Old Lighters

Songs remind you of certain parts of your life. I remember times or events in the past when I hear a song associated with them. Just like songs, things also bring back memories. Let me tell you a short story. Long, long time ago, during the Vietnam war era the Americans came to my hometown in the island of Mindoro to participate in a joint military exercise called "Exercise Tulungan". I was told then that my hometown San Jose was chosen for Exercise Tulungan because the outline of its beaches are similar to that of Vietnam.

But it was not just a military exercise really, it was also a RR for the Americans. And the entrepreneurs knew about it. Beer houses and soda fountains sprung up like mushroom and even the famed Luisa and Sons came for the green bucks.

The Americans thirsty for good times was on spending spree. Soon their money was exhausted and they began selling their C-Rations composed mostly of canned goods and cigarettes. Cigarettes were being sold by the boxes, Viceroy, Pall Mall, Lucky Strike, Winston, Salem, Camel, to name the most popular ones.

My childhood friend and I, have a flourishing shoe shine business too. We would go out at night with our shoe boxes and shine shoes for $1 (P3.50 = $1.00). We usually earn about $3 each which at that time is a lot of money. The Americans were very generous too and would give us chocolates as tip which we would share as we walk our way home. And these old lighters emblazoned with Salem and Winston always remind me of that time in my life when I earned my first dollar.

That's all folks! Thanks for reading.