Is it already time for a throwback? Has it been that long?

Granted it’s only been 17 years since the turn of the century, Holy Week is always a good time for reflection, for looking back, right?

Hmm, the Aughts started late. There was still this spillover from the ‘90s during the early half of the decade (2000 to 2004), so you can say that these were very awkward years when it came to fashion, technology, and pop culture—amongst many things.

And come on, we were just getting started on a new millennium. Things were scary, uncertain, and of course, awkward.

Sit back, relax, as we take a DeLorean ride to that strange era. Here are 8 trends you’ve probably forgotten about. Let’s jog your memory.

The kahon

Women would swoon at the sight of the drummer who’d sit down on a wooden box and slap his palms against it. Yep, this percussion instrument from Peru was hot stuff back then.

Believe it or not, this box provided the backbeats to every hot genre back then, from acoustic pop to bossa nova to reggae to—gasp!—even rap-metal.

Sisig

Sure, there were other food crazes back then like pearl shakes and flame-grilled burgers. But who could forget sisig-mania?

Chopped pig’s ears reached critical mass. Families flocked to places like Dencio’s, Gerry’s Grill, and Giligan’s Island. Diehard fans went to under-the-radar haunts such as Aysee.

Genre-specific compilation albums

Before Spotify playlists, we had these.

For 120 pesos, you could buy pirated CDs that collected the hits in every known genre. There was Chorus Girl for new wave. Rapper’s Delight for hip-hop. Alternative Nation for rock. The list went on and on.

Metrowalk

That field of cogon grass in Pasig (which used to house a theme park) became one of the hippest destinations back then.

Why not? Parking was free. All the cool events happened there. All the trendiest restaurants set up shop there. There were pirated DVDs to be had on the second floor.

Gudang Garam

No, not marijuana joints, though they sort of tasted the same. Come on, they were Indonesian cigarettes! Your mileage may vary. But to me, these things tasted vile, like carburetor gas and rotten plums.

Foam parties

Rave culture was slowly coming out of the woodworks. Places such as Malate, Taguig, and Eastwood had become go-to places for underground dance parties.

What was the gimmick back then? How about some soapsuds to go along with the bass lines and the party drugs?

The billiards craze

If basketball was to the ‘90s, billiards was to the early 2000s. Blame it on the popularity of Efren “Bata” Reyes. Everybody aspired to be a World Pool Master back then.

Billiards halls sprouted like mushrooms all over the Philippines—and for students who liked cutting classes, mastering the sport was a good excuse to knock back Pale Pilsens in the middle of a school day.

Maui Taylor

Maybe this headline alone has already jogged your memory. This half-British, half-Filipina Viva Hot Babe was everywhere. And yes, love her or hate her, she paved the way for soft-core fun in the Philippines.

What else can you recall from the early 2000s? Share them with us below!