I went to Manila for few weeks August and September. Long time since I visit there, very long. But, already back home again with Minda here at Zamboanga City. I arrived a few days now. One thing that I notice in Manila, the product selection there is much different from here in Zambo. You know, here in Zamboanga area, we get many products from Malaysia and Indonesia. They call it "back door entry" because it is not coming through official channels - i.e. coming in through Manila. Back door products are cheap too! Malaysian prices lower than Philippines. And, no taxes on these products, because avoiding official paths to the stores. What … [Read more...]
Nothing but troubles
August 11, 2009 By 58 Comments
Yes, mi amigo! I am in trouble! Why you did not read my writing here at LiP for long time now? I have troubles. You won't be able to believe these, friends. Where can I start this? Can you remember, I have motorcycle? In June 14, I write article that I did buy a motorcycle! Oh, I enjoyed it so much! I was riding the city, king of Zamboanga. I enjoy so much fresh air, lots of people watching my ride in the streets of Zamboanga. Everything great on my motorcycle. Until July 10. Crash. Bang. Rip! Broken my leg! Scrape all skin from my leg. Blood. Plenty of blood. I go to hospital. Spend 6 days in Labuan Community … [Read more...]
Warning: Danger for tourists
July 1, 2009 By 39 Comments
Did you come to the Philippines for a visit? Did you come here to visit family of your wife? Maybe you came for business trip? Just for holiday? Very rare for person to come here for holiday if they have no connection to the Philippines. Coming here to the Philippines for any of those reasons is very dangerous, and you must consider this before your travel. No, I am not talking of bombs, kidnapping or guns. What do I mean? Philippines is addictive! Why is Philippines addictive? I mean, in my life I travel to many countries for holiday or for job purpose. Every country I visit, I enjoy it, but I go home to Spain (or Ireland), … [Read more...]
Watch me on the highway
June 14, 2009 By 57 Comments
Hi everybody, if you come to Zamboanga City, be careful. No, city is not dangerous as you hear, but it just got more dangerous than before! You see, I bought motorcycle! So, now, if you driving around in Zamboanga, better watch with your eyes for crazy Spaniard on road! I never drive motorcycle before in my life, but now I will start! What you think? Some people say riding motorcycle in Philippines is very dangerous. But, my thought is driving is very slow here, so should be not a problem for me. I must practice a lot, and I keep on practice more and more so that I can't have bump to a car! So, I bought motorcycle on Tuesday … [Read more...]
When the Spanish come to Zamboanga
June 7, 2009 By 33 Comments
In the early 1500's the Spanish came to the Philippines for the first time. Magellon arrived first in Cebu and brought Catholic religion to the Philippines. The Philippines still very much Catholic today because of Spaniards. Magellon conquored Cebu, until he had been killed by Lapu Lapu. But, by the end of 1500's, in 1596, the Spanish arrived in Zamboanga, where I live today. Am I the last Spaniard in Zamboanga? Probably now, I guess theres other Spaniards too here. Spanish presence in Zamboanga is first recorded at La Caldera in November 1596. La Caldera is 20 Km Northeast from my place in Zamboanga City. Caldera was the base … [Read more...]
Fort Pilar, Zamboanga
May 23, 2009 By 84 Comments
Fort Pilar, called Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza by my Spanish Ancestors was built by Spanish Forces beginning 1635. The start of construction was the cornerstone, laid to place by a Priest, Fr. Melchor de Vera, a Jesuit engineer. The Spanish put the fort in order to protect from Pirates from the sea, the Sulu Sea. So far, I visit Fort Pilar just one time, but hoping to go back for more visits again. It is still beautiful place, imagine, almost 400 years old now! This is history right here in my home, Zamboanga City. Sometimes I even imagine if one of my own blood laid some bricks at the Fort, and a tear would … [Read more...]
Blood Sport Philippines
May 13, 2009 By 86 Comments
As you might know, I am a Spaniard. OK, yes, I am half Spaniard. But, I grow up watching the bull fights. I love the sport of bull fighting. It is part of my culture. The bull fighting of the Philippines exists too, but here is Cock Fighting! It is what a lot of people call a blood sport, same as bull fight. This week is a big week for cock fight in the Philippines. This week is World Slasher Cup II, an 8 Cock International Derby to be held in Cubao, Quezon City. This derby has entries from over 100 competitors from worldwide! From Zamboanga Peninsula, we have our own team of cockfighters competing, the MJRG team! I, of … [Read more...]
The pink sand of Zamboanga
May 5, 2009 By 20 Comments
Did you know that there is a pink sand beach in Zamboanga? Very true, I have visited there myself. The pinkness of the sand is only a subtle pink, but it is most pink, and very lovely. The place where you can find pink sand in Zamboanga is on Santa Cruz Island, Zamboanga's premier beach. It is quiet there, and beautiful. You never saw pink sand before? Me too. I never even heard of it until I was already in Zamboanga. So, how did this pink sand come to be? Food dye? No. There are red corals in the waters around Santa Cruz island. As those red corals age and die off, they form sand that is pink. It is that simple, but it … [Read more...]
Spiced Up!
April 23, 2009 By 48 Comments
I love spicy food! Yeah, a lot of you are saying that since I'm Spanish, of course I like spicy food, right? Well, if you ae thinking that, think again! Most food in Spain is not spicy! That doesn't mean, though, that there aren't Spaniards who like spicy food! I know that I do. I also like to cook! I can't blame you if you thought that Spanish food is spicy, though, because I made a similar mistake. You see, I thought that food in the Philippines was going to be spicy. Mama... was I wrong! The food here is so bland. It's almost tasteless. I heard that there are some places up north with spicy food, but I don't know … [Read more...]
I'm all LIP!
April 20, 2009 By 53 Comments
I guess I'm a big mouth now, since I'm "all lip". He he. My name is Carlin O'Neal, and as Bob said this morning, I'm a new writer here on LIP. I have been living in the Philippines now for 4 years, since 2005. I live in Zamboanga City, Asia's Latin City. It's appropriate too, because I am from Spain! Well, I'm not exactly from Spain, but that is the last place where I lived before moving to the Philippines. I am actually half Spanish and half Irish. My pop is an Irishman and my mama is Spanish. I have lived in both countries at different times in my life. I take after mama mostly, though, and mostly consider myself a Spaniard. I … [Read more...]
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