As I watch the value of the dollar sliding down against any currency I thought that the prices of the goods here would be lower a bit. I was wrong, as I go to the grocery store and shop for our groceries I find it that the prices of all the products are even getting higher. I also thought that the imported stuff that comes from the USA should be lower but it's not. Every time I go shopping now I usually spend a lot of money. We buy our grocery that's usually good for a week or two. The bread at the bakery the prices are higher too and the sizes are getting smaller. Some of the restaurants the prices of their food are higher and the serving is … [Read more...]
Men don’t cry?!
November 30, 2007 By 6 Comments
When have you seen latest a man cry? A boy, a teenager, an adult? Do Filipinos cry? When? Since I was a small boy my parents and even friends and neighbours liked to hammer into my mind and heart the slogan "Boys (Men) don't cry!" Many incidents happened in my life as young boy, but also later and up to now after reaching the second half of my life. Incidents with oppressed and held back tears and emotions because of only one reason: "Men don't cry!" I made a complete fool, when I tried to satisfy my unquotable thirst and insatiable hunger as a young boy by penetrating the closed kitchen of our neighbour. A terrible good hiding followed together … [Read more...]
What kind of content are you looking for?
November 30, 2007 By Leave a Comment
As most people who read this column daily would know, yesterday a little bit of a flame war broke out in the comments of my last column. No biggie, it seems all resolved now. Anybody who has been on the Internet for any appreciable amount of time knows that these things happen from time to time. The flamer himself, though, left at least one comment that was constructive, though. Here is one thing that he said: Perhaps try when possible to tackle some more meaty issues (at least to me) regarding an expat moving here to Davao Things that might be construed as more constructive to a person actually moving living and building a lfe here. Believe … [Read more...]
The Real John Grant
November 29, 2007 By 6 Comments
[youtube lkpOq62SPng] One of the columnists here on the Live in the Philippine Web Magazine is John Grant. From what John displays on the site, you would think that he is quite a nice guy, but is he really? I have known John for about 6 months now, and I'm sorry to say, he seems to have some kind of thing for my wife! He is constantly after Feyma! One time, not long after I met John, he got down on his knee and proposed marriage to Feyma (and this was done in public, at a restaurant)! Last week, during our Thanksgiving celebration, Feyma was shooting a video. Another friend, Steve told everybody how much he loves Davao, and then John piped … [Read more...]
German-English and vice versa
November 29, 2007 By 6 Comments
I am doing German-English translations (and English-German as well) since a couple of years. I was also invited as interpretor in court. Last week I had to translate the whole wedding ceremony in court, because the German groom was not so fluently in English. Actually this is one of the requirements, if a foreigner wants to marry in the Philippines. Good thing, if your mother language IS ENGLISH. Yesterday I was really happy and proud after receiving a certification from the Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Davao City, signed by the Executive Judge Isaac G. Robillo Jr. The certification states: "To whom it may concern: I hereby … [Read more...]
Striking up a conversation
November 29, 2007 By Leave a Comment
A few months ago, John Grant wrote a column on this site about a journey that he took in a taxi here in Davao. It was an interesting article, and mostly talked about communication between taxi drivers and foreigners. Mostly, I don't ride taxis, I have my own car, so I generally drive myself wherever I need to go. From time to time, though, I do take a taxi, especially if I am going somewhere that lacks adequate parking or something of that nature. The last few days, I've been rather sick with a bad cold. I needed to go do a few things around town, but didn't feel like driving, so I took a taxi instead. Given my recent progress in learning … [Read more...]
AN UNUSUAL NEW YEAR
November 28, 2007 By 12 Comments
My friends and I had a very unusual New Year in 2006. It was our first time to be in the Philippines at that time of year and we were looking forward to some celebrating and a real good time. We planned a trip to Cagayan de Oro and we were going to meet up with some friends there and according, to our Filipino friend, there would be some real good fun parties to attend, its really lively he said!! So we were quite excited about this. We have not really been out and celebrated New Year's eve for quite some time. Mostly because back in England, where things are very expensive, on New Year's Eve, everything becomes even more expensive. The price … [Read more...]
Philippine-German Relations (VI)
November 28, 2007 By Leave a Comment
July 4, 1946 is a very remarkable day: The Third Philippine Republic was proclaimed, after the United States granted independence to the Filipinos. Three years later the "Federal Republic of Germany" (former West Germany, because the "GDR" German Democratic Republic came into being 1949 as "East Germany"). Konrad Adenauer was the first chancellor of West Germany. 1954 the famous "Laurel-Langley Agreement" was signed and stated the end of State of War between the Philippines and Germany. 1955 followed the signing of the Philippine-German Trade Protocol, the basis of future trade agreements. In 1956 real diplomatic relations between the Philippines … [Read more...]
Remembering Ida
November 28, 2007 By Leave a Comment
A while back, I posted a story about helping a poor man that I saw at a gas station in Calinan, Davao. Phil left a comment, and asked me if I would have considered picking the man up and giving him a ride somewhere. I'm not sure where you came up with that question, Phil, but it reminded me of something that happened last year, and it was quite humorous. A friend and I went out on a journey one morning. We decided to go to Bislig, Surigao del Sur. I had never been to Bislig at the time, but there had been a big fire there that burned down the Palengke (Public Market), and I wanted to go have a look, shoot some photos, etc. So, my friend … [Read more...]
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