Comments on: Hard times?

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:05:31 +0000

Hi Dave- Yes, the quality of the discussion here always makes me happy!

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:32:06 +0000

Wow! As always LIP has become like a university extension class, there are so many more intelligent commenters here than the run of the mill “complaining about the taxi driver” groups.

@ Ellen … I understand better what you said, and did not mean to say you said AIG Philippines failed .. but as others point out, if the folks who run PhilAmLife would just give themselves credit and forget about AIG they will do just fine. I often get very discoraged here with the continual ‘it’s better if made in the USA’ claptrap. Toyota tops out their sales at the mid-line Forester for example becuase Filipinos would rathe rpay more money for a made in Mexico Ford Expedition (all Ford trucks are made in Mexico) rather than a real quality product like the Crown … these can only be bought ‘back door’ becuase Fords are better becuase they are ‘mad ein USA”? Spare me. Virtually nothing is ‘made in the USA’ any more … and there could be a relationship between that fact and the current crisis. You cna sign me an American who is proud if is country but not proud of much that they produce anymore, sayang.

@ martin, yes caution is certianly advisable (I mentioned that) and indeed no ne can tell, but I still would submit that the current largest problem Philippine banks face is that they run themselves down … and banking is based more than any other factor on confidence.m If they beleive in themselves they still could have problems, but if they think of themselves as second rate, as in the statements various movers and shakers make in the mass media, they will then assure problems.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:43:15 +0000

Hi David B Katague- Yes, I also like Glorietta a lot, it’s a beautiful mall indeed. However, I rarely make it up to Manila (it’s been over 4 years since I’ve been up there), so I have to rely on Davao malls!

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:41:42 +0000

Hi Preben- I think that the public markets are here to stay, I don’t see any chance of the malls pushing them aside.

Regarding Victoria Plaza – no, there is no Marcos involvement there that I am aware of. I know some of the people who own Victoria, and they are not part of the Marcos family.

By: David B Katague

David B Katague — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:49:57 +0000

I believe the Philippine economy will not be really be affected by this world crises if OFW’s remittances continues. However, the first business in the Philippines that will suffer is the tourism business. Is Boracay still fully booked from Korean tourist boom even during this off season? Anybody knows?

The last business section affected will be the food and entertainment industry!
The filipinos priority in life is FOOD, FOOD and FOOD.

Do you know that the number 1 blog site in the Philippines is Starmometer. The blog writes about news and gossips about actors/actresses, TV shows, male and female models etc,

Speaking of malls, my favorite is the Glorietta Mall in Makati, My wife and I love to shop/eat and also hang out in the mall to enjoy the air conditioning when we are in the Makati area. Greetings to all from California!!

By: Preben

Preben — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:38:29 +0000

I guess it is good with the new malls in some ways, but do you have a comment on which influence it will have on the traditional open markets. Will they survive? If they disapear it is like loosing some folklore, that I as a tourist love.
I am fully aware that progres cannot and shall not be stopped, but I allowe myself to be a little selfisIh, sorry.
One writer mentions about Victoria Plaza is possible up for sale! I was under the impression that it was build and belongs to Imelda M. I might be wrong thou..

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:45:12 +0000

Hi Henry- Yep, there is good shopping here. I am looking forward to seeing the news malls after they open too. I think we are in for some really nice places here in the City.

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:01:03 +0000

Hi Bob,

Your favorite malls in Davao are the same as mine! I actually prefer NCCC over SM, though. I especially liked the supermarket at NCCC. They carried an assortment of products like some of the largest supermarkets here in Chicago! I can’t believe I enjoyed shopping more than my girlfriend did.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:53:01 +0000

Hi James- I agree, this is a good time to avoid borrowing.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:52:37 +0000

Hi Michael- Not if she is up against Feyma!