A Story that focuses on values and traits of Filipinos

2. One day, the Bisoy Family is busy cleaning and decorating the house.
Their relative, Tita Elena, together with her American husband and
eight-year old daughter, Eloisa, is coming to visit all the way from US.
Tita Elma Kessler and her family want to celebrate the town fiesta with
them.
Mang Kiko: Wake up, children. We will be leaving early because we have
to fetch your Tita Elma and her family from the airport.
Aling Ising: Elmo, have you put up the curtains and cleaned the guest
room where our visitor will be staying?
Elmo: Opo, Nanay. I have also set up the karaoke machine.
Aling Ising: Very good! You really know how to entertain guest.

3. Elmo: Of course. I want them to enjoy their stay at our house. Katkat,
what have you prepared for Tita Elma and her family?
Katkat: I bought out my favorite toys and books, so Eloisa and I can
enjoy them. I will also teach Eloisa how to play piko, tumbang preso,
and taguan.
The Bisoy Family rides their rented jeepney to the airport to fetch
the Kessler Family. Mr. Kessler is so happy to ride the jeepney.
Mr. Kessler: What do you call this vehicle?
Mang Kiko: It is a Filipino invention inspired by an old army jeep. We call
it jeepney and we are proud of it. You will see many of this on the way
to our house.

4. When they arrive at the Bisoy Family residence…
Mang Kiko: Elmo, please carry their bags inside the house.
Elmo: Opo, Tatay. I will be happy to carry them.
Katkat: let me help you carry the little bags, Kuya Elmo.
Eloisa: What are “opo” and “Kuya”?
Aling Ising: Eloisa, “opo” is a polite way of saying yes. “Kuya” is the
polite way of addressing on elder brother. For an elder sister, we say
“Ate”. So from now on, call Elmo and Katkat “Kuya” and “Ate” because
they are older than you.

5. Tita Elma sees her parents once she is inside the house. Before hugging
them, she places their hands on her forehead.
Tita Elma: Eloisa, do what I just did to your grandparents. It is called
pagmamano. Filipinos do it to show respect when greeting the elderly.
Come on. Try it.
Eloisa and Tita Elma’s husband gesture of pagmamano to Lola Juanita
and Lolo Pablo.
The Kessler Family stays with the Bisoy family for a month. Before they
leave for the US, Eloisa and her father tell the Bisoy family that they
have experienced the balikabayan joy of living with Filipinos. In addition,
they say that they will never forget the Filipino values and traditions they
have learned and how they admire Elmo and Katkat for being good
Filipino children. They promise to come back every year to learn more
about the country.