Davao

[Wicked Roger]

I am struck by the fact that the regional economy must be hemorrhaging billions of pesos a week, and no one seems to care at all. This problem was predicted years ago, though in keeping with rich local tradition, nothing was done about it.

I'm finally at a point that's beyond disgust, and I can't even work up the energy to indulge in cutting sarcasm. I think I've about had it.

GE

GE,

As if to emphasize your comment see the link in today's Inquirer.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/600508/...danao-p30mhour

Huge cost as you said GE.

[GoodEnough]

Sam, I hear you. In fact your post struck a sympathetic chord with me as I've been having the same thoughts. I've been here now for more than 10 years and the brownouts started about 3 years ago. The problem is this are getting far worse, and with electricity cuts now extending up to 7. 5 hours, it may be time for me to pull the plug, so to speak, on my sojourn here, as spending large parts of the day with no aircon in a tropical climate is becoming intolerable. There are, I believe 4 power plants under construction with two due to come online sometime in 2015, and the others about 3 years later.

I am struck by the fact that the regional economy must be hemorrhaging billions of pesos a week, and no one seems to care at all. This problem was predicted years ago, though in keeping with rich local tradition, nothing was done about it.

I'm finally at a point that's beyond disgust, and I can't even work up the energy to indulge in cutting sarcasm. I think I've about had it.

GE

[Sam 14]

Oh man, this is getting past the point of a little pain in the ass, residing in Davao has become what feels like a survival mission. My thoughts go out to the ones REALLY suffering like the folks that have no other choice, and the ones trying to run a business. Those who would say waking up at 5:00AM sweating due to no aircon doesn't sound all that bad.

Without too long of a rant, just a couple things within a 48 hr period. I like to eat good and I'm picky, so I'm down to a few restaurants and a some home cooking. So I'm going to the public market and the whole highway is black. There's vehicles with no lights shooting through intersections. (Thank God for those horns). I get to the public market, (the largest market on the second largest island) , and it's pitch black except for a few candles. No one selling much of anything. They are increasing the frequency and length of brown outs so somewhere is always affected.

By the next night I'd gathered all the ingredients for tacos. (Business idea: bring a good Mex restaurant to Davao). Mid preparation, click. Out go the lights, fuck. OK, head to Claude's. Get there and he's set up out in the garden cause he's got no power. He said the night before he lost 73 customers. So at least his girls get their exercise and we can enjoy the smell of a good meal, just with the occasional whiff of diesel fumes. The next afternoon, go to Gmall to have a refreshment and some viewing. Brown out there. The lower level is sweltering. Every person in the place is waving something in their face.

That evening I had the chance to bring a couple 19 year old best friends to my place. Basically looked like it was going to be a plea for help. But there were no guarantees because they were both conservative, definitely not the P4P type. And neither had been with a foreigner except for the time I snacked on the smaller ones sweet pussy for a while. I tried before but couldn't nail her so she may have brought her friend along to kind of sacrifice her up. But at any rate, I was about to find out.

Got the small talk out of the way, laying on the bed, aircon on high. I'm holding one's hand and petting the other's leg. She's touching my back and playing with my hair and my dick is poking through my shorts into the side of the smaller one. Going great so far, then click. Off goes the light and the aircon. Fuck me. But it's manageable, add a little ambiance with a couple candles. But pretty soon it's about 45 degrees and the smaller one (previously eaten pussy) wants to split for a while and leave us alone. I'm not going to force it so fine, she takes off. It didn't take too long before I got the remaining one rinsed off, on the workbench naked to the panties, making out and my dick in her hand. But by now it's stifling hot, we're drenched in sweat and she's not so comfortable any more. So it just wasn't going to happen.

So I get home later, the light is back on and the aircon is blazing. Great, I'll get on the laptop and complain to someone who cares (ISG readers). No connection. (At 1, 300P a mo.) Every time that happens the cable is out for almost 24 hours to the whole complex. So everyone is left with no TV and no net.

Then I ran into a neighbor and he says how long have you been here? No one ever told you there's an emergency breaker that will light half your apartment? But the manager says it's triple the rate so get ready for your bill to sky rocket. (More money for less power).

My goodness, the jury may be almost done deliberating this case whether it's all worth it or not. Haha. Oh, but I should mention help is on the way. I hear the new power plant is scheduled to start operation in 2015.

[ArtunLtd]

Was in Davao city last summer for 2 months. I'm a smoker and there is NO SMOKING in Davao City, so decided to stay on Samal Island just a 15 min ferry ride away from the city. Offer them a nice beach, pool and they will even bring a friend. You got both for as long as you want. Ohoh.

PM me, I'd be glad to try to answer any specific questions and I'd be glad to meet up when you arrive if you want.

Like it's been said here repeatedly, Davao is good if you have time and patience. You don't really need DIA but if you're going to play that angle, why not prepay the whole year for FC, there's way more there. But you'll meet plenty on your daily routine. Depends how high your standards are, but if you are looking for 18-19 year old beauty (s) , with nice teeth and an ass that looks like a department store mannequin, you may be in for bit of a let down. Most of those are in school or NBSB's (no bf since birth). And you can spend your whole year texting with them. Also living on a shoestring is a bitchh, especially if you plan on "dating" much. Everyone is always hungry so you need a few disposable pesos to throw around every day for your auditions. Even the nicest of them is going to need "help". Unless of course you can be satisfied with an older (late 20's-30's) then that may cut your cost in half.

Incidentally, you can get 3 years now on a tourist visa. It's just 2, 830 every 59 days. Just go to the office opposite Victoria at 3:30, you'll be out by 4:00.

But you'll have fun man. I would recommend saving up a little extra to be able to get out once in a while and do some sight seeing, get a little fresh air. Bring an extra 40k for a second hand motor, you'll eventually save that in taxi fares. Oh, and one more thing. Get ready to start texting, bring a good touch screen. But if it's not dual SIM set it up with a pre-paid Smart number, that's the network most use here.

Hope that helps for now.

Sam

[Sam 14]

My problem is I can't get laid there with a fistful of 100 dollar bills.

Haha. Well, like the old saying goes. If you're not havin enough fun, lower your standards. That's what I have to do man. I came for 1 (one) black skin, black hair, 39 kg. The only way I can ever get that combination is from three different ones. It can be a hassle sometimes.

[Pinaypounder]

I am friends with Pimpin Sam, Barba, Goodenough and Josema. All have their own lifestyle. Two are with a steady Gf and two are on the prowl. Two have much money, two get by on less. Two are obsessed with pussy, two appreciate what they have.

Pussy is the only reason anyone would come here, Davao has no scenic boulevards or impressive structures.

I, like Pimpin often sit and ponder why I live here. I basically picked it for safety and I can say that after a year I have never felt threatened by anyone. I find comfort in the knowledge that if I was the victim of a crime the police would find someone to kill.

Taxi drivers are friendly and honest, but taxi drivers do not come with tits. Hot legs is a sleazy hole, but I like it anyway. When I stroll the malls I often see older western men with young and what I do not consider attractive women. I often think "I hope I don't look as bad as that guy." PimpinSam gave me the worst compliment when we first met, he was aware of my medical history and upon seeing me declared "I was not as decrepit" as he anticipated.

I am well travelled in the Phils.

Davao is amongst the best cities as it is clean and safe on the coast. My problem is I can't get laid there with a fistful of 100 dollar bills. I applaud Davoa for being safe and clean! I am in the process of setting up shop there!

[X Man]

A friend in an affected area of N. Cebu (roof blown off / minor injuries) suggested that one should go directly to mountain areas to help people. Skip the local govt. It was never made clear what things would be most helpful at this time. In the early days, it was food and water of course.

In the aftermath of Yolanda, this country received more than a billion dollars of external financial aid. In addition, the government pledged tens of millions in additional aid. Anyone wonder what's happened to all that money?

GE

[Hutsori]

Good questions, GE.

For the electronics surge protectors and smart UPS, which gracefully shutdown and then restart devices, are typically used. Large facilities will have facility UPS and diesel generators connected to automatic transfer switches. But do they here?

From the reports of the inferno that destroyed much of a barangay the investigators believe it was caused by a candle. I wonder whether this area was in the dark due to a blackout when the fateful match was struck.

[GoodEnough]

For the past few days I've been thinking about the political polemic vs. Reality gap in the Philippines, largely because it seems to me that the gap is rapidly becoming an abyss. As I listen to the baseless grandiloquence of P-Noy (who actually looks a bit like Alfred E. Newman) , and contrast that with what I experience daily here in Davao, I'm continually amazed at the docility of he average Filipino and astounded that there's not more anger.

As most readers of this forum likely know, we're now suffering in Mindanao from the annual brownouts, caused by the complete failure of the national government to meet the growing need for electrical power. No surprises; its a perennial problem and I doubt that there's anyone in the country who believes the government will actually do anything about it, except "make plans," that are never implemented. What never struck me much before this brownout season was the devastating effects of this monumental failure of government on local businesses. The lesson was brought home to me twice this week. Once on Saturday, as I was celebrating my birthday with friends at my favorite restaurant, Bon Appétit where, at about 9 o'clock—the height of the restaurant's busiest time–the electricity was cut off for two hours, with no warning, no schedule, no apology. So, no lights in the kitchen, no ovens, no mixers and an immediate negative consequence for e night's income. The second instance came today when, at the end of the one hour electricity cut, neither the cable television service not the Internet worked. When I called Sky Cable, I was told told that the "rotating brownouts" are having devastating effects on the delicate electronics on which the service depends. That of course prompted the question of how many thousands of dollars worth of electronics are fried every day by the abrupt cuts and the electrical surges once the power comes on again?

Given that the situation has persisted for years, and has worsened during that time, you've got to wonder whether, once the politicians have stolen all they can for the day, if anyone even gives a passing thought to the welfare of the country.

GE

[GoodEnough]

For the past few days I've been thinking about the political polemic vs. Reality gap in the Philippines, largely because it seems to me that the gap is rapidly becoming an abyss. As I listen to the baseless grandiloquence of P-Noy (who actually looks a bit like Alfred E. Newman) , and contrast that with what I experience daily here in Davao, I'm continually amazed at the docility of he average Filipino and astounded that there's not more anger.

As most readers of this forum likely know, we're now suffering in Mindanao from the annual brownouts, caused by the complete failure of the national government to meet the growing need for electrical power. No surprises; its a perennial problem and I doubt that there's anyone in the country who believes the government will actually do anything about it, except "make plans," that are never implemented. What never struck me much before this brownout season was the devastating effects of this monumental failure of government on local businesses. The lesson was brought home to me twice this week. Once on Saturday, as I was celebrating my birthday with friends at my favorite restaurant, Bon Appétit where, at about 9 o'clock—the height of the restaurant's busiest time–the electricity was cut off for two hours, with no warning, no schedule, no apology. So, no lights in the kitchen, no ovens, no mixers and an immediate negative consequence for e nught's income. The second instance came today when, at the end of the one hour electricity cut, neither the cable television service not the Internet worked. When I called Sky Cable, I was told told that the "rotating brownouts" are having devastating effects on the delicate electronics on which the service depends. That of course prompted the question of how many thousands of dollars worth of electronics are fried every day by the abrupt cuts and the electrical surges once the power comes on again?

Given that the situation has persisted for years, and has worsened during that time, you've got to wonder whether, once the politicians have stolen all they can for the day, if anyone even gives a passing thought to the welfare of the country.

GE

[Wicked Roger]

In the aftermath of Yolanda, this country received more than a billion dollars of external financial aid. In addition, the government pledged tens of millions in additional aid. Anyone wonder what's happened to all that money?

GE

One guess should be enough to answer this one GE

A good observation and one my friend in the Yolanda hit area is asking herself but she sort of already knows. Said she won't vote next election because of the lack of support etc and has basically given up hoping that someone (ie the government) will help fix her home etc and the local politicians playing games with the aid. Wonder what would happen if everyone did the same and did not vote LOL.

I also read that 5000 homes in Tacloban still had no power (we are now April!)

Irony Monger in the DS forum did a good FR on his visit to the area and we have had some offline chats. All very depressing!

[GoodEnough]

This is the Philippines PS. 2 hopes ie Bob and none.

Seriously I know families caught up in Yolanda still waiting for help, government no help, local politicians playing local nasty politics. I am sad for them also as really little hope while the politicians are in the news for the pork barrel scam and many other similar issues.

Friend said all she gets is foreign aid and help from me and others. Sad indictment on the future of the country methinks.

In the aftermath of Yolanda, this country received more than a billion dollars of external financial aid. In addition, the government pledged tens of millions in additional aid. Anyone wonder what's happened to all that money?

GE

[Sam 14]

Ya, it's really bad man. It don't look as if they're getting much help so far anyway. I spent a couple hours walking around and sitting in a burnt out block room with a girl I met. (She met me) I Didn't go there with the intention to meet anyone, or to do anything useful for that matter, other than a few coins for the kids and a few small notes here and there. But looks like about all that's come so far is a few pots of rice soup. Many don't even have a sheet left, everything went up so they're sleeping in the sand. They were saying maybe 3, 000 homes. That may change though. Who know, let s hope. I remember on Negros when the river overflowed and took lots of homes, there was allot of lumber and cement brought in.

But it's amazing how they still have such a positive attitude and can still joke and laugh. Just going about their business like any other day. Strong people.

[Wicked Roger]

My thoughts go out to all the homeless, hope they can get some meaningful help.

This is the Philippines PS. 2 hopes ie Bob and none.

Seriously I know families caught up in Yolanda still waiting for help, government no help, local politicians playing local nasty politics. I am sad for them also as really little hope while the politicians are in the news for the pork barrel scam and many other similar issues.

Friend said all she gets is foreign aid and help from me and others. Sad indictment on the future of the country methinks.

[Member #4297]

PM me, I'd be glad to try to answer any specific questions and I'd be glad to meet up when you arrive if you want.

Hope that helps for now.

Sam

Thanks a lot man for those very helpful information for someone taking his first steps into Philippines.

Happy mongering guys and very excited to join you soon.