Pearl of the Orient

This would be just prior to circa 2000. I'm guessing it's closer to the 80s, but my memory fails, The Philippines was one of three Southeast Asiatic island nations that I went to with my missionary mother on three separate trips. Arrived in Manila at night, Marcos was still in power, and Manila's power was not cooperating quite a bit --frequent blackouts. It's hot there melting in the bayan tree shade in Olongopo. I tagged along with my cousins who live in Dagupan, Pagansinan --their MilkFish is to die for!!!!! Stayed in a hotel in Baguio very nice tourist area a little snow there --bit of a contrast. Visited with more cousins (same family w/Dagupan) in Baccarat, Ilocos Norte. Their Filipino dad (d. 101 y.o.) married my Hawaiian cousin (d. 80 y.o.), and they've both passed now, but half of their family lives in The Philippines and the other half in Hawaii. Mom's here, so heading back to Manila. They have these massive shopping malls that are built there in Manila just so that you lose your mom. Flying south to Zamboanga, for the tail-end of the mission, [not a thing I want to add here] I agree, Pearl of the Orient, mayhaps a bit biased but my family there are real gems to me.