Makati City, Philippines

[slang]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Here is a website about the Philippine's Jeepneys

That is a fantastic resource XOB!

From the link...

"So, if you want to ride from one end of Manila's polluted thoroughfares to the other, in a typically 'open-window' jeepney, where the cumulative ground ozone fights for turf with the freshly belched diesel exhaust fumes, your eyes smarting and tearing while one hand holds on to the ceiling bar as the other desperately clasps a handkerchief over the mouth and nostrils, and alas, despite that futile effort, exposing yourself to the unhealthy and noxious equivalence of smoking a few cigarettes . . . yeah. . . yeah. . . I would say that qualifies as a Philippine adventure, if that's what floats your tourist boat."

The jeepny is the best way that I can think of to learn the routes and roads here.

By watching out the back of a jeepny you can connect land marks to map details.

A very complete link on the jeepny XOB.

[slang]

And to the drivers....

There have been times that I've been critical of the drivers. Those times that they are driving in heavy traffic, sorting out coins for change, texting on the phone, holding a conversation with the front seat passenger, and eating all at the same time!

I would stare in amazement.

That's what they do day after day after day, on the exact same routes. They should be able to juggle basket balls on the roof while driving, texting, counting, talking, eating, and singing.

Seriously, they all do a great job. I've not seen as much as a fender bender yet through all the heavy traffic of people, pedicars, carts and pedestrians.

This happened sometime last week.

Me and my wife hopped on a jeepny that was at the terminal and empty.

Down the road 11 people get in from one stop. Once you get seated people start passing their money forward to the driver. The driver gets the money and makes change handing it backwards.

All this is going on while the traffic is starting and stopping, weaving into one lane and then into another.

When the 11 people started getting their money ready they put it all together making change from their own cash.

The driver asked ( in tagalog ) " how many people added? "

Someone said "10" but the driver was counting heads in the overhead mirror while he was driving and weaving and texting and talking and eating and sorting coins and said...

"Eleven!"

[slang]

I've been taking a lot of abuse lately from my wife.

She tells me that I only post those things on the cellar that make the Philippines and Filipinos appear dirty, dishonest, and stupid.

I've told her that nothing could be further from the truth. The people and places that I see and post on the cellar may be dirty in a way but that the people that I run into are decent and virtuous people.

In the worst of conditions they remain positive and friendly.

She still believes that I've not shown the better side of the Filipinos.

Well, this next shot is not all that beautiful or attractive but there are more after this that do show a better side of the Phils.

This is a man that I know in the neigborhood. He's a clown and in these shots he DOES know that I'm taking his photo.

While this man, we'll call him Mike, does often over eat he's a continuous worker and is not constantly sought after by the local law enforcement.

This is "Mike" just hanging around the neighborhood.

[slang]

This man is not what I would consider to be a friend but instead an aqquiantance.

He's not a drinker but hangs out in with many of the local drinkers in hopes of getting their foods when they get tired and pass out.

In the following photos he's hamming up to my camera. This is not taking advantage of "Mike" nor disrespecting him.

Trust me.

[slang]

This is an ad from down the street.

There are many military people here on this street becasue this is one of many military areas.

There is a street very near to here that is called "Target Range Blvd". This whole area was once a military base in the late 40s.

We like and respect the military here. One of our relatives is a high ranking officer in the Philippine Army and another in the "fed" gov't security positions.

Take a look at the poster. It's the equivalent to West Point in the US.

[slang]

This is the association of the tricycle drivers in Pembo.

It represents both the drivers and owners. This is their 20th anniversary and when we were on the way to the Fort, the asked me to stop in, to take some photos, and to dirink some rum with them.

Do you really believe that I might pass this up?

First off let me say, I respect the tricycle drivers very much here and they give me great service and attention.

Some of them own their tricycles, some just drive. I've not had an unpleasant experience with any of them.

And, as I try to explain to my wife when I go out, people ask me to come sit with them for food or drink. I'm happy to do so with this group as they are good men are committed to their trade.

Note also the second sign is in Tag only.

[slang]

This is the management of the SHOFBOTODA. It's their celebration for 20 years and they are generous with their drinks of juice and rum.

They may not be great looking men but are very committed to their trade and terminal .

I'm happy to have a drink with such good men here.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by slang

I've been taking a lot of abuse lately from my wife.

She tells me that I only post those things on the cellar that make the Philippines and Filipinos appear dirty, dishonest, and stupid.

Not at all. Dirt at street level, up close and personal, happens where ever people live.... it's universal.
Maybe the Mrs has a skewed perspective of the US. We've got the same situation in our cities.
I was reading an article about Shanghai, in Smithsonian magazine. Over and over, throughout the article, he repeated how clean the place is. But then in the photographs showing crowds of people, there was plenty of litter on the sidewalk. I'm sure they clean it up on a regular basis, but where you have people, there's a steady supply of trash.

As for the Filipinos... There are all kinds, good and bad, just trying to cope with the world around them. They've often lived under very brutal conditions, yet they have been smart enough to adapt and survive. But in the end, with all the similarities and differences, they are just humans doing what humans do.

[slang]

This is another part of the rich and beautiful area. It's the food area of the Market Market mall.

It's open to the breeze but shelters from the rains. Sort of an unusual structure here but it's nice.

And...there's this fountain for the kids to play in and for people to take pics of their kids getting all wet.

[slang]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Not at all. Dirt at street level, up close and personal, happens where ever people live.... it's universal.
Maybe the Mrs has a skewed perspective of the US. We've got the same situation in our cities.

Yes, that's true. A part of the objection is that when I am there in the US I do post a thread with pictures of that particular place.

You can find most if not all of the places that I've been to in the past 4 years or so right here in the cellar.

What's different is that I have all the time in the world now to explore, snap and post about those things that I find interesting about Manila.

There is time to go on trips, to get addtional information, to add to a certain sub category of something that I might post later...many more options now that I'm not working.

As the surroundings here get more familiar my questions and explorations will get more detailed.

That's surely a part of the irritation of me posting and commenting here.

[slang]

Here is another example of the building going on here at the Global City.

I'm not sure if this will be offices or homes.

This is the link to the real estate broker.

There is a lot of excitement about the buildings going up in this area and the number of times that I've been handed a broshure or invited to a sales presentation is ridiculous.

Is there anyone out there that might have experience with such quickly growing areas?

I often tell my wife that if all those condos do sell ( and they are overpriced IMO ) then will the surrounding infrastructure support the addtion of all these people?

I'm skeptical because of all the building going on in cities in the US like Miami with their push to cash in on all these condos.

In FL they arent selling or are very soft with sales.

It seems to me that everyone here has dollar signs flashing in their eyes at the thought that they will surely get rich off these small condos.

Who is going to buy them all?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by slang

As the surroundings here get more familiar my questions and explorations will get more detailed.

That's surely a part of the irritation of me posting and commenting here.

Sure, your stateside posts only highlighted your surroundings.
I understand her concern/embarrassment, but I want reassure her, what we are seeing is interesting, and we're not looking down on her people.
Some things being good, as well as some not so good, is universal and not something she should be embarrassed about.
Hell, if everything was perfect, we'd all move there and then she'd really have a problem.