Day 1: How Long Has it Been?
It has been a decade…
(10 years) to date since I last saw my homeland, the Philippines. I don’t know when I will go back. I want to. My hubs sure would like to visit, but there is no immediate plan of us going as of yet. Why? For one, it’s a little less than 10,000 miles away and it cost right about that much for my family and I to fly over there and back…
Perhaps when we move to the Marianas it would be a more realistic feat.
For now, we settle with bringing some of the Philippines to Jacksonville through Filipino foods, family, and culture. That is this month’s focus of Home and Bahay:
31 Days of {my} Filipino Culture.
There are several reasons I chose this series:
1. To archive the Filipino culture that we’d like to teach our children and keep the Filipino identity.
2. Take advantage of the time that hubby is away for me to make (learn and perfect 
) some of the Filipino food that I’m sure he would love to try.
3. To remember. Simply remember where I came from. My home will always be where my family is…but I don’t intent to forget my identity as a Filipino.
I hope you will join me for the rest of October as I “journey” back to my homeland, the Philippines.
Where exactly…
was I from?
*deep breath*
The majority of this month’s series will be coming from my Central Luzon background. My father’s side came from Bicol but migrated to Baguio City where he and my Mama (who’s roots are from Tarlac/Cabanatuan City) met and tied the knot.
The first part of my childhood (baby-3rd grade) were spent in Baguio city with some vacation travels to the province of Cabanatuan City. After the disastrous earthquake in 1990, my family moved to the flat province of Cabanatuan City.
Having grown up in the Philippines, I am fluent in Tagalog. I understand Ilocano but if I spoke it, I may be providing entertainment instead of comprehension. So, Tagalog lang po.
How ’bout you?
How long has it been since you were last in the Philippines?
You live there sa Pinas? How long have you been there?
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Tell Me About It Here:
Hi! My name is Chelo. I'm Filipina by birth and American by marriage. This here is my little Fil-Am fam. Salamat for taking time to visit my online space. Be sure to drop me a line because...
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I would love to go with you!!! Me you and baby. Very excited to follow through these 31 days. It has been awhile since you have been to your homeland, and every time you tell me the story about the earthquake I thank the Lord he kept my sweety safe. I love you
I’m excited to read this series. I lived in the Philippines for two years as a small child and I have fond memories of the place and the people. We were also on the island of Luzon, but I think before you were born.
Awesome, Cherie! I look forward to getting some yummy and healthy recipes from your series.
It has been 2years, 3 months, and 21 days. We planted a church in Davao City. Cebuano is what we ATTEMPTED to learn. gamay lang. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series! My husband was at Clark Air Base for two years. We were in Davao for six years. My youngest may as well have a tattoo that says, “made in the Philippines with imported parts.”
Cause I can’t tell you how many times we were told that just after she was born.
Hi Chelo, Yey! Day 1? Loved it! About that, I am from Zamboanga, but originally from Pampanga. Our last trip to Philippines was in march 2010 and I am honestly itching to go back home..hihihi Ngapala, I added you to my Blog I heart.:-D Happy Sunday!
)
You were just there last year?! Jealouuus!
I think I’m gonna head over your site now to look for Zamboanga pictures. Curious, so anong language alam mo? 
Hi Chelo! I’ve lived in the Philippines for 21 years. I stumbled on the 31 say project and found you. I signed up for your emails and look forward to reading your posts about your country of origin… my home.
Hey thats pretty cool! You’ve been there a while but I understand that you like to travel and are all over the globe
That’s just too cool! Thanks for joining me in the journey, Francisca (love your name by the way) 
March 2009 was the last time i went home and we’re supposed fly there early this year but we decided to postpone it because of my difficult pregnancy. I miss Philippines already! Chello, i grew up in baguio but my family moved to tarlac when i was 21 (i still consider baguio as my hometown though). I was in grade4 when the earthquake happened– it was a horrible time! We’re blessed because we survived it. Love this challenge.. Will definitely come back for more.
Yehey, Myla! Saan kayo sa Baguio? I was in 3rd grade when the earthquake struck. We lived close to Camp John Hay and passed by that huge tree in the middle of the road every single day we went to town. But I heard it’s no longer there. Tarlac is also close to Cabanatuan City. It’s my mama’s hometown. Wow talagang magkapitbahay lang tayo
It has been eight months and 11 days since I left the Philippines. We went there to see our nanny get married, meet her family and see where she lived. Alma Blessed our family for three and a half years. She helped me take care of my house and children. We loved the Philippines but Manila is crazy. We miss Alma dearly, and I look forward to reading your 31 days.
That’s awesome, Paige! Not that long ago then
I agree with our capital’s craziness…