Experiencing Filipino Hospitality

Filipinos are popular for being hospitable even to complete strangers.

Growing inside the negative and cautious atmosphere of Metro Manila, I had doubts if this so-called hospitality-to-strangers of Filipinos was real. I’ve heard such a concept from teachers, radio, television and other blogs but never really considered it as a reality until I experienced it first-hand in Batangas.

It could have been an isolated case in Batangas and can never be found elsewhere in other regions of the Philippines but these 7 Pinoy Travel Bloggers proved me wrong.

Ivan of Batang Lakwatsero

Sa Ilocos libre po ang bahay na tinuluyan namin for 4 days, transpo from Vigan to Pagudpud, pagkain namin sa daan at isang supot ng tupig para ipasalubong. Talagang willing po silang iikot kami sa buong Ilocos. Nagastos ko lang po ata nuon ay pamasahe sa bus (Manila-Paoay-Manila) tsaka konting pasalubong at souvenir shirt.

Nung Masira yung jeep na sinasakyan namin papuntang Currimao Beach, akala namin hindi na tuloy pero nag-insist sila na kailangan kaming makapagbeach bago umuwi ng Maynila. Kaya ang sinakyan namin ay yung truck nila sa negosyo. Asa likod kaming lahat.

Thanks sa Abundo Clan, most especially kay uncle na hindi namin natanong yung pangalan.

Brenna of The Philippine Travelogue

My first solo climb sa Mt. Tagapo in Talim Island, Laguna de Bay. Yung guide dun si Ka-Eddie tsaka si Sir Archie, super bait. Dahil magisa nga lang ako na mag-cclimb at medyo mahiyain pa. Dahil ang makaksabay ko na grupo noon ay puro lalaki, they took me along with them, making sure na di ako ma-OP o mahiya sa mga lalaki. Dahil hindi ako mountaineer talaga, Sir Archie helped me up lalo sa mga steep rocks. When we got down, he and his father made sure may drinks kami sa baba as well as water if we wanted to take a bath. He didn’t ask for anything – no specific rate of guide payment, kung ano lang daw kaya namin. Super thumbs up ako sa family nila kasi they really love their mountain. 🙂

Aleah of Solitary Wanderer

One day in 2001, I just thought it would be good to go to Biak na Bato in Bulacan to see the caves. So straight from the office (naka slacks and blouse pa ko), pumunta na ko ng Baliwag and boarded a bus for Malolos, the only town I remembered in Bulacan.

When I arrived there, I went to the Barasoain Church and then asked the jeepney drivers how to get to Biak na Bato. I arrived in San Miguel around 7pm, not knowing where to go. I asked tricycle drivers along the national road where I can sleep and they said there was no inn there. They huddled for a while and then they told me that they knew a place, but I could go there only at midnight. Kaya dinala muna ako ng isa sa isang turo-turo sa palenge where I passed the time.

Around 10pm, dumating sila (mga drivers), nag-inuman at nakipag-kwentuhan sa akin, tapos at midnight, dinala ako ng isa sa kanila doon sa place. It turned out to be a sort of “motel” (hence midnight para cheaper ang rate hahaha), with only 2 rooms. the old lady who managed it asked me if i would like to sleep in their house, for free, but i just said okay lang sa akin ang room. What struck me about that experience was the kindness of all the people I met, including the drinking drivers and the lola who offered me her spot in the sala complete with a kulambo.

Doi of The Travelling Feet

I contacted Edwin Antonio, a blogger from Ilocos, 2 days before our trip but never got a word from him. When we arrived in Laoag, he called us and offered to give us a quick tour of the city. He also introduced us to his boss, Doc IC Alipio, who offered to drive us to Paoay Church since he’ll meet his old classmates from med school. After that, they asked us to tag along when they toured the Malacañang of the North and Fort Ilocandia. The family of his college buddy who went to tour Ilocos also offered us to join them on their tour of Pagudpud the next day. We didn’t pay a single cent for the tour! And to think we were strangers who travelled all the way from Cebu to visit their place, we were deeply touched by their kindness and hospitality! My siblings and I are forever grateful to have met such good people. Genuine hospitality talaga!

Claire of Lakwatsera de Primera

When we were exploring the province of Romblon, my fiance and I dropped by at a Sari-Sari store to buy something to eat for lunch. There was no eatery around the area so we decided to just buy pancit canton and asked the owner to cook it for us. Luckily, one of the locals learned about our whereabouts and offered to accommodate us in his house. Kuya Alex cooked our pancit canton, and then prepared a feast for us. He served us shrimp, fish, and rice and even gave us fruits and rice cakes to take with us to our next destination. He also took us on his habal-habal to the nearest resort  for free, after we declined to stay at his relative’s place in the nearby village. We offered to pay him but he refused it. I was so touched by this gesture of generosity and hospitality of our kababayan despite of the limited resources that they have. Going to remote places with no accommodation doesn’t worry me anymore after traveling for quite some time and experiencing many instances of the Filipino hospitality. I have great faith in the generosity and kindness of the Filipinos. I know there will always be people who will help in times of need. 🙂

James of Journeying James

Sa akin when i was trying to get myself lost in Guimaras, some locals told me to got to Yato Island, i said yes because they said i can set up my hammock there for free. when i arrived in the island, only 11 families are living there, all fishermen. A boy welcomed me in their humble abode, offered his papag (bed) so he can try sleeping on my hammock. The family welcomed me as one of their own, offered me pillows and blanket for the night and gave me fresh food to eat. I was treated as a family member.

You can read the whole experience of James with Filipino Hospitality at http://journeyingjames.com/2010/08/day-5-la-carlota-city-to-yato-island-guimaras/ and http://journeyingjames.com/2010/08/unexplored-beauty-of-yato-island/

Chyng of No Spam, No Virus, No Kidding’!

Mang Arnel may have paid only P100 for me but that really meant a lot. I have never heard of a guide who paid someone from his own pocket just for his guest’s pleasure. Another thing, I have never experienced a guide who would treat his guest for lunch. I super appreciated his acts of kindness- specially Im alone, with insufficient money, and hungry.

Read about her whole experience at http://www.chyngreyes.com/2010/06/ilocos-hysteria-turned-blessed-bday.html

I am living in a negative and cautious city such as Metro Manila, but I’m glad to know that it’s just a small piece of land of the positive, unselfish and kind Philippines. A Philippines that is always open, accommodating and trustworthy.

The city is just a minority and I hope it will not influence the kind majority.

How about you? Have you ever experienced Filipino Hospitality?