Only in the Philippines.

"In every place you would go, always bring home something that will remind you of that place."

     All of us have these special places we would want to go to every now and then, may this be a garden, pool or resort, or forest, and even the most peculiar place here on earth. What, then, is the most beautiful place one could see? Would it be the pyramids in Egypt? The lovely town of Paris? Or perhaps, Philippines? Philippines is nice, we all know that, and it has been noted as number one. Number one in corruption in the Southeast Asia; and among the list of number one in poverty.

     Every waking morning, you would smell the fresh breeze and the scent of the rising sun and your mother's cooking and the smell of yourself first thing, the stench of your room, your bathroom and the filthy scent of your garbage which can be plainly compared to the smell of the mouth, hands and eyes of our dear politicians. Ooops! We’re getting too far, don't you think? But very realistic, indeed.

     This is my birthplace, my homeland, my nation. This is where I first cried, laughed and learned about many things. This is my country: Philippines, where numerous crimes are committed each day; where you would hold and lose your phone at the same time; where you would smell poverty stronger than your mother's cooking. But despite all these, I love Philippines. I love everything about it, exquisite or grotesque, because this is where I first opened my lids and planned to close them seeing Philippines last.

     Only in the Philippines can there be both you and I. Only in the Philippines I have met and known my family and friends. Only in the Philippines I was born and am willing to die, because I love Philippines more than Egypt or Paris, and if given a second chance, I would still choose to live here --- only in the Philippines.

Dahil walang ganyan sa States.