What Living Between London and Manila Really Feels Like

When people ask me where I live, my answer is always: “Somewhere between London and Manila.” And it’s true—I’ve built a life stretched across two cities, two cultures, and two very different cups: tea in the UK and taho in the Philippines.

Living between these worlds is equal parts exciting, confusing, and, honestly, hilarious. Here’s what it really feels like:

🌧️ Weather Whiplash

One week I’m wrapped in three layers, sipping hot tea while London fog curls against my window. The next? I’m in Manila, where the sun feels like it has a personal grudge against me, eating taho on the street at 7 a.m. before it gets too hot.

The transition isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. In London, the rain slows life down. In Manila, even the humidity seems to move faster than I can.

🍵 Tea vs. Taho

In London, tea is a social glue. It’s polite, calm, a little formal. Someone offers you tea, and suddenly you’re sharing life stories.

In Manila, taho is spontaneous. You hear the vendor calling “Tahoooo!” down the street, and you grab a coin to catch him before he disappears. One is slow and deliberate; the other is fleeting and playful. Both feel like home in their own way.

🚇 Underground vs. Jeepney Life

The London Underground: quiet, efficient, everyone staring at the floor (or their phones).
The Manila Jeepney: noisy, chaotic, colorful, everyone talking—even strangers.

I’ve learned to love both. The Tube gives me peace; the Jeepney gives me connection. Sometimes I crave one, sometimes the other, and sometimes both on the same day.

🇬🇧🇵🇭 Manners vs. Hiya

In the UK, “Sorry” is practically a greeting. Accidentally bump into someone? “Sorry.” Walk through a door at the same time? “Sorry.”

In the Philippines, there’s hiya—a kind of social humility. It’s not just about being polite, but about keeping harmony. Both cultures teach you to consider others, just in different languages.

💼 The In-Between Life

The hardest part of living between London and Manila? Not feeling fully in one place. The best part? Belonging to both.

It’s a balancing act: packing luggage, swapping SIM cards, changing accents ever so slightly. But it’s also a privilege. I get the best of both worlds: fish and chips and halo-halo, cozy tea rooms and bustling night markets.

✨ Final Sip

Living between London and Manila isn’t just about geography—it’s about identity. It’s learning to hold two homes in your heart, even when your suitcase is overweight.

For me, it’s tea over taho—but really, it’s both. Always both.

“Do you live between two cultures? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear how you balance it too.”