What's it Like in Your Neck of the Woods?

[Queenie O.]

Some of us members might write a little more sometimes about where and what type of area we live in while spending our time here.  I see many posters, and know that they might also live in Cebu like me or on Luzon, or in Mindanao etc. I'd love to know a little more about members, and where they live in the Philippines, the weather they experience, the neighborhoods, whether they're in a city or town or out in a rural area. impressions about your place, and how one might spend their time. Even people we know more about, could share an aspect of their day or life that I'll bet would be interesting. That way I could visualize where you might be whenever I see your comment or reaction comes up.  Anyone who'd like to share some info would be much appreciated by me especially. No big specifics needed, but just so that I could put a locale or setting in my mind when I see your name or face come up. Folks who live abroad but spend time here--it would be nice to hear your impressions and insights too, about the place that you spend your time while in the Philippines.  It's a way for me to feel closer to you all in some small aspect. Only folks who care to share though. Even any pics of your place or locale that one might like to share, would be fun to see.

Thanks! Queenie

[Dave Hounddriver]

Great idea.  I'll start.

I wake up in my tiny row house each morning and come downstairs to make a coffee, thinking how it doesn't get much better than this.  A tiny house that is about 20 sqm upstairs (bedroom) and 20 sqm downstairs (living/dining/kitchen).  When I look out the window, I see a  guarded subdivision full of "entry level" row houses with middle-class Filipinos living at close quarters.

I look to my left and see the mountains and I know that walking the other direction will find me on the beach in 20 minutes.  Its 20 minutes to drive to downtown Dumaguete where I can find all the shops I need and meet friends.  I see floods in Dumaguete every year or two that remind me of the one OMW described recently.  Those floods don't make it all the way out to my subdivision so I must have chosen well.

I like being a 20-minute walk from the airport and a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal so traveling is easy.  And I am going to stop now so someone else has a chance to write.   

[Mike J]

My wife and I live is a small gated compound (five house) a short 15 minute walk from the center of Moalboal.  Our place is quiet by Philippine standards because it sits off the beaten path and we have direct access to the sea via our backyard gate.  I do some wood working , taking care of the yard, and I have a passion for reading (Kindle Unlimited).   We partner with several local churches to work with young people, mostly middle school and highschool, but even some as young as preschool.  Yesterday we spent the morning with youth from a local school speaking about the value of recycling, composting, and planting trees.  Following the classroom time the students walked the school grounds collecting litter and recyclables, dug compost pits, and planted shrubs.  It made for a very enjoyable morning. 

You can find out more about our ministry work here by checking out our web site.  I am not sure if it is okay to post the URL, but you can find us by using Google and search terms "Philippines Blessings of Hope Reach Teach Feed".

[Queenie O.]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

My wife and I live is a small gated compound (five house) a short 15 minute walk from the center of Moalboal.  Our place is quiet by Philippine standards because it sits off the beaten path and we have direct access to the sea via our backyard gate.  I do some wood working , taking care of the yard, and I have a passion for reading (Kindle Unlimited).   We partner with several local churches to work with young people, mostly middle school and highschool, but even some as young as preschool.  Yesterday we spent the morning with youth from a local school speaking about the value of recycling, composting, and planting trees.  Following the classroom time the students walked the school grounds collecting litter and recyclables, dug compost pits, and planted shrubs.  It made for a very enjoyable morning. 

You can find out more about our ministry work here by checking out our web site.  I am not sure if it is okay to post the URL, but you can find us by using Google and search terms "Philippines Blessings of Hope Reach Teach Feed".

Wow Mike--you folks have an interesting and what seems like a rewarding program going on in your area. May I ask are you and your wife missionaries or do you just work through certain church groups?  Religious based or not, particular school and church related programs in general could be rewarding and helpful for folks I'd think.

[Mike J]

1 hour ago, Queenie O. said:

Wow Mike--you folks have an interesting and what seems like a rewarding program going on in your area. May I ask are you and your wife missionaries or do you just work through certain church groups?  Religious based or not, particular school and church related programs in general could be rewarding and helpful for folks I'd think.

We find it very rewarding.  My wife has a masters in teaching and is really gifted in relating to and teaching youth.  We were commissioned by our home church, Grace of Christ Presbyterian in Yakima Washington just before I retired and we moved to the Philippine five years ago.  We are also both associate staff (non-paid) of Navigators Philippines, CHAI.  We work primarily with and through church groups that either have or desire to create a youth ministry.  My wife has also gone out into different puroks to bring together and work with groups of children.  Doing so is a careful process of first meeting with a barangay official, then meeting with parents, and then actually interacting with the children, followed by monthly meetings with parents.  Blessings of Hope has also been able to sponsor children with school scholarships/tuition to include one college student who graduated this spring with her degree in criminology law enforcement.  We are very careful not to tell the youth that any one church is the "correct ,true,  or best" church, but rather a message that God loves them, cares deeply for them, and has good plans for their future.  While we do not hesitate to share the good news of the gospel, our primary goal is to instill within youth the knowledge and incentive to make good decisions about their future and to make it an enjoyable experience.  Our inspiration and direction comes from the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11 (New international version):

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

[bows00]

Hey Queenie, this is a great idea for I'm all ears. 

Recently retired in 2018, I'm searching for a location in the Philippines I can eventually call my home.  I am taking my time, giving myself a month each city - so far, I've experienced life in Bonifacio Global City, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Angeles City and Subic.  Next month it will be Davao.  

It's really interesting to hear another members take on the area's I have already visited - for example, just living 20 minutes outside of the main city can make a big difference.  

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 minute ago, bows00 said:

It's really interesting to hear another members take on the area's I have already visited

Makes me wonder why you did not come to the Dumaguete get together when you were here.  You would hear lots of other members.

[jamesmusslewhite]

Easier to show ya than snow ya...

 

   yep, such a horrible life having to live here on the little 8 hector private island of Tanghanonan, which is situated on the outer edge of a deep-water mangrove facing the Philippine Sea inlet which feeds into the Surigao Straights, located in the sleepy little fishing township of Day-asan, Surigao City, Mindanao.

                                                        

Edited July 25, 2018 by jamesmusslewhite

[Jollygoodfellow]

I like where I live which is the IT park Cebu. Plenty of places to eat, drink and relax. I can look out the window of my condo at the park across the road or watch the new Ayala rising which I cant wait to open. Will be so convenient when it does as just like 150 meters away. I can go to my favorite watering hole late at night and sit in the garden area with a nice cool breeze blowing. Often meet other foreigners to hear their story. Some are nice, others not so much. I can stroll around the Sugbo Mercado market some nights and wonder about all the raw meat without ice or anything which if not sold that night I guess is put back out the next.

The only thing I wish I had was a balcony but life is good here.

Such a vibrant place here with so many call center eye candy roaming around but I dont look. 

[intrepid]

We live in Sta Rosa, Laguna in a midddle class gated subdivision.  Although it is older and all the lots have been long sold, it is only about half developed with homes.  I like the fact we have one empty lot on one side and nine on the other and empty lots behind.  We have all the convenances of city living with the feel of the province.  Good hospitals and schools were our big draw.  Our daughter attends DLSU in the seventh grade.  Just minutes from the SLEX and we can travel North and be at NAIA airport in 35 minutes with light traffic.  10 minutes from our house are many American restaurants.  Typical day is up at 5:30 am, getting our daughter ready for school and driving 30 minutes to drop her off.  Next is a 30 minute walk around the local lake at the park followed by breakfast for my wife and I and sometimes friends join us.  Next a stop at the local wet market and then home to work on one of the many projects. If no errands then after lunch we may go shopping for sometimes searching for this or that for the projects.  Pick up our daughter and home for dinner and get rested to do it all over the next day.