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Hillside Reunions and Oceanfront Feasts in Candiago and Estrella | From Philippines: Love and Peace
- Thizztv Publisher
- May 21
- 4 min read
Hillside Reunions and Oceanfront Feasts in Candiago and Estrella | From Philippines: Love and Peace
The fourth day of our 28-day journey across the Philippines brought with it something that couldn’t be booked, scheduled, or searched on Google: a feeling of rediscovery so strong, it carried us from the hills of Candiago to the coastal calm of Estrella, where legacy and laughter returned to life.
This wasn’t sightseeing. It was soul-seeing.
The Road to Candiago
The morning started under a shy sun and scattered clouds. We left Tacloban just after sunrise, the tricycle’s engine rattling gently as we made our way through winding backroads that cut through farmland and forest. As we climbed into Candiago, the paved streets gave way to gravel, and then dirt.
Candiago is a quiet hillside barangay, untouched by commercial development. Most of its residents are farmers, and many of their children are now working overseas—OFWs supporting extended families through remittances.
But today, one family home held something far more valuable than money. It held memory.
At the top of the trail stood
a simple nipa house, shaded by banana trees and crowned with a galvanized metal roof. There, standing with quiet dignity, was Bettye, Lily’s blind sister.
She hadn’t seen Lily in more than two decades. And though she couldn’t see her now, she felt her. The sound of Lily’s voice sent Bettye into motion, arms reaching forward with a certainty born of love.
What happened next wasn’t just a reunion—it was a return. They embraced as if they had never been apart, their connection rooted not in time, but in something deeper.
It was one of the most emotional scenes we’d experienced yet, and it was a reminder of what truly makes travel unforgettable: family, presence, and grace.
The Beachside Gathering
After lunch, we headed down from the hills, following a muddy path carved by morning rains toward the coastline, where a picnic was already underway.
Plastic tables had been set up under tarps held down by stones and bamboo poles.
Children ran barefoot through puddles, and the scent of grilled tilapia and fresh-cut mango filled the salty air. We weren’t at a resort. There were no infinity pools or poolside service.
But we had everything we needed.
There’s something sacred about food prepared for a family gathering. Saba bananas boiled in their skins, sinugba (grilled pork belly), and bottles of ice-cold soda—these were dishes made not for show, but for sharing.
Cousins we’d never met hugged us like siblings. Strangers waved from down the shoreline and then handed us extra plates.
This is the kind of cultural wealth that doesn’t appear on tourism flyers—the intimacy of island life, and the unspoken hospitality of a people who understand that meals heal.
Estrella: Where the Stars Returned
Later that afternoon, we arrived in Estrella, a place once nearly erased by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). In 2013, this entire neighborhood had been leveled by one of the strongest tropical storms in recorded history.
Homes were swept away. Families were displaced. Lives were lost.
But today, Estrella stands tall again. The home that welcomed us was newly built, perched along a ridgeline with rolling hills in the background and the Pacific stretching out below.
Painted bright with local craftsmanship and accented by modern roofing, this was not just a house—it was a monument to survival and renewal.
Inside, dozens of relatives were already gathered. Some had driven in from nearby barangays, others had flown in from other islands.
A few had traveled internationally, taking advantage of multi-destination travel plans to reconnect with their roots. Children who had only heard of Lily and her sisters in bedtime stories now got to see them in real life.
The centerpiece of the evening was a whole lechon, roasted to golden perfection, its aroma practically announcing the feast to neighboring streets. Beside it sat platters of pancit, lumpia, and grilled squid.
People who hadn’t seen one another in years found themselves laughing like no time had passed.
What Insurance Really Means
We didn’t have insurance during this trip. No policies. No safety net beyond one another. But if we could do it again, we’d prepare differently—and that’s the message we pass on to our readers now.
When you're trekking through remote barangays, navigating muddy roads, and embracing the emotional highs and lows of reconnecting with family, travel insurance isn't a formality—it's peace of mind.
Whether it’s emergency medical coverage, trip delay protection, or retirement abroad insurance for longer stays, having a backup plan ensures that joy isn’t interrupted by panic.
You never expect to need it—until you do. And when you’re this far from home, it’s one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family.
The Story Behind the Smiles
The rain came and went throughout the evening. Sometimes light, sometimes steady, always soft. But no one left. Not when the cousins brought out the karaoke machine. Not when the lechon was carved. And not even when the power blinked for a few minutes before returning. We stayed.
Because this wasn’t a party. It was a welcome home. Not just for Lily, but for all of us. For everyone who had been scattered by migration, time, and responsibility. For everyone who needed to come back and see where it all began.
The stories that live in Candiago’s hills and Estrella’s new homes are not just part of our personal journey—they’re part of the Filipino story. A story of survival, generosity, and reunion.
Now in Philippines: Love and Peace — Available on Amazon
If this blog touched you, you’ll find the full story in my book Philippines: Love and Peace, now available on Amazon.
Inside, you’ll travel across 15 locations over 28 unforgettable days, through vivid travel photography and intimate storytelling that go far beyond travel.
This isn’t just about where we went.is about who we became. And who we found waiting for us.
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