We've been here in the Philippines for about a week now. We mostly don't do anything. Just eat, sleep, converse, eat, watch TV, eat, sweat, eat, eat, and then sleep again. To be honest, I started to feel bored. Like, really bored. I've even started watching soaps I can't even follow through. Which leads me to the highlight of my day.

Just this morning Papa called his sister and said that we were home for the summer. Our aunt was obviously happy by the sounds of her screams over the phone. I couldn't really hear much but static squeals but I did make out that we were going out fo the night with them.

After their conversation, Papa told us that we'd be hanging out with his side of the family and their kids at MOA. Its name meant "Mall of Asia", which at first I thought was a dingy strip mall and the name was a bit excessive. But, boy, it wasn't. The place was huge! There were ice skating rinks, food courts, shopping districts, concert halls, and even a dang seaside (I really thought it was a nice touch). We waited at the seaside in front of a row of buffets.

We waited for a long while. Thankfully Mom decided to buy us ice cream, which was heavenly in the hot Philippine day. The first to arrive was a pale woman with glasses and adult braces. We called her "*Tita Raquel". With her, was her kind of tall and chubby husband (Uncle Richard) and lean son (Janus). We talked while we waited for papa's two siblings and their family. When we were talking -- or rather when the adults were talking -- I realized that Tita Raquel looked a lot like someone. I asked my **Ate Agatha about it and she said "She's Tita Rizza's sister. Y'know? The one we would visit in San Francisco?" I nodded in agreement. She did look a lot like Tita Rizza, even though I've only seen her a few times.

While we (they actually, they just turned to me to ask a couple of questions like "how's school?" or "what do you think about the Philippines?") talked I caught a couple of hints about them. They live in a condo with 5 dogs and that Janus plays bowling. He's apparently really good. He would often go out of the country to play in competitions.

I got bored and asked Ate Aga to walk with me at the seaside. It was really pretty. We saw a lot of dogs (really, really cute ones). The whole place was huge. There were tons of amusement park rides and bungee jumping and ziplines. There were also some clubs and stalls that sell juice. Ate Aga gave me fun facts about the place, like how it was the largest mall in Asia (hence the name) right before Dubai topped it. And that most of the mall was actually above the sea with only concrete and metal preventing us from falling. She even joked that "If ever there was an earthquake, I wouldn't want to be the poor people who are here then." 

After a few rounds to around the seaside, we see unfamiliar people talking to Papa and Mom. When we got a closer look we realize that they were our relatives. Actually, Ate Agatha realized they were our relatives. I was only five when I last saw them, so how the heck would I know who they were? Anywho, apparently, the reason for their lateness was because Papa's sister picked up their brother from another town and that the traffic was murder. 

Papa's sister, Tita Mila, came with her husband, son, daughter, and grandson (GRANDSON! I'M AN AUNT!). They had other two sons and Jeric's -- yes, that's my nephew's name -- Mom in their family, but sadly, one of their sons works in Japan and Jeric's Mom works in Hongkong. I dunno why Jeric's Dad, Lester, didn't come, but whatever.

Papa's brother, however, was a complete family. I can't seem to remember his name but it had an "Ed", as well, like my father's name. But his daughters I remember very well even though they were only 1 and 3 years old, but their distinctive curly hair always gets me. Our Uncle, apparently, works on a cruise ship that leaves for nine months and only comes back for three months starting from June every year.

I think it's really a cruel joke. Most parents here in the Philippines have to leave their family for years just to provide for them. Even Papa had to do the same. Before we left for America, for the last three-quarters of my life I didn't get to see my Dad out of a computer screen or have him in my birthday parties while everyone else in the class had their parents with them 24/7. Even if we do live in America now, my Papa is still gone every six months because of business trips. So in times like these, we try to cherish it the most.

After a few catching up with our extended family we finally decide to eat at a festival themed buffet restaurant. Papa paid for all ten adults and five kids ("To make up for lost time," he says.).  

It was a cute restaurant. There was a lot of food -- as expected from a buffet -- but we were really lucky enough to have the staff dance for us and have the closest table to the stage. they only did dances on weekends and they were amazing! They danced a couple of dances from the Philippine Ethnic group.

Sometimes, they would call people onto the stage. Us being in front, my sisters would often get picked out of the crowd. They danced this thing that envolved bamboos. It looked pretty hard since they both had their ankles squished by bamboo at least thrice.

The food was decent as well. We actually hardly did anything but eat and talk. I guess 6 years is really a long time without any contact. We finished eating after a few hours. We stuffed ourselves so much that even though it was pretty early, we were all clocked out. We said our goodbyes and gave each other hugs. I hope we get to see them again.

The moment everyone was in the car we all wanted to go to sleep (Ate Aga's term is "food coma"), but Papa had to drive us home so I was the only one who fell asleep in the car. It was a horrible habit of mine. I would always go to sleep whenever I was in a car. Mom says that if I ever had to travel by myself, sure enough, I'll get pickpocketed.

Everyone else is about to sleep right now. And, to be honest, I want to, too. Just gonna tie a pretty ribbon here to end this. Goodbye.