Yeah right. Try standup!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Yeah right. Try standup!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
G'day all,
While searching through my Philippine collection for items to use in a new website project I was wrapped to come across the CDs containing all the photographs taken while travelling around the islands the last time I was in the Philippines.
I thought I would take the opportunity to run a series of them on the blogsite over a few weeks, showing not only the beauty of this wonderful country, but also the area where Ana grew up in.
Having spent so much of my time in Manila previously, it was a breath of fresh air (actually it was literally) to get around these more far away locations.
I truly hope you enjoy these and other forthcoming photos taken during our journey.
From The Comments Section!
As you know, I love recieving feedback on items appearing on any of my blogs. Whether it be positive or negative, it gives a great idea about what my readers are thinking and, BEST OF ALL, assures me someone is actually reading :-)
This morning I was happy to see two comments from Milton who kindly took the time to type them up. Since most people don't realise the comments section exists I thought, as always, I would reply to them here.
Salamat to Milton for your comments.
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MILTON
"Getting information on public transport around the Philippines is not easy"
thats because transportation itself in the RP is not easy.
The concept of the Jeepney that follows a route involving 30 streets and 40 turns makes no sense.
A simple circuitous route is the most effecient - kinda like everyone else uses.
February 26, 2009 9:48 AM
REPLY
Especially when the turns seem to change depending on who is driving at the time. It seems from my observations that they do not always stick to a exact route in which to travel, ensuring that such things as transport maps are next to useless.
Many say the Jeepney is inefficient, while I don't agree with this, I think some transport planning and a rethink on its usage is required.
To use Commonwealth Street in QC as an example. It seems that buses and Jeepneys crowd the street in an endless attempt to compete with each other. Many shorter haul Jeepnies (say Litex to Evers Commonwealth) are just services duplicated by buses thus making more traffic on the road. These services also tend not to always stick to the same route at the whim of the driver.
There is a plan (we pray it happens) to build a MRT/LRT down this street, although you can imagine that this will just result in a couple less lanes but the same buses and jeepneys trying to continue a business and making the whole thoroughfare useless.
In a perfect world, the MRT stations would also include transport interchanges where buses and Jeepnies would serve as feeder services. Buses for main areas of population and Jeepnies to areas that either don't warrant a bus or just cant fit bus due to clearances.
The jeepney certainly still has its place, although an LPG version of the classic design would be a good idea, though a bit of a rethink on transport planning is needed.
Did the plan to introduce allocated bus stops on EDSA ever occur? Is it followed?
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MILTON
Ya know, one of these days I'm gonna leave the Philippines. I'm sick of these people.
I've lived here for a few years and have seen them around the world, 9 countries of which I've lived in.
Ask yourself this, can you name a SINGLE pinoy that gives? I cannot. All they do is take, take, take. They send their spawn across the globe and take jobs away from other countries citizens.
They take the money and send it back to the Philippines. They marry foreigners and take the richer lifestyle. (and manage to still send other peoples money back to the RP).
They will not allow foreigners to own anything in the RP but insist on other countries allowing Filipinos to do so.
It's also disgusting the way they think of foreign men as dirty sex-pats, yet as soon as one of their girls marry one, they start bragging about who married the coolest/richest foreigner.
February 26, 2009 9:38 AM
REPLY
A few things here of interest here.
I have come up against this inability to own anything fully there. It makes it hard when trying to own land/house, and when dealing with having small businesses there.
It is a tad unfair that they can 100% own things here but not the other way around. I suppose though that this is a government thing and most of the general populace would not care less if it was changed. I for one wish they would change it and QUICK.
One thing I don't entirely agree on is the question of giving.
I can name a few of my Pinoy/Pinay friends who are some of the most generous and most selfless people I have ever met, without expecting anything in return.
I admit (In my experience only) they have been in the minority sadly, but still I don't think we should tar everyone with the same brush when there are some wonderful Filipinos out there.
As you could tell from my blog, I have met some bad examples who have made Australia their home, but keep looking and you will find some truly great people that make these setbacks seems really worthwhile.
Regards
Brad (who is constantly hurt by those he tries to help, but loves Filipinos anyway)
Winston Churchill
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~~ COMING SOON ~~
Despite some of the barkada recieving injuries through a rather violent attack the night before, all were determined not to be held back and headed on our to Maroubra Beach to celebrate Brock's big birthday party.
The weather was great, the company fantastic, the food awesome and the seagulls very photogenic.
Join us in coming days for a photographic look at the days activities.
**
Recently found is all the photos from our island hopping journey from Panay to Luzon via Jintatolo and Masbate back in 2007.
We will have a looksie through a number of shots from this very beautiful part of the world.
**
One of my many interests is in planes, mostly of the large commercial aviation type. The recent departure from Australia of Qantas's last 'Classic 747' had me interested to look back at what has become of the the first two Qantas jets I rode to the Philippines on.
For a change of pace, I shall share my findings with readers.
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Finally, if like us you are looking for ways to help out the poor people in Victoria who have suffered so badly with the fires, and those who may still do so, this new album may be of great interest to all.
A selection of local and overseas artists have come together to allow this album to be produced, the proceeds of which will help our fellow Aussies suffering down south.
Despite recent accusations (lies yet again) that I don't have and would never donate money to a charity, I have given to this numerous times, as have a number of our barkada. Never believe any story without getting both sides.
Cheers
Brad (The Centerlink bludging, woman bashing, desparado for young girls - or so they tell me)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Evening all, in an effort to consolidate all my Philippine related work on the internet I have created one website as a hub for reaching all the information.
An extension of this is a long held plan to build a website full of transport information for locals and tourists alike.
Getting information on public transport around the Philippines is not easy, indeed most of the time you have to just hope for the best when your looking to get somewhere.
This new website will not only link all my Philippine related websites together, something the light rail operators in Manila are even struggling to do, but will act as a one stop shop for contacting transport operators in the Philippines and planning your next journey.
At the moment I am working on a listing of public user ferry and boat services, no matter how minor the service or places served, around the Philippines.
If you are from the Philippines, or have travelled there, and can help with adding extra ferry and boat services, it would be very much appreciated.
Hopefully this website will help make travelling around the Philippines far more attractive to the tourist and thus help build small community economies a little.
Visit our all new site at:
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
ALL FERLIE PHOTOS REMOVED
BUT AVAILABLE
I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support coming in for keeping this site. Many friends, past and present are apparently enjoying keeping up with the barkada, as our our family and friend in the Philippines.
This sort of support is what really helps to make the effort all worth it. Especially with work getting busier for the year and time becoming more limited as our Philippine museum charity work ramps up.
Regardless of which email I looked at , the usual sentiment was not to allow the bad few ruin it for everyone, not ruin the website and not ruin your friendships with those Filipinos who do care and form the most wonderful and kind hearted people you could ever meet.
Despite a severe physical assault on a number of our group over the weekend I am going to push on with the site and not let people down.
I am also going to try harder to concentrate on those wonderful Filipino friends and family that I have, not allowing outside influences to interfere with this.
While the website is continuing, I am planning a whole new, and more positive, change in direction to our content. Our group has always been known for its fun, its compasion and its caring for each other.
The attacks against us only help us to become stronger, care for each other more and strengthen our resolve to do whats right.
While I have noticed a huge increase in visitor numbers during the recent sad events aimed at us, I am hopeful that numbers will not drop to much with the more positive aim of this blog.
If excessively bad things continue to happen I shall consider reporting them for the safety of myself and my beloved barkada friends, however hopefully this is not something that will be required shortly.
A few readers have said they want to add comments or photos but are unsure of how to do it. The easy way is to email me on the GSpot Barkada email address with whatever you wish to contribute and mention that it is for the website.
Feel free to tell us about your trips, show photos of your family in the Philippines, share jokes (particularly love funny Philippine photos and jokes), tell us about any charity you are helping with in the Philippines, or just about anything else you feel may be of interest.
The Philippines and Filipinos are great people - lets all celebrate both.
Please enjoy the new website.
Regards
A Somewhat Bruised Brad :-P
Thursday, February 19, 2009
I am deeply grateful to those who have taken the time to give their views about the planned closure of this website and the people who ultimately lead me to the decision.
Many interesting comments are currently being given a lot of thought and it is likely the website will remain open with a revised content, more along the lines of what it was before the troublemakers entered the fray.
I would also like to use the site to display more of my other photography and a newly gained huge interest in design.
Thanks again to those who cared enough to share their views, its great to know some people care.
More details on the site will be spewed forth shortly.
Thanks
Brad
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Please feel free to visit my other Philippine related websites!
Railways and Industrial Heritage Society (Australian Chapter) Inc
Philippine Railways SIG, CHAT and BLOG
Last night while at a concert in Kensington I had a major moments pause to think while looking in the direction of some the societies biggest spags.
It subsequently became obvious how much this vermin controls my life and my relationships with friends.
When the sight of people makes you physically sick it is time to change. When your hate reaches a point where you need alcohol to calm down, then there is something wrong.
A wise Pinay recently said to me:
"People who are not part of your life anymore have failed the test to be an everlasting friend".
These are very apt words, along with those in the recent email of that guy from Canberra, words that have brought the whole stupid thing into perspective.
I was enjoying watching people departing this little group of spite, lies and hatred (seems two major members so far), but now I will enjoy more not even thinking about pond scum that once polluted my life.
Continue spreading your wealth of education and credibility throughout a community who really dosen't give a shit about your education or credibility, a community of many people who care less about you than they let on.
One thing I have learn't is that person who is smiling at you today is not necessarily your friend.
Friday, February 13, 2009
While some are stealing from us, many more are giving.
I would like to thank everyone who donated at our recent party to the museum we are setting up in the Philippines. Thanks to your awesome generosity we raised an absolutely AMAZING $193 on the night and some of is already in use restoring an important item from the early 1900s. The 'Railway and Industrial Heritage Society Philippines (Australia/New Zealand Chapter' is a non-profit group trying to start a museum in Paco and preserve important documents, photos, records and actual items of railway and industrial significance for the future.
History of the Philippines has been overlooked for so long, which is a tragedy given it is one of the worlds more interesting countries. We hope to be able to rectify this with a great museum encasing much important history for all Filipinos in the future.
Donations and contributions are always urgently sought at the address on the website above. Anything you may be able to spare is greatly appreciated.
Bunnings Warehouse is having a charity raising day today (Saturday February 14th - Valentines Day) taking donations and selling sausage sizzles with 100% of the money being given to the victims of this awful event.
Some of the G-Spot Barkada will be doing their bit at Mascot - Hope many other will get down to their local Bunnings and stuff their faces with as many sausage sandwiches as they can :-)
The town of Marysville in Victoria was one of the hardest hit, with 1 in 5 of the population believed to have perished.
I am told that next to nothing in this photo still exists today following the awful bushfire that has virtually wiped the town from the map.
All money raised at Bunnings today, or through RED CROSS at other times, will go towards helping to rebuild the lives of thousands of people.
Join the G-Spot Barkada in helping!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) A lower court decision to annul the marriage between actors’ Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa has been upheld by the Court of Appeals.
“We cannot but sustain the court a quo in declaring as void ab initio the marriage between the petitioner and respondent which was purportedly solemnized on Sept. 21, 2004 at Jaen, Nueva Ecija,” the appellate court’s second division said Tuesday.
PART 3 OF 3 PARTS (Yep it was that big)
Good Mohammad, I nearly forgot to do todays posting for all my eager readers.
Oh dear, looks like Colonel is in trouble!
Alas we come to the end of our report. I hope you have enjoyed your little look into our party.
We have much more coming in during the next few weeks.
* Email from some guy in Canberra about his local Filo community.
* Saddam's second column.
* Ex President Bush starts his new humour column.
More fun than you can poke a balut at!
BASH!!
Yes good morning again from your friend Ali.
My humble apologies for such an early start, but this little aswang must get down to the BKK bins early so as not to miss out on any early morning scraps left behind as the shops replace yesterdays stock.
Ali has exciting news. No, my wife is not giving birth to her 16th child, YET, nor have I recieved my postal order of WMDs yet, NO NO NO, Ali has talked his old friend, ex-President Bush, to take on a regular role here.
Sadly since my only real link to Mr Bush is some shrapnel embedded in my coit following the taking of Baghdad, he was unwilling to help and the police were called when I turned up on his doorstep.
Thanks to the wonder of the internet we can still bring you his regular column of humour, something we all need in this day and age, especially if your friends are abandoning you for Queensland and Miranda.
Anyway please join me, Ali, for a second installment of love and caring at Saturdays party.
Thanks again for joining your new friend Ali. Join us tomorrow for the final installment in this exciting series.
Anyway I am off to raid the bins, this is when you usually find all the rejected black bananas.
Regards Ali The Arabic Aswang