MY FIRST TIME IN IN THIS COUNTRY
My First Taste of the Philippines
I really knew nothing about the Philippines at all. I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard that the people were friendly and the climate was hot !! That was about it.So my first destination is Manila. I was flying from Bangkok, Thailand to Manila, which was not a long flight, so it was quite pleasant to be disembarking only 3 and a half hours after take off.It was dark by the time my friend and I arrived at Manila international airport.
That takes some getting used to. In the UK, in the summer time is remains light until 10pm. In the Philippines it is always dark by 6.15pm, Sometimes leaving the day seeming a little short.Oh yes it was very hot and humid. We went by taxi to the hotel. I love the jeepneys, they really have style and character. I enjoyed watching them from the taxi window, crammed full of pe
ople, some of the vehicles very colourful.I stayed in Ermita which appeared to be a mixture of fun and poverty. However no matter where I went, the people were so friendly and mostly happy. They were so hospitable towards a foreigner. Why is that? Why are the Filipinos so friendly always? It’s a truly wonderful part of the culture.
Of course there are good and bad in all cultures, but so many people I have met in the Philippines have gone out of their way to help me, assist me and greet me, with no ulterior motive. That is a really nice thing to experience.My first night in Manila was a wonderful introduction to the culture. It was spent on Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard, where the eating houses are and the bands are performing on stage. That’s another thing. I fell in love instantly with the voices of the Filipinos. How come most Filipinos can sing so well? There is truly unrecognised talent here.I have a real love for music, so that is a great thing I could share with my Filipino friends.On the bay, my friend and I spent some time in the evening watching a great band from Cebu perform, 2 girls and 2 guys. They were really great and the people around us were friendly and greeting us with waves and smiles. I was pulled up on stage at one point by one of the singers who then proceeded to serenade me. I then danced on stage with them while they performed one of my all time favourite songs “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton. I was greeted with cheers and claps afterwards. It was a fun, happy, very warming introduction to the Philippines.
My next stop was Davao city. This was a different experience from Manila, but just as good and positive. I really like Manila, to visit and spend some time there and I made some good friends, but I don’t think I would like to live there. When I first got to Davao I was kind of shocked. I didn’t know what to expect. It seemed very dusty and poor and remote on first impression, however I have now been in Davao 4 times and I am now living here, so as you can imagine, I have moved on from my initial thoughts of what it was like.I found Davao city to have the facilities and fun of a big city, like Manila, but the people have a very much more provincial mentality, which I find really nice and positive.There is a unique friendliness here, it is totally refreshing.My first visit was for 3 days only, which is quite a whistle stop, but since, I have explored much more of the city and I have settled in well.
I have good friends here, lots to do and I feel safe and welcome in this environment.On that first trip, after my 3 days in Davao, I then flew with my friends to Cebu for a further 3 days relaxation. We stayed on Mactan Island in a Resort which was lovely, facing the beach. This was purely a luxurious holiday retreat but it was most welcome and the Filipino hospitality continued throughout my trip.I love the climate, the people, the friendliness and the beautiful places that you can visit here. There are beautiful beaches and mountains and water springs, water falls and places of interest all over if you are prepared to find them.My favourite way of exploring areas of the Philippines is by motorbike, there is a wonderful sense of freedom riding the country roads with the wind in your hair, the sun in your face and the beautiful countryside spread out all around you.
WOW Philippines…..you are great.
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Hi John,
Sounds like love at first sight to me!
How long did it take you to decide to move there after your first visit?
Hi John - Great tales of your adventures! I enjoyed reading it! You have a real sense of adventure, and your dancing on the stage in Manila shows that you are up for challenges! I can’t imagine I would have gotten up on that stage. I can feel, though, through your words how great of an experience that was for you!
Hi John, it’s good to know you had a good experience on your first visit, it surely did a lasting impression about the Filipino people and you are one among the few who put more importance on the warmth and hospitality of the people and unmindful of the little amenities which the country can offer. Well, enjoy your stay.
Hello John - a very nice article to read first thing in the morning! — I am happy that you found this place — i hope you will meet a lot of friends in Phils!
Hello, Mr. John!
What can I say? As a Filipino who has read this article, I say I am truly touched. I did have the golden opportunity to live in an affluent country for quite some time, but my heart shall always stay in this wonderful country, along with the legendary hospitality and the cheerful disposition of my people, which you have described so warm-heartedly. Hope you’ll discover more adventures and mis-adventures perhaps (?)
in this Beloved Land. “Salamat po” for such cordial article.
Hi John, great article. As you know I also love this country and its people. First time I came here was 1976, since 1982 on a regular basis. Why do I live here for good since 1999??? Guess….
i very much envy you john, i had the same thought when i first visited davao … wow dusty … what a beautiful place with many secluded spot mother nature blessed with beauty tho .. nice column thanks
Hate to break it to ya, but not all Filipinos can sing.
If we ever hang out with enough beers & a mic nearby, you’ll be compelled to agree with me.
Nice article, John. I love reading these “origin” stories. Hope you have more in your bag.
Maryg
Making friends in this country is the beauty of this country. I am delighted to be part of it.
Proudpinoyjnr
Come home soon
Tommy
I walk the city and am so so so grateful im having the pleasure of passing smiling faces and not the misery of faces from the west.
Macky
Maybe not all can sing but ALL think they can LOL
Hello, Mr. John
John said: Come home soon
Sorry for the confusion. Actually, I am now here in our beloved Philippines. What I meant was I did live in an affluent country (Japan, to be exact) for a couple of years, as a temporary “expat” to Japan, sent by a multinational company where I work, and I returned home since 2005. Thanks and have a nice day!
Proudpinoy WELCOME HOME
hello john
i would say you had a great time the first trip to phil.
my first impression when i left the airport in manila was wow this is like something you would see on the discovery channel. manila was ok but i liked davao so much better.i was waiting for my filippina to arrive and meanwhile met this taxi driver who was so nice and took me under his wing,we went to get some cold coke and i really enjoyed the aircon in his taxi.the taxi driver even let me use his cellphone to contact my girlfriend.i was waiting at the busstop for her to arrive and her mom and sister was first off the bus,i knew it was them from photos i had seen.then i see my filippina come off the bus and to be honest i had such the great feeling the first time our eyes met.i just knew i was in paradise.then the taxi driver brought us to panabo and the fare was 20 usd wow very cheap considering i spent 2 hours with him.a huge fiest and alot of people there to greet me.i felt right at home.even now when i come to davao i allways see that taxi driver and we shake hands like old friends.i love davao.my second home.
salamat john
Hi Macky (#8)
I agree, not all Filipinos can sing but who cares?! Just shows the level of our self-esteem, LOL. Where’s that mic, I’ll give you my own rendition of the National Anthem. HaHa.
As they say, “it’s the journey…” And isn’t singing just such a part of our life’s journey? Must be ingrained in the psyche when Filipinos are born. (You got to sing, baby, because it’s one of life’s tools… to living in the Philippines…)
On a more serious note, I’d rather hear singing than have people engage in mindless bantering (gossip or in local slang, “tsismis”). At least singing contributes to emotional wellness. Okay, I’m just speculating on this but — singing must probably enhance our levels of endorphin and serotonin (the feel-good hormones). I know, I cannot sing and feel “rotten inside.”
Even when I’m just humming a song, I feel good!
Thanks for sharing with us your first impressions of the Philippines, John.
-Filipina reader
John,
This maybe an off topic but I’d like to share this with you…
I lived in Dana Point, Southern Ca. since 1991 and never had a chance to meet many Filipinos, 3 or 4 at the most. While waiting in a doctor’s office yesterday I overheard a conversation, … in Bisaya!! Finally! … a family of four, husband and wife, a daughter and a wife’s brother. Wife is a Tagum University graduate, had lived in Samal Island for a couple years, brother went to Holy Cross, then UM. We exchanged emails and I gave them LiP’s website address. We all agreed that the Philippines is the place to retire if you have a fixed income of $3,000 a month.
Have a fabulous day, John!