Coming in through back doors

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 kind of products come in through backdoor?  Everything!  Even food items.  Fabric.  Textiles.  Clothing.  Even thing like cameras and electronics.  One time I saw Sony PS3 that is backdoor model.

Boats ply trade routes from Sandakan to Tawi Tawi to Zamboanga City every day.  We see the products in Zamboanga stores, same products not to be seen in Manila and elsewhere!

Different flavor, different life in Zamboanga.  Different products too.  Different prices.  Come visit Zamboanga – life different here!

Nothing but troubles

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 Medicare Hospital.  Great pain, plenty doctor looking after me.  Plenty X-Ray.  Plenty pain killer pill.

You think that is my trouble that I mentioned?  Oh, amigos… motorcycle wrek is only starting of my troubles.

During 6 days of hospitalization, I meet my nurse, Minda.  Oh, Minda.  Very nice nurse.  Very beautiful nurse.  Very good treatment to me during my pain.

Since I living in the Philippines since 2005, I very careful, I never fall for any girl here.  I enjoy many company of many girl, but never get hooked to one.  But, I am weak in my injury condition.  I take a big fall for Minda.

Yes, now I have girlfriend.  Just one month only, but she already mention to me the “M” word.  You know M word?  Marriage!  For now, I hold off, I can resist.  I hope I continue to resist for a long while.  But, I not the same since motorcycle injury.

I drive too fast!  I drive motorcycle too fast.  I drive too fast for Minda.

I think my trouble only beginning now.  Girlfriend?  Oh yes, more trouble coming, I feel it.  What you think?

Warning: Danger for tourists

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), get back at my work and just hold on for fond memories.

Since first time I visit Philippines, though, it goes in my blood.  I can’t stop thinking: Philippines, Philippines, Filipinas!  Ha ha, sorry I must throw in about the Filipina, because I love the ladies so much.  But, true, when I go home to Spain after first visit to Philippines, I spend my time on Internet sites to learn more and read more about Philippines. Oh, yes, I also spend time looking pictures of many Filipina on my computer too!  But, you see my meaning?

Why is the Philippines addictive for us?  Why we can’t get enough Philippines?  When I go to Hungary, I am not searching sites for Hungarian Sausage!  No, I just go home and forget about Hungary.  But, not Philippines.

Warning for all traveler to the Philippines:  You may never be able to leave.  If you do leave, maybe just temporary.  Philippines will haunt you for a long, long time.

Watch me on the highway

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 June 9.  Used bike, but not bad, 2006 model.  The bike is Suzuki Raider with 150cc.  Small bike, but big in Philippines.  Seller asked me for P60,000 to buy, but I just laughing at him, because new bike is not much difference.  I keep negotiating for bike.  For nearly 1 week I negotiate to the buyer.  How much I pay in the end?

P41,000.  Wow, I think good deal!  What you think?  Motorcycle is red, like my hot spicy peppers and my Spanish blood!

Will you ride motorcycle in the Philippines?   Is it safe, or very dangerous?  The cars will hit me?  Maybe I hit the cars!  Ha ha.  Just joke.

Hmmm….  Now I only need to buy helmet.  If you come to Zamboanga, you watch 0ut to me on the streets, because I am wild Spaniard!  I no worry if you coming, I might bump you!  No serious on this, just a lot of joke.  Now, not only buy helmet, but 2 helmet, because I also need hot girl to ride with me on new motorcycle!

Time for road trip?  Want to join?

When the Spanish come to Zamboanga

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 of the Spanish battles against the Moros of Cotabato, and Caldera was under supervision from Captain Juan Pacho.  Original Spanish settlement in Mindanao happen at Cotabato, they build a fort in Tampacan, Cotabato.  But, very difficult fighting in Cotabato, the Spaniards are in difficulty with Moros.

La Caldera, though, very secure for Spaniards, so orders were sent to Tampacan – burn the fort and go to Tampacan to fortify Spanish position there in Zamboanga.  This is how Zamboanga came to be Spanish stronghold in Mindanao.

Just two years from taking charge of La Caldera, Captain Pacho is killed though, on an expedition to Jolo, Sulu.  Even 511 years ago, Sulu is a very dangerous place!  Me, Carlin, I take no expeditions to Sulu, I have no Galleon, and no soldiers!  Even Captain Pacho, he had 20 soldiers with him for expedition to Jolo, but all were killed.  They went to Jolo to make barter mission to get wax.  Why they need wax?  I know not, but they want wax.

Next comes Captain Villagra to Command La Caldera.  Captain Villagra does not last long time, though.  His men just worry enjoyment (many Filipinas visiting fort?), and they eat all their food.  Also, Moros from Jolo are very bold now, because when they defeated Pacho, they already have no fear to Spanish.  So, before endind of 1598, La Caldera is burned and abandoned, just as Tamapcan.  Spaniards move around Zamboanga area many places.  Finally, they build grand fortress, Fuerza de San Jose.  We study more Fuerza de San Jose Grand Fortress later article, if you readers enjoying this Spanish History of the Zamboanga area.

I just am so happy that the Zamboangenyos of today still welcoming me, a 21st Century Spaniard to the Zamboanga area.  I love the place!

Fort Pilar, Zamboanga

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 come to my eyes.  I can’t help it.  Seeing the history of my ancestor here so many thousand of kilometers away from my homeland, it makes me feel special feeling.

The building of Fort Pilar is so important for Spaniards in 1600s that they import men from Luzon and Visayas to help the work be faster.    During the building of Fort Pilar, the construction laborers picked up the Spanish language from their bosses and the beginning of the Chavaccano langauge is born.  Even today, I can speak the Spanish to Zamboangenyos and they understand me.  It all started in Fort Pilar in 1600 and beyond.  Amazing to me.

Fort Pilar seen many days of war too.  Fighting against Dutch (they are just close in Indonesia, you know), Chinese, Moros and others too. Many times the Fort is nearly destroyed, but the Jesuit Priests have plenty of engineers for fixing the Fort, even making much stronger.  No wonder it still is standing today!

Fort Pilar fell away from Spain in 1899 to the Americans.  No more is it Spanish from that day forward.  But the design, the construction and the spirit is always Spanish, even in 400 more years!  Viva Espana!

Visit Fort Pilar if you can!  If you want, I guide you in the Fort!

Blood Sport Philippines

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 course, will be rooting them on.  The cockfighting is called Sabong here in Zamboanga, and we have many tournaments right here in Zamboanga, but not as big as the World Slasher Cup II.

I know you animal lovers do not like the cockfighting.  Cruel to animals – blah, blah, blah.  It is culture for us.  Including me to see cockfighting.  These cocks are animals, not people.  Why the blah blah blah?

Do you know that additional to bull fighting we also have cockfighting in Spain?  It is in Andalucia, Spain, and very popular.  Maybe it made me almost Filipino to love this sport as they do here also.

No bull fighting in the Philippines, though!  Maybe we can have water buffalo fighting!  What they calling it here, Carabaw.  But, they might be too slow for good fighting!  I did not yet see a Carabaw mad, though!  Maybe they like the Filipino people, never get too mad.  Their blood here is cool, not spicy like my people can be!

What you think?  Pro-cockfight?  Anti-cockfight?  You like chicken soup?  Plenty of chicken soup for the winners every sunday!  He he…

See you at cockfight pit!  Oh, I love my cockfighting!  Maybe I buy some cock soon and start training.  Manny Cockiao!

The pink sand of Zamboanga

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 is so very beautiful.  I die to spend a day on Santa Cruz with a spicy companion.  Pink sand and red hot fun!  There is nothing better.

It takes less than 30 minutes on a small boat to go to Santa Cruz Island.  It’s all for P1000 or so.  Friendly guy drives the boat for you too.

Come and join me on the beautiful pink sand of Zamboanga!  Viva Zamboanga!   Asia’s Latin City, my home!

Spiced Up!

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 where.

You see, when I decided to come to the Philippines, I thought the food would be like Thailand, or some of the other spicy Asian food.  I mean, look at the food of Mexico – it’s plenty spicy, and they were under Spanish colony just like the Philippines, so I figured it would be like that too.

What I do know, though, is that when you go to the mercado there, there are plenty of ingredients for food as spicy as you want!  No matter how hot and spicy I want my food that day, there are so many kinds of peppers and dry spices in the mercado that I can whip it up to the point where it will burn your toungue and all the way down your pipes!  I love it!  My ulcers might not always like it, but I can’t stop eating it!

I like the Philippines a lot because I find a lot of food ingredients that I have used for years, and also new stuff that I can play with and learn from cooking it.  It gets no better than that.

I'm all LIP!

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 love living in Zamboanga, because most people here speak Spanish, and language is no barrier for me here.  Well, they don’t exactly speak Spanish, they speak Chavacano, which is sort of a derivitive of Spanish.  But, I can speak Spanish (slowly) to the people here, and they can understand me 80%.  I can understand them about 50% when I moved here, but now I have no language problems at all.

I don’t venture out of Zamboanga City too often, but I do travel this region of west Mindanao from time to time.

I will go short on this first article, but am excited to write more here.  I have been reading this website for quite a while, but have kept pretty quiet.  I will try to be more visible now, though.

Thanks to Bob for inviting me to the site.

Hola LiP!  Viva Zamboanga!  Hasta la vista.