Popular blogger Amber Folkman of 'A Momma Abroad' is not returning to Manila anymore

"A Momma Abroad" is a blog that's become pretty popular for embracing Philippine culture with wide open arms. 

Amber Folkman, the California woman behind it, would happily blog about her adventures in Metro Manila, where she and her family has been living since they relocated in 2009 for her husband's job. 

On her Instagram Monday, Amber wrote a sincere open letter addressed to Manila, where she disclosed that they've left the Philippines in March, when lockdowns across the world took place. And unfortunately, they're not coming back.

"We left Manila March 17th with a weeks worth of clothes thinking we’d be able to return home after a few weeks," Amber said. She acknowledged turning quiet on the Internet because "there were more important voices that needed to be heard."

"Over the months I held hope that we would inevitably return to Manila but the last few weeks life plans changed and we won’t be returning to our beloved Manila," Amber wrote.

According to the blogger, her sons, whom the Internet have come to know as the #3PinoyBoys, especially Kuya Aeker, are struggling with the news.

"To be honest, I don’t really know how to live anywhere else and I don’t really want to but life is life, so we persist," she continued. "My sincerest maraming salamat po for the community you have all been to me and my family. You made life magical."

 

 

 

 

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Manila, I think I’ve loved you truer than anything else in my life. You swallowed me whole, from my heart to my mind. Stretched my humanity and offered endless gifts in return. I grew a family with you, both by blood and by choice. I walked the waters of being a newlywed to newly mom to ‘seasoned mom’ all with you by my side. I doubted who I was, what I believed in then found who I was all the while you enveloped me, cradled me. I’m human, mistakes were made but I hope I learned and did better. You’re rough around the edges but oh so tender up close. I’ve never loved anything truer than you. I’ll take you with me wherever I go. Mahal Kita, Amber We left Manila March 17th with a weeks worth of clothes thinking we’d be able to return home after a few weeks. I went silent online before then because sharing on my platform felt tone-deaf and out of touch with what was happening both in Manila and globally. There were more important voices that needed to be heard and I felt the best thing I could do was sit, learn and listen. Over the months I held hope that we would inevitably return to Manila but the last few weeks life plans changed and we won’t be returning to our beloved Manila. I can’t believe I’m writing these words, never expected this. My heart hurts. The #3PinoyBoys, mostly Kuya Aaker, have struggled and it’s been heart wrenching. I’m forever humbled, grateful and better because of my time in Manila. To be honest, I don’t really know how to live anywhere else and I don’t really want to but life is life, so we persist. My sincerest Maraming salamat po for the community you have all been to me and my family. You made life magical. If any of you are in Fort Worth/Dallas area please send me a DM. ?????????? The only silver lining I’m gripping to is that we will return home (Manila) each summer. Until then, Mahal Kita, Mahal Kita. #?????????? #???????????? #???????????? *edit: #ChandaPoppins became a lola in April and will enjoy much deserved time with her apo. ????

A post shared by Amber (@amommabroad) on

Jul 26, 2020 at 10:56pm PDT

In her letter to Manila, Amber said she's never loved anything truer than she's loved us.

"You’re rough around the edges but oh so tender up close," Amber said.  I’ll take you with me wherever I go."

A Momma Abroad has become so successful for Amber's honest and candid take on living in Manila. Apart from her sons, her kasambahays figure prominently in her blog and Instagram. 

We'll miss you, Amber! It was nice while it lasted. — LA, GMA News