This song played at Island Souvenirs, a store selling…island souvenirs for Cebu.
Stepping foot in Cebu for the first time we were greeted by these installations at Mactan-Cebu airport. Yes I was exhausted from travel, but the excitement on my face and dorkiness could not be denied.
Being with Papa Dodge’s brothers made me so happy. It was my first time meeting Tito Alan. The likeness to Papa Dodge was wild to me. I thought it would make me super emotional, but the adrenaline of being in the Philippines for the first time carried me through and prevented tears from falling. Tito Titus lived with my family when I was a teenager. I hadn’t seen him since he moved to New Jersey when I was around 15/16. I was overjoyed to be reunited with him.
Right after Mike took this picture I proceeded to breakdown and cry. I missed my parents something fierce in that moment.
I grew up with tons of family around me. But it was always my mom’s side of the family. Papa’s side was in the Philippines. We would communicate through telephone calls and letters. I never met my Lola Inday, she passed in the early 90s. Lolo Nonoy stayed with us when I was a kid before moving to New Jersey to live with other family. Eventually he would leave the States and move back to Ozamis. I never got to meet my Tita Pepotte or my Tita Luz. It saddens me that I never got to meet other Dolalas women. I know I carry their spirit with me. Being in the Philippines, being with my uncles, it meant so much to me in this moment.
Mike and I are no strangers to traveling with family. However is that our “go to” way to vacation? Absolutely not. But I, for the most part, have learned to travel with my in-laws. It was a new story being with my uncles. Tito Alan was an excellent host and guide in his adopted city of Cebu.
Our first dinner was at Top of Cebu Restaurant. At the top of a hill in the city, sits a mall called Tops. And this restaurant or “resto” as most Filipinos call restaurants, is the go to spot at this mall. Tops has excellent views of the city with Top of Cebu having excellent food. The first of many San Miguel Apple beers were consumed. And my Papa and Mama’s favorite Crispy Pata was devoured. I said a silent prayer of thanks to Papa and Mama as I ate their favorite dish.
After dinner we headed back to the hotel to decompress from all the travel, the family time, and dinner.
Ok, no that did not happen.
Because we were in town for Sinulog, there were shows all around the city. One of which included our friend Diego Castillo, djing with The Diegos, at Unity Coffee & Vinyl, a cafe, record star, bar. So basically, the dream space for me and Mike.
Mandaue Nights and Party Pace are rad bands that we got to see. Here’s a short clip of Mandaue Nights doing their thing.
Jet lag decided to hit me like a ton of bricks at the show. So much show that I had to sit down on the floor.
I’m so glad we went out and checked out this spot. It gave us the opportunity to feel like ourselves, instead of the people we are when we are traveling with family. Do other people feel like this?
Post show and drinks had us hit a 7/11 for water and snacks for the hotel room. Snacks that included this Premium Asado Siopao. What makes it premium? Maybe the fact that it was 1:30am. Was it delicious? Totally. Was I influenced by jet lag and beers? Probably. Was I satisfied. Absoluetly.
My first day and night in Cebu, in the Philippines was full of core memories and echoes of Papa Dodge and Mama Ging-Ging. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.