They were the first thing on my shopping list when I planned my first trip back to the Philippines, after moving to Vancouver, even have set a budget to get a few pieces of them ˭̡̞(◞⁎˃ᆺ˂)◞*✰
It's embarrassing to admit that I don't remember exactly l where/when I have seen them the first time, most likely I have seen them in Quiapo's famed "Ilalim ng Tulay" or "Under the Bridge" (not the Red Hot Chili Pepper Song).
The place is known for being the hub of anything Philippine handicrafts for tourists and locals, haggling is highly recommended.
It must have been the time when my late Aunt's first visit to the Philippines since moving to the States, I have a memory of us walking along Quiapo in search of something to bring back to the States with her, along the way I started noticing the decorated laminated balls in some stores, they are usually piled up in a shallow weaved basket, or arranged nicely in a wooden tray, their patterns caught my interest, actually, it was love at first sight. Each ball bears different patterns, and each piece showcases the Philippines' indigenous materials, beautiful in its own way.
When my time finally came to bring something to Vancouver from Manila, I indulged, I even bought a few from SM Kultura as I have noticed that they have better quality than the ones in the street stalls. I rearranged my luggage's contents several times and carefully bubble wrapped each of them to ensure that I take them home crack and scratch-free. Nowadays I have them on display in and outside of our home.
It's been more than a decade since the first time I've seen them in Quiapo; my love for it grew deeper because of the memory that it holds, It reminds me of the time when I was starting to picture what my future life would be, living a peaceful life, surrounded by beautiful things and people I cared for, and the laminated balls are part of it.
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