MOM'S BEST AND HAPPIEST TIME
The Philippine Star|November 04, 2024
From Oct. 19 to 24, my siblings Pete, Paul, Penny and I— together with our mom — were in Fukuoka, Japan.
WITH PAT-P
MOM'S BEST AND HAPPIEST TIME

Mom and I were in Fukuoka, Japan. The vacation was years in the planning because it took a while to convince Mom to brave the airport chaos and get on a plane once again. It was our first trip abroad together since the global COVID lockdown in March 2020.

Since then, Mom has refused to travel abroad because of all the requirements and the fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Being a senior citizen, she is quite vulnerable. Our persistence finally paid off when she agreed to the trip a few months ago. Her only request was that it be a leisure trip with no schedule to keep. She just wanted to hang out with her four children, and this was, of course, fine with us.

We decided to return to Fukuoka (which we last visited in February 2018) because it is quieter and more laid-back compared to Tokyo and Osaka. Penny's in-laws also happen to have an apartment there that they generously let us use for our visit. It was like we were kids again, all under one roof, but this time, it was our turn to serve Mom.

We arrived in Fukuoka late Saturday afternoon, so we basically just unpacked our things in the apartment and went to the neighborhood grocery store to buy food and supplies for our stay. On the way back, we bought chicken karaage from a popular stall for dinner and salad and rice to go with it. By 9 p.m., we called it a night since we were all tired, having woken up before dawn that day to make it to our 9:50 a.m. PAL flight.

The next day, Sunday, we went to Canal City mall for the tender Ikinari steak, which was melt-in-your-mouth perfection that we all enjoyed. To burn the calories we had "collected" from lunch, we explored the mall. While Mom and I visited the shops that sold cute trinkets and clothes, my brothers and Penny spent their time in the Bandai Namco toy store.

This story is from the November 04, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 04, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINE STARView All
AND NOW, THE LATEST IN ANTI-AGING SKIN TREATMENT
The Philippine Star

AND NOW, THE LATEST IN ANTI-AGING SKIN TREATMENT

Before, we only used volume restoration by filler injections to fight aging. Today, layering is the latest filler injection technique that addresses skin aging based on the anatomical changes that occur as one grows older.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 05, 2024
AYURVEDA: A GEN-XER'S GUIDE TO ANCIENT HEALTH WISDOM
The Philippine Star

AYURVEDA: A GEN-XER'S GUIDE TO ANCIENT HEALTH WISDOM

For a society used to doctor's prescriptions, embracing Ayurveda might feel like trying a new health trend. And if it means raising a mug of warm water in place of a pill, that's a toast I'll gladly make.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 05, 2024
These 'madiskarte' moms mean business
The Philippine Star

These 'madiskarte' moms mean business

In 2020, PLDT launched Madiskarte Moms PH, a mompreneur Facebook community, as a way for Filipino mothers to start and grow their home-based businesses to augment their family income during the height of the pandemic.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 05, 2024
FIVE HEALTH HACKS FROM THE GLUCOSE GODDESS
The Philippine Star

FIVE HEALTH HACKS FROM THE GLUCOSE GODDESS

New York-based French biochemist and New York Times bestselling author, Jessie Inchauspé, is a standard social media go-to for hacks on managing sugar spikes and diabetes.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 05, 2024
Caring for loved ones with disabilities
The Philippine Star

Caring for loved ones with disabilities

After a series of eye surgeries in the US (18 surgeries from 1982 to 1989 due to glaucoma), Jaime Silva, more known to family and friends as Jimmy, and his wife Helen decided to change the focus of their lives.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 05, 2024
MassKara 2024: MassKara Unmasked!
The Philippine Star

MassKara 2024: MassKara Unmasked!

I spent five wonderful years of my childhood in Iloilo City, and would visit Bacolod, which was just a ferry ride away. I love its people, its food and its historical structures.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 05, 2024
Hayao Miyazaki to be honored at filmfest
The Philippine Star

Hayao Miyazaki to be honored at filmfest

Japanese master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki will be honored with this year's prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.

time-read
1 min  |
November 05, 2024
DAN+SHAY, OTHER HOLIDAY SOUNDS TO WELCOME NOVEMBER
The Philippine Star

DAN+SHAY, OTHER HOLIDAY SOUNDS TO WELCOME NOVEMBER

How best to welcome November? With only a few weeks until Christmas day, nothing beats Christmas sounds.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 05, 2024
RINI on collaborating with OPM artists, giving back to Pinoy fans
The Philippine Star

RINI on collaborating with OPM artists, giving back to Pinoy fans

For Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter RINI, experimenting or exploring new ideas is in the nature and DNA of any artist.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 05, 2024
LEGENDS, FREAKS AND ICONS GATHER AT ‘SHAKE, RATTLE AND BALL’ 2024
The Philippine Star

LEGENDS, FREAKS AND ICONS GATHER AT ‘SHAKE, RATTLE AND BALL’ 2024

FROM CHUCKY DOLL and his bride to pop superstar Taylor Swift, celebrities, showbiz personalities, and influencers – including GMA Sparkle artists – attended this year's \"Shake, Rattle and Ball\" in character, donning their most outlandish and eye-catching outfits on the black carpet last Thursday at One Ayala in Makati.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 05, 2024