To Move, Or Not To
I feel like an expatriate. Or I may be feeling like an expatriate soon.
Ha. And this very possibility is something I am surely bound to romanticize, given my admiration for a Hemingway, or a Henry James, or a Janet Flanner – literary figures whose careers flourished outside America, their home country. Not that I am leaving the Philippines –my home country– for greener pastures or a Parisian adventure; nothing as international and extravagantly operatic as that; more humbly, and on a smaller scale, I might move away from my home city, the place where I grew up and have lived my whole life.
From “Our Man in Manila” the title of my column here at Live in the Philippines is being threatened with a slight paraphrase: “Our Man from Manila.” From my northern suburban abode I may soon settle in a blessed island down south.
Nothing has yet been made certain; everything stands as unofficial. I am still wrestling –mightily, too, I might add– with the question of whether or not I should move. But as to how and why the question is being asked in the first place, well – like in the case of some expat friends whom I know had moved to the Philippines owing to romantic accidents, I met someone. I met someone special, and wonderful, and golden, someone who has utterly rocked my former artlessly bachelor world but who lives several hundred kilometres away from it – in Davao City.
This should explain my capricious whereabouts, my flying back and forth, to Davao then Manila then to Davao again: a vicious cycle of budget airline tickets, turbulence, and flights before dawn. The distance is inconvenient but not impossible. One week, I am chasing the MRT train on my way to a client meeting; the next, I am walking leisurely amidst the fake conifers and sunken gardens of People’s Park – a city rat slowed down by the provincial, tranquil commonplace. I wonder if I shall soon find solid ground in the place where I discovered such unplanned joy, such serendipitous affairs.
While the adjustment that a strange land requires of a domestic traveller is not shockingly difficult compared to that required of foreign ones, it is also not insignificant. Oh, how many times I’ve pretended to understand the Visaya being spoken to me by Victoria Plaza Mall salesgirls and Basti’s Brew baristas. (“Sorry, hindi ko maintindihan, taga-Manila ako. Basta kulang ang sukli.”) The traffic-free roads still thrill me; the supposed “fast food” service still exasperates me. And until now it hasn’t sunken in, those seventy-five-peso movie tickets that cost just as much as a tumbler of popcorn in, say, Eastwood. Seventy-bloody-five! Now, there aren’t any IMAX theatres or cinemas with Globe Platinum Lazy Boy Seats, but I believe I can cope.
I have to, if I do decide to move. An expat’s transition, then: way too local though I may be, it is similar to what I am feeling. Unofficially.
Sometimes you have to go with the flow and take a chance. Life is too short for regrets.
Plus us readers shall have the added bonus of getting some interesting stories if you make the move:) Good luck and keep writing.
Moving to Davao for love? Well, she must be special, for sure. I’d say, go for it. I almost did, but then my love decided to move here to be with me in the UK instead. Sometimes I wish it WAS me who had moved to Davao though. Sure, there is a major shortage of nightclubs etc, but there is everything you could want on a daily basis, and let’s face it…every now and again, you can fly to Manila, instead of the other way round!
Bottom line? How deep is your love????????
Hi MIgs,
Sometimes one just must follow one’s heart, eh? Now matter what you decide, I wish you the best.
And I must selfishly add, just keep writing!
Mabuhay!
Karen
migs
a chance at a new life? go for it.
Oh boy, we really got something in common.If it wasnt for my really nice man and good relationship, I wouldnt be here neither. Good luck making choices… I dont. I really do just go with the flow…
Hi Migs - follow your heart. I know you are feeling very much at home here in Davao…
i know a manila native who had a well-paying job and the future looked bright for her. she decided to roll the dice & move to davao & shack with a close friend of mine. both in their late 20’s at the time.
they’re now in their 2nd year of marriage. just sayin’
Migs
Good luck with the decision, not an easy one for you i am sure, lots to miss in Manila i’m sure and Davao still has small town feel to it, to me, but i like it here, like a mini city and like you say you can probably live without an Imax screen, went there once though, they are good…….good luck
Jim: Yes, whatever I decide, one thing I don’t want is to bury myself in regret.
Jim Hannah: A very special someone indeed, for whom my love is very deep. What song is that again? “How deep is your love?”
Karen: Thanks very much for your good wishes. I promise to write as much of my life’s adventures as I can.
Maria: Yes, I will be brave!
Carolynn: Yes, I hate planning things too because life doesn’t work that way. To go with the flow!
Klaus: Thanks very much; yes, Davao does feel like a second home to me. And I have very nice neighbours, too!
Macky: Hmm - being 23, two years sounds like an awfully long time to me! I have been here in Davao for weeks and it seems longer than that!
Hi Rick: I totally agree. Davao feels like a mini-city, with a small town feel. No IMAX? No problemo. The moviehouse in NCCC Mall is quite nice anyway.
Cheers everyone!
Hi Migs,
Wow! I’m very excited for you!!! Oh, what love can do… Being in love is a wonderful feeling. Do you feel butterflies in your stomach when you see this special someone???
A very warm welcome to Davao. Although I don’t live there anymore, I’m sure everyone will agree with me that you are a great asset to the place. A very talented, yet modest, young man like you is welcome everywhere.
BTW, I asked my aunt who’s from Cagayan if she knows the Bassigs and she does!!! What was interesting was how she pronounced your last name - with emphasis on the SS.
I’ll make sure to look you up next time I’m in Davao. Soon, I hope…
Take care, Migs! All the best to you and your loved one.
Hi Tina: I wonder what those winks are for.
Kidding aside, thanks so much for the warm welcome. I really hope to meet you soon in Davao!
Oh - and where in Cagayan is your aunt based? The Bassig family originally hails from Tuguegarao.
Thanks again and cheers!
hey man, that was just fair warning if you value your freedom. i kid, i kid.
i wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hi Migs,
I believe they’re from the town of Enrile. There is such a town, right?
I’m sure your family knows them. They’re one of the old families there…
Migs go for it. Life is meant to be an adventure and if you love someone then it sounds a good reason to move. Good luck
John: Thanks for your good wishes and luck; you never know how much I need them!