The Friendly Philippines

Touching down in the Philippines mid monsoon season, revealed a very wet and flooded Manila, but that couldn’t put a damper on our adventure. With all roads inundated, and swimming not an option, we were stranded at the airport with nowhere to go. We needed help and in came from an unlikely source. I happened upon a few friendly strangers who had also just touched down as well. As we got to talking, I explained that we had no access to our hostel and light-heartedly added, "You don't happen to have any floor space you could spare?" To my surprise the laid back man said “YES. We do” It turns out we were talking with Wendell, a successful drummer for a very famous band in the Philippines, accompanied by Lee, his equipment manager and roadie. In a matter of minutes Wendell sent us off to his flat in the heart of Manila's old district with friendly little Lee as our guide. Little did we know at that moment that Lee would be the best surprise we could ever ask for! 

After braving the floods, we soon arrived at the one room 3^rd floor apartment on Esmeralda Street; a quaint colorful cluster of buildings and shacks stacked one on top of the other. Lee told us he has always thought the bedroom was haunted so our party of three commandeered the master bedroom, while our new friend happily knocked out on the couch. We dozed off that night in a perfect stranger’s home, in a perfect stranger’s bed, excited for the adventure ahead and perfectly content that Lee had taken us under his wing. 

Awaking that next morning was a bit confusing though. When we finally came to our senses we wondered, “Where were we? And, How had we gotten here?” Well, we finally got up and found that Lee made us breakfast – this was only the beginning of his thoughtful kindness that he continually extended to us during our stay in the Philippines. Over breakfast we realized that Lee wasn’t just taking us in for the night but he was going to remain by our side and show us around his beautiful country. When asked what we wanted to do first, I requested that we set out for an adventure in the local market. 

Fish so fresh it was still flopping!

I’ve always believed that if you ever want to witness a culture at its finest you should seek out the local market place, you will find the bustling culture come to life - and this little market did not disappoint! Unbeknownst to us, Lee, our new friend and guide, paid the taxi drivers to demand the pickpockets give us a pass, as we were an easy target. So, thanks to Lee, we were left to wander through the vibrant maze, reveling in the sights, sounds, and smells of the lively Filipino market in all its splendor! Amid the beautiful chaos we saw pigs hanging from ropes, and fish so fresh they were still flopping! I was amazed and I think the vendors selling their wares, and the bustling shoppers alike, were equally intrigued by me. We were glaringly out of place and yet warmly welcomed all the same. 

Snaking through the throngs of merchants and crowds, I stumbled upon the best Filipino ambassadors one could find – the kids. Most had never met a foreigner before and, after a mere few minutes, I had a host of happy smiling children in tow. I was the pied piper of this Manila market! There were so many children following me, all dressed in ragged mismatched clothing and still some without any at all. By the time we were to leave, we boarded our tricycles or petty-cabs and I looked back to find I couldn’t get rid of ‘em! All the kids happily ran alongside me through the frenzied streets and just about followed me home laughing all the way!  

Mmmh fried tilapia and pork adobo! Thanks to our chef, Lee

With just a few ingredients picked up in the market, Lee was so loving and kind that he prepared for us a delectable lunch of fresh fried tilapia and pork adobo! Mmmmm-mmhh! After our savory meal we decided to hit the streets again, as exploring our new neighborhood allowed us to witness the culture firsthand. On our jaunt through the ‘friendly slums’ (as Lee described it) we saw the streets were alive with people everywhere! It was a vivid tapestry of multicolored shanty-shacks, crowds gathered on the crowded streets, laughing and sharing life on their doorsteps with friends and passers-bye. We were always spotted by the many hosts of happy children playing on every street corner. We exchanged waves and smiles with the whole neighborhood and we were even invited us to sample some of the local street foods like banana cue or caramelized bananas! Nom Nom! 

We found the culture to be so friendly and most unlike our western culture where people keep to themselves. These people were poor but very content and very giving. Despite the poverty that afflicts much of the nation, the Filipinos themselves were among the most ebullient, easygoing, and happy people anywhere. Exemplifying this loving lifestyle was our tour guide Lee, who was so excited to share with us the Filipino way of life. That night we, he took us to meet up with Wendell the musician to see him perform in town. 

 

Manila's vibrant night life rivals those of any major city and the nightlife is amongst the most underrated in the world with the Filipinos penchant for parties and fiestas. Arriving for Wendell’s concert, we quickly realized how legit of a musician he really was! Not only were we treated like VIP’s with our backstage experience but we came to find out that the band is pretty big around these parts! They’ve opened for nine-inch nails and they even kick it with the black-eyed peas when they come to town. We had so much fun rocking out and jamming the night away with our new Pinoy friends.

Next stop, it was time to leave the city behind and set out for the coast! That next morning Lee guided us to the bus terminal where we would head out to experience the rest of the surrounding country. We thought this was our farewell with Lee but he couldn’t resist us, so last minute, he jumped on the bus and adventure continued. After a few hours by bus, Lee directed us to some motorcycle-carts that would take us to the bay. We hopped in and, man - it was one crazy ride -those things can fly! We zipped up and down those country roads, winding all along the coast leaving dusty clouds of dirt in our wake. When out motorcycle-carts had hit their limit, we took to walking and I accidentally got left behind from Lee and the group during a hitchhiking escapade. Imagine, I didn’t speak the native tongue of tagalog, I had no clue where we were actually heading, and anyone who picked me up knew very little English! I was lost and destined to remain that way but, thanks to the friendly people of the Philippines, we were reunited at last at our seaside resort in the beach village of Anilao, Batangas.

We didn’t waste time either, in a matter of minutes of my arrival we were on board a turquoise wooden boat drifting out in the bay, and with a splash, we found ourselves engulfed in the magnificent Philippine reef. On our dive we spied curious lionfish, plenty of royal blue starfish and alarming red and orange coral fanning out from the wondrous reef. Floating in that perfect bay, soaking in the sea life was a calming contrast to frenzied ride to get there, but it was well worth it! That night back at the resort, we soaked in the natural hot springs and clung to a banana boat while Lee pulled us up and down the massive saltwater pool. We swam and played like little kids well into the middle of the night; A wonderful night.

Awaking in a groggy daze, I looked out the window and I saw playful monkeys in a tree outside our guest house. Anyone who knows me knows of y love for those furry primates and I grabbed some snacks and rushed out to meet my furry little friends. I found they enjoyed my jalepeno-flavored cheezits and, although a little hesitant at first, they couldn’t resist my nutra-grain bar either. That day, between karaoke and Filipino food on the beach with some of the villagers, and swimming in the bay, most of my time was spent with my two new, best friends. One monkey in particular became very fond of me as I demonstrated proper monkey protocol and groomed him, you know picking out the bugs in his fur, and he did the same for me too! We snuggled, he showed me how pulled up roots and berries to eat, and of course he cooed a friendly thank you each time he saw me remove a bug from his fur. It was a beautiful bond we shared, those monkeys and me, but alas, our day came to a close and so did our adventure in the Philippines. 

Of course, any traveler who has been here will tell you that it’s the people and their culture that makes the Philippines unique. Lee personified the spirit of the Philippine people. Not only did he stay with us the whole time we were in the Philippines, he constantly reminded us that we were his babies and he was our mother hen leading us on our journey. Judging a book by it’s cover, this tattooed rocker would be the last person you’d expect to take a host of American strangers under his wing, but that’s the beauty of Lee, he defies expectation. Along the way he shared his insight and taught us, “make no appointments, it’s in the journey not the destination.” Not only did he share, his culture, his food and his country with us, on our last night he guided us back to Manila where we shared our last meal together. What a splendid treat it was to have our wonderful new friend along for all the fun. He showed us things most visitors never get to experience and heading off the beaten path and discovering the vibrance of the Philippines was indeed a worthy adventure.