Hello Philippines

It was actually two weeks ago that I returned to the Philippines after a three-month stay in Atlanta. The trip, by the way, was undeniably one of the most awesome things to ever happen to me. So awesome, in fact, that I almost completely neglected to bother blogging any of my journey. It's the kind of awesome trip that gives a prolonged sense that there are so much bigger things to be doing with my time than struggling to put the experience into words.

Aside from having the time of my life, those were three months preparing myself for a depressing sense of misery when I returned home. As I have said before, the Philippines is an acquired taste. As much as I'd like to consider myself a patriot and a staunch optimist, the last time I returned to the Philippines from a foreign visit I couldn't help but see the worst in everything that surrounded me. The air was too hot, the streets too dirty, the people too ugly... just everything.

To my surprise, this time around I've found things pleasantly... acceptable. The streets are still dirty but there are signs of progress all around (especially in Asiatown IT Park, where I work, which is experiencing an utter boom of construction). Even the temperature-- though I'm sweating for the first time in three months, it still feels as though I am in a hospitable environment. Of course, this country of ours has its flaws, but it doesn't deserve the loathing that Filipinos give it. It makes me proud to be able to say that, freshly coming from America. Things aren't so bad, and I'm optimistic that the future can only get better.

Maybe it's just that I haven't been getting my news from The Inquirer. In spite of everything, it is good to be home.