I quicky strolled around Salcedo Village [Makati City] at night: a trip to memory lane
Reliving six memorable years in Barangay Bel-Air, Makati: convenience, hidden gems, and fond family memories that still feel like home.
We used to live in Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City, for close to six years, and I would say that those were some of the most memorable years for our family. As employees within the Makati Central Business District, it was definitely convenient for Mommy Khris and me because we would just walk from our condominium all the way to our office building in the morning.
Then at night, it would be the same unhurried routine because we wouldn’t have to commute and brave the daily ultra-heavy traffic at EDSA. We would pass by hidden stores and restaurants on the way home and eat (or buy food) whenever we felt like it. Not only that, but the Makati Sports Club is also a familiar sight, and it looked really quiet and calm at night.
If we need anything for our pantry at home, we will pass by a convenience store or SM Hypermarket (or Mercury Drug along Leviste Street) and not worry about closing time. We could also work overtime without having anything to worry about. Those were indeed some of our best years because of the convenience it brought us. And we always slept well, haha.
However, around six years ago, we had to move back to Quezon City (QC). It was temporary at first, but the circumstances compelled us to finally choose QC as our permanent residence. It’s also convenient for us here because we have what we need within easy reach. Sometimes, it even felt like we were living in the province because of the abundance of trees around us and the generally peaceful vibe of our subdivision. The only difference is that we were more conscious when it comes to commuting because we would have to always catch the P2P bus (not an issue for us, though).
Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but miss living in Makati City. Recently, I had to buy prescription medicine for the kids, and I decided to just get them at Mercury Drug in Leviste. It was just walking distance from my office, so I thought that it was the more practical thing to do versus buying the meds at Ayala Fairview Terraces.
As I crossed Ayala Avenue and walked along VA Rufino Street, crossed Valero Street, San Agustin Street, and finally Leviste Street, those memories of living in Makati City from many years ago came flashing back in my head. I felt a wave of nostalgia as I passed by old buildings, an Island Photo branch, Friss Point Bakery (if it were still open, I would’ve bought our favorite Spanish bread), Salad Stop, and finally Mercury Drug.
It was just a pity that the old KFC branch in the Lyceum of the Philippine University College of Law Building had already closed (the location is already occupied by Central Books). The street lights illuminating the corners all the more made it feel like a trip down memory lane. Being just inside Mercury Drug also brought back some fond memories, but the familiar faces behind the pharmacy counter were not there anymore.
After my transaction at Mercury Drug, I deliberately walked slowly. I patiently waited for the streetlight to change color, took a few snapshots of the buildings at night, then leisurely crossed the streets; it was like walking in a dream until I was back in Ayala Avenue. I was back to reality. Just the same, I was happy to relive some of our most memorable days living in Makati City, even for only a short while. It felt good, though, and I would always remember those good old days.
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By the way, I’ve also launched my online shop where I sell eBooks and other digital products. Here are the eBooks that I’m selling:
Churches of Nueva Ecija (Cabiao, San Isidro, Gapan, and San Antonio) eBook
Over 50,000 Resellable eBooks: Your Ready-Made Digital Business Solution
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