Thursday, May 8, 2008
Philippines - quo vadis? (II)
Two days ago we all have been officially informed about the April inflation rate of the Philippines
We are really coffee lovers, but when the imported German coffee reached the kilo prize of more or less 1,000 Pesos, we gave up. We joined the Filipino coffee lovers. They got wind that the old folks who worked in the coffee-growing areas of Batangas had been brewing coffee beans of extraordinary quality. They discovered that the beans actually came from coffee cherries that had been eaten by the Philippine Palm civet, a cat-like mammal native to Philippine forests. Eventually this became known as Coffee Alamid or Philippine Civet Coffee. We also love Mount Matatum Cofee. Mount Matutum is a dormant volcano that lies in Southern Mindanao.
By incident we had been introduced to “Monks Blend” - a really premium coffee, made from choice beans from the coffee plantations of the Monastery of the Transfiguration and local farmers of Bukidnon
As we all could learn a couple of weeks ago: the Philippine government is prepared to withstand the challenges brought about by a looming economic recession, in example ,in the U.S. I quote Finance Secretary Margarito Teves: “We continue to maintain our fiscal targets. However, we are prepared to finance additional spending if such spending is needed to counter emerging global risks that could dampen the country’s growth prospects.”
Fact is: more and more people are getting poorer and hungrier. For the Philippines these new problems are another ’stumble stone’ on its way to democracy.
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Philippines - quo vadis?
# 1 John Miele said:
Klaus… Your comment about the food prices is true… and scary. When people are hungry, things get dangerous. By supporting locally produced merchants by buying their products, you are helping the country. I was really surprised after moving here how good some of the local products are… occasionally, as in your coffee example, superior to the imports. When I came here just on business trips, much like a tourist, I would never see the comparisons. You really have to live here! I myself have developed a taste for San Miguel beer… Don’t get me wrong… I have spent many happy nights in Germany in a pub with a nice glass of pilsener or weiss beer and a plate of spaetzle, but, cheaper than bottled water and goes down cold… Hmmm…Think I’ll run outside to the Sari Sari store and buy a bottle…. Will help me get back to work (Bit humid today and it’s good for the health!)
# 2 klaus said:
Hi John Miele, thanks for stopping by. Indeed, riots because of hunger seem to become “famous’ worldwide. Of course, you are right: you have to live here. Life is different -not only in the Philippines- as tourist or real ex pat. Hahaha - yup, regarding the beer we are the same. I love SMB and had just one (1!) while posting some other articles. Get your bottle now and enjoy your work. Re your long separate email: I answered you already. THANKS. let’s keep in touch…
# 3 Migs said:
Wow. I have heard many rave reviews about Monk’s Blend coffee. I’ve tried the Cordillera coffee, and the Barako. But one thing you can’t make me try is the Durian Coffee.
# 4 Basil Reyes said:
You can get roasted coffee on demand just like what you have in Germany. Visit our website. BTW we supply Travel Cafe Philippines with Coffee Alamid and Mt. Matutum Coffee. We deliver nationwide.
# 5 athena said:
yeah .. food prices have really gone up now but starbucks coffe are still full pack with coffe drinkers in cebu even on midnight
# 6 MarcelinaWW said:
Now, why can’t the Philippines strive on being a “World Class” exporter for all these wonderful coffee flavors? (have just read Bob’s post).
The Philippines has the most pristine diving sites, according to some people I know who are scuba divers. I live in Dana Point where businesses had flourished and attracted tourists from all over the world because of their “manmade” harbor. I think the Philippines needs to take action rather than the reaction on the economy.
http://www.danapointharbor.com/
# 7 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Migs, yeah you are right: DURIAN COFFEE??? Mmmh - can’t be. Durian fruit alone??? Yup, is a must!!!
# 8 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Basil Reyes, thanks for stopping by. I visited your site: interesting. let’s keep in touch…
# 9 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Athena, thanks for your comment. Yup, you are right. I also noticed this in Cebu during my last trip and even still here in Davao City…
# 10 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Marcelina, you are so very right. Action but not reaction! But you are not the first, who give this advice… - About pristine diving sites: you are right too. One of our German friends has a diving school in Palawan - and one of my friends in General Santos City is a diver lady by passion. Thanks for stopping by always… God bless!
# 11 john said:
How much longer will it be before protesting will become full blown riots. If we find it expensive how on earth do the poorer people now cope?
# 12 Bob said:
Hi Klaus - Durian Coffee is an absolutely wonderful experience. If you like Durian and you like Coffee, you will love Durian Coffee. Try the Durian Gatchpuccino at Blugre. I guarantee you’ll have it a second time!
# 13 John said:
Klaus it is a double wammy for me as I’m building a house in Samar with a deflated dollar and a inflated steel and others market but what can you do? Wait or just getter done. I Know what the little filipina would choose. It is always a good idea to know what the boss thinks before making decisions ha ha!
# 14 Klaus Doring said:
Hi John #11: Good question. And there are already a lot of riots because of hunger worldwide…
Hi Bob, thanks for the idea. I will try it and let you know…
Hi John # 13: Thanks for stopping by, it is indeed a double wammy. if you asked: Don’t wait and get started, because prizes will continue going up. When we let our two houses build up, a sack of cement cost us between 60 and 70 pesos (1998). Guess how much now? The whole roof construction contents of steel. It was one of the most expensive parts of our house, but we are happy that we choose steel and no wood… So good luck for your project…
# 15 cezyyyyy said:
# 16 Klaus Doring said:
Hi cezyyyy, thanks for stopping by. So you are one of the heroes, Philippine Oversea Workers. I think I remember you from another comment, you must be located somewhere in the Middle East. Yeah, you are right. I heard it from many people here: the monthly remittance from Philippine oversea Workers seems to be never enough, since inflation rate in the Philippines also raises. - Arabic coffee? Mmh - I tried it: my heart “beats to fast”…
. Thanks for your kind words, enjoy reading LiP… God bless you too.