From L-R: First Row- My brother Earl and my nephew Jake. Second Row- My sister Ellaine, me, my niece Marnie, my nephew Mickey, my Cousin (Ate) Baby, and my mom.
So, how was my trip? It was great. But it didn't start out that way. We flew on Wednesday from Providence, RI to JFK International Airport in New York and had a five hour layover waiting for our flight to Hong Kong. Once we left JFK (around 6p.m. EST), it was great. We had just one stop in Vancouver, BC to make to refuel and stuff, but after that, straight shot to Asia. But here are where things starting going wrong. When we landed in Vancouver, it was snowing heavily. I'm surprised we could land with all the snow on the ground. Once we parked the plane, the captain advised us all to go into the terminal and wait while they refueled quickly so we could get on our way. To make a long story short, they announced that we could not take off due to the heavy snow and that we would not be taking off until 2:30 p.m. the next day and that they would put us all up in an airport. (Mind you its about 4:30 a.m. EST when this is all told to us) So we stay over in the hotel and wake up the next morning and have breakfast. Its the 24th of December at this point.
We got to the airport at about noon and waited patiently for our flight. At about 2:15 p.m., we noticed that no one had boarded yet. So, other passengers asked if we would be delayed more. The airline representatives did not give them a straight answer. To make a long story short, we took off Christmas Eve at 11:30 p.m., 24 hours after we had landed there. We spent Christmas day in the air, and landed in Manila on December 26 (because of the International Date Line) at noon. It was my first Christmas 39,000 feet in the air.... oh well!
Once in the Philippines, my family and I had a great time. I was there for only two weeks while the rest of my family was there for three weeks. I stayed a few days in Occidental Mindoro, where my mother grew up, and the rest of the days we stayed in Pilar Village of Las Pinas City in Metro Manila.
I learned a lot about myself during this trip. Although I have travelled there 5 times prior, this trip was very special to me. The last time I was there was December of 1992, almost 6 years! Typically, my family and I go to visit relatives and friends there every three to four years. But this time was very special to me. I had gained a new appreciation for my roots and culture and a passion to learn more about it. Being Filipino has always been an important part of my life. But, I realized I had lost the ability to speak and understand the language I grew up hearing every day, and the one I thought I knew so well, Tagalog. One of my new year's resolutions is to learn how to speak it fluently through studying, reading, and practicing. I also have begun reading a lot on Filipino's both in the Philippines and Filipino-American's like me, who have may have begun to lose touch with their roots.
Another thing I realized is that I have not spent enought time keeping in touch with the members of my family. Although I have 3 aunts, 3 uncles (all with spouses), 22 cousins (some with spouses), 10 nieces, 10 nephews, and 5 godchildren, I know I can do a better job. So my promise is to do a better job corresponding with all of them, through air and electronic mail. When I was there this time around, it meant more to me to see them all grown up, as well as the new members of our family recently born in the last six years.
Overall, my trip was phenominal but short. Two weeks is not nearly enough time to spend with all my family members and rest. So my next trip will be for at least a month and hopefully sooner than three to four years. The Philippines is a beautiful country and I recommend it to anyone looking for a tropical vacation with wonderful sights, people and food. I am proud of being Filipino and I never want to forget my roots or heritage. My mom's side of the family are wonderful and I love them all. As I age, I plan on taking more time getting to know them like I know my dad's side of the family, who are here in the states.
Finally, I want to thank all of my family for making me feel so welcome and speaking to me in English and Tagalog.... I promise next time I am home, I will be able to do the same. Mahal na mahal kayong lahat.
Myself in a Filipino "Barong" equivalent to the tuxedo or really nice suit in the U.S.
Special individual messages for my family in the Philippines
