You know, over my lifetime there have been changes in the way we look at things. I remember, when I was a kid, if there was a guy who drank too much alcohol, he was a drunk, and alcoholic. He was not looked at kindly. Now though, alcoholism is considered a disease. Well, there is some positivity to that. I mean, something like being an alcoholic can be something that can’t be controlled once you get to a point. This article is not about alcohol, though, or it’s abuse, that’s just an example of how the outlook of society has changed. I mean, when I was a kid, if you said that being a drunkard was a disease, people would have laughed at you.
Did you know that there is a new Philippine based disease? It’s true, and scientists are going to have to begin studying this immediately, before too many people are striken. It’s funny, though, because for the first time in the history of man, this disease is not only airborn, it has gone cyber!
What? What do I mean “it’s gone cyber?” Well, I mean exactly what I said. This disease is highly contagious. Not only can you get it through the air, by being in the vicinity of others who have become infected, you can even become infected to this one through the Internet! Shocking! Scary! Strikes fear into you if you think about it!
That’s right, a disease that you can catch through your monitor or by touching your keyboard, and it all started in the Philippines.
You haven’t heard about it?
Addiction is a disease, right? Do we agree on that?
I am talking about LiP Addiction!
Yes, becoming addicted to the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine, this website! I promise you, it has come to disease or addiction levels, and people are catching it through the Internet by visiting the site!
You wouldn’t believe some of the e-mails, text messages and phone calls I get. The only explanation is that some of these people have been afflicted by an addiction! Ha ha…
Probably one of the most severe cases of LiP addiction happened last year, toward the end of 2008. A certain person (I won’t say who, but I’m sure I’ll hear from her) made a comment here on the site. I replied to the comment, and she didn’t like what I wrote. She came back and said that she was finished with LiP, and would never visit the site again! She started using bad language and said some things which I am sure she must regret now. Well, true to her words, she never comments anymore. But, instead, she sends me nasty e-mails. She also sends such e-mails to Feyma and to other LiP writers too! I mean, this is like 7 months ago that she said she would never come back to LiP because of something I said, and still to this day, she e-mails me on a regular basis!
Ha ha… that’s just an example, though. There are lots of people afflicted with this disease of LiP Addiction! I don’t kow if there is any medical cure for this affliction yet, but I am sure that scientists must be addressing something this serious!
Are you a LiP addict? Is being addicted to LiP a good or bad thing?
Perhaps you want to publish some of these e-mails Bob, and let the rest of the community "judge" her sanity??
At least that chap who's name escapes my memory from a few months ago with all the negative comments about the Philippines and it's people seems to have dried up (following a few negative comments from other readers, myself included).
Jim
Hi Bob,
I am certain i know who you are talking about.
Sad thing is,some people lead such sad lives they have nothing better to do with their time.
regards Chas.
Well, it's a great way to learn useful things about a place one has an interest in. I started to be interested because it's where my gf happens to live, so it's a way of keeping an eye on the place. If anything big happens in Mindanao, it'll be right there on Lip almost immediately …. or, if not,I can send a question to Bob maybe.
but beyond that … I couldn't have guessed how just plain INTERESTING the material on here is. I mean ..WHAT A PLACE! take John Miele's post on ghosts just now. Could'nt have guessed it. Also there's a great 'between the lines' aspect to a lot of the writing which is a good game in itself! Rusty sails pretty near the wind on that, for instance. Then there're the pictures, even the natural colour spectrum is fascinating, not to mention the incredible artwork such as the jeepneys, rolling exhibitions, centuries of attitude art grafted onto a way of earning a crust. Jungle karaoke shacks? Endless. So I am perfectly happy with my addiction thank you Mr Martin. 🙂 (Oh, and I really like the grainy videos too, cheap and cheerful, not failed art, like 'professionally' made tourist vids always are) I am rambling. I will shut up now.
YES!!! I am a LIP addict.lol I can't get through a morning or evening with out reading LIP,I love it!
and when there are no articles,I go through DT's:)
Bob,I have enjoyed and have learned so much through LIP,thank you for bringing it about for all of us to enjoy….
Randy
Hi Jim – Nah, I would never post the e-mails, because those were sent privately. Also, some of them are too full of filthy language to even post here.
Ah, the guy with the negative comments? He is also an addict. He has used at least 6 different names trying to continue posting his hate filled comments.
Hi chasdv – Ha ha… it shouldn't be too hard to figure out who I am talking about. But, I only used her as an example, as there are a number of similar situations too. But, the main point of the article is not about her, but rather that there are a lot of people who need their daily LiP fix! 😀
Hi jonaky – Ha ha.. I'm glad that you like the site. Yep, it sounds like you are an addict! It's ok, though, you probably don't need treatment yet! 😆
Hi Randy S – Ha ha… another admitted addict? And, I suppose that you caught it through your computer too! 😀 I'm glad that you enjoy the site, Randy.
Hi Bob,
I would not say i am addicted to LIP,as i try to avoid addictions LOL
However,i am a Big Fan of LIP.
regards Chas.
Ah, now there is a man who is under control! 😆
Hi Bob – If this is addiction, I don't want rehab or intervention! 😆
Hey Paul – Denial is the first sign that there is a problem! 😆
Kamusta ka Bob,
::Stands up:: Hello my name is Daniel, and yes, I am a LiP addict!!!
I have tried calling the Betty Ford Clinic, but they keep hanging up on me ;P 😛
Who needs needles and booze when you have LiP!!!
Ingatz, ug salamat kaayo for all you do!!,
Danny 🙂
Kamusta ka again Bob,
As for your last question in the article, this is definitely a good thing, for those of us preparing for this kind of move, to another country, another culture, another way of life.
Definitely a great thing….and invaluable information!!
Salamat kaayo,
Danny 🙂
Most of my family dont even like to talk to me as Im always saying in the philippines…………They try to change the subject but the philippines always comes back into the conversation. I know more of what is going on there than my wifes family in the pi. Im always telling them about things that are happening in the province that they know nothing about. I always need my fix…….
Hi Bob,
Okay, I admit that I'm a recovering LIP addict but just want to make sure your readers know that who you are referring to isn't me!!! 😉
Hey, what happened to my friends – the emoticons??? 🙁
Anyway, as I mentioned when we last met, I haven't been commenting as I'm trying to stay out of trouble. I'm sure you know what I mean… 😉
Thanks again for the coffee and it's always good seeing you and Feyma. See you in a couple of months and, BTW, you and Feyma are invited to my Dad's birthday. He's expecting you…
Take care and say hello to Feyma.
No it isn't. 😯
Hi Danny – Walay sayapayan! Happy that I can provide LiP for the readers. You mean that Betty Ford doesn't have a LiP Rehabilitation Program in place yet? 😯
Hi Danny – I'm glad that it's a good thing for you! I guess some addictions can be helpful! 😉
Hi don – Ha ha.. I know the feeling! Often times, if Feyma's family in GenSan needs to know something about the Philippines, or if they need directions to someplace in the Philippines, they will ask me! The only non-Filipino in the group, but the source for Philippine information! 😆
Hi Tina – Oh no… of course I wasn't talking about you!
Emoticons? They are in place, and you used them! I just upgraded to a better system! 😆
We had a great time seeing you again a while back, and looking forward to your Dad's birthday!
Hi Paul – OK, noted… I've updated your chart. 😉
kamusta bob
i have to admit im addicted to lip but its not a bad thing for sure.you know im trying to stop smoking and wow its very difficult.some do it very easy but it seems like im climbing an ice covered mountain,hoping to crest the summit soon.
salamat bob
Hi RonW – I'm glad to hear that LiP is a good part of your life! I wish you the very best with kicking the cigarettes! I am lucky that I never picked up that habit!
Kamusta ka Bob,
Dili pa, but I will keep you posted of any news.. 🙂
Ingatz,
Danny 🙂
Maayong Buntag Bob
I am some times lurking and some times commenting but defiantly addicted.
In addition to " LIP " I am sure there are others like myself that may not be in a hurry or have the desire to actually live there but have come to visit and want to learn more and continue to visit in the future. This website along with a few others that may pertain to a particular part of The Philippines enable people to have a " Virtual Visit " every day or when ever they wish. It could be the closest thing to living there from any other place in the world.
What is Mindanao Bob and company going to be talking about and showing us tomorrow ? Tune in to a Virtual Visit to The Philippines and find out !
I believe the internet in itself has become an addiction for many people everywhere.
Hi Danny… Ha ha.. Ok, my friend! I'll keep an ear out.
Hi Larry – Good luck with your addiction! I hope that you are able to satisfy your needs daily!
Hi Bob – Good to hear your take on it. I'm glad that you keep coming back to see what I'll be doing or talking about!
Hi Bob, it's hard to live away from home, so i'm reading
LIP Mag everyday….so how do you call that? Ayaw na lang
isulti segi kasabot nako…bye n regards.
Bob,
Your right, When I first found LiP I spent a week reading EVERY article from the beginning. Now every day I check for your articles.
Usually in the morning. I check email, then read LiP then reply to emails or comments in AiD (American in Davao).
If I am out early, I check if there is wifi, or look when I get home.
Maybe we need a LiP anonymous with a 12 step program.
First is to admit "I am Bruce and I am LiP addict"
Second is scale down, First only read on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Then to 2 days a week
Then once a week.
After you break your addiction but need to read about the Philippines, visit my site. I have less posts per week. Hahahah
Guilty! I am an admitted Lip addict. Thanks for the addiction!
…and your the LiP Big Daddy eh Bob? no wonder when we had coffee all the bling bling was blinding the waitstaff…and all those scantly clad ladies at your side,was that a 45 Glock sticking out of your trench coat? Nice ride….2009 Hummer with gold rims and curb feelers on both sides….. you da man Bob !!!!
Hi My name is Tyleen and I am a LiP addict.
I cannot get enough…
I am very sad when there is only 1 article a day posted. I have to physically restrain myself from sending Bob an email asking him to kick some butts and have people post more articles per day. 🙂 🙂
I check LiP at least twice per day and I know that I will be one of the first people in line if Bob decides to do a paid subscription kind of blog site.
I also read the Manila Standard and the Philippine Star online newspapers everyday.
Hi evelyn – I'm glad that LiP can bring a little piece of the Philippines to you every day!
Hi Bruce – Maybe the reason why people do visit this site is because there ARE more posts per week! 😉
Thanks for visiting!
Hi Ed – Anytime, my friend! 😉
Hi Brian – Blushing here… I didn't realize you saw my hummer when we had company! I told my British Driver to keep it parked behind the bushes! 😆
Hi Tyleen – You are showing all the signs of addiction! Seek medical care as soon as you can! 😉
Hi Bob – I'm a hopeless addict to LiP. I visit the site several times a day. Though mostly I do this at work when the boss isn't around. Making sure no one is near, I'll sneak a quick look to satisfy my craving of LiP. Just a few minutes of viewing can calm me down so I can stay focused in the office. So far, my co-workers don't suspect a thing, though I do exhibit some unusual behavior. For example, when I greet a fellow office worker here I want to speak Bisaya! I always catch myself before "Maayong.." leaves my mouth. This may be an addition I'll just have to live with, eh? Cheers!
Hi Henry – Ha ha ha… you crack me up, my friend! Ha ha… I can just see it now, when your co-workers come up to you and you great them in Bisaya or Tagalog! 😯
On a side-note, I just viewed the cnn website at http://www.cnn.com. Under Travel is "Capturing the Philippines." Hope some sees this before it goes away.
Hey, LIP addiction is surely a good thing. It must be good for the adsense revenues! 🙂
Hi Jim – I'm not sure if you have a website, or how much you know about AdSense. However, for a website that is a very community oriented site – a site that gets a lot of very regular visitors… AdSense produces very little (almost nothing, to be honest). It is because regular visitors like LiP has grow blind to ads, and rarely click on the ads. When it comes to ad revenue from this site, I think you would probably be shocked if you knew how much it earns.
Bob,
Yes, you do write more than me and that is one of the reasons your so popular. Also you have been online longer and are one of the Pioneers.
You are more knowledgeable, a better writer and have a better imagination to find topics to write about. As I have told you, there are many times I struggle to find things to write about.
I was joking and not meant to offend or insult.
Hi Bruce – I didn't feel offended or insulted by your previous comment. If it came across that I did, then it did not come through as I intended.
A few observations:
I find that the more you write, the better writer you become. I guess it is like the old adage… practice makes perfect! Well, I don't think I'm a perfect writer, but I can see a difference between what I write now and what I wrote a few years ago. More interesting, better thought out, better style of writing, fewer errors and such. So, you will probably find the same as the months and years pass.
I used to have problems coming up with topics to write about. From time to time I still have trouble, but very rarely. I think I told you… but in case I didn't, I keep a paper, or a file on my computer and I write down every thing that comes to me. If I see something that I find unusual or different, or if I have an experience that might interest people, I put it on the list.
Just as a tip.. not being critical. Remember when you went to GenSan a while back? As I recall, you wrote only one article about it. You certainly could have written 6 to 10 articles about that trip. You did a lot of things and visited a lot of places. You visited at least one place that I haven't even been to, and I used to live there! That's Kalsangi. You could write one article about the fish port, one about Kalsangi, one about Isla Parilla, one about the drive from Davao to GenSan, one article about the differences between Davao and GenSan, one about Sarangani Highlands, one about the pineapple plantations. See…. there are a lot of articles you could write about that trip, and it's stuff that a lot of people know nothing about and would be interested in. I'm just pointing this out to give you some ideas. You could write an article about the difference between driving in the city of Davao and driving out in the countryside. How about an article about your friend who invited you to visit GSC – her story of how she ended up going abroad? There are so many things, even though they seem very simple, they make good topics to write about.
Good luck, Bruce! I know that you can do it, just keep an open mind!
Hi!Bob,
i discovered your site when i'm browsing for any american living in my province(batangas city) coz i have some american friends who are interested to know about the Phils and when i googled it, it brought me to your site and since then i was so fascinated to all the positive comments from non-pinoys like you all, being away from home for so many yrs and read anything about my country, i feel that i almost very close to home so i can say that LIP is my rock vitamins coz visiting your site eased my homesickness, thank's bob for this wonderful site….. i actually sent the link of your site to my friend and ask them to visit it…
Love your work Sir BoB. Yes, I am addicted.
I like the colours of the site, the layout,its easy to navigate around, the articles are interesting, the comments are highly informative. I've given up on the forum the passnumbers drive me nuts.
I like the way you Sir BoB, have evolved in your responses, I have noticed a move away from your usual style after the " Filipinos want your money" article.
It is not easy to do what you do, keep up the good work buddy.
Off topic, while we are on a topic break. Just a quick word to Danny about family. When you invite your wife's family to anything be specific on numbers and who. For example, I said to my fiance, invite your family for dinner at a restaurant. Well I knew there are 10 in her family, to my surprise 38 relatives turned up!!! Lucky food is cheap in Iligan LOL. Same thing happened to me at the local pool, I invited 8 people from her family, 33 turned up.
Don't forget the foreigner is expected to pay, so don't forget bring your money with you…….bye bye now.
Bob,
Thank you for the good words and insights. One thing I noticed about my site is in the beginning I wrote more personal stuff. Holidays at home, family photos and just, now looking back, boring.
Then I found I enjoy more writing about observations and experiences here. I see by my comments the readers are enjoying them more too.
I am still working out that E-book idea.
My big problem is monetizing. I get emails and comments about helping visitors but do not know how to monetize that. Maybe one day I need to meet you for lunch and discuss some things.
Thanks again for your friendship, advice and mentoring. I never would have started this if I never found your sites.
Hi Boss – Well, thank you. I have not conscientiously changed anything on my commenting style, but if you like it better now, that works for me! 😆
Hi Bruce – I have noticed that your site has really grown a lot. Lots of comments now. I'm starting to get a little worried! 😆 Just kidding… But seriously, you have found your niche and you are gaining readers obviously. I hope you continue to draw more and more. Monetization is a big problem in this niche. It's not easy to make money writing about the Philippines! Unfortunate, but true.
Maayong adlaw diha Bob,
I’m definitely Lip addict in a good way. I don’t comment that much, but I read Lip everyday with coffee is the best… Gimingaw man gud ko sa Mindanao Bob and Lip bring me closer to home it’s like my TFC….
Best regards to the family.
Hi Bob, I know, I only not have an addiction to LiP but also to the whole fantastic world of the internet and cyberspace. I learned of my addiction to the later, when I wrote my first article two years ago in my first web blog on the subject of my INTERNET WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, when we had a power black out in Marinduque for a whole day. At that time we had not purchase a generator, so for the whole day, I felt like a lost puppy without my PC and its magic screen. Moreover, although, I do not earn a single cent writing or blogging, I enjoy this activity very much. Reading and writing prevents me from developing AZ disease, so this addiction to me is good one. There is no need to see a medicine man or a witch doctor ( Hi John) or a psychiatrist to cure this addiction. Cheers to all LiP addicts!
Bob
Is this the behavior of a addict?
Before work check the LIP site
After work check the LIP site
If I leave or respond to a post (not often enough)I sit at my screen tryng to figure what time it is there in RP,so I can figure out when the Almighty Bob will respond. If no response I surf @ Philfaqs then return to LIP, surf some more @ American in Davao, then return to LIP.
Get up the next day and repeat.Hmmm
Kumusta Ann, maayong buntag. I am very happy that LiP helps to ease your loneliness.
Hi David – Ha ha… yes indeed. When there is brownout, or the internet is down for a period, it really does cause withdrawals! I hate it!
Hi Neal – Ha ha… you think you are an addict? 😯 Those symptoms are only a mild interest in LiP! 😆 I mean, you actually go to work still?
Bob, I am so shocked today! Here I was just browsing the internet a few weeks ago and I find your website. NOW you have turned me into an addict needing serious help. I thought just ading you to my "favorites" list and checking in once in a while would be completely harmless, but alas, I just can not control my habit now, and its all your fault!
Just kidding, seriously though, I find your attitude and patience has helped me with adjusting to life here in Dipolog. I still manifest a desire to run over a few motorcab drivers everyday, but trying hard to control that as well.
Thanks for all you and the other writers do, it's an encouragement to newcomers like myself.
Hi Dave – I'll send a doctor over to check up on you from time to time! 😉
Hello Bob
Ha ha i have a confession to make i don't post as much as i read but im an addict also. your site has given me an awesome introduction to the Philippines and answered so many of my questions before i ever asked them Since finding this site i have taken advantage of some of the services your offer because of your credibility
keep up the good work
Regards Les
Hello Les – yes, I recognize your name as a previous customer of our business, and I appreciate your past business. Without people like you I would not be able to live here for long! 😆
I'm glad that you have found the site useful, and that my credibility on the site is good enough that it brought you to my business as well! Thank you for letting me know.
Kuya Bob,
The first time I discovered LiP (2 weeks or so ago), I got hooked right away and spent over night reading all the articles. Now that I’m caught up, I almost could not wait to have my daily dose of LiP mag. I check to see whether you have new articles several times a day and I get so excited every time I see new postings from all of the writers (i.e. John Miele,Ate Feyma,..) and comments from my fellow avid readers. Kuya Bob, if that is not what you call addiction, I don’t know what is.
Daghang salamat for creating such a wonderful site. You make me remember how it was like to live in the Philippines. Salamat pod sa pag-add nimo naho sa friendster.
Hi Leilani – Ha ha… Yep, it sounds like you've been afflicted with the dreaded LiP Addiction! Oh well, there are worse things! Thanks for dropping by!