Wonderful Philippines

Wonderful Philippines Exploring the Philippines through travel, food, culture, and people! My life and experiences in the Philippines! The place I can really call my home.

This is a new chapter and adventure in my life here im my new home Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines. I have had many roles in life. I have worked as a cook, worked in textiles, been a sailor, a soldier, an aircraft mechanic, worked in a bakery, been a husband and father. I have seen a big part of the world traveled lived and explored many places. But the Philippines has captured my attention more

than any other. The best and most friendly people I have ever meet. Some of the best food and hands down the most beautiful country I have found with so many natural wonders to see and explore. The people of the Philippines the culture the hardships the happiness of everyday people I meet and interact with. I seek explore the most beautiful places nature has given us here. Eat foods from modern to traditional and sometimes exotic food.

24/12/2025

Christmas Eve last minute shopping at SM Downtown, Cagayan de Oro. Oddly not as busy as expected!!

🎄 Merry Christmas from the Philippines đŸ‡”đŸ‡­ | Expat Life ReflectionsWhen you’re a foreigner living abroad, the holidays hi...
23/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from the Philippines đŸ‡”đŸ‡­ | Expat Life Reflections

When you’re a foreigner living abroad, the holidays hit different.
There’s joy for where you are now, mixed with nostalgia for Christmases past.

But Christmas in the Philippines? It’s truly like no other place on the planet.

From early carols and endless celebrations to the warmth of family, friends, and even total strangers—this country has given me some of the most memorable Christmas seasons of my life. Over the years, so many people have made the holidays here fun, welcoming, and unforgettable.

So Merry Christmas, Philippines đŸ‡”đŸ‡­
Thank you for another amazing year in this beautiful, fun, and wonderfully chaotic country I now call home.

Stay safe, enjoy the food, soak in the celebrations—and with all that eating going on
 do yourself a favor and hit the CR before heading out into Christmas traffic 😄
Because once that stomach cramp hits while you’re stuck on the road
 you’re doomed.

đŸŽ„â€ïž

23/12/2025

Why I Love Christmas in the Philippines as a Foreigner đŸ‡”đŸ‡­
One of the things I love most about living in the Philippines as a foreigner is Christmas—and not just the day, but the whole season. đŸŽ„đŸ‡”đŸ‡­
Here, Christmas starts early
 like September early 😄

You hear carols everywhere, see lights all around, and feel an excitement that lasts for months. But what really makes it special isn’t the decorations—it’s the togetherness. Families come home, neighbors share food, and even the simplest moments feel meaningful.

As a foreigner, I’ve never felt like an outsider here.
Christmas in the Philippines isn’t about what you buy

It’s about who you share it with.

23/12/2025

There’s No Privacy With Kids 😂 Can’t Even đŸ’© in Peace | Parenting Life
There’s truly no such thing as privacy when you have kids 😂
I tried to sneak off for a quiet moment
 and my kid followed me through the house and stood outside the bathroom door telling me all about the puppies at the farm.

If you’re a parent, you already know—bathroom breaks are a group activity now. Real life, real parenting, and a moment every mom and dad can relate to.

👍 Like and subscribe for more real family moments, parenting humor, and everyday life.

23/12/2025

Time wasted at the beach is time well spent 🐚🐚🐚🌊🌊so much to see and explore.

Had so much fun exploring the tide pools and finding sea creatures :)

Take a look at the video I made of some of my

HAVE FUN!






22/12/2025

🌙 Quick Walk Through Carmen Night Market | Cagayan de Oro at Night
Taking a short walk through Carmen Night Market in Cagayan de Oro 🌃
From street food and fresh drinks to the lively night market vibes, this place never disappoints. It’s one of my favorite spots to experience everyday life in the Philippines—busy, colorful, and full of energy.

If you’re visiting CDO or living here, Carmen Night Market is a must-see at night!

👇 What’s your favorite thing to buy at night markets?

22/12/2025

Limketkai's ENCHANTING TUNNEL OF MEMORIES

Limketkai Center, a 40-hectare mixed-use development in Cagayan de Oro, has evolved from a pioneering shopping mall in 1991 into the largest shopping mall complex in Mindanao.




21/12/2025

đŸ„€ Fresh & Healthy Smoothie at Carmen Night Market | Cagayan de Oro Street Food

Check it out, guys! đŸ„€ I grabbed a fresh, healthy smoothie at Carmen Night Market in Cagayan de Oro, and it was super delicious!
This is one of the things I love about night markets in the Philippines—fresh ingredients, affordable prices, and amazing local flavors. 🌮
If you’re visiting CDO or living here, this spot is definitely worth trying!

👉 Have you tried smoothies at night markets in the Philippines? Drop your favorite flavors below!

Every Day Feels Like an Adventure Living as an Expat in the PhilippinesEvery day in the Philippines feels like an advent...
21/12/2025

Every Day Feels Like an Adventure Living as an Expat in the Philippines

Every day in the Philippines feels like an adventure. From sudden rainstorms and unexpected travel changes to random fiestas and genuine Filipino hospitality, life here is full of surprises.

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Every day in the Philippines feels like an adventure. From sudden rainstorms and unexpected travel changes to random fiestas and genuine Filipino hospitality...

Jeepney Life in the Philippines: Strange at First, Normal Over TimeWhen I first came to the Philippines many years ago, ...
20/12/2025

Jeepney Life in the Philippines: Strange at First, Normal Over Time

When I first came to the Philippines many years ago, seeing people hanging off the back—and even the top—of a jeepney felt strange
 and honestly, pretty unsafe.

Back then, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Where I came from, that would never happen.

But over the years, this is just one of those things that went from “wow, that’s crazy” to *“yep, that’s normal.” It’s now just part of everyday life for me here.

Do I still think it can be unsafe? Absolutely.
But after standing on the side of the road, waiting
 and waiting
 and realizing the next ride might not come for another hour, I quickly understood.

Sometimes, you’ll do anything to get on that jeepney—because getting home matters more than comfort.

Life in the Philippines has a way of teaching you patience, flexibility, and understanding things you never thought you would.

18/12/2025

Is Mindanao Safe for Foreigners? Recent Events Cast a Negative Shadow — My Experience Living Here

Is Mindanao safe for foreigners? With recent news events putting Mindanao back in the spotlight, I share my real experience after 12 years living and traveling across Mindanao—including Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Surigao, and even Basilan.

This isn’t headlines or fear-mongering—just personal experience, common sense travel, and the real hospitality I’ve experienced as a foreigner living in the Philippines.

Mindanao is beautiful, welcoming, and often misunderstood. Watch and decide for yourself. đŸ‡”đŸ‡­

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more honest expat life in the Philippines.

17/12/2025

Is the Philippines a 3rd World Country? 12 Years Living Here as a Foreigner
Many people still think the Philippines is a “third world” or backward country—but that idea usually comes from people who’ve never experienced the real Philippines. After living here for almost 12 years, I can honestly say this country is far from backwards.

From modern malls and fast digital payments to booming cities and incredibly hardworking, creative people—the Philippines is evolving fast. But what makes this place truly special is the heart of the Filipino people: the kindness, the community, and the resilience you see every single day.

So is the Philippines a third world country?
Not in the way most foreigners imagine.
Come here and see the truth for yourself. đŸ‡”đŸ‡­âœš

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Cagayan De Oro
9000

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https://www.youtube.com/@AquaventurePh, https://www.facebook.com/james.bris

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The place I can really call my home.

This is a new chapter and adventure in my life here im my new home Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines. I have had many roles in life. I have worked as a cook, worked in textiles, been a sailor, a soldier, an aircraft mechanic, worked in a bakery, been a husband and father. I have seen a big part of the world traveled lived and explored many places.

But the Philippines has captured my attention more than any other. The best and most friendly people I have ever meet. Some of the best food and hands down the most beautiful country I have found with so many natural wonders to see and explore.

The people of the Philippines the culture the hardships the happiness of everyday people I meet and interact with. I seek explore the most beautiful places nature has given us here. Eat foods from modern to traditional and sometimes exotic food.