Sarap Pinoy

Marami-rami na rin akong kakilala, kaibigan at mga kamag-anak na OFW, mga immigrant sa ibang bansa. Nami-miss daw nila ang pinas. Pero mas pinili nila na sa ibang bansa magtrabaho o manirahan kasi mahirap daw ang buhay sa bansa natin. They need to sacrifice their own happiness by working/living  abroad so that the younger ones (their children) can get a better life than them. Gaano nga ba kahirap ang buhay sa Pilipinas at napakdami ng naalis? Ang tatay ko, naniniwala na kaya mong mabuhay ng matiwasay sa bansa natin basta matyaga ka. Kasi sabi nya, siya rin daw galing sa wala. Pinag-aral din nya yung sarili nya at hindi umasa sa magulang nya, pero kahit papaano may naipundar sya bukod sa napaaral nya kaming magka-kapatid. 

I personally can see my father's reason. It all depends on one's wants and needs. One needed only the basics, but wants so much more. Basics - food, shelter, education, konting savings for health. Others are "wants", not basically needs.  But nobody can blame anybody for wanting more. For having a little of something, for working so hard all your life. Pero sabi nga ng tatay ko, kung basic lang..kayang-kaya. 

So, ano nga bang  meron sa Pinas na wala sa ibang bansa? Para ma-miss mo ng sobra ang Pinas? Na kahit anong sarap ng buhay sa ibang bansa ay mas gugustuhin mo na bumalik.

1. Family - Sino bang gusto na malayo sa pamilya niya? Wala. Kasi sa kultura ng mga Pilipino, mahalaga ang pamilya. Mawala na lahat, wag lang pamilya mo. Dahil may maga oras na kahit meron ka ng lahat ng bagay at pera sa mundo, kung hindi mo naman ito maise-sahre sa pamilya mo, bale wala.

2. Init -  Sobra ang init dito, dati kaya mong tiisin ang summer heat. Ngayon, wish ko na pwede. Kahit tag-ulan na, rainy season na o kaya e, -ber months na, grabe pa rin ang init. Kaya bago lumabas ng bahay, you need to protect your skin, kasehoda na payong o hat, pero sunblock, pinaka importante. Pero syempre, yung init ng pagmamahal ng isang Pinoy!

3. Extra rice / Unli-rice -  Sobrang hilig sa kanin ng mga Pinoy, kahit nakakataba. (Waiter, isa pa ngang rice dyan!)

4. Palengke -  Walang palengke na kasingbaho at kasing dumi ng tulad sa Pinas (feeling ko lang). Kahit pa yatang sabihin na 1st class municipality o 3rd class municipality e kasama na yung ganyang klase ng palengke sa atin.Pero masarap mamili at makipagtawaran kay suki.

5. Pagkain - Oo, masarap din ang pagkain sa ibang bansa. pero mas masarap pa rin ang lutong Pinoy (para sa akin!). Sa karinderya man yan, o sa isang restaurant o kahit simpleng luto ng nanay mo, masarap talaga kumain ang Pinoy. Kahit nga kamatis at bagoong lang ang ulam e, swak na!

6. Beaches - Need I say more? Beaches are the best here in the Philippines. Kahit worst ang airport natin (hayzzz), ayos lang.

7. Maynila, Cebu, Davao, etc. - Sino bang ayaw umuwi sa bayan na kinalakihan mo?

So, sa inyong mga OFW, uwi-uwi rin pag may time. Ipon-ipon din nga pamasahe pag may time. Kasi miss na kayo ng mga kababayan nyo. ('Wag nyo na lang pansinin pulitika dito, para hindi masayang ang happiness nyo. Hehehe.)

A Lot of First in a Single Day

It was a sunny day. A good day to be out and enjoy the sun. Last September 26 was my daughter's school field trip. The field trip that we chose not to attend because of some financial reason. Instead, my husband, my daughter and I headed to Manila to visit some sights. Sights that she's never been too. A good day for a lot of first time.

The first stop was the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or better known as the Baclaran Church. Going there, we took a bus to Manila, then took the LRT (Light Railway Transit) and got off on the last station, the Baclaran Station. It was my daughter's first time to ride the LRT. It was an exciting time for her. She even made  small sounds of the chugging train. 

On-board the LRT

Going to Baclaran Church brings back happy memories for me. It's been 8 years since the last time I have been there. It was the place where my husband, who was then my boyfriend, frequently visit. Even if my husband is into other religion (he is now a Catholic convert) when we started with our relationship, he stays with me inside the church while I make my prayers and "hiling" (wishes) to our blessed Mother. This is where I'd prayed so hard to have a child after months of trying. The Blessed Mother granted my wish and as I sign of gratitude, I brought my daughter to Her home. This is also a first for my daughter. Fond as she is of churches, she was asking a lot of question about the people she sees inside the Baclaran Church.

Baclaran Church

Inside the Baclaran Church

Sweet smile!

We had our lunch in a fastfood near the church after which, we linger around the shops in Baclaran to check out come tights for my little one. We got some  6 pieces tights for a mere 270 pesos. A real deal indeed! After that, we're off again to LRT bound to Rizal Park. 

We got off the UN station and walked all the way to Luneta. Again, another first my my sweet daughter, and for my hubby, too. Even in the heat of the afternoon, my daughter was too happy to be there. She was ecstatic in seeing the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and even asking me where the Bashi Channel is, which she learned from her Civic class.

Where's the Bashi Channel, Papa?

We had tons of fun in Luneta. Another first for Ikay is our ride in a calesa. There were also some doves in park which you can feed with bits of bread. And if ever you and your family got hungry, there's a lot of food stalls inside the park.

Calesa ride

Lastly, we went to Luneta to see the famous statue of Dr. Jose Rizal. Even if the rain was threatening to pour, we hurriedly took our souvenir photos. 

                                                      

Shy dove!

Lots of doves!

Dr. Jose Rizal

Behind the statue is the controversial building

            

It was a tiring but a fun day. Although we did not have that much budget for this trip, we still accomplish a lot of firsts for my daughter. Now, she is making a list of other places to visit. Till next time, till our next trip.