Allow me to joyfully recount the delightful story of my weekend spent in the loving company of my dear family. The weekend began with a heartwarming family reunion on a sunny Saturday. Though the venue may have been slightly cramped to accommodate all our relatives, we had wisely prepared two large tents and a traditional nipa hut as backup in case of any unforeseen rain.
The best time we had is when our family bonded together, and the love and affection we feel from them is truly irreplaceable. Despite life's struggles, the warmth and care we receive from our loved ones make them all disappear. Sharing, giving, and understanding are the true essence of love for each other.
It is incredibly therapeutic when someone cares for us. Being loved and feeling a sense of belongingness are the most precious gifts in our lives.
Today, we celebrated the Monares-Suson Grand Family Reunion for the first time, and it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with relatives from different places who made the effort to attend. Our cousin in Florida, USA, organized the event, even though she is far away from us. Through her online coordination, she aimed to bring the Monares-Suson Clan together. We are all eagerly looking forward to meeting our unknown relatives and getting to know them.
These are my incredible great grandmothers and grandfather. They received a beautiful money garland and a lovely bouquet from the organizer. On the left, we have Lola Vencia, the eldest of the three remaining siblings in the Suson's Family. She is an impressive 97 years old and is our immediate grandma. It's inspiring to see someone live such a long and fulfilling life, and I hope we can reach that age too!
We had a fantastic turnout with over 70 attendees, although we didn't quite reach 90. The highlight of the meal was definitely the three crispy lechon, which were cooked to perfection and brought immense pleasure to everyone's taste buds during dinner.
In addition, there were generous individuals who offered side dishes, their strengths, and even money for prizes. Despite the limited lighting outside, resulting in shadows in my picture, we made the most of the celebration and enjoyed all the delicious food.
We had an incredible night filled with surprises! The singing competition was absolutely fantastic, especially since most of our family members have such beautiful voices. We truly appreciate their talent and it made the competition even more enjoyable.
Uncle Edgar was the star of the show, offering a variety of songs and entertaining us with his amazing voice and lively performance. It's incredible to think that if he had the opportunity to study voice lessons, he could have become a professional singer in our country.
The raffle was definitely the most anticipated part of the night. Although not everyone had a chance to win, the lucky winners were able to receive rice as their prize. Ten winners received 5 kilos of rice, while twenty winners received 2 kilos. The remaining participants received 100 pesos each.
The laughter and jokes filled the celebration with joy, bringing happiness to all. It was truly a wonderful time getting to know each other better. What stood out was how every member of the clan treated their relatives equally, regardless of their living conditions.
As the night grew darker, we didn't mind because it was already midnight and time to head home. However, some relatives were still going strong, dancing to the music and having a disco party until dawn.
Despite the tiring preparation, our overall experience was amazing. We truly had a memorable time, and I'm certain the memories we created will be cherished.
Looking forward to the next gathering, and I encourage you to check out my blog. Thank you for your time!