I left Los Angeles on December 26th, a 19 hour layover in Tokyo and a couple of delayed flights, I finally made it to Cebu City in the early morning hours two days later. I decided to come to the Philippines early because the opportunity presented itself, and quite frankly I am addicted to travel and don’t need much reason. The plan was to meet up with a classmate, hang out with Peace Corp volunteers and explore a few of the islands nearby. The plan changed when a storm hit and we were grounded, so we explored Cebu instead.
Cebu City reminds me sometimes of Mexico, sometimes of Kenya and other times of the U.S.; there is definitely a very familiar feel to it despite never having set foot in the country before. I did not feel like I was in the Philippines at first, given that the Peace Corps volunteers I was with sought the comforts of home, I spent a lot of time in malls those first few days. I get it though, I too would want a burrito and a blended coffee drink if I hadn’t had one in 6 month.
I finally felt like I was in the Philippines when something new happened to me. I don’t think it is unique to the Philippines but something in me switched, which allowed me to stopped focusing on the familiar. I was taking a taxi with a Peace Corp Volunteer I just met, we hit a red light and children came up to the car window to beg. I found the interaction a bit uncomfortable at first but ultimately fascinating. First the kids tried to look sad and put their hand out; the volunteer says, “Nope sorry” as he shrugs his shoulder, the kids then tap on the glass and say, “give me money!” Another, “nope sorry” comes out. The kids then pretend to cry and the volunteer called them out on it, “you’re not really crying” he tells them through the glass. Finally the kids begin begging for water and the volunteer points at his water bottle, says; “you want this?” then proceeds to finish drinking the water in front of them before turning to me and saying, “I’m not very sympathetic in the morning.”
Part of me is appalled, I don’t know what to say or do I just sit there quietly with what I assume is a surprised look on my face. I’m no stranger to ignoring kids begging but this is the first time I had seen then ask for water, and been denied in such a way. My heart definitely sank as I sat in that taxi cab, part of me wish I had had some water to give then, but I did not, and part of me wanted to give them all the money I had but I did not. I instantly remembered what my uncle in Mexico would tell me, “Mija, if you give then all your money you will be left with nothing, you don’t have enough,” I was taught to ignore the beggars, and now I found myself in a situation with someone who was not only acknowledging their existence but going as far as mocking them. I was definitely taken aback, but in retrospect how would ignoring them been any better? I know that you can’t give everyone money, and as a volunteer he definitely did not have the exposable income to give anything. In that moment I questioned which was more cruel, pretending the kids didn’t exist or mocking them, I still don’t know the answer to that, but this moral questioning allowed me to stop comparing the Philippines and soak in what is there. Start living a bit more in the moment.