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Home is where the heart is

July 27, 2010 By Patrick Duffy 10 Comments
Balikbayan Box - Mine was full of gifts!

A noise awakens me from a deep sleep. As I look out my plane window I see a castle perched high on a mountain top. Floating past it like a bird, I realize I am in Taipei, China. Just 12 hours ago I was frantic at SFO with what I thought might have been trouble with my “balikbayan” boxes. My apprehension was quickly put to rest by Sherry at the China Airlines ticket counter. I am 40 plus kilos over my allotted weight and have three boxes extra as well. Usually I would be charged substantially for this, but she knows what I am bringing to the poor. God bless for miracles and for people like Sherry. In a few hours I will board my plane to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Expats, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Patrick Duffy, Relationships, Travel

Living it down

July 21, 2010 By Patrick Duffy 13 Comments
Carabao

Today, we have another installment from Patrick Duffy's Guest Series here on LiP. MindanaoBob Today I arrived at my Nanay’s house in Dolores, Eastern Samar. It being a Saturday, others have insisted on my joining them to go and the festivities at their town plaza square. It is also Valentine’s Day and my friends search for a “part-time” Valentine on this special night for me. San Miguel is my choice of beverage throughout the evening as we walk; I am more comfortable this way although I am the mosquito’s choice of fresh blood. I wished I had brought a tennis racket or at least golf clubs. I meet new friends and feel transported … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Adjustment, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Patrick Duffy, Travel

A house update from James Browning

July 15, 2010 By JamesBrowning 28 Comments
James' Version of MindanaoBob's Deluxe BBQ Grill in the Sunset

Today we have a Guest Article from my friend, James Browning.  James has given us several guest articles in the past about the construction of his home up in Luzon.  The home is pretty much complete now, except a bit of landscaping, and James has a few words and pictures to share with us!  Beautiful place, James, and I especially like your BBQ Grill! MindanaoBob Hello my name is James, and me and my Philippine wife Joy have been building our Philippine dream home for 2 years now. The house is complete and we have been working on the landscaping now, we still have a way to go but we build as we go without borrowing any money, so it is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Homes, James Browning, Living in The Philippines, Luzon

What a long strange trip it’s been

July 13, 2010 By Patrick Duffy 12 Comments
Riding the bus in the Philippines

Today, we are continuing with a Guest Series of posts from Patrick Duffy. MindanaoBob Finally I am on the bus and I find myself only thinking of the small girl that I became so attached to within such a short time. First, I am given the front seat where I can take pictures and video, then they give to me a seat with a better view that only special people tend to get, that folds down onto the stairs. Through more barrios we travel until we are out of the town, we come into some farmlands and small villages along the way. There are more coconut trees now, with outcrops of communities along beautiful rivers. The road narrows and winds through … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Adjustment, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Patrick Duffy, Travel

I left my heart in the Philippines

July 8, 2010 By Patrick Duffy 42 Comments
Philippine Paradise!

Today, we have a Guest Article from Patrick Duffy.  Patrick has a series of articles which he has submitted to me for publication on this site, and his articles will be appearing over the coming weeks here on LiP.  Thank you for your contribution, Patrick. MindanaoBob To say that I left my heart in San Francisco would not be the truth, for when it is time to leave paradise, this is where it will stay. By paradise, I mean the Philippine Islands. This is still the first time I have been to the Philippines. I had thought about this trip since I fell in love with a Filipina more than a dozen years ago. Since then, I have never been the same. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Daily Life, Expats, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Patrick Duffy, Travel

Jack’s Plan For Not Ending Corruption

July 3, 2010 By Jack Emery 31 Comments
Traffic Cameras are the new normal in System A Countries

Today, we have a Guest Article from Jack Emery.  Jack wished to share his thoughts about my recent article, Bob's Plan for ending corruption, which was published in the past week.  Jack sees it a bit different than what I wrote, and I welcome him sharing his view, the other side of the coin.  Thank you, Jack for sharing your thoughts with the LiP Community. MindanaoBob Mindanao Bob has a plan for ending corruption in the Philippines. He's right about it being one of the hottest topics on the blogs, the message boards, and, no doubt, in comments on his site. I respect Bob's opinions, but on this one I would like to offer a dissenting … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Corruption, Living in The Philippines

Look What Rice Made Them Do

July 2, 2010 By AlexB 10 Comments
Highlander Inn, Solano

Today, we have another Guest article from Alex Buenafe.  In recent weeks, Alex has submitted articles about his recent trip to the Philippines.  First he told us about his trip and Coping with El Nino in Northern Luzon, next he told us about visiting Batanes.  Today, Alex is going to tell us about the last leg of his journey, his time in the Cordilleras.  This is the last of Alex's trip reports, however he has told me that he will soon make another trip to the Philippines, and perhaps we can impose on him to file another report on his upcoming trip!  Thank you for your interesting reports, Alex! MindanaoBob An Aussie tourist had a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Entertainment, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel

Hey Joe – Ramblings from General Santos City

June 23, 2010 By Gary Ames 20 Comments
Orange Garden venue, under the canopy at dusk, before the guests arrive.

I don’t really have a specific topic for this article – but I’d like to give props to Paul K for showing it’s ok to ramble about a few things. I’ve recently incorporated some early morning jogs into my routine, which take me right through the heart of Gensan. I enjoy it, the city’s waking and there are other joggers, walkers, and morning workers, most just starting their day. I’ve commented on a couple articles that I haven’t heard as many “Hey Joe’s” around town as when we lived here back in the late nineties. However, my morning jogs are increasingly filled with that familiar greeting. Do the “Hey Joe’s” bother … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Adjustment, Communication, Daily Life, Entertainment, Expats, Filipino Culture, Gary Ames, Health, Living in The Philippines, Mindanao, Shopping

Not So Remote – Batanes

June 17, 2010 By AlexB 22 Comments
Artist Sketch Idjang

Today, we have another Guest Article from Alex Buenafe.  Alex already gave us his first installment in his report about his recent visit to the Philippines, during which he concentrated on seeing the Northern Philippines.  Today, Alex will tell us about his visit to the mystical Province of Batanes, a place off of the tourist path for the most part.  Thank you Alex for your contribution! MindanaoBob On the first day at work in Tuguegarao, an opportunity to go to Batanes came up.  It was totally unexpected as if someone had been reading my mind. It was the senior boss’ (of DTI, Region 2) idea to do a day’s work up there since every nook … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Alex Buenafe, Filipino Culture, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel

Coping with El Niño

June 2, 2010 By AlexB 6 Comments
At "Our Lady of Piat" Church

Today we have a Guest Article from an old LiP Reader, Alex Buenafe.  Oh, I don't mean Alex is old, I mean that he has been reading LiP for a long time!  Anyway, Alex recently returned home to Canada from his most recent trip to the Philippines, during which he explored the northern part of the country.  Alex has some interesting insights into the Northern Philippines to share with us, and I hope you enjoy reading it.  Thank you very much, Alex, for sharing your experiences with the LiP Audience.  I am glad that you had an enjoyable and safe visit to the Philippines! MindanaoBob I have been a LiP reader for the past year and a half … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guest Tagged With: Alex Buenafe, Daily Life, Filipino Culture, Food, Ilocos Norte, Living in The Philippines, Luzon, Travel, Weather
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