tropicalpenpals.com A UK - Philippines family

Its strange how Zoey,BB Dai.. or Kik as she is called by me and April can change lives so easily. She came into our lives 15 days ago and although I havent heard her cries or usual baby sounds.. only contact has been via the internet I can see the love shining through Aprils smile. The bond between mother and child is something im lucky to be able to experience even from afar.. The look my wife has upon our daughter as she sleeps in her arms and watching Kik lay there so content is priceless. Its times like these you value what you have in life and being away from Cebu working realise even more how precious the things you have. Just cant wait to be back home and hold kik for the first time..
Its strange how kids can always put things in perspective and even on the worst days there is nothing better than a smile or a hug from a child to make your day..

What makes the Philippines different from my birth place of the UK to the point I call Cebu City my home? The reasons are many some can be explained some need to be experienced. A lot of other people I know have had the same thoughts as the plane touches down on the tarmac.
The first thing as you approach the islands is the beautiful green lands and sea that you can see below you. Once the plane stops the excitement has already begun to build. You exit the plane and get hit with the warm heat, an almost perfect climate where its not as hot as florida and not as cold as europe in winter. Then your visit begins. Some things may bother you more if your in another part of the world such as the Taxi drivers trying to overcharge on the off chance your just a nieve foreigner who wont grumble at paying double because the prices are so low. But this and the fact that nothing is urgent is part of life here. But its partly why I love it so much. People are generally nice and everywhere you go you will see a smile or here a “hey Joe” (saying left from WWII). Regardless of where you are from you will always be thought to be Kano (American).

The food in the Philippines especially in the cities is abundant and varied. From Japanese Sushi
to Kenny Rogers chicken. Big difference I find though is the price. Expect to be paying around $20 for more than you can eat in a nice restaurant for 2. Me and my wife normally have 2 main courses, Calamari while we wait and drinks, plus leave a tip for less than P1,000

Hotels Expect to be paying around P1,600 depending on what you are looking for and the length of your stay. For example you can source a house rental for P10,000 a month with a bit of hunting around. The hotels vary a lot and advise just booking as you go not because I expect the hotel standards to be low but quite simply allows you to move around and with the prices so low you can get to see more of this beautiful country.

What to see there are the usual things with tropical islands such as the diving, yachting, snorkling, wind surfing etc. but there is also jungle treks. Trips up into the mountain regions which is very beautiful. Visiting Santo Nino (church in cebu). If you are here for a 2 week stretch you will find not enough time in the day. If your here for a few months strongly advise travelling round and most importantly meeting the people of the Philippines who generally are a friendly population that are proud to have you as a visitor to theyre country.

Shopping is fantastic for clothing but many other items are cheap and nasty chinese imports you are better to avoid. Electronics better to get a flight to Hong Kong on the way out the Philippines home to get the best deals or head into other countries which are heavy into electronic production and not heavily taxed on the import of the goods.
Things to avoid the southern Island of Mindanao I have heard good and bad stories for. Especially around Davao. Personally I havent visited the area and with there still ongoing problems with terrorism I would advise to avoid. Manila has been the target for bombings although I believe that its as likely there as it is in London, have visited Manila myself and found it a safe city. Some people say avoid driving but personally I use a scooter to get around because not only does it give you the freedom of being able to come and go as you please, cut through traffic jams and get anywhere quicker than others. But you can take photos when you see things which you couldnt do in a car being driven by someone or by yourself. If you drive a car be aware you are in a country where you may be blamed for whatever happens in an incident quite simply because of your wealth and nationality. Your not wealthy? your in a third world country you will always be seen as wealthy and be expected to pick up the tab for an accident. I would advise a scooter or motorbike for anyone who is confident on the road and can keep your eyes open.

Corruption there is corruption running through anything involving the government and bribes are often expected as a “express fee” but to be honest the amounts are very small and generally speed up things such as having paperwork processed for visa extensions.

My advise visit the Philippines dont be flash with the cash split your money around your body incase of a robbery as it is possible. Dont argue with someone or raise your voice as this can be dangerous due to someone losing face pass the problem to someone local but keep your cool. Dont wear any jewellery you dont need and a cheap watch. Nothing worse than losing something that is personal or expensive and both could happen very easily if its glittering from your arm or neck. You are in a country where people struggle to eat each day. Do enjoy your holiday and keep to areas you know are not black spots such as Colon Street at night.

Posted by Matt at 02:11 0 comments
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Matt
Worcester, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Im Matt primarily an engineer and building Inspector. Im from the UK and 34. My wife is April who comes from The Philippines.

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Monday was a strange day with a lot of worry, thoughts, excitement and a day that turned out better than good for everyone..

5.59am receive a text from my wife April that she is heading to the hospital as her waters began to break.. I was already awake at this and on route to work for my first day on the new contract. Job was a bit up and down due to company politics and the fact that the company I am contracted to is using me as a permanent contractor (in the clients eyes) to keep the peace and absorb the flak. Usual role with the usual hassles but was a lot lighter than usual due to my mind being over 8500 miles away with my wife. Didnt hear from April for most of the day.. and then the worry began to set in.. so tried to concentrate on the work as I went round but still no luck.. although managed to complete the day with most of the Political and covering butt exercises (ie Health and Safety) for the day so a fresh start could happen the following day. Then on the Journey home got the msg I had been waiting for.. the birth of a 6.8lb baby dai (girl) and everyone was ok
A sigh of a relief and a smile on my face….

I look at my wife each day across the webcam wishing I was there instead of here.. But this week ive noticed more, changes as April gets ready to give birth to our daughter.

As the months have passed and our baby grows,
all I see is my wifes heart glows,
A light smile grows wide as she feels the babys kick deep inside.
No longer a thought.. or a not sure.. but a little person who knocks once more,
waiting for the time so she can be mine,
making my wife grin from deep within.
Because she is no longer just my wife but a mother too and Daddy will wait for your arrival so soon too.
So i thank you kick for making us so complete,
and making your momma so proud and look so sweet..
cant wait to see you because I love you too. Be good for momma until daddy arrives home too.

Today is an odd day.. i went to work as usual. Although the job i was doing was based on a 4 weeks on going contract something odd occured. 3 days ago the guy I work alongside meantioned the fact that the position i was in used to belong to a guy who got fed up of only working 2 weeks a month. So i thought not a lot of it just the fact that surely they will let me know so i can look for another contract if that was the case. Anyway.. arrived today checked the overtime for Saturday and Sunday.. wala.. nothing
asked the line manager why there is no overtime, answer maybe there will be some next week. So i thought ok, the job im doing is pretty crap.. dirty, horrible messing with toxic chemicals. So i rang the agency asking why there was no overtime because of the fact was told there was lots. Answer.. ill call you back. I setup everything ready for work and then the agent rings back saying there maybe overtime next week but they havent confirmed ANY hours for next week yet. Bearing in mind over the last 2 weeks ive learned that they are busy at the end of the month and quiet at the start. You can guess what was happening next week which they hadnt bothered to let me know.. yep your right!! they were just going to dump me in it and just say no work available. So i thought two can play at that game and left. The guy im working alongside is in Dublin until Tuesday day shift has already worked (who do have overtime this and every weekend due to being permanent) and the night shift will be fired like me asap.
I just dont understand the logic of these companies, because they struggle to get people to do the job then they go out their way to rub people up the wrong way. Ive left them with a shift load of car parts that wont be completed on time for Monday so they can kiss goodbye to the end of month push for work out the door. Theyre now behind. All for the sake of telling lies.
I dont expect them to be honest but i dont expect to be dumped in the crap.. they had no intention of letting me know to line up other work they were just going to leave me high and dry. Thats my rant for the day. Spent all afternoon sourcing my next job. Just keep pushing!