NEW YEAR'S IN THE PHILIPPINES!

New Year's Eve in the Philippines can sometimes be very dangerous. Many Filipinos celebrate by shooting off fireworks and guns into the air. Unlike in America, there is no limit to the size or power of the fireworks. I have seen some firecrackers, 2-foot tall & 9-inches wide. In the Philippines they believe the New Year should begin with a lot of Noise to help scare-away Evil and to drive away any Mis-fortune. As a result, dispite Government and press warnings to use caution regarding fireworks & guns, every year thousands of Filipinos are killed or maimed by the celebrating explosions and spent falling bullets -- not to mention the Terrific fires that sometimes result! Such coverage dominates our T.V. news from several days before New Year's to several days after. We even have a number of relatives who make their own fireworks -- sometimes more like bombs than firecrackers --to sell throughout the neighborhood and give out to other family members.

Additional New Year's Eve Good-Luck customs in the Philippines include sharing the 13 round lucky fruit and the traditional media noche, or mid-night meal. The round fruit symbolize coins and properity in the new year. The women gather the fruit in the days leading up to New Year's Eve and as the family gathers to ring in the New Year, the fruit plate or basket is passed around among family members to share in the eating to help bring us all a properous year ahead. At the stroke of Midnight everyone in the family cheer and hug each other and march around the house, entering every room downstairs and upstairs, banging pots & pans and shaking tin-cans full of coins making a loud racket to frighten away any evil spirits or bad luck in the house created during the past year in the hopes of beginning the new year with a "clean slate." Meanwhile, many of our neighbors run their motorcycles up and down the street with a lot of cans dragging behind to make a lot of loud noise outside while at the same time, fireworks are constantly going off -- punctuated by an occasional really loud explosion & various ariel displays -- to create a type of war-zone atmosphere!

Once we have made several laps through the house making noise, the family sits down to a fine meal consisting of pansit -- or spaghetti, if that can be afforded -- to promote long-life, plenty of rice to insure that the family will not go hungry & will have plenty throughout the year, any kind of a beef dish to insure that everyone in the family will be hard-working throughout the year like the carabao -- absoutely NO chicken dishes so no one in the family will be "scratching out" a living in the new year and NO pork dishes to insure that no one in the family will become lazy or lay around like the pig -- and any kind of a shrimp dish and plenty of fish to insure an "active" prosperous year, the rest of the fruit to also symbolize good health and wealth in the New Year, and a big dish of biko, the sweet brown-sugar rice-cake desert, to promote closeness -- or stickiness -- and sweetness among the family members throughout the year.

Another popular Philippine custom for New Year's Eve and and New Year's day, is for many of the girls and women to wear dresses, skirts or blouses having a Polka-dot pattern, many making their own in the days leading up to Christmas and New Years. Polka-dot clothing, too, is a symbol for good luck and properity for the family in the new year. The numerous "dots" are supposed to symbolize coin-money.

The Weather of the Philippines

The climate in the Philippines is typically tropical -- hot and humid year round but the months of March, April and May are the hottest months. According to my wife, "it'll bake your head," meaning it's best that all Anglo-boys wear a hat or else the extreme heat of the sun will burn their head and bake their brain inside the skull!

All tourists -- especially Anglos -- are advised: "NEVER, EVER underestimate the power of the Philippine sun, even on cloudy days!" I know from experience, only a couple hours on the beach during the morning and by evening, after you get home, you'll be as red as a cooked lobster!

Although the nation's weather pattern is fairly complex, it can be roughly divided into the "dry season," January through June and the "wet season," July through December. In the Cebu area, January is usually the coolest month while May is the hottest. Regarding those months of July through December, Although referred to as the "wet" season, don't think as I did, that it rains constantly during that period -- normally it rains a lot but not every day and not constantly. Sort of like spring-time in the USA -- showers two or three times a week or perhaps every afternoon for extended periods.

Temperatures here average between 35C to 40C [around a humid 85-90F] during the day and at night it seldom drops below 27C [about 80F].

Typhoons in the Philippines

Monsoons, tradewinds and "westerlies" are quite common in the Philippines but "wild winds" or " twisters" sometimes come in from the east or northwest. Called Typhoons in this part of the world, their main difference to Americans is that their high winds rotate in the opposite direction than the hurricanes we are more familiar with --But I really doubt it makes much difference when you're caught out in one.

On average, the Pilippines vacinity experience about 20 typhoons a year, nine hitting the island nation directly. Most hit the provinces facing the open-area of the Pacific Ocean or the northern provinces opposite Tiawan. Fortunately, the area of Cebu and Mactan Island -- where our family lives -- are inner islands, protected on all sides by a number of much larger isles. Generally, a direct Typhoon hit here is a rare event, but it does sometimes happen.The Typhoon season in the Pilipinas runs from June through December with most typhoons ocurring in July, August, and September but they can actually occur in any month when a cool front enters the area.

Geography & Facts of the Pilipinas

The Pilipinas nation is comprised of 7,107 islands that extend 1,143 miles from north to south in the Pacific, 621 miles southeast of the China coast and 7,330 west of mainland USA. Only about 2,000 of those islands are inhabited while only 500 are larger than one square kilometer. Basically, the country is divided into 3 main island groups: Luzon in the north third, the Visayas in the middle, and Mindanao in the southern third. According to the latest census (2000) The total population of the nation is 76.5-million with over half that number living in the Luzon island group and 12 Million living in the city of Manila, alone.Further, the country is divided into 72 provinces, 61 chartered cities, and thousands of small towns and communities called barengays. Throughout the island nation there are some 111 linguistic, cultural and racial groups. Although the national language is Filipino based on Tagalog -- the dialect of the Tagalog people of the Manila and South Luzon region -- there are another 70 languages and dialects belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family of tongues spoken throughout the country. But English is the language of education and commerce and is taught from grade school through high school and college.

Our family lives in the Visayas region in the south-central [central Visayas] part of the country -- mostly a resort area renowned for its snorkeling & diving -- and our relatives all speak Visaysan among themselves. We will be moving to this same general area a year from this January [in January 2011]

In its history, the Philippines have been ruled-over and influenced by the Spanish for over 300 years and by the Americans for 48 years. There is also evidence of early Malay and Chinese influence. As a result of its varied history, Philippine people, cuisine, language, culture and customs are all a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American and it is often joked that Filipinos are Malay in Family matters, Spanish in Love, Chinese in Business, and American in Ambition -- or that their culture is a result of over 300 years living in a convent and nearly 50 years of living in Hollywood!

The monetary unit of the Philippines is the piso, [peso] divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency can be exchanged at any hotel, most large department stores and all malls, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines throughout most communities. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Master Cards, and American Express are all accepted in most major establishments. Currently, one US dollar [USD] can be exchanged for about 45 Philippine piso [PHP].

Volcanos of the Philippines

There are over 200 identified ancient volcanic peaks in the Philippines, 37 of these are still considered potentially important which includes 21 determined to be active and the other 16 believed inactive. However, when Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991, it had been dormant for over 500 years and was thought to be a "dead" volcano of little importance.

The following are the known active volcanic mountains of the Islands:

Mount Mayon Volcano: 2,462m. high, in Albay Province, is currently blowing steam & ash periodically as late as November, 2009 with lava flows the following December. Most recent lethal eruption was in Feb. 1993 killing 70. Its worst eruption was in Feb. 1814 killing 1,200 and caused a mud-flow that completely buried a barrio. A historic symbol of the Philippines, Mt. Myon is famous for having the world's most symmetrically perfect volcano cone.

Taal Volcano: S/E of Manila in Batangas Province, elevation of 600m, last erupted Sept. 28, 1965 but worst eruption was on Jan. 30, 1911 when it took the lives of 1,300. Taal is believed to be one of the most active volcanos in the world as well as the smallest in the world.

Mount Canlaon [or Kanlaon] Volcano: 2,435m. high, on the border of Negros Occidental & Negros Oriental Provinces. erupts often with numerous displays of steam & ash; Large ash eruption in July 1993; another on Aug. 12, 1966 killed 3 hikers and stranded about 40 others.
[This volcano is probably the closest to our family at 310 kms or about 193 miles to their southwest]

Mount Pinatubo: was 1,745m high, [now only 1,400m high] N/W of Manila in Zambales Province, erupted into one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing 350.

Mount Ragang: [Sometimes called Mount Piapayungan or Blue Mountain] 2,815m high in Cotabato province, Mindanao. Last erupted July 1916.

Mount Bulusan: in Sorsogon province. 1,559m high. Flanked by 8-10 ancient volcanic peaks of various heights and a number of hot springs and hot springs resorts. Erupted on Jan. 16, 1916 ejecting mud & ash for 5 days and again in Oct. 1918 ejecting dust clouds & outpourings of lava. Last erupted on June 28, 1978 ejecting ash-laden steam clouds.

Mount Smith [or Mt. Babuyan]: Babuyan Island. Elevation of 688m, surrounded by 5 ancient volcanic peaks. Last major eruption was in 1924 but had a steam release in Feb. 2004.

Mount Hibok-Hibok: Camiguin Island, Camiguin province. 1,320m high surrounded by 6 other volcano peaks; last erupted on Dec. 5, 1951 without warning killing 2,000.

Mount Didicas: Babuyan Island Group. At an elevation of 228m today, it was a submarine volcano that first emerged from the sea in 1952 and last erupted on Jan 6-9, 1990.

Mount Babuyan Claro: Babuyan Island. Has an elevation of 843m, surrounded by 4 other ancient peaks. Last erupted in 1917.

Mount Camiguin de Babuyances: Babuyan Island Group. 712m high. Last major eruption came in 1857 with a phreatic ash & steam eruption but last activity occurred in 1991 with a sulfer cloud emission.

Mount Cagua: Cagayan province. 1,133m high. Last erupted in 1860 with a phreatic eruption but a sulferic cloud was emitted in 1907.

Mount Banahaw: Borders Quezon & Laguna provinces with an elevation of 2,158m. Banahaw is a mountain of legends & various occult sects. It is also a command center for the Communist New People's Army [NPA]. It is surrounded by 4 ancient volcanic peaks and 5 themal springs.

Mount Calayo [or Mt. Musuan de Calayo]: Valencia, Bukidnon province. at 646m last erupted on Nov. 13-16, 1976 after a series of earthquakes during the previous August.

Mount Iraya: Batanes province. With an elevation of 1,009m, its most recent volcanic activity was in 1998.

Mount Iriga [or Mt. Asog]: Camarines Sur province. Elevation of 1,196, no 18, 19 or 20th century eruptions.

Mount Biliran: Biliran province. Surrounded by 4 smaller active, dormant & extinct volcanos and 12 thermal hot springs & water falls but no major eruptions in this area during modern times. Then, on Sept. 26, 1939 seismic ativity on Mt. Biliran spewed forth an ashfall that caused a debris avalanche. No activity since.

Mount Bud Dajo: Jolo Island, Sulu province. elevation is 620m [2100 feet]. Last eruption was a 1897 phreatic blast.

Mount Matutum: Cotabato province. 2,293 high. Reportedly a volcanic eruption in 1911.

Mount Kalatungan [ or Mt. Catatungan]: Bukidnon province. 2,824m [9,265 feet] high. last eruption is unknown but volcano is classified as "potentially" active.

Mount Makaturing: Lanao del Sur province. 1,940m [6,365 feet] high. Last eruption was on March 18, 1882.

All Saints Day (or Halloween)

Until recent years, Filipinos did not observe Halloween in any way similar to Americans. All Saints Day, on November 1, and All Souls Day on November 2, are days that Filipinos pay homage to their dead. On November 1 & 2 they all go out to the cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives. They take plates of food, flowers -- in bouquets as well as wreaths -- and candles, and place them all on the graves for the dead. Churches are opened all day until late at night for those who wish to light candles to honor their deceased loved ones or to offer prayers. Plates of the deceased's favorite food are placed on the tombs in the belief that their spirts visit the earth on this day and look forward to the special meal. The cemetery is prepared days in advance by having the tombs and tombstones whitewashed or painted, the grass trimmed and incense left burning to give the site a fragrant smell, and a priest goes around and blesses and sprinkles holy water on all the graves.

Today, in addition to all of this and because of increased Western influence, many Filipino adults and children now dress up in costomes and have neighborhood Halloween parties and costume-judging contests similar to those in the USA and other countries. Generally, it is mostly those who are financially well-off or who are doing it simply for the entertainment of the children.

Also, in the Philippines, it is fast becoming a favorite holiday for the bayots (gays) who are now using the Day for a dress-up celebration to show off their bonga gowns and to compete in Gay Beauty Contests.

Christmas in the Philippines

The Philippines holds the distinction of having the longest observance of Christmas than any other country in the world. The official start of their Christmas season begins with the "ber" months -- SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, etc.

By September 1, it isn't a bit uncommon to see some of the first decorations in the malls and hear the holiday music. And it becomes quite common to see the count-down of shopping days left until Christmas on the morning TV news shows such as "Umagang kay ganda," "Unang Hirit" and others. In fact, many radio and TV stations begin playing Christmas tunes as their various personalities announce the "countdown-day" as they open their show or sign on each morning.

The Philippine Christmas tree is put up on display in the homes as early as November 2 --the

day following All Saints Day -- and they are left up as late as mid-January.

Instead of the Evergreen or pine tree commonly used in the USA, most Filipinos erect and decorate a Magit tree for Christmas. This is a small mangrove-type tree mostly associated with the ground-cover among the palms. Others use the Bakau -- a bushy little scrub-tree having numerous small branches that grows abundantly in swampy areas. Either of these trees are usually obtained as early as the first week of September in anticipation of the holiday to provide time for it to dry out. Then around November 2 or 3 they put the tree up in a big container, such as a Nido milk powder can or something similar, fill it with small stones or sand to keep the tree upright, and place it all in the corner of their house in a front room. They then wrap each little branch with green, white, or red crinkled tissue paper -- which they call Japanese paper but what Americans refer to as crepe paper -- and decorate the tree in more detail with handmade ornaments made of paper, foil, candies, and/or lollipops. Sometimes they will whip detergent soap into a white foam and spread that onto the branches of the tree that, upon drying looks like snow-covered branches.

If afforable, many Filipinos are now wrapping small lights around the branches of their tree & using store-bought ornaments to complete their decorating. Christmas lights and star-shaped lanterns, called parols, are also often arranged in all the windows of homes and stores during the holiday.

Under Philippine law, by December 20 at the latest, all employers are required to provide a Christmas bonus equivalent to one month's salary to every employee's pay. The shopping centers & malls begin holding all-night holiday sales soon afterwards through the 24th. Nine days of pre-dawn Catholic masses begin on December 16 through December 24, during which nearly all major commerce comes to a complete stand-still as many companies close for the holidays, including many big businesses and manufacturing plants. In addition, ALL mail delivery stops between December 15 to January 2. As a result, many working people use this as their only vacation opportunity and go off to visit family and friends in other localities.

Lizards of the Philippines

In the Philippines there are about 100 species of lizards. Fortunately, none of them are venomous. The most common is the gecko or "house lizard." (left) These are anywhere from about an inch to five inches long. They often gather around a ceiling light in the evening to catch any flying insects that venture into the house. That is why it is considered Good Luck in the Philippines to have a house lizard.

While having any house lizard is considered a good fortune, having a Tuko, (right) a lizard nearly a foot long, living in the house is considered the best luck of all. This creature, reddish-brown with freckeled stripes, gets its name from the sound it makes in the darkness of night: "Tu-ko," "Tu-ko"

The Ultimate "Environmentally Green" Car!

This pedal car uses NO gas and provides much needed exercise during those short leisurely trips around the barrio.

A truck style is also available for hauling.

Both are ideal for the economical and health

conscious for short trips.

SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINES

Granted, there are many dangers throughout the USA such as bears, cougers & wolves in the eastern and western states, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and copperhead snakes in many areas, alligators in the southeast and a variety of venomous spiders in various regions but we are often aware of these since our childhood and as a result we remained watchful when in areas where they were prevelent and took the necessary precautions.

Relocating to the Philippines can present dangers to the average person who might otherwise remain innocent and unaware until it is too late. It is best to educate ones-self to the possible dangers so they can be best avoided.

There are 4 types of venomous snakes in the world; elapids, viperids, colubrids, & hydrophiidaes. ALL 4 types are found in the Philippines, in addition to the Python constrictor which can grow to exaggerated sizes.

The elapids are represented by the King Cobra, that grows up to 18 feet in length, which can rise up and look you eye-to-eye or "stand" up to two-thirds of its length and chase you in that position if it desires. Being chased by a snake "standing" 12-feet high across a vacant lot is probably not an easy event to forget!

The viperids are represented by the Russell's Viper and the Temple Viper and the colunbrids consist of the Mangrove and Vine snakes. The hydrophiidaes are the sea snakes, both black bands and yellow bands that rule some areas of the ocean.

The Pythons in the Philippines can average 20 feet in length but claims of much larger ones exist in some sparsely populated areas. They have been known to bring traffic to a complete halt as they leisurely cross a road.

Standard Public Transportation

Of all the forms of public transportation in the Philippines, the Jeepney has always received the most publicity because it's so lavishly decorated. But, for me personally, the Jeepney is the third most popular, right behind the trike and the taxi, depending on the distance I need to travel.
For the unfamiliar, the trike is a 3-wheeled motorcycle with a roofed sidecar that will seat up to 5-6 passengers, depending on their size. The Taxis are usually Air-conditioned medium-sized Toyota cars.
Of course, additional modes of travel utilized by the locals also include walking, bikes, scooters and personal cars.

Something NEVER Seen in the USA

Here two Manila police officers -- in uniform -- proceed to change a flat tire on their police car. Something You Would Never See in America!

I have always found the average Filipino to be very sociable, friendly & completely unpretentious. Even the Police.

In the meantime, a number of passers-by, including me, interrupt their daily routine to watch -- however, none of us offer to help.

The Exercise Washing Machine

Perfect concept for us aging "Baby Boomers" retiring to the Philippines. This peddle-action washing machine is an energy-saver -- electric hookup unnecessary -- fun for all the little nephews & nieces and a great chance for me to get some much needed exercise. Many of us now look forward to Wash day, especially the women who no longer have that back-breaking scrubbing to do.

Those in America may eventually find themselves forced to "Go Green" & these contraptions might become mandatory by 2012!!

Kids and Trees

In the Philippines, children learn to climb trees at an early age. In addition to playing a variety of games in the trees, they quickly learn at a young age that once they can climb a tree, they can get a snack. Such knowledge becomes an over-whelming incentive.
Although many of the fruit trees are low and wide and easily accessible, the Mango and Coconut trees on the islands are often quite huge, but I have seen kids -- both boys & girls -- no more than nine or ten years old, shimmy up those trees so fast I could hardly get my camera up in time to photograph it.

Additional Web-Sites of Interest

In addition to the wonderful Blog "an American in the Philippines," additional web-addresses I follow that other readers might find of interest include: http://cebu.craiglist.com.ph/apa/ re: private property in the Phiippines listed For Sale on Craig's list and http://cebuexperience.com/ re: expats living in Cebu province.

Another Great Site regarding expats around the entire world is

http://www.expat-blog.com/

The EXPAT

EXPAT is an abreviated reference to expatriate, a foreigner resident, a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country or within a culture other than where that person was originally native or born and raised -- sometimes mistaken with "EX-PATRIOT" but this is derived from the Latin, EX - out of - and PATRIA - country or fatherland. Some famous examples of American EXPATRIATES would include writer Ernest Hemingway living first in Spain during that country's civil war and later in Paris, France during WWII; African-American singer and entertainer Josephine Baker living in Paris during the 1920s; and rock musician Jim Morrison living in Paris during the 1960s.
According to the U.S. State Department there are now over 250,000 U.S. citizens currently living in the Philippines.

New Book about Growing Up in the Philippines

New book describing daily life and growing up in the Philippines:

MIRROR OF MY PAST, THE REFLECTIONS OF A FILIPINA AFTER IMMIGRATING TO AMERICA, IS A REFLECTION OF THE AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS LOOKING BACK AT HER LIFE GROWING UP IN THE PHILIPPINES AND HOW SHE IS NOW ABLE TO SEE MANY OF THE EVENTS OF GROWING UP QUITE DIFFERENTLY WITH MORE EXPERIENCE IN LIFE. SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL BUT ALWAYS BRUTALLY HONEST, SHE LOVINGLY EXPLORERS THE COMPLEX ASIAN MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP AND PROVIDES DEEP INSIGHT INTO THE EVENTS THAT AFFECTED HER SO AS SHE WAS GROWING UP. SHE TELLS OF HER STRUGGLES WITHIN HER OWN FAMILY TO MAKE HER WISHES KNOWN TO REALIZE HER DREAMS OF COMING TO AMERICA. AND HOW PREJUDICES AMONG HER OWN RELATIVES AND IN HER OWN NEIGHBORHOOD HAD A PROFOUND AFFECT ON HER CHILDHOOD. SHE OFTEN FANTASIZED OF LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES AND GOING TO AMERICA -- PERHAPS, IN-PART, TO FULFILL THE LIFE-LONG WISH OF HER GRANDFATHER WHO HAD FOUGHT ALONG SIDE AMERICAN TROOPS DURING WORLD WAR II. AND HOW HE, HIMSELF, HAD FILLED HER WITH MANY STORIES ABOUT AMERICA AND ABOUT AMERICANS BEFORE SHE HAD EVEN REACHED SCHOOL AGE. AS A RESULT SHE TELLS OF THE HEARTBREAKING EPISODES OF GROWING UP POOR WITH HER CLOSE-NET LOVING FAMILY AND, EVENTUALLY, HOW A CHANGE IN ENVIRONMENT CAN SOMETIMES CREATE A WHOLE NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE AND THE LIVES OF EVERYONE CLOSE TO HER. MIRROR OF MY PAST REFLECTS ON HER LIFE AS MELBA FINALLY SUCCEEDS GAMBLING WITH HER LIFE, BENUMBED WITH THE ATTITUDE BAHALA NA (COME WHAT MAY) GETTING TO AMERICA TO REALIZE HER DREAMS. FINDING IT DIFFERENT THAN SHE HAD EVER IMAGINED, MELBA EXLAINS HOW SHE IS GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR FORTUNATELY FINDING A LOVING AND CARING OLDER MAN AND NOW REALIZES HOW MUCH SHE HAS CHANGED, HERSELF, BY THE EXPERIENCE. ONCE REGARDED AS A TREMENDOUS OBLIGATION TO HER FAMILY, MELBA IS NOW LOOKED UPON AS THE GRANDE DAME OF HER FAMILY. MIRROR OF MY PAST EXPLAINS HOW THAT CAME TO BE.

(Xlibris Publishing, illus., 177 pages, HB $35, PB $21, available through your local book store)

I HIGHLY recommend this book. Not ONLY because it was written by my wife, but because it is so inspirational!

BEWARE of local Attorneys

I have been informed by my Filipino friends and relatives that when buying land in the Philippines to Beware of unscrupulous real estate lawyers. Supposedly there have been cases of attorneys drawing up legal documents that transfer property ownership to themselves once purchased.

Like anything else, it is best to check with past clients and locals to determine if any attorney you intend hiring has a good reputation, is trustworthy and has provided good representation to his previous clients.

All business and legal documents in the country are supposed to be conducted in English anyway, according to the law, so I don't know if such rumors are true or not. It is probably best, however, to check at the Registar's Office to make certain the proper names are listed as the owners afterward. -- if not, then you have another problem of finding an attorney to straighten it out and to deal with the crooked one.

The EASTER HOLIDAY

I have already experienced a number of holidays in the Philippines such as Christmes, New Year's, and Easter. However, I am NOT into dragging American customs into the islands in an attempt to pollute or Americanize the Filipino celebration of any holiday. I prefer, instead, to experience the differences and take part in how they observe the events. Easter is a good example of those differences.

Easter week is an intensely religious period of observance in the Philippines. Many Philipinos return to their family homes from all around causing delays and crowded conditions at airlines, ferries and bus terminals all around the Country during the week before the observance. In addition, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are ALL Official Holidays. It is sadly observed as "the Day God died" and on Maundy Thursday all the shops close, Postal service stops for the week and Banks, too, close for the period -- so if you are going to need money, plan ahead because ATMs often run out of cash. Also, by Thursday nearly all the traffic stops, as silence reigns throughout the country as people somberly attend church services. Even Philippine Airlines' flights stop and do not resume until the following Saturday in observance of the period.

Beginning that Thursday night, and during every evening afterward, long processions of people, many carrying various-sized floats displaying statutes of "Mama" Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and a number of different Saints, slowly walk through the neighborhoods gathering additional followers on their route, reciting the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary as they parade along. All along the route, family members come out of their houses and join in with the procession.

On Easter morning before dawn, every neighborhood church presents a widely attended Passion Play at the end of the Saturday night procession, and then at dawn everyone attends the Easter morning Mass.

ORIGIN OF THE USER-NAME

The reference "AngloBoy" came about nearly 12 years ago as I and my wife's family walked into the church yard of the Catholic cathedral in Lapu-Lapu City one Sunday morning. Of course, I towered head and shoulders above the sea of Philipinos gathering within the walled-in church yard as we approached the church entryway.

As we passed by the balloon vendor -- yes, I said Balloon vendor, he entices and tries to sell large balloons with images of Jesus looking out from the inside, to all parents and children walking to Mass -- other vendors, by the way, sell peanuts, candles and various other religious items in a carnival-like atmosphere outside the cathedral before and after each Mass.

Now, up to this time I had become accustomed to hearing "Hey Joe!" as I had walked down the Philipino streets. That is another Filipino reference to saying "hi" to an American, or any male Europeans or caucasians, for that matter, seen passing by.

As we passed by the balloon vendor, I heard in good English, "He-e-y-y An-glo-Boy! L-o-o-K every-body, we have an An-glo Boy here! How 'bout buying balloons for your family?

Referring to Anglo-Saxon, of course, this "Boy" was probaly twice the vendor's age. At any rate, He said it with a big smile, knowing he was putting me on the spot. I told him "maybe after Mass" as we headed on into the church. I just couldn't see any of us sitting in church during Mass, holding a balloon of Jesus floating over our heads.

Ever since then, many in my Filipino family laughingly refer to me as "AngloBoy".

DREAMS ARE WHAT THE FUTURE IS MADE

OK, here's the plan. We know three couples who have packed up during the past year and moved to the Philippines to live full time. One couple built a new house. One couple bought an existing house. And the third couple constructed a beautiful houseboat and live that lifestyle. We, my Filipina wife of 12 years and I, plan to take the plunge as soon as I am able to retire within the next two years. My in-laws are sent out to look over areas and property each time we find some listing of interest. We seek a small farm or a parcel of flat land with a small house that my father & brothers-in-law can add on to as time goes by. By planning this far ahead we hope the transition takes place smoothly. We have worked out the pros & cons of selling or renting out our USA home.; the benefits of renting for 3-4 months in the islands until we actually find the property we are are seeking; the best procedures for selling-off our stuff here in the states and steps for returning to the USA to work for a year or two once we get the place established in the islands -- to refill our back account with what was spent.

All the details are being worked out as we plan, such as our 17-year-old neice planning to work as our live-in housekeeper and my body-guard brother-in-law working as driver & care-taker.
Even details of room, board and monthly salary are worked out assuming the economy of both countries remain close to present-day values; otherwise re-negotiations and adjustments will become necessary when all becomes reality.

Our property interests on the islands have been found on various (Phil) local realtor websites, private owners' listings on the internet --"Craigs lists" of private property has been a prime source of privately-held, decently-priced listings, -- and of course when my family hears about property becoming available in their vacinity. In fact, we have already made several good deals on purchases of lots in their neighborhood using this latter method.

Luckily my in-laws are good at construction and remodeling and can take any basic structure and add rooms and various other needs as long as someone (namely me) can finance their construction supplies. Fortunately, their labor cost is figured into their "personal satisfaction of seeing a job well-done," being properly fed and cared for and a little spending money. I couldn't ask for a better trade-off.

We are currently looking for fairly flat land having a small one or two bedroom house and a few coconut and mango trees in the half- to three-quarter-million peso range.