Ephemeral Manila in the 1960s

Collages Inspired by My Mom’s Pack Ratness

“I still remember the exact day I started working at PNB (Philippine National Bank),” my mom tells me over breakfast this morning.

“August 5, 1962, and it was the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows,” she adds with absolute certainty.

At 83, Mom loves to retell stories from this period of her life. Escolta, also known as the "Queen of Streets" and the location of the PNB building, was a vibrant commercial district in the 1960s. Construction of the bank began in 1962, replacing the former Crystal Arcade, which had been destroyed during the war. By the time of its inauguration in 1966, she was working in the personnel department. She recalls that a group of staff, including herself, was assigned to welcome guests at the inaugural reception, where the ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by President Ferdinand and First Lady Imelda Marcos.

She also fondly recalls her daily commute—a bus ride from Cubao to Plaza Miranda, followed by a 20-minute walk along Carriedo Street and onto Escolta Avenue, where the bank was located.

“Imagine, I used to walk those streets in heels!” she laughs.

Escolta Street, Capitol, & Lyric Theaters, Manila, Philippines, 1960s. Photographer, Collection: Harrison Forman. Gift of Sandra Carlyle Forman, 1987. American Geographical Society (AGSL), University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Found via John Tewes/Flickr.com

Sometimes, during her lunch break, she remembers packing a small sandwich in her bag, walking to nearby Santa Cruz Church, and attending Mass. She had just enough time to return to her desk and quickly finish the sandwich before her lunch hour was over.

Coincidentally, I found an old box containing a pack of receipts tucked in an envelope, which my mom had kept from that time. Also included were several film developing envelopes, written speeches in high school, campaign flyers from college, a typed letter from an admirer in the bank, and more. For someone like me who loves to collage, my mom’s "pack ratness" is a such gift—a treasure trove of source materials from a forgotten past.

The receipts were from iconic stores such as Berg’s, A. Cavalieri, Le Bouquet Florist, Tesoro’s, Shoemart, and Rebullida Inc. Jewelers of Distinction. These receipts serve as tangible links to her life in the 1960s, right before she married my dad.

Also tucked inside that same box were old, unused envelopes, their edges worn and stained with aged glue marks. I carefully unglued them, using their insides as the canvas for three collages that blend textures, fragmented stories, and a deep sense of nostalgia. Each piece feels like a time portal into my mom’s personal history, captured through the paper ephemera she had preserved over the years. I’m excited to see where this leads me. This is only the beginning—there's much more to explore, and I can’t wait to dive deeper when time allows.

As always, let’s meet each other at the comments section below. Let me know what you think of this tiny seed of a project.

Thank you for inviting me to join you every Sunday in your inbox. I am grateful and appreciative for spending a small part of your day with me. If you have the means to support Sundays with Stella, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Those who contribute financially will ensure that this place of inspiration, creativity, and meaning remains free and open to all.

NOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT SUNDAYS WITH STELLA

I've listened to your requests and created a support page on my website. Now you can contribute to 'Sundays with Stella' in any amount using your credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Your generosity is truly appreciated!