MR. VERNON RYAN LEANO- SALENTES
(Representing Aglipayan St., Brgy. #4, Sta. Maria)
Home for me was in Manila and I was the usual 70's kid. We often pay a visit to our relatives in Vintar especially our Nanang Pepay (grandma). Though I didn't really live in Vintar, I do have fond memories of it as I was growing up. I spent my summer & Christmas vacations in this lovely place, which I consider some of the best times in my life. Some of the most beautiful things that I remember when I was growing up in Vintar include the following:
*Waking up early in the morning to go fishing in “KARAYAN” with my Uncles.
*My Uncle, Tito Danny, trying to teach me the ropes on fishnets.
*Swimming at the Beach (Pagudpod & Sexy Beach) with my Titas & cousins;
*Going to the town fiesta with my favorite aunt, Tita Ofe;
*Eating seafoods such as small shrimps, “Jumping Salad” and “BOKTO”;
*Watching the rain fall from the roof of our neighbor's (Reyes) veranda;
*Reading “BANNAWAG” (An ilocano magazine)
*The Annual Local Fair & Santacruzan;
*The humble, hardworking and frugal Vintarinians;
My first crush, Penny Green Acacio
*The affection that I lovingly received from my Nanang, and all my uncles and aunts.
There was no television and phone lines in Vintar back in the early 80's. We only depended on AM radios and snail mails. Locals sleep early at night. And during the night you could hear curious insect sounds as well as sounds that my grandparents would attribute to the “MOMOO” or “PANDONG”. Well... that was Vintar in the 80's. Quirky as this may sound, I miss those times. Gosh, I miss being a kiddo and life then was never complicated- No worries in the world. On a personal note, I miss Nanang Pepay and the simplicity of life living in Vintar, I look forward to have a vacation there and have that Ilocano way of family get together celebrations and Warm Barkada Happenings.More power to SIWAWER POWER!!!
http://www.vintar.com/geek//article.php?story=20070914003533480