Yesterday, Feyma and I took the kids for a little outing, which turned into a wonderful experience. It was something different from anything I ever experienced in the States, something that you probably wouldn’t experience there, given the state of the American society.
It all started last weekend. I went up into the mountains overlooking Davao City with John Grant. John and I have been working on videotaping some “on location” seminar videos, which I will be offering for sale shortly. We have been trying to shoot the video in outdoor locations around Davao, which sort of “show off” the beauty of the City. I had visited an area in Langub, Davao City in the past, and always found it beautiful. It is up in the mountains, and even though it is within the City, it is very rural, it seems like you are a million miles away from the City.
While scouting for a good place to shoot video for the seminar, we came up on an area that was just in the midst of being developed. There were some small native cotages that had been built right on the edge of a cliff. Looking out behond the cliff you could see hundreds of coconut trees, mango trees, and just gorgeous valley scenes, basically ranging from Mt. Apo to Buda, on the border of Davao and Bukidnon. It was one of the most beautifullly scenic areas that I had seen in a long time.
Today, I felt like doing something with the kids, so I told Feyma that we should pack up the kids, some food for a picnic, and head up to Langub for a get away. Last week, when I went there with John Grant – although it was obvious that the place was owned by, and under development by somebody, there was not a soul in site. We enjoyed the place to ourselves, and figured that whoever owned it would not mind, especially since it was not fenced in or anything, and we really weren’t bothering anybody. If somebody showed up, we would just be friendly, and leave if they asked us to do so. Today, as we approached the area, we could see that there were people there. I told Feyma that we would just find another spot in the area where we could enjoy our lunch.
We drove slowly past the area, admiring the view and the scenery. As we passed by slowly, a man started running toward the road, and waving to us. We stopped, waved back and greeted the man. He told us that he and his family owned the area, and made small talk with us for a few minutes. At this point, he asked us if we would like to join him and his family for a while. Now, when was the last time you experienced something like this in the West? I mean, somebody that you don’t know chases you down and invites you to join him and his family? That just doesn’t happen in the West, at least in the USA.
We gladly accepted his invitation, drove into the area and parked our car. We went and sat in one of the native cottages with the man, Bobby and his wife, Mary. We talked about all kinds of subjects – everything from their kids to our kids, from building houses to the beautiful land that they had there in Langub. We really had a nice conversation with these people. We met two of their kids too, and they were so friendly and respectful too. When we decided that it was time to go, our new friends invited us to just let them know anytime that we wanted to use their property! We told them that we would like to get together for lunch sometime soon, maybe a trip to Samal, and they were very thankful for the offer.
It’s nice to have encounters like this. It makes you feel “part of the place” not just another guy on the street. I enjoy living in a society where we can take the time to know others, learn about them, and gain new friendships. That is something that is not common where I come from anymore, although I think it was many years ago.
Nice to meet you, Bobby & Mary. I hope to see you again soon!
Hi Bob – You certainly know how to make someone homesick! 😥
If such interpersonal relationships still existed in the USA (they did over 50 years ago!), I'd probably want to spend more time here. As is, why should one just wish for such experiences in the USA when one can actually find and enjoy them in the Phils. 😉
Hi Paul – We certainly had a wonderful time visiting that area. Friendly people, beautiful scenery, a nice cool breeze blowing in the mountains…. who could ask for more? 😆
kamusta bob
wow sounds like your experience in langub was certainly a good one.i know that years ago here in usa was a little more acceptable to kindness from strangers.now if i did something like that most people would call the cops or just not be friendly.a couple years ago me and my uncle going to this cove at the ocean.we allways have been able to dig clams at this location.we have dug clams there since we were 5 years old.well this place had been owned by a nice couple from out of state and allways been nice to us.i guess they sold the place to someone different and when we arrived this strange man run up to us and said WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? we explained our situation and the man said you have to leave at once i have children here. i asked this man what the children had to do with clamming?well we just left anyways and decided to walk the shoreline to our clam spot.this man came running again and screamed at me.he was surprised when we told him he didnt own below the lowtide mark.well anyways you get my point. i was also treated very good by most everyone in philippines.you and your family lucky to live there.
salamat bob
Hi RonW – Your experience in the clamming area sounds pretty typical of what a person will experience in the USA these days. It's really unfortunate. Funny thing is that it is so common that you don't really realize how bad it is, because you are just used to it. Then when you have an experience like what Feyma and I had over the weekend, it is just so refreshing and nice. It makes you think about life.
You stole my idea Bob..lol… to bad i dont currently live in Davao I could edit your stuff with Final Cut Ex. HD. Invest in a remote lapel mic,,,its a simple way cheap way to make your videos more professional looking ( I use Azden and like it for the $$) . When you pan your should use an 8 count…at least 8 seconds from edge to edge of view finder..anything more and its a blur on tv.Whay kind of cam do u use? I know u didnt ask but thought I'd throw that out at ya!
ps ..never type in a dark room …lolol
Hi brian – I use a JVC Everio, which is a mini-camcorder with a 30 gig hard drive (it doesn't use tapes). Only problem on that cam is that it doesn't have a jack to connect an external mic, unfortunately.
Thanks for the tips!
Hi Bob
I agree things like this would be few and far between. Thats why I anxiously await my move to the Philippines.
Hi Dan Mihaliak – I hear you! I couldn't agree more.
Digital to tape is far superior for reproductions, to much compression on hard drives drive degrade the reproduction footage during downlaods and editing. Sony makes a very good HD mini cam HDR-HC9 has mic jack and light post.,Canon also makes one like this but has had alot of drive issues. I may have a Sony HDR A1E by the time I make Davao in Feb. if you wold like to do a day of videoing let me know if you care to see teh difference in cameras.
Hi brian – I would enjoy getting some video pointers from you and comparing cameras. I am not much of an expert at doing video, although I enjoy playing with it. It sounds as if you know your stuff, so I would welcome the opportunity!
Kamusta Bob,
Your right..you don't find that type of thing happening here in the USA very much anymore, and it is very sad situation that you don't here.
I grew up outside of Washington, DC, in a little town in Clinton, Maryland. A place where you knew ALL your neighbors, and everybody was very friendly, and hospitable to each other. There were neighborhood parties in the summer time, and when it did snow in the winter, we had neighborhood sleigh riding parties on the big hill at the end of the street we lived on. There was a great sense of community there, and great people and friends.
But those days are over now, I wish it were the same as it was back then, and I am only talking about 30 years ago…growing up in the DC suburbs of Maryland in the 70's.
I am glad you and your family found such a hospitable family like that there, and were willing to share and open up to you all with there friendship and kindness…we need a lot more of that in this world. Well, that is one thing I will be looking forward to seeing in the Philippines, friendly people, and not reclusive(hope that is the right word I am looking for) people as most are here now in USA.
paalam,
Danny
Hi Danny – I agree with your observations. Yes, 30 years ago you would see more of this in the USA, but it is still fairly common here. I enjoyed meeting our new friends, and look forward to seeing them again soon!
Hi Bob, I had a similar experience when i lived in Utah. As you know, most people there are Mormon. You may not agree with there religion, but there are the nicest people you will ever meet.
G'Day Bob
Just wanted to say what a really inspiring article! Makes me realize even more why my wife and I are moving to the Philippines. We really are seeing the same coming over here in Australia, obviously not the same as the USA but in time? Thanks again for a great article.
All the best
Nicholas
Hi Hudson – Glad to know that such experiences still exist in some parts of the USA. For me, I don't care what a person's religion is, just what kind of person they are in their interactions with me.
Hi Nicholas – Yes, I believe that living in the Philippines offers many advantages. There are disadvantages too, be sure of that, but overall I like living here, and think it is the right thing for me. Good luck with your pending move here!
Hi Bob – Ref reponse #2, I could ask for a plane ticket. 😆
Hi Paul – Asking is no problem… receiving one may be a totally different story! 😆
Hi, Bob: My wife and I have similar experience here in Marinduque, where complete strangers welcome you to their home. Eight years ago, before we build our retirement home in Boac, one of our favorite past time is to drive along the national road that parallels the western coast of Marinduque from Boac to Buenavista about a one hour drive. Along the national road, there are more than a dozen modern mansions/homes either owned by balikbayans or are vacation houses of business men from Manila. We drive just to get an idea of the architecture style that we could incorporate into the plan of our retirement house. One Sunday in one of our weekly drives, we saw a beautiful house painted blue and appropriately named CASA DE AZUL ( Blue House). We were struck by the beauty and simplicity of the house architecture that we parked outside the gate, got out of the car and linger for a few minutes in front of the house to see if the house is occupied before ringing the bell to ask permission to photograph the house. Before I started to press the bell, somebody came out of the house and ask what we want. So we told her we admired the house outside and needs permission to photograph it. To make the story short, we were lucky to talk to the owner. She invited us to tour the house inside and also the backyard which faces the ocean. We found out, this is their vacation house. Both husband and wife worked in Manila and they just occupy the house on weekends. This will never happen in USA..The owner will probably call the police and charge you with trespassing. To reciprocate this kindness, after our retirement house was completed we have a few passerby that has admired my landscaping,and orchids and blooming ornamentals in the front yard that can be seen from the national road. We have already given permission to several visitors from Manila and abroad mostly during Easter week, to photograph my landscaping and front yard. This is one way to meet people and make new friends. Most of the them are visiting Marinduque for the first time and also observing the pageantry and religious revelry of the Moriones Festival.
Hi David B Katague – Wonderful story! Yes, I fully agree – in the USA, they would suspect that you might be a terrorist, or planning to pull a robbery at the house! It's much different here! Thank God for that!