Aggregator site of some of Davao's best blogs
As a tax accountant, I find that it is time again to start thinking about filing income tax returns. As is our wont, tax accountants, with a little dark humor, enjoy tax-related jokes and stories. I’m no exception to this quaint rule of thumb. While perusing Facebook the other day, I came across a cheery [...]
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Today, I want to let LiP readers know about a new project that I have embarked upon. It is something that I have actually been doing for a number of years now, but I have greatly expanded it and wanted to tell you about it, in case you have an interest. You probably know, if [...]
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This is a special time of the year in the Philippines. December and January have special meaning for Filipinos. Christmas? No, that’s special, but not what I’m talking about. New Years? Again, New Years is great, but once again, not what I’m talking about today. I can just hear you asking: But, Bob, what else [...]
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Well here we are, just barely into the New Year. It is the Year 2012 already. Time is certainly fleet of foot – it feels as though it’s still October and we just returned from our vacation to the USA. *Sigh*! Don’t get me wrong. I like progress. I like passing time in The Philippines. [...]
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Prior to Christmas, giving you all something to ponder for the New Year, I’ve decided to point out some myths that you will often read online regarding business and the economy in the Philippines. It pays to know what you are talking about, should you decide to live here, and simply repeating common misconceptions does… [Continue Reading]
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Why is it that the guy with the computer is looked upon as a virtual fountain of wisdom and knowledge? Can anyone “Google” me an answer for that? It seems that all anyone wants is a “Google” reply, these days. Searching libraries and reference books is a thing of the past. Now, it’s usually one… [Continue Reading]
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It happened this past weekend, I felt that I had acquired a new Filipino Mom. I’ve been in the Philippines for almost 12 years now, and my mother from the States has come to visit us several times during that time span. But, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her, although we talk regularly… [Continue Reading]
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Yes, indeed, MindanaoBob was on the road again this past weekend, along with his trusty sidekicks, Feyma and Aaron. We had a great time attending the Socsksargen Blogfest 2.0 in General Santos City this past weekend. I will be writing several articles about the trip, different aspects of the trip which are unrelated. Today, I… [Continue Reading]
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I’ve been back home almost a month already. Time certainly is flying fast these past few weeks. This week is no exception. As I pen this article, we’ve already arrived at “Hump Day” – that magical middle of the week known as Mierkoles or Wednesday to my English speaking audience. Fast, I tell you; time is… [Continue Reading]
When Rebecca and I first moved to the Philippines, we originally set up her fish ponds as a source of income for her family. The fish pond business was not really successful for us. They provide a little extra income for her family, but effectively run just above the break-even point. Why is this? Well,… [Continue Reading]
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I remember the first time I came to the Philippines. It was in July of 1990. While I had traveled to Europe, Africa and South America in the past, that trip in 1990 was my first time to set foot in Asia. One of the things that I distinctly remember is how friendly Filipinos were, [...]
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A while back, I wrote an article about my “Fascination with Rice” and how it appeared that I was surrounded by rice. At this time of year, rice planting continues – with different plots of land being planted on a staggered basis. This is the rainy season, and water appears to be vital for rice [...]
While there can be no doubt that the overall cost of the living is substantially cheaper in the Philippines as compared to the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, etc., one thing that can definitely put a damper on living inexpensively is intranational communication. With only one long distance telephone company (PLDT) calling the shots and [...]
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It’s something that you don’t buy that many times in your life. It can be a relatively major purchase, albeit not like a house or a car. I’m talking about a mattress. Feyma and I have a King Sized bed in the master bedroom. We’ve had it for quite some time. As I recall, I [...]
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This month marks three years writing for LiP. Recently, my life has gotten very complicated, with many pressures on my time. As many of you have possibly noticed, I have been somewhat late in responding to comments, inquiries, and questions posed to me by readers of this site. There were big changes at the company [...]
I started working on radio when I was 15 years old. As a Disc Jockey. That was the beginning of a 10 year career in broadcasting, 7 of it was spent everyday in the DJ’s booth. It only ended because the woman who has captured my elongated heart wanted me to run after her on [...]
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If you think unemployment is bad amongst American college graduates, try looking at recent nursing graduates in the Philippines! Back when I made my first arrival in the Philippines in 2003, there were a total of 231 accredited nursing schools by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED). In less than a decade, that number has [...]
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This is a short story about a small but interesting project which was carried out by John Heitz very near to our favorite dive site on the very edge of the Marine Sanctuary in Tampuan or Tinoto as it is commonly called. Having spoken to some of the older people who have lived in that area [...]
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This article is a bit disturbing to me as it tends to show that some local banks have at least two faces and are prepared to go to any lengths in order to make larger profits but just how they do this is very annoying and insulting to many people or will be when they [...]
On Sunday April 24th at 3am my wife Ellie and the kids joined a group going to Bukidnon to attend a birthday and Ellie was going to look and see if there were any young people who would be interested in working at Cambridge Farm as we are a bit short of staff. The party [...]
Have you guys tried watching the show called Extreme Couponing on The Learning Channel? We’ve been watching this show for a few months now. It really got me interested and got me thinking. To be totally honest if we still lived in the States I’m pretty sure I will do some couponing but not as [...]
Yes, you read the title right: &(*#@+/ Cherries. What makes me so mad about Cherries? Well, just hold on, I’ll be getting to that. Abreeza, Davao City’s newest fanciest mall is open. Grand opening day was last Thursday, May 12. Although Feyma pretended like she did not want to go to Abreeza for the Grand [...]
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As readers will already know, we have had a run of bad luck here at Cambridge Farm and unfortunately that run of bad luck has just got worse. On Wednesday the 27th April 2011 in mid afternoon, one of our reasonably regular customers checked into one of the Pool Side Cottages and waited for his [...]
I was out and about today over in the Bajada area. I passed by at the newly built Abreeza Mall, and its almost done. It says on the sign that it will be open on May 12th 2011. Just by looking at it I’m really impressed. Hearing and reading from the TV and the papers [...]
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Arthur Miller wrote a play about Willy Loman an American salesman, yet I doubt if he’d ever ran into a salesman in the Philippines. It’s a whole different game here. The guy or girl will show up at your gate, with a clipboard taking a survey about one thing or the other. Attempting to tell you [...]
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