This is what my brother, Dr. Emmanuel Besa, who is now a hematologist-oncologist in Philadelphia, recalls of the vacations he and my other brothers, Tristan and Vicente, spent with Nanay in Iba.
Summer vacations in Iba were unforgettable. Nanay didn’t want any of us to get bored, so she planned activities and prepared special foods. Most mornings were spent at the library. There was a makeshift movie theater under a house along the town square, with canvas walls and folding chairs. If there was a nice movie, she would make sure that we would go see it. In the middle of the show, Nanay would send us a snack through the maid, who would sneak in and find us.