I was born in 1972, when Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. But no, I am not going back that far. That is too many moons ago. However, one should know that all those years translate to numerous places visited and a bounty of scrumptious food devoured. Kidding! Who remembers that far back and has photographic documentation of the same! I can only, and shall, do my utmost to display what I hope will tantalize your senses.
Let me start at the beginning, where I came from – the Philippines.
This is Alabat Island, in the province of Quezon, south of the capital city, Manila. This small town, where everyone knows all residents, is where I was born and raised. I lived here for the first 12 years of my life.



As an island girl, I had often wished I was a city girl who lived a stone-throw away from the country’s commercial capital, Makati. I love its high-rise buildings and huge shopping malls although the city would not be the interest of the tourists.


Rarely is there a time when I talk about me and being Filipino that I do not mention my favorite refreshment, halo-halo. Have you tried it?

Ate look, where from the same region. Taga Laguna ko. 🙂
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Oh wow! That is fantastic! I guess we’re really more alike than we initially thought.. I can meet up with you next time I visit home 😀😘
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…and is that going to happen any sooner?
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Fingers crossed 🙂 Hopefully I can run away from work even just for a couple of weeks this year.
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Cool city and exotic place for me!
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Exotic, indeed ☺ Hope you’ll visit the country sometime. South Africa, where I live now, is also cool and closer to Europe. 😆
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Anna Jailene Aguilar-Van Der Merwe you certainly have copyright on that name!
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Lol! Just as weird as the person with the name. 🙂 And that’s without the “Botes” my first Afrikaans surname (first husband’s). Haha.
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You certainly sound like a fun person Anne. I am just trying to bend my brain to get an association with your name and piesang – your Afrikaans surname/s give your banana an Afrikaans influence
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Ah, hubby sometimes calls me piesang. 🙂 And piesang represents my being – yellow on the outside, white in the inside. Lol! Although I am a little loud… and crazy.
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