Kumustaaaaa!

Lara and I parted ways yesterday to continue our reunions with our families here in the Philippines. She’s off in Burgos with her mom’s side of her family as well as her mother who made an impromptu visit here.

I’ve been dropped off to my Auntie Lala’s house and will be staying with her for a few days before I make my next stop to Baguio city, where my relatives also live and not to mention, where I lived my first two years of my life.

It’s only been a few days that I’ve been in the Philippines and I can already find the comfort of this place. I’ve even made some mental notes that remind me that I’m in the Philippines:

• Scattered vendors along Manila traffic selling balut, chicharon, cigarettes, newspapers and mints
• Sodas are served in plastic bags with straws protruding
• Everyone is dispersed throughout the streets, even during traffic when attempting to cross
  
• Children are running around without slippers and sometimes clothing
• Water is usually boiled here for showers
• Someone pumps your gas for you
• Jeepneys (public transportation in long jeeps) flood the streets
  
• Contrasts between wealthy areas and the slums are evident within a 5 mile radius
• I’ve called everyone I’ve met my auntie or uncle
• Kareoke is sold literally everywhere!
• Everyone thinks they can sing (Hehe. The other day at SM—which is a major mall franchise here—a man was singing his heart out to the lyrics of Justin Timberlake’s Body Rock) You won't fail to hear a sales associate humming to a love song to pass time, I guarantee you!
  
• Whitening products occupy store counters with it’s latest product improvements! Vitamin D seems prohibited here
• Maids and drivers become part of the family
• Waking up to the smell of fried goodness is usually the morning aroma
• Random chicken crossings
• Radio stations are so on point with their soft rock hits, reminding me of Delilah and Koit stations
  
• Church is a big deal
• Fake goods galore!
  
• And figurines of holy entities live in everyone’s make-shift altars in their homes, for example, my Aunt’s life-sized Santo Rosario. Frankly, I find him scary (pardon, that may have been blasphemous. Ohp!). My aunt says it’s the church’s property and she’s just housing it for the time being. Hey mom, every time I step into Auntie’s living room, I’m practically at church! So, stop nagging... I’m sure I’m getting some holy points from this figurines stay at Auntie’s. =) Haha

• Women wear headbands... like, hella!

That's all I can think for now. More updates later.