One more lonely vote for the minority:)..
I just returned from a three week visit to Iloilo (every time I saw
a Caucasian--and there weren't many--on the street near La Paz, I
wondered... "is that Paul Agey?"). I might add I was the only white
female face I saw in the same time period. Every time I visit the
Philippines I feel more familiar and comfortable in my
surroundings. Oh please do not think I stayed at the Grand Dame: I
stayed at a little pension house called the Sikatuna Apartelle off
Jerios... I drank my coffee and had pan de sal in the mornings at
Bong's Bread House on the Plaza. I spoke to wonderful people at the
wet market, made my own friends and visited Madge's (70-year famous)
Cafe in the deep interior of the same market for real Filipino
brewed coffee.
I was there to visit my eleven-year-
Joe!) and his dad over Christmas. His dad is an Ilonggo from
Bacolod, Kabankalan actually. Besides the incredible happiness of
seeing my beloved kid after 5 months apart, and his dad after a year
and a half, I was so deeply delighted to note the person my son is
becoming in that environment. This would have been his year to
begin middle school here in the States, just 45 minutes outside San
Francisco. I wasn't thrilled at the prospects just because I kind
of march to a different drummer and would like a deeper experience
for my son than what I witnessed my friends' children receiving.
There he was at the airport, looking very much the Pinoy he is. He
had grown (something every mother wants to be sure of!) but lost a
bit of the bulk he left with, due to a more natural diet of rice,
fish, chicken, vegetables and of course an occasional trip to
Jollibee. When I visited his school I was so relieved to see
firsthand the caring attitude and professionalism of his teachers.
When I examined the textbooks, it became evident that their
curriculum was actually more advanced in study of English grammar
and math than what he was using here in California.
Bottom line, I do not regret the painful sacrifice of being parted
from him for this time while he has a chance to bond with dad and
discover his other culture. He now speaks the language, Ilonggo,
almost fluently, without effort. I can see his contentment there
and the friends he has made.
It has been anything but easy and yes, we have had our troubles
adjusting all around. But my dearest wish is to just do what it
takes to join them there as soon as possible, in the land of
smiles. As my son says, "Mom, I don't really want to leave, I just
want you to be here!"
Maybe 2008 is the year I will find the way to do just that.
Hannah
Pleasant Hill, CA
--- In LivingInThePhilippi
<californiarockers@
>
> Really? You think? Got kids? Retired? Here's the scoop, I retire
in
> 7 years. My daughter will be 15 then and irregardless how anyone
> feels she comes with us to Cebu. Now, actually, she knows the plan
> and it will follow through. But, who says our children decide?
Until
> my daughter reaches 18 she goes where my wife and I decide. I can
> not think of a better life's experience for her than living a few
> years in a country where she can see how spoiled American children
> really are? Maybe it will help in teaching her compassion. Family
> bonds, etc. Having been to both places I figure I'm right on the
> money. Want to wager a San Miguel? Gandts
>
>
>
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