Girl Power!

This is the Spice Girls performing their first single 'Wannabe' broadcasted in 1996.

When I spent Lent with old friends in Zambales, we strolled down high school memory lane: who we hated most, what kalokohans we did, games we played, dress that we wore, and the music we listened to. We were so mainstream back then. We like Eraserheads, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, and of course the Spice Girls.

If the 80s had Bananarama, we had the Spice Girls. The late 90s owned Spice Girls and I haven't met a single soul of my age who didn't listen to them. I remember owning tapes (yes! TAPES!) of their albums plus posters and I even watched their movie. I memorized their songs and dance routines by heart. I was a hardcore Spice Girls fan. The only thing I didn't do was to wear platform shoes.

Our classroom always reeked of Spice Girls tune. If any of us was called up in front of the classroom or on the stage to sing or do an ice breaker, we would always end up singing a Spice Girls song (especially my gay classmates, until of course they developed their Adam's apple). A minus one cassette was always handy when it came to this. I always had fun singing and dancing along even if I have absolutely no artistic capabilities. I was so hooked with their Girl Power slogan and I think that started my being feminist.

I especially liked how they dress up to their individual nicknames. Victoria Adams (Posh Spice) was always so demure but still glamorous. Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) always wore pink which kinda made her my favorite and was most often than not in a pigtail. Mel C. (Sporty Spice) was always the rowdy one and wore soccer uniforms. Mel B. (Scary Spice) had, well, a scary hair! Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) errrmm... well I don't really get why she is called that way. All I can think of is that it has something to do with her fiery red hair.

There was also this rumor that they were in reality gays and were products of reproductive surgeries. It's kinda funny but I think I sort of believed this at first. Yes, I was very gullible in high school.

I miss the Spice Girls. I wish they'd push through with their reunion tour. If they will come to the Philippines, I'll definitely watch. Do you think they will still be singing live like they always do in their concerts? Or even doing some serious high-energy dancing?