Hi Everybody! It's Friday morning, February 29 here in the Philippines, and I'm in the mood for something a little different today. How about you, are you ready for a change to celebrate "leap day," a day that happens only once every 4 years? For something different, what I would like to do is ask you a question and see what your view is. I give my opinions here every day, let's turn it around today and see what you think. You know, I live here in the Philippines, because I like it here. There are a lot of things that I enjoy about living here, and I can't even imagine going back to live in the USA again. That being said, though, not everything … [Read more...]
The life that one's thought!
February 28, 2008 By 57 Comments
I got a forwarded email from somebody. I Think it really was intended to be a joke email, but when I read about it, it has meaning. It is about the perceptions of the Filipinos towards Filipinos or families that lives abroad. That everybody that lives there is filthy rich and that you have a tree outside that bears a lot of $$$. It was written in Tagalog. A lot of it was really true. I translate some of it. Here's some sample: That when you live in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia that you have lots and lots of money. That you own a few credit cards you are cool and have money then. That if you own a nice house and a nice car then you … [Read more...]
Japanese Language Speakers in Davao City
February 28, 2008 By 4 Comments
In pursuit of its objective of promoting cultural exchange through Japanese Language Education in the Philippines, the 2008 Nihongo Speech Contest was held on Saturday, 23 February at the EDSA Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City. The speech contest, in its 35th year was one of the major events of the 3rd Nihongo Fiesta, which featured the National Bento (packed lunch) Competition, the Japanese Taiko and a lot more cultural performances, contests, exhibitions and demonstrations. I was luckily in Manila on the day of the speech contest and I was able to watch it. In the contest, there were 17 people who delivered speeches and all of them performed … [Read more...]
Philippine-German Relations (XX)
February 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I lived in Berlin almost 25 years. Together with my wife we did join also the Philippine Community. During that time I "met" Jose Rizal for the first time. Rizal went to Berlin on October 30, 1886. He stayed at the first class Central Hotel, Room 294. In his "Reminiscences and Travels", Rizal wrote: "The hotel is beautiful and first class. It is the hotel which has the largest numbers of rooms. I occupied number 294. The heating system is by steam. The bed is good but I think it is meant that the rug should be covered with cloth to prevent its being worn out and it is crafty to require the guests to take breakfast at the hotel, otherwise one … [Read more...]
More information on Citizenship
February 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
As I told you a couple of weeks ago, we went down to General Santos City for our annual Check-In with the Bureau of Immigration. This is required for all foreigners that live here with a Resident Visa, you must check in once per year, in either January or February. During this visit to the BoI office, I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with the local BoI Commissioner for General Santos City. Feyma took care of all the paperwork for the check-in, so I was free to have the discussion while finishing the check-in. I was able to gather a few very interesting facts while we talked. Feyma and I have been pondering for a couple of years … [Read more...]
Happy Days!
February 26, 2008 By Leave a Comment
For Americans of my generation, or a little older or younger than me, we surely remember the old TV show "Happy Days" with Ron Howard. Happy Days was set in the 50's and included characters like Fonzie, the ultra-cool motorcycle rider, along with the oh-so-regular Cunningham family. How could we forget Happy Days? One of the places where Richie Cunningham, Fonzie and the gang liked to hang out was always "Al's Diner." Well, I got a surprise the other day when I was walking through the streets of downtown Davao when I looked up and saw a place called "Al's Diner." The outside of the place was all painted up in Red, White and Blue American … [Read more...]
Attention: Classic Music Lovers!!!
February 26, 2008 By Leave a Comment
A couple of days ago I got a call from Evelyn Magno, one of the incredible Four Pianists on Four Pianos. During my time as radio host with my show "Classics at Night" they have been FIVE. Nevertheless, Evelyn Abellera Magno, Inday Montero as well as Mila Jocson and daughter Daphne will be back on stage here in Davao City on March 8, 2008 at the CAP Auditorium at 6 p.m. Not only Davaoenos are great fans of classical music, as I could experience during my radio shows AND wonderful and unique performances i.e. with these blessed pianist ladies. What can we expect on March 8? Of course, again a great mixture of Mozart's "Sonata in C major", Milhaud's … [Read more...]
What would your mum do?
February 25, 2008 By 3 Comments
Last week I came out and wow what a wonderful response from across the world, and especially here in my new adopted country. So thanks for the nice words . Now that I am living here in the Philippines I sometimes am amazed at the contradictions in the attitude to sexuality. This beautiful country is predominantly catholic and therefore it is amazing to think that in the main being a gay man here in Davao city is more acceptable than in my home country in the UK. Do not get me wrong I love the UK, and if I wanted to go to certain areas of London I could “mix” in the gay crowds, but thats not me. I have always realised that being in a … [Read more...]
Is a customer still a king?
February 25, 2008 By 12 Comments
This topic seems never to be off-topic!!! I wrote about it already years ago, other LiP columnists do it also from time to time here. Anyway, without further ado and on the spot I am always connected to the Big Boss after innumerable complaints and follow ups without success. Two weeks ago I went to a very known pharmacy top get some important medical stuff subscribed by a doctor. After several explanations (and waiting ten minutes) I was informed, that the branch is not available this time. When? No answer. "But we will give you a ring, if it's available". My calling card let two staff member smile: "We know you from your LiP-blog". Great. … [Read more...]
How correct are our perceptions?
February 25, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Did you ever notice that sometimes you have a perception of how something is, yet when you put it to the test you find out that you were wrong? Maybe you aren't 100% wrong, but you are also not right. This happened to me last week, and both Feyma and I were kind of shocked when we realized how wrong our impression was. On my birthday last week, Feyma and I went out to lunch at a nice restaurant here in Davao called De Bonte Ko. It is a Dutch Restaurant, owned by a friend named Henny. We really enjoyed our meal there, and the staff there really treated us in a first class way as they always do when we visit. We realized that we had some business … [Read more...]
Recent Comments