Chilling in the Philippines-- Guards and recap...

March 29, 2015

Hi everyone, happy new year!  It has been a long time.  After enough people bugging me about it

Suzy and I are back in the US. It was a great almost two years in the Philippines. I will use this blog to recap the last couple months and talk about one of my most favorite memories, the guards.  Lets start with the guards.

In Eastwood City, Security is a constant presence. They are everywhere. Armed security checkpoints, roving patrols with automatic weapons, metal detectors to get into the mall and most restaurants and stores have a guard present at the front door.  Banks always seem to have at least 2 armed guards and they lock the door before and after each person arrives/leaves.

The condo we were in, Eastwood Park Residences, had at least a couple guards at all times. They took great care of us always, and I am proud to call them my friends.  Each and everyone took a personal interest in Suzy and I and we appreciated that. They are great. I was proud that they invited me to their staff Christmas Party.

Outside Eastwood, my first guard experience was with the security at the Wells Fargo office in McKinley Hill. To enter, it was like going to a sporting event, with metal detectors. One guard took time to chat with me, his name is Avellino. I do not know if he is still there, but I hope so.  He was great. I went to that building a few times, trying to get cleared to work there.  He was always there and talked to me. I appreciated that, especially since I was knew to the country.  His name was easy to remember, it reminded me of former Bears QB Bob Avellini. 

I had plenty of time at Eastwood, so I got to make friends with the different guards...

At the taxi stand, sir Mark.  He was great.  I appreciated how he always greeted me as I waited for taxis. I was in line nightly for Suzy and Melissa and sir mark made that time much more enjoyable. 

I didn't go to a popular bar, The Distillery, a lot... but when I did I always made time for a guard I called Tiger. I never knew his name. He was a big, muscular fella that was bald. I knew it was smart to be on his good side.  Occasionally, Id slip him 100 pesos... He always took care of me. Even if I was just walking by... He would always wave or salute.

Spirit Fingers.  My favorite guard at the mall was a fella who would greet me with a huge smile and then give "spirit fingers"... I did not know his name either... But Spirit fingers fits, and those who have been to the mall and run into him, know exactly who I am talking about.

I plan to return to the Philippines as a visitor in 2016. I sure hope my favorite guards are still there.

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Recap time!

Manny Pacquiao fights Floyd May 2. I sure wish I was going to be in the PH for that, but I will go to a friends who has the fight.  I have a flag of the Philippines ready as I will cheer on Manny.  I have always been a Pac Man fan, and it was a dream come true that I got to meet manny at TGI Fridays.  My man, Zeke, called me one Sunday morning and said, "MANNY PACQUIAO IS AT FRIDAYS, GET DOWN HERE."

So I did. Manny had a quiet dinner  with his family and entourage and then the crowds started showing up. He is the People's champ.  I was honored that he took a moment to have a selfie with me.  

Flying home from the Philippines... I got so sick. and I mean SO sick... First flight is 4 hours from Manila to Tokyo.  Then 12 hours or so from Tokyo to Minneapolis. Final flight is 1 hour from MSP to Des Moines. We checked in like 6 bags--- carry on 4. Vinny was a carry on and that was Suzy's responsibility. Mine was her HEAVY carryon. My Heavy Carryon. and my backpack with our laptops.  The aisles in the planes are tighter than scrooge. Its not like I am tiny-- and I have 3 bags-- I am sorry to all the people I bumped-- sounded like Bugs bunny every time, "excuse me, pardon me, sorry, excuse me..."  Well all those heavy bags and up down tweaked my back. I had bad back spasms on the long flight. Couple that with a terrible stomach ache... oh and the worst turbulence from Tokyo to Minnesota.

One saving grace-- The guy I sat next to, a guy from Kansas City named Jason Flowers, was a drinker.  He kept me laughing. He had at least 15 bottles of Rum.  They cut him off after 4 or 5, but a couple hours later decided to turn him lose. He was fine, until the plane landed-- then it hit him... But it was a joy and he did put up with me getting up every hour.

The staff was great on the flight-- they made me a hot water bottle for my back.  they also gave me some pain reliever.  About halfway through though-- I started getting sick... That did not stop until a day later in Iowa.  The last time I was that vomitous, was in 1992 after the Dairy Queen Hot dog incident.  SIDE BAR-- So in 1992 I was real hungry and Dairy Queen had a $1 hot dog special.  I got 3 hot dogs (the lady working happened to be a classmate of mine from High school). whatever happened, I got so sick. I went to work the next day at the Newton Daily News and we had our standard breakfast at midtown Cafe.  While leaving, I vomited all over the floor there.  The owner came over to me with a mop, and said something to the effect of, "clean it up." so I did.  That was the last time I was that ill.

Back to the story at hand... I do not recommend vomiting in an airplane bathroom.  That was the worst. When we got to our hotel in Ankeny, I christened the parking lot.  Yuck.  48 hours later I was fine. Jet Lagged (takes about 2 weeks for me to get over that), but at least I wasnt sick.

The thing I miss most about the Philippines? My friends, of course and the staff of TGI Fridays.  Being 13 hours behind, I have a tough window. a couple hours in the morning and evening is about it to chat with them.  Fridays staff is changing, which makes me sad. One good friend has moved on and I suspect others will too. It will make my visit next year challenging to see everyone if they are all scattered.

Second thing I miss about the Philippines? Project Pie and their staff.  Granted, one of my favorite managers just got transferred to a different location, but that happens. I miss their pizza. I miss the crew. The corporate office tweeted me some pictures of their pizza.  Thanks...  I can't wait to visit the Project Pies in Denver. at least I  can enjoy the great pizza there.

I also miss the Philippines weather. I land here and things I had forgotten about came back. Chapped lips. Yuck. Dry skin? yuck.  Never had to worry about that.  I also miss cheap movies, living above a mall and bars that are open all night.  Restaurants like Fridays and Agave across the street was nice, too. I miss bowling.  I got bowl a couple times with PBA player Kelly Williams. He was great. Much better bowler than I. 

One thing that never got blogged about, but was mentioned at length by me on twitter, facebook and instagram... walking stairs.  I walked on average 60-100 flights of stairs 6 days a week. Helped me drop about 50 pounds. Nice to come home to clothes I had not worn in years.

Best wishes to my man Al Thornton, a former NBA player who was down in the PBA. His team lost last night to Meralco in the Play-offs. I met him at Fridays and saw him many times around Eastwood. He always had time for me. I hope his future plans go well and wish him the best.

My team, Purefoods, is still in the play-offs. I am happy for that. If anyone hasn't seen it, I recommend googling the blindfolded dunk attempt from my friend Justin Melton in the dunk contest this year.  He shared victory last year. This year not as fortunate, but tried a blindfold dunk. It's worth seeing. I also know that he handled that experience with dignity and class, which he has plenty of both to spare.

I am sure there is more to talk about-- but for now I will go.  I have two good stories from this week I will blog about later on next week.

I join the workforce again tomorrow... nice to be back.

Take care of yourselves everyone,

Chuck

Chilling in the Philippines--The 3 B's

March 16, 2014

Good day everybody!

When I was still in the US, awaiting our journey to the Philippines, I did some reading. I read that the 3 major sports and past times on the islands was basketball, boxing and billiards.  The 3 B's.  #4 is probably cockfighting.  Now cockfighting, when on tv, makes my stomach turn. I can't do it. But the 3 B's, yes. It was my goal to take all 3 in actively and although it took 6 months, I have done it.

Boxing--

As I wrote about in an earlier blog, Boxing is huge here. The joke is.. "traffic is heavy in Manila, except when Manny Pacquiao fights." We accomplished the goal of taking in boxing by going to Manny's last fight.  It was in a movie theatre. Fun times.  He fights again next month, not sure if Suzy will join me this time...

Billiards--

I was able to try my hand in billiards.  I like Pool, but am not a shark.  Suzy and I liked going to Big Dogs or shooting pool with friends back home, but generally I play about once or twice a year.  Here in Eastwood city, there is a great bowling alley in the 4th floor of the mall.  Half of the complex is dedicated to bowling, the other half billiards.  Billiards here is a little different from the aspect that a staff member racks and also helps out. As with Bowling, the guy sets up everything. He asked if he could assist with me putting on my shoes. I am used to being in America and when I lose, I rack... no. Here there is a guy who does that.  I went with a local manager of a Mexican Restaurant and we were able to play 6 or 7 games in an hour. Cost was low for an hour of billiards and it was fun.  We made plans to do that more often and although we haven't yet, I am sure we will be back.  If nothing else I hope to bowl every couple weeks.  I bowled a 168 and 136 the last time out, which is good for me since I also do not bowl a lot.

Basketball--

Hoops is my favorite of these 3 back home.  Suzy and I miss not going to Iowa Energy games back home.  Ive been lucky to experience basketball in a few ways.  San Mig is the local team I have identified with as the team I will follow. It now helps that since I made that proclamation when arriving, that I have become friends with a few of their players.  I also have made friends with a couple others who live in our building and play for other teams. They are all great guys and quite personable. it's fun to watch them on TV then see them later out and about. The games in person are great. They are so Live.  Fans are loud, and knowledgeable.  Its fun to see.  2 weeks ago, I took experiencing basketball to a new level.  The guys at Fridays invited me to run with them in a weekly Tuesday night game.

The court is just outside Eastwood. It is an outdoor, covered court.  I play on the side of the servers or front of the house against the cooks or back of the house. 20 years ago, I used to play with the old guys at noon at the Newton YMCA and sunday nights in the summer with my friends at Aurora Park.  Before that was Basketball fun with my friends at Augustana.  Well this is 20 years later. My knees are 20 years older and I am 20 years heavier.  I will tell you though, it is fun getting back out.  I do not have the range as I once did, but I can still bury the 3 (especially when unguarded).  Well in two weeks of games, we haven't won yet with my help, but there is always next week.

One unique aspect to the court is Mosquitoes, they are thick. We have a cheering section, but a bug bomb is necessary for the bleachers.  An item that comes in handy here is a bug zapper that is shaped like a tennis racquet. Maybe I should invest in one of those. I can practice tennis and kill skeeters. At least while running up and down the court the mosquitoes aren't an issue. I would hate posting up and then having to deal with a swarm of bugs chomping on me. The bugs might just become a 4th B.

Following the game, we go and enjoy local food. Last Tuesday, I tried Chicken Butt and Chicken feet.  next Tuesday, who knows.

Take care of yourself everyone,

Prayers to those aboard the missing Malaysian Airlines jet--

Chuck

Chilling in the Philippines--Manny Pacquiao fight

Good day everyone!  Hope everyone is ready for the holidays!

It is hard for Suzy and I to fathom we have been here 3 months already. In addition, its hard to believe its almost December. We are so conditioned by the seasons, that 90 degrees daily has us thinking its still August. I am ready for the State Fair it feels like.

Last week we decided it would be a great cultural experience to go to a big screen and watch local hero Manny Pacquiao fight.  The match was just a couple hours away in China and being shown on Sunday morning. Manny is fighting the local version of the IRS on taxes, but otherwise... he is regarded as a national hero. He is a Congressman, boxer, and the locals LOVE him. I talked to a few people and he embodies the spirit of the common Filipino. He grew up dirt poor and was able to make the most of his life. He brings hope.

The day before the fight, Suzy and I went to the cinema to get advanced tickets. One chooses their seats for this so we thought it was a good time.  Our jaws dropped when we saw about 100 people in line. "Oh no!" We figured we would never get tickets. Well it wasn't manny people were in line for. I forgot it was Hunger Games 2 time. We were able to procure our seats and be on our way.  The poster said 8 am.. Ok... 8 am fight we are there.

Sunday arrives. I am a little groggy because I was up all night following Iowa beating Michigan. Suzy was groggy because Saturday is a tough sleeping day/night for her. She gets home Saturday AM and its tough adjusting.  We head to the Cinema for the Sunday fights and NO one is around.  Well I look at the ticket and its actually 9 am.  GREAT.  We then stumble down from the 4th floor (the mall down escalator was off) and head to a coffee shop.  A cup of joe later, we wasted time and it was 9 am.

Trip #2 to the cinema still didnt have a lot of people there. Fights were on and the screen had a countdown until Pacquiao/Rios.  What it didn't say is that it was the countdown until the PPV began, not the fight.  Now, poor Suzy is not a boxing fan. I like it, but she does not. So getting her there for 2-3 fights was going to be a chore, 2-3 fights and then a full undercard... OH my!  I owe her big time.

PPV begins finally and we take advantage of freebies. our 700 peso ticket (15 bucks) also got us a hot dog on a stick and a box of milk.  We watched the first fight and ate our hot dog and drank cow's milk in a box.  The 3rd fight we caught a break as one fighter said his version of  "No Mas" after the 3rd round and quit. by the time of the fight before the main event, it was a full house.

Finally, time for Pacquiao v. Rios. First the United States National Anthem was played. We sure felt a sense of pride. Although we were rooting for Pac Man, it is a big deal. Then the Philippines National Anthem was sung... wow, what an experience. It wasn't Jim Cornelison Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, but it was cool. People were singing loudly. I could appreciate their pride.

"Let's get ready to Rumblllllllllllllllle!"

The fight itself was fairly anti-climactic. Congressman Pacquiao dominated the whole fight.  What was fun was feeling wach punch through the sounds on the screen and the sounds of the crowd.  They were over dramatic on each punch. Then came the Chants. "Manny, Manny, Manny!" and "Pac-ee-ow!" That lasted 12 rounds. It was loud.

Finally, after a beat down ... 12 rounds were complete and it was time to get to the scorecards. Manny wins! WHOO HOOO! The crowd went nuts... One lady tried videotaping the screen. It was fun to see an usher swoop in and enforce their strict no video policy. DELETE DELETE DELETE.  Whew, because I was going to take a picture of the final results...

The fight was over, it was 1:30 and our nearly 6 hour odyssey had reached its final round. Ding Ding.  For a part of the day, I felt as if I was also part of the Filipino spirit. With so much going on... it was nice to see some good news for the people down here.

Take care of yourselves Everyone.

Chuck