Philippines, why do I love thee?

1. God-loving people. I've seen a bunch of Pinoy TV shows the past weekSSS because I am longing for home for I don't know how long now. Every time someone is interviewed about their success or in the case of a reality show, when winning something, ALL of them attribute their win/success to God.

2. Overall happy human beings. Kahit anong laki ng problema, nakakaya paring ngumiti at tumawa. I remember one time we were driving to Honolulu, there were 5 of us - one Japanese and four Pinoys. E was driving and with no warning at all, the brakes gave out! Of course it was real scary but I don't know why we just started laughing! All three of us! Our driver was not very happy with the situation so he wasn't really going to join our laughs. haha. Anyway, when we got to safety, our Japanese friend was so perplexed that we were the way we were despite the situation. It made her less scared though, she said. That wasn't the goal but I am sure glad we kind of helped her that way. And no we weren't high. We just happened to be 'trained' to laugh despite the problems we go through. Intentional or unintentional.

3. Respectful. Paggamit ng 'po' at 'opo.' I've been in the company of many nationalities and nothing compares to how Asians respect their elders. Minsan nga nasosobrahan pa! One year nalang tanda sayo, gusto ka na nga ligawan, pino-po parin! Hay nako. Arte. But with all seriousness, I think respect comes out of love or at the very least, admiration. If we love someone, we tend to respect them. I truly appreciate the importance we give our elders. In elementary, I would always think that honoring our elders were part of everybody's common sense kasi nga nakakatanda sila. But I was wrong. This value doesn't come innate to most people so it really needs to be taught and be reminded of.  Ibang usapan na nga lang ang respeto pagdating sa kalsada. $%#@&

4. Family oriented. Yung tito ng tita ng lolo ng kapatid ng pinsan mo kilala mo pa. Or something like that. I don't even know if that made sense but you get the point. You know your third cousin. Or you may know of them and at least aware of their existence. Cheryl Esplin said, "Families are the Lord's workshop on earth to help us learn and live the gospel." And not necessarily just the gospel is taught. If we are lucky enough, we learn everything inside the walls of our homes before we get to try it on our own. May it be something positive or negative, the root of that something can be traced directly on how someone was inside the home. That is why the family is central to the Creator’s plan.

5. High level of gratitude. I would never forget Christmas 2013 I spent back home. It was the day of Christmas eve when I saw two kids, I think ages 8 and 10, collecting bote and dyaryo so they would have something to share the night of. Pinipigilan kong maiyak pero sobrang naaawa ako. My mom gave them 100 pesos because that's all the cash we had. I wish we had more! Wrong timing! I wanted to invite them to our dinner that night. If only. After my mom handed the 100 peso bill, they were grinning from ear to ear. 100 pesos lang yun! But not to them. They were so grateful! I wish we can be more like them!

Side note: How heroic is this kid?! I hope all the other brats kids can see this.

Conflicted.

I can't seem to fathom what I really want. I want to do this. I want to do that. Let's live here. Let's live there. Don't get me wrong. I think I am a very grateful person. I almost always see the glass half full but I have never been so conflicted in my life before! It's as if the choices I am making right now are just made halfheartedly. Half my heart tries to see myself living and making a living here. Three quarters of it wants to go home. Yes, home is where the heart is blah blah but the Philippines is still what I call home. It's like I'm here, but I am not really here. ALL decisions I am making, eventually coming home is always a part of it. I am physically here but my mind wonders wanders how that decision affect going back. If I am coming home at all.

There are so many emotions running through my body right now. Should I/we go home? For good? When? Why? I think the last one is always the biggest question. Not mine though. That's a question people around me always ask. Why?! Bakit? Then they start throwing all the bad things about the Philippines. Trapik dun e! Sobrang crowded! Polusyon! Kurakot! All the more reason we should help! I think I've heard it all. After a few semesters in U.P., I think I actually heard more than what I should have. But even after all this, I love the Philippines. Its people. No, it's actually not because my family is there. Of course that's part of it but it's more than that. I love the Filipino people. I can't give you the why. I just do. Nakakuha yata ako ng nationalistic bug  just after attending a few sems in Peyups. If you can name one negative thing about Pinas, I can give you two positive ones. Yesterday, I watched the General Women's Conference and Pres. Uchtdorf mentioned that when we love God, we want to serve Him. It's the same for everything else we love. Our spouse, our family, our friends and for me, the Pinoys. How can I serve them when I'm here? *lupasay sa floor* LOL

One of the happiest experiences I've had was when we organized a fund raising event to benefit the typhoon Haiyan victims. I want to recreate that feeling. Wouldn't it be so great if what you do not only makes you happy but makes other people happy too? "You can do it there too!" Yes, I know. But I believe the Pinoys need it more. There are so many reasons as to why - politically, economically, physically and any -ally you can think of. I refuse to make any comparisons between Tate and Pinas here so let's just leave it at that for now.

So... what can I do while I am here? Every excuse I get, I use it to convince E that we should go home. Samahan pa ng pangungunsinti ng tatay ko. haha But seriously, what is the best way to make use of my time here? I don't even know how end this blog post. What to do next...?

NEW YEAR AT THE AMANTES

Holiday 2013 was Emil and I's first time coming home after we got married so we didn't know how we will divide our time for my side of the family and his. We then decided to spend Christmas with my side since we always have a family reunion then New Year's in Pampanga. Unfortunately, I got sick during new year's eve so I needed to sleep early and just woke up 10 mins. before the countdown so I can join the count then slept again after. haha. The food was great though! Eimerie prepared chicken, Eunice prepared spaghetti which is by the way so good as if it came from Jollibee! Tita Mae marinated the BBQ which is so delicious as well then mom cooked it. It was just such a great feeling to be with family as we start another year of our lives.

Cupcakes by Sonja

This not-so-little adorable shop at Greenhills really caught my eye when we got there. Not only was the interior greatly designed but the name of the cupcakes were so clever. It doesn't end there! The cupcakes that we each got was so good. Some are plain looking and some looked extravagant but all tasted soooo sooo great equally. I am really fond of uniquely designed boutiques especially in the Philippines. I love how they get creative with simple pieces like chairs, tables and lighting to make a well designed store.

Trixie's: Banana monkey cream pie (top left)

Zani's: Choco cream cheese (top right)

Mine: Elvis (bottom left)

April's: Pistachio berries and cream (bottom right)

Kuya Carlo and Che's Wedding

Our uwi was definitely so timely this year. Tita Nina's family were able to come from Iloilo and Kuya Carlo, who's our oldest cousin from my mother side was also sealed last Dec. 27, 2013 at the Manila Philippines Temple. I am so grateful to be blessed not only with a temple worthy family but also temple worthy relatives. Having the temple in our midst is such a great blessing that the Lord has given us to be sealed to our families for eternity. I echo what Elder Jeffrey Holland had said that heaven is unimaginable without our families that is why its such a great privilege that even here on Earth, we are given the opportunity to be with our families until we reach the heavens.

Omadto and Fuentes Family (Kuya Carlo's father and mother side respectively) 

after the reception at Cubao Chapel

look who we saw! didn't know April and Kuya served at the same time at Baguio Mission

wacky cousins! siyempre pinakawacky si Kevin all the way to the right :p

Christmas 2013

One of the best things for me during the Holidays is that we get to spend it not only with family but with my mom's relatives. Ever since I can remember, we have a reunion every year Christmas time and have a Kris Kringle. This does not only include my mom's siblings but even her cousins, her aunts and uncles. Now that I am much older, I realize how special this tradition is no matter the circumstances may be. It makes extended family much closer even when the family gets bigger and bigger. Even though life is tough, everybody still tries to be part of the reunion. I've already missed two Christmases with them when I was in Hawaii but I catch up through photos they post on Facebook and that's how I know that another member of the Omadto Family has been added. Aunts and Uncle marry but we still have this tradition and they bring their spouses to our reunion. This year was extra special because we got to go home and mama's older sister Tita Nina, who lives in Iloilo was able to come as well. I even brought Emil and mom for the first time and Emil even joined our Kris Kringle. He was so happy to be part of it and we've talked about doing the same thing when we will have our kids in the future. This is part of the reason why I love spending Christmas in the Philippines! It's the traditions that we have that makes life happier.

Part of the reunion was of course the food. We had plenty because we spent Christmas day here. After eating, we exchanged gifts which is one of the best part, games and Karaoke. What Filipino party doesn't have Karaoke right? We even have BIG prizes for those who hit certain scores! There was also a pool available so there was also a team swimming competition.

Another tradition has been added to the Kris Kringle. Every year we take a photo of our own families and extended families and see how much we've grown. If I am not mistaken, only a few family was not present at the reunion which is a record! Yay!

Reunion was held at a private resort at Pansol, Calamba, Laguna. Sometimes we travel to different provinces to have our reunion (both Summer and Christmas) but this time, we didn't go far.

Paz Family 2013 (complete!)

Amante Family 2013 (minus ate Rhea and Ethan)

Omadto Family 2013

(pink team: Tito Andy's family, mama's younger brother

blue team: Tita Nina's family, mama's older sister

red team: Paz Family

halo halo team: Tito Legie's family, mama's eldest brother)

1st and 2nd cousins (Omadto 3rd generation)

I am so blessed to have family and extended family like them. My mom and her cousins are close and even us cousins may it be first or second are close too! I am blessed to be part of such a happy family.