A couple of weeks ago, I was invited by a great friend of mine to their family gathering/outing in Anilao, Batangas. We were supposed to be as many as 5 in our group but it ended up with only Sydney and I managed to commit.
That day, for some miraculous reasons, the rain did not fell. It was sunny. Crisp like the first few weeks of March. Your fake Ray Ban's won't suffice from the scorch of the sun. It was an Augustinian Summer.
For a few hours I rediscovered Batangas. They're more than just the coffee, the Balisong and the ala-e's we hear before each sentence. Their dialect, craving for food, culture and love for conversations made these people from CaLaBArZon Region unique as their neighboring towns. 
I've been to family outings as well. Not to mention the outings I attended to my mother's side, Ilocanos. Slight differences from my observations about Batangeneos, Manileneos and Ilocanos family outings. An outing is never an outing without food. Food is highly appreciated by Batangeneos. It's one of the sources of their gullible disposition. They distribute food to each other no matter if you're just a guest or a close family friend. No one is left behind when it comes to food. And make sure you take what they gave you. It's a cardinal rule. 
Their dialect is mostly the same as ours here living in the Metro; their accent makes the difference. Although I find it more interesting when I heard some words from theirs which are deep and different from our own. Conversations to them are very common and highly regarded as something to care about. Minsan nga, akala mo nagsisigawan na sila, pero malakas lang talaga ang boses nila. It's their way of talking. Loud and clear. They mostly deliver silence only in sacred places and bed rooms when about to sleep. 
Lastly, I observed most about them on how they treat others. They are the kind of folks that take highly of themselves and yet they also tend look at others as highly as themselves. They are proud individuals regardless of status quo. They also are apologetic despite of who you are. I could never forget the part were I was told by my friend's aunt about the loudness of their conversation and she uttered an apology to me. To me? Wow! I'm a guest and I felt I'm part of the family. I was humbled by their accommodation and care towards us. I just told my friend's aunt that I understand and it's really okay to me, with a hiya smile and a hand that scratches the head.
The family and my friend came from Austria. But they really don't look like they came from a far away land. Perhaps, their roots as Batangeneos helped them to put their feet firmly on the ground even if they soar to such magnificent places like Vienna, Austria. What a great family.
