If there was no corruption

There and Back

Christmas Trip to the Philippines went well but it gave me a lot to think about. 

During the four days we spent in the Philippines for Christmas, I had one question on my mind:  why hasn't the Philippines done much better economically than other places in Asia? 

Many people I have met in my travels have said that they loved living in the Philippines.  The people in the Philippines are the warmest and friendliest, I am told.  I love hearing that because I was born there and I love to hear how well Filipinos are perceived by visitors and expats who experience the Philippines in passing.

When I go back to the Philippines, I am considered a balikbayan.  What does this status signify for me?  During our visit to the Ayala Museum in Makati area of Manila, we were able to get into the museum paying the 'resident' fee instead of the visiting tourist fee: half price.  When we arrived at the hotel, we expected a hotel shuttle that other hotels of the same chain would provide for free to their guests all over Asia.  Instead the shuttle had to be 'requested' and we were told that when we rode it, our room would be billed "2,000 pesos".  Upon hearing that, we decided to take the local taxi for 200 pesos.  What is 200 pesos in American dollars?  A little over $4 from the airport to the hotel. Right now the exchange rate is 47 pesos to the US dollar.  It looks like a great time to shop in the Philippines.  But shopping isn't all there is in life.

I know that the schoolteacher makes about 10,000-12,000 pesos per month.  Converted to dollars, that's about $3,200 USD per year.   I know people who have gone to the university and went on to work as telemarketers because there weren't many jobs in their field.  How can these people afford to shop in Makati where the prices in stores are comparable or slightly lower than US prices for commodities?  The answer is that they can't.  Instead, they shop in other locations in Manila like Divisoria which was teeming with shoppers for wares that come from China.

If people could only exist on the natural beauty of their islands, the Filipinos would never have to struggle for survival.  However, I saw on this trip that the lack/absence of/neglect of developing Manila's infrastructure is standing in the way of economic progress.  Since my last visit three years ago, the Philippines looks as if it has stagnated.  While other countries in Asia have made economic progress, the Philippines appears to me to have been left behind.

There and Back

Christmas Trip to the Philippines went well but it gave me a lot to think about. 

During the four days we spent in the Philippines for Christmas, I had one question on my mind:  why hasn't the Philippines done much better economically than other places in Asia? 

Many people I have met in my travels have said that they loved living in the Philippines.  The people in the Philippines are the warmest and friendliest, I am told.  I love hearing that because I was born there and I love to hear how well Filipinos are perceived by visitors and expats who experience the Philippines in passing.

When I go back to the Philippines, I am considered a balikbayan.  What does this status signify for me?  During our visit to the Ayala Museum in Makati area of Manila, we were able to get into the museum paying the 'resident' fee instead of the visiting tourist fee: half price.  When we arrived at the hotel, we expected a hotel shuttle that other hotels of the same chain would provide for free to their guests all over Asia.  Instead the shuttle had to be 'requested' and we were told that when we rode it, our room would be billed "2,000 pesos".  Upon hearing that, we decided to take the local taxi for 200 pesos.  What is 200 pesos in American dollars?  A little over $4 from the airport to the hotel. Right now the exchange rate is 47 pesos to the US dollar.  It looks like a great time to shop in the Philippines.  But shopping isn't all there is in life.

I know that the schoolteacher makes about 10,000-12,000 pesos per month.  Converted to dollars, that's about $3,200 USD per year.   I know people who have gone to the university and went on to work as telemarketers because there weren't many jobs in their field.  How can these people afford to shop in Makati where the prices in stores are comparable or slightly lower than US prices for commodities?  The answer is that they can't.  Instead, they shop in other locations in Manila like Divisoria which was teeming with shoppers for wares that come from China.

If people could only exist on the natural beauty of their islands, the Filipinos would never have to struggle for survival.  However, I saw on this trip that the lack/absence of/neglect of developing Manila's infrastructure is standing in the way of economic progress.  Since my last visit three years ago, the Philippines looks as if it has stagnated.  While other countries in Asia has made economic progress, the Philippines appears to me to have been left behind.

I can't always access xanga like I used to.  Typing xanga.com doesn't always bring the sign on page.  Let's add that to the list of reasons why I don't blog like  I used to.  But today I'm able to access xanga. Cheers!

Tomorrow, we are hosting a tamalada open-house at our place.  This tradition started two years ago in Lisbon when I was invited to one.  I've always loved tamales and Christmas is the best time to make it.  Before we came to China, I made sure to pack up the ingredients like maseca (ground maiz flour, dried chili peppers like guajillo and the all-important corn husks. The rest of the ingredients can easily be acquired here although three small avocados costs 54 RMB or close to 9 dollars and Doritos run $6 per medium sized bag.  It costs twice or three times as much for imported goods here.  However, it's the Christmas season which means it's the best time to splurge. 

Now a tamalada usually involves a lot of family members making tamales.  This year, I'm doing it alone.  Maybe next year our daughters will be able to visit us for Christmas.

I've got 23 guests coming over tomorrow.  The menu includes pork and chicken tamales, tres leches cake, leche flan, rajas con crema (roasted hot peppers, onion in cream) , corn & avocado salsa with chips, champurrado/atole, sangria and non-alcoholic pineapple punch.

Thank you for the welcome back comments. :)

Season's Greetings!  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your families.

I've been silent for so long that some of you may wonder where in on earth I am.  Since August 2008, my spouse and I have been living in China.  Before that we were in Lisbon Portugal.  Fortunately, I'm working part-time here. And once again, I'm adapting to the new culture by learning Mandarin and exploring the area on foot.

This Christmas, my spouse and I will be in the Philippines to celebrate the spiritual side of the season.

Maligayang pasko sa inyong lahat!