It was 2006 when I met my grandparents for the last time. It was my fourth trip to the Philippines, but it turned out to be one I will never forget. The flight was a bit turbulent, but I can remember us getting off the plane, walking to the arrival gate, picking up our baggages, and then greeted by some friendly faces, my relatives. At that point, the turbulent flight didn’t mean a thing. I was just happy to be in my parents’ home country and being with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. We were ready to make the road trip from the airport to see my grandparents. Coming from a tropical paradise, I was used to seeing four-star hotels that boasted picturesque views of the ocean and the Pacific sunset, historical battle sites from World War II, and people that had welcoming smiles on their faces. But on my way to my grandparents’ house, I was a bit shocked to see some graphic images that to this day remains memorable in my mind. Dilapidated houses with families of at least five were bunched up with huge mansions owned by lawyers, doctors, and businessmen. I’ve never been in an environment where a contrast in social class was evident in such a tightly-knit community. I immediately asked my grandparents upon seeing them why such a contrast was present there. They then went on to tell me how income inequality, government corruption, and social status play significant roles in Filipino society. I’ll never forget that experience, and I’ll never forget the Philippines because that trip taught me to count my blessings as a full-fledged member of the American society and catalyzed a passion to further examine the ramifications of social inequality within society.