Ukay-ukay is fun.  Whether one is scrounging for clothes, shoes, bags, household articles or toys,  the sense of exhilaration , discovery and satisfaction on finding an item at a ridiculously low price is hard to match.  Middle-class households, churches and women’s clubs used to hold “garage sales”, bazaars and “tiangue.”  Clientele was limited.

Ever since shiploads of second hand goods started coming in from other countries, the low-income classes and the very poor have taken over.  These activities are now known as ukay-ukay and no city, municipality of barrio is without it.

My favorite form of ukay-ukay is hunting for second hand books. During rare times when I am free, I hie off to this shopping mall with my son.  He waits patiently while I happily dig into piles of books with the air of one looking for treasures. Yes, some of the books I pull out are genuine finds.

One of my favorite ukay-ukay books is this 600-page biography of one of the stage and movie greats of all time: Laurence Olivier. It is written by Terry Coleman.  This encyclopedic book of “the most magical actor of his day” is thoroughly documented.  It lists all his stage performances from 1920 to1986 and contains 72 ravishing pictures. The book not only chronicles his life and career but also his marriages, including his tempestuous union with the manic-depressive Vivien Leigh of  “Gone With the Wind Fame.”  The front cover has a photograph of Olivier at the height of his career.  The back page has this absolutely gorgeous photo of Olivier in his youth.

The price of this hardcover book? P200! Original price? Twenty pounds!

Another favorite ukay-ukay book is “Changing,” by the brilliant Norwegian actress Liv Ullman.  Internationally known and acclaimed, she is also known as the wife of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. In this moving and honest book, Ullman chronicles her journey as woman, actress and mother.  She describes the changes she undergoes as she grows and changes, leaving behind her earlier selves.

And how much did I pay for this powerful and illuminating book? All of P20.00! A fastfood sandwich is more expensive but not as satisfying.

My all time favorite ukay-ukay book is “Markings” by Dag Hammarksjold, Swedish economist, international statesman and Secretary-General of the United Nations. An advocate and practitioner of “quiet diplomacy,” Hammarksjold died in 1961, in an airplane crash in Rhodesia, while trying to solve the Congo crisis.

The book is a collection of poems and reflections which were published after his death.   It is a source of wonder that a man who led a public and international professional life could write deeply contemplative poems and “musings.”

Hammarksjold describes  the book as “a sort of white book concerning my negotiations with myself—and with God.”  The poet W.H. Auden, who co-translated the book, says  “…the overall impression which the book makes, the conviction when one has finished it, (is) that one has had the privilege of being in contact with a great, good and lovable man.”

I bought Hammarksjold’s book for P15. For less than a bottle of soda.

The presidential candidates and the proposed P50 billion bond

The ink had hardly dried on the P12 billion supplemental budget passed by Congress and Senate when a P50 billion rehabilitation bond was announced.  When I was asked whether this is good or bad for the country, I answered that it depends on whether it is a foreign denominated or domestic bond.  How long will the tenor be? Five years? Ten years?  What is the expected rate of interest?

While this administration will use the proceeds of the bond issue, it will not be the one to suffer when payback time comes.  If this is going to be a five-year bond, then the presidentiables should be asked if they are willing to pay for P50 billion plus interest. If it will be a 10-year bond, those who are casting moist eyes on the vice-presidency should be interviewed.  If it is a 20-year bond, all the members of Congress and the Senate who are dreaming of leading this country should be forewarned.

The bottom line is: who will oversee the management of these funds and be accountable to the people?  I hope not the usual suspects.

Congress passes the P1.5 trillion 2010 budget

The lower House has passed the 2010 budget.  Does the country now have a budget for 2010? Not yet. The Senate still has to approve it. It will resume sessions on November 9. Afterwards, both houses have to organize the Bicameral Committee which will reconcile the versions of the two houses. This reconciled budget will eventually be approved or vetoed by the President.

In local parlance, “marami pang tulog ang congressmen and senators before the budget will finally be passed and approved by the President.

The people are waiting.