Philippines in a Conchshell...
Current mood: grateful
Before leaving for the Philippines, my friends and roomies warned me about the poverty, the corruption, the lack of "simple pleasures". So I was prepared for no running water, no indoor/outdoor plumbing, mosquito attacks and as my mother calls "roughin it".
My cousin Sherelle wrote about her P.I. experience as giving her more appreciation of having what most Filipinos lack:
"man, so, if you ever want to believe that your life sucks, go to the philippines, shower in the dark, flush your toilet with a bucket of water, sleep in a hut made of bamboo. try making less than $3.00 and day and feed your children. sleep on bed frames with a woven guitar strings as a mattress, try walking on a dirt floor inside your home, wash all your clothes by hand, try only being able to afford shampoo and conditioner in individual sample packs, because a whole bottle is too expensive. and pray that you don't get sick because if you do, your idea of good medical treatment will be a six hour boat ride away, and you may not be able to afford that."
But as for me, Coming back from my motherland (Dipolog, Mindanao, Philippines)...I have more of an appreciation for my grandparents. Each one of them had dreams in their eyes of a better life, worked their asses off, went through the worst of racism, raised their kids in America and ultimately acheived that dream.
My Mother's Father, Canuto Salaver, came from the poorest of the poor. But because he was so intent on making a better life, he snuck his way onto a boat (yes, in this day of age...he would be considered an illegal alien) and without knowing anyone in America, made his way to California. Not only did he find work, but he also hussled his way into an American High School just to learn English. After that he made a name for himself here in San Francisco and owned the Very FIRST Filipino restuarant at the International Hotel, Called Mabuhay Gardens.
My Father's Mother, Encar Go, also dreamed for a better life. She came from a small province in Eastern Samar. She also didn't have an education past high school. But at the age of 23, she met & married my Grandpa, Marmerto Villanueva, because "he worked for the Navy & had his greencard". To most Americans, something like that is looked down on...but if you have nothing, you'll do something to make it happen. And back in the 50's, women didn't have choices like they do now (like working overseas as a nurse).
Don't get me wrong, like my cousin I do appreciate my American Life. But what I appreciate more after my trip to the Philippines are my ancestors, my grandparents and my culture. Cuz while I'm an American girl (YES, I still can't speak or understand Visayan) I still have my Filipino culture and traditions intact.
It feels good to not only know my family history...but to be proud of it too. Growing up, I knew about my grandparents struggles...but I wasn't as proud as I am today of what hard times they overcame just to give me what I have today.
