Cebu, Philippines - February 2, 2006
Back in Cebu again! I had my reservations about coming back to see a city I've already been. But actually I'm really glad I did. As soon as we came into Cebu, I felt the largeness of a good size city once again. Just driving through a nice strong urban area felt great. The other cities of Bocolod, Iliolo, and Dumaguete were alright, but that energy from a larger city with more things to do is really appealing.
Its also really comfortable to see so many foreigners everywhere. I can see why foreigners like this city so much. Also, in the past, it seemed liked I saw many foreigners with filipina women that weren't that young, it seems like today and yesterday in particular, I am seeing all kinds of young women with all kinds of older men. Maybe I was just surprised so many also had older filipina women as well for wives. Not sure, but now I see all kinds of different varieties of women on their arms. However, the older foreign men with children usually have a filipina wife who is at least in her mid-30s.. (if he's of retirement age).
The Philippines in general really does seem like a retirement haven for single older guys. But I also see quite a few older forign women as well with their older foreign husbands. So all kinds I suppose. I guess you can say its a retirement haven anyways. With the cheap cost-of-living, I can understand why.
As to Cebu itself. The last two days, I've mostly been around the Ayala Mall area. I learned last night the owner of Ayala is the most prestigious businessman in the Philippines. Apparently he had a Spanish mother and an American father. Not sure if he was born in the Philippines or not. But I'm sure he's a filipino national. We were in the movie theater last night upstairs at the Ayala Mall, and I was surprised to see the owner of the place was a white guy - so I asked my girlfriend about him.
From here, we are thinking of going to Palawan, but I'm also waiting for a friend who will be arriving from Seoul. He also teaches at a university, so I wouldn't mind meeting up with him for a couple days while still in Cebu.
My girlfriend is going to meet an old friend of hers today. When she first arrived in the USA seven years ago, she worked with an American Vietnam Vet.. he was her boss.. during that time, he met a Filipina online from Cebu, and they ended up getting married once he retired. He is now receiving social security from the US government, and decided to live out the rest of his life here. However, I think the temptation of all the women in the Philippines has gotten to him, and he is having marital problems. My girlfriend chats with the wife online often, and today she is going to meet them for awhile this afternoon. I will probably be meeting them too afterwards.
More on the Philippines..
February 4, 2006
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