This time, we are looking at Palawan Bizarre foods! Let's have a look and see if the foods of Palawan aren't a little different from Manila! [youtube IqJ233-synA] … [Read more...]
Let's go to Bukidnon!
April 30, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Well, for today, I have a video of a trip that Feyma, the kids and I took to Bukidnon. It's not really a full-fledged trip to the Province, rather just a trip across the border to buy some plants for around our house in Davao. In Bukidnon, there are lots of roadside stands selling flowers and plants, and the prices there are very cheap. For a plant that you would pay P200 or P300 for in Davao, you can get it for P20 to P40 at the most along the roadside in Bukidnon! Quite a savings, don't you think? The trip was rainy and very foggy, which you will see in the video. [youtube nuFO69Asog0] … [Read more...]
The maid's choice
April 29, 2008 By 14 Comments
Today I got a text from our helper that she is quiting. She went home a few days ago to the province to visit her Dad and attend the wedding of her uncle. Our helper was complaining how did her uncle afford to be getting married (even special wedding) that him and his wife has no job. The wife-to-be is like 5 months pregnant now. A few months back that same uncle was asking some money from our helper for her to help the wedding expenses. I told her at that time that would you really want to send the money to your uncle even your dad is needing the money for his check up? Her dad is kind of sickly with old age and overwork in the farm. She told … [Read more...]
Medical news in the Philippines
April 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In recent weeks, there have been two big news stories in the Philippines related to the medical field. Both of these are major stories, although for different reasons. The first case, which has been public for a couple of weeks now involves a patient who had surgery at a Government operated hospital in Cebu, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. The incident happened back in January 2008, and involved a Filipino man who got into an embarrassing situation. After a night of drinking, the fellow got into a sexual encounter with another man. The whole thing went bad, and the man ended up with an aerosol can somewhere where it should not … [Read more...]
The shampoo is always greener…
April 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment
What? Green shampoo? Well, the title of today's column is a little twist on the old saying - "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." You've heard the saying, right? Now, what does this have to do with shampoo? Well, I'm going to poke a little fun at Feyma today. She is welcome to poke me back, I'm sure that she won't have any trouble finding something that I am an easy target for! You see, when Feyma first moved to the States, it didn't take long and she was always telling me that she missed the shampoo from the Philippines. I told her that we had so many kinds of shampoo in the States that she must be able to find … [Read more...]
Memorable visit to Davao
April 28, 2008 By 4 Comments
Today's guest column is from my friend, Jim Cunningham. Jim is a long time visitor to the Philippines, and will be retiring to the Philippines by the end of this year. Jim recently visited Davao City, among other places, and writes here about his experiences. Thanks for writing this, Jim! Meeting you and Marilou for dinner during your visit was a real pleasure! Bob During our recent holiday to the Philippines we had an occasion to visit Davao for the first time. The journey to Davao was made in the company of Greg and Rose Longcob the husband and wife team who manage the administration of Bethany Christian Home for Children in Talakag, Bukidnon … [Read more...]
A "typical" foreigner's behaviour?
April 26, 2008 By 33 Comments
A couple of days ago my wife and I visited a mall here in Davao City. After entering the mall we decided to visit one of the ATM's to check our account balance. Following the line I went straight to the ATM, while my wife followed me being to insert the card. Suddenly from the left side "an English speaking foreigner" tried to make a "short cut" by blocking our way. We just ignored him, even he planted himself before us while we tried to get our cash amount. Some terrible embarrassing words came out his mouth. I really don't like to repeat them all here, but when he started to shout at my wife: "You are a pig!" - I really began shaking. I smelt … [Read more...]
Bizarre foods of the Philippines – Part 4
April 26, 2008 By 1 Comment
Continuing the journey through Bizarre foods found in the Philippines, we start out looking at Jeepneys, and quickly move on to delicacies of the Philippines. Don't miss this latest installment in the series! [youtube B7WI15vtA6Q] … [Read more...]
What is the national language of the Philippines?
April 25, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Over the years, I have heard some talk among other foreigners about language and the Philippines. There is some minor misunderstanding among many foreigners when it comes to language. Most foreigners decide not to try to learn any local language when they move here, while others struggle with the question of which language to learn. First, let's look at the question of National Language. Well, the reality is that there really isn't a "national language" except under the law. There is not any national language in terms of a language that everybody in the nation speaks with regularity. Under the law, the National Language is Pilipino. No, … [Read more...]
Again: German Courses in Davao City
April 24, 2008 By 2 Comments
I would like to thank you all, my dear readers, for your innumerable emails from Mindanao and also including readers based in Germany, such in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. Yes, indeed there is and there will be a strong demand for German courses; and, USEP - the University of the Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, invited me to teach German. I will start with "individual students" on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 9am to 12nn. My regular sked will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 11 am. The first announced course contents 20 hours "Basic German". USEP will charge the very affordable amount of 3,500 Pesos. Enrolment … [Read more...]
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