My Family :)

We used to spend so much time together as kids. Summer trips to Bicol, sunday lunch at Philam, christmas and birthday parties. But as time passed, we saw less and less of each other. All of a sudden, Bicol was too far and the house in Subic was a better choice for summer getaways. Instead of leaving me behind at Philam while they enjoy their sunday outings, I was big enough to join them. Although times changed, each time I get to see my cousins is the happiest day ever. Spending time with the Abano family is the best anyone can ever ask for. And even if our family isn't that perfect, we do get crazy sometimes, nothing and I mean NOTHING makes me feel like i'm part of a family other than this crazy bunch.

sitting on the "throne" at Philam

My eldest cousins (Tita Ophie's children) are probably the ones I know would protect me. I remember when I was a toddler, my parents would often leave me behind at my grandmother's house every sunday while they go to the mall. My Kuya Ton or Kuya Monette would often look after me. My cousins are big burly men who use serving spoons to eat, yet I always remembered them as big softies whenever I was around. I remember during those times that we would eat together, they would pile rice on their plates and put ulam right on the center. Kuya Monette taught me how to ride my first scooter. They introduced me to monay filled with dirty ice cream. They shoved my head into their armpits for fun and even shared stories about my lolo.  Tito Bing's three eldest children, although they lived in the States were a big part of my childhood. Kuya Binggles, I remember, taught me how to skateboard (I failed). While Kuya JV, because of his military background, would often be the protective one. He gave me my first ever "This is What Happens When You Get Drunk" talk.

My "older" cousins at Subic

My middle cousins (Tito Poyoyo's children) were the ones I really didn't spend time with the most, until we started spending time at Subic. As a kid I remembered going over to their house for a swim, since they had a pool. I would often stay on the pool stairs with a plastic cup in hand.

Posing ala One Tree Hill

Now my cousins (Tito Bing's younger children), I was probably closest to. Their youngest, Bingboy is close to my age. I remember whenever we spent summers in Bicol, I would always beg my dad to extend our stay because I love my cousins as much as I love Daet. We spent so much time at Bagasbas. I remember spending the whole day at the beach, by lunch time my Lola had the hotel staff bring food. Let me tell you, Mama Diday (the Karilagan Hotel cook) makes the BEST and I mean the BEST food ever. Her patatim is the bomb. I would spend countless hours looking after Bingboy, bathing him, picking out clothes for him, and crying everytime we're not together. Today, he towers over me and its probably impossible to dress him up. Ate Gay and Ate Ky were the ones who babied me. The younger cousins would often fight over where my two cousins would ride on the way home to Manila. They would often tell ghost stories, which ofcourse fed my addiction. Kuya Go is probably the next kuya I have to my real big brother. He would be there whenever I needed someone to talk to, or to give me advice whenever I was losing my way.

With Bingboy!!!

Tito Bingbong and Tita Daisie's children are the closest to my heart. They were such a part of my childhood. We are so close that when we we're kids they even fought with my other cousin because they thought she was "stealing their Lyca". I spent my weekends with them and they even got me started on swimming. Not to mention, the idea of mixing milo with my rice, which I got from them. Tita Daisie is my mom's bestfriend, and that just makes all of us closer. And eventhough this year, we lost my cousin Walter, the best memories will always stay with us.

Chie and Niks

Mace and Chie

My love for my cousins, eventually doubled for their children. My pamangkins are the main attraction for my facebook profile. I love them to bits. It's always fun to bond with my cousins, even if it means I need to be asked repeatedly where my boyfriend is (or lack thereof). They are what family is all about. We might not be perfect, and we often do crazy things, but it's just a silent truth, that we love each other. I can always count on them for anything, either laughs or sound advice.

Wrestling with my cousins

They are my true best friends. The ones who know me inside and out. The ones who have been there from day one. My cousins Kuya Dino, Kuya Weng, Kuya Monette, Kuya Ton, Kuya Ingky, Ate Chicha, Kuya Migo, Kuya Binggles, Kuya KC, Kuya JV, Ate Chitty, Ate Lisa, Kuya Joel, Kuya Popop, Ate Binggay, Ate Bingky, Kuya Bingo, Bingboy, Kuya Walter, Macy, Nikki, and Cheska.