Cebuano Culture
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Christmas Caroling
This morning was sitting on the terrace when some Filipino walked up and started signing. [Read More]
Bantayan Island Close Up
Bantayan Island Tour
Last month I visited Bantayan and feel in love with the place! I haven’t been able to write all the articles about my first visit and I have already setup plans for a second visit. This time I’m going wind surfing!
Thought I would write about where I stayed and what it cost to get there and stay there. I’m living in Bogo City, so I’m very close.
…Read More [ Visit Bantayan Island ]
Cebu City, Pension House Review
Palladium Suites
On our visit earlier this month to Cebu City we stayed with walking distance of Osmena Circle and the price was less than P1000 for two people.
We stayed at Palladium Suites. The room was quite small but clean, the service was good and timely we even checked in about four hours early without any kind of problem. During the night, someone did ask us what time we would checkout which was a strange request. Seemingly trying to rush us? Jessie told her before 1pm which was checkout time. Later I told Jessie that she didn’t help that girl out very much. Which was okay with me, the girl on the night shift should have never asked that. I had thought about staying a second night but since we spent so much already, I decided that wouldn’t be a good idea anyway and we headed out as we originally planned. Staying only one night.
Cebu Shopping in Pictures
Shopping in Cebu City, Philippines
The first stop was Duty Free which provides a lot of items in demand by Americans. Perhaps other westerners as well, but I don’t know what those other westerners use. A lot of it are the simple things, like Spam. They have lots of Spam. There must be a massive demand for that. We picked up five cans there that were hickory smoked as that’s not available in most Filipino owned stores. The cost at Duty Free was higher than SM. When we made our way to SM, we learned that the SM chain had lowered their price from P115 to P98. I love competition, the consumer almost always wins.
Philippine Peso Trading Back to Normal
Trading on Philippine Peso vs US Dollar
The dollar to Philippine Peso trend has been virtually unchanged since December 24th. The numbers I usually watch have not been updated since the 24th. Those are the trading value and the official government rate but is slightly different than bank rates. It appears that there just has been no trading since the 24th but there’s a lot to this market I have not learned yet.
Philippine New Years
New Years Celebration In The Philippines
Philippines celebration of New Years is a lot like that of the US but exaggerated. The main exception is that is more about family than a party. What partying there is is usually done with family. The disco in Bogo City was closed on New Years eve. What would be the biggest night in the year for most bars and clubs is a closed day here in the Philippines. I’m sure many are open, especially in the larger cities but in Cebu, they are closed. Well, we have only one and it was closed.
Casual Philippines
Banks Closed for Two Weeks
People often talk about how the Philippines are laid back. The banks in the Philippines closed on the 24th and have not re-opened and will not re-open until the 5th of January 2009. That should give the uninitiated some insight into just how laid back the Philippines are. Now I doubt that all banks have been closed every minute. I don’t see how the banking system could just shut down completely for an entire country. Remithome, a firm that many use to send money to the Philippines stated on their website that banks will be closed on most days. That seems to imply some lead-way on the matter.
Christmas At Home 2008
When I was about Jason’s age, 7 years old, I made a stocking with much help from my mother. I still have that stocking and its pretty special to me. I got Jessie to buy some glitter and glue so they boys could put their names on their stockings. I suppose I brought a little US holiday tradition to the Philippines too.
Philippine Parks
Philippine Parks, A Cultural Experience
Instead of driving up and down certain streets to socialize and meet other teens, Filipino teens cruise the parks but they do it on foot. And it is not limited to teens, the young and the old can be found in the park. While it is mostly teens and young adults there are older Filipino men and couples in the park. You can often find couples tucked away in a more quite area of the park enjoying each others company. Mostly young couples but not always.
Philippine Military Action: Cotabato Province
More Trouble In Mindanao
Christmas eve found violence in the Mindanao city of Cotabato. Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels are thought to be behind the attacks. Moro leaders claim that they were reacting to attacks from the Philippine army. The Philippine army claims they were not part of any offensive actions as there was a cease fire in place for Christmas.
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