Lock and Load

I have been fascinated with guns since I was a kid. The toys I would remember until now are the guns, big and small, bought by my Tito Jose whenever he would come home from Manila. No matter how it looks, real or not, for as long as it’s a gun, is enough to make the “probinsyano” me happy.


In the province, there’s a “war game” that we kids then play every afternoon. We would make armalite rifle replicates from banana stacks and woods and use it as if it’s a real gun. The firing sound of course will be coming from our mouths with a little spew of saliva as we try to imitate the rapid firing rifle of the pros.


Growing up, I luckily (or unluckily) had couple of friends who have been admitted to the military, closest of which are Fred and Nilo now both seasoned police officers. I was just in first year college when they started their training. Each training breaks we would see each other and share stories of how crucible the training is! This probably is the reason why I didn’t pursue my dream of being one of the boys. I may not survive being dipped in the mud or being shoved into the urinals. Yes, brutality happens in the training even if the law forbids it.


Today I had the chance to have a gun. Just for photo ops though and not mine. Even if it is I would not admit. This is a Colt baby armalite assault rifle with a banana type magazine and silencer. Best for close quarter combat or even open field battles. Toys for the big boys.