I had a number of reasons for visiting Cebu last week. I had a job to do for a friend with a house in Lapu Lapu City. I had been wanting to visit Cebu for immersion language practice in the home of the Bisayan language. I was ready for a trip away from Mindanao after about 5 years without leaving the Island. Another reason was that I wanted to meet Rusty Ferguson. Rusty is an American Expat who lives in Bogo, Cebu, and has been living there for more than a year now. Last year, around August or September, as I recall, I found Rusty’s websites, and I found the guy interesting. In late September, or early October I invited Rusty to be a contributor here on LiP, and I have enjoyed reading his writing too.
Meeting Rusty Ferguson
But, I had never met Rusty in person. We talked on the phone once or twice when I had started thinking of paying him a visit. From reading Rusty’s blogs, and his writings here on LiP, I felt hat Rusty and I had a fair amount in common, and thought it would be interesting to meet him in person. So, taking the bus up to Bogo to see Rusty was one of the highlights of my trip.
I arrived in the Bogo Metropolitan Area around 10:30 am on Wednesday morning. Rusty had been up late the night before, and I think he was still resting a bit by the time I arrived in Bogo, but he was able to get up and go meet me at the Bus Terminal. It was kind of funny, because Rusty is a big guy like I am, and he took the tricycle to the bus terminal to pick me up. There are no taxis in Bogo, so the tricycle is the way to go. As a matter of fact, I don’t even really recall seeing any Jeepneys there, although maybe I am so used to them that they didn’t even register. Anyway, Rusty had crammed himself into the back seat of the tricycle, and I managed to squeeze into the front seat. I guess with the two of us, that tricycle probably carried as big of a load as it ever has! 🙂
Where to stay in Bogo
We first went and I checked in at the Nagano Pension House in Bogo. It was certainly an adequate place. I got some good exercise there, because I was on the 4th floor, and there was no elevator. I think I climbed those 4 flights of stairs about a dozen times! The room was a bit expensive, in my opinion, at P1300/night, but there is not too much competition in Bogo, so I am not complaining. It was a nice enough place to stay, and it is a very short distance from Rusty’s place.
When we got to Rusty’s house, I got to meet Rusty’s girlfriend, Jessie. Jessie is really a nice lady, and it is so obvious to me that Rusty and Jessie really do love each other a lot. Jessie takes good care of Rusty, and I know that he is very grateful for that too. I was also pretty impressed that Jessie is quite a smart lady too, reminded me of Feyma in many ways. I look forward to the day when Feyma can meet Rusty and Jessie too.
At Rusty and Jessie’s place, we got to check out Juliet, Rusty’s Philippine Monkey, and I also checked out Rusty’s computer setup. Enjoyed some Coke Light too, which I needed after the long bus ride from Cebu City to Bogo!
Bogo Pizza Pub
After spending a couple of hours at Rusty & Jessie’s house, we decided to head out for lunch at the Bogo Pizza Pub. Had a nice lunch with what had become good friends. We ordered a large Pizza, plus Rusty and I each had a Hungarian Sausage, and Jessie had a Halo Halo as well. A few drinks along the way, and some nice conversation made for a great afternoon. One thing I noticed in Bogo, as we sat in the window of the Pizza Pub was that every girl that walked by the place looked at Rusty and I, and it was as if we were NBA All Stars! Some girls walked by 4 or 5 times during our meal, and had a good look on every pass. I am used to getting stares from the Filipinas here, but in Bogo, they took it to an altogether new level.
Rusty and I talked about just about any subject under the sun. Everything from living in the Philippines to US Politics. As Rusty said on his blog, I think we found out that politically we were closer to agreeing with each other than either of us thought we were. For me, whether somebody is of the same political opinion as I am, or totally opposite, if they are an intelligent person, I enjoy the discussion. And, indeed, Rusty is an intelligent guy! He’s a little mis-informed on some topics, but intelligent nonetheless! Just kidding, Rusty.
Getting Exercise in Bogo
In the late afternoon/early evening hours we took another walk (we had walked to the Pizza Pub earlier), this time down to the Bay area. It was a really long walk. Along the way, I stopped and talked to people, to get more Bisaya practice. As with my walks in Davao, I particularly enjoyed talking with groups of kids along the way. The kids of the Philippines are always a lot of fun to talk to and tease a little, and the kids of Bogo were no different than here in Davao. When they hear that you can speak Bisaya, they get pretty excited, and after we would talk, they would usually run after us for a while.
At the Bay, we sat down and talked more, and listened as the waves pounded the pier. It was already dark by that time, and there was lightning to be seen in the distance, which was kind of nice. The skies were clear in Bogo, though, so we didn’t worry about getting wet.
In all, Rusty, Jessie and I walked about 4 miles around Bogo, so we got plenty of exercise! I probably walked nearly a mile more than that in Cebu City before headed north, so I was tired by the time night time rolled around!
Tomorrow, I have some big news to share with you, so don’t miss my article tomorrow!
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Hi Jim – ?? Your message is blank.
Hi Bob
It looks like a nice place I hope when Joy and I are settled in
Pozouroubio Pangasian you will pay us a visit
…YOUR NOT GONNA COOK THE MONKEY ARE YA BOB??
Hi Brian – I can't reveal any secrets… not until it is time! 😉
Kamusta ka Bob,
You know Bob, its bad enough you have me hooked on visiting your site first thing each morning (and visiting whenever time allows throughout the day), and now you tease me with this…too much excitement..lol.
Well, Bob chalk up another great visit, and region of the Philippines. Also, meeting with new friends, Rusty and Jessie. They really seem like great people, and Rusty seems to be lucky man, Jessie seems to be a really great woman. Those are good pictures of you all too, Jessie has a very cute smile/grin.
One of the many things I look forward to, after getting settled there in Philippines, is meeting some of the people I have met through this website, and Rusty is one of them. I love the way he writes, and expresses himself, very colorful.
Again, thanks for taking us along Bob…and looking forward to the "big news"…:)
Salamat Kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Hi Danny – Sorry to keep you hanging… I have something to say tomorrow, though, which might be shocking! Just don't get too excited, though! It won't change your life or anything (yours….). 😆
Glad you enjoyed the article today, and indeed Rusty and Jessie are great people, if you get to meet them, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Hey Danny – Let me put your mind at ease for a minute…. Actually, you already know the news that I will announce tomorrow. You found out the other day, because I had it on Facebook already, and I'm pretty sure you made a comment about it. It's up to you to figure out what it is though. 😉
….u 2 engaged?????
Hi Brian – 😉 Anybody who wants a preview can invite me to be their friend on Facebook, and look over the past few days of my profile! 😀
I'm glad you had a good time Bob …Phil n Jess
Hello Bob,
I really enjoyed your article and the pictures too. Sounds like you and Rusty really had a good time.
I think Bogo might be my kind of place by the way you describe it,especially at the Pizza Pub with all the girls walking by.
I wonder if Rusty has talked you into moving to Bogo? I wonder if that will be your big news tomorrow? Just Kidding!
Enjoyed it,
Dale
hmmmmmm? ok… 🙂
Hi Bob – Don't tell me, let me guess: That pizza made you so homesick for the States, you've decided to move back to Washington and open a combination pizza/internet cafe with tropical decor and a couple of monkeys playing around the stations. Don't do it Bob – you'll regret moving back to the rainforests of Tacoma. There's no durian in the local "Asian Boutique," either. Just sit back, take a few deep breaths, count to 100, and get over it. 😆
Hi Bob, Bogo is nice I have been there, but you and Rusty look like brothers except you have bigger nose probably from the cheap Philippino whysky that you buy in sari-sari store.
Hi Phil – Had a great time visiting with Rusty and Jessie.
Hi Dale – If you're a single guy, you can bet you won't necessarily stay single long in Bogo! Those girls are out for husbands!
Nah, I won't be moving to Bogo!
Hi Danny – I was pretty sure you saw it on Facebook… maybe I'm wrong? 😯
Hi Paul – Ha ha… You wouldn't believe the pizza in Bogo. I think I didn't really write about it, because I didn't want to embarrass Rusty, but what the heck… It reminded me of the Philippine pizza of 20 or 30 years ago! Had sliced hot dogs on it! Ha ha… Seriously, though, it wasn't that bad! The company was good, anyway. And the hungarian sausage was great.
Nah, ain't goin back to Washington!
Hi Markus – ❓ Wow, thanks for the compliment! 😯 You must have been drinking too much of the cheap whiskey, though, because why would I buy "whysky" – I don't drink.
Paul…you had me laughing so hard my morning coffee was drooling out my nose !!!!
Hi Brian – Paul has a habit of doing that kind of thing! He's a bad apple! 😆
yes it is true, how did you know?
Hi Markus – Maybe I am misinterpreting, or something, but your comments sound like you are mad at me about something. Have I done something to upset you? If so, it was certainly unintentional.
Colorful huh? I think I like that. 🙂
Others have said firey. And I've been working on my gentler kinder Rusty too.
Hi Rusty – Danny was trying to be nice! 😆
LOL, not embarrass me, I didn't make it. I enjoy making fun of the hotdog pizza. yeah not bad but not all that great either. 🙂
Its got aircon! I've ordered one, maybe two pizza's since they fouled mine up so bad. I mean its not that good and its really bad for you so I'll just wait till I get to Cebu City and a pizza hut which is even worse for me but at least its really good. 🙂 I think its better than Pizza Hut in the states but that might be my imagination!
Thanks for the nice right up, except the part on who is not well informed, not the way I remember it. Hmmm Pakistan serious? LOL
I had a wonderful time just wish you could have stayed longer. Bogo is a sleepy little "city" or "town" or whatever it ends up being but I don't worry about the kids roaming the streets here.
Bad things happen every where but less of them happen here. It probably isn't a good place for a social fly though, not a lot to do here other than play on your computer, girl watching and help to roll up the streets at 7pm. 🙂 That's when Gaisano closes here.
I guess I'm easily amused but I've been smoking too much cause I get bored. That ends today. I need a chess board for the front porch for when I get sick of computers……
Hey Bob – Yeah I'm single and thats why I like reading articles like this one. This is one reason I am so anxious to get to the Philippines.
I know Bob, I thought I was being funny. 🙂 Guess it didn't work that itme. I enjoyed his compliment! Wish he'd make me his second stop. 🙂
Rusty- Actually, I was trying to be funny! I think we all were! 😆
Hi Rusty – Ha ha… don't want to criticize your home, you know! Well, criticizing the place where you live is probably OK, but criticizing the pizza where you live is practically sacrilegious!
It's funny about Pizza Hut. When I lived in the States I hated Pizza Hut, but here it does taste good. I don't think it's really any better than US Pizza Hut, we are just hungry for a decent pizza and accept it!
Hey Rusty – Yeah, my trip was rushed this time around. With the type of businesses I have, it can be difficult to be away for too many days in a row, especially if Internet Access is limited. I should have brought my laptop over to your house and connected up to the net… although your connection is a little under the weather right now.
Speaking of smoking, I found the place where I believe you buy your cigars. At SM in the Filipiania Store, right? it's a nice place.
Hey Dale – You're gonna be in heaven!
Sir BoB, I like the photos included in your articles, gives us a visual picture of what your talking about. It's a bit like reading playboy magazine, after a while I just read the pictures and look at the articles lol.
Good for you to travel a bit, because Davao is not your typical Pines city. For instance if you came to Iligan, no small city but the women will look at you like your a rock star, everyday, all day every minute of the day. After two years I still can't get used to it.
Seems like you and Rusty got on like a house on fire, you both make a handsome couple!!! Where will your next trip be?
Rusty teach the monkey to play chess 🙂 should be interesting, but don't teach her to smoke cigars …Bad for monkey business ..Phil n Jess
Hi Boss – Ha ha… Like Playboy? ha ha.. so far, as far as I can remember, I never posed nude yet! If I did that, there might be no readers left on the site! 😆
I have been to Iligan many, many times, Boss. I have so many friends in Iligan, it has been like my second home over the years.
Next trip? Well, LiP author John Miele invited me to accompany him up north on a great circle adventure of Luzon! Looks like I'll be headed that way next. Can't wait!
Hey Phil – I don't want Juliet to learn how to play chess… she would probably beat me! 😯
Maybe they use "special ingredients" in the Phils that are banned by the FDA in the States ? 😯
Hi Paul – you just never know!
No, no Bob, you are o'right . I shouldn't write after drinking, I should shut up. Sorry. This cheap booze in here is slowly killing me though.
No problem, Markus.