Kada Umaga hosts share their favorite tag-init memories
Since its launch seven months ago, Net 25’s morning tele-magazine Kada Umaga has made 6 a.m. viewing an enjoyable experience. Seasoned anchor Pia Guanio-Magno, “Batang Bibbo” actor-director Tonipet Gaba, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 Emma Tiglao, track and field athlete Maureen Schrijvers and Mata ng Agila Weekend Together news anchor Wej Cudiamat compose the “kada” (short for barkada) of Kada Umaga.
Because summer is officially here, I asked the hosts of the lively and informative show to share their favorite tag-init memories, as well as their plans for this summer now that most of the Philippines is enjoying Alert Level 1 status.
Pia counts her family’s trips to Baguio and to the US among her happiest summer memories.
“Now that we have kids, it’s our turn to think of places where to vacation,” she shares. “One very memorable summer trip we took was to Alaska on the Disney Wonder to celebrate my eldest’s seventh birthday. That was definitely one for the books because we took a chopper up to a glacier to go dogsledding… that’s the kind of experience Disney gives.”
“As for summer plans this year, we plan to take the kids out of the country even for just a couple of weeks. At the moment, I’m monitoring places really well to determine which countries have relatively low COVID numbers because this is our major consideration. Right now, my main goal is to just renew everyone’s passports and visas. God-willing, we may be able to go to LA, Canada or Hawaii,” she adds.
Tonipet’s fondest summer memory was when he treated the entire Ongpauco side of his family to a Boracay trip in April 2016.
“I still look at the photos and videos occasionally and I am yearning for another opportunity like that to manifest soon,” he says.
“But growing up, (summer) was almost always spent in my father’s hometown of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Like the rest of the world, I spent these past two years within the confines of my home. Staycations in our household have now gone past saturation and I’m afraid that some are getting antsy already. We’re all praying that a sweet Mindoro trip could do the trick. Here’s hoping that we can do this before June arrives.”
Emma’s most unforgettable and fondest summer vacation was when she treated her family to a trip to Bohol and Cebu.
“It was memorable because it was the first time my mom experienced a plane ride,” she recalls. “But this summer, we plan to go far from Pampanga. And Baguio, with its cool weather and lots of tourist attractions, makes it ideal. We will book an Airbnb where we can bond, play different activities and have a boodle fight dinner. These are some of the things I am looking forward to.”
For Maureen, summer 2022 will be spent training for the upcoming SEA Games to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam in May. The Games are what’s keeping her busy aside from hosting Kada Umaga. She knows, though, that she needs to find a proper work-life balance. And so, she will do her best to squeeze in a few weekend trips to the beach to keep her island soul healthy and happy.
Wej says that he misses his province of Oriental Mindoro, which he has been away from for two years.
“If given a chance to take a break, I want to visit our hometown again, wander, catch up with relatives and friends, eat native food and celebrate my birthday this May,” he shares.
“For me, summer is defined not by vacations, but rather by celebrations of my birth. That’s why my fondest memories every summer are those simple yet memorable get-togethers with family and close friends. I don’t ask them for material gifts. Their presence is enough for me. Personal messages and calls are already a big thing because it means they did not forget my special day even if it’s summer. But if you’re too generous and will give gifts, I will not hesitate to accept. Yay! Just kidding! Hahaha!”
May we all have a joy-filled summer that will add treasure troves of new experiences and precious moments to our life albums.
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