Philippines

The Philippines in a Nutshell

I'm still in the Philippines. If you've never been to the Philippines, here are a few bullet descriptions:

• Beautiful, friendly, happy people --- 98 million of them
• Traffic congestions in the big cities are so bad it could take 2 hours just to get to work.
• English spoken everywhere
• Very humid. You shower often not because you're dirty but because it feels refreshing. Thank God for Air Conditioning!
• Skyscrapers in the major cities and shanties in the provinces
• Mega Malls everywhere and they still manage to make a profit. Big thanks to the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) who work for months and years abroad (away from their families) so they can send dollars home.
• Call centers growing by leaps and bounds.
• Catholicism is King
• Muslims rule the south
• Chinese control the economy
• Food is a mix of Chinese, Malay, Spanish, Indian and American. Sadly, not too many vegetable cuisines.
• Natural musicians
• Disparity between the rich and the poor.
• Basketball is the favorite sport
• If you're a mestizo you can be a movie star
• If you are a celebrity you can be a politicia
• If you're a politician you can get away with anything
• Tourism is still evolving. If you want adventure this is the time to explore virgin natural resources.

The next time you hear me I will be back in the USA. TGIF!

Wisdom from Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Videos of the week:

The Dog House
Contributor: Charlie of New Jersey

You might have seen this before but I'm showing this for the benefit of our new subscribers. I know, I know, Christmas is over but here in the Philippines some commercial establishments are still playing Christmas carols.

Perfect Pitch
Contributor: Charlie of New Jersey

This is an amazong kid who can tell the notes and the chords just by hearing it.

Bocelli Sings Our Father
Contributor: Tom of Pasadena, CA

I know there are Bocelli fans among you. Here's his rendition of a classic Christian song.

Unique Guitar
Contributor: Art of Pasadena, CA

It's a new year. Time to try different things. Would you want to try out a new kind of musical instrument? Tell me, do you think this will start a new wave of guitar playing? I didn't think so. But it IS quite intriguing. Do you agree? TGIF people!