Tag Archives: migration

some light

Mum dancing at one of the hospital social evenings, the Filipina nurses were entertaining the staff and guests with some folk dances from home. This dance is called the PANDANGGO SA ILAW – Dance of Lights. I think it originated in Mindoro during the Spanish colonial era. Some say the candles were to mimic firefliesContinue reading “some light”

Meeting Grandma

My English Grandma was from Portsmouth. She was petite with velvety soft pink skin, thick wavy silver hair that was always short and the brightest blue eyes. She liked to wear Navy with a white shirt underneath, usually with a broach or neck scarf. “Oh your Grandma said she thought I looked like a Princess!…ItContinue reading “Meeting Grandma”

Hand carry

This is the handbag Mum came over with “What would you have had in it for the flight?” “Sunglasses, purse, sweets, passport …I bought it for myself in a very popular market in Makati, Manila…Manila was a new place for me. I wanted to bring some native things with me not just an ordinary bag”Continue reading “Hand carry”

Pearl of the orient

I think a few SE Asian countries/ cities can claim this nickname but when I was growing up it was how I knew The Philippines Just found this old short film, most of Mum’s photos of her growing up were destroyed in a typhoon so it’s nice to see film of that time – evenContinue reading “Pearl of the orient”

Mother’s day

Well today is the best day to start telling Mum’s story. Sometimes I call her Mum and sometimes Mama – I’m half Filpina half English it’s the influence of two cultures I suppose. Leaving her family and the country she grew up in must have been a heady mix of excitement and WTF am IContinue reading “Mother’s day”