Here, I'm sharing an excerpt from an email sent to me by an American friend who recently traveled to the Philippines. There are so many truths to what he observed and experienced. Read on.
"For me, this was a trip unlike any other I had taken. It did not feel like a vacation, as much as an experience for me; I didn't go there for "fun in the sun". I really went on a discovery mission...
And it was almost all I imagined. The only thing lacking was the heat and sunshine I always hear about. It was rather cool and overcast more than I would have liked. But, many of the sunsets were spectacular. Here's a list of the other things I learned.....
Despite the poverty, Filipinos are the most kind and hospitable people I have met anywhere. People who have nothing were still singing and wishing me "Happy New Year" as I walked past them sitting homeless in the street. It was so humbling, and reminded me how damn lucky I am to have what I have. Most people in the US should be ashamed of themsleves for the complaining they do about how "bad" they have it.
Your homeland's government is to blame for the plight of the poor. Talking with the local people, nearly everyone agrees that the Philippines would have a much stronger social system if not for the corruption in government.
Filipinos can be pushy. LOL....it was not uncommon for people to "cut" me in a line, or to NOT wait their turn for anything. Boarding planes is like a race. When they announce "boarding rows 20-30"...shit...EVERYONE runs for the gate!!! LOL...
I LOVE riding the Jeepneys and Tricycles!!! Near the end of the trip, I stopped using taxis all together!
EVERYONE has a cellphone, and is texting all the time. But I noticed very few "smart" phones. I assume that the cost and lack of telecommunication infrastructure makes smart phones prohibitive.
A 30 min. foot massage costs less than $3. A full hour cost less than 5.
Despite the poverty outside, the shopping malls are glorious! Much nicer than our malls in the US..And obvioulsy, they are the place to "hang out".
I was glad I stayed in Malate; it brought me closer to the "real" Manila. When we visited Makati, it was obviously a "jaded" view because of all the money in that area. I noticed how the tricycles and jeepneys seemed to disappear in Makati.
In the province, the bats are the size of a goose. That really freaked me out the first time one flew close to me.
ALWAYS insist on using a meter in a taxi. The drivers nearly always inflate the price if you dont..
From what I saw in Rizal Park, families play together more than in the US. Maybe it was because it was holiday, but it was nice to see so many families in the park.
I miss the children. I loved seeing them smile when I gave them candy. Next time, I will give more.
Driving in the Phils is best left for the Filipinos. I'm glad I didnt drive anywhere. The lack of rules results in a "near death" experience every time you wind through traffic. What amazes me is......I didnt see even ONE accident.
And there was more....but I can tell you more stories later."
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Diving, snorkeling and kayaking in Batangas
We rented a van to take us to our dive resort in Anilao, Batangas, about 110 km south of Manila. The resort, Portulano Dive Resort (http://www.portulano.com/), sits on the side of a steep rocky mountain facing the Balayan Bay. Upon arriving at the rural village of Balete, an outrigger boat took us to our destination in 5 minutes.
Our room faced the ocean. And the reef teeming with fish was just a stone throw away from our veranda. There weren't too many guests. In fact, when we arrived there were two other couples, one of which was leaving the next morning. However, the next day, another diver checked in. So aside from us, there were three diver guests. Ofcourse, I let them know that I'm a beginner diver. If I'm diving with them, I wanted them to have realistic expectations of me. Well, as it turned out, the next morning when I scheduled my dive, no one wanted to go out and dive. So I ended up diving by myself, which was actually perfect, because I had the divemaster all to myself and I went diving according to my skill and comfort level. At the same time, I didn't have to spoil someone else's dive who might want to opt to do a more difficult dive.
I went diving as deep as 70 feet below surface -- the deepest I've dived so far. Visibility was clear upto 30 feet. Aside from the many species of fish, I saw some giant clams, eels, lobsters and a sea turtle.
When I got back up, I joined my brother and my kids snorkeling. There were fish galore -- clown fish, pipefish, parrotfish, angelfish, bassets, groupers, even a lion fish. My 10 year old had the most fun and knew every fish specie he found. Even my little one, at 7 years old, who was reluctant to snorkel at first, enjoyed himself and impressed me with his swimming and snorkeling skills.
For a short trip outside Manila, a trip with kids and non-divers, this was just perfect! Maybe next time, I'd be more brave and venture out even further.
Our room faced the ocean. And the reef teeming with fish was just a stone throw away from our veranda. There weren't too many guests. In fact, when we arrived there were two other couples, one of which was leaving the next morning. However, the next day, another diver checked in. So aside from us, there were three diver guests. Ofcourse, I let them know that I'm a beginner diver. If I'm diving with them, I wanted them to have realistic expectations of me. Well, as it turned out, the next morning when I scheduled my dive, no one wanted to go out and dive. So I ended up diving by myself, which was actually perfect, because I had the divemaster all to myself and I went diving according to my skill and comfort level. At the same time, I didn't have to spoil someone else's dive who might want to opt to do a more difficult dive.
I went diving as deep as 70 feet below surface -- the deepest I've dived so far. Visibility was clear upto 30 feet. Aside from the many species of fish, I saw some giant clams, eels, lobsters and a sea turtle.
When I got back up, I joined my brother and my kids snorkeling. There were fish galore -- clown fish, pipefish, parrotfish, angelfish, bassets, groupers, even a lion fish. My 10 year old had the most fun and knew every fish specie he found. Even my little one, at 7 years old, who was reluctant to snorkel at first, enjoyed himself and impressed me with his swimming and snorkeling skills.
For a short trip outside Manila, a trip with kids and non-divers, this was just perfect! Maybe next time, I'd be more brave and venture out even further.
The beautiful sunset.
Gearing up for my dive.
Giving snorkeling a thumb up.
My son spotted this lion fish.
The reef was teeming with fish.
My brother, kayaking.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A homecoming to remember
For the first time after long 10 years, there are nine of us together again. Spread around the world, four of my siblings still in Manila, two brothers in Los Angeles, California, a sister in Virginia, a brother in Vancouver , and I, based in Michigan -- all making our own lives with our own little families, have come back to reminisce our childhood and reconnect that special bond that only brothers and sisters, who grew up so close amidst many trials and challenges in life, share. It is in these special moments that I realize how blessed I am to have them.
Some of my nieces and nephews are no longer little toddlers and children. In fact, the two oldest are soon graduating from college, both with nursing degrees. While they are much older now, it seem like I have been with them the whole time and there's no lapse in time as we picked up from where we left off from the last time I came home.
My homecoming is also a chance to see my extended family -- cousins we grew up with, and aunts and uncles; and my cousins' children too who are now mostly taller than me, and who reminded me of my "age" every time they give me the respect of "pagmamano" where they touch their forehead with my hand and say "mano po" akin to asking for an elder's blessing. It is a chance for me to show my children Filipino traditions and values -- family first before anything or anyone else, the value of "bayanihan," of helping each other in a spirit of communal unity, and respect for the elderly.
I visited my Aunt Pacing (my mom's sister) and Uncle Vet and went back to the street where I grew up in San Juan. It looked both familiar and new. The roads looked narrower and shorter, and there are now more houses around. My aunt, although now 80 years old, is still feisty and mentally sharp. We feasted on delicious "lengua," "caldereta" and "kare-kare" which she cooked for us.
Speaking of foods, I'm eating like there is no tomorrow. Who knows when I get to indulge again on sweet ripe Philippine mangos, fresh coconut juice, ube cake, halo-halo, crispy pata, pork liempo, pata tim, baby bangus?
In my next few days, I plan on seeing old friends, old co-workers and old classmates from elementary and high school. Indeed, this will be a homecoming to remember.
The Mariano Siblings
The Salac Clan
Some of my nieces and nephews are no longer little toddlers and children. In fact, the two oldest are soon graduating from college, both with nursing degrees. While they are much older now, it seem like I have been with them the whole time and there's no lapse in time as we picked up from where we left off from the last time I came home.
My homecoming is also a chance to see my extended family -- cousins we grew up with, and aunts and uncles; and my cousins' children too who are now mostly taller than me, and who reminded me of my "age" every time they give me the respect of "pagmamano" where they touch their forehead with my hand and say "mano po" akin to asking for an elder's blessing. It is a chance for me to show my children Filipino traditions and values -- family first before anything or anyone else, the value of "bayanihan," of helping each other in a spirit of communal unity, and respect for the elderly.
I visited my Aunt Pacing (my mom's sister) and Uncle Vet and went back to the street where I grew up in San Juan. It looked both familiar and new. The roads looked narrower and shorter, and there are now more houses around. My aunt, although now 80 years old, is still feisty and mentally sharp. We feasted on delicious "lengua," "caldereta" and "kare-kare" which she cooked for us.
Joshua gets a big hug from Lola Pacing
Speaking of foods, I'm eating like there is no tomorrow. Who knows when I get to indulge again on sweet ripe Philippine mangos, fresh coconut juice, ube cake, halo-halo, crispy pata, pork liempo, pata tim, baby bangus?
In my next few days, I plan on seeing old friends, old co-workers and old classmates from elementary and high school. Indeed, this will be a homecoming to remember.
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