Pilipinas Circa ’70
A view of Manila Bay, then
On Sept. 21, the Philippines will once again remember the declaration of martial law on 1972 by then President Ferdinand Marcos. This is not a political post, though, just wanna share my recollection of the Philippines circa 70s, as I remember martial law from the eyes of a small kid.
MUSIC
Tunog Maynila, in my opinion, is the golden years and the best of OPM, so far. Pinoy songs are highly appreciated then, be it rock, pop, disco or love songs. We have Boyfriends, local version of Bee Gees. Hagibis, local version of Village People. And we have legendary rock groups like Juan Dela Cruz Band and Hotdogs. Not to be lef behind are VST and Co. , Cinderella, Asin, Apo Hiking Society. Known solo performers then are Sampaguita, , Mike Hanopol, Hadji Alejandro, Basil Valdez, Leah Navarro, Imelda Papin, Rico J. Puno and Claire Dela Fuente. Songs from these artists bring back good memories of the past
ANIME
Our generations’ anime are Voltes V, Mazinger Z, Daimos, Speedy Gonzales, Ballatac, Super Friends (Justice League now). Most of these cartoon shows were banned by Marcos because it affected daw the study habits of children. We also look forward to RPN 9′s Saturday Fun Machine, a marathon of cartoon show.
SPORTS
Even as a child, I was able to follow the rivalry of Crispa and Toyota of the old PBA. A golden, year, I would say of the PBA. I also recalled that Ali and Frazier fought at Araneta Coliseum dubbed as “thrilla in Manila.
TV SHOWS
I recall enjoying “kulit bulilit”, a local kid show, electric company and sesame’s street. I remember dolphy’s John & Marsha, and Champoy of Subas Herrero(?). Yes there was eat Bulaga na yata then.
EDUCATION
I finished my primary studies in a public school. The gov’t. provide free “nutri bun” (healthy bread) for students, errr, pupil pala. My baon is only .15 cents to cover for the “palaman” of nutri bun (tastes more awful than a wheat bread by the way) and drinks. At our school, there is huge land area, thus, we can actually make gardens and learn how to plant. Books to student ratio is 1:1, with regular vaccine program from the gov’t.
The Planetarium at Luneta then is bigger than what we have now at SM Mall of Asia
ECONOMY
If my memory serves me right, peso to dollar then is P 2-3 to $ 1. Minimum jeepney fare is .25 cents. I think you can watch a movie for P 1-2.
SOCIETY
Filipinos are disciplined then. No jay walkers, would you believe it?. My parents, aunts and uncles are so conscious of traffic rules.
ENVIRONMENT
I have fond memories of Luneta, Childrens Playground and Baywalk (Roxas Blvd.). Manila bay is clean and you can actually take a swim! My parents will bring us to Luneta and ride Motorco (double deck bus) going to Baclaran. The air is so clean.
There are more soil then, trees and plants abound even in urban areas (I grew up in Makati). Different species of spiders are everywhere, so are dragonflies (tutubing kalabaw and karayom), grass hoppers, salagubang and salaginto.
POLITICS
Nahhh.. I only recall KBL and Laban. And I was scolded really bad when I played with a Laban flier outside our house. 
Old Luneta
Old Cars
Old Jeepneys
Old Makati
Old Theater
Old Cubao
Old Manila
Fishermen of Manila Bay
More pics here
Do you have fond memories to share of the 70′s?
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13 Responses to “Pilipinas Circa ’70”
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Nice pics.
Your old cars picture looks like it’s Ortigas taken from EDSA, with the Meralco building clearly visible.
Old Cubao? Grabe walang trapik!
Your Old Theater pic looks like Avenida corner Claro M. Recto, owing to the Galaxy and Dynasty theater signs (IIRC). I’m not sure about this one.
In all respects old Manila sure looked quite decent… *without so many people*.
I remember Crispa vs Toyota! My brother even had a Crispa jersey. Php .75 jeepney fare. Movie houses where you can watch 2 movie screenings back-to-back. Swimming in Manila Bay, around the breakwater. The yellow gemini taxicabs. I remember the animes! Esp the early sunday morning cartoons! I also remember the last few double decker buses, rode it once before it was phased out. AND picnics in Luneta!
Though I was really young and only was around in the last 4 years of it but I distinctly remember the echoes and repercussions, both good and bad.
Great post!
They said Voltes V was cut because it teaches the youth to be more radical…sabi lang lol!
@ Jon– you exactly knew where these sites are
…. though at that time it’s clean and decent, something that is worth longing for
@ Sasha– some thought the Marcos era is far better than Cory, Erap and Gloria combined. Ramos did well, IMO.
@ Nalen– am not sure of that
I love these old pictures. I wish I had gotten into photography when I was younger so that I could have shot similar pictures then.
I started last 2007 to compile pictures of different cities here so that I could show it to the next generation.
Nice blog. More Power.
Photowalkers last blog post..25 BEST-LOVED PHILIPPINE CHILDREN’S BOOK CHARACTERS
Great pics! Thanks for sharing. I left in 1967, age 14, visited in 1979 and again just this holiday season. I’m glad you remember Manila Bay as being clean. I thought I was wrong in remembering it that way; my father and I used to go to the beach there quite regularly. But seeing it so polluted at this recent visit was very sad. It was still good to have visited. I won’t wait so long for the next visit.
Thanks Rebecca, glad to know you have fond memories of our country
guys do you have an old picture of motorco..
im doin a documentary and need it badly..hope you could email me or post it here..
thanks..
great memories here..feels like its just yesterday….
WOW!How I wish I lived during those times and even in the 60s!~
@ Ron – I was able to ride one, but no pictures, sorry :/
@ Migues – that was the best decade in my life. I’m on my 40′s and I grew up as a child during the 70s
Then I envy you.I’m just 16 and I hate our “yellow” government and our “yellow” constitution.~
wahh what a colorful 70s pala… i wasn’t born during 70s but since i have elder brothers and sisters who were already teenagers that time… medyo naimpluwensyahan nila ako.
i was fond watching old movies and old tv programs. i think it was really subas herrero and noel trinidad. one time nakita ko pang kasama nila roon si cherry gil.
sa movies din, i think most of the classic and influential films ipinalabas din during 70s like “Tinimbang ka Ngunit Kulang.”
sayang hindi ko naabutan ang motorco. sa chinese films ko na lang nakikita yun.
mas masaya nuon kahit wala internet