It was last week and a Saturday morning; I’m on the “Puter,” connected to the world, when I notice the twins were absent, they weren’t inside the house, or in the front or the backyard. But then I heard chopping and falling branches on the empty lot next-door to our house. I went to investigate, and low and behold there they were, with our Barangay Counselor who is also my friend; “Chano,” plus a work crew led by Kuya Pauli, Chano’s nephew. They were huddled in a group, pointing to a Mango tree that was close to my wall, and they were talking up a storm.
I asked what was going on, and after the requisite handshakes and salutations with everybody. It was then explained to me that they were removing the Mango tree as it was cracking and lifting my wall because of the large root growing in that direction.
At first I was a bit put off, as this was the first I’d heard about it. But then, who am I to question things that don’t involve me. As Mr. Paul Keating once said; “I just rent a room here.”
Then it was explained to me that the tree would, in the future, bring down that portion of the wall, and knowing that that part of the wall was the rear wall of my man cave, I thought; “That could cost me later on.” Then I went and looked and further realized that it would also affect my water extraction unit, which was, just a few feet away from the same wall. “The tree must go, I shouted!” Not a one gave me the slightest bit of attention, as it was already pre-ordained and out of my purview to begin with.
I retreated to the safety of my computer room and vowed to stay out of the way. I’ll just let life take its course, and do what I do best. And that is to let the powers that be, do their will. It was too far above my pay grade.
I next found out that proper paperwork is required by the Barangay for the removal of any fruit bearing tree. Thus was the reason for Kuya Chano’s visit. And the hidden agenda then came to light, the wood was going to become charcoal (By Chano Enterprises INC), and the smaller branches were to be used for cooking fires, as some of the neighbors can’t afford propane gas. So many people will benefit by the felling of this tree, aside from the pay they were receiving for the work. I realized then, just how much of a magnanimous man I was.
The work progressed at a steady pace, many people arrived to rubberneck and chat, it was all halted due to lunch, and would recommence at 13:00 hours.
After lunch, I noticed that some of the watchers were having a beer and playing cards, someone brought a boom box, and a mini-fiesta was in the making. I snapped up a couple of teenagers and sent them for more beer and Red Horse. Wives were bringing food, and it was turning into a pleasant afternoon, with the exception of the guys working on the tree.
But then, they were earning money and had their priorities straight. I assured them, that beer would be there when they were done. It occurred to me, that beer was the lubricant of life in my purok.
So again without having to venture far from my house, another article about “Living in the Philippines” is loosed on the reading public. But these little slices of life are really what make me smile, good people, simple times, a few laughs, and the ability to have a good day for no other reason than we were all part of it. That is truly what living here is all about anyway, and why I choose to live here!
Paul,
Nothing but good and positive comments from you on this occurrence. But I am concerned for you and your man cave. Did you loose any valuable shade in the process?
Jade
Jade;
The truth be known, I did, the offending tree used to cover a third of the man-cave’s roof, but nothing a fan can’t fix. You said; “Nothing but good and positive comments from you on this occurrence.” So I take it that, that’s an exception to the rule? (LOL) Thanks for keeping me honest!
Paul,
Last week I removed a lot of overgrown and dead branches from over my newly uncovered/rediscovered man cave, and now there is shade in the afternoon but not in the morning. That’s ok because I am never out there in the morning anyway. Miller Time should be only in the afternoon sometime…
Never for you an exception to the rule, but rather by your philosophy of life and calm demeanor, you take it as it goes and make lemonade with Red Horse!
Cheers,
Jade
Jade;
Mornings are for going to town or chores while it’s cool, afternoon were planned for sittin’ under a tree with a cool canned consumable. It’s the way a higher power wanted it to be!
We can put a positive spin on that one to Paul…my algerbra at school was woeful so we just leave the x’s and y’s out of it and go something like this ….less shade =more heat=bigger thirst=drink more beer…yes that would work for me, lol
David;
For the first time in my life someone has used algebra in a way I can fully understand.
I could have gone on to be a Math Major, if my teacher had only put beer into the equation.
We have likewise had several threatening coconut trees removed from our neighbors farm. We paid for the removal but were never asked to pay for the loss of their tree. Maybe that’s because we are such good customers of theirs, with huge orders for buco salad for our parties. Like any event out of the ordinary it always attracts attention, as a relief from general boredom in the neighborhood. And yes, a few bottles of red horse go a long way toward making a working party a party.
Rovineye;
In the Navy, a Working Party, (work detail) was never a good time, and a Field Day (Cleanup) was not a trip to the Zoo. But here I learned that a working party can be a good time. I was told that trimming a Mango tree will yield a better crop the following year. We’ll find out if that’s true. And I agree, it doesn’t take much to cause a little buzz in the purok.
Paul
I love that Mango tree story, what a great laid back lifestyle there on the mountain.
First of all thats like the friggin great wall of china.
You said two words that should never be said in the same breath” Working Party”
Hmm “Field Day” brings back some bad memories as I was told once, and I quote
” you better scrub them sh_tters until I can dip my canteen cup in there and the water taste like wine”
Things are looking up here, I just accepted a offer on my house that is for sale so now its going to get hectic around here real fast with home inspections packing and such. I could use a extra set of fingers crossed for me that the deal goes through without a snag.
Neal;
My fingers are crossed, and it makes typing difficult but doable. There is a Mango tree with your name on it waiting for your arrival.
I know you’ve also heard: Sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms, hold a clean sweep-down fore and aft, empty all sh-t cans in the proper receptacle, provided for such use on the pier, NOW Sweepers! and 15 minutes later, “Knock Off Ship’s Work, Then, Now Liberty Call!
Naw, I don’t remember any of that!
Paul
The trick is to get odd and even Liberty call priveledges
Or be like me with open gangway, I never was in a duty section until I was a 1st Class PO.
Marines: Odd and even Liberty
Navy: Port and Starboard
Ha Ha Ha Senior Chief, “sweepers, sweepers, fore and aft”, somewhere in-between there before liberty is “now duty section, lay to the Quarterdeck to sign in-port billet” But I’m confuse, if the roots are going to damage your “wall of china”, why only the trimming? Should that tree be blessed with its last rite and executed? Or shall I say, I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken?
Mars
You would think the whole tree including the roots would be removed since they are also threatening the water extraction unit. Paul is that correct or maybe my brain isn’t functioning correctly to comprehend from drinking too much Heineken the night before.
Mars and Papa Duck;
I’ll take the hit on this, after rereading the artical I see that I was not 100% clear, in my rush to please (Which will be explained next week) I omitted a salient fact. I will explain.
Six tree’s involved, all boarding my fence. One tree (the offending one) was totally removed, even the stump. the remaining five trees were trimmed.
Hey, Paul, that one mango tree that was completely removed, you sure there were no aswangs living there?
Ricardo;
A ceremony was performed prior to the first cut. Hey! We might be country, but we ain’t dumb! (lol)
Mars;
I knew of one Master Chief who was wrong once, but he found out the nexy day that he had been right!
I knew there’s a wisdom somewhere in that. BTW, when I posted that the other day, I just got home from the Washington National Ball field and watch the Braves give them some licking of 12-2 score. Red Sox are not doing good on there opening games but it’s still very early. “I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken”.
BTW, is the tree cutting just an excuse for a mini-fiesta?
Mars;
Since the Braves started at Commonwealth Field in Boston, I still take pride in them.
Boston, is noted for their poor starts, and some pretty poor finishes also, but I’ll always be a member in good standing with the “Red Sox Nation”.
BTW: A mini-fiesta requires no excuse.
Paul T.
All that sounds all too familar from my time as a Marine on the LPD’s Nashville and Trenton. Working Party brings back nightmares and the Thursday Night Field Days were not pleasant either. As for liberty i can vaguely remember when we were on port call in Naples, Italy in 1980 and we were docked out in the harbor, called the armpit of the Mediterrean,because of no piers available. So we had to take a amphibious boat to shore for liberty. When we came back sometime in the early morning hours after drinking several Peroni cold ones, the water was so rough that we couldn’t dock to the ship. So we had to climb up cargo nets to get to the ships deck. That net was really moving trying to get on it and not just because of the rough seas. I thought i was going in the drink a couple of times. Nothing like a good tree cutting party to pass the time. Basically you can have any excuse to have a party with free flowing beer. The twins should be commeded for looking out for your mancave and your water supply. By the way still no city water yet? Good article, funny as usual. Take care!
Papa Duck
That sounds worse than when I was on the LSD Plymouth Rock anchored out in some bay in England in 83. We had to ride a Tug Boat to shore if we wanted Liberty call.
All in all it was worth it as the Pints of Ale and Larger and Lime went down real easy.
Neil
Yes sounds not quite as bad as me. As long as you could enjoy some nice pints, it was worth it. I think the Plymouth rock was in our Amphibious Group on one of my Med Cruises. Take care, have a nice day.
Papa Duck
Yes the Plymouth Rock had Amtracks in the well deck, I was on it for Operation Northern Wedding Boldguard 1983 when I was with 4thBn10th Marines.
Good Day
Neal
I was with 2nd FSSG out of Cherry Point NC for 2 med cruises in 1980-81. Spent some time off the coast of Lebanon waiting to evacuate americans from there, but it never happened. Be Safe my friend
Papa Duck;
AH! Sweet memories, of ground swells while at the hook in the bay of Napoli after a night of trolling the “GUT”, and some cold one’s at Boston Blacky’s Club. Waiting for the boat to rise on the swell, and timing your drunken jump to the net or if lucky to the A-Com ladder. Dear lord why did you put those images back into my head? It took years and some very expensive booze to flush them out of there. Whoa, it just occurred to me, I did it once, I can do it again. Wow, thanks for that, I’ll get started today!
Paul,
Naples,not so sweet memories here,many got ripped off or pick pocketed by kids there,happy days,lol.
Chas;
Napoli, the jewel of Italy, pick pockets and rip off’s? Yup that sounds right, BTW: Hey Joe, wanna’ buy a watch? (They got the watch from the sailor ten minutes ahead of you.)
So true Paul,a few of my shipmates lost their watches,i never wore one,lol.
Chas;
We both figured that out on our own, no wonder the U.S. & Royal Navy wanted us!
Interesting post, Paul. I guess it is safe to say your half of the twins dynamo is not afraid to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and do things without begging your permission. That’s very commendable of her, looking out for your well being and all.
Now if you glance out the back window some day, right after triggering one of those Tampo moments, and see her in the back yard supervision the construction of something that looks like a long pine box … well, keep your wits about you, I’m sure there will be a good explanation.
Keep up the good writing.
–Rich–
Hi Rich;
I tend to view our marriage as a partnership, the house belongs to her, and the car belongs to, Well, I guess that’s hers also! I get to live here and am treated quite well.
As for those “Tampo” moments, in the beginning of our relationship, I squashed those very simply, I refused to participate, and refused to get angry and argue. I’d just wait her out. After explaining that I never worked in the carnival as a mind reader, she now will come up and tell me what is bothering her. I take the time to listen, and together we work out the solution. Yes; I’m that easy going!
Paul,ha ha “Tampo”,been there,been through it,got the Tshirt,similar approach used here,lol.
Chas;
It take two to Tango, I guess it’s the same for Tempo! (lol)
Hi Paul: Great story, as are all your experiences. I have a jack fruit tree growing in my garden, and my wife tells me it will eventually be a monster, but at its slow growth rate I don’t think I will have to worry about it. Here’s to red sunsets and calm seas, I have even developed a taste for Red Horse ( in moderation).
Roberto.
Roberto;
So true;
Red Sky at night, Sailor’s delight.
Red sky in the morning, Sailor take warning.
You tree can be trimmed back every year to control the growth, and I learned early on, that rice bags grew on trees, as when I saw my first jack fruit tree there were rice sacks all over it. The second thing I learned is never sleep under a jack fruit tree, falling mangos hurt, but a jack fruit…
Paul, you always make me laugh!!! Have you seen mango trees bearing newspapers??? I have seen a lot of those here in Batangas…
Raphael;
I believe here in Bataan we only use newpapers to wrap fish, I wondered where those papers came from.
In batangas, they use the newspaper to wrap the mangoes on the tree!!!
Raphael;
I’ll assume it protects the fruit from bugs or some other thing?
Correct Paul. 🙂
Raphael;
It good to see that my powers of deduction hasn’t wained in my advancing years. (lol)
Hi Paul!
I think it’s better if you plant banana trees. They’re less threatening. Lol.
Jonathan;
Less threatening? Have a hand of bananas hit you on the head while your sleeping, then tell me that again. (lol)
Haha Paul! I mean it’s a far softer tree to cut down and it’s roots are not as sturdy as a mango tree or jackfruit tree.
Jonathan;
Ah, now I understand, what you’re saying is, that a man with a few beers in him, could rip the tree from the ground and toss it over the wall. Now I know this would only apply to very young trees. (LOL)
PS;
I watched a buddy do that once in Puerto Rico.
Few beers? Beers are like power drinks! Drink some more and you know it’s not only the trees you could rip out of the ground, much more throw against the wall(lol)…hahaha
Jonathan;
Beer is the elixir of life, it was invented 10,000 years ago and has stood the test of time. There was beer for 7,000 years before there were preachers to tell us not to drink it!
Jonathan;
I liked my answer so much, I posted it on Face Book.
Hahah…. Paul your really a funny “Cool” dude, Like the way you write. I know you had fun writing this one. And what can be a fun day with out the brew…..Later
Hi Lenny;
Thank you, I’m glad you liked my article, the truth is they are fun to write, and after a hard day of writing, I get to have a few beers. What could be better than that?
Senior;
Excellent story on how we need to be the passenger once in a while instead of the driver.
As you have wrote about the Mango Tree Your Awasa and friends took the matters into their own hands and handled it quit nicely. It just proves that we need them more them they need us at times. Besides I got a feeling that she was thinking about you by protecting you man cave from exsinction.
Do you still have your two mango trees for your hammock? If so it’s all good.
You should grab some of the wood and dry it out so you can smoke with it.
Hi Mike;
I’m that proverbial mushroom, the only difference is I’m also kept in the dark, but I’m fed SMB’s vice the other thing. The mango tree in my yard is intact and doing very well. But,not so much for the one’s boarding my fence. BTW: Mango wood is really not that flavorful for smoking, but papaya is. But it make nice charcoal and I have an order in for a few bags when Chano and Pauli are done.
Yes Mayang treats me well, and only involves me on important matters. I like it like that.
Senior thanks for the info on the wood I love to smoke and the right wood means everything. When we get there you will be I’ll smoke you some ribs and chicken that’s off the chain.
Besides isn’t that what retirment is all about Beer,BBQ, and Bulls@!&.
Mike;
You’re welcome, once is a not to often while you can pick up wood chips like hickory and others for smokers at the ACE Hardware. When you see it stock up!
Mmmmmmm BEER! I can picture a row of those cute little brown bottles dancing around in my minds eye, as I type.
Thats extinction!! Fat fingers on a small keyboard suck!
Hi Paul! A rather simple activity that rippled happiness. Simple topic yet a happy subject and happy read in the end!
Alf;
That was a nice way of phrasing it! Thank You!
Paul
I just noticed ’empty lot”.
Are there alot of vacant lots there on the mountain.
Neal;
Quite a few, the one beside me is 1500 square meters, whereas mine is 997 Sq. Meters.
I just spoke with my wife who is currently in the RP, PI … whatever.
Anyway she is at her sister’s house in Naparing, maybe I’ll have her swing by to pick up one of those Red Horses for me.
Another nice read, thanks for sharing Paul.
Cheers.
Hi Doug;
I hope your wife enjoys her visit back home, the weather has been good, not very hot for March/April.
I look at Red Horse like 151 Rum, it’s great if you have no desire to see the end of the party.(lol)
Paul you are the best. You put a spin on life there that just seems almost magical. Ron
Ron;
Thank you! There is an upside and downside to everything, I realized long ago that the upside was right in front of you and easy to get at, but it was work to get to the downside, so why bother.
Hi Paul T: Sorry about the loss of your mango tree, but you had such a great party. Happy Living!
Roselyn;
Here’s the funny part, It wasn’t my tree! It was on the empty lot beside my house, and yes we had permission to remove it from the owner in the States.
Hi Paul T: Ha, ha, ha! I thought that the tree was yours!
Roselyn;
What, cut down my tree? Where would I nap in the afternoon! (lol)
I love the fact a little thing such as clearing out the tree becomes a party. This happens with my wife and her freinds two,no big plan truns to fun. It also makes hard work easy to have extra hands around. It also makes it good to have some or a lot of beer around. One thing to to note you may want to wait until axe is put away befor beer is drank, just a thought.
Eric;
And it was a good thought. The crew went without a beer until 16″00, then it was all bets off.
Spontaneous parties are not unique to here, Puerto Rico they were quite natural also.
Hey Paul… there’s always slice of life in your articles. I like it! I wonder what would you be doing or how you would be as person if you were living in home state.
Hi Sugar;
Well the name of the web site is “Living In The Philippines”, so that’s what I write about. I guess you could call Massachusetts my original home state (I’ve not lived there in 46 years), although technically its a Commonwealth, I can’t imagine I’d be much different, albeit I’d be judged odd by them. I was issued my own drummer when I was a kid, and I like the beat I march to. I just happen to love it here.
Hi, interesting story and comments. I’m a bit confused though.
You had to pay a crew of 14 people to remove a tree that was not on your property? I couldn’t deduce from the story who paid for the work or if it was all free. I saw that you mentioned “many people benefiting” from the removal of the tree, but it seems to me that you were taken advantage of by making to pay for a project that you didn’t approve or ask to have done.
Maybe I’m missing something. I’m just trying to understand.
Thanks
Tim;
I’ll try to de-confuse you.
I had permission from the land owner to remove the tree as it was endangering my property.
I further had permission from the Barangay Captain (in writing)
My wife decided on the project, and didn’t need my permission, and why would she?
I hired and paid the crew, and provided the beer after the work was done
The people in the neighborhood got free firewood for cooking as some can’t afford gas for their stove.
No one took advantage of anyone as it’s just the way things work in the Philippines. The extra kids I paid worked hard and I didn’t mind paying them, as they earned it.
Plus I received the pleasure of a fun day, and spread a little good will.
Did that help?