Philippines
I went on a solo trip to the Philippines to explore my ancestry, to find my sense of self and voice through the roots of my past. With the help of family in Kalibo, Aklan, I was able to find something more. A sense of belonging.
I decided to go to the Philippines for a couple of reasons, one was because I missed my grandma, we were close. I lived with her during my college years and got to learn so much about my culture through her. Even getting to know her story of immigration and admiring the community she created around her made me really proud of where I came from. When she passed, a lot of that left, that community I was surrounded by.
I visited the province where my grandmother grew up, Kalibo, Aklan and my tita (aunt), her first cousin, had welcomed me into her home, taking me around where her and my grandma grew up. Where they were both running throughout the streets and the center of the town.
My tita's family was the first pharmacy in the province. "Motus Pharmacy"
The town was getting ready for Ati-Atihan, the oldest festival in the Philippines, celebrating Santo Niño and the aboriginal peoples.
The other reason was that I wanted to find my voice in my art through learning my ancestors and making connections those to find courage within myself.
Let the Festivities Begin
The Festival was a week long, a vibrant community of tribes coming together with their different costumes, bands proceeding drumming exuberantly causing people to move to the rhythm in joy. Families and friends visited the town throughout the week, hopping from home to home, hosting dinners and karaoke night. Celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions.
Once the festivities died down, I was invited by a close family friend to travel back with them to their home in Iloilo City. Their son and their friend was around my age, wanted to show me their beautiful city and it was gorgeous. They also took me to Guimaras, a small island across from Iloilo, with white sand, blue clear waters.
Off to Guimaras!
As the sun started to set, my feet in the sand in a new part of the Philippines, I saw children running and playing around the in the sand. What I saw was my childhood, growing up with six siblings. They were like us, but more free. This was one of my favorite photos that I took, feels like a painting and a memory.
One of the sweetest families that took me in for a moment, sharing their vacation with me, it felt like we didn't just meet for the very first time! And Yes, I trusted strangers but they were family friends. How could I not say yes to such a wonderful trip that turned into an adventure!
