Simbang Gabi has begun in the Philippines. This Catholic celebration kicks off Jesus’ Birthday Party in the archipelago. But don’t expect cake and ice cream for this celebration. However, food stalls are located right outside the church offering such popular Filipino favorites such as puto bumbong (sticky rice pastry), bibingka (rice cake) and salabat (ginger tea) or tsokolate (hot chocolate.)
Jesus
“Would Jesus Ride Jeepneys in the Philippines?
“Would Jesus Ride Jeepneys in the Philippines?” You can tell a guy has way too much time on his hands when he starts asking himself questions like this. However, unproductive mitts are the devil’s sweatshop. Better to keep the ol’ noggin’ working at my advanced age.
Graphic Source: The Southeast Asia Subregion of the Catholic Biblical Federation
Philippines Domestic Helper Walks Off Job
Here’s a follow-up to my previous post. One late Saturday afternoon, my wife and I became a bit perturbed. Our pump for our water tank and the pump for our pool room were running simultaneously. Our full-time domestic helper “BingBing” had been instructed on numerous occasions that we did not want both of the pumps running simultaneously.
28-Hour Brownout Grips Guimaras
I apologize to my readers. While I haven’t posted on a daily basis for years, I have been wanting to opine about our local utility company, Guimelco. “28-Hour Brownout Grips Guimaras” is the latest installment of our ongoing battle with the lack of adequate infrastructure on the island province we call home.
Search Continues for Cause of Spouse’s Ailment in the Philippines
The search continues for the cause of my spouse’s stomach ailment in the Philippines. We retired to Guimaras, our island province home in Western Visayas over eight years ago. While my asawa has suffered from dengue fever and pneumonia since moving back to her home country, she’s never had to visit an emergency room for a stomach ailment until recently.
Read moreSearch Continues for Cause of Spouse’s Ailment in the Philippines
ATM Skimmers Hit Iloilo City BDO Branch
“ATM Skimmers Hit Iloilo City BDO Branch” is today’s cautionary tale. I like to believe I exercise a fair bit of caution whenever withdrawing money from any local ATMs. My asawa always stands to my side and I make sure no one is standing directly behind me while I’m conducting my transaction.
Can I Be Buried in Our Backyard in the Philippines?
Most of us are going to die someday. There’s not many ways to avoid it. You might consider becoming a vampire and living as an immortal (as long as you avoid direct sunlight and wooden stakes through the heart.) Or you could hang out with Shirley MacLaine and be reincarnated as a door knob. Me? I wonder. Can I be buried in our backyard in the Philippines?
Read moreCan I Be Buried in Our Backyard in the Philippines?
Crusty Old Expat Cancels Computer God’s Visit
Who says you can’t teach an aging fossil something new? “Crusty Old Expat Cancels Computer God’s Visit” celebrates the fact that even an aged geezer like me can overcome obstacles. While I might be in my twilight years, ready to meet Jesus any day now, I actually finally figured out how to add my new internet service to my existing Globe account on my own.
Pump Boat Preacher Has Captive Audience
In the almost eight years I’ve lived in the Philippines, I’ve made hundreds of trip from Guimaras, our island province home, to nearby Iloilo City. Since Iloilo has many more shopping options than our island home, my asawa and I have found it necessary to make the 12-15 minute trip around two to four times a month. But I’ve never experienced what I did one junket: “Pump Boat Preacher Has Captive Audience.”