PHILIPPINES 2024 - SAMPALOC

Sony A7IV  ■ f/4 ■ 1/50 ■ ISO 500

Time flies and my kids are flying back to the States after about a week in the Philippines. It was a short visit for them, but it was priceless to celebrate their grandmother's 80th birthday. Ten years ago, I came for her 70th birthday celebration.

With our rented van, we dropped them off at the international airport. With Joel's courtesy, someone from the airport accompanied them through security to facilitate their departure.

After dropping them off, we headed to Sampaloc Manila where we used to live, and went to grade school for 1st and 2nd grade before moving to Baguio City. My Tito Jaime started his "lugawan" business outside their home and occupied the sidewalk. Lugaw is like porridge because it has a similar consistency but with options of adding different proteins like cow's eyeball, cow's intestine, and hard-boiled eggs to name a few. He starts prepping early in the morning and usually closes around 10 AM. However, we have to let Tito know that we are coming so that he can reserve some for us that day. Amazingly, people will see us eating and will ask him if there are still some left since it is way past 10 AM.

In the picture, you will see my brother enjoying a bowl of lugaw and whatever my Tito saved him for protein and my Tita Alma. If you look closely on the left side of the picture, you will see the price of the lugaw depending on what protein you want added. The most expensive one is 40 pesos (less than $1) plus the price of the lugaw, I am guessing around that much as well. I usually don't ask since I get to eat for free. Click here for other pictures

Sony A7IV  ■ f/5 ■ 1/80 ■ ISO 200

The visit to Sampaloc is not complete without stopping by to visit my grandparents at the cemetery. This is by far the largest that I have seen. Others who have not visited this cemetery will be in for a surprise when they do. A cemetery is usually reserved for the dead but not here, when you drive to the cemetery, you will see a community living inside the cemetery. There are stores and houses inside the cemetery. They have their own utilities inside, just don't ask where they get them from. I was told that they tapped into public utilities. I was told that it comes alive at night because there are bars as well.

Once a year during All Saints Day and All Souls Day, November 1, this cemetery and all the cemeteries in the Philippines get crowded due to this celebration. People visit their dead loved ones in the cemetery. They bring food and drinks, and they spend almost the entire day at the cemetery. Personally, I have not had a chance to visit during this time and honestly, I don't think that I would be able to.

My Tito (uncle) and Titas (aunts) from Australia send money for the upkeep of my grandparents' tombs. Recently, they improved the location by building shade and improved by adding a restroom. This will be pretty convenient during the celebration I mentioned above.

After our Sampaloc visit, Grace and Joel invited us for dinner at Wooden Horse Steakhouse in Molito Lifestyle Center. They have another dinner celebration for my mom's birthday. The picture below shows the head chef greeting her, my dad and brother were also in the picture.

Sony A7IV  ■ f/4 ■ 1/160 ■ ISO 8000