We had a family reunion last Sunday (May 21) in Cavite, in my Tita’s house. After so many years, I’ve seen and I’ve talked to my relatives. For the first time, I saw the members of the new generation in our family. I recognized the old ones, our grannies, and I still remember our aunts and uncles who were there. But I no longer know the young generation. Of course, we were introduced to each other. Ang dami pala namin. Some of them came from Batangas, some from Pasig, and some came from Valenzuela. We’re the only ones who came from Angeles.
I actually don’t know exactly what prompted the family reunion. My mom just told us that they wanted to be together because one of them is really sick, although it wasn’t obvious that she is. And I hope she’ll get better soon.
Anyway, of course, it felt good to see my aunts who took care of us in Potrero, Malabon when we were kids. It also felt good to see my cousins who have grown and changed a lot. Mike was one of my cousins who, physically, have changed so much. I remember Mike as a little boy who played with dolls when he was 3 or 4 years old. Now, there is no way of tracing how he played with dolls. Lalaking-lalaki sya ngayon.
I was able to make chika with some of my aunts.
There is one common thing I’ve noticed among most of my relatives. Most of them have gone abroad to work and to live for good (Tita Julie is here in the Philippines only for a vacation), May nagpunta sa Japan, Israel, New Zealand, etc. Some are professional naman – optometrist, teacher (yung isa kong tita who was a teacher when I was in high school, is still a teacher and never got a chance to get married), businessmen, etc.
For the young generation naman, may nag-aaral, may UPian din, meron din may anak na, may nasa Japan, may nasa Israel, merong ayaw na mag-aral. Ganun talaga. People have different priorities in life. Even if you’re relatives, you don’t have the same thinking and we don’t get to meet the same opportunities in life.
I actually don’t know exactly what prompted the family reunion. My mom just told us that they wanted to be together because one of them is really sick, although it wasn’t obvious that she is. And I hope she’ll get better soon.
Anyway, of course, it felt good to see my aunts who took care of us in Potrero, Malabon when we were kids. It also felt good to see my cousins who have grown and changed a lot. Mike was one of my cousins who, physically, have changed so much. I remember Mike as a little boy who played with dolls when he was 3 or 4 years old. Now, there is no way of tracing how he played with dolls. Lalaking-lalaki sya ngayon.
I was able to make chika with some of my aunts.
There is one common thing I’ve noticed among most of my relatives. Most of them have gone abroad to work and to live for good (Tita Julie is here in the Philippines only for a vacation), May nagpunta sa Japan, Israel, New Zealand, etc. Some are professional naman – optometrist, teacher (yung isa kong tita who was a teacher when I was in high school, is still a teacher and never got a chance to get married), businessmen, etc.
For the young generation naman, may nag-aaral, may UPian din, meron din may anak na, may nasa Japan, may nasa Israel, merong ayaw na mag-aral. Ganun talaga. People have different priorities in life. Even if you’re relatives, you don’t have the same thinking and we don’t get to meet the same opportunities in life.
I think the newest addition to our family is James Allen -- my sister's husband. James, I think is the fourth non-Filipino member of the family. My two aunts were married to new Zealanders, my mom was married to a British and there's James, also a British. By the way, my two other aunts were married to Japanese. One of them has lived in Japan for good. She wasn't present during the reunion.
Anyway, I'm sure that kind of affair won't be happening soon. Matagal siguro bago maulit. At least, after the reunion, we have new memories to keep. The bonding that took place during that day would be cherished for whatever happens, we are related by blood. Somehow, I felt that it is really good to know where you belong!
Comments
»