Philippines

The Philippines will always remind me of one of my closest friends, Manu. We met at a tennis academy in high school and, despite getting into a fistfight during our first few weeks as roommates, eventually became like brothers. For his 20th birthday, Manu invited me to join his family in El Nido, on the serene island of Palawan. The scenery was extraordinary, with steep limestone cliffs covered in greenery rising straight out of the turquoise water. Early in the trip, I broke my phone while trying to take underwater photos, only to discover that my case was water-resistant, not waterproof. It turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened. Without a phone, I was completely present. Some of my favorite memories came from long family dinners filled with stories, teasing, and constant laughter. Filipinos have an incredible ability to find humor in almost anything, and Manu’s family had an energy that always made me smile.

Five years later, I returned to the Philippines to visit Manu, this time at his home in Cagayan de Oro after he had moved back following college. We hadn’t seen each other in years, but it felt as though no time had passed. Seeing him again reminded me how important it is to make the effort to stay close to the people you care about, no matter where in the world life takes you.