Welcome back! Today, I’m giving you a real look at the dualities of our life here in the south of Cebu. We’re starting things off at our mountain home in Ginatilan, and then we’re heading down to Oslob to visit the Gaisano Mall. This is the reality of living in the "bukid"—you have the peace and serenity of the mountains, but you still have to deal with the logistical side of modern life.
Living up here in the Ginatilan mountains is something Jessa and I truly treasure. There’s a quiet here that you just can’t find in the city. In the morning, you aren't waking up to the sound of traffic or construction; you’re waking up to the wind through the trees and the birds. It’s the kind of environment that helps you stay grounded. In this video, I wanted to show you some of that "mountain vibe"—the simple beauty of looking out over the greenery and feeling like you have your own little piece of the world. But as much as I love the isolation, life isn't just about sitting on the porch. We have a household to run, and that means making the trip down to civilization.
The journey from the mountains down to Oslob is a scenic one, but it’s a reminder of the distance we put between ourselves and the local "hub." We’re heading to the Gaisano Mall, which is essentially the center of commerce for this part of the island. When you live in the province, a trip to Gaisano isn't just a quick errand; it’s an event. You’re stocking up on the things you can’t get at the local sari-sari stores, handling banking, or maybe grabbing a bite that isn't home-cooked.
Walking through the mall in Oslob, you really see the contrast between the mountain life and the town life. Oslob is famous for the whale sharks, of course, so there’s a different energy there—more tourists, more movement. At Gaisano, you see the local families out and about, and it’s a great place to just observe the rhythm of life in the south. For us, these trips are about balancing our "mountain man" lifestyle with the necessities of raising a family.
I also spent some time in the video reflecting on how far we’ve come. Building our life here has been a series of small victories and large challenges. Whether it’s navigating the mountain roads or figuring out how to get supplies up to our site, every day is a learning experience. Being a foreigner in this environment requires a lot of patience and a willingness to adapt. You have to learn the local pace—which is much slower than what I grew up with in Norway—and you have to embrace the "sloppy" side of vlogging and life. Not everything is perfectly polished, but it’s authentic.
That’s the core message I want to share: life in the Philippines is what you make of it. If you’re willing to put in the effort to bridge the gap between the quiet mountains and the busy town centers, you can find a really beautiful balance. We’re grateful for our home in Ginatilan, and we’re grateful for the community in Oslob that supports us.
Thanks for coming along for the ride today. Whether we’re in the mountains or the mall, it’s all part of the journey. Stay real, stay grounded, and I’ll see you in the next one!
