FEATURE
Have Kids, Will Travel
By Cathy S. Babao-Guballa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:54:00 10/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines- This year, expect one of the longest Christmas breaks ever.
Reports have it that schoolchildren will be on break for a total of 11 days in all. That’s a lot of downtime, and potentially, bonding and travel time for families. Add to the equation families who are expecting balikbayan (homecoming) relatives or OFW parents, and it looks like December 2008 will be a good one for local tourism.
Yes, hands-down, the most famous places that families hie off to during the Christmas break continue to be the top three Bs—Baguio, Boracay and Bohol. The old favorites— Tagaytay and Antipolo, owing to their proximity, complete the top five destinations that Filipino families choose every December. In a small survey I conducted among friends and family, 70 percent said that they would probably travel to either one of those five places just mentioned; 10 percent hoped to travel somewhere in Asia, a rare 10 percent mentioned the possibility of traveling to where there was snow, and another 10 percent said they would be happy to just spend time here in Manila, watching DVDs at home in between the shopping and the eating.
Talent manager Girlie Rodis likes taking balikbayan relatives to Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay or to savor some quiet time in Baguio. Lawyer Ted Sta Ana brings his relatives to Tagaytay Highlands or to Bohol to enjoy the pristine beaches and to soak in the sun. Wife, mother and financial consultant Paz Nery has heard a lot about the walking tours of Carlos Celdran and looks forward to taking one with her kids over the break. ABS-CBN international executive Jun del Rosario makes sure that he gets to spend time at the beach with his family every December.
Sta. Ana also strongly recommends taking the kids to Hong Kong Disneyland. “Avail yourself of the annual pass and get 50 percent off your hotel stay,” he shares, “It’s so worth it!”
However, it is still Tagaytay, with its wide array of restaurants, serene ambience (most especially on a week-day) and fresh air, that topped everyone’s list. World traveler and mother Dana Cosio Mercado, husband Paolo, and two sons Gio and Pepi are veteran travelers but they all look forward to going to Tagaytay each time they come home. “It’s so close to Manila yet you get such a change of atmosphere. Tagaytay, in particular, changes so quickly that people could be out of the country just one year and have so much to discover upon their return,” says Cosio-Mercado.
For long road trips, entrepreneur-mom Katrina Gumaru-Roa stresses the importance of taking a break every few hours. “Bring Lysol wipes and toilet paper for those restroom stops.” Cosio-Mercado says that her non-negotiable just-in-case items are one extra shirt per child, sick bags, plenty of tissue, water, and air freshener. “From experience, I know I need these all the time!” Stockbroker-mom Peewee Cruz Cordero says that disposable toilet seat covers are very helpful to have on-hand as well. Thankfully, they can now be bought at your favorite drugstore in packs of 10 sheets.
Travel-time with the family also provides many teachable moments. Businessman Oskie Ravanera tells his friends to travel with their children while they are young as much as they can. “It can be a great opportunity for them to learn responsibility. Have the eldest look after the 2nd and in turn, have the second child look after the 3rd, and so on. It teaches a child to take care of the younger ones and to listen to their older siblings.”
Cosio-Mercado says her sons, who are 10 and 6, are responsible for their own stuff everytime they take a break, and are allowed to order their own food. “But they have to finish it,” she says. “The Nintendo DS can only be used at certain times, not at restaurants or when we’re visiting friends, etc... We find that if the rules are set ahead of time, we prevent arguments along the way.”
In this day and age, it is important to always keep an eye out for your children wherever and whenever you travel. Teacher-mom, Roxanne Limjoco always assigns a meeting place that is easy to remember, just in case one of them gets lost. Katrina Roa writes down her (and her husband Jim’s) mobile phone number on a piece of paper and slips it into her youngest daughter’s pocket.
It is also important to provide them with “distractions”—especially the younger children who may have a tendency to fret and fuss on long rides. Play their favorite music in the car, pack a favorite stuffed toy, a small pillow or blanket; activity books, stickers or card games for waiting time in restaurants. And snacks are very important too! Avoid the sugary sweets, calorie or sodium-laden snacks and try to stick to healthy alternatives such as cheese, fruits and sandwiches. Chocolates are a no-no as they can get your kids on a sugar-high—something you would definitely want to avoid on a long car ride. Ensure that the food is packed hygienically and stored well so as to avoid any bum stomachs along the way. Bring an adequate supply of bottled water and healthy fruit juices as well.
Often, the rituals we learn growing up are the same ones we try to practice when we have our own children. Holiday travel will always be closely tied to memories of time spent with parents and siblings. Growing up, I remember taking long road trips to Baguio or La Union and how we were not allowed to nap for more than 30 minutes because we would most likely miss the beautiful scenery. This same sentiment was echoed by twentysomething Tina Araneta who recalls how her mom, Sonia, would make sure to point out the different provinces and sights whenever they travel so they wouldn’t get bored. “To this day, I remember by order all the provinces, and even their capitals, that we used to pass to get to Baguio!”
The Christmas holidays will always be about families. If you choose to travel, make sure to take lots and lots of pictures. Paz Nery says that her earliest childhood memories center around the times she traveled with her family. “Not of travels per se, but of pictures taken during those trips.”
However, if you opt to just stay home and cocoon yourself with family, that is perfectly fine too. The number one childhood memory that came out of the survey was that of sharing stories and meals with family members. Noche Buena and the people who were there, the laughter, the food and presents that made the evening special were tops on everyone’s list. Patsy Gapud Remijan who has lived overseas for many years has one Baguio Christmas that stands out in her memory. “I can’t remember the year but I recall it was Noche Buena with mom’s side of the family—lots of food, laughter and games. Each family had a presentation and there were prizes too!” Often, with the passage of time, we forget the dates, and the specifics of certain events, but the love and laughter that come with the memories will always remain.
Email the author at cathybabao@gmail.com
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