Most people introduce themselves with a job title. Miguel Rogali announces himself with a poem.
Born in Dagupan and raised in Laguna, Miguel is a doctor who paints, writes poems, runs marathons, and loves cosplay. But that’s still not the most interesting thing about him.
For the past 12 years, he’s called Suriname home. And if we’re being honest, many of us know little about this place. What’s he doing in South America’s smallest independent country? How did he end up there? What’s it like to build a life somewhere almost entirely covered in rainforest?
It’s a fascinating story of kismet, fitting for a guy who has many passions. Let’s go meet Miguel.
I am a doctor by day, an artist by night
the community’s health, I keep watch at my sight;
but when the village sleeps, the night’s muse keeps me right
At my passionate stealth, my creation’s delight.
The flow of thoughts take me, to all places unseen,
A dream moves like a stream, ever steady and keen,
A doctor’s hands may heal an ailment, it seems
His longing for a place, a traveler’s requiems.
The adventures await, no longer put on hold,
Beyond the horizon, all the stories untold
Every journey begins where its ends now unrolled,
Every purpose and drive, ever fiery and bold.
LIFE IN SURINAME
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the SHOW LIST or the FILTERS next to the title to see the various things to do and points of interest in this guide, and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS, OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions when you click the icons, as well as find your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You can also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
How did you end up working there?
Like most people, I had limited knowledge about this country. At that time, nothing significant was going on in my life, so while browsing the newspaper, I came across job openings for doctors. One of them was for Suriname. I got curious about where this was, so I applied and within about a month, I was all set to go.
I was about to fly in June 2014 when my dad passed away unexpectedly, so I had to delay leaving. While waiting for the agency to rebook my flight, a friend who was teaching Filipino to U.S. Embassy staff in Manila told me about an official from Suriname.
He invited me to their home in Makati, introduced me to his family and told me all about Suriname. He even taught me some phrases in Dutch (the official language) and Sranan Tongo (their mother tongue). We became friends and still keep in touch today.
On my departure date, his wife was celebrating her birthday but they still sent me off at the airport. I gave her an artwork I painted as a birthday and parting gift. Their friendliness endeared me to Suriname from the start, so going there became more of a personal journey than simply work I had applied for.
Can you share with us what you do?
I work as a community doctor for an NGO providing primary health care in het binnenland, the interior of the country where the savanna and jungle are. Few doctors are willing to go there because it is far from the amenities of the urban areas.
The communities include Indigenous Amerindians and local tribes descended from enslaved people during the colonial period. So there is a cultural and historical aspect to my medical work and living here. Speaking not only Dutch but also their local languages is essential and a great help in communicating with them.
What’s life there like?
Life here is laid-back and slow-paced. I’m a very driven individual and am used to a fast-paced way of life back in the Philippines. To be surrounded by the living forest has made me more grounded and resilient. Here, everything has its own rhythm, its own time. So there is time to smell the flowers. And time for self-reflection.
TRAVEL
What ignited your wanderlust?
Since childhood, I’ve always been fascinated by foreign lands, beautiful landmarks, and nature. My dad gave me a birthday gift (I think I was 10 years old) a complete set of Colliers Encyclopedia, all 24 volumes. Reading all the entries about countries, seeing photos and colored maps, the fascinating world history in my mind transported me to those places.
I loved to read a lot when I was young. We had subscriptions to Reader’s Digest and National Geographic. These became my early passport. Every feature, every page brought me to those places. These reading materials piqued my interest of traveling the world one day.
Tell us about your first big adventure. Where did you go and how did you feel?
My first big adventure was my first travel abroad: Egypt, the land of the pharaohs. But it was actually for work. That was the realization of the childhood dream to go out of the country and finally see the world. My excitement centered on seeing one of the world’s ancient civilizations, where the pharaohs left their marks: the Pyramids of Giza and all the ancient structures.
I was awestruck by the history I had only read about in my encyclopedia and was now seeing with my own eyes. Crossing the famous Nile River, the mystery of the Valley of the Kings, the path of the Holy Family as they escaped the persecution of the paranoid king, the hike to the revered Mount Sinai—all had an impact on my life from that point on.
What’s your all-time favorite destination and why?
Peru! Unlike my prior travels, the planning and anticipation for this South American destination was at an all-time high (pun intended). I really allotted time to formulate my itinerary, I did extensive research into the best places to visit, joined a FB travel group (this was before the pandemic, and before PGE was founded), asked about the best way to travel around, and the responses I got were really helpful.
Compared to some of my travels which seemed rushed, just blazing through Amazing Race kind of travel, my Peru trip was chill lang, suave kind of travel. I breathed in every stop, savoring each moment, no rush, no worries, imbibing every view as I acclimatized to the altitude, as I made my way to my ultimate destination: the Citadel in the clouds, Machu Picchu.
Instead of taking the bus from Aguas Calientes, I hiked toward MP, which is not easy at that altitude. I hiked some more, taking the so-called Stairs of Death to see the panoramic view of the Citadel below, a breathtaking view (literally and figuratively) indeed!
I loved Peru as, to date, my all-time favorite destination as a solo traveler for the meticulous planning I did, the slow ascent while acclimatizing, the breathtaking views, the adventure, the history and culture, and my hospitable Uros host who took care of me at the sacred, tranquil Lake Titicaca. So much so that I will be going there again this coming September to celebrate life with fellow PGEs Eden and Ryazan.
READ MORE: Member of the Month: Weather and Wanderlust – The Traveling Meteorologist
What’s next on your bucket list, and why does it excite you?
I would love to see Petra (the “Rose City”) in Jordan, one of the New 7 Wonders. This excites me because it’s the only N7W I haven’t visited yet, and to finally complete this list would be amazing! My journey to tick off the Wonders started with the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt (2007), the Great Wall of China (2008), Taj Mahal (2010), Cristo Redentor (2016), Colosseo (2017), Chichen Itza, and Machu Picchu (2019).
Jordan, as part of the Middle East, is alluring for an adventurer with its culture and history I haven’t seen before. This journey would have taken me 20 years to complete, if 2027 would grant me this wish. That sounds exciting indeed!
Do you have a hobby or interest you love weaving into your travels?
Taking a panoramic photo of sunrise and sunset is a must for me. This means waking up early, hiking up to a vantage point and just breathing in the rays of the early morning sun, and being mesmerized by the play of colors on the horizon, along with taking street scenes, architecture, and unique landmarks. Running at least 5 km around the city is also a way to explore the place.
MIGUEL’S FAVORITE STORIES
What’s the one travel memory you’d happily tell your grandkids over and over again?
Hiking the holy mountain of Mount Sinai, where tradition says biblical Moses communed with God and was given the 10 Commandments. Waking early, hiking for hours and catching the first rays of the sun at the summit, where every pilgrim of every religion and culture congregates to connect with the holy presence of the Lord.
It was a touching ascent because you could feel everyone’s prayers, songs of praise heard through the dark of night. It was an emotional time when you felt the Greatness of the Lord. That was a very memorable, uplifting experience.
Share a moment when a local tradition, dish, or celebration left a real mark on you. Where and when did it happen?
Just a simple moment during lunch with a friend and her family whom I visited in Switzerland. She prepared an assortment of melted cheeses in a pot (cheese fondue, an essential Swiss dish). You break a piece of crusty bread, dip it into the fondue with a fork, and enjoy it with a glass of Swiss wine.
Tradition says that if a guest drops their bread into the pot, they must buy the next round of drinks or kiss the person to their left. No bread was dropped, but the shared moment with them during that meal was enough to warm my heart and cheeks during that cold season.
Ever had a trip push you completely out of your comfort zone? What happened, and how did you handle it?
There was that time when my first flight out was delayed for seven hours, and this delay caused me to miss my connecting flight. So, the Day 1 delay had a domino effect on my succeeding itinerary. It was such a hassle being stranded in a foreign country when every detail of your travel was already arranged and paid for, and you were on a tight budget.
I had no other option but to book another connecting flight and just make use of what I had. I filed reimbursement claims afterward, and lesson learned: I never booked a flight with that airline ever again.
Do you have a travel mishap that turned into a great story later? Tell us about your oopsie!
Not a travel mishap, but that anxious feeling of going through immigration during those early travels. The awkward answers to the questions, nerve-wracking moments as the IO scrutinizes everything about you, and the anxiety of getting denied passage gnawing at the back of your mind.
I was never denied entry, but now, as a knowledgeable traveler, I look back at those times as amusing, funny experiences.
Have you ever met someone on the road who changed how you see travel or life?
There was this lovely old couple I met at the accommodation I stayed at in the Caribbean country of St. Lucia. I was having a pizza for dinner, enjoying the quiet moment on the terrace, the waves gently splashing below, the cool evening breeze subtly brushing my hair, when they entered and joined me.
They told stories about raising their family, about their life together, their love for one another, their retirement and travels. It was nice hearing personal stories to reflect on.
Traveling is not only about bucket lists and stamps on the passport. Random interactions with people can answer some questions in life that you are wondering about.
LESSONS FROM THE ROAD
What’s the biggest lesson travel has taught you?
Each one of us has our own destination, reason, purpose, and drive. We travel to discover the world and rediscover ourselves in the process. Travel can change your perspective, can heal and sustain you, and just like life in general, we meet people along the way.
Appreciate the people who help you reach your destination and make your travel experiences easier and more enjoyable. For sure, you can’t claim you alone made it achievable. I’m thankful for the people who, in one way or another, made my travels more meaningful and pleasurable.
What’s your top piece of advice for someone dreaming of traveling more?
Invest in learning a foreign language. The locals would love hearing you speak their language. Respect their culture and laws, and also be mindful and respectful of your fellow travelers. Be adventurous.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood or appreciated about the Philippines?
I wish more travelers would come to the Philippines and experience Filipino hospitality for themselves. I hope they’d go explore far beyond the white sandy beaches and food trips, and learn more about the cultural heritage and rich history of our country.
COMMUNITY
How has being part of PGE enriched your travel experiences?
Living abroad makes one long for home, the familiarity, the kinship we have left behind. So naturally, as a Filipino, you miss that connection. Being part of a Filipino travel community like PGE sustains that longing and connection. It’s heart-warming to meet with kababayans and share travel experiences and personal stories.
As travelers, we have our own set of goals to achieve. Maybe it’s visiting all countries in the quickest time, slow travel and taking in the beauty (and ugly side) of the world, traveling solo or with groups, looking for love, or simply meeting fellow travelers.
You can’t claim you made it to your destination of your own accord without looking back to those who helped you get there and acknowledging them. Traveling should not be a race—it’s the journey, not the destination. Enjoy every moment of it.
