Barrio Fiesta - A reunion

I am proud to be a part of a family that values its family heritage. It has been our family tradition to hold a grand reunion every 3 years. For me, this signifies a commitment to stay in touch and get to know one’s relatives. Reunions provide us a sense of belonging as well as offer a chance to look back at our family history. It is a great time for the elders and the younger generation to meet and spend time together.

Last April 10 and 11, our family held their grand family reunion at Candon, Ilocos Sur.  It was a star studded event participated by relatives from Baguio, Manila and other provincial locations. Even those living abroad flew in to celebrate this event. 

The Manila chapter (mostly the Medina side) were in full force consisting of our dear Nanay Naty and 6 of her children, several grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

The theme for this reunion was “Barrio Fiesta”. Participants were requested to be in their best Filipino attire and those who did not follow were fined.

Day 1 was filled with traditional Filipino games like Pukpok Palayok, Pabitin and Pinoy Henyo.

 

Each family introduced their members and staged their practiced presentations that included dancing and singing.  

Lots of Pinoy foods were also prepared like Lechon,Papaitan, Pinakbet, Laing and a lot more.

       

 As with our other reunions, our elders took center stage in their Filipiñiana costume.

Generations of Del Rosario clan enjoyed the good food with a few laughs and a lot of dancing. 

Day 2 was spent at the beach. All of us enjoyed the sun and the sand while playing water games. It’s a good thing that the elders thought to bring ice cream at the beach to cool us off. Still, most of us ended the day looking like burned toast. Our word for the entire week will probably be “Sunburn”.

 Being with our family reminds us to take a step back out of our busy schedules and remember what is important in life. The whole 3 days made me realize the truth to the saying that “The best things in life are not things”. And though most of us will be returning to work in the coming days, the memory of this event will be something to remind us of what we have to look forward to in the coming years.

Until the next family reunion. You have years to prepare your chosen national costume for our United Nations theme!