Chairman of ANAK Netherlands flies off to the Philippines for three months......

I immediately feel at home again in the Philippines. On January the 18th I returned to the Philippines. It was a fairly cool (24 degrees C) and cloudy day. After settling into my favorite hotel in the Mabini area, I immerse myself into the chaos of Manila. A brewed coffee and the Philippine Star on a little terrace............

The frontpage of the Philippine Star is dominated by three pretty Filipinas with names like Tong, Lim and Uy. I read about this Villar who is running for presidency, trying to make English the first language in Philippine schools. This is in contrast with the Constitution, which he probably never bothered to read. Page ten is all about Manila's finest crime fighters. The police did a raid in a house and confiscated weapons. A few days later the maid informed the press that the police caught 210 million pesos as well and divided the catch among each other. The maid died shortly after her coming out to the press and died under mysterious circumstances.

In short: I am at home again in the Philippines where such news is in sharp contrast with the kindness and hospitality of its people. I am constantly on the phone as all my Filipino friends inform each other of my return and welcome me in different Filipino dialects....I am home...

Segi, amping pirmi Louis