It’s hot and sultry here in Dumaguete City. I wipe my brow in the comforting shade of Mango trees. I ruminate on my new-found information. In 1901 the Silliman University of the Unites States established its first, SE Asia, overseas elementary school for boys. It grew over the years to become a university much renowned […]
We are seated at a table for four, this Asian lass and I. We are in Casablanca. Not the Casablanca you understand but another spot on the planet that boasts the name. A restaurant in fact that, alas, does not have Sam playing for us tonight, there is no sign of Rick (I suppose he […]
GOOD THINGS COME IN THE PHILIPPINES … TO THOSE WHO WAIT. The longer I stay in the Philippines – and I have been here nearly six years now – the clearer it is that the happiest expats are the ones who started their visits slowly. Living in a generation that is used to instant gratification, […]
A Ceres Bus Trip to Remember The most ubiquitous bus line in this neck of the woods is the Ceres Liner. The fleet is modern and many of them are air conditioned and have free WiFi. The trip was to be a six hour drive with the driver appropriately tooting his horn every ten seconds […]
You might want to read Further to understand the title “Killing Time in Paradise”, lol You are probably aware that the Philippines became a very different country on May 9th, electing a new President, Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte (nickname “Rody”), who positively encourages extra-judicial killings. Does this development have any implications for you and your […]
Laws Restricting Foreign Land Ownership in the Philippines hurt Ordinary Filipinos Any foreigner who has wanted to buy land in the Philippines is, or should be fully aware of, the laws prohibiting foreign land ownership. . These laws are absolute and all encompassing save for one exclusion whereby a foreigner can obtain title to land […]
The Next Step of my Philippine Adventure As I continue on my Philippine adventure, I pause to ponder the view. Outside our bedroom window, on the third floor of this guest house, is a narrow ledge barely wide enough to accommodate the foot of a walker, heel to toe in front of the other. The […]
Why Start a Business in the Philippines? Sooner or later many of us expats will decide to do something industrious to pad out the long days of sun, sea, sex and sand. Since arriving I’ve been involved with the creation, purchase and sale of businesses from sari sari stores, jeepneys and tour boats to call […]
Who is Real, and who is just an Expat Pretender with skeletons in their closet? This is the first and only time I have lived outside my home country of Canada, so I am not sure whether this is a situation that is typical of the Philippines or rather a broader one where ever there […]
My Philippines Adventure Continues Initiated in the unique experiences of public transportation in the Philippines Initially on our Philippines adventure, we got around in a cab. They are plentiful in the city as are Jeepneys and pedi-cabs. To anyone whoever complains about drivers in any North American cities I will ask, “You have never been […]