From 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.
* 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::
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...
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. "
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."
Got to love them....
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....
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....
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.
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...
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.....
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....
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........
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.......
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.....
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Best Entertainment in Cebu
The Jungle Restaurant and Cultural Entertainment Center is by far one of the Top Entertainment venues in Cebu. I guess 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 exist for that purpose. The best I can do here is to try to categorize the different types of Entertainment you might find here in PI.
* Karaoke - Very famous with the Locals and Korean and Japanese
* Disco - Another famous venue, since Filipino are know for their love of dancing.
* Comedy - A not so famous venue here. You will find mostly Gay's who perform this type of entertainment. Its so so wide spread and is harder to find.
* 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 http://thejunglerestaurant.weelby.com/ is one business who excels and promotes the Filipino Cultural Dance / Las Vegas Style Variety Shows / Fire Eaters and Fire Dancers on a nightly basis.
* Concerts - This is a very rare thing to see . You will find some in the Larger City's on occasion.
* 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.
* Casino's - Again very popular, and can be found easily in most all city's in PI.
* Night Clubs and Bars - Thousands to be found, everywhere. No problem to find these.
* 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....
* Baseball / Football - Almost non existent, you will rarely if ever see a baseball or football game in PI.
* 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 City's.
* Pool / Billiards - Very famous here, very easy to find big matches and large events concerning pool games.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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..
* Archery - Rare
* Track and Field Events - Rare
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
I am sure i have missed a few, and they are a lots more, someone can leave some comments on anything i have missed.
* Karaoke - Very famous with the Locals and Korean and Japanese
* Disco - Another famous venue, since Filipino are know for their love of dancing.
* Comedy - A not so famous venue here. You will find mostly Gay's who perform this type of entertainment. Its so so wide spread and is harder to find.
* 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 http://thejunglerestaurant.weelby.com/ is one business who excels and promotes the Filipino Cultural Dance / Las Vegas Style Variety Shows / Fire Eaters and Fire Dancers on a nightly basis.
* Concerts - This is a very rare thing to see . You will find some in the Larger City's on occasion.
* 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.
* Casino's - Again very popular, and can be found easily in most all city's in PI.
* Night Clubs and Bars - Thousands to be found, everywhere. No problem to find these.
* 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....
* Baseball / Football - Almost non existent, you will rarely if ever see a baseball or football game in PI.
* 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 City's.
* Pool / Billiards - Very famous here, very easy to find big matches and large events concerning pool games.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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..
* Archery - Rare
* Track and Field Events - Rare
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
I am sure i have missed a few, and they are a lots more, someone can leave some comments on anything i have missed.
Cebu Cheap Tours from The Jungle
The Jungle Restaurant has extended it reach by acquiring a partner in the tour industry. The Jungle is now offering affordable, cheap tours for Cebu and Mactan and Bohol. 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 related activities. The Philippines don't need to get overpriced. Tourist are used to getting what they pay for, and we want to keep that in check here.
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.
I often have personally compared the tourist industry of PI, to the housing market of the USA. Over pricing, over building, over competition. Its a recipe for disaster. Now PI falls way behind most other Asia countries 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.
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 Mactan, 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 amazement of what the PI has to offer.
Island Hopping for Php 2000 per person
Sunset Cruise for Php 1500 per person
Twin City Tours for Php 2700 per person
Dinner and Filipino Cultural Shows Php Php 500 and up..
Also para sailing, diving, jet ski adventures, Bohol trips and many others to come online soon.
You can check out all the tours here at
http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/cheap-tours.html
Quality tours, with a personal touch, no hidden charges, no hassle, easy for the customer.
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.
I often have personally compared the tourist industry of PI, to the housing market of the USA. Over pricing, over building, over competition. Its a recipe for disaster. Now PI falls way behind most other Asia countries 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.
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 Mactan, 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 amazement of what the PI has to offer.
Island Hopping for Php 2000 per person
Sunset Cruise for Php 1500 per person
Twin City Tours for Php 2700 per person
Dinner and Filipino Cultural Shows Php Php 500 and up..
Also para sailing, diving, jet ski adventures, Bohol trips and many others to come online soon.
You can check out all the tours here at
http://thejunglerestaurant.weebly.com/cheap-tours.html
Quality tours, with a personal touch, no hidden charges, no hassle, easy for the customer.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I Thought Retiring in The Philippines was Easy
Sold 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.......
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
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.
Short post, cant type anymore because i am so tired... get the point...
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
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.
Short post, cant type anymore because i am so tired... get the point...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Tourism Philippines - Problems and Fixes
Maybe 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.
Lets see, Some of the major problems and bad reputations for tourism come from
Taxi Drivers - Overcharging, not running meter, ect......
Fix ----- Have it a national law, if you are caught doing this, YOU ARE FIRED AND LOOSE YOU LICENCES
Street Vendors Scamming Tourist - They are everywhere, very easily seen, very easily watched.
Fix - Lets see, why not just set watch them, arrest them, and take their stocks of what they are selling....
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....
Fix - Well it would seem that police should stop and remove them. Find the parents and fine them, take the children to children services.
Helpers to find taxi's, parking, and many things - They are always doing this and aggravating for tips. They are always after the tourist.
Fix - Business owners - don't allow them to stand outside your business.
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..
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..
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..
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...
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.
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...
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..
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...
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 )
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...
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..
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.
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...
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.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g667507-d1483128-r60899763-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294245-Philippines-Vacations.html
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.
ITS REALLY THIS SIMPLE........
Lets see, Some of the major problems and bad reputations for tourism come from
Taxi Drivers - Overcharging, not running meter, ect......
Fix ----- Have it a national law, if you are caught doing this, YOU ARE FIRED AND LOOSE YOU LICENCES
Street Vendors Scamming Tourist - They are everywhere, very easily seen, very easily watched.
Fix - Lets see, why not just set watch them, arrest them, and take their stocks of what they are selling....
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....
Fix - Well it would seem that police should stop and remove them. Find the parents and fine them, take the children to children services.
Helpers to find taxi's, parking, and many things - They are always doing this and aggravating for tips. They are always after the tourist.
Fix - Business owners - don't allow them to stand outside your business.
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..
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..
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..
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...
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.
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...
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..
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...
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 )
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...
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..
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.
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...
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.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g667507-d1483128-r60899763-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294245-Philippines-Vacations.html
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.
ITS REALLY THIS SIMPLE........
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Mactan Island Resorts - Save Money and Time
Mactan Island Resorts - Shangri - la, White Sands, Maribago Blue Water, BE Resorts, Tambuli East, Tambuli West, Costabella, Hilton, Plantation Bay, Imperial Palace. All of these resorts offer a great and wonderful vacation experience. Each one with their own appeal and offers in which you can find what will fit your wants and budget best...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g667507-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas-Hotels.html
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 believe you should know, that you will not be told and will be hidden from you.
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.
TAXI - Ok, 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.
HOW TO FIX THIS - Most all other restaurants, tours, places to go, things to do on Mactan 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. Don't let them tell you one is not available. That is not TRUE. They know where the taxi's are and how to get them..
NOTHING TO DO OUTSIDE THE RESORTS - This is a absolute LIE. Mactan 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. Don't expect any staffing or guards to tell you anything. They are trained and also have penalty or even termination if they recommend or tell anything outside the resort to do. Most of the resorts were located in out of the way areas, I believe 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 flyer's, or other establishment to put any kind of tourist information about Mactan 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 Mactan Island is very, very safe.
WAY TO FIX THIS - Research and The Internet. Get on the Internet and find things close to your resort. Search for things to do on Mactan 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 usually have a hidden agenda in their recommendations. 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.
ALL INCLUSIVE OPTIONS - 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 Mactan Island. But be very careful of the inclusions for dinner and lunch packages. Once you do it, its done. If you don't 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 expensive price for them, but they are not very good with poor performers. Read here what some travelers have said about this issue:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g667507-d1483128-Reviews-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html
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.
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 Mactan 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....
THINGS TO DO ON MACTAN ISLAND - CLOSE TO ALL THE MACTAN ISLAND RESORTS
1. Mactan Island Aquarium
2. The Jungle Filipino Cultural Center - Restaurant and Cultural Shows
3. Maribago Grill - Restaurant
4. Fun, Sun, Dive Inc. - Dive, Island Hopping, Jet Skis, Para Sailing, Snorkeling.
5. Mr. Hamms - Resto Bar - Daily Acoustic Music Lounge
6. Datag Filipino Public Market
7. Soong Lapu Lapu Sports Complex - Cock Fights every Weekend
8. Won Spa
Places and activities very close to ALL MACTAN ISLAND RESORTS
1. Mactan Shrine
2. Amazing Show - All gay performers
3. Gusiano Grand Mall and many restaurants 2 locations
4. Red CoCo - Shows
5. Sea Walker - Underwater Sea Walk
6. Mactan Shrine Native Shell Arts and Crafts
7. Algre Guitar Factory - Handmade Guitars
8. Shooting Range
Plus the hundreds of fine restaurants, nightlife, 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 experience also.....
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g667507-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas-Hotels.html
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 believe you should know, that you will not be told and will be hidden from you.
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.
TAXI - Ok, 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.
HOW TO FIX THIS - Most all other restaurants, tours, places to go, things to do on Mactan 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. Don't let them tell you one is not available. That is not TRUE. They know where the taxi's are and how to get them..
NOTHING TO DO OUTSIDE THE RESORTS - This is a absolute LIE. Mactan 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. Don't expect any staffing or guards to tell you anything. They are trained and also have penalty or even termination if they recommend or tell anything outside the resort to do. Most of the resorts were located in out of the way areas, I believe 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 flyer's, or other establishment to put any kind of tourist information about Mactan 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 Mactan Island is very, very safe.
WAY TO FIX THIS - Research and The Internet. Get on the Internet and find things close to your resort. Search for things to do on Mactan 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 usually have a hidden agenda in their recommendations. 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.
ALL INCLUSIVE OPTIONS - 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 Mactan Island. But be very careful of the inclusions for dinner and lunch packages. Once you do it, its done. If you don't 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 expensive price for them, but they are not very good with poor performers. Read here what some travelers have said about this issue:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g667507-d1483128-Reviews-The_Jungle_Restaurant-Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html
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.
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 Mactan 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....
THINGS TO DO ON MACTAN ISLAND - CLOSE TO ALL THE MACTAN ISLAND RESORTS
1. Mactan Island Aquarium
2. The Jungle Filipino Cultural Center - Restaurant and Cultural Shows
3. Maribago Grill - Restaurant
4. Fun, Sun, Dive Inc. - Dive, Island Hopping, Jet Skis, Para Sailing, Snorkeling.
5. Mr. Hamms - Resto Bar - Daily Acoustic Music Lounge
6. Datag Filipino Public Market
7. Soong Lapu Lapu Sports Complex - Cock Fights every Weekend
8. Won Spa
Places and activities very close to ALL MACTAN ISLAND RESORTS
1. Mactan Shrine
2. Amazing Show - All gay performers
3. Gusiano Grand Mall and many restaurants 2 locations
4. Red CoCo - Shows
5. Sea Walker - Underwater Sea Walk
6. Mactan Shrine Native Shell Arts and Crafts
7. Algre Guitar Factory - Handmade Guitars
8. Shooting Range
Plus the hundreds of fine restaurants, nightlife, 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 experience also.....
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Great Things about The Philippines
Out 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.
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.
* I will have to say, that throughout my travels I have never found more beautiful women in all the world as the Filipina. 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 Filipina hold the most grace in their body, smile, shinny hair. They are capable of being warm, caring, loving, and loyal to their companion. The Filipina is very emotional, and also very smart. I have often said to my friends, the Filipina 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.....
* 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.
* 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...
* 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.
* 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...
* 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.
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....
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.
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.
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.....
Example of confutation:
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........
Reply : Yep, that's me....
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......
Reply : Yep, that's me....
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.
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.
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....
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.
* I will have to say, that throughout my travels I have never found more beautiful women in all the world as the Filipina. 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 Filipina hold the most grace in their body, smile, shinny hair. They are capable of being warm, caring, loving, and loyal to their companion. The Filipina is very emotional, and also very smart. I have often said to my friends, the Filipina 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.....
* 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.
* 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...
* 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.
* 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...
* 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.
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....
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.
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.
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.....
Example of confutation:
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........
Reply : Yep, that's me....
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......
Reply : Yep, that's me....
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.
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.
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....
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