Rain or Shine: A Century of Joy and Family
Rain or Shine: A Century of Joy and Family
The day began with a quick breakfast at McDonald's before we headed to church. The place was packed with locals—as always—but even more so because of our tribe. Dressed in our matching reunion shirts, we looked like students on a field trip, flooding the pews like a colorful, uniformed school.
As with every reunion, our family intentionally aligns the gathering with Gaudete Sunday, a joyful celebration in the liturgical calendar that symbolizes hope, life, and anticipation. It's a perfect fit for what our family has embraced and passed down for over a century—a legacy of unity, joy, and gratitude.
After mass, we squeezed in some quick photo ops (there was another mass right after ours), then headed out in a caravan to the reunion venue—a family-owned resort in Kabankalan City.
As we drove, balloons flew, music blasted, candies and even shirts were handed out to people along the streets. It wasn’t just a trip—it was a parade.
Upon arriving, the day officially began with our traditional San Jose prayer, followed by what everyone was waiting for: lunch. And wow, the food did not disappoint. Platters upon platters filled the tables, and the refills were nonstop. But so was the rain. It poured steadily, but not even a downpour could dampen the spirit of celebration.
Every clan had to present a cheer or a “yell” before they were allowed to eat. Ours had been tasked by the elders to perform one, so we got into formation and gave it our best. It was all in good fun—loud, silly, and full of heart.
Later, the little ones took the spotlight, singing and dancing for the crowd. It brought back so many memories as my cousins and I reminisced about the time when we were the ones on that stage, earning applause, dollars, toys, and snacks.
Eventually, the day started to wind down. We gathered our things, hugged our relatives, and invited our family from Canada to join us back in Bacolod for a much-needed massage. After all that food, fun, and family bonding, a little pampering felt like the perfect way to end such a vibrant day.
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