What is it in Region 8?

Discover Tacloban and the rest of the Region 8, its land and culture, the people and the food. That’s exactly what I thought when I started to live a life here in the easternmost part of the Philippines. I have already been given the opportunity to be here so all I need to do is to explore and experience what this place has to offer.

So from now on, I will be sharing my personal experiences and views to every place I will visit, the people I will meet, the food I will taste and anything and everything about this part of the country.

Region 8 is composed of 6 provinces, The Northern, Eastern and Samar Province, Leyte and Southern Leyte Province and the Biliran Province. Thanks to my job, I have the privilege to visit all those provinces and I would say that each has unique features and landmarks worthy to visit.

Where do I go from here?

Thrilled. Exhausted. Clueless. I landed for the first time at Rumualdez Airport in Tacloban City with mixed emotions. I may have no idea about this place and tired from a long trip from Davao City, but still im excited to a new life waiting for me to experience.

Immediately after fetching me from the airport, my staff toured me to the heart of downtown Tacloban. Instantly, I realized that this isn’t a modern city but a simple yet fine place. No soaring skyscrapers but only old yet historical buildings. No busy traffic but only noisy yet remarkable red tricycles.

Why am I here?

Merely three months ago, when I could still enjoy my breakfast freshly prepared everyday, I didn’t have any idea that I would be living this kind of life that I have right now. Nor did I expect a sudden shift of my relaxed yet contented life to a more challenging life on edge.

Due to an unexpected work promotion, I hasty leave Davao City and moved here in Tacloban City – a place that is quite unfamiliar because of too little information that I know about. Everything became new to me, from physical ambience, workplace and clients, to local dialect.

I spent my first few days to realize that I now live outside my comfort zone. I have no mom here to wake me up every morning. No more housemaids to iron and wash my clothes. No nieces to cuddle after a stressful day of work. No bestfriends to hang out over a cup of coffee. I often asked myself, what am I doing here? Are all these worth the prize?

Everything changed and I was left with no option but to adopt. I am now literally on my own. As I realized, I have gained skills to adjust and live with it. Easier said than done but I am now coping. I may not enjoy my breakfast most of the time but I have learned to cook for myself. I can now iron my clothes with no hassle. I also got a few friends to spend time on weekends. Even the learning to converse in Waray was satisfying to do.

It’s merely three months now and I have become aware of my new existence. Same old me but has matured independently.

I still don’t know until when I’m going to stay here. But what I’m certain of is I am here to live a life!