Those were the days!
There's this song by Troye Sivan that goes, "I just want to go back, back to 1999." With all the stress we’ve all been feeling these days, many of us have been wishing to go back in time, back to when things were simpler or perhaps to our younger days. For many, those younger years were in the '90s. It’s not that the '90s was more fun or better than other decades. But with its budding tech innovations, great hits, sitcoms, and more, it definitely was a great time to be young.
While time travel is still not possible (yet), special trinkets allow us to relive our childhood. And if you're an avid follower of the Facebook group Home Buddies, then you might have seen this '90s collection.
Instead of busying himself in the kitchen or streaming movies and shows online, Jeric Par Esplana used his time at home searching for '90s vintage pieces to complete his collection. Currently, he has a handful of toys from both local and international brands—from the classic teks and tanching to old snack wrappers and unopened soda bottles.
To learn more about his vintage finds and passion, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle asks Jeric how his collecting journey started, where he sources materials, and what makes an item a classic.
What inspired you to start collecting '90s items?
It all started from old furniture/stuff that I bought during the pandemic. After watching a video on social media, I got inspired to collect vintage items. After collecting home pieces, I decided to look for things that are related to my childhood, from toys and soft drinks to old sachets of my favorite snacks. Everytime I look at them, I smile because they remind me of the days when we weren't that consumed by technology—that time when we were closer with each other, we saw our friends and bond with them personally and not virtually.
Where did your source your collection? Did you keep the items all these years?
It came from different sources known as pickers. Most of my collection, I just saw from several vintage and antique groups made by Filipino enthusiasts. The soda bottles I got from co-collectors Lumang Bote, and Bottle Traders and Enthusiast groups. The old toys came from Pinoy Pickers. Lastly, the old frame snack wrappers are from my friend Jason Delos Reyes of La Huerta and Ceazar Areanne Caogdan. I have been keeping them for more than a year now.
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What do you think it is with '90s items that make them true classics?
Definitely the nostalgic feeling. The situation today, even prior to the pandemic, is so different from my childhood days. Back then, we always went out and had the best time under the sun unlike many of the kids today who spend more time on the screen. Beverage packaging then is also more eco-friendly because you return glass bottles to the stores compared to today's single-use ones.
What are you planning to do next with your collection?
I will continue collecting '90s stuff and share them with new generations through social media. I'll make sure that the items are well kept so the next generation will get a chance to see things that we grew up with.