Closer Together

One thing about Filipino neighbors are sharing.And you would wonder whether is it part of the culture, a custom of just simply being polite.

Back in the province of Oriental Mindoro where I grew up, I had observed, and matter of fact, did it too. My dad would cook something for lunch or for dinner and just when it was done, he would saved part of it on a bowl and instruct me or my younger brother to go to the neighbor. Our neighbor would then gladly accept it, say a "thank you" and I or my brother would head back home few feet away. :) Or if they got something to put in exchange they would put in on our bowl too. 

This brings neighbors closer together, sometimes even closer than relatives. Our older lady neighbor (she was kind and nice) and cooks snacks to sell in the afternoon, let us have some bite of "maja," and it tastes good.

Back then, about 6 or 7 out of 10 in the neighborhood got television and serves as a past time. Neighbors, specially children would spend time in a neighbors home to watch television (whomever tv is on) and believe me, in our neighborhood, we kids know whose neighbors television is currently on, and me amongst other kids would go and watch tv there :) And it is fun! As time ticks, more and more of the neighbors are coming to watch tv.

Then we got our own television too. Yayz! And neighbors started showing up in our doorstep to watch tv with us, whatever program is on. But my favorite and won't forget is afternoon and night shows. Neighbors specially my age ( I was 13 and so) would show up early 6 pm just before anime shows started. That's "Lupin III" and "Dragon Ball Z." It was a hit! Gosh we enjoyed those shows and keeps me looking forward every after schooldays.