Originally Posted by
jonnyivy
Here's a little piece of my own observations to life and fitting in with the locals when you visit Philippines.
I think I have gained enough experience to give you my opinions after visiting my 'adopted' village over in the provinces of Cebu for the past 10 years.
I find that the best policy for me was to let the locals know that your nothing special, they can approach you and have a laugh with you without looking for tips or money for beer.
I've had the best welcome from our neighbours every time I arrive,. guys on the side of the road all congregate round our car when we arrive,...they already know me and our young kids and obviously my wife, as that's where she was born and brought up. I usually step out of the car (self-drive) and start to shake their hands,.. everyone seems glad to see us again,.. and it's so nice to see them all again. First thing is to get the cases and bags lifted up the track to our house,..there's plenty of helping hands,...because , as every year,..I always come back out of the house after 10 mins with 3 or 4 cold bottles of beer. I don't make any fuss about which is the best chair for me to sit on,..all I want to do is walk around looking to see what has changed since last visit. suppose another thing is to feel that sun on my back after experiencing the Scottish climate. No-one calls me 'sir',..or 'mr John',...it's just John,.... and I know all the names of the locals too. Mothers, grannies, fathers, sons,...they all walk past our path,... it's great to be back, and to feel welcome. A nice smile and a wee Scottish quip,." how's it guan ?" seems to open up the floodgates for giggles and a good laugh. I throw in a couple of 'Bisayan' words that my wife has learned me and before long we have 10 or more guys sitting round the door listening to some of our CD's and trying so hard to speak English to me !
I've never known life to be so stress-free while I am there for 4-5 weeks holiday. I can walk where-ever I want,..whenever I want without any cares in the world. Usually a brisk walk along the shore road every morning about 6.00am before it gets too hot. This is where I meet so many different personalities. There's the retired teacher who sweeps her doorway every morning,..speaks perfect English, wants to know where I'm from, who I married from the village, how many kids we have,...she greets me every morning, I'm sure she looks out for me as I stand with her for 10 mins or so. Then there's the old retired policeman who rides about on an old-fashioned push-bike. rusty as hell,.. brakes are worked with a metal rod instead of wire cables. He pedals away slowly every day, he just seems to appear round any corner. He's got the strongest hand-shake I've ever experienced, and I like that .A very fit and strong man, I'd guess in his 70's or so ?
Mr. Perolin is his name,..I don't know his first name, but I respect him and won't ask for it unless he decides to tell me. He will stop his bike,.. lean it against a tree and sit down with me for 20 mins to again ask about things such as Scotland and the snow. He's a well educated man.
After lunch-time I will take our motorbike and take a nice slow drive along the same road (there's only one road,..you can only drive either south or north ! ). This time I will head along to the wet market. There's always a buzz down there with the fish wives and the butcher guys. You can slowly drive down there , it ends at the seafront where the car-park is and a small park for sitting and looking out to sea. I can hear the women shouting to me " Hi John",... it's nice to be noticed , ... and I will always give them a wave back. I park my bike (in the shade) and go sit at the small sari-sari store where I have sat for many years. It's still got the old plastic garden chairs,..finding one that isn't split, or has all 4 legs straight is the first challenge. I'm 6ft and fairly well-built, so I take some holding up from a plastic chair !!! There's a nice breeze comes off the sea, just enough to keep me cooler. They have a nice cold bottle of beer brought out to me and I'll sit there for half an hour just watching . People watching,...it's totally different over there. Biggest difference is that everyone is smiling at you. I think they too like to feel an acknowlegement from you,..just a wee smile and again a "y awright ? " sets them away giggling and whispering to themselves about you. It's a great feeling to fit in with the locals,..I feel part of the town/village,...and according to my wife's mum, the locals have a great liking for me and my family,...why ?...because I want them to know that I'm one of them,..I want to do things like they do,..I don't want any special treatment, and I won't pass by without speaking to them. I don't 'buy' my friendship over there,...but I'm not shy to put my hand in my pocket and buy a bottle or two of beer for the guys sitting by the roadside AND sitting down with them to drink it !
Finding the right village was the best thing that ever happened to me over there,..thank god my wife was born and brought up there !
That's my small? account of visiting the Philippines,...now for those who haven't been yet,...go and take a look,.....you'll love them and their ways !!
Jonny
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