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Monthly Archives: June 2009

Philippines Day 5-7: Subic Bay and Santa Cruzan

On Day 5, Lolo drove us to Subic Bay which houses a U.S. Naval base (my grandfather had served in the US Navy) for some sightseeing, eating and shopping.

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On weekends, Subic Bay is filled with so many people enjoying themselves on the beach and partaking in all the festivities! With tropical weather however, you can’t ever expect when the weather may go bad. Check out the black cloud on the top picture starting to roll in from the right.

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Here’s more of those black clouds rolling in.

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Lolo treating out Ron and I to lunch

After eating, sightseeing and shopping, we headed home for some more eating. This time it was merienda which translates into, “the afternoon snack”

Here’s my uncle making us some fresh coconut juice! (buko juice)

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Along with some Halo-Halo which is a Filipino dessert!

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Ron’s alot braver than I am! Here he is eating BALUT which is a chick embryo! He actually ate two of them cause my uncle bought 2 just for him!

Lolo and Lola’s house has changed alot since my visit last year in 2007. There’s quite of mixture of tungsten and fluorescent lights, as well as electrical outputs for the different voltages.

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Although they have a formal dining table, we always ate outside in the “dirty kitchen” just so we could get some fresh air.

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Lolo and Lola’s room. Just recently, Lolo had that back wall torn down to make “closet space”

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More rooms…

On the day before we left, Lolo was feeling the urge for some American and Italian food, so he had the cook whip up something special! Although Ron and I were thoroughly enjoying all the Filipino food, french fries and spaghetti were definitely missed!

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Even Lola was in good spirits that day! This was the first time the whole week that she finished all the food on her plate!

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Here’s Lolo trying to be “cute” with Lola.

Later on that evening, Orion was hosting it’s Santa Cruzan! Basically it’s a parade of each province’s selected young ladies!

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The busy streets of Orion, can you imagine having to clear this street for a parade?!

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The beauty queens of each province

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and some fun parade festivities!

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My Lola’s housemaids and her caregiver nurse hiding behind them. They were camera shy!

The following day was a Sunday and also our departure date… Here’s Lolo and Ron reading the morning paper in the dirty kitchen…

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Tito Ermie and Lola in her Sunday best. Members of the church had just stopped by so that Lola could receive communion since she is unable to make the trip to church.

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And lastly, Lola’s pride and joy… her garden.

Philippines Day 3-4: Orion Bataan & Mt. Samat

Although Orion, Bataan is literally an hour boat ride across Manila Bay from Naic, Cavite, we had to DRIVE around the bay. What could have been a quick few hour drive turned into a 6 hour drive through the insane Manila traffic!

When we got to Orion late… around 7ish-8ishpm and we were greeted with excitement by my Lolo Erning who yelled out, Welcome home girl!!!! and gave me the biggest hug ever! It’s weird to think that my Lolo is notorious for being the town Scrooge. My relatives tell me that alot of people are scared of him in Orion, and that if it weren’t for the kindess and gentle heart of my Lola, he’d probably have way too many enemies. It kind of reminded me of the Disney movie, “UP.”

Anyways, when I saw my Lola Nene, she began crying which of course, made me cry as well. Things were definitely different around the house. Since Lola was now in a wheelchair, everything was transformed to become more wheelchair accessible. Lola even had her own 24 hour caregiver/nurses.

After unpacking our balikbayan boxes, Ron started reading some letters to Lola from some of her grandchildren in America.

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My Ate Ethel even sent her a photo album since she wasn’t able to visit.

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This “upstairs” room wa also redecorated, and I actually liked what Lolo did with it! He called it the “hotel suite” lol!

Later on that night while in bed… I sensed that something was bothering Ron… when I asked him what was else, he replied, Nothing… I egged him on about it until he finally said, Nothing.. I just wish you met my Lolo&Lola .. I know you’re happy to be here..So, I’m happy that you’re happy…

=)

The next day, Tito Ermie decided to take Ron and I to Mt. Samat shrine (it was once the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan)

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Taken by Tito Ermie. Not bad…

Although I’ve been to Mt. Samat a few times, I was never able to go up the cross cause it was always closed for repairs!  This time however was different! And what a treat indeed!

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Gotta love those lines….

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Later on that night…

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Here’s my tito ermie reading prayers with Lola before she goes to bed.

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And me kissing Lola good night!

Philippines Day 1 – 2 Naic, Cavite

When I found out that my Lola Nene was getting worst with her renal failure, I knew I had to do something. I knew I had to visit her before things got worst and she was bedridden. Throughout my whole life, my Lola has made trips back and forth from the Philippines to America to be there for my major milestones in life — birthdays, graduations and even my wedding two years ago in October. With her loss of independence and strength, I felt strongly that I owed it to her to see her. She loves all of her children and grandchildren so much, that I knew a visit… even a quick one would have meant everything to her.

So in May of this year, Ron and I embarked on our first trip ever to the Philippines without the comforts of our parents. We knew we’d be taken care of, but we also knew that our parents would be worried since the Philippines is after all, a 3rd world country. Our trip was short because Ron only had a week off. I thought alot about whether or not it’d be worth it since finances were tough after all. Looking back on it however, I can say whole heartedly, that it was…

And just as a Tagalog lesson to all, Lolo= grandfather, Lola=grandmother, and Tito=Uncle

It had been 10+ years since Ron returned to the streets of Naic, so I joked with him that he’d have a homecoming parade… little did I know, I was right! And on his very street too (Zamora Street)

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Now i have no why idea why these guys are dressed this way.. but hey, Ron’s parade eh!?

The first 2 days went by so fast because our stay in Naic would be short. So Ron’s uncles didn’t waste any time showing us around and taking us out to various places..

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It’s funny how so many old places can evoke so many memories. The first thing Ron said when climbed the stairs of his dad’s house was, my lola use to comb her hair in front of this mirror..

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Ron climbing up the stairs where his dad use to sleep

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The wonderful MALL OF ASIA

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Where Ron got lucky with some Jordan Toros!

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Ron’s relatives in Naic, Cavite

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And his niece that we met literally 5 minutes before we left.

Before heading out to Orion, Bataan, we stopped by my Lola Inggaay’s house who also happens to live in Naic. Here are my mischievous cousins playing with the powder.

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These kids are great! My mom packed them a balikbayan box full of American goodies like cookies, candies, clothes, and school supplies! It’s always fun to watch them open up the box and get excited over the simple pleasures such as a lanyard for their toys, the candy “that’s kinda like bubble gum–but not,” or a hand fan to keep themselves cool. Because of them, I will always stay humbled and grounded.

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And me with my Lola Inggaay (my mom’s mom)