Out of the Philippines... was good... I’m pleased of having been here... this job was different to all others; 2 months for a 5mb document...
it may help... the difference is that until now I used to do the jobs that others had proposed... now I’m writing things that somebody else would put in place...
Beyond the job... some images that would reside in my mind forever, are the other main outcome of this job. Just to name a few:
>the bizarre Chinese cemetery of Manila with hundreds of art-deco and traditional tombs some with aircon bars, that looks like a city with families actually living there (like the picture in the top) and more pictures here
>the 12 hr ferry ride from Coron to Manila in the cheapest class (deck) surrounded by literally thousand locals ranging from friendly to non-interested but never unfriendly...
>for first time in more than 25 years in boats been waken up by (various) rooster in the middle of the ocean (I mention cockfighting is BIG here)
>the hidden freshwater lake of Coron islands
>the saltwater hotpools in the mangroves of Sangat island
>the simplicity of life in the Batanes
>the Kazakhstan vs Filipinas basketball game! (globalization is here to stay)
>the good laughs with locals everywhere
>the coincidences
>the peoples names (Gaylord Recto, Rey Abuso, Victory Habito y Willy Enverga for example)
>eating Puto with sugar
>the music
>the crossroad banners celebrating the locals education achievements
>the complete acceptance that sexuality is your own business and is all good...
>the incredible flavour of the mangoes
>the jeepney’s art
but overall, my respect to the resilience and dignity of Pilipinos along history
