A homecoming to remember

For the first time after long 10 years, there are nine of us together again. Spread around the world, four of my siblings still in Manila, two brothers in Los Angeles, California, a sister in Virginia, a brother in Vancouver , and I, based in Michigan -- all making our own lives with our own little families, have come back to reminisce our childhood and reconnect that special bond that only brothers and sisters, who grew up so close amidst many trials and challenges in life, share. It is in these special moments that I realize how blessed I am to have them.

The Mariano Siblings

The Salac Clan

Some of my nieces and nephews are no longer little toddlers and children. In fact, the two oldest are soon graduating from college, both with nursing degrees. While they are much older now, it seem like I have been with them the whole time and there's no lapse in time as we picked up from where we left off from the last time I came home.

My homecoming is also a chance to see my extended family -- cousins we grew up with, and aunts and uncles; and my cousins' children too who are now mostly taller than me, and who reminded me of my "age" every time they give me the respect of "pagmamano" where they touch their forehead with my hand and say "mano po" akin to asking for an elder's blessing. It is a chance for me to show my children Filipino traditions and values -- family first before anything or anyone else, the value of "bayanihan," of helping each other in a spirit of communal unity, and respect for the elderly.

I visited my Aunt Pacing (my mom's sister) and Uncle Vet and went back to the street where I grew up in San Juan. It looked both familiar and new. The roads looked narrower and shorter, and there are now more houses around. My aunt, although now 80 years old, is still feisty and mentally sharp. We feasted on delicious "lengua," "caldereta" and "kare-kare" which she cooked for us.

Joshua gets a big hug from Lola Pacing

Speaking of foods, I'm eating like there is no tomorrow. Who knows when I get to indulge again on sweet ripe Philippine mangos, fresh coconut juice, ube cake, halo-halo, crispy pata, pork liempo, pata tim, baby bangus?

In my next few days, I plan on seeing old friends, old co-workers and old classmates from elementary and high school. Indeed, this will be a homecoming to remember.