Back from Life Hiatus

It's been a while. Not much to say regarding that. I took the shot above while on a sunset boat ride in Oroquieta, Philippines with a few of my cousins, provided by one our aunties (Thanks Auntie!). We'd just finished hosting the annual Grand Reunion of the very extended family of Simona Marapao. To give you an idea of how big this reunion is, Simona Marapao is my great-great grandmother. She had 10 children by two separate husbands, and each of those 10 children's "clan" takes turn hosting this huge Christmas Day reunion in Oroquieta. My family and other relatives from different places all "returned" back to Oroquieta to put on this reunion the past Christmas.

I've been fortunate enough to have been able to visit the Philippines several times. Many of my relatives live there, and it's always a great trip to go and see them, spend time with them and enjoy the wonderful places all over. I've been as far south as Davao in Mindanao and as far north as Banaue Rice Terraces, including many places in between such as good ol' Oroquieta, Bukidnon, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and of course who can forget Manila. That congested, polluted city that we (nearly) all must pass through to get to the rest of the beautiful Philippines. But why think of the city when you can instead recall sights like the sunset over Mindanao, a cool breeze brushing at your cheek, the refreshing sea wetting your feet as you dangle your legs out over the tiny boat filled with your cousins, and the stars, one by one, slowing waking from their daytime slumber to decorate the sky with their twinkling smile. That's the Philippines I like to remember.


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