Eating Halo-halo brings me back to the happiest memories of hot summer days

well spent with my siblings and cousins. We grew up spending the entire school
summer vacations at my grandparents' house. This is also where I grew up before
we moved to the city when I was 7. Most of our cousins lived in Manila, then.

I believe it was our lolo Itay's wish that his children and grandchildren stay with
them once school is out and it became a family tradition. One that I am very much
happy and grateful for as it created a special bond between us, cousins, that stayed
even now.

It would be like more than 20 kids in one house at a time! Can you imagine all the
kinds of trouble that could create? But funny enough, I do not remember anyone
having a fight. We would tag-team against other kids, sure, but never against each
other.

We would do everything together. Depending on your age bracket, you will be

assigned a task. The older girls are the ones who prepare the meals. Others would
be in charge of cleanup. The younger kids have different parts of the house to
clean.  We would all play together or go for long strolls, discovering parts
unknown of the barrio.

Eating Halo-halo brings me back to the happiest memories of hot summer days
well spent with my siblings and cousins. We grew up spending the entire school
summer vacations at my grandparents' house. This is also where I grew up before
we moved to the city when I was 7. Most of our cousins lived in Manila, then.

I believe it was our lolo Itay's wish that his children and grandchildren stay with
them once school is out and it became a family tradition. One that I am very much
happy and grateful for as it created a special bond between us, cousins, that stayed
even now.

It would be like more than 20 kids in one house at a time! Can you imagine all the
kinds of trouble that could create? But funny enough, I do not remember anyone
having a fight. We would tag-team against other kids, sure, but never against each
other.

We would do everything together. Depending on your age bracket, you will be

assigned a task. The older girls are the ones who prepare the meals. Others would
be in charge of cleanup. The younger kids have different parts of the house to
clean.  We would all play together or go for long strolls, discovering parts
unknown of the barrio.

Eating Halo-halo brings me back to the happiest memories of hot summer days
well spent with my siblings and cousins. We grew up spending the entire school
summer vacations at my grandparents' house. This is also where I grew up before
we moved to the city when I was 7. Most of our cousins lived in Manila, then.

I believe it was our lolo Itay's wish that his children and grandchildren stay with
them once school is out and it became a family tradition. One that I am very much
happy and grateful for as it created a special bond between us, cousins, that stayed
even now.

It would be like more than 20 kids in one house at a time! Can you imagine all the
kinds of trouble that could create? But funny enough, I do not remember anyone
having a fight. We would tag-team against other kids, sure, but never against each
other.

We would do everything together. Depending on your age bracket, you will be

assigned a task. The older girls are the ones who prepare the meals. Others would
be in charge of cleanup. The younger kids have different parts of the house to
clean.  We would all play together or go for long strolls, discovering parts
unknown of the barrio.