When I moved to the UK temporarily, I didn't think my Filipino heritage would be the biggest element that I would miss.
So, when I moved back to Australia and was allowed to get back onto a plane, I booked with a budget airline (Cebu Pacific) and didn't look back - even if they left my luggage in Sydney and didn't return it to me until a week into my trip! (Alas, you get what you pay for I guess...)
I celebrated Christmas of 2022 in true Filipino style: Midnight Mass, Noche Buena and carol singing for days.
I spent most of my time getting to know my dad's side of the family and waking up to this view:
I was a little confused by the excellent weather, but did not complain after a rainy 2022.
When the rains did come, it brought the nostalgic, yet slightly terrifying, asthmatic cough, that - with Covid still around - kept my on high alert.
Alas as 2023 came through, I was truly thankful for the trip back to good old Baguio City.
Baguio was my city. It's my first home. I love my home away from home.
sL