It's leap year, so let's take a leap!
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 is perfect here. There are things I would change about the place if I could.
However, instead of telling you what I would like to change, I want to know what you would change about the Philippines to make it a better place to live? So, don’t be shy, leave a comment with a few suggestions of changes that you would like to see in the Philippines. Whether it be some huge grandiose societal change, or something very simple, this is your change to let your voice be heard!
So, the mic is now open, and I’m waiting to hear from YOU!
Hi Dave Starr – yeah, I’ve seen that lady in China featured on some TV show, I think it was on CNN if I remember correctly. She is the garbage queen! Makes huge money from recycling garbage. It would be interesting to see somebody in the Philippines pick up the mantle.
I would like to see the coruption done away with that is rampant all over. Once that is dealt with I believe that the Philippines has everything else it needs to become a great country. The people for the most part are really great and they have a lot going for them selves.
Hi Micki – I agree that the people here are great! They would go a long way toward making a great country in the future.
Coruption seems to be the most common complaint, mainly aimed at politicians, but from what I have observed, coruption seems to be at almost every level of life in the Phils. Someone recently suggested to me that what the Philippines needs is to turn communist, but I think; would they be any less corupt? I think coruption is ingrained in the Philippines, like some other countries who have been colonised by the Spanish.
Food Bob, and i was just going to say that but i mean quality and “what”, well i am trying to think myself but i love thai food, indian food, chinese food and sometimes i don’t think for foreigners the Filipino cuisine reaches these heights (but neither in my opinion only) does western food
best regards
On a positive note, we just bought a can of Dole pineapple here in New Jersey and it said “product of the Philippines”. I don’t recall seeing that before. I remember when if we bought anything tropical, from pineapple to coconut milk it almost always said “Product of Thailand” Is it possible that the Philippines is finally starting to get its act together as far as exporting goes?
Hi rick b – Are you in Davao? I’ve been hoping to hear from you! Give me a shout, and let’s get together. There is good quality food here, you just have to choose the right places. Hint – watch later this week, I have a post coming up about my Top Ten places to go out and eat in Davao!
Hi Joe Parisi – Dole Pineapple from the Philippines has been on US store shelves for decades. Feyma and I used to buy it in the States in the early 90’s, and I know it was available before that. The Dole pineapple is always either from Thailand or the Philippines, we always made it a point to only buy the Philippine one!
I live in Manila and would love to see some major improvements of the city’s infrastructure and the establishment of a real international airport.
An obvious one is to see the corruption disappear, but I feel that will never happen, since the people benefiting from corruption are the only ones who can really do anything about it – and why would they change anything.
The brain drain must be stopped. It is really short-sighted to send the brightest people abroad – who will stay back to teach the new generations.
All the best
Ole
I agree with Jack and others who suggest that Mindanao needs a modern railway system There would be sufficient patronage between Davao and Zam. to justify: similarly, Luzon’s Manila desperately needs an extension of the LRT to NAIA, and as part of this the dormant German-built air terminal requires opening. Further extensions of LRT in Manila are essential,as well as a heavy rail link between Manila and Clark Airport/ Angeles City and why doesn’t Phils have an LRT or even a tramway-style light rail linking Cebu City,Lapu-Lapu, Mand and the Mactan Airport. There is the population density to support it, and let’s not forget that one LRT line in Manila alone has 400,000 trips a day – that’s a lot of greenhouse gas emissions saved, and a lot fewer noisy, polluting jeepneys and buses on the streets. Phils. is certainly beginning to progress – electric rail transportation will have huge economic benefits to all levels of society.
I would like the law changed in the Philippines so that a foreigner who desires to settle there could buy himself/herself a house and land parcel, even a 500m2, would do.
Apart from that I wish we stop patronizing Philippines and Filipinos. The reason we all like it here is because it is different then USA or other western country. If it was just like USA or just like Germany why would you want to be there?. enjoy yourself the best you can, accept things as they are and be happy.
Hi Ole – Over the past years Manila has gotten the lion’s share of the ultrastructure improvements in the country, basically on money derived from other parts of the country. It would be nice to see some money spent in other areas someday to improve the quality of life somewhere other than Manila.
Hi Ted – Like you and Jack, I would really like to see a Mindanao Railroad!
Hi Markus – personally, I believe that as a long term resident of the country, if people like me can help make improvements in the life here, it is a duty that we have. Just my opinion, though.
Hey Bob,
There is one change that is coming that is very good. That is the electric Jeepney. They don’t look like the classic jeepney but it will be much better for the enviroment. It is starting in Manila and I am sure will filter throughout the Philippines. Below is a link to the web page.
http://www.tsikot.com/product-launches/electric-jeepneys-welcomed-in-makati-city-with-first-official-test.html
Hi David – Yep, perhaps you missed it, but I did a write up about the electric jeepney months ago. Check here.