It's been more than a decade since my first visit to the Philippines, much time has passed by since then and I keep coming back to the wonderful island of Mindanao every year. I hope one day I will call this place my home. 

Actually I was born in a very small but well developed country named the Netherlands.

Being brought up in an open society with all it's social advantages, in the capitol city of Amsterdam, a metropolis with a multiracial, multireligious society and the every day problems that go along with that. But despite all the experiences I encountered in my home country and also during my many travels abroad, this could  not even prepare me for the culture shock I had during my first visit to Mindanao back in 1997.  

My jaws dropped, it was an awesome experience. It is hard to even begin to describe how I felt, it was so impressive but very exciting. I was stunned by the activities on the streets, the myriad of steetvendors on the road and sidewalks, beggars holding their hands up, grabbing my shirts and hands, asking for money or food. The humid warmth that spreads like a blanket around my body that felt like the temperature in a Turkish bath. All this together with the smell of burning charcoal, barbeque, diesel, firewood and the emission of the many multi-colored vehicles on the road gave me the impression of an organized chaos. Our final destination was Koronadal city in the province of South Cotabato on the island of Mindanao, names and places I never heard of  and did not even knew they existed on planet Earth.


My wife was born in Koronadal city in South Cotabato, so, naturally that was the place we visited first, she told me one day she would like to come back to this place and settle down for the rest of our lives. And why not, the town looked like a mix of the ancient Philippines and modern western society. Old wooden structures combined with new concrete buildings.

The town was bustling with activities and people on the streets, dressed in jeans, t-shirts and native clothing, holding cell phones and bolos. It was a small city that felt like a small town. A town filled with contradictions, this was truly a place where East meets the West, or should I say a Westerner meets the East.

I was introduced to many family members and met friends, neighbors and strangers who opened their houses and hearts for me. For some of them it was apparently the first time they met a kano and it seemed they could not help staring at me for a long time. Especially young children could not keep their eyes off me and often wanted to feel my skin and touch my long nose. But I was pleasantly surprised with the attitude of these youngsters, when greeting me they took my right hand and let my knuckle to touch their forehead, this "Mano Po" shows their respect for elderly people. Really something different than the gesture that is more common used in the place where I came from, the raised middle finger from an adolescent stuttering three and four letter words.

I have noticed that Filipinos like to talk a lot (Tsika-Tsika) but their facial expressions is telling a story too. Hands, lips, eyes, eyebrows and  smiles are often used to tell a wide range of messages. Being polite in the Netherlands can be different in the Philippines, when talking to another person a fixed eye contact is explained as true interest in that person or his story, it took me some time to find out that this is considered as an aggressive gesture in the Philippines. Being a direct person myself and used to speak my mind when it pleases me, I began to grow a little confused as I realized that I still had a lot to learn in ways of communication and had to make many adjustments in my behavior.

Mingling with my relatives and many others gave me a great feeling of respect for their strength and endurance. During hardship and difficult times they were able to keep up a positive attitude towards life. I always compare the Mindanaoans with bamboo, they will bend, but never break. The devotion to family ties was one of the enduring and praiseworthy values within my newly found family, I could see that the close family ties are a unique nature and it is what holds families together and I decided that not showing up on birthdays and waiting for an invitation was past tense for me.

During my frequent visits I have learned to be more humble and to show my appreciation and affection for the people that surround me. To be more grateful for the things in daily life that I always consider to be normal and took for granted. They showed me another way of life, taught me another way of thinking and living, this was a real eye-opener.

For me personally, Mindanaoans can be described as some of the warmest, spontaneous, informal and most friendly people in the world, with an unassuming and modest nature they are generally known for their genuine hospitality, immense kindness and spirit of generosity that is extended in whatever way possible.

Where I live and work, life moves at such a fast pace that it seems to pass by before I could really enjoy it,  most of the time I am shut in my home and office, and rarely do I get the chance to go outside. Life moves much slower in Mindanao, here I can find the time to really observe nature, enjoy the serenity of Lake Sebu and the surrounding tropical forest.

Here I can take a deep breath of fresh air and experience the impressive scenery around Mt. Matutum, the tranquility and charm of the rice fields in Allah Valley, at least here I can find my own peace of mind.

And I love the food, in Mindanao food is the basis of social life, I could taste tempting food that has a unique mixture of western and eastern cuisine, but in its own way slightly strange, more different, daring and a delicious exception. When it comes to the local cuisine of the Philippines, this exotic Island is better known for its Balut, Durian and Lechon baboy, delicacies for those with an open appetite for the colors and tastes of traditional Philippine food. I always try to keep an open mind about local food and tasted balut, to tell you honestly, it turned out not to be one of my favorite dishes. The Lechon baboy and kinilaw however were really delicious.

Settling down in Koronadal city in the near future is certain, despite being located in a troubled region, this city is undeniably a wonderful and relaxing place to live and it has been this way for many years. It has the best of both worlds, the facilities of a modern city and the strong community ties of a small town with its rich texture of culture, traditions and history, bursting with life and vibrant colors.

I am grateful for the opportunity for my first visit to Mindanao in 1997, grateful for the many visits after that, grateful for the breathtaking panoramas, the natural beauty, exotic attractions and the sights and sounds of it’s captivating nature.  From its dazzling beaches tropical climate and to its volcanoes and rainforest, Mindanao was a revelation

But most of all the true treasures of Mindanao, the people itself make me feel like coming back home every time I visit. It is true, home is where my heart is...in Mindanao.

Text and Images by Ronald de Jong