Filipinos Missing Home

What they don't tell you when you leave the Philippines

We are told about the wonderful things that happen when we make it out of our own country, but never once told how much it will hurt to lose our home

Shakira Sison 

I read this and discovered my wife goes through this every single day.  It is a struggle for the Filipinos around the world. Thanks to the above Author for writing and click at bottom to read many more articles by her.

They don't tell you when you leave the homeland what you'll actually miss. You're told what you'll supposedly gain – a better life, more freedom, and the ability to buy nice things. Wide open spaces, the reliability of service, the openness of city streets.
Cleaner bathrooms, the abundance of toilet paper, and reliable flushing. Unlimited ketchup and mustard on your burgers, plus all the fixings. Warehouse club-sized groceries and glutton-portioned meals. A good job, a nice house, and a car in the quiet suburbs.
Nobody tells you that you'll miss the noises of home – the blaring of jeepney horns, the takatak of the cigarette vendors selling Winstons by the stick. They don't tell you that you'll look for the barker yelling out everyday destinations like an international roll call: Bambang, Arranque, Ongpin, Blumentritt. That the language you speak will sound so beautiful once you've stopped speaking it. That you'll seek it out in a crowded train and in your happiness you'll want to give your fellow Filipino your seat.
You're not told that "cold" isn't just Baguio cold, but an impossible, inescapable freeze. That there is no manual on how to dress for winterexcept for seasons of trial and error, learning fabrics like wool, down, cashmere and fleece. That the first time your toes go numb inside your shoes will be the last time you'll take the correct footwear for granted. You're not taught to check the weather in the morning before leaving for the day, but you learn it the first time the temperature drops and you didn't bring a jacket.
You're told about the snow, but not what a magical act of physics it really is. You're told it is beautiful, but not that you have to shovel a truckload of it to get out of your house. Nobody warns you about slipping on ice or getting slush in your shoes. Or how in the deadest and darkest moment of winter, beneath your hats and scarves and layers, you'll miss the hot breeze of the tropics.
No warning

You're not warned that there is no tsokolate (chocolate), taho, or caramelizedplantains bobbing in oil

on the street. That you'll have to eat green apples instead of green mangoes and never find a breakfast sausage that is both garlicky and sweet. You're caught by surprise when a gourmet restaurant makes a big deal of their pork belly dish – something unimpressive when you've been eating crispy pata (pork hock) since you were a little kid. 

Nobody warns you that you'll make enemies frying your tuyo (dried fish) or for heating your lunch of rice and fish. That your everyday meal is considered exotic, and sometimes even gross, next to the blandness of a turkey sandwich.

You won't be briefed that your decent English will not be understood, and that you'll stare at a native speaker trying to decipher the combination of words you know but somehow can't make out from the speed of their speech. You'll stop talking entirely at one point, afraid of blurting out something that comes so naturally like, "Anak ng tokwa!" because it will make no sense no matter how you translate it.

You're told about the wonders of earning a decent wage in a stronger currency. You're not told that your education, experiences, and skills will be diluted, downplayed, and often ignored in a foreign land that doesn't recognize them. The watering down or disregard of your culture will conveniently be called assimilation. "Welcome to America/UK/Italy/Dubai/Singapore/UAE!" you'll be told when you learn something about your new country.

You'll be both happy and sad to fit in, because you'd have lost that edge you came with that made you stand out, so this means you've lost what you carried with you that would make you fit right back in when you finally return to the Philippines.

Homesickness

Nobody warns you about how long it takes in between visits – that you'll be torn between spending money on flights, paying rent, or buying your familymore gifts. Where you drool from friends' photos of lanzones, mangosteen, rambutan, and atis. That you would trade your tray of blackberries and raspberries for a ripe mango picked from your neighbor's backyard.

You'll want to wake up to the stench of fried danggit, longganisa, the acid of spiced vinegar for dipping, and garlic rice that anywhere else would be too early to eat in the morning. You'll stare at your box of cereal and flavorless milk and at that moment you'll wonder if being away is all worth it.

In all your desire to leave the Philippines – the dissatisfaction with the way things are done, the struggle to even make it out – nobody tells you that in your weakest and most defeated moments in another land, you'll long to complain in Tagalog about the EDSA traffic. You'll promise not to mind the inefficient government employees if it means their service comes with a smile and an offer to eat. You'll long to leave your house and see familiar faces with similar body types and skin tones, all of whom would understand when you scream, "Ang init (It's hot)!"

The silence of efficiency

In the silence of efficiency, of cleaner air, orderly conduct, and litter-free streets, you'll be saddened by the impossibility of visiting a childhood friend to talk about a shared history. You'll crave the recognition you got back home, when something as simple as a nod would let you know that you belonged. You'll miss being visited by a tito (uncle) or a tita (aunt), or bumping into a cousin in the mall, or share sisig with friends in your favorite drinking place.

Even after you've made a life for yourself in a foreign country, it doesn't matter how many decades you've lived there. You'll always be asked where you're from. Your answer will always elicit a blank stare from those who have no clue about your roots, your heritage, or your culture. You may try your best to assimilate, to blend in, or even deny your country, but the Filipino inside you will always come out of hiding.

With the number of overseas Filipinos growing every year, for the most part our countrymen don't leave our country for anything other than financial need. Millions of us find small successes from our meager skills and are able to provide for our families, to take them where we are, or build a life for them that we never could afford if we stayed.

But nobody talks about the silences, the empty rooms, all the new experiences that we have to face and adapt to on our own. We are told about the wonderful things that happen when we make it out of our own country, but never once told how much it will hurt to lose our home. How we seek our culture, our food, and our people wherever we land, even just for a moment so the homeland doesn't seem so out of reach, so that we forget for a minute that everything we love is so far away. – Rappler.com

Tim Potter

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Poverty In the Philippines

Why is the Philippines so poor?

 One question I will sometimes ask is: The Philippines is slowly becoming a richer country but is still very poor. Why do you think that is? I have learned to as the first phrase to avoid any chance of making the person feel hiya or their  "Amor Propio"  has been compromised (more on this later). Without doubt the most common answer (in fact almost the only answer) I

received was – corruption. I think that may contribute, but I think it's far from the most important reason. I spent a good bit of time talking to people and have come up with what I consider to be the five most important contributing factors.

  

1. Family size is too large. One of the most common ways of amassing wealth is to slowly build it up generation after generation. But with inheritances split between many member of the family it tends to dilute wealth until it no longer exists. Normally wealth builds on wealth with the children having been given a lift (education) they do better and can better provide for their children. And while Filipino families will bend over backwards to try and help educate their children you can't get blood from a stone. Only one Filipino came up with this idea before I mentioned it.

  2. Religion – I'll stick to two aspects of it as I'd like a discussion and not a flame war. The prohibition of birth control This leads directly to problem number one. The other is a DE-emphasis on scientific education. To move up the economic ladder you have to go from gathering resources to value-added products – this requires science and technology. You need to do more then worship and

Amazes Filipino Street Kids

make babies.

  

3. Corruption. Though there are many other places just as corrput or worse (the US is quickly heading in this direction... but that's another topic) but are far wealthy. Corruption combined with the other factors here however may be the last straw.

4.  Emigration – I've met many Filipino's in California. In fact Filipino is the 3rd most spoken language in the state. It is not easy to emigrate to the US. For a start you have to speak excellent English. Travelling outside of the tourist areas I found that despite its reputation as a country with excellent English skills very few seem to posses such. The public schools are not good. Those who are better off can afford tutors, a luxury far beyond the majority of the population. Those who do well despite that are generally the best and brightest. They often go overseas in an attempt to earn a decent living. About 11% of the population goes overseas to work. Many who do well never return. They're exporting the very people who could potentially help the country the most.

5. Hiya and "Amor Propio". These concepts are not easy to define but you can sort of kind of describe them as shame and self worth. The problem with them is they are not limited to personal or social circumstances and play a significant role in the actions of business and governments. They can mean that even in circumstances where a direct answer is required you won't necessarily get one. Filipino's don't like to tell you no (a phenomenon also seen in other parts of Asia). These concepts are embedded into the language itself. They have many ways to say no which can include saying yes but assuming you know they don't mean it. Move this over into the business or scientific or political world and you have a serious problem. One reason it is so problematic is that as a moral Filipino you don't just have to take care of your own  "Amor Propio" you have to take that of others into account. An example – it is not uncommon in contractual negotiations to give preference to the hiring of employee family members. In the US we would call this nepotism and is generally despised. Or image you send a Filipino company an business proposal and they want to turn it down but can't tell you no directly. It goes on deeply in ways that are counter-intuitive to the western mind.


Tim Potter Texas


This is a repost from another source

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Texas Tim Potter Expat Blog.: Tim Potter Texas Expat 101

Texas Tim Potter Expat Blog.: Tim Potter Texas Expat 101: Tim Potter Texas Say's Do not kid yourself its hard. Beware of moving overseas! It’s tough, confusing, disorienting… and ultimately, extremely rewarding.  So take it one day at a time and learn to walk before you run.

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Philippine Online Dating Scams

Online Dating Scams

This was another great article written by the a member over at Living Cebu Forums.

There was a time when online dating carried a negative stigma. Over the years, however, using the Internet to find your future mate has become commonplace. One in ten Americans have used an online dating site or mobile dating app, according to a 2013 PEW Research study, and the largest group searching online for a potential mate are singles 50 and older. But unlike tech-savvy 20- and 30-something online daters, the plus-50s are less aware of the perils that lurk on the web.
One member of that group, who asked that her identity be withheld, is a recently divorced 51-year-old mother of three who told FoxNews.com how she met a man on a popular dating website – but that in a matter of a few days, their online courtship went offline.
The most important recommendation from the relationships experts to stay safe from digital heartbreak or financial ruin is to trust your gut.
“At first, we went out to public places, and it wasn’t until after he spent the weekend at my house that he revealed he was living on his friend’s couch,” she said. “This man was over 50. He made himself very comfortable, very fast. I broke it off. He stayed in my house and I didn’t want him to. He was smoking a joint in my bathroom. He lied about everything.
“After I cut him off, he wrote me a mean text that no one will want me if I’m stingy with money. I dodged a bullet. He wasn’t looking for love; he was looking to be taken care of financially.”
Looking back on the cyber courtship, she admitted she ignored red flags -- like the speed at which her suitor tried to move their relationship.
“I should have known. He went from zero to 90 too quickly,” she said. “I must have been vulnerable. I fell in. It was three weeks total. I would never online date again.”
Another web dater, who also asked that his identity be withheld, is a 52-year-old single man who told FoxNews.com how he clicked with a woman who claimed to be in her final year of medical school. Every day for about a month, they would talk for hours on the phone, constantly exchanging emails and photos. It wasn’t until they arranged an in-person meeting that his cyber-crush claimed emergency after emergency – each, she said, prevented her from traveling.
After a month of “emergencies”, Peter* became suspicious and researched his cyber crush. The woman he believed he was in a relationship with did not exist. When he confronted the woman, she admitted to stealing a friend’s Facebook pictures and creating a false identity because she did not feel her real persona was attractive enough.
Laurie Davis, author of “Love at First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating,” explained why the older population is at greater risk for being scammed.

“They are not reading the red flags because they’re not using Facebook and Twitter as a digital lifestyle. People who are scamming really prey on people who are vulnerable, and people over 50 are more vulnerable.”
The most common online dating frauds are catfishing – someone who uses social media to create false identities to deceive – and other financial scams.
“Financial scammers are motivated by money,” Davis said. “They try to create a connection with you in the hopes of eventually reaching deep into your bank account. Building a relationship with you is a financial investment for them.
“Catfishers are motivated by emotion. They look to fill a void and create an emotional outlet for themselves that doesn't exist or can't be revealed to others in their life,” Davis said.
Dr. Gail Saltz, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at The New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine, attributed it to lack of digital know-how.
“Frankly, these are the same things that 20-somethings are considering, but 50-somethings haven’t been read the riot act. Know that these scams are out there,” said Saltz, who is a former relationship expert for OurTime.com, the 50 and over singles site. “Being in love online is fallacy. You’re in love with a fantasy. The problem with the digital age is that you have fake friends/romances. Unless you’re spending significant time with this person in real life, it’s not real.”
Out of the 50-and-over demographic, women tend to be more targeted by online dating scammers. A February 2013 FBI press release points to women as the most preyed upon population of online daters.
“Their (cyber criminals) most common targets are women over 40, who are divorced, widowed, and/or disabled, but every age group and demographic is at risk,” the FBI reported.
Females tend to be more victimized due to what is both their greatness strength and weakness: empathy.
“Women are more vulnerable to scams,” said Angela Bermudo, relationship expert for SeekingArrangement.com. “People who are trying to commit fraud on people will go for women who are really looking to settle down, and have more empathy, so sometimes women will ignore red flags, whereas men at the age are wearier.”
Bermudo offered ways to protect one’s heart and wallet.
“When you’re in your 50s, you’re not as aware as the scams that are going on. There’s the mimicking scam. They’ll match you and then there’s an emergency -- they’ll ask for money. If anyone asks you to wire money in the first few weeks of knowing you, cut off communication. If someone asks you where you live, where you work, don’t give away that information readily.
Another tip from Bermudo to outsmart a scammer is to conduct a, “Backwards photo search into Google and it will tell you where that picture came from. A Google search will protect you. Only use dating websites that use background verification.”

The most important recommendation from the relationships experts to stay safe from digital heartbreak or financial ruin is to trust your gut:
If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Tim Potter Sugar Land Texas USMC Retired







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Philippine Bubble Man

 What is up with people and there warped sense of reality.

I have lived in the Philippines for the past 6 years and people still amaze me.  I belong to several internet forums and groups.  People that are planning to come here and live build this sense of a grandiose life and that the troubles of the worlds do not exist here. 

There is this constant comparing of the Philippines to the US.  They compare the city life in the US to the city life in the Philippines.  When you can not even compare.   However for the sake of arguing lets do a comparison.  Los Angeles County which is more populous then 42 states and Metro Manila (NCR Region).  So I will start with something simple.  Population Los Angeles County has 10 Million people and population density of  800 per sq km.  Metro Manila has a population of 11.5 million people and population density of 16,000 per sq km.  This type of population in a small compact area leads to crime, poverty, theft and poor services.  Compare if you will yet there is nothing to compare.

What I have found over the years is that if you are looking for city life and want a cheap inexpensive city there are better option the world over.   The true beauty of the Philippines is not found in the cities but the more rural remote locations.  There is a cost when you move out to these areas.  However if you are looking for beaches, parks and fresh air.  These are the places.  Not in the cities where population over run has affected everything.  

If you are a person that bores easily and can not find happiness in the simple things then this type of living may not be for you.  Yet the province is a place where you can kick your feet up read a good book or just talk with neighbors.   It has a feel of small town America to it.  This relocation to the province is not one to take lightly.  As simple services are just not available or of poor quality.  Internet, Phone, Hospitals, Grocery stores (that cater to western needs) are all lacking when you step out there.  They are adequate yet not optimal.  So you must be committed to this new life.  

For all those that say that Cebu or Manila are no better then major US cities is hog wash.  This is a third world country and it is that way for many reasons.  They are over populated, polluted and dirty.  So before you step off the plane you should know what life is going to be like.  There are many that have made choices to live there in the cities and will tell you a different story.  These are your Philippine Bubble man who justify that decision.   So come enjoy life but know what you are getting into with a third world country.  

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Philippine Internet Dating

Phenom Philippine Internet Love

I belong to many different Forums and Bulletin Boards all dealing with subject of living here in the Philippines.  There are many reoccurring topics that always seem to come up.  Many tend to lead to the struggles of the new relationship.  There is also that constant question of if I should or have to support the family.  You need to understand first Families in the Philippines.   So follow that link and read that first.

Getting back to these dating sites and people that frequent them looking for love and relationships that seem to elude them in their home countries.   With these sites the world has gotten much smaller and people can communicate with people from all over the world.

 Thus they lead to this phenom what I call Philippine Internet Love.  

People fail to realize a few things when the journey down this road.  The first is the vast cultural difference  between the countries.   The Philippines is nothing like the US.  They operate, socialize and communicate 100% different.  The second thing is the Philippines is extremely poor.  Poverty strikes in all social classes here in the Philippines.  This failure leads to many issues of support of families and support of the extended families.   Again read the Families in the Philippines as that will give you are greater understanding.

The other thing that I have found is people are taking shortcuts to really getting to know someone.  They are not spending actual time with this person.  When I say actual time, what you do on a day to day basis.  Coming here for a 2 week vacation or spending 3 weeks here at a shot is not telling.  You are relaxing and enjoying life.  It is a vacation and not reality.  Reality is sitting at home on Wednesday night watching TV and maybe with a pizza.  Can you and her be happy with just those quite moments alone?

I am not saying that people do not have successful internet relationships.  As there are many out there that have had that success.  What I am saying is there will be difficulties as you adjust to normal life. People can get on the webcam or internet for one hour a day and be anything they want.  They can fake life and fake what is actually happening.  That is a little harder when you see that person daily and spend actually physical time with a person.  That does not involve a vacation where things and enjoyment have no limits.

I will convey a recent posting about a gentleman in the US.  In October of 2012 he had begun to explorer the world of internet dating.  He talked of things to make a recent contact happy and what he should do.  He planned a trip to the Philippines in February of 2013.  Fast Forward this to March of 2013.  He is now married for several weeks after his internet romance and is having problems.  His problems revolve around supporting of the family and he is not sending enough.   This highlights my issue of how well did they know the circumstances surrounding each other.  Did she understand his financial situation and he hers?   When dealing with a Third World romance it should be an issue discussed.  It should be discussed in any relationship however the impact here could be greater.  So my real question was; Is he really in love or in love with the fact of being in love.

There are no shortcuts in life.  You are trying to build something for the future and not just tomorrow. You are are laying down the building blocks to a life together.  If you take shortcuts or skip over the fundamentals of a Friend first and lover second.  Then you will have problems.   There is nothing better then spending days doing nothing.  Sitting around in those quite moments to just enjoy each other.  Boots on the ground here is the only way you can do that.  However many can not because of life.  So take it slow and not be pressured.  If it is to happen it will happen.  Rushing a life long commitment can cause it to end before it ever had a chance to start.

Please share or like.  Give me a little feed back on your experiences.

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Apartment For Rent Cebu

Where we hang our hats in Cebu.

Most people when they think of the Philippines they believe it is a beach front paradise.

  However they forget that there are so many hills and mountains in the Philippines.  Just for a while we lived just a stones throw from the beach.  We have since moved back to the City and needed the amenities that a city would offer. What I like now is I am up in the hills away from the noise and pollution of the city.  Yet we are close enough to make a run in.  So while I miss this view of the beach below.

Beach In Toledo

I enjoy the comforts that my house in the hills now offers me.

Well all good things come to an end.  I will be moving out of my apartment on 1 May or sooner if I can get a renter.    

This is a furnished 2 Bedroom apartment.  It is two levels with running hot and cold water in the bathrooms. These are man size bathrooms with man size toilets.   It is located in the Gated Vista Grande subdivision above the smog and pollution of Cebu City. Yet that gives you just a hop skip and jump the local shopping areas.  It has tennis courts, pool and basket ball courts with in walking distance.  

My street is kinda lonely as it is a dead end and there are no other houses on the street.  So if you are into Frogs, Birds, and Lizards and not Karokee, roosters, Loud Motorbikes, or neighbors it is great.  Remember that quite kills and it is so darn quite.  

The apartment is very large the two upstairs bedrooms (this is a guess) are 14"X 14" with an CR located up there.  It has window A/C in both rooms.  Additionally it has a wash area on that level and a balcony.  

The bottom living area is also fairly large open plan with a split A/C to cool the place down.  However I rarely use it.  I use it more to take the humidity out of the air then to cool the place.

 The Maids room is downstairs and is nothing special 6X8 in size.  There is a CR and it is again Man size.  Then the kitchen which has hot running water though it takes a bit to get from the tank.  Living room is about 14X20 plus it has the kitchen and dinning area in an open plan. 

Outsider there is a covered car park and very nice patio to BBQ or just sit and listen to birds chirping.  

I will provide pictures later.   It is recommended that you have a motor of some sorts.  However I have not had any motor for over a year and transportation is available to get you down the hill.  

I have lived here a year my average electric bill has averaged right at 4K.   It comes with either dream or cignal satellite TV and smartbro 2Mb internet.   You must load the TV  Service. Internet is included with the place. Bottled water included and Washer Dryer is available for use.     Again it is fully furnished just move on in.  Requires 1 month rent and 1 month deposit.   Open to leases longer then 6 months only.  Move out date is 1 May yet I will accommodate and move if someone is in need.  

The biggest thing for me as I have lived in 5 other locations here in the Philippines is the peace here.  You are living in another world that just does not seem like the Philippines at all. It is an escape from the harsh reality of Cebu.  

Price is 21,000 a month.  

If interested leave a comment.  All comments are on Moderation and will not be published for this link.  I will then respond back. Thank You.

Looking down my street

Enjoy

Keywords: Tim Potter, Sugarland Texas, USMC, Norseman, 

Families in the Philippines

When people move to the Philippines from the west.  The biggest single complaint I hear is about the family moving in.  How this seems to be the biggest invasion of privacy and inconvenience.  

You must first understand the culture and how that culture operates to understand the dynamics that fall on this.  The Philippines operates on the collective idea.  Where everyone contributes to the family and assist each other.  What is yours is mine and same the other way.  This goes against the mentality of the western mind.  The family is more then just blood and relationship.  It is a way people live and survive.  Understanding the economy and how poorly people are paid.  Is just one dynamic of this structure.  Let me give you an example:

My father-in-law is a farmer and carpenter by trade.  He lives on 2 hectors of land and farms that.  However there are times when the work is not there.  Either the weather or crops are not ready.  The same applies for his other trade of being a carpenter.  So there are times when the money becomes lean.  Yet living in the home is my Brother-in-law.  He does not have a trade yet works at a bakery 6 days a week, 12 hours a day.  He earns the bare min of 180 pesos a day. ($4.50)  Now this income is not much and yet it is enough to assist the family or collective when those hard times of crops and work are limited.  He assists in the farming along with his wife and my mother-in-law.

This type of living arrangement is very common in the Philippines.   The reason is most people are living hand to mouth.  They do not earn enough to save for that rainy day.  What they earn today is tonight's meal.  

This type of living arrangement bleeds over into everything in the daily life.  When a trip to the Market or the store.  The children remain home and with someone to care for them.  Then because of this fact many things are just not suited for people with children.  The stores and markets are not designed to accommodate you with children.  Transportation is also not very accommodating to children and families.   This in a way is by design however it a product of the collective life that people live here in the Philippines.

This type of mentality also applies to supporting the parents and family members.   Many think that it is a form of greed and taking from you.  Yet it is not greed but a collective mentality.  I will not think there are some that would feel they hit a jackpot with a wealthier individual coming into the fold.  Yet that would be the case in any country in the world.  The term poor seems to always relate to money and people consider themselves poor.  Yet the Philippines is different many may say they are poor, yet phrased properly they consider themselves blessed and very lucky spite the lack of money.

Wife and Tim Potter Philippines

I have seen this mentality on display with my parents-in-law staying with us as we accomplish our visa process.  They have assisted in watching the two children as we accomplish things.  They assist around the house from cooking and cleaning.  It is a collective unit to get the days chores done and life done.  There is no arguing over who does what.  It is just done and everyone has a role to the end goal of the day.  When my wife was in the hospital everyone from her family arrived.  They collectively got the funds together and ensured everyone arrived.  It was not about the individual but about ensuring that my wife had support.  It was a real shock to seem them all here.
So when I hear people from the west complain about supporting the wife or girlfriends parents.  I get this inner chuckle because they do not understand Filipino living and how they live as a collective for the greater good of the family.  

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Good Eats in Cebu Philippines

A few Good Restaurants that are cheap and good in the Philippines

I have lived in the Philippines for the past 6 years and all of that has been in Cebu.  What I did find hard was where to get a good meal.  What places have the best food and I having those western taste buds would actually enjoy.   I will try and compare and show you some great places to get those fine eats.  I am not one to eat out to much however our friends over at Living In Cebu Forum have a assisted me in complying this list.  If you have a favorite please assist others and add a comment.    Now these are not your run of the mill places.  They are hidden but not obscure to find.  You can find your typical greasy spoon in the malls and plenty of pizza joints.  Yet these are worth extra trip to enjoy some home grown flavors.

Yet I will try and break this down a little bit for you.

La Lagrima Tacqueria - is a new arrival run by a man out of California.  Excellent selection of Mexican foods and the price seems great and so does the quality.  Directions to the place - On Gov. Cuenco, coming from Cebu City, it's maybe fifty meters past BTC on the same side of the street. The name is La Lagrima Tacqueria, but the sign is small, not lit, and not brightly colored -- you won't see the place from the street. I found it because I was walking from BTC

French Bakery -  They have a very nice selection of food.  The quality of food is good and so is the price.  they are located in SM Mall Cebu and it is worth a stop in you are shopping.  

Mama Maria's Pizzaria - They are located in the IT Park Ayala and server a very nice bolognese pasta that is cheap and inexpensive.  They are also open 24 hours which is a huge benefit to those that crave a midnight snack.

Ilaputi's - Looking to get your grub on with a few burgers and fries well this place has that covered.  The Fries are not the best in the world however the burger is one of the best in Cebu.  They are also located in the IT park.

La Maison Rose  This is a little more upscale and has great ambiance the food is just awesome.  Looking for a quite place that is good and not going to break the bank.  Well here is your answer.  They are located in Lahug Cebu.  

Lighthouse Restaurant - Serving Filipino favorites and you will be hard pressed to find a better place then this for fine Filipino Dining.  They are located on Mango and Country Mall.  

Oyster Bay Restaurant - If seafood is an on the menu this is a nice place to eat and fish always seems fresh.  

The Price is reasonable and the portion are nice size.  They are located on Plaridel in Mandaue 

Now there are a few higher end places that are good and will set you back just a bit.  However for that special occasion they are worth it.

 David's Steakhouse - Probably the best place to get a steak in Cebu.  They have some killer mash potatoes and fries.  Located  Across the street from the Sarrosa Hotel on Cabahug Street. 

Marco Polo has a wonderful Sunday Breakfast Buffet that is very good and one of the best I have had anywhere.

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Lesson in Philippine Documents

Lesson is in the Philippines Triple Check All Documents.

Tim Potter and Zol Potter with Philippine Market

This statement does not go with out a saying.  It took us three years to get a simple correction to our Marriage Licence to state Tim Potter and Zol Potter here in the Philippines. In Sugar Land this would have been a one trip affair to complete at the county civil registrar.  The bliss and wedding day jitters led us to over look the simplest of spelling errors.  However those two letters being inverted caused 3 years of hard work and turmoil to correct.  

Most people say how would that take 3 years to correct.  I will explain that to you.  According to Philippine Law to correct a typographical error of the first name you need the following:

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9048

The petition shall be supported with the following documents:
(1) A certified true machine copy of the certificate or of the page of the registry book containing the entry or entries sought to be corrected or changed.

(2) At least two (2) public or private documents showing the correct entry or entries upon which the correction or change shall be based; and

(3) Other documents which the petitioner or the city or municipal civil registrar or the consul general may consider relevant and necessary for the approval of the petition.

Now read this and see number 3.   The Civil Registrar in the jurisdiction where you get married determines actually what documents are required.   It is 100% his or her discretion if they will accept the documents you present to them.    This for us involved getting 10 supporting documents to prove her name was actually her name.   ( Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, NBI, TIN/SS, Voter Id, High School Diploma, Barangy Clearance, Tax ID, Original Marriage License, Drivers License).  

So why do you need the obvious over kill on documents.  I can only speculate on the situation after living here for the last 6 years.   The Federal Government does not trust the local Civil Registrars to complete the job beyond corruption.  Then we have the whole saving face issue and the local governments to not want to look bad in the eyes of the Federal Government.  I just firmly believe there is this lack of trust between the two government offices. ( Local and Federal).  Also if you notice I put Marriage License that was not an error.  You have two documents 1. Marriage License 2. Certificate of Marriage, our marriage license was correct with the correct spelling.  It was the certificate of marriage that was submitted to National Statistics Office (NSO) that was incorrect.  

Yet why do I say it takes three years.  Well teaching someone drive takes time and have the ability to pass the test.  Then you can only obtain certain documents during certain times.   This involves travel to all these various offices paying a fee and getting a picture.  Even when you complete all the requirements of documents.  It will take 6-9 months from the time of first filing to get a end result.  You first need approval for change then you need that change entered into the NSO system.   So what lessons can be learned is that you need to triple check everything. The last thing is keep your receipts as that is the only proof you have of anything.  They requested both the document and the official receipt we paid.   Again that lack of trust between different agencies here.  

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Fake It Till You Make It

Counterfeit Rolex watches were displayed at the dedication and open house of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center in Arlington, VA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The world of Fakes and Knock Offs is alive and well in the Philippines.  

I have lived in many countries the world over and I would say that I can just about get a knock off of almost anything.  This goes from DVD's, Purses, Hand Bags, Golf Clubs, Watches, Cell Phones and Pharmacy items.  

Yes this is theft and they are stealing from the very people that make the real items.  Yet living here it gives you something that looks genuine yet in reality is just a fake.  

This was a very interesting article written a few years ago yet hits the nail on the head.  

If your looking for fakes, there is no better place to go than Green hills in the Philippines. Unlike other countries where you need to follow them into back alleyways and into restaurants to get what you need. Greenhills proudly displays their fake Chanel handbags, and Rolex watches store-front. Up until a few years ago you were also able to buy movies and games here as well, but due to the crackdown on copyrights internationally, these products have now been shifted into back alleyways and the slum areas. I don’t recommend following these people when they offer you copy CD’s unless you are with a reliable guide and or family. Following these people can be a dumb idea and can sometimes put you in more grief for just a movie or two. But if your here in Greenhills your probably after the huge assortment of phone cases, fake watches and bags. Getting to Greenhills, well getting anywhere in Manila at all is a nightmare with the huge amount of traffic that encompasses this city. Although traffic has apparently become a lot less since the new EDSA roads have opened, it still takes the better part of a couple hours to cover this few kilometer trip from central Manila to Greenhills. Your best bet is to take a taxi or a bus as other forms of transport are not too common in the Philippines. A good idea is that you can actually rent a van for the day at set prices, this is usually what we do when going out from our local province. One of my cousins offered to drive us to Greenhills and that’s probably the best way to get around in this city.

English: Picture of the Greenhills Shopping Center (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We eventually arrived at the entrance and it took a while before we could find a parking space. For my girlfriend coming here meant that she would be able to buy a lot of things that are hard to come by in Japan. When I was younger I use to shop here a lot for their fake polo’s, shoes and what not. Nowadays however I prefer to buy the real thing. Although the quality is pretty high here compared to fakes I have seen in Hong Kong The quality and knowing that the goods are the real thing are the main reason why one should buy designer goods in the first place.. If you don’t care about the clothes being real or not, then this is the place to come to, with an entire floor of several different buildings packed with small outlets of people selling their fake goods. There’s so many bags, watches and jewelry, some real and others not, that you could quite literally spend a whole day here. When you get hungry the central food court also has a nice selection of foreign and local food which you can choose from to feed your rumbling stomachs. Greenhills is also a good place to go if you want to grab a souvenir or two, there’s a lot of local items that you can take back home which barely take anything out of your wallet.
Now there’s probably two main things you need to know about coming here:

1. Always pay attention to your pockets and belongings, pick pocketing is common and the ones who aren’t aware (you always see foreigners walking around without a care in the world) are usually the ones targeted. and

2. ALWAYS BARGAIN! Because your a foreigner they put at least a 100% mark up on prices as soon as you speak a word of English (or any other language for that matter). If they say they want 2500 pesos for a bag, say 1000 pesos. As the half price is usually the local price. If they don’t sell it to you for half price walk away as there are a lot of other stores selling the same if not similar products. Most of the time however when you walk away they’ll say its ok! To give you an idea of price a fake LV wallet will set you back less than 20 bucks, bags of designers are around this price also. A high quality fake Rolex is about 50 dollars Australian, the prices get lower depending on the quality ranking.

Greenhills is a really good place to spend a day if your after fake things or just want to look around this mammoth complex. They don’t only sell bags but a huge variety of other things as well. Just be careful with pick pockets and other petty crime when your here, as having your wallet stolen will probably ruin your holiday.

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Fire in Philippines

Latest Fire Tondo, Manila

Fires in the Philippines seem to happen as often as Mondays.

Life is hard here for the majority of Filipinos as they live life hand to mouth.  Though this is a tropical environment fires seem to happen every week.  Killing hundreds and displacing thousands.  I wonder sometimes if it is not a way to move the urban poor from their dwellings to make way for new construction.  There are non-profit organizations that protect the urban poor and the land they have squatted on from eviction.    Yet the majority are proven to be accidental and could have been prevented.

So what are the causes of these fires. 

There are two main causes that I see that are directly relating to all these fires and directly related to living in poverty.  

I was doing research on this issue and came across an article that had a lot of points.  Yet everything that is mentioned is beyond the price range of the urban poor.  They do what is called spider electricity.  Where one person has a meter and they then resell that power to every individual using extensions cords.  They do not cook with approved LPG regulated ranges if using LPG at all.  Most use wood of some form to cook on a daily basis.  So while the article does reflect the result of such action it never does address the problem.  So many times the Government and other agencies attack a result instead of looking at the issue.   One thing that was not mentioned was the fact these home are built so tightly together the inability of a firetruck or other rescue vehicle to render service is impossible, add in the delay because of traffic.   Then the dated and obsolete surplus fire equipment tend to put more lives in danger then they are are actually going to save.

Electrical Connections

As many large fires in the Philippines are caused by faulty electrical connections, electrical overloading, and wiring problems, it is extremely important to ask a licensed electrical engineer to conduct fire safety inspections in homes, offices, and establishments to avoid serious problems on electrical connections. Conducting regular checks and maintenance work prevents possible threats of fire. While it is possible to save a few bucks by having things checked or repaired by a non-licensed electrician or technician, such may even increase the risk of fire caused by long-term electrical system problems.
Don't overload electrical circuits by putting lights, gadgets, and other electric and electronic appliances beyond the capacity of the electrical system. It is also an ideal practice to unplug all appliances and gadgets after use or after charging.
Another important fire prevention advice that involves simple lifestyle practice: proper usage, storage, and maintenance of electric and electronic appliances. Make sure electric cords are free from breakages. If plugs and fuses need repair, don't use metal items such as staples or nails to fasten the cords and don't replace blown fuses with coins, wires, or any other metal. Use applicable replacement materials and ask a professional to properly fix frayed wirings and problematic electrical fixtures.

Cooking

A number of fire accidents reported in the Philippines also involve improper (or lack of) maintenance and other connection problems with LPG tanks. These are generally used by the Filipino households for cooking. As a fire prevention measure, always check the connections and conduct maintenance procedures on gas stoves and LPG tanks. Check them for leaks and always seek professional help for any serious concern. It is also important not to leave the stove open beyond cooking time (sometimes, people forget to turn off stoves before sleeping, leaving the house, or doing other things). Don't put any flammable material near the stove and make sure children and pets won't have easy access to them as well.

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Philippine Internet Connection

What are the internet options available in the Philippines.

In today's world people want to know what internet options are available to them in the Philippines.  Internet is the way people can make Calls, Watch TV, Catch up on news and reconnect with long lost friends. The Philippines has many options that are available to you at a range of cost and availability.  You have DSL, Wifi, 4G and 3G.  However the carriers are very limited and who you can use.  The coverage and reliability depend solely on your location here.  

So lets get to it.     

1.  You have three major carriers of Internet in the Philippines.  PLDT, Globe and Sun.  

2.  All three of the above offer 3G dongles that can plug into your computer and you can avail of similar rates for all three services.  999 pesos (25 dollars) for unlimited service for 30 days.  You will connect at speeds of 2Mb to 5Mb depending on contract or if you go prepaid service.  4G service is available for Globe and Pldt in selected areas.  

3. DSL is available from both Globe and PLDT.   This again is available in selected areas and the cost is 999 pesos of 2Mb connection.  

4. Fixed Air antenna.  This is available from PLDT and Globe they use either the 3G or 4G network.  The speed and price are consistent with the above stated prices.  

5. Different areas of the Philippines have all kinds of off shoot companies.  Yet the major providers are stated above.  You can go to selected areas and find what is best in that area.  

My recommendations on what to use.

Click here Tim Potter

I (Tim Potter ) have lived here for 5 years and used almost all of the above.  What I (Tim Potter) recommed is the the following:

1.  If you are traveling then I would get the Smart (PLDT) 3G dongle.  This is going to give you the best coverage in most areas.  

2. I (Tim Potter) have had Globe DSL and Pldt Dsl.  PLDT had the best coverage and lower outage rate.  So I prefer Pldt over Globe in this area.  Now depending on where you live will determine if the coverage of DSL is available. 

3.  I (Tim Potter) have also had the roof top antenna for both Globe and Pldt (Smart).  I again prefer smart over Globe.  Both were very good and both did not give me issue with outage.  However Globe has a strict cap on usage.  So when you reach that cap you are essentially turned off.  

So to summarize the options and my preferred methods.

I (Tim Potter) would always go DSL, Roof Top and Dongle in that order then as follows:

3G Donlge

  1. Smart (PLDT)

  2. Globe 

  3. Sun

DSL

  1. PLDT 

  2. Globe

Roof Top

 1. Smart (PLDT)

 2. Globe 

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Double Tragedy strikes

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Funeral in the Philippines

Been a little absent from my regular blogs and thought I would tell you about the events that unfolded the last few day.  My wife's Aunt passed away after a long illness with a heart condition.  She was a lovely lady.  She wanted to see the children prior to her death and we were unable to visit.  A huge regret on our part.  We headed over the mountain to Toledo Philippines about a 90 min bus ride.  The trip over was relatively uneventful and struggle as we trekked the kids down the 1 Km hill to the south road and flagged down the bus.   In typical Philippine fashion and Catholic tradition the body lie in wake for a period of 5 days.  We were treated with the best Filipino courtesy   They of course had plenty of food and even gave a very nice room to stay the night.   The Priest was there and he gave a traditional mass and condolences to the family and loved ones.   The ceremony was just awesome and gave a lot of comfort to those that were grieving.

After the this they began the celebration of her life.  

People talking and just enjoying the memories of her.     Again plenty of food and drinks for all that attended.  Later as the party was winding down a disagreement between my Wife's cousin and another man turned into a fight that resulted in a trip to the emergency room.  The emergency room discharged him after a brief exam.  Where her cousin then went to the Police.  While at the police station he collapsed and died from internal injuries a result of the fight.

Why do I talk about this.

Because I have believed that the hospital care is inadequate here in the Philippines.  It is based on greed and not actual care.  He was allowed to leave and was not examined properly by the emergency room.  This is a problem for the poor here in this country.  If they arrive without money to the hospital your fate is then beyond your control.  Just a sad event for all and a tragedy that could and should have been prevented.  If you think being an expat will prevent this tragedy or assumptions of wealth are made.  Think again and read my topic on health care system.

So my prayers are with those families tonight, may God bless them all.

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