The Bascos: Making the Trip to 'Neverland'
By Katherine Castillo EustaquioPhotos courtesy of the Basco Family
Published in Balikbayan Magazine
Published in Balikbayan Magazine
“Rufio! Rufio! Ru-fi-oooo!”
Ask any kid who grew up in the 90s if he has seen the 1991 movie Hook (starring Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts) and he’d tell you his favorite line: “Rufio! Rufio! Ru-fi-oooo!”
I was 10 years old when I first saw the movie. When I came to the part where a grown-up Peter first met the leader of the Lost Boys, I remember rewinding our VHS copy of the movie over and over to check out Rufio’s cool moves. When I finally learned how to use the Internet at the age of 13, I found out that Dante Basco. the actor who played Rufio, is actually Filipino.
The Internet became my tool to find more actors around the globe who are of Filipino descent. Today, we have Charice Pempengco, Apl.de.ap, Nicole Scherzinger, Enrique Iglesias and a whole lot more. But still, Dante Basco remains closest to me, especially since he was the first Filipino-American to open my eyes to the world-class talent of Filipinos abroad.
The Homecoming: Basco Balikbayan Project
Ask any first generation Filipino-American what they miss about the Philippines and they'd give you almost the same answers: Filipino hospitality, white sand beaches, Pinoy cuisine, the simple way of life, and so on.
Now, ask the second and third generation Filipino-Americans what they know about the Philippines (especially those who have not been to the country) and you’ll get a myriad of somewhat confused answers.
“In order to understand and grasp a concept that contains what it means to be Filipino—[one has to] live it. Not just visit,” Fil-Am actress and producer Giselle Toengi shared during an interview with Balikbayan Magazine, “It goes beyond the clothing with emblems of the Philippine flag or beyond dishes like adobo and lechon.”
Co-produced by G. Tongi and Michael Carandang, the project chronicles the young Bascos’ trip around the Philippines, to discover their cultural roots and what it really means to be Filipino.
After twenty-one days of non-stop adventures in the Philippines, which includes banging on the roof of a jeepney to get off on their stop, eating balut at 3 o'clock in the morning, and flying from one magnificent destination to another, the Bascos flew back to the U.S. with a fuller sense of their Filipino identity.
Balikbayan Magazine chatted with the Bascos about their unforgettable experience in the Philippines. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Balikbayan Magazine (BM): What’s your very first memory of the Philippines?
Derek: I've only known the Philippines through what our parents and grandparents have told us. This was my first trip there. And the first thing I think of when I think back is of the people.
Darion: Stepping off the plane and feeling the warm, thick, tropical air and thinking, “Wow it’s hot, but it feels good.”
Dante: First time I went home was over ten years ago. I remember the warmth of the air on my skin and the sounds of the bugs, buzzing around the bushes...
Dion: This was my first trip to my homeland. I just remember as we were flying in, I was getting emotional. I've been waiting my whole life for this trip.
Arianna: Humidity like I've never met before sticking to my skin back in 1999.
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Dion and Arianna in Balangobong River where [their father] used to play.
At Barancay Plaza where [their] great grandfather,
Papa Dino Abasta, used to do [plays].
BM: What’s your initial impression of the Philippines?
Derek: This is home. Why haven't I been here before? Why were they keeping it a secret?
Darion: Of course, the physical beauty of the islands is undeniable, but what struck me really were our people themselves. Everyone one was extremely welcoming and encouraging to us.
Dante: It’s good to be home. Something immediately within you, its like a lot of things start to make sense.
Dion: It was hard to have an initial impression. The minute we landed in Manila, we were whisked away to a press conference.
Arianna: The large divide between poverty and wealth. There is so much beauty in [the Philippines.] Even in strife, there is immense joy and pride lining every road, concrete or dirt, province to big city.
BM: What’s the most amazing place you visited here?
Derek: Maybe because it was the first island we went to, but Palawan will always represent the Philippines to me. We only experienced a fraction of what Palawan [has] to offer, but I fell in love...and I can't wait to return.
Darion: If I have to pick [one] place, I'd have to say Palawan was my favorite. I love the natural beauty of it.
Dante: This last trip, Palawan was incredibly amazing and beautiful.
Dion: Every place we visited was amazing! And very different as well.
Dion swims with the fishes at the Davao Pearl Farm Resort
BM: What’s your most unforgettable experience in the country?
Derek: When we got the opportunity to swim with [a] whale shark, or as we Filipinos like to call [it], the Butanding! I even wrote a song about it called ‘The Butanding, He’s My Best Friend!’
Darion: Being on the land, [where] our grandfathers built their homes and where their journeys started, was really emotional and fulfilling.
Dante: Going to the provinces of my parents. As Americans, we often wonder where [we are] from. Finally we were there, standing on the very earth where our family has been living for the last few hundred years. It was very emotional.
Dion: The [day] we saw the Underground River comes to mind. I was proud that one of the 7 Wonders of Nature is in the Philippines. Also that day we ate tamilok on the beach.
Arianna: The whale shark was one of the highlights of the trip.
BM: Do you agree that 'It’s more fun in the Philippines?'
Derek: Between the people, the food, the tropical activities and beauty of the Philippines, I have to honestly say..."ITS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!"
Darion: Yes. It is definitely more fun in the Philippines. We couldn't [have] had a better time and [we] can't wait to go back.
Dante: Yes! Definitely more fun in the Philippines! We have the footage to prove it!
Dion: It absolutely is more fun in the Philippines!
BM: Based on your recent experiences in the Philippines, how do you now define being a Filipino?
Derek: I never knew how FILIPINO I was, till I went home. I also take pride in my work and work very hard like every other Filipino. So being a Filipino is being a hard worker (like the many nurses here in the States) and being very friendly and hospitable. But with a big sense of humor.
Darion: Being Filipino for me now, I know that I come from this incredible heritage and culture, rich with beauty, talents, fortitude and adaptability.
Dante: I'm not sure exactly how to define it. I only know, without a doubt, I am Filipino and very proud of it.
Dion: We are a very welcoming culture. Everyone is so nice and friendly. People are very hardworking and though most people don't have much, they are truly happy.
Arianna: The Philippines was the perfect backdrop to bring together this American family and teach us about our history—geographical and personal; to inspire us to progress, to risk, to [keep the] faith, to speak up and to live a life of worth, humor, and song. That to me defines the Filipino—the spirit.
Basco brothers enjoying Isla Pandan, Palawan
Dion relaxes in Palawan
At Jack's Peark, Davao
Palawan Pinay Beauty
Plans for the Future
The 13-episode Basco Balikbayan Project is currently being edited. Soon to be released worldwide, the Bascos, together with producers G. Toengi and Michael Carandang, are hopeful that the documentary will be aired in the Philippines later this year.
The Basco Balikbayan Project is just one of the many plans these second generation Fil-Ams are brewing, in order to fulfill their joint goals to promote the tourism in the Philippines and to encourage their fellow young Fil-Ams to rediscover their cultural roots for themselves.
“I really want to take my kids back and share the treasures of the Philippines with them,” Derek Basco shared. “I want to make it a tradition so that they too, [will] bring their kids home. It's a pilgrimage every Fil-Am should make.”
Underground River Tour
Ziplining in Boracay with parents and G. Tongi
Looking back, I couldn't help but think that Dante Basco’s famous 1991 character (Rufio in Hook) somehow foreshadowed their recent adventures in the Philippines. In the famous story of Peter Pan, Wendy and her brothers flew around London to a beautiful, mythical land called Neverland. Earlier this year, Arianna Basco and her brothers flew by plane to the most amazing places in the Philippines.
For every Filipino at heart, the Philippines is the proverbial Neverland.
