Meet the Giganto family–the family of my boyfriend. His relatives decided to host a 3-day vacation at Santa Fe. Bantayan. They were invited so they traveled all the way from Danao to Bantayan. It was just a simple gathering of a family who's been months apart from one another. It also became a tradition for them to gather at their hometown just so they can spend time with each other.
Initially, it was supposed to be a beach but ended up at the Mangrove Swamp which is a good idea because it feels the area is exclusively open for us.
As early as 6 am. They started preparing food. They cooked very traditional food. Of course lechon is always present in gatherings like this. Special bam-i, is on a must-list food too! They arrived at the venue around 9:30 in the morning. Everyone is excited from kids to adults. They can't wait but to dip and play in the swamp. Everybody enjoyed it, and so did I.
As I have watched them giggling to one another, I can't help but admire them. Do you see their smiles? Very genuine, very natural. Do you see their poses? Very cutesy and very madam. This is the part of the vacation that I love the most. I got to witness how they express their genuine love to one another. I can't help but to smile and think– If my family bonds like this, It would surely strengthen our ties as a family. It’s been a while since my family and relatives spent time with one another. Even if there is a special occasion, we never got the chance.
That is why I somehow envision a kind of family like this. The family that stays together through thick and thin. A family that celebrates no matter how small the achievements are. It's not the amount of money that they can bring to the table. It's the memories that lasts forever.
As Christmas approaches, let's cherish the joy of spending time with our loved ones. Let's express our love through shared laughter, heartfelt conversations while drinking champagne. This season is the perfect opportunity to strengthen our bonds and create memories with them.