I love the Philippines!
I've been spending lots of time with my immediate and extended family and it's been really fun. All of my dad's 6 siblings and their families are here, so our Christmas gathering consisted of at least 50 people. I'm learning alot about my father's background and upbringing and I'm learning to appreciate more and more how hard he worked to rise up from poverty to be where he's at now and provide for my family. My dad's doing well and we're living in the basement of my dad's dream house that's under construction. It's three stories and huge. I feel like it's a bit out of place, but there are other homes that are being built that are pretty big nearby.
I understand now why my Dad likes it here. All his family's here and he's appreciated because he's helped them out so much. They're super thankful and have this thing called "utang na loob" that Pilipinos often have which translated means "inner debt". Since my dad's supported them in alot of hard times, they feel like they're indebted to him.
It feels like my second home here. I could see myself living here for awhile. It was also sweet because God gave me an opportunity to attend a church youth leaders' camp and I got to meet some really cool young people passionate for God. It's amazing worshipping God on the other side of the world.
It's strange seeing the economic disparity here - how there are these huge homes right next to shacks. And I feel a bit guilty because I feel like we're adding to the economic disparity by building this grand house. But at the same time, it's giving alot of the workers jobs which they didn't have before. There's such a great need here for job opportunities since there are so many unemployed. Alot of people have applied just to work on the house. But despite the hardship, people here are happy because there's such a strong sense of community that is unseen in the U.S.
But all in all, I love the Philippines! It's a beautiful place filled with amazing countrysides and beaches and people!
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