It is always funny to me and some of my expat amigos when we hear other foreigners referring to the entire Philippines as Third World! We agree that some areas in the Philippines can very well be referred to as third world but Bacolod City is certainly not Third World! It is my world! It is also a real world where most Filipinos are real people and not plastic people. I am just so proud to be here and living the good life!
I often hear some expats throwing out the term “Third World” when they are voicing their displeasure about things that go on in the Philippines and it is a derogatory term when used in that context. I can give you a tour of the real Third World in certain areas of rural Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and other southern states in the USA! Yes, those areas are very undeveloped and in some instances, also impoverished. Yes, in 2014 in the USA! There are still people there who have outhouses as their bathroom. Believe it..or not..but it is the truth.
These days, many people look to jump on any words people may say and cry out racism or violations of human rights! Just ask the owner of the LA Clippers. The Global South or Developing Nations are more acceptable terms than Third World in 2014.
It’s My World
Since 2009, the Bacolod Area has been my world and it is a fabulous world!
On any given day, if we want to dine out, we can enjoy food from among many international restaurants in Bacolod City, all at very affordable prices. All cheaper than combo meals at Subway, Wendy’s, Burger King, McDo, Hardee’s, etc, in Florida! Spanish, Austrian-German, Italian, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Asian Fusion, Indonesian-Malaysian, Vietnamese, American and others are among the authentic international restaurants located in Bacolod City.
If I am willing to pay the price for imported food items, I can find just about anything I would ever want in the supermarkets of SM, Robinsons, Metro, Gaisano and Lopues. In fact, I buy Linguica Portuguese Sausage for $6 per package at Robinsons Supermarket in Bacolod, yet during my recent trip to Florida, I could not buy Linguica Sausage in Walmart, Publix or Winn Dixie Supermarkets! Now, where is the Third World?
Alternative Medicine is what I turn to whenever I am not feeling in the pink, which is extremely rare. Acupuncturists, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chiropractors, Holistic practitioners and the entire genre of Alternative Medicine is readily available in Bacolod City, at very reasonable prices!
Love is Everywhere
Sex is easy to find but love is not so easy to find! However, one of the things that impressed me about the Philippines 28 years ago is that love is everywhere. Love of family love of God, love of church, love of neighbours, even love of strangers and, of course, love between partners in life! Love is not so difficult to find in the Philippines and often, love will find you. When you least expect it, love will come your way. You can find truly unadulterated love in the Philippines..if you are patient!
My wife is so much more than my spouse, as she is also my best friend in all the world! I can talk to her about everything under the sun and she listens, she understands, she offers words of encouragement when needed and she is always here for me, through all kinds of weather! She is truly an angel sent from up on high.
Some people call it third world but the Philippines is my world and my world is real! What about your world? Is it real?