"Who are we, really? Increasingly, wherever our hearts are."I don't know why I ended up getting teary-eyed over this video. Lately I've been watching Happy Slip videos on YouTube. I first came across Christine Gambito's channel over a year ago, and recently picked it up again during a family trip out of town. Her skits are just hilarious, and they are such a straightforward portrayal of the comedic qualities that make Filipino families (especially those who have migrated to the United States) unique, and a source of easy laughter and happy banter.
—Anthony Bourdain, "No Reservations"
This video was taken on Gambito's first trip back to the Philippines since her first one as a toddler. It's actually a very basic montage of what and how the country is. But I like how it conveys a simple peek into a multi-textured destination, and is shot from the point of view of someone just about to experience a world of interesting and lovable facts about her homeland.
But I must also admit, that as much as I love love love Manila and consider myself nationalistic, the many things I enjoy and can't live without on a day-to-day basis are actually no longer uniquely Filipino (e.g. Ziploc bags, Clorox/Lysol Wipes, Santi's Delicatessen). Nevertheless, home is where the heart is—which poses some sort of dilemma for me because I am trying to steer my career and tailor my life in such a way I could simultaneously call three places home: Manila, New York, and Denver. And down the line, include London in this list. (Goodluck!) Anyhow, I think little by little, I'm saddened by the prospect of having to leave again :(
On another note, all this sunshine is seriously making me want to consider doing an ocular/stopover in Los Angeles and Miami! Thoughts???
Miami gets my vote :)
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