OUR FAMILY IN THE PHILIPPINES:
***
IMPORTANT -- PLEASE
NOTE:
The personal information about Skip and his family is
included on this site only because a great many of our new customers-guests come from Asian
countries where there are sayings similar to the following:
"Never do business with a man until you know
his parents -- his children -- his grand children -- his great-grandchildren --
and the birthdates and interests of each."
When the Asians repeat those types of sayings, they often
laugh as though they are joking. However, amidst the laughter they
none-the-less admit that this philosophy is often an important part of their
culture.
Because of this Asian philosophy, we know that many of the
resort's potential Asian guests (especially the older ones) will view this site
as being an "introduction" to Skip and his family. Consequently, in
order to show proper respect towards our Asian brothers and sisters, we feel
obliged to include a considerable amount of information about Skip --
and his family -- on this site.
Thank you for your patience...
Our son, DeWelle Ferguson [Chip] Ellsworth IV -- the fourth:
Chip
was
born on May 4, 1995.
Skip has sole custody of Chip as a result of a divorce from Chip’s natural mother, Elvie
Chiong (a Filipina of Chinese descent). Chip is a citizen of the Philippines.
At this writing, he is 12 years old, and in the fifth grade. He has traveled
with Skip to many different countries. In fact, Chip recently advised us that
he has flown across the Pacific Ocean
with Skip on 32 different occasions. He has traveled with Skip to America
-- Canada -- Mexico -- Korea -- Thailand -- Cambodia -- Laos -- Burma (Myanmar)
-- Indonesia -- Malaysia -- Singapore -- Hong Kong -- Kowloon -- Macau -- many of the largest
cities in China -- many of the islands in the Philippines -- many of the
beautiful tropical islands in the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea -- etc.
Chip speaks three languages fluently. He can converse intelligently
regarding American law – martial arts – log homes – many different cultures –
traveling – socio-economic freedom – etc. He is familiar with many different
cultures, and therefore he is one of the “hippest” young men we have ever
met. As people often observe, “Chip is twelve years old – going on 30.”
:-)
CHIP'S BAND:
Chip has a band
called CHIP AND THE LUCKY CHIPS. He normally plays Bass, but he can
also play the drums -- the guitar -- sing -- and act as the "MC." The
other members of his band are 18 to 21 years old, and Chip is only 12.
However, he still manages to make things work. So far they have played
four professional gigs, and they have more in the pipeline. Below
(in the photos from left to right) is Chip on drums -- Chip's group getting
ready to leave the beach and set up for a gig -- the group on stage, with Chip (in yellow) playing
bass -- the group on a break -- the venue.
CHIP IS A "TOO COOL" MOTORCYCLE RIDER:
Chip has been riding motorcycles with Skip since he was six years old.
Therefore, he is a very good rider. He and his dad often go for long rides at the north
end of the Island of Cebu, where the back-country roads and trails are awesome.
The photos below (left to right) are as follows: Chip at age six, on his
small Yamaha (called a "Chappy" -- with an "a"), which
was probably made exclusively for the Asian market -- Chip by his Yamaha, which
was parked behind Skip's bigger bike -- Chip on his bike, next to Belle's Honda Dream -- Chip
getting ready for his first solo ride on the
big bike. Chip now has a Honda "Wave," which is one of the best bikes in
the world for someone his age. In this country, there is no way to keep a kid
away from motorcycles, and therefore Skip thought the best course of action
would be to teach Chip how to ride at an early age (so it would become
"second-nature" to him) -- and also to make sure the boy rides one of the best bikes
available.
CHIP'S PRIVATE SCHOOL:
Chip attends the Bright Minds Academy in
Daanbantayan, which is an excellent school. Chip is always winning
scholastic awards -- even when competing against High School students from
throughout the island. Here are a few of the medals he won in one of the
most recent contests. The banner-photo was taken last year. This
year he won three "FIRST PLACES" and one "FOURTH PLACE."
Now, in the year 2007, Chip was elected President of the entire student body of
his school -- he was also elected President of his sixth grade class -- he was
chosen to be the leader of the school's marching band -- he was chosen to
represent his school in the scholastic competitions (he won the only trophy for
the school) -- he was chosen to be the
Editor of the School Paper (e.g. THE BRIGHT PEN) -- he was chosen to be the Troop
Leader of his Boy Scout Troop -- he is currently
practicing Martial Arts, etc.
CHIP WAS ELECTED
"PRINCE OF HEARTS" AT HIS SCHOOL.
This was
s part of an all-day festival at
his school. The motorcade started at 7 AM and the formal dance didn't end until
8:30 PM. There were four runners-up for both the PRINCE and the PRINCESS, but
as usual Chip came out on top and was elected “PRINCE.” That boy never fails to
amaze us. During the festival Chip was called upon to make two impromptu
speeches and he handled both of then like a total professional. [Move over
Johnny Carson.]
Little Chip will be
two years old soon. Having that boy in the house is like living with a run-away
(but lovable) Sherman Tank.
BOYS SCOUTS:
Skip made sure that Chip became active in the BOY SCOUTS. In Skip's opinion, the knowledge that Chip acquires from his association with the Scouts will definitely help him to become a successful and honorable man. This photo shows what a Boy Scout Uniform looks like in this area (e.g. shorts -- a short sleeve "T" shirt with an insignia over the heart -- a green bandana with an insignia at the back). Your dad is very proud of you, Chip.
A RECENT TRIP TO CHINA:
Chip at the Great Wall -- the Terra Cotta Figurines
-- Tiananmen Square -- the Forbidden City -- etc. At that time we were
traveling with one of our very best friends, John Gillooley.
CHIP'S FIRST FORMAL DANCE:
At
many formal occasions in
this culture, men wear white "see-through" shirts called BARONGS. Chip is kneeling in the center.
A COUPLE OF CHIP'S
GIRL-FRIENDS:
Chip is a very "engaging" conversationalist.
He can walk up to anyone -- of any age (e.g. at airports, bus stations, train
stations, at shopping malls, etc.) -- and start a conversation that will
sometimes last for hours. He can discuss many subjects
intelligently,
and people are usually amazed by his ability to do so. Not surprisingly,
women of all ages totally LOVE this guy.
Our son, DeWelle Ferguson [Flip] Ellsworth V (the fifth):
Little Flip was born on March 20, 2006. He is one of the happiest babies we have ever seen. He smiles and laughs almost constantly.
Flip on the day he was six months old.
.
The photos of Flip (directly below) were taken on Skip and Belle's second wedding anniversary -- January 11, 2007. Flip is eating an apple with his friend, the bear. The bear was a Christmas gift from Skip's cousin, George Earl Cook, of North Bend, Washington.
THESE
PHOTOS OF CHIP AND FLIP WERE TAKEN ON DECEMBER 22, 2006.
THANK YOU, GOD...
THE PHOTOS BELOW ARE OF FLIP AT THE AGE OF TEN MONTHS -- WITH HIS FRIEND, IVORY. By the time Flip was 12 months old, he could climb over the rail -- lower himself to the ground -- and run away. If we didn't stop him he would probably end up in Zamboanga.
The photo below was taken when Flip was 16 months old. As our martial arts brothers will undoubtedly notice, Flip is in the process of doing a Kung Fu form. Essentially, he is in the "MA BO" position (i.e. the "horse-rider's-stance"), as he blocks an imaginary kick with his right arm. Obviously, this boy is ready for the U.F.C. Prepare to lose, Tito... :-)
In the following photos Chip is teaching Flip how to use a computer. The last time we checked on those boys they were communicating with some chicks in Rio de Janeiro. Now the boys will probably want money for air-fare. :-)
The photos below are of "just another day at the office" for Chip and Flip. This time they are communicating with some girls from America.
MARIBEL (BELLE) MELECIO ELLSWORTH:
The following photos are of Belle, working on her part-time modeling career, at the insistence of Chip and Skip.
Chip and Skip “dated” Belle for more than a year, and they both fell in love with her. It finally got to the point where Chip looked his dad squarely in the eye, and said very seriously, “Daddy… don’t let this chick get away from us.” Therefore, Skip and Chip married Belle on January 11, 2005. The marriage started out “perfect” and it just keeps getting better and better with each passing day.
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THE WEDDING:
Here are two photos of Skip and Belle's wedding -- on January 11, 2005
THE HONEYMOON:
Here are Skip, Belle, and Chip at the airport in Bangkok -- while on their HONEYMOON. The word "honeymoon" refers to an American custom whereby a bride and groom take a "vacation" together in order to celebrate their marriage."
SKIP AND BELLE'S SECOND ANNIVERSARY (JANUARY 11, 2007):
The first two photos were taken before everyone showed up for the party and the mad-house began. We set the table for ten -- but thirty people showed up. We took the photos in haste before the crowd arrived. It was an awesome party.
SKIP'S BIRTHDAY -- ON MAY 26TH, 2006:
The baker must have gotten confused because she put "67" on the cake instead of "27."
Skip's exact words were, "Why did they add 40 years to my age ???" :-)
Many of Skip's American friends (former students from America) helped celebrate the happy occasion. Six of his student-friends are now living in the same small town as Skip -- but there are hundreds of others scattered throughout the rest of the Philippines. Almost everyone that comes to the Philippines to visit Skip ends up staying here permanently.
At the party, Skip made a speech in which he announced that his next 11 children will definitely be born in the Philippines.
Three of the student-friends pictured above ended up marrying girls that previously worked for Skip. To date, six of Skip's former employees have married guys that come to visit Skip, or that are guests at the hotel. We love to see the happiness.
CHRISTMAS AT SKIP'S BEACH RESORT -- DECEMBER 25, 2007
This was a "joint" party -- to celebrate Christmas AND Steve White's birthday on the following day.
OUR THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
"Where is it written in the
Constitution, in what article or section is it contained, that you may take
children from their parents and parents from their children, and compel them to
fight the battles of any war in which the folly and wickedness of the government
may engage itself? Under what concealment has this power lain hidden, which now
for the first time comes forth, with a tremendous and baleful aspect, to
trample down and destroy the dearest right of personal liberty? Who will show me
any Constitutional injunction which makes it the duty of the American people to
surrender everything valuable in life, and even life, itself, whenever the
purposes of an ambitious and mischievous government may require it? ... A free
government with an uncontrolled power of military conscription is the most
ridiculous and abominable contradiction and nonsense that ever entered
into the heads of men."
Daniel Webster- (1782-1852), US Senator Source: Speech in the
House of Representatives, January 14, 1814
"If
any question why we died, tell them it was because our government lied."
Rudyard Kipling
“The greater the
state, the more wrong and cruel its patriotism, and the greater is the sum of
suffering upon which its power is founded.”
Leo Tolstoy
“When rich people
fight wars with one another, poor people are the ones to die.”
Jean Paul Sartre 1905-1980, philosopher, writer, educator, regarded by scholars
as one of the most important intellectuals of all time.