Ukay-ukay

Everywhere You see them, clothes, shoes, bags for sale. Price is reaaly cheap, from 5 p up. Second-hand is big business. Little they know, well meaning aunties in 1st world who donate clothes and things to various organisations who say they will hand over everything to the poor in 3rd world. Little they know that nothing is free.

Also this business has made local cloth industry to collapse 'cause they cannot compete with "free" clothes. Free trade. Not fair trade.

Word of the day: ukay = stir, move (here: dig in a pile of clothes)

Tropical paradise

Night temp is freezing +26 C! Cats always find the place to warm up.

We have three cats and two dogs. Dogs are to guard the house. They are still puppies but alarm good, too soft to attack. Expect the white one to grow up as a good guard. The bitch welcomes anyone; take a number, one by one boys...

Word of the day: bugnao = cold, init = hot

American standard

Once again my ISP is failing, going two weeks with bad, cutting connection. They have a customer service, always very polite, and imbecill, same standard procedure Yes, Sir. Connection comes when it comes. Annoying? Yes. First world guy in third world. Get a life.

Major companies brag with American standard. Well, we in Europe dont buy Made in US 'cause of bad quality. A long way to go.

Lot of old bikes, Honda Cup and other ancient models, nicely kept and still rolling strong. Also many 'homemade' bikes. How they can drive of police. No plates either. This is a free country.

Word of the day: wallako kabalo = I dont know

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Chinese community keeps low profile here 'cause of bad experience before. The leading class is however of Chinese origin which You can see during Chinese New Year. Many shops closed on January 23, and those open, like Metro, show up typical Chinese pling-pling. Hmm, much more fun where big China towns, like in Krung Thep or Singhapura -  a Chinese state.

New Year greeting is the south Chinese: Gung Hay Fat Choy - prosperous new year. In mainland China, the real China, they say: Xin Nian Kuai Le - happy new year. It is Year of the dragon.

Gaisano South in Colon burnt down. It was already old so good to make a new with insurance money LOL

Word of the day: mongo = bean, also bean brain

Butong and buko

Young coconut is full coco water which is refreshing to enjoy when weather hot. It is also believed to heal Your kidneys. Folks believe when drink buko, You can drink more alcohol. Many also believe it is aphrodisiac. Whatever, I sometimes drink it. It is a little sweet but mostly fresh. I also know how to open butong, that is not to spill all over but a clean cut. Butong has only little coco flesh inside, which is a favorite candy for all and sister. Coco flakes to make coco milk, are made of mature coconut or lubi.

Butong is also called a firm buttom of a young girl. To all You feminazi, this is a big compliment.

Word of the day: butong = young coconut, buko = coco water/juice

Fruits in plenty

Fruits are many of kinds and plenty. Many times so much they let them fall down for animals to eat. That goes for the cheap ones like tampis or papaya. Manga, however, is mahal and always guarded. Dont think that manga tree, just growing out in the bush, is Yours to pick. Every single manga tree in owned by somybody. Manga is often wrapped in paper (like in pic) to protect from insects and to speedy up maturing. Pomelos grow huge.

Word of the day: simbako = godforbid, hope not happen

Freedom of

This is a free country. You can do basically what You want. And tea money gets You out of most trouble. This is good and this is bad. They have all the laws, much same like we have. It fails in implementation.

Multinationals "own" this country. They can, same like shamans in mercado, advertise their products with whatever hype. Folks are very much brainwashed with ads in tv or in other media. Like people say golgate when they want toothpaste.

Alcohol policy? No rules. School kids drink tanduay or redhorse in bar after school still wearing school uniform. No problem. Wonder what the parents say. Do they care. I dont know. Look at the ads below. Would never pass in my country. Note, I am not complaining. Just wonder.

Now coming too much bulinau, resale price 40 p per kilo, only. Before 120 p. Supply and demand.

Worl of the day: usa, duha, tolo, upat, singko = 1-5 in cebuano