Upon my return, I found trees as tall as the posts in Manila. After 36 years, I was familiar with every corner and park, the roads that used to be as wide as rice fields, and the people who all seemed to share similar appearances and clothing.

It felt as though I had stumbled into another time or dimension. I recalled the old wooden bench where I used to enjoy my favorite ice cream, which once cost just three pesos. Now, there stood a...