The End of a Sequel (Tagbilaran, Philippines)

Still here on the Island of Bohol. I'll be leaving tomorrow to go back to Cebu and then back to Manila the following day. Rented a bike again yesterday, this time it was bigger and better! I'm loving it. Went to an abosolutley gorgeous beach full of white sand and clear waters. Its on another island attached to Bohol by bridge, called Panglao Island. We tried to get accomodation there, we're supposed to be there right now (damn it!), but all the hotels were fully booked. Or, in my thinking, all the owners would rather have caucasian guests as opposed to a couple filipino guys with no cash. I don't know how I got that impression in my head, but I'm afraid it might be true. I guess I'll never know.



The Power of One

Last night I said goodbye to a great friend and travel companion that I first met while I was in Malaysia (Nov. '03). We were together up until Christmas '04 and they he went off on his way with my friend Alex from England. We then met up again while I was in Australia (Sept '04), he had changed a lot and seemed to have matured since I parted him last. And now, 5 months after re-uniting I've had to say goodbye for good.

His name is Peekay, he's from South Africa. He's studied at Oxford University in England and is a practising lawyer. What a hero he is, fighting for the love of all mankind, fighting rascism and predjudice that infect the world. Over the 7 months, out of the 15 that I've been travelling, I've gotten the chance to really get to know a lot about him. He's been through so much, a tragic childhood, a boxing career, a law career, etc.

I was so upset last night when I got to page 899 of my novel and realized that I would no longer have Peekay in my life. It was the end of a sequel with no other sequel. If ever you get the chance, read "The Power of One" and "Tandia" by Bryce Courtney. I often feel ashamed that I'm such a slow reader, but to have had a friend with me for this long, was really worth it.


The Movies

Latley, since there isn't much of a night life here, Jeremy and I have been watching a lot of films in the cinemas. They're quite cheap for us, ranging from $1.50 - $2.00. What strikes me as odd though, is that you can enter the movie at anytime of the day and stay there for 8 hours if you'd like. You can even get a stamp and return 4 hours later. However, its only for the one movie, you can't switch theatre rooms. What's even more odd is that a lot of the people will come into the movie to catch the 5pm showing but will arrive around 4:30 while the end of the movie is on. Why don't they walk around or something and wait until the film's over so they don't ruin if for themselves?

Why are theatres always so damn cold?


Sacrilege

"Those two aren't Catholic! They're eating Pork!" erpessed the elderly Filipino man to a couple of Jolibee restaurant patrons as he pointed to the two young, astonishly good looking Filipino-Canadians as they ate eggs, meat and rice.

The young men, look at each other in confusion, "Is today Ash Wednesday Dean?" asks Jeremy. "That man has black ashes on his forehead, not to mention he just said that we're not Catholics." Dean then glances over his shoulder and glimpses at one of the headlines of his neighbor's newspaper 'Ash Wednesday Services Throughout Bohol'...

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For those of you who don't know, The Philippines is predominantly a Christian country, made up of mostly Catholics. I was raised as a catholic by my parents and attended catholic schooling for 12 years of my life. Why isn't there a guideline that states specific rituals for each devout catholic to do on certain days? Such as, 'On Ash Wednesday: go to church and get ashes on your forehead, fast all day, practice abstinence all day...'

You see, the thing is you're actually supposed to fast all day, not just deny yourself from eating meat. Things have changed I suppose. How do they change? Who says that its no longer fasting? The Pope? Why are there so many rituals and little tidbits that need to be done anyway? Why can't everyone just believe in God and Jesus and follow their will? Why do we have to do these little things? I know that they symbolize certain things in life, such as the ashes represent ash to ash, dust to dust, and gives us humility. But if we are already a good human being with a clear conscience, what will these ashes do for us?

I don't want to start a huge religious debate, just thought I'd throw some stuff out.

I'd also like to say that since I've gotten to the Philippines, I've never seen so many images, statues, shrines, etc of Jesus, Mary, and various saints. I think its actually really nice to see so many people devoted to their religion. In the budhist, Hindu and Muslim countries I've been to I've seen similar things and thought that you don't find this in Canada. When I think of Canada, I generally think of Christianity, although I can't quote you any stats. So when I got to the Philippines, I didn't think I'd see so many devotions to the faith. One thing I enjoy the most is on the back of the tricycles (a mode of transportation here) there's always some religious quote or saying, such as "Thank the Lord!" or "Teach me the way...".

I actually have a cousin here who has apirations of being a priest. Over the years he's created a huge collection of statues and figurines of various saints and religious figures in his house. Its actually like a museum inside. When Jeremy first saw the house he was frightened by all the surroundings. Jesus really is watching you when you're inside the house. Should you be frightened or comforted?


87

Happy Birthday to my late Grandmother who passed away almost 1 year ago. She would have been 87 today. God Bless you Lola!