February 22, 2025 – Arrival at Lipa, Batangas, Philippines

    We set out late yesterday. Johanna wasn't feeling too well and had to get more rest before preparing to come pick me up. This gave me time to catch up on journal articles concerning daily activities, excursions, happenings, and thoughts we have had along the journey here in the Philippines. Johanna arrived at the condo (Grace Residences) around 12:30pm – 1:00pm. A Grab driver in a red Innova minivan picked us up and he drove us to Market Market. From there we loaded up in a large charter bus going down to Batangas. The price to drive from Manila to Lipa City was only 376 pesos. That comes to about $3.50 for the both of us for about a 70 kilometer ride. There is very cheap public transport here in the Philippines. This bus ride was no exception. We sat in the very back of the bus. A couple street vendors came in to sell their food and drinks. I bought a bottled water and a bag of fried banana chips. They were so good! They hit the spot. After eating the snack, the bus started rolling and Johanna and I fell fast asleep. Johanna really needed the rest, and I can fall asleep just about any time of day. I always enjoy a good nap/. Before I knew it, we had arrived in the city of Lipa, Batangas. This is where Angel and Ferds live. Johanna and I got off the bus. We had arrived at our destination.

    We walked down the main road just a little ways and came upon a Dunkin' Donuts. We ate two Boston Crunch, a strawberry filled, and a choco BN donut. We also did our daily gift giving and song. The song for this day was day 10: “Johanna Banana.” Oh wait, I remember; we didn't actually listen to the song until evening time back at Angel and Ferd's transient home. Johanna loved the Johanna banana poem, and she really liked the two stone/glass necklaces; one has a butterfly pendant and the other has a bicycle pendant. After we chatted for a little longer before hailing a trike to take us to Angel and Ferd's transient home. We arrived in no time and Angel greeted us from the street and waved us into where the house is.

    I paid the trike drive, gathered out belongings, then Angel showed us into the transient home. This will be our home for the next few days. It is 80 square meters or approximately 861 square feet. The home is very similar to Johanna's new home, except that Johanna's home is only 50 square meters or about 540 square feet. It is a two -story town house, completely furnished. The downstairs has a living room, a kitchen, a dining bar, a bathroom, and a storage room/laundry room. Upstairs is two rooms separated by a diving wall. In total the house is considered to be a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom home (the same as Johanna's, but just a bit bigger).

    We all talked and greeted one another, offering endearments, pleasantries, and friendship offerings. Johanna caught up with Angel and I had the opportunity to talk with Ferds. Ferds has an interesting story. He had an administrative position in Libya, Africa for two years. He stayed on the coast in Tripoli during this time, but he was forced to leave because there was a coup against the leader and government of the country. A war broke out just after Ferds left the country. Now, Ferds helps Angel manage five properties (including their own residence). The other four properties are AirBnB's. They hire a cleaner to clean the units every time a new person comes to stay in the home. I shared parts of my story with Ferds, and we got along great. Ferds is a very soft spoke, but I understand most of what he said. Now Ferds is a motorcycle driver in Lipa City, Batangas. He transports people to and fro in the city. He says business is ok, but there is too much competition so it is hard to get fares consistently and often. It's almost like every man for himself. After talking for a while, we all went to Robinson's Mall in Lipa City. Ferds and Angel rode the motorcycle, and Johanna and I hailed a trike drive and rode in the trike.

    Angel and Ferds had to run some errands, so Johanna and I went shopping at the supermarket in the mall. We bought all kinds of things: tapas, bacon, and hot dogs to eggs, yogurt, oil, butter, cheese, water, Sprite, and potato chips. I'm keeping all the receipts, so that we can apply for the fiance visa after the proposal. Johanna and I also bought some bread and cream cheese from a local bakery in the mall. The bread is a whole wheat pesto loaf made here in the Philippines.

    As we were checking out at the supermarket, Angel and Ferds arrived, and we all decided to go to Giligan's (a Filipino restaurant) to eat dinner. We ordered a beef bulalo and fish bulalo soup, with chicken teryaki, pork, and white rice on the side. It was a very great meal shared between the best of friends. But again, most of the time they were talking in Tagalog, so I had no idea what they were saying. It's a foreign country, so it is understandable. It would be like them coming to the United States expecting the Americans to speak Tagalog. I have got to learn Tagalog, especially for my journeys to the Philippines. I at least need to learn more of the basics. It is an amazing language created at the Tower of babel when God confused the languages of men. I know I can learn. I just need to go back to a child's level and learn as a child learns. I'm going to learn. Period.

    Afterwards, Angel and Ferds escorted Johanna and I back to their transient home (we rode home via trike). All our groceries fit in the back of the trike and parted ways in the midnight blue night. Thank you Angel and Ferds, for letting us stay in your transient home free of charge. I praise God for your walk with the Lord and thank you for all that you do from rental properties and motorcycle taxi to real estate and Christian ministry. Ferds and Angel are a tremendous blessing. Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart!

    As night fully enveloped lipa City, Johanna and I cuddled on the couch and listened to day 10: Johanna Banana. It's one of her favorite songs and this was such a special time for both of us. After listening to the song, we watched a National Geographic movie on Youtube TV. We started watching the most amazing places on earth. I fell asleep shortly after turning it on. The next thing I know it was already passed midnight. So, Johanna and I both retired to our separate rooms upstairs for the rest of the evening.

    Another wonderful day in the Philippines. Thank you Lord. Your love endures forever and ever.