We lost our family home.

Though the house is gone, the memories remain. It was the cornerstone of our family's legacy, a place that started with my grandparents’ dream: building a family, founding a church, and creating a welcoming sanctuary for all. Growing up in a separated household, I lived for the weekends, knowing I'd be with my mom’s side of the family. There, I'd see my cousins, aunts, and uncles, and attend the church my grandfather built. That church, too, is now gone, but its spirit lives forever in our hearts. While we lost so many material things, the fact that my family in the Philippines is safe is what truly matters. We will emerge from this stronger, together, and ready to rebuild as a family.