Traveling to the Philippines as American Citizens: Our First Trip Back Home as a Filipino Family
From Houston to Manila via PAL, Airbnb in Las Piñas, and Everything In Between
Introduction
After eight years of living in the U.S., our little family of three finally made it back to the Philippines. We left in 2017, and in 2025, we returned as American citizens—but still very much Filipino at heart. This blog post is a heartfelt and real-life recap of our journey: what we planned, how it unfolded, and all the joy (and food!) we experienced, mostly from my perspective. My husband and I had separate itineraries so we could maximize our 17-day trip. Whether you’re planning your first balikbayan trip or love travel stories, this one’s for you.
A Journey Eight Years in the Making
Back in 2017, we packed up our lives in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. It was a leap of faith, a total life reset. Fast forward to now, we’re U.S. citizens with an 11-year-old son who barely remembers anything about the Philippines, except for stories we tell him, what we show him on the internet, or when we cook adobo at home. (Learn more about this iconic Filipino dish, Adobo, in this blog post.)
This year, we finally made that long-awaited trip back. The experience? Emotional, exciting, slightly chaotic, and oh-so-worth-it.
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Preparing for the Trip
Planning this trip was not just about flights and itineraries; it was also about finding the right accommodations. It was about prepping our hearts for all the feels.
Booking Our Flights and Accommodations
We booked Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the LA to Manila leg because we missed Filipino hospitality, including being called “Ma’am/Sir” every few seconds. We flew United Airlines from Houston to LA, which was the connecting flight included in the Philippine Airlines booking.
For accommodations, we chose an Airbnb in Las Piñas instead of a hotel. It was conveniently located near family and SM Southmall, and it provided the comforts of home, including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a washer/dryer combo, and even a sofa bed in the living room. With two bedrooms and two bathrooms, it was the perfect space for our little family (and then some). Bonus: We were within walking distance of convenience stores and laundry services, and just a short tricycle ride away from the mall.
We also registered on etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours of departure—don’t skip this step, as it may delay your immigration processing.
Park and Fly Reservation
Parking near the Houston airport was a win! Safe spot for the car, plus it gave us peace of mind. A shuttle transported us to the airport. We used the Houston Airports App.
What We Packed
- Clothes fit for the summertime
- Passports and IDs
- Snacks just in case we get hungry on the plane – Sky Flakes and dried edamame beans
- Activities for our 11-year-old – sketchbooks and ebooks of his favorite comic books
- TSA locks, meds, and the chargers for gadgets
- A travel budget tracker and itinerary planner using Google Sheets (which you can download for free here).
Credit Cards, Cash, and GCash Tips
In the Philippines, most restaurants, malls, and larger establishments accept credit cards. Still, public transportation, small convenience stores, and street vendors only accept cash.
We used the Remitly app to send money to my sister’s account and withdraw cash using her ATM card. It was convenient and reliable. You could also explore GCash (a widely used e-wallet in the Philippines) or use cash pickup services like Cebuana or Palawan Express.
Whether you’re grabbing taho or hopping on a trike, having pesos on hand makes travel much smoother.
The Flight Experience
Houston to LA
We left our apartment 4 hours early just in case. Houston traffic doesn’t play. Our flight was at 7:45 PM CT, and arriving early gave us enough time to grab dinner, stretch, and convince our son to use the restroom before boarding (he didn’t). The flight to LA was delayed but smooth.
Layover at LAX
Ah, LAX. The land of long walks and endless terminals. We had to catch a shuttle and do a mini cardio workout to get to the PAL terminal. We waited around 2 hours due to the Houston delay. Leon cried while waiting to board—we were all tired. But once we boarded, the PAL crew made us feel at home. Filipinos get hospitality.
LA to Manila via PAL
- 15-hour flight.
- Leon fell asleep for 4 hours, then watched a marathon of 5 movies.
- The food? Excellent—even Leon loved it, and he’s picky.
- Blankets, pillows, hygiene kits, sleep masks, and socks—check!
- Lavatories? Spotless and fresh the entire flight.
We landed in Manila groggy but happy. Immigration was quick thanks to our foreign passports and eTravel QR code. Bonus, we were exempt from the travel tax. So we saved almost Php 5,000. That’s additional shopping money!!! 🤣
After settling into our Airbnb, we had our first meal: dried fish, tomatoes with onions, fried eggplant, and Purefoods hot dog, and fried rice. Then off to the grocery store—because nothing says “welcome back,” like buying shampoo and extra Tender Juicy hotdogs.
Family, Food, and Filipino Hospitality
If you’ve been away for years, nothing prepares you for the hug attack from Titas or the loud, love-filled chaos of a Filipino reunion.
- Leon met cousins, titos, and titas for the first time. It was overwhelming but sweet.
- One morning, I heard “Tahooo!!!” mid-shower and ran to the gate in a towel. Priorities.
- Taho is warm silken tofu with tapioca pearls and sweet arnibal—a classic morning treat. Leon tried it but wasn’t a fan.
- He also declined balut and penoy:
- Balut is a fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo—a street food icon.
- Penoy is the milder version—no embryo, more like a rich, hard-boiled egg.
Every morning started with pandesal dipped in hot coffee. Soft, slightly sweet, and crumb-coated, pandesal is a quintessential Filipino breakfast. But you have to wake up early to get it—it sells out fast!
We had reunions with various family members. Every gathering meant a full spread: lumpia, pancit, kaldereta, sinigang, kakanin—you name it. It felt like balikbayan royalty treatment.
Several friend groups also treated us to lunch or dinner. A highlight? A friend invited us to their farm, accompanied by mutual friends. We had a feast and a full-on videoke session. Nothing beats singing ’90s ballads with a full belly and old friends.
(Learn more about Filipino culture: Read this blogpost Exploring Filipino Culture: 15 Things You Should Know)
Our Trip Highlights
Philippine Memories 2025 by Cyril Montanes- Tagaytay day trip: Boodle fight at Balingsasayaw, coffee at Bag of Beans, fresh air, and views. A boodle fight is a communal feast on banana leaves, eaten kamayan (with hands). Pure joy.
- Reunions with churchmates, College friends (University of the Philippines at Los Banos), and high school friends.
- Voice lessons with our longtime vocal coach.
- Chocolate-making at Godel Factory. Leon made his own bar with Dad.
- Family dinners in Nuvali: Chicken caldereta and crispy pata. No words.
- New Life Church: I got to sing with the worship team. Full-circle.
- Malls and eats: Uniqlo shopping, Razon’s Halo-Halo, and Mary Grace Cafe.
- Tricycle rides: “So cool, but kinda bumpy,” according to Leon.
- Street food: Taho, balut, penoy, and rice cakes.
(Find out the 20 Must-Try Filipino Street Foods: A Journey into Authentic Pinoy Flavors)
Tips for Families Traveling to the Philippines
- Book early with PAL or other airlines for a Filipino hospitality experience.
- Use Park & Fly if leaving from the U.S.
- Airbnb > Hotels for extended stays and homey comfort.
- Prep kids with Filipino stories and culture to reduce culture shock.
- Pack light, but bring meds, vitamins, and snacks.
- Jet lag is real—stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
- Grab app is essential (like Uber, with island patience).
- Weather? Hot and humid or rainy and humid. Pack accordingly.
Conclusion
Coming Home, Wherever We Are
We came home with more than just Uniqlo clothes—we brought back a renewed sense of identity.
Yes, we hold American passports now, but this trip reminded us we are Filipino through and through.
Being away made us appreciate our roots, our families, and our food-loving culture even more. We’re grateful to God for making this trip happen. Every tricycle ride, meal, and reunion was a testament to His grace.
We’re not just blessed—we’re blessed to be a blessing.
If you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, I hope our story encourages you to go. Leap. Reconnect. Be amazed. And yes, eat all the balut and halo-halo.
Need help planning? Download our free travel checklist, packing list, and budget tracker. CLICK HERE.
Drop a comment, share your balikbayan story, or ask for Airbnb links!
’Til the next adventure,
Cyril Montanes
