Philippines – Imus, Cavite – An Old Lady with a Backpack

Allan & Bella Wedding —–

2017 May 28 —–

Although the Philippines was never on our bucket list of places to go, when Ed’s twin brother, Allan, said he was getting married there we simply had to go! Ed was the Ninong – keeping with the Filipino custom of the wise elder bestowing advice to the young married couple. Irene jokingly asked if Ninong was Filipino for Jackass. LOL (The Skarsen family will affectionately recognize this from their Mother.)

We left Edmonton on Thursday, the 27^th at 22:00. Our connecting flight from Vancouver did not leave until 5:00 Friday morning. We arrived in Manila at 9:00 AM on Saturday, the 29^th. Our 14 hour direct flight had us completely losing Friday. Philippine Air is a nice airline with more than average leg room, which is nice on such a long flight. And the food was good too!

Saturday, 29 April

Allan and Bella met us at the airport with their wedding planner, Anthony, acting as the chauffeur in his car. It was very hot – 35 degrees C. Compared to the cool Alberta weather, with some snow still on the ground, this was a huge adjustment.

We drove to Imus, Cavite, which is about 30 km south of Manila. Imus was where Bella lived and the wedding was being held. It was also where we had The Stanley Guesthouse booked for our stay.

The initial observation of the Manila area was the smog. It has a perpetual haze to it, caused by the lack of emission control on the multitude of diesel vehicles. Diesel is 10 Php per litre cheaper than gasoline. All the jeepneys run on diesel and there are LOTS of jeepneys.

Jeepneys are a cross between a long jeep and a squashed bus. One can buy a route within a certain area and run 3 days a week collecting passengers for about 8 – 20 Php (25-50 cents) depending on how far you go. We never could figure out exactly how the pricing worked. They dropped you whenever and wherever you wanted along the way with no designated stops or pickup points. You hopped in the back, squeezed onto a bench that runs on either side and passed your money to the driver, usually through several other passenger’s hands if you were near the back. The jeepney typically carries 6 passengers per side and one in the front seat beside the driver. However, we have been squashed in with nine per side, two up front and one, literally, hanging off the back. We often paid double because we are bigger than the locals and therefore take up more space – we didn’t want to hang off the back. You don’t want to sit too far in the back because the diesel exhaust is choking. They sometimes race each other, similar to guys who rev their motors at the lights, causing even more choking exhaust fumes. Gag! Choke! They tend to be quite decked out with lots of chrome, fancy lights, horns, and fancy names.

Trikes are the other popular method of public transportation. It is basically a motorcycle with a covered sidecar that is low enough for the driver to see over and therefore not very high. The sidecar is meant to fit two Filipinos, not two North Americans. We typically had to each sit with one cheek on the metal seat and hunched over with barely a chance to see out of the tiny window. The advantage of the trike is that it will pick you up and drop you similar to a taxi. One can share a trike and pay a bit less. If you order an Express Trike it is about double or triple the price of a jeepney, but still cheap.

Traffic in Imus is the typical Asian chaos of trikes, jeepneys, cars, buses, and large trucks all vying for space. Three lane highways had four rows of vehicles. Intersections were a case of forcing your vehicle into the oncoming lane and hope someone stops or goes around you while you turn. Considering the trikes and jeepneys stop whenever and wherever they like, other drivers must be diligent to not run into them. To us, it seemed like mayhem, but at the end of the day, it works. Traffic is not congested at a red light waiting while there is no one coming from the side street.

There were massive metal power poles running the length of the main road. They seem to be at least 2 meters in diameter. Many buildings were kind of built around them.

We checked into The Stanley Guesthouse and found it to be a quaint two bedroom apartment on the third floor. It was quite lovely. (That was about to change soon enough.)

There was a large Robinson’s Mall nearby so we decided to stock up on some groceries. The walk to the mall revealed another aspect of Imus – the dirty streets. Along with the haze was a layer of dirt and dust on everything. There was a lack of garbage cans and locals would simply drop their gum wrappers, cigarettes, and whatever other rubbish they wanted to discard onto the street. Add to that someone urinating beside the street and you get the idea.

At the entrance to the mall, there was a sign stating that firearms and deadly weapons were prohibited inside the mall. Please deposit firearms and deadly weapons to the (armed) security guard. I took that to mean that people actually walk around with firearms and deadly weapons. Ok then….

The mall held Sunday mass in the central open area. There were breastfeeding areas. The food court had a soft play area for toddlers, an arcade with pinball and video games for older kids, and even a small trampoline. What a great idea to keep kids amused while you sit and linger over lunch or a coffee.

Finding brewed fresh coffee was difficult. It was usually instant coffee. If you ordered it with cream and sugar it came in a foil packet with the sugar and creamer already premixed. Yuck!

The grocery store was large and had a wide variety of instant noodles – two aisles worth! There was lots of fresh fish and local fruits. We stocked up on some pasta and the fixings for pasta sauce, some ground beef and some breakfast food, including bacon. (The ground beef was horrible and the bacon even worse.) We also bought some local fruit. The mangoes were delicious. The dried mangoes we buy in Canada are usually an export of the Philippines.

Sunday, 30 April

Allan and Bella picked us up and took us to the Imus Market. This was a proper Asian Market bustling with vendors selling everything from fresh fish, to sacks of different kinds of rice, to bright red eggs, to coconuts, to chicken feet and heads, to actual snake oil. It was great! The air was heavy with smells of freshly killed poultry, fish, and pungent fruits and vegetables. Vendors coaxed you to buy their goods by waving it in your face. Some vendors proudly waved their huge knives to show their skills while we snapped a picture. I love markets!!

We were not at the market for long as Bella was there to buy ingredients for dinner. They hosted us at their lovely new home which is built in a newer area of town. They are the only ones on their street to have a huge flowering bougainvillea draping over the front fence. We had their national fish – Milkfish – for dinner then spent the evening getting to know our soon-to-be sister-in-law better.

Their house was not big by Canadian standards. It has a small front yard ( about 6×6 meters) and no back yard. It had two floors. The living room, indoor kitchen, and one bathroom were on the main floor. The indoor kitchen is stressed because most Filipino homes have an outdoor kitchen under a lean-to roof. Allan paid extra to have his kitchen indoors. There were two bedrooms upstairs. The main bedroom had an en-suite bathroom and a small windowed sitting area off the back of the bedroom that was meant as a room to look out from – until an apartment began construction directly behind their house. Allan said he paid $43,000 CDN for this brand new house.

Filipinos are not eligible for mortgages unless they work abroad. Money brought in from foreign workers is the second largest source of revenue for the country and people are highly encouraged to work abroad. Foreign workers can buy houses at discounted rates at various stages of completion. Bella’s oldest son, Jordan Paul (JP), who worked in Taiwan for 3 years, has a house that is not completely finished inside. He has applications to work in Dubai or Taiwan again. When asked what he will do with his house while away, he said he will just leave it empty and did not seem concerned about someone breaking in or squatting.

Bella’s younger son, Adrian, was to escort us back to our guesthouse so we don’t get lost or ripped off by the driver. Ed and Irene squished into the covered sidecar of the trike while Adrian rode on the back of the motorcycle with the driver. It is night time, dark, and we are in a strange city. After quite a long ride and us commenting that this seemed too far, Adrian asked us if we knew where we were. NO! We finally conveyed to the driver that if he headed back toward the main road we may recognize something. Even when we did recognize the street, they doubted us. We insisted and eventually came to our guesthouse.

Monday, 1 May

Yesterday, Irene woke up to bug bites on her hands which she thought to be mosquito bites. This morning she woke up to swollen and burning bites. It felt as if she had been splashed by spattering hot oil. We found a medical centre across the street from the Mall. We headed to the clinic first thing in the morning. The doctor immediately diagnosed the bites to bed bugs!!! WTF!!! In all of our travels, we never had a problem with bed bugs before. She prescribed and anti-itch cream and antihistamine to control the swelling. We filled the prescription across at the mall.

Back at the guesthouse, we informed the manager and she immediately changed the entire bed – frame, mattress, bedding, and pillows. She apologized profusely saying the previous guest must have brought them because they had never had a problem with bed bugs before. Either way, we made the decision to find new accommodations, but we needed to ensure that we would not bring bugs with us.

We had purchased bug spray to kill and repel insects while at the mall. We put all of our belongings into a closet and sprayed the crap out of them before closing the door and effectively sealing the toxic fumes inside. We also sprayed the baseboards, light switches, electrical plug-ins, window frame, curtains, and even the new bed. Every night Irene sprayed herself and the bed with OFF to hopefully repel any further bites. She also slept inside a silk sleeping bag liner to further deter any bites, at least on the lower extremities. Just to clarify, Ed and Irene slept in separate bedrooms as Ed wanted the air conditioner in the one room while Irene prefers a fan while she sleeps. Ed said he had no bites and that the bed bugs must have been in her room only. However, a few days later bites manifest on his legs far worse than anything Irene had.

We asked Bella to confirm there were still rooms available at the Hotel Casa Verde, where the wedding was to take place. There was one room available. We went over to have a look at it. Not that it mattered, we were anxious to leave the bed bugs behind!

Tuesday, 2 May

Allan and Bella had us meet them on the main road where we caught a jeepney “to the province” which is basically into the countryside. Bella’s auntie Lucita lives near Rio Villa Nuevo Mineral Water Resort. The locals were allowed free admission to the water resort so we stopped at Auntie’s house for a quick coffee and for Bella to collect Auntie’s pass.

Lucita’s husband had owned two jeepneys and had bought a third just prior to his untimely death two years ago. Auntie still maintained the rights to the routes and has hired drivers to run them. Lucita was also the Ninang – the female counterpart of elder giving advice to the young married couple.

From Auntie’s house we walked to the nearby Rio Villa Nuevo Mineral Water Resort. It is basically a mountain stream that was captured in a series of swimming pools as it proceeded down the mountain. It was not thermal water, but simply mountain water – and rather cold. We arrived fairly early, while the air was still cooler, so the water did not seem that cold. Later in the day, when the air temperature was in the mid 30’s the water was refreshing but also felt a lot colder by comparison.

Because this was a semi-contained mountain stream, it was built in a steep canyon. There were picnic areas, resembling cabanas, built into the steep hills on either side of the pools, as well as motel rooms for rent. Each cabana had a stone and cement picnic table with benches made of metal pipes. Each area also had a built-in BBQ pit. There was a kiosk that sold various items such as ice cream, soft drinks, and large sheets of fly paper to catch the biblical infestation of flies that attacked our lunch.

Every now and then a larger cabana had a karaoke machine. Karaoke seemed to be a popular pastime everywhere we went. Many times a song would come on the radio or public address system and people from every direction around us would break into singing along.

There were about five monkeys in separate tiny cages. It looked rather cruel to keep them in such tiny containers.

We didn’t stay very long. We headed back to Imus in the early afternoon, when the crowds of locals began to overtake the pools. The schools were closed and families were congregating in the public areas.

Wednesday, 3 May

We went to Tagaytay. (Written in separate blog.)

Thursday, 4 May

Allan and Bella had last minute wedding preparations to tend to so we were left to our own devices. We had Googled what to see and do in Imus and the only thing that came up was a large flagpole commemorating some military action. Many of the things to see and do in all of the Philippines revolved around WWII. I suppose if one is into that sort of thing it would be interesting, and maybe we didn’t give it a fair chance, but we didn’t go to any of the monuments or museums. I did get a picture of the circular shaped Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio from the air.

Instead, we headed back to the mall and had massages by blind people at Zhenzhu Massage. It was a decent massage and we certainly didn’t have to worry about exposing unmentionable areas of our bodies during the procedure.

After the massage, we still had a good part of the day left to kill so we went to see Defenders of the Galaxy 2. It was a movie we wanted to see, it was only $5 admission, and it was air conditioned. We began to think the malls were a popular place for locals to hang out due to the A/C.

Afterwards, we headed back to our guesthouse to prepare for our move to the hotel the next day. We gathered up any uneaten food to pass along to Bella then we sprayed our belongings with bug spray one last time. We were not sorry to be leaving. After continually spraying our belongings, the bed, and ourselves with bug spray, Irene was beginning to get a sore throat due to all the toxicity. Side note: The sore throat lasted for weeks. Dead bed bugs were found in our luggage when we returned home to Canada.

Friday, 5 May

We caught a trike to Hotel Casa Verde. The entrance to the hotel had a small bridge over a fountain fed pond of Koi fish that was surrounded by flowers and ferns. Immediately past the bridge and to the right was the front desk. To the left was a sitting area that led into the hall where the wedding was to take place.

The wedding hall had bamboo walls with a garden of ferns, flowers, and waterfall fountains between the airy walls and the seating area. On one side there was a double bamboo gate that opened to the driveway. The ceiling was draped with fabric, giving it an open air feel and look. A large chandelier hung in the centre. A stage was on the wall opposite the bamboo gate. The staff was in the process of decorating it for the next day’s wedding.

We had to wait about an hour to get into our room because it was being used as a change room for another wedding party. While we waited we got to see the honeymoon suite. Wow! Nice! It was a large room with a big sitting area, separate little kitchen, and a huge screened in balcony that was covered with vines.

Allan’s daughters, Megan and Elyse, had returned from Boracay that morning and were also settling into their room. Megan wanted to find a small wedding present for her Dad and stepmom. Megan, Irene, Adrian, and JP headed to the mall where Megan bought a pretty photo album and a cute black negligee for Bella and a black bow tie for Allan. Hubba hubba.

That evening we all walked a short distance to a small street cafe and had dinner together. The owner must have felt like he hit the jackpot. Eight guests in one go and five of them from Canada. We had to pose for pictures, which he flat out said he was posting on Facebook for advertising.

Saturday, 6 May – Wedding day

This wedding was a bit different than others we ever attended. First of all, the wedding pictures were taken hours before the wedding. The nuptials were to take place at 15:30 but the wedding pictures were taken around noon. It was about 34 degrees that day and to get dressed up in stuffy suits and long dresses for pictures 3+ hours before the ceremony was just hot and uncomfortable. Ed wore a dress shirt and tie, but poor Allan had the whole suit with a jacket to sweat in. Bella sat in a housecoat while the photographers (three of them) took pictures while someone applied her makeup and fixed her hair. We left as soon as our picture taking duties were finished to hide in our cool air conditioned room again.

The wedding was a bit delayed for some reason and didn’t start until 16:30. Everyone in the wedding party entered through the bamboo gates mentioned earlier. Allan came in first followed by Ed and Lucita. Then Adrian and Elyse, and JP and Megan. The ring bearer and Bible carrier were followed by the little flower girls throwing flower petals. The gates closed again for a few moments.

When they opened again Bella stood there looking like a fairy princess. Just as she began to walk forward, a basket of butterflies was released in front of her. As the butterflies fluttered up to the ceiling, Bella began walking slowly up the aisle while a young lady sang “From This Moment”. She was the most beautiful bride I had ever seen. Everything about her was beautiful – her dress, her veil, her smile.

It was a rather long ceremony. The priest had a lot to say, in both English and Filipino. Add to that a Filipino custom of putting a veil over the bride and groom representing that they are dressed for the world as one. Then putting a silk cord over them to symbolize everlasting fidelity. Then the Ninong and Ninang prayed over the couple. They both had special vows to say to each other. Allan even promised to hold Bella’s handbag while she is shopped. Cute! After about 90 minutes they were pronounced husband and wife.

There were pictures of them cutting the cake. Then more pictures of them posing with various family and friends. The Filipinos love taking pictures. Since we had come from Canada we were popular subjects to pose with. We had no idea who these people were. This reminded us of India where people want to take a picture of or with the white folks. There was a photographer set up on the side where people were posing in front of a green screen. The photographer would add whatever background you wanted. He had goofy props to pose in, as well. He printed the pictures right on the spot. The printed photo held a small collage of the pictures you just posed for plus a picture of Allan and Bella in the corner. Goofy pictures were always taken in conjunction with the nicer, posed pictures. When someone decided enough pictures had been taken they would yell, “Waki, Waki!”. That was the cue for everyone to make a goofy face.

A young fellow played the saxophone. JP sang a song. A nephew did a special dance.

Immediately after the pictures, the games began. The single men had to put their shoes in a pile then had to scramble to find their own. The MC rigged the game by hiding one shoe. The unfortunate young man had to sit on a chair in the middle of the hall, blindfolded.

All the single ladies had to circle this young man and play a reverse game of musical chairs. They had to sit on his lap to be eliminated from the game. Poor Megan was rather singled out and even though she had rightfully sat on his lap when the music stopped, the MC said it didn’t count. In the end, it was Megan and auntie Lucita left standing. The MC then asked the blindfolded young man if he preferred a blond or dark haired girl, a slender (Lucita) or chubby girl. In the end, it was Megan who “won” the game. Shortly after this game, the crowd seemed to disappear. Apparently, it is common for weddings to wind up about 19:30.

For the few of us who remained, the party took a strange turn. The MC was fantastic. He was funny, engaging, and openly homosexual. He called for us to do our sexiest dance. We didn’t want to get up, but Megan hissed that she had been thrown under the bus enough for one night. How could one leave her to be thrown under yet again? Up we all went to do our sexiest dance.

Surprisingly it was Ed who stole the show! He started bumping and grinding across the dance floor while slowly removing his tie. Then he started swinging it over his head before tossing it into the crowd. About the time he started slowly pulling his shirt out of his trousers everyone was taking the roof off with their cheers. A true Chippendale! He later said it was a good excuse to take his tie off in the heat.

Earlier, Ed had been blowing up balloons and giving them to the small children. He always travels with balloons and it is always a hit with small kids. The gay MC got hold of a balloon that had not been inflated. He managed to get JP out on the dance floor and proceeded to blow up the balloon near JP’s crotch, saying he was giving him a blowjob. OMG! We were aghast. JP seemed a bit embarrassed, but not mortified. Apparently, no one in the Philippines thinks much of an openly gay man having a bit of fun, even at their own expense.

All in all, it was a very prestigious wedding with a lot of show. Allan spent a mere $2000 on this wedding. That included the wedding planner, wedding dress, venue, and catering. It was a lovely, extravagant wedding.

Sunday, 7 May

Everyone was lingering around the hotel with nothing to do. Bella suggested that we all go to Island Cove Water Park. This water park is a bit pricier (but still cheap) and therefore not super crowded. Bella said public pools are usually so crowded that people are standing shoulder to shoulder in the water.

The pool was very large and oval shaped. One end of the oval was deep water while the opposite end was shallow. In the centre of the pool was an island that held the water slides. Under the water slides was a live band. The band was playing at full volume like they were performing in a club. Nearly everyone was singing along. This was another common thing in the Philippines – play it loud! The band was actually pretty good, but it was hard to have a conversation. JP told them we were Canadian and everyone made a big deal about greeting us.

Ed decided to go on the water slides. That was a bad idea considering he had hurt his back just days before we left on holidays and it was only beginning to feel better. Sure enough, the water slides were made of cement and did not have much give. Coming around a corner a rough seam in the cement wrenched his back so badly we had to push him in a wheelchair to get to the restaurant.

The Fishing Village floating restaurant was only across the parking lot and located on the water – literally on the water. It was built on a pier. We couldn’t push the wheelchair across the bamboo pier so we had to settle for a table on the water’s edge. We picked an area that was surrounded by a mosquito net. Between every table was a beautiful hand wash station.