Last week, our family enjoyed a short but memorable reunion. I picked up my mother, Norma, and my nieces, LJ and Katrina, from the airport on Monday. We headed straight to Conti’s Restaurant in Bacoor, where my wife China, her mother Lucia, son Osmund, and his wife Erika were waiting. Bacoor’s Molino Blvd. now offers many good dining options, making family gatherings more convenient.
After dinner, we grabbed Frostys at Wendy’s next door. Osmund suggested coffee at Starbucks, but we declined since China had an early Lions Club activity the next day.
On Wednesday, my mom and nieces left for Manila after lunch. My mother, not fond of the modern Filipiniana dress China brought, preferred her usual blue gown for an upcoming event. China, ever accommodating, took her shopping for the dress she wanted. Despite being 84, my mom still carries herself with grace and confidence.
They visited the new walkway under the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, a recent landmark built through a Philippines-China partnership during President Duterte’s term. The family hoped to catch a sunset, but the weather didn’t cooperate.
Thursday’s highlight was a food trip to Binondo, planned by my sister Stella, who now lives in New York and came for short vacation with husband Gary. She insisted on exploring Ongpin Street, even bringing a wheelchair for our mom. Navigating the busy streets was challenging, but we managed and ended up shopping at Eng Bee Tin while waiting for our ride.
A pleasant surprise was our visit to Bahay Chinoy, a museum in Intramuros. We learned about the deep-rooted history between Filipinos and Chinese, their early trade, and shared struggles long before Spanish colonization. It was a reminder of our longstanding friendship with China, which predates modern disputes.
However, lunch at To Ho Antigua Panciteria was disappointing. Despite requesting a table for eight, smaller groups were seated ahead of us. The staff didn’t offer to split our group, and there was no apology from the manager. Frustrated, we left and dined instead at Kiapo in Okada, where Osmund kindly paid for our meal to appease his aunt’s frustration on the failed To Ho Antigua dinning experience she planned meticulously months back.
Friday was LJ’s birthday, but we couldn’t celebrate as my mom was a principal sponsor at her niece Hanilita Ysulat and Joel Factor’s in Quezon City. We picked up relatives Bing and Sonny Benitez, both living in Bacoor, and it was heartwarming to see the Ysulat clan together, especially for my mother, one of the family’s elders. She was happy to see Dr. Godwin Hernaez, her cousin. He recently retired from Veterans Memorial Medical Center as Head of Pathology and Medical Staff.
On Saturday, before my nieces’ flight back to Cadiz, China insisted we visit Venice Grand Canal Mall. After a boat ride and lunch, we faced another letdown: the airport guard asked my 84-year-old mother to walk a long distance for check-in because their radios had dead batteries and couldn’t request a wheelchair. Such incidents highlight the need for better airport assistance for seniors.
Despite some disappointments, the reunion was filled with laughter, shared stories, and new memories. It reminded us of the value of family time, the importance of thoughtful planning, and the joy found in simple togetherness. ||
