Family US Trip

Our journey began on July 29, 2025. We left our home in San Pascual, Batangas around 5:00 AM. My mom and two brothers—Joshua and Kuya Louie, who drove a rented van—accompanied us to the airport. We needed the van to fit both our family and all our luggage comfortably.

We arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 at around 7:30 AM. After saying our goodbyes, we entered the passenger area. Thankfully, the lines were short, and the immigration interview went smoothly and quickly. We waited a few hours at the gate before boarding our flight, which took off around 11:00 AM.

We landed safely at LAX at approximately 10:00 AM (California time), still on July 29, 2025. It was a non-stop, 13-hour flight. Most of us drifted in and out of sleep, repeatedly waking up thinking we were almost there—only to realize there were still hours to go. When we finally landed, despite our exhaustion, the kids couldn’t hide their excitement, pointing out the new sights—even while we were still inside the airport.

We proceeded through US Border Security, patiently lining up for screening. The process was light, with just a few simple questions before we were cleared to proceed to our connecting flight to Sarasota, Florida.

We had a long 8-hour layover at LAX, followed by a more than 4-hour flight to Atlanta. After another 3-hour layover there, we finally boarded our last flight to Sarasota.

Though the journey was exhausting, our joy overflowed when we saw the couple who welcomed us—Dr. Tony and Dr. Cris Gatdula. I’ll never forget the moment the children ran to hug Tito Tony at the airport, their faces lighting up with joy. We are grateful to know this couple and to experience their kindness and hospitality. Soon, we'll head to Michigan, where the Swanson family is eager to welcome us.

Congratulations to my sons

SJ has finished Elementary level and JC completed his Junior High-school through Alternative Learning System.

Madalas sa mga mag-aaral ng Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) ay mga out of school youths. May ilan din naman na kahit medyo ma-edad na ay sumusubok upang makapag tapos ng pag-aaral upang makasabak pagkuha ng kurso sa kolehiyo. May kani-kanyang kwento ng buhay ang bawat mag-aaral na ito kung bakit sa ALS at hindi sila nakapagpatuloy sa regular school o ung formal education na sinasabi ng iba. Marami na akong kwentong narinig buhat sa mga ALS graduate. Iba't-ibang hamon sa buhay ngunit may iisang paninidigan na magpursigi na pagtagumpayan ang mga hinaharap na hamon ng buhay upang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral.

Para sa aking mga anak, pinili namin na sila ay papasok ng ALS sa kadahilanan sila ay mga homeschoolers (un-schooled way). Napakalaki nang naitulong sa amin ng programang ito upang mabigyan ng LRN ang aming mga anak. Karamihan ay hindi nakaka-alam na meron palang pamilya na tulad namin na tumatahak sa ganitong klase ng edukasyon na ibinibigay para sa sarili nilang anak. Ito ang paraan na naging epektibo sa amin.

Saludo ako sa kasipagan, dedikasyon at katiyagaan ng aming ALS Teacher na si Sir. Jeffrey Bagsic Buenafe. Nakita namin kung paano ang kanyang malasakit at pagmamahal sa mga estudyante niya. Masasabi kong pagpapala ng Diyos sa amin ang naging teacher ng aking mga anak. Alam kong maging sa ibang mga teacher ng ALS ay may parehong hangarin sa kanilang mga nagiging mag-aaral. Nawa ay patuloy na ang biyaya ng Diyos ay sumama sa mga guro at tagapanguna ng ALS at kagawaran ng ating edukasyon.

Sa lahat ng mga nagtapos dalangin ko ang gabay ng Diyos habang tinatahak ang landas ng tagumpay na nais ninyong marating. Matuklasan ang inyong mga angking galing na magiging pagpapala sa inyong pamilya at lugar na kinabibilangan.