Makati City, Philippines

[slang]

This is from Roxas Blvd. It's on the wall of the Rizal Park.

There's no English on it.

[slang]

Would you believe that I have a lot of photos here at my disposal?

Would you also believe that I take pictures of nearly every sign that I can focus on?

I cant find any more out of a collection of several thousands images.


Here is Taglish again.

There are a lot more Tagalog signs out in the provinces. Many of the places here in metro Manila people are still speaking in Tagalog.

IMO, it's more "businesslike" to have your signs in English. Tagalog is considered more of a native language ( which it is ) but that has limited use because of national boundries.

[slang]

Toad,

Is there a way that I can post audio here?

Can we store some audio files somewhere on your server?

I've been capturing images and sound recordings here lately. The ipod with the recorder makes great quality files.

[Undertoad]

We can figure out a way to get that done. Send me the files, to my gmail address, and I'll take a look at them and how we can get them running here.

[glatt]

Slang, in case you didn't see it, there is a thread in your honor over in Home Base.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Here is a website about the Philippine's Jeepneys

[slang]

Originally Posted by glatt

Slang, in case you didn't see it, there is a thread in your honor over in Home Base.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention Glatt. Thanks to Griff also for your appreciation of my quest to bring mildly interesting foreign photos to the cellar.

It is surely nice to have people visit the thread and to make comments and ask questions. Every place has curious little things that are different than most other places. It's often been interesting to me to investigate these things.

My wife sometimes asks me about the cellar and why I post so much here. I tell her you either "get it" or you "don't get it" with the cellar.

[slang]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Here is a website about the Philippine's Jeepneys

That is a fantastic resource XOB!

From the link...

"So, if you want to ride from one end of Manila's polluted thoroughfares to the other, in a typically 'open-window' jeepney, where the cumulative ground ozone fights for turf with the freshly belched diesel exhaust fumes, your eyes smarting and tearing while one hand holds on to the ceiling bar as the other desperately clasps a handkerchief over the mouth and nostrils, and alas, despite that futile effort, exposing yourself to the unhealthy and noxious equivalence of smoking a few cigarettes . . . yeah. . . yeah. . . I would say that qualifies as a Philippine adventure, if that's what floats your tourist boat."

The jeepny is the best way that I can think of to learn the routes and roads here.

By watching out the back of a jeepny you can connect land marks to map details.

A very complete link on the jeepny XOB.

[slang]

And to the drivers....

There have been times that I've been critical of the drivers. Those times that they are driving in heavy traffic, sorting out coins for change, texting on the phone, holding a conversation with the front seat passenger, and eating all at the same time!

I would stare in amazement.

That's what they do day after day after day, on the exact same routes. They should be able to juggle basket balls on the roof while driving, texting, counting, talking, eating, and singing.

Seriously, they all do a great job. I've not seen as much as a fender bender yet through all the heavy traffic of people, pedicars, carts and pedestrians.

This happened sometime last week.

Me and my wife hopped on a jeepny that was at the terminal and empty.

Down the road 11 people get in from one stop. Once you get seated people start passing their money forward to the driver. The driver gets the money and makes change handing it backwards.

All this is going on while the traffic is starting and stopping, weaving into one lane and then into another.

When the 11 people started getting their money ready they put it all together making change from their own cash.

The driver asked ( in tagalog ) " how many people added? "

Someone said "10" but the driver was counting heads in the overhead mirror while he was driving and weaving and texting and talking and eating and sorting coins and said...

"Eleven!"

[slang]

I've been taking a lot of abuse lately from my wife.

She tells me that I only post those things on the cellar that make the Philippines and Filipinos appear dirty, dishonest, and stupid.

I've told her that nothing could be further from the truth. The people and places that I see and post on the cellar may be dirty in a way but that the people that I run into are decent and virtuous people.

In the worst of conditions they remain positive and friendly.

She still believes that I've not shown the better side of the Filipinos.

Well, this next shot is not all that beautiful or attractive but there are more after this that do show a better side of the Phils.

This is a man that I know in the neigborhood. He's a clown and in these shots he DOES know that I'm taking his photo.

While this man, we'll call him Mike, does often over eat he's a continuous worker and is not constantly sought after by the local law enforcement.

This is "Mike" just hanging around the neighborhood.

[slang]

This man is not what I would consider to be a friend but instead an aqquiantance.

He's not a drinker but hangs out in with many of the local drinkers in hopes of getting their foods when they get tired and pass out.

In the following photos he's hamming up to my camera. This is not taking advantage of "Mike" nor disrespecting him.

Trust me.

[slang]

This is an ad from down the street.

There are many military people here on this street becasue this is one of many military areas.

There is a street very near to here that is called "Target Range Blvd". This whole area was once a military base in the late 40s.

We like and respect the military here. One of our relatives is a high ranking officer in the Philippine Army and another in the "fed" gov't security positions.

Take a look at the poster. It's the equivalent to West Point in the US.

[slang]

This is the association of the tricycle drivers in Pembo.

It represents both the drivers and owners. This is their 20th anniversary and when we were on the way to the Fort, the asked me to stop in, to take some photos, and to dirink some rum with them.

Do you really believe that I might pass this up?

First off let me say, I respect the tricycle drivers very much here and they give me great service and attention.

Some of them own their tricycles, some just drive. I've not had an unpleasant experience with any of them.

And, as I try to explain to my wife when I go out, people ask me to come sit with them for food or drink. I'm happy to do so with this group as they are good men are committed to their trade.

Note also the second sign is in Tag only.

[slang]

This is the management of the SHOFBOTODA. It's their celebration for 20 years and they are generous with their drinks of juice and rum.

They may not be great looking men but are very committed to their trade and terminal .

I'm happy to have a drink with such good men here.

[slang]

This is a mural from the C5 highway just away from Market Market.

The phone company made it to remind you that you love the (landline ) phone company and that you should be proud to pay their bills ( on time ).

You can also see in the background the condos that are being built all over the Fort ( Global City ).