Spartan in Balete

Before the Havaianas, there were the Spartans.

A Ceres bus from Cubao stopped by the Calizo's ancestral home and unloaded several sacks of Spartan slippers. They were gifts from Mayor's husband and children for her birthday. Yes, sacks of slippers as their birthday presents for their beloved mom!

Don't get me wrong. Ng Bubut is far from being Imeldefic. She preferred slippers as a gift not because she loves to collect them. She's happy that her family has given her such present during her birthday as she finds them necessary and practical. Her experience with the barefoot couple from the mountains of Guanko was catalytic. She discouraged her daughter from giving her expensive gifts and in turn urged her to use her budget to buy slippers for the barefoot ones in Balete. Thus upon learning of her preference, her other sons joined in and did their share in buying more flip-flops for the indigents of her town.

Those who queued last Friday (January 29) for their pair of slippers were happy to get one, not caring if theirs was a Havaianas or a Beachwalk or an Islander. For them, all slippers are spartan and spartans are slippers. And they were grateful to be given such a gift especially during the birthday of their mayor.

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