Philippines, country I love

When I was young, I used to believe that I'm so lucky that I live where I live. I was about 8 or 9 years old and I would write down as my address the street where I live, the subdivision, the city, Metro Manila, Philippines, Asia, Earth...ain't I weird? But honestly I really felt that I am in the best place any girl can live. Now that I am a bit older (much older, actually ü) what I feel is more of happiness to be in the Philippines. I know a lot of Filipinos are leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. I know those who are still here and would want that chance also, find ways to leave also. I have had debates about this with some members of my family and some of my friends. "If I leave, then who will stay?" That's usually my line in these debates. It's like leaving your house (where a lot of people used to live) and no one's left to take care of it. It may be an old house but I would rather stay and do my best to fix it up and maintain it. These people whom I've had debates with would tell me that the reason why I'm staying is because I have a stable job in the field of education. I actually do but modesty aside I know I can easily qualify to work abroad and make more money in the same field. But I don't want to do that. Why? Well, our country needs good teachers, hardworking doctors, honest lawyers, and so on and so forth. Those who have left us have their reasons for leaving us and I have nothing against them. I just want to stay here and be the best in my work in hopes that my students would grow up to work and do their work well...whether here or abroad...I am still hoping they'll work here, of course.

So, what's so great about the Philippines? You have probably heard it so many times that Filipinos are one of the happiest people in the world. In my trips to Australia, I can always tell if the Asian looking person passing by is a Filipino...it's the smile (then, you would see that he/she is holding a bag of Chippy ü). Filipinos, generally, are also very emotional people...when they're happy expect uncontrollable laughter and when they're sad expect tears. Filipinos are also forgiving. Where can you find a country whose citizens would still elect people in the government who have had cases of corruption? Only in the Philippines. I wouldn't want to go further on this because I am not really a let's-discuss-politics kind of person. I just want to point out that that's how forgiving we are. Most of the Filipinos are shy people. They are not really aggressive. I have noticed this in Filipino consumers. In a fast food restaurant I have seen Filipinos who would not call the attention of the manager if their food is too hot or their burger has no lettuce. I think most of the time they wouldn't want to bother the managers with their concern. Wait, this might not help me convince you how great Filipinos are. Okay, okay...As a whole, Filipinos are warm and accomodating people. They would cook you the best food and give you the best room in the house...I think I've read this somewhere. If you're a foreigner and you're lost anywhere here in the Philippines, don't worry. There's a good chance that the first person you see would know some English and would happily help you out (and if he/she doesn't know how to speak your language, he/she would still try his/her best to help you out). There are so many great places in the Philippines and I think I've only been to only a few of these wonderful places. I still have to go to Sagada, Bohol, Davao, Palawan, Zamboanga and many more. There are so many festivals, fiestas and celebrations in this country and each one is unique on it's own.

I just came back from another Asian country (I don't want to mention the country because I wouldn't want to offend readers from that country). I didn't feel good about how the people there are...they were not warm and accomodating...well, majority of them weren't. I was gone for only 3 days but I missed Filipinos already. I was missing the Philippines, too. I was telling myself...give me hot summer days, the smell of the esteros, the dust of the streets, the fast jeepneys with loud radios, the tsismisan...I want to go home!

The day after I arrived home from that vacation I went somewhere in Marikina. I was about to ride one of those fast jeepneys with my bestfriend when we saw a couple vendor being apprehended by, what seemed to be a police officer dressed in civilian clothes. Apparently, it's illegal to sell on the streets. I felt sad because these people were just trying to make a living selling guavas. But the law is the law. I know, I know...there's so much to improve in our country. If you ask me, I believe people living in poverty should be given priority. I am so sure that we, as a nation, can do something about it...I believe there's a solution for this.

There are so many good things about the Philippines and yes, there are still things to improve on. If you're asking me if I still love living here in the Philippines...you bet I do! Maybe love is blind but there's much to see (and hear and taste and feel) in PILIPINAS ü