How I Met Playstation (A Father's Day Special)

Ahh.. so many memories

When was I young, masasabi kong sobrang into gaming na talaga ako. Era pa lang ng Family Computer (na kailangan ilagay sa channel 3 ang TV para gumana), isa na akong adiktus sa games! Kaya 'nung dumating ang time na nagsilabasan ang iba't ibang consoles, lalo na lang akong nalunod sa mundo ng gaming.

Then Playstation came along. It literally blew me away! Umaarkila lang ako 'nun para makapaglaro ng Playstation (or PSX) and wow - kung totoo lang si Santa Claus isang taon talaga akong magpapakabait para lang maregaluhan ng Playstation! Sadly, di naman ganon kadali 'yun. That time, napakamahal ng Playstation kumpara sa araw araw na gastusin namin sa bahay. Walang space para sa ganyang "luho" sa budget. Tamang tama lang para sa schooling namin and daily house expenses ang kinikita nina tatay sa office at si nanay naman sa maliit naming karinderya. Needless to say, I learned to forget about owning my own Playstation and just went on with my life. Tama nga naman, 'di naman s'ya necessity kumbaga.

After a couple of years, I totally forgot about gaming. I just diverted my interest sa ibang bagay like writing songs and noon 'yung panahong nakasama ako sa banda. So while studying ng college - extra cullicular activity ko ang pagbabanda. And yes, ako lang yata ang gitaristang walang sariling electric guitar, he he.

Anyway, we usually practice sa isang band rehearsal studio sa Recto, along U-Belt. Isang araw while walking along Recto after practice may nakita akong istante sa gilid ng kalsada. Maraming nakalagay na kung ano-anong anik anik sa istante. Used Gameboy Color, inaagiw na Sega Genesis, Super NES controllers, at sari-saring games. One console caught my attention. Isang prestine condition na Playstation! Kakaiba dahil mukhang maayos pa 'yung itsura n'ya. Nagtanong ako kung magkano 'yung unit just for kicks. Limang libo daw. That time, sobrang mababa na 'yun! Grabe, nabuhay ang dugong gamer ko dahil for that price - it's practically a steal! Ininterview ko pa 'yung seller kung ano ang condition 'nung console, kung may sira and all. Sinangla lang daw sa kanya and by the sound of it, parang di yata aware si kuya sa kung anong totoong value ng console na binebenta n'ya. After testing the unit, I texted my dad about the Playstation. Nagparinig ako kung gaano kamura 'yung unit - well, asa lang na he'll buy it for me. I didn't keep my hopes high but guess what.. he actually gave me money to buy that Playstation. That same day.

My pure enthusiasm about that console. I'm sure that's all what he needed to see para pagbigyan ako. Di kami mayaman and that amount of money is no joke para lang maibili ng ganung bagay. Pero dahil gusto n'ya ako makitang masaya -  he simply did. Tapos naalala ko ang mga iba ko pang request kay tatay. Like kapag gusto ko bumili ng text ('yung playing cards na based sa pelikulang pinoy) or ng kahit anong trip kong laruan - pinagbibigyan n'ya ako. Hanggang mag level-up sa paghingi ng pera for outing or band rehearsals - wala pa din s'yang humpay sa pagbigay. Now this - suntok sa buwan lang 'yung pagpapacute ko for that Playstation and never ko inimagine na I'd actually own one.

That Playstation kicked-off my enthusiasm for gaming once more. I could say na nalaro ko na yata lahat ng titles under the PSX. Fornatted na kasi 'yung unit ko to read pirated games so murang mura ko na lang nabibili sa Divisoria 'yung games na games na gusto ko (like 5 to 10 pesos ang isa!). Besides, palabas na din 'nun ang Playstation 2 so it's the perfect time to own a PSX. And all of that thanks to my dad.

From then on, natapos na ako ng college, nagkatrabaho, I was able to buy a Playstation 2 out of my own pocket. Pero still, kapag naaalala ko how I owned  my first Playstation unit, I can't help but feel lucky for having such a cool dad. He supported me sa kung saan ako masaya and I really really appreaciate that. Now, I am working and guess what? Connected pa din sa gaming ang work ko and I am having the time of my life! I could have just walked away from that vendor sa Recto dahil di ko talaga mabibili 'yung Playstation and who knows baka tuluyan ko ng nakalimutan ang passion ko for gaming. But no, my dad was there to support me and I owe it all to him to where I am at right now sa industry na kinabibilangan ko. Sobrang big deal talaga sa akin 'nung moment na 'yun and I'll be eternally grateful for that little, yet so meaningfu,l act of kindness. At dahil d'yan, ito ang isang mwah mwah tsup tsup! I love you tatay at happy birthday sa'yo kahapon. Thank you din pala sa pag attempt mong ihatid ako kanina ng motor sa sakayan kahit na namatayan ka ng makina (epic fail) LOL.

With that, I want also to greet all the loving fathers in the world a happy father's day. Cheers!