Are you ready for Christmas? You are already one month behind! The Christmas Season in Bacolod City kicked off on September 1 with the first Christmas songs of this new Christmas Season. There are still 110 days left, so you still have plenty of time to celebrate. The Feast of Santo Nino (Christ Child) is most famous in Cebu but many Filipinos in Negros Occidental also … [Read more...]
Say It Ain’t So, Gary!
"It ain't so, Gary!" There, I said it. I communicate with more than 50 foreigners most days, every week in email, in my article comments, on the RTTP Forum and in personal consulting. It never ceases to amaze me about some of the things that foreigners have been told about the Philippines...by other foreigners! There is a lot of misinformation going around and a lot of it is … [Read more...]
Get Ready For A Family Reunion!
I've heard some foreigners complain about the large family reunions held in the Philippines, however, I really enjoy them! My Filipino family does not hold a family reunion every year, but it is part of the vibrant Filipino Culture to hold one every few years. Most families have OFWs, workers abroad, so whenever a few of them are in the Philippines on vacation at the same time, … [Read more...]
The Art Of Making Noise!
"Let's Get Loud" is one of one of our cousins' favorite songs and she sings it exactly like the original artist. I also enjoy the song and I think that could be one of the theme songs of the Philippines. Yes, amigos, there is noise here and it isn't going away because it has been around the last 28 years that I know about. I am sure the noise was here long before I arrived on … [Read more...]
Prepare For A Long Wake
My father in law passed away on June 8 at age 84 after an extended illness. With relatives spread out in Manila, Zambales, Guimaras and in both southern and northern Negros Occidental, the funeral is not until Saturday, June 21. I was asked to be one of the speakers at the funeral service. It is a sad time but for me, I am happy that Tatay is no longer suffering and wasting … [Read more...]
Death Conquered The Streets
There's a man going around taking names but everyone is not treated the same way! If you are a criminal in Davao City, you are on very dangerous ground! I remember when colorful mayor Rody Duterte was first elected as Mayor of Davao City way back in 1988 and yes, I was in the Philippines at that time. Word has it that Mayor Duterte held a press conference the day he was sworn … [Read more...]
Who Were You Thinking Of?
Every single day, I am contacted a number of times by expats from around the round world with a variety of questions about retiring to the Philippines. Including , the cost of living, medical care, cost of insurances, safety and security, the best places to live and the whole nine yards. Without failure, at the top of the list is about relationships with the women of the … [Read more...]
Go Azkals Go!
I've had the pleasure of watching the Philippines National Soccer team, The Azkals, play in Bacolod at Panaad Stadium against the Pakistan team. Yes, they kicked butt and won! Hip, hip hooray!! A number of expats have asked me, "Gary, what the hell is an azkal anyway?" Basically, an askal in the Philippines is a street dog. The Philippine National Soccer team was named the … [Read more...]
Philippine Dating Scams
Do you remember the words to the old song, "Looking for love in all the wrong places?" There is a lot of truth in the song and people the world over make mistakes by looking for their lifetime partner in the wrong places. Retiring to the Philippines as a single guy and looking for your partner in life can be exciting and it will be a life changing event, whether it turns out … [Read more...]
Crossing Muddy Waters
There are a number of taboos in the Filipino culture that are best avoided at all costs. Most Filipinos are very friendly, loving and hospitable people but there are some actions exhibited by both expats and Filipinos alike that can put you on the wrong side of a gun in a heartbeat! I have found that most Filipinos are more tolerable toward expats than they are toward their … [Read more...]