Back in Cebu
(with a purpose)
FOR a girl who grew up in a home where “East meets West” is put literally, moving out of the family home was pretty easy. Chalk it up to my German roots, but moving out of the house, living alone, and living independently is a must.
I moved out of the family house back when I was in college. I later continued living alone when I started working. Life away from the parental units was exciting and a growing experience. Independent living is a perfect opportunity for you to grow as a person, learn more about life and help you become a responsible adult.
Eventually, in 2009, I moved out of Cebu and relocated to Metro Manila for an exchange program, which also led to a quick five-month stint of living in China. In 2010, after moving around from Manila to China and back to Cebu, I moved back to Metro Manila and lived there for four straight years.
My five years away from home and from Cebu led to five exciting years of self-discovery, growth, and really affirming what I wanted to do in life. At the same time, as any young professional, it also meant five exciting years of meeting new friends, living independently, traveling and many misadventures.
But you know what they say—there’s no place like home. One day, you find yourself back in the old neighborhood that doesn’t look all too familiar. And while moving back home can be an exciting, whole new adventure, get ready for an interesting adjustment period. 1. Get ready to brush up on some history. When I moved back to Cebu a few months ago, I was clueless on what was happening in Cebu. The political scene felt foreign, new groups and organizations were around, I didn’t know who was doing what and what was going on in the different sectors. A lot has happened within the five years that I was gone and it was important to brush up on history, and get up to speed. It’s important to understand the present realities around us.
2. Get ready to reintegrate. Obviously, a lot has happened during the five years that I was gone. I also missed out on a lot of events and on the lives of other people who are important to me. People I used to hang out with have their own lives now (married, getting married, studying, or busy with business!), but it’s just a matter of getting back into the loop and catching up on lost time. Catching up with old friends is a beautiful thing and making new friends along the way is also incredibly exciting. So it’s important to head on out, and make time for old and new friends.
3. Get ready to apply your skills. This is what brought me back home in the first place. I’ve been gone for five years, worked away from home, and learned a few tricks here and there. Nothing inspires me more and fuels my drive than going back home and applying new skill sets in my own community. With everything I’ve learned from the bosses in Manila and all the crazy adventures, the values, passion, and really knowing my purpose in my life—there’s no better place to apply all of the skills and talents than here in Cebu.
Most of my friends who come from the provinces have also already decided to move back to their home provinces after several years of working in the capital.
Why?
“Because one way of serving the country, is serving your home community,” said one of my best friends, J, who used to make it big in a financial firm in Makati City before suddenly quitting and moving back to Iloilo to become a teacher and work for a micro-finance institution there.
And that’s true. Whatever you have learned from working outside of Cebu, apply your new skills and talents back home when you return.
Would I advise you to move out and go live on your own outside of Cebu? Yes, definitely.
But would I advise you to permanently move out? No. Please come back.
After spending all that time in the metro, building your skills and finding growth and opportunities, there’s no better place to apply all your new skills and talents than in your own hometown. If possible, go back to your province and serve your community there.