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Sunday, February 08, 2004
Cariño: Tam, the bay, and the park
By Linda Grace Cariño
MY NIECE Tammy guested on this column last week. Her real name is Marlene Amparo Tolentino. She is my sister Helena’s girl half of fraternal twins: the other half is named Mariano Leandro, after his father and mine. His nickname is ‘Mamar,’ his sister is nicknamed ‘Tammy’ - further nicked to ‘Tam.’
Tammy’s piece on de-boos certainly makes a worthy point. It reminds me of a conversation my niece and I had a couple or so years ago when I explained to her the origin of the ‘debut,’ which I bet only five per cent or less of those in this country who have them even know about. In a nutshell, the much-bruited ‘debut’ began in feudal Europe, where the daughters of noble households were presented at respective royal courts when said daughters turned eighteen. The practice was a social announcement that these girls were now of marriageable age - thus, ‘coming out’ as adults. Naturally for those times and places, being presented at court was also the opportunity for the girls to be seen, and hopefully consequently wooed, by likewise marriageable (read: moneyed) men.
‘Debut’ is French for ‘beginning.’ Hence, those coming-out parties were supposed not just to mark a debutante’s entry into the adult world, but also into, uh, ‘life.’ The practice evolved (devolved?) into elaborate balls that found copycat versions in the U.S. - where most anything European, especially British, is the ideal - and other ‘colonial’ territories. How it got to the Philippines? Perhaps via Spain, perhaps via the U.S. The bottom line here is yet another social ‘tradition’ too many in this country mindlessly pretend to. And when all is said and done, there remain a host of unanswered points. These days, is 18 the age when one can be considered an adult? Is there a court wherein debutantes can rightfully preen about in medieval costume to catch the eye of a rich noble? Does one really want to be enslaved by such mental and cultural servitude? What is the Pinoy ‘debut’ all about, for crying out. Ask their perpetrators. Believe me, they know not at all. But then again, perhaps I seek reason where there
Speaking of ‘beginning,’ however, the word debut might be said to better apply to Mayor Atienza’s renewal of the Manila Bay area. While in the city by the bay recently, fighting a baaad asthma attack, I had occasion to visit the place by day and by night. What a remarkable change from the seedy dump of yore!
First, the bay is actually clean. Not pristine, but in several years and with consistent leadership, I expect it will be. Second, there is now a very pleasant bay walk, complete with lovely little benches and cute shops. Third, its aura, if you will, has just cleaned up, somehow, and one can actually park, go jogging, take a walk, all these without fear of getting robbed, mugged or killed. Cops on the block, too.
Then there is the famous Manila Bay sunset, stupendous no matter what. And when the sun has disappeared over the horizon, there is a wholesome night scene with a refreshing air of revelry and celebration. It’s worth a visit, really.
So much so that getting back to Baguio and swinging by Burnham Park makes my heart ache. Our park needs some major cleaning up and maintenance, appropriate prettifying, and major, major upgrading. We are in dire need of some urban renewal, here. Let’s get our act together to bring forth some sort of park debut.
(February 8, 2004 issue)
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