From the Midwest redneck author of "The Rooster Crows at 4am!," "Lizard Poop!," and "The Philippines Expat Advisor"
Bananas, Babes and Beer. Bruising Beijing Ban Baffles Philippines.
China has impounded Philippine fruit exports alleged to carry pests. 300,000 tons of Philippine bananas worth one billion pesos (about 236,000 US Dollars) were left to rot at Chinese ports. Philippine's Bureau of Plant Industry director Clarito Barron has confirmed that fruit shipments in China now face stricter inspection but refuses to believe the quarantine has anything to do with the ongoing simmering dispute in the South China Sea between the two countries.
Meanwhile, hotels and resorts in Boracay, Cebu and Bohol are reporting cancelations in bookings from China, as tensions continue between Manila and Beijing over the Scarborough Shoal issue in the South China Sea according to ABS CBN News.com.
That certainly means there will not be any Chinese visitors watching Filipina babes on the beaches. It will also surely mean a drop in business for the local Guest Relations Officers.
But Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte has said there is not a ban but only a travel advisory. However, why does Isabel Garicia, Boracay Regency Beach Resort & Spa's director for sales and marketing, call it a travel ban? Ms. Garcia confirms that that "10 to 15 percent of our daily arrivals were affected by the travel ban."
Cebu Pacific, Zest Airways and Airphil Express have all suspended their charter services to and from several destinations in China on May 12.
And now comes the "beer" factor in this title's post. Less Chinese tourists means less consumption of beer. That's only logical. During one of our trips to Raymen Beach in Guimaras we saw a large contingent of Chinese tourist in the nipa hut next to us with a tableful of buckets of San Miguel Pale Pilsen.
But I have a solution to the decrease in beer consumption problem. Unlike some officials of the Philippine government, who refuse to make the correlation between the dispute in the South China Sea and the banana issue and travel bans, I recognize there IS a direct relation to the brouhaha.
I plan to make up for the loss of beer consumption by visiting our favorite watering hole in Iloilo City, Langford Place, this coming Wednesday and ordering several buckets of San Miguel adult beverages. My expat friends will be there to assist me.
On top of that, our favorite French Canadian friend, Señor Frog, is hosting a 65th birthday bash this coming Saturday. Friends, I can assure you, that when Mr. Frog and his asawa throw a party, it's going to involve PLENTY of San Miguel Pale Pilsen, Red Horse and other alcohol-related products along with LOTS of good food. I have no doubt that the event will more than make up for the loss of beer consumption by the no-show Chinese tourists. We are going to do our part, rest assured. More on that birthday bash at a later date.
Regarding the bananas, “the Philippines disputes the Chinese findings, stressing that the bugs allegedly found on the March shipment attacked coconuts, not bananas”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/12/12/philippine-bananas-impounded-china
Only one way to look at it….they [Chinese] are the ones with the loss! No bananas or SMB!
Yes, I saw that article, too, Lance, thanks. What amazes me is how the official refuses to think that this has nothing to do with the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea. Japan, one of the biggest importers of Philippine bananas, does not seem to have a problem with any fruit coming from the PH.
You’re right about that, Randy!
China is definitely sending a message, the infestation that they allegedly found on the PI bananas attacks coconuts and wouldn’t appear on bananas
You’re right, Lance. Another article I’ve just read states that Aquino is now urging banana exporters to diversify, find a different market than the Chinese. Tell that to the growers over in Mindanao. Here’s an excerpt from the article:“We fear the worst as this may eventually lead to the closure of the China market in our banana export industry,” the exporters’ manifesto said, adding that small Mindanao growers and exporters make up 50 per cent of the Philippine banana industry with a planted area of approximately 15,000 hectares, and majority of them exporting their bananas to China.”
The banana ban really hurts here in Davao Del Norte. It is like the wheat fields of Kansas. Banana plants as far as the eye can see. Even the top of the mountains. What a sight!
Sorry to hear that ban is really hitting close to home for your area, Gary. I wish the government could help out the farmers with something other than advice to diversify. Hopefully, the Ph can reach some kind of settlement with China regarding the dispute, but with China imposing a recent fishing ban in the area, it doesn’t bode well.
I suggest that all Filipinos and expats should consume more bananas, if only to offset the chinese ban. =)
Jollibee and Mcdonalds can do their part by including bananas in their value meals. =)
What say you dave?
I completely agree, Kaltehitze. I love grilled banana que. If Ronald and the Fat Red Bee are hip about adding some healthy fare to their menus, bananas would be a good choice. As long as I can still get my fries, that is.
Dave,
At our local palengke, I always noticed that bananas sold are not as pretty as those being exported. I say, let them pretty bananas go back to local circulation for local consumption and let China import their bananas from other countries and hold the Guimaras’ mangoes too! I agree with the government, diversifying the market would be the long-term solution and not only for bananas but for other local fruits as well. What the national and local government can do is help and assist the fruit farmers in finding those markets bring out those ads…Fruits? It’s More Fun in the Philippines! Easier said than done though but it is doable!
The locals here will not eat the export bananas as they are not sweet enough. There will be a lot of lost bananas.
First Iran and now China. The Philippines used to export 30% of their bananas to Iran until recent Western sanctions made it difficult to get paid:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/02/24/12/philippine-banana-group-weighs-halt-iran-exports
Fortunately American officials assured the Philippine government of more banana imports to help those affected.
http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120121nat12.html
And if growers can’t find new markets to replace China, then maybe they can try making banana wine for export, lol:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/10/22/10/banana-wine-anyone-food-biz-flashes-new-ideas-paris
There is always the banana yogurt or pudding business. I love banana yogurt.
Believe I read yesterday that this is going to impact at least 200,000 workers, Gary. That’s not good. Hope something can be worked out.
Wine, Lance? Hmmmm, that’s interesting. Hope it doesn’t taste anything like the tubo crap my father-in-law made from coconut blossoms. That stuff was nasty.
Now there’s a possibility, Randy. I’m a yogurt lover myself, though I’m always apprehensive of eating something that might be good for me and actually tastes good, also.
Yeah I know. That just doesn’t sound logical, huh?
Nope, but I do love a good cup of chilled yogurt, Randy.
My norweigan friend told me that’s what china also did with the norwegian salmon shipments after the nobel prize was awarded to a chinese dissident. Norway’s salmon exports were left to rot in china’s ports after every delivery.
China is slowly showing its true nature and I hope it will keep up that kind of attitude so that the world will truly know its real character.
Well, Kaltehitze, China is acting like a bully and getting away with it. Not surprised to hear about what your Norwegian friend had to say about the salmon. Problem is, I think a lot of people already know China’s truly character but are too afraid to stand up to them. Let a bully go unchecked, and he keeps picking on more people and beating them up. Will anyone truly stand up to China some day? Let’s hope so.