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Greetings: Hello and greetings especially to all kababayan/kasimanwa! Musta nah? Listen, got a story plot here that's perhaps repeated each time around when a Filipino wants to journey back home as Balikbayan". As told, the story is consequential as it downplays a unique attribute most Filipino travelers do destined for beloved homeland to visit. Become one like me, know someone, or come check out one of the US airports hubs where Philippine flights are scheduled and you'll know why. Amazing number of Filipinos heading out! Getting amused yet? So, here goes... Introduction: Ever pondered at times how often American based pinoys are driven homeward back to our motherland to visit for old times sake? Well, myself not as often as I'd love to but each time one memorable sojourn no matter what. To date, just my third trip since 1971. Huh! Friends say, geez you've got to as it's quite different over there now, lots of changes, and besides it's fun. OK, hey will do one of these days. Eventually, you said why not? Then reality sets in and these dilemmas come to mind - being busy, can't find enough vacation days, yada-yada-yada, and the ultimate reason of all; MONEY. It's a costly out of the pocket expense for a short trip considering preparation time, airline tickets, pasalubong (gifts), hotel, food, and of course pocket money. But then again what the heck! Somehow the itch of going back to "home sweet home" beckons and so, shoot, let's go and whatever later.
Hence, excitedly together with my brother Milo, this May 15, 2008, I embarked on just my 3rd trip back home to Pinas within the 38 years I've resided in Ohio. This time though, no spouses and kids as this was supposed to be "male only" kind of a trip. Yes! Someone has to stay home right? Hehehe, fast forward, am back in Cincinnati now recouped from jet lag and overdose of excitement from all the trip's fun/not so fun memorable experiences still twirling inside my head. Thus writing for my pal - Jay de Leon of Filipino Martial Arts Museum, I sat back and reflected on the two weeks’ travelogue accomplished covering the many regions visited and activities done in such a short time and furious fast pace. For a septuagenarian man, all said and done, it brought a smile on my face and a few "whews". Indeed, I had fun and it was an exhilarating, memorable and exhausting kick butt endeavor, I swore not to do again thinking about it. Say what ? Eh, not so fast, I mean, never say never regards having fun. Right? So with fondness, here's a synopsis and choice mementos of my travelogue "Pinoy Style I will cherish in my heart for sometime. The Preparation: So, a plan was set a year in advance - travel dates, places to visit, gifts to bring, people and relatives to see, activities to do, budget, and others that come along. May 2008 was the target time as it's a nice month, travel deals are out, town fiestas, and yeah, "High School" reunion. Yeah, great excuse to go since from out of the blue, I received an email followed by a call from a Chicago classmate about the event. Excitement prevailed! Talks about good old yonder years, youth, HS crushes, dreams, being with HS classmates again, and other stuffs got me thrilled. Ok, why not, could be both nostalgic and sentimental. Whoa! Now what? First in order of importance was to seek a reputable travel agent. Lucky, a local friend is a part time travel agent, so no problem here. Talking about arranging international and local flights - What a dilemma! Like anything else, airlines have flight deals, you've got to haggle on price, travel dates, setting arrangements, travel papers, time tables, hotel reservations, luggage, etc., . Second, the thrill of procuring the many pasalubongs (gifts). Got to have this keen sense of a headcount and visual acuity as to the sizes, needs, and favorites of relatives seen years ago Best advice, for clothes shop during end of season (summer and Christmas) and for the yummies (candies) after Halloween. What a chore and headache! Best move we did though to save effort and hassles at the airport, send the pasalubongs via Balikbayan box ahead before your trip and advise them to open only for when you arrive. It was there for sure anxiously to be opened. What about travel papers - passport! Got to have this all the time, check expiration date, and Xerox everything on paper. Makes your exit and entry to places much easier. Pocket money, save as much when you've got budget extras. Finally, you're in the airport waiting for that call "now boarding" and so thus the fun begins. The Flights and Air Security: Northwest Airlines was our choice for reason of gaining additional air-mileage traveled. The deal to get a free flight next time was to go on four trips to the Philippines and the fifth would be free. Otherwise, you can also use this mileage to swap for any local trip. Not bad! Detroit, Michigan was our exit and entry Port, as words are out that Immigration/Customs people there are much nicer and complacent. For first timers, Detroit International Airport is huge and the jumbo plane humongous, one wonders how in the world this thing would fly. At first glance, you thought you are in Manila already as, guess 95 % of passengers were pinoys coming from anywhere along the east coast. It's hysterical as you hear all kinds of dialect spoken. How about them "carry-on" luggage? Not followed as per instructions - some in boxes, others just bags/suitcases way too far larger and/or heavier than the required limits. They bring it anyhow. There was this one lady who had a problem lifting her luggage to airplane bins. When I offered to help, she instructed me to take it easy as it contains fresh eggs. Yikes! "It's expensive ngayon sa atin kaya," she uttered. Sige, OK by me. Jokingly I asked "did you bring the piano as well? That brought some chuckles inside the plane. Amusing! Once settled, our plane warmed up for the "very loonngg haul" of approximately 14 hrs. non-stop to Nagoya, Japan to re-fuel and another 4 hours to Manila. Golly, what a freaking haul and ass whooping! Ayayay, this was one awesome long tedious flight and the most demanding thing about the whole journey. Talking about what a pain in the butt, back, and neck to say the least. From previous trip learning's to counter boredom specially, I had to consciously keep on doing the recommended airplane exercises plus keep to mind the other "watch outs" of being in a long plane ride. Now a new culprit called "tight pants" syndrome has been identified. Basically, it's due to lack of blood circulation in the lower extremities due to prolonged sitting and inactivity that passengers are predisposed during long plane or even car rides. Reports abounds regards this malady, so as a precaution - be aware of this syndrome next time when around these predicaments. OK? Connecting flights, no problem except the hassles of numerous airport checks and confusion looking for correct schedule and terminals for your next flight out. Next, hungry and thirsty, have something fast to eat as better forget about getting free food on the plane. Those days of free meals are gone! If you buy as advertised, it's at exorbitant prices, so best to simply bring your own and buy bottled water inside the terminals. For my added amusement aside watching the free movies and or when awaken for a bath room break, I checked on other passengers sleeping with open-mouth and listen to the snoring symphony. My golly (susmaryosip)! Still bored, you will make a wish or promise yourself that for next time when money is no concern, or you have sufficient "frequent air mileage" to go "First Class”. It's a whole lot different situations there just beyond that foreboding curtain. Aahhh, feel safe about your air travel? Be prepared to either love/hate/admire the "Airport Security People". Wow, what a job and dedicated group. You love them first few times around cause it's an admirable deed they are doing to ensure your safe travel, but after several same routine inspections, they start getting on your nerve. Really! Some were great while others were just too overzealous. Most likely, I would rate the Pinoy Force ahead of the Japanese for being strict which was plausible. Guess it comes with the territory or whatever. Geez, talking about no nonsense exception to the rules - people, luggage, etc. all x-rayed religiously. Don't remember how many times I have taken my shoes off, emptied the pockets, probed, tapped, etc. And above all, say goodbye to any of your lotions, perfumes, or any form of liquid in a bottle. Woe, there goes my favorite "Polo" aftershave to the collection bin and this was on the return trip. Oh well, total frustration but for the best just keep your cool and follow as ordered. No problema, man! Inter-island flights, my first with Cebu Pacific. Hey, the planes were new, oh so crowded terminals with travelers going different routes, exit airport fees (new to me), and what I love the most was the merchandising/selling of souvenirs (belt bags, etc.) while up in the clouds. Genius, and a new entrepreneurial concept on air! Of course, had difficulty keeping my eyes off ogling those pretty stewardesses, friendly, sweet, just love them all! Arrival in Manila: After about eighteen flying hours excluding airport stop-over, you're ready to jump off the plane or keep on saying to yourself "Are we there yet"? Then again, from out the skies, a godly voice says, "Hoy gising na at we are ready for landing sa Manila International airport". No, I swear but that's what I thought I heard from my brother and our Captain. Excited suddenly, I started talking "Taglish". Oh really sure talaga?, salamat sa wakas". So, by now including the "foreigners" are awake and looking outside at the flickering lights of Manila by night. Alas, our Northwest plane had landed and my nutty brother Milo shouted "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas" and every pinoy followed suit except the Japanese who boarded in Nagoya, Japan. Scared the wits out of them, memories of old stories perhaps never to be forgotten? Commotion then began. Everybody was up and about trying to get their carry-on luggage. Holy cow, if the windows were opened, I won't be surprised if someone will try to get out of the window. But order prevailed, out we went, and finally inside Ninoy Aquino Terminal. Yikes, more inspections, immigration, and customs. Long line, waiting patiently, and when over, you hid out followed by a slew of wannabe luggage carriers asking for favors and saying "pasalubong, Kuya". Well, OK but only attend to those wearing the blue polo barong uniform and have a name tag for safety . At best, the few loose dollars you come prepared comes handy for any favors done. Yeah thank goodness, then you are outside the terminal. A blast of oven hot air hits you by the face first, then the smell of diesel fumes, car horns blaring, police doing traffic, congestions, and whoa lots of pinoys waving at you - "My countymates"! I told my brother: "Yo Tol, we are home" and thus the high fives.
The Welcome (Sundo) and PI Travel Done: First contact - meeting the welcoming (sundo) relatives’ caravan at the airport. After some hello's, (kamusta nah!), hugs and kisses, we were driven to my brother in-law’s town in Batangas. Arrived around 2 AM, though butt tired, we still managed to give out the customary expected presents (pasalubong) plus what's inside the "balikbayan box" we previously sent ahead. It came on time and was there waiting to be opened for the many "who knows who" gathered around. It's a happy scenario and glad to give satisfaction to each one of them. Aaahh, the pinoy family ties and spirit relived once again. After, we got to eat the food already prepared for us, showered, and then went to bed finally. Man oh man, right on the dot 5 AM, just after a few hours of needed sleep, we were awakened by those damn roosters. It's the province! I'd like to fry those chickens for breakfast.
Next day was the beginning of our fast paced traveling and visiting people. That first day in Batangas was we're like politicians sort of just waving, hand shaking, getting hugs, giving high fives, and even shouting hellos to the locals. Loved the attention and gestures accorded us, that's what I like about the province. All in all, we covered some of the Tagalog and Ilocos regions, Manila suburbs, Mactan island, Cebu, Iloilo and Capiz provinces by air and land mostly. We moved and covered land with pace, but of course had a few setbacks and frustrations along the way too.
Mostly, it's the overwhelming traffic jams in every big town passed, choking diesel fumes not used to breathe, and then getting water inside our car passing the flooded Tarlac streets after a heavy rain and already drenched by a typhoon that brought havoc and destruction in the region. Gosh, not a good scene to see. Most annoying road problem - I swear those motorcycle/pedicab riders. They're everywhere in large numbers even along the provincial highways where vehicles just zoom by. They are either fearless or suicidal. There were occasions that I'd cringe and utter "yah man, that was too close". General populace has expressed their concerns about them being dangerous and adding to the traffic problems. I guess, with gasoline prices sky-high for people there, it's their best commuting venue. Just have to deal with them presumably. Meeting people/relatives - same yada-yada stuff and mostly these inquiries: hi/hello/good for you/when did you arrive/good to see you/where's my present/you look good/what's up/when are you coming back/how's so and so/you rich yet/spare me some of those riches/etc. After a while but still remaining cool, you're ready to go to a hotel for privacy and quiet. Humorously, what I fancy the activity most balikabayans been subjected to -everyday they want to take you out to eat accompanied by a dozen or so relatives. Guess who pays ? Jeez, you have the dollars and the Boss, and so expect this role every time you come home. Ok by me, enjoy the moments and pay up later. Sometimes, I'd like to see their faces for when I say you guys pay up this time. Bet, you'll get the laugh looking at their grim faces with the huge bill on their hands. Gives me an idea for a joke next time....
Notes for the Memory Book - Hometown/School/Select People Visit: I love to visit as often but then again, but each time it's a shocker for our pockets unless you're of those heavy dollar earners. For most though, we have to take it whenever it's needed or when that "travel itch" hits again. If so, take it with gusto and have fun however short the visit. We pray though that the visit is for pleasant times not tragic, to which I won't dwell upon as it's a different predicament.
Anyways, what was accomplished returning to my birthplace/hometown of La Paz, Iloilo City, schools, and seeing some special people and/or those acquaintances still around after almost 50 years of absence were the fondest moments. My goodness! What a feeling and sensation beyond bounce. My town and city have changed and grown big in many areas of urban and rural pictures. I could get lost at first glance but once you get your bearings, old perspectives of the place do come back. Got choked-up and teary looking upfront at our old house but not ours anymore, walking the old neighborhood streets and imagining those past years of your childhood, visiting and hobnobbing with people inside our elementary and High Schools, entering and worshiping in the town church and walking the plaza, and for old times’ sakes heaving sighs of awe and contentment for treading through places that used to be your romping grounds. It doesn't get as nostalgic as this, so my wish for all is to have this same opportunity of a lifetime. Indeed, so a promise of a return trip is up again any day soon.
Alas, a return trip back home to Lapaz, Iloilo not since last 1964 was most pleasing. Aside the town, a taste of local (ilongo) cuisine was on the agenda specially the famous "La Paz Batchoy," sariwang lumpia, empanada, and inihaw na hito (ask your ilongo friends what are this food if you will). Gosh, it was heaven again for the palate. Surprisingly, there still lived in our neighborhood some of our playmates. Wow! The long embraces and some tears came, happy to see each other again. Same reactions I had visiting a HS classmate in Cebu who specifically asked me to visit. Glad to know they are doing well in life and we did express our sadness for those not so lucky and gone forever. Of course a little home grown Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) was in the "must do" lists. As arranged previously via email communications, happy to say that I finally met up with James Sy, Jr. (Bacolod), Van Fuentes (Iloilo - nee Talibung Antique), Mert Altares (Tarlac), and others who were in the plaza practicing their arts. These fine men whom I have desired to meet personally, are fine examples of true FMA enthusiasts, scholars, and practitioners. The future of FMA was then for certain guaranteed to live on there based on their mind sets and visionary missions.
An exchange of what is FMA in the USA and Philippines was top on the table talks. There were commonalities for sure but because of "what exists" in the Philippine streets and environs, FMA there was more "A way of Life" and not definitely towards sport or business. Gradually through their efforts, lots of old practitioners (originator/first generation) are singly being found and recognized through personal appearances and MA publications. Their single one wish - "Unification of all FMA". As a take home learning and gifts, I was privileged and honored to be shown what was for "family" tradition and gist of "Uno Blanco Arnis System", and tidbits of "Tapado" systems. Something special most definitely. I also got a touch of "meridian realignment and Shiatsu massage" therapy for my aching body, importance of body cleanse, pressure points for health, a book on "secrets of a Happy Living, a "tula-tula" stick used by "Tapado" arnis practioners, and a "bahi" axe handle. In exchange, I was happy to present them our Cincinnati Bengal and Reds baseball caps and T-shirts. Appropriately right personal exchange of gifts - the pinoy way! Aahh, so many more to talk about and learn from them but for now, my thanks to James, Van, Mert, and their troupes. Till we meet again! Home Again and Parting Notes: Though safely home, and refreshed, happy thoughts about the trip still linger and thus these few parting notes till my next sojourn to the Philippines. "Promised to stay much longer, visit other PI islands, have more FMA networking, and hopefully to still see my old friends and relatives well and good. "Lament on the changes and deterioration of my once favorite places like Avenida, Quiapo, Escolta, and around our illustrious University Belt areas, disappearance of the beautiful Avenida/Escolta theaters and famous department stores. Hope for these places to re-emerge as it was in the past. "So amused with the emergence of so many big malls, cell phone fever, and the many store attendance and security". "Maybe try to drive thru Manila traffic. Oh, man. Did it then but today quite a challenge first time around.
"For the record, when I left PI in 1971, population census was perhaps around 40-45 M and at present around 85- 90 M. Just a guesstimate from words out there and could be different. But what is obvious, there's a lot of "loving" going on in our motherland. Yeah, arriba Pinas! Thus, end of story! My thoughts just for kicks about me as a "Balikbayan" and I hope it sounds familiar to some pinoys out there. "Happy Trip" if you are on your way home for a visit or for some to "retire for good". Jorge V. Penafiel Photos by Jorge V. Penafiel. All rights reserved.
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