That thing called 'PILIPINAS'

"Pilipinas". My motherland. My nation. My country. Let me tell you a brief history about it. The Philippines is an archipelago located in southeast asia, near and below the equator. Its neighboring countries are China, India, Japan, and Korea.

"Pilipinas". Has three main islands namely, Luzon, the biggest island, Visayas, the smallest one and Mindanao.

"Pilipinas." Has 72 dialects. Tagalog is the main language used and largely spoken in the country.

So, I could go on and on about trivia and facts about the Philippines which would basically be found on google, almanac or the library but that's not what I want to talk to you about.

I want to tell you how my hometown differs from the rest of the countries. No, It's not about the culture, traditions or having the most unique or best tourist spot to go or hang out too.

I want to tell you what makes the Philippines as a nation, as a country and why amidst the crisis and chaos it still remains unshattered. The country is a complete work of progress. It's difficult but it's making a progress.

So, Pilipinas?, Why would someone love to visit the place?

From a traveler's point of view or let's just say a tourist's point of view, they want a new scenery. People are curious to know and fascinated to see the things that are unique to them, things they have not seen before in their homeland.

It is intriguing to know another country's way of life. For some it may just be another way for them to refresh, take a breathe in an awesome or different scenery before they face reality again.

Filipinos would usually answer the best place to hangout in town or think of one of the tourist spots in the country. They might tell you to go and see the white-sand beaches of Boracay, Pagudpud, take a dive and see the great barrier reefs in Palawan, see the historical church in Albay, see the perfect cone-shape active volcano in Bicol, see the smallest volcano in Taal, see the beautiful caves in Sagada, see the historical city of Vigan.

And if it's not quite enough, Filipinos would love you to try strawberry taho (a delicious sweet soya dessert) from Baguio, the empanada (a warm pastry) of Vigan, Buko Pie of Laguna, Lechon of Cebu, Laing of Bicol, Longanisa of Pampanga, Bulalo of Tagaytay, Papaitan of Pangasinan and a lot more. Of course, your visit is not complete for most of the natives without tasting the all-famous Lumpia (Filipino made spring rolls), Pancit (Filipino made chow mein) and the street foods on cab in Manila.

But I'm not like them. Those things are already advertisements you will be able to hear on radios, televisions, newspapers and other forms of media. It's like selling the country. My country is not an item. It is not a real estate waiting to be sold. It is a country that's worth of an appreciation.

I'm not encouraging you to try out our dishes for the sake of curiosity or because you have heard people brag about it. I am not encouraging you to visit our country to take a vacation and escape life. Believe me, you will not enjoy it because that's not how it should be.

The Philippines is flawed. It has its wonders and beauties. But, the wonders and beauty it has now should be preserve. A country's wonders is like a secret. Do you ever think that when a secret gets revealed to everybody, people will still gather to dig on it? Of course, not. The curiosity eventually stops.

The wonders that the Philippines has now is what it has right now. The country is not known for their highly advanced technology and creative works of art such as anime like Japan, it is not as spiritually connected as India and not as culture rich in traditions like China.

The truth about the Philippines? You can not go out wandering at night especially ladies without the fear of being raped, Filipinos are happy-go-lucky, they celebrate parties and occassions whenever they want to or when they feel about it. That means alot of drinking overnight. Mostly in the streets.

Another truth? If you're in the marketplace, never ever show anyone that you're new in town, especially when you're a foreigner. Act like you know more about the currencies and exchanges. Otherwise, vendors get to price you higher, triple the amount maybe in whatever items you will buy. That's only because they have been striving to survive for their family and for themselves that even with those tactics, it won't even be enough for them to feed their families.

Another truth? Be prepared for horrendous traffic. If you're not used to commuting in your hometown. Don't you dare try the commute here, if you don't want or you're not ready to chase the bus or jeepney (a Filipino vehicle) all the way across the highway. You have to prepare yourself for a long trip even if you're only going to go to a market or mall in a 15-20 minute drive, with Philippine traffic it will get you to your destination in about 1-2 hours.

I am not discouraging you on visiting the Philippines. I am encouraging you to visit the country because you want to learn more about it. Not for curiosity, but it's what your heart says. You wanted to stay because you wanted to blend in and know the people, know the culture.

Because believe me, If you stay and visit for that reason alone. Without hidden motives, without a purpose, you visited just because you wanted to. You'd be surprised as to what you're going to get.

The people will treat you as their own. Filipinos are a fighter, with the struggles they face everyday, they have mold themselves to become strong. They fight for what they want, what they believe in, they fight for what is right, for family, for friends, and for the country. Believe if you stayed long enough or maybe just for a couple while, do them no harm and they will fight for you.

Filipinos treat every success of each people as a victory of the nation. We celebrate together. For them, success of one is the success of everyone. One blood, One country. That's how strong their bond is. You mess with one, you fight with all.

They support each other whether just a mile away or halfway across the country, Filipinos will recognize their own blood or even the blood of a foreigner who have once become one of them.

Filipinos have a strong set of values and beliefs that can never be easily broken. Win their trust and you win a friend for a lifetime. Be good to them and they will never ever turn their back on you or give up on you.

So, If you decide to get on the next flight to Philippines, a piece of advice: say 'hi' to that first Filipino you come across to and just strike up a conversation, you'll find out that you'll eventually get along. The next thing you know, you'll be invited to their house for family lunch or dinner.

Don't tell me, I didn't warn you. I'm a native. I know.

"United we stand, Divided we fall.", A motto we still live up to this day.

So, That's the story of my hometown. Where I grew up. What's yours?