Me: Born and raised in Manila til we emigrated to the US in 1981. Father’s last name is Manuit, my mother’s last name is Baydan, tho I was told it should have been Owaban. Dad was born in Sagada. Mother’s maiden name was Padua. Grandma had a sister (surname Aben) who managed a store there 50 years ago. Not sure if they are still living in the area. Mom was born in Masla. Still have relatives there I am hoping to visit in the next couple of years. I am nearing my 60th year and have not been home since I left at 16. Dad’s relatives are mostly in Pangasinan. I spoke some Igorot when I was young but have mostly forgotten it since I have not had anyone to use it with. Sadly, I’ve forgotten Ilocano as well. I miss the yearly vacation from school where I get to experience the rural life, harvesting rice, swimming in rivers, looking for snails, etc. So now I live in the High Desert of Southern California raising pigs, chickens and ducks.
Not sure if anyone here would have known anyone in my family, but that’s it in a nutshell 😀