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• January 15, 2012, Marvin Umbras writes: I was craving some swiss cheese for a long time. We can't find it up here in northern Philippines so when ever some one makes a trip to Manila I ask if they can look for it. Well, one neighbor went down there on a short trip and said he looked everywhere, no swiss. My wife went to a wedding in Manila after that and also reported being unable to find any. Now I was sad and could not understand why others were unable or unwilling to just buy some and bring it back. When living in Cavite several years ago I bought it all the time. Next was my turn, I had to make a trip down there for a medical procedure and when I had the chance I went to a couple different SM grocery stores and was surprised that no swiss cheese available. I'm still craving.
• January 15, 2012, Jan writes: Hi Marvin, I have seen fresh Emmenthal and probably other swiss cheeses in several stores. But you have to go to areas where more expats live, like Makati, Eastwood and Ortigas. Supermarkets like: SM, Landmark, Rustan's and also Shopwise have a large assortment of cheeses from all over the world. But also Santi's has a nice assortment cheese (the owner is Swiss or Austrian) and imports to the Philippines himself. Next time instruct your 'relatives' what and where to buy your cheese ans store it in the fridge ass much as possible! And pack it well before moving to the North.
• January 15, 2012, Vicmico writes: Hey Jan, been a long time since my last visit to yr website (btw, thanks for the good wishes for 2012), but we're still here in The Neths, and still planning our move to the Phils late next yr - Duma, as you may recall... Since you are obviously craving for Dutch food (heaven knows why..)I put a link here to a webshop you may want to use if the craving gets too much: http://www.heimweewinkel.nl/ As for the question about cheese in the earlier response: We found Old Amsterdam (not exactly Swiss but at least 200% better than the US junk they sell as cheese normally) in the Robinsons supermarket in the new shopping mall in Dumaguete last year. Maybe an acceptable alternative?? Greetz, Vicmico
• January 15, 2012, Jan writes: Hi Hans, After more than three years in the Philippines sometimes I want to eat typical Dutch food stuff. In general I can find all I want, it's just a few things which are difficult to find. Dutch Cheese is no problem, many supermarrkets sell it. Frico Cheese in several varieties, Old Amsterdamm is one of them. Zuurkool I have found in cans, and recently I have found an address for celeriac (knolselderij) as you have read. Spruitjes (brussels sprouts) were imported from Australia and as big as tennis balls, but the taste was not good (the price was....). Lucky we are living near Manila where much European and other western food is available (from time to time), for high prices that is. I have checked this website you are mentioning. Many of those food items are available here (or similar items imported from other countries) and for similar prices. So there's no need to have it send here by them. And I eat rice as well.... It's only that sometimes ......

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• January 11, 2012, Jaq writes: Hello Jan, I was browsing the net to look for a blog to read and luckily I found yours. I'm definitely not an expat, I'm a Filipina married to a Filipino. Your site is interesting to read. This will definitely be added on my favorites.
• January 11, 2012, Ben writes: This may explain why my Filipina wife still talks loud when speaking to me only 3 or 4 feet away.
• January 12, 2012, Jan writes: probably ;-) and when they are on the telephone they shout if there is no phone at all .... but want the caller to hear them anyway...
• January 12, 2012, Jan writes: Thanks Jaq for your comment. It gives me more energy to continue this website.
• January 14, 2012, jody writes: Truly amusing. What about the trikes and scooters and the motorbikes and indeed all vehicular traffic in general.
• January 14, 2012, Jan writes: Traffic noise is a complete different story. I might write about it one day....
• January 17, 2012, Miles Pagadian writes: A very good observation regarding attitude specially in the lowlands...sometimes it still hits me..wondering why my parents discourage us so much to play loud music as is the common practice here in the cordilleras specially with the different ethnic tribes..when in my parents hometown, the old folks gather us around the "Dap-ay" and teach us about indigenous practices and tradition, this of course requires the younger to learn how to LISTEN carefully before saying anything since beliefs and traditional practices are passed through this system (though with the onset of internet and advance technology, one can find written articles and videos regarding the traditional practices in the cordilleras nowadays). Music on the other hand can be a very powerful vehicle in expressing emotion but when played in extreme volume by a neighbor then it becomes totally annoying.
• January 17, 2012, Jan writes: Miles, Good that the older people are trying to teach the younger ones the 'old' customs and values. This traditional way of living may not disappear.
• January 17, 2012, Miles Pagadian writes: If only the government gives more focus on the grassroots level in order to cultivate and improve practices that are truly filipino, then maybe Filipino Culture which has always been criticized as a rehash of spanish culture due the 336years of colonization from the spaniards, then maybe all western influences will, perhaps, be controlled. Trends will get it's influence from indigenous roots. It still frustrates me to see a poor family living in a bahay kubo but with the latest model of TV and component system in their sala playing at full blast, not minding if a neighbour got home late from work and needs enough rest.
• February 3, 2012, Nel writes: Hello Jan! I'm Nel, my real name is very lengthy, I'm a filipina who has a british boyfriend named, Douglas. I have stumbled upon your website whilst I was in search of information in the past regarding inter-racial marriage, given my situation. And I find your website very helpful and informative. Thank you for your effort in putting up this website. I'm 44 years old and my boyfriend is 53, we met in 2009 but started our relationship in 2010. We talk almost everyday since then (except when we have lovers' quarrel or LQs that last for 3 days [being the shortest] or until 3 weeks [the longest]. I would say I'm very happy with him but of course would be happiest if we finally meet together this September 2012. We have not met personally since we went steady and this is bec I have my obligation to my family, being the sole breadwinner. I have explained this to him at the onset and he agreed to wait for the time I am ready, for which I am very thankful for his understanding. Sorry, I won't bother you anymore with my lengthy exposition, you could have been bored at this point. In the future, could I ask for your advice regarding anything that has to do with interracial marriage/relationships? You seem to be the right person to approach given your experience with your filipina wife and your being european. I wish you and your loved ones, good life and good health! Best, Nel
• February 3, 2012, Jan writes: Hi Nel, Thanks for visiting my website and leaving this question. I can only give you one advice: be honest and stay yourself! Aside from that, you and your boyfriend want to read these pages: http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/how-filipinos-are-my-point-of-view-part-1/ http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/how-filipinos-are-my-point-of-view-part-2/ http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/divorce-in-the-philippines/ http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/living-in-the-philippines/ http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/about-retiring-in-the-philippines/ http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/why-moving-to-retiring-in-the-philippines/ http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/medical-insurance-is-a-must/ I also want to let you know that there are many more websites like this one, also foreigners married to Filipinas. But realize that every relationship is different, it is a commitment between two different people which only can work if both are honest and prepared to talk about everything until both agree and have the same view on something. I wish you both all the best.

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• December 12, 2011, Jan writes: Well Jan that happened to us too, twice. One time in sta Rosa at Petron gas station. We had to fill up a form and the following day we got a call, that we won a free accomodation and a free dinner. We went there and had a nice dinner and after that, we listened to a lot of bla bla. The dinner was fine but the rest was a typical sales talk. It was for us not a big deal coz we knew already it was all about money and investments. The second time, Leah went to a Food EXPO and again won a free dinner including free accomadation in Boracay and other places. The dinner was in Makati on valentines day...wow! a free dinner on valentines day so we took advantage of that free dinner :). They were offering again a free membership when you buy a condo unit. I have nothing to say about those investments but our opinion about the food is that the first dinner was just a simple menu, but the second one on valentines day was a very good dinner. In our experience, we just enjoyed the free dinner and for the rest, nothing special....I guess thats the new way to sell something like properties, because if they will just give away flyers and brochures, for sure nobody will be interested BUT to give a free dinner, im sure someone at least will show up :o)... Another tip for you Jan, if you want a free lunch, you should have go and attend an OPEN HOUSE :o) but make sure that the developer is from ayala because they serve very nice food :o)... just like in westgrove hehehe.... Regards Jan, Leah and Erik
• December 12, 2011, Jan writes: Hi, The food was not bad, but nothing special either. The sales talk a little tiring, because they had difficulties coming to the point: the price!! I would like the experience from Ayala also one time....
• January 17, 2012, Ian Diaper writes: Hi Jan, I believe these promotions are common, albeit probably not so common here (yet). In a similar means I ended up in a Marriot promotion in Bangkok a couple of years ago, I kept kicking myself since I should have seen it coming. Nothing is free in life! It is (or was) common in the UK to receive notification of winning a competition and being invited to go and collect your prize. On arriving you’d only then find out it was a time-share presentation with a day or two free stay. Consumer laws in the UK prevent that from happening now since people would book vacation days off work, etc… Last week I was in Bangkok again; to uniformed people asked if I could give some general info for a Thailand tourist questionnaire. OK, I believe feedback good and said yes... "How many time to do you visit Thailand, business/tourist, how long, where do you stay..." All turned out to be another hotel promotion! This time I'm spotted the sales pitch at the final hurdle. Regards, Ian
• January 17, 2012, Jan writes: Hi Ian, Thanks for stopping by at my website. I probably will not attend such meeting again, unless there's very good food for free!!!! And the free stay for a few days.... I still have to find out how it goes.
• January 17, 2012, Randall writes: I think I would buy my own dinner!
• January 18, 2012, Jan writes: If they serve a nice large T-Bone..... perfectly grilled.... and a nice bottle of red wine?
• February 5, 2012, Tukaram writes: If you do use the travel voucher you might want to ask them if there is another time-share presentation at the hotel. :) I took a "free" trip to Florida with the kids one time. We had to get from Texas to Florida on our own but we got 3 or 4 nights in Orlando (I can't remember now), 3 nights in Ft. Lauderdale, and a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas. We had to go to a presentation in Orlando, and 1 in Ft Lauderdale. Both properties were atrocious! Very easy to say no. But that trip was worth it. We had a blast! Our only problem was that we had so much fun we have gone back to Orlando almost every year for the last 10 years! Now I have to go on at least 2 vacations a year... I stay broke but I have fun. But yeah, we don't really need a time-share for that. :)
• February 5, 2012, Jan writes: Asking for another presentation, NO WAY, I've had enough of time sharing. But I do not know if will try the voucher fro free accomodation. A reservation fee of 5000 is required, which they say will be refunded after using the voucher. Also it might take up to one month before they know if a room is available. These are all strange things and I have read a lot of negative comments about their practices.
• February 5, 2012, Tukaram writes: Actually I meant to ask if there is a required presentation. (^_^)

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• November 22, 2011, Dave DeWall writes: Congratulations on the third year anniversary, Jan! Hope to see you around for many more years to come.
• November 22, 2011, Jan writes: Thanks Dave, btw your site also is around this age?? (your first Rooster site)

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• November 13, 2011, Tony writes: The main thing is good service and I find that most restaurants may not always be able to provide the food you want but generally the staff in the Philippines have very high standards of service.
• November 13, 2011, matt writes: In four years I have never had bad service in the Philippines at a restaurant. Have had the odd strange thing in my meal but they have always changed it without fuss (Hair in my rice and a caterpiller in my lettuce). But one thing is for sure people generally will try to do the best for the customer. Not always easy considering the low salaries these people receive.
• November 14, 2011, Jan writes: agree, but it all depends on your own behaviour. If you are friendly and understanding, you will get the best service in the world.
• November 14, 2011, Jan writes: Hi Matt, I also have had a strange thing in my food once, but without any problem it was changed. Service in general is perfect. The employees have to and alweays have to smile. If not, there are 1000 more applicants waiting to take their job... That's also one of the reasons salaries are very low. There are too many people willing to work for such amount of money. This is a general problem in the Philippines and cannot be solved easily.
• December 27, 2011, John writes: Really. Where are you guys going? ANYTIME I go out to eat, the people are rude as hell to me. Staring, smiling, laughing, pointing, shouting "hey Joe", asking if I need a wife(with my wife right next to me!), asking for my facebook, yahoo, and cell phone. Certainly NOT Western standards. It's so bad, I barely eat out anymore. If I'm on the run, I'm forced to eat e-coli BBQ sticks, cus those people are at least respectful to me.
• January 10, 2012, Bill writes: John: I wonder, where you are going that you have such problems? Not saying it couldn't happen, but my experience (7 weeks in the country, and planning to return) has been much more like the other posters'. Also, it seems like you are talking about bystanders, not about the restaurant employees. Again, I wonder where you are when you have that kind of problem. By the way, "Hey, Joe," a problem? I didn't really like it, but I took it as mostly friendly.
• January 10, 2012, Jan writes: My experiences are much better and I don't have problems most of the times. The only thing is that if the cellphone of a Filipino rings, everything has to wait...., even customers... I am affraid it is your attitude towards the Filipinos. Do never forget that you are a GUEST in their country, and everything here goes Filipino Style!! If you have problems with that, you better stay home. Filipinas often ask me if I am married or have a girlfriend. When I am saying yes, they sometimes ask if I have a brother or son who is single. They have never asked me about facebook or yahoo or cellphone. And the "hey Joe" thing, Filipino's think that all white people are Americans, and all Americans are named Joe, because that's easy to pronounce for them.

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• November 16, 2011, Khristy writes: Filipinos are also known for combining names like this one: McDollibee see photo here: http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?p=54663150
• November 16, 2011, Jan writes: Thanks Khristy, for your comments, it is very much appreciated. I wrote about this mcDillibee already before: see: http://www.expatinthephilippines.com/copyrights-in-the-philippines-a-farce/

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