Nothing Beats This

When I was a kid, we had a guest bedroom, and every so often, friends and relatives would visit from the Philippines, Europe, the U.S., everywhere.

My parents would cook up a big feast for them. My mom would make her signature dishes, and if the weather was nice, my dad would fire up the grill for Filipino-style BBQ skewers or grilled pompano stuffed with tomatoes, lemongrass, and lemon slices. We’d all gather around the table as the adults traded stories late into the night.

I remember one visit in particular, my Tito and Tita came in from Chicago. After the meal, my dad cracked open some beers, and my Tito turned to my dad and said, “Nothing beats this.”

That moment stuck with me. Because he was right, there’s something special about being able to host the people you love.

I hope that’s what the future looks like for me too, visiting friends’ homes with my own family, reminiscing about the old days. And I hope they’ll crash at my place too, filling the house with food, laughter, and stories.