By LPJ
Back home in Palo Alto after a most enjoyable vacation in the Philippines. My vacation February to March this year had been a roller coaster ride with a series of fun activities and reunions with family, relatives and friends, not to mention frequent culinary and touristy adventures during our travels to various localities. As to be expected, what dominated all this wonderful experience was the special bonding.
There was no activity in any of my travels that did not include family. While I missed a lot my own core family in California (my son and daughter and their families didn’t travel to the Phil. with me), I regaled in every moment spent with siblings, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and their children. I cannot thank them enough for taking time off work to join me in my vacation trips to several cities and provinces.
I shall start here with mentioning our big Pandes family reunion of 86, likely the biggest attendance so far. Valentine, love, red, pink flavored our reunion event.
The big family reunion at Celebrity Sports Club, Quezon City, Philippines
Quite interesting was getting to know the youngest generation, children born to nieces and nephews. Introductions boomed in gleeful chaos, accented by cheerful squeals of toddlers and noisy mischief of little boys and girls running around like the whole venue was their playground. And of course, the happy smiles of the elder sisters (Betty, Sephie, Alice, Henriette), younger brother Tzetzu and his wife Rorie, youngest sister Chichi and her husband Dodong), and the hugs and kisses that abounded then were the nuggets that I truly looked forward to a few days after my arrival in Manila. There, was my big, extended family of four generations, and I basked in their presence. It was a glorious reunion.
I was most impressed with the organization of the event by representatives of every family (Pandes, Villarico, Sabido, Bonoan, Yu, Gordoncillo), cousins from the young generation (missing reps from Veloro and Yulo families – unable to travel; Jacob family was represented by me on an ad hoc capacity). With Hazel at the helm, the steering committee worked efficiently and determinedly to produce an elegant yet casual gathering replete with a lively program, fun games, and impromptu jam session that ended up in a long snake dance that cantankerously winded in between tables and around the room, drawing everyone in its grip. Franz was the venue chief that got the spacious celebrity sports club function room for our reunion, and efficiently managed the financial arrangements. Under Karen and Iris’ supervision, the buffet was most delectable, enticingly presented, and graced by the all-favorite lechon. May and Alvin, the winsome duo, effectively emceed a perky, free-flowing program nicely catered to different generations in the audience. Gerlyn operated the music for the dance. With Ritzi as the senior adviser and Lala, the all-around supporter, the reunion steering committee was the best. A fine example for the generation next to theirs.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Boy, Beth and Shanele who arrived from California the early morning of that reunion Sunday. Also to mention is super cute and shy one-year-old Eli (Nikki and Gab’s daughter and Zi’s brother) whom I met for the first time and who I think looks very much like her grandmom Chichi (my sister); but Sister Alice said Eli looks much like me. Ah, family!
My Philippine vacation is rich with stories I’m raring to share in my next blogs. I thank God for safe travels, and the time spent with extended family in most delightful and loving ways.