"They Say" Episode 3: What I Miss Most About The Philippines

Though the heat of the summer here gets very excruciating (especially for me, ladies and gentlemen), no Filipino can ever deny how amazing it is to live in the Philippines. Despite the poverty, the corruption, and all the many problems of the world that this country has embraced for quite sometime now, someone who lived here can really say that 'It's More Fun in the Philippines'

Whether it be the comforts of your very own bedroom at home (which I really longed for while I lived in San Francisco for 2 months), your Mom's very intricately slow-cooked Caldereta, hanging out with your childhood friends every weekend afternoons, or just simply whatever, leaving our country for somewhere else to live gives us more meaning to the saying 'There's no place like Home'.

With all of that said, this episode of They Say is all about the things that Filipinos miss about living in the Pearl of the Orient. Aside from their families (of course, we know how closely knit Filipinos are with their Family) here are the things that my students and friends who are currently living abroad, yearn for in this land:

Joylyn M
Arezzo, Italy

"What I really miss aside from my family and friends, is the Filipino culture. Our culture is very different compared to foreign countries, most especially the manners we learned from our ancestors. Here in Europe, given that it is the center of Catholicism, people here are liberated, even if they are still minors. Unlike in the Philippines, at young age, they know how to say 'po' and 'opo' and respect not only the elderly, but people of all ages. Also, I adore how filipinos treat each other as family even if they are not really blood related. Even if I go to many different countries, or stay here for long, I'm still proud that I am Filipina"

Jailah R

Auckland, New Zealand

"FOOD! Nothing beats filipino cuisine! From main dishes to merienda to street foods.. especially when you go food tripping with your barkadas."

Ralph M

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

"One thing I miss in the Philippines is the freedom to roam around anywhere and anytime. Here in Saudi Arabia, gasoline is very cheap but I can't enjoy that privilege because I don't own a car. Buses and taxis are expensive unlike in the Philippines where I can ride a Jeepney and/or a tricycle to save more money. Plus, there's not much to see here in the place I'm at right now. Maybe it's just me or maybe because this is where I grew up but life here is pretty simple. Go home after work. Sleep, go to work and go home again. And that's what I miss in the Philippines. The kind of freedom where I can visit Baguio, Palawan, Tagaytay or just hang out with some friends at the mall without having problems on how to get there without owning a car. Speaking of friends, hanging out with friends here is very difficult because girls and boys are not allowed to be together unless you're a married couple or a family. To make the story short, we need a married couple to come with us if we want to hang out with our girl friends."

Jhun B

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

"One of the things that I miss in the Philippines is Filipino Food. My love for Filipino food will never be forgotten. Sizzling Sisig, Taho, Crispy Pata, Tapsilog and so much more. It's also best to share with the people you love like my family and friends. My family also makes me miss the Philippines. Sometimes they are the reason why you are weak because you miss them so much and that is what many OFW called "homesickness" but they are also your energy booster to face your everyday challenges and problems. Aside from that, I miss also the holidays in the Philippines because when you're abroad you will not feel the same feeling of celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Philippines. These are the few things I miss in "Pinas". At this moment, I'm not sure when am I going come home again but I'm sure that when I'm back to the Philippines it's going to be fun and memorable again."

Paula O
Seattle, Washington

"A thing I really miss besides my family in the Philippines is that 'Laid Back' type of feeling all the time. It's like you don't have to set alarms in the morning but through out the day you'll get a lot done.. or you can just be like "hey, I wanna go to the beach." And with some friends you can make it happen there and then. here in the states the lifestyle is all about "Time is Money" so you live by minutes and hours with no time to sit back and relax and appreciate the things around you.. and THE BEACHES! how can you not miss the gorgeous beaches!"

Marvin B

Siem Reap, Cambodia

"One thing I miss about the Philippines is food. I think its common for most of OFWs like me. Cambodian dishes are healthy and delicious but I still prefer Filipino food because I've been eating them since I was young. Yes, it is good to try something new, but at the end of the day, you'll end up craving for the food that you used to eat most of the time. Good thing that Cambodia is also a tropical country so it shouldn't be so hard to find the ingredients to cook Filipino food. It is not surrounded by water so, I would say I also miss the salt water fishes of the Philippines because most of the fish here are found in lakes."

Now there you have just some of a million reasons as to why it's more fun to live in the Philippines! I for one may be a citizen of the world, a lover of different cultures and traditions, but I can really say that it's the best feeling to know and be reminded everyday that I am a Filipino! And to everyone who is not, we just have so much love to give and we welcome you to our beautiful country filled with delicious food, colorful traditions, and a heart full of warmth, joy, and much much of love! See you in the Philippines!

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Never Stop Being a Filipino!

Steve

THEY SAY is a segment on my blog which features a little survey where I asked a few of my friends and readers about a certain subject. A Topic is started and they would respond in the way it applies to their lives and experiences.

"They Say" Episode 2: Childhood Ambitions

I am just so excited for this second episode of They Say! They Say is a segment on my blog where in my closest friends, family, and students would have to share what "They Say" about a specific topic that would be best to be shared not just by myself.

On this episode, we will be talking about childhood ambitions. We will never forget that moment during our Kindergarten and Prep Graduations as we present what we want to be when we grow up. A large pool of kids wanting to be doctors and engineers and nurses line up and wait for their turn on the microphone to proudly tell the world what they will be working on in the next two decades at school.

I for one wanted to be a doctor when I was a little boy. I can remember doing check ups with my stuffed animals with my plastic stethoscope and giving them vaccinations for their fever. Then I realize, I did not really enjoy being the doctor, but I had fun writing up details on their respective index cards and asking 'them' about their vitals. Yes, I enjoyed being the secretary.

Then I grew up wanting so many things at once until university application came. I listed three degree choices and guess what, there was no pre-med nor a secretarial course on it. To be honest, I really did not know what I really want that time. years after, I was marching on my graduation with a degree in Computer Science and worked for half a decade a s a college instructor and now, a Deduction/Balance Associate for a multinational manufacturing company.

Well, enough about me and let's listen to what my dear readers about their childhood ambitions and what they end up with right now. Did they follow their early dreams, or did life led them to somewhere different? Here's what 'They Say'

Mary Anne R
Application Development Analyst, Accenture
Childhood Dream: To be a NURSE

"When i was a child, I see my future self wearing a white uniform, taking care of injured and sick people. I wanted to be a Nurse. My childhood dream is to travel the world carrying medical kits with my doctor husband. 

I did not pursue my ambition because of the movie "Wag Kang Lilingon", a horror film. I'm about to enroll in a Nursing school but after watching that movie, I got scared. I got scared of ghosts in hospitals. I'm afraid of the dark and of all unknown spirits that lie within. I know it sounds weird, but that's the real reason why I did not pursue my ambition.

Yes, I still want to be a nurse, still want to wear that white uniform, still want to help sick people. I still want to attend the oath taking ceremony and I still want to wear a nurse's cap. I still want to make the world a better place. I still want to be a Nurse but I am enjoying my life now as a developer"

Eunice L

IT QA Test Lead, GMA Network

Childhood Dream: To be a WRITER

"At my parents’ insistence, I took up Information Technology. For a while, yes I did regret that decision. I’m very idealistic, you see, and back then I believed that people should be given the freedom to do whatever they wanted. But as I grew and matured, I learned that life isn’t always black and white. There are many, many good things in life – things that will make you happy – and they’re not always what you expect. I learned that sometimes, there are no right or wrong decisions. For instance, I did not make a wrong decision when I chose IT over creative writing. Why? Because I also found happiness in IT. Not the one I imagined when I was little, but happiness nonetheless. And who knows, what if I chose creative writing and ended up not happy at all? I guess what I’m trying to say is, the best path is not always the most obvious one. You just have to take a leap of faith and make the most of everything. And of course, pray."

"Yes. The writer inside me is very much alive. But as I see it, there’s little possibility that I’ll pursue a full time writing career in the future. I love what I’m doing now, and I am very much settled here. I still write though, and sometimes when I feel a little brave, I submit my writings to online blogs or websites. And some of them do get published. See? Dreams don’t stop just because you chose a different path. Now I am able to pursue two dreams. One in IT and one, during my free time, in writing. And so can you. So can anyone."

Miko A
Analyst Programmer, Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd.
Childhood Dream: To be an ARCHITECT

" I don't have any regrets cause I personally decided to take I.T. (second option to Architecture) and no one forced me to do so. Just to share, my third option was HRM (remember the spam rice with chopsticks na nilike nyo sa IG sir?) 

Math subjects [made me changed my mind]. I passed the Architecture exam, interview and already paid for my tuition until I saw my registration form full of math subjects. Trigonometry, Calculus, etc. I thought Architecture was more on drawing and designs that time. Never thought that it's full of Math. I still wanted to be Architect Jose Miguel B. Alhambra! I still enjoy planning and designing houses during my spare time. I really want to personally design the "dream" house for me and my family. But architect or not, I know I can and I will build that hopefully soon. (Sabi nila tiwala lang hahaha) 

 I don't want to compare my life as an I.T professional with the life I will have if I'm an architect. Cause it's not about the profession you choose but on how you make your life meaningful whatever path you take."

Kenneth G

Software Engineer, E-Science Corporation

Childhood Dream: To be a DRIVER

"Back when I was a child, I wanted to be a tricycle driver (real talk) but my parents did not approved. 

As I grew up or before going to college I wanted to achieve more in life and my ambition changed, that’s why I never got to pursue my childhood ambition and definitely I didn’t had any regrets. If I pursued my ambition I wouldn’t be like this right now providing for my family and traveling the Philippines (hopefully the world soon!)."

Ira G

Email Specialist, Security Bank

Childhood Dream: To be an ARTIST

" I wanted to be an artist. I was really into arts and writing back then. I remember having colouring pencils and watercolours to keep me company after school. 

 I have no regrets. All my decisions in life shaped me into who I am and led me to where I am today. Plus I can still do traditional art on my free time. Sometimes, it's not about just pursuing your ambition, you know. I believe that it's about holding on to it like a heart on your sleeve. 

Somehow. I mean, it doesn't change my love for art but today I am very happy with what I'm doing because my job allows me to combine writing with design so it's all good!"

No Matter what ambitions they have before or now, it goes to show that whatever lives they have at the moment, they are enjoying it and living it to their fullest! And for that, I will forever be proud of my dear students. I may not be teaching anymore but seeing them grow and succeed in the paths that the Lord had given them, makes me feel very lucky I was once their mentor.

Cheers to you my dear students!

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Never Stop Dreaming!

Steve

THEY SAY is a segment on my blog which features a little survey where I asked a few of my friends and readers about a certain subject. A Topic is started and they would respond in the way it applies to their lives and experiences.