As I am sure most of you have already realized, “Editor Bob” suggested all of us who contribute to the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine write an article on our ‘home city’ here where we are living in the Philippines. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me, ‘Where should I live in the Philippines?’ is always a big topic of interest, so these articles should help. My wife Mita (the Unofficial Cook) and I chose to make our home, at least temporarily, in the municipality of Marilao, province of Bulacan, in central Luzon, very close to the NCR (National Capital Region), commonly called Metro Manila. You can learn a bit about Marilao … [Read more...]
Positive Or Negative, Where Do You Fit?
June 26, 2009 By 19 Comments
I was pleasantly surprised at the reaction to my recent article Why You’re Reading About the Philippines. In particular I’m glad that no one took my examples of how repetitive and cyclical our always present world and national crises are … so many things today sound the same as when I listened to the radio at my mother’s knee in 1949 or 1950 or so … my mom would have been glued to CNN 24x7 if she were around today (except when a Mets game was on). She was a bit of a news junkie I would have to say. Frankly, although we get the International edition of CNN here in the Philippines, which is head an shoulders above the drivel you … [Read more...]
Why You Can't Live In The Philippines
June 19, 2009 By 89 Comments
Boy that’s kind of a negative sounding title, isn’t it, Dave? And besides, who died and left you in charge … where do you get off telling me what I can and can’t do? Of course I’m not in charge and of course I can’t tell you what to do... I wouldn’t even if I was able to. But that title just sort of came to mind this morning when I was reading some mail I had answered in the past and remembering some of the many conversations with several thousand (over the past 10 years or so) folks who had 10,000 reasons or more why they can’t make the move and live here in the Philippines. I’m a great believer in a line that is attributed … [Read more...]
Why You're Reading About the Philippines
June 3, 2009 By 26 Comments
I’ve had this post sitting around “un-done” in my drafts folder for some time. Today I was housecleaning (disk cleaning) and I decided to make something out of it rather than giving it the old heave ho. It’s my thought that many of you are reading here for many different reasons, but the various reasons can often be lumped into one general category … entertainment. Let me be quick to say there is nothing wrong at all with any of these particular sub-categories, but perhaps giving a little thought to why you are really here can help make the experience a bit better for you and even to get a little more out of the Live in the … [Read more...]
Tourism Basics
March 19, 2009 By 31 Comments
Funny how time goes by. I’m way behind on my article writing here, and for that I can only say, sorry ‘bout that, retirement is a lot busier than I thought it would be. I started to write the sentence “a few days ago” and then I looked at the dates … turns out that over a month ago, friend Bob wrote an interesting article, Is the Philippines turning off tourists? | Live In The Philippines . For those who haven’t read it, the thrust of the article is kind of a contrast between the millions and millions of Pesos spent every year on government promotion of tourism in the Philippines and the many little, often very low cost places … [Read more...]
Philippines Hood Ornament Fixation
March 11, 2009 By 20 Comments
This article isn’t really about hood ornaments (you do remember them, don’t you?), nor is it really about driving, (although I am going to talk about that a bit). it’s really about vision. Seeing things. How people see things. What people do with what they see. And (perhaps) things that can be done to make improvements, both in day to day life (as in being stuck in traffic), to the long-term future of the Philippines … and the US for that matter. Before I go any farther let me make an editorial comment. I absolutely love the number of Filipino readers that this blog, and even my articles are attracting. I rarely fail to … [Read more...]
Contest for a cause!
June 13, 2008 By 21 Comments
During my grade school days I ended up joining some money contest for a cause. At that time I didn't even know that I was chosen to join. I was just informed by my parents that the principal and my teacher talked to them and asked them if I can join. Of course they told me that this is for the girl scouts, they wanted to raise some money for a project in school. Since I was a girl scout I was the one chosen at my classroom to represent. Each grade has to have one representative, and I was the one on fifth grade. Oh gosh, I hate to be in those kind of things To be the center of attraction. Of course on this kind of contest you have to ask for … [Read more...]
Family inheritance!
May 15, 2008 By 32 Comments
I just wanted to write this story because it really is a big problem by some family here in the Philippines. Last week a cousin of mine arrived from Luzon. This is the first time in my life meeting her. She already heard of me through her brother who came here middle of last year. Their dad is the oldest child out of 7 children in my mom's side of the family. Before my grandfather passed away in the mid 70's I used to see my uncle almost every year. My uncle and my grandfather had a close relationship with my dad because my dad was really honest and respectful to them. My dad was the one who took care of my Lolo if he ever had problems with his … [Read more...]
The maid's choice
April 29, 2008 By 14 Comments
Today I got a text from our helper that she is quiting. She went home a few days ago to the province to visit her Dad and attend the wedding of her uncle. Our helper was complaining how did her uncle afford to be getting married (even special wedding) that him and his wife has no job. The wife-to-be is like 5 months pregnant now. A few months back that same uncle was asking some money from our helper for her to help the wedding expenses. I told her at that time that would you really want to send the money to your uncle even your dad is needing the money for his check up? Her dad is kind of sickly with old age and overwork in the farm. She told … [Read more...]
Surprise winner!
March 21, 2008 By 23 Comments
Last week was a search for Bb. Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) here. On this beauty pageant they will get like 3 ladies that will represent the Philippines on all the pageant abroad like Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss World. Its a bit controversial this time. Here is a look at the eventual contest winner and how she answered the question put to her, see what you think! [youtube xKwmseoKFCo] Well, during the pageant and it was time for the question and answer portion for the top 10 contestants and one contestant was Janina San Miguel, and asked by this question by the judge: "What role did your family play with you as candidate … [Read more...]
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