How a chance encounter in the US turned into a travel-filled friendship between Kyle Olsen and his Filipino titas
Some friendships begin in the most unexpected places. For travel editor Kyle Olsen, his bond with two Filipino titas started not on a trip or through mutual friends, but in a department store in the United States.
While studying at American University in Washington, D.C., Olsen met sisters Marina and Susan at Bed Bath & Beyond. He overheard the two discussing an appliance and decided to approach them in Filipino.
"I heard ang mga dalawang kapatid, dalawang tita ko, they're discussing sila, may maraming tanong sila sa presyo ng isang appliance. Tapos sabi ko, 'Uy, magandang hapon, kamusta po?'" Olsen told PhilSTAR Life.
The sisters were surprised to hear him speak Tagalog. Marina then gave him her cellphone number so they could keep in touch.
That chance encounter eventually grew into a friendship that has lasted around eight years, with the trio traveling to different destinations together.
Olsen documented one of their recent adventures in Italy and France, where they went on a cruise aboard the Celebrity Constellation with the sisters' longtime friend, Nova. When he posted a reel of their trip on Instagram, viewers became curious about the story behind their close bond.
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"Heartwarming talaga ang biyahe namin," he said.
"Lagi masaya ako kasama ang mga tita ko. Especially Tita Marina; she's always so funny."
One of his favorite stories happened during a road trip to Baguio. Their driver, Marina's nephew, had become sleepy while they were on the road, so Olsen asked if anyone else knew how to drive a manual transmission.
"Walang sagot, walang sagot talaga," he recalled. "Tapos sabi ni Tita Marina, 'Sige Kyle, ikaw mag-drive, mag-drive ka na.'"
Olsen ended up taking the wheel along Kennon Road. He also remembered telling the sisters to wear their seatbelts, only for Marina to point out that there were no seatbelts in the back.
"It's always very fun for me traveling with Tita Marina and Tita Susan. They're always very happy, and we always have fun experiences," he said.
Another memorable moment happened during an overnight flight to Europe. The cabin was uncomfortably hot, making it difficult for the group to sleep. After Olsen asked a flight attendant to turn on the air-conditioning, the attendant returned with water and asked Marina if it was her first time flying with the airline.
"First time and last time," she replied.
Olsen laughed as he recalled the exchange, with Marina repeating the line as they told L!fe.
He also said the sisters can sometimes be more energetic than he is, with Marina fond of dancing and Susan always ready for karaoke.
"Hanggang sa crew sa Italy, hanggang 2 ng umaga, sila mas bata kaysa ako," Olsen shared.
For Olsen, these moments make their trips special. He even put his own spin on the country's familiar tourism slogan.
"There's the expression, 'It's more fun in the Philippines,' di ba? Pero that's not true," he said. "It's more fun kasama ang mga dalawang tita ko. 'Yun ang correction."
More than travel companions
As they tick off destinations from their bucket lists together, the sisters have come to consider Olsen as their family.
"Ang turing namin sa kanya, pamangkin[.] Agad, parang kapamilya," she said. "Kasi gusto niya rin na lagi niyang sinasabi na, 'pamangkin niyo ako.'"
She recalled how Olsen would ask her how many nephews she had. When she answered 70, he jokingly declared himself the 71st.
And when they travel together, Olsen takes on several roles to make sure the sisters have a smooth trip.
"Ako ang translator, ako ang driver, ako ang tungkod, ako ang travel agent," he said. "Pero gusto ko 'yon."
Olsen said he is just as grateful for the sisters, who helped him learn Filipino and welcomed him into their family when he was new to Washington, D.C., and did not have many friends there.
"Ang Tagalog ay parang isang bintana," he said. "It's a way to connect."
He also admires how hard the sisters have worked to build their lives in the US.
"Kasi silang dalawa parang ang American dream," he added. "Pumunta sila sa Amerika, kasama konti pero ngayon, wow! [...] Mayroon na silang dalawa sariling bahay."
Olsen also described the sisters as generous, recalling how Marina would insist on paying whenever they ate out together. During one meal with his parents, however, his father secretly paid the bill while pretending to go to the restroom.
"Akala ko masaya si Tita Marina, pero galit talaga," he recalled with a laugh.
Meanwhile, Marina said she has learned a lot from Olsen, especially when it comes to discovering new places and trying new things.
"'Pag hindi ko alam, itatanong ko sa kanya, 'Kyle, paano ba 'to?'" she said. "Lahat sa kanya, kasi siya ang bata sa amin dito."
A reminder to keep exploring
When asked what she would tell older people who might think they are already too old to travel, Marina encouraged them to make the most of the time and opportunities they have.
"Habang nakakalakad, subukan, i-try nang i-try," she said. "Dahil kung hindi na makalakad, hindi na makapag-travel, nakahiga na lang, di ba?"
Olsen, meanwhile, hopes travelers will also make an effort to connect with the people and cultures of the places they visit.
He recalled his father's advice when he first traveled to Europe as a five-year-old: "Kyle, you are an ambassador."
As for the sisters, they still have places they hope to visit together, including Jerusalem and Lourdes in France.
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