Jim Sibbick

Nationality: Australian

Occupation: Not sure

How did you find about the Philippines?

I first learned about the Philippines in primary school when they taught us about Ferdinand Magellan. However, I first visited the Philippines in 1994 when a group of us travelled from Australia so that my future brother in law could meet his pen pal for the first time.

What Philippine locations have you visited?

• I have lived in Cebu City and have accommodation available for me to use in Palompon Leyte.
• In Luzon, I have spent time in Manila and surrounding areas including Quezon City and Antipolo
• I have been all over the island of Cebu including Mactan Island and Malapascua Island
• I have seen most of Bohol including Panglao Island
• I have been over most of the Island of Leyte
• Travelled around the island of Biliran
• Travelled around Siquijor Island
• Visited Samar briefly
• Visited Dumaguete on Negros Oriental
• Crossed the province of Aklan on Panay to visit Boracay
• Visited Dinagat Island
• On separate visits to Mindanao, I have spent time in Davao City and surrounding areas including Samal island, visited Surigao City, toured around Iligan Bay by visiting Ozamiz City, Tubod, Iligan City and Cgayan De Oro, spent time on Camiguin island

  For me, as a more mature traveller, Camiguin Island is the complete vacation destination. The young people can have their party island of Boracay.

What are your opinions on the following things about the Philippines?

     Places

There are many beautiful places to visit. The Philippines has mountains, caves, waterfalls, hot springs, cold springs, white sandy beaches , volcanos, jungles, an underground river on Palawan, hanging coffins in Sagada, ancient rice terraces in Banaue, whale and dolphin watching near Bohol, historical sites and more. On top of that there is plenty for the cosmopolitan visitor with the Philippines being a shopping mecca, especially in Manila, with 2 of the largest shopping malls in the world, being the Mall of Asia and SM Mega Mall.

     Food

There are many westerners who don’t like Filipino food and have to survive by eating McDonalds. So long as I have money to spend, I will never starve in the Philippines, as I like so many Filipino foods. Some of my favourites are:

• Halo Halo
• Leche Flan
• Buko salad
• Steamed rice (Not plain rice. It is rice with pork, shrimps and vegetables)
• Camaron rebusado
• Crispy Pata
• Crab meat fried rice (from Max’s)
• Lechon manok
• Lechon baboy
• Fresh or fried lumpia
• Chicken or pork adobo
• Chorizo
• Pork humba
• And more! And all eaten with rice!
  
  Dining at my favourite restaurant in Palompon, Leyte. Wemdees.

  The thought of eating balut makes me feel sick and I absolutely hate dried fish, especially the smell!

     Culture

Lots of singing and dancing, without any particular excuse. That’s life as it should be!

     People

In general, Filipinos are happy accommodating people. Treat Filipinos with respect and they will treat you with respect.

It should amaze most westerners how men and women living in nipa huts with a dirt floor, or other poor accommodation, can leave home for work, immaculately dressed!

What do you dislike about the Philippines?

Filipino practice of queue jumping. Hearing a sales lady saying “Sorry sir, out of stock” then finding the item myself 10 minutes later.

What do you like about the Philippines?

Cheap living, compared to Australia. Beautiful people and beautiful places.

Your favorite place/s in the Philippines.

L-R: 1) Baclayon Church, Bohol, 2) Chocolate Hills, Bohol, 3) McArthur Memorial Site, Leyte, 4) San Juanico Bridge, Leyte

* Click photo to enlarge

Do you have a website or blog?

My website, which has more than 100 free short videos of the Philippines, hundreds of Philippines photos, hundreds of links to useful Philippines websites and my blog discussing life in the Philippines, is here: Big Jim's Philippines Experience