~~ ISLAND HOPPING - PART 1 ~~

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.

Jintatolo was a very small island, so much so that walking around it a couple of times in one day would be quite an easy feat.

It is a virtually unknown island, located between Panay and Masbate Islands. The island itself is very well kept, looking more like a resort in places than just another province, however the recent typhoons that had been the area had caused widespread destruction.

Brock is seen soon after arrival at the island.

Yes the water is that clean in parts of the Philippines - it isn't a photographic trick used by broucher publishing companies.

This boat was found moored off the beach of Jintatolo soon after we arrived.

Above and below we have views from the top of a hotel in beautiful

Roxas City on Panay Island.

The above shot is taken looking inland. Located between the housing and the hills in the distance is what I would expect to be fishponds. Roxas City is refered to as the 'Seafood Capital Of The Philippines' and with good reason, there

is a huge seafood market in this area.

Below is the view in the other direct. The side street runs down to a boat wharf where you go to catch vessels to Jintatolo, Masbate and other local areas. This street is also often lined with the earlier mentioned fish stalls.

I loved Roxas City - not to small, but without the hussle and bussle (not to mention chocking pollution) of the bigger cities.

We will continue the series shortly.

From The Comments Section!

Hi everyone,
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)

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."

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.

BUSH FIRE AID

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)

~~ G-SPOT BARKADA ~~

Helping Promote The Philippines!

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:

http://philippine-railways.blogspot.com/

-

FERLIE PHOTO DELETED

~~ THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN ~~

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

~~ GOOD - BETTER - BEST ~~

Thanks to Bill for sending in this gem!

GOOD

A cop from the NZ Police was watching for speeders, but wasn't getting many.

Then he discovered the problem - a 12-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand painted sign, which read 'RADAR TRAP AHEAD.'

The officer then found a young accomplice down the road with a sign reading 'TIPS' and a bucket full of money. (And we used to just sell lemonade!)

BETTER

A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar post in the Manawatu with a Fine of $160 included.

Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of $160

The police responded with another mailed photo of handcuffs.

BEST

A young woman was pulled over for speeding.

As a NZ Policeman walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said, 'I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the Policemen's Ball.'

He replied, 'New Zealand Policemen don't have balls.'

There was a moment of silence while she smiled, and he realized what he'd just said.

He then closed his book, got back in his patrol car and left.

She was laughing so hard she couldn't start her car.

~~ THANK YOU ~~

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

THATS RIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN.

BARGAINS BARGAINS BARGAINS

ONE MONTH ONLY

Everything must go out the door by midnight on April 1st so you are in for some CRRRRRRRRAZY BARGAINS!

Tanduay drinking - out the door go the empty bottles.

Parties - going cheap - nobody wants to come.

Friendships - coming and going, they wont last long, but have a little fun while they do.

Karaoke - You to can annoy your neighbours.

Were going into liquidation - so you get all the bargains.

REMEMBER 1 MONTH ONLY - SPECIALS ALL GOING OUT THE DOOR.

PHOTOS - ARTICLES - JOKES - COLUMNS - NEWS

We are under instructions and it all has to go.

AND ITS ALL FREE!

Thats crazy warehouse clearance MADNESS!

But it can't last forever - April 1st the recievers move in and throw it all in the bin.

BE THERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE

With the site coming to an end I thought

WHAT THE HECK!

I AM GOING TO GO OUT WITH A BANG!

~~ COMING SOON ~~

A replacement for this site!

Please feel free to visit my other Philippine related websites!

Railways and Industrial Heritage Society (Australian Chapter) Inc

Philippine Railways SIG, CHAT and BLOG

~~ MOMENTS OF CLARITY ~~

WEBSITE BEING SUSPENDED!

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.

THIS WEBSITE IS BEING SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

IF SOMEONE WISHES TO TAKE OVER I AM OPEN TO YOUR OFFERS.

TO THOSE WHO SEEK TO CAUSE ENDLESS TROUBLE FOR THEIR FELLOW FILIPINOS - GO STICK A BALUT UP YOUR PUWIT YOU TANGAS.

~~ G-SPOT BARKADA CHARITY ~~

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.

VICTORIAN FIRES

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!