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April 16, 2015 by feyma

Would you buy?

I was just walking at the downtown area just here in the city with my son, Jared too. We saw a kid (might be around 11-13 years old) coming towards us, as soon as he was a few feet from us. He opened his hands, inside his hand was a small box. I think he was really offering it for me thinking I’m the one that would pay if ever. When he opened the box it shows a gold chain with pendant in it. It looks real. He was offering for me to buy the jewelry. I turned around and told him I’m not interested. I think he was shocked that I didn’t even try to see the jewelry and also I refused to buy the item. Immediately played in my head where did this kid get this nice piece of jewelry and offering around. Of course it went through my mind that, that piece of jewelry could be stolen, snatched or taken from the jewelry store. I don’t really know. Everything was just playing my head.

Just then a lady was looking at the kid and she seems interested. As soon as she got out from the bank the kid offered it to her. She was checking it and brought the kid to her car. She also had 3 other ladies inside the car and they were really checking the item. I think the first lady were negotiating with the kid. I just didn’t bother to checked them out. To be honest that really shocked me that she’s thinking of buying the item.

Street Vendors are common in the Philippines

While those people negotiating with the kid. I asked my son, Jared if he will buy any kind of items offered to him like that. He said immediately “No Way, I’m not buying anything like that, I’m not sure where those items comes from. It could be stolen or being snatched from somebody else. I don’t want to be involved with that kind of stuff”. Wow, that answers from my kid really made me happy.

That incident reminds me of what I witnessed in Manila almost a decade ago. I went there for a business. My friends brother (Jun) was my tour guide. He was taking me to the place for my meeting and other areas there that I needed to shop. Somewhere in Greenhills we were waiting for the stop light. Jun reminded me to be very careful with my purse and my cell phone. He told me to hugged tight my purse and put my cell phone away inside the secret pocket in my purse. Which I obliged. He knows Manila than I do. While waiting a teenager approached us and offered a cell phone. I didn’t even pay attention that much to the kid, plus I don’t intend to buy cell phone on the street. I guess Jun was asked by these kind of people a thousand times while his traveling the city. Just for me to see, and to proved to me why he said to be careful and pay attention. He asked the kid: Where’s the cell phone that that person was talking about? The teen’s lips pointed to the person just a few feet away from us. He said that cell phone. It was the newest phone model at that time. I guess what the kid would do, if we said yes he will snatched the cell phone and sell that to us. My mouthed just went wide open and my eyeballs just about to pop out hearing the kid. I said “What?”. I was gonna say some bad words. Jun knows that I’m like his sister will say what’s in our mind. He pinched my arm and his making a gesture for me to shut up. Which I did. Jun was scared those people might hurt us if ever I said too much.

Jun then turned towards me and said see what the snatcher will do here. That’s why you have to be very careful here. Just then I was thinking, why would people buy such items if offered to them that you know that those people took it from somebody else for you to have them? Are you not feeling guilty about it?

Anyway, just some thoughts. I know too that those kid will do anything out of desperation. Especially if living with irresponsible parents or other family members. Felt sorry for the kids, they were manipulated and used. Some are being force to do for them to have a better life and to have lots of stuff. Really as the saying goes in America “Just to keep up with the JONES or in the Philippines to keep up with the AYALA’S “.

Cheers!!!

March 19, 2015 by feyma

Happiness & sadness!

When you’re reading this post my son Aaron is on his way traveling to the USA. He started his journey last night (Wednesday). He left Davao at 10:15 pm, and arrived in Manila at a little after midnight. He will be in Manila for a few hours, then he will be starting his journey to the USA today Thursday (today) here in the Philippines. He will be arriving in Portland, Oregon (Thursday there in that part of the world) almost 24 hours after he left Manila .

This trip, it all started almost 2 years ago. My mother-in-law got seriously ill. Aaron at that time was just a few months shy of his high school graduation. Part of his high school graduation gift, Bob and I decided on sending him to the USA to see his grandma and bond with her. When we talked to Aaron about our plan, we got a big “NO” from him. So Bob and I didn’t push him, we just dropped the subject, sort of mentioning once in awile. 6 months after, Aaron decided that he was ready. He told us that he wanted to visit his granny by June. He was just few months shy of his 17th birthday. So we gathered lots of his papers for the travel plan. We found out that there was so much stuff to do for him since he will be traveling alone and underage. When we went to some Philippine government agency for some paper work, Aaron got frustrated. As usual everything was so slow. Just to get something you will be standing in line for literary hours at a time.

The many faces of Aaron Martin

He told us then that he wants to wait to travel after his 18th birthday. Less hassles. So after his 18th birthday, we then started gathering his papers. We went to Manila for his passport renewal from the US embassy. Apply some local paper work. Finally it was finished a few weeks ago. So we started looking for cheap tickets. We also thought that he will be traveling around the month of April or May. The tickets for April and May were much more expensive. When we tried to get good tickets, this week is really the best price ticket to travel already. Bob saw a cheap ticket a week or so ago. We thought that it will still be okay to wait. When we tried to book, it’s already full. Luckily we got another cheaper ticket. We got him a round trip ticket. He will be there for a little over 7 months. If he wants to extend he will try to re-book the ticket again for later return, which will incur a fee of course. I’m sure we will pay some for that.

He is really excited to go and see his Granny. It’s been a few years since he last saw her. They already made plans on what to do there. They will be seeing Bob’s extended family there from different States. This will be a good memory maker for both of them to last Aaron a lifetime. We know he will be okay there. This is Aaron’s first time ever being away from us for a long time. It will be hard for all of us here at the house and him too. But it will be good for him to experience and start a new life away from us. I’m not worried about it because he is in good hands with his Granny being there for him. Thank you Mother for taking Aaron and loving him. Bob and I really appreciate that very much.

To you my dear Aaron: Enjoy your stay with your Granny. Have fun exploring the land that you were born and grow up with until the time we left. Enjoy bonding with your cousins and family there. Don’t forget to see the people that we used to hangout with there before. We love you so much son. It’s going to be hard on all of us but we are so happy for you at the same time. Tears are flowing already from me hon while writing this post. I love you forever and beyond.

Message from Dad: Aaron, have a wonderful trip! This will be a big learning experience for you. The learning will start right away as you embark on your first time traveling alone, and it will continue as you get reintroduced to the land of your birth. I am sad to see you leaving, but I am also happy that you will go back to the USA and experience life there. I am happy that you can have some time to re-connect with my culture and with my side of the family. You are a good kid, and I love you dearly, son! Bon voyage!

October 2, 2014 by feyma

A Helping Hand – Mission accomplished!

Those of you who have been a long time reader here in our website noticed that I’ve been writing here and doing different stuff over the years. I have been providing services helping people find a place for them to live here. I’m mostly helping people who settle here in Davao City and Samal Island area.

Just these past months or so I’ve been helping people and we’ve become friends over the net. They want me to find a place for them to stay when time for them to live here in Davao. We’ve been corresponding with each other for awhile and I’m passing to them the houses that my agents emailed me. Some house were really perfect for them but it’s already taken before they come here. Luckily my agents have more houses to show. Rental houses are really good during this time of the year. That’s what my agent told me anyway. Really they will tell me the specifics of the houses that they are looking for. I pass that info to my agent. Then I view the house that I think the person I was corresponding with would want. Then I will tell my agent to find me more houses to compare then when the person I’m corresponding with comes.

Feyma

Some people that come here are single guys. They don’t know anybody that will help them on anything. One guy in mind here just came here a few months ago. He didn’t really know anybody here just me and Bob at first. He told me the house that he wants, how many rooms and how much was his budget. So I start asking my agent. Then when I saw the house that my agents gave me I pass it to the guy that was looking. He told me he really liked it and he made an offer even he’s not yet here. The owner of the house told the agent that there’s 3 other people interested to rent that house. I talked to the owner and gave my offer. She told me that she accepts my offer since we talked and saw each other in person. So when the guy came he went to the house directly from the airport. I have the house prepared before he came. I hired somebody to clean the entire house. Even the owner said that it’s clean. It took the whole day for my cleaning people to clean. I also had my kids and my brother-in-law work on something for him at his house. I know that the guy told me that he really appreciated my help. He even gave me something for his appreciation, a Kindle Fire HD. He knows I love to read. You know who you are – from the bottom of my heart “THANK YOU SO MUCH“.

Like one guy he came from the USA. He told me he wants to rent a house near the beach. Even he’s alone he still wants a big house because he had so many things shipped from his house in the States. I found a perfect place for him. I helped him hire people to renovate the house to his liking. I had my carpenter built lots of built-in cabinets with nice moldings. Changed lots of features in the ceilings and put moldings too. Changed doors to French door. Built a nice swing that can carry his weight. Me and my carpenter designed the swing. It turned out really good. I guess my creative side came out on that project with the help of my carpenter and painter of course. Even if it cost him money but he’s so happy with the result. I helped him negotiate the rent too that both the owner and him were happy at the end. It’s been over 5 years now and he is still there renting that house.

Really I’m not just helping on looking for places for them to rent or buy. I’m also helping them going places to find stuff that they need for their house. Really it’s not just about money, it’s also about helping them adjust here. It’s not easy to transfer to a new place and you don’t know anyone. Most people that come here also wanted internet at there house. It’s easy nowadays, so many choices. You can go with any cell phone providers and also other DSLprovider like PLDT & SkyCable. Then I will tell them our experiences with those companies. We tell them what we are using. Most of them would go with the one we’re using.

Right now I am helping a young couple. I found a place for them here. They want to start a business here. They’re asking what’s really a good business. They’re thinking of something about food. Both of them are hard workers. They’re studying what’s a good business for them to start. I’m really wanting for them to succeed because they are a nice and lovely couple. I can really see Bob and myself in them. I’m just praying that they will stay here for good and be successful in the business they will get their hand on. Good luck to you both.

If want to buy land in Samal Island, now is a good time to buy there. I have agents there too. I also know some owners of land there. They email me about the land that whey want to sell there. But my agent usually has tripping to go there and see some lots there. You will have choices for land there the beachfront or the overlooking. Prices there keep going up. Every time I go there the place keeps changing. New building and new subdivision every time, it seems. We own land there that overlooks the City of Davao and Davao Gulf.

If you are coming to Davao, get in touch with me, and I will be happy to help you with the move too!

January 16, 2014 by feyma

Just a reminder folks!

A few days ago me and Aaron went to the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA to file for our Philippines passports. First time for Aaron to get a Philippine passport and a renewal Philippine passport for me. We’ve been wanting to go there since middle of last year, but didn’t get around to it until end of the year. We know we had to be there early, I mean really early even before the mall opened. Luckily now the DFA office here in Davao City located at the third floor of SM City Mall Matina, not too far from our house. Good thing that the office is inside the mall, so it’s not so hot inside the office anymore while waiting. So Aaron and I went there like around 9:30am just right before the mall opened.

Aaron & Feyma

We already went there last year to get the applications. We just want to get the application paper from the security guards. They were just handing out outside the door of the DFA office there. We didn’t even have to fall in line for that. Our purpose of going there to renew my passport since its already expired a long time ago ever since I was still living in the States. When it’s expired (around mid 1990′s) I just didn’t bother to get a renewal since I already had my US passport anyway. At that time the Philippines would not recognize the dual citizenship yet. They just passed the law on august of 2003.

So after we (me and the kids) got our dual citizenship here early last year, we then decided to get our Philippine passports. Since Aaron is going to the States this year, its good for us to get his Philippine passport for the first time. When the person at the DFA office explained the requirements to me for Aaron to do, he could tell I am cringing every time he’s explaining. Duh in short too many requirements to fulfill. Big Sigh. One of the requirements you have to fill the same papers (7 times) and have it notarized by the lawyer. Wow unbelievable… One of the requirements that will takes us long to get is the NSO birth certificate for Aaron. They will not bend down there, the applicant had to submit the NSO birth certificate. So any Filipina giving birth in the USA should report the birth of the kid to the nearest Philippine consulate office in your area. So that the kid will have records in the Philippines too. Easier to get any Philippine documents then especially passport after dual citizenship. Unfortunately none of my kids were reported of their birth to the Philippine Consulate Office after giving birth. I never knew and never had friends that reported the birth of their kids too as far as I know. I really wish to God we did. It will be all easier for us by now then.

The personnel at the DFA office told me that the processing for the reporting of the birth (NSO) since we are in the Philippines will take around 4-6 months. Wow, really long, but we don’t have a choice but to report it. My understanding when the personnel explain, they will send the papers again to the USA (at the consulate office there) for their records that the child was born there. Send it back to the NSO office here in the Philippines for verification and approval. At least the kid already has records both countries. Oh well just have to do what they requires us to do.

So reminder again Fil-Am friends: To please report your kids after giving birth in the USA to the nearest Philippine Consulate Office in your area. Some of you might want to get a dual citizenship of your kid. It will be easier to get the Philippine passport then.

Cheers!

December 26, 2013 by feyma

My homemade pumpkin-kalabasa pie!

I am giving you now the recipe for my pumpkin-kalabasa pie, Feyma’s style. It’s really a simple recipe. You also just need another local ingredients here in the Philippines. The main ingredients would be the kalabasa (a local squash). You can buy the Kalabasa in any malls here. Of course a good and cheap kalabasa can be found in the palengke (public market). At least there you can really choose the size of the kalabasa that you want. We are so choosy with ours. We want it the outside will be on the almost orange side. It means the kalabasa is ripe and good to cook for the purpose of making pie.

Pumpkin Pie in the Philippines

My niece Glenda is the expert of choosing ripe kalabasa, since her parents, they had a whole farm of it. She’s trained by her parents to harvest and choose the ripe one. So when it comes to buying our kalabasa here, I am sending her. Now our helper is good too. But I am learning in that department. I’m kind of good on doing that now too. I’ve seen butternut squash here in some of our malls. But I am not using that for my pie. It’s more money than the kalabasa. So for sure we will never use butternut squash.

“First job before making the pie is to make the squash (kalabasa) puree”:

Pies galore

To boil the squash:

1 whole ripe squash (kalabasa) – cut into cubes
Pinch of salt
Brown sugar

Procedures:

Wash the kalabasa and peel off the skin. Make sure to not leave any of the skin and the seeds and the stringy fibers before cutting into cubes. If skin not properly remove it might give a bitter taste. And it will ruin the taste of your pie.
Put water to a big pot and put a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
Add the kalabasa to the boiling water and cook for about 40 minutes or until its tender when pierced with a fork.
Puree the kalabasa in a blender, or food processor or in a food mill or with a hand held blender or potato masher or by hand. Giving you too many options there. LOL
Let it cool. Save the extra for kalabasa bread, cookies or a pancake.

***** Kalabasa (squash) – Pumpkin Pie *****

Thanksgiving fun isn’t complete without pumpkin pie

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups pureed kalabasa
1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 egg, beaten
1 cup evaporated milk (Alaska, Alpine & Angel brand or other brand is good too)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch of allspice
A pinch of ground cloves
A pinch of ground ginger
A pinch of nutmeg
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
In a mixer: combine the squash, brown sugar, cornstarch, egg, milk, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. Mix until combined and smooth (might have to use strainer to make sure it’s not lumpy).
Pour into the unbaked pie shell.
Bake in a preheated oven for an hour or more, or until when you insert in the middle of the pie with toothpick it comes out clean.

Let it cool before serving. When serve put whip cream on top. Yummy for your tummy.

Have fun eating. Maybe you will make kalabasa pie for your Noche Buena.

Merry Christmas To All Of You LIP Family/Reader!!!