while some people are busy looking and falling in this world’s so-called-love,
random sanity. ;)
2 weeks ago
Usually i’m that person who doesn’t know what are the right things to say
That person who doesn’t know how to start the day
That friend who doesn’t know how to show I care
A daylight soldier who doesn’t know how to dare
In this journey, I, who doesn’t know which is the way
Can’t even decide, to go left or right through out the day
I am that person, but I can change, and I am changing
Changing for the better change
3 weeks ago
| Notes: 50
Source: danmeth.comCARICATURES
I’ll be drawing them for you guys this weekend at the MOCCA Fest in NYC. Drop by table E2 and get your face drawn like all these happy people from previous conventions. Also, I’ll have tons of zines on sale!
Saturday and Sunday
New York Armory
68 Lexington Ave (@ 25th street)
3 weeks ago
| Notes: 511
Yeng On The Mission: I am a product of....
Source: yengonthemission…….DISCIPLESHIP… Yep thats right… I grew (and still growing..) as a Christian through descipleship…
This is my Mentor, Acel Van Ommen… When did our story began? It was way back 2009.. I am attending a smallgroup (bible group) that time and one sunday evening she also attended that same…
1 month ago
| Notes: 1
"Learn the Rules and Then Play Better. “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
3 months ago
in reality
5 Things I like about the Philippines
by Dave from The Longest Way Home ~ September 16th, 2010. Published in: How to live overseas, Philippines.
Things I like about The Philippines
As a follow up to my previous article about 5 things not to like about the Philippines, this one is written with a lot less annoyance. It’s easier to write about things you don’t like than the things you do, at least in detail, for me.
What’s more, most of my journals have regarded the Philippines in a very positive light, hence I feel like I am repeating myself a little bit here. But, for those just coming on board my journey, here are a few things I like about the Philippines. From a non-touristy perspective.
Lumpiang chicken rolls with calamansi
5. Things I like about the Philippines – The Food:
Have a look at my Food from The Philippines series as an example!
From reading my food from the Philippines posts you should get the idea I like the food here. And, I do. Yes, there’s an over reliance on rice, but that’s the culture.
Yes, many people outside of the Philippines do not like it. It’s not fancy food, and the variety is quite limited for the average tourist. But all you have to do is dig a little deeper …
What I enjoy most are those great barbeques, roasting manok, fresh squid, and heaps of Adobo. It’s just plain tasty food. Nothing to make world headlines over, but then again, that’s a good thing.
Like meat, go to the Philippines
4. Things I like about the Philippines - It’s off the beaten path:
Yes, there are no massive tour groups to be found here! No waiting in lines to see temples, and very few people are tired of seeing you either. It’s in South East Asia, but it takes a flight or a precarious ferry from Borneo to get here. Then, once you do, there’s another flight/ferry or 3, just to get around. It’s not the easiest, so it’s not the 1st choice for the mass of SEA travellers to come and visit.
Looking for an island holiday - Go to the Philippines
And that, alone, makes it an absolute must to visit! Untapped bliss.
Like to get away from grand central tourism, go to The Philippines
3. Things I like about the Philippines - It’s got a touch of the west:
This might be controversial. But for me, on my search, The Philippines has offered something unique that few other places have. The vast majority of the population speak English, so it’s easy to converse and get around.
A lot of the towns / shops / recreation is set up with a U.S.A. style touch. While most people try to escape this, in my travels here it’s made things a little easier. Everything is still very Filipino, but get around with with relative ease and little confusion, linguistically at least.
I hope it goes no further than it is at the moment though.
If you speak English, traveling to the Philippines opens up a realm of independent discovery
2. Things I like about the Philippines - Diversity of the Environment
The endangered Tarsier
The endangered Tarsier
From breathtaking views high atop Banaue’s rice terraces to going deep into the earth in Sagada’s mesmerizing caves or hanging coffins. Swim with Whale Sharks, visit the mermaid like Dugongs, watch dolphin’s jump, marvel at the rare endangered tarsier and try to find the worlds largest flower the rafflesia. Coral reefs and surf few people can find elsewhere. Swamps, rainforests, and marsh lands galore.
A lot of these areas are under threat. But, they are still there. Hopefully, someone will see the value in eco-tourism here, and do something about this the right way; and not just for personal profit.
There are very, very, few places on the planet that have this much to offer. What’s more, it’s all relatively untouched by giant tour operators and such places are bereft of giant groups of tourists.
“If you want to see nature like they show on the Discovery channel, go to the Philippines.“
1.Things I like about the Philippines -The People, the financially poor people, the way of life, it’s not developed nor undeveloped.
Yes, this was a hard one to nail down for me. It is also, perhaps, not what I was expecting here. At first the clichéd saying of the people made first place place … nearly.
The Pinoy
The Philippine people (Pinoy) are some of the friendliest you will find. Even in Manila!Shy smiles will greet you everywhere. There’s nothing loud (singing not included), crass or brash about the people here. People will help you if you are lost, tell you an honest price, and welcome you in with open arms. But, there is a divide.
The cliche of the people make the difference is true … but will it last?
Those that spoil The Philippines are the rich
Rich, arrogant, obnoxious, fat, are all words that come to mind when I think of financially rich, wealthy Filipinos. I don’t actually think I’ve met one I liked.
When money comes to the Pinoy it goes to the head, ego, and enlarges the stomach to pregnancy sized proportions. The children then morph into rotund rude little marshmallow people.
The best people in the Philippines are the poor people
Humble, polite, honest and genuine. These are the people you will meet if you ever come off the tourist trail here. These are the people you will meet high up tending to crumbling rice terraces in the north. These are the people you will meet fishing out from a row of stilt houses in the south.
These are the nicest most friendly people I have met in The Philippines. These are the people that equally look upon what is happening to their country; and look away in tearful, near shameful despair.
And, so, sadly, I strike both sets of people off my list of the best things to like about the Philippines.
Why?
The rich often class themselves as “poor” here, and I don’t want them to think for a moment they are not to blame. Because they are.
A way of life
So the best thing I like about the Philippines comes down to diversity in the way of life here. You can live here in a big city and eat imported cheese, or you can go to the mountains and live on plain rice.
Where and what you do is up to you. But the point is the Philippines is that rarity of places whereby you can do just those things without anyone caring very much about it. Nor, interfering with your life.
In this day and age, this is a hard thing to find.
A mini list of things to like in The Philippines:
- Honesty – I’ve rarely been cheated here in day to day life – buy a house and that’s another story (no I haven’t)
- Yes sir, no sir – Here, sir, miss, or madam is used everyday. Malls, and jollibee aside, it’s one of the few countries that uses the term in everyday life, frequently and with a touch of respect
- Laundry – your clothes come back smelling very sweet in this country
- Every now and then, someone will jump up to help you, for no other reason, than it’s a nice thing to do
- Cleanliness - Filipinos are very, clean people when it comes to personal hygiene and clothes. The streets are also surprisingly clean (telephone & electricity wires not included)
- Hard working people – Never mind the man sleeping on his bicycle. He’s probably been working all night on one plate of rice. Generally speaking, Filipino’s are very hard working. Just look at all the Overseas Worker’s as an example. In my travels I’ve not come across too many people that can work as hard as a Pinoy
—
No more lists
So there, my list of the things I like best about the Philippines. It’s not a tourist list of high spots or places to go.
It’s just like anyone who’s been to a place they really like and stays a while. You soon lose interest in old tales of this highlight, this place, that place, or that great dive spot. Instead you start to think of the place from your own perspective on life.
It can happen anywhere
My perspective on travel through this journey is a little different to most. Hence, this is an alternative list of things to like about the Philippines for sure.
But, I am also sure there are people out there who will pick up a few things from this list they can relate to about their own favourite place in the world?
