Skip to main content

Eat, laugh and pray in Manila!







I grew up in Manila and it’s been my home for the first twenty years of my life. Philippines will always be “home”.

In the next three weeks, I was blessed to be given another chance to be with my families and friends here in Manila.

Except for the thunderstorm, the flight was uneventful until I landed in Shanghai (my stop-over). The past few times I’ve travelled, I just change planes but this time to my surprise (a big one!) I had to check-in a total of 200 pounds of  luggage, go through immigration and then check-in again to the airlines that’s flying me from Shanghai to Manila.

Needless to say I was frazzled because I don’t like surprises and I don’t enjoy crunch-time in a foreign country!
In the next three weeks, I was blessed to be given another chance to be with my families and friends here in Manila.

Except for the thunderstorm, the flight was uneventful until I landed in Shanghai (my stop-over). The past few times I’ve travelled, I just change planes but this time to my surprise (a big one!) I had to check-in a total of 200 pounds of  luggage, go through immigration and then check-in again to the airlines that’s flying me from Shanghai to Manila.



I landed with no hassle, just one missing luggage (which was found a few days after my arrival).



The first time I visited Manila after being away for 21 years was in 2005. Ever since then I visit sometime in July and August. It’s always raining and hot. Except for last year's emergency visit, my vacation usually included a trip to a resort.

This year, this visit is different. No resort. No kids. Just hanging out with families, going to the hospital with my Dad, taking a few poor families to a park in Manila, a dear friend’s wedding, and meeting up with friends I haven’t met or talked to in 26, 30 and 34 years! Thanks to a school mate and facebook, I was “found” and have been in touch with friends from various phases of my life!!

Definitely no time for jetlag! Just two days after my arrival, I met up ten of my dear friends from high school. I wish you can see the first “oohhs and aahhs”. There was no awkward moment at all! It felt like it was just yesterday... I wish I can capture in words the happiness of seeing my dear friends.

We ate and laughed from 5pm to 1am. I love-love the crispy fried kangkong, halo-halo and sweet banana.








We laughed at almost every bite reminiscing what we were like three decades ago!
My jaws were hurting from laughing and we forgot that there were other people in the restaurant. I bet we were loud but then – we didn’t care! It amazes me that some of my friends can still remember the lyrics to the songs from our glee club years! It’s a riot!

I laughed when my friends kept saying “nose bleed”, jeje! ( I tried to purely speak in Tagalog – but I guess I was out of practice…it was just out of habit. In a few days, I’m sure I’ll forget how to speak English, jeje). I hope I won't be "deadma" (?)

 We ate and laughed from 5pm to 1am. I love-love the crispy fried kangkong, halo-halo and sweet banana.
 I came home and my dress was drenched with sweat – happy sweat if there’s such a thing!
Oh how I wish my friends are just nearby…

Being in the Philippines meant visiting my grandma and other relatives – and it meant eating at every stop. So Sunday, even after a full breakfast (white rice and corned beef), we had lunch (with white rice, some kind of stew, pork, chicken, vegetables and cake for dessert! – Red Ribbon White Forrest cake is now my favorite!!) My grandma’s 93 and yet her hearing is better than mine! She’s so thrilled to see me. 
Oh how I wish she’s just nearby...


And of course – my four brothers and parents! I just turned 46 and yet when I’m with them it seems like I’m still in my teens.  We were laying on the floor, on the pillows and on the couch laughing hysterically at the pictures taken from my brother’s café racer photo shoot. Ordinarily, you’ll just look at those pictures and say, “nice”, but watching with my family – there’s always a funny situation somewhere. 
Oh how I wish my family’s just nearby…


Praying is a big part of the Filipino culture. I feel humbled seeing the statue of the Blessed Mother in the garden. It’s something I miss when I’m in NJ. Here, you’re reminded of why life is precious and why we should never take things for granted. Every breathe is as crucial…

Oh, why can’t everyone just be nearby?
Why can’t everyone be just a block away?
The love of families and friends bequeath certain glow – certain joy;
It’s something that you can’t purchase anywhere.
Your heart is light, your smile is pure, your eyes twinkle like the stars.

Eat, pray and laugh – I will in the next few weeks.

Hugs and kisses to all  and keep smiling!


Comments

  1. Hi sister Jenjen!!! How awesome that you are having this fun and precious time with your family and friends. I'm glad you get to visit your parents and siblings!!! I don't like the weather but it's the warmth of love from our precious families and friends that always make us go back time and time again. Ingat ka lagi and God bless. Praying for the Lord to keep you in His loving care.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, this makes me sad because my family is all over the place and I don't get to see cousins and aunts that I've shared good times with. I'm happy for you that you are having fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, Jen, what a blessing that you're able to spend so much time with friends and family. How nice that you were able to reconnect with your high school buddies too!! That's one great thing about Facebook!

    I know what you mean about family being nearby. My sister has lived in Hawaii for the past 15 years, and I wish I could just drive to her house.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoy your time in Manila!

    Oh gosh, you had to mention halo-halo and I am so craving for it right now! My husband loves it, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Have a wonderful time in Manila, Jenjen dear!

    I'm so very happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks everyone....I am definitely having a peaceful time.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo