"We ride in and out of sunshine and
shadows, past rice terraces older
than time,
surrounded by so much green -
a hundred kinds of green.
And air that tastes like pineapples
and ripe jackfruit."
Seeing his father back in the Philippines where he grew up, Mateo is able to sense a difference in him. As they travel crowded streets, his father is more adventurous and very excited to show his son his homeland and the people who are important to him.
Together, they cycle roads that take them past mountains, and a turquoise river that holds memories of his father's childhood. They take a boat ride on that same river, reach for coconuts on bamboo poles, and continue their ride through brilliant green fields. At one point, they stop to watch a group of men carry a house across a street! Dad offers his help; the two are rewarded with a celebratory feast.
Mateo gets a front row seat to bayanihan -
"people coming together as a community
to help a fellow neighbor in need."
As they return to the road that will take them to their family reunion, a blown bicycle tire stalls them. Directions from passers-by suggest a short visit to the next village where there is someone who will be able to help. The shop is closed. It's too late to go on; the two sleep in a sugarcane field. What surprise awaits when they open their eyes the next morning! Grateful for the help given, they are ready to move forward. Their destination is reached, the family is welcoming, and Dad has some of his favorite childhood haunts to share. This is certainly a different dad than the one Mateo knows in their urban home. Their city life is very different from these days in the Philippines. Once home, things return to normal ... or do they?
This homage to building community is accompanied by warm and charming scenes created by Bianca Austria, using digital illustrations to enhance the meaning of coming together to make life better.
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