A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
William Arthur Ward
What makes us smile in the first place, the desire to or it being expected of us? Do we feel joy or great pain as we stretch our mouths across our face and into a smile?
Apart from learning Greek, I speak no other language except English, so when visiting foreign countries, body language assists me in communicating, when words fail me. On many occasions whilst abroad, when myself and the person(s) are clearly struggling to understand one other, smiles and laughter erupt as we think the same me no understand you… numbnuts. What better use of everyone’s energy to be amused instead of bothered by the situation. In some circumstances, we need to lighten up or as Ross from Friends would say, “oh unclench”, me included.
Some of the kindest smiles I have come to receive have been from Filipinos and I have so eagerly mirrored their smiles with joy in my eyes.
Even before my feet had touched down in the Philippines, the secret was out – psst! “The Filipino people are so so friendly,” I’d been told by a friend. When I met a bunch of Filipinos in India in 2017, and after spending some time with them and enjoying their charming company, I had no reason to doubt that friend.
Our first encounter was in Donsol, Bicol Region in January 2020 and was by far the best. Apart from Butanding (swimming with whale sharks), there’s not really anything other of significant interest to attract tourists to the area. We had time to kill, so we decided to explore the surroundings on a scooter in search of a hidden gem or two.
The road stretched out in front of us and as Dimi revved the bike. We soon encountered a village with many houses and people that lined both sides of the road. As we whizzed through, we were spotted and embraced by high pitched “Helloooo’s!” and “Hii’s!” from both adults and children. These greetings were accompanied by frantic arm waves, full smiles, and wide eyes. My head was on a swivel as I tried to follow each sound. With my arm raised and my mouth probably hanging open, I squealed and waved back. I hope I didn’t leave anyone out.
Later that day, in search of a waterfall, we encountered a primary school, whose doors had just opened. Out spilled dozens and dozens of hyperactive kids heading home for the day. Like a domino effect, the first kid screamed “hi”, then the next, until they were all in full choir. We drove by so close to them that we ended up high-fiving the whole lot as we crossed ways. Slap! Slap! Slap! My right palm was stinging by the time we came to the last kid in the line. To quote myself, it was bloody lovely!
Next, we headed to San Rafael Beach, for our first proper dip in the Philippines. We pulled our bike up close to the shore beside a group of adults sat in the shade. They exchanged looks between them and smiled as we made our way along the sand. Soon enough, we had a small herd of buzzing kids, mainly boys, hot on our heels. During the short time we swam, they stayed close by, playing together with tyres and sticks. They surrounded us when we came back on the beach to our things. The adults close by left the kids to it and looked on from a distance. One boy asked: “What is your name?” They laughed at our answers. “Your eyes are green,” he then noticed. I was pleasantly surprised by this statement as I have never heard something like this by a child before. He looked genuinely interested, it was lovely. They posed for pictures, we shook their hands and then left.
I often think of my lovely nephews, Arthur (6 years) and Henry (4 years) when I come into contact with children. I hope they would be as inquisitive as these children and have a strong desire to say hello and get a response in return.
It’s funny how children become more confident as you get ready to leave. On another scooter ride in Cagraray Island, Albay, we had a group of kids peer at us from behind the trees as we dried ourselves off after a swim in the sea. When we weren’t directly looking their way, they slowly edged closer around the bend towards us. I couldn’t help myself, I slowly ran in their direction which made them shriek and retreat in quick speed. This then turned into a game, which was repeated several times and by Dimi too. They secretly loved it, we did too. Their Goodbyes vibrated the air as we walked away and when I looked back, they were in full view in front of the trees, arms flailing in the air. I smiled and hollered back “Byyyyyyeeee”.
In Puerto Princesa, Palawan, a boy shouted “I love you” to either me or Dimi. That boy will break many hearts!
A man with his daughter stopped to speak with us as we sipped our coffee in Legazpi, Luzon. He was interested to know both our home countries and what brought us here. After our replies, he concluded with a warm “welcome” and pulled his daughter away. I wonder if she was thinking daaaad!
Just outside Port Barton, Palawan we came upon the army, walking single file towards us. Dimi slowed our scooter down to get a better look. Each soldier was fully equipped and carried a pretty big gun. However intimidating their appearance was or how ‘on duty‘ they were, they looked our way and greeted us. It was like the patrol scene from the film Forrest Gump, but thankfully no casualties or rain.
Another lovely and random encounter happened on Mount Talinis, Negros Oriental. We pitched our tent facing Cebu and close to a buffalo family: mum with her calf grazing quietly and a loud one slightly away, maybe dad? A farmer came into view just before dusk as we sat with our legs stretched out of the tent and a ciggie between Dimi’s fingers. We only communicated with smiles and curious eyes. He observed us in our tent as we observed him taking the animals away. When it came to lead the final buffalo away, the farmer jumped on his back, came close to us, smiled as he looked back, until he was out of sight. I hope his wife believed him.
Looks like we did find plenty of hidden gems in the Philippines after all… the people.
Accommodation and Activities in The Philippines
Stay22 is a handy tool that lets you search for and compare stays and experiences across multiple platforms on the same neat, interactive map. Hover over the listings to see the details. Click on the top-right settings icon to adjust your preferences; switch between hotels, experiences, or restaurants; and activate clever map overlays displaying information like transit lines or concentrations of sights. Click on the Show List button for the listings to appear in a list format. Booking via this map, I will be earning a small cut of the platform's profit without you being charged any extra penny. You will be thus greatly helping me to maintain and keep enriching this website. Thanks!
