Finally here

[pocahontas]

ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY.......though you cant help to stop the hussle's might always come mostly unexpected specially your in the philippines..hehe we are all know that. so be PREPARED.. and as long as your together ,things will turn to be fine and great.. 8-) dont forget PICTURESSSSSSSSSSS8-)

[Northerner]

Pictures will be a coming.... Hopefully when I get to the Marriott! Need that laptop charging...

As for Rice.. I like Rice! Just not every morning, afternoon and evening But to be honest Filipino food is not for me! Or maybe it is what I have tried so far.. Although I will see what is on offer Filipino wise in the Marriott

[Sim11UK]

Have to agree, most of the food is awful....sickly sweet.

I'm back in the UK now, cold and miserable...enjoy the rest of your stay.

[aromulus]

What the heck have you been eating, guys...????

Never had any problems with food overthere.....

Crispy pata, lechon kawale, lechon baboy, pancit canton, lumpia shanghai, lapu-lapu, calamares, scallops, seafood galore.....

Apart from balut and that blood stuff.....

Bring it on...........

[aposhark]

What the heck have you been eating, guys...????

Never had any problems with food overthere.....

Crispy pata, lechon kawale, lechon baboy, pancit canton, lumpia shanghai, lapu-lapu, calamares, scallops, seafood galore.....

Apart from balut and that blood stuff.....

Bring it on...........

I'm with Dom on this 100%
I love Filipino food, in fact all Asian food........
I even like the fried handfulls of small fish that my wife made last week!

[Ji&Ma]

I'm with Dom on this 100%
I love Filipino food, in fact all Asian food........
I even like the fried handfulls of small fish that my wife made last week!

no problem with food there at all
Do you mean anchovies? They are very yummy
Otherwise - fried bangus, any fish generally, seafood - lovely...

[triple5]

Same here. I'm a big fan of filipino foods. Tried some croco sisig last time, delicious

[South-east boy]

I look forward to seeing the pics as I've enjoyed reading your blog Sean. Wish I could have gone with you as my Suzie lives near Cebu. Hope the mozzies have left you alone a bit?!

[Sim11UK]

What the heck have you been eating, guys...????

Never had any problems with food overthere.....

Crispy pata, lechon kawale, lechon baboy, pancit canton, lumpia shanghai, lapu-lapu, calamares, scallops, seafood galore.....

Apart from balut and that blood stuff.....

Bring it on...........

Yes I agree, lapu-lapu, shrimps & the rest of the seafood etc. is lovely, liempo etc. too.

But I still stick to my original view...The bread is so sweet, we had longanisa the other day, which was disgustingly sweet, couldn't eat it.
Corned beef which they seem to love, is stringy & really salty...yuk.
Most of the beef seems to come from Korea, which is chewy & fatty again horrible.

It reminds me of growing up in the 70's, with all that processed meat.
Just remembered Jollibee spaghetti...excuse me, while I up.

[bornatbirth]

to be honest eating rice for breakfast,lunch and dinner can at first seem odd but given enough time....i got use to it and it wasnt so bad.

i liked most food there,i only find a few things i didnt like and they do like everything to be sweetened up.

just tell your gf what food you dont like,she will then just get the food you do like

[Florge]

lol... Sean, maybe Rizza has been feeding you some crappy stuff... will give her a word on that... hehehe...

[Northerner]

For my breakfast this morning I had some spagetti from Greenwhich Rice all of the time does get tiresome! But sometimes a good dish along with it is good..

But Right now Rizza is kind of upset with me... I am bored less with Valencia! She worries if I go out on my own so I end up with a bunch of people with me and the whole term "explore" is so far as alien to these parts as I am.. I understand that there are people walking past me who would kill me for the pesos in my pocket, but I am a big boy (and quite a big boy at that)... But my experience of Valencia is of the mall, a shop here and there and forced by me... the market And the biggest discovery I found so far was the stash of porn DVDs in the market Perhaps we now know why the Filipino population is booming..

Also there is a worrying trend for pharmacy's here not to have stuff! I went to get some cough mixture. Sorry sir we don't have was my reply..How about some strepsils???? wtf.. Another example.. May I have some Asperin? Sorry sir, we don't have!! Headache has gone but the cough remains.. Looking forward to Ayala in Cebu, maybe they will have cough mixture.

Oh, and there are 3 white people in and around Valencia. We notice each other and look to one another like wounded war vets

And a beggar here seems to follow me around. I gave him 100 pesos and the following morning he was right there looking as gaunt and starving as the night before.. Except he now follows me from the mall to the department store and thinks that by applying a baseball cap I fail to realize the same person who got some pesos from me a minute or so ago is now on the floor at my feet.. And so he now begs in vain! Not many beggars here as everyone is poor and it is hardly a tourist destination, the words and hole could apply in some ways. Now before people jump down my throat, yes there are many lovely things about Valencia. But the ugliness is right there in my face, the sight of so many people struggling to get by and the streets are dirty.. The next time I am here it will not be for as long.

[D&G]

.

But Right now Rizza is kind of upset with me... I am bored less with Valencia! She worries if I go out on my own so I end up with a bunch of people with me and the whole term "explore" is so far as alien to these parts as I am..

first "tampo" experience i bet ....be prepared for more "tampo" to come!

[aromulus]

But the ugliness is right there in my face, the sight of so many people struggling to get by and the streets are dirty.. The next time I am here it will not be for as long.

It seems to me that you are finding it very difficult to get over the cultural shock.....

Poverty in Phil is in your face, you cannot escape it, is all around you, from morning till night, it follows you and keeps reminding you it is there all the time, it is endemic.

Despite all the problems caused by this poverty, you cannot stop admiring the Filipinos, for their contagious smiles and resilience, against all the adversities that life and destiny throw at them.

It is your first time overthere, and everything looks and feels strange, out of place, nothing that you can compare it with and so leaves you slightly disillusioned and wanting to put it behind you... Escape it...

You can't.

The sooner you realize that Phil is different, the sooner you will be able to relax to it and enjoy your experience that little bit more.

If you are going to the Ayala centre in Cebu, I can recommend a very good and inexpensive eating place, The "Cafe Laguna" on the basement floor is outstanding.

[D&G]

Despite all the problems caused by this poverty, you cannot stop admiring the Filipinos, for their contagious smiles and resilience, against all the adversities that life and destiny throw at them.

The sooner you realize that Phil is different, the sooner you will be able to relax to it and enjoy your experience that little bit more.

amen to that!

wow! it made me appreciate my hunny even more...he never ever whine at all and he seemed alright as long as we're together...must be love eh

[Bluebirdjones]

Sean
I think many of us here have seen that movie….
I think that as a reaction to the poverty and general dirtiness, many Filipinas want to take their beau somewhere nice… ie the local, newly built, air-conditioned Mall, where to wander aimlessly around (in my opinion) is the norm, and stop & inspect in minute detail every offering in every shop.
To me (and obviously & many, many others) and to you …. it is mind numbingly BORING.
Most Filipinas seem to think that we want a quiet, relaxing time, sitting there drinking coffee etc ….. WE DON’T !

I went to the Philippines to meet my “intended”, and also see and experience the Philippines ….. the good, the bad, and the ugly…….. not to wander from one shopping mall to another. And it’s an INCREDIBLE country !

Mrs BBJ and I now have a “standard” system……. if/when we visit a shopping mall (which is rare these days) I give her a set time & meeting place, then wind her up & let her go !
I usually find a coffee shop & sit & read my book.

I’d suggest that you search the internet (or ask members who’ve been there) to look what is around there ….. make it plain that you want to “explore”, to see outside the City, to visit the natural beauty / historical sites. Go out for the day just you & her, then return at night to eat /talk with the family.

Also….. be upfront with Rizza…. explain that you are there to see her & her family, and understand/see the Philippines, and altho’ the UK is not the Wild West, you have common sense, are street-smart and can look after yourself.
As nice as the Mall is, it is NOT the reason you are there ……

[Sim11UK]

Also there is a worrying trend for pharmacy's here not to have stuff! I went to get some cough mixture. Sorry sir we don't have was my reply..How about some strepsils???? wtf.. Another example.. May I have some Asperin? Sorry sir, we don't have!! Headache has gone but the cough remains.. Looking forward to Ayala in Cebu, maybe they will have cough mixture.

It's just possible supplies are low, as a result of all the typhoons. This was the case when I was there. I'm not neccessarily referring to pharmacys, but there were signs stating things were in short supply & it was well documented on the news, a couple of weeks ago.

The Philippines is as you see it, it's not the glossy resorts...The streets are dirty, you feel the heat, you have to be careful where you step, for fear of falling down a hole. Poverty is just everywhere. etc. etc.

If you gave that man 100 pesos, don't be surprised if he follows you back to Manchester.

I think you're just venting your frustrations, we probably all do....I love the Philippines, but sometimes I look around & see things & I hate the Philippines.

[triple5]

I don't think I've ever given more than 10 pesos to a beggar. 100 pesos! I'm surprised there's not a mob waiting for you every time you step outside. If you're not enjoying valencia why not go somewhere else? Is there a reason you're stuck there? You're on holiday, make the most of it, no sense in staying in a place you don't like.

[JimOttley]

It seems to me that you are finding it very difficult to get over the cultural shock.....

Poverty in Phil is in your face, you cannot escape it, is all around you, from morning till night, it follows you and keeps reminding you it is there all the time, it is endemic.

Despite all the problems caused by this poverty, you cannot stop admiring the Filipinos, for their contagious smiles and resilience, against all the adversities that life and destiny throw at them.

It is your first time overthere, and everything looks and feels strange, out of place, nothing that you can compare it with and so leaves you slightly disillusioned and wanting to put it behind you... Escape it...

You can't.

The sooner you realize that Phil is different, the sooner you will be able to relax to it and enjoy your experience that little bit more.

If you are going to the Ayala centre in Cebu, I can recommend a very good and inexpensive eating place, The "Cafe Laguna" on the basement floor is outstanding.

Couldn't agree more , for me it's all about the people, the beauty of the philippines is in the people (most of them).

I can see how hard it can be to adjust for some folk though.


Jim

[JimOttley]

Aye Sean, 100 peso is an awful big gift in Cebu, hard not to, but not the best thing to do to be honest, he probably will follow you all the way back to Manchester


Jim

[IainBusby]

For my breakfast this morning I had some spagetti from Greenwhich Rice all of the time does get tiresome! But sometimes a good dish along with it is good..

But Right now Rizza is kind of upset with me... I am bored less with Valencia! She worries if I go out on my own so I end up with a bunch of people with me and the whole term "explore" is so far as alien to these parts as I am.. I understand that there are people walking past me who would kill me for the pesos in my pocket, but I am a big boy (and quite a big boy at that)... But my experience of Valencia is of the mall, a shop here and there and forced by me... the market And the biggest discovery I found so far was the stash of porn DVDs in the market Perhaps we now know why the Filipino population is booming..

Also there is a worrying trend for pharmacy's here not to have stuff! I went to get some cough mixture. Sorry sir we don't have was my reply..How about some strepsils???? wtf.. Another example.. May I have some Asperin? Sorry sir, we don't have!! Headache has gone but the cough remains.. Looking forward to Ayala in Cebu, maybe they will have cough mixture.

Oh, and there are 3 white people in and around Valencia. We notice each other and look to one another like wounded war vets

And a beggar here seems to follow me around. I gave him 100 pesos and the following morning he was right there looking as gaunt and starving as the night before.. Except he now follows me from the mall to the department store and thinks that by applying a baseball cap I fail to realize the same person who got some pesos from me a minute or so ago is now on the floor at my feet.. And so he now begs in vain! Not many beggars here as everyone is poor and it is hardly a tourist destination, the words and hole could apply in some ways. Now before people jump down my throat, yes there are many lovely things about Valencia. But the ugliness is right there in my face, the sight of so many people struggling to get by and the streets are dirty.. The next time I am here it will not be for as long.

Big mistake, if you gave him just a few pesos (coins) then he might still pester you if he seen you around, but I don't think he'd bother following you around the place.

[Arthur Little]

When I booked the second of my two trips, it'd originally been my intention to stay for the same length of time as I HAD on the first occasion, i.e. 3 weeks. However, having just got married, I was naturally reluctant to leave so soon afterwards. And besides, with Christmas/New Year on the horizon ... and being retired ... it made sense to remain there over the Festive Season ... since it seemed likely to be the only one my new wife and I would spend together in HER homeland.

Once Myrna's visa application had been lodged with the Embassy, I AGAIN extended my stay ... in the vain hope of her being granted Entry Clearance to coincide with my return to the UK so that she could travel back with me. Somewhat ironically, the visa arrived within three days of my departure.

As it happened, my last fortnight in the Phils was fraught with tension and anxiety ... not helped by the overpowering humidity and incessant mosquito bites. I therefore grew increasingly 'wabbit and crabbit' ... a vicious circle that seemed to co-exist with a gradual worsening of my recurrent hearing problems. Moreover, like Sean, I developed an *aversion to having rice with every meal [perhaps it's *"a British failing"!] and frequently found myself seeking out the nearest McDonalds.

Oh ... and of course, I too, had difficulty in trying to ignore the beseeching looks and outstretched palms ... especially those of the young kids who hung around ATMs, shop fronts and under/overpasses - either with or without their parents.

But for all that, I have nothing but praise and admiration for the Filipino people in general. Their engaging smile in the face of hardship and adversity, is a joy to behold - capable of melting the hardest of hearts.

[JimOttley]

Oh ... and of course, I too, had difficulty in trying to ignore the beseeching looks and outstretched palms ... especially those of the young kids who hung around ATMs, shop fronts and under/overpasses - either with or without their parents.

But for all that, I have nothing but praise and admiration for the Filipino people in general. Their engaging smile in the face of hardship and adversity, is a joy to behold - capable of melting the hardest of hearts.

I agree Arthur.

Regards the food, I am actually very fond of rice at every meal, Chicken Tocino with some rice at breakfast is very nice I cook like that at home now most of the time.

And although I found it strange at first I actually find myself missing the sweet tasting bread, lightly toasted, with scrambled egg and black pepper that Ana makes me for breakfast sometimes (this'll kill me quicker than anything but it makes a nice change)

I really like the food but we are lucky we have 2 and 1/2 good cooks in the family when I am in the Phils, Nanay and Ana are the two and I am the 1/2 as I only cook sometimes but the family really like my take on Asian cuisine (I've been single all my life so I had to learn to cook and rice has always been big on my menu).

I am sadly going to miss Christmas this year which will be the first time in a long time that has happened but we have to tighten our belts.

Always get bitten by ants or mosquitoes when we are in bed they never seem to touch Ana you get used to it eventually

I also think that as a westerner you have to look at the place with compassionate eye's but even then you can't help everyone, the problems there are too big.

They are a lovely people and if you don't judge they will take you to their hearts, and for a lonely old Scot like me that is a very precious thing.


Jim

[Tawi2]

Dirt and squalour in Pinas Is there really?I spent a year in India before visiting Pinas for the first time so everything in the islands looked super modern and sparkly compared to downtown Calcutta Pinoy food?You get used to it,as I always say owts better than nowt But steer clear of the Malls,never understand westerners who go to Pinas and spend all day moping around a Mall,get yourself a mask and some fins,hit the beach,and try your best to shrug off your 'Chaperones' and go walkabout even for a day on your own

[Northerner]

Yeah I was letting off a little steam before.. But as today is my last day in Valencia it seems kind of shallow...

The joy of today is waiting for my salary to go into the bank. Seems it has yet to go in, although it was 1.30am UK time when I checked But hope it goes in soon otherwise Cebu will be a day later.

Once in Cebu, I will get a chance to wander again. Rizza plans to go back to work on saturday so I will have the day to myself... Go and see Alan and explore some more perhaps...

As for Rice.. I buy a bag of it every month back home, it is a staple part of my diet. But, I also have a lot of other options. That is perhaps the reason I am miffed with it..

[Northerner]

Another minor gripe.....

The Filipino taste in music

Every morning I get to listen to christmas songs from an album that would give Cliff Richard shame if he owned it A bouncy mix like black lace would be proud to call their own, really it is THAT bad... And it is very popular in the house Why I am still trying to figure out...

[jonathan47]

Northerner,
i had to laugh at your posts about food and the conditions i feel like i am re living my first trip to the philippines, can i give you a tip take your western brain out and put a western perspective in instead !!! heheh
i used to get so frustrated with the traffic that it can take hours to go get a simple item the poverty all around ... however having been a few times i take a big breath relax and enjoy the beauty of the philipines culture... i have so much respect for filipinos they are so happy big smiles and even if they dont have much will share it with you, the men go to froiegn countries to work spending 9/10/12 months away from there wife or mahal i not sure young men here would make that commitment, i have never seen cleaner houses yes cebu, manila are dirty smelly but get tp the province wow what a place ( the mossies will stop biting you when you been in country for a few weeks and you skin cools down ) !!! i cant help but be effected by the poverty and when as i hope i live there one day i will not be able to live in the community and ignore it i will have to for my own piece of mind help the community in some small way !!!

just my opinion

regards
jonathan

[jonathan47]

i meant eastern perspective ... woops !!!

[triple5]

Another minor gripe.....

The Filipino taste in music

Every morning I get to listen to christmas songs from an album that would give Cliff Richard shame if he owned it A bouncy mix like black lace would be proud to call their own, really it is THAT bad... And it is very popular in the house Why I am still trying to figure out...

I guess nobody told you xmas starts in September over there?

[aromulus]

I guess nobody told you xmas starts in September over there?

It seemed to me that the Crimbo tree never came down....