Reaching another milestone of my life in my early 50s feels different when I’m young. There are times I just like to stay at home, but I love to go out somewhere near my mother’s place in Leyte or in Negros Occidental in Hinigaran. I haven’t seen any relatives there except back in the mid-70s in Leyte when I was a toddler. I have never been in Hinigaran to see any relatives there too. I’d also like to visit my ancestral family where most of the Gimena clan came from. It was in Ronda, Cebu that I really wanted to go, visit old folks I guess, ask them how they end up in Manila, how they have been since then when the clan grew big. I know some of the people in Ronda, Cebu knew my grandmother or grandfather from the father side.
I just wish I had more time to visit my origin. I don’t know I just like to meet them, talk to them, and ask them how it feels that we have a big family. I’d like to inquire of them how they have live that long, what part of their lives that makes them better, who are among our relatives who had a good life. Where are they now, who are they working with? Do we have relatives who are professionals: doctors, lawyers, engineer, nurse, etc? Are there any relatives who are politicians? Is there a City Councilor, Mayor, Board Members, or a Representative in the family?
Visiting my origin and learn about my root is what I like to do ever since I was in my teenage years. I remember my father telling me about my grandfather, a veteran, whom I never had a chance to see him. After WWII, left my father and his siblings, all boys, they were left to his Auntie, went to Japan and had a new life and family. Up until now I have no idea who was my Auntie and Uncle which is a Filipino-Japan descent. I think they are in their mid-60s now. I think I saw their photos with my grandfather that looks more Filipino than Japanese. I wish I have money and look for them and tell them that their father have family too in the Philippines. I don’t know what would their reaction if they will see me there.