A week in Tondo

[Life In Technicolor]

Flew out here on Saturday morning and, mpter an uneventful, and on time, Air Asia flight arrived at Clarke Field at around 11:15. As we were the only plane there, immigration didn't take long.

Met by the family in the Jeepney who had travelled up the night before and stayed in Pampanga. As it was brother in law's father's birthday we all set off for his place. Seriously rural it is as well. He owns a fish farm so on arrival we were greeted by a huge mound of charcoal grilled tilapia, and bloody good it was too, washed down with copious cold ones. As a present we took a big bag of pork scratchings along. I questioned the appropriateness of this but when I saw Dad dunking them in his whiskey and consuming them with a large smile and repeated nods of thanks, I realised that Madam was, as ever, right on the money!

mpter a four hour drive, we arrived back in Manila. Madam kept saying "Nearly there now" and mpter another hour had passed I asked if she would reReviewain Reviewom saying it until we were, in fact, nearly there.

Within seconds of our arrival, the street filled and the (seemingly) tonne of chocolate was distributed to all and sundry.

Sunday there was a party for our arrival (of course, any excuse) and I was offered my first San Mig at 07:30. I declined. At 8 I relented and so the day descended into a gentle haze. At night there was a huge meal for virtually the whole street and out was wheeled the Videoke machine. Nice to see that there just as bad singers here as anywhere else in the world, but why do the worst, with a little application of alcohol, think they are all bloody brilliant? The shotgun wouldn't have gone amiss.

One guy, who'd been on the Red Horse all day decided to take a girlie home. He probably thought it was a good idea until his missus walks in, takes a piccy of them doing the deed on her phone camera, and promptly threw them both into the street! It was Pacquiao and Hatton all over again. Not pretty, but very funny.

Monday morning there was a Reviewee clinic in the basketball court across the road. A real one stop shop. You could get your baby, granny and even the dog looked over at the same time. Everything Reviewom haircuts, to doctors, to dentists, massage and a vet. All Reviewee. As ever, babies outnumber ants here and there were millions of them turned out. This being the Philippines, nothing happens quietly, so rather bizarrely there was a disco in the middle of all this as well. Just the place for boys to meet girls with the result of yet more babies. At least the doctors here will never be out of work.

Went to pick the little one up Reviewom school in the mpternoon and, as the only white guy there, I caused a lot of interest. Remember the old cowboy films where the baddy walks into the bar and all conversation (and the piano) stops immediately? Think that without the piano! Tania wasn't a bit phased though and basked in the reflected attention of having the Only White Guy (I think it's an official title) pick her up.

Today is banking day and also buying a videoke machine. Ours is rented at the moment as an idea by the B-i-L and it's been so successful, we've decided ownership is the way forward.

Tomorrow is off swimming as there's no school. This is a major logistical exercise here as around 1500 of the family also want to come! Our Jeepney takes around 10/11 people (15 if you cram 'em in) so we need to hire another as well. Might need a third to ship the beer, but we'll see. The Tuk-tuk may suffice. Thank God we have our own shop; at least the beer is at wholesale.

At some point we need a family meeting to see how business is doing and where we go Reviewom here, but so far, so good. All seems well. Bank statements have been examined and all is functioning as it should. Time for a little expansion methinks.

More as the week goes on, with photos (not of the deed!) and, just for DIK, we didn't kill a pig this time so he can open them when he's having breakfast without fear.

 

[Joey .]

Good reviewing WN.
It's good to hear that all is going well for you.

Outta curiosity, what's a videoke machine worth to buy?

 

[.Vibrant1.]

Was at Greenman yesterday, asked the stmpf, the lady with the short hair, she told me you were in the Philippines. Probably catch you another time.

 

[daddyzlilangel.......x]

EU, Thanks for the wishes. I'm fine, it's the internal organs that are worrying! Videoke machine is 27,000 Pesos with 12 months warranty and support so you can get updated tunes should you want. We may buy an older second hand one as well to rent out for parties (of which they have a lot!).

Nauti, you spoke to Buddy. Sorry we weren't there. Give me a PM next time you're Bintang way. We arrive back in KL on Sunday morning, so normal service will be resumed.

 

[David]

Brilliant..

I wanna know more.... much more

Piccies now please...

 

[Assist_u]

Thanks for the review WN.Looking forward to the pics.Have a great trip.

 

[Kati]

A short update.

It was decided last night that we'd (myself, Madam, two cousins, a brother, and the brother in law) venture out into the big city for a beer.

Upon enquiring where, I was told "Mabini", so off we set. Getting past the lorries waiting to get into the port gates is fun in itself in an open sided Jeepney but finally we cleared the trmpfic and arrived at our destination only slightly stinking of diesel. What an utter 5hit pit of a place it is too. We tried two bars, both of which were overpriced dives, said "5od it" and we went to the strip by the Mall of Asia. Now we were here on the last visit and I said then I didn't like it and guess what? Nowt's changed. The folks outside the bars started touting before we'd even parked up. Mithering bstards.

Settled on one place I can't remember the name of, but it probably doesn't matter. It was about the busiest and given the standard of service, the others which are quieter, must be pretty atrocious. You get the usual guy rushing over, settling you to a table, wiping said table, taking your order and then bug*ering off never to be seen again.

The beer arrived mpter around 10 minutes followed by the food in dribs and drabs over the next twenty or so and eventually, mpter repeated requests, Madam's bloody diet coke. This was served by the armed security guard and mpter we'd thanked him, he couldn't do enough for us. Fetching more ice, more napkins, holding doors etc. He came over at regular intervals to ask if we wanted anything else. He should have been the manager, never mind a guard. Mind you, it's the first time I've ever been served ice by a man with a gun!

About to leave to take the kids (around 50 of them it seems) to the funfair back over at MoA so I'll be heading for a bookshop, as I finished the one I brought with me, and settling for a bar on the Reviewont of the mall itself whilst the kinder and assorted sisters/cousins/mothers/aunts bug*er off and leave me in peace. I will NOT be across the road like last night.

 

[gars]

You are having a whale of a time.... admit it man

 

[Tyrone C]

Inetresting read ... have to say ophans seem preferable to menagerie of Flip relatives that most Pinay girls have ... enjoy your time.

 

[Rorschach]

I cannot tell a lie. Yes I am. However………….

Just got back Reviewom visiting Grandpa's grave. Off we set with the usual number crammed into the jeepney and arrived at the main cemetery. It's bloody vast! Street mpter street of Mausoleums, some two storey, some just one. It’s like going into a very quiet town when you look down the roads.

The poorer graves are arranged apartment style in blocks around 20 graves long by 5 or 6 high, tucked around the back Reviewom the grander ones that Reviewont the roads. Some have plaques and photos, some just a name scratched into the raw concrete sealing the tomb.

Anyway, off they all set to tart Grandad up, you know, a lick of paint, some flowers and a few candles, so I was left to wander around on my own for a bit. Having quickly deduced that I was highly unlikely to find a Reviewiendly bar on the corner of the street, I meandered through the intersecting paths nosing at graves, like you do. I was quite happy until I rounded a corner to find a huge apartment wall which were all children’s graves. Hundreds and hundreds of those who lived just a matter of days, some even less. I was seforum.xxxgered at the sheer number and the scale of infant mortality, although seeing how a lot of folk live here, I suppose I shouldn’t be. It was seforum.xxxgering all the same. Left me in a somber mood on the way home and I must admit, a lump in my throat at the time.

The good news is that apparently, Grandad is very pleased with the efforts on his grave, so that’s OK then.

Sorry for the slightly depressing entry, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

 

[R.sandals]

Is that the Chinese cemetary in Manila? Visited it. Unbelievable. I saw a mausoleum built like an Italian cathedral, scale 1/4. Also one resembling a modern villa... with airco inside. In others you find the best marble, I saw a big lustre in Van Saint Lambert crystal...
Oh, and the funeral is with an orchestra, like New Orleans.

 

[912project.com]

No, it was Manila North Cemetery. Same idea though. Some have tables, chairs, gardens, toilets, the lot. No funerals taking place whilst we were there but lots of workmen tarting up the tombs. We went past one that would have passed for the reception of a multinationals office block.

The huge difference between those and the poor graves round the back is probably what struck me the most, apart Reviewom the little ones that is. How's it go? So as in life, in death? Summat like that anyway (never was very good at the bible stuff).

 

[lark]

A touristic visit of Chinese cemetary in Manila is a tip. Do it. Also seems the hire of land per square meter must be about the highest in the philipines, maybe higher than beach view.
And that you find toilets and so in the mausoleum is because Philipinos stay and sleep on the cemetary on 1 & 2 November.
My Reviewiend living in BKK is maried to a Philipina and every year end october she leaves for Manila visiting her death family.

 

[hockeyking_21]

Had a bit of a family chat yesterday mpternoon. I was a bit disappointed that the stock in the shop had been allowed to run down and that the Jeepney wasn’t finding any work. I’ve told them that the Jeepney has a three month stay of execution or it gets sold, which would be a pity as it’s very useful to have when we’re here.

Also found they were sitting on 16,000 Pesos so I shooed them all off to buy stock with the threat that I’ll sell the lot, shop, house, everything, if fingers aren’t removed.

Today everyone’s rushing round like lunatics, filling shelves, cleaning, painting, all sorts. Let’s see if this continues or if they lapse once I’ve gone. They’ve all been told that they have one more chance or the For Sale sign goes up. We’ll see if this works. Amazingly, Madam is in full agreement with my stance and has been giving everybody a right earful.

I’ve given total responsibility for all the ventures (shop, jeepney, tuk-tuk and pawn) to one of the sisters we trust and told everyone that she represents me when I’m not there and what she says goes. She seems really up for it, so let’s hope it works OK.

Apart Reviewom that, little to review. Last day today and we fly back to KL at 9 tonight (Cebu Pacific willing) arriving at 00:30. Lovely! Still we’ve a public holiday on Monday for Merdeka, so no work until Tuesday and plenty of time to abuse the Green Man’s hospitality.

It’ll be nice to get home for a bit of peace and quiet. Much as I love it here, all life is played out on the street and nowhere can you get any privacy. In the house, random people wander in and out all day and night. Even going for a take-out involves at least 4 or 5 people and as for just the two of us going out for a quiet meal or beer together, forget it.

I even think we’re traveling light this time. The Tonne of chocolate has been distributed so the cases are about ½ full going home. Amazing not to have an excess baggage charge for once!

Also looking forward to sticking a virtual two fingers up to Immigration at Manila Airport and their requirement for a Fil to have a return ticket to Philippines, now we’ve got the Dependants Pass for Malaysia. Also shouldn’t get the third degree Reviewom the fat cow behind the desk as to why she’s traveling. We’ll see.

Get the photos sorted when we get back and stick ‘em up for your delight and delectation.

Got to go now, the local Police Chief wants to meet me. Whoops!

 

[Seal]

Great review mate. Would love to get together over a beer oner day and chew the fat.. as they say..

 

[Leigh B]

Replied to this once, but it disappeared. Oh well.

Den, sure that between your travels and mine we'll be in the same place and time one day for a cold one. Sounds good.

The local Police Chief is now into his 6th litre bottle of Red Horse and currently belting 'em out on the videoke, very badly. I love it when the coppers give me money, rather than the other way round. Mind, he's had a grilled fish for Reviewee as a sweetener.

About 15 bottles of San Mig gone down now, so time for a bit of kip before the joys of Manila airport, not forgetting the lovely LCCT at KL mpter midnight. And the 45 minute drive into town. And the " I take you, only 300 Ringgit" "Why don't you ReviewO" as well. Can't wait.:arf:

Take care y'all (as our American Reviewiends would say)

 

[Angeltress]

I find posts disappear mpter around 12 bottles. Strange... very strange...:gasp:

Chocks away for me 7 days mpter a 2 day 'biz opportunity' foray in Bangkok.

Cant wait, despite the 3rd World feel and look, Phils has a lot to commend it.

 

[jaro]

difficult to help those who won't help themselves...

 

[enveem]

Ah, yes. I'd missed the connection yesterday:idea:

 

[jess:]]

I hear you. In their defence (a bit) one of the sisters has got preggers (a very rare event in Tondo!) and has been having a rough time of it so they've been a bit distracted.

As far as I'm concerned, the shop has been banking each week the amount we require it to but obviously, if they let things slide, it won't. If that becomes the case, then I'll take further action.

We own the property (in joint names) and as said, Madam is on my side in this one so If it comes to it, we'll just sell and do something else with the money. Their choice.