This time, I trace my roots to Sagada, Mt. Province—the birthplace of my dad,

At the heart of this lineage are our great-grandparents, Isidoro Basco and Estefania Antolin, who built a life together in the highlands and raised six children—a foundation that blossomed into generations of Basco families now spread across the country and beyond.

From their quiet beginnings in the mountains grew a family rich in love, tradition, and stories—many of which were passed around again, this time over bowls of pinikpikan and mugs of strong, mountain-grown coffee during our reunion.

Some of us were meeting for the first time. Others, familiar faces from childhood. But no matter how complex family can be, family is family—and moments like this remind us just how deep those ties run.

When Papa passed away last year, I saw the true strength of our family—the way they showed up not just for milestones, but for each other. That same presence was felt again this weekend. Not in mourning, but in celebration. In laughter. In reconnection.

We may never know all the details of Isidoro and Estefania’s lives, but we carry their legacy forward—in our values, our stories, and how we choose to keep showing up.

This wasn’t just a gathering.

It was a homecoming.

A quiet promise that: We remember. We honor. We continue.

#RootedInSadaga#BascoLegacy#MtProvinceBlood#FamilyIsHeritage#ReunionFeels#GenerationsStrong