|
|
|
|
My trip to the
Philippines in March 2000 was the first time I had ever been there.
Frankly, I did not know what to expect. I guess there were two
reasons for this: first, I still had the impression that there was a lot
of anti-American sentiment (an impression left over from the mid-1980s),
and also because I had heard about the kidnappings that had taken place in
the south.
My slight trepidation was soon gone, though. I found the Philippines to be the most hospitable place I have ever been, and it was refreshing to see so many people practicing, instead of simply preaching, their religious values. No, that does not mean I would run around Mindanao screaming "Hi, I'm an American!" And it does not mean I don't think there are any bad people there. But the Philippines is the first place I have ever been where the people seem to have a genuine sense of "community," and for that reason I always look forward to going back. |
|
| Click on a thumbnail below to see a larger image | |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
