Google, Yahoo et al struggle to to role out services globally. For this reason it sometimes comes down to people power to complete such tasks. There is a dedicated group of people and supporters in the Philippines doing just that at www.openstreetmap.org.ph. If you are interested in contributing I recommend buying a Garmin Etrex Cx global positioning device, and downloading the free map rendering software from EasyGPS. Even if you need a street map to find your friend's place, you can zoom to the right size, find the PrintScreen (PrtSc) button on your computer and past into MS PAINT software, so you can print off your own map after any editing you want to do. If you want to render your own trails/tracks and waypoints on your map, there are products like OZExplorer which allow you to do that. Just to start you off, here is a map of Manila.
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Would I recommend living in the Philippines?
There are a great many Westerners considering a relationship with a woman in the Philippines. There is a charming aspect to Filipinos I must concern. There are a great many who have a sense of entitlement, who are ambitiously intent on accessing you cash flow, but still others who are productive, hard working people of good intent. Whether you have an educated partner, or have met a factory-worker prepared to work 3 jobs, the challenge is finding a suitable and respecting partner in shark-infested waters.
The next challenge is deciding whether to live there. If you are intent on having a relationship with a Filipino, I firmly recommend living there for a period in order to grasp their context, to understand their culture, and if you have the time, to learn their language. Aside from understanding her culture, I find this a desirable opportunity to have a life experience abroad, as well as an opportunity to develop a business if opportunities are available to you.
The questions you should be asking are: Do you have the capital? Are you leaving a better life for a lesser one? Are you turning your back on more opportunities than you are creating? Are you more valuable after this experience or less? Do you have a contingency plan?
Most people that move to the Philippines seem intent on retirement. That strikes me as an empty existence, since I cannot imagine not working. The goal to me is to work with reasonable people under reasonable rules. The appeal of the Philippines is that unreasonable rules are more easily avoided, and there are fewer rules besides. That is both a risk and a benefit. You don’t get fines for speeding, but there is little protection if your neighbour sets up a piggery next door. There is a security risk in the sense that life means less in the Philippines, but there is a benefit in as much as you mean more to them alive rather than dead. But only to a point. Like in business you have to have a strategy to preserve your value. You weaken your prospects if you teach them what you know, unless you first teach them a new model for self-respect. They are a more collectivist country than yours, so you need to embrace a ‘growth’ strategy which allows them to respect you for the difference you have made to their life. At the same time you need to break down the myth of social cohesion in the Philippines.
Many Westerners like the idea of employing locals in some small business. There are several challenges that you need to consider. Educated Filipinos want Western opportunities, so they want to travel abroad, so by employing them you are likely to experience high staff turnover. Employing poor, unskilled Filipinos and you will need to engage in a higher level of education than you might have considered. You will first have to teach them food and personal hygiene, ethical conduct, long range, conceptual thinking so they don’t burn their bridges by cheating on you in the first instance. I don’t know many Westerners who are ready for that. Most Westerners are more intent on just preserving the password on their bank account. That works to some extent, and you can surely tolerate a little pilfering. The question is – Did you not want relationships based on respect? Were you not investing in progress and prosperity? At least this is my ‘growth’ strategy. Some of you might be satisfied to spend your life surrounded by pretty girls. I however could never close my mind to the lack of respect often lacking from such relationships. So on reflection managing Filipinos might be too hard. It need not be, but if you don’t have a capable, trusted Filipino partner, with a similarly supportive Filipino family, I think you are destined for failure.
You might also be interested in establishing a business such as internet cafes, resort, etc. A great many years ago many Westerners came to establish resorts, and few made money from them. The primary problem was the poor economy in a political unstable context. So where might you put your money? I would probably avoid the local stock market unless you approach it as a pure trader or refrain from investing in anything less than the top 20 stocks. The best opportunities for foreigners are of course providing services to foreigners abroad. You cannot compete with the locals in small businesses like food, internet services, unless you look at serving foreign markets. You will just not make enough money to match your higher expectancies. If you can manage Filipinos then you might excel by managing a range of businesses or franchises. You will however need to understand the local business culture. That takes years.
Some people might actually prefer to live in several countries as I tend to do. I spread my time between Japan, the Philippines, Australia and NZ. Your personal context will differ from mine. If you are French, then you might like Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines; if you have lived in Japan as I have, then Japan appeals a great deal, and being an Australian, NZ makes a lot of sense. Visa rules differ but for Westerners the Philippines is the best (18mths, with unlimited re-entry), followed by Japan, Australia and NZ (3mths).
I don’t think you have to rush to buy anywhere at the moment, though I think Australia and NZ present excellent opportunities to convert foreign currency, as these currencies are too cheap, particularly the AUD. Australian property is still too pricey, unless you are looking at rural areas. You can rent cheaply in the Philippines, usually on 12 month leases, but I would be inclined to use the market weakness as an excuse to negotiate a 6-month agreement, and I would be travelling around, trying to determine which area was the best location. Cebu, Manila, Vigan, Davao and Lipa City are probably good choices to at least sample.
The next challenge is deciding whether to live there. If you are intent on having a relationship with a Filipino, I firmly recommend living there for a period in order to grasp their context, to understand their culture, and if you have the time, to learn their language. Aside from understanding her culture, I find this a desirable opportunity to have a life experience abroad, as well as an opportunity to develop a business if opportunities are available to you.
The questions you should be asking are: Do you have the capital? Are you leaving a better life for a lesser one? Are you turning your back on more opportunities than you are creating? Are you more valuable after this experience or less? Do you have a contingency plan?
Most people that move to the Philippines seem intent on retirement. That strikes me as an empty existence, since I cannot imagine not working. The goal to me is to work with reasonable people under reasonable rules. The appeal of the Philippines is that unreasonable rules are more easily avoided, and there are fewer rules besides. That is both a risk and a benefit. You don’t get fines for speeding, but there is little protection if your neighbour sets up a piggery next door. There is a security risk in the sense that life means less in the Philippines, but there is a benefit in as much as you mean more to them alive rather than dead. But only to a point. Like in business you have to have a strategy to preserve your value. You weaken your prospects if you teach them what you know, unless you first teach them a new model for self-respect. They are a more collectivist country than yours, so you need to embrace a ‘growth’ strategy which allows them to respect you for the difference you have made to their life. At the same time you need to break down the myth of social cohesion in the Philippines.
Many Westerners like the idea of employing locals in some small business. There are several challenges that you need to consider. Educated Filipinos want Western opportunities, so they want to travel abroad, so by employing them you are likely to experience high staff turnover. Employing poor, unskilled Filipinos and you will need to engage in a higher level of education than you might have considered. You will first have to teach them food and personal hygiene, ethical conduct, long range, conceptual thinking so they don’t burn their bridges by cheating on you in the first instance. I don’t know many Westerners who are ready for that. Most Westerners are more intent on just preserving the password on their bank account. That works to some extent, and you can surely tolerate a little pilfering. The question is – Did you not want relationships based on respect? Were you not investing in progress and prosperity? At least this is my ‘growth’ strategy. Some of you might be satisfied to spend your life surrounded by pretty girls. I however could never close my mind to the lack of respect often lacking from such relationships. So on reflection managing Filipinos might be too hard. It need not be, but if you don’t have a capable, trusted Filipino partner, with a similarly supportive Filipino family, I think you are destined for failure.
You might also be interested in establishing a business such as internet cafes, resort, etc. A great many years ago many Westerners came to establish resorts, and few made money from them. The primary problem was the poor economy in a political unstable context. So where might you put your money? I would probably avoid the local stock market unless you approach it as a pure trader or refrain from investing in anything less than the top 20 stocks. The best opportunities for foreigners are of course providing services to foreigners abroad. You cannot compete with the locals in small businesses like food, internet services, unless you look at serving foreign markets. You will just not make enough money to match your higher expectancies. If you can manage Filipinos then you might excel by managing a range of businesses or franchises. You will however need to understand the local business culture. That takes years.
Some people might actually prefer to live in several countries as I tend to do. I spread my time between Japan, the Philippines, Australia and NZ. Your personal context will differ from mine. If you are French, then you might like Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines; if you have lived in Japan as I have, then Japan appeals a great deal, and being an Australian, NZ makes a lot of sense. Visa rules differ but for Westerners the Philippines is the best (18mths, with unlimited re-entry), followed by Japan, Australia and NZ (3mths).
I don’t think you have to rush to buy anywhere at the moment, though I think Australia and NZ present excellent opportunities to convert foreign currency, as these currencies are too cheap, particularly the AUD. Australian property is still too pricey, unless you are looking at rural areas. You can rent cheaply in the Philippines, usually on 12 month leases, but I would be inclined to use the market weakness as an excuse to negotiate a 6-month agreement, and I would be travelling around, trying to determine which area was the best location. Cebu, Manila, Vigan, Davao and Lipa City are probably good choices to at least sample.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Australian gunned down in Angeles City
I see that an Australian has been gunned down in Angeles City in the Philippines. The story reported in the Sun Herald reports that the guy had a successful business there. At the end of the day doesn't it just become about money. Maybe he wasn't prepared to pay kickbacks to the local authorities. Anyway, it is far better for all concerned to avoid Angeles City, since its mostly prostitution and drugs. I don't think it need to reflect on the rest of the country.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Philippines is under ‘undeclared martial law'
According to Topix.net the Philippines is under an 'undeclared martial law'. How true is that? What we do know about Philippines politics is that there is a culture of power lusters and corruption, and collusion between the major parties. Consider for instance that President Arroyo pardoned deposed former president Joseph Estrada. Why would you do that unless you wanted the same treatment in opposition, that is to be unaccountable for your crimes. This is consistent with the perception that corruption has increased under Arroyo. I've only lived in the Philippines 2 years but I've seen a lot of corruption. The US government even expressed dismay at the high number of opposition leaders being murdered or disappearing, and the high level of political killings. A significant number of journalists have also been killed for expressing opinions against certain political interests.
Certainly there is no martial law in the Philippines, but the threat should be considered serious because Gloria Arroyo is currently prevented from running for a 2nd term. She is not without her options, and among them are:
1. Attempting to change the constitution. She has supported Federalism as a means of giving the Moros their lands in Muslim Mindanao. It would seem reasonable if the government had not spent the last 100 years trying to marginalise them through population resettlement and kill them. But fine, all is forgiven.
2. Declaring martial law. One of the problems with allowing a president to declare martial law is the chance of the law being misused. It would be easy enough for the president's supporters in the military to conspire to fabricate a 'civil emergency' that would justify martial law, whether its the killing of people, or more likely a series of bomb attacks around the Philippines.
3. Getting one of her children or supporters elected: If you can't get re-elected, why not get one of your supporters elected. Arroyo has family in politics. Maybe they will ascend as a proxy. No signs of that yet, but no election until 2010, so time to groom them for the presidency.
Reading the Topix story there seems to be confusion over terminology. Martial law is a period of enhanced presidental power. There is the concern that after 30 days, when martial law is due to expire (after the end of her term), that she could pay off a number of politicians to achieve an indefinite extension. More likely however would be a move to rewrite the Constitution. The Philippines has replaced its constitutions every 30 years on average. It needs to be conceded however that Arroyo has done a good job reforming the economy in many respects, so she is no slouch there. Of course they said the same about President Marcos, who failed to execute. Arroyo by contrast has just been slow. The trend however is positive. Could it be that she is just impatient with democracy. Aside from the political-related killings, it might be comparable with President Roosevelt's total disregard for the Constitution. eg. The IRS Code and abolition of the gold standard.
If one looks around the world it is a given that we are in a period of fascism, where corporate government alliance has far more power than that of the much maligned unions, consumer (given the weak regulation). Fascism today is far less confrontational than the pre-WWII days. It reads to be understood that there are blunter tools than guns to get what you want. Its easier to misappropriate funds and pay off your detractors. You will find some journalists are paid off to shut up, and they are the one's who don't respond to the threat of murdered journalists.
Certainly there is no martial law in the Philippines, but the threat should be considered serious because Gloria Arroyo is currently prevented from running for a 2nd term. She is not without her options, and among them are:
1. Attempting to change the constitution. She has supported Federalism as a means of giving the Moros their lands in Muslim Mindanao. It would seem reasonable if the government had not spent the last 100 years trying to marginalise them through population resettlement and kill them. But fine, all is forgiven.
2. Declaring martial law. One of the problems with allowing a president to declare martial law is the chance of the law being misused. It would be easy enough for the president's supporters in the military to conspire to fabricate a 'civil emergency' that would justify martial law, whether its the killing of people, or more likely a series of bomb attacks around the Philippines.
3. Getting one of her children or supporters elected: If you can't get re-elected, why not get one of your supporters elected. Arroyo has family in politics. Maybe they will ascend as a proxy. No signs of that yet, but no election until 2010, so time to groom them for the presidency.
Reading the Topix story there seems to be confusion over terminology. Martial law is a period of enhanced presidental power. There is the concern that after 30 days, when martial law is due to expire (after the end of her term), that she could pay off a number of politicians to achieve an indefinite extension. More likely however would be a move to rewrite the Constitution. The Philippines has replaced its constitutions every 30 years on average. It needs to be conceded however that Arroyo has done a good job reforming the economy in many respects, so she is no slouch there. Of course they said the same about President Marcos, who failed to execute. Arroyo by contrast has just been slow. The trend however is positive. Could it be that she is just impatient with democracy. Aside from the political-related killings, it might be comparable with President Roosevelt's total disregard for the Constitution. eg. The IRS Code and abolition of the gold standard.
If one looks around the world it is a given that we are in a period of fascism, where corporate government alliance has far more power than that of the much maligned unions, consumer (given the weak regulation). Fascism today is far less confrontational than the pre-WWII days. It reads to be understood that there are blunter tools than guns to get what you want. Its easier to misappropriate funds and pay off your detractors. You will find some journalists are paid off to shut up, and they are the one's who don't respond to the threat of murdered journalists.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Philippines language
I was just having a conversation with my GF about the Tagalog (Philippine) language. She was explaining the reasons why she didn't like the language. I think its very easy for a person to discard their culture, language or values, as some collective trash, but really there is often some value in it. She was saying:
1. Tagalog was very repetitive: Upon discussion or critical appraisal of the language it was apparent that it was really quiet logical in its structure. She said it was an integration of Bahasa (Indonesian), Spanish and Chinese, and maybe local native dialects, but her example was not true.
2. Tagalog was emotive: I tend to agree with her point: I notice that she will talk in English with people, but when she wants to be emotional, she will switch to Tagalog. There is a pleading in the Philippine language. I don't however think this is a problem restricted to Tagalog. Having had Japanese and Korean girlfriends, and friends in Europe as well, I can say that a great many Asian and mainland European languages are pleading or tragic. People are like this way for a reason. They are seeking alms or concessions. Its a tool. Understandable that people use it to get what they want, but sadly the counterparty is unable or unwilling to counter it with reason. Herein lies a failure of Asian and mainland European thinking that manifests itself in language.
3. Tagalog is tiresome: Her argument was that it is much harder to explain things in Tagalog compared to English. This is not surprising, though clearly my GF could not appreciate the difference because she didn't appreciate the history of these cultures. English techical words like at the core of most languages because the Western world popularised their use though the Industrial revolution. Today English is the level of science and other technical subjects such as philosophy despite the illogical structure of English. The illogical structure of English however is incidental rather than core. Its incidental in the sense that the language borrowed from others. It borrowed frm others because science and commerce resulted in it engaging with the world, spreading its achievements, such that it morphed with other cultures, but its core remained strong because it learned from other cultures.
It did not self-righteously place up barriers like the Japanese, which were subsequently broken down by Admiral Perry, it was mostly open to other countries. I think that is the legacy of English. Its a stuffed language, declines in structure with every culture it influences, but its culture always retains the right attitude. Always? Well, no. I would suggest its concept of self interest (as defined by its bureaucrats) is too narrow and commercial in its political expression, but such is the influence of bad politics. If Asia wants to impress it really needs to adopt a better philosophical system. But personally I think you will read about such a system on these pages before you read about it from some Asian bureaucrat. Watch these pages...
My GF did appreciate that whilst she had these strong objections about the Philippines, she really needed to live overseas so that she could see their cultural failings. I would however caution against nit-picking over cultural differences and understanding why. Cultures are different for reasons. You can't expect a cutlture to be different from what it is because it did not depend on any one person, it is a summation of ideas. Neither should one define oneself as the product of a collectivist identity. We are all individuals, slaves to a government that purports to represent only enough of the swine that would have it elected, having colluded with the competition (other party) on the rules of engagement.
Anyway we as good swine do...go to Australia to teach my GF how bad the world is, to make so much money that we can escape its vile odour... the raucous smell of a government that cares not to identify its contradictions. Well I love the physiology of my country, never mind the boring decadence of it. But I also like to explore... to seek out new experiences.
1. Tagalog was very repetitive: Upon discussion or critical appraisal of the language it was apparent that it was really quiet logical in its structure. She said it was an integration of Bahasa (Indonesian), Spanish and Chinese, and maybe local native dialects, but her example was not true.
2. Tagalog was emotive: I tend to agree with her point: I notice that she will talk in English with people, but when she wants to be emotional, she will switch to Tagalog. There is a pleading in the Philippine language. I don't however think this is a problem restricted to Tagalog. Having had Japanese and Korean girlfriends, and friends in Europe as well, I can say that a great many Asian and mainland European languages are pleading or tragic. People are like this way for a reason. They are seeking alms or concessions. Its a tool. Understandable that people use it to get what they want, but sadly the counterparty is unable or unwilling to counter it with reason. Herein lies a failure of Asian and mainland European thinking that manifests itself in language.
3. Tagalog is tiresome: Her argument was that it is much harder to explain things in Tagalog compared to English. This is not surprising, though clearly my GF could not appreciate the difference because she didn't appreciate the history of these cultures. English techical words like at the core of most languages because the Western world popularised their use though the Industrial revolution. Today English is the level of science and other technical subjects such as philosophy despite the illogical structure of English. The illogical structure of English however is incidental rather than core. Its incidental in the sense that the language borrowed from others. It borrowed frm others because science and commerce resulted in it engaging with the world, spreading its achievements, such that it morphed with other cultures, but its core remained strong because it learned from other cultures.
It did not self-righteously place up barriers like the Japanese, which were subsequently broken down by Admiral Perry, it was mostly open to other countries. I think that is the legacy of English. Its a stuffed language, declines in structure with every culture it influences, but its culture always retains the right attitude. Always? Well, no. I would suggest its concept of self interest (as defined by its bureaucrats) is too narrow and commercial in its political expression, but such is the influence of bad politics. If Asia wants to impress it really needs to adopt a better philosophical system. But personally I think you will read about such a system on these pages before you read about it from some Asian bureaucrat. Watch these pages...
My GF did appreciate that whilst she had these strong objections about the Philippines, she really needed to live overseas so that she could see their cultural failings. I would however caution against nit-picking over cultural differences and understanding why. Cultures are different for reasons. You can't expect a cutlture to be different from what it is because it did not depend on any one person, it is a summation of ideas. Neither should one define oneself as the product of a collectivist identity. We are all individuals, slaves to a government that purports to represent only enough of the swine that would have it elected, having colluded with the competition (other party) on the rules of engagement.
Anyway we as good swine do...go to Australia to teach my GF how bad the world is, to make so much money that we can escape its vile odour... the raucous smell of a government that cares not to identify its contradictions. Well I love the physiology of my country, never mind the boring decadence of it. But I also like to explore... to seek out new experiences.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Superstition in the Philippines
Its interesting how seriously Filipinos treat spiritual matters. I guess I have surrounded myself with a lot of cultures over the years, but I suggest that Filipinos are the most superstitious. On the note I am comparing them with Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, with Eastern Europeans the runner-ups, followed by the Japanese. The examples that come to mind are the following:
1. Work colleagues who ask their boss for a day off because it has been foretold that there will be an earthquake in Manila and a lot of people are going to die. It made me laugh. I would hate to die because I took precautions. Offices are designed to withstand earthquakes - many Filipino house owners might remember that. :) The strength of houses depends on the design too of course.
2. Property buyers who dont want to buy a property because its 500m away from a graveyard. My personal opinion is that dead people make the best neighbours because they are very quiet. I dont know the statue of limitations on haughting. I dont know how far they can roam in a night. Maybe best to live next to a cell tower so you can call for help, and the electromagnetic radiation might repel them.
3. Not talking ill of other people because it just might happen. Being critical, I do this a lot, and I'm always impressed by my capacity to have people touching wood.
4. There is also a belief in gnomes, fairies and 'centals', though I care less what they are.
The Japanese are pretty uptight people too. Salt crystals near the window sill in the house to ward off evil spirits. This one makes me laugh because it caused the cement and paint to crumble after a few years. But its true - there was no evil spirits over that time.
1. Work colleagues who ask their boss for a day off because it has been foretold that there will be an earthquake in Manila and a lot of people are going to die. It made me laugh. I would hate to die because I took precautions. Offices are designed to withstand earthquakes - many Filipino house owners might remember that. :) The strength of houses depends on the design too of course.
2. Property buyers who dont want to buy a property because its 500m away from a graveyard. My personal opinion is that dead people make the best neighbours because they are very quiet. I dont know the statue of limitations on haughting. I dont know how far they can roam in a night. Maybe best to live next to a cell tower so you can call for help, and the electromagnetic radiation might repel them.
3. Not talking ill of other people because it just might happen. Being critical, I do this a lot, and I'm always impressed by my capacity to have people touching wood.
4. There is also a belief in gnomes, fairies and 'centals', though I care less what they are.
The Japanese are pretty uptight people too. Salt crystals near the window sill in the house to ward off evil spirits. This one makes me laugh because it caused the cement and paint to crumble after a few years. But its true - there was no evil spirits over that time.
Religion in the Philippines
You can't breathe in the Philippines without seeing a statue or ediface of Jesus or Mary. For people who are 'truly blessed' you might wonder why they are so poor. Well they seem happy besides, except when they run out of money. Then there is the requirement to run to OFWs abroad to ask for a loan, which seldom gets repaid. 'Sorry bro, its been a bad week. Too much gambling and drinking. Thanks for the proceeds. All had a good time'. Quite often its the wife working abroad and the husband drinking, gambling and playing around. Not everyone mind you. Just wondering who owns these caricatures of Christ. Will the owner please put up his hand! Would the all knowing, all powerful Jesus please extend these people a loan. Sorry, but even the church can't seem to get enough. Churches around the world pay no tax, yet they still can't seem to get enough. The Saviour is short on change.
We might wonder whether we are expected to take responsibility for living. Ok. But should that not extend to ethics as well. Should we not develop our own philosophy without being extorted by Jesus. Anyway, I just wanted to celebrate the burning down of a church in Bohol some years ago. It made me wonder what their grievance was. I can't help thinking it was justified. Maybe I am remiss and it was 'natural causes'. God truly does work in mysterious ways. More paradoxical than mysterious because I see a great many churches burnt to the ground as I travel around the country. Wouldn't it be more suitable for the myth if that church near San Fernando was spared the ravages of the volcanic eruption of Mt Pinotubo about 20 years ago. I of course have a great deal to say on the ethics of religion. See my blog Religidiculous. Both hard concepts to swallow. :)
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