Before moving to the Philippines, I was very sure about where I wanted to live. I talked about it with friends and family for a number of years. My heart was set, I was going to live in General Santos City. No way that anybody could convince me otherwise. General Santos was a smaller town from where I was living in the States, and I so looked forward to small town life again.
Over my life in the States, I had lived in a number of small towns, and I loved it. I longed to return to that life again, and that is one of the reasons why I so relished the idea of living in GenSan. Also, the fact that Feyma’s family was from GenSan was a factor that drew me to the place. I had enjoyed every visit that I made to General Santos, and I couldn’t imagine that it would be any different when I came to live there.
Well, we moved to GenSan in 2000, and I liked living there. But, there were also things that were lacking. Part of that might have been because I was adjusting to the entire idea of moving to a new culture, adjusting to so many new things, etc. To this day, when we visit GenSan, which is fairly regularly, in my heart there is a small tugging that I can feel and a little voice saying – “hey, I wouldn’t mind living here again.” But, when my brain kicks into gear, I realize that I probably would never live there again.
So, why did we decide to move? There were a number of reasons. Let me tell the story, a condensed version, of course.
When we moved to General Santos in 2000, as we got off the plane in Manila, the Immigration agent saw that we had Immigrant Visas and said “Oh, you are going to be living here?” Of course we replied that we were. Next, the conversation went like this:
“Where will you be living?”
“GenSan” replied Feyma.
Immigration agent yells at another agent at the next counter… “GenSan, isn’t that where they had all the bombings today?”
Bombings? They had never had bombings in GenSan before, so we were shocked, and a bit worried about it. But, we forged ahead and went to GenSan after clearing all of the Immigration hurdles in Manila. Over the two years that we lived in GenSan there were a number of bombings, and bomb scares. It got to the point that it wasn’t a big deal, because it was so normal!
During this time, I had taken a number of business trips to Cebu. I grew fond of the place. In the early months of 2002, I told Feyma that I wanted to move to Cebu. She was adamantly against it. No way! She explained to me that the kids were established in school in GenSan, and we just were not going to move. I accepted that. I had been the one who wanted to live in GenSan after all.
In April 2002, a big bomb exploded just 30 meters outside the front door of one of our businesses there, FB Net Business Center. As I recall, about 15 to 20 people were killed. Dozens were injured, some badly. It was a bloody scene, even with people dripping blood coming into our business seeking assistance.
We had grown used to bombings. But, when you have blood on the floor of the place where you spend a great deal of your day, it tends to wake you up. We were moving to Cebu.
I told my good friend, Jon, in Davao that we intended to move to Cebu. Jon convinced me and Feyma to come up to Davao and let him show us around town and see if we wouldn’t like Davao a little better. When we came up, Jon’s expert guidance did convince us that Davao was the right place for us, and I am thankful for that, because we have become true blooded Dabawenyos. We love Davao.
So, the biggest reason that we decided that GenSan was not for us was the Peace and Order situation there. But, that was not the only factor in the decision. We had tired of other things there too. Many products that we needed and wanted were not available there. There were actually times when we wanted butter, cheese or diet coke and would have to travel to Davao for it. That’s a 3 hour drive each way for simple every day products. Now, I will say this, things have changed a lot since then, but this is how it was back in 2000 through 2002.
There are not many decent restaurants and other entertainment venues in GenSan either. As a matter of fact, back in those days, the sidewalks of GenSan “rolled up” at about 6:30 or 7pm. The town was dead after those hours. It’s primarily a farming and fishing town, and those people start work before the crack of dawn, so they naturally go to bed early. Internet was very slow there, almost non-existent. Broadband? What was that?
So, what was really a hard set fact in my mind and in my heart when I moved here changed over the course of 2 years. To be honest, when we left GenSan in June 2002, we were happy to see the City in our rear view mirror! As I said earlier, my opinion has softened since then and I often feel a bit of an urge to return someday. Most likely that won’t happen, but I do enjoy making a visit there regularly. And, I will say that a number of the things that I’ve addressed as negatives there have improved a lot over the years.
So, now you know why we no longer live in General Santos City.
Hi Bob – You can take the boy out of the small town, but you can't take the small town out of the boy! 😆
I'm glad that I've found a small town that (so far) hasn't had any violence (outside of one of those "My Way" songfest thingies).
Hi Bob – As Paul has mentioned previously, I'm also glad to live in a small town.However we are close enough to a big city to visit it anytime we wish.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Paul – I'm happy for you too, and I hope it works out for you!
Hi Jim – I have some desire to live in a small town as well, as I said in the article. Another thing, GenSan is certainly a different place than Talakag! GenSan has a population of nearly 600,000 now! What's Talakag, 600? Ha ha… I like Talakag, it's a beautiful area, but I don't think I could live there happily. It's just too small for me! 😀
kamusta bob
ahh i can see why you left gensan,i would have been nervous with alot of bombings there.i remember riding the bus into davao and the soldiers would make all the men exit the bus and then they would check for bombs on the bus.i guess it all took about 25 minutes.im not really sure why the soldiers made all the men leave the bus.mabe this is a good measure of security for davao.
i would have to say i most enjoyed malativus wich is part of panabo.very small farming town.i have to laugh in a way because all the people came to see me at my friends farm as i guess not to many foreigners have been there.i think you wouldent be happy there but for me it was perfect.
last year i hear that the npa was in malativus and alot of npa was demanding the residents to pay a tax to protect them.im not sure who was going to come invade them exept the npa.
i really did enjoy panabo though.my fiancee told me that a huge mall was built there recently.i didnt think panabo was big enough for a mall but i guess you never know right.
i do really like davao though and wouldent mind living there.
being an islander im now thinking samal would be perfect for me.i dont really like the hustle and bustle of the city.
salamat bob
Hi RonW – Maayong buntag gikan sa Dabaw! Kumusta ka? Yes, probably I would not be happy living in a small place like Malativus, actually I never even heard of the place! 😆 Stand by… more news about Samal coming up on Thursday.
Morning Bob,
The only constant is change!
You never know where you will end up. I realised the other day that since I left the family nest I have never stayed more than 4.5 years in the one spot. Makes you think. One thing or another changes your mind about the place you are in and it's 'off again'!
Hi AussieLee – That is so true. In my childhood, I moved a lot to many different places. We only rarely lived more than about 2 years in a single place. Because of that, I have a strong desire to put down roots somewhere. Problem is, I haven't figured out where yet!!!
Hi Bob
As you know I am not living in the phils yet "still living in this dump in merseyside " hahaha, I noted though when you talk about the first place you settled in the phils Gen santos, and how you feel sentimental for it. The first time I visited the Phils I was in San Carlos City,I loved the place, I was treated like a king,
However on my second visit My first week was spent in canlaoen It was a loverly place, farming type area, at the the foot of Mount Canlaoen (volcano), to be fair I didnt have the problem of the basic everyday needs of cheese butter etc and there was still the same kind of welcoming feel from the community there.I found however it didnt feel the same as San carlos city had, A week later I was in San Carlos city again within minutes of being there I had the feeling of being home again. It is so hard to explain but every little detail that had changed from my previous visit was noticed and to have people coming up and saying "hi you was here before", made it all the more remarkable it might sound crazy as i'm writing this I feel the yearning to be back there."ok" that could be down to fact of missing Daisy too, though I think also it has something to do with being the first place you visit and the perceptions you make that get the little man in your head saying " ahhh now this is a place I could live". you will probably see better more beautiful places but that one is where you first imagine to be "home".
Hi Dave – You know, it's funny how you describe that. I said this a couple months ago, but let me repeat, many readers may not have seen it. Back at the beginning of March, I went to Cebu. I have been to Cebu many times over the past 20 years, although it had been about 6 or 7 years since my last visit. After I got off the plane, got outside the airport, I had a strong sense of "being home." Why? The language. I have been learning Cebuano for about 2 years now. It is spoken in Davao, but not quite the same as in Cebu. When I started hearing people in conversation in Cebu, it felt like home to me, because the language was very natural.
I thought about this after reading your comment, because like you, a place that had never been home to me, felt like it was home for one reason or another. It's a special feeling, Dave!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting!
Maayong Buntag Bob
My mind is still changing about the best place for me and my family to live in the RP. I like the mountains but have decided they are fun to visit but would not be good to live there. This always brings me back to living in a city like Cebu or close. Sure the city is hot but there are so many places to go that you can take your mind off the heat. A couple things we have decided on when moving to the RP are 1. do not live to close to relatives. 2. rent for at least a year to make sure this is were you want to be. I am sure there will be a list of things after being in the RP for 2 months but that will be part of the adventure.
Hi Bob, regarding grocery (imported goods), dining out or entertainment – you're very right. I also heard this from several expats who left GenSan and moved to Davao or CDO – Cagayan de Oro. I have been in Gensan now for several visits, but I'd never leave Davao.
Maayong gabii, Larry. Kumusta ka? You are like me. As you read my series of articles through the week, you will see that my mind keeps changing too! Ha ha… I guess it's human nature! Your two decisions that you gave are both very, very good decisions!
Hi Klaus – You know what, my friend… surprisingly, I'm not even talking only of imported goods, but local goods too! But, things have improved a lot there over the years since we left. I am sure that this is not really a problem anymore!
hi bob, the first time i went to the philippines i fell in love with a place just outside of digos city. it was an old block house on 1200 meters of land with 14 mango trees. its in odocca. i was lucky to be able to buy it. we had a remodle done now. but on my second trip i went to caraga and we found a rice field we fell in love with also. along with the rice field we were able to buy 6 together lots in caraga town. then a deal came to us where we were able to get 2800 meters above digos, back the other direction. i think by the time we are able to make the move to the philippines we will be able to live in meny areas witch we own and maybe that wont make it boring. i hope.i gess were realy just playing around on what we will do. any way it looks like we will be in davao areia for christmas and new year hope to see you then.
Hi jerry – Wow, you're practically a land baron! Congratulations, you have some nice places there! Plenty of choices of where to live too! See you in December!!
Hello again all…Deciding where to live here was a major concern to me when in the US…Put a tremendous about of hours and research via the Internet and including reading this site…Davao was what I wll call a Point of Interest along with Metro Manila San Fernando (La Union Area) Borocay ..My thoughts were Tropical and Oceanviews (Paradise) But there are many factors in choosing where you live because of the weather (Typhoons) Volcanos and Earthquake prone areas ….I had my heart set on Dumaguete..But kept reading the Negos Chronicle newspaper each day and it seemed as though violance (drug related) was raising in volume there and the Government there wasn't doing enogh to stop it…And an article (Blog) by a nurse from the Hospital there ….told of many people being brought in regulary in bad bad condition and asked why isn't the people in charge doing anything about it??… so I backed off…Being a small town …I thought made the problems closer to home living there .. Saying I know this problem exists everywhere but in a bigger city your more far removed from it….I have presently been researching San Fernando (La Union) and it seems as thou this might have potential so I am going to take a trip up there…. The videos on you tube show a very clean nice city and La Union is the top surfing community in the Philliphines I am not a surfer but I would welcome surfers about me (know what I mean?)..But overall like has been said here many times the people of the Philiphines are wonderful in every sense of the word … Do your research and you will be fine…..
thanks bob. that brings up a question, when we come back its partly to transfer land deeds to my wife from the original owners. and my question is how much property can we own with out getting in trouble? my wife is also planing on splitting the family farm of 40 hectors with her brothers and sisters prety soon also. ive heard roomers that one can only own so much there is that true?sorry to get off track.
Hi Lenny – Some things are almost country-wide. For example, earthquakes are common anywhere in the Philippines. Reading newspapers, no matter where, will bring news, which by it's nature is negative. I am not sure about La Union, but I thought that Siargao was the top surfing spot in the Philippines. That's something that is kind of funny… lots of places in the Philippines always claim that they are the best in this or that… Doing research is always a good thing! Glad that you have so many choices, Lenny, and I hope that your life in the Philippines is a happy one.
Hi Jerry – Number one consideration on this…. is your wife a US Citizen already? Dual citizen? Philippine citizen? I can't give an answer without knowing that first.
we are in holding for now she is still a philippine citizen. even though sence 911 the us discurges duel . we have been waiting just because of the land holdings in the philippines.
Hi jerry – The US has always discouraged dual citizenship. There was even a time when they said it was not legal, but in truth it always has been. you don't have to worry, it is legal, whether they discourage it or not.
As long as your wife remains a Philippine citizens, or reacquires her citizenship, she can own a fair amount of property. There is a limit, under the CARP (comprehensive agrarian land reform program), but it is a large amount. I don't recall exactly how much, but it's like 50 hectares or something. Also, CARP is not even widely enforced, so it's not something I'd personally be overly concerned about in your shoes.
thank you bob.that makes us feel better.
Happy to assist, Jerry!
Hi Bob
I enjoy travling to the biger cities like Bagiuo every now and then
but I always wind up home on my balcony with the peace and quite
looking into the mountains,I think small town life will be a welcome
change for you. who news Manny might be your mayor some day.
Hi James – I don't think that Manny will ever be Mayor of GenSan, he has his eyes on a higher office than that. 😆 GenSan is not really a small town, though, the population is about 600,000! But, it really has a small town feel!
Hi Bob,we have a couple of plots in San Miguel,about 15 mins drive out of Tagum city.Very very nice there.
Hi john.j. – I like that Tagum area, it is quite beautiful up there!
I like cebu because its got everything you can ever want in the usa food wise and supplys, the malls and the resterants ,the beach the mtns ,and you don't have to live in Cebu city you can live 10-15-20 miles away and your out in a small town. your close to a international airport and a 2 hr boat ride to bohol or negros or leyte or camotes, it safe to live ,theres a lot of things to do if you want to. plenty of entertainment . i love Cebu ,no offense but you can keep manila. i have friends from gen san and they ended up moving back to america because they said it wasn't safe !
Hi Sir BoB, after spending a few weeks in Davao, the city gave me the impression of a well organised place and a safe one for families. We live only a few minutes from Iligan city centre,whether its in a baggage counter or bridge or hotel, so when a bomb goes off we normally hear it quiet clearly. I recall my first experience with a bomb going off nearby and it literally shook my insides.
I have now lost count of how many have been exploded in Iligan City but until now it made us complacent. Every bomb that was detonated have been in places where we have frequented, so will it only be a matter of time and badluck?
With another bomb going off less than a kilometre from our house we are doing a rethink and making plans to go somewhere else.
Hi Mike – Cebu is indeed a nice place, I agree. Don't miss my article on Friday when I have a mention of Cebu.
i still love gensan! im not afraid of any bombing coming over here. if it is your time to say goodbye in this world and that would be your time! you don’t have to be afraid just take care always and live peacefully here in gensan..
as of now im living with my mum here near the airport of gensan
i love gensan coz this is my home town… lol
Hi Mac – I like to visit GenSan, but I could never live there. It is something we had been considering – moving back to GenSan. But, this year’s power crisis showed us that GenSan is not the place we would consider living, at least for now. Here in Davao, we had a couple 2 hour brownouts per week. GenSan has gone much of the year with 9 to 12 hours per day, 7 days per week with no power. That is simply not the kind of place we would consider living.