258. POSTAL SAVINGS BANK

A centavo saved is a centavo earned!
That's what my grandfather used to say to us in his futile attempt to make us realize the value of money--or even coins. I remember he always kept his loose change in empty cigarette paper packs, ready to be dispensed whenever us, grandkids, needed to buy one piece of Texas bubble gum or a sheet of colored paper for an art project.

But a better way to save was with the use of coin banks, given as premiums by many banks. This example, however, is different, in that it was given away by the Bureau of Posts. In the form of a book, the coin bank is actually a metal box, sandwiched between two leather "book covers" showing a relief of the postal building.

A slot is provided at the top of the metal box that simulated the closed pages of a book, and which even comes with a lock to secure one's precious savings. Too bad, with the advent of e-mail, phone texts, mms, facebook and other technological communication breakthroughs, snail mails are bound for extinction; so the 80++ year old Manila Central Post Office Building may be in real danger of disappearing too. Rumor has it that it will be sold and converted into a 5-star hotel!! Now, more than coins,  that's a heritage structure we really need to save!!

257. Advertique: BLACK & WHITE SCOTCH HOLDER

James Buchanan, thought of the black and white terrier mascots for his Black & White Scotch Whisky product that he founded in London in the 1890s. Since then, the scotch whisky brand with the familiar label has figured prominently in our pop culture--it was featured being drunk in movies like James Bond, Dolores Claiborne, La Dolce Vita (with Marcello Mastroianni as the happy swigger), and is te favorite drink of Dean Martin and Cary Grant. The iconic terriers (actually a black Scottie and a white West Highland) have appeared in thousands of merchandising materials through the years.

This particular display, found in a Pampanga shop, is one such example. To entice barhoppers, this usually was placed on the bar top, with a real B&W Scotch bottle set next to the cute canines. It is made from some kind of plastic and dates from the 50s. These bar displays may have been imported to the Philippines by the local distributor. On ebay, a flawless example (sans the vntage bottle) of this advertising collectible commands a starting bid of about $20. Got mine for about half of that price--considering its condition, but still a good buy for a rarely seen piece.

256. Tailored Sailor: POPEYE CLOTH DOLL

I've always been a Popeye fan ever since I was a kid, so when I saw this vintage cloth doll in Bangkal, I just had to get it. Popeye the Sailor Man, as the world knows, was born in 1929, a cartoon character created by Elzie Segar. Popeye first appeared in King Feature's daily comic strip and proved to be quite a hit; in 1933, cartoons were produced until 1957. In the Philippines, Popeye cartoons were shown starting in the mid 60s on Channel 7, delighting kids like me with his feats of strength (from a can of Spinach) used against his nemesis (Brutus) whose shenanigans always put into harm's way Olive Oyl, Brutis and hamburger-chompin' Swee'pea. As predicted, Popeye's global popularity resulted in the production of millions of licensed merchandise--toys, dolls, costumes, comics, books, to name just a few.

This Popeye cloth, I assumed was U.S. made--it had a cloth label with the very foreign-sounding brand name Henlich Mark.To my surprise, it turned out to be Philippine-made, a creation of a company owned and operated by the Henares-Lichauco Family back in the 60s. The enterprising Mrs. Lichauco had started the business at home, first, making powder puffs, then branching into children's costumes and stuffed toys which were popular among kids in the 70s thru the 80s. The company is still in existence today. This 22 inch doll has silkscreened features (including his anchor tattoos and trademark pipe), and comes with a separate collar and buttons to complete his sailor outfit. After all these years--Popeye lives on in this doll-- "strong to the finish, 'cause I eats me spinach, I'm Popeye the Sailor Man! Toot-toot!"

255. KWARTA AT KAHON!

Who wouldn't be charmed by this folksy money box? Not only does it have a lot of character in its simple floral carving, but it also comes complete with its own antique key.

In the good old days, before the age of safes and banks, our grandparents kept anything of value in wooden boxes such as this--money, loose change, pieces of jewelry, watches, small, but important documents--maybe even dentures! I have seen wooden cigar cases converted into money boxes, but this box, which probably dates to the 50s, is all hand-made.

The box has shallow compartments for sorting out things, and now it serves as a hiding place for my old medals and antique coins. It's a great example of functional folk art at its best!

254. For Your Protection and Collection: SHEIK RUBBER TIN

 SHEIK SENSE. Boys, protect thyselves! A vintage Sheik rubber prophylactc rubber packaging tin, ca. 50s-60s.

Before condoms came in handy, individually wrapped sachets, they came in discreet tin packaging, like this Sheik brand of rubber prophylactics. The brand name itself was obviously inspired by the Rudolph Valentino movies that perpetuated the image of the perfect lover--passionate, insatiable and eternally amorous after each conquest.

As the package copy goes, Sheik rubber prophylactics "are made from thin, strong rubber and have been carefully tested and inspected for your protection. Be sure to ask for them by name--at your druggist." Introduced in the 1930s, the original orange tin featured an illustration of a sheik astride a white steed. In the 50s and 60s, the design was streamlined, and the Sheik illustration became just a white silhouette of the Arab lover on a red background.

Sheik rubber prophylactics were sold at drugstores-- 3 for 50 cents. A dozen will cost you $1.50, a savings of 50 cents! I bought this rusty tin at a local collectible fair for Php 100--which I thought was a bit too much, given its state and condition. Well,sex always comes with a price!

253. HULA-BALOO!

When Hawaii became America's newest state in 1959, its native culture fascinated American mainlanders--including its sinuous dance--the "hula". Inspired by dancing "Leilanis" , many merchandisers cashed in onthis iconic image of a hip-swaying Hawaiian maiden in a (missing) grass skirt and came up with nodders and bobbers meant for car dashboards and curio cabinets. This Made-in-Japan example, straight from the 50s,  falls into that category, but is much more functional. For one, the figurine is a bobber and ash tray in one, and is made of more expensive ceramic than the usual plaster cast models. The upper body is attached to its lower part with a spring. When shaken, the figure wobbles, mimicking the swaying moves of graceful hula dancers. So kitschy...so tacky...so collectible!!

252. What Is It?: A MOLD? A MASHER? A KITCHEN TOOL?

 A dealer in Bulacan threw this object for free, after I made several purchase at his shop. It's a wooden, cylindrical item with what seems to be a handle gouged out, at the top. It is dated 1926, as one can see, and the words "Andrea G. Del Pilar, Pilpiltan, Bul.(acan)" are incised along the rim of the circular top.

I was told by the dealer that this came from a bakery, and this was in fact, a masher, used in kneading dough. I was not convinced because rolling pins were known in the Philippines  even in the 20s. Besides, holding this wooden implement was kind of difficult as I could hardly grasp the hollowed-out handle on top.

In another shop, some months later, I found a similar object, with the same hollowed-out oval top to be used in holding the object. This one, though, had no carving. The shop owner, this time, told me that it was a mold for the top part of a buri hat--or maybe that of the famous Baliwag hat, made in these parts of Bulacan in the 30s. I think that was a more plausible explanation, even if I felt that the circumference of the all-wood object  was too small for an adult head (around 7 inches in diameter). Maybe this was for a kiddie size hat, no? If you have any idea what this item is, I would appreciate it you could just post your answers (and guesses) here.