After having worked for 7 weeks in the Philippines in 2010, I had the chance to spend a lot of time with locals. I collected the most important things I've learned about and from them.
1. The most important connection in their life is the family
I was sitting next to a man when flying to the Philippines. He told me that he was working in Nigeria (!!!) to send the money to his family. He saw them only twice a year.
I heard from many of my Philippine friends that they would be ready to move abroad just to support their family with a better paying job.
The Sunday is called "the family day" which needs to be respected. The family spends the day together either around the table or in a shopping mall. On these days I never called them to hang out together.
2. They always smile at you - no matter if you are a friend or a stranger
Coming from a material world where people are rushing, it was such a great feeling just to walk on the streets, look at the faces and receive a stranger's warm smile. It took me time to accept this natural reaction, but then it felt so good to give back this smile to them.
3. Philippines never say "no"
Philippines are positive and ever-smiling people. I am not sure if that is the reason, but they do not like to say "no".
It is tricky, I had to have sensors to find out when I got a rejection. Instead of saying "no" directly, they prefer to give other options, like "I think it would be better to..." - then you know, that it's a negative answer.
4. They are always up for fun and crazy posing in front of the camera
I have never seen anyone going crazy in front of the camera as much as the Philippinos. Even the little school pupils were already posing perfectly, pulling the craziest faces ever.
It took me time to get used to pulling my most disadvantageous faces and even enjoy it.
5. Philippines are shy but very deep people
The Philippine people have a modest and shy personality, which I totally respected. To tell the truth, the seven weeks I spent in the Philippines was too short to make profound friendships. Still we shared lots of things.
When I went home, I kept in touch with some of my friends, and after a few months I can say that we became friends, and we share deep thoughts. Philippine people are deep thinkers and they helped me to learn new ways of thinking about life.
The author of the above piece, this Tiny Girl with a Big Bag is a solo traveler who has already been on four continents and explored thirty countries. You may wish to follow her posts where she shares her unique perspective in descriptive words and wonderful photographs.
She was born and grew up in Budapest, Hungary. Always active and outgoing: a member of the local Children's Railway; professional dancer and hurdle runner; cheerleader, as well as, an actress in a TV show. She is clearly motivated to keep fulfilling whatever dreams take form in her vision.
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