tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8938421827671767632024-02-08T08:35:25.849-08:00Philippines - Great Cultural Experienceppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-22414642833169219282011-07-21T00:22:00.000-07:002011-07-21T00:41:21.080-07:00Should I Stay or Should I GoSorry have not wrote anything for a long time.. Dam computer broke. Trying to get it fixed seems to be like building a bridge from Cebu to Bohol.. Never thought such a small thing could turn into a six month process. Worst part is, I have paid for it to be fixed three times now, and still comes back with same problem.. Maybe plugging it up and checking would be a good idea, before they send it back.. Maybe that's to much to ask.... ha ha ha ha...<br /><br /> Anyways, will not write much,, just talk a little about being a foreigner living here now for going on 9 years.. Often I ask myself, should I stay, or should I go.. Of course I have my wife here, and would not want to leave her.. But even the wife and business all can be taken care of.. I can take my wife back to the states, and of course just close down the business.. Then the issue of my wife's two Filipino sons also come into play.. So putting all the personal things aside, do i want to stay, or is it time for me to go.. Well, honestly I answer that question differently every day.. Some days I just want to forget it and go back to the states.. Then they are some days, I think I will be ok, and just keep going. I have found myself more and more , the longer i stay, answering the question,, I want to go back.. I do not know if other expats experience that. I just wonder to myself what will the next few years bring.. Will it get more and more days that i want to go back ??<br /><br /> The times i think i want to go back to the states, i wonder what i will do.. My construction company was closed when i left over 9 years ago.. All my contacts are gone, i sold all my equipment.. Lost my ass ( lot of money ) here in PI. So could not start it again.. Then if i did start it, have to build back up again.. Just to much.. Could work for someone, but at my age and the economy, that sounds like a long shot also.. It would be like starting over again.. Plus the fact that from what I read and hear about the USA, its sucks there about as much as here.. So what to do...<br /><br /> Then I think of staying here, and putting up with the things, that make me want to pull my hair out.. And by the way expats.. When we say we can learn to live with things.. Well they may be some things that we can learn to live with.. But they are things that no matter how much we try, they still just piss us off to no end.. ha ha ha ha.. I have learned to deal with most, and actually do pretty well.. Just seems i find myself thinking more of leaving.. Maybe just a phase we all go through. Maybe just mid life crisis.. Maybe i buy a sports car and things will be ok.. lol ha ha ha.. <br /><br /> Well as for now, I still have no plans to leave.. So will just keep hanging on.. If i did go back to the states, probably would not be there six months, until i wanted to come back.. So better just stay...ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-25263580832487838132011-03-13T17:33:00.000-07:002011-03-13T18:25:07.999-07:00Thought Foreigners had it BadThrough recent events with lot of foreigners here in Cebu,, I was starting to feel just a little angry.. Again feeling the pressure of no rights, and being treated unfairly, and kindly feeling picked on you might say.. In the process of going through all the news reports and all of the videos of some of the recent events here in Cebu.. I started digging deeper and deeper into videos, and articles, and before I realized it.. Wow, i was finding story's of injustice, mis treatment, kidnapping, and just in general a total lack of respect period.. Was what I found against Foreigners.. NO.. It was against Filipino's themselves.. I was really shocked to find all the horrible and unjust things that have happened to Filipino, by their own people and own government..<div><br /></div><div>Read about to young ladies who were abducted by the army for helping farmers, and where never heard of again.. The family have witness and know who was part of it, and why.. But, still to this day, the family seeks for justice.. The facts are there, the proof is there, but it seems everyone just looks over it, or pays no attention.. I found murders, kidnappings, robberies, and so many others where it was obvious that the accused was " sold down the road " or framed.. Maybe for political or personal reasons... The system was really doing nothing to help them.. Even with the evidence they had, and the things they known. It was just thrown back into their face, like it did not matter.. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I guess the old saying is very true.. When you think you have it bad, just walk down the street and look at someone else life, and you realize you do not have it as bad as you might think... As foreigners we hit the headlines first, and we are the talk of the town, when something goes wrong.. How everyone screams in justice, poor police work, and picking on foreigners... " Which in most cases is very true." But , wow, how much more the Filipino people themselves have had to deal with in justice.. It kind of made me turn from feeling all like the mis treated little kid on the block... To saying.. Wow, need to be quite for the small things that are happing to us, compared to the massive amount of the same treatment being dished out on their own people.. I started feeling a little guilty. Specially knowing the fact, at its headline news, and foreigners have at least people for or against them.. Or the means to fight.. Some of the horror stories of the Filipino I seen and read about,, not to many people even know they exist.. Plus, the family's have no real means to fight... </div><div><br /></div><div>No matter what nationality we are, no matter where we come from,, all should be treated with respect and honor, and given justice , and fair and unbiased process for any situation.. What happens to some foreigners here recently and in the past here in PI, is very wrong, and is not handled fairly and honorable.. But, how much more, the thousands and thousands of Filipino stories out there, that never get told, and never get mentioned, that face the same injustice.. So you might say,, even when a foreigner gets into trouble, guilty or not, he still gets a better chance and more attention, then the local... </div><div><br /></div><div>So are foreigners really targeted for injustice.. Are we treated fairly ??? Another big question in which seems to keep my head spinning and spinning here in PI.. On one hand I see said , oh look out of the foreigner and sex trade, and human trafficking. Look out for the foreigner wanting to have young girls and sex videos.. They are watched and really concentrated on for that.. BUT, then you have so many, so many Filipino's who do the same, and who facilitate and organize these actions. They are never mentioned much or even charged with accessories.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then again,, you have the Filipino who suffers in justice,, much more in numbers then foreigners.. Who have family members murdered, because of politics, and never see a arrest. Children taken, business closed, homes taken, rapes, and all kinds of horrible things.. Even with witness and proof, they never see any justice.. They are lost in the judicial system, if ever even getting that far.. </div><div><br /></div><div>So all in all is one worse than the other, does one get more benefits, or get more in justice then the other.. Who would have a better chance at getting justice for a crime, or proven innocent for a crime they did not commit.. My vote would go for the Foreigner..... Which is the whole point of this article.. When we as foreigners think we are " getting the shaft, or not being treated fairly, or not getting the justice we deserve.",, and are being singled out because we are foreigners... Just look at the thousand of Filipino's who have had the same or worse done to them,, and because they were Filipino's ,, they never got the attention.... Do we still deserve justice and fair process.. YES,, do we still want it,, YES.. But I believe now, just because I am White would not be the entire reason for it.. Look how many Filipino goes through the same thing.. They all deserve Justice.... </div>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-46368160552304568832011-03-09T08:06:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:16:56.427-08:00Violence in GeneralAll through my life, I have heard and listened to people say the word, violence like it is a taboo.. It come to my mind again, in a recent issue with some old forum rivals in which once again,, They said, " And he was making accusations of psychical violence toward me." Like I was some kind of serial killer or something.. Not that it is not true, it is very true.. Not killing or terrorism, but I have always been taught and raised, if someone pushes you to far, knock the hell out of them.. Or get the hell knocked out of me.. Either way, that is what I was taught and raised all my life.. It is really not that big of deal where I am from in Kentucky.. But seems everywhere else you hear of hitting, or offering to fight and people seem to get this big picture of devastation and horror in their mind.. Or at least that is what I think... Does not make sense to me...<div><br /></div><div>Excessive violence, attempted violence, threating violence,, common on, its just fighting.. Plain old fist fighting.. When i was young and you had a disagreement or a problem with someone, you would try to work it out, but if they was no solution, or things got a little heated, or you just plain did not want to work it out.. Everyone would back up in a circle and say, ok settle it.. That is just what you done, you went at each other until one could not get up.. Then you helped him up, shook hands and it was done.. No more problem... Now days seems everyone gets scared to death of someone or tries to make it seem like you are committing a horrible action.. Now days people want to file a case if they get punched, if they even get bad word said about them, its run and file slander... What ever happen to settle it like men...</div><div><br /></div><div>The thing that gets me is our system of life, liberty, laws, government, and history is built on nothing but violence... Change only comes through violence, or the attempt of violence. EDSA come through violence, revolutionary war, look at events in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, The World Wars, i could go on and on and on... If you really think about it, violence shapes our daily life and future.. It starts from when you are a youngster.. It is ingrained in our lives before we even know what life it.. ( Well lets say it used to be.. I am sure it still is some places..)</div><div><br /></div><div>How many can remember when we would touch the lamps on the end tables, or we would pull at the television knobs when we were but little things.. When we would try to stick our fingers in light sockets or eat dog shit off the floor.. Our parents would talk to us, and say no, no, no.. and try to or three times.. But in the end,, smack that hand, or smack that behind, some cases side of the head, or anything that they could.. ( Everyone has different methods.) The point is, when we felt that pain, and violence ( per say ).. We learned very fast and changed our out look.. Now compare that to world events,,, Saddam ,, we have told you and told you do not do that.. We have went through all the talking and trying to work it out... In the end, when violence and about 200 tons of bombs was dropped on his country,, it worked.. I will not debate if the war was right or wrong, I am just trying to make a point about violence makes change.. I will also not debate if the change is good or bad.. Just the point what ever is being done, will STOP.. Lets even look at law enforcement.. If violence was not good, or did not serve a purpose, why do they carry those big Glock 9 mm, and .45's around on their waist.. I will tell you why.. You go to stop a robbery, and you walk up and say to the perpetrator, ok violence is not the way.. Please stop and put you hands behind you back and come lets go to jail.. ha ha ha ha ha... Do you think that would work.. Now you stick the barrel of that .45 close to his head, or you take a night stick and smack him in the back of the head, i will guarantee he will not be as much trouble and come very well with you. But that should only be the case if they do not want to come.. If the law did not carry firearms ( potential extreme violence ) do you believe they could arrest people ??? </div><div><br /></div><div>Same as I hear fighting is not the answer.. It helps nothing.. I strongly disagree with that statement.. I do agree that if you can find another way, that will work, that is the best way.. Instead of fighting.. But in the end, if that is what it takes, it will work.. ( Most of the time, most all of the time.) Even you win or loose, get beat up or take a beating, you will find it works most of the time.. Am I endorsing violence ?? No I am not.. I am saying if that what it takes, then its ok.. Let me clarify before I go any further,, when I am using the word violence, I am speaking of fist fighting mostly.. Firearms and handguns, bombs, knifes, all have their place, but they are different kind of violence.. Lets call that extreme violence for the record.. I also agree with extreme violence when they is no other way out.. Or when you are faced with someone who does not have the honor, or the will to settle it like a man.. Protection of your right to life, I agree with totally.. But for someone to use extreme violence to settle a problem is just a coward and stupid.. That i do not agree with.. If they are left no other choice then to use extreme violence in a situation that someone else is using that.. Then all means do what you have to,, too survive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pain and violence goes hand in had.. Discomfort, embarrassment, and others all go hand in hand with violence.. If you stick a fork into a electric plug, you know that is wrong. Everyone had told you that is wrong, should not do it.. But how many would still be doing that even now, if they had not had the pain of the shock, or seen the effects it caused on someone else, or even been shocked by another method.. You see, its the pain and discomfort that causes us not to do it.. If someone runs their mouth, disrespects you, embarrasses you. You can speak with them and tell the mental hurt it causes you.. Some will get it, and stop, some can not get the concept of that and will just keep on and on.. Maybe out of stubbornness or out of hard head.. But after those avenues have been exhausted, and you rare back and knock two or three of his teeth out, or you put a few stitches in his lips or head, I will almost guarantee you, most of the time,, that will not happen to you again from that person.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Same thing with laws,, you break the law, you will suffer discomfort, rights taken away, some type of violence, even if its only mental, or psychological. All in all,, everything we do is based some how on violence and extreme violence.. That is the building blocks in which most all major change is effected.. I did not make the rules, but that is just the way it is.. I do not rob a bank, cause I will get shot or go to jail and have discomfort.. I do not yell at the man on the street or do wrong to someone cause they might punch me in the mouth.. I do not grab that thorn branch with the nice flower on it, cause i am going to get hurt.. Its just a simple concept of life. </div><div><br /></div><div>So back to the main point.. Sometimes violence is needed and it gets the job done.. Have to agree with me.. Even if you like it or do not like it.. Even if you are against it,, you have to agree it get results.. Some people can settle differences without any type of violence.. But as History has taught us,, when it comes down to talking wont fix it, or someone will not stop doing wrong.. Then violence of different types are used to change the problem...</div><div><br /></div><div>I can tell you this.. I am a big man, worked all my life, strong as a ox. 6 ft 1 inch, 240 lbs, and would fight ( and have fought a bear, bull, or whatever I have to.) I do not scare of anything or anyone, period... But if you are able to punch me in the mouth for what I am doing wrong, or even if its not wrong, but you just do not like it.. You punch me or beat me up a few times, and I can not beat you.. I will be more than happy to stop doing what ever I was doing, right or wrong, and apologize and step to one side when i see you coming... </div><div><br /></div><div>Now will any type of violence make everything better.. No.. Look at the world, we still have problems everywhere.. Crime, governments, and so that still know the threat, but keep on doing it anyways.. The point of this is only to say this.... If they will not shut up, if they keep running that mouth, if warning and talking will not solve it, knock some of those dam teeth out,, and you will have a smaller problem with that individual.. For the smaller people who do not have the luxury of size and strength, pick up a something and knock the hell out of them.. Remember be smart, and use common sense, you are not trying to kill them, just teach them a lesson.. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know a lot of people will not agree with this,, I know a lot will be shocked with this.. But, it is just the way I was raised and what I was taught and sent down to my children.. Now, you want to think I am a bad ass, a brawler, a real ass ... Well you could not be further from the truth... I hardly ever have to use violence towards anyone.. You could count on one hand the times I have had to do that in the last 5 years... Have I always come out on top.. NO.. Few times I have had my butt kicked.. But the point,,, I do not have to do it,,, cause they know I WILL DO IT.. That is the key.. Get respect and you do not need to do much.. As a final disclaimer..... Try to use all means of civil ways to resolve any issue.. Talk, ask them to stop, ask for apology, but if they are to stubborn to see it.. Then sometimes, it is the way it has to be.. If you ask me, your wrong, let the law handle it... In some cases, more extreme, I agree totally.. But common, what will the law really do for you... Slap on the hand to the offender, and your right back into the same thing again.. If you are more comfortable with the law, let them do it every time.. I can respect that.. Not all people are made to slap someone... But me,, Just makes me feel a lot better and I can sleep better... Hope I never have to do it again in my lifetime..</div>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-6761802731189774542011-02-26T04:56:00.000-08:002011-02-26T07:22:19.336-08:00Understanding The FilipinoThey are thousands of perspectives of this topic all over the internet.. So adding mine will just sweeten the pot... Now these are my opinions, from my Personal Experience, from the people I know and have come in contact with.. This does not represent all Filipino's,, nor am I generalizing all Filipino's into one category. Again, this is from the ones I have met, known, or come into contact with over my almost 9 years here now.. I have been to 5 major cities, and many provinces around the Philippines.. So you can take it from there.. Also this is only my personal opinion and insight on how i perceive it.. Each person can and should have different attitudes and ways of feeling and looking at things.. This is mine...<div><br /></div><div>This is also for any foreigners who decide to travel or live here, and get the chance to read this article.. It might help some of those who have the same mind or thinking as me.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now most all of have heard about family, the friendless, and good nature of Filipinos.. I will not go into all that... They are thousands of articles about that.. I will try to cover some of the smaller and little things that I have done, or seen that was something that might get you bad feelings or hurt their feeling.. And,,, it will be unintentional.. Things that me as a American was very used to doing, and very acceptable in the States.. But does not work well here..</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Laughing or ( Ribbing ) at Filipino</b></div><div><b></b> --- While they are many times that laughter is totally ok, they are many times it is not.. In the states we can laugh over a mis spoken word, or at a funny hair style someone has, tripping and falling, being drunk, many different things.. It is widely accepted and is not that big of deal... Here in PI,, it is a big deal.. Do not do it... This i have hurt more peoples feelings over then anything else,, and was totally not meaning to.. It was just what I was used to doing and never had a problem with... Here,, they will get hurt or think you making fun of them.. ( Which we actually are, but in good way, meaning no harm.) But they will take it to heart.. Especially the ribbing about looks, hair styles, clothing, speech, family, friends.. They will surely take it to heart.. </div><div><br /></div><div>After a short while here,, I would rib ( Tease ) persons that was close to me,, and honestly it caused some to not come around anymore.. As a country boy,, all of my friends teased each other about everything... Even when my American wife and I slit up and decided to divorce, I was really feeling down... Two days after my friends put large plywood sign in my front yard and painted,, good woman needed... The other one Run Off... ha ha ha ha... It was quite funny,, DO NOT DO THAT HERE.. or any kind of ribbing.. I teased a girl when others was laughing at her for having a big forehead... It was not really even big.. She was very pretty.. Well since they was doing it,, i thought i would get in on the joke also.. But, I pushed it for a few days, and every time I would see her,, I would tell her,, can i put a billboard on that forehead for advertisement.. Of course right after I would hug her and tell her she is pretty and its just a joke... But I just teasing her.. Did not matter... After the third day,, she broke down in tears and started balling.. To this day, she will not speak to me... Wow, did I feel like a ass... </div><div><br /></div><div>Laughed at someone singing and made comments at karaoke,, ( because they was really funny, and terrible singer ) ,, kept teasing a little.. They stopped singing and will not go back with me to karaoke.. Even we are ok, and I apologized,, and we are still friends today... They still will not go to karaoke with me.. I told them, does not matter your bad singer, your ok.. I still want to go with you.. Did not matter.. Same goes for Speech.. That is big one... If you tease them of their English,, they will stop talking to you all together. </div><div><br /></div><div>This also goes for being Drunk, what Clothes they wear, hair styles, family members, boy or girl friends, just about anything... Now do not get me wrong... You will hear lot of Pinoy joke that with each other.. But if you as a foreigner do it,, or lets say continue doing it more than once,, they will take it more to heart coming from you... I think because we are foreigners they think we look at them lower than us.. ( Which is absolutely NOT TRUE. ) But they feel that anyway.. So I think as foreigners we can do a lot of damage in short time..</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sense of Humor with Filipino</b> - </div><div> My sense of humor and most Filipino's do not go together at all.. Many things I will joke about, or say.. Sometimes is mis interpreted or taken the wrong way.. Our jokes and theirs are on a completely different level.. Again, one is not better or worse then the other,, they are just different.. No offense intended,, but Filipino humor tends to be more simple and not complicated.. Ours seems to be more no so direct and sometimes is confusing,, which in turn sometimes can lead to hurt feelings or mis understandings.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Example : Neighbor here close to my place come over one day.. He had some bandages around his head, and you could tell he had some type of accident... I ask him, " Wow, what happen to you. " He told me that he had fallen climbing a coconut tree.. Which, I took as what had happened.. I even said directly after that,, " Oh man,, need to be careful when doing that. " Another person walked up,, and ask the same thing.. Of course me wanting to joke at him,, spoke first and said,, " I told him he needs to be careful how he spoke to his woman.." </div><div>Of course then,, he told what had happen,, and i did not think much more about it.. Two days later,, my wife said the man's wife had spoke with her and was very upset why I was telling people that she hit her husband... ha ha ha.. So see how it can get out of hand very easy here.. Now for us as foreigners,, that would have been no big deal,, and we would have known it was a joke.. Especially after he told what really happened and it was even discussed more of how he feel out of the tree.. But here,, things are taken to heart more.. One reason i think is because speaking of woman hitting a man, or jokes of sex, or of matters of the heart are not done here.. But, for us as foreigners,, they are common jokes... This also works in many different cases,, especially when joking of husband and wife, family, public officials, church,, things like that.. So be careful how you joke... </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Beliefs or Religions</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>This one has got me in trouble many times also... Joking religion, or beliefs.. Better to stay away from that one... Can come back to get you.. My wife one night said they was a white lady outside the condo... I said a what.. She said a White Lady,, its like a bad spirit.. I laughed at her and joked her about it.. That was not so bad.. She took it in great stride... I then thought i would go a step further and sneaked out of the bed and took a white sheet and put over my head and woke her up standing there... I expected she would be scared,, but man never expected the outcome such a small prank would have... As soon as she screamed, i pulled it off and was laughing. Assuming she would also laugh after she yelled and got mad at me... Well, she went into Shock.. I mean actual shock, and turned stiff... Even after she knew it was me.. She really got bad, and turned white,, could not breath properly, and thought she was going to die on me... Scared me to death... Now, that is not the worse part... Even know she knew it was me, and I done it all, and it was only a joke... She could not sleep in that room anymore.. It was that bad.. Had to change condo's to another unit before she could sleep anymore... She tried,, and give it her best shot.. But even though she known everything, and it was all a joke,, she would freeze up and go to the living room.. Could not sleep there.. So again,, in the States,, I would have been slapped and cursed at,, then laughed at,, and might had to sleep on the couch that night.. But it would all have been fine... Here in PI,, not so... They take those superstitions and beliefs really to heart.. They have been passed down and part of life here and they really belief in those.. Oh and forget trying to explain the scientific side, or common sense side.. Most of the time it will not work... Need to just accept and honor that belief... So again, be careful how you joke with some people.. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sexual Contact in Public</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Well if they is one that got me in more hot water and lost me more Chances ( Before my wife ). Well this one was it.. Guys,, from the States, this one will get most all of us.. How many times in the States have we seen or done... Women sitting in Laps, holding hands, Tap on the Rear End, Kissing, stroking hair.. Even not that big of deal for a couple to lay on top of each other and talk in the park... If you do it here... You might probably be finished or Branded a " Maniac ". That is the word they use for someone who does that.. I assume from the phrase " Sex Maniac." Now for us in the States.. Not a big deal.. Do not do it here.. Not for most anyways.. </div><div><br /></div><div>PDA ( Public Display of Affection ) is not a big hit with most girls in PI.. Not to say that they are not affectionate, just not so much in Public.. You will find that even when you mean it only with good intentions, and it will not seem like a big deal to you... They could possibly perceive you as a rapist, or what they call here ... ' Chicks Boy "... </div><div><br /></div><div>Example : Early when I was here had a date with very pretty, nice young lady.. We met and went out and eat.. ( Oh by the way,, do not be shocked if they want to invite friends along on your first date, or first meeting.. That is just another thing they do here.. Some guys take it as they are taking advantage and getting free stuff for their friends.. Which some do that... Its really because of the scared of meeting a foreigner, and being alone with them. ) Anyways, on the second date we was alone.. Went to listen to some music.. So no big deal,, I put my arm around her,, stroked her hair, and middle of the night give her kiss on the check, rub on her shoulder a little.. In a little while, she said " I want to go home.".. I ask whats wrong.. She said, " Oh you are just a Manaic, and all you want is sex.. I can tell because you touching me in Public.. You are bad man.".... ha ha ha ha.. Dam,, i was speechless... So let her go home... Encountered that more times here also... So sex is kinda a secret thing in PI.. Do not talk about it with others, do not show it... Even the holding hands and hugging can sometimes be a NO NO... even when together for a while.. Seems once marriage takes place, its not as bad.. But still,, not to much and not in front of others.. Again, just another small warning to let you know how they see things here. Do not blame them, its just their way... Does not mean they will not be a good partner, just means that they are shy in public.. Just does not happen here that much.. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>They are others,, but these seem to be the biggest ones in which has caused me the most grief in the past.. I now have learned how and where and when to joke.. Learned to respect and accept that is the way.. I do not and should not try to tell them " how stupid it is ".. Or how they should not take things so badly... But ,, i finally realized, that they are not me,, and that they are not like me.. I need to love and accept some of the things that is their life.. Just as they have accepted and tolerated some of the things that are my ways and life also... So I learn to co exists, and give and take.. If you come with the attitude --- " Oh that is just stupid, and you are crazy, and I will not put up with that.".... Your just going to live harder life here.. You can not change it, you can not fight it.. Plus, what makes us right and them wrong.. Not right or wrong.. Just different...</div><div><br /></div><div>For all Filipino's reading this,, please also understand the NEWBIE guys.. We do not do it to be cruel, or mean.. Some do not do it at all.. But where I am from in Kentucky, and my type of friends, we do it a lot.. But love each to death.. So realize that is not mean or cruel or intentional.. Its just we have not learned how to,, or Why,, stop it.. As for me, I have learned now, and show a lot more restraint and respect and realize that I can not do that with Filipino.. I still do it with other Foreigners and its is fine.. But have learned that we are not all the same,, and give due respect where it is needed.. </div><div><br /></div><div>As foreigners we need to understand that Filipino are very much more sensitive then us.. They look at the world through a complete different set of eyes.. When you really get down to it.. We are very different.. Raised different, eat different, believe different, speak different ( original language ), love different, accept things in life different... So we need to work together to find a middle ground in which allow each of us to keep things that are dear to our hearts,, even if we do not agree on them... </div>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-36789268367371373762011-02-25T11:09:00.000-08:002011-02-25T12:05:48.898-08:00Everyone is a Expert when They move to PI.Hello, I am back.. Sorry, been so busy with the business and with new things, and changes,, I have not had a lot of time to write much... Also been doing some things to try to help out tourism here on Mactan Island.. So I guess I put this blog low on the list of priority's for myself.. I am working on a New Travel Guide for Mactan Island.. Anyone wish to look at it, or give me some input you can find it here :<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://mactanislandtravel.weebly.com/index.html">http://mactanislandtravel.weebly.com/index.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Its not complete, but I am working on it as I have time.. Lot of work to do one of those properly.. I do not make any money, or sell anything.. Just trying to help out, and I use it also as kind of a reference for things I need to keep up with and want to do myself around the Island.. They is a lot of work needed to be done to it... But at least its a start..</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, back to Everyone is a Expert.. Wow, After being here for so many years, I really get a laugh out of seeing so many Expat's who arrive here to live or only stay a few months a year,,, starting these " How to Live in Cebu ". E books, guides, advice, just about everything you could imagine is in these sites... Now do not get me wrong... They are some of the sites in which are very good and have great information from Expats who have actually Live here and stay here.. I would even go out on a limb and say they are few,, ( very few ) who do not live here but still have decent sites and some good info.. But in general, most of them are just right down funny...</div><div><br /></div><div>It is amazing how they tend to all have close to the same info, and same topics.... When you read their posts,, its like they are the ones in the know.. Now for us who have lived here a long time, and realize that some of the things they are talking about..... They do not have a clue...... It is funny, and sometimes make us just shake our heads in dis belief.. Now i am just talking about the informational sites... I do not even want to get started on the Forums... That is whole other subject... ha ha ha... I used to get aggravated and dismayed at some of the sites.. But after years I have just found to take them with a grain of rice... Read them, have my laugh for the day and then move on... </div><div><br /></div><div>Now as for personal, I am still having hard time with that one.. I do lot better now, but when in a group of what i call " tourist expats " or short timers, and they start contradicting what I am trying to tell someone... I still am learning to hold my tongue.. Now anyone who knows me, knows that is hard thing for me to do in a situation like that.. But over time I have finally realized that any information or advice you do give out to potential expats,, is never really listened to or taken to heart anyway.. I have learned to let it go more these days.. Most will make the mistakes you telling them not to, or go ahead and start a business and not listen to any of the things you have told them to do properly... </div><div><br /></div><div>I have learned more to live in my little corner and help the ones I can, and just wait for the others to come back so I can tell them " told you so "... I do not need to stand on a platform and defend my advice to others, or to get into a three page long comments on the internet anymore.. Just not worth it.... My proof of what I know and what I have done right and wrong,, is evident in my life and business.. Intelligent ones will see that and heed my advice and accept my help.. Others,, well,, they have their own agendas, and their own thoughts,, and can not see past those enough to help them anyway...</div><div><br /></div><div>I do understand that many expats here can only work from the internet, and it is a great way for them to be able to work here in PI, and earn extra income for their family's.. That is all great and good, and I am in support of them 100%,, and will give my help in any way i can.. Its those who are arrogant, can not tell them anything, rude, obnoxious, A holes... who tend to not want to pay their dues, and to trample on the ones who have paid the dues and climbed the ladder... Those are the ones,, who are just laughable with their sites.. But, I have learned not to sweat those either... You remember the old saying.. " Give them enough rope, they will hang themselves." That holds very true here in PI.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now for those of you who will read this and start feeling guilty,, ( you tell on yourself ) by leaving the famous comment.... " oh you guys who lived here long time think you know it all.. Blah, blah, blah"... Do not do it.. I will just delete them.. ha ha ha... Because those of us who have lived here a long time and who experience it everyday.. You dam right we know it all.. We live it... Sorry, let me rephrase... We do not know it all,, but give us the respect for know a hell of lot more then those who do not live it everyday, and who have not been here as long.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, my thoughts for the day... By the way,, they are some great good sites, with experienced and proven guys who have lived here for many years.. In which you can get a lot of great insight and good information.. </div><div><br /></div><div>Matt - ( British ) <a href="http://tropicalpenpals.com/blog/">http://tropicalpenpals.com/blog/</a></div><div>Paul - ( American ) <a href="http://livingincebu.com/living_in_cebu.htm">http://livingincebu.com/living_in_cebu.htm</a></div><div>Klaus ( German ) <a href="http://www.philippines-private-discovery.com/">http://www.philippines-private-discovery.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>They are more.. So sorry if I did not put yours here.. These are just some friends and persons i know.. They are still a few more good ones out there in my opinion.. Of course i am sure some will not be devastated because my poor little blog here does not get enough traffic to make a difference anyways... </div>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-65484858407263065442010-12-02T02:14:00.001-08:002010-12-02T03:24:40.527-08:00Part of The Problem OR Part of The SolutionWell I am in writing mood, so I thought I would give another short post.. The Philippines is so wroth with problems.. I could go on and on about the problems of the really Great Country.. It really is a Great Country.. Good people, great beauty, beaches, and so many wonders to experience.. I really hope this post does not offend any one.. This post is for Filipino's and Foreigners alike.. It's my way of trying to wake up someone.. If this post can change just one person, it was worth writing.. <br /><br /> So in all the strife and troubles, Would you consider yourself part of The Problem, or Part of The Solution... We all have to agree that Philippines is a country in trouble.. Now, I am sure they are many more countries that are also in trouble.. Many that are in the same or worse shape.. BUT, they are not my home.. Philippines is my home... So I am not picking on PI, I am truly concerned about it...<br /><br />Please read each of the following and see what your answers would be :::::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Government :</span> If you are a government official of any kind would YOU :::::<br /><br />* Have you or would you take a bribe or small donation for helping someone with a government related issue ?<br />* Have you or would you price something on a government project higher than the actual cost, to have more money for yourself ?<br />* Have you or would you use your authority to help a friend or person who committed a crime, or have it covered up in any way ?<br />* Have you or would you steal cheat, lie, or mislead the public ( who elected you ) in any way, for any reason, at any time ?<br />* Have you or would you allow any office under your authority to be un productive, not properly on duty, or be un fair or rude to any citizen of The Philippines, or Foreign National living or visiting here ??<br />*Have you or would you use any tax payers money, whether from local or national government, in any form, for personal gain in which would be against the laws or code of conduct of a government official ?<br />* Have you or would you support and help Large Interest Groups, Companies, Friends, Campaign Contributors, or anyone, with monies or favors from your office,,, that is immoral, or against code of conduct or laws of this land ?<br /><br />If You answered YES to any of these questions :::: <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM</span><br /><br />* Have you or would you use your authority and office to upgrade you existing services, and make yourself more available to hear your voters needs and wants ??<br />* Would you set up Local Barangay meetings where voters could come together and voice their concerns on local issues in their place, with a copy of the concerns being given to a committee to address these problems ??<br />* Have you or would you give 60 to 70 hours of your personal time,, per week,,, in your office, working and overseeing, and auditing all parts and divisions of your office ???<br />* Have you or would you, terminate ,, immediately,, friend or family,, for any corruption or immoral act or unacceptable code of conduct of duty,, that would harm the public trust ??<br />* Would you make sure , to the best of your ability, that every available monies goes for the proper projects, and the enhancement of your community ???<br />* Have you or would you turn down, and NOT accept any types of favors, bribes, living in Large Homes, driving Fancy Cars, in which you should not be able to afford. ( Not including those appointed for use by your office. ) ???<br />* Have you or would you go out into your community's and talk and listen and watch over projects, and make sure your community is becoming a better place to live.. Help Schools, Education, Infrastructure, The Poor, and other important endeavors, RATHER than going to the All Expense paid Golf Trip and Expensive Dinner that the local Big Interest Group offer to you ??<br /><br />If you answered YES to any of these questions <span style="font-weight: bold;"> YOU ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION </span>..<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tourism :</span> If you involved in the tourism industry in any way at all would you :::::<br /><br />* Overcharge a tourist,, just because he is white or foreigner ???<br />* Cut short a tour so you can get home earlier and be with friends or family ???<br />* Leave your guests at a tour location so you can go outside and text, or talk ???<br />* Let you staff be rude, or not knowledgeable, or have poor English skills ???<br />* Allow you tourism business to be Dirty, Out of Stocks, Hot Beer, Cold Foods, Small Napkins, No Slat and Pepper on Table, use Banana Ketchup ( I put that one in for me.. lol..) , No Knife for Cutting Meats, Loud Music, Texting Employees while on Duty, Stand by around the Entrance, Street Children standing at Entrance asking for money or selling something, Guides or others adding on large amounts to the bill, Charging cooking charges, Charging extra charges that are not stated in writing on the menu or very visible signage in the business, Allowing poor quality shows or entertainment due to lack of practice or effort, and not up to foreign standards ??????<br />* Have establishments to lie or cheat a tourist for your benefit, in any way ???<br />* To give a tourist a worse quality experience, because your friend or family owns it, or because you will get a bigger commission , when you know they are better experiences or establishments you can take them to, or recommend ????<br />* If you are a government tourism official, who only promote and recommend places in which you or your family or friends are invested in. ???<br /><br />If you answered YES to any of these questions -- <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM </span><br /><br />* Give all of your effort and time, forsaking everything else, to make sure your guests get the best experience, at a fair price, and that their once in a year vacation ( for most ) is the best and greatest experience ???<br />* Worry and think about future of tourism and how to improve it daily, in your actions and life ??<br />* Give a tourist, even in the case you will not get any commission, what they ask for and make sure they are satisfied for that certain experience. ( Ex : One Dinner or Activity )<br />* To give a tourist the best and most exciting and good activity, even if your commission is less, or you do not have, or even like the owners.. ( If the place is considered the best . ) <br />* Stop and warn a tourist when you see they are being overcharged, or being mis lead, or lied to, even if you make the person doing it mad at you ????<br /><br />If you answered YES to any of these questions : <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOU ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION..</span><br /><br />Now each of you can only answer for yourself.. Be honest, no one here will know, you are the only one who will.. What do you want to Be ??? Part of The Problem, Or Part of the Solution ???<br /><br />I really would like to continue this post later... So tired right now.. I will have more soon...ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-63888084262994140302010-12-02T00:11:00.000-08:002010-12-02T01:55:56.501-08:00Pricing and Failure of Business in PI..After reading a article on a good friend,, Matt Wilkie website,, <a href="http://tropicalpenpals.com/blog/things-related-directly-about-the-philippines/would-reducingfixing-the-prices-on-hotelsresorts-and-rentals-help-the-philippines-to-boom/">http://tropicalpenpals.com/blog/things-related-directly-about-the-philippines/would-reducingfixing-the-prices-on-hotelsresorts-and-rentals-help-the-philippines-to-boom/</a> , which by the way is a excellent website with lots of great information.. Plus he updates it daily.. He really works hard..<br /><br /> Now back to what I was saying.. I can not talk about the entire Philippines, but I can talk of my Experience here in Cebu and Especially on Mactan Island.. I would not be afraid to say most of the Rest of The Country is about the same.. Being in business here for long time, studying and watching most all business industry and tourism industry,,, I can say that the Philippines really lack a good base of business educated and lets say business smart people.. Now, most foreigners who come here to do business has somewhat of a excuse. They are trying to start a business in a strange culture, and do not understand the laws and do not study enough. Plus they come with the intention, even if they do not mean to,,, of running a business like are used to back in their home country.. Not realizing that is it NOTHING at all like that.. For Filipino business people, I really see a lack of business knowledge and business sense on basis skills.. These which they should know.. These lack in the local and tourism industry...<br /><br />From my Almost 9 years living here, I can tell you for a fact,,, including some of my own,,,, 80% of business that starts here in Cebu, fails and closes within 3 years......<br /><br />I am happy to say now,,, The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment is doing Great. But through many trials and tribulations and after many failed attempts at other things...<br /><br /> Lets take this a problem at a time.. First lets Start with :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pricing ----</span> I can see one major problem here is the major variation in pricing.. Its very rampant. You have Mactan Island Hotel's and Tourism related activity's priced almost as High as American standards.. Then you have Boracay even higher.. Then you have El Nido, where pricing is much different.. Even within one community you can find a guitar at one shop for P 1500. Then you can go down the road a few kilometers and find the same guitar at P 15,000. This is just one example, but they are many, many more.. You will find hotels priced way to high for the service and quality of the place.. Then you will find another not so high.. Some of the Problems I see here with pricing:<br /><br />* Tourist numbers are low, so increase the pricing so you can make more. This should just be the opposite.<br />* Add on, add on.. Big Problem.. Example :: We sell our Dinner and Show Packages for P 600. Then the local street guys, or agencies, taxi drivers, ect... will add on a crazy amount such as P 1000. Selling it to tourist walking the street for P 1600. This just mostly turns tourist away because its too high.. Which in return hurts business , cause they will not go at all, which in turn hurts economy. All for just greed and trying to make a lot from one person... Bad, bad business ways...<br />* Knowing the merchandise you have is P 200 and you are making good profit.. THEN, seeing it is a Foreigner or White, you make the Price P 500. Which in turn, before its all over, you will not sell it at all, because most of the tourist will just walk away. When they could have sold it for the P 200 and still been ok.. So they just loose the sell all together.. BAD, BAD Business ways..<br />* Places already charging a over priced amount, and then hitting the customer at the end with cooking charges, corkage for bringing a bottle of water in the resort, charge for extra pillow, extra blanket.... on and on, they are many more.... Again bad business choices...<br />* Taxi's overpricing, No Posted Prices, and many others..<br /><br />Now lets look at the other side of the coin :<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Underpricing</span> ----- You see this mostly with local Pinoy business... You see this with Sari Sari Stores, Road Side Shops, and you even see this with some upper scale business.. They make the price of things so cheap, in the end they can not even make enough profit to pay the rent, the electric, overhead... All in hopes of getting more customers.... This again is a recipe for disaster. I see this with a lot of Expat's.. They will want a P 200 meal, or they will want beer for P 30 to 35 a bottle... They want rooms for P 500 a night.... But at the same time, they want nice Air Conditioned place, with top notch waiters and waitress, with good tables and chairs, great decor, fancy surroundings. You would think, at least foreigners would be smarter than this.. But you will find many, many of them are NOT.. How can a business owner build a very nice building, pay rent, have great staffing, fancy decorations and all that when his prices are so low for that type of environment. Again bad business decisions.....<br /><br />Now lets look at the next ::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Competition </span>----- This is another one that seems to lack good business sense, not to even say common sense.. This is done by Pinoy and Foreigners alike.. More with Pinoy... I see it everday, I am still amazed... A new BBQ Open's up in a area.. Only one there... Well in less than a few months they will be three or four more.... NOW here is where it gets even more crazy..... They will put them right beside each other... When you go to the Public Markets,,, Fruit Vendors all beside each other, BBQ all beside each other, Chicken..... Bad, bad business decisions.. For the foreigners... Bikini Bars --- One opens, soon someone will open another right beside it.. All this does is bring down the sales for everyone and cuts profits in half... The more doing the same thing in a small area, the more loss, which sooner or later causes most to close.... Same for tourism,,, If someone opens something tourism related, and its doing ok, just enough to survive, someone will come in and open the same thing very close, if not even beside... Then the one who was just making it then starts to fail, then the new one can not get enough to get started good..<br /><br /> Seems no one researches or does any kind of advisability studies, or market studies, or looks at any important factors when starting a business... They just do it... Then the government itself does nothing to help. Like putting limits on how many Resorts or Restaurants, or Dive Shops, or BBQ Houses, or Sari Sari Stores can be in one area... And lets not even get started on Multi Cab and Tri Bikes, Buses, Ect....... Bad Bad Business decisions...<br /><br />Now lets talk about new industrial and foreign business that want to come in.......<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Foreign Business and Industry</span>---------- Here is another one... Although Cebu has a lot of Foreign companies and industry, how much more could they have.. Industry wants to open in PI.. Well lets see :::<br />* A foreigner can not own a business, has to let a Filipino hold at least 60% ownership.<br />* Have to spend a lot for back up electric system, because most of PI does not have enough electric to sustain.<br />* Have to put up a Large Concrete or Metal Security fence because not enough local police, or good enough security to keep out vandalism, theft, stand by .......<br />* Processing of documents and shipping is not computerized.. Government is so slow in processing and even doing simple documents that are needed regularly in industry...<br />* Corruption is so rampant, you have to figure in a budget to pay the Port Authority, Police, Mayors, Tax People, and many others..<br />* Over One Month a Year is Holiday or some kind of non working Holiday..... Which means your labor increases for workers to work those days......<br />* Have to have Security Force almost as large as the work force,,,, Just to keep the work force in line and make sure the factory does not take a loss......<br />* Have to Hire and Train most Top Management personnel, because they do not receive proper training here in PI, to run and operate a foreign company in the manner in which its required to run....<br /><br />Now last but not least, lets look at ::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Service and Quality</span> --------- This goes for tourism and local and well,,,, lets just say about everything here in PI..... Government offices run poorly, untrained staffing, not qualified staffing, no computers, no one in office during most part of the day..... One hand does not know what the other hand is doing.....<br /><br />Then you have tourism, in which most places are not trained properly on how to handle foreign tourist.. How to treat them, what they expect, the conditions property and business needs to be kept in.. Keeping establishments up to Foreign standards, bad quality service... Taxi Drivers, overcharging, price differences, inflated prices,,, i could go on and on.....<br /><br />These are all bad business decisions on the part of government and individuals here in PI.. Now if PI, could take just my simple list above, which I am sure is not complete with all the problems, and they could fix that.... WOW, how much more would industry, tourism, local economy improve and increase.. Isn't that really what we all want.. Those of us living and working here, and residents and citizens.. Is this what you want for you country and your lives... I sure know it is what I would love to see, for the country and the people... Well, I am not a Nobel Prize winner or claim to have the highest IQ in the World.. BUT, If you are one of the people who is doing something on the list mentioned above.... STOP IT... Then you will see you country get better, and your economy grow.... <br /><br />Now, if you are one of the people who are doing what is on the list above, and you continue to do it.. then you can credit yourself with the state of the country now.... No need to be a hypocrite and complain... If your doing those things, then you are part of the problem, not the solution.<br /><br />Everyone might say,, We want to get our part, we can not stop doing those things mentioned above, we are poor and need to get as much as we can.. We want to open a BBQ next to that one, he is making money, we want to do that.... First watch and see how much he is making and the amount of business he is doing... Now cut that in half when you open yours beside his... Is that enough for you both to sustain ??????<br /><br />When you see the tourist walking down the road.... Do not sell him the P 600 package for P 1600.. Sell it to him for P (900 ). You have give him a good deal, and you can see he will want to come back to visit you and your country again... You have still made P 300 for a few hours work, plus helped your country.. Tell the 3 extra friends who are walking with you, HOPING and Expecting to get a cut FOR WHAT>>> Just walking with you.... Tell them you do not need them.<br /><br />Do Not Overcharge the foreigner, do not have the CR look like a piggery in your tourism business. Have all your staff trained to serve foreigners.. Have your cooks know how to cook for different cultures..<br /><br />Government officials, stop making it so hard for foreign investors to come here. Stop lining you pockets with bribes and kickbacks... You are making a good living away. Start doing something that will not only help your children future, but the future of your community.. <span style="font-weight: bold;">If we all do not stop trying to GET IT ALL FOR OURSELVES, and start learning how to do sustainable tourism, industry, and local economy... We are going to see ourselves in the same place, with the same problems, with the same life, still struggling, 10 years from now, while the rest of the World Pass US BY.... </span>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-61965739634515269832010-11-25T00:03:00.000-08:002010-11-25T00:55:11.741-08:00How to Treat Foreign Tourist in PI.First off let me say sorry to all my followers.. I have not written for a long time. It seems have been so busy with the business and i am making a travel guide for Mactan Island. Started weekend events here at The Jungle, and along with seems a thousand other things, I have not had a chance to write much.. Anyways....<br /><br />I have long tried so hard to teach and mentor my Filipino Staff here about service and about how to treat a foreign guests while they are here in PI.. I want to pull my hair out !!!!!!!! Seems no matter how much I teach them, or how much i try, it just seems I can not get through.. I laid in bed the other night and really tried to think how can I get this across.. What am I doing wrong... Its not only with them, but I seem to see it everywhere, in all kinds of business.<br /><br />The part i have tried to teach them is that foreigners are so much of a different culture, that service and things in which are normal and acceptable to them, a foreigner ( especially white ) will find unappealing and bad.. I tell them you have to be so careful in everything you do.. Things like large size napkins, knife with meats, salt and pepper on the table, serve the drinks first, fill the glass with ice, no bones in the fish, no little bones in the meats, no hair on the pork, cut vegetables into bite size pieces, no big pieces of fat, pork chops should be larger than 1/16 of inch thick, greet you guests at the door. All of these things are just normal small things in which a foreign guests will expect. Its really not a big extravagant extra.. But just normal things they are accustom to in their country.. <br /><br />Coffee cup needs to be full, not half, do not move foods on the buffet with you hands, bring out dishes all together, COLD beer does not mean room temperature, and I could go on and on... Now for us foreigners this is just second nature and its just normal and not a big deal.. But here, its actually a special go out of the way, very fancy and very demanding to do those things. I find my staff getting so nervous and shaken when we large groups of foreigners ( especially white ) and they really have to try hard to get those few things in order and correct..<br /><br />Now do not get me wrong. I have a very well trained and experienced staff and waiters and waitress who are very knowledgeable in service of foreign guests.. It is the new ones, and even sometimes the older ones who I still have to remind of some of the small things... Now, I have wondered, WHY????? So as i thought about it more, I come to the same conclusion as I have about other things... They have never experienced that, and they have been born and raised void of those types of things... So its really hard to teach them because they do not use it in their daily lives, and even in general the culture does not use some of the simple things... <br /><br />I thought, take me and say ok, now organize and set up this fiesta, or this meal, or what ever.. Do it Filipino Style, that will please Filipino.... I also would not know or have a clue as to what to do.. I have not experienced that enough to be able to do it.. I also would probably leave out things and forget things because I am only doing it from being taught, not from real experience, or real visual on hand experience...<br /><br />Soooo.. My solution was, I started taking them to Places that cater to only Foreigners and their way.. Some times to Foreigners homes where I am invited and allowed to bring someone, and to let them see first hand how it really is... I will have to say, its has been a blast.. So funny at times I really get big laugh... On the other hand, when they also take me to their homes, they really get a big laugh out of me also.....ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-91456094215663731382010-08-29T02:55:00.000-07:002010-08-29T03:26:47.686-07:00Trip to The Mall - Understanding the PurposeFor many years here I have had the opportunity to go to most of the major malls in Manila and also here in Cebu and Mactan Island. While I was at SM Mall yesterday with my wife, we were going to the bank to check on some issues. Very simple task, not complicated, and I assumed we would get it done rather quickly. We went to the bank, stood in the normal long line and finished our business and we were done. Four hours later we exited the mall...... We bought nothing, was looking for nothing, so I said to myself, what the hell are we doing. I found myself caught up in the culture of what I would call " Malling "... <br /><br />I noticed as we walked around, lots and lots of young people, and many others. 90% of them carried no bags, had no merchandise with them. As I followed my wife, we would walk down this way, then into this shop for a few moments, then out, up the escalators and again another shop. I found myself looking at items that I had no interest in or cared the least thing about. We would sit down a while, then off again. Walking, up, down, pass the same place three or four times. It actually took me a while to realize, when I finally stopped and said, what the hell are we doing??<br /><br />We had no extra money to spend, we was looking for nothing special. Then as I looked around and watched others, I could see that most all were doing the same thing. At that moment I knew I had been here a long time. I would have never done that in the States. Just another wonderful Culture Experience to visit the malls with no money, and nothing to go for except just going.<br /><br />Oh and by the way, walking in the malls in PI, are a lot like the traffic on the roads. No organization, no yielding, it a who ever gets there first. Lot of chicken playing, if you know what I mean.. One person walking towards you, on the same direct path as you, then its like ok, which one will get out of the way first. How close can you get, will he move, then at the last moment, someone will give way, or its very possible you can end up face to face in a stand off, looking at each other, and saying nothing. lol ha ha ha ha... I notice this with the Filipino's very much. Of course as a foreigner they tend to give way at the last moment for me... My wife, well lets just say if you are in the mall with her, look out. She walks through middle of groups, straight forward, backwards, cuts lines, she does not move for no one. lol ha ha ha.. I am constantly pulling her from side to side, tapping her on the shoulder to tell her watch out someone is trying to get through.. Its just really a completely different way than I am used to.<br /><br />Getting on the escalator sometimes she will be already to the top, while I am still trying to get on and be proper with yielding and trying orderly to get on. I find when i hesitate to let someone who arrives at the same time as me, then 10 others will start right in behind them, and I am left standing there still trying to get on... Not to mention riding multi cabs, V Hires....<br /><br />Once I was waiting for a V Hire. I thought I would be smart, so I stood at the edge of the road. I kept looking around, seen no one much. A few behind me sitting down on a bench. I thought to myself, dam I got this one. So I patiently waited and here the V Hire come. I said to myself, I was smart and will get a good seat.. I looked around again, very stealthily, like a secret agent.. No one much in sight, no movement around me, I got it. The V Hire stopped and opened the door, before I could make one step...... Dam, it was full. Coming past me on all sides like bullets, from out of the bushes, and just from no where. They had to see me standing there so long in the front. They had to know I paid my dues waiting in the hot sun. Honorably I should have got on first... Did not happen... It was like a swarm of killer bees, and I was in their way.. lol ha ha ha.<br />The funniest part was the driver was standing there waving me with a very fast hand motion like, hurry, hurry they are coming..... lol ha ha ha... What a life.....ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-66327016058863503272010-08-25T20:49:00.000-07:002010-08-25T22:34:18.395-07:00Manila Bus Hostage Crisis - Black Eye for PhilippinesFirst off let me start by saying, here at The Jungle Restaurant we serve many Chinese and Hong Kong Guests. I would like to say from The Jungle and all Filipino's, we are very sorry this tragedy occurred. We condemn this act of taking of human life, by a crazy mad man. We can not control the acts of one deranged man. Our heart felt condolences go out to the family and friends who lost loved one in this horrific event. Although our police force tried with the best of their ability, it was not good enough to secure the situation in a proper time frame. We again apologize for not being able to protect your countrymen properly while they visited us here in Philippines.<br /><br />We do hope that as your disappointment and anger eases, you will know that this was one man, and a isolated instance, and not all Filipino's are like this. Nor, is this country unsafe for you to visit. China, Hong Kong and Philippines has had a long history of traveling, working together. I feel like that can continue for many years to come.<br /><br />What really happened? What went out of control ? I will not get into all of the fine details of who did what, who should have done what, or how the event was handled. It's all on the videos, not really a lot of excuses can be made. The thing I wanted to discuss here, is what brings such a event as this to happen? I think we are so wrapped up in the horror and the not handling correctly the situation, in these early stages, that we still have to take time to think about why this happened. Before I go further, I will say, they is no reason for any person, no matter what happen to them, to act in this manner. That is not what I am after here. What I am after is what makes these things happen. I am firm believer you can bandage a problem, but you never really solve it unless you can get to the root of it, and stop it there.<br /><br />What has went through my mind here lately is, what if the gunman was really innocent of his charges? What if he did not extort money from anyone, and he was railroaded by a corrupt system? ( Very Possible ) What if he actually did the crime he was accused of, but because of the Cultural acceptance of these kinds of acts, he feels he done nothing wrong ? ( Very possible ) Something was for sure really wrong here. He did not take this action for no apparent reason, he did not seem to be a real mentally disturbed person. So to get to the root of the problem, we have to wonder why he would do this ? What outcome did he think would happen ? Surely he did not think he would get his job back, everyone would say sorry, and he would return to a normal life. Ohhh. wait, maybe he did....... Maybe from the culture of The Philippines, from the weakness to catch murders, corrupt politicians, and the culture of excuse making, killing, and many who are never brought to justice. Or, if they are brought to justice, they are let go. Some rule with fear, killings, and blackmail... Maybe he actually thought since he was a high level police official it would all be washed under the rug somehow.<br /><br />Think about it, Marco ruled with a iron fist, and never spent a day in jail. Thousands of Political killings, and force used to control elections are never punished. Arroyo accused of wasting and hording millions and millions. She will probably never see a day in jail.. Kidnapping for ransom, using a organization as your cover, never go punished. Rampant police corruption, exhortation of money, clubs paying cops off, politicians taking bribes, buying votes, fixers. We see it everyday, we all know who they are, they are never punished. I know and see daily and openly illegal activity's being done by high ranking officials and police. Everyone knows it. No one punished, even if caught, the culture has a forgiving attitude. Could this have played a role in his thinking???<br /><br />Then you have the other side. Maybe he did the crime he was found guilty of, but because of culture and attitude which has run rampant here in Philippines for so many years, he felt he done nothing wrong. Maybe he felt he was being treated unfairly, because everyone does it. It common practice, its lets say ""acceptable"". Maybe the culture has molded his mind that he really, really thinks he has done nothing wrong. Now being a foreigner here, I can tell for sure, that I have seen this in almost everyone I know here. I know it to be a fact that one of the biggest mind blowing experiences I have witness here is the cultural values of taking or extorting, or scamming money from foreigners, dating a foreigner and having a Filipino boyfriend, not paying back a debt because you are poor, throwing trash onto a property owned by a rich person that can afford to have it cleaned, is all acceptable and nothing at all wrong with it... Even a young lady who works for me, has a Filipino boyfriend which she fights constantly with. I asked her why she does not leave him and go with another Filipino boy who likes her very much. She says " It will make me look like a easy girl or a bad woman." This same girl, many, many times has gone out with foreigners on a date, two or three a week sometimes for gifts, money, and free foods, ect... But she says they is nothing at all wrong with that. Everyone understands that. Could these be some of the issues in which has caused situations like the horror in Manila.<br /><br />For sure we have to agree, something more than just being a mental case caused this to happen. I often wonder, what he really thought the outcome would be? What did he really think was going to happen? Maybe we will never know. The culture of the USA, where disgruntled employees do things such as this a lot more than here in PI. Do they face the same thing??<br /><br />For what ever reason, it should have never happened. But these are the day and times we all live in. Here in Philippines and all around the world. To be harsh on The Philippines for this, is just unfair. This happens all over the world daily, in some form, in some way, in every country. Unlucky I guess it was Philippines turn... I started thinking about all this from reading a comment on a blog from a Hong Kong resident that said , " I have fond memories of my time in the Philippines. I hate that this happened, but the police should have done better. Since my last trip 20 years ago I have seen no change in Philippines. Other countries move on, prosper, move forward. Philippines has stayed the same for 20 years with no improvement" ( quoted from Facebook by Hong Kong resident. )<br /><br />Now we all have to wonder, why is that....... What can we do to improve??? This is my home now, even I am not a Filipino, I have a stake in what happens here.ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-61560113967342423822010-08-19T23:01:00.001-07:002010-08-20T01:15:24.073-07:00The Jungle Restaurant - Drawing a Line in The SandI am sure everyone who reads these entry's are tired of hearing about The Jungle Restaurant. I can not blame everyone for that. But, since it is a big part of my life, well come to think of it, it consumes my life daily. It stands to reason you will hear a lot about it in my writings. We are very proud here to have worked really hard and to support and promote the Filipino and Filipino Culture to the Entire World. It has come at a great sacrifice and suffering on our part also. From the first time I moved here over 8 years ago, I seen something beneath all the corruption, beneath all the lies, deceit, scams, and even beneath the poverty. I seen a nation full of history, culture, diversity and pride. This has also come at great sacrifice and suffering for the Filipino.<br /><br /> In starting this business I knew it would be a struggle, and would be a uphill battle. Getting support for Filipino Cultural Dance, Filipino Heritage and Traditions from Filipino's themselves is a hard battle. If you have a Westernized venue, or theme, its much more accepted and patronized than a Traditional Themes. But, even knowing this, It was something that needed to be done. Not just done in a limited and sometimes put in the back of class, ( so to speak). But promoted, organized, accessible, activity for tourist and locals alike to enjoy and witness on a daily basis. This has come at great cost to my wife and I. Working long hours, spending days and days on the phone. Inviting and inviting people from all around to come and witness this time honored art form. The struggle's and time and money we have involved is staggering to what we have been give in return financially. But we did not quit or give up. Even through times when we did not know where to turn, how we would survive the next day. We stayed the course. We turned not away to yet see another business fall by the waist side here in PI. Not again to sacrifice the Heritage and Traditions of the Filipino for a mere profit...<br /><br /> Look at us now... We have come through the dark times, we have stood strong and endured. You might ask, well this is all great and good, but whats the point your trying to make here. Here is the point. Not only did The Jungle do all of this through hard work, integrity, sweat and suffering. WE DRAWN A LINE IN THE SAND. We will allow no one to cross that line. We not only represented the Filipino Culture and Way of Life to the entire world. We done it, without allowing any of the corruption, or allowing any of the so called Under the table moves in which has plagued the reputation of This Country for so many years. How could we be representing the Heritage and Culture of The Filipino and still allow this. If we allowed that, then again we are just prostituting the values and culture again.<br /><br />We drawn the line and said, " we will not allow this line to be crossed". Major newspapers have contacted us so many time from all around Philippines. We would love to do a article on The Jungle and its Representation of The Filipino. But you have to pay the hosts airline tickets, you have to pay for their transportation, you have to pay a rescheduling fee, and talent fee. WAIT, WAIT, I thought you wanted to cover The Filipino Heritage and Traditions because you are proud of it. Sounds more like you are trying to pocket money, and scam. You crossed the line and no thank you we decline your offer. Anytime they wish to cover The Jungle for the correct purpose, we will be happy to feed you and cater to you, but we will not be part of such corruption for the greed of money. Will defeat all we are working for here if we do that.<br /><br />We drawn the line when " Trip na Trip " a well know ABS-CBN affiliate said the same thing. Received the email. Trip na Trip is coming to Cebu and would love to cover you Restaurant. We feel it would make a great addition to Tourism and to The promotion of The Filipino People. We were so proud. I replied, thank you and I will sponsor your whole staffing and drivers with Free Meals and Drinks. We will help to promote the airing over the internet and our media contacts. The reply from Trip na Trip. Ok, but due to scheduling problems we will have to ask that you pay for the flights of the cast and crew, plus transportation charges, and a rescheduling fee if you shall wish us to cover your venue. WAIT, WAIT, you said you would love to cover it because of the pride and how good it would be for tourism and the Filipino.. NO thank you, I decline your offer, you have crossed the line..<br /><br />We have also said :<br />* No we will not allow you overcharge a tourist in our establishment.<br />* No we will not allow our shows to be shorten so you " the guide" can go home early.<br />* No we do not allow stand by's to stand outside and aggravate the guests.<br />* No we do not allow taxi touts to scam guests.<br />* Yes we take plate numbers and car numbers of each and every taxi. If you overcharge, you will be reported.<br />* Yes dancers, you will practice at least four times a week. Yes we will demand perfection.<br />* Yes Kitchen staff, you will prepare the food in a timely manner.<br />* Yes Waiters and Waitress you will be knowledgeable you will be friendly, and your service will be what The Filipino is Famous for.<br />* Yes marketing and stocks staff, you will not run out of stocks for our customers.<br />* No they will be no hidden charges, cooking fees, or anything allowed.<br />* Yes if a manager or owner is asked for you will get to speak with someone.<br />* Yes if they is a problem, or dis pleasure with your experience, we will make it correct to your wishes, and fix the problem so it does not happen in the future.<br />* No they will be no cell phone use during working hours.<br />* No local travel agents we will not serve your guests a P 150 meal while you charge P 1500 for our package.<br />* No we will not give you, taxi driver, tricycle driver, or anyone commissions for bringing someone here to The Jungle, when they have already requested you to bring them here, or they have a flier or advertisement, or even a internet booking already. You will have to actually work and promote if you want a commission.<br />* No to the local travel agents who call with such friendly words and acts of their interest in our business , IF we can """HOST"" your monthly meeting for 20 people, when in fact 80% of your business is ticketing only. Plus the fact you have no intentions of including us in your tours. ( We know this through many that have already failed us, and never did anything when we hosted their event.) ( This problem does not exist with Foreign Travel Agents.)<br />* We say no to the local resorts if they try to give guests coming to the business a hard time with transportation, in the hopes they will stay inside the resorts.<br />* We say no to event planners, guides, or anyone who we see undermining guests that are reserved to attend The Jungle, and they are co horsed into going to other establishments for commissions from family or friends. In the lack of quality and price in which they do not care. We go straight to the guests or to the agency in which they work for, and let them know what is going on. We do it right in front of the person. We do not hold back or allow such things.<br />* We say yes to the Great Filipino guides, event planners, agency's and support them, and work with them, and always are ready to change or do what they ask of us. <br /><br />These are just some of the things that we have said. Do not cross that line. How much easier would have our job have been if we allowed these things. How much quicker might we have grown. But to what expense, selling out what we are actually trying to protect and promote. We advertise " A True Philippine Experience ". We have more respect then to allow those things to happen, if we did, that is really not the true Philippine Experience. Its only a sell out. Filipino's are better than that really.<br /><br />So when you hear or see about our Place, remember it is real deal. Even behind the scene. Filipino's, when you hear or see the shows and the business, remember that you can actually really for sure, feel proud and honored that it is a true representation of what a Filipino really is. Do I take credit for this success. NO... I am just a American with a lovely Filipina wife, who has been a catalyst, leader, and adviser that has allowed the amazing staff of Filipino's to see and understand, and be very proud of their ability, Heritage, Culture. No money can buy that, no worth can pay for that. If i done anything, all i done was let them see me struggle beside them, and say no. Even when I could have profited more, easily taken things that would have made success more easily, I could have taken the easy road..<br /><br />So now The Jungle has grown into a major Tourist Attraction. People from many countries are knowing and finding out about us. Appearing now on TV, Newspapers, and media all around the World. ( Still not in Philippine Media to much. ) Its been a struggle, even at great personal sacrifice and suffering for my wife and I. So who do i give credit. The Filipino people. DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND, and say, I will not allow that line to be crossed, for no reason.<br /><br />** Draw a line in the Sand - Its a old Phrase, in which I am not sure where originated, which means. " Our feelings on a subject or our beliefs are this.. The line represents if you intrude, dis obey, or go against what we belief or stand for, then you have crossed the Line." Also used in terms that you can do a lot of things that are almost against someone, you will be given given compassion and understanding, until you push to far and Cross The Line.....ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-80164151097095942502010-08-12T02:27:00.000-07:002010-08-12T03:18:41.129-07:00Is They Discrimination in The Philippines ???I have often sit and wondered on this subject many times while living here. Is they discrimination in The Philippines, and who does it affect ?? It's really a double edge sword for me as a foreigner here. Some times I feel like I am so discriminated against, and other times I feel, I have special privileges here. One thing I do know for sure, is that since living here, I have come to have a better outlook and understand more the feelings of Blacks, Hispanic, and others in the USA. Before I did not have a enlighten outlook, you could say. Again, the old saying, If you have never experienced it, how can you really know what it is like...<br /><br /> I often find myself so upset and really treated unfairly and unjust. Then on other times, I feel like I am privileged where others are not.. So its really hard for me to completely go one way or the other. I do feel as a foreigner here I contribute a lot to the community I live in, I give more than even the local government gives to certain persons. This is not a vacation for me, but this is my home. I live here, eat here, spend my money here, I do not have ties or funds coming from the US. I do not travel back and forth, i have staked my life here. But sometimes, I can not feel like its home.. I sometimes feel like I am still just a visitor, and also treated that way a lot of the time. If someone steals from me, only a half hearten effort is put into helping, I feel those around me treat me as though I am White, it does not matter if I have a loss. Even after 8 years, still find myself singled out and left behind in conversations, jokes, and just in general chat. Find myself standing by myself and the Filipino's all in their group just having great time. If I try to join in, in moments the group will disband and gather up in another area little later. If I shall sit with a individual, seems like soon they will get up and leave. Like I might have a disease or something.<br /><br /> Now I do give credit, that I stay most of my time around my business, and most of my interaction is with my employees. So I do give the credit that in the Filipino Culture they consider me high, and they do not speak or hang out with " The Boss ". Also I give credit to the fact that they are not highly educated people who might feel inferior trying to speak and interact with me. But, never the less, its still makes me feel like the other person. I am different, I am not allowed to be in the group because of my skin color, or because of my different heritage. It really gives me the feeling of how the Black's must feel when they are treated likewise.<br /><br /> Also when going out with a group of Filipino's mixed with Whites, the Filipinos will most always form their own groups, and the white's form their own groups to socialize. I often hear, you are only a visitor here, respect that. I hear, you can own land, a gun, vote, run for office, own a business, no matter how long you live here. ( Unless I assume you get citizenship, in which case you could do some of those things.) But still, makes me think how the Black's in America must have felt during the days of Martin Luther King and before.. <br /><br /> On the other hand, certain situations give me presidence over even Locals. First to be waited on, always given a chair to sit in, talked to treated with more respect then others, someone always wanting to carry something for me, never insulted or abused, ( at least to my face, that I can understand.) So am I discriminated against ?? Am i treated fairly ?? Sometimes it is really a mixed emotions struggle. This is my home, and I do live here, I am a resident here, ( not a Citizen ). So what should be the treatment one should get ?? Although some of the comments I have spoken here, might come from just economic reasons, or cultural reasons, in which no ill will or purpose is intended. But does that make me feel better ?? Or do I still feel alienated, and in a place where I feel sometimes I do not fit in, or am not welcome to live out my life...<br /><br /> Like I said earlier, a double edge sword for me.. Not really sure the answer. I do know I never felt this while living in the USA.. Also could be the fact, that the area I live in does not hold a lot of upper class, educated people. Most all around here are the lower to medium class people. Maybe I could never fit in with them. Maybe like USA, where poor and rich do not mix in the same circles. I have never ever tried to act, boast, or even have things to try to show off my " Richness " ( which is absolutely not so ). But still, even my thinking I am not, maybe I am still,, to them... <br /><br /> So am I discriminated against ?? Are Whites discriminated against in Philippines ?? Sometimes I feel I am, sometimes I feel I am not.. So maybe I just think to much, or living the land of Milk and Honey, all my life, except for the last 8 years I took for granted too much. We in the USA, are taught to respect everyone no matter what skin color, ethnic background. Treat everyone the same. But still China Town is China Town, Black Living Community's exist, They are Black Churches, White Chruches, maybe its just a fact of life and I have to learn to accept it, and live with it.. But still makes me lonely and sad sometimes.... Ohhh, and before you might think, why does he not hang out with expats and other whites there ??? I would rather be lonely and sad...... ( But, I do have a few great ex pats friends who are good guys. Very Few.)ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-30545914320304998802010-08-10T03:39:00.000-07:002010-08-10T04:45:35.184-07:00Finders - Keepers, even Babies.Living in The Philippines for long time now, I am still amazed at The Shocks,, that i get sometimes. You would think I would have seen it all and experienced it all. Well, last Monday night I was to find out that I still have lots to learn and experience in The Pearl of The Orient.<br /><br />Coming from a get together with some friends, were walking in Cebu City. It was a decent part of town, quite, no one out much. We had decided to walk down to a local club where my wife has some friends and say hello before heading home. It was about 2 am in the morning and taxi's were not so many at this time. It was only a short distance so we walked. While walking I noticed something coming down the sidewalk, in which I thought was a dog. The closer we approached, I said Oh My God. My wife said what, what is it. I said look, and to our amazement there was a baby of no more than 7 to 8 months old. Just at the stage of crawling ( Not for sure the actual age of the child, but it was only able to crawl, not walk yet. )<br /><br />Now at first i will have to say that I was not totally in shock, because lot of street people will sleep on cardboard boxes with children in The City. ( Only in certain areas.) But, as I looked up the road, and back behind me, and then across the road, they was no one in sight. I told my wife, oh look at that. Where is the mother ? How did it get here? It could not have come from a long way... So as we stood there in shock, looking at the naked little child, I said to my wife, what shall we do. Of course my wife being a Filipina, and understanding and more accustom to the way of life here, said ,,, " Just leave it alone, do not bother it, someone is close here, we just can not see them." Of course my Western Culture kicked in and I told her to stay with the child and I walked for a good distance up the road from which way the baby was crawling from. Looking for alley way, home, people... Nothing, only store front after store front. No homes, no alley someone might live, no people sleeping on the street.<br /><br />I came and asked my wife, what shall we do.. Reluctantly, she said we should not involve ourselves with it. But even with her cultural hardness, she still would not say to leave it. So I said ok, lets call the police and they can take care of it. I can not just leave it crawling up the streets or maybe fall off the elevated sidewalk into a drain, or even dogs to attack it.<br /><br />So we called the police, the officers arrived and we told the story. Now this is where things are going to get interesting. The officer was talking to me, and just general chit chat. The normal Filipino conversation. How long you been here ? Are you married ? Do you have Children? Of course i answered all the questions, one of which being my wife and I do not have children.<br /><br />So the officers were talking, I was thinking we would be going now, and things would be taken care of. The officer returned and said, well sir, the DSWD has no one in at this time, and we are on our way to another call. Since you and you wife do not have children, just keep it.. WHAT!!!!!! Yes , he said just keep it, you and your wife have no children so you can raise it and give it good life. We can prepare the papers for you later.. I can only say I was speechless.. The next words that come out of my mouth is , I do not want it , ( not meaning It as bad, but i was sure it belonged to someone.) The officer still insisted we should take it, saying its good for a Filipina woman to have a baby in their culture. It would be good for my wife, and would also be good for the child.<br /><br />By this time I am at the point I do not know what to say, or do. My wife was even talking with the other officer and getting the same speech.. At this time a small crowd, that i have no idea where come from, started forming. Well needless to say, I said how can finding a baby and trying to help it, turn into all this. I am sure these people are thinking what in the world My wife and I have done. What could be going through their minds. Plus, I know how here in The Philippines some local people will see a situation, and just make up a story that best suits the circumstances as what they see. Not knowing the real facts about anything.<br /><br />So here I am standing and thinking of how somewhere tomorrow you will see a article in the Paper of Foreigner and wife trying to steal a baby in Cebu City.. lol ha ha ha ha ha. Its funny now, but at the time it was not so funny. So anyways, I had finally come to the decision that i was going to just strongly say NO and we had to go, it was a police matter for them to handle now. By this time another street lady had wondered in to see what was going on. The police officers talked to her and she said, She had no idea or had never seen the child before. So next thing i know one of the officers hands the child to the lady, and say its ok sir, everything is taken care of. The woman began walking up the street with the child and that was it. Not for sure if the child was actually her's, or she just also just took it.<br /><br />The next morning, I began to tell my story to some of my employee's and to my amazement, come to find out, that is a common practice here. Not so much the finding and keeping a child, but that friends, and really poor people will give their children to richer people, or even not rich people. They maybe can not feed them, or have to go away, or i guess they are many reasons. I was shocked to find that many of my employees were the same situation. Lot of parents I had met, were not actually there parents. One young lady said her parents lived somewhere in Mindanao and had given her to her ( Father ) now when he was working there on a ship. So he brought her home and been with them ever since. You will find this with Aunts, Uncles, and many family members taking children from other family members and raising them their entire life. Also many with just strangers, politicians, and just in general a lot of people.<br /><br />So i guess the old attache of " Finders, Keepers." really hold true here in Philippines, even for Children. LOL ha ha ha ha ha. Thought i would just share just another Great Cultural Experience of mine while Living here in Philippines.ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-3474264798562460752010-08-05T21:50:00.000-07:002010-08-05T21:50:57.812-07:00The Jungle Restaurant , Mactan Island , Cebu , Philippines<object style="background-image: url("http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/tqyojtdTH5Y/hqdefault.jpg");" height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tqyojtdTH5Y&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tqyojtdTH5Y&hl=en_US&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></embed></object>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-25616487518447371752010-07-30T03:00:00.000-07:002010-07-30T03:04:22.445-07:00Island Hopping - Cebu, Philippines - Mactan IslandMactan Island provides some of the best Island Hopping Adventures in the entire Philippines. Being a coral island itself, Mactan has many relative close islands in which to hop to. There is vast diversity of islands to chose from, with each one having its own special interest. This article will lead you through, from years of experience and knowledge the best islands, most affordable, and best way to set up your island hopping tour<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />How to arrange your perfect Island Hopping Tour </span>:<br /><br /><br /> This alone has been a much discussed topic, with many different opinions. The best option for taking a island hopping tour from Mactan, for tourist here, would be to use a local, qualified agent, or tour operator. The cost for this will be a small amount higher than the actual cost. But in the end, it will be cheaper for you. If you try to do it on your own, 95% of the time, it will end up costing you more than the agency fee. This happens daily here on Mactan Island. Plus the fact of the stress, headache, and time and trouble it causes your vacation. It’s not worth it. Not for the minimal amount you will pay the tour operators for their services. It’s really a big deal to get all of the things in order, and find the trust worthy people, the best equipment, the best and most helpful, knowledgeable guides. That is no small task to accomplish, especially if you are just visiting the area. So allow the experts who are here on the island for years take care of all of that headache for you. Then all you have to do is show up, get on board, and you are off on your adventure..... Tour operators here only average making P 500 to 1000 per person on a island hopping tour. ( According to how many persons are on the tour ) . That is a great deal, especially when you do not have to deal with pier hustlers, street vendors, tri cycle drivers who will constantly be trying to add on charges later, and not tell you. Trying to get the money up front, in general all the time trying something. It will stress you out and ruin your island hopping just to always trying to keep on guard, and remember and wonder what’s coming next, will they be trouble, what will i do, is that included, did they bring the food, ect, ect... Even if you research and know what to look out for, its still a headache just to try to remember all what to watch out for and to ask about, and make sure is correct...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LIST OF QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED, TRUSTWORTHY OPERATORS ON MACTAN ISLAND:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/cheap-tours.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cheap Tours </span></a><br />Fun, Sun and Dive<br />K and R Travel and Tours<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CHOOSE YOUR ISLANDS</span><br /><br /><br /> Island hopping tours vary from one island to up to 5 islands. Of course the more islands, the more expensive. The farther islands away from Mactan also make the tour more expensive. The most popular and best tour is to choose two of the major islands, and couple of the smaller ones. They are 5 major islands to choose from, and many smaller islands. <br />Major Islands off Mactan : Listed in order of most popular and down.....<br />HILUTUNGAN ISLAND - Fish Sanctuary<br />Famous for its dive spots and great snorkeling. Many different fish to see and colorful. Island does have restaurants and beach at low tide only. Best of all islands for snorkeling and diving.<br />Pandanon Island - This island has cottages and nice beach also. Good for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling is not so good. More for beach which is very long and white sand. Mostly just relaxing place.<br />Nalusuan Island(Marine Sanctuary) - This is private owned island, which the staff lives right on the island. Cottages also available on the island. It also has a fish sanctuary with very good snorkeling. Has a restaurant, white sand on one side of the island. Good for snorkeling and swimming. Has its own pier, and drinks are not allowed to be brought on the island.<br />Caohagan Island(Marine Sanctuary) - Beach at high tide only, fish sanctuary, good snorkeling, swimming, cottages available. Good for snorkeling, relaxing...<br />Olango Island ( Bird Sanctuary) - This island is good for snorkeling, swimming. Has bird sancturary on the island. ( Seasonal ).<br />Other small islands to see is : Tingo, Sulpa,Talima, and others.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN ARRANGING YOUR ISLAND HOPPING:</span><br /><br /><br />* Most all island hopping tours never leave the boat. Most never go onto land. Please ask if you wish to go on land and visit one of the cottages, and beach.. <br />* Make sure it all inclusive. Ask to make sure no hidden charges... Ask about gasoline charges, entrance fees, towels, snorkel, mask, fins. Also ask docking fees, pier fees. Ask if hotel transfers are included. Most each island charges a fee docking a boat or mooring a boat off shore.<br />* Ask what you lunch is in detail.. Some will just be BBQ on a stick and fruit and hanging rice. Others give better quality lunch’s.. <br />* Be prepared for vendors in boats who will come on board your boat to try to sell you arts, crafts, coconuts, and many different items. They will price these very expensive, so you can try to bargain for at least half what they price...<br />* Do not take valuables on the boats. If you have watches, billfolds, or bags, put them in the hands of your guide. Boat captains will not be responsible, and crews are sometimes not regulars. So if something is gone, you will hear it fell overboard.. They won’t take responsibility for it... If you have no guide, give it to the captain, count it and show it to him. That way he and you know what is there...<br />* Restrooms on the boats are not much... Small Plywood room, and not lot of luxury. Don’t expect much.<br />* Bring extra towels, sun screen, underwater camera, extra batteries for camera, shoes that you can get wet. Sometimes you have to wade in the water to board the small dingy boats that will take you to the big boats at low tide.. Sharp rocks can cut your feet.. Bring extra snacks and drinks. Some do not bring any extra drinks except your lunch.. Again, this is the difference between a tour operator and just a local, street vendor.. They will not supply but the bare necessities. Some tour operators bring extra drinks, and snacks for you... Bring extra bread for fish feeding. You are supplied with only a certain amount. When it’s out, the fish will leave...<br /><br />Thing to Watch Out for If you do it Yourself:<br /><br />Outside of Resorts, at the beaches in and out of the resorts, at Tourist Spots, Tri Cycle Drivers, other Water Sport Activities, at most all these places you will find the local who does Island Hopping. " Hey Joe, Island Hopping, Great Deal, Cheap, Sir you want Island Hopping." That is what you will hear mostly. Sometimes you will have three or four asking you the same thing, trying to pull you in that direction. This is your first red flag.. If they were professional, licensed, they would not be doing this.. Avoid these...<br /> If you must do it go to the piers of Mactan and ask.. Transport from your hotel to the pier will depend upon where you are staying. Least amount will be P 100, Small boat for Island Hopping will rent for P 2500 ( 10 seater ). A 15 to 20 seater will rent for P 3500. ( This includes gasoline, crew, lifejackets, and should include a snorkeling guide, if guide is not included then you will probably have to pay another P 500 for that.) Mask and fins are P 150 each, Island fees are Hilutungan P 100, Olango P 50, Pandanon P 150. Others are similar. ( Does not include cottage rentals or island docking fees) Lunch is whatever you want to make and bring. If you eat at one of the Islands be prepared to spend P 500 or more. Plates, spoons, forks, glasses, and also remember you will be eating in front of the captain and crew. They should bring their own, but most do not. Not required, but expected… Drinks and ice and cooler are also what you want to bring and spend. Do not forget, if you are going to cook on the boat, do not forget the charcoal, matches. Tips are not required but will be expected. Won’t be so bad with the captain or guide, but the ones who carried you cooler on the boat, the dingy you transferred to the large boat on, and those will follow you until you leave in taxi...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WARNING:</span> What is stated above is the way it should be, and might even be the way some will make it sound. But, be prepared, because it will almost guarantee that if you don’t have a tour operator and guide with you, somewhere and somehow they will ask for more... Now they won’t do this when you return back to the pier.. They are too smart for that. They will do it when they stop on the back side of one of the small islands, in which you are wondering why they are stopping,,, then they will start to tell you the excuses of why you need to pay more.. Now with a captain, and three or four crew, plus his friends who are probably close on the island, who have run this scam all their life, are telling you what you need to pay, in the middle of the ocean, on the back side of some small island, with loud voices and mean looks. What will you do?? Have heard some to get up to P 6000 thousand from people by this tactic.. What your thinking now is, pay and call the police when you get back to the pier. WRONG, when they arrive, it’s your word against his, and remember where you are, and they are same nationality. That is just another waist of your time... Even if the police officer believes you were scammed, when the man slips him P 500 of the extra money he got from you, suddenly you should have had a written contract, or some other excuse.. Plus, in general, they know tourist will not fool with or take the time to go through all that hassle and time. They will just chalk it up to experience. That’s the key they work on......<br />So hope this article helps someone, and someone takes the time to read it... They are thousands of horror stories out there about this subject. Do not let yourselves be the next one. From one traveler to another, lived here for 8 years now, and been doing Island Hopping for 5 of them…ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-18742930094915731912010-07-30T02:45:00.000-07:002010-07-30T02:55:00.838-07:00Living on Mactan Island - Culture and LifeStyleThis is a article i wrote for Trip Advisor for Mactan Island. Thought I would share it here also.<br /><br />This article could pertain to almost all places in The Philippines. Although each Island, province, or city has a difference in the culture and beliefs. In general you will find most of the basic principles for The Philippines are pretty much general. When traveling to Mactan Island as a tourist from another country, you are going to see things and conditions that will be a large culture shock to you. If you have traveled to other 3 World Countries, you can use that experience to help you understand what you will most likely face while visiting PI, and Mactan Island.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mactan Island Introduction</span> - <br /><br /> Mactan Island is a Coral Island located across from Cebu City. The island is connected to Cebu by two major bridges. Mactan holds all of the beach areas and resort area's closest to Cebu City. The island is predominately Catholic, with very small units of Christian and Muslim factions. Their is no noticeable or active presence of any NPA, Rebels, Abu Saif, or any terrorist or warring faction on Mactan Island. Being a mostly Industrial Island, it holds all of the major Industrial might of Cebu. Things that travelers will want to prepare themselves for while visiting Mactan Island and many other places in The Philippines ::::<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Transportation and Traffic / Driving </span><br /><br /> Although Mactan Island is not near as bad as most of the other larger cities and islands, be prepared for a complete different Culture of Transportation, Driving, and Traffic. When arriving here, you will notice that they are very few stop lights, stop signs, or controlled intersection control. Driving and commutation here is a free for all, who can get there first and fastest. They will be no courtesy, no speed limits, no changing lanes rules, no driving in the middle of the lane rules. Pretty much it will be a real shock. Expect drivers to go very fast, and overtake others in curves, pass each other with only inches to spare, stop anywhere at any time, right in the middle of the road. You will find here that motorcycles, tri cycles, multi cabs, taxi's, and even bi cycles all sharing the same road, at the same time. They will be no uniform, organized method to driving here. You will notice most Filipino walking off the sidewalks, out in the streets, with no regards for right of ways, rules of the road. At certain times you will find a few major intersections, manned by a traffic enforcer. They are no police cars on duty here to pull over offenders. If you are easily scared while driving, or riding, I would suggest preparing yourself to keep your eyes closed most of the time, or just take something to relax yourself. The culture of transportation and driving here will surely make your heart skip a beat..<br /><br /> You shall witness that most all Filipino's take public transportation in the way of buses, multi - cabs, tri cycles, and bi cycles, motor cycles. Very few Filipino have cars of their own. They sometimes will commute for hours, changing rides three or four times just to arrive at their work destination.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Living Conditions / Housing </span><br /><br /> Upon arriving on Mactan Island you will see many local road side shops, homes, squatter villages on your way to your hotel. Upon seeing these area's you will probably think they are not inhabited by persons. They are,, some of the places, homes and area's you will see will be no more than few pieces of tin roofing, on four bamboo poles, with tarpaulin wrapped around them for the walls. Some areas will be built out of the ocean on bamboo, with homes connected wall to wall with each other. Do not be shocked to see many places with no running water, no electric, or even sanitation.. The largest percentage of the Filipino population lives in these types of homes. Even the working class people home might be only the size of a nice bedroom in your country, with one plug in, one light, and a simple bathroom. Prepare yourselves to witness large piles of garbage on the road sides, and in the countryside. Waist sewage running down through the middle of neighborhoods in a small ditch. Chickens, goats, cows wondering the roads freely. Do not be surprised to find chickens tied up and goats feeding right outside your hotel or resort on other property's. To see these places, of course you would have to get out and do some site seeing. You will not notice or see that much of these places by only going to the tourist areas, and guided areas of the Island. You will see from a distance in your travel's some of the places in which is mentioned here. Please, remember that this is a normal way of life here, and even some of the staffing at your hotel, waiters, are the people who occupy these homes. Prepare yourself to see things that will shock you to the core, but are just a normal part of life on Mactan Island and Philippines.<br /><br /> On the other hand, you will also find many nice, modern subdivisions, apartment complexes, resorts, hotels, which are not much different than what your modern country has to offer. The major difference you will find is the size for these type of units are much smaller. Most of your upper middle class people live in this type of housing. They are very nice and well maintained, but just a few steps outside the boundaries of that complex, you can see the living conditions mentioned above. It’s a very diverse and mixed style of living here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Being White and Tourist on Mactan </span><br /><br /> Being White and a tourist, or living here, expect to be treated very different from the local population. The culture of the Filipino people are taught if you are white, you are rich.. They are also taught, if you are rich, you should help the poor, and it’s a obligation. Also you will find in the culture, to take or overcharge, or lie or mislead a white ( rich ) person is completely ok and nothing is bad or wrong about that. You find this type of attitude more in the lower class people. You will find that the general feeling of the Filipino is that you are here at this moment, and what can they get from you. They do not look at whether you will return again, or how their actions will affect the future of travelers here. Their culture has taught them, you might never come back here, so get as much as you can, and make as much as possible from this person. So expect this is the way you will be conceived and looked upon while being here and when doing any kind of activity. Do not take offense to this conception, they truly will like and respect you, and do not think they are doing anything against you. On the other hand, the culture has also taught the Filipino to be the most gracious, kind, helpful hostess of anywhere. You will never find a more friendly, hospitable people in all the world as the Filipino.<br /><br /> You will often hear the word " Joe " used by the Locals. This is another cultural thing they have adopted from many years. Calling all white person's, especially the men, " Joe ". Do not be surprised to hear them calling to you " Hey Joe. " Another phrase you can be prepared to hear is " Hello my friend. " Another popular greeting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Filipino Culture and Attitudes </span><br /><br /> Being a traveler here on Mactan Island, things that would be important to know about the Filipino Culture and Attitude are:<br /><br />* Filipino are a shy. If wanting to have a conversation, always make the first move to speak with them. Being White or Foreign they will consider you as higher than them, and will not have the courage to approach you for conversation. Most also are very self conscious of their English speaking skills. So let them know their English is well ( if of course it is ) and they will feel more comfortable in talking with you.<br />* Filipino's are very religious, superstitious, and really naive about things. Speaking of sex openly, or body parts, or God or Religion in a negative or even joking way, sometimes will be very offensive to them. You will not even realize you are doing it. If needing to ask such questions or type of things, they will be more than happy to answer and help you. Just ask in private and not out in public. They are much more ok to answer you and feel comfortable with such topics if asked in private. If in public they will protect the image of The Filipino.. Simple things that we might say joking or things that would not upset western culture, will upset a Filipino such as, laughing at their speech, way they look, or for some action they done.<br />* Most Filipino's have never been outside the Philippines. Some not even outside the City in which they live. Even for most watching television or reading world events and lifestyles in news papers are a big deal for them. So as a traveler we need to remember they have not experienced the world, different places, venues, foods, service, sites, sounds, smells, in which other travelers have. So sometimes when travelers ask for simple things, or items, or services, which are recognized by others as just simple things, Filipino’s have not had the chance or opportunity to really understand or experience about those things. So it’s better to be just a little tolerant for certain things, but yet still expect good service and quality for our vacations.<br />* If invited by a local group to a local venue in order to set around and have some drinks and conversation, remember being foreigner, you will be expected to buy the drinks. The local culture here is that a group will set around and drink and everyone will share. Sharing is a big part of the Filipino Culture. Foods, drinks, Cigarettes, all are openly shared within each other. To sit down within a group that you are a part of, and invited to,, and not to buy drinks or to share foods that you might order or obtain is a disrespect. Or let’s say at least really bad manners, in their opinion. Most to the time if asked, they will say no it’s ok, but in reality, you should be the one to offer and give freely. That is just the culture. Be careful that some groups will take advantage of this. If at any time you feel like you are being taken advantage of, or just do not have the funds to continue, just simply say, sorry,, no more money.. They probably will not believe you, but they will respect that... In the Filipino Culture, if it’s your birthday, you are expected to give foods, drinks to all your friends. If you have a party, you are the one to supply everything...<br />* Tipping drivers, bell boys, waiters, taxi drivers, and others is not required but expected in the Filipino Culture. Things foreigners would think are really silly and not needed are ways of life here in Mactan and PI. Standing to wave down a taxi, when you can do it yourself, to open a door, when you can do it yourself. Carrying something as small as a camera case for you, is just some of the many small things that Filipino’s will want to do for you.. Most foreigners will look at this as scamming or un needed. Which in all actually is really is un needed and over board actions. Please remember in a Filipino mind, you are foreigner, rich, and from a world of luxury, gold paved streets, and servants and maids at your beckon call. They do not realize or understand, ( again because they have not experienced it, and only know what they have heard or seen on the Television.) So many times, they do it because they think it’s what you expect and they do not want to look like they do not know. So many times when you see this type of activity, it’s really in the mind of the Filipino, that is what your daily life is like where you are from, and they do not want to look like they do not know how to accommodate that. They have no realization that the true facts are, that most foreigners have the same struggles and hardships as them, and no one treated in their own country that way. Maybe not in as a severe way, but still the same. Filipino's, think money flows like rivers in foreign countries. Its taught to them from many years and years. So trying to explain it’s really not that way is just a waste of time. Once they believe something, changing that persona is almost impossible. So you have to learn as a traveler here, to understand it and work with it to the best of your ability. So while some might take advantage of the situations to get a tip, some really do not and just think it’s normal for you. Just have take each on a case by case basis and do what you think is right. Never tip to much...<br />* Expect as travelers, that the food you will experience at some of the more local places will be nothing like what you will experience in your home country. Food here is much different. The handling, packaging, cooking, is all different than what you would expect. Meats here are almost never packaged in separate containers. If you buy meats here its in open market. They cut it for you. You will find that fats, bones, skins, all are included with the meals. The very proper cleaning of fish, pork, chicken, in which foreigners are accustom to is not done here. When you want fish, that's what you get the whole fish, eyes, head, tail. If you do get part of a fish, it will not be fillet, boneless, it will just be chopped in half, and that’s what you get. When asking for a chicken to be cut up for you, do not expect a neat clean 8 pc of chicken. Expect a chopped up like with a large cleaver, into small pieces, bones and all. Again, they is no controlled method of butchery, or of food preparation, in the local sectors. Its just throw it all together and sort it out as you go... This is their culture, the way they love to eat, and if you want to eat with and at local establishments be prepared to experience this..ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-42687092362299212082010-07-24T08:34:00.000-07:002010-07-24T09:04:21.212-07:00Internet Has Made Us LazyI have not written for a while, so i thought I would share this entry with everyone. Since starting a business here in PI, I have used the internet and computer a lot more than in my previous life back in the USA. A construction worker has not a lot of need for a computer, well lets say the Internet. Mostly just files, and graphs, and building layouts and things of that nature. After starting The Jungle Restaurant, a lot of online inquiry's and bookings come in. So a lot more internet time and activity is the norm... <br /><br />I am amazed and still get a laugh, along with the occasional getting angry, when someone will send in a inquiry asking how much, where at, what are the inclusions, blah, blah, blah. When the complete answers they need are just few more scrolls down the page, or simple little phrase that says "click here for more information". The information they request is just already right there, sometimes already written out.. <br /><br />I seem to think the internet has made everyone so lazy, as if you have to scroll a page or click more than once, or wait for something to load for a few seconds,, then you will just stop or simply write a email asking for it... Then again, my layout of the website could be a problem also. But i take a real interest in taking time to make sure all the info that could be useful is a close to the main topic as possible. I always include links to answer the questions.. So sometimes i really do not understand why it is that people do this... Maybe its just normal and some see things different than others. What might seem simple to me, might be more complicated to others. I sure feel this way when trying to fix a problem on the computer, and searching how to fix it. Then some technician has the problem all written out with links and everything, but still to me, they is no way i can figure it out... But the way he writes it, seems its very simple to him.<br /><br />Anyways, that is my thought for today.... Now let me get some advertising in and some key words, so all of this typing will help my business in some way also.. HA aha ha ah ah.... <br /><br />Cheap Tours is our Newest thing here at The Jungle Cultural Center.. Cebu Cheap Tours will save you money, and give you a chance to enjoy some of Cebu's great activities at a Cheap price.<br />Cheap price, but expensive quality... Yes, you will get the above normal quality and service still at cheap and affordable prices with Cebu Cheap Tours. Check us out and take a look at our tours. If in Cebu, you will surely want to experience all it has to offer...<br /><a href="http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/cheap-tours.html">Cebu's Cheap Tours - click here </a>ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-27634185177909155402010-06-15T11:28:00.000-07:002010-06-15T12:54:27.956-07:00Jealousy in The PhilippinesFrom my experience here they are many types of jealousy that i have seen here in PI. They are the jealous women, jealous business, and just general jealousy... I have never quiet figured it out, or even attempt to anymore. Its just another one of those, things I will never understand.. I have come to have a lot of those in my time living here.<br /><br />* The jealous girlfriend or wife - Now for sure Filipina's are well know for their jealous nature. Very kind and gentle, but look out if another girl gets to close, or you smile or talk to much.. This is a common thing all over the world, but here in PI, if you do not understand it, it can be hard to figure out.... In my experiences, it works like this::<br /><br />Most Filipina do not show their jealousy outright and in a obvious nature. You can actually be talking or looking at another girl, and they will seem to join right in the discussion, laugh, smile, and you will think you are doing nothing wrong at all... Its later, sometimes much later, when you will get the hints or finally see actions and words that make you know she is very jealous... Sometimes when i am hiring girls at our business, we will interview them, talk, and the ones who seem very outgoing and friendly are usually the ones who i choose... Many, many times i see no adverse actions from my wife, nor do i think they is anything wrong at all. I will get confused why the ladies have not text-ed me back for a final interview, or why i am getting no response from them. Later to find out, my reply's were deleted, or the girls were told the position has been filled. When in reality it has not... When i ask why, she was not the right one... I have even had ladies who i have met for work purposes, tell me at a later meeting time. " Sir I text-ed you and your reply was you had died..... ha ha ha ha... Then i can tell that my wife must not had wanted her around me.... Its not me doing that, its my wife checking my texts and replying her own version of what needs to be said.... But, you will never hear a word, or see anything that would make you think she was jealous of that person...<br /><br />Another one that is hard to understand is, when you are out with her friends, who she invited, and she asked you to come along,,,,, all go for a night out... During the night her friends will talk to you, and of course you will talk in return... Then she will tell you to dance with her friend, or walk with her friend, or something along that nature... Then up on completing the request she asks of you, the remarks start coming....... " Looks like you was having fun" --- " Set over there, seems like that's where you are more comfortable." or my favorite " Well she sure is a lot prettier than me, guess you wish you had her for a wife instead of me. " <br /><br />The one i notice the most is when you see a real attractive girl, or a real attractive girl is in your presence, or around you at a mall or in our business. She will go all day long, busy, and really not having time to talk with you much, or pay attention... Then when the pretty girl is around, you will notice hugs, stroking the hair out of your face, and kisses on the cheek... I am wondering, where the heck did this come from. She never does this... BUT oh, do not mention that she is doing that,,,,, you will get the reply.... " I always do that, you just do not pay attention."<br />Got to love them....<br /><br />Now the business jealousy, or just jealousy in general is one that I experience a lot.. For some reason, when you are doing good in business, or doing good at something, some Filipino's will always try to shoot you down. Find fault with what you are doing, always criticizing, even if you are doing a good job, and nothing wrong. Seems they hate to see someone doing good.. I have even had them as far as tell story's and make up things just to try to destroy what you have done. Do not know why they can not be happy for you, and even try to help, or join in and try to become a part of what you are doing... This seems to go for business, family, marriage, wealth, and many others....<br /><br />Its hard for me to understand, why they will go to such lengths to tare down, and make hard something you have accomplished, especially when it affects them none at all, or they have no stake in it at all.... I have also seen this in my home country of the USA, but not to the extreme i have seen it here.... I have more people here who I have found out do not like me, or have said bad things about me or my business, that do not know at all.. Or have no dealings with, or even have ever spoken with in my life.... The more others praise you, the worse it gets....<br /><br />This never really hit home with me until our restaurant, The Jungle , started getting all the big Japanese agencies and become Top Ranked restaurant on a Leading Travel Site. Since then, wow it has been one attack after the other... None with any merit, or making any common sense at all... Just pure jealousy.... Maybe because I run this business in a western fashion, and do not allow all the " accepted ways " of the Pinoy business style, maybe makes others just right out mad. <br /><br />I had a experience the other day when a local guide brought two foreign guests into my establishment.... He asked my manager, " Your meal package is P 800 for seafood meal, charge them P 2500 for it and give me the rest." Of course I denied his request, and told him I would be happy to give him a commission for bringing the guests here, of 20%, and he was welcome to sell our package to the guests for what ever amount he agreed with them for.... But i could not allow to jack up the price that much, that would only make the business look bad, and its just in general not right. I asked him to talk with them, he could sell them the package for US 25, or something, in which other agents do... order the food for them. But he wanted me to charge that, when in fact our prices are clearly marked on our menus... I could not and will not do that... Well, in return he now tells everyone that we are not good, and we do not pay good commissions to his other " street agents ".... Knowing full well we are the best in this area, that does not matter.... He wanted to make it all, very fast, and quick. When in fact, if he would have only got the commission and nothing else. It would have been 400 or 500 peso, which is a great days salary for only bringing and dropping off two people and leaving..... Plus the fact i wont let stand by's hang around out front, and wont allow commissions to drivers and others who the guests request them to bring to our business. I have already paid for that advertisement, and all they did was bring them to where they wanted and already known about...<br /><br />But, no matter how much it makes sense, and its correct, and right, and proper.... They still get mad or jealous, and will really cause as much hardship as they can..... Really do not understand that..... They are many restaurants in Mactan Island and in Cebu, that have a better selection of Korean foods, and Western Foods, and others... I will support them and recommend them for customers looking for that type of thing... But when it comes to Filipino Foods and a Filipino Cultural / Variety Show, they is none does it better than The Jungle.... But they seem not to care about that, or what kind of experience the tourist might want.... The concern is to take or talk them into something that will make them the most money, and not worry about the quality..... <br /><br />Now in all fairness to The Filipino, which its obivous I support and promote very well, they are many Pinoy's who are very helpful, supportive, and who really understand quality, and who are top notch people... Plus, I have also seen and experienced many Ex Pats who live here, and own business, do the same exact thing I mentioned above..... They mostly do it to their own Nationality also.... <br /><br />It will always amaze me how that people can get so jealous, and spiteful for any person who is making something, or advancing their life through job, business, or talent, or any venue..... I hope and try to teach each and every employee of mine. Strive to be better, learn, and always keep you eye out for a better paying job... I can only afford a certain salary, and if one of my employees can better his life, or himself by taking another job, I would personally drive him there and help him to get it.. I want to see others do good.... That goes for other business also.... Now do not get me wrong.... If someone wanted to open the same venue as me, close to me, I surely would not be one of their biggest supporters.... BUT, if they done good, and done it properly, I would harbor no hard feelings, and instead of being jealous, I would want to help, or become part of it also, merge, or do something beneficial..... I would not tear down, or back bite, just for no reason........<br /><br />Good is good, proper is proper, right is right..... No matter how you feel about a person or a business, if they are doing the right thing, in the proper way, fair, honest, and good quality,,,,, No one has the right to try to bad mouth or tear it down.... Anyone with decent moral character, and decent up bringing should and would know this.......<br /><br />I will give you a personal example of one of my experiences back in the USA... In our town they is one man, who owns a car repair shop... This is one man who i really, really dislike... He has to be one of the most hateful, obnoxious, critical human beings alive... Me and him do not get along at all.... But his business, i will have to say, is top notch. Best quality service, fair, honest, fast, and on time. His and his staffs work is outstanding... He wont pad a insurance bill, he wont use a cheap part, and he has hundred's of satisfied customers and proven work to show for it.. Now no matter what i think of this man, or how much i dislike him or his personal practices, if anyone asked me where is the best car repair shop in my town... Out of pure honesty, and morals I would tell you his shop.... Its just the way it is.....ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-80757171737175177242010-06-07T04:48:00.000-07:002010-06-07T05:20:32.682-07:00Best Entertainment in CebuThe Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment Center is by far one of the Top Entertainment venues in Cebu. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guess</span> to answer this question properly we should first ask what is Entertainment to each individual. Entertainment can hold many different definitions to many different people. So again its to each persons liking as to what Entertainment they wish to witness. Now for me to try to list each and every venue here on this blog would be useless. They are many guides and websites that already <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exist</span> for that purpose. The best I can do here is to try to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">categorize</span> the different types of Entertainment you might find here in PI.<br /><br />* <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Karaoke</span> - Very famous with the Locals and Korean and Japanese<br />* Disco - Another famous venue, since Filipino are know for their love of dancing.<br />* Comedy - A not so famous venue here. You will find mostly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Gay's</span> who perform this type of entertainment. Its so so wide spread and is harder to find.<br />* Shows - You will find these mostly in the tourist sectors, varying from Latin, Ball Room, Filipino Cultural, Gay shows. Most of these are at resorts or large hotels, and hard to find local business who offer this type of entertainment. Of course The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment Center <a href="http://thejunglerestaurant.weelby.com/">http://thejunglerestaurant.weelby.com/</a> is one business who excels and promotes the Filipino Cultural Dance / <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Las</span> Vegas Style Variety Shows / Fire Eaters and Fire Dancers on a nightly basis.<br />* Concerts - This is a very rare thing to see . You will find some in the Larger <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">City's</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasion</span>.<br />* Live Bands - Very popular here, you can find them in almost any place, local and even in Famous venues. Live Bands are a big part of Filipino Traditions.<br />* Casino's - Again very popular, and can be found easily in most all city's in PI.<br />* Night Clubs and Bars - Thousands to be found, everywhere. No problem to find these.<br />* Strip Clubs - They are many what is called bikini bars, but it rare to find a completely naked strip club. Although they do exist, they are more rare....<br />* Baseball / Football - Almost non <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">existent</span>, you will rarely if ever see a baseball or football game in PI.<br />* Tennis / Soccer /others - Also rare to find. You will see some locals playing from time to time, but no stadiums or places to witness such events. Maybe only in the very Large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">City's</span>.<br />* Pool / <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Billiards</span> - Very famous here, very easy to find big matches and large events concerning pool games.<br />* Hunting and Sport Fishing - You would think with all the Ocean around that Sport Fishing would be a big thing. Very rare, only will find a few tourist based business who offer this type of entertainment. Hunting is almost none. Most all hunting is banned and does not exist here in PI.<br />* Boxing - Well this goes without saying that the PI, is very big on boxing, being the home of Best Pound for Pound fighter of all time, Manny Paquaio. But to find large fights here is also rare. Mostly they take place in USA. You will find local venues in which you can witness lower ranked boxers, but mostly rare.<br />* Chicken Fighting - Well this must be the biggest one of all. They are everywhere. You can find this type of sport in just about every baragngay and city in PI. Chicken Fighting is one of the biggest and easiest to find.<br />* Martial Arts - Philippines is very famous for Escrima, and stick fighting, but again only in certain regions is it easy to find event centers to witness this. This is another rare event to find, and must be in certain places to find it..<br />* Archery - Rare<br />* Track and Field Events - Rare<br /><br />Now these are only my opinions and what i have experienced living here on Mactan Island and around Cebu, from watching the papers and what i have heard and seen. It is possible some of these are more frequent than i notice. Please leave comments if anyone can correct any of my statements..... Thanks<br /><br />I am sure i have missed a few, and they are a lots more, someone can leave some comments on anything i have missed.ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-87624712518790428712010-06-07T04:21:00.000-07:002010-06-07T04:45:30.370-07:00Cebu Cheap Tours from The JungleThe Jungle Restaurant has extended it reach by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquiring</span> a partner in the tour industry. The Jungle is now offering affordable, cheap tours for Cebu and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bohol</span>. The tour industry has become so competitive with so many different tour company's, we feel prices are being drove up to western country standards. The Philippines has long been famous, and well know for its affordable vacations, and wonderful tourist activities. Being one of the major draws for tourist is this fact. With the state of many other lacking services and short comings of The Philippine tourist industry and the general standard operating procedure of many tourist <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">related</span> activities. The Philippines <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> need to get overpriced. Tourist are used to getting what they pay for, and we want to keep that in check here.<br /><br />With so many agencies and tourist activities, trying to make it all in one day, they do not realize that the standards for which service and excellence,,, regretfully is lacking here in PI. So we need to look out for the future, and not worry only about today and what we will benefit. We need to have responsible tourism and look to the future of the industry, and not just on what we can get from it now.<br /><br />I often have personally compared the tourist industry of PI, to the housing market of the USA. Over pricing, over building, over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competition</span>. Its a recipe for disaster. Now PI falls way behind most other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Asia</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">countries</span> for affordable, and cheap place to have a vacation. We need to start to realize that we cant sell a apple and charge the price of a watermelon.... It just wont work for long. We need responsible people who care and look out for the future, and just not what will benefit them for this time.<br /><br />So The Jungle with other concerned and responsible people have come up with Cheap ( but great quality), affordable tours for Cebu. We want to help bring tourism to PI, and especially to the Island of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span>, where it is needed very badly. So we have come up with Cebu Cheap Tours, for Filipinos and Foreigners alike to avail. So that everyone can have the chance to enjoy and benefit from the wonders and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">amazement</span> of what the PI has to offer.<br /><br />Island Hopping for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Php</span> 2000 per person<br />Sunset Cruise for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Php</span> 1500 per person<br />Twin City Tours for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Php</span> 2700 per person<br />Dinner and Filipino Cultural Shows <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Php</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Php</span> 500 and up..<br /><br />Also para sailing, diving, jet ski adventures, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bohol</span> trips and many others to come online soon.<br />You can check out all the tours here at<br /><a href="http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/cheap-tours.html">http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/cheap-tours.html</a> <br /><br />Quality tours, with a personal touch, no hidden charges, no hassle, easy for the customer.ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-1947421108431595812010-05-26T08:13:00.000-07:002010-05-26T08:19:37.807-07:00I Thought Retiring in The Philippines was EasySold my construction company in the USA, i had slaved over and built from nothing, sun beating down on me in the summer, freezing in the winter, beat to death from the bull dozer, stressed with all the paper works, red tape, and employees.......<br /><br />Finally I decided to retire early, come to The Philippines, start a business and live the easy life, layed back, no stress, good marriage, easy street...... WRONG< WRONG<br /><br />I have worked harder here, and more stress, just trying to stay my head above the water.. Its not at all what i expected.... No time for nothing, just working and running the business.<br /><br />Short post, cant type anymore because i am so tired... get the point...ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-82923618777040495992010-04-18T00:32:00.000-07:002010-04-18T01:46:49.789-07:00Tourism Philippines - Problems and FixesMaybe its just to simple. Maybe its just so easy, and makes to much sense, that's why The Philippines authority's cant really get it.. I never thought to be a real smart man, or never thought I could be a world leader, or come up with a cure for cancer, or change the world in some way. Never thought I was smart enough for that. But, maybe I am smarter than I think, maybe ,,actually ,,its so simple and common sense and easy, that it did not require enough brain work or education to figure out. Maybe this is why the problems with tourism here in Philippines can be fixed.<br /><br />Lets see, Some of the major problems and bad reputations for tourism come from<br /><br />Taxi Drivers - Overcharging, not running meter, ect......<br />Fix ----- Have it a national law, if you are caught doing this, YOU ARE FIRED AND LOOSE YOU LICENCES<br /><br />Street Vendors Scamming Tourist - They are everywhere, very easily seen, very easily watched.<br />Fix - Lets see, why not just set watch them, arrest them, and take their stocks of what they are selling....<br /><br />Children running up to car windows at intersections - They do it everywhere, in middle of busy intersections and main highways. In front of business and on streets....<br />Fix - Well it would seem that police should stop and remove them. Find the parents and fine them, take the children to children services.<br /><br />Helpers to find taxi's, parking, and many things - They are always doing this and aggravating for tips. They are always after the tourist.<br />Fix - Business owners - don't allow them to stand outside your business.<br />Government - Don't allow them to stand on the roadsides and on public sidewalks in front of business and do this. Make it illegal, and put stiff penalty's on anyone who does it..<br /><br />They are many more. Some might say, well you cant stop this, it cant be fixed here in Philippines. It cant be done.... Well I am here to tell you it can be done. The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment Center does it everyday. Let me show you how it works..<br /><br />If a child is standing in front of my business - I tell him to move, you can not stand here and do that. If he comes back or refuses, I go to the parents and tell them, please keep you child off my property. I don't want my customers aggravated with that.... If that don't work, then each time they get close to the property I yell at them. Get away, or I call the police..<br /><br />If someone is trying to sell something or vend something in front of my business. I tell them that's not allowed here, you have to move. If they don't move, I tell them again. You will have to move, or I will call the local barangay and have you removed. Plus I will check to see if you have a street vendors licenses for this...<br /><br />Tricycles and " helpers try to park in front of my business to wait for customers".. I tell them, you can not do that here. You are welcome to park across the road, but you can not bunch up here in front and all of you stand around. Wont happen here, move it now. For the helpers, i tell them. The customer don't need you to flag down a taxi for them. I have staff who does that. Plus many customers are very capable of doing it on their own. If they need you they will call for you. You are welcome to stand over on the side of the property and if someone asks your assistance you can come. Do NOT approach or aggravate my customers, its NOT ALLOWED here.<br /><br />When someone brings a guest to my business, they are more than welcome to their commissions and free drinks for their hard work and helping the Jungle. But when they tell me, now i want my commission and also add on large amount to the bill for me also.. They don't know... I simply say, THAT IS NOT ALLOWED HERE. You will get your commission you earned, but you will not take advantage of a tourist or scam them in my place. If you don't like my rules, then don't come back here again.... If you want to earn your commission ( which is very good ) then you are welcome. I will not be a part or allow any tourist to be scammed here...<br /><br />When guides come in and bring guests. I am very happy. When the guide then comes and says, OK I don't want to stay long, please cut the shows short so I can go home early... I reply, SORRY THAT WONT HAPPEN HERE. These tourist paid for this, and they deserve the best possible treatment. Its not right, nor respectful to short change them because you don't want to do your job. The agency in which you work for, has sold this package to the customer. I am sure they don't want their guests treated in this way. NOR will I allow them to be treated this way..<br /><br />If guest of The Jungle have a reservation problem, or a staff member can not answer their questions properly. Or they can not order something because they are out of stocks. OR my staff is rude, or mess up the orders. Two things happen here at The Jungle. My customer is either returned his money, or he is given what he wants with my deepest apology and I will make it right to him. Second thing that is done, I have a meeting with the staff. Then I will find out who is responsible for the failure and who's job it was. They are immediately suspended, or fined, or terminated. Depending on the servility of the failure... NO EXCUSES...<br /><br />My dancers perform daily. They have a set of requirements in which make them the best on Mactan and in Cebu. Even if those do not fit within their comfort level or what they feel like doing. I will tell them simple, this is what you are required to do, I don't want to hear your excuses for failing. They will be no failures here. If you cant do the job, I will find someone who will replace you. I will not accept any excuses for failure. You are given the right opportunity to practice, you are fed, you are given the tools in which you need to do your job. If you are shy, or too lazy, or don't like that action or don't like this action. I DON'T CARE. You will do it, you will do it properly, or you wont work here. NO EXCUSES........ ( This goes also for other staffing )<br /><br />If my CR's are not clean, If my staff overcharges, if they try to solicit tips, if they are not on time, if they are not in uniform, if they are texting, if they are acting silly, if they are having stand by outside waiting to talk to them. If the food is not done properly, if they try at any time to implement their own ways or likes or dislikes into the business, they will be terminated or fined severely each and every time. NO EXCUSES...<br /><br />If I find any corruption in book keeping, staffing, tips, under the table deals, scams against my customers or suppliers, kickbacks or anything like that. The police is called immediately and they will have to face criminal charges. ( If applicable ) ITS NOT ALLOWED HERE. NO EXCUSES..... I fully push and keep up the effort and make sure it goes through the courts..<br /><br />Now they say this cant be done. It's impossible. Well here at The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment, they is none of these problems. We have stop ed all this. I don't have a PHD or anything... So how come the others cant just follow these simple instructions also. Its really not a hard thing, or a real brain storm. Its just simple common sense. Maybe it so simple, no one can get it. Maybe i should send this to the Presidents office.<br /><br />So the biggest thing I would like to hear from other business owners, police officers, government officials. WHY CANT YOU DO THIS ALSO. Me, a simple small country boy from Kentucky changed a small area in Maribago. I am nothing.... If I can do it, why cant anyone else or the country do it...<br /><br />You say it wont work.... Well that's excuse..... The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment Center is Ranked by the World's Leading Travel Guide, THE No.1 RESTAURANT ON MACTAN ISLAND. PLUS THE NO.1 IN POPULARITY IN THE ENTIRE PHILIPPINES.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g667507-d1483128-r60899763-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g667507-d1483128-r60899763-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294245-Philippines-Vacations.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294245-Philippines-Vacations.html</a><br /><br />We accomplished this by doing the things stated above. So if it worked for us, why don't other business, government, police want to do the same thing.... If we can do it, other surely can do it also... I will say The Jungle still makes some mistakes sometimes, we are not perfect. But when we do make a mistake, we learn from it, we make it better, we change it.<br /><br />ITS REALLY THIS SIMPLE........ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-15518982032113662102010-04-01T03:10:00.000-07:002010-04-01T04:43:22.424-07:00Mactan Island Resorts - Save Money and Time<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island Resorts - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shangri</span> - la, White Sands, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maribago</span> Blue Water, BE Resorts, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tambuli</span> East, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tambuli</span> West, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Costabella</span>, Hilton, Plantation Bay, Imperial Palace. All of these resorts offer a great and wonderful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">vacation</span> experience. Each one with their own appeal and offers in which you can find what will fit your wants and budget best...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g667507-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas-Hotels.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g667507-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas-Hotels.html</a><br /><br /><br />WARNING ::: WARNING ::: Living here and being around the resorts for over 8 years now, please listen to this advice. The resorts are nice, and i am not against them. But they are certain things I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> you should know, that you will not be told and will be hidden from you.<br /><br />The resorts will try very hard to " TRAP YOU INSIDE" . What i mean to say is this, they will make it very difficult, and even advise you against going out of the resort. They will tell you they are no meter taxi available, they will have you to walk to the main gate for a taxi. They will give other business you have reservations booked with a hard time in getting you. They do this in the hopes you will say its too much trouble and I will just stay inside the resort.<br /><br /><strong>TAXI </strong>- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, here's how this one will work. The resorts and hotels all have their own taxi or transport. It costs you about twice as much as the normal meter taxi from outside. Most of them will or do not allow meter taxi on their property. So if you ask for a meter taxi, they will tell you you have to walk to the main gate, or if you protest enough, some will call you one. But they will make the process very slow and aggravating, so you will not want to do it the next time. Some of the resorts the gate is far from the main building, and sometimes they will not even supply you a transport to the gate. Again if you protest, they will get one, but they will make it very aggravating and time consuming.<br /><br />HOW TO FIX THIS - Most all other restaurants, tours, places to go, things to do on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island offer free hotel pick up and drop off. Remember to ask if you decide to go out to a restaurant or activity ask them if they have free hotel pick up and drop off. If they do not, then ask and demand for a meter taxi early. Give your self about 30 minutes before you want to leave so they can time their normal slow time in getting you a taxi. Or you can also walk yourself to the main gate and ask the guard to call you a taxi. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Don't</span> let them tell you one is not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">available</span>. That is not TRUE. They know where the taxi's are and how to get them..<br /><br /><strong>NOTHING TO DO OUTSIDE THE RESORTS</strong> - This is a absolute LIE. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island holds a great wealth of things to do and see outside the resorts. This is a common practice used by the resorts to discourage you from going out. They want you to spend all your money inside, at lot more expensive prices. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Don't</span> expect any staffing or guards to tell you anything. They are trained and also have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">penalty</span> or even termination if they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommend</span> or tell anything outside the resort to do. Most of the resorts were located in out of the way areas, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> just for the fact that it would make it harder to get out and find things to do. Most resorts and hotels here will not allow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">flyer's</span>, or other establishment to put any kind of tourist information about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island inside their resorts. You will also hear that its not safe, and you should not travel outside the resort. THAT IS LIE. I will agree that they are places that are not safe, but those places hold no interest to a traveler and would not be in those areas walking around anyway. All of the places of interest and restaurants , activities on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island is very, very safe.<br /><br />WAY TO FIX THIS - Research and The Internet. Get on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> and find things close to your resort. Search for things to do on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island. Find a business owned by a foreigner from your country, or any foreigner and you can feel comfortable with the advice he will give you. I will agree that listening to the locals, they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">usually</span> have a hidden agenda in their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommendations</span>. Not all, but most.. Get the Free hotel pick and drop off options from the other establishments. REMEMBER - The resorts will still give those persons a hard time picking you up sometimes. So its up to you to tell the front desk, you are being picked up by ????????? and you expect they will be no trouble with that. As a customer of the resort you have to stand up and say, This is my decision and my transport from ??????. As your guest i suggest you should not cause any delay or any issue with this.<br /><br /><strong>ALL INCLUSIVE OPTIONS</strong> - BEWARE of this. Most of the higher end resorts will always try to include with the rooms a inclusive dinner packages. I will agree that you should always take the breakfast package, because breakfast outside is very hard to find on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island. But be very careful of the inclusions for dinner and lunch packages. Once you do it, its done. If you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> like it, or its not great quality, NO REFUNDS. Plus they do this also again, to keep you inside the resort. Another main thing, is that some of the inclusive packages they will include contain shows of different styles. Hawaiian, Filipino Cultural, and many others. You will find many travelers who will tell you, these shows are very short and of poor quality. You pay a large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">expensive</span> price for them, but they are not very good with poor performers. Read here what some travelers have said about this issue:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g667507-d1483128-Reviews-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g667507-d1483128-Reviews-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html</a><br /><br /><br />HOW TO FIX THIS - Of course, you should not accept the inclusive deals, unless you know for sure and have experienced them before. You should make your decisions as you go. So not to lock yourself into something , that you end up waisting your time and money for.<br /><br />So for all in all i can end up with telling you this. If you like to stay in the resorts and not travel out much. You for sure can find good foods, and some nice things to do inside the resorts. I by no means am telling you the resorts are not good. Actually most of them are very nice, and very comfortable. I am just writing this to let you know, if you want to go outside the resorts on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island, they are lots of great choices, and cheaper places, with good quality also. I am telling you this because they will not tell you....<br /><br />THINGS TO DO ON <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">MACTAN</span> ISLAND - CLOSE TO ALL THE <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">MACTAN</span> ISLAND RESORTS<br />1. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Island Aquarium<br />2. The Jungle Filipino Cultural Center - Restaurant and Cultural Shows<br />3. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maribago</span> Grill - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Restaurant</span><br />4. Fun, Sun, Dive Inc. - Dive, Island Hopping, Jet Skis, Para Sailing, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Snorkeling</span>.<br />5. Mr. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hamms</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Resto</span> Bar - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Daily</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Acoustic</span> Music Lounge<br />6. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Datag</span> Filipino Public Market<br />7. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soong</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lapu</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lapu</span> Sports Complex - Cock Fights every Weekend<br />8. Won Spa<br /><br />Places and activities very close to ALL <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">MACTAN</span> ISLAND RESORTS<br />1. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Shrine<br />2. Amazing Show - All gay performers<br />3. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gusiano</span> Grand Mall and many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurants</span> 2 locations<br />4. Red <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">CoCo</span> - Shows<br />5. Sea Walker - Underwater Sea Walk<br />6. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mactan</span> Shrine Native Shell Arts and Crafts<br />7. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">Algre</span> Guitar Factory - Handmade Guitars<br />8. Shooting Range<br /><br />Plus the hundreds of fine restaurants, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nightlife</span>, islands, historical sites. These are all famous and established places that tourist at the resorts are not told about. There is a great wealth of things to do. Lot of public beaches, that are never spoken of. Lot of local life to experience. Lot of high end places to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span> also.....ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-70945015491215616202010-03-25T00:40:00.000-07:002010-03-25T02:33:57.281-07:00Great Things about The PhilippinesOut of fairness and respect, I think sometimes we should share the great experiences and what is wonderful about the Philippines. I think we sometimes get so stressed and upset with all the bad things that happen to us a business owners, foreigners, and tourist. That we forget to mention some of the great things about the Philippines.<br /><br />Of course, we must feel it has something great to offer of why would we be here. I can give my personal opinions and feelings of what I like and find great about this country.<br /><br />* I will have to say, that throughout my travels I have never found more beautiful women in all the world as the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Filipina</span>. They posses a natural Asian beauty that far surpasses all other Asian culture's. To me Asian women are the prettiest in the world. ( Sorry Mom and Sisters back home).. Out of all the Asian women, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Filipina</span> hold the most grace in their body, smile, shinny hair. They are capable of being warm, caring, loving, and loyal to their companion. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Filipina</span> is very emotional, and also very smart. I have often said to my friends, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Filipina</span> is the only woman who you know is scamming you, who you know is just playing with you, and you still like it... and you still want it..... <br /><br />* We sometimes complain about the corruption and government, but I will also have to say, its easy to get things done. Pay a little "FEE" and your time is cut in half, not so much hassle, and not so much red tape. So its also a benefit for us who don't want to stand in line, or go through allot of procedures to accomplish something. The law of course works for us also. If you do something a little wrong, drink to much, run red light, you can easily pay a " PENALTY" and you are good to go. No big deal. So even if we complain about the corruption, we also benefit from it in certain ways. <br /><br />* Beautiful beaches and oceans. We all love the beaches and oceans, the blue waters, the amazing scenery. Philippines holds some of the clearest and purest shallows in the world. Nothing more exciting then riding a pump boat across a shallow and looking down into 30 feet of water and seeing bottom. Its for sure a great feeling...<br /><br />* Being treated like a VIP. Even though if your white your are considered a millionaire here. Us expats and foreigners know that is not true. But still even if we are not, it makes you feel good and boost your ego to be treated as such. As a foreigner especially white, you have a esteem that follows with you, where ever you go. It for sure is not deserving to us, but in The Philippines you still get it. So another reason why I think we like it here.<br /><br />* Cheaper way of living. We can take the small amount given to us by our home lands and come here and live a comfortable live. That we could not have done in our home country. Another way that boosts our ego, and makes us want to live here. We can live a higher class of life, and feel better about ourselves here. Back in our country's we would be in the poverty class...<br /><br />* Of course here comes the big one. No matter if you are old, fat, ugly and bald, you can have a very pretty, young lady who will want to be with you. We cant get those things back home. You can go to bikini bars every night. They is no regulation of those places, they are very plentiful. So you can find all kinds of young, pretty ladies who would love to spend a evening with you, no matter what you look like. ( Of course for a fee) ...... Even if you did not want to go to the bars, if you try, you can find a nice young lady who will want to have a relationship with you. Plus the fact that even when you are older, and little round in the middle, and not so much hair anymore. Walk the roads or the malls and you will still have young ladies looking and smiling. Wow, what a ego booster for us. Dam, makes you feel 10 feet tall.<br /><br /> So in all fairness, you will hear a lot of us expats (myself included) complaining about how the girls will take advantage of us, try always to get money, act like they like us but really don't. But in truth, if they stop that, we would be devastated. We like it. But we also like to complain about it. I often find myself so mad about going to a bar, talking with a young lady, and buying her a drink, and she will run off. I get so mad, but guess what, my butt is back there in a few days doing the same thing again.... <br /><br /> Putting up with all the bad things, attitudes, and failures of the Philippines is just a daily thing. We should stand up and say what is wrong. We should not stand by and be taken advantage of, or we should not let others walk over us. But in fairness and not being a hypocrite, we should also realize and accept that we are here. We are here for some reason, and we stay for some reason. So they must be some benefit to us that we like, or we would get out. <br /><br /> Although the benefit of us being here still does not give others the right to be cheaters, stealer's, liars, or taking advantage. I think we both benefit from each other, but both cultures are to stubborn, or just to proud to admit it and learn to work on the quality's we have to share. I have tried here in my business at The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment Center to learn to work with the " corruption" and not fight it so much.<br /><br /> Ending up, to say that they are lots of good things about the Philippines. It is not always bad. Lot of great friendly, nice folks here. We just have to learn that their culture is about getting and wanting as much money as they can, by what ever means they can. But also, our culture is a 60 year old man dating a 18 year old girl, liking the bars, paying off someone to get out of trouble, pushy, loud, and sometimes just flat out but holes. So which one is worse. In our eyes they look bad, in their eyes we look bad. Who's right, who's wrong???? Work together, and just realize what each other really is. Don't lie about it, accept it and work with it.....<br /><br />Example of confutation:<br /><br />Filipino to me : You always looking the girl walking down the road, talking about sex, making strict rules for employees, drinking, wanting everything so perfect, getting loud, acting like your better than some others, always complaining about things here........<br /><br />Reply : Yep, that's me....<br /><br />Me to Filipino : You always scamming the tourist, overcharging the white guy, always wanting something for free, only talking or coming around when you can benefit, not being responsible, always making excuses......<br /><br />Reply : Yep, that's me....<br /><br />Best result : OK, then i will help the Filipino to earn more money from tourist, through proper means, and giving of commissions. Set strict rules for him to follow so he can earn a bigger salary, but not scam the tourist, or over charge the white guy. Include free meals for him and incentives for working hard, help him to save money and provide for his family through connections and work that i have, he can help me with. Help him to earn.<br /><br />He in return will help me with other Filipinos, and watch out for things that will hurt me. Protect me from any bad deals, learn me the best places to go, the right things to do. Places where i wont have to deal with bull. Introduce me to people that wont bring out my bad quality's.<br /><br />So instead of us arguing who's right and who's wrong, we accept what each other are, even if we don't agree, and we work to help each other get out of life what we like and want....ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-893842182767176763.post-59478606971402826242010-03-19T07:30:00.000-07:002010-03-19T07:39:07.837-07:00Best Philippine Dance Group for The ResortsThe Jungle Cultural Entertainment Dance Group is by far the best and most qualified dance group in Cebu. If you are planning a conference, meeting, reception, welcome dinner, or any large group event you will want to choose the The Jungle Entertainment Filipino Cultural Dance group for your guests to enjoy.<br /><br />Want your out of town, or out of country guest to see the Top quality Filipino Cultural Dance Group. Having your meeting or dinner at the resorts in Cebu??? Request you want The Jungle Entertainment Dance Group to perform at your Event.<br /><br />Best Filipino Cultural Dance Group for the resorts. Request your resort that you want the Jungle Entertainment Dancers.<br /><br />Look at the rave reviews from travelers about the group :<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g667507-d1483128-r58812389-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g667507-d1483128-r58812389-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html</a><br /><br />Find out more information here :<br /><a href="http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/">http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com</a> <br /><br />Don't let your resort give you the poor quality shows, Demand you want the best in Cebu.<br /><br />Located very close to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shangri</span> - La, White Sands, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maribago</span> Blue Water, Hilton, Plantation Bay, BE resort, and many others.ppatrick671http://www.blogger.com/profile/13848570246266709428noreply@blogger.com1