Reflections on Traditions and Memories

I remember about a year ago, during a holiday break in the middle of 2025, that I traveled to the Philippines with my family for about two weeks. It was the first time I had been to my parents’ home country since a decade ago. 

I distinctly remember some fun things that I got to experience in the tropical suburbs whilst I was still a child: chugging down cans of root beer or being able to ride around on the busy streets inside a motorcycle taxi with the passenger extensions, or perhaps that one time I ate ice cream that had peanuts in it, and I puked all over the family home’s front yard.

I was supposed to go back during 2020 with my aunt for a holiday, but that was during the prime COVID years, and it was cancelled to my misery, so I was really excited to travel overseas again during my last holiday. Just being back inside Davao City when I finally got settled into our apartment has really exposed me to how our country really is: the poverty, the culture, and the atmosphere. I was just a child back then, so I didn’t really learn anything and just had fun.

But now, I came to appreciate the smell of cooked, overripe mangoes in the air and the warm climate. It was definitely a fresh change of pace from the more privileged life I had been living in Australia; plus, I got to drink more root beer, go to Jollibees, and go on tricycle rides. 

A few key memories:

During a trip across the ocean to visit landmarks, one of the host’s sons was about my age and my older brother’s, but rather than going to school, he was helping to steer and anchor the boat. 

Another time, when my extended family and I were celebrating our Lola’s 75th birthday, I saw many people who came that I am not familiar with. Of course, these were the locals in the area who have never traveled and settled in Australia. But how my Lola came to know these many people who cared enough to celebrate with her had surprised me. 

One last memory I had was when we visited the grave of my Lolo, who had died over thirty years ago due to lung cancer. Whilst we were lighting candles and saying prayers, I saw that another family nearby was having a big lunch next to what I presumed was their loved ones’ resting place. I asked my mama what that was about, and she said that it was a  tradition. I don’t remember the specifics, but it was interesting enough for me to remember. 

When my family settled on a resort to just chill and relax for our last few days in the Philippines, I didn’t learn much more since it was just a 5-star resort, but I did get to purchase a cool new straw hat that I keep with me today and wear during cultural days at school!

Conclusion

Obviously, I had fun being able to go to my home country and meet with more of my extended family whilst doing a lot of cool things. But I also learned some things, and I like to think the trip helped me mature. From me knowing that I’m privileged enough to go to a private school in Australia while others may not be as fortunate, or perhaps the life of my Lola, that I’ll never truly know what she went through, yet knowing she had made a lot of friends and continued our family tree, and the traditions inside the Philippines that I have yet to be exposed to. I do like the life that I have in Australia, and there is nothing I’d trade it for, but I am more than eager to expose myself to different sides of life and culture if I were to travel overseas again.

About the Author

Daniel Alicaway is a 16-year-old in Victoria, Australia, and is currently in year 11. He has three brothers and a pet dog, as well as a close-knit group of friends he goes to school with. He is currently studying VCE subjects such as legal studies and psychology. Paired up with that, he also gains practical and social skills in his part-time job. Daniel plans to use this important time in his life in order to boost his goals in joining the Australian Defense Force Reserves as well as Victoria Police when he becomes of age.