Philippines

Lady Ayag, Banaue Philippines

An adventure that started it all.

In December of 2004, my family and I travelled back to “the mother country” – the Philippines. I was born there but moved to the U.S. with my parents when I was 3 years-old. We’ve only gone back once before, but this would be the first trip where we would venture outside of the usual expat destination of Manila.

When most filipinos go back home, they head for Manila – to see family, to visit the mega-malls, to check on family farms or hang out at the beaches. My parents, however, are adventurous and my sisters and I were lucky to be born to them. Although the main objective of the trip was to witness my cousin’s wedding and see family, we also marked 3 destinations that most people – filipinos and filipino-americans don’t often get to appreciate. Among these places are the heritage sites of my mom and my dad, and a heritage site that all people from Luzon can look to.

• TARLAC: My mom is from Moncada – a small town in the province of Tarlac. Here we visit the home where my mom grew up, and the family farm that still exists today.
• PANGASINAN: My dad’s roots are in the province of Pangasinan. Here we visit the a natural treasure that gave rise to the cultures in the Pangasinan area.
• IFUGAO PROVINCE: Deep in the mountains of Luzon is the Ifugao tribe that live on the edge of the modern world and their ancient culture.