Live in the Philippines

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Chance meeting turns to friendship

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Yesterday was an interesting day for me.  Mostly it was a normal day, but a couple of things happened which were highlights of my day.

Firstly, in the morning, I met with Tom Martin.  Tom is not a relative, we just share the Martin name!  I met Tom in person for the first time on December 23, just two days before Christmas.  I had known of Tom for several years, as he lives in Davao, and also is a somewhat regular commenter here on LiP.  Tom is a retired Priest, and I had been interested in meeting him for some time.  In December, I e-mailed him and set up a meeting.  I think that both Tom and I enjoyed the time we shared together, and thus we set up a second meeting yesterday at a coffee shop in SM.  During my time in SM with Tom, I saw several people who were friends, and they stopped by and said hello to us at the coffee shop.  It was a nice morning, and I look forward to getting together with Tom again in the near future.  That part of the day was planned and expected.

Yesterday afternoon, though, Feyma told me that her sister-in-law was in Davao, and would be stopping by later in the day.  I really do not know this sister-in-law too well, though.  She just married Feyma’s older brother, Boning, within the past year.  To be honest, I do not know Boning that well either, because over the years we had few chances to really communicate.  Boning has only a limited education, and he can speak no English at all, only Bisaya.  So, over the years we were really unable to communicate, until recently.  We have had several nice conversations in the past couple years, though, since I learned to speak Bisaya, which has been nice.

When Cita, Feyma’s sister-in-law, came, she brought her young niece with her.  The niece’s name is Jonalyn and she is 13 years old.  I could see that Jonalyn was very poor.  I started speaking to her in Bisaya and she was quite amazed, you could see it on her face.  I asked her how old she was, and she told me she was 13 years old.  I thought she was a lot younger, maybe 9 or 10.  I would guess that her growth has been somewhat stunted due to a lack of food.  I next asked her if she attends school, and she said yes.  Given her age, I thought that she must be in 1st Year High School, that is the age for that grade.  When I asked her, though, I found out that she is in 3rd Grade.  Wow!  I was told that due to a lack of funds, many years she cannot attend school, so that is why she is behind where she should be.

I found Jonalyn to be quite cute, although obviously poor.  When she would smile, it was quite infectious.  I enjoyed talking to her, because although she was shy, she was quite amazed that I could speak Bisaya, and she was willing to talk to me a bit.  I decided that I wanted to help her with a little lunch money for school, so I got together enough for the entire week next week.  I decided to give her P20 per day, which is the same that we give to the poor students which we are helping.

After gathering the money for her lunch at school, I went and tracked her down again, and told her that I wanted to talk to her.  I asked her if she attends school daily, and she assured me that she does.  Next, I asked her how much her lunch money is every day.  I was quite shocked when she told me that her daily lunch money is P2, less than 5 US Cents.  Wow, my heart really sunk upon hearing that.  I told her that I had some lunch money for her, and wanted to help her, and I gave her P100, enough for P20 per day for the next week.  She was so happy, and I was happy to see it.  She was very thankful too.  I asked her what she could buy for lunch with just P2, and she told me that she usually buys a cracker for her lunch.  How sad.

Jonalyn started telling me a little more about herself.  She told me that their house had been washed away during some flooding, and that Davao Mayor Sarah Duterte had given her family some money to find a new place to live in.  I asked her when her house was destroyed, but she could not remember when it happened, it was like she has little sense of time, which I can understand, as every day is a struggle for her.

After talking with Jonalyn I got thinking.  Before she came, I had been sitting in my bedroom with the AirCon blasting away and keeping the room very cold.  I was watching a movie on TV, enjoying myself.  I had a glass of Coke Light.  Then this poor young girl came, and opened my eyes to her daily life.  It made me feel guilty for all of the things that I have, and I take much of it for granted while young children like this are suffering in poverty.  It’s hard to reconcile feelings like that after seeing and talking to a young person like this.

Jonalyn is coming back here again on Saturday with her aunt.  I am looking forward to seeing her again, and I really like the girl.  She is shy, but still a bit outgoing and willing to talk with a little prompting.  I hope that we can develop a friendship in the coming months.  She is a cute little girl, and well mannered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi Bob, The number one reason for me coming to the Philippines is to volunteer for an effort to bring laptops to Philippines. currently the Ekindling group are on Lubang island. I was wondering if I could write an article and have you put it on your site. The Philippines is plagued by educational inequity and the digital divide. Over 1 million youths are out of school. There are “no read, no write” areas, especially in conflict torn regions. There is 1 computer for every 25,000 students in the elementary level, and 75% of the population still do not access the internet. In the Philippines, the promise of many children remain untapped, their dreams unattainable. But what children lack is not capabilities, it is opportunities – educational and digital opportunities that can unlock a child’s enormous potential. With innovative learning technologies and ground-breaking educational practices, we can unlock the potential of every child and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. Ultimately, with such opportunities and resources at their fingertips, we can witness how they transform themselves, their communities, and eventually, the world.. Please also check out the video on this at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1566885450158

    Thanks, Bill

    • Hi Bill – Of course, you are welcome to write a guest article. Just get it together and e-mail it to me. Good luck with your work, it is an important project!

      • Hi Bill and Bob,

        Great article. I hope she continues to go to school. We have a similar situation with a relative. He is the same age as Jonalyn but is in the second grade.

        Bill, I admire what you are doing with the laptops. I visited the school in Tagbubunga on my visits. I admire the smiling faces of the children and talking to the school staff. The school is in bad shape. The roof leaks during raining season. I helped out the second grade teacher repairing a window in her classroom. The window was damaged when someone broke into the school for the electronics. I wish you success in your project and I hope that the laptops can benefit the children.

        I have a link to a Flickr set with the school. I have a picture of the broken window in the set. I was amazed to look out and see the Ocean from the window.

        http://www.flickr.com/photos/26277828@N03/sets/72157607960047730/

      • Bob

        You have such a soft heart for children. I would like to get involved with underpriviliged children when I live there permanently. It’s amazing just how a small amount of money can make a difference in a childs life. Good article thanks so much.

    • Hey Bob, long time no see. I visited Daanbantayan again last November to see my deceased friends family. While there we took several trips to “the big city” aka Bogo. Outside of a Jolibee’s I ran into a cute little girl who was wearing a men’s suit jacket of all things. It was dirty and she had her hand out. I gave her 20 pesos without thinking about it. My friend who was with me said it was too much but in American dollars that was next to nothing. I spend 72 cents a day on a large diet coke from the gas station. Imagine what that would do for a homeless kid.

      Anyway, just wanted to share my story. I won’t even mention the one where the local kids saw me give money to one kid and the next day they were all waiting for me with their hands out. I felt like a game show (putting money into open hands) host on a lesser scale!

      Miss the Philippines already…but not the poverty.

      • Hi Paul – Long time no hear! Hope you are doing well. It seems, for some reason, that Jollibee is always a place where you find kids in need…. I suppose they hang out there because they like the food!

  2. Hi Bob,
    Looks like you have yourself a new friend! But I gotta tell ya, I would lose my heart in the same manner as you did. When I see children, or people in general, struggling for what we take as a given in everyday life (food, clean water, clothing & the basic essentials), my heart cries out at the injustices around me here in the U.S.. Seeing our govt drop billions on banks that are going to use that money for bonuses, instead of helping the people who really need it!

    My fiance & I have talked about opening a rescue mission, of sorts, in her home village in Ormoc, just to feed the hungry children and provide a shelter for those who have been abandoned by society. This is something I have wanted to do all my life and I just found out it’s been a secret ambition of hers, as well.

    You’re a good guy, Bob. I’d love to meet with you when I get to Davao on my way to Kidapawan!

    • Thanks, Charlie. Yes, it is hard not to allow kids like this to take over your heart. This girl always had a smile on her face, and that really touched me. Living such a financially tough life and keeping that smile on all the time is probably something that I could not do… it makes you count your blessings!

      • Hi Bob.
        That’s what I think was always the best in the Philippines: The smiling’s in there faces. Doesn’t matter how poor this nice people, they always smile, like a sunshine in the morning. I payed some Hospital bills for some poor families when Audrey and I where there for our vacation. Also Audrey hat to listen to her in-law relatives from her brother:”Why is your husband doing this? There aren’t relatives to us! He has to spend the money for us not for them…..” (And “our” relatives are sooo poor they have only 3 cars and homes…. You know Bob what I am try to telling.)
        I never ever will understand that. It was always an honor for Audrey and I, when someone of the poor neighbors opened there doors to invite us for a tee/beer. We where once also invited from an engineer who works normally in Abu Dabi, when he got our story with the wheelchair, to visit his relatives in an other Province. That was nice too.
        BTW: My brothers in-laws lost all respect from me after the second evening. They stole over 6,000 pesos from Audrey’s and my wallet, stored in our bedroom. The weekend after we arrived was planed for the “big BBQ event”. We bought 2 pigs. Invited friends and relatives. This “nice” relatives stole most of the meat. In the end we hat 5 little bowls with veggies mixed with rice and a little bit on pork. OK we rescued the evening with a lot of alcohol. (What a shame!)

        And too read your story’s, Bob, shows me, that we did the right thing to spend our money for the poor. Yes I know your feelings, when you get story’s like the relative you met, who has only P2 for lunch. I am sure, she was not complaining about that! But still that smile in her face…..

        Best regards
        Holger

        • Hi Holger – I love that smile. No matter how hard life is, so many of the poor here can still smile and make it through the day. It is very refreshing.

          Very sorry to hear about your experiences with the money and the pork that was taken! Not a nice event on your holiday!

          • That’s life, Bob.
            Some people are happy if you buy a wheelchair for them. Other people can’t get enough. But in our Filipino community here in Edmonton, Alberta – this story’s are well known. So we are not the first ones who hat to learn that. 🙂

            Best regards

  3. Bob, it is commendable that you share your good fortunes with those less fortunate. In no way do I wish to diminish your generosity and willingness to help out someone that truly needs it. In your article you didn’t specify anything you expected from Jonalyn in return from her accepting your offer of the lunch money. I see that you verified that she attended school daily, and maybe that is what you expect from her.
    I am not saying Jonalyn will turn to expect your weekly allowance, but without a firm understanding what is expected of her, it may appear to her as a free handout.
    I think this is what is behind many of the Filipinos attitude when it comes to asking for money. Many OFWs have learned that lesson the very hard way, and you can include quite a few foreigners. Helping is fine, but the help sometimes must be earned.
    I am happy that she will now get a more nourishing meal, and I am sure she is very grateful that you stepped up and helped her out. I just hope that with the help, she understands that she must have obligations to meet in regards to accepting your help.
    I also help many of my nieces and nephews in the Philippines with school allowances, and it is made very clear about what I expect in return. I am a believer that welfare does not work, and that both parties accept the terms of the agreement, so each has some “investment” in the help being offered.
    One last thing, did you inform her mother of the help you are offering? I just think it would be good idea to tell her mother as she may wonder where and why the money is being given to her daughter. I know it is innocent, but others may not see it that way. I like to give things to children while I am there, and my wife told me it is best that their parents are aware of “what and why” of my giving so there would be no misunderstanding.

    • Hi Lloyd – Of course, I did not document my entire interaction with Jonalyn here on LiP, just gave an overview of our talk together. Jonalyn was told what I expect from her, and that is to stay in school and to study. Bascially, I gave her a little over $2.00 or so, and I have no bad feelings about giving it to her. I don’t consider it welfare or a handout, she knows what I want from her – to study hard.

      Jonalyn’s mother was not here, and I have never met her before. She was here with her aunt, and her aunt was fully aware of what was given to her, and why.

  4. hi bob
    love ur posting mate it went right to my heart and yes that is the life off the very poor mate and i am so happy to know that u are helping out there u can god bless u on this mate as this story mate my eyes very wet….. and one more think looks like this place is a place to meet the martins mate u are one i am too and u meet a tom martin lol look out we may all be part off a big martin famliy……..peter martin tassie

      • about 2 months more bob and i will be in the phill my wife will move in the home to day mate and u know how the ladys like to ahve to home looking be for there old man get to move in hehhehhe and ye is am hoping to ge to see u some time when i am over there mate as i have never been in your part at all as i have sent most off my time in and about manila anf up north from there mate but as manila gos mate i hate it as it is too big and dirty for me lol but where we will live is about 3 hours out off manila city down south mate and there are still a lot off new home been put up where itis and thay are selling like hot dogs this will be my 5 th trip the the iland off love mate andi canot wait to ge there as i have missed out in on a lot off things with the famliy in the last year so it will be good to see them all from peter martin tassie

  5. Im glad you found and met that one little girl,maybe she can study better to on a better meal.Its to bad the government cant even give alittle rice for these kids at lunch time.In the U.S.they get breakfast and lunch free if they are poor as you well know.Keep up the good work, she will always rememember your good deed.

    • Hi maynard – Yes, I wish there was a way for all of these kids to get a meal… I told Feyma last night that there are times I wish I had millions of dollars to help these kids! It’s heartbreaking.

  6. Hi Bob – NEVER feel guilty about the things you have that others do not. DO feel guilty when you don’t share your good fortune with those less fortunate.

    This is the difference between a “hoarder” and a “collector” – the former being selfish, the latter being open to others.
    😉

    • Hi Paul – Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think it goes on a case by case basis. For instance, I don’t think there is an obligation to share what you have with all who are less fortunate, it depends on a lot of factors. Like, if the person refuses to work, it would seem that he has created his own problems and is not necessarily somebody who deserves the help.

  7. Hi Bob, you have a good heart and good man! I hope the well-off and wealthy Filipinos have the heart to do the same as you did. God Bless you and your family.

      • Before my wife and I had our oldest, we sponsored 3 children through one of the religious NGO’s in the Philippines and sent them to school until about late ’80s. Just mentioned to my wife that maybe we had make difference in those kids life. They were from Northern PHL, I think Pangasinan, Ilocos and one near Baguio. I wonder how are they doing now.

        It’s not hard to help but “It takes a village”. Currently all of us who graduated from our school from the Barrio from the PHL, started this feeding program and help school supplies. It made a difference in attendance. Prior to this, kids were going to school without breakfast and we are doing something about it and also encourage the parents to volunteer. For $150 Dollars a month, at least 3-4 times a week they have warm breakfast. You can see from the links below how the donation just keep on coming. Also stories of our boyhood growing from that Barrio who had a good fortune to be successful. Thanks again.

        http://www.polobangaaklan.com/school.php

  9. It sounds like you have made a good investment! It is such a blessing to be able to help good people in need! May Jonalyn grow up to be a blessing to others!

    • Hi AmericanLola – Thanks for dropping by…. yes, I think it is a good investment to help Jonalyn, and I want to continue doing so. It is surely a blessing.

  10. It sunks my heart too Bob after i read the whole article. I cannot understand sometimes why poverty is real problem that mostly struck childrens in remote areas? One more thing they have to walk barefooted for more than 6 miles to attend school everyday. No bags, no shoes and during rainy season the only raincoat they have is an empty sacks of fertilizers. Thier lunch is plain white rice, salted fish, wrap in banana leaves. Jonalyn situation is more than me when i was a kid. Hope you continue to support her, your an inspiration.

  12. Hi Bob,
    You know I might have to stop reading these posts if you continue to bring a tear to my eye. Seeing how far even just a little money can go to improve these kids lives is compelling. You and I have discussed before; how awful it is to see these young kids potential stifled for lack of even a few meager funds. You sir are a Prince among men and I envy the opportunity you have to positively influence these young peoples lives. I intend to do the same in my own little corner of paradise. There are ten nieces and nephews in Samar who I adore and I will try to support their educations as far as I can. Perhaps by our examples we can make some small difference while we are here.
    Mark G.

    • Hi Mark – I don’t think I am a Prince or anything like that. I really think that most any person who has the means will help the poor if it is staring them in the face. I will say, though, that doing so gives me great joy, and the more I do it, the better I feel. I wish you the same when you embark on your journey of helping your nieces and nephews in Samar! It’s a wonderful thing you are planning to do!

  13. Hi Mimi – Thanks for your comment. Yes, it is a very heart touching story that makes us think about what we have and how little some others have.

  14. One of my main concerns in moving there is to see poverty each day, particularly among the kids. If I had a million dollars I too could do much to help even though much much more is needed. I really would not know how to cope. I see you have a soft spot for the kids too!

    • Hi Ed – Indeed, I really love kids, and enjoy interacting with them. No matter how much money you have, you can’t help all of the poor here, there are so many. It is sad to see, but you will get to the point where you can live with it. Just do what you can, that’s all you can do.

  15. Hi Mark – Thank you. Yes, it is important for us to be more grateful for the things that we have. So many people these days have forgotten that, and only quest for more, more, more.

  16. Another reality here is no retirement for the old , I see so many old people (70-80s) out selling little things like gum and breathments seasonings ,herbs, etc so they can just eat…there is little gov.help , there is no saftey net , for young or old…its so sad here how innocent young girls are led into prostution, just so they can eat and have a place to sleep. 500,000 to 600,000 sex workers in the phillippines…but I guess its worse in thailand where they advertise sex tourism. How can poverty be cured its just to huge…

  17. Good morning, Randal. BTW, congrats on the baby! I was going to comment on your wall, but it seemed like the commenting was shut down or something, I could not leave a comment.

    Anyway, actually there is a retirement system here. It is the Social Security System, although it is much less money than the US system. If you work for a large company, they offer retirement benefits too.

    Certainly, though, I understand what you are saying.

  19. Hi Bob,
    I know what you mean about the guilt thing. I do my little bit in the Phils as a lot of people do. But sometimes it is difficult to know how to help. In August I will be in the Phils again for a month and I want to help the street kids that live in Pasay cemetery in Manila as I did last year. Not living there makes it difficult, when I am there all I can do is helps with immediate needs, food and clothing, I would like to help more…..as an example I thought I had a bright idea, where they live there is little light or TV’s etc so I thought I would buy them wind up Torch/radios but the truth is they would just sell them probably to buy food. I’m not even sure if they kept the clothes I bought…. who knows maybe they got sold.

    I work with a charity cos I think it would be inappropriate and probably dangerous for me to go in there alone. I could give a sum of money but I don’t trust many people as I have had bad experiences there.(even with charities !!) so sometimes there is the will but sometimes it is difficult to see the way 🙁
    I would love to help more with education and help but it isn’t easy as you would think 🙁

    Any suggestions from anyone would be appreciated.

    Gerry

    • Hi gerry – Personally, I think that giving food is the way to go, unless you are certain that they have enough to eat. After all, it is difficult to do well education wise if you have not had enough to eat. Yes, many charities do not put enough of the money to the actual charity cause, so I understand what you mean on that. Personally, I enjoy giving it out myself, as I can see the joy in their faces. But, I understand your reluctance to go personally into an area like the cemetery where there are many homeless living.

  21. Hey Bob – I feel guilty every time ( cos it happens a lot) I’m not able to finish my meal and my plate still has plenty of food and I’m sitting pretty here. Shame on me! Anyhow, after shouldering the studies ? of the four girls last December, here you are again with your good deeds. Helping another teen. Good for you.. good for them. You’re a good man, Bob.

    • Hi sugar – It was funny, in my mind, that after taking on the assistance of those 4 girls, suddenly this other one appears at my house and is so in need! I suppose that these kind of things are following me now!

  22. Bob,

    I am guessing that the remarks from Bob Martin are not your postings since you post comments using MindanaoBob.

    God bless you for your good work.

    • Hi Jack – If the comment is from “MindanaoBob” that is a comment I posted here on the LiP site. If the comment is from “Bob Martin” that is a comment I posted on my Facebook wall, and was automatically imported from Facebook to here on the Magazine. So, I actually post both of those, but the difference is where they get posted.

  23. Bob, I to enjoyed our coffee break together. After you left I did my daily mall walking and ran into someone from New Orleans. I ask him about how the city was doing since the storm and was the recovery progressing any better. I mentioned to him about having a friend involved with an organization that had build some homes in the area that was so devastated and he replied, “They only build nine homes and hundreds of homes were lost.”

    Nine homes are nine more families in homes that did not have homes before they build them. I think what the man meant is what is nine homes when thousands are without homes. Nine homes may seem insignificant to the overall picture, but it is something. Far too often people do nothing because they think what little they could do cannot make a difference and they are so wrong. If thousands with little did something it mounts up and becomes a lot.

    I was told at Immigration there are 3500 expat’s in Davao. If 3500 expat’s open their hearts and gave 100 pesos a week for lunch money that would be 3500 children with a decent lunch each day and a reason to go to school. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK and I know you will because after meeting with you I think I know your heart.

    • Hi Tom – Thank you so much for your kind words, they are appreciated. You are right, if 3500 expats gave up one cup of coffee or a couple of beers every week, 3500 kids could eat lunch every day! Amazing, isn’t it?

  24. That would be great if 3500 kind expats gave up a cup of coffee or a cigar or a beer each week to help 3500 hungry kids so they could have a lunch each day at school…But, I would wonder if the donation from the 3500 kind expats for the 3500 hungry kids would get to the kids that need it….Charities are nice and there are many of them, but also there is corruption in them and and so it just makes one wonder if the help intended would reach those it was intended for. Bob, I know that what ever you choose to do or help ..that gets to the intended person or persons the help was intended for, just makes one wonder…sure was a great post yu put up here and the little girl this story was about sure is a cute and happy looking person and sure she will appreciate what you are trying to do for her….

    • Hi Dan – Since we are talking about 3500 people who live permanently in Davao, I was thinking more along the lines of direct giving like what I have done. Expats could adopt a poor child in their neighborhood and give the money directly. That cuts out the middle man!

  25. Oh man, I know I said I will not comment anymore on your blog Bob, buttt just reading this made my heart sank! Thank you Bob and to your family for helping the needy. I just really hope that your generosity will not be abused so you can continue helping other poor people. Happy New Year!

      • Good and no need to recall it Bob, it’s better left forgotten..hehehe…It’s not about you anyway. Let’s all start fresh for the new year. I would also like to thank you for WOWPhilippines’ fast and efficient service! 🙂

        • Hi jonathan – Yep, a new year, a new beginning! Welcome back!

          I didn’t realize you had ordered from WowPhilippines! Thank you for your business, and I am happy that our service was up to your liking!

  26. So much i want to say about this subject Mindanao Bob.

    I have already started putting some material together concerning poverty here in the Philippines and service to the poor. I am inspired now to finish that article. Will present it after the conclusion of “”austerity”

    God Bless ya for helping that girl and others. Everyone should follow your example.

    POPS

  27. Oh one more quick thing Bob, how did you learn the Bisaya language? Thru lessons or just picking it up?

    • Hi Pops – I have a tutor who is a linguist… she wrote the text book that we use. I started taking one class per week about 3 1/2 years ago, and am nearly done with the course now.

  28. There used to be a Yahoo Group called Living in Davao that I followed for a couple of years. Several months ago it just stopped and now it is no longer listed in the sites available from Yahoo Groups. Do you know why that group fell apart? I used to read it frequently and got a lot of information from it.

    Thanks

    Rick

    • Hi Rick – I am familiar with the group, and used to be a member of the group many years ago. I did not realize that it had folded, though, and know nothing about why that happened. Sorry I have no information on that.

  29. sending 4 kids to school myself Bob so all well that goes well . they all come home for lunch so my cost are more hee hee I do the cooking at lunch time so i know it is good at least i like it 🙂 .. Phil R.

  30. Good Arvo Mindobobbie, howzitgoin?

    I’ve seen a few articles on your site this last year when you meet young people and “befriend” them. I can see it makes you feel good and certainly makes you sound good. There is a lot of poverty where you live for sure. I know you don’t get out very much nowadays, with the constant time demands of this site, more than a hundred hours a week now, so maybe you don’t see it too much really.

    Just how you can chose who gets your gifts and who doesn’t is just a matter of chance, as is life really.

    Well, happy days, keep up the good work, but try to limit it to 35 hours or so, and get out more, maybe help more people along the way, as well as your health too. Best wishes,

    Gordon, and family.

    • Gordon – I don’t know where you get your information from, but it is sure off base. You say I rarely get out nowadays? Who told you that? I go out nearly every day. I like to go out walking for exercise. I go to the malls, etc.

      What is this about I “befriend” these kids? Why is “befriend” in quotes? Are you implying something by that? Yes, I meet people and become friends – both kids and adults. I see nothing wrong with that.

      You say that by making friends it makes me “sound good”. What do you mean by that? I make friends with people because that is how I enjoy living my life.

      • Befriend was in quotes because I couldn’t think of a more appropriate word, but I, personally, felt that befriend was not quite exactly the right word applied to a child. No negative connotation intended, implied or whatever. I regret your decision to interpret it that way, I assure you it was not intended.

        A quick calculation based on the number of replies, and the times of those replies shows that it’s a LOT of time you spend monitoring the site. Maybe it’s only sixty hours? I understand; I too have a similar “addiction” (for want of a better word), and it stops me getting out and about enough. It’s a tie, for sure, and aside from Christmas, I can’t remember the last time I noticed your absence for a couple of days. Maybe it was the time you went to Cebu? It’s a friendly observation, not meant otherwise in any way. Of course you live your life the way you want to, who would I be to criticise or say otherwise? Indeed, I sense that you are basically happy. Your family will be your guide as to when you are not getting out enough I imagine.

        Your good deeds do indeed make you sound good. Why would they not? There is no implication that “sounding good is not necessarily good” is there?

        I’m sorry if you interpreted my post as a “flame”, it was most certainly not intended that way, and I will be careful not to post any further replies to your posts, in case the same should happen again.

        • Hi Gordon – I am sorry if I misinterpreted your comment, it came across to me in a negative way when I read it, and it did to others too, some of them have written e-mails to me about it.

          Gordon, let me comment on your quest to decide how many hours I spend on the site, and whether I go out of the house. It would seem that you don’t understand how technology works these days. You don’t have to be home to post a comment here. For example, right now I am out, in my car, at a stoplight, and am replying to your comment using my mobile device. So, even if I am not “absent from the site” it does not mean that I am at home!

          This site produces a large part of my income, and as such, my participation on the site is my job. I spend the necessary time to do a good job, and to keep the readership up on this site. Based on the numbers that this site produces, I think I am doing a good job.

          Take care.

          • This reminds me of my last visit. I had some friends out to dinner and the ones I know best kind of have the hint how their seemingly constant txting kind of gets to me especially when I am paying for the dinners. I try to compensate for the semi-mild irritation it gives me by reminding myself that this kind of thing is commonplace there and I am the one who is the visitor. On my last visit someone was nearly holding a cell phone half way out across the table doing something with it. I finally asked ” You txting on that ? ” The reply was ” No, I am doing my Facebook “. Knowing the individual doing this, I just could not contain myself any longer. Instead of getting upset or feeling annoyed, I burst out laughing and thought to myself ” Whats it going to be next ? ” The Pocket Internet PC is Here ! You can internet nearly any place at any time !

            Your comment has me hysterical in laughter Bob, I can just imagine Mindanao Bob at a stop light doing ” LIP ” on a cell phone ( or similar device ) . I always wondered how you always seem so quick with the replies here, thanks for telling us.

          • Hey Bob – you do a good! I’m a local and I always visit the site ^_^

            And ha ha, technology is amazing In the office, net access is banned esp. social networking sites… so what does one do.. during lunch time: grab mobile phone, tweet, do FB posting, upload photos, blog and browse sites 🙂

    • I think Bob likes to enjoy life and his family to much to spend 100 hours a week on this site? In fact I do not ever remember Bob telling any body here how much time he spends on this site so find it amusing that you know!

      • Hi Dan – You are exactly correct. I do not spend 100 hours per week on this site. I do spend significant time on the site, but not nearly that amount. My job is on the Internet, so while I am working on other things that are part of my job, I can monitor and participate on this site as part of my normal business day. You are right, I don’t know how Gordon thinks he knows this stuff! 😆

  31. A cracker for lunch ? Just one single cracker ? I am certainly going to be reminded of this article the next time I devour a box of crackers sitting here websurfing ! Better yet, how about the next time I pick up a box of crackers in the supermarket here which is not too often, I put the box of crackers back on the store shelf, note the price of it and try to send it ( the price of the box of crackers ) to you for Jonalyn. Would that be ok with you ? I’m probably better off not even eating a box of crackers anyway !

    One thing you mentioned in this article that gave me a good laugh, when you said you were in the bedroom with the air conditioner blasting away. Reminds me of when I am in a hotel there and some of my Filipino friends stop by, they think the room is freezing when I feel it is just beginning to approach my own comfort level LOL.

    One single cracker for lunch, that really is something to think about.

    • It really is quite sad, Bob, to think about just a single cracker for lunch! Certainly if you want to send funds to help, I am not adverse to that! But, it’s up to everybody, and there are lots of people to help, no doubt!

      Anyway, Bob, thank you for your kindness and concern.