John Grant

A few weeks ago my friend Ollie came over from the UK and we decided to take a trip to Mintel near Davao City, infact it may be technically part of Davao City.

A very enjoyable day was had walking and talking with the locals and this video captures part of that feeling.

Now having spent a few years here in the Philippines I have struggled with the heat and a few other things ,as you have seen if you are a regular reader to my columns here. And you are you know I love this country as the bad things are few in comparison to the all the pluses I can think of.

However I always struggle to find anything to watch regularly on TV that meets my western criteria, apart from the news of course, which the longer I am here becomes less important. Do I care what my politicians are doing in my own country and really do I care about the next American president?

I mean we have a version of DEAL OR NO DEAL in the UK, however it does not have the dancing women and a circus style presentation which seems to be the main way to present TV here, even the news networks have loud music in the background with “screaming” presenters that make TV NEWS like an entertainment than a serious news programme.

Even sitting down to thee FILM networks can be a disappointment , because if its not”edited” for content than the same film seems to be repeated several times a day and in the week, which that gives you the feel of “GROUNDHOG DAY”.

Here we use the American system of commercials all over the place ,so sometimes you are not sure why the plot has changed to find out we have cut to commercials without any warnings..ITS NOT THE BRITISH WAY LOL.

My friends sit down for hours and hours watching the reality programmes like PINOY BIG BROTHER,DREAM ACADAMY and POP IDOL all have good points but it seems to be wall to wall.

So I tried to get into the soap dramas that seemed to involve hundreds of hospital scenes where everyone screams than dies. than we get to hear the screams again as someone has to kiss the corpse.
Thank goodness that Bob sends me some of his VCD of programmes to give me some intellectual stimulus.. DESPERATE HOUSEWIFES!!!!!! BACK TO THE RADIO FOR ME

If you are lucky enough to come to Davao City one of the places I suggest you need to visit is a place called Jacks Ridge which set high up on a hill looks down on the beautiful Davao City and its Gulf and all the surroundings.

During the day time there its very quiet and you can almost have the swimming pool to yourself and partake at the restaurants with a view to die for. At night its very livey and boasts good music and a great atmosphere and is very popular with the locals who have money.

The Ridge has a children’s playground even what appears to be a mock up of a World War Two plane simulated in a crash position by the swimming pool which certainly gets your attention. There is evidence that a new hotel will also be built on the site and already you can hire small cottages that over look the City. from its vantage point of Shrine Hills in the Matina district.

Here is a link to the official web page JACKS RIDGE

The recent history of Jacks Ridge includes the fall of the Japanese in world war two by the Americans who outmanoeuvred them

I read a report this week about who actually owns homes here in the Philippines and I was a little surprised as the overseas Filipinos, retirees remain top buyers in RP residential market - low prices are the big draw  and a  top official of an international real estate services company said  Filipinos overseas workers and foreign retirees remain the most active buyers in the Philippines thus boosting market demand.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have long been a lucrative market for residential properties because of their desire to provide a better life for their families and retirees both expat and ex Pinoy have  ramped up property spending, mostly from life savings and retirement benefits and want  now to see out the years in paradise. and why not?

So many new houses are apartments are being made here in Davao City too and although this is great for the the overall economy I am concerned that the actual population is being priced out of any chance of getting on the housing market by returning OFW and the ex pats. I rent!!!

Real estate companies are evrywhere and are growing not declining like the USA and I get approached daily if I would like to buy a house even when I am in the mall shopping you see many stands promoting new homes at very reasonable prices. Reasonable to us that is!

To address increasing demand by OFWs and retirees, real estate developers are developing affordable housing developments and condominium projects, with investments ranging from PhP1-Million to PhP2.5-Million, according to a CBRE Philippines report.

In the period 2008 to 2013, 28 residential condominiums are expected to rise in Makati City, providing more than 18,000 units. Now that seems to a big difference from what is happening in America and my homeland of the UK.

According to CBRE Philippines General Manager, mortgage rates are hovering in a range of 8.5 percent to 12 percent and another bright prospect for the Philippine residential market is the development and market positioning of retirement villages for expatriate “empty nesters.”

My First Taste of the Philippines

I really knew nothing about the Philippines at all. I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard that the people were friendly and the climate was hot !! That was about it.So my first destination is Manila. I was flying from Bangkok, Thailand to Manila, which was not a long flight, so it was quite pleasant to be disembarking only 3 and a half hours after take off.It was dark by the time my friend and I arrived at Manila international airport.

That takes some getting used to. In the UK, in the summer time is remains light until 10pm. In the Philippines it is always dark by 6.15pm, Sometimes leaving the day seeming a little short.Oh yes it was very hot and humid. We went by taxi to the hotel. I love the jeepneys, they really have style and character. I enjoyed watching them from the taxi window, crammed full of pe

ople, some of the vehicles very colourful.I stayed in Ermita which appeared to be a mixture of fun and poverty. However no matter where I went, the people were so friendly and mostly happy. They were so hospitable towards a foreigner. Why is that? Why are the Filipinos so friendly always? It’s a truly wonderful part of the culture.

Of course there are good and bad in all cultures, but so many people I have met in the Philippines have gone out of their way to help me, assist me and greet me, with no ulterior motive. That is a really nice thing to experience.My first night in Manila was a wonderful introduction to the culture. It was spent on Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard, where the eating houses are and the bands are performing on stage. That’s another thing. I fell in love instantly with the voices of the Filipinos. How come most Filipinos can sing so well? There is truly unrecognised talent here.I have a real love for music, so that is a great thing I could share with my Filipino friends.On the bay, my friend and I spent some time in the evening watching a great band from Cebu perform, 2 girls and 2 guys. They were really great and the people around us were friendly and greeting us with waves and smiles. I was pulled up on stage at one point by one of the singers who then proceeded to serenade me. I then danced on stage with them while they performed one of my all time favourite songs “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton. I was greeted with cheers and claps afterwards. It was a fun, happy, very warming introduction to the Philippines.

My next stop was Davao city. This was a different experience from Manila, but just as good and positive. I really like Manila, to visit and spend some time there and I made some good friends, but I don’t think I would like to live there. When I first got to Davao I was kind of shocked. I didn’t know what to expect. It seemed very dusty and poor and remote on first impression, however I have now been in Davao 4 times and I am now living here, so as you can imagine, I have moved on from my initial thoughts of what it was like.I found Davao city to have the facilities and fun of a big city, like Manila, but the people have a very much more provincial mentality, which I find really nice and positive.There is a unique friendliness here, it is totally refreshing.My first visit was for 3 days only, which is quite a whistle stop, but since, I have explored much more of the city and I have settled in well.

I have good friends here, lots to do and I feel safe and welcome in this environment.On that first trip, after my 3 days in Davao, I then flew with my friends to Cebu for a further 3 days relaxation. We stayed on Mactan Island in a Resort which was lovely, facing the beach. This was purely a luxurious holiday retreat but it was most welcome and the Filipino hospitality continued throughout my trip.I love the climate, the people, the friendliness and the beautiful places that you can visit here. There are beautiful beaches and mountains and water springs, water falls and places of interest all over if you are prepared to find them.My favourite way of exploring areas of the Philippines is by motorbike, there is a wonderful sense of freedom riding the country roads with the wind in your hair, the sun in your face and the beautiful countryside spread out all around you.

WOW Philippines…..you are great.