The 1970's: Memories

[Doc Alan]

I'm a ''Martial Law Baby''someone born between 1972 and 1986, during the martial law era under the Marcos administration.

I was in the Philippines during the Martial Law era. I was "lent" by the University of Glasgow to Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur to teach medical students. During that year (1978) I visited hospitals in Manila, including the recently opened Heart Center For Asia. Imelda Marcos had also opened the Cultural Center in Manila. I remember reading the glowing accounts in the local press about President Marcos, before realising that the press was controlled by the Government . Traffic was bad then (and it seems the same Jeepneys were around on my last vsit this year ). Shopping Malls were around even then but not on today's scale. Emailing and text messaging didn't exist Claire dela Fuente had released the song "Sayang" . The "Manila sound" was the sound of the seventies... the Boyfriends were already popular , and a 12 year old was in the pop charts with the disco song "Mr. D.J." - Sharon Cunetawho has since released about 40 albums.
When I arrived at NAIA this year I was met by two 32 year olds with the same surname as me ...

[aromulus]

When I arrived at NAIA this year I was met by two 32 year olds with the same surname as me ...

Sowing wild oats, huh...???

Not that wild if they got your name....

[pennybarry]

During that year (1978) I visited hospitals in Manila, including the recently opened Heart Center For Asia. Imelda Marcos had also opened the Cultural Center in Manila. I remember reading the glowing accounts in the local press about President Marcos, before realising that the press was controlled by the Government . Traffic was bad then (and it seems the same Jeepneys were around on my last vsit this year ). Shopping Malls were around even then but not on today's scale. Emailing and text messaging didn't exist Claire dela Fuente had released the song "Sayang" . The "Manila sound" was the sound of the seventies... the Boyfriends were already popular , and a 12 year old was in the pop charts with the disco song "Mr. D.J." - Sharon Cunetawho has since released about 40 albums.
When I arrived at NAIA this year I was met by two 32 year olds with the same surname as me ...

Really Alan? Heart Center was one of projects by Imelda. I was in high school and spent a month there to look after my sister. It was a beautiful building before and help poor people that time. My first time to see her when she personally visited my sis in her room giving some inspirational words. She said she likes my sis to live longer as she needs good teachers in our country.

Dr Garcia was famous doctor in Heart Center during that time and he offers free treatment for poor people.

http://www.filamimage.com/1990_TOFA/jgarcia.html

[Doc Alan]

Dr Garcia was famous doctor in Heart Center during that time and he offers free treatment for poor people.

http://www.filamimage.com/1990_TOFA/jgarcia.html

Thanks for the link Penny. I had the chance to work as pathologist in the Heart Center, and also Makati Medical Center, but simply couldn't afford to do so at the salary offered. Even in Malaysia my own University of Glasgow had to subsidize my salary while I was "on loan" to teach students there. I really wish I could have worked for longer in either country, as there was so obviously a shortage of doctors, and the memories of friendships built up then never left me