A ‘balikbayan’ family’s quest to give back
For Me-ann To-Becina, home will always be the Philippines. But returning after years of living in Sydney, Australia, is no longer just about reunions and familiar comforts. Each visit has become an opportunity to rediscover, reconnect, and redefine what “going home” truly means.
This time, it was different. Me-ann, 44, is a family educator at Sydney Catholic Schools, while her husband, Ariel, 50, runs a business. Their sons, Enzo, 14, and Santino, 6, attend Catholic schools in Australia. But their Filipino roots remain deeply ingrained in their family’s values, something they have made an effort to pass on to their children.
After migrating in 2016 in pursuit of a “better quality of life,” they found themselves embracing an existence far different from what they had imagined.
“Looking back, we didn’t really know why we moved, especially since all our family is in the Philippines and I had a promising career in the telco industry,” Me-ann reflected. “But when every application got approved in just five months, it felt like we were being called to do it.”
Years later, that same calling led them back to the Philippines, but with a different purpose. Instead of their usual whirlwind of get-togethers and beach trips, they embarked on a road trip that would test their endurance, deepen their relationships, and leave a lasting impact on others.
A birthday that keeps on giving
Their pilgrimage started in Lucena, Quezon, where Ariel had planned something close to his heart. To celebrate turning 50, he wanted to do more than throw a party; he wanted to give back.
Instead of gifts, he asked friends and family to donate to a scholarship fund for students in a barangay where his parents had roots. The idea took off, and through a charity golf tournament, they raised over $3,000. Meeting with Enverga University’s director of scholarships and VP for external relations, the Becinas laid the groundwork for their first batch of scholars.
That same afternoon, they joined representatives from Comfac Global Group and Esco Inc. to distribute soccer uniforms and boots to young athletes. The donations, collected from Sydney’s Maroubra United Soccer Club and students from St. Michael’s Daceyville, had been sent in balikbayan boxes weeks earlier. Santino had the honor of kicking off the 5th Esco Futsal Cup the next day before the family set off once again.
Road less traveled
From Lucena, they made an unplanned stop in Lopez, Quezon, to attend the wake of Ariel’s relative. “It wasn’t part of our itinerary, but sometimes, the most meaningful moments are the ones you don’t plan,” Me-ann said.
Then came the long, grueling stretch south. They drove for hours to Matnog Port in Sorsogon, only to face an unexpected five-hour delay before their ferry departed. By the time they reached Allen, Samar, it was nearly midnight, with another two-hour drive ahead before they could finally rest.
“We could have flown and saved ourselves the exhaustion,” Me-ann said. “But then we wouldn’t have had the late-night road trip conversations, the laughter, or the little moments that made our travel so unforgettable.”
One of the most anticipated stops was Burauen, Leyte, where Enzo’s former yaya, Beverly, now a high school teacher, lived.
“Enzo was only 2 when she cared for him, but she never forgot him,” his mom recalled. Their reunion over dinner was bittersweet, filled with stories of the past and excitement for Beverly’s future—she was expecting her first child. As a token of gratitude, Me-ann gifted her maternity clothes and baby items that had once belonged to her and Enzo.
The next morning, Beverly and her family joined them for breakfast, a simple gathering that carried so much meaning. Before they left, she and Enzo even sang a song together, one last moment of connection before the road called them onward.
Finding meaning in the miles
The adventure continued with a brief stop in Calicoan for Ariel and Enzo to surf, then to the historic Balangiga Bells in Samar, and miles upon miles of open road where the family found themselves belting out old OPM songs.
“Our kids must think we’re so corny,” Me-ann joked. “Enzo cringes every time we try using teen slang, but I love that we had this time to just be with them, uninterrupted.”
Not every moment was carefree. Along the way, they received emergency alerts about potential floods and landslides in the areas they were driving through. “We kept calm, prayed the rosary daily, and just trusted that we would arrive safely,” Me-ann said.
But the trip wasn’t just about strengthening their bond; it was also about planting seeds for something greater. Enzo, already involved in MAD4Enzo (Visit Make A Difference for Enzo at mad4enzo.com), a family-led initiative that funds heart surgeries for children, found himself inspired to do more. Santino, too, began dreaming up his project, eager to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
Even after returning to Manila, the ideas kept flowing. Enzo is now considering pitching a school immersion trip to Lucena, bringing his Sydney classmates to meet the kids they’ve supported.
“Imagine them visiting in two years and being remembered,” Me-ann mused. “That’s the kind of impact we want; not just one-time donations, but real relationships.”
For Me-ann and Ariel, this journey was more than just a long-awaited return home. It was a reaffirmation of everything they stood for: faith, family, and the belief that even small acts of kindness can create ripples beyond what they can see.
“We never set out to change the world,” Me-ann said. “But if we can change just one person’s life, then that’s already something.”
Grateful for Enzo’s miraculous healing, the Becinas pledged to help others in need of heart surgery. Learn more at mad4enzo.com/.
