Bamboo Amp Stand {4}

Bamboo Amp Stand

Feb 23, 2014

As is often the situation here I came across a product that I thought I needed, but could not find a source for it locally. In those situations I can either order one and have it sent, usually balikbayan box, or try to make do with what I can manufacture. That’s what I did with my latest project.

I’ve had a lot of issues with my back/neck lately and attributed at least part of the problem to playing the guitar. At first I thought it was because of the chair I was using, so I bought an expensive chair from S & R that gave me good support and allowed the freedom for the guitar to sit naturally. Unfortunately that didn’t seem to help. After playing for 30 minutes or so my back was still killing me.
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By Category: Music Tags: , ,

Why is the Philippines So Loud? {6}

Why is the Philippines So Loud?

Feb 18, 2014

This may become a regular, or more likely irregular, feature. Shorter articles asking why things are the way they are here in the Philippines. For the most part I won’t have the answer, that’s why I’m asking. I may have gotten an answer that didn’t really ring true, or conflicting answers, but probably no answer at all.

My first entry is, “why is everything so loud in the Philippines?”
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By Category: Cultural Adjustment, Music Tags: ,

Davao Cable Television {4}

Davao Cable Television

Feb 15, 2014

Late last year the contractors were stringing new cable lines across our subdivision. I wasn’t sure what it was all about as there was already Davao Light for electricity, and PLDT and Globe for phone/internet. Come to find out that SKYcable was coming into our area as well.

SKYcable provides cable internet, so we now have three hardwired options for internet. They also provide cable television. On the TV side they will compete with Cignal, which is a dish satellite offering (similar to DirectTV in the US).
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By Category: Davao, Technology Tags: , , ,

iCampus {6}

iCampus

Feb 9, 2014

Options for buying Apple products in Davao are limited. We’ve got a few stores, but stock is slim in most cases. The other problem is there’s a bit of a premium added to the price over what you’d find online or back in the U.S.

Apple has offered educational discounts as far back as I can remember. I’ve taken advantage of those in the past for family members that qualified. It’s a nice way to get a slightly better price on a new Mac or other Apple product. I was pleased to find out that you can get that discount in Davao, too, under certain circumstances.
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By Category: Davao, Technology Tags: , , ,

Tableya Granola {2}

Tableya Granola

Jan 26, 2014

I didn’t really plan to prepare so much of my food before moving here, but it seems the longer I’m in the Philippines the more I end up making my own. There are a number of reasons for that, the most obvious is that I simply can’t find things here. Even when I do there is no guarantee I’ll be able to find it again once the supply is gone. If it is replenished, there is no way of telling how long I might need to wait.

So, slowly but surely, I’ve had to adapt and make my own concoctions. Some of the things I prepare on regular basis now include salsa, hummus, burritos and granola. Granola is my latest venture, and after a few attempts I feel I’ve gotten it to where I’m pretty happy with it.
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By Category: Cost of living, Food, Health Tags: , , ,

Ask the Security Guard {0}

Ask the Security Guard

Jan 16, 2014

I’ve discussed the lack of customer service in the Philippines many times before. On occasion I’ve even mentioned when I’ve received what I felt was good customer service, as it is not that common here. Don’t mistake customer service with friendliness, as the later is very common.

One aspect of customer service that is especially troubling is the lack of product knowledge. Not only knowledge of the product itself, how it works and it’s features, but often where the product can be found in the store. If they even carry it all.
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By Category: Business, Cultural Adjustment Tags: ,

Samal Island Hopping {0}

Samal Island Hopping

Jan 11, 2014

One of the more popular activities on and around Samal Island has to be what is known as “island hopping.” Once upon a time most people gathered up the clan and spent the day on the beach at Paradise Island Beach Resort or later on at a place like BlueJaz with its many water activities. These days it seems island hopping is what everyone wants to do.

The term itself is a bit misleading, at least to those of use that grew up on a different version of English. You don’t “hop” to very many islands, in fact in the trips I’ve been on we’ve only stopped at Samal Island and once at Wishing Island. For the most part you “hop” around the gulf, around Talikud Island and/or Samal Island.
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By Category: Samal Island, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tags: , ,

2014 BI Annual Report {24}

2014 BI Annual Report

Jan 3, 2014

It’s a new year, Happy New Year, and time for the visit to the Bureau of Immigration for the Annual Report required for my 13a Resident Visa.

Being that I like to be prepared, and I was close to the office anyway, I stopped by the Bureau of Immigration a week or so ago to check on this year’s requirements. They seem to change every year, and as noted last year, by office. I was pleased to find out they were the exactly same as last year. I secured a copy of the correct Annual Report form and went on my way. I was set to show up after the first of the year with all required paperwork.

I keep forgetting – this is the Philippines, we aren’t in Kansas anymore.
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By Category: Business, Davao, Immigration Tags: , , ,

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