Philippine Blogs{16}
I’ve gained a new appreciation for blogs since my return from the Philippines. Truth be told, I never read them much up to the point that I started planning our trip there. While researching for our trip I found several blogs to be very helpful determining such things as which hotels to stay at, places to eat, potential issues in the province we’d be visiting, and the like.
Now that I’m back at home, and looking forward to an eventual retirement on Samal Island, I’ve found that I’m wanting to be more informed about the area. I’ve started reading quite a few Davao based blogs, and news sites, on a regular basis. The blogs are particularly interesting, because not only do you get the opinion of the writer, but also of the readers of the blog. The comments of the blog’s readers tends to give you a much better overall feel of things, as they swing from the pros and cons on most subjects. Rarely is there 100% agreement on any topic.
I’ve mentioned some of my more frequented blogs in other posts and listings on my blog. My more recent readings range from ex-pats living there: American in Davao, Live in the Philippines, Philfaqs; to those written by Filipinos proud of their homeland: Neo Davao, Dateline Davao, Davao Hive. Some bloggers have several blogs dealing with different, more specialized topics. Blogie has three that I find to be particularly useful and well done: Ang Dabawenyo, IT Talks, Davao Delicious.
These are just some of the blogs that I’ve found and enjoy about the Philippines, and Davao area in particular. There are obviously many more, and my current reading list will undoubtedly change in the coming weeks. It’s great to be able to gather so much information with such a variety of views discussing the matters. I didn’t know what I was missing.
May 16, 2008 @ 09:16:00
Hello Randy! Thanks very much indeed for mentioning my blogs. I’m honored.
Hey, since you read blogs a lot, why don’t you join this writing project called The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs? Click here to find out how!
May 16, 2008 @ 10:00:00
Hi Blogie – Wa’y sapayan (is that correct? I’m just starting to try to learn Bisayan/Cebuano). I appreciate the information you provide.
Thanks for the link, I’ll check out what the project is all about when I get a chance.
May 16, 2008 @ 10:10:00
I’m ashamed to admit, I don’t know what that means (wa’y sapayan). You see, both sides of my family aren’t Bisaya. We’re in fact Tagalog and we don’t use Bisaya at home at all. I have many Bisaya-speaking friends, but I’ve never heard them say that expression…
May 16, 2008 @ 10:44:00
HI Blogie – how about, walang anuman? I’m not sure if they have the same intended usage. Will have to check with my wife on that.
Sorry about the assumption that you spoke Bisayan. I’m still trying to get a handle on what is better for that area, as per my first post on this blog.
May 16, 2008 @ 12:04:00
Oh is that what it means? Hehehe… “Walang anuman” is Tagalog.
May 16, 2008 @ 20:40:00
Hi Randy – Thanks for the mention!
Hey, Blogie – I didn’t realize that you couldn’t really speak Bisaya! I just left a comment on your Davao Delicious Blog that was completely in Bisaya! I’ll make you have somebody else translate it for you!
May 16, 2008 @ 20:45:00
Bob, I can speak Bisaya, but only in ‘everday conversation’ situations. Still, there are many expressions I’m not familiar with — if my Bisaya-speaking friends don’t use them, most likely I won’t know them. Your comment on my blog was pretty standard stuff, so I understood that. Let’s put it this way, I’ll survive in Cebu, no sweat, just don’t talk science or religion with me in Bisaya.
May 16, 2008 @ 21:19:00
Hi Blogie – Ah, OK. When you said that you don’t use Bisaya at home at all, I assumed that meant that you don’t speak the language much. Anyway, I went back to your blog and found your response was already there!
I’ve been having a lot of fun learning Bisaya. Last week, when I traveled from Davao to Zamboanga and back by car, one thing that made the trip really special was that I was able to converse with so many people along the way, in their language. It made the trip a lot more enjoyable than previous trips!
May 16, 2008 @ 22:06:00
Hi Bob – no problem. I think you already know how much I appreciate your blog.
Hi Blogie – I’m glad you two clarified it. I took it like Bob did, that you didn’t really speak Bisaya. My wife wasn’t sure what I meant by the phrase at first either. I guess that’s one of the the problems with trying to learn online, instead of in person.
BTW, I went to the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs project site. I’m not sure I can come up with many that meet the criteria, but I’m thinking about it. None the less, I’ve already learned of several more interesting blogs because of it. Thanks!
May 16, 2008 @ 22:15:00
Hi Randy! Well, to help you along, why don’t you take a look at my Top 10 list?
Hey Bob! Why don’t you join the writing project as well?
May 17, 2008 @ 15:58:00
Hi Blogie – I’ve been working through your list, and a few others. I think I’ve got 6 on my list so far.
It would be interesting to see what Bob comes up with.
May 18, 2008 @ 02:26:00
That’s great, Randy! You can actually post your entry already, even if it’s not yet up to 10. Just make sure to leave a comment on Janette’s page (here). And when you complete your list, make sure to tell Janette again.
May 24, 2008 @ 07:55:00
Hi Randy,
Thanks for mentioning my blog and for yoyt many visits. Hope all your retirement plans work out, mine have gone well so far … the only mistake I made about retiring to the Philippines was that I waited a few years longer than I needed to.
May 24, 2008 @ 10:34:00
Hi Dave – thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your insight, as I know many others do.
I’m a little torn between waiting for full SS benefits and being there sooner. I’ve got some time to figure that out, but full benefits is current thinking.
Jan 10, 2009 @ 18:19:38
Hi Randy
Although this is an old post it seems you run in the same circles as I do. Keep up the good work!
Jan 10, 2009 @ 19:34:33
Hi Dan – yeah, it’s a small world sometimes. It is an old post, imported from my old blog. I’m glad it still works
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll do the same.