Who we are today has been shaped not only by our present circumstances, but our past as well. A Filipino saying, we were taught in school, “Ang sinuman na hindi lilingon sa pinanggalingan, ay hindi makakarating sa kanyang patutunguhan” illustrates the importance of our past. It says that if we don’t look at the past and our roots, we will not get to where we want to go. It is important to acknowledge our heritage, our past.
I was so thrilled when Isabel Tom, the author of The Value of Wrinkles, invited me to send in a soundbite for her podcast. Isabel celebrates the elderly. Growing up in a multi-generational home, she masterfully crafts her story in this book to encourage, inspire, and give practical ways to help her readers understand and honor the seniors in their lives.
This opportunity also gave me a chance to highlight a Filipino tradition, “Mano po,” we practiced that showed our respect for our elderly. A beautiful practice that I hope continues for generations to come.
The podcast is available on Apple podcast, Google, Spotify, and Anchor but you can also go to isabeltom.com/listen, click on episode 15 or https://www.isabeltom.com/2021/10/21/ep-15-cecille-valoria-filipino-greetings-flowers/.
To learn about her book in 2-min: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo2qEDPY1NY&t=9s
You can purchase her book by going through her website or from Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and everywhere where books are sold.
Who in your family can you honor today?