04/13/2026
Just wanted to take a humble moment to express some thoughts that I've been processing the past few weeks. The resilience and joy that I'm accustomed to seeing in the face of Filipinos in the Philippines, no matter their background and situation, is definitely still there, however something is tangibly different. Whether it be fear, worry or discouragement, there are some underpinnings that are starting to develop quickly, whether in the man that I know that has several homes and cars, to the young adults that I meet up with in the toughest area of Manila, to the ride-hailing drivers that I encounter daily.
This just enforces to me that what I have is not my own. I am merely a steward of all that I have, including my life. I thank God as the ultimate provider. While He may not work specifically in the same way in everyone's lives, I can only witness as best as I can to the hope that I have to intentionally place in Him through Jesus and steward as best as I can whatever He has chosen to bless me with.
While this post is not meant to promote tourism in any way, it may offer some perspective on how important it is to the livelihood of others. In the situation that we're living in right now, to hear from a ride-hailing driver, that I was his only ride or see that I was the only lunch patron for a server that day, brings a dose of reality to the current situation. I do know that I am blessed and don't take that for granted. While I'm not a super spender, the past few weeks have enlightened me that it's okay to if you have the means to, as that spending may have provided someone a job that day, a wage that they were counting on, spending that may possibly keep a business afloat. Am I saying to live lavishly and flaunt that for all to see, not at all, but this may just give perspective to some that tourism can help some that are counting on it, the server, housekeeper, barber, ride-hailing driver. I keep hope alive 🙏
