"I Was Born In Manila!" Philippines by jumpingnorman

Philippines Travel Guide: 23,735 reviews and 78,876 photos

Myself at a few months old, balloon string at hand

Chair in the Secret Garden

We had a beautiful garden with nice green grass- I can still smell the freshness and remember the moisture when I woke up in the mornings with little yellow butterflies fluttering around. The Philippines has very fertile soil and has over 7000 tropical islands. The archipelago itself looks like a man sitting down, with arms and legs (can you imagine it?). The people are generally friendly.
Growing up, I had the best private teachers who were excellent and brought out the best in me. This helped me in being competitive globally in the profession I had chosen later in life.
Though I have left the motherland as part of the "brain drain" resulting from poor economy and corruption, I will always speak the Filipino tongue and keep its enduring culture. So, I thank a lot to my mother country! Salamat (thank you)!

My Son on the Exact Chair from >30 years ago!

My son on chair I sat on as a baby

I had my son sit on the very same chair (where I sat as a baby) when he was six months, his first visit to the Philippines from Arizona (2004)...the chair was already a little rusty...the grass still green but the garden not well-taken care of anymore.

Me at 4 years old - future VTer

This is the garden where I, as a 9 year old imaginative boy, pretended going from one country to another by naming different parts of the garden with different places...I had USA, Africa, France, England, Brazil, Togo...(locations I knew because I had a stamp collection and liked looking at the globe in my grandfather's study room). My paternal grandmother also travelled extensively and had so many postcards from all over the world...

Intro Updated Oct 28, 2008
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Reviews (8)

Mom-in-law's orchid garden, Catanduanes, Phils - Philippines

Weather: best time to visit Philippines? Favorites (3)

There are 7000 islands and you will have to pinpoint which location you are going to in the Philippines. Weather is... more travel advice

My brother-in-law at one of the Philippine islands - Philippines

Exactly how many islands in the... Favorites (3)

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The surreal Mayon Volcano in the Philippines - Philippines

Info for scaling up the Mayon Volcano Favorites (3)

This is info for mountain climbers! Depending on current volcanic activity, you can climb up the amazing Mayon Volcano... more travel advice

My face massage after barber cut, Philippines! lol - Philippines

Get the Best Barber Haircut of your... Things to Do (2)

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Warnings and Dangers (1)
Do not read if you have Cockroach...
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Comments (23)

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asianbelle Mar 13, 2010 at 6:50 AM

Hahaha... Knowing the Pinoy's creativity, I'm sure they'll find something to fit the acronym before your trip here ;)
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Kisses&Co Dec 2, 2009 at 12:33 AM

Opppppssss..... who are those makulits jumping? :D
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judayandryan Sep 20, 2009 at 7:42 PM

hallooo.... norman thank you for posting my picture with my son ZEUS. thanks...thanks...thanks...thanks...ng marami..super
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OH_DK Sep 3, 2009 at 1:33 AM

Wow that's a great pic Julz!! 4 nice ladies flying on a broom in Chokolate hills :))
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barbskie Aug 25, 2009 at 8:24 AM

hi Norman, thanks again for posting my pics. It's fun seeing your jumping galleries :) cheers from kabayan julz
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LoriPori Jul 20, 2009 at 7:18 AM

You know Norman, it really doesn't surprise me that even as a young boy, you were dreaming about far- off lands. Love the old black & white pics.
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nimato Jul 1, 2009 at 7:42 AM

I love looking at very old pictures like the ones you posted. Someone in the family hails from Samar?
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Sharrie May 29, 2009 at 10:26 PM

When I was 10, my best friend was from Philippines. We've lost touch since. Her name is Marife Virginia P. Cruz. Yet, all these years, I had not made it to Philippines. I'm hoping soon, this year, in a month or 2. May be to Cebu or Boracay.
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Yaqui May 29, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Wonderful precious photographs Norman. Thank you for sharing them. That volcano looks interesting, not that I have an interest in climbing it, but to be able to see it would be cool. Neato page'o!
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Tijavi May 13, 2009 at 3:17 PM

Thanks for stopping by. You have an extensive travel history - would love to explore your pages someday. Greets from someone who's also a by-product of our country's brain drain. Mabuhay!