Returned HOME twice this year

Just like in year 2024, I returned to my hometown twice this year.

August: A Homecoming with Purpose

August brought a rare and meaningful pause in our lives. Our eldest brother returned home for a month-long vacation from his overseas work, and I, too, was on a two-month break from my year-long assignment in Micronesia. With all four siblings finally under one roof, we seized the moment for two important reasons: first, to celebrate our very first siblings’ reunion, and second, to begin the process of settling our parents’ estates.















It was a bittersweet task—finalizing the transfer of the main property title under our late father's name and addressing the share of our beloved late mother. Amid the paperwork and legalities, there was comfort in doing it together, as a family, honoring their legacy with unity and love.

September: Fiesta, Festival, and Friendship

September gave me another rare gift—the chance to be home with friends during Surigao City’s fiesta in honor of its patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino. For years, I had longed to witness the vibrant Bunok-Bunok Marajaw Karajaw Festival, and this time, I finally did.










But the celebration was more than just the dance parade. The city came alive with free concerts at the old public market, a bustling flea market, and a lively food street along the boulevard. The energy was infectious, the community spirit heartwarming.






This visit also marked a special reunion: the Grand Alumni Homecoming of San Nicolas College, now Saint Paul University Surigao, for Batch 1992. I joined my best friends, Patin Servillas-Florendo and Ruby Hicquial-Afable, and together we made the most of every moment—laughing, reminiscing, and soaking in the joy of being back where it all began.












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