#pagulayan

Last Sunday me and my brother went to the Clan Reunion from my father's side. Venue was at Tito Nestor's house in Makati. I think its the first time it was held there since its usually in Bulacan or Tagaytay so we could relax and rest and be away from the city to enjoy exotic food, breathe in fresh air and fall in love with the view. Although I think they've been holding gatherings too at the Gonzales' at Alabang. (Oh please, don't give me that look.) The Garcias, Cadizes,  Pagulayans, and Gonzaleses were present there. (I forgot 2 others...Why I forgot them, an explanation is provided below). I don't often go to family gatherings like this (even though it happens only once a year). Well. That has been the case since like after childhood, and I didn't attend them at all the past three years. (I became busy with other people in my life back then) And part of it was the fact that...Um... Okay. My family wasn't going to be complete. Not that I don't understand and I'm complaining, in fact I completely understand. It's just that it has become a drag when a parent isn't there. As a child, my Mom's presence in family gatherings (especially on my Dad's side) provided me security and ... yeah. Security.

Me and Thea (My first degree cousin) were supposed to sing at the reunion. She slept over at our house in Parañaque (her first time, yay!) so we could practice the song/s we were supposed to sing at the reunion. Instead of practicing however, we just had fun singing and eating and telling stories and watching videos etc. But it was cool, we enjoyed our bonding time. And for years of not seeing each other, she and Mom got some bonding time too while the three of us watched videos of HappySlip on Mom's laptop at the guest room. (Oh Yeah I haven't told you how pampered I was when Thea was here. Lulz. More cousins to sleep over here again, please! Thanks) Anyway back to the reunion. Heeh. Relatives were amused (and so was I at their reactions) upon seeing me again. They said I was a complete ‘carbon copy’ of my Dad (I am very much aware of this fact) They said I was almost like him in every way (the way I acted, walked, talked, smiled, stood, and more…even though I haven’t been living with the guy since after grade six, I’m still very much like him! LMFAO!) Well almost in every way, because I’m a liiiittle chubby and I’m …female. (shocking! Hahaha, kidding. Of course I know.) Unfortunately Dad wasn't able to go. Too bad. I wanted to hang out with him somewhat that day. He was busy working (on a Sunday, sheesh) and yeah. Busy busy busy! So I ditched the singing/performing thing at the reunion because he wasn’t coming. (Lulz. But the real reason is I got scared shitless. Why? Reason is explained on the paragraph below.)

  Dude I saw hot hot wimmins. Lawl. An abundance of pretty females. Lawl. They're my second cousins.I think it was the first time I saw them again since they hit puberty or something. They're the typical girls you'd see somewhere such as in a mall or in a bar where you'd definitely give a second look. Or a third. Or a fourth. So on. But yeah. My cousins~ moving on… Being the quiet observer in the corner, I observed that they (not we, cause I am the observer, and yeah, I'm kind of different from them) were very conventional and conforming. Something like the content of the Philippine Tatler. (I grabbed a copy that was sitting on the couch there while waiting for the time to pass…That magazine is soooo conformist, I swear. Like it was allergic to Liberal ideologies.... Seriously.) And it has become very clear to me that my relatives embrace the same values as that magazine. I AM SO NOT THAT. I DON’T think it’s not good, but it’s just not me. I do maintain a couple of old traditional values, but because of certain aspects of my life, such as being not heterosexual, I embrace other values as well. Jeez, even being a little gothic was a taboo to them. (Ooo, they noticed Thea’s little voodoo doll hanging on her neck like an ID lace and made her throw it away! :O Dude, its being sold in random tiangges for a hundred bucks a piece! Its not EVIIIL! I kinda felt bad for Thea because she really liked that accessory.)

Gorce isn't fitting in well in this click. Durr.

I know I shouldn't be having these issues anymore since I'm all grown up now. I do wonder what its like to know everyone there though. I know most of the Lolos and Lolas and Titos and Titas there, but I don't know most of my cousins (I'm pretty sure they're living in NCR, or Luzon at least) I guess this is what I get from separating myself from my family (Rebellion! lulz) It would've been nice to be able to talk with more people, especially if you're feeling kind of empty or something. We can never have too many friends. There will always be a space in our hearts reserved for more people to connect with and be friends with. Because reunions can get reaaally boring…and that’s sad, I guess. Because these people are supposed to be my family. I know my Titos and Titas and cousins missed what we used to have (the Garcia Bunch) because I saw it in their eyes. These reunions remind us that we still have each other on our side and behind our backs. Haay. Childhood life was the best time for us. Heck, we were even close to the other non-Garcia relatives back then. Being reminded that every moment is an opportunity to make it better, I put my brain on "AWAKE MODE." So whenever a relative chit-chatted a little with me, I became my most approachable, amiable self. Lol. Just so that next year, they'd remember me like how they know my brother. Heee. At least, before everyone left, I connected with my Pagulayan, Cadiz, and Gonzales Titos, Titas, Lolos and Lolas. Of course, especially with the Garcias.

What about you guys? How did your family reunions go?