Overweight in Brussels

Yes, I gained 12 pounds during the trip, but this is not about that. I would have called this entry “Mga Bagong Bayani” but the thought of being overweight amused me.

I would have included this story in my Pinoy blog entry but this deserved its own space.

I went home to the Philippines a couple of nights earlier ahead of the cast. I missed our biggest show in Europe (I heard more than 2,000 people watched, including VIP sponsors and it was also the first one that had cocktail tables and champagne) and our best guest performer (Sandrine, who was like the “Belgian Idol”) and had to ride the train from Leuven to Brussels with all my luggage.

The best part about it was that I can have 2 pieces of luggage at 20 kilos each because it was an international flight. Normally, if I was traveling with the whole group, I was allowed only ONE piece of checked in luggage, then the other slot would be for UWP equipment. Since I was alone, and the equipment was still in use, I had the go signal to use my luggage allowance. It was stress free packing!

So I made it through the train ride and dragged my suitcase and backpack and shoulder bag to the check-in counter. I was so happy because it was still 2 hours till boarding and I can still have a leisurely time walking to my departure gate. Only to find out that I had to pay 600 Euro for an extra 23 kilos – my blood ran cold.

Turns out that the flight from Brussels to Frankfurt will be on a small plane and couldn’t accommodate more than 20 kilos per passenger! It doesn’t matter how many bags, as long as they add up to 20 kilos. I told her that I will be on the connecting flight from Frankfurt – China – Manila and that I should have the international luggage allowance. No, she’s sorry. Brussels-Frankfurt is 20 kilos. Cross-continent flights, 40 kilos. I wished UWP ended its tour in Frankfurt!

I only had 15 Euro left in my pocket, and I was not about to use my credit card to pay for extra luggage. Lufthansa even had a weight limit for ONE carry on (not two pieces, like most American flights) and my laptop just about made the limit, so it was impossible for me to unload some suitcase stuff to my carry on.

In the middle of the Brussels airport, I opened my suitcase and surveyed its contents. With a heavy heart, I filled a plastic bag with some of my clothes, my toiletries, scarves, some books and magazines that I accumulated. All these went to the lost and found bin at the airport.

One hour until boarding time, I was back in line for the check in counter – they weighed my suitcase and this time I was 450 Euro overweight. I noticed a group of Pinoys at the end of the line and acknowledged them with a brief smile – but I did not have enough sanity to think about my Pinoy-quest game. Sigh. I really wanted to cry – I did not have 450 Euro, but then I could not bear the thought of leaving my valuables behind. In my suitcase taking up space and weight are sentimental stuff and some pasalubong I collected along the way and I really did not want to part with them. 5 months of travel can get really heavy.

30 minutes until boarding time, I was beside the check-in counter. The long lines were gone because check-in was about to close. Again, I had a small plastic bag already filled with valuables that I was about to throw away, I was holding on to it tightly. I was silently praying, I don’t know for what – for divine intervention, for a smart decision.

Then suddenly,

“Kabayan, ano ang problema?”

A group of Filipinos, the same ones at the end of the line, were obviously very late for check in. The attendant at the counter was hurriedly processing their papers and was about to close. She was talking to the Pinoy’s Flemish boss.

I explained my predicament to the 3 seafarers (seamen) and they were surprised with the luggage allowance. It turns out that seafaring companies have agreements with airlines about UNLIMITED baggage allowances since their employees travel for at least 9 months. Before I knew it, their Flemish boss was asking me if I wanted to check in my luggage with them.

The lady at the check-in counter told us that once we do that, it will be all our responsibility already, but I can see that she was also happy for me! I was ecstatic and couldn’t stop thanking everyone! It was less than 20 minutes until our boarding time and we said goodbye to the Flemish boss and practically ran to our gate. We made it! And I made 3 new friends in the queerest of circumstances.

The flight was amazingly quick and once we were in Frankfurt, we were joined by a lot more Pinoys on the flight to Manila. There were a lot of greetings of “Kabayan! Saan ka sa atin?” and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. When the plane touched down in Manila, the passengers cheered. Most of them were seafarers who are excited to be spending Christmas at home.

What happened to me in Brussels was really a miraculous thing – I prayed for intervention and God gave me my heroes in the form of 3 seamen who were almost late for the flight. What if they were on time? Nobody would have saved me!

A million thanks ! Kina Mr. Hilario Caspe, Mr. Boy Villanueva at sa kanilang isa pang kaibigan. Alam kong masayang masaya po kayo at nakapiling ninyo ang inyong pamilya nitong nakaraang Pasko at Bagong Taon. Nawa'y maging masaya ang inyong 2008!

The Global Pinoys

Two weeks into the program, I was sick of speaking English all the time and was hungering for my native language. I was missing the Pinoy warmth, the Pinoy family and the Pinoy sense of humor. I know Pinoys were everywhere and I just had to find some.

In this blog entry, “Halo-Halo in Denver” – I wrote about Pastor Carlos Bulalayao, Jr and the Crosswind Community Church and how they gave me my much needed Pinoy culture. We ate Halo-Halo, watched The Filipino Channel, had family bonding time and I had the chance to relax and listen to the Eraserheads in one of their friends’ cars.

In my Filipino blog entry, “Pinoys Around the World” – I was obviously so homesick and showcased here my small encounters with my “kind” But looking back, I think I missed a lot of stories!

In Sierra Vista and in Coos Bay, Oregon - I received some pocket money from very generous Pinoys who I just met. In both instances, these people also traveled the world with a youth group and knew how fun it was to be able to have ice cream on travel stops.

There was 14-year old MJ Magtanong from San Diego, California who proudly wore a “Filipino Pride” shirt. He was Stefan’s (from Germany) host brother. He grew up in the USA and has visited the Philippines (Subic) only once but had no qualms to say that it was the best place ever! We hung out a bit after the show (I remember we had Pepsi from the vending machine) and he uploaded a couple of hip hop songs AND Boom-Tarat-Tarat to my phone. Ah, and he can dance it, too!

I also remember this blog entry from Winston, Oregon where I encountered a Pinoy family falling in line in the food distribution CI I was in.

Of course, I also wouldn’t forget friends and friends of family who sacrificed some of their time to see me (and even host me!). My high school best friend Romilee who’s now in Tucson, my good friend Tiffany who drove alone for two hours to see me in Corcoran, California, my Tita Miriam and Tito Conrad who saw the show in Corocoran AND Las Vegas, my Tito Bobot and Tita Maria who hosted me in Las Vegas and my fun stay with Tito Eric, Tita Vivian, Noelle and Lola in Portland.

In Milan, Italy, one of my castmates had a Pinay helper in their house, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to talk to her. But I met a Filipina OFW on the subway and had a quick chat. My host dad’s boss’ wife (ang haba ah!) was also a Filipina and we talked on the phone. In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a busload of Pinoys on tour got off right in front of where I was standing and to my delight, one of them gave me a big smile and asked, “Pilipina ka?” to which I enthusiastically answered, “Opo!” They must have been weirded out because my UWP friends all laughed and hugged me after that. Because, they too, were amazed at the number of Pinoys I met on the road.

Probably the most touching encounter I had with a Filipino came during one of our Internal days in Portland. I had just finished my Education internship and suddenly had a “less stressful” schedule than usual. With some idle time in my hands, and a pretty slow day (we were watching “An Inconvenient Truth”), it was the worst homesick-est feeling I had during the whole trip.

Thinking about home and my family, I went for a bathroom break and found out that half the stalls were closed because it was being cleaned. An old man was mopping the floors quietly. I studied him closely, he was the kindly, grandfather type with tanned skin and gray hair. I sneaked a glance at his name tag and sure enough, he was Filipino! I was just overcome with emotion and homesickness that I just blurted out,

“Hi Manong, Magandang Umaga po!”

His head snapped up and he stared at me and asked carefully, “Pilipina ka?”

With tears in my eyes, I answered, “Opo, Pilipino po ako!” – and without thinking, I hugged the lolo who was cleaning the bathroom. Soon he had tears in his eyes, too. Two of his daughters married Americans and convinced him and his wife to live with them in the USA. He badly wanted to go home to the Philippines where all his other kids and grandchildren were.

“Gusto ko nang umuwi. Ang hirap dito, may trabaho ka nga pero mahirap at malugkot pa din. Buti sa atin, kahit minsan walang pera, pero masaya tayo! Dito, kayod ka ng kayod, wala naman makuha. Pero mahirap naman basta-basta umuwi kasi mahal ang pamasahe”

It’s funny how easily we forget that some people really don’t have a choice when they go abroad, and that they don’t have complete control of their time and resources because of extreme need. Just like what I felt when I met the family at the food pantry in Winston.

We were performing a mini-show at the Oude Market Square in Leuven, Belgium – the stage was shaky, and it was freezing but the crowd was so happy that it felt really good. A girl in front of the crowd caught my eye, and like everyone, she was also into the performance. I soon learned that she was Malou, a Filipina! She was studying Theology at the University and was eager to introduce me to her friends.

That same evening I joined them for their Wednesday novena. It was the smallest Catholic mass I have ever attended! There were ten of us all in all, including two priests who both celebrated our small mass. We just gathered around a small table with a cross and some Bibles. I read the First Reading.

In my conversation with Malou, she told me that she was looking forward to the time that our media would start highlighting Pinoy achievers overseas and stop dwelling on mail order brides and abused domestic helpers. Apparently, the Leuven community has had its shares of Pinoy students and scholars.

“Na sana Makita naman nila na hindi lang mukha ng Pinoy ang mail order bride at domestic helper. May iba’t ibang mukha din ang Pinoy sa ibang bansa. Madaming estudyante, pari, doctor – na nag e-excel sa kani-kanilang fields”

Filipinos in Abroad already form a world and a culture of their own. It is a world with its own language, hierarchy, beliefs and values. Their experiences are so rich and very different from each other – that it is hard to generalize or stereotype them into one mold.

However, as Pinoys spread out all over the world, I hope they never forget their roots, be not ashamed to be Pinoy, and to always do what is right wherever they may be. This will be a perfect reason for us to celebrate our Filipino brothers and sisters around the world.

Pinoys in Portland!

Photo: Tita Alice and Tito Eric were my dad's classmates in High School

The power of technology!

After 2 nights of staying with all the people in our host family's house, I learned that I was to transfer host families. And the best part was : They were a Filipino family and they were the Tadeos! Tito Eric Tadeo was my dad's classmate in high school. And it was very nice of them to "take me in" ! We even had a nice dinner with some of their friends.

I actually got to live in 2 states! All UWP activities were in Portland, but the Tadeos lived about 30 minutes away across the bridge in Vancouver, Washington.

They are a family of artists! Tito Eric is obviously a musician, Tita Vivian is a cool designer (she gave me a really, really nice bag which she design and created herself) and Noelle is – ah, I never really witnessed Noelle show off her talent, but I can tell that she has lots of it. I know she sings, she writes and that she’s really smart. (Ahem, definitely Up With People material)

I got the chance to visit her school’s Open House, the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. The VSAA is what they call a “magnet school” – exclusive, specialized public schools that admit students based on talent and merit. The Open House invited parents to talk to teachers individually about what’s in store for the students for the year. It is basically a getting to know you session where they also discuss the grading system, status of performance, etc, etc. I was amazed at the curriculum and the depth of the discussions that they obviously have.

THANKS SO MUCH TADEOS! For the Pinoy meals, the good conversation, the music! I really hope that you enjoyed the show...

Pinoys Around The World

Excuse me, non-Filipino speakers - I just need a break from all that English. This entry shall be written in my native language.

Alam kong madaming Pinoy sa abroad. Kaya nga tumataas ang halaga ng piso, ay dahil sa dolyar na ipinapasok nila sa Pilipinas. Bago ako umalis para sa Up With People, naka-kundisyon na ang sarili ko na maghanap ng Pilipino.

Sabi nga ng kaibigan kong si Pat, "Hanna, wag ka mag-alala - kahit saan ka magpunta, may Pilipino. Pag nalulungkot ka, sumigaw ka lang ng 'baboy' -- sigurado ko, may sasagot sayo!" -- haha natawa ako sa sinabi niyang yon.

Well, hindi ko naman kailangan sumigaw ng baboy para mapansin! Pero ang masasabi ko lang, nandito na ako ngayon sa ika-apat na lugar sa Amerika, at sa lahat nga naman ng lugar ay may Pilipino!

Naalala ko, nakasakay ako sa bus sa Denver, Colorado nang tinanong ng Amerikanong katabi ko kung taga-saan ako. "Philippines," I proudly answered! Aba, bigla na lang may nagtanong mula sa liuran ko... "Saan ka sa Pilipinas?" Siya si Grace na tubong Cebu. Naalala kong tuwang tuwa akong mag-Tagalog.

Sa Denver ko din nakilala si Amy na nagtatrabaho sa mall, may isa pa pero di ko na matandaan! At siyempre, di ko malilimutan si Pastor Carlos at ang kanyang pamilya, at ang kanilang Colorado Community Church. Kung saan ako ay sumama sa church service, kumain ng kanin, nag halu-halo -- at nanuood ng ASAP sa TFC.

Matapos ang Denver, napadpad ako sa Tucson. Doon nag-aaral ang best friend kong si Em - at habang nag-iikot kami sa University of Arizona (o diba? dati sa LB at lobby lang ng Rural ang tambay namin) may nasalubong kaming isa pang Pinoy na taga-LB din. Ang saya-saya.

Ang sumunod naman ay ang Globe, Arizona. Saan yon? isa siyang maliit na town na ilalarawan ko na parang isang lugar mula sa Twilight Zone. Yun bang parang nai-lipat ka ng ibang dimension? Tahimik, antique shops, mga lumang tren.

Maniwala ka't hindi, oo may Pilipino din doon. Anim na guro at ilang mga nurses. Ang host dad kong Amerikano ay may CD pa ni Mark Bautista.

Ngayon, ako ay nasa Sierra Vista, Arizona - ang lugar ng Fort Huachuca, isang US Army Base. Noong isang araw, kasama ako ng isang grupo na nag community service sa base. Kumain kami sa Army Activity Center at napansin ko kaagad ang isang ale.

Ngumiti ako, nagtanong, "Where are you from?" - Siempre, ang sagot nya, "Philippines" . Siya si Greta, 30 years na sa US. May kasamahan pa siyang isa pang Pinay, asawa ng sundalong kano! (Siya naman ang lumapit sa akin at nagtanong, "Where are you from?"). Taga Cavite City si Greta, at yung isa naman (pasensya na, makakalimutin ako) ay taga General Santos City.



Noong hapong iyon kumakain ako ng Mexican food (sawa na ako sa kanya, promise - mahilig ang mga Amerikano sa pagkaing Mexikano) at nagbubugaw ng langaw (oo, may langaw din sa Amerika) nang may batang lalaking (high school siya , grabe matanda na ba ako at "bata" na ang tawag ko sa high school student?) lumapit sa akin, "Hanna?" ang sabi niya.

Matagal ko siyang tiningnan, ngumiti siya at nagsalita... "Kumusta ka?"

Apparently, yun lang ang Tagalog na alam niya. Siya naman si James, ipinanganak sa Pilipinas pero lumaki sa Amerika. Panalo, isa siya sa aplikante sa Up With People. Matagal din kaming nag-usap.

Noong gabing iyon ay may show kami. May bahagi ng show namin na tatakbo kami sa audience at sasayaw. Habang sumasayaw ako't kumakanta, may sumigaw ng pangalan ko. Si Greta! Ang sarap ng pakiramdam ng may kakilala at may kapwa Pilipinong nanonood sayo. Gusto kong umiyak! Mababaw ba? Homesick lang siguro ako. Ang tindi ng kaway ko nang ipakilala sa entablado ang Pilipinas :-)

Kaninang umaga ay nakapagsimba ako sa Catholic Church. Di ako gaanong relihyoso pero ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Isinama ako ng kaibigan ng host family ko.

Ano pa nga ba ang meron sa simbahang Katoliko kundi, Pilipino! Madaming madaming Pilipino! Nakatanggap ako ng regalong novena at madaming yakap mula sa mga kababayan ko. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Pati ang paring Amerikano ay marunong ng kaunting Tagalog , at pinatayo ako at pinakilala sa buong Simbahan. "This young lady is travelling around the world with Up With People"

Dinala din ako ni Emily (kaibigan ng host family ko) sa bahay ng kaibigan niyang Pilipino. Tingnan mo nga naman, may bagong hango silang Palitaw! :-)

Hay, overwhelming ang araw na ito. Madami pang kwento pero itong entry na ito ay para lang sa Pilipino. Malamang, mas madaming Pinoy sa San Diego!

Napansin ko lang, lahat halos ng kausap kong Pinoy - nagtatanong, "Bakit hindi ka na lang dito sa Amerika?" Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero pakiramdam ko , sa Pilipinas pa din ang buhay ko (hindi lang dahil andun ang asawa ko)

Halu-Halo in Denver

Halu-Halo (roughly translated in English as Mix-Mix) is a famous Philippine dessert that has all sorts of sweetened ingredients like beans, nata de coco (coconut jelly), banana, corn, langka (jackfruit), ube, leche flan (caramel flan) -- topped with crushed ice, sugar, and milk.

Mmmm.

Ah and it is really true that you appreciate your country, your culture, your heritage so much more when you are miles away from home.

Today I had an opportunity to spend time with Pinoy (slang for Filipinos) living in Denver. The power of technology brought us together. (I Googled "Filipino Community Denver" and found them there and made contact!)

I got in touch with Pastor Carlos Bulalayao of the CrossWind Community Church and they were happy to invite me to Sunday Christian (Baptist) Service. Although I am Catholic. attending service is okay with me since it is all about God's message anyway.

It was a wonderful little group of Filipinos , everyone very enthusiastic, welcoming and everyone proud to be a Filipino. It was amazing how the foreign spouses have adapted to the culture and didn't seem to mind us breaking into happy chatter in Filipino.

After the Church service, we all (well, most of us) went to a Chinese Restaurant for lunch (they said so I can eat rice!) I rode with newlyweds Paolo and Harlyn who had an Eraserheads CD playing in the car Astig!)

After that, we went to the Bulalayaos' house for some halu-halo! The TV was tuned to the Filipino Channel and I was able to watch ASAP (nice show too!) and the Buzz!

Twas a nice day! Here's a photo of me with Pastor Carlos and his wife Tita Rowena.