A few months more and once again I will be back to my hometown, the Philippines. This is exactly why I named this blog "Homecoming" for I long to go back to the place where I was born, and where the roots of my heritage came from. Where my forefathers shed their blood, sweat, and tears to be free from the hands of the Conquistadors. To once again explore places that I have never set foot on, reminisce the past and cherish every single day God has given me.
I may not have all the time in the world when I get there, for I would be touring the city and visiting some sites, refreshing my history once again. But of course, the most important agenda for me is to spend time with my family, the relatives who have seen me grow up for a number of years, and friends whom I shared my life and soul with.
No one could argue when I say that there is no place like home. Although I have already considered Canada my home, nothing could still take me away from the place that I spent most of my entire life. And what's more, coming from a third world country to a much better and developed place, comparisons are inevitable, flaws and disappointments are felt most of the time. But I think what's different about me is how I view my hometown, now that I'm in an unfamiliar country where not everyone speaks my language, where I need to speak another foreign language despite learning it at school back then. It is true, the Philippines is lucky to have English as their second official language, for they have an advantage when they travel to english-speaking countries such as here in North America.
To live in a country that is rich is multiculturalism can be a blessing―especially for the person who has just set foot in a strange territory. It would be an advantage too, in the long run, for that person would be able to appreciate the culture he has once he sees himself unique from everyone else. If from before, he took his ethnicity and nationalistic identity for granted, coming to a new country would be a change from the norm, adapting with the new lifestyle, but unconsciously preserving his heritage, proud of who he is.
I'm sure some feel the same way as I do, but for those who haven't yet, I say to you: it is a very satisfying feeling to know that you are different from others which makes you honored to come from such a country and history.
And this is why homecoming means a lot to me.
No one could argue when I say that there is no place like home. Although I have already considered Canada my home, nothing could still take me away from the place that I spent most of my entire life. And what's more, coming from a third world country to a much better and developed place, comparisons are inevitable, flaws and disappointments are felt most of the time. But I think what's different about me is how I view my hometown, now that I'm in an unfamiliar country where not everyone speaks my language, where I need to speak another foreign language despite learning it at school back then. It is true, the Philippines is lucky to have English as their second official language, for they have an advantage when they travel to english-speaking countries such as here in North America.
To live in a country that is rich is multiculturalism can be a blessing―especially for the person who has just set foot in a strange territory. It would be an advantage too, in the long run, for that person would be able to appreciate the culture he has once he sees himself unique from everyone else. If from before, he took his ethnicity and nationalistic identity for granted, coming to a new country would be a change from the norm, adapting with the new lifestyle, but unconsciously preserving his heritage, proud of who he is.
I'm sure some feel the same way as I do, but for those who haven't yet, I say to you: it is a very satisfying feeling to know that you are different from others which makes you honored to come from such a country and history.
And this is why homecoming means a lot to me.
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