For those history buffs this blogs title is probably something you know…so who spoke those words : I Will Return" and what where they referring to?
Give up? Ok, it was US General Douglas McArthur speaking about his return to the Philippines after his initial retreat to the oncoming Japanese take over. It was a huge humiliation but he kept his promise and did return with an ass kicking in store for the occupying Japanese forces eventually defeating them in hard jungle battles along side brave Filipinos who were willing to do the dirty work entering caves like Springer Spaniels to flush 'em out to theri GI Joe counterparts armed with flame throwers….gruesome.
I bring this up in context to my being in the Philippines and in specific as of this writing in Cagayan De Oro a coastal city of some 1,000,000 Filipinos. It is an old city. Cagayan de Oro was established as a Spanish mission station in the 17th century, beginning with the settlement of Kalambaguhan. It was formally chartered as a city on June 15, 1950, when President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 521, making it the "City of Cagayan de Oro". This cityhood was the result of lobbying efforts by local officials and Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez, who added "de Oro" to the name in recognition of the gold mining historically present in the area. You know I love Gold so right at home here in that regard.
My presence in the Philippines is to seek a future residence. It is yet to become a firm plan but more or less exploratory. I also will visit Uruguay and perhaps Argentina before deciding. But the Philippines has the big advantage of speaking English and the exchange rate is very good at present. In fact, even a big Starbucks Latte with coconut milk was a bargain 235 pesos or about $4 which in the USA is $7 in most cities. Not too shabby, a 43% discount available to all who travel the 7000 miles to be on budget..
I was given a high recommendation for a private hire taxi driver named Joseph. He is a born and raised Cagayan and by some luck I suppose an entrepreneur owning his own taxi. A gas efficient Toyota not even seen in the US market. He is a family man, wife, 2 kids and very affable and likeable. I booked a 4 hour private car tour on a day expected to storm (typically hot and humid), Instead God switched the plan and the north of here another earthquake and we stayed dry if you can call anything in the Philippines dry. He was an excellent tour guide giving me many insights into what my eyes were witnessing. I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore and needed some orientation and he delivered. Don't get me going on the dogs and cattle and other common street sights present themselves. This is a developing country but even the rough parts have charm in that the Filipinos overcome difficulties with infrastructure inadequacies…ni brown outs yet but they are very common here.
The world of Reno, Nevada or any USA town is much more advanced over the still developing nations including the Philippines. But the liveliness here is notable. Poor does not necessarily mean unhappy or miserable though I am not naive about it. There are hands outstretched all over and what is a nice area quickly turns to impoverished just turning a corner. There is substantial poverty here. I gave but 5 or 10 pesos to beggars outside the visited ST Augustine's Cathedral and they were grateful.
I will try to add to my adventures as the week or so passes. I am her in Cagayan De Oro until Monday when I fly to Cebu where a recent 6.7 earthquake shook the foundations and killed 78 people. Good timing for my visit hey. But the real concern is the people and how they must cope. It is in the Ring of Fire so to be expected. Just another day in Paradise.
Will I ever live here? Unsure. But the people are lively and friendly and though not necessarily easily understood, they do speak English and that's far more than I can say about my Tagalog.
OK, my travels will be reported on again but till then look up the Philippines and find out what I now know, it is a paradise of sorts with some acne and scars, but still really good looking to my old USA eyeballs.
Best from Cagayan De Oro…next up Cebu.
Donn Marier
DM-Your Own CFO