"Hinahanap-hanap kita, Manila
I'm looking for you, Manila Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga
Your noise is so nice to my ears Mga jeepney mong nagliliparan
Your jeepneys are flying (along the streets) Mga babae mong naggagandahan
Your beautiful women
Take me back in your arms, Manila And promise me you'll never let go Promise me you'll never let go
Manila, Manila
Miss you like hell, Manila
No place in the world like Manila
I'm coming home to stay"
This popular song is from the perspective of a man who has left the Philippines, traveled around the world, and seen different places. But he is restless because there is something about Manila that he can't forget. Something that he misses. Something calling him back home.
I felt a similar way. It was 5 years since my last visit, so when I graduated from college in May, I decided to go visit my grandparents and family in the Philippines. I didn't know that the month long vacation I planned was actually going to end up being a 5 month stay. The reason being was that I unexpectedly met a local model manager who wanted to represent me while I was in Manila, so I ended up staying to try and make the best of the opportunity (**see blog post on modeling in Manila here**).
Aside from the modeling, I also didn't want to leave because I was having too much fun exploring, reconnecting with old friends and family, meeting new people, and going on adventures. I made some really good memories during this stay.
Places I visited:
Intramuros Manila (Museo ni Jose Rizal Fort Santiago & Barbara's Heritage Restaurant)
National Museum of Natural History
Dessert Museum (**see Insta post here & here**)
Taal Lake & Tagaytay city
San Juan La Union (**see blog post here**)
Zambales (**see blog post here**)
Clockwise starting from top left: the Dessert Museum, Tagaytay City, San Juan La Union, Barbara's Heritage Restaurant, Sofitel Hotel, Zambales
Events I attended:
Fashion Institute of the Philippines Graduation Fashion Show (**see blog post here**)
Children's book reading by actress Jodi Sta. Maria
My Lolo's (grandfather) memorial & funeral service
Miguel concert at the Island (**see Insta post here**)
A cousin's 1st birthday party (a Jollibee party!)
My 22nd birthday celebration (**see Insta post here**)
Tattoo session at Whiplash Tattoo (**see blog post here**)
Clockwise starting from top left: children's book reading with actress Jodi Sta. Maria, with a cousin at the Jollibee birthday party, tattoo session at Whiplash Tattoo, Kasuotang Pilipino Fashion Show, Miguel concert at the Island, FIP Grad Show. Bottom photo: my Lolo's memorial service.
I did also enjoy the simpler things like Sunday family dinners, going out for drinks and food trips with my cousin and his friends, a quiet 22nd birthday celebration, and the occasional G-Force Dance classes.
A collection of various family dinners and get-togethers
A collection of various night outs and new friends I made (mostly my cousin's friends)
I managed to take 2 G-Force dance classes with G-Force instructors Ian & Edward
I also have to thank my aunt, Jen, and her daughter, Lara, for taking care of me, supporting me, and keeping me company during these past 5 months. Throughout all the ups and downs they were there for me. Every day spent with them is a memory I will treasure forever.
Being in the Philippines was good for me. I was able to reconnect with my roots and culture, catch up with family members and old friends, and re-visit a lot of places I spent my early childhood in. During my stay I was able to use and practice more of my Tagalog. I was taking the P2P Bus to commute around. I was eating a lot of Filipino food (even with my no rice diet). And I also experienced the Manila night-life now that I'm older. For the most part, it was good to be back in the heat, noise, traffic, and hospitality Manila is known for. Of course, I encountered some challenges while I was there and things to adjust to, but that just pushed my personal growth further. Being abroad made me grow and learn in ways that I would have never been able to had I stayed home in America or gone back after the 1st month. And for that I am truly thankful.
"Home to movie nights, sloppy drunk stories, the brokenhearted, the world traveler, the lazy bum, the sickly, the fashion model, the snackers & wine drinkers, and more....
Bella was here
07.03.19-11.26.19"
My goodbye message, written on a wall of the room I stayed in, in the house that was, and currently is, a home for 4 generations of Jacintos.
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