Fragmented Northern Adventures: Team Tuliao, CA Division

Filipino culture is all about tight-knit family despite the distance and whether the relationship [by blood] is already 2nd, 3rd or even 4th degree-- this remains essentially true for me especially in my recent visit to the US that even in-law related relatives have shown me their warmest welcome and hospitality. These and more make a distinct Tuliao trademark. My parents never fail to tell us, every now and then, their heartwarming family stories from years back (circa '70s) and how thoughtful they are whenever relatives go to the US--one that I personally had the chance to experience in my month-long visit.

That Lovable Pangasinan Couple of Daly City, CA

Lolo Demie and lola Lida--this adorable and interesting couple is one of the most-visited Tuliaos by my family. They live in Daly City and their quaint house along Buenvista avenue became my second home (next to my mom's place). They are my dad's uncle and aunt, not on a first-degree relationship though, but regardless, they've become one of the closest families we have in the west coast.

Lolo Demie, Lola Lida and Me at their Daly City Home

Their sons, Dave and Nathan, were likewise very accommodating and gracious to take me around. Nathan usually offered a ride whenever I'd go to downtown, San Francisco. He was the patient resident tour guide for the most part of my trip. 

Nathan and Me at Lake Tahoe

Dave together with his wife, Stephanie, on the other hand, wouldn't hesitate letting me spend time at their place to keep lola Lida company while taking care of then new born baby, Branden. Definitely, a warm and a pleasant bunch to be with during a vacay.

Dave, Stephanie an Me at their new home in Daly City

Meeting Bai, Lola Sek and the Cousins

My dad had incessantly reminded me and my mom that I must go see Bai Rosing and her family. Bai means grandmother in Pangasinan (a dialect used in the northern Philippines). She is my dad's dearly loved and respected grandmother--the sister of my dad's grandfather, who we actually consider the matriarch of the Tuliao clan.  

From what I've heard, the 90-year-old grandma, was really looking forward to finally meeting me in the States, at their lovely home in Hercules CA, nonetheless. 

Me and Bai

The old lady was looking perfectly dainty in her pink sweater and polka-dotted purple jammies. She was in high spirits when we came there. Depite the old age, Bai Rosing managed to tell stories about my dad from years ago. In the demise of my dad's mom, she became a mother figure to him. Bai, alongside her kids, made sure that my dad was as well kept protected under her care especially during his struggling years as a college student in Manila--one thing that my dad, likewise, would always tell us with utmost joy, pride and overflowing gratitude. 

My dad and mom are very close to Bai's family even to her kids. One of them whom I got to meet was Lola Sekny--absolutely, one of the sweetest women I met during my trip. I will never forget our overnight trip to the breathtaking Lake Tahoe. It was her who made it all possible.

The Happy Me and Lola Sekny at Heavenly, Lake Tahoe

Her kids were just as nice and warm as her and lolo Cesar (her husband). In our brief meeting, we pretty much were able to cover a vast of interesting topics--from break-ups to new love prospects; from Bindlestiff to Coachella; from Pinoy stand-up comics to our very own [Pinoy] distinct traits.

Kristy, Me and Irwin showing off our pearly whites (guess it runs in the family)

An Evening with the Finks
Then came the Finks... Tita Judy and I have always had that bond long before I went to visit them. Technically, tita Judy is my dad's aunt because her mom, lola Elvie is the wife of my dad's granduncle (hmm, I stand to be corrected on this). My dad though is a lot older than her so they actually seem to look more like cousins. I recall how in our facetime conversations she would always invite us over. I used to take it as a far-out dream then, until my visit this year at their humble abode in Suisun, Ca.

Lola Elvie, cousin Sarah, tita Judy and tito Jim

Uncle Jim, her husband, the white guy that he is, seems to be a lot like a Filipino too--very grounded, funny (knows Pinoy jokes) and just as hospitable as how Filipinos are. Me and my mom couldn't be any more thankful for the warm gesture they've shown us. 

Our kitchen bonding was one for the books--we went on food shopping, cooked and feasted our palates on the food we have all together prepared as we exchanged, as well, listened to lola Elvie's interesting family stories over dinner.

Moments like these are like gems worth keeping. They aren't just relatives, but they are indeed family in its truest, purest form.