If you would ask me if I miss being a kid, yes (of course). There have been times where I just want to return to the past. I want to visit it sometimes so I can correct my mistakes. I also missed doing a lot of things, but I know that I won’t experience them again. Although there have been times where I hope that I could return to the past, I realize that I’m slightly progressing. But you know, here are the things that I missed when I was a kid.
AlDub Craze
If you check the thumbnail of this blog, I did the "Pabebe Wave," which was a Philippine phenomenon. Alden Richards and Yaya Dub (a.k.a. Maine Mendoza) popularized that gesture. My mother and I were big fans of that afternoon show. Plus, they were so popular at that time as their merchandise and billboards were everywhere. You could see a lot of posters, T-shirts, mugs, and pins with their faces. I was not yet into social media at that moment, so I only relied on my classmates' stories. We were too young before to use social media. If you are a Filipino, you know how legendary their love team was. It was all an accidental love story where they only acted on screen, and they did it live.
I think there’s no love team that could replicate the craze they brought. However, with regards to the craze, I think BINI is a closer option.
Free Internet
During my 5th grade, using VPN to get free MB for streaming social media was pretty popular. I think I was using a Talk 'n Text SIM to get that ultimate hack. You only needed to install an app and run it on your phone to enjoy it. I don’t know how it works, but it was frustrating sometimes when it got capped. Since it's illegal, this trick always got busted, leading to short-term hacks only. Yet, if you know how to do research, you will get unlimited internet without much hassle.
When I was in my 8th grade, it got popular again due to the emergence of EHI. The trick for it is simple. You only needed to install HTTP Injector and find a free VPN server (known as EHI) on Facebook groups. Compared to the trick that I did before, you need Globe, Free Basics, and an active load promo to start. My trick before was that I loaded Php 10 and collected free MB for exclusive apps on Free Basics. The role of the VPN is that it turns it into MB good for streaming or downloading. Unfortunately, it was also short-lived, and I don’t have any news on free internet for longer.
Cheap Foods
When I was in elementary, I remember that I could still purchase Coke for Php 6.00. Now, you could only get it for Php 15.00. I’m not saying that inflation doesn’t exist, as it has been a decade since that passed. But you know, it was intentional and didn’t get regulated accordingly. Our former president, back in 2017, signed Republic Act No. 10963. It is the supposed law that aims to make the system simpler, fairer, and more efficient. That’s why commodities during his time until now, like petroleum, sweetened beverages, and tobacco, are expensive. If you read the law’s purpose, 70% of the taxes will go to the Build, Build, Build program. But where did the money go? I’m sure you know the scandal.
Cheap Cryptocurrency
Before side hustles became more accessible, I only focused on collecting money from crypto faucets. The most famous crypto before was Bitcoin, and its price was only $3,000 each. Now, it’s worth a whopping $77,152.95. I also remember the time when I was collecting a lot of DOGE from Telegram. It was only $0.0004 each. Right now, it’s worth $0.09, and I feel bad for not holding it longer. I also used to collect XRP for answering captchas, and it wasn’t worth the effort. When I started collecting, the price of it was only $0.31. But now, it’s worth $1.49. I was in 9th grade back then when I discovered cryptocurrency. Now, I’m a 4th-year college student and already a young adult.
Thank you for reading. Yeah, I miss it, but I can say that my life is kind of progressing. I already have free internet, we’re still not starving, and side hustles are way more accessible. Moreover, Maine Mendoza (from AlDub) is already happy with her married life, despite the fact that her husband was involved in a flood control scandal. Alden Richards, on the other hand, is already happy with his career while exploring other love team pairings.