I am proud to be probinsyana. My being *promdi* made me who I am today. My story won't be complete without the hardships and the joy of being one of the so called barrio lass.

I was born in Davao City but we moved to my father's birthplace after he got a job offer there. I guess I'm around 4-5 years old then and my brother, @prinsepong is around 2 years old. My mother is from Mandug, Davao City and my father is from Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. 

 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/komgrnbyox.jpg)
<sub> Our old family photo when we were still 4. Our youngest was born in 1993. <\sub>

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Astorga is the Barangay, Sta. Cruz is the municipality and Davao del Sur is the province.

We moved to Barangay Astorga which is just an hour away from downtown area of Davao and just 2 barangays away from the boundary that separates Davao City and Davao del Sur. 

Growing up in a barrio is so different. The memories and the experiences are just too good to be forgotten.

Here are the things that I won't forget while living in the barrio:

> **1. The whole barrio is (almost) full of relatives. **

Quick trivia, my grandfather is one of the known first batch of residents in the barangay. Thus, it's not surprising that our relatives are just simply everywhere. It's fun because you will always feel secure everywhere you go. And oh, you'll never get hungry for they are willing to give you something to eat once you visit their homes.

 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/mq4jeamw9m.jpg)
<sub>With my cousins during my visit last year. This year, the visits are quite frequent for we have important things to attend to.

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> **2. Walking is not an exercise but a neccesity.**

My father is a caretaker of a very big farm. It is a private farm in which very few people lived inside the vicinity. To get to the nearest sari-sari store, we have to walk around 1 kilometer or more just to get what we want. On the later years, our father acquired a bike and that made our lives easier when we have to buy some things. 

Also, our school is very far. It is around 2-3 kilometers away from our house, depends on which way we want to pass. However, I was never tired of walking because I have friends to go along with. 

> **3. Play everywhere.**

The thing with growing up in a barrio is having a huge playground. I mean, everywhere is your playground. Who needs a tracking field when you can run all you want on a vast flat land? Who needs a swimming pool when there is a beach nearby? Although, the farm where my papa worked has a springwater swimming pool where we used to play and swim, too. And who needs a monkey bar when we can climb short fruit trees? Who needs a swing when we can have a traditional hammock made by our papa? Fun is just around the corner!

>**4. Slithering snakes are just part of the package.**

Venomous snakes are just around. They are part of nature so we learned to get used to it. So, yeah, who's scared of snakes?

Also, the place where we grew up has a mini zoo and some of the pets are boa constrictors, crocodiles and others. Fun, right?

 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/t25k3zkcs1.jpg)
<sub> A common sight. Killed snakes. </sub>

>**5. You have to *'mano'* to all the older people you know.**

Respect, above all. You have to mano even to your older cousins and to your neighbors! No ifs, no buts.

 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/rmc48fpqoc.jpg)
<sub> One of the very few photos with my lola, my father's mother. With us are our of course, RELATIVES! <\sub>


>**6. The tales of *'wak-wak'* and *'kikik.'***

*Wak-wak* is  *aswang* in *Tagalog.* I don't know about *kikik*. They say it is a bird alongside a bad spirit. As a child, these stories will scare you a lot and will prevent you to go out at night.

>**7. The *sulo* or the coconut-made torch.**

You forgot to bring your flashlight? No issues. Just look for fallen (and dried) coconut leaves and bind it together. Have your match ready and you can safely go home.

>**8. Sweet *Tubâ.***

I will never forget the taste of freshly harvested *tuba.* It's very yummy. My father used to make *'kinutil,'* a fresh *tubâ* drink mixed with *tablea.*
  ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/cn8d0hew5o.jpg)
<sub>2010. Us, posing with 1 gallon of *tubâ.* We're just joking. <\sub>


>**9. Gathering water is fun.**

It's heavy but who cares? We just love to gather it and play with the water. 

>**10. Riding in a carabao carriage.**

Riding in a *Kariton,* is one of the happiest memories I still keep in my heart. The farm where our father works has a big carriage that is usually loaded with harvested coconuts. We love to sit on top of the coconuts while the carabao is busy pulling the heavy load. So sorry, my carabee!

>**11. The fresh air. The fog in the morning. The breathtaking mountain views.**

Need I say more? :)

>**12. The popping pod.**

 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/n53hr5om7m.jpg)
<a href="https://goo.gl/images/BNRJFw"> Source </a>

Popping pod is a grass wherein its fruits can be used as 'little bombs' when thrown into the water. We used to gather lots of it and ahhhh... such a therapy as they pop one by one.

>**13. The *sayawan.***

I will never forget how a sayawan made the lives of everyone fun during the weekends. Even our parents will go to the *sayawan* just to enjoy themselves. The music is so loud that it can be heard even from a kilometer away. I remembered once, my parents prayed so that it will not rain or the weekly fanfare will be cancelled. That's how cool *'sayawan'* is to them.

>**14. The *perya.***

During *fiesta* celebrations, *perya* is the ultimate goal. The games, the small rides and everything about it is just unforgettable. In the barrio, events like these rarely happens so expect the people to flock the plaza.

There are so many things that are not included in the list. Until now, I'm still overwhelmed with the memories that others actually made me teary-eyed. We left Astorga and settled back to Davao City in the year 1999. That time, our youngest, @ycrevilla who is 9 years younger than me, was just 5 years old. He wasn't able to experience fully the *probinsya* life even though he's born there. That's why we call him the 'city boy.'

  ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/o2mj1wozoh.jpg)
<sub> Beach view.

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Now, no matter where life takes us, we always go back to Astorga whenever we want to and now, always with my husband and daughter who both love it there. Living in Davao City is such a joy but to me, Astorga will be forever my home, too.

How about you, are you from the province? What are your unforgettable memories?

 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/yokr2hz4bk.jpg)