Flash Back: Philippines Trip 2006 part 1
By KK on Apr 23, 2007 in Philippines, Food trip, Memoirs, Rest and Recreation, Traveler, Thinker
Last Spring we went to the Philippines and when we came back I reserved writing about the experience for the cold months of Winter. In theory, I was supposed to re-live the experience and keep me warm. But the theory was proved wrong because during the cold months, it’s pure torture to be cold and missing everything about the tropical Philippines.
Each day my daughter would mention something about the Philippines. May it be lechon, family, pony rides, Baguio or Boracay. For such a young age, I am ecstatic that she found a connection with her Filipino roots. Even if she has only been to the Philippines twice in her 5 years, the experience has given her so much fond memories that she keeps close to her heart.
It was an overwhelming experience to see things from a different perspective. After living in a different country for 6 years, I have come to appreciate different things that I have taken for granted in the past.
***
After travelling for almost 24 hours(waiting in the airport included), our flight came in late night and we got out of the airport by 1:00 am. We were met at the airport by Papa, my younger sister, her boyfriend and my cousin. My heart leaped for joy when I spotted them in a sea of unfamiliar faces of well-wishers. The old NAIA terminal was really no place to hang around and we wanted to get out as fast as possible. We spent what was left of the night in a place in Manila. The next day we went to Dad’s Kamayan in Makati for brunch. It was my husband’s first time in the Philippines and wanted to show my hubby how Makati was like.
My eyes were bigger than my jet-lagged belly and I couldn’t eat as much as I wanted so I took pictures instead. It was sushi and Pinoy food galore. After brunch we headed to SM North Edsa for a check-up for my mole at the RC Amazing Touch; my husband and Papa ended up getting rid of some of their moles too. Less than a day in the suffocating Manila heat and humidity, we were only too eager to get out of the metropolitan area and be on our way to Baguio.
analyse | Apr 23, 2007 | Reply
nakakagutom naman yan..
i hope louna would keep fond memories of the philippines too.. she was only one year old the last time we were there.. so that would be for the next visit. i hope so.
Tina | Apr 23, 2007 | Reply
Hi Analyse,
I brought Little K to the Philippines when she was 18 months old and she didn’t remember much, it’s this second trip when she really remembered things. Just keep going to the Philippines when you can so that Louna also knows her Filipino roots.
feng | Apr 23, 2007 | Reply
hello Mommy Tina. those photos are mouth-watering esp. the crispy pata and the leche flan.
“After living in a different country for 6 years, I have come to appreciate different things that I have taken for granted in the past.” — good to know you’ve never forgotten RP. agree with you, there are many small things in this country that’s been taken for granted that when a person migrates in a foreign land, later that person realizes how much those little things meant.
i admire you for guiding Little K to never forget her parents’ roots and to embrace and love RP culture as it should be. glad she have festive/happy memories of the country.
inna | Apr 23, 2007 | Reply
thanks for the pics- takes me back home, but makes me hungry
i do wish to take kailea there in the next year or so…she’ll be 7…think that’s a good age. i have our trip planned in my head….hay- miss ko na ang pinas..i’m sure a lot of things have changed.
Girlie | Apr 24, 2007 | Reply
whenever i go to Dad’s, sa sushi bar din ang punta ko…then fresh fruits for dessert…yum!
dexie | Apr 24, 2007 | Reply
Oh MY Lordy. I think I just gianed 5 pounds just by looking at all of them. funny thing is I don’t mind another 5 more pounds..whewww. *drool*
ate marie | Apr 25, 2007 | Reply
ang daya mo! you were here last year di tayo nag meet, sayang.
I’m glad to know KK has fond memories of our native land, sana di mawala yun at wag maging sobrang Americanized na.
Hmmmm yummy, favorite ko din ang sushi bar sa Dad’s.
Belle | Apr 25, 2007 | Reply
Tina, the scenes look familiar to me. Dad’s Resto, right? I was there last March with 14 friends. I have never seen so much food all over! Of course, I preferred the Japanese sushi and stuff. Then came the serenaders. Such a pleasant experience!
Rach | Apr 26, 2007 | Reply
Hi Tina. Now, I feel hungry after seeing that sumptuous buffet. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos of your family. I’m glad that the Philippines left a special place in your daughter’s heart. Have a great weekend ahead.
auee | Apr 26, 2007 | Reply
Hi there.. wrong timing naman visit ko sa site mo I’m on a diet & parang torture yang spread sa picture!
Hayy if only we can go home as much as we want ‘no? We try to visit every year. And I tell you, I have a long to-do list aside from food-to-binge-on-list.
I’m glad your daughter loved the experience, too.
geri | Apr 26, 2007 | Reply
Hi Tina, waaahhhh, I miss the Philippines tuloy. I regret not pigging out on sushi while I was there, kasi palagin busog eh, haha.
I will be linking you, hope it’s ok.
rhodora | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
OMG! The first pic that flashed - foooddd!!! And I’m so hungry right now as I wait for my kids who went to Jollibee to buy us dinner. !
I can see you had a good time here. When is the next visit?
tina | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
Hi Feng, I really want my daughter to embrace her Filipino roots as well as her father’s roots. I have to make an extra effort because we are away from the Philippines.
Hi Inna, Alot of things have changed. Price of progress- buildings everywhere.
Hi Ate Girlie, the sushi bar is also my target.
Hi Dixie, Ah you can just work it off.
Hi Ate Marie, Lurker palang ako noon at hindi blogger kaya hindi ako nakipag-EB. Next time
Hi Ate Belle, Yep- it’s in Dads. 14 friends! Ang saya-saya nun.
Hi Rach, Malapit ka lang sa Dad’s :). One and a half hour, good for you and you can go anytime.
Hi Auee, Hehehe. Sushi doesn’t make you fat( in moderation). Eat the Sashimi, if you don’t want the carbs.
Hi Geri, I really put it down on the schedule to hit Dad’s to gorge on sushi. Palaging bitin kung dito sa States, yung $40 worth kulang pa.
Hi Rhodora, next visit? When we can save up enough for our fare :). Wow! Pahinge ng Jollibee.
Francesca | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
Tina, aba eh, dyan ang wed reception namin ni lolo, sa saisaki dads kamayan, 12guests lang, lol!
masarap nga dyan. then honeymoon namin next day sa bagiou, camp john hay!
ba, kaya makarelate ako sa post mong ito, lol
Tina | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
Ate Amy, It’s great to have no- frills wed reception. Swerte ng 12 guest niyo!
Balik ka at sa Baguio ang tuloy ng post ko.
dodong flores | Aug 13, 2007 | Reply
What a small world! The younger sister of my girlfriend is working in RCC Amazing Touch. She could be the one who treated you…
By the way, the annex building where Amazing Touch was once located was already demolished to give way to a more advance and highly-sophisticated mall in the country. We have a “mall war” here in Manila this time…