“ Turban Legend”

(Excerpt from Leche)

By R. Zamora Linmark
This is a story about Vince who is a Filipino and is currently living in Honolulu,
Hawaii. He is observing the people around him at the Honolulu International Airport. He
seemed to have eyed at his “kababayan” or fellow Filipinos. Vince mentions the fact that
when Filipinos are going back to their families in the Philippines, they bring so many
balikbayan boxes. These boxes are filled with canned goods like SPAM and Libby’s
Vienna sausage, designer jeans (new or hand-me-down), travel sized bottles of
shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. But Vince also points out that these items inside
the balikbayan boxes can be easily purchased at Duty Free which is outside the airport.
Vince also mentioned a story that was told by his older sister Jing, wherein an engineer
talked his roommate into checking him in as an excess baggage which was cheaper
that a round-trip fare. But the man died of hypothermia. Vince didn’t buy the story and
said that there were too many loopholes. It was a “turban legend.” Jing said that,
“You’re missing the point, brother.” “It’s not the mechanics that matter.” “It’s about
drama. The extremes a Filipino will go to just to go back home for Christmas with his
family.”

There are many Filipinos working abroad and sacrificing to give their families a
better life. I salute them for being courageous enough to face the different cultures and
traditions and accepting it, being brave enough to leave home, and not being with your
family to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. I am grateful that both of my
parents are here to guide me and my siblings in the right direction. I thank them for
working very hard and for giving us what we need.

Remember to always be grateful.