I’ve heard some foreigners complain about the large family reunions held in the Philippines, however, I really enjoy them! My Filipino family does not hold a family reunion every year, but it is part of the vibrant Filipino Culture to hold one every few years. Most families have OFWs, workers abroad, so whenever a few of them are in the Philippines on vacation at the same time, that is when a “spur of the moment” family reunion is organized! During the past 5 years of living in the Bacolod Area, I’ve attended 3 Family Reunions. Two organized by my father in law’s family and one organized by the family of my mother in law.
Roads That Lead Home
The first family reunion I attended was when a cousin retired from the AFP as a Captain, moved back to the area and had just completed building his new retirement home. The only expense we had was bringing one case of beer, which cost about P400 at the time for San Miguel Pilsen. Around this same time, the sister of my father in law had moved back to the area of the family after her husband passed away and they had lived in Manila for about 45 years! A good time for getting together, eating, knocking back a few cold ones, singing and having a wonderful time!
Next up was two years ago when a cousin returned home for the first time in over 20 years! As a young man, he had moved to Zambales to work in a factory and had never returned home, not even for a short vacation. The cousin told me he was too busy having his own family, working hard to be promoted to plant manager and he wanted to have a big blow out party at his expense once he had saved enough to return home again. He accomplished his goal in 2012 and relatives met his wife and two teenage daughters for the very first time! It was an emotional event, since he had been gone so long, but it was also a fabulous celebration. We were told not to bring anything but to only bring ourselves and get ready to have a damn good time! That we did!
Yesterday, we had a family reunion at Ceferina Beach Resort on the border of Victorias City and Manapla, Negros Occidental. We were asked to bring one dish and something to drink. We took Southern Fried Chicken, Dunkin’ Donuts, 2 liters of Coca Cola and a mixed case of Beer na Beer and Colt 45. Colt 45 is actually brewed in the Philippines and it is very popular… believe it or not!
One of our nieces has one month vacation from Canada and she is the reason for the family reunion yesterday. Added is that her teenage son just received approval for his Canadian Visa, so she is taking him back to Canada with her. She has lived in Canada about 10 years now and she works there. She has been an OFW in other locations for a total of about 20 years now.
Ceferina Beach Resort has day cottages for rent, with a BBQ grill included. There is also a full size swimming pool for those who do not like swimming in the sea. We grilled so many fish yesterday! Bulaw fish is what I had and it is not very bony. Karaoke is available for P5 per song.
I Dig It!
Having come from a small family in the USA, one of the attractions of the Philippines for me was the large families and their closeness. Something I never experienced in my life until I came to the Philippines. I like it! Some foreigners think they are going to have to dole out money to many family members once they move here but that is not true, unless you agree to dole it out! No one in the family is going to rob you at gun point, or at least that would be extremely rare! Make sure you and your wife or partner are on the same page concerning helping the family from Day One. My wife and I have been on the same page for the past 11 years now. She does not expect me to give money away hand over fist but I do help out if a true emergency exists.
Once you attend your First Filipino Family Reunion, I think you will enjoy it! If you don’t, I guess you can just sit at home alone next time a reunion is cranked up! Don’t be a Killjoy or a Party Pooper! Enjoy life and it will only cost you about $20, if that much!
On my first visit, a reunion had been planned for a week after I would leave. So they moved it up a week so everyone could meet me. I quit drinking many years ago, but an elder took me by the hand and I sat with 4 men. One pulled a bottle of brandy from a cooler, I figured I could handle a fifth of a bottle. However, 4 bottles later I had to be helped into a truck cab for the ride home. Thankful they didn’t put me in the back with the others.
Did you have a hangover? I remember the first time I had San Miguel Pilsen 28 years ago. Yeah, I had more than one but didn’t think I had overdone it. Regardless, the next day when I woke up, I did not feel all that well and I knew it was the new beer. I mentioned it to a Filipino friend and he told me to crack a raw egg in a glass, pour in a San Miguel Pilsen, stir it up and drink it down. I did and it worked wonders! Right away!
An old lady from Pangasinan, my cook, told me another time that if you have the onset of a cold, crack a raw egg in a glass, pour in a San Miguel Pilsen, stir it up and drink it down. Did that too, and it is good for a cold as well!
~ Gary ~
Hi Gary, just wondering you have been living in the Philippines for a long time now. What is the status of your stay? Did you apply for a Filipino visa? Do you have a dual citizenship? Just curious because I am a Filipina who married an American. We are planning to retire in the Philippines, that is why I am asking you. I hope you will respond. Thank you.
Gary is no longer with RTTP. If I recall correctly, I believe he has a 13a visa as he is married to a Filipina
Steve
Regretfully, my experience has been that every time my family and I come to the Philippines THAT is a reason for a party and impromptu family reunion. Yes, I have never been asked to provide anything at these events, but, because we are the “guests of honor,” so to speak and everyone is just “sitting around” – inevitably I end up caving in and grab a tricycle into town for one billy goat, 5 cases of beer and assorted other items. It has never cost me more then $80.00 US and I always have the time of my life. My only complaint is that it is now almost impossible to just “sneak back home” to take care of any business. Someone recognizes the “Connie’s fat Kano asawa in the cowboy hat” and its party’s on.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Ponani. I like BBQ goat and goat caldereta (stew).
Right, it doesn’t take a ton of money in the Philippines to spread a lot of joy.
~ Gary ~
Hey Gary,
Family reunions, birthdays, barangay fiestas, town fiesta, baptismal, weddings bring them on! I love my Filipino family, extended family, neighbors etc. and we love to party! We all get along well and any excuse for a party is a good one as far as we’re concerned. Lechon is king along with pancit spaghetti ginamay, fried chicken etc. My drink of choice is Tanduay 65 over ice with RC Cola:)
Hey Queeniebee5,
I love your attitude! It’s the best way to be in the Philippines and around Filipinos anywhere in the world. Tanduay 65 over ice with RC Cola sounds like a good drink.
The road goes on forever in the Philippines and the party never ends!
~ Gary ~
Had a few family reunions over the years in Bacolod, Manila and Morong in Bataan. The one in Morong was huge event. Rented a karaoke joint on the beach and a couple resort cabins for the traveling members of the family. I am basically a beer only man but of course there was plenty of brandy and rum for those disposed to those deadly ( for me that is ) concoctions. Unfortunately I drink these as if they were beer and the result isn’t pretty. Great nights on all occasions.
Give me any excuse for SMB and I’m ‘IN’. When my wife and I visit, all the extended family chip in and have a large reuniun at one of the many resorts near Iloilo. I will normally buy the guys a few jugs of rum but I stay to my diet of SMB. Good drink, good food and most of all, very good friends and family.