General : Mindanao (The Philippines)

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines. I have been living here for most of my life, ever since I didn't appreciate the beauty of it until I finally have the chance to visit Luzon and Visayas area.

The first experience when I was in Luzon in a training, my colleagues invite me to venture around Manila riding in MRT, bus, jeep even a pedicab. from Cubao we went to Mall of Asia, it took us two hours to get there, by MRT to Jeep until we reach Mall of Asia. While siting in the bay side I said, its far too different the life here in Manila compared to Mindanao. In Mindanao, it took us few minutes to get a ride, and drop you where you want to go as they say "Door to door service". We can wake-up at 6:30Am without getting late in a 8:00AM Meeting.

The second experience when I attended my brother thanks giving in Iloilo City thats Visayas Region. I was so eager to prepare them a tropical fruit salad where the ingredients are fresh watermelon, banana, avocado, papaya and grapes. I ask my aunt where to buy those she said in the department store where you can buy watermelon for 200 pesos, banana for 50 pesos, avocado for 60 pesos papaya for 70 pesos and grapes for 250 pesos. It surprise me, I said it should be the cheapest salad, and in Mindanao you can buy watermelon for 70 pesos each, banana for 20 pesos, avocado for 20 pesos, and papaya for 5 pesos per kilo.

My final realization when we drove home, from DAVAO to KORONADAL, our place, along the road we passed through sellers of Durian, looks like they are in parade, then next Bibingka (RICE CAKES), mangosteens, marangs, rambotan, lansones, banana and pomelo and would you believe? we bought rambotan and lansones for 15 pesos per kilo, durian and pomelo for 30 pesos per kilo, marang 15 pesos each and banana for 15 pesos.

Now I can say... I'LL NEVER TRADE MY LIFE HERE IN MINDANAO!!! I LOVE LIVING HERE....