Walang hiya

My parents were born and raised in the Philippines.

I have yet to visit.

When my cousins Jason and Janine and I were children, we were resistant to the idea of going. A country full of people who spoke and acted like our parents? The Philippines might as well have been named Hell.

The fact that our uncle's head became a resort for lice and had to be shaved bald during one of his visits didn't exactly have us tugging at sleeves, chanting, "Take us there, take us there!" Land of our ancestors be damned.

Now that I'm in my mid-20s and with a greater understanding of and pride in some aspects of Filipino history -- although admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of the cuisine -- I'd more than curious to go. Thing is, I don't have the money, the time, and, most importantly, my fear of riding in planes has increased rapidly over the years. (The plane ride to the Philippines is consumes the greater part of 24 hours.)

My maternal grandmother's sisters visited the US in 2006. They exuberantly promised me that if I ever visit them, they'll kill several of their goats and roast them for me.

My father told me if we go together, he'll "select a bride" for me.

No thanks to both offers.

But I'd still like to visit. I'll just have to take lots and lots and lots of Thorazine in order to get there.

Anyway, I'm already brushing up on the slang. In case you're interested on how to say "son of a bitch" in Tagalog:

http://www.tagaloglang.com/Basic-Tagalog/Tagalog-Words/bad-words-in-tagalog.html

Song of the Day is "Going to Pasalacqua" by Green Day: