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Show some respect for the culture

May 26, 2010 By MindanaoBob 72 Comments
workers

Over my years of living in the Philippines, I have gotten more and more accustomed with, and comfortable with the culture of the Philippines.  It took time, though, no doubt. I have a rule, though, that I live by, and my family is aware of.  Outside, on the streets or wherever, Filipino Culture is the rule.  I try to act in a way, or behave in a way that is in line with cultural norms when I am out and about.  Am I always successful in being in step with cultural guidelines here?  No way.  But, I do my best, and I get better all the time in maintaining that.  My rule, though, is that inside my house, we live, or at least I live by American … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Adjustment, Bob Martin, Communication, Daily Life, Expats, Filipino Culture, Food, Living in The Philippines, SIR

Bon Voyage…

April 19, 2010 By MindanaoBob 105 Comments
Bon Voyage

It seems that in recent months the expat community in the Philippines is shrinking.  I personally know about a dozen expats living here in the Philippines who either have already left the Philippines in recent months, or will be doing so shortly. It's not a big surprise to me in most cases, most of the people whom I know of that are leaving are people that I did not expect to make it here anyway, so it's not shocking to me.  On a couple of people, particularly one who lives in the Visayas, I was a bit surprised to hear that he was going home, but for the most part, I expected it to happen sooner or later anyway. Living the the Philippines … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Adjustment, Bob Martin, Daily Life, Expats, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Relationships

Araw ng mga Patay

November 2, 2009 By MindanaoBob 54 Comments

Yesterday, November 1, was Araw ng mga Patay, a major holiday in the Philippines.  Literally translated, Araw ng mga Patay means "Day of the dead."  Additionally, November 1st is All Saints Day in the Catholic Church, which is all related to Araw ng mga Patay, or Day of the dead.  It is the day when the family members who have passed before us are remembered and honored.  But, Araw ng mga Patay is actually only half of the holiday.  The second day, November 2, is also a holiday.  November 2 is All Souls Day. Another name for the two days combined celebration is called "Undas."  In previous years, although I have heard of Undas, I have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Holidays, Living in The Philippines

Cultural Adjustment

October 9, 2009 By MindanaoBob 13 Comments

Since it's Friday, today I'm featuring my column from SunStar Davao Newspaper.  While my LiP Web Magazine is targeted toward foreigner readers who have an interest in visiting or living in the Philippines, my newspaper column is targeted at Filipino readers and trying to foster more understanding toward foreigners who are here.  Because of this, you may notice that this article comes across from a different angle than you are used to, but it might still make interesting reading for you.  This column is appearing in today's SunStar Davao, October 9, 2009. . I've been living in the Philippines for almost 10 years already, and many days I still … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Adjustment, Bob Martin, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Language, Living in The Philippines

Have you taken advantage?

July 22, 2009 By MindanaoBob 44 Comments

As I have mentioned many, many times on this site and other places where I write, the Philippines, culturally, is a very different place compared to our homelands.  I mean, if you are a westerner - American, European, Australian, etc., the Philippines is not the same as where you come from.  So many things are different, and it can takes years to reach an understanding of the cultural aspects of various experiences that you may encounter.  I have been here more than 9 years now, and I still learn new things. Bebe Metillo is my Bisaya teacher, and also has language lessons here on LiP.  During our weekly classes, Bebe and I often get into … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Filipino Culture, Food, Living in The Philippines, SIR

What should I call him?

June 12, 2009 By MindanaoBob 103 Comments

Here in the Philippines, names are not used much of the time when addressing people.  Or, if a name is used, it will often have a "prefix" code word affixed ahead of it.  As an example, our Vice Mayor here in Davao City is Sara Duterte, the daughter of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.  But, people don't call her "Sara" or "Vice Mayor Duterte."  No, she is most commonly known as "Inday Sara" to the people.  This is just an example of how a "code name" is used with people.  But, the problem for us foreigners is... how do we know what "code name" to use with different people?  Well, you can never know for sure, except by hearing what others are calling … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Communication, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Language, Living in The Philippines, Relationships

The group dynamic in the home

April 28, 2009 By MindanaoBob 46 Comments

Do you remember in late 2008, and the early part of 2009, I wrote a series of articles about SIR?  SIR means "Smooth Interpersonal Relations" and it is the basic tenet of Philippine Culture.  SIR is what controls the way that society in the Philippines functions.  One of the tenets of the SIR system is called "In Group."  In Group is all about how Filipinos like to associate into a group.  They like to hang out as a group, and individuality is not only discouraged, but rarely practiced.  In Western Culture, we tend to value our personal time, hanging out by yourself gives you time to reflect.  Individuality is a big part of our culture. One … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, SIR

SIR: The Time-Event Concept

January 21, 2009 By MindanaoBob 70 Comments

Last week, when I wrote in my continuing series about SIR (Smooth Interpersonal Relationships), by foundation of Filipino Culture, I said that I had only one more aspect to cover, and asked if anyboyd could guess what it was.  I was surprised that nobody guessed (Chris tried, but was not correct), because this is the area of Filipino Culture that seems to annoy Westerners the most of all.  The final installment on the SIR system that is used in the Philippines is the Time-Event Concept.  Basically, we are going to talk about Filipino Time today!  Again!  Yes, we have discussed this many times, but I will cover it again today, because it is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, SIR

SIR: The Compadre System

January 13, 2009 By MindanaoBob 30 Comments

The Compadre System, or the "Extended Family" is the basis of Filipino social structure.  When they say "Extended Family" that doesn't mean that there is a blood relationship, or even a marital relationship.  Some "family members" are chosen, rather than being truly related. The Compadre System, or Extended Family is, as I said, the basis of Filipino social structure.  It is a kinship system which extends one's relationships beyond one's immediate family to include up to about 400 people.  Can you imagine?  400 people!  One thing that I often hear from foreigners who marry in the Philippines is that their wife (or husband!) has so much … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, SIR

SIR: Garbo – "Self Esteem, Self Worth"

January 7, 2009 By MindanaoBob 52 Comments

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted an article in my series about SIR , mostly due to the holidays.  I felt that with everybody so busy due to the holidays, it would be good to hold off on the SIR series until the holidays finished up, so we will get back on track today with the series of articles.  For anybody who has forgotten what "SIR" is, it is the foundation of Filipino Culture, and it stands for "Smooth Interpersonal Relations" or the way that relationships with other people are handled in Filipino society. For today's SIR topic, we will focus in on "Garbo" which is Self Esteem or Self Worth.  If you think about it, most all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob, SIR Tagged With: Bob Martin, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, SIR
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