MOTOR BIKING
One of the great things about this fantastic country is the natural beauty, I myself look out at the APO mountains every morning and every night.
When you fly its great to look down, and to whiz by the islands shimmering in the clear waters,but The best for me is the feeling of being on a motorbike and taking unknown routes and seeing the real people and the amazing views around every corner.
Now I am not brave enough to ride a motorbike but am very happy to be a passenger on the back and just take in the views and have the ability to continually wave to the people who shout out “hey Joe”.
Now this is all fantastic except that traffic cops seem to have a magnet to the motorbike, or is it possibly the white skin? Many times we have passed by a single traffic cop who just cannot signal us quick enough to slow down and pay a fixed penalty for something or other.
We made a mistake when returning to Davao from Panabo and passed a group of ten traffic cops relaxing, we passed nine who took no notice and the tenth was not bothered until he saw the white skin and jumped out with seconds to go to go, nearly causing us an accident, however we stopped next to his toes safely.
He checked the bike everything ok, checked tyres, all ok, asked for driving license all ok! What was he going to do? He asked for registration document and my driver went woops! That’s the one that got us, he left it at home, guilty as charged.
The officer explained to my friend that this was a serious offence and he would have to take away his licence until he went to LTO to pay a fine of around p1000, and of course he would have to make other arrangements to get the bike home.
He asked my friend if he would like to make a statement,the charge book still closed. My friend not getting the hint indicated his bemusement by saying ” a statement about what?” Again the officer asked the same question another three to four times, my friend just did not know what to say,then I saw the charge book open up!!!
At this point I asked the officer would he be ok to take a pre payment towards the fine, and would that allow us to continue. He told me what a good idea and this penalty would be paid in full by the p500. I never asked for receipts!!
From now on we decided to wear the helmet, gloves and long trousers, no white skin to show, otherwise it will get too expensive.
John,
You forgot to do one thing. You did not take down the name of the cop. You are encouraging this practice of bribery. Bad, bad, bad!
Your comment “from now on…” made me laugh. Why don’t you just make sure you are not going to get a ticket for anything by checking to make sure you have everything in order? You are willing to go through all the trouble of not showing your skin color, while you are not willing to go through the trouble of checking to see if things are in order? Hmmm!
BTW, 500p is a real rip-off. 200p would have sufficed.
As I said before in another post, it seems like you are enjoying yourself in these legal predicaments.
I was looking back at your writings and I have yet to find one article that you did not have something negative to say. You must be a lot of fun to spend time with.
Wayne,
I don’t think I was being negative on any post I made here. Just poking fun here and there, like with John’s post about the motorcycle. Can you cite specific incidences? If I am really being negative in the eyes of many readers, I apologize. Not my intention. Pls read my other posts again in this light, and if you still find offending post, pls let me know.
Hi Jae,
I don’t think Wayne meant you, he meant John. Right, Wayne?
I agree with you both, I already told John on a previous post to remind me not to travel with him, ever!
Now, I’m not sure if I want to be seen in your company! Just kidding! 
You know I was just teasing…
But, you really attract trouble. Is that your middle name?
Guys, just wanted to make it clear, I meant John’s company, not yours!
Folks,
Let’s go to confession. It’s the hour of redemption
I agree with Tina’s observation re. Wayne’s comment and who it was directed to. I don’t think it was meant for Jae.
And Jae’s comments were right on target. I have to agree.
Jae,
I remember you said you’re a Korean living in the Philippines. How long have you lived there? You seem to know a lot about local customs and practices. It seems like you have really been immersed to the culture. That’s really great…
You know the cops in Davao are not all bad. I got pulled up by a traffic policeman on a motorbike as I was driving the wrong way up a one way system outside the Marco Polo.
He as polite, warned me about the folly of my actions, sent me on my way without any fine, and he refused the bribe my Filapina wife was persistantly trying to give him.
I was very impressed,
Scott
TINA AND JAE
You are so right, but at that time it seemed to be the thing that got us home quick, but I do take your point and I admit i felt bad afterwards and i agree p500 was too much
WAYNE
Thanks for your comment,I think you may misunderstand me and my blogs,infact I have been told i give too much positive in my early blogs. I am giving you some things that have happenned to me over four years. Sorry if you feel im negative and sad to be with,I assure you its not true and I have read all your comments on all my posts and thank you for your input. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY so please try and judge me from that base mark.
Hi Wayne - I don’t think your comment to John is fair. In his early posts, he was 100% positive. Tina even commented to him asking him what he disliked in the Philippines, because she said that he could not possibly like everything (as all of his posts were so positive). If you go back and read John’s posts, you will see this.
I know John personally, and I can assure you that he is a great guy, he enjoys life in the Philippines (as a matter of fact, he is trying hard to avoid having to leave), and is a very positive individual.
Personally, Wayne, I think you owe John an apology. That’s just my opinion.
Just my 2 cents…I think Wayne may only be at fault for putting a double negative in his comment, making it sound like he was criticizing John and being sarcastic at the end. I honestly don’t think this was Wayne’s intention, but invite correction if I’m the one in error.
I too have found that John puts potentially negative situations in a very relaxed and fun light, and I feel like I could learn a lot from that attitude (any readers of my blog know that I complain a lot).
Just couldn’t resist guys… cause I think we have a whole new person in our midst… John “Trouble” Wayne…
Hello All,
I agree with Elisa. I think Wayne was being facetious, not critical at all. Maybe Wayne needs to use more emoticons (that I noticed I use a lot of).
Hi Milper,
Are we having fun yet? I know I am!
And to tie this up with AL’s Cebuano lessons, ask a Bisaya person this question: “Asa ang Derby?”.
Almost always, they’ll point you to…. The Cockpit!
Hi Tina,
I can’t have too much fun yet… I’m still in the office now. But, I just couldn’t resist peeking at this site once in a while.
Hi Scott,
I agree with you that not all cops are bad. The cop that John encountered is, unfortunately, a bad cop. He, and his kind, is what gives the rest a bad name. However, if we “play along” with them, we aren’t helping the situation, but are encouraging it. We need to put a stop to this. Taking the name of the offender and exposing his misdeeds is a step in the right direction.
Okay, gotta go, past my bedtime. Maayong gabi-i sa inyong tanan!
Hey Milper - You’re in the IT Department, right? Hey… you’re just testing out the network, di ba?
Whew! I am so happy that I was not the target of being negative! (sorry John!)
John,
Just to say that I enjoy your posts, always find that they have a point but usually with a bit of fun added.
Gerry
Hi Jae, just to inform you that I am the guy who was the driver on John’s bike, the day we got pulled over by the traffic police man. John is totally correct in saying light heartedly that we need to cover our skin. Of course we have everything in order, we are not stupid. Even if i had the registration documents on me it would have made NO DIFFERENCE to being fined. And by that I am not implicating all traffic cops either, its just a thing that does happen. Oh and Tina?? John is the best companion to travel with, nothing is ever dull !!!!
I love the Philippines and Davao too, so as John said, start judging from that base line and not misinterpretations.
Steve
Oh and I MUST add one thing that is of paramount importance - not ONCE has John highlighted anything in the Philippines in a negative way. I know he loves it as much as I do, any comments would have been light hearted, highlighting differences and sometimes contradictions to the culture and country, but never negative.
I really don’t think that John had malicious intent behind his posts, though they may sound “negative” to some. I think he’s just eager to share his experiences in the Philippines and in the process, try to be as honest and factual as he can be, about his odysseys there.
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to “mask” some of these less-palatable realities and they come off as a negative spin to his stories, even if they may not be intended that way.
Personally, they don’t bother me, but that’s me… because no matter what others say about the Philippines, the fact is, it is my country of origin so I’ll take it for what it is — good, bad, ugly, “cultural warts” and all — they won’t detract from my natural feelings for the land of my birth. It will take a whole lot more to shake that allegiance. What others think of it doesn’t have to color how I think of it. And that’s that. They talk from their experience as I talk from mine.
Incidentally, if you folks want some really blunt, honest assessments, this time by a Filipino for the Filipinos, google for the website, “Get Real Philippines” — it has some really insightful articles there.
Of course the site has its own share of detractors but if you can remain open and keep your emotions guarded, go visit. It covers a lot of aspects of the Philippine landscape. WARNING: It is not for the faint of heart!
Negative comments would benefit us (filipinos) to correct what is wrong. As far as the comment is constructiveor then a room for improvement is feasible. Posiitive comments would give us inspiration/motivation to maintain such image.
Take it easy Ladies and Gentlemen :razz:. Enjoy life to the fullest :smile:.
Negative comments would benefit us (filipinos) to correct what is wrong. As long as the comment is constructive then a room for improvement is feasible. Posiitive comments would give us inspiration/motivation to maintain such image.
Take it easy Ladies and Gentlemen :razz:. Enjoy life to the fullest :smile:.
Hey John
This my first time to comment onn any of the posts on the site but, your esperience with the motorbike inspired me.
I’ve been living in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur for almost two years now and, as I mentioned to Bob in an email, sometimes it amazies me how different the customs/traditions differ from area to area……even when the distance is not that great.
My first 8+ monts here, the wife and I traveld mostly by tryke (very unique trykes here in Pagadian City). Sometimes even to my wife’s parents home in Dumalinao (about 15km outside the city). My white skin never raised more notice then the, very occaisional ‘hey Joe’, form the PNP, and LTO at the check points. My wife informed me then that, mostly, the bikes or vans that got stopped were only because the officiers were in need of ‘pasaload’ which would only mean a “bribe” of no morre than 30peso.
When we bought our car, with blacke out windows we were stopped once only out of curiousity. The PNP took a glancing look at the travel permit and wave me on without even asking for liciense or registration. I have been told by some that the blacked out windoes discourage the checkers to a degrew. Seems they don’t want to take the chance of walking up to a 45 they can’t see.
I believe if I gave a 500peso “bribe”, my wife would not ever let me forget it!
Hi Frank,
The p500 was far far over the top, but that was all I had in my pocket at the time. I must admit i regret the amount paid and doing it in the first place.
Teng
Everyday I learn from my Pinoy friends, they are so patient with me in showing me how to integrate into the culture , I hope they never stop teaching me.
Angie and Jae
I am a pussycat honest, meow
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