The past week has been a frustrating one for Feyma and I. Sometimes it doesn’t take a major thing to bring frustration, just a build up of small stuff can cause you to drop into depression and be super-frustrated.
It all started toward the beginning of last week. One morning, our Globe DSL quite working. Over the past couple of months, I have written several times about problems with our DSL dropping out. Sometimes the service is down for an hour, sometimes for days. On average, if it goes out, it is usually out for at least a day. Well, when the DSL first quit working, I called the Globe Hotline. There was a recording that said that there was trouble with their network, and that customers may not be able to connect, but it was being fixed as quickly as possible. So, I just thought to myself that all I can do is wait for it to be fixed. I have a backup internet service to keep me online, but it is way slower than what I am used to, and I find it difficult to work on such a slow connection. It’s OK for stuff that “has to get done” but I’d rather wait for a faster internet connection if possible.
After 3 days with no service, my niece went to the Globe Center to complain. They told her that nothing was wrong on their end, and it must be something that we did to cause the problem. Well, we had done nothing, and in the past they always blame us for any problems, but somehow it just starts working if we wait and don’t do a thing. I know for sure that we caused no problems with the service, and I have told them this, but they insist that it is our fault. Well, thankfully, they sent out a technician team to our house to see what we had done to mess up the connection. After an hour of playing with my computer and the DSL modem, the techs determined that there were no problems on our end, which I had already told them for several months now. The techs went back to the central office here in Davao, and low and behold they found out that our service was not properly connected to their router! Imagine their surprise that the problem really was on their end! Well, they fixed that, and hopefully since they isolated a problem our service will now remain connected.
On the same day that the internet service quite working, the Cable TV quit working too. Since moving to our new neighborhood, we have what they call a “digibox” with digital cable service. The new service gives a much better picture and also a lot of new channels, which is great. However, the service keeps going out. Sometimes it tells us that we are not authorized to watch the channels that we paid for. Sometimes it just tells us that there is no cable signal and we should check if the cable is connected to the digibox. Sometimes it just doesn’t work and gives us no information. Well, when the Internet was out, and the Cable was out, Feyma just looked at each other and I said to her… “why is it that stuff just doesn’t work properly in the Philippines?” Neither she nor I could answer my question, of course.
After nearly a full day, the cable TV came back. After 3+ days the Internet was back. Earlier this afternoon (Sunday) I was going to write an article for LiP, to be published on Monday morning. Just as I was about to get up and go to my computer, the lights went out. Yep, brownout. Well, after about 2 1/2 hours of brownout, the power came back on. After about 2 seconds it went off again for another hour or so.
On Friday, just after my Internet was restored, Feyma and I got together with some friends who were visiting town. These friends have extensive experience in traveling in Thailand. We did not mention anything to them about our multiple “outages” of services during the week, but they just started talking to us about how much better things were in Thailand. They told us, “stuff works there,” and “stuff is cheaper in Thailand than in the Philippines”. They could not stop raving about how much better things were in Thailand compared to the Philippines. And, this is from a couple who is very pro-Philippines, and the lady is a Filipina who has lived in the Philippines all of her life. I was not surprised at the things they were saying, though, because I have heard it many times in the past. I meet a lot of expats who live in Thailand, and come here to do a Visa run, or come to check the Philippines as a possible next spot to live in . What I have heard from these people is that life is a lot better in Thailand. Less frustration with stuff not working. Few brownouts. The Internet works and is fast. Everything works! My argument with the folks we met with last week was that I felt like the biggest problem with living in Thailand would be the language. I felt it would be much more difficult to learn to speak Thai compared to Bisaya or Tagalog, because even their alphabet is completely different from ours!
I don’t have any plans to relocate to Thailand. But, I do wish that things actually worked in the Philippines. It is frustrating, and stressful when you don’t know when you will have the services that you have paid for. I can live with no TV, but if I paid for the cable, I want it to work. However, I cannot live without power or internet, because it is through the internet that I earn my livelihood. When will these kinds of problems be addressed in the Philippines? I’ve been here nearly 11 years now, and while many things have improved, some of this very basic stuff that people need to live a good life is still stuck in the dark ages (and darker when you don’t have electricity!).
Oh, and by the way… while writing this article my Globe DSL went out again. I wonder how many days it will be out this time?
Oh thank goodness you are thinking of moving to Thailand. “Thailand Bob” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
I meant are NOT thinking of moving.
Got it, Darin! Walay problema.
Hi Darin – Yeah, I have business cards that say “Mindanao Bob” so it would be an extra expense to make new ones… that alone will rule out Thailand for me! 😆
Bangkok Bob has a good ring to it, though.
Ha ha… I don’t think you’ll be hearing that name. 😉
Morning Bob,
After much consideration over the years I think power is the most essential of the services. How many times do you walk into a room and switch the light button on even when you know the power is off?! I think power issues is why the Philippines has never taken off economically or been a serious consideration for western companies to relocate production to. On the TV front, the government here is introducing digital TV and I have a set-top box to convert the signal back to analogue for my 20 yo telly. Problem is, like everything brand new, the signal sometimes does exactly what yours is doing. Bloody frustrating and very annoying. It is lucky I haven’t thrown a brick through it by now. Keep up the good work Bob!
Hey Lee! Long time no see! How are you doing, my friend?
Well, to be honest, power outages are pretty rare here in Davao. A year ago there was a major power crisis and we had a lot of brownouts, but to be honest yesterday was the first one in like 6 months or so, so I suppose I should not complain too much! 😆 But, it is frustrating when it happens, especially a relatively long one like we had yesterday.
I’ve been well Bob! Not long ago I started a new job as Business Manager of a grain company here in the Wimmera region of Victoria. We were nearly underwater last Friday. I think the power is less reliable in other parts of the Phils? Doesn’t Mindanao have reliable hydro which helps?
Hi Lee – Glad to hear that you were only “nearly” underwater after seeing on the news much of Australia being literally underwater!
The hydro in Mindanao is great… but we are approaching a point where it is not enough for the island, though, and there will need to be other sources.
Wow Bob,
What a frustrating week,must be catching,i had a bad week also,nothing seemed to go right.
Someone mentioned the new full moon syndrome,but i’m not a believer of that mumbo jumbo.
Amongst the many happenings,i was main witness to a grocery store hold up robbery,the following day,one of my light fittings shorted and blew out all my lights arghh.
Tomorrow is another day.
regards,
Chas.
Wow, Chasdv! I hope that your week is better this week, and mine too! 😉
I feel your pain with the internet, this makes no sense to me with our Globe but since purchasing the Apple router it seems to be better. Globe is the number one provider where I live and I see people heading to the club house often saying Globe is down but for me it is running.
In terms of the Land of Smiles, as soon as my visa is prepared and the dogs papers are in order I too will be making the exit.
I have been learning Thai for years, it really isnt that hard to pick up. Thais are among the most friendly people in the world and will help you with almost anything if you attempt to speak a little thai.The main point for me, besides the lifestyle and culture and food, is a universtity education for the kids, the lack of Grade 12/13 is a major obstacle I just cant over come. every door in my life swung open because of my letters.
Hi John – Bot the Philippines and Thailand are often called “the land of smiles” so I am a bit confused. Are you headed to the Philippines or Thailand? Since you have been learning Thai, I assume it is to Thailand, though. Are you going to live there permanently?
Moving to Thailand after almost 4 years in the RP. I guess Thailand is better known as Amazing Thailand, the LOS was the old campaign in the 80’s
I wish you the best! Hope it all works out well for you.
Given a choice I would prefer to live in Thailand, but my Filipina says no go. I enjoy the RP but Thailand has its act together insofar as infrastucture. One thing I just cannot figure out is why homes in the RP rent and sell for a much higher value than Thailand, yet the basic services , electricity, water, roads ect…are far far better in Thailand.
Brian, owning a condo in both countries it still amazes me as well. The property in the RP was a bad investment I doubt it can ever be sold, the place was sold with all the glitz and glory and to my surprise 80% of the condos were sold to OFW’s and I would guess based on how many have had their water cut about 25% have defaulted on their loans, which in my mind should drive the prices down. I have spoken to so many who are desperate to sell and they want ever single centavo ever invested even though they are in default. On the other hand I have flipped two condos in Bangkok with a tidy little profit. Of course house ownership is out of the question in both countries.
You know, John, the Philippines is the only place in the world that I know of where the laws of economics don’t seem to work! It is amazing to me.
Bob buying the condo in MNL was an experience, a tree died for all the paperworks 9as they say) and it took 75 days to close for a cash deal. In Bangkok once the funds were shown that they came from outside Thailand I had my keys in 2 days. And the real estate agent as a thank you installed internet and cable and paid for 6 months for me.
It doesn’t surprise me John. Everything you said is about what I would have expected. Nice gesture by that real estate agent, though!
Hi Brian – I fully agree with you. Guess what… last night, after I wrote this article, Feyma and I were talking about it, and she said, “you know, Thailand might be a good move!” I was shocked!
Bob, have you been to Bangkok ?
Not yet, John but I think I’m going to have to remedy that.
When you decide to head over PM me, you will obtain an MBA in business in a week. Everything works…..
Ha ha… I better head out for that degree! 😉
brian,
I could only guess several reasons as to why it is much expensive in RP compared to Thailand.
for electricity = IPP’s, Privatization, Wholesale and Retail competitions, etc…etc..
houses = most buyers are OFW’s or foreigners married to a filipina, an OFW or foreigner can easily afford to purchase 3~5 million pesos worth of house, while a common pinoy could not and because of the target market, the pricing are based on *what* an OFW or foreigner can afford.
Bob in all the time I have read you blog with you mostly always being being so proactive about PH it is really so nice to hear you talk candidly about what so many, many, many expats I have met say all the time that the Philippines is a joke, a dump and the epitamy of incompetance and truly a 3rd world nation in comparison to many of its Asian neighbors. That it is an lazy, corrupt and ignorant society that will never change in our lifetime. You don’t say it directly but you do still say it in a way through the numerous frustrations you are having from time to time. I have been to Thailand and yea it is far superior in functionality than the Philippines but language is a big drawback there. Also immigration is much less friendly there these days. Nevertheless, it is so sad that this beautiful country of wonderfully friendly people can be so blind to what is best for its future. I have one friend that is actually moving to Mexico (Rosarita) from here (living here 6 years and can’t take it anymore) where he can rent a place on the beach for $300 a month. He is tired of all the stuff here and more and more expats I meet seem to have the same challenges. I am still contemplating a move here but everyday I become less enamored with the abject stupidity I see here and that is very sad. And just wait when availability of food specifically (rice) becomes a problem. I could go on but I feel for you and hope things get better but alas I doubt it. Maybe I will move near Manila where most of these issues don’t occcur that often. Who knows. frustrating
Hi Dwayne… based on your first sentence.. I would guess that you haven’t been reading my site very long! I have stuff like this regularly.
Even with the problems, though… I will likely live out my life in the Philippines. I could never live in or too near Manila, though.
The things you mention about the Pines makes it attractive to people like me who are sick of technically perfect places like Australia where most things work perfectly but is so expensive to maintain. If you want to live in the Pines you have to expect to live the simple life and grin and bear somethings. Being back in Oz has really opened my eyes to how different the two countries are, in fact there is no comparison. I have everything I want here but I am working my butt off to pay for it all.
Prefer to be on a beach drinking tanduay……
Bob..I can kinda relate to the part about the internet…by that I mean…how flustrating it must be to get some one on the line and get the bla,bla,bla run around that you get..You no some of the internet providers here in the Usa out source to the Phillipines and other Asian countries for problems, by that if you need to get a hold of a teck and have problems…hahahaha…My experince with all of that was a joke…..but I am kinda proud of my self..did not insult the Fillipino lady got more than once for a problem with internet….I learned fast to just say…..I do not think you can help me..please connect me to a supervisor…if that did not work..then used this one..Please connect me to a service person that lives in the USA that has on hands experince with the equipment…..and any more just by pass that and get a hold of some one in Usa and tell them why I want to talk to some one here and please direct me to that person…most times works………so….any way..sounds kinda like a up side down week there….maybe time to go to the beach and relax..and have a picknick…….
Hi Dan – Truth is, that kind of week is not so much outside the norm. If you plan to live in the Philippines, that is the kind of week you should expect!
Hey Bob – Good morning. It can be very frustrating when things just doesn’t work out especially when it involves your livelihood. I’ve never tried Globe here in QC. Doesn’t work in my area…yet. Cable internet is okay. Sky Cable sometimes gets interrupted, here especially when it rains really hard. Their digibox doesn’t work but after while it does. Out of t.v. service is okay but out of internet service is tough.. I do hope these things will not be the determining factor (or is it?) for you and family moving to Thailand? Thailand is great, exotic, westernized (British like?). Nice people.. but I wouldn’t trade Philippines.. living here, that is.
Good morning sugar! Yes, exactly, if the TV service goes out, it’s not a huge problem for me. No internet, though… that’s a disaster! That’s why I actually have 3 different internet services – Globe DSL, SmartBro and Globe Tattoo. But, SmartBro and Tattoo are very slow compared to the DSL, so even on those backups it is hard for me to use it… just too slow after being used to the broadband speed. 😆
Don’t worry, I don’t have plans to move to Thailand. It does, though, make a good country to compare the Philippines with in terms of quality of services.
Hey Bob,
I’m the last person on earth who would say “There ought to be a law”, but ithink there should be some sort of consumer protection law that would make it legal to pay for only the services that you recieved. If you started deducting the services you didn’t get, and pro-rate your payment, maybe, just maybe, service would improve. Just a thought.
Hi hudson – If I start prorating my bills and only paying for what is delivered they will just cut off my service. Been there, done that. It doesn’t work! I think it’s crazy, though, that they expect you to pay for something that they don’t deliver.
I used to own a place in the Dominican Republic. There there is a brownout every day- for 1-3 hours. However, ever business and most homes have a bank of 6-12 batteries that are hooked up to an inverter? and that system runs the power while the main power is off. I never investigated the batteries but they looked like ordinary 12v car batteries. I am surprised that houses here dont have a similar set up. Does anyone know why they dont? Maybe its because unlike the DR people here think that if they just ignore the problem it wont happen ?? lol
Hi ian – Unfortunately, your last sentence probably says all that needs to be said. Very sad.
Hudson- I think that local consumer protection law goes as far as this – ” if you pay your bill in full every month, without question, we will not cut your power/internet/telephone etc off”
lol
Its really a very simple concept to understand. Of course the service people are quite prepared to discuss the situation with you for as long as you want- and always in a very polite manner. You just have to accept the fact that no matter how long you argue, or no matter who you talk to , or no matter if you are polite or not- that the local consumer protection law always prevails.
Yep!
I can relate to all the frustrations you are experiencing. Anyone who has lived for any length of time in the PI has experienced all the same frustrations. I have been to Thailand and everything seems to be better there but I have not lived there so I can’t spead about it on a long term basis. However, I do know the food and roads were much better and the cars actually obeyed traffic rules, something that is rare in the PI. However, I have no desire to live there. I know quite a few people who have returned to the PI from Thailand for a variety of reasons, the most common being the language barrier. Of course, there are a lot of ex-pats living there who love it and have either learned the language or adapted to getting by without knowing the language. We were there for three weeks and had no problems communicating.
Over the past 4 years, I have taken my wife to Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau and Singapore in that order. After the Macau and Singapore trips, she asked me “Why can’t the Philippines be like those places?” I don’t have an answer for her.
But for us, we will live out our days in Samar. That is where her family is and I enjoy spending time with them. I always tease my wife though about living there. I tell her that we live in a 3rd world barangay in a 3rd world city in a 3rd world province in a 3rd world county which works out to 3rd world to the 4th power. She just laughs, hits me on the shoulder and tells me she knows I would not trade it for anyplace….and she is right.
Hi Montana Gary – I hear you, my friend. My feelings and yours are much the same. Even though I’ve already lived here for a long time, the little nit-picky frustrations can build up to the point where you boil over. Day by day, the little things mean very little, until they boil over and you are just purely frustrated, as I have been lately. But, that said, the odds of me ever wanting to move away from the Philippines are very remote, much as it sounds like you are!
What a beautiful story, Montana Gary. I’m deeply touched by it. Thanks for your faith in the Philippines.
Pittsburgh is killing the Jets…
Hi Bob;
The grass is always greener… I went 10 years without internet, 3 years ago I got back on line by using my cell phone. It is powered by Globe, and surprisingly I stay on line almost 95% of the time albeit is so slow it can’t get out of it’s own way, but still better than no connection. Power outages, just had one an hour ago my generator is running as I type, once we went two weeks without any lose of power, we still talk about that here in my Purok. I still have an antenna on the roof for when my satellite TV drops off line, and I keep my well and pump working to cover when the water goes out. I’ll sum it up by saying, “I ain’t going anywhere.”
Hi Paul – I hear you, and like you I am not going anywhere either. I will say, losing internet is a bit different for me than for you, though, because I earn my living on the internet. Without internet I can’t pay the bills! 😆 Ah, the grand life of living in the Philippines!
Bob;
I understand the Internets importance to you. We are well trained enough to over come all adversity the country can throw our way, and still like it. I must just be a tad off!
Ha ha… it’s probably me who is a tad off! 😆
Correct me if I’m wrong Bob, but I don’t think Cebu has as many outage issues as Davao.
As far as I know, it’s about the same. There was a time last year when Cebu had more power outages than Davao did, but I think that has all been cleared up.
I think I mentioned it either in my article or in a comment, but I just want to be clear. We have few power outages. The one we had yesterday was our first for like 6 months. But, still it gets frustrating when everything piled on top of each other.
Bob,
How come in our province the power shortage is not so much as a problem, i never heard my family in the Phils having problem w/ our power and everytime i went home i didn’t encountered anybrown out but if my nephew didn’t pay our monthly bill they automatically cut our power. It’s very common in the Philippines to have a power shortage but to take it for a few days having no power is quite really frustrating , by the way i live in Batangas City province….
Hi rebecca – I think you might have misunderstood me. We did not have power problems for a “few days” that was the internet that was down for a few days last week. We had a 3 hour power outage or so last night, but it was our first power problem for roughly 6 months or so.
Oh, yes Bob , i misuderstood , sorry….
Rebecca
I’m not sure, isn’t Batangas City just south of Manila. I think maybe because of your proximity to Metro Manila power outages are less frequent.
Yes Randy, Batangas City is very close and just south of Manila only 2 hrs. drive from the capital, if you have your own car it will only take 1 1/2 hrs drive w/o traffic maybe that’s one of the reason we have less power shortage, i’m not sure about the internet speed though coz i never heard any complained from my nephew about it, all i know is that he said he has fast internet speed.
My internet speed is super too.. when it works! 😆
Reason NO power shortage in Batangas City is Ilijan Power Plant which produces 2700 Mega Watts of Power and the San Lorenzo CCGT which produces 500 Mega Watts Of Power. They both get Natural Gas from Palawan, the Camago-Malampaya gas field. They both are in Batangas City.
Here in Cebu the guesstimate shortage will 600 Mega Watts of Power in 2013. A local politician, has suggested building a 50 Mega Watt Coal Fired Power Plant to help relieve the projected short fall.
I can relate to your frustration, Bob. I had an experience with Smart Bro last year where they told my tech the problem was with my computer. It was my end that had the problem and not Smart Bro. The Smart Bro tech who had installed my 50 ft tower to receive a signal politely disagreed with his boss who chewed him out for putting a new antenna on my tower, but my tech stuck to his guns. An hour later his boss called to say that the problem WAS with their office back in Manila and my service was back up. Just a couple of brief outages since then.
But my cable “service?” I get the same messages that you do:”we are not authorized to watch the channels that we paid for. … no cable signal.” I guess for P350 a month I shouldn’t complain. And since we’ve only been averaging six brownouts a month since last September in rural Guimaras, I’m not ready to move to Thailand….yet!
Hi Dave – Ha ha… I hear you, bro! I hate it when Globe tells me that it is my fault for the failure and I have done nothing! Only to find that it is a problem in their office! It drives me crazy!
Wow someone said Lazy? Ignorant? Bite your tonque, I am as learned as they come, been there, done it, seen it. AND I find the people of this country to be remarkable, in how they achieve things in the condition they live in whether it be poor or rich. Even there driving abililty is to be commended hahahah. I have trouble understanding what the problem is in Davao, as I picture it as a city that is well run and modernized. However once out of Metro Manila, I presume that moderization runs a little behind. No problems here. With so many people here, and the wages as they are, it will take eons to catch up to the developed countries, if at all, we all know that, but for what they are (the people) they do a great job with what they have at there disposal. If one comes here to live, as I, and adapt, you will be happy here, as I am. But it takes a certain kind of a man to do this..
Lenny – Firstly, I never said that anybody was lazy or ignorant. I take offense that you imply that I said those things, because I said nothing like it.
If you say there are “no problems” in Metro Manila, I can only ask what you are smoking? I know many people who live in MM and they tell me of plenty of problems there. Is pollution not a problem? Traffic? Oh, there are problems everywhere, Lenny.
I am happy living here, but from time to time, I think everybody has problems that frustrate them.
Bob – I believe one of the prior responses in this article by another individual dropped the “L” and “I” words, which may have been what Lenny was referring to. 🙂
Could be, Bill. The comment was not addressed as a reply to anybody, so I assumed it was addressed to me.
This failure to look at the basic necessities is a striking weak point that has now burdened the Philippines through at least the last three administrations.
The problem in my view is, from senior leadership on down (no matter who that senior leadership is), the country is fixated on looking good rather than being good. In the car racing world we call this. “All show and no go”.
You can’t buy a thousand dollars worth of chrome accessories and bolt them on an engine with weak compression, oil leaks and a rod bearing knocking and then call that a racing engine. The chrome will not make it produce any power.
Electricity is a very basic need. Also, unlike many other programs that require massive capital expenditures, providing reliable power to homes and businesses … the real “People Power” … will actually MAKE money, not cost money.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at Meralco’s balance sheet and their stock prices over the past year.
Mr. President, you want our country to become “World Class” (whatever the heck that means), then demand that the power stay on. You want foreign investment? Show them (not with talk but with provable performance statistics), that if they build, say, a hotel, they won’t have to buy their own generator and make their own power (at about 5 times the commercial costs) in order to keep the lights turned on … oh and by the way, the people who voted for you, even the ‘little people’, deserve to have electric light too.
Or so Dave opines.
Hi Dave – I could not agree more. Without power, virtually the entire country stops, unless they have a generator! With the price of fuel getting out of hand again, even a generator is not economical. You are so right when you say that the Philippines often seems to want to “look good” rather than be good.
So far Mr. President appears to be nothing more sensational than a fart in a a frying pan !
Hi Bob,
These things are actually a benefit of LIP, it’s the way everyone keeps a slow lifestyle! 🙂
Ha ha… I guess I can’t argue on that one, John!
I hope by now Bob you got rid of some of the frustration by sharing it with us here and I do appreciate these articles where you ” Tell it like it is “. Although I experience far fewer power and internet problems here, occasionally things do happen. I get the same thing you get concerning my internet and especially my telephone service ( I still use and prefer ” traditional ” phone service over copper phone lines for local, regional incomming and outgoing calls. I get the same thing you get, ” There must be something wrong with Your Equipment ” . It seems the burden of proof as to where the problem is is left up to the customer. Same thing with my cable broadband internet, ” It must be your computer “, ” If you are using a router that must be your problem “. The one that really got me was when they told me it must be “my” Modem. I told them it can’t be the modem because I am paying you $5 a month rental for Your Modem and it seems it is never your equipment or system that is bad, LOL.
If the general pace of life is slower and more relaxed where you are as I have often read, I think that would also apply to restoring services such as internet, telephone and electricity. Possibly what may seem a lot slower to us is normal for things there.
That was a good one on the modem thing, Bob! But, these guys are implying that it is my computer, or something I changed in the modem settings or something like that. Of course, I did nothing like that!
Bob, you probably know more about what is going on ( or not going on ) with your equipment and their system than the person you get on the phone when you call them. I think the call center reps only reply as to what they are told to reply on their pc screen by using stock answers for stock questions or complaints.
The few times I have been so frustrated with the cable company here the thought has crossed my mind to buy a very expensive signal analyzer to show proof that they are the ones at fault.
I think another reason they are so quick to always start with the fact that it is the customer equipment tht is at fault is due to the probability that a lot of the calls they do get are from people not knowledgable enough to know when it really is their equipment that is at fault. Unfortunately that situation makes it bad for the rest of us.
Ha ha, that’s true, Bob. They don’t think you know as much as they do, but in truth, they know very little about the internet service. That’s true everywhere I think, not just in the Philippines.
Bob New York – I think you are spot on. What they should be able to do (and can do) is to “dial in” down to at least the dsl/cable modem level to do diagnostics. If they cannot get down to that, it’s either their equipment, the wiring (still their equipment) or it’s unplugged from the wall. I have background as a System’s Engineer, so I know this to be fact as I’ve done it. 🙂
Though 11 years late, “Welcome to the Philippines, Bob!” 😆
Frustration is just those last vestiges of Western life finally working their way out of your system. You’re adjusting wonderfully!
😉
(Still not doing well here – my frustrations are starting to brew!)
Hi Paul – As you are here for a longer time, I am sure you will find that these frustrations still rear their ugly heads even 10 or 15 years after you arrived here.
Hi Bob: Those inconveniences that have plagued you, and many others, and some attitudes of the populace, are most likely the result of of a country that was subjected to 400 years of Spanish convent, and 50 years of hollywood. Tomorrow is another day, lets grin and bear it.
Its still a good place to pitch your tent.
Hi Roberto – I pray for the day that Filipinos stop blaming their colonial past for the problems of today. It’s been nearly 70 years since the Philippines was a colony of any country, it’s time for them to get over it, grow up and act like a big boy.
Great news Bob.
The http://liveinthailand.com domain is still for sale LOL
Probably not for long since you advertised it here! 😆 I don’t think I’ll be needing it though.
Bob, I plan on moving there in a couple of years, so we need to straighten this out. Just point me in the right direction to bitch. I’m bringing a Doberman. 🙂
Jeff, you are a hilarious man. You can gripe, holler, scream, kick, and do everything but yank your head off, and they will look at you, blink, and once again say ” so sorry sir, come back tomorrow”. That’s it, that’s as far as it ever goes. I stood in a shipping line office last week, and demanded to know what they were doing about my shipment sitting collecting dust for two days on a dock 3 miles from it’s final destination. First we try the blame the other guy game, it’s the customs brokers fault, its the truck drivers fault, it’s arristad’s fault. I finally pulled the paid shipping receipt out of my pocket and asked them whose name was on the top of the receipt. (their’s of course), again the uncomprehending blink and stare. I finally walked over, pointed at the phone and told the manager to pick it up, and call SOMBODY and find out what the truth really was. Again, the look of incredulity from the office staff. I pointed again, and he finally picked up the phone and made a call to the dock. “Oh sir, truck is on it’s way now.” Four hours later I had to return and told him to let the dock know I was coming over with my own truck to pick up my shipment ” Oh No sir, not allowed.” Again I insisted he pick up the phone and make the call. Halfway over to the dock I see the truck with the container go by me.
I can hear some folks cringing already, the ugly American rears his ugly head. I rarely get that in your face with anyone here, as it is useless, but when your business is down on the ropes due to the ineptitude of a shipping firm, it is the only hope. In this case, surprisingly enough it worked, but that is the exception.
Until enough people here in the Philippines get fed up enough to demand service and customer satisfaction, this will always be a third world country. Is laziness the problem as someone suggested? If anything, it is the lazy attitude of the the consumers here. they accept crappy service and treatment with a shrug of the shoulders and say, ” Ah, you know, Filipino way.”
Yep, that’s how things work here! No doubt about it.
I’m filipino and my wife and i always gets into an argument whenever i blew my top over crappy service.
She thinks i’m embarrasing her which i keep insisting is OUR RIGHT as a paying customer to demand good service.
I’m sure i’m a minority.
Hey Rey If there were more citizens like you things might change for the better sooner rather than later.
Hi Rey – I think that if more people were like you and demanded good service, things would get a lot better here! Keep it up, my friend!
Hey Dave, I know exactly how it feels. Working for a multi-national infrastructure major in the Phil, having spent 1.5 years in General Santos City (Mindanao) and currently based in QC, I wish to join you in saying that I’m exasperated.
Bob, please bear with me if i’m clogging your blogspace with my gripes, knowing full well that it wouldn’t change a thing, but I must posit the following.
“it’s more fun in the Philippines”…
Would agree definitely…but only if I were just a tourist visiting here for a brief period. Working here…man, everyday at the office is a challenge I’m not paid for. From what I’ve observed customer services are pathetic; if only those pretty ladies and fine gents paid more attention to their inventory/services offered/sales pitch/marketing acumen, doing business would have been so much easy. Any query/poser will immediately result in blank faces, escalation to superiors, group huddles with fellow representatives, giggles and smirks, disappearance and of course ” Wala Na, Sir!” or “Not available, Sir”
From my experiences I found that –
i) it’s better if you read the website/brochures/flyers for the services u seek – the customer reps will almost certainly be unaware of the details – saves u the time they would spend to get to arrive at the “Wala na, Sir” situation
ii) Pretty faces will stall you the most – Look for a less attractive/prominent lady among reps – she’ll might get you the answers
iii) better refrain from approaching offices/kiosks/help desks staffed with too many customer reps – will add to your confusion, you may be interrupting their group sessions, chances of being ridiculed if your asking is beyond their comfort level
iv) expect no reductions/discounts/waivers unless stated – sales executives are very stiff and brain-dead (and use protocols for excuse).
v) there is a lack of genuine sincerity – pass the buck and cool off – masterfully practiced by the guys I’ve encountered – no initiative so no liabilty = easy going “Bahala Na”
vi) No protests/objections/complaints – You’ll be crucified and sentenced to hell if you utter your discontent. Swallow your miseries and go with the flow
Actually plenty more … If you sense rage in my words, take it with a pinch of salt guys…
And to put on record, i’m an ardent fan of Filipino hospitality and good nature. It’s their awesome friendliness that keeps me from blowing up.
Ha ha… look in any direction, Jeff, and you will find something to bitch about!
Look on the bright side Bob – these irritations are character forming,a few more years of this and you will be a far better person .(Or in the happy farm with the electrodes on your temples!)
I think my character has already well formed enough, Bryan! I’ve got 11 years of this under my belt already!
I have been back and forth for the last 24 years and I think I have reached a kind of state of inner calm when the frustrations and inificiences occur – it took a while before I realised that letting it get to me was a waste of time and effort – better to just go with the system and live longer!
See you first week of Feb if possible.
Hi Bryan – I agree that you gotta go with the flow. I usually do that myself, but in this case with getting hit simultaneously with everything, the frustration did get a hold on me!
Bob – If somehow someway these things were tied into the endless singing karaoke variety shows on Pinoy TV, and those were to suddenly stop due to these outages, all would be fixed in a hurry. 😀
Ha ha…. at least there would be dancers!
The first time I came back here to live here temporarily “again” I was so appalled at the internet connection technology here. First we had Smart but Smart screws up every time there’s rain. And then we have Globe DSL which at first worked so poorly , but after a lot of “fights and altercations” with the CS, they gave in to give everything I wanted. It will take at least 24 hours for them to have technical people to come and fix the problem and once disconnected , I was informed it will take 48 hours (except weekends) to restore it.
My initial problems with Globe is the frequent interruption of connection. In the middle of surfing or doing something online, suddenly the connection breaks down for no reason and this happens several times in a day–lasting from 20 seconds to 1 hr. And in the morning, the first time you turn the internet on, it will not turn on immediately. You’ve got to wait 15 to 30 minutes before you finally have it.
I could scratch my hair in frustration with this kind of connection. In the US, I don’t find any thing like this ever happened before.
Oh…sigh….just pouring out my frustrations.
Hi bingkee – Your experience with Globe seems to mirror mine, except that your outages were hours long and mine were days long! 😆 Not a fun experience!
Darn, Bob, I think this article has pushed me over the top… I may be heading for Thailand now!!! I’m not worried about the language problem — there are over 20,000 English speaking Farang in Chiang Mai, and I have found a Filipino lady teaching English there too. Heck, she has been there three years and can even speak a little Thai.
Hi Rich – If this article drove you over the top, just wait until my article for tomorrow comes out! 😆
Bob, wasn’t referring to you when I mentioned lazy and ignorant, it was one of the other comments placed here, I know you would never say that, sorry you misunderstood. Oh yes, there are problems here , everywhere one might go, I was referring to the disconnections you had to put up with there in Davao, saying that I thought Davao, would be alot better than that, as far as internet TV etc goes, sorry you misunderstood, I probably should have written it better take care.
Thanks for clarifying, Lenny, I appreciate it. I did misunderstand you, as I thought that your comment was directed to me. I apologize if my words were off base, since you were not talking about me! 😆
We still get a few brown outs here nothing like last year though but every week or two it will be off for a few hours. Once a month they shut it off for a day to trim trees they say that lasts all day.
Internet, well before we got DSL here it was a pain many times in the evening it just wouldn’t work apparently the load and regular lighting surges took out modems etc.. At first DSL was a pain I kept calling them it was off and on all the time and evenings it was worse than dial up had been. We lost like 3 modems to lightning and since they supply them on DSL they finally grounded the line. Only lost one modem since then though if its lighting bad I try to get it unplugged. Then we bought a battery back up for my computer and plugged the DSL modem into it (The battery was to small for my computer) low and behold the internet rarely flickers now. It was my electricity all along, well at least since we got DSL.
Speaking of electricity ours is really bad quality here, to many lines on to small a feed and no transformer in the neighborhood. When our air conditioner pump gave up the ghost the tech said it was from low voltage strain. We have two computers my main one has a half second capacitor in the power supply you wouldn’t believe how often the other one flickers off and this one is still on. Some days the other one is hopeless.
I really wish I could get a surge suppressor with a capacitor for the main line here. As a matter of fact I wish the electronics stores knew what a phone line surge suppressor was to protect the modems they just look at you funny when you ask my wife even tried so its not language.
Hi John H – Would you mind telling us where you live? You might have said before, but I am sorry I have forgotten. It would be interesting to know where it is based on the experiences you related. Thanks!
Calamba Missamis, northern Mindanao Near Dipolog. Their is hope that the electric might someday be worked on. They put in a concrete electric pole a month or so ago but still haven’t moved the wires to it. The old one is rotten and only held up by the octopus of lines running from it. I just hope they put in a transformer and a heavier line.
Ah, Misamis Occidental. OK, I am quite familiar with the area. Thanks for letting me know, and good luck with your electricity situation!
Bob, you may know this and may already be using a good UPS system in your home but if you, or anyone else in the Philippines are running your computers on raw power coming straight out of your wall plug, then you are inviting a disaster.
220 volts is not always 220 volts — it may be a little more (surge) or a little less. Certainly before the power goes into “brownout” mode, it is probably less than 220 volts. That has to be hell on any sensitive electronic equipment like a computer, modem or router. When the power comes back on, there is probably a giant “spike” or surge well over 220 volts. A UPS system should even out these anomalies.
Apparently all UPS systems are not alike. Maybe your computer UPS system needs to be reviewed. I copied this chunk below from a UPS website:
UPS — A Protection from blackouts, voltage sags & swells, electrical noise interference and damaging power transients.\\Short for Uninterruptible Power Supply, a power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in the event of a power outage. Typically, a UPS keeps a computer running for several minutes after a power outage, enabling you to save data that is in RAM and shut down the computer gracefully. Many UPSs now offer a software component that enables you to automate backup and shut down procedures in case there’s a power failure while you’re away from the computer.
There are two basic types of UPS systems: Standby Power Systems (SPSs) and on-line UPS systems. An SPS monitors the power line and switches to battery power as soon as it detects a problem. The switch to battery, however, can require several milliseconds, during which time the computer is not receiving any power. Standby Power Systems are sometimes called Line-interactive UPSes.
An on-line UPS avoids these momentary power lapses by constantly providing power from its own inverter, even when the power line is functioning properly. In general, on-line UPSs are much more expensive than SPSs.
Thanks for sharing that, Rich. It is indeed important information for anybody living here.
Internet!! You get Internet!!
😉
Look on the bright side Bob. There are worse places in terms of infrastructure-somewhere. Ron
Yeah, I suppose there are a few places in Africa with worse infrastructure! 😆 Seriously, though, I do like it here.
Way too much complaining here….I got a FREE weather forecaster when I got my digital satellitle TV connection. Thats right FREE…………….happens every time without fail that 30 minutes before it is going to rain the darn thing goes out. As soon as the rain begins it comes back on. So I thank them for letting me know when to put the car in the garage! (hope they don’t start charging me extra)
Uh… OK. Not sure I understand what this is about, though…..
signal disruption
Bob, just in case you did not read this comment:
Dwayne says:
January 24, 2011 at 7:13 am
Bob in all the time I have read you blog with you mostly always being being so proactive about PH it is really so nice to hear you talk candidly about what so many, many, many expats I have met say all the time that the Philippines is a joke, a dump and the epitamy of incompetance and truly a 3rd world nation in comparison to many of its Asian neighbors. That it is an lazy, corrupt and ignorant society that will never change in our lifetime. You don’t say it directly but you do still say it in a way through the numerous frustrations you are having from time to time. I have been to Thailand and yea it is far superior in functionality than the Philippines but language is a big drawback there. Also immigration is much less friendly there these days. Nevertheless, it is so sad that this beautiful country of wonderfully friendly people can be so blind to what is best for its future. I have one friend that is actually moving to Mexico (Rosarita) from here (living here 6 years and can’t take it anymore) where he can rent a place on the beach for $300 a month. He is tired of all the stuff here and more and more expats I meet seem to have the same challenges. I am still contemplating a move here but everyday I become less enamored with the abject stupidity I see here and that is very sad. And just wait when availability of food specifically (rice) becomes a problem. I could go on but I feel for you and hope things get better but alas I doubt it. Maybe I will move near Manila where most of these issues don’t occcur that often. Who knows. frustrating
While there is no doubt some of what Dwayne said is true…some of what he said is so stupid and out of line he should be ashamed. But I have a strong feeling he is not bright enough to figure that out.
Hi Todd – I read each and every comment.
Hi Bob, we just had a Thundersnow, wet snow and about 8-10 inches and in the Metro DC area there are over 200,000 without power, and so you know that only after 12 hours, people are acting like spoiled brats blaming the power company. It’s mother nature! Thousands of people are stuck overnight in their cars, in the cold. Power won’t be restored until maybe this weekend. But what I’m trying to say is people has gotten to expect 100% service when they know it takes time to fix all the lines. Frustrated or just spoiled rotten! So here in the land of milk and honey, things are not so perfect sometimes.
Hi Mars – If my services were knocked out by inclimate weather, I would understand… but I am talking about losing internet, power and cable TV for no reason at all! 😆
Understand, Bob. Just trying to sympathized with you.