Pacman: You're The Man!

Many Filipinos today are rejoicing after Manny Pacquiao claimed another victory against the "baby face assassin", Marco Antonio Barrera. Once again Manny Pacquiao proved that he is the better fighter in the ring compared to Barrera. The fight was much highly anticipated by boxing fans all over the world because of the fact that both fighters are well-respected in this sport. I was expecting of course for more heavy punches from both sides of the ring, and possibly a knockout. But today's fight did not deliver the same depth that Manny Pacquiao's previous fights had. It wasn't really as explosive and exciting as his previous fights. The commentators were saying that it was out of Manny's respect for Barrera that made Manny paced his moves the way he did in today's fight.

Was it worth paying PPV? Yup, it wasn't great, but it was good. Though I should say that Barrera failed to deliver his guns after waiting for a long time to have the opportunity to reclaim the title.

As usual I like Manny's signature "rambunctious" move in the ring wherein he throws a quick punch then quickly moves to the other side, so that as soon as the opponent throws the counter punch it just lands on thin air. Manny is just so quick. He almost always have that lightning speed agility in the ring. That's what really makes every Manny Pacquiao fight a sellout. It's the fact that Manny will always try his best to entertain the crowd by throwing the right punches at the right time. And let's admit it, almost all other boxing bouts are just boring. You usually just see two people slow-dancing their way to the 12th round. But not with Manny.

Anyway, kudos to you Pacman. You're the man!

The Die Is Cast: Woe Is The Filipino, Woe Is Me!

On May 14, 2007, the Philippines held its elections for the senate, congress and local officials. Just like the past elections, this election is also tainted with violence, vote-buying and cheating. I don't think that the Filipino people will ever realize the consequences of being so careless when it comes to choosing the right people to do the job correctly.

In the remote provinces, especially in Mindanao it's not surprising to hear news on violence. In fact, Dapitan City, a place which is considerably peaceful had its own improvised bomb explosion near a polling precinct on the night prior to the election day. The only good thing was that nobody got hurt in the incident.

The ruthless politicians are always there to carry out their own agenda to ensure a victory. They are all willing to march into hell, for their personal interests. How about using the typical 3G ammunition? Goons, guns, gold. Whoever has the 3 Gs almost always cement their way to victory.

Millions of Filipino people out there were happy for a day because of the vote-buying. Everyone had a nice meal for a day after being paid P1,000 (about $20) for their votes. It is a sad fact, yet it is the Filipino nation's reality. The impoverished nation, basically, cannot think properly and cannot even weigh-in on the pros and cons. And there is no such thing as a peaceful, clean and honest elections in the Philippines. Why? The political evils are deeply rooted in the system. Corruption, bribery, harassment, assault, political dynasties, name it and it's not news anymore. It's like an age-old disease that has no cure. And the Filipino people doesn't seem to mind. Protest after protest, nothing beneficial ever resulted from it. Well, does the Filipino people have a choice?

As far as candidates are concerned, there are only a few who are there for the right reasons. The rest of them are only there for the political gains accorded with the office, like the pork barrel and other government funds at the disposal of the immediate authority. Add to that all the other perks afforded to a politician who holds a top post, and any political position is very well within everyone's dream for a career.

Including the 12 senate seats, and the 275 congressional seats, there are 17,889 posts up for grabs. Multiply that to the expenses that each politician spends during the campaign. How much do you think is the Filipino people indebted, if let us just say 80 per cent of these politicians will collect back through whatever means, their expenditures during the elections? Do the math. Add to that the fixed 200M annual pork barrel for each of the 275 Congressmen, and we have a very fat bill on our way, for all Filipinos to pay. Woe is the Filipino.

Well the cards have been laid on the table. It's no longer in our hands. And whatever happens to this nation for the next couple of years will be shaped by how well we exercised our right to vote.

Let me just say in passing, that some politicians have thicker skins than you think. I mean, whatever happened to 'delikadeza' (a value which implies the decency to inhibit oneself for ethical and moral reasons)? A mother and a son, a brother and a sister, a husband and a wife, a cousin and another kin--all to take the same seats in the same election year? Two senatorial seats for one family; two congressional seats for a brother and a sister; a province to be dominated by a single clan; a city to be lead by a single family. Don't we have enough talent out of the 75 million or so Filipinos? Why must a family have to occupy more than one seat? Ah . . . political dynasties, they're so sickening!

The next few days will be critical because any politically motivated violence could erupt. With all the cheating accusations between camps, protests are more likely to be staged by the losing parties. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed in the hope that there'll be none of such untoward incidents.

And to all Filipinos out there, it's never easy to get out of a deep, dark pit especially if we are starved and blindfolded, but we have to push ourselves up and not be crabs. We have to rise to the occasion if need be. Or should we just resign to the fact that we are a hopeless case, and just say, "Woe is the Filipino, woe is me!"?

Best Places To Dine In Cebu

I am a big eater and I have a really discriminating set of taste buds for good food. I like different kinds of dishes and I don't stick to one culinary preference. It's good to know that in Cebu you can find almost any kind of food. Cebu has turned into a melting pot of different cultural genre.

First off, Japanese food. I think Japanese food is the kind of food that is not only nourishing but healthy as well. Japanese food is mostly served fresh, with little or no oil or cholesterol and often served with the 'creme de la creme', my personal favorite, fish eggs, that almost always happily stick to a well-prepared california maki roll. Try it. It's out of this world. So where do you eat good Japanese food?

The best in Cebu is Yumeya Kihei. It is located along Ayala access road, that road that leads to the Ayala mall. You can also go to Kaishu past the Shangri-la and Hilton hotels in Mactan. They also have the best-tasting and freshest Japanese dishes. If you don't want to go anywhere far and a little bit too pricey, go for Sen Ryu on the way to Lahug. At Sen Ryu, I particularly like their beef teppanyaki. These three Japanese restaurants are really worth the money. No fake caviar or imitation crabs here. Just raw, fresh, healthy food. Hmmm...I could just taste the flavorful sushi in my mouth after dipping it onto a little bowl of soy sauce and wasabi.

So, do you miss home? Do you want some nice hot burgers that taste like they come fresh from the grill? Try Brothers Burger in Banilad Town Center. They have the best burgers that I've tasted. You can actually taste the quality of the meat that they use. It is grade A meat. Try their Angus burger. You'll surely be coming back for more. A close alternative is Flame It somewhere along A.S. Fortuna St. The good thing is, both of these places offer delivery services, at an extra charge of course. Don't forget to order onion rings and some nice crispy fries on the side. Don't forget to tip the delivery guy, as well!

In the mood for pizza? Go to Yellow Cab Pizza in Banilad Town Center for eight hundred ways to prepare your pizza. They use fresh ingredients and they also put a different spin to the way a pizza should be. My personal favorite is the four seasons pizza--one flavor for every member of the family. I always take the slice that is decorated with onions, capers, anchovies, olives...mmm...yummm. If you want to go for the typical pizza, go for one at Pizza Hut. There's one at the Gaisano Country Mall. I like their pan pizza that comes in different healthy and delicious varieties. They even have pizza crusts oozing with melted cheese. And if you can't make up your mind whether you really want pizza or not but you somehow feel that yes, you want pizza, go to Shakey's for a smorgasbord of different stuff--salad, pizza, mojos, spaghetti, chicken, soup--all in one serving. I like to have it every once in a while for some good culinary workout.

What about some fine cuisine? Try Tinder Box along Archbishop Reyes Avenue. It's an all-imported store but it does have a dining area for patrons who want to satisfy their taste buds with some fresh U.S. certified meat or some Australian produce, whichever they like. They have a neat line-up of appetizing dishes on their menu which their chef will gladly prepare for you a la carte. Trust me, if you want some nice pumpkin soup, or a cold glass of banana-berry smoothie or a quick breakfast sandwich or a sumptuous grilled U.S. Angus certified steak with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes on the side, you can find it in this place. Are you on South Beach diet? They also have it on their menu. They even have the best wines. You can always rummage through the wine cellar as you wait for your food to be served. Try also Le Maison, a great place that offers fine cuisine and some typical Filipino group (barkada) meals. Do you like lamb, they have it at a price that is not painful on your pockets. My favorite dish of course, is the ever delicious liver pate topped with a dash of cranberry sauce with a hint of some fine wine served with some french toasts. It's out of this world! I'm drooling right now as I imagine the foie gras melting in my mouth. It's never boring.

Do you want some Chinese food? Go to the White Gold House near the reclamation area. You will not be disappointed. You can also visit Big Mao in Ayala mall. I always go for the quick and easy dim sum kind of Chinese food, so I always end up at Harbor City Dim Sum in Ayala mall.

Are you in the mood for Italian flavor? Go to Giuseppe's along Ma. Luisa road. They have the best thin crust margherita pizza. You can also get some nice spinach or meat ravioli in creamy white sauce or in red marinara sauce, whichever you're in the mood for the day. More pasta and meat entrees await you too. When you order your food, don't forget to get several helpings of Tiramisu. They're just so good. Perhaps you never heard of La Bouna Forchetta too. It is another good Italian restaurant. They used to be located along Jones Avenue but just recently they moved to Acacia St. near the Ayala mall. They also have good Italian food choices. I like the appetizer sampler of different cold cuts and yes, they have an Italian chef plus they also import from Italy most of their goodies. If you want something easy and close by, go to La Tegola along Banilad road. They also serve food that satisfies your Italian taste buds, plus, a few spoonfuls of authentic Italian gelato (ice cream) will surely finish off a good meal.

What about Pinoy food? On top of my list is Golden Cowrie. Fill your Pinoy hunger with their delicious baked scallops to pump-prime your appetite. Order their grilled favorites of fish, squid, pork and more. Do add some Filipino vegetable salad on the side. Did I say pochero is also on the menu? And get this! You can order plain or garlic rice but if you do get the plain rice they refill your banana leaf platter for as long as you like, endlessly! How much rice can you chow, huh? Golden Cowrie is located inside SM mall and they also have another outlet in Lahug. Second on my list is Patio Isabel. I like their buffet style dinner. Munch on some crispy deep-fried Kangkong leaves dipped in mayonnaise. If you have never tasted it before, then you definitely should go and taste for yourself something that is only fed to the pigs (yes-the kangkong leaves) but tastes so delicious. Patio Isabel is located near Archbishop Reyes Avenue, at the back of the University of Cebu building in Banilad.

My other note-worthy favorites include Melange (fine cuisine) at the Banilad Town Center, The Patio at Shangri-la, Cowrie Cove at Shangri-la, Ginza (Japanese cuisine) near Patio Isabel, Dad's at SM (if it is still open), Persian Palate in Ayala mall, Jonie's both in Ayala and SM malls, Cafe Vienne in SM and of course Kenny Rogers in Ayala mall.

Now, I'm really getting hungry that I can no longer concentrate on my blog. If there's anything that I've missed, I'll fill you on it soon after I fill my stomach. And if you are hungry too from reading this blog, just hail a taxi and ask the driver to take you to any of the above-mentioned fine dining places in Cebu.

You'll surely get your fill beyond your heart's content.

Do you need directions or contact numbers for all these dining places? Call 187 on your land line (Cebu only).

'Live, love and eat well', if I may borrow from Wolfgang Puck's mantra.

Filipino on Politics: Too Stupid To Figure It Out? or Too Lazy To do Something About It?

The month of May has come sooner than most of us had wished. For the Philippines a major political exercise is brewing and gaining steam as we speak. May 14 is a day for all Filipinos to get out and vote.

It is my ardent hope, being a Filipino myself, that the Filipino people exercise a sound judgement and for once, utilize this opportunity to change the course of the nation's future by exercising some willpower over all forms of trickery that the politicians are willing to do in order to gain the post that they so badly want to venture on.

And why do I say venture? Most of those who are running for a post are there for a different reason. What reason could that be? Isn't it obvious that there's so much personal interests that are at stake rather than a genuine desire to serve the Filipino people?

I want to say to most of them, "Tell it to the judge!". I am completely and utterly convinced that those noble people who are worthy of the words, 'the people's servant' have all come and gone.

I don't buy any of the candidates promises anymore. Their promises have a shorter lifespan than the 0% apr that I enjoy with my credit card. I might be prejudiced against traditional politicians, but I do believe that most of them are liars, are good actors, are insincere mongrels and are really awesome when it comes to putting up a good show for the Filipino people. How about a handshake from the elite to those less fortunate people whose only meaningful use of their hands involved rummaging through the trash of other people to find food for most of their lifetime? Where's the sincerity there? You'll never see that scene all year round. You'll only see such an extraordinary display of interest for the poor during election campaign period. You'll only see these poor people basking in the spotlight during election time. On other days, none of these people exist. It is really an eyesore. Everytime I see an ad with such fake emotions towards the poor and the forgotten, I feel like I want to throw up. How much more abuse can we take as a people?

Trust me, the really good and deserving candidates can only be counted by your fingers. Most of the candidates nowadays are just useless leeches who hide themselves behind the cover of an 'honest servant' but on the other hand pursue a different undertaking.

And where do you find a senate wherein both the mother and the son occupies a seat? What? Yes! Take the case of the Estradas. Tell me if that's possible anywhere else on this planet. I guess that's only permissible in our banana republic. Shame on us all, for letting our rotten political system take hold of the reins of our government.

Why are there so many poor people in our country? Why are the politicians the richer of the pack in our society? You'll never see a politician's relative who is poor or jobless. You'll never see a politician's kin begging on the streets for food. Why is that so? Instead, who do you see driving around in expensive luxury vehicles? Who do you see owning big houses in affluent communities? Who do you see running the most lucrative businesses in the community. Isn't it a little more than coincidental that none of these politicians ever complain about the rising costs of the basic commodities? You'll never hear any of these politicians complaining about the ever increasing taxes. You will never hear any of these politicians getting worried about the looming economic crises. Why? These people have access to the cash boxes of our government.

That is what's sad about Philippine politics. It has turned into a lucrative family venture. Why? Try visiting a province. Find out the people who run the province starting from the Congressman, the Governor, the Mayor, the city councilors, down to the mayor's office's janitor. You'll be shocked to learn that most of them all belong to the same clan. You might as well draw a genealogy tree or a family tree out of those government positions, and you will not see any difference.

That is what we are so bad at, all of us Filipinos. We are too stupid to figure it out and even if we do figure it out, we are too lazy to do something about it.

We know for a fact that the Philippine economy is not getting better. All the good economic reports that they show to the Filipino people every now and then with good ratings is bogus. Why? It's effect if indeed it's true, does not reflect the present plight of the millions of Filipino people.

How can our government be better? Corruption is everywhere. Political dynasties are taking control of most of the different political clusters in our community. We know that power corrupts. How much more if there is no check and balance because it is just one family running the show?

So Filipino people, wake up! Take the battle. You are responsible for whatever happens to this nation after this election. Do something to help eliminate political dynasties. They are like termites that are eating the very foundation of our democratic government. If we don't do something about it now, we will all be raised to the ground.

Forget about 'Vox populi, vox dei'. Traditional politicians are so good at paraphrasing and abusing 'The voice of the people is the voice of God' phrase. The people loses its voice as soon as these corrupt politicians occupy their most coveted seats of power.

Let's do something. Let's do it now, while we have the upper hand.

Remember, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The Tale of the Flat Nose: By One With Spread Toes

Funny as it is, I see a lot of people being brought to this blog spot all because they searched for 'flat nose' and something like that. I wonder if it is an honest search about a real 'flat nose' or a mere keyword for a site like mine which has the words 'flat nose' in the page title.

Anyway, just to give in to the situation, I would like to share the tale of the flat nose, as narrated to me by one of my 'not so gentlemanly' teachers in the engineering department.

According to him, Filipinos have flat noses because they weren't there when the maker distributed the noses. Filipinos are known for being procrastinators and late-comers. In fact, Filipinos have their own time which is at least 15 minutes later than the actual time coined as the 'Filipino time'. Ask five Filipinos on the street about what time it is and you'll be surprised that no one will have the same time. Why? Filipinos almost always set their watches to a different time customized to fit the time allowance they want to have on a daily basis. Some will move their time thirty minutes early such that when it says 9 o'clock on their watch, the actual time is still 8:30, thus, giving them an extra thirty minutes to sleep, to chat, to eavesdrop and to procrastinate. That is just the kind of life the Filipino is so used to--a very laid back lifestyle. Filipinos are even often represented by 'Juan Tamad' (lazy John) who would choose to rather sleep under the tree and wait for the fruit to fall to the ground than take the courage to pick the fruit from the tree itself.

So the tale went on. One day, God summoned all the blacks, the whites, and the browns, specifically, the 'Pinoys' to come so they can pick up their noses. The noses were all nicely arranged for everyone to pick from, and of course the first ones to come had a wider selection to choose from. The Filipinos received the message on time, but didn't act accordingly. They procrastinated. Meanwhile, the blacks and the whites came on time and were able to try every nose on and picked out whichever nose they wanted. When the Pinoys came everyone else has left, since the sun was already setting down. There were still some nice noses left that were not necessarily flat but they were on the top shelves and the 'Pinoys' being short, height-wise, have no choice but to settle for noses that were within their reach. Sadly, those noses were the ones that fell on the ground and were stepped on by the people who came earlier, thus, they were flat. And since it was already getting dark, the Pinoys just settled for whatever noses they found on the ground. That's how the Filipinos ended up with their flat noses according to the tale.

What about the spread toes? It's basically the result of wearing flip-flops/slippers all the time. We don't wear shoes. It's too hot in the country. It's much comfortable to air out our toes all year long in a tropical country like ours where 100 degrees Fahrenheit is normal temperature.

Do I feel bad that I have a flat nose? Absolutely not. Being able to breathe comfortably is more than I can ask for. Besides, whatever size or shape of nose you have, for as long as it is proportionate to your face, will always look fine and remarkably real on you. So cheer up flat nose!

One Minute & Sixteen Seconds On the Eighth: Manny Pacquiao Still Reigns Supreme in the Ring

After a cut on the sixth round, one would surmise that perhaps Manny Pacquiao just blew his chance of winning the match against an undefeated contender of Mexican descent, Jorge Iván Solís Pérez. Remember the previous fight that Manny Pacquiao had with Erik Morales when he had a cut from a head bunt? He fought unflinchingly to the finish but the cut itself put him to a great disadvantage thus, rendering his defeat in that match.

Manny Pacquaio, is still and always be the people's champ of the Philippines. He is the only fighter who has the skill and the heart to fight, to win and to unify the Filipino people amidst all the animosity brought about by the hard life and the enormous problems challenging the Filipino nation.

Thanks to his talent and dedication, he managed to pull a fast one again on a Mexican challenger and brought honor once more to the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao seems a very likable guy. He is down to earth and he has a genuine concern for the Filipino people. One cannot blame the fans who hail Manny as a hero, because in his own little way he managed to put the Filipino nation in a good light again.

If only the Filipino people have the same relentless spirit as Manny Pacquiao, then I'm sure there'll be a magnanimous change in the course that the Philippines is headed for as a nation. The Philippines will be on the path to a better nation. For now I can only hope.

For the information of everyone, Manny is running for a congressional seat in the fast approaching May 14 elections in the Philippines. If his intentions of serving the Filipino people are true, then I hope he wins. I don't care if he knows not a single article or section in the Philippine Constitution for as long as he knows how to address the needs of his constituents. I wish him the best of luck.

I also hope that his candidacy is not just a spur of the moment feeling being brought about by his popularity among the Filipino fanatics.

If he does win the post, I hope he will deliver his guns as intensely and as fearlessly in the congress as he does in the ring. NO FEAR, that's his emblem and I hope he lives up to it.

Peaceful End to a Hostage Drama: Agenbite of Inwit or a Political Stunt?

Just about two hours ago, a hostage drama involving 32 children and 2 teachers in a school bus, in the Philippines, ended without any bloodshed.

The alleged hostage taker, a certain Jun Ducat, who is also the founder of the day care center where those children attended, peacefully surrendered after a 10-hour stand-off that stole the spotlight, having the world media covering every bit of the crisis.

What did he want from all that media-grabbing attention? Based on initial reports, all he wanted was for a change targeting on the corruption in the government and a demand for a better education for all those poor children.

Oh yeah, those poor little children! You don’t really know what the guy’s real motives are because apparently this is not the first time that he pulled a stunt of this sort. As I watched the coverage on TV, I am appalled and infuriated by the heartlessness of these people, putting the lives of these poverty-stricken children in danger. Mind you, even in the midst of crisis, most of them didn’t even have a clue on what was happening. Someone inside the school bus where all these children were hostaged, was threatening to blow-up everyone inside with a hand grenade yet the picture you see on TV is that of those hostaged children waving to the spectators and the cameras, smiling as if they really weren’t in a hostage situation. I am just glad that it ended without any of those children being hurt physically. The emotional trauma for those who knew that their lives were in grave danger, though, is far more devastating.

Whatever the real motive was for the hostage drama, I'm sure it served its purpose. The timing of this hostage-taking crisis is a little vicious knowing that the Philippine political scene is just heating up for the fast-approaching polls. The hostage-taker admitted that he has no intent of hurting any of those children. Then, why put them in harm’s way?

It’s ironic for one to seem to care about giving some children an improved quality of education and not care about the horror that the situation brings about to those young innocent lives. What if it didn’t end up the way it ended up? What if some outsider with an ill will sabotaged the situation and resulted in the demise of those little children? I tell you, if I was one of the parents, and God forbid, I probably wouldn’t be as forgiving and as hopeful as those parents who were paying close vigil on the sidelines, waiting for the moment when the crisis is resolved peacefully. I just don’t think I have the heart and the tolerance to withstand all that!

Now, I’m a little curious. Was the peaceful end of the crisis a result of perhaps some kind of remorse of conscience on the hostage taker’s part or was it a mere predetermined conclusion to a stunt that hinged on the political interests of a few puppet masters? Tell me please, for the sake of those poor innocent children.

Philippines: Its Beauty Shines Through

For most people around the globe who haven't travelled to the Philippines, perhaps you'd think that the Philippines is really as bad as what the global media projects. Yes, it is a third world country. About 65% of its population live below the poverty line. The economy isn't remarkable. There's too much political instability. Chaos and insurgencies loom in the south. The country is still buried in its huge debt. Much of the government's arm is tainted with corruption. Dwell on these facts and you'll very well picture a banana republic struggling to get out of its pit.


On the lighter side though, the Philippines is a great country, endowed with beautiful people and beautiful places. It is a little paradise geographically segmented into several little islands that are mostly unindustrialized, thus preserving nature's innate beauty.


One of the Philippines' successful campaigns is tourism, and indeed, it is able to bring in a huge number of tourists and visitors from all over the world and helping boost its economy as well attracting more investors. This provided an opportunity for the Philippines to be seen in a different light. For those people who came and really bothered to venture the islands, they know that this place is a little piece of paradise. In fact some of them have opted to stay in the Philippines for good. Some chose to raise a family here. Some even ventured into trade. Most of them eventually acquired a liking to the Philippine habitat, the Filipino lifestyle and the Filipino culture.


Most Filipino people go to other places to work and earn abroad because the Philippines does not promise much hope for most of its job-hungry populace. Couple to that the fact that even if you have a job in the Philippines, it is not enough to raise a family and be able to secure the family's future. Yet, these people as soon as they prosper they always choose to come back and settle in the Philippines for the rest of their lives since they know the Philippines has more to offer in terms of enjoying one's life once you already have the finances to back a leisurely lifestyle. And perhaps it won't be as costly as enjoying the same standard of life in a different part of the world.


With that said, let me assure you that if you come and visit the Philippines and keep and open mind, you will be able to experience something that is both unforgettable and pleasurable. There's an endless list of places you can go to for all kinds of interests whether it be sight-seeing, photography, island-hopping, yachting, surfing, mountain-climbing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, collecting unique crafts, dining and more. You will be catered too if all you want to do is to enjoy the picturesque sceneries and not to mention, the bounty of beautiful, well-mannered Filipinas.


Haven't I said enough? Run to your nearest travel agent and grab the next flight to the beautiful Philippine archipelago now.

Lucky Filipino: Jinxed!

You probably wonder what it's like to be a Filipino. To be a Filipino is quite like a stroke of luck and some jinx intertwined. Why?

1. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: You live in a country full of natural resources.
   
   
   • Jinx: Having been colonized by the Spaniards, the influence of corruption is undeniably crippling, and it looks like it's here to stay till kingdom come!
   
   
   
   


2. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: Filipinos are naturally a happy people no matter what their status in life is.
   
   
   • Jinx: Most Filipinos don't try so hard to improve their lives, anyways, they're happy with what they've got.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   
   • Luck: In times of tragedy, the Filipino community never fails to reach out to those needing help. There is always a genuine spirit of caring for other people in need.
   
   
   • Jinx: Filipino people are crabs, no matter what. If you do well with your life, watch out, there's always a crab behind you, waiting to pull you down.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: There's ample supply of super-talented professionals in almost every field of practice be it medicine, engineering, journalism, teaching, social work, etc.
   
   
   • Jinx: There's a greener pasture about 10,000 miles away. That's where all of them are headed.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: Most Filipino people are God-fearing.
   
   
   • Jinx: It allows them to leave everything up to God without trying. Thus, if someone doesn't act responsibly, the bad outcome is always attributed to " God's will".
   
   
   
   


6. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: The Philippines encourages free trade.
   
   
   • Jinx: All junk from other countries becomes a tradeable commodity--and it's coming in at a rate much faster than you can say 'junk'--from relief clothing to junkyard scrap cars.
   
   
   
   


7. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: The Philippines encourages tourism. All the Koreans are moving in.
   
   
   • Jinx: Could it get worse? There is already about 75 million flat-nosed spread-toed Pinoys struggling to have a slice of Pinoy land.
   
   
   
   


8. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: The Philippines is a democratic nation.
   
   
   • Jinx: The so called "people's servants" do lip service all the time, and they never stop arguing. Democracy is--I have every right to talk, you have every right not to listen if you don't want to!
   
   
   
   


9. 
   
   
   
   • Luck: Most Filipino women are beautiful.
   
   
   • Jinx: They can only have either beauty or brains, but not both.
   
   
   Note: I'm the only exception to that rule. And?(picture me raising my eyebrows while I give you a mean look.)


10. 
    
    
    
    • Luck: A Filipina can blog.
    
    
    • Jinx: She didn't get to know about it, until after the blog craze has cooled down dramatically.
    
    
    
    
    

Now that you know, you can either beg to differ or agree to disagree. Drop a line.

A Bit of Filipino Tongue

Ever wonder how to say "I love you" in a thousand different ways? I'll give you two ways more to say it. Pay close attention.

I LOVE YOU

• I
  
  Tagalog: Ako
  
  Visayan/Cebuano: Ako
  



• Love
  
  Tagalog: Mahal, Pag-ibig
  
  Visayan/Cebuano: Gugma, Pagmahal



• You
  
  Tagalog: Ikaw
  Visayan/Cebuano: Ikaw

So how do you say it?

Tagalog: Mahal kita

or Tagalog: Ini-ibig kita

Visayan/Cebuano: Gihigugma ko ikaw

Visayan/Cebuano: Gimahal ko ikaw

Now try this: What does this mean? Tagalog: Ano ang pangalan mo? Clues:
Ano--what; pangalan--name; mo--your

Visayan/Cebuano: Pila imong edad? Clues: Pila--how much; imo--your; edad--age

Got it?

Stages of Marriage To A Typical Filipino Couple

To a Filipino couple who commit themselves to a relationship through marriage, indeed, the phrase "till death do us part" is kept for a lifetime. Note that, since the Philippines is a predominantly Christian nation, there is no premise that allows for a divorce to occur after marriage. Nowadays though, a couple who jumps into the bandwagon of marriage and later realizes that the union has no future due to "irreconcilable differences" has an option to file for annulment as an exit door to end the relationship. It should be noted however that this exercise of freeing oneself from the bonds of marriage is only for a few couples who have the money to spend for the litigation and the stamina to endure the long process.

With that it's a common occurrence for couples to just endure one another throughout the relationship for as long as they live. Now, let's take a look at the bigger picture. Granting that a union despite being a rocky relationship will still manage to flourish, these are the typical stages that many Filipino couples go through from the courtship stage until post marriage.

1. "I love you and that's all that matters" stage.This is the stage in the relationship wherein all that abounds is love. At this amorous phase, the guy treats the girl like a princess, and the girl sees the guy as "Mr. Perfect". It is expected that all good things that can possibly happen in a relationship happen at this stage. This is also the stage wherein both individuals are blinded about the flaws of one another.
   
   
2. "I thought you were ...but you aren't" stage.This is the stage wherein the cloud of affection slowly lifts off and shines a bright light on the couples awareness, thus, the flaws will now be slowly noticed and noted as well. At this point the relationship starts to lose its sweetness and is replaced by sour demeanor and bitter resentments. This is like the awakening stage. This is where battles are fought and whoever can withstand this stage has a better chance of making it to the finish line--that is live with each other "till death do us part".
   
   
3. "You weren't what I thought you were...but what can I do" stage. This is the third and last stage, which is like the calm after the storm. At this stage of the relationship, the couple has finally gotten used to each other's flaws and has learned that their individual differences is only meant for them to complement one another. This stage is the acceptance stage. It is at this stage that the couple realizes that there's no point in tearing down the union. The only thing that's left is an invitation for each other to walk with each other and uphold the relationship till the end of their days.
   

Stages one and two are so typical of any relationship. The only difference is, some culture has reserved an exit door for couples to take when things really get out of hand. Sadly, for the many Filipino women who suffer in a relationship, there's no other way than to proceed to the third stage. On the other hand, being forced to go on with the relationship for as long as the couples live have made it possible for a lot of Filipino children to have a family that is whole and one they can call their own. There is a down side to it too, and that is the trauma that it brings about when there is too much hostility in the relationship.

Nevertheless, let me say that this cultural upbringing has influenced a lot of Filipino women to remain faithful, and hold on to a marriage for as long as they can. Ever wonder why some men from highly liberated societies would opt to come to the Philippines to marry a Filipina? That's a pretty much precise judgement based on the fidelity factor, but let me clarify one thing though. If you are one of the guys that I've pointed out above and you're thinking that the Philippines has a huge market of wife-material women, think again. Faithful isn't synonymous to being a responsible wife or being a good mother. Just like the women you find in your place, women in the Philippines also come in different packages. There are good, there are bad. In this day and age, cultural exposure through all kinds of media greatly influences a woman's views, values and morals. So what might have been so typical before may no longer be typical after all.

Tell-Tale Signs That You Found Your Way to the 7,100 and One Islands

The seven thousand one hundred and one...err...two...whatever...islands? Where else? The Philippines, of course!(look in the world map, can you actually count all the islands?).

How can you tell that you made your way to the Pinoy republic?

Here's how:

• As you tour around the islands, it is impossible not to notice a bunch of people trekking the streets in their flip-flops.
  


• If you happen to drive around, you'll be able to gauge how quick your reflexes are as you try to avoid oblivious pedestrians crossing the streets--at your own risk!
  


• How many Pinoys can you fit in the back of your car? 5? 10? 20? Try a whole village! And that's a common sight.
  


• The national pastime is not basketball. It's gossip!
  


• For once you'll think you're visiting the U.N. headquarters. You'll see a bunch of flag-like stuff(like the U.N. flags), adorning typical homes...wait where did you hang my laundry?
  


• Wherever you go, rice is the main dish.
  


• If you ask for directions, you'll typically get a nod and...directions indicated by the direction where the mouth is pointing. Yup...you can actually use your mouth to point at stuff. Try it.
  


• It's the only place where everyone seems to like you. People will actually smile at you and say hello.
  


• It is also a place where people are rude. Yup, but for Pinoys it's not rude to stare at people. It's merely showing a genuine interest in you.
  


• Nobody minds his own business. Everybody minds other people's business.
  


• Texting through cellphone is the next favorite pastime.
  


• This is the only place on the face of the earth where people are so hospitable.
  


• How about, you're in Asia, yet these people speak your language as though it's their native tongue?
  


• Certainly, this one is the best indicator--this is the only place where most people have nothing, yet they're much happier than most people anywhere in the planet!

March Madness

Time went by so quickly. It felt like we just hit 2007 and we didn't even notice that we're now finishing the first quarter of the year. In our place, March marks the start of a usually long period of hot, hot weather. This is the time of the year when ninety degrees Fahrenheit really isn't a surprise. This year, March is quite a busy month. Why? There's so much going on. School year ends. Inventory sale everywhere. Lenten season kicks off. Summer job starts. And most notably, the political arena is heating up for the May 2007 polls. Where? The seven-thousand-and-one-islands of course!

There's just so much going on right now. If you focus your attention on the local scene, there's just too much eyesore. You turn on your television and all you see are these campaign ads from different politicians who are running for the polls. It is really an eyesore because it just looks so unnatural for them to be so charismatic, so nice, so sensitive to the needs of the people, so aware of the plight of the poor, so hopeful to do something for the people--when all they did while they were in office was just to bicker with one another on unimportant issues, and grandstand on their political affiliations. I don't know why, but this political scene is just appalling! It is an ever endless loop of mud-slinging, trashing, strategizing, etc. all for the good of the politicians political career. And nothing for the people, actually. It's just sad. The result--(I hope not)a government "fool" the people, "buy" the people and "off" the people.

BOHOL: The New Tourist Destination?

Have you gone to Bohol? Bohol is famous for the Chocolate Hills and the tiny primate called the Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) often mistagged as the world's smallest monkey.

Bohol's more commercialized city is Tagbilaran. It has a domestic airport with daily flights to and from Manila and a seaport that docks ships and fast crafts from Manila, Cebu, and some parts of Mindanao. Tagbilaran has also earned attention for its new one-stop shopping destinations, the Island City Mall and the BQ Mall.

Lately, Bohol has boomed because of its prime diving spots located in Panglao. Panglao is a tiny island that houses some of the nicest resorts in the Philippines. It is about 15 to 20 minutes away from Tagbilaran City by car. It is where you will find nice white sand beaches, overlooking views and protected marine sanctuaries.

The latest buzz is that a 4.2B (was originally 2.5B) international airport will be constructed in Panglao island with a tentative completion date in September of 2009. This project indeed, if it's true, has created a spin in the Bohol real estate market. In fact properties that used to cost about P50-P200/sq.m. have now skyrocketed in price amounting to at least ten times the original appraisal value. Even lots in the most remote locations with unpaved roads are worth millions nowadays. Talking about prime real estate, huh?

But what is there for the Boholano populace? Will this create more jobs and more opportunities for entrepreneurs? Or will this bring about crime to this peace-loving community? Will this open a bigger window to the world for Bohol? Some say, that in the not so distant future, if this international airport is realized, Panglao Island will be the next Phuket--the prime tourist destination in Thailand.

So will this make BOHOL the next tourist destination in the Philippines? The answer is simple. If the international airport project will be realized, Bohol is probably headed that way. But will this airport project ever gonna take off?

Things Worth Knowing If You Plan To Travel To the Philippines

This is intended for all aliens/visitors who wish to travel to the beautiful 7,001 islands of the Philippines.

• Most Filipino people can speak the English language because it's taught in the classroom from elementary to college, so if you happen to come by and you need assistance don't hesitate to ask questions in English.


• Generally, the average Filipino stereotypes all white guys as Americans, by referring to them as "Amerikano"(American)


• It's a common misconception that if you're a foreigner from the U.S. or from European countries, you are immensely financially loaded ( as in very rich) even if you hardly own a thing back where you came from


• Filipinos are generally nice, hospitable people, yet one bad comment from your mouth can turn things around because Filipinos are so emotional and one insult can scar their feelings for life


• When you go around the more commercialized cities, it is wiser to stay in tri-star/five-star hotels and avail of their services/assistance rather than staying in unsafe pension houses or motels, especially if you are a first-time visitor to the country


• Don't walk around parading your valuables or looking like you're lost cause you'll only be inviting trouble, instead, if you have the money, take a taxi around or maybe a hotel car to take you to places. Better yet, if you know how to drive, drive around in a rented car


• In the cities avoid crowded areas cause snatchers or hold uppers abound where there are too many people


• It's nice to haggle, but to haggle to no end is just appalling. Typically, you think that you are being overcharged for the service because the number is big but remember the exchange rate between currencies is really a factor, so spare some consideration


• A clue on women: the higher the skirt, the lower the IQ. But most women are educated, so don't treat them like trash unless they act like one.


• Travel to the islands: Most resorts already employ the latest technology that allows credit card acceptance and access to the internet, but if you go somewhere that is remotely situated it is wise to take cash, or even better, gather information about their amenities by calling the establishment or contacting the travel agent before going there


• Manila and Cebu are like melting pots of different cultures so there is a wide range of food choices, spa services, entertainment, shops to choose from.


• The western influence is predominantly conspicuous in a lot of Filipino stuff like music, food, movies, entertainment spots, fashion trend, technology and even in lifestyle so trust that you won't feel lost or alone in some way.


• The Philippines is not a shopping destination for "housewives". Don't get fooled into the notion that if you're looking for a wife, the Philippines is where you should go. Just like all other places, there are good people and there are bad ones. So just be pre-warned.