It was an honor for us to meet Gaudencio Penia. He is 86 Years old and we bet he is one of the oldest still active diver's in the Philippines. With 50 years dive experiences he is a living eye whiteness of the changes in the ocean. He told us that the corals in the past had been closer to the surface. Nowadays you have to dive deeper to see the wonders of the corals. He also testified that the corals around Mactan are still wonders of the nature and we have to take care of them, because he also noticed that the ocean level is already rising higher. We have to be aware that most of the 7100 Islands might be gone one day, if mankind won't stop global warming.

He also attended the international coastal cleanup, which is initiated by the WWF since 2002. More than 100 divers did not found more than some bags of waist and 4 car wheels. A good sign we think.

Music is connecting the world. This we say in Europe and the people here are practicing it perfect. Singing Karaoke is one of the favorites, ranged very far ahead before watching TV or playing Game boy. You can find the Video/Karaoke machines around every corner and some families have their own at home.
Sundays and Saturdays, after church the public beaches are the destination of the whole family. Filipinos join the private beaches for special occasions only.
Lunch and Dinner Packages are prepared at home and the families are conquering the beautiful beach spots.Shopping with the whole family is also possible on sundays. The malls are opened until 10 PM.
The young generation, especially the young pairs go to the Mactan Shrine and join the bright lightened scene.
Families who have a car also like to have a short trip to the Tabor Hill, or have a nice view from one of the tops around Cebu.

Having a dinner in one of the cheap barbeque places or fishrestaurants.

In any way the time which is spend together with the family is rare. But this time is always filled up with joyness.

Even families with a low income cannot really live without a cell phone. The first investment after first salary; yes of course it will be a cell phone..... a cheapest fake made in China. Nokia is the fakers favorite. The quality is such bad, that you will easily find out, that you are not holding an original in your hand. But that doesn't really matter.

Actually the police sometimes catches some of the illegal dealers, but that seems to be just the tip of an Ice Berg.

The telecommunication companies have special offers. The cheapest Load u can buy for 50 Peso. Some SMS included.

The Cell phone disease is affecting also the Traffic. U can see some unique warnings, which u can't see like this in Europe.

How the world would look like without cell phones?

The influence of the catholic religion is strong. During the masses (up to 8 every day) the churches are overcrowded.

Muslims are settled on Mindanao, outside of this island u can find only small communities.

All kids have to go to school. The system of education is separated in public and private. The public schools are free and the standards still poor.
One year elementary school in a private schools costs minimum 36000 Peso. School uniform and books included.

The gap between public and private is quiet big. As more it is not really clear, why the teachers in public schools mostly have an higher salary?

Visitors should be individualist's, open-minded for new and strange things. Able to talk and understand English and being satisfied by little offers. Never expecting to much.

Permanently "Beach-layers" and Groups on the search for enjoyment do not really find what they are searching for.
Such visitors who like the nature and such, who like to discover a paradise at their own, are here at the right place.The Philippines are indeed a paradise to be discovered.