UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Country > Philippines > Iloilo > Iloilo City
Date > 2025 > February
Activity > Teaching

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Gamot Cogon Waldorf School

Location : Gamot Cogon Waldorf School, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Website: Gamot Cogon Waldorf School

Sign from Above
After meditating on which place I should relocate, Iloilo came out twice - from Mark and the other from Madhu, someone I didn't know who Friend-requested me on Facebook. She talked about living close to Waldorf. This was the sign I was looking for. Instead of heading to Southern Leyte as planned, I changed my itinerary for Iloilo. Both Mark and Madhu offered their place for me to stay - whoa! Next, I wrote to Waldorf requesting for an exploratory meeting. If they say Yes, that's the green light for me.

Letter to Waldorf

Dear Gamot Cogon Waldorf School,

Teaching has always fascinated me. When my alma mater, the University of the Philippines, invited me to join their faculty as a web design instructor, I eagerly embraced the opportunity. Experiencing the education system as both a student and a teacher gave me valuable insights into its strengths and areas for improvement. This sparked my curiosity about alternative approaches and inspired me to conceptualize what an idealized system might look like. Naturally, I became aware of Waldorf and other progressive educational philosophies.

Since leaving U.P., I have pursued a life of travel, which occasionally brings opportunities to give inspirational talks to young people. These talks often focus on topics such as leveraging yogic principles for personal growth, staying aligned with technology, living in harmony with natural laws, and exploring the world through travel. People often find my perspectives refreshing and thought-provoking.

Now, after years of traveling, I am ready to settle down. Iloilo has repeatedly drawn my attention, and I recently received an invitation for a temporary stay near your school. This proximity has rekindled my interest in education and in Waldorf's unique approach.

I plan to visit Iloilo during the first week of February to explore the area as a potential place to relocate—not necessarily to teach but to deepen my yoga practice. While there, I would like to request an exploratory meeting with someone at Waldorf who oversees these matters. My intention is simply to have an open, informal discussion. Such a meeting would allow you to gauge if I might fit into your school community and would provide me with a better understanding of any potential synergies we might explore.

I hope you will consider my request for this meeting. Perhaps there is a reason behind these serendipitous connections drawing me to Iloilo. If this resonates with you, we can finalize a date and time that suits your schedule.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

campus ground, Gamot Cogon Waldorf School

The Thrill is Gone
Yes, that's my BB King song about Tagbilaran. The honeymoon was great, but it's over. I don't want to stay too long until we fight over the toothpaste cap. I ventured into Ormoc for a relocation, but it didn't work out. Next plan was to explore Southern Leyte - Hilangos, Bato, Maasin and Sogod. I even asked assistance from the good folks of Ormoc for a source. I worked out the logistics of jumping off Ubay straight to Hilangos instead of sailing all the way to Cebu. But the remaining road block was lodging. I couldn't find cheap lodging. I'd be broke if I spend P800/day for weeks and still pay my P6000 monthly in Tagbilaran. Besides, I felt like just doing the motion - Southern Leyte wasn't really exciting me. I just had to leave Tagbilaran. I was asking my benevolent universe to steer me for my next destination, "Don't let me spin my wheels, tell me where, or at least point me in the right direction". When I ask my universe for something, it usually gives me - it listens.

Mark United Kingdom
Endemic Pursuit Tours (birdwatching)
Mark of Iloilo
When I saw a radical new way of birding-watching while in the comfort of your home, I passed the video to my birder friend, Mark. He replied saying again that he's now in Iloilo. Previously, he invited me to stay at his place should I visit. It has always been at the back of my head, but I haven't taken action.

Madhu Philippines
Under the Big Tree Art Studio
Madhu of Iloilo
From out of nowhere, I received a friend-request from someone I didn't know - Madhu. She said she saw me at the Lyfest. She added that she was now residing in Iloilo.

Iloilo
Iloilo? Again? This time, I took notice. I let the thought of Iloilo ferment. A few days later, I messaged Madhu that I would visit Iloilo for a possible relocation. Unsolicited, she offered her place for me to stay. Whoa!

Free Lodging in Iloilo
For Southern Leyte, I was on the fence because of lodging expense, and here for Iloilo, without my asking, I got 2 invites for a free stay. This is definitely my universe replying to my meditation plea. Mark and Madhu think they exercised free will, but in my cosmic parlance, they were sent.

Logistics
Having decided to make a trip for Iloilo, I had to do my detailed itinerary with all the logistics - boat trips (Tagbilaran-Cebu, Cebu-Iloilo), possible rentals for a permanent residence (Facebook rentals), yoga studios for gigs to pay off my expense, etc.

Pinky Pinky Dilemma
I actually meditated on 2 things: a place to permanently reside (Iloilo it was) and meeting the right girl. I tried dating-apps but it didn't work out. I cannot rely on chance meetings here in Tagbilaran - that's next to impossible. But a few days after deciding on Iloilo, I attended Vic's birthday party and I met this wondering lady - Pinky. She had the right maturity (mid-late 30s), smart, UP graduate (same alma matter) and established in her career. No husband and it seems like she didn't have a boyfriend - that was very odd in Bohol. We talked, sang karaoke together and exchanged contact info. Was Pinky the right girl? Was she heaven sent to answer my meditation request?

It didn't take long for me to realize this was a problem. What if Iloilo worked out, and Pinky happened to be the right girl? I'm now torn. Do I forfeit Iloilo and stay in Bohol with Pinky? Or do I head for Iloilo and forget about the right girl? I had to force the issue. My message to Pinky specifically expressed that she was the highlight of the evening for me - that made my message clear in no uncertain terms. If she replies favorably, then I really have a problem.

But a few days passed and no reply. I guess I spooked her. But her non-reply was also a strong statement - it means she wasn't the right girl, otherwise she would have reciprocated. So, problem solved, and my Iloilo plans proceeded on schedule. Who knows? Maybe the right girl is in Iloilo!

Trans Asia Shipping: Cebu to Iloilo
The only Roro (roll on/roll off cargo ship) was Trans Asia Shipping. Cebu (Terminal 2, Pier 3) - Iloilo, Tuedays, ~15 hours, 6 pm departure, arrival 8:30 am, economy open air P1400 /Sr 1120, Tourist P1545 /Sr P1236.

Yoga Gigs
Even before leaving Tagbilaran, I already wrote to the yoga studios and fitness gyms in Iloilo offering to conduct a yoga class. This would ease my way into the practice again, meet the community and make a little to defray my expenses. Only one responded favorably - Healing Iloilo.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

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Gamot Cogon Waldorf School

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