RP 2009

I recently went back to the Philippines. I'm glad to see that so much has changed. The streets have been improved since I last visited in 2005.For example, the way north to Bataan was a lot better (it used to take 4 hours, now it takes 2).

We touched down in Davao and spent the first week in Surigao del Sur. The road to Hinatuan is a lot better than what I remember. There is a visbile presence of newly paved roads.

We went to my Hometown, Balanga on the second week to attend my brother's wedding. We saw and celebrated the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in a restaurant in front of the hotel (with Wilson, Mark, Lou-Ann, Ian, Portia, Tatay, Tito Boy Cuevas). Perhaps Manny symbolized inspiration more than any other person or event in the last Philippine decade.

The elevation of Balanga as a city has indeed given it some blessings. The place has sprouted new commercial buildings. The church has been renovated. I quite liked the way they blended the old bricks with the concrete white columns. I miss the chandeliers though.

We spent the third week in Makati where I trawled Glorietta and Greenbelt on foot. I was mostly unaware of traffic. We admired work by National artists in Glorietta 4. We bought a few gadgets in what used to be Makati Cinema Square( I think ). I marvelled at what the Australian dollar can buy.

We spent a week in Boracay. It's a place I've never been to. The white sands did not disappoint. I wish I've gone there before I've seen the other beaches of Asia and Australia. Still, it's a great place. Caeden enjoyed playing in the wet sands of the afternoon low tides.

The last 2 days showed us what we're going to miss the most - the closeness of family. We spent it in Auntie Vicky's house in BF in Paranaque. Watched movies and loitered in Starbucks with Tata and Vince.