Month 4 has come to an end. It was a fast moving month and I can’t believe Month 5 has began already. So here is the blog to wrap up the Philippines and some of my thoughts and observations from my time there.
1. Filipinos are some of the most curious & friendly people.
So much so that they aren’t afraid to come up to you, as a perfect stranger, and ask to take a picture with you. This didn’t happen just once this month either. It was a great way to share the love of Jesus and to share why a group of Americans were in their town.
2. Smoking is a popular life choice throughout the culture.
I know this is prevalent in other countries. But it was definitely an eye-opener coming from Africa. Hardly anyone smoked in Africa, yet in the Philippines, it was common to see. Definitely made me realize that we weren’t in quite such poverty as Africa since people could afford to smoke cigarettes.
3. Security guards are in every store entrance.
And checking bags & purses at main entrances is a requirement. Maybe I just noticed this one because I previously worked in retail right before the race. But it makes me wonder if theft and loss is at a smaller percentage because there is a security guard that works in every store, or if it’s just as high.
4. Kids are kids everywhere.
This is one of my favorite things about the Philippines. Kids were free to be kids a lot more frequently than in Africa. Sure, there were still a few girls who had to look after their siblings, but yet, they still didn’t have to say no to their childish behavior. So it was so great to see the kids laugh and run and play games.
5. Selfies are all the rage & can simply mean taking a picture.
And they aren’t afraid to take them. There is no shame in taking a selfie. Or asking to take a selfie, which is simply a picture with them, even if someone else takes the photo. They love their photos, especially if they can get an American in it.
6. Laughter is so prevalent & a popular shared expression.
I love laughter. So it was great to come into a culture where laughter is shared all the time. It was contagious. And radiates from their eyes. Even if a Filipino isn’t laughing out loud, you can see it in their eyes, which lights up their face.
7. People love basketball & will watch any game.
Even if it’s a washed up team made up of American girls. Some (aka myself) who have never played on an organized basketball team ever in their lives. But who somehow make it to play a close and fun game.
8. Filipino food is so great.
It’s mostly fried food, but is still so great. It’s full of flavor. It still includes a lot of rice, but was a nice change from the rice & beans in Africa. Lumpia (a fried spring roll, with the content inside changing) was a high favorite of my team and we always got excited when that was what was for dinner (or lunch or breakfast).
9. Shaming is not taken well.
The Philippine culture is a huge culture of respect. Shaming is highly frowned upon, especially in public. And since sarcasm is not always understood crossing cultures, it can sometimes come across as shaming. Filipinos are positive people and even if they don’t always agree, they are timid to express anything different. So it was interesting working alongside them and taking that into consideration as we were working together to build the Kingdom.
10. Elections are marked with noise.
Huge stereo systems hooked up on the back of pickup trucks & tricycles driving through town, blasting the candidates specific songs. Drum lines parading through the streets at 8:30 in the morning. And of course the supporters wearing t-shirts and plastering posters any free space around town. It was pretty amusing and made me thankful to be missing all the election hype, specifically commercials, going on back home.
11. If you want to sweat constantly, Bulacan, Philippines is the place for you.
I don’t think I have ever sweet more in my life. Even combining the hot blistering days at band camp in high school, or all the runs training for my half marathons. Nothing comes close to the constant dripping sweat from simply just sitting indoors, and especially outdoors in the Philippines. I like to refer to our room in the house as the hotbox. It was the hottest temperatures Bulacan had seen in over 35 years. So fortunate that we were lucky enough to be there for that experience. I know it’s only preparation for the months up ahead though. And to grow me in my gratefulness on the hot summer days in July and August in the U.S.
