Archive for the "Philippines" Category

Imported from the Philippines

January 7th, 2009
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I’m out of medicines among other things, so I asked my mother to send me some stuff from the Philippines. As I have mentioned in the past, there are things that I could not just replace with something Japan-made. Here are the things that I often have my mother send me here:

  • dried fish (Bisaya term is “bulad”) – I could find some “bulad” in the supermarkets here but they’re not salty enough.
  • chips – I was into “Chippy” years ago, but the taste somewhat changed, so I shifted to “Clover”, particularly barbeque and cheese flavors.
  • Nescafe 3 in 1 Coffee – Of course, there are instant coffee packs here but they are more expensive and they don’t taste that good
  • rubbing alcohol – Not a single bottle of rubbing alcohol can be found here.
  • tangle-free comb – Those cheap, Hair Doctor-like combs aren’t available here. Because they are cheap, they break easily so I need to have some of these shipped from time to time.
  • allergy medications – I react to many allergens so I musn’t run out of these.
  • stomach problems medications – My stomach is a oversensitive, too. So I always keep over-the-counter medicines such as: Diatabs, Kremil-S, Simeco, and Flagyl. These are more essential to me than Biogesic.
  • baby cologne from Johnson & Johnson or Avon – I am used to basically pouring cologne all over me after bath so I need to use a cheaper cologne. Avon always put their cologne up on sale (usually less than $2 each)! So far, I haven’t found an Avon shop here.
  • lip gloss – I’ve tried out some lip gloss brands here but I don’t like it. I still like Avon’s lip gloss, after all.
  • Ovaltine chocolate drink – I prefer Ovaltine over Milo, and I couldn’t find Ovaltine here.
  • lingerie from Avon – I’m more comfortable wearing lingerie from Avon and I think it’s hard to find an Avon lady here.
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Philippines, Things I love

Little Dreamers

October 28th, 2008
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It’s been quite a while since I’ve watched singing contests in the Philippine television. I love watching those children singing contests, like PDA Little Dreamers. It’s pretty amazing to find out that there are kids more than 2 decades younger than I am, who sing and dance miles better than I do (let’s just pretend that I could sing and dance a little, Ok?), just like this 6-year old girl, Amy:

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Philippines

Even rural areas are going digital

September 24th, 2008
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As far as I can remember, Cagayan de Oro’s airport terminal had always been a “under-developed”. For years, the terminal wasn’t air-conditioned and baggage inspection had to be manual so going early was really a must. The check-in counters of the three airlines were detached from the terminal itself.

When I went home last May, I could say that the airport underwent a lot of improvements. Though the building is pretty much the same, at least the check-in counters are now inside the terminal and the whole terminal is already air-conditioned! But even for a small terminal, it now houses digital signage. So while waiting for your flight, at least you now have something to fix your eyes on aside from observing the other passengers. ;)

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Philippines

Photohunt: Road

September 20th, 2008
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These are photos of the roads that make me feel at home.
Taken at my hometown in the Philippines:

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Philippines, Photohunt

Prayer for Safety and Peace

August 18th, 2008
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“26 persons — 23 civilians and three soldiers — killed in fighting triggered by attacks by fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao del Norte province on Monday, officials said.” Inquirer.net

These killings happened just a few kilometers away from our house.  Some of those casualties may had been my acquaintances.  I called my family a while ago and they’ve evacuated the children (including Shaynna) to Iligan City.  But my mother, along with some cousins are staying at my house tonight for fear of burglars.

Dear friends, I ask for your prayers for the safety of my family, friends, neighbors, the soldiers, and everyone in Lanao del Norte.  For the families of those casualties, that they may find strength and healing.  For the deceased, that they may enter into the fullness of eternal joy, despite the injustice that they had went through.

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Family, Friends, Mindanao, Philippines

Photohunt: Clouds

August 2nd, 2008
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Taken at Ma. Cristina (Pryce) Gardens, Iligan City – my father’s final resting place.

 

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Family, Philippines, Photohunt

Wordless Wednesday #20: Seaweeds Headdress?

July 30th, 2008
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Photo courtesy of Jun D. Racho

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Family, Philippines, Wordless Wednesday

Fence Matters

July 30th, 2008
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When I was still a little girl we needed a fence installation for privacy and to keep all those stray chickens and pigs from our little garden. A bamboo fence was more than enough until cases of theft started to increase. Peeping toms and undies thief made the matters worse. Now, there are still some attempts to tresspass even with a high cement fence topped with barbed wires.

How I wish it was still the good ‘ol days so that I can put a fence just for stray animals and home beautification. I might even consider growing up a cactus fence just like my grandmother’s neighbors in Bohol!

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Philippines

Remember Bondying?

July 26th, 2008
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Bondying (The Little Big Boy) is a movie from the Philippines that depicted the story of a big guy who was still treated like a baby by his grandmother. The result? He was very immature and he behaved like a two year-old boy. This film was released in 1989. I was nine years old at that time, but I can still picture out Jimmy Santos, the protagonist, carrying his gigantic milk bottle. He walked around wearing a diaper while sucking his thumb. He went through a difficult ordeal when the army tried to make a man out of him. He may be a giant toddler but he fell in love.  Unfortunately, I can’t remember whether he was able to finally grow up or remained a Bondying.

An idiotic A senseless question bugged me, though. Was he wearing cloth or disposable adult diapers? Anyway, I’ve just realized that it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen a Philippine movie.  Care to make a suggestion?

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Movies, Philippines

Wordless Wednesday #19: Dipolog Coast

July 23rd, 2008
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Photo courtesy of Jun D. Racho

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Philippines

On Sulpicio Lines

July 18th, 2008
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I’ve always wanted to rant about Sulpicio Lines but due to the recent Princess of the Stars disaster, I’ve put this entry off a few weeks.

Anyway, I’d just would like to share some of my experiences with Sulpicio Line’s Dipolog Princess (DP). This ferry has been around for as long as I could remember.

Experience #1:
I was still a freshman in college, I boarded DP one Saturday night from Cebu to Iligan City. There was no problem when it left Cebu but it suddenly stopped 4 hours after departure due to engine trouble. It started running again 5 hours later. It was supposed to arrive in Iligan at 6:00AM, but due to the problem, we reached Iligan Bay at around 1:00PM. We were about a hundred meters from the port but the engine died again. The problem wasn’t fixed so they left us with no option but to transfer to a tugboat to the port. It was my first time riding a tugboat and jumping from the ship to the tugboat was really horrifying!

Experience #2:
DP is the only ship that goes to Iligan City from Tagbilaran City. My father died in Tagbilaran City so we had to stay a few days in Bohol waiting for the ship. DP was supposed to leave Bohol on Wednesday but, due to engine trouble (again), we left Bohol the next day. We were mourning and provoked by the ship’s delay. These drove me to my limit and I actually lost my temper when I found out that some people had the same bed number as my family and me. Moreover, we weren’t able to get the economy accommodation, so we got the tourist ones. The room was supposed to be air-conditioned but we weren’t able to get some sleep because the air-conditioning system was broken!

The only good thing I can say about Sulpicio Lines is that they serve good meals. Honestly, I like some of the Sulpicio Lines ferries, especially Princess of the Ocean. But they should let go of Dipolog Princess.

I think that not only Sulpicio lines, but also most of the ferries in the Philippines have major problems. Most (if not all) of the ships are old and have poor maintenance. Serious mechanical inspections are only done when tragedies happen. Security is tightened only when a bombing incident occurs. I just hope they won’t wait for another incident to happen before they do something.

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Opinionated Me, Philippines ,

Thinking of Christmas

July 18th, 2008
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Christmas Day is undoubtedly almost everyone’s favorite day. That’s why, I couldn’t help but think about Christmas even if it’s still July! I just hope I could go home this Christmas. I’ve spent the last two Christmases away from home. My father may have already left us, but the children at home, particularly Shaynna and Kiera would at least lessen the pain.

Anyway, if given the chance to go home this Christmas, I’d definitely organize a kiddie party and send out Christmas invitations as early as September!

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Christmas, Philippines
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