Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as, in fact, you are doing. [1 Thessalonians 5:11]
As I write this article, I have returned from my journey to the Philippines with my four-fold mission, as I shared in my last column. I am struggling to clear my body and mind, trying to re-adjust to the time zone.
I did not immediately announce myself to my work and community as I needed a few days to settle my spirit. My tummy kept rumbling and needed some detoxifying.
There is only deep gratitude to God for orchestrating such a blessed trip. From the plane rides that scared and discomforted me, God made it bearable for us. More importantly, He made every travel – land, air, and sea – safe and protected. I truly felt we were under His wings, and angels abounded.
Arrival and first impressions in Manila
Upon arrival in Manila, we were met by a driver/security dispatched by a dear friend who made sure we were safe. We stayed at the Venice Luxury Residences at Bonifacio Global City for a few days, so close to the Venice Grand Canal shops. Our favourite breakfast joint was Denny’s, and of course, the Filipino breakfast was a favourite. We visited many restaurants and feasted at every opportunity.
Experiencing local life in Tarlac City
We moved on to Tarlac City, picked up by my brother and nephew and stayed at the La Maja Rica Hotel, which was comfortable enough, except that the bathroom was so high, due to the bathtub, that I felt I needed to climb a mountain and asked my hubby’s assistance to lift me into it! My showers became moments of giggles!
La Maja Rica is situated close to SM Mall, so there, again, the mall was a favourite joint, feasting on every shop and diner. This time, we tried the tricycle. Interestingly, having been born and bred in Tarlac, this mode of transport was my daily commute, yet I felt vulnerable and scared. My granddaughter Eva, aged 14, my hubby, my daughter and son-in-law had a blast, chuckling all the way, while I prayed many Hail Marys.
Golden Jubilee celebration at College of the Holy Spirit
The highlight of my Tarlac visit was to attend our Golden Jubilee at College of the Holy Spirit, batch 1974.
The excitement began when I met some of my batchmates at La Maja Rica, who were also staying there. At first, it was hard to recognise faces. Then Mat exclaimed: Edwina!?” … I responded, “Yes!”. That was the beginning of identifying faces – there I also met Josie, then as the day opened with breakfast for us, some more familiar faces strolled in – Cherrie, Dine, Elsa, Celli, Heidi and her hubby…some coming from overseas, while others travelling from Manila and locally. And soon, the breakfast room was filled with chatter and screams of delight.
Our hosts (batchmates who organised the event)- Marivic, Daisy, Pamela, Ringgay, Mariding, Gigi, Cocor, Vic, and Alice, were so welcoming that every moment was special, interspersed with laughter, giggle, friendship, holy and unholy reminiscing.
Time with batchmates and family
The time with my batchmates was precious, and after introducing my family to them, they were taken to a shooting range and went karting in the area for entertainment. In the evening, we had a gathering with a prayer of thanksgiving, dancing, a sumptuous dinner, and games where I won 1,000 pesos! It was a night to remember as many more batchmates connected- there was Agnes, Mel, Angie, Menchie, Gina, Ruby, Beng, Alice, Edith, Bebeth, Arlene, Susan, Bebet, Dong, Te An, Ampy, Josie, Dida, Dee, Chuchi, Luto, Hellen, Remy, Julie, Janet, Marilou, Nel.
There were some I did not have a chance to talk more intimately. Still, as I looked at the wonderful Golden Girls 1974 Profile album when I was back home in Melbourne, I wished I saw or talked more intimately (if they were there) with Marilyn, Aracely, Cyn, Marissa, Anely, Myrna, Sonia, Vangie, Ana, Yolly, Lulu, Cora, Marivic, Eva, Met, Gnes, Precy, Maricia, Tita, Edna, Lennie, Medi, Leonnie, May, Bea, Esther, Melody, Raqs, Gie, Emma, Theng, Yoly, Rose, Zeny, Nitz, Yoly, Len, Divine, Len, another Len, Wilma, Beth, Gilda, Meldee, Maribel, Joy, on, Cecile, Ledda, Pinky, Len, Daisy, Joyce, Ann.
It was not easy to talk to everyone. The days and the program were hectic, and minding my family was also foremost in my tight schedule. The next day was the big day of the jubilee. I was expecting that it was a private event for us, only to be pleasantly surprised that it was attended by almost all levels of jubilarians and that our big CHS hall was filled with maybe a thousand attendees. It was a grand jubilee, as they called it. I was sad for my family, as I wanted them to witness the event, but families were not included due to the number of attendees. It was okay for them as it allowed them to go to SM, shop and eat more!
The event started with a Mass featuring some of our CHSians who passed away, including a favourite student of mine. There was a parade of the Jubilarians and a program. The mayor of Tarlac City, Cristy Angeles, was invited as a guest speaker. Unfortunately, I could not finish the whole program as my granddaughter called, yearning for me to join them, missing me, so I needed to leave early. I felt I was responsible to be with them too, being their first time to travel to the Philippines.
Familial Bonds and Pilgrimage Reflections
Reuniting with some family members made the trip homely and familiar as we dined and chatted about life. They were so kind to drive us around while in Tarlac. My catch up with a very dear friend, who was also on holiday with her family from US is another significant highlight as we drove to the Monasterio de San Jose in Camiling, a pilgrimage site.
On the way, we ate, took photos, brought fruits on the wayside, laughed, snoozed, and shared our spirituality. She is now a Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, and I was so deeply privileged by her religious presence. She travelled with her daughter Stacey, American born son-in-law, Matt, who loved the Philippines and wants to own a motor bike. She immensely enjoyed the tricycle rides, along with their twin daughters, Ivy and Willow who were just spoilt by her family’s minding.
They went to Boracay, which they adored. I visited her mom, now a bit frailer, aged 83. She still recognised me, held my face, and said she truly missed me. That was a poignant moment for me. At the Monasterio, (that housed tiny relics of Jesus’ Cross, Crown and Garment), I bought so many religious items that could overfill my luggage.
Explorations and Discoveries
After our stay in Tarlac City, we were driven back by family to Manila and stayed once again at Bonifacio Global City, which at this stage was becoming very familiar to us. Our driver/security was on hand to bring us to Tagaytay, as we enjoyed a day trip and lunch at the kubo overlooking the Taal Volcano. What a grand, breathtaking sight, away from the malls and shops.
The outing to Laguna, hubby’s hometown, brought some memories to him, but disappointment as his beloved street had faded into a street bazaar.
Enchanted Kingdom was a highlight for Jessica, Justin, and Eva, as they loved the rides. The place was packed with school outings. My memories of malls pervaded – SM Aura, Mall of Asia, Rockwell, Rustan, Market- Market, BGC Malls, Clarke SM – saturated with rows of food outlets, restaurants, and diners in between large, tall, stunning residential and commercial buildings. The malls are always packed.
I notice the influx of foreign nationals- mostly Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese and the establishment of many American food outlets and retail shops. Where we stayed at BGC, our condo was opposite the International Chinese School, and every morning, the luxury cars swarmed, driven by chauffeurs.
Practical Advice for Travelers to the Philippines
At this point, I would like to share some observations, thoughts, and maybe tips to help first-time or overdue travellers to the Philippines.
I have not seen the Philippines for 17 years. Before that, we went back two times, but 17 years is a long time to be away. I was uncertain and did not know what to expect, but I was open to anything. I asked the Lord to guide us and to be a blessing every step of the way. These reflections are by no means conclusive and not intended to compare my birth country to Australia.
Clothes and clothing
It pays to bring enough light clothes, with maybe a light covering, to last your trip. As we stayed in hotels, although there was laundry service, the disclaimer that they are not responsible for the damage to your clothes made me uneasy.
I was glad that we also stayed at an Airbnb with a laundry machine so I could wash some clothes and dry them on the terrace of our 21st floor. The warm weather was a great dryer!
In Tarlac, my sister-in-law was so kind as to wash some of our garments so we did not run out of clean clothes. You could buy clothes from the shops, but if you live in expensive commercial districts, you must spend a fortune as most of them are branded. I did not attempt marketplaces, as I could not cope with the heat, the dirt, the noise, or the potential pickpockets.
Hygiene and Sanitation
With a 2023 population of 115.15 million people and a land area of 300,000 square kilometres, compared with 7.69 million square kilometres of Australia, sanitation remains a huge problem.
Water is abundant where we stayed, but it is challenging in most areas. Going to the restroom sometimes became an act of bravery. The use of toilet paper must be discerned. Each toilet is armed with the handheld bidets (no more tabos), which are handy but in public places, I am not sure how clean they are.
People are discouraged from placing toilet paper in the bowl, for they clog the plumbing. Boy! I learned a hard lesson at the hotel we stayed in. After disposing of some toilet paper in the bowl, the toilet refused to flush, and I had to call the service to come up and fix it.
Driving and Commuting
Even the best driver in Australia will be panicky to drive around. It is organised chaos, where drivers (thank God for their bigayan system) inch their way through, with a honk here and a beep there, warning the nearby driver they are coming in.
Pedestrian crossings exist, but if you are a scaredy cat, you will be waiting for hours to cross at the next opportune time. If you are lucky to have a good driver in an air-conditioned vehicle, you would not mind travelling everywhere. Otherwise, limit your commute to what is essential – the hot, humid weather, the pollution, the noise, the smell of “canals”, and the clamour for your business of tricycles and jeepneys could overwhelm you.
Motorcycles now abound. Motorcycles didn’t become popular in the Philippines until the 1990s, but there are more than 18 million bikers today. The introduction of Japanese bikes in the early 2000s spearheaded the two-wheeled revolution. Motorcycles spring from everywhere, racing with cars, luxury vans and vehicles, especially in Manila.
The People
The Philippines has some of its friendliest people. Eva was so charmed by being called “Mam” and greeted everywhere, every time: “Good morning… good afternoon… good evening.” Try browsing one counter in the shops; five will soon be there to assist you. A far cry from our shops here sometimes, when you stand for so long at a large mall, looking for help – but no one really bothers to assist you. There, you are served with enthusiasm, sincere service, and friendliness everywhere you go. You could sense they have been on their feet for so long; still, they exude some joy and pride in their actions. It is a pleasure to give them some tips, and they are always grateful.
Senior Priority, Discounts and Banking
Wow, and whew! Never in any country did I enjoy being a senior. I was given priority lane service, (which means you skip the long, long queue!) enjoyed 20% discount on food and some outlets. Our passports (Boy and I) were busy companions as we always presented them for verification. What a wonderful way to show respect and honour to the senior citizens! Hip, hip, hooray!
The BDO was a favourite corner for money issues as it dispensed thousands of pesos when we ran out. Thousands in Australian currency is quite big. We always found ourselves converting dollars into pesos. I was overwhelmed at times handling large amounts in my bag. But thanks to electronic banking, most shops accept card payments (except credit cards).
Food, Health, Nutrition
Unless you stay longer, eating, dining, and being a foodie will have its challenges as you try to make up for lost time. You will want to try everything under the sun!
Restaurants, eateries, coffee shops, food pods now come all over the world in choices. Your challenge will be eating as healthy as you can try or go with the flow meaning- food sharing (as most eateries offer) can mean dishes high in salt, sodium, fat, and sugar. My biggest challenge was my blood pressure, which became erratic depending on the food I ate. I am allergic to MSG, so often after eating I feel like napping.
Even the regular white bread tastes sweet. Dining also meant sharing with as many as invited – which means whoever bade for the occasion must pay unless previously agreed otherwise. For those of us who come from overseas, it is a given that we pay as part of our blessings.
Starbucks abounds. But it still fell short of my taste buds. My cappuccino is quite complex – cappuccino – almond or soy milk, half-strength, extra hot. However, only Starbucks understand my language! All other coffee shops serve only brewed coffee with creamers.
Interestingly, I did not experience my usual arthritic pains, my nagging headaches, or those health issues I have in Australia, except for the erratic blood pressure. I am sure it was only through God’s grace that we were able to enjoy the trip.
The only episode of ill health I got was after eating a whole bunch of fruits bought from Tagaytay sidewalk vendors. The next day I was throwing up every hour and my tummy was so upset I prayed hard for healing. I asked Eva to lay her hands on me and urgently asked St Therese of Lisieux, my patron saint, to intercede. I did not want to end up in hospital. I got better the next day, completing more of our planned events.
Poignant Stories
Part of my mission for my travel was to visit seven churches. I completed this with the help of family, who drove us from Tarlac to Manila. I stopped and prayed for a few minutes for some special intentions, one of which was for my dear friend. He had an accident about three years ago that left him in a wheelchair. After years of having full command over squads, battalions, and half of the army leading military operations, an unexpected fall injured his spine. He is now slowly recovering. But he needs a miracle from the Lord to be healed fully.
There are also friends in Australia waiting for answered prayers, and I brought them all to the Lord. In one church, I was able to feel the garment of Jesus as a Black Nazarene. I claimed that we would be healed if we could only hold the edge of His garment. It gave me so much hope and peace. In one church, I knelt before the Blessed Sacrament. As a devotee, I found a religious shop selling a Blessed Sacrament brooch in one mall!
In another episode, we sought a religious shop selling scapulars. We asked every church if they had a stall. No one really did. But the Lord is so good as to give our heart’s desires if we trust Him. As we stopped for a toilet break, I was told that a religious shop was in the mall. Wow! I was at my shopping element. We amazed the cashier as we picked so many items. I thought of my family and friends in Australia who will benefit from a simple present in a prayer card, a rosary, a scapular, a devotional book, a Bible, a scriptural arm band, an iconic calendar, a statue, a worship t-shirt. These are very welcome to my community – they do not need chocolates, food, or snacks, but a spiritual feed is always longed for!
Then there are stories that touched the heart. The nail artist who gave me a manicure and pedicure told of her story when she went overseas to work as a domestic helper. She found out her husband was philandering and had an affair with her best friend. Her employers were mean, and amid the bad news she was receiving from home, she tried to kill herself by putting her head into the oven when the image of her only child came to her vision and halted her attempt. Afterwards, she regained hope, returned home, and got a job after divorcing her husband. She said she is in a better place now.
I am sure there are many stories like these. During our stay, my prayer to the Lord was to give me a generous and grateful heart – a heart that can bless others even in small ways. I always gave to someone – whether that was a costumed character at a shopping mall, a beggar carrying her child, the driver who gave us the best of his time to secure and keep us safe while we toured, the waitress serving breakfast, the porter, donation boxes in churches, the tricycle driver – I always gave something – and taught my family to do so.
We are so richly blessed, and although we cannot touch every person in the Philippines, those that the Lord brought into our spot were the ones He wanted us to bless.
Reflections on Progress and the Essence of Home
I had a video chat with two friends from the USA when I returned to Australia after our trip. Jovie was one of them whom I caught up with in the Philippines. Connie is another great friend, but she went to Dubai for her holiday. We shared stories. And I was asked: “What do you think of the Philippines now?” No country is ever perfect, I said, but I am proud of its progress. People are still joyful despite their daily struggles. Their faith and love of God is strong. Churches abound and are always packed. There is the desire to trust God. Indeed, materialism and commercialism abound, but I am glad many of our people have jobs. Cleaners, drivers, waiters, retail workers, and security men all work with pride and joy. Their dining experience brings laughter, giggles, and fellowship. Not many are looking into their phones, ignoring one another. There is animated conversation.
We arrived from Manila to Melbourne at midnight on Friday, 19 January. We welcomed the cool, crisp, clean air; stopped by McDonalds, where the fries and burgers tasted right. Upon arrival at home, I headed immediately to the bathroom. What a glorious sensation to feel clean (my way!) and to drop my head into my old soft pillow that cradled my exhausted head. I was waiting for some sound, movement, noise, or chatter around. There was no one in sight. No one was in the street. The tranquillity was a welcome feeling but quite eerie. Something like – life was missing! It was a strange sensation. I woke up a few times from sleep, not knowing where I was.
Some friends from my batch shared that they are retiring in the Philippines and bought some property. They asked if I would do the same. I said I really don’t know. At 66, I lived 27 years of my life in the Philippines and 39 in Australia. I am proud of my home country (although the street where I was born is no longer recognisable). I am comfortable and deeply blessed in Australia. Only the good Lord knows.
Gratitude and Looking Forward
Our hearts are filled with over-flowing gratitude for God’s mercy, goodness, kindness, protection – sending different angels to make our trip favourable, somehow sanctified.
When we arrived in Melbourne, my dear friend texted me: “It was a pleasure to have you here. The visit gave me great joy. Talking to you, Boy, Jess, Justin, and Eva, even for a limited time, meant so much to me. In my heart, you are all family. Your kind, loving and reassuring words gave me strength to hold on. Sometimes, I have to admit I feel hopeless, but your coming here boosted my spirit to survive despite the challenges I face.”
If this was the only reason I travelled thousands of miles – to encourage a special friend, it was truly the best assignment I had from the Lord. In gratitude, we thank him, too, for going out of his way to make our holiday safe and comfortable. This made a huge difference to an otherwise uncertain journey. Thank you to everyone who touched our lives!
