The pandemic years have taught me to appreciate the good things in life and how much I miss my family. At that time, I think everyone’s emotions were on a roller coaster, with our own highs and lows. That is why, my son and I were overjoyed to be spending the holidays with our families in Tandag, our hometown, in December 2022, because the last time that we were there was in December 2018. My sister and brother, as well as their families, joined us for the holidays. My parents were on cloud nine because we (all their four children) were all there. We were almost complete, and we missed three family members, who couldn’t make it this time. I was grateful that our small family was growing, and I finally got to meet my niece and two nephews for the first time.
During our fifteen-day vacation, we stayed indoors most of the time. It was very tricky to plan a family getaway to other places in the Philippines that we haven’t been to yet because it rained cats and dogs with strong winds almost every day and some places got flooded. In spite of the unfavorable weather, we were grateful because we were okay and safe, and we had plenty of time to catch up and enjoy the little things in life.
My son and I attended masses at church with papa and mama, my siblings, and my nephews and nieces. We reflected on the events of the previous year, gave thanks for all that we have, and prayed together for a fun-filled, healthy, and prosperous year for all. After the mass, I had a mini-reunion with some relatives, cousins, aunts and uncles, old friends, neighbors, and fellow former members of a youth organization. The chapel also brought back memories of my active participation in church with my fellow youth. It felt like a homecoming for me because it was where my strong faith in God and my values were molded and shaped. We also went to St. Pio’s Chapel in Cag-inid one afternoon when the weather was not so rainy. We spent some time in silence there, meditating and saying our individual prayers.
Another thing I really enjoyed was spending time with Mama. We cooked together, and one of the dishes we made was 100% pure chocolate from fresh cacao seeds by candlelight, as heavy rains frequently caused power and water outages. My son helped us in removing the shells of dried cacao seeds, and my cousin and niece assisted us in molding the melted cacao into round shapes. My siblings and I brought some pure chocolate (tableya in our dialect) and homemade papaya pickles by Mama when we returned to our respective places.
Mama and I also had a good time at Luha Market as we hopped from stall to stall picking out fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat. It was also nice to run into some relatives, family friends, a former coworker, and high school classmates at the market. While Mama and I were doing our thing, my son and Papa were also having a great time. They went to the barbershop and swam in the sea early in the morning.
In the morning, Mama and I strolled through their garden, where she delighted in showing me all of her plants and flowers, while Papa showed us their fruit trees, such as grapefruits, small lime, and their animals. The best part was when the four of us slept together and crammed into a small room. Mama and I had our own conversations while Papa and my son chatted about random topics. We just kept talking about anything and everything until we all drifted off to sleep. It was sweet and lovely, and we appreciated it because we miss each other so much.
On December 27th, we gathered at my aunt’s house with my uncles, aunties, and cousins from my mother’s side. On New Year’s Day, we gathered everyone back at our house, including relatives from both sides (mom’s and dad’s). We had a large feast for both occasions, exchanged gifts, danced, sang karaoke, played parlor games, and had a lot of fun. We sang songs from previous generations. My son got to see and play with some of his cousins. It was wonderful to see everyone, especially those we hadn’t seen in a long time. Our family gatherings were especially meaningful to us because they helped strengthen our bonds and relationships and told us who we are as a family and as individuals. It also contributed to stability and allowed the younger generation to understand our large family, values, and culture. It was, indeed, a celebration of love and connection.
In spite of the bad weather, we managed to visit our maternal and paternal grandparents’ graves in the other town. We’re thankful to my brother-in-law, who drove us on that day, making our visit convenient and fuss-free. Personally, I am very close to my grandparents, so they hold a very special place in my heart, which is why my holidays in the Philippines won’t be complete if I can’t visit them. I remember, with my maternal grandma, all the travel adventures we had together, even when I was still a small kid. I learned from her how to do business and how to deal with people, and she taught me that it’s important to get involved in the community. Both of my grandparents, along with my parents, attended every moving-up ceremony at the end of the school year when I was still in elementary school. When my name was called and they saw me climbing up the stage, their faces were beaming with pride and joy as I received all my awards. And when I returned home from university, they always treated me to their homecooked meals and delicacies—my maternal grandparents always cooked tinolang manok, a Filipino chicken soup, with their home-raised native chickens, while my paternal grandparents prepared a very lovely bibingka, a Filipino cake made with rice flour. I always reminisce about all the fond memories we had together.
Due to the inclement weather, we were only able to visit a portion of our farm. We visited Cabangahan Farm, where I was born, where my sister fell into a well but was rescued, and where my father was illegally detained during Martial Law. It was a brief visit, but it brought back so many memories.
And when the sun came up the day before New Year’s, we took advantage of the pleasant weather and enjoyed a beautiful breakfast on the beach with family. We relished each other and everything—the peace and quiet, the morning ocean breeze, the sea, the sand, the sun, and my brother’s hearty breakfast in a stunning tropical paradise. Mabua Beach is special to us because it is where we grew up, and we have so many memories here, such as playing in the moonlight with our childhood neighbor friends, the New Year’s Eve countdown on the beach, when my siblings and I collected the picnic hut rentals from picknickers back then, and so many more.
Every day, most of us are preoccupied with our hectic daily routines at work and school. So, we tried to make the most of the holidays by spending as much time as possible with each other. It was wonderful to spend the holidays with my family, relatives, neighbors, and friends. My son and I were elated to see how content and healthy everyone appeared to be. Indeed, reconnecting face-to-face with our loved ones has never been more important, as it strengthens our bonds and creates more memories that will be passed down through the generations.
Little Lilly Meets the World 