When the trip makes it out of the group chat

 

“When the trip makes it out of the group chat”

SunStar Davao, June 1, 2024

As young single ladies, this group of friends traveled together to Taipei, Beijing, Cambodia, Vietnam, Cebu, and Singapore.

But as life unfolded, they got married and started families, turning their adventures into family trips with their kids.

This year, as most of them celebrated their 40th birthdays, these friends decided to embark on an unforgettable barkada trip to Japan.

From jackstones to jet planes

“Most of us have known each other since kindergarten and became a barkada in high school. From playing jackstones, Chinese garter, and tigso in our elementary years to navigating the teenage angst of X'ing group members, having bull sessions, and then becoming best friends again,” laughs Emilyn Lui-Tan.

Their 11-member barkada, which has grown to include friends of friends, spent their college years in Davao, Manila, and Australia but naturally reunited during their single years. Some are now married with kids, while others are enjoying single life.

“We have a reliable friendship. We don’t need to talk every day, but we literally have each other’s backs,” shares Keryl Lee-Tan.

Their recent Japan trip was the first time they traveled as a complete group of girls, without husbands and kids. They found it liberating after years of focusing on their children during vacations.

                       

Just do it

“We’ve talked about having a girls’ trip for years, but it never pushed through. This year, with most of us turning 40, we made it happen,” enthuses Keryl.

“Emilyn took the leap and booked our airline tickets. As they say, the trip finally got out of the group chat and ultimately happened,” Keryl shares. Emilyn also booked the hotel and planned a general itinerary. During the trip, the youngest member, Emily, managed the group funds.

For active parents dreaming of a barkada trip, Keryl advises, “Just do it! Don’t wait until you are grandmas like what we see in memes. It’s a boon to your sanity and so much fun!”.

New friendship blossoms

Meanwhile, Josephine Beloy, Karen Tayactac, Alet Ramos, and Sharon Tiu met as Grade 1 parents, bonding over feeding their kids during lunch breaks. Nine years later, their bond remains strong.

                                       

“It’s usually hard to form new friendships when we’re older. There are a lot of tiptoeing moments in forming new relationships at mid-age. Our friendship is rare because our kids are friends, too. We’ve managed to come together, make compromises, accept each other's eccentricities, and bond effortlessly,” shares Josephine.

For Alet, she loves the camaraderie and loyalty of their mommy group. “We can be ourselves!” she reveals.

Lifetime treasure

These moms traveled together to Osaka in 2017 and 2024.

                                                  

To plan their trip, they met regularly to assign tasks. Alet oversaw tickets; Jho handled hotel accommodation; Karen managed the itinerary; and Sharon served as the official photographer.

Traveling together allows them to bond, especially during late-night chitchats. “We discover more of each other's skills, like packing suitcases and outfit checks, which strengthens our friendship,” reveals Karen.

                                 

“Mommies need breaks, too. Do it while you can because a time will come when you cannot travel anymore. Near or far, cheap, or expensive, what matters are the memories you create. It’s a lifetime treasure. So why wait? Travel now!” encourages Sharon.