MY LIFE IN THE TACLOBAN AREA

MY LIFE IN THE TACLOBAN AREA

 I have been coming to the Philippines since 2006 and have seen quite a bit of the country. I am now living in the Dulag area in the province of Leyte. Dulag is approximately 35 km from Tacloban City. Tacloban is approximately a one hour flight from Manila with regular flights daily with PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia.

First I would like to describe my life here in the Tacloban area. I am married with a family and I am happy living here. This is now my home. I live in a barangay (village) of approximately 1000 people. It is very safe and I get along well with the local people.

This is a rice farming area and the way most people make their living. Work is available during planting and harvest but many people work on crop maintenance. Some people travel to Tacloban City and other areas for work.

My father-in-law was a farm labourer before meeting my wife. I like most foreigners worry about level of support for the spouse’s family. I have taken a different approach. The reason my wife’s family was poor is they have not had the opportunity. I purchased some rice land and now the family is independent.  It may not be an option for everybody but for me, it was the solution.

OUR RICE LAND IS LOCATED IN THIS AREA

The barangay (village) where we live is 4kms inland from the Ocean. I love the sea and it is not too far away. The area I visit and have been for many years is a small Philippine style resort called Harapitan This resort is located in Barangay Luan on the Maharlika Highway about 2km before the turn off to Dulag.

Harapitan is owned by a Philippine family who I have known for 7 years. They have had their struggles with typhoons over the years but Yolanda totally wiped out their small resort.  As with most Filipinos’, they are resilient and have rebuilt.

HARAPITAN COMPLETELY DESTROYED AFTER TYPHOON YOLANDA

HARAPITAN TODAY  

Harapitan has no accommodation but has a covered area for karaoke and beach cottages that are not too expensive. I have a soft spot for the family who own this resort and great to see them back on their feet after Typhoon Yolanda.

The only accommodation in the area I am aware of is a Pension House on the other side of the road to Harapitan Resort. I uses to stay here with my wife before we built our house. The rooms are clean and basic with air-conditioning.  They have a small restaurant with a basic menu and drinks are available. The last information I received, the rooms range in price from 750 pesos to 1100 peso per night.

PENSION HOUSE

MacArthur Landing Memorial Park in Palo is one of the most visited landmarks in Tacloban. There is another important memorial in the Dulag area, Hill 120. This is the location where the first America Flag was raised on October 20 1944.

HILL 120

During the year there are set events like Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays and fiestas. One of the best ways to feed a group of people is to cook a baboy (Pig) on a charcoal spit. In western culture this process is automated. Here there is no shortage of people to assist with this manual task. We raise a few baboy but if you need to buy one for a party or celebration the cost is 100 peso/kg in this area.

A LOCAL DESIGNED SPIT

BABOY READY TO EAT

There is one extra event I put on when the time arises. I am a boxing fan and Manny Pacquiao is a Philippines icon. There are only a few in the village who have paid TV. Every Pacquiao fight I pay for live coverage. I move the flat screen TV into the carport and all locals welcome. A small gesture but is appreciated

THE LOCALS GATHERS FOR THE PACQUIAO / VARGAS

I have foreign friends living in Cebu and Manila. They choose to live in condominiums or gated communities. I am often asked “why I choose to live here? The answer is simple. It is peaceful, you are close to the ocean, I have built a moderate nice home, I am happy and the beer tastes just as good.