By Nathan Allen

Remembering Mr. Wilson…

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others”

– Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Walking down the empty hall by my niece’s classroom today, I couldn’t help but think back to my own time in school.  I was suddenly hit with the realization that the last 15 years of my life probably wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for one particular teacher.  How had I missed this before?

Mr. Wilson was the brunt of many kid’s jokes in Jr. high school.  A short, slender man with nicotine and coffee-stained teeth, he was quite eccentric – and he never tried to hide that fact.  He almost had an air of snootiness to him, though looking back, I think he was just an older man who had become very particular and set in his ways – not uncommon as we all age, I think. 

What really struck me today was not just the impact he had on me, but also how much he and I actually had in common – even all those years ago.  You see, we both got picked on a great deal at that school.  In his case, it was just done behind his back.  Kids can be monsters, and my entire post-elementary school career could be looked back on as proof. 

However, thankfully, what we also had in common was passion – passion for whatever we chose to do in life.  I can recall seeing and admiring this, even as a young boy.  You see, we’re not the type of people to do something just because we can or should.  We are both a very deliberate and passionate type of person, and will do whatever it is to the best of our abilities – because every atom of us demands that we do.  In fact, I’d venture to say that once an idea takes hold of people like us, it’s almost impossible to not take action.  For the sake of our mental well-being, it simply must be done.

Mr. Wilson was our Geography teacher, and this is where his true passion lied.  He was not one to sit at home and read books about these exotic locations around the world – he actually lived them.  He spoke about his travels with great conviction and unending enthusiasm – it seemed that he knew how to pronounce all of the country capitals of the world…just as a local would!

All this seemed to be lost on most of the kids, but there I was – the shy, awkward 12 year-old with practically no friends.  What I lacked in companionship I made up for with a boundless imagination and thirst for his adventurous stories.  However, I was too reserved to ever tell him how much I appreciated his class each day – the very same class the “cool kids” seemed to despise. 

Mr. Wilson’s Legacy

Here I am all these years later, having had some of my own adventures around the world.  I started a travel / culture website, and it has grown far beyond me.  It is a community of thousands of like-minded individuals-true admirers of beauty and culture-and I just wish Mr. Wilson could see what he helped inspire all those years ago.  That was a time before Internet technology, and I’d love for him to see how this technology has enabled me to travel independently, and full time.  I’d like to think he’d get a kick out of that. 

Teachers: Your Students are the “Silent Appreciators”

90% of the time that I post photos and stories on Facebook, I have the same people “liking” and commenting on them.  This can give me the false impression that these are the only people who are seeing my posts.  However, once every few months, I somehow manage to inspire those “silent appreciators” to visibly “like” something – thereby showing me they are still out there following along.  I must say, it’s a great feeling to know that you haven’t lost this connection with people in your life, especially as you begin to reach many more over time. 

My message to you teachers is this: 

As you know, we students don’t always tell you how important you are to us.  Please know that at least *some* of us, even after all these years, haven’t forgotten the lessons you taught us, the stories you shared, and the good example you showed us at that young, impressionable stage in our lives.  Perhaps we neglected to tell you these things when we had the chance, but we will never forget who you are and what you did for us. 

At the end of the day, children may be our future, but you teachers are the ones shaping that future.

…and to Mr. Wilson specifically, from myself and perhaps thousands of others, I can finally say:

Thank you.  Thank you for sharing your passion with me, for showing me that a life of grand adventure was not out of reach to a painfully awkward kid like me.  Thank you for continuing to fight for our education, even when we didn’t seem to appreciate it…or for that matter, you.

Nathan Allen

www.idreamedofthis.com

PS…I’m not sure if Mr. Wilson is still around to read this letter, but I hope you’ll share this with the teachers in your life, and even consider writing to thank a teacher that had a big impact on YOU.  Teaching is truly a labor of passion  – and unfortunately one that comes with very little compensation. 

Let’s give a little back, and remind our teachers the difference they are making in the world 

Tag and Thank Your Teachers on Twitter! #thankateacher

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By Nathan Allen

That’s Arnold Schwarzenegger on his very first visit to New York in 1968.  It’s the face of a recent immigrant to the U.S. – one who sees nothing but unlimited possibilities before him…and somebody who fully explored those possibilities as he made the transition from professional athlete, to movie star, to best-selling author, to Governor of California – the eighth largest economy in the world. 

This face is symbolic of the “American Dream”; the potential that America used to hold.  Sure, it’s still attainable, but so many things seem different now.

A Changing World

By now, most of us are aware that China’s economy has surpassed that of the U.S.  Most recently, the “Father of Singapore”, Lee Kuan Yew passed away, and my Facebook news feed has been completely saturated with praise for both him and the country of Singapore.  Did you know that last year Singapore officially became the most expensive country in the world?  Even China has taken notes as this tiny country has risen to prominence.  

It’s hard to imagine, because Singapore pulled this off in the span of just 50 years.  So what’s the point of all this?  

The point is yes, America is a great country, but it seems like Asia is leaving us in the dust.  

A month ago I was in Cebu City, Philippines.  I met a young American guy who told me that he now lives in Asia.  When asked why, he looked at me as if it was a no-brainer.  His answer was straight to the point:

“Asia is the future.”

I have another American friend who speaks fluent Mandarin and has made a fortune doing business in China.

Myself, I have spent the last few years traveling all over India and SE Asia.  With this, of course, has come some interesting perspective on the world…but also on my own country, the U.S.  I’m particularly proud of our innovative and pioneering spirit, because I feel that’s what sets us apart more than any other country in the world.  

Improving On Our Success

Yes, in the past, that innovation defined us and propelled us to success…but Asia has been taking notes during our time in the spotlight, and it has carefully monitored what works and what doesn’t.  Among other things, Asia (and by that I mostly mean Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and increasingly, China) has mastered the art of making our innovations cheaper and more accessible.  Couple that with massive work forces (that, in some countries like the Philippines, Americans would describe as “paid slave labor”), and you see why Asia is running circles around us.  It’s not just Asia, either.  Dubai is another good example.  

In a throwback to ancient Rome, there are modern-day empires being built on the backs of armies of barely-paid workers.  

What’s hard for Americans to understand is this:  To these workers, any money is better than no money.  They are happy to have any job. 

These countries don’t always have the same concepts of equality and “fair” business practices…and they certainly haven’t always had the same opportunities.  They may be operating from a history of poverty.  Look at the Philippines.  Downtown Makati in Metro Manila is exploding with growth.  I came back after just one year and didn’t even recognize the skyline anymore.  

Yes, in the Philippines, shiny new skyscrapers are being built at an almost unimaginable rate.  We’re talking about a country about 2% of the size of the U.S., but with 33% of the population.  It is easy to exploit the workforce in overpopulated countries like this, but it’s ironic, because in many cases, the workers don’t even feel exploited!  Again, they are just happy to be working.

So how are we, a country which has worked so hard to fight for the rights of all workers (and in turn, made it prohibitively expensive to create and run businesses) to compete with THAT?

Should we?

These are difficult questions to ask, but of course, they are worth asking.  The U.S. may not be perfect, but when I look at the big picture in terms of global-leadership, it still seems to be the best viable option the world currently has. 

America, it might be time to face the music.  Perhaps other countries are no longer learning from us.  Perhaps it’s time for us to start learning from them.  

I only hope we won’t be too proud or arrogant to listen.

-Nathan Allen

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By Nathan Allen

If you plan on visiting Panay island for the Dinagyang Festival, I suggest a side-trip to visit and photograph impressive Miagao Church – probably my favorite Spanish Church anywhere in the country!

I loved the clean air and shady, tree-lined streets here. In fact, I loved this place so much, I stayed for a whole month! Haha.

While there’s no doubt that the church is the center of attention, I found out that there’s more to Miagao than meets the eye…most notably, the local folklore! However, we’ll start with the church:)

Miagao Church, or Fortress?

Yes, there’s definitely something different about Miagao Church…at one time it served as protection from the Moros, so that’s where the fortress-like construction comes from. It also has some distinctly Filipino relief carvings…a depiction of St. Christopher carrying Christ as a baby, under the protection of a coconut tree.

Miagao Church is currently listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, as part of the baroque churches of the Philippines.

Let The Stories Begin…

The locals told me many stories in Miagao. The first was how the town came together to convince a well-loved doctor to run for mayor. They were ready for a change, and against all odds, used the power of the Internet to unite and get him elected. After 30 years of the previous political family, change had finally come to Miagao. This is the story I heard, anyway.

Christ The King Procession

The current mayor (at the time of writing), “Doc” Napulan, learned of my arrival, and was very kind to invite me to join him during the Christ The King Procession through town. This was a great way to explore and take photos, and having a knowledgeable guide like Mayor Napulan along the way was a nice bonus!

The procession started at the church, and slowly wound its way through town from there. I loved hearing bits and pieces about the history as we went, and seeing the altars that were placed in front of many of the houses.

The Legends of the “Bat Castle” and “Golden Ship”

Are they just myths? Who knows…but this is what I heard:

Behind the municipal hall (ask a local), you can find the “Bat Castle”, which is actually just a large tree where thousands of giant fruit bats sleep each day. Around sunset, they begin their departure to hunt for food…and cover almost every square meter of sky!

It is called a “castle”, because supposedly a beautiful actress came to Iloilo one day, and took a cab all the way to Miagao. When the taxi driver dropped her off behind the municipal hall, he was surprised to receive a crisp 50 US dollar bill as payment – with “no need to give change”.

When he looked out the window, he was also surprised to see a beautiful mansion there. Later, when he told his friends the story, they all laughed at him, because they took him back and showed him there’s nothing there but a big tree full of bats. To this day, the tree is said to be enchanted, and nobody would dare harm it. 

As for the bats, these harmless creatures can only be found in the Philippines, and are actually called “Golden-Crowned Flying Foxes”. They are quite large, and only eat fruit. They are endangered, and if this area becomes a tourist draw, I do hope the local Government will do everything possible to protect them.

“The Golden Ship” is another legend. It has reportedly been seen by locals over the years…strangely enough, floating down the small creek that flows through a tunnel at Sulu Garden restaurant. It’s worth a visit to Sulu Garden just for the fish spa and atmosphere of the place – whether you see the ship or not! The food is decent, but for me the highlight was the beautiful garden.

Where To Stay – St. Mike’s Art Gallery / B&B / Dorm

You wouldn’t think you would find an eclectic “bed and breakfast” inside a college dorm, but at “St. Mike’s”, indeed you can! Sir Mike and his wife “Mama Nora” are well-loved by the students, and it’s easy to see why. They fill the place with a warm energy, and good, cheap carinderia food.

They are avid art collectors, and even if you’re not hungry, the restaurant is worth a visit just to see the artifacts and collectibles that decorate the walls!

Note: Many of these items are for sale. The guest rooms have aircon, and are also decorated with an eclectic mix. I believe they recently opened a giant, bamboo bar and dance hall as well! I snapped a few pics before it was finished. Ask them about it! You have to take a small path to get to St. Mike’s from the main road, so go inside Balay Lampirong or the other dorms and ask where it is.

“Like” my page to follow along with me! – Nathan Allen

UPV Campus Photos

Various Photos From Around Town – Miagao Travel Guide

These shots were taken as I explored around the market and town center…you might want to keep an eye out for the many beautiful birds that can be seen around the UPV campus. Also look for the Panay Bird Club link further down the page.

I also visited the “Green Bamboo” Project. Bamboo grows so quickly, and it quite strong….I believe bamboo construction could really ease a lot of the strain put on our environment! This UPV project helps to employ locals who process the bamboo. You can purchase bamboo crafts on site.

Food / Restaurants in Miagao

Now for the eating & drinking portion of Miagao travel guide…try Miagao’s own Batchoy at a local favorite – Nerizens! On the way to or from Iloilo, you can also stop by Doming’s Talabahan by the sea! You can have a large bowl of talaba (fresh oysters) for almost nothing! Iloilo is famous for this at places like Breakthrough and Tatoy’s, but not too many people know about this gem just outside of the city:)

“Vineyard”

I’ll let you in on a little UPV secret: There is a super cheap, hole in the wall cocktail bar right near the church! It’s called “Vineyard“, and you may have to ask the locals where it is. They have some very unique mixed drink creations there…I never expected to find something like that in Miagao! There’s an outdoor patio, and the UPV students love it. I almost expected I would have to give a secret handshake or password to enter. Haha.

How To Get To Miag-Ao

If coming from Boracay or Antique by bus, you will reach Miagao about 45 minutes before you arrive in Iloilo City. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the imposing structure of Miagao church! Haha. From Iloilo, you need to take 2 jeepneys, but unfortunately I can’t remember which ones and from where. Hopefully somebody will answer this here on the post, but you can always ask the drivers when in Iloilo.

Thanks so much to fellow photographer Ruperto Quitag, who assisted me quite a bit there in Miagao. Big thanks as well to Mayor Napulan, Flord Calawag, Veronica Melanio, Mama Nora, and Sir Mike! Being there in Miagao was just the rest and relaxation I needed at the time. I was actually invited to give a TEDx talk at UPV, and I regret not being able to. Next time, I guess!

– Nathan Allen

Related Links:

Birds Of Panay FB Page

My Iloilo Blog Post

My Antique Blog Post

UPV’s Green Bamboo Project

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By Nathan Allen

Bohol Is The Best…No, It’s Albay…No, It’s Davao!!

When I travelled to the Philippines previously, I mentioned elements of fear and superstition in the culture, and wondered if these traits were instilled by the Spanish, or were already here in the Philippines when they arrived. 

Now I’m wondering the same thing about the strong regionalism that is present in the Philippines today.  My Filipino friend Nathan thinks that by promoting a strong sense of regionalism, the Spanish were able to keep Filipinos from uniting together to resist them.  It makes sense.

Just how common is regionalism in the Philippines today?  To give you an idea, no matter where they are from, almost every Filipino I meet believes their hometown region is the best – even though many don’t have the perspective that comes from visiting other regions.

Wait a minute…they can’t all be the best! 

Perhaps due to this regionalism in the past, the average Filipino might have little desire to learn about the world outside his own region – in some cases even outside of his own specific barangay (neighborhood).  

On a Quest For Adobo…

For example, I think I may have experienced this when asking locals where a certain adobo restaurant is.  Very often they don’t know, and once I eventually find the place, I realize that it was in fact only 2 short blocks away from where I asked the local.  Many times, these locals have lived and worked in this location their whole lives, yet seem to have a very limited understanding of what is happening just around the corner. 

My Filipino friends tell me the locals might just be intimidated to speak English to a foreigner suddenly – and they panic, resulting in a “nosebleed”.  However, this same scenario has presented itself to me over and over, even when they will go and ask 4 or 5 other Filipinos out of sight (clearly removing the “nosebleed factor”). 

Some might be quick to chalk this up to a simple lack of intelligence, but I don’t think that’s accurate (or fair).  I’ve seen uneducated Filipinos in the provinces inventing and re-purposing all kinds of ingenious products to improve the quality of their lives – and with little or no money!  It’s impressive enough to get a nod from even the most esteemed mechanical engineers.

No, I wonder if it’s a cultural phenomenon, and there might be more than just Spanish-influenced regionalism at work here.

Staying Close To Home

Being spread out and isolated over so many islands might be a factor as well. An example is my 55-year old Filipino friend who has the financial means, but never in her lifetime made the 20 minute boat-trip over to see the only neighboring island – and a beautiful one at that!  Traditionally it doesn’t seem to be a culture of travel.  It is a country with abundant sunshine and food sources – perhaps people here didn’t have a need to migrate and travel like we did in our harsh European climates.

Due to the natural barriers of the sea, it is fascinating to observe how languages and culture have evolved from island to island, and equally fascinating to see the common thread that runs through all of them.  It seems that almost all languages in the Philippines have at least some words in common. 

As an outsider who has tried to observe and explore the many beautiful regions of the Philippines, I can tell you that each one has something unique and special to offer.  You could spend a lifetime here and still barely scratch the surface. 

The Barangay Sees All

The average Filipino may not know how to get to the Internet-famous adobo place in the next barangay, but they can tell you in great detail about the birth of their cousin’s new granddaughter, the progression of their neighbor’s lung cancer, or the love life of just about everybody around them.  In fact, there may be very little taking place in their immediate social circle that they are unaware of. 

While I have a few Filipino friends who are tired of the whole barangay knowing their personal business, for the most part, this “invasion of personal space” is surprisingly tolerated here – especially from a western perspective. 

Family Is Everything

Where this “inside the bubble” kind of mentality really seems to shine is when it comes to building strong communities – and families, specifically.  I believe this hyper-awareness of community creates strong social ties.  Perhaps this is why the Philippines excels when it comes to family values (even, paradoxically, when a father has a mistress on the side). 

Even in cases like that, very often, the family seems to be of utmost importance.  When Filipinos say their region is the best, I suspect they feel that way in large part because that is where their family lives.  Of course, to Filipinos, family is everything.  It is admirable, and more than we can say for modern life in much of our western world. 

What I want to know is this:

If it’s true, how might this “close to home” thinking be holding many Filipinos back from growth and opportunity beyond their barangays?  How might this have affected progress and innovation in the Philippines over time?

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By Nathan Allen

Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing that Miss Diamante wrote that I disagree with.  Well, almost nothing.  In my opinion, decent medical care is available in the Philippines, and at a fraction of the cost that it has been available in the United States. This is why “medical tourism” is bringing many people to the Philippines. 

Anyhow, as a foreigner in the Philippines for a year, I experienced some of her frustrations myself (though of course, it doesn’t even scratch the surface of what it must be like for most Filipinos). 

The taxis at the Manila airport frustrated me to no end, then when I finally found one that would only overcharge me 5 times instead of 10, I realized that due to the traffic in Manila, I could literally walk faster than my overpriced ride could take me.  Many times I got out of the taxi and did just that, but then I had to deal with the jeepney exhaust and dangerous lack of sidewalks. 

I could go on and on about the red tape and name-dropping I had to get through at immigration just to be able to leave the country and fly back home…but for these reasons and all those that Miss Diamante mentioned, the Philippines is an easy target.  If all I did was focus on the negatives, it would be an easy country to hate. 

Admittedly, I sat nodding my head in agreement all the way through her essay…but I couldn’t wait to reach the end – you know, the part where the “BUT” is.  Something like: “Yes, living in the Philippines can be horrible, BUT here’s what we have going for us, and here are some baby steps we could take to begin to fix things…”  Instead, I was left feeling heartbroken and hopeless about a country that I love very much.  Where’s the hope?  Filipinos, you will break my heart if you lose that. 

The essay mentions how some foreigners seem to have more love for the country than the author does.  Some cynics in the comments think that’s because these men are treated like gods and just love taking advantage of young Filipinas.  To an extent, unfortunately this is true.  I did experience these foreigners, and they infuriated me.  However, not all behave like this. 

Some of us truly see and appreciate what being Filipino is all about.  In the Philippines we find a sense of humanity that we might feel is lacking in our home countries.  Sure, our lack of experience in your country might make you think we’re naive, but in the Philippines we try to take the good from what IS, and have faith in what could be. 

Of course, many Filipinos see things this way as well.  I believe that this faith, followed by a healthy serving of action, is what will slowly begin to push the country forward.  Simply removing people from government offices and replacing them is not enough – the change needs to come from the citizens as well…all the way down to the barangay level.  People need to be accountable and proactive.  Basically, everybody has played a part in how things currently are – including my home country, the U.S.

People have to care enough to not throw their trash in the streets, and not look the other way as government officials silently ask for and accept bribes.  They need to encourage each other to succeed instead of pulling each other down.  They need to know how to choose qualified, respectable people to represent them.

Being Filipino is not reason enough to be proud – people must once again work to create something to make Filipinos proud.  They must strive for something just and sustainable.  Only then might the “Pearl Of the Orient” rise again. 

The information age may have provided the Philippines with a crucial turning point – mobile technology is now more affordable than ever.  Even some of the poorest people in the country have access to the Internet at some point during their day-to-day lives.  That means that now, more than ever, the people have the power to be heard. 

If you’re wondering how you can make a difference, I think teaching your countrymen how to effectively harness the power of the Internet is a great place to start.  When the people are making educated decisions about what to read and share online, they can really begin to make a positive change in their world! 

“Leroyroyal” mentioned a very fitting proverb in the comments section of the original article:

“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

Miss Diamante, you are so young, and clearly you have a tremendous talent.  That essay was powerful and well-written…and look how many people you were able to reach!  Please don’t lose that passion and idealism you left college with.  It is quite clear that you love your country – rather than focusing on the hate, I hope you will instead use it to inspire a positive change in your kababayan.  Please don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can’t make a difference.  You really have a gift, and your country needs you. 

It’s easy to hate a broken country, but truly courageous to take the first few steps toward putting it back together.   

– Nathan Allen

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