This family reunion goes beyond food, laughter, and reunions—it’s a tribute to where we came from and who we came from. At the heart of our lineage is our great-grandmother Simona, whose arms told stories through intricate tattoos—symbols of ancestry, tradition, and quiet strength. She lived over a hundred years, and I was 15 when she passed, but her legacy never left.

Alongside her stood her brother, Leoncio—a presence just as vital. Together, their stories formed the foundation from which our family tree blossomed. Their lives began in Besao, Mt. Province, where culture and kinship run deep.

We may not know all the meanings behind apong Simona’s tattoos or lolo Leoncio’s quiet resilience, but in moments like this—where cousins laugh over sisiwet dance and everyone’s trying to remember which side of the family you’re from— or cousins debating who inherited which forehead—we feel their spirit!

This isn’t just a reunion. It’s a reconnection with our roots. It’s coming home!