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I came to the Philippines to search for Rob, my fiancée. I had not seen him for two years. The last time we spoke, he was boasting about his trip to this place called Zambales in the Philippines. He said it was like paradise. He said he wanted to build a house and settle there.
Rob was a chef in a luxury cruise ship. He was always at sea, and we seeing each other was as seldom as a week for every two months. But we did keep in touch regularly, thanks to the advances in technology. Though it's not sufficient for a soon-to-be-married couple, I guess that's just what we could manage at that time.
Rob wanted me to quit my job as a banker and join him. He even nudged his boss into giving me a position as an on-board accountant. But I declined. Life at sea was not my cup of tea. Besides, I still didn't know how to swim at that point in time.
After Rob's first trip to the Philippines, he began talking about how beautiful that far eastern country is. He kept on mentioning it during our dates, our dinners, even in bed after we made love. He talked about the breath-taking emerald beaches, the majestic mountains, the fantastic view of nature, and of course, the wonderful people. I thought he was just having a sort of "crush"on a tropical place, something that would usually happen whenever he'd have a trip somewhere in the Pacific.
But I was wrong.
Two years ago, he was talking again about another trip to the Philippines, in a certain area he called Zambales. He said it was the spot where a former US military base was. It was paradise in pictures, he said, so it's going to be grandiose for real.
After he left that day, he never came back. No call. No e-mail. No message.
It was as if he had disappeared.
And then, from an e-mail that he sent to his sister a week ago, I found out that he was alive. He actually quit his job in the ship and stayed in the Philippines. I also learned that he had a house built in Zambales, and a restaurant which was being run by him.
Wanting to know why he dumped me for a tropical place, I filed a two week leave from work and booked a flight to the Philippines. I wanted answers, and I wanted it to come from him face to face.
The flight took me to Manila, where I asked directions on how to reach Zambales. My questions were all politely answered and directions were given.
Then, I took a three-hour bus ride to Olongapo City, where the former US Naval Base was. It was the southernmost city of Zambales, and I was actually impressed with the place and the people. It was a beautiful tropical haven. And the people were warm, polite, and friendly.
Again, I needed directions. Apparently, Zambales is a territory with thirteen towns and two cities. I looked around for people who would know Rob, the American restaurant owner. But in that random place where tourists from different countries pop up every now and then, no native could point him out.
