Living Our Lives in Our Own Terms

Posts Tagged ‘Asia’

blog: Palawan, Philippines as a travel destination

In getting a life, philippines, travel on March 3, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Provincial seal of Palawan, Philippines.

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I was here in Palawan in 1999 by myself as I waited for year 2000 to arrive. It was one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever done. It was far from maddening existence in Metro Manila where most people would go crazy over holiday festivities even if most of them would have little money to spend on these things. I was still leading a corporate life then but my work provided for at least over a week’s trip down in Palawan.  I was so happy & I now remember a very dear friend who passed away before Thanksgiving Day in 2010 – he was murdered in his own apartment. He was the only one whom I knew then who understood why I was traveling by myself – when most would make sure they have family & loved ones with them. He just kept listening to me, rather than asking the usual obvious questions.  He, himself, traveled so many times by himself because it was part of his job. He’d go to Palawan many times to do actual research for infrastructure projects. I remember that when I was on my way to El Nido from Puerto Princesa, we had a long talk long distance. I had an inkling of how I’d love doing this kind of trip – alone and happy and with complete strangers (who may have bad intentions on me for all I know) who are travelers like myself. I’ve continued doing such trips todate. And now I’m still on a journey here in the US, in NYC.

Take courage to do something like what I’ve been doing. So much to gain, nothing so significant to lose.

blog: Palawan, Philippines as a travel destination – http://ow.ly/46S8C

Travel experiences: Tokyo, Japan

In tips, travel on February 25, 2011 at 11:00 am
Symbol of the prefecture of Tokyo (represents ...

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Travel experiences: Tokyo, Japanhttp://ow.ly/42Uh3

Travel experiences: Hong Kong

In tips, travel on February 25, 2011 at 6:00 am
The Chinese characters for "Hong Kong".

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Travel experiences: Hong Konghttp://ow.ly/42UgT

Guide to traditional Japanese foods

In food on February 24, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Japanese snack food, en:Kaki-pi

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Guide to traditional Japanese foodshttp://ow.ly/41Wwa

Notes to the link above:

My solid introduction to traditional Japanese foods came from my experiences of having been invited by my Japanese bosses to their houses with their families, which took place when I was still working with the Manila Branch of Itochu Corporation (where I worked doing HR work in addition to other assignments for 15 years in its Administration Department). These invites would be handed at least 4 times a year. Of course, my bosses and their families would go out of their way to serve their versions of Filipino dishes to cater to the tastes of their staff who were most often from the Philippines.

I particularly remember this special meal with beef meat, potatoes, with soy sauce and other green vegetables, which one of my bosses made and served (unfortunately, I’m missing its name now—I’ll revise this entry as soon as I recall it!). It’s supposed to be shared by everybody where we used our respective chopsticks to pick up items from the pot, which signifies something else. We’re using our chopsticks that we’ve been using to put in our respective mouths, which can be unsanitary for most people. But according to my boss, this sharing by dipping into the pot our chopsticks signifies we’re close and we’re sort of  ‘related,’ which to me was quite significant as my boss was kinda like a strict father-figure to me whenever we’re at the workplace. He’s strict and would get mad at me whenever I won’t get to do what he wants me to work on at the workplace. But he’s really an effective manager despite our personal differences.

My other bosses would also serve traditional Japanese foods, which would always be memorable to me. They’re happy to explain to us the foods they’d prepare, and I think we were not being taken for a ride with all these preparations. I have to say their foods look sophisticated, to say the least. Eating Japanese foods is an acquired taste. My bosses would be ordering from restaurants and also be making the foods themselves. I’d notice they would consume the leftovers as they’re not used to throwing food away—these foods are very expensive in the first place.

blog: Ilocos Sur (Philippines) as a travel destination

In philippines, travel, Uncategorized on February 22, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Provincial seal of Ilocos Sur, Philippines.

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blog: Ilocos Sur (Philippines) as a travel destination – http://ow.ly/3ZYEi

blog: Camarines Sur (Philippines) as a travel destination

In philippines, travel on February 22, 2011 at 6:00 pm
cam sur capitol

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blog: Camarines Sur (Philippines) as a travel destination – http://ow.ly/3ZYEh

blog: The Philippines’ top travel destinations

In philippines, travel on February 22, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Philippines (dark green) / ASEAN (dark grey)

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blog: The Philippines‘ top travel destinations – http://ow.ly/3ZYE9

Travel destinations: The Philippines

In philippines, tips, travel on February 20, 2011 at 2:00 pm
San Agustin Church facade

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Travel destinations: The Philippineshttp://ow.ly/3ZvkE

My article on ‘A look at Imelda Marcos’ political comeback’

In philippines, take it as it is on February 18, 2011 at 10:30 am
First Spouse of the Philippines

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My article on ‘A look at Imelda Marcos‘ political comeback’ – http://ow.ly/3YuIP

The former first lady of the Philippines has always fascinated me because she’s part of the conjugal dictatorship that was in power during the first 30 years of my life in the Philippines. Read my take on her latest successful effort to get back into having real political power (again!). More than anything, she is actually a real person despite media depictions of her.

Tips for shipping gifts from the US to Asia

In being strategic, business, take it as it is on February 17, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Asia map pastel de

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Tips for shipping gifts from the US to Asiahttp://ow.ly/3XG16

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