“TAYM PERS!” (Time first) - This was an expression kids of the yesteryears used to say when they were playing. It’s being said out loud to let the playmates know that a player needs more time (for a short break or to find a favorable position) similar to calling a timeout.
But the supposedly short break for nostalgia became more like a daily vicious cycle as more and more uncles and aunts are becoming interactive on social media. The Facebook group Baps and Dars of Pampanga has been taking the FB by storm since its creation last November of 2017.
Renowned photographer, Borj Meneses, has created a group that would in a way alter the daily lives of Kapampangans all over the world. Never has he imagined the immense gravity it would spawn after adapting the similar social media group Titos and Titas of Manila. Unaware of the revered reception, Baps and Dars of Pampanga already have tens of thousands of members in just a short span of time since its conception. In just two months, it already listed more than 65,000 baps and dars of all ages.
The page has been making a buzz and it’s already generating an enormous amount of traffic on FB’s newsfeed. Even the senior “bapas” and “daras” who have FB accounts that may have been created by their nephew or niece have reason to stay connected on the internet.
Various posts, ranging from old places where kabalens frequented, old beverages, retired PBA players, celebrities, TV commercials, and many more, regularly initiate a long thread of conversation.
The unique sense of humor of the Kapampangans usually comes out which almost immediately get a similarly funny reactions and comments. It’s a portal for the good old days. A refresher of the latest trends back then that looked funny now. Shoulder paddings were standard in women RTWs and puruntong was a fashion statement. Niblings might not get the meaning of a film roll of 36 plus 10. Before flash drives, micro SD cards and cloud, there were floppy and mini disks which were used for data storage. Try a filing cabinet for the more prehistoric baps and dars. An ice snowball was more popular than that of Starbucks’ cinnamon roll.
A vast number of our kabalens overseas are diligent on this FB phenomenon. Some even get serious homesick that they wanted to go back to their hometown for the holiday.
Many members from this group may agree with the catch phrase “old school is still the best school.” And there is a reason why a lot of folks in Pampanga continue to engage actively on this group. While netizens can get fed up by the negativity of the mainstream sources, this particular group created for the Kapampangans brings so much joy and good vibes. It takes us back to where the heart is - our home.