School children didn't have much to worry then, all they needed was a few notebooks,some pieces of pad papers and a pencil, a few books and a simple bag. There were only few private schools, so most of the primary schools were public and these schools had a very high reputations then.After finishing elementary schooling, then it was time to choose between public or private high school.One public high school that is still existing today is the Emilio Tria Tirona Memorial National High School located in Kawit. Two private high schools are in Imus, they are Del Pilar Academy and Imus Institute.
Binakayan was economically progressive then, it being just one of the many barrios of the town of Kawit, its public market already serves the whole town and even the neighboring towns of Imus, Noveleta and Bacoor despite the fact that these towns too had their own markets.There were at least two theaters in the barrio and a big cockpit arena.There was a rural bank and many commercial banks numbering at least 8 at one time were established and there were also a number of pawnshops.There were four gasoline stations serving the motorists. It was the peoples' center of activities and adding to this was the presence of some restaurants and drinking places.Binakayan was so strategically located that on one side are rice fields and on the other lies the ever providing sea. There were farmers and fishermen as well. There were quite a number of industries found in the area and they were the main source of income for the people. There was the pottery industry, salt making industry during summer, wooden shoe industry,sash (capis)industry,fish ponds, rice and vegetable farms as well as orchards with almost all of the different kinds of fruit bearing trees.But it was the oyster and mussel industry that made Binakayan well known.
Old folks could still remember Ma's Place conveniently located in the main street called Bantayan.This was a combination of an ice cream parlor and a kiosk which became a very prominent landmark in the area.This was the favorite place for the US servicemen to stop on their way to and from Subic naval base in Zambales or Clark air field in Pampanga and Sangley Pt. naval base in Cavite city. Here they would spend some hours drinking San Miguel beer, their favorite drinks of course.Also located just a block away was a bowling alley where teen agers with some old folks alike would gather not just to play but to have a little competition to see who the best bowler would be.
Summer was the most awaited season,because it was this time that baseball tournaments were held. People from all walks of life were really very enthusiastic about this game.There were at least three tournaments held yearly in different areas of the barrio. One would be in the Kanluran area (western),one in the Lawin area( eastern )and another in the Pulvorista area ( northern ).There were a lot of competing teams in these tournaments sometimes as many as 6 - 10 teams per tournaments. There were times when these three tournaments were held almost simultaneously and the people would not know what tournament to watch at a given time.Life in the barrio was very easy and so much fun and people were very generous and kind to each other. You could even ask a neighbor for some food if you had nothing to eat and they would gladly be giving more than you asked for.
This socio-economic factors served as the catalysts for the rapid growth of the barrio and at the same time became the magnet to attract many migrants from different parts of the country especially those coming from the Visayas region to come to the place and settle to share with the progress of the barrio.The late 80's showed the rapid growth of the area especially in terms of population when informal settlers were allowed to set in. Varied reasons ranging from social, economical and political worsened the situation and the construction of the Covelandia diversion road(Boracay de Binakayan) provided an ideal place for these settlers to thrive and flourish.
Now, it is very different, the old face of Binakayan is disappearing very fast and a new or a very strange image is fast emerging. Gone are those beautiful, peaceful, and happy times that was once the main character of a place we know.
Now that another diversion road is on going which reclaimed a vast portion of the Bacoor and Binakayan bay(Dubai de Binakayan) as well, one could just but wonder, is this Binakayan?
With the beautiful setting sun viewed against the reclaimed sea now with its steel and concrete structures instead of the usual bamboo poles and mangroves, one could just wonder! Is this the dawn of a new era in history and time to say goodbye to old sweet and lovely place that is Binakayan.
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