Can you imagine yourself being happy living in a native house for a few months on one of the rustic beaches in the Philippines? There are many such beaches all around the Philippines where an expat can rent an inexpensive beach house for the month without concern about a lease. Many of the rustic beaches have "Resort" after their name, however, these are not resorts that most … [Read more...]
Mooon Cafe Is Nuevo Wavo
Mooon Cafe is among the Nuevo Wavo or New Wave brand of restaurants that are turning out quality Mexican style food at affordable prices in the Bacolod Area of the Philippines. I also like to refer to Mooon Cafe as a fusion restaurant, incorporating Southwestern, Tex-Mex and South of the Border recipes with local Filipino cuisine favorites. While not commercially geared toward … [Read more...]
The Ring Of Fire
If you have been watching the news, then you know by now that there was a terrible earthquake two days ago on the islands of Bohol, Cebu and on several other islands in the Visayas and Mindanao. At our house in Bacolod City, we really felt the tremor with a little house swaying and shaking of some household items but nothing serious where we live. Regardless, our heart goes out … [Read more...]
No, I Won’t Back Down
If you are going to live in the Philippines, one of the best friends you can make are with the government workers at the Bureau of Immigration, aka BI. If you treat them nicely, they will treat you nicely. That my friends, is the Key! One must understand that every BI Office in the country does not provide the same services. There are BI Field Offices, District BI Offices … [Read more...]
Shop Til you Drop!
Ever since the new Super Metro Store opened in Talisay City, right outside of Bacolod, the BUZZ among the expat community has been about all the favorite expat food items that are available in their store! Imagine a Super Wal-Mart in the Philippines! There is not one Wal-Mart in the Philippines but Super Metro is the next best thing! A number of cities in the Philippines … [Read more...]
The Kano Coconut Telegraph
The coconuts are piling up! It has been my experience over the past 27 years that there are some fabulous expats who have made the Philippines their home, however, every expat you meet in the Islands is not your friend! All expats in the Philippines do not have any intentions of being your friend and some set out from day one to cause you problems. Call it the Green Eyed … [Read more...]
Go Tribal In The Philippines!
The Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines, their way of life, their culture and where they live in the Islands, may well be one of the most overlooked, yet very interesting, aspects of the entire Philippines! In the Highlands of Luzon, there is estimated to be 100 tribes and sub-tribes, who have preserved their lives much in the same way as was lived within their tribes … [Read more...]
The Mercury Is Rising!
It's about to happen! One of the biggest Festivals in the entire Philippines is about to explode in full tilt boogie beginning on October 1. Since 1980, the MassKara Festival has been an annual event in the City of Smiles, Bacolod City, and every hotel room in the city will be booked for 3 solid weeks. That is how big this festival is! It is a combination of Mardi Gras and … [Read more...]
A Wonderful World With Beautiful People
If you spend one weekend in the Philippines, you will never want to leave! An old retired US Navy guy told me this not so long ago and he shared his many wonderful experiences in the islands. He met the love of his life in the Philippines, as he married one of the lovely local ladies and is still married to her today, some 35 years later. I already knew about the grandeur of … [Read more...]
In My Midnight Confessions
How do you meet a fabulous lady in the Philippines? If I had P1 for every time I have been asked that question, I would have a nice little nest egg in savings to last me for some time! I remember back in the 1980s, the best way to find a lady living in the Philippines was to join Cherry Blossoms Introductions in Hawaii and become a member. You were then sent a list of photos … [Read more...]