by Marilie Bomediano
From different corners of the world we came to reminisce the good times, rest our weary souls and recall what a family really is. It was the Taporco Family’s grand reunion. All in all, 75 family members came – from the USA, Dubai, Oman, Ireland, Australia and the Philippines – for a chance to meet up and reconnect with different generations. We gathered in Iligan City in Northern Mindanao but the meeting venues stretched farther to Aurora in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Home to us was Iligan City, a 1st class highly urbanized city in the northern Mindanao.
It is best known for its beautiful waterfalls and as such has come to be called the ‘City of Majestic Waterfalls’. This city down south also boasts of many natural wonders and it is blessed with superb attractions like the crystal clear springs and freshwater lakes.
To remind myself of the wonderful times, I have tried to capture the highlight of each spectacular day.
Day 1: The Ruben-Lyn Taporco Family’s Bayug hosted dinner at their residence. It was the first of many lavish dinners that were to follow.
Day 2: A picnic underneath the ‘talisay’ trees while enjoying the cool breeze was absolutely relaxing. Then, a dip in the Soda Beach at Sta. Felomina.
Day 3: Family bonding at Mimar’s Springway Resort of Timoga, renowned for its pools with fresh underground cold crystal clear spring waters.
Day 4: We all gathered at the Taporco family owned “Tafs Wonderland,” a mountain view resort in Aurora, a 1st class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. Here we shared a grand buffet dinner and for after dinner entertainment, there were impromptu talent shows, games and lots of dancing. One thing for certain, there was lots of family bonding.
Day 5: We moved to La Velezza Resort in Aurora. La Velleza comes from the Spanish word that means “The Beauty” and it really captures the beauty of the scenery. It is a perfect place for reunions and we enjoyed chatting and mingling in the dining area with another sumptuous meal. Also captivating to look at were those dark torquoise swimming pools.
Day 6: We were a little more adventurous today and the Taporco families indulged in trekking at Tinago Falls, a waterfall on the Agus River, located between the town of Linamon and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, in the northern part of the Philippines in Mindanao. Physically exhausting but enjoyable.
And then, it was all over. We wished there were more days. It was a joyful six-day family reunion that brought generations together and old faces back into view. There was much to see, much to share and rekindling of memories of days gone by. It was good to re-visit the numerous beautiful islands of Mindanao and marvel at our white sand beaches, majestic waterfalls, natural springs nestled in the southernmost part of the archipelago.
But all good things must come to an end. No sooner did we arrive and it was time for each one of us to go our own ways and return to the grind we had now been accustomed to. But our hearts were full and there’ll be lots of new memories to treasure until the next time.
Being reunited with loved ones undoubtedly brings joy but it can also cause anxiety, especially when trying to fit into everyone’s busy lives. Balancing our own expectations with the reality of their schedules, summer plans, and day-to-day routines can be challenging. However, one thing is for certain – seeing familiar faces and places has been absolutely worth it.
Aug 2024
