Paglalakbay sa Atin

February 14, 2005

I was a child when I last visited the Philippines twenty years ago. I have vague memories of the mass of people from the airport in Manila to Tita’s house. This time the crowd was not as dense but my cousin Joel Carlos who met us at the airport showed his skill in maneuvering through the noisy and nerve-racking traffic. The streets were alive with cars, jeepneys, tricycles, jaywalkers and peddlers.

A week before and after the mission, we stayed with Tita Lor (Lorinda Carlos) in Paranaque. She threw a party so I had a chance to meet my relatives. A few times we had sumptuous dinners at Tito Rody (Carlos) who lives two minutes away. We had king crabs, large prawns, mussels, bangus, pancit, lechon, etc. Considering the variety of tasty Philippine cuisine, I'm amazed at how the folks maintain their slender figures.

I am grateful to Tita Mimi (Salazar) who took us to Divisoria to buy Capiz goods and to Silahis International in Intramuros, to Ate Ninni (Castro) and Ate Maridee (Carlos) who took us to the megamalls. And what I didn’t get to buy, I got as presents: a crocheted bandana and sungka from Ate Bingle (Dr. Victoria Ascue), the naked man holding a barrel from Cousin Nikka (Carlos), pj and other fancy clothes from Tita Ofie (Carlos) and Tita Cora (Castro) who traveled with Tito Andy from Malolos, a mahjong set with numbered tiles from Tita Lor and various other gifts, too many to mention.

After the mission, I had a great time hanging out with the volunteers at the 5-star Westin Hotel. Later, Mom’s friends, Drs. Romeo and .Ernesta Quintana, brought us to their home in UP Los Banos for a couple of days during which we visited the International Rice Research Institute with Dr. Ben Vergara, one of nine living National Scientists of the Philippines and author of the Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice. Forty eight editions have been published in 40 languages in more than 20 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America which substantially increased global rice production. The Vergaras treated us at the Kamayan sa Palaisdaan where we had a seafood dinner before dessert of kutsinta, puto bumbong, etc. at their magnificent home. Mrs. Lina Vergara showed us the sprawling electrified miniature Christmas village she built.

I gained so many great memories, new-found friendships, and special gifts I don’t know where to begin to thank all relatives and friends. Even on our return trip, my cousin Kuya Parrish Carlos got our seats upgraded to business class which included the use of the lounge, free drinks and more food: arroz caldo, finger food, fresh mangoes and other fruits and pastries.

This trip was a tremendous experience for me both professionally and culturally. The chance to meet and build bonds with my relatives was a big bonus. I’ll do it again if the golden opportunity presents itself.