Podcast
Goodbye, Philippines
Hosted by Charles Au Lavoie · EN
Through Facebook conversations, George gets glimpses of Filipino lives in the Philippines and among expatriates and Overseas Foreign Workers.
Although he prefers to keep his emotional distance, we gradually see George’s longing for meaningful connections and his ongoing grief for his deceased partner.
The interest is both documentary and personal, as he discovers the breadth and uniqueness of the gay community in the Philippines and in North America. He is often reminded of the disparity between the deprivations and emotional angst of his youth and the sufferings of the younger generation.
As his health declines, George continues to encounter younger gays, writers, and others with similar interests. Facebook gives him licence to be bolder and more direct with his questions about others’ lives. Stories by Charles Au Lavoie
Read by Warren Carrie
Music by Angelica Dayao
Painting by Detalyii/Jacob Bravo
Author's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Goodbye message
Aug 23, 202100:02:49Tap to summarizeThe author, Charles Au Lavoie, gives his message to the listeners of Goodbye, Philippines.
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Chapter 17 - Family Reunion
Aug 23, 202100:19:52Tap to summarizeAfter 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 LavoieEpilogue music: Ich bin der Welt abhanden Gekkomen by Gustav MahlerAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 16 - George's Fear
Aug 9, 202100:21:20Tap to summarizeGeorge 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 LavoieAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 15 - Online Economy
Jul 26, 202100:14:55Tap to summarizeAfter 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 LavoieAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 14 - The Starting Point
Jul 12, 202100:13:48Tap to summarizeWhile 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 LavoieAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 13 - The Purpose of Life
Jun 28, 202100:17:53Tap to summarizeGeorge 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 LavoieAuthor's email:charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 12 - Guilt
Jun 14, 202100:13:01Tap to summarizeFilipinos 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 LavoieAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 11 - All About Love
May 31, 202100:12:32Tap to summarizeOn 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 LavoieAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 10 - Shackled
May 17, 202100:10:32Tap to summarizeJust 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 LavoieAuthor's email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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Chapter 9 - Jack of All Trades
May 3, 202100:16:30Tap to summarizeOne 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 LavoieAuthor's email:charlesaulavoie@gmail.com
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