My Move to the Philippines

Check out the newest website for beautiful photos of the Philippines. Craig, the owner of this website called Filipino Friend Photo, shows the true beauty of the Philippines, the people, and other interesting aspects of living in the Philippines.

In the future Craig promises a photography contest with cash prizes for readers who submit the best photos of their Philippines experiences and scenery. You can visit this website by clicking on the following link: Filipino Friend Photo.

A sampling of his work can also be found on his Facebook Page

We all know that when you move from one place to another you encounter changes, it’s just a way of life. Even more so when you move from one country to another such as moving to the Philippines from the States. Some say changes is good while others say change is bad so we’ll just say that change is fifty fifty. Some changes I encounter with a move to the Philippines are listed below. Feel free to comment and add other changes you have experienced or expect to experience when moving to the Philippines from your home country.

1) Transportation-I seem to walk more in the Philippines than in the States even though I love riding trikes and jeeps. The reason I walk so much more is a matter of my location much more than any economical or cultural reasons. Our home in Laguna is so close to everything that the only time we ride is areas quite a distance from our home. A five-ten minute walk will get us to the supermarket, coffee shop, shopping mall, and anything else you could want in a city. As far as when we are in the Province,after we arrive it’s relaxing on the beach with a swim or walking over to the Sari Sari to get some San Mig.

2) Eating-In the Philippines we eat very little processed food or fast food as there are too many kinds of fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables to waste eating french fries or pizza. Now, I still have to have my Zagu drink now and then but that’s about it.

3) Sleeping- No matter if we are in the Province or the city I just get sleepier earlier in the evening and wake up much earlier in the morning. Haven’t figured out why but I do. I still have marathon overnight computer work sessions but those are few and far between.

Well folks that is a small sampling of the changes I have when living in the Philippines vice the United States but I am eager to hear some of the changes you all have experienced, so comment please!

Since I spend a good part of my time in the Province of Pangasinan when I found this website entitled “The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan and It’s People” I was very pleased. I don’t know who built this website for the Province but as a lover of website design as an art I am impressed. Find everything you want to know about Pangasinan by visiting the website below:

The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan and It’s People

Hi everybody. Just wanted to let you know that I am still around and nothing has changed much in my plans. Right now other obligations are keeping me really busy and I’ll try to update more often. In the meantime here are a couple of pics of our upgrade to the Pangasinan house. For more pics check out the albums in my Facebook account which can be accessed by clicking on the badge to the right.

Mayo: I never would have made it without you.
Foley: I know.
Mayo: I’ll never forget you.
Foley: Get the hell out of here.

The words above came from one of my favorite movies “An Officer and a Gentleman” starring Richard Gere, Debra Winger, and Lou Gossett Jr. Although most of it was filmed in Washington State in the United States, some of the opening scenes were filmed in Olongapo City Philippines, where I was stationed.

At the time I had just gotten there and was doing some barhopping and word was out that they were looking for sailors to be in the movie. That sounded like something I would like to do and when I was approached I figured why not. The next day when I went to work my plans for stardom were changed by a memo that stated the U.S. Navy did not approve of the movie and disciplinary action would be given to any sailor that was in the movie. Thus the end of my motion picture career and the continuance of a Naval career that probably lasted longer than my other would have. But still this has always been one of my favorite movies and if you haven’t seen it (possible?) please do. I think you can watch the whole thing on YouTube

I’ve added a YouTube photo presentation of the movie for your enjoyment

As you probably know from reading this blog that I spend about half my time in Pangasinan and half in Laguna when I’m in the Philippines. It wasn’t until my latest couple of trips to Pangasinan did I actually stray out from Macaleeng Anda where our house is. But the latest trip there I promised to get out and see a little of the area where my wife grew up.

According to wikipedia

“The name Pangasinan means “land of salt” or “place of salt-making”; it is derived from the root word asin, meaning “salt” in thePangasinan language and other related languages. The province is a major producer of salt in the Philippines. ”

Because of this I just had to see what I could find out about the salt industry around the area I stay, and my brother-in-law Dickie Caracas and his friends voluntered to show me the salt making plant near our home. Now when I hear a plant or factory in the States I imagine a bunch of buildings with machinery to build or produce something. This plant was far different with very few buildings and all the work done outside.

From what I understood the process of getting the salt starts early in the morning. Salt water from the ocean is funneled into small areas to contained it. the water is left until late afternoon where it actually evaporates and leaves very little water but much salt at the bottom. The salt is scrapped from the bottom of the area and put into baskets where it is dried and then piled alongside the road where the trucks come along and bag the salt and pay for it while loading. That is the 5 cent version of what I observed and you may get a better idea by visiting my photo album of the trip by clicking on:

Visit to a Salt Factory in Pangasinan

Was enjoying my coffee at the McDonalds in SM Sucat the other morning and came across an article in the Manila Bulletin that was kind of interesting. On a side note, I don’t usually have McDonalds coffee but I’m also not familiar with the coffee shops in this mall. Usually I am at SM Sta Rosa or Mall of Asia where I know the Starbucks or other shops. Anyway, the article deals with how Delta Airlines is trying to break back into the Asia market after suffering and recovering from financial difficuties. The airline is going to upgrade their seats and entertainment facilities to make the ride more comfortable for the passengers. They feel these moves will give them a foot in the door of the Asia market.

Sorry Delta, you still haven’t got a chance from my prospective. I wrote a post about this previously in this blog and basically complained that the problem with U.S. airlines are the attitudes and customer service provided. I wondered how the Aisan airlines like Philippine Airlines, China Air, and JAL had such fresh young faces who seemed eager to help every step of the way through your journey to Asia.

One of the comments I received I think hit the problem on the head. First off, many of the countries in Asia are very youth oriented probably because of a younger population vice the aging U.S. population. It’s a fact that the United States is becoming older due to such things as birth control and the rise in abortions. If you are living in the U.S. I’d advise you take a trip to another country (Mexico or Canada don’t count) and you will see this for yourself.

My friend who commented says that since the U.S. airlines started feeling financial difficulties they had to start laying off employees. Of course since they are unionized seniority rules so the younger employees with less time are let go and the older employees are kept. What that generally leaves you with are employees who are pushing their forties or fifties and are generally burnt out and are tired. You can tell the difference when you are served either at a ticket check in or by a flight attendent. Your food is basically thrown at you on the U.S. flights and if you might ask for something extra like a glass of water, you may get it or not. Oh, and if your seat is not in the upright position at the right time expect to get a good tongue lashing on the U.S. line and smiling assist on the Asian line.

Have you ever noticed how there have been some attendant/passenger confrontations on U.S. flights for such things as not turning off an ipod or cell phone. Haven’t heard much about that on the Asian flights.

So my suggestion to Delta or any other airline trying to break in to the Asian market, take a flight on one of the home airlines like the ones I’ve listed above and maybe you will see how the competition makes it in one of the most profitable regions for air flight.

Bibingka is a type of rice cake from the Philippines made with rice flour, coconut milk, and water. traditionally Bibingka is a treat eaten during the Christmas season but as I have had the pleasure recently it is also eaten during the town Fiesta.

Besides the basic ingredients listed above there may be other ingredients used depending on where it is made. But, most likely the preparation consists of adding eggs and milk as secondary ingredients and cooked over preheated coals and wrapped in banana leaves. The process is very time consuming so the best way to get Bibingka rice cakes are from someone going door to door selling them. I enjoy my bibingka with my coffee as a great breakfast treat while I’m in the Philipppines. I have tried bibingka made in the States but nothing compares to the fresh taste of my Pangasinan neighbor’s version.

Just wanted to say we are back in the Philippines and had a very enjoyable trip over. We just missed the snow on the East Coast of the United States and the weather here is delightful. I have never experienced such cool breezy weather this time of year in the Philippines. I guess global warming forgot to make a stop here.

We are currently preparing to shop for kitchen appliances to finish our Laguna home and I can’t wait to visit Pavillion Mall and SM Sta Rosa. Keep up to date on our photo albums of our life here by checking Facebook. Our info is located on the sidebar to the right of this post.

As we are finishing our kitchen we would like some educated or even non-educated suggestions. Pertaining to a kitchen range, should we go electric or gas? I’m looking for comments concerning all aspects of the difference between the two including price, safety, and any other concerns.

Also, we would be interested in your favorite brands of kitchen ranges/ovens sold in the Philippines as well places to buy. As for places to buy we have already had some good input from our family and friends in the Philippines but welcome more. So guys here is your chance to persuade us and help us furnish our kitchen. maybe my wife will make you a cake or something.