By Diana Limon and Myra Hildreth
IBEW Local Union 11

I (Myra) was excited to learn that Tradeswomen Building Bridges was sending delegates to the
Philippines. I was even more excited to find out I had been invited and would represent IBEW
Local 11 as a delegate. Because of our Local Union, I could participate in a learning exchange
with my Filipino sisters.

Growing up in the Philippines is the same as everywhere else. It just depends on your family.
But mainly, we have strong family ties. People are willing to share what they have, even if they
don’t have that much. For many people, growing up in the Philippines means the possibility of
being exposed to both poverty and wealth at the same time. I migrated to the USA at 18 through
my father’s petition. I started my electrical apprenticeship at the age of 20 and finished as a
Journeyman Inside Wireman Electrician at the age of 25. Returning to the Philippines can feel
sentimental, exciting and overwhelming.

We (Diana/me and Myra) arrived at the airport at 4:45 a.m. on a Saturday to a fairly empty
airport which was no indication of what we were to find outside the airport. Myra’s family
greeted us with a 12-passenger van which was the beginning of a culinary festival for the
weekend. As we drove to her cousin’s storefront in Cabanatuan City, we saw rice fields and
kalabaw (water buffalos). Upon arrival, we were greeted with lunch which consisted of lechon
kawali (pork), hipon sinigang (shrimp soup), white rice, and Mang Tomas sauce. Several bottles
of Coca Cola and pineapple juice with ice sat on the large communal table. The family bond
was present through the shared experience of food together.

After lunch, we drove to a nearby resort with the family and more food arrived. There were
humungous plates of pancit bihon (glass noodles) and spaghetti, enough to serve at least 30
people. After a 15-hour flight, we crashed early only to learn that more food had arrived as we
slept. The delivered food included the local delicacy of longganisa (pork sausage with garlic).
There was also fried egg plant, okra and Mary Grace mamon bread for dessert, which we both
didn’t even try from being so full and asleep. Myra managed to wake up at 2:30 a.m. to try the
longganisa!

The next morning, we checked out and went back to her cousin’s storefront for a breakfast feast
of leftover longganisa and pork adobo with hard-boiled eggs. We then headed back to Quezon
City to meet with TBB delegates for dinner at Gubat QC restaurant. At Gubat, we ate on banana
leaves with no utensils and with our hands. I had the Hipon (shrimp) with white rice, and Myra
had fried chicken with rice.

Every single day thus far, has been filled with more adventurous food choices. The logistics
team had the challenge of finding lunch on day 1 for 35 people. We crossed the street from the
training center and found local food stands. We decided on Angel’s Big Tummy and gave
everyone two choices between beef nilaga (beef soup), chicken curry, chicken adobo, monggo
soup, and laing (creamy vegetable). As is typical in Manila, all the plates come with white rice
as a main staple. We patiently waited for two hours for our 35-plate lunches. While we waited,
we bought and tried 3 medium-sized pineapples from a local cart vendor.

On day 4, we became riskier by trying street food with the traditional fried kwek kwek (quail
eggs) and fish balls with vinegar. We ate some and shared some with TBB delegates and
eventually had to go back on a paint pick up run and stopped for more fishballs! We also had
lakatan (small bananas) for snacks. On the last day of skills training with the Filipinas, one
member brought Myra the best pancit and palabok (peanut sauce noodle with egg and crushed
peanuts). While we are halfway through our trip, we are determined to try the best of Manila
food before we leave. The Filipino culture and pride is without a doubt represented in their food!