ON an errand to the Philippine General Consulate here in Dubai, I had the luck to ride in a cab driven by one of the most entertaining taxi drivers I have ever met. He appeared to be a bit past middle-age and he spoke in this low, gravelly but animated voice.
"Hello Kabayan! Saan punta mo?" It was not very surprising to meet an "ibang lahi" who apparently had a grasp of the Filipino language. Around here, there are a lot. But what pleasantly took me by surprise was his beyond-standard knowledge of the places in the Philippines.
"From where are you my friend? Benguet, Abra, Baguio, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu Zamboanga?" And he went on rattling these towns and provinces back home. "Have you been to Luneta Park, Divisoria, Quezon City?"
"Hello Kabayan! Saan punta mo?" It was not very surprising to meet an "ibang lahi" who apparently had a grasp of the Filipino language. Around here, there are a lot. But what pleasantly took me by surprise was his beyond-standard knowledge of the places in the Philippines.
"From where are you my friend? Benguet, Abra, Baguio, Occidental Mindoro, Cebu Zamboanga?" And he went on rattling these towns and provinces back home. "Have you been to Luneta Park, Divisoria, Quezon City?"