Carmina is traveling to the United States to spend time with her family. My dad planned a family gathering for Mother's Day at their favorite Pinoy restaurant . Since reservations aren’t possible, we arrived an hour early to ensure we could get a table for twelve before everyone else showed up. As my dad approached Isla Grand , the branch we visited in Pleasant Hills, California , the host at the door said they could prepare a table for twelve at five o'clock. Later, the server called my dad's name and guided us to our table. The place was bustling with people enjoying meals and celebrating Mother's Day. On our first visit to Isla Grand, I was captivated by the décor, noticing many native items that gave the place a fancy yet authentic Filipino feel. They usually have a live band, but unfortunately, there was no entertainment the night we went. My family had spoken highly of Isla Grand and encouraged us to try the Filipino dishes we’ve been missing from back home. Lech...
There goes a saying that the Filipino people love giving
pasalubong (gifts) when they are traveling or returning back from their
country. No matter what there is always something people expect from you even
if you have only been away for a short time.
It is a custom where we always
seem to buy something memorable from our trip. I have relatives that come from
the States and they always have a pasalubong to give me no matter if I am also
from there. To us it is way to show is gratitude to each other.
I have a close friend from the
States she always ask me why I always give her a gift even if it is not her
birthday. I just said, just because I want too. It is not like she is obligated
to give me a gift in return.
We have different means to
express ourselves not by words but to give them something we feel they would
like coming from our home town.
Just like when I travel to
another country I always have something for my employees it just shows
something to them they took care of my family while I was away. They always
seem to look forward in something that you give them. It doesn't necessary have
to be something you need to buy even those freebies you get from the hotel they
are even happy to use the shampoo, soap and etc.
Sometimes the employee teases
me when they know I will be out of town to get a pasalubong. Or I would tease
them back when they go off to a vacation to bring back a pasalubong. Sometimes
they do bring something from their hometown usually if it is provience they
come back with lots of native banana.
Or they bring dried fish or
some sort just to show and share what they have brought from their homeland.
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