A few days ago Bob bought a basketball for some kids that he knew a few months ago. Bob introduced me to these kids like a month or two ago. They are living not too far from our house. Really near the small market in our area. One of the kids was kind of the head of the group, his name is JJ. He is more friendly and talkative to Bob. I think when they first saw Bob passing by at the market they probably called Bob by the famous names of the foreigners here “Joe.” They were so friendly with Bob that they were friends right away. He told Bob that he goes to school in the afternoon.
Honestly they are more friendly to Bob if I am not around. Like when I first met them, the head of those kids asked me where are we heading that morning? I told him that we are going to the downtown area to get something. Bob kept on talking to them, the leader of the kids particularly. While he was answering Bob I could tell that he is not really talkative while I am there. I think he doesn’t want me to hear when he speak English to Bob. I don’t know why his so shy towards me. He might think I will laugh at him when he speaks English, I really tried to speak Bisaya in front of them . Really I understand their shyness, I am just so happy that they felt comfortable in talking to Bob. I could see too that they tried to speak Bisaya to Bob and they all enjoyed each others company.
When we went there to bring the ball, the rest of the kids were not there. Bob wanted to go to the basketball court and shoot ball with JJ, but I guess his parents were sleeping, he had to watch their little store for them. He was happy to get the ball but also kind of shy still because I was there. See, when Bob promised to give him a ball, I wasn’t there. I don’t know if he thinks I will get mad that he asked for a ball. I told him when he got the ball to share that to his friends, but he will be the in-charge of the ball. He can just keep it for them. He happily agreed.
Every time I pass by that area I never see him or his friends. See that area where those kids hangs out, is so near also to the place where we catch our motorcycle route on our subdivision. But for some reason, when Bob walks by on that area, almost a every time, those kids will be there playing or talking. Of course they will be happy seeing Bob. I think I heard them called Bob “Uncle Bob”. Really they are respectful kids. They just really are shy, but its okay though.
I was thinking that we can give some gifts for Christmas to him and his friends. His friends really need our help, they really are living below the poverty line. But even with the struggle they have in life they still managed to give a smile to us whenever they see us. Sometimes we saw them on the basketball court playing games using their flip flops and an empty can (the game is called tumba-lata). I’m pretty sure next time I will be seeing them they will be shooting at the hoop there with the basket ball that we gave them. If you want to donate to our LiP Christmas Drive this year, use the “Donate” button above, all proceeds will go toward helping poor people in the Philippines.
Thank you guys in advance for making some kids have a big smile on their faces and families food on the table during Noche Buena on this holiday season. Lets all be united in sharing a little bit of what we have to the less fortunate people here in the Philippines.
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Feyma
what a lovely story a story like this gos right to my heart as it is so sad to hear and see kids just like jj in my little part off the phill and i hate to see it like that like u i try and help them out when and where i can as i have a very soft heart god bless u and bob for all the good are doing in your part and i also wont to say i hope that u and ur famliy have a lovely xmas sadly i will not be home in the phill this year but will make it in the new year some time ……..god bless peter martin tassie
Hi peterjoy – Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. I really appreciate very much.
Have a good and joyful holiday season with your love one.
Cheers!
I’m glad to hear something positive about the relationship between Filipinos and foreigners living there. Of course, I want to hear the negative as well because I learn so much from them. It’s just that there seems to be so much negative information about foreigners living in the Philippines that it makes me not want to live there or even visit.
Dave,
If there is any particular place or area of The Philippines that interests you, there is probably plenty of information on the internet for you to research. I have visited 5 times and have had some of the best times I have ever had in any place I have traveled to. There are a lot of good things and good people in The Philippines but of course there are some less desireable things there too just as there are in any other place in the world.
If you have any interest at all, I would think it deserves at least a visit or two. There are many people on this website that may be able to answer any particulars as there is a wealth of info here. The forum on this site has a lot of info as well.
Some areas may be better suited to foreign visitors than others just as in many other parts of the world.
Hi David Heil – I will just tell you to try to explore the Philippines. Lots of People says that Mindanao is so dangerous. But, we are here living and enjoying the nice weather and friendly people. Really it is good for you to visit here rather than listening to other people. Some they didn’t even set foot to some areas here and they think they are already an expert.
Hope you will visit and enjoy the beauty of the Philippines. Lots of places for you to see and explore. Good luck.
Happy Holidays!
Hi Feyma,
A very nice article about Bobs new friends. Maybe Bob is the only foreigner these kids have ever seen or met so that may explain some of the reason they are more talkative with him.
Mrs Feyma,
Good article. I think people naturally are attracted to Bob, including children. Speaking fluent Bisaya doesn’t hurt either. Keep up the good work and hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Hi PapaDuck – I agree with you. Really that’s the best thing that Bob ever did here was to learned how to speak the language. I also encourage people to try to learn even just the basic word of dialect where you are residing here in the Philippines. It is really helpful in our daily life here. Less frustrating for the expats to live here then.
As always good to hear from you PapaDuck.
Happy Holidays to you and your family as well!
Bob New York – Thank you. They saw plenty of foreigners in our neighborhood though. I even saw a Caucasian man at the apartment near the basketball court where those kids were playing. I think one think about Bob, every time he sees kids, he almost always talks to them.
Good to see you again here.
Happy Holidays!
Bob’s little friends liked him perhaps because they had not any experience with foreigners??
Why is it that I perceive an atmosphere of distrust between the outsider and the native Philopino.
How can it be that we are all evil or are we just despised because we come from the west and wanted only for the dollars we might have?
Any takers?……..
Sorry for the mispelling….of Philipino….just my poor proof reading… 🙂