Remember the Machine Shop at the Corner?

I often remember the machine shop that used to occupy the corner spot of Short Horn and Road 20, on the side of Giron Air Rifles which is also a pioneer in the area. Motorists and those with special metal work concerns went to that shop for tailored tools or accessories of steel. It's now replaced by a McDonald's outlet.

Short Horn corner Road 20 is a popular spot in Project 8. It's the intersection with a traffic light and takes you to different parts of the city. Coming from Congressional Avenue, turning left at the intersection takes you to Quirino Avenue and NLEX. Turning right takes you to North Avenue where you may opt to go all the way to the south of Metro Manila. It's a busy corner in town, but years back it used to be an ordinary street corner where we safely crossed with our bikes.

I can remember back in the 70s when the surroundings of that intersection were still free from obstructions. The spot was actually a hill overlooking a valley below which was a vast sprawling vacant lot of weeds. It's not like that anymore today because of the houses and buildings that block the view. Moreover, behind them are subdivision houses. Road 20 going to Mindanao Avenue wasn't yet "Road 20" then. It was a dead-end dirt road abruptly cut short and led to nowhere. If you ventured beyond its dead end you'd find a vast grazing field where goats abounded and a patch of thick forest on one side. If you go further, you'd end up at an abruptly cut road that passes by Personnel Street and which led to Ofelia Village--and also end up with muddy feet and probably scratches on your arms from thorny wild bushes.

Today, Short Horn and Road 20 and its immediate vicinity is a growing commercial hub where you can do your quick emergency shopping if you need to buy wet market and grocery items pronto, as well as for entertainment, gym, pharmaceutical and salon needs.