Why do I love Davao?
[DISCLAIMER:not in my sane mode of checking my grammar. If you are a grammar junkie, please close this page.. NOW!]
I was hesitant, cold-hearted, and confused the first time I set foot in Davao City. I was the new trainer on training and it was just my 2nd week with the department. I wasn't able to talk like... TALK with the trainers and I'm pretty sure they saw me as someone who was a total snob (thanks for the info Mccoy). I wouldn't want that to happen, but it happened. In four days I was destined to be in Davao....
My first week was a bit of a struggle. I never had problems with being away from my family because I am a nomad and I'm used to that. Even my mom is used to the fact that her daughter doesn't have a permanent address. But the issue on adjusting to a new environment and a new culture is what stressed me out. Aside from the fact that I got to know this co-trainer of mine with a f*cked up attitude, my first batch of trainees were also VERY challenging. I wasn't good at acting then, so I was vulnerable. I felt like i was a helpless cub being attacked by fierce lions. It was hard.. I wanted to go back to CDO, I thought to myself that I will be in CDO after 3 months. The first 3 months was really tough. Without the training team, i wouldn't survive. I thank Sara and Mccoy for being my second family. We were like brothers and sisters who took care of each other. And it was a pretty cool experience! Then Sara needed to go back to CDO... I have to adjust again. It was tough because I don't have the coolest roommate and I have to get used to the fact that I will have to shop ALONE! Miraculously, I was able to survive the situation. Kaye became my constant companion, then Mhel, then Mhel and Miss M. hehehehe!
From the original batch of 11 trainers, we're now down to 5. Staying here permanently wasn't a tough decision because I know my heart is in Davao. I may be emotionally and financially challenged, but I am HAPPY. I have learned and experienced a lot of things in this city. I learned to party (geezuz!), fell in love (emphasis on the tense-PAST), got hurt, got drunk a couple of times, got sober for the longest time, met new friends, finally had the guts to hit the gym, controlled my eating habits, and I definitely LEARNED HOW TO SMILE. My list goes on (disregard the rules on commas) and the people here in Davao taught me the value of smiling. That was the toughest thing to do but they taught me to habitually SMILE. My once small family is now getting bigger, because I happen to belong to the department who knows how to work with grace under pressure. I am blessed to be with the training team and I am very lucky to have a great boss. I have never met someone who makes work fun other than Mhel. If not for him, staying here in Davao for good will be a little confusing. People may think that we don't have problems, oh dude, THINK AGAIN! It's all part of the act, sweetie! :) To Mhel and my fellow trainers, THANK YOU! You guys kept me sane in this twisted corporate jungle.
My Davao experience is not a bed of roses. There had been tough times and trying times. But I had great people to back me up. My experiences here made me pray harder, it made me depend on God and not be self righteous. I am definitely not religious, but I am deeply spiritual. I am a non-practicing fundamental baptist, but I am a surviving Christian. I've learned to be in touch with my spiritual side; without it, I'd be dead by now.
I love Davao because there are a lot of reasons to stay. I love Davao because my experience here made me a better person. I love Davao because it made me understand people and learn to reach out to them. I love Davao...just because!
(old post from my FS blog: December 25,2007)
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