Makati City, Philippines

slang · 12-21-2007, 07:39 AM

Here are some of the Christmas lights seen here. Keep in mind this is middle class here in the Philippines but it's still very poor by western standards. None of these are over 15 seconds long.

slang · 12-25-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slang

(from post #519) The neighbor across the street is working her way slowly from her front gate into the back of a very pinoy looking Jeepny. She's a very old woman and a slow mover.

Her son is holding her arm to steady her. She's teary and her voice breaks up as she tells me...

Theese my son home from Amerika.

The son, John, an electrical engineer working in the San Fransisco area.

My neighbor died on Christmas and I was completely bummed over it.

She had been sick for a long time. Her death was no surprise for all the family and friends.

I talked with her husband for some time and quite honestly shed some very real tears.

Why has this had such an effect on me? I had not known her for very long or very well at all. She represents the committment to family and a better life for all the kids.

Their home is very modest and their lifestyle very simple. I'm sure that they have money for more material things than they actually have. The kids' lives in another country and having infinitely better opportunities was their life goal and they succeeded.

Then there is the fact that she died on Christmas. It's very sad.

Griff · 12-26-2007, 02:25 PM

Heavy stuff man.

slang · 12-27-2007, 02:16 AM

The kids are just now arriving from the US and Austrailia. Two engineers and a nurse. All very classy people.

Now my wife tells me more stories of what a great lady she was. Always helping people in need in this neighborhood with food and drink. Always giving time and or efforts or prayers.

There are many families here that have successful kids abroad. Most of them have a nice house, modern imported cars and very easy lives. The parents house is very simple, very few luxuries and a pinoy style jeepny that would look quite at home in a junkyard.

I'm guessing that the kids would have bought them a more comfortable life but their satisfaction was in having the kids leave the Philippines. That was all that was important.

This family's selflessness is truly humbling.

Ok, I'm done rambling on about it.

12-26-2007, 02:25 PM	#3
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Heavy stuff man. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

12-21-2007, 07:39 AM	#1
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	Here are some of the Christmas lights seen here. Keep in mind this is middle class here in the Philippines but it's still very poor by western standards. None of these are over 15 seconds long.

12-27-2007, 02:16 AM	#4
slang St Petersburg, Florida Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,423	The kids are just now arriving from the US and Austrailia. Two engineers and a nurse. All very classy people. Now my wife tells me more stories of what a great lady she was. Always helping people in need in this neighborhood with food and drink. Always giving time and or efforts or prayers. There are many families here that have successful kids abroad. Most of them have a nice house, modern imported cars and very easy lives. The parents house is very simple, very few luxuries and a pinoy style jeepny that would look quite at home in a junkyard. I'm guessing that the kids would have bought them a more comfortable life but their satisfaction was in having the kids leave the Philippines. That was all that was important. This family's selflessness is truly humbling. Ok, I'm done rambling on about it.

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