It was a few days before the end of the first month of 2024 and I was looking for a quick getaway because I misunderstood my son's schedule and thought he would not be home that weekend. I spontaneously booked a joiner tour with #WanderlustTravelAdventures for me and Pia. Since it was also a 3-day school break for Pia because of an Employee's Retreat in their school, we joined a 3D/2N Tri-City Ilocos Tour on a whim.
This is the second time for Pia and myself to join a group tour. I find it a more practical alternative to travel given a limited budget. A group tour can range from 11 to 18 pax depending on the vehicle that will be used. For this tour, there were 11 pax. Besides Pia and I, we have three senior siblings and their help angel, a family of three, and the two ladies who were best friends. It was a trip that made me appreciate the beauty of Ilocos and it also a trip that triggered me to reflect on our family situation.
Before I share the wisdom gained from this trip, let me show you how beautiful and enjoyable the Ilocos trip can be.
Ilocos came in as a surprise for me, the beauty of the beach is way more beautiful than any captured photos or videos. From the clear water and white sand to a desert-like adventure, beautiful and old structures, green lush hills along the ocean, and technology (aka windmills) that amplify the power of nature, I feel that ancestral and nature power runs strong in this place as they have preserved nature and tradition while adapting modern technology (which had been advanced in its time during its first installation). From an energetic point of view, I see Ilocos as a natural seat of power.
Speaking of ancestors, I would like to share the heartwarming lessons I have learned from the three senior siblings who were with us on the trip.
The three siblings who were 78, 72, and 67 years old respectively during our trip said that they make time to travel together to different places as a form of bonding time. I was amazed that at their age, not only are they STILL traveling (as some elders would already make excuses to not get out of the house), but they are still TRAVELING TOGETHER with their family. In a time where good relationships with family and siblings are challenging, I am happy and inspired to meet them and learn that they are doing it because they were raised to look out for each other as siblings.
They mentioned that there were ten of them. All ten siblings are alive with the oldest at 90 and the youngest at 63 (if I remember it correctly). They were proud to say that even though their parents were a seamstress and an employee, all of them were able to graduate because their father had implemented this rule: the person who graduated would help in the education of the next family member who was still studying. With this tradition, all ten siblings were able to finish schooling.
I asked if they lived in the same house and they said that they are living within the same location (subdivision) somewhere in Fairview. They mentioned that their late mother told them to get houses in the same area so that it would be easier for them to help each other out in cases of emergency. I now understand better why Nanay wanted me to stay here in Sampaloc, it is because she probably wanted the same for us (me and my Ate). To have a close tie with family and siblings despite being independent in some areas and aspects of life.
They take good care of each other by looking after each other's health (reminding each one of their vitamin supplements and maintenance medicines).
As the last day in Ilocos came close, one of the ladies asked why I was crying in the middle of the conversation with the siblings... I find the siblings' story as an inspiration and a good model for many Filipino families. Filipinos are known to have a tight-knit family and theirs is an example that being together in the same place as your family can be a good practice as long as every member of the family has sincere and pure intention of living harmoniously and comfortably with the family. Not only were they were able to keep the communication line close, but also, they were able to help each member of the family grow and be successful in their own chosen life.
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