GARAGE SALE DIARIES: ENTRY # 1

Ermin Velasco writes:

I got up from bed at 5:30 sharp on the morning of Sunday, November 23. In fact, I woke up even before my alarm went off. Actually, I didn’t wake up because I was awake long before. In fact, I hardly slept (well, maybe for an hour or two). I was waiting for the appointed time for fear that I might not hear the alarm and oversleep. This usually happens when I need to be up early for a big day. I wanted to take my time before the gates open at 7:30AM (blame it on Gem!) so I took a long shower and was looking forward to having a big breakfast to sustain me for the day BUT a few minutes past 6, there were early birds ringing my mom’s doorbell. Couldn’t they read??? THE SIGN SAID 7:30 AM! Our hosts for the garage sale, my parents, haven’t even taken their breakfast yet. I must admit I got irked but since we are at their mercy (our “trash”, their treasure...most importantly: they buy, we have money), I had to internalize and reach deep down to the bottom of my soul to “un-irk” and produce a sincere, welcoming smile that, hopefully, would reach my eyes. I went out the gates and was greeted by the sun that was not even fully up yet! My gassh (abelgash!).... three very expectant early birds, hoping they would be allowed to have a private special sale. What did they think this was? The SHOE ADDICT?! Fortunately, I was wearing my winning smile already and with all saccharine sweetness and charm that I could muster I told them we still had to prepare and to just come back at 7:30 (but on my mind I was begging them to please, please come back, prithee, please).

Right after they’ve gone, I texted Mina that it was time to get moving. I was in panic mode but fortunately, I was able to go through the motions in the calmest, possible way. Together with the household help and my Mom, we took out all the items (clothes, shoes, make-up products, baby stuff, toys, Christmas decors like three 3-ft Santa images, a little tikes slide, dinnerware, a sofa bed, bags) and were able to arrange everything. Mina and her staff finally came. Made some more final adjustments and we were all set.

THE SSC HS’85 FIRST GARAGE SALE finally opened its gates at 7:30 AM.

Mina and I wanted to go and hide in the house. We were not prepared for the deluge of people coming and pushing their way in. I texted Ginge, our Ways & Means Head: !#%$*#$%^&*&$ ANG DAMING TAO! WE NEED HELP. Well, Ginge was able to get in touch with some people, assuring me that, yes, help will be coming soon.
Help did come, though not together, in the form of Chell, Sharon Santos, Racquel Maloles, Anggie Mendoza, Sharon Refuerzo and Pelita who brought ube ice-cream for merienda.

Together and with the help of our staff, we just played everything by ear. When we were sorting the night before (with Ange Lacson, Sharon Refuerzo, Nora, Leah), I thought the prices were high but it turns out, it was for the best because people really haggled and some (whether true or not) would say to us “ATE, ETO LANG ANG PERA KO” or “ATE, KULANG NA PERA KO E.” There was even a makeshift daycare area for the shoppers’ toddlers. A carton box was set-up (by whom, I do not know, but suddenly there was the box in one corner with 2-3 tots in it, waiting for their Mamas who were shopping). Our biggest shopper was one of the early birds. She purchased three thousand pesos’ worth of goods.

Mina was such a gracious and gallant cashier. There would be times she would allow a shopper to get one item free. Or, when she sees a little girl clearly so taken with a particular shirt or dress, she would either give it for free or ask any one of us if we had twenty pesos so the item could be paid for. She even had a giveaway for shoppers – a key chain. It came to a point that I wanted to sit on her lap and make a wish (her shirt had a red print so that could have passed for a costume).
If there was one thing I enjoyed in this experience, it was the bonding opportunity with our classmates. Not just during the garage day itself but during the preparations. Not any one of them was my barkada in school. Chell, I hardly spoke to. I even told her I thought of her as a diyosa in school because it seemed like all the boylets were in love with her. Sharon Santos, has always been endearing and I found her even more so now not just because of some things she shared about herself, but especially because she took the time to help, considering she did not march with us. Sharon Refuerzo, a gem. Racquel, Anggie and Pelita need I say more about you?

To those who gave their support – materially, physically, text support, in behalf of our Project Head Gem Hernandez-Abcede, who, unfortunately, could not join us on the day itself due to a family emergency, THE GARAGE SALE TEAM would like to thank all of you.

At the end of the day, it does not matter if we were school buddies or not. Different strokes for different people but we share one goal. We do want to make this work and I can see the effort of our classmates. It may be just some of us now but I know, in time, there will be more of us coming out of our shells, shaking off our fears, overcoming our shyness, unloading our excess and useless baggage, or even probably forgiving each other and even ourselves along the way.
We are the High School Class of 1985. We own that title. It cannot be taken away from us nor can we disown or deny it. It is us. It is our call to make things work. And I sincerely hope and pray that we are able to accomplish our goal.

That In All Things, God May Be Glorified!

Thanks to the members of the GARAGE SALE TEAM: Gem, Mina, Nora, Ange, Leah and Sharon Refuerzo.