Goodbye, Philippines

The author, Charles Au Lavoie, gives his message to the listeners of Goodbye, Philippines.

After a health emergency in the Philippines, George flies back to Canada to recover. Lando, who was left worried, waited for news of his situation. After months of silence, George finally responds to Lando. As the two are catching up, Lando asks George about his feelings.

Story by Charles Au Lavoie

Epilogue music: Ich bin der Welt abhanden Gekkomen by Gustav Mahler

Author's email: [email protected]

George is at risk of going blind because of a history of blindness in his family. As a preventive measure, the doctor prescribes him medicated eye-drops, and tells him that in the event of a violent headache in the middle of the night, he should go to the hospital right away. This happened to George while he was in Iloilo. Lando assists him, but something was odd with George.

Story by Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email: [email protected]

After having been contacted by several women whose Facebook accounts have no biographical information or timeline content, George decided to do some investigation before clicking the Accept button. He does exactly that after a guy named Ben Casile contacted him. Ben’s intentions would soon unfold after several chats with George. Over time, George would see a familiar pattern with strangers he interviewed online for his book.

Story by Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email: [email protected]

While in a cafe at a mall in Victoria, Apin asks George about the book he’s working on. George responded that it’s about Filipinos. Apin is puzzled and asks George why write about the Filipinos. Their conversation turns into a reminiscence of their childhood.

Story by: Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email: [email protected]

George acquired a new Facebook friend named Jerry Patterson, who he met at a neighbor’s wedding. After he accepts Jerry’s friend request, George scans Jerry’s timeline and finds links to disturbing music videos. George feels Jerry’s unspoken hell, and reminds him of his own pain of living.

Story by: Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email:[email protected]

Filipinos always remain connected with where they came from. George had learned this, through online and personal exchanges with Filipino expats and overseas workers. It’s a matter of duty.

Story by: Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email: [email protected]

On Facebook, Joy mentions to George that her husband had left her to live in the Philippines and is now living with another woman. Later, George shares with Annie what he had just learned, and asks her how a relationship survives for an OFW and their spouse.

Story by: Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email: [email protected]

Just as their conversation was getting interesting, George’s friend Gilbert logs out without warning. Shortly after, he experiences another abrupt ending to an online exchange. Feeling frustrated, George asks himself: Is social media addictive?

Story by Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email: [email protected]

One day, George scrolls through Facebook and sees a video of half a dozen men in the middle of a drinking session. Among those men, he recognizes his barber Vince when he visits the Philippines. Vince works many jobs in order to survive while others sell products online.

Story by Charles Au Lavoie

Author's email:[email protected]