Nuffnang

Monday, April 23, 2012

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.

pamaypay
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. 

banig
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.

trumpo
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.

21 comments:

  1. True-blue Pinoy products! I agree, that anahaw pamaypay is the best alternative for electric fans...to burn off extra calories as well : ). I still remember and enjoy playing trumpo made by no other than our father : ) Great toy indeed!

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  2. Those were the times, where everything is simple :)
    I always watch my fellow children play the trumpo from afar. I was afraid I might get injured with it kasi :P

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  3. now that nice, you have given me an idea as to what to use kesa sa lapag mahiga dahil mainit ang kutso, will look for a banig today

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  4. hi i'm mommy lariza of www.momsworldofartsandhappiness.blogspot.com

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  5. i remember the turumpo as a great reminder of summer

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  6. It's a lot color to sleep in a banig than the regular bed and yes, tropang trumpo was really funny back then.

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  7. Some things have a way of bringing us back to a simpler life where there are less complications. Pamaypay and banig to relax in one hot summer day - Perfect!

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  8. Believe it or not, I never knew how to play the trumpo, even as a kid who loved playing Filipino games outdoors. I guess, I was just too afraid to get nailed on the ground if a trumpo happens to drop on my hand unexpectedly, lol!

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  9. Its more fun in the Philippines, hehe. Anyway, we always have pamaypay and banig even if its not summer because lying on a banig is quite relaxing at times rather than sleeping on a mattress. I miss playing trumpo, hahaha.

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  10. im in singapore living with myh husband who's australian but i even bang still! haha xx

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  11. I used to play trumpo when i was a kid. Saya! We have abaniko and banig too in the province. Sarap matulog sa banig. Hahaha. malamig! :)

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  12. those were the days... dati trumpo, tumbang preso, tubig.. ka miss, pati pamaypay at banig kamiss na din!..

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  13. Awww, this made me homesick!

    I miss pamaypay (those we have here in the Netherlands are just not the same...I miss the smell of typical pamaypay), banig (I grew up sleeping on one!)...not so much turumpo because I never ever learned to play that, even as I turned adult. hahahaha

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  14. Nice, very local. I'd add ice buko in there too. ;)

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  15. hello. i have that banig too! and it's really cool 'pag hinigaan na. :>

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  16. Hah, nice fan on the pun. o, wait - i mean, pun in the fan ;) this is one type of the post that would make me say... "Pilipino ka kung nagsummer ka kasama ang mga 'to" :)

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  17. I mean. this is a kind of post*

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  18. We made a pamaypay like that way back in elementary days! And I know how to play trumpo. haha XD

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  19. loved the banig. we do have one here, hindi na nga lang un native na katulad nga sa inyo, na we're using on summer picnics:) but, the native pamaypay, yup, we have 3 in the house...always on a standby just in case magbrownout ^_^

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  20. I missed that "banig" made from buli. What we have here is a plastic mat.

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