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Another Day in Manila
- Thread starter jay helfert
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You don't have a clue how I spend my time over here. I'm on the "street" every day, walking the narrow alleyways and going pretty much wherever I please. Trikes, jeepneys, buses and trains are all my modes of travel, with my feet being used the most.
I LOVE to explore, and if there is a little risk attached so much the better. I don't mind a walk on the wild side occasionally. That's the spice of life my friend. It's just like when you make a game with a stranger, you are apprehensive and excited at the same time. Yesterday I took three jeepneys (total cost 30P) to visit an ex GF in Cavite. She wanted me to see her new baby, which she named after me (not mine, I'm only the Godfather). After getting off the last jeepney and meeting her, she led me down dark and narrow walkways for maybe one kilometer to reach her "house." It was late at night and sitting outside along the path were men (some drinking) and women who would say "Hello Joe" to me as I passed by. I would acknowledge and smile at each one, saying something to them as I passed, maybe "Hello Bata" or whatever came to mind. They would usually laugh at hearing my voice and wave to me. I feel like I can make friends anywhere and have already circumnavigated the planet when I was a very young man, crossing lands and countries where an American cannot go now.
My friend's house was a section of a small brick building that had only two rooms. The outside room was her kitchen and bathroom (CR). This room had no roof, only open air above. Her other room was her bedroom and she slept on a thin mat. Both were very small rooms but she was proud of her home. It was late and I was tired so I slept on that floor also (not exactly a four star hotel). At night when I had to pee, I got up and walked over the wet kitchen floor to the CR. It has only a bare urinal with no seat or flushing mechanism. There are no tissues so I carry my own. After finishing, I wash my hands in the kitchen sink. She has a beautiful little boy and I was happy to see him and her. I'm glad that I went. In the morning she made hot tea for me and took me to the highway to catch a bus back to Manila, a one hour trip.
How was your day?
P.S. Along the way I often see small one or two table open-air billiard rooms. I always get the urge to jump out and play some with the locals. Do I worry about the quality of the tables or the cues? NOT at all! I do carry a tip scuffer and scotch-brite pad at all times. With these two simple tools I can work a tip and smooth a shaft. Then I'm good to go. :wink:
Jay,
When you write these reports from the field, my heart soars because I live vicariously through you when you travel to this distant land.
Your writing style is one that I admire. You tell it like it is and you aren't afraid to travel the less traveled road.
With much admiration,
aces805
non iphone user
Jay, your writings are so vivid it reminds me of my own adventures in the PI. Have a blast while you're there! Doesn't seem like that's a challenge for you though. 
You are so dead-on about the land of smiles. Seems almost too simple doesn't it. When you flash a genuine smile to complete strangers out there, it really does send the message that you have no bad intentions and basically allows you to roam freely almost anywhere.
The fact is, an outsider can walk into a little, smoky, dingy pool room in the PI with 2 tables, complete with natives that appear less than savory (is it a rule that pool rooms have a few guys that look that way?). Then proceed to have a fantastic time shooting pool with friendly, humble people that are very passionate about and appreciate the game. Action not only available, but encouraged. There will even be someone assigned to keep score and rack if you so desire.
Is there a risk as an American "visitor" strolling into one of those little PI pool rooms? Absolutely, but like Jay said, that's one of the things that make it fun, make you feel alive. Funny, a Filipino "visitor" may feel the same way about walking into a dive here in the US and playing on a beat-to-hell coin-op table complete with filthy cloth and strange rolls.
Live it up Jay!
You are so dead-on about the land of smiles. Seems almost too simple doesn't it. When you flash a genuine smile to complete strangers out there, it really does send the message that you have no bad intentions and basically allows you to roam freely almost anywhere.
The fact is, an outsider can walk into a little, smoky, dingy pool room in the PI with 2 tables, complete with natives that appear less than savory (is it a rule that pool rooms have a few guys that look that way?). Then proceed to have a fantastic time shooting pool with friendly, humble people that are very passionate about and appreciate the game. Action not only available, but encouraged. There will even be someone assigned to keep score and rack if you so desire.
Is there a risk as an American "visitor" strolling into one of those little PI pool rooms? Absolutely, but like Jay said, that's one of the things that make it fun, make you feel alive. Funny, a Filipino "visitor" may feel the same way about walking into a dive here in the US and playing on a beat-to-hell coin-op table complete with filthy cloth and strange rolls.
Live it up Jay!
Jay, just to correct you, its made by TONY BAUTISTA, who is Raymond?
You are now what we called "TIRADOR" meaning like some Filipino going around oher pools halls to play, but i know you like the challenge here.
Joyren
Jay
Good to see you back here, cant wait for you to come back here, you just came to a great game, so much action pack miss shot.
Well it sad we didnt play a single game when you were here
, i must learn from the guru himself in banks and kicks
Well sorry for your incident about the pickpocketing, that happens most of the time in MRT, just a warning
Well glad your're back home safely
Good to see you back here, cant wait for you to come back here, you just came to a great game, so much action pack miss shot.
Well it sad we didnt play a single game when you were here
, i must learn from the guru himself in banks and kicks Well sorry for your incident about the pickpocketing, that happens most of the time in MRT, just a warning
Well glad your're back home safely
Pangit
Banned
First time I came here, My LPO said I wouldn't believe the PI. I thought he was making stuff up. Cherry boy from "rural" Oklahoma. There were no lies, ya can't dream up anything beyond the realm of possibilities here. "Everything" used to be "Peso-nality, now it's "dollar-nality".
The greatest hustler's in the world work the streets of the PI. Not just Manila...everywhere. Not to mention the pool table...
I'm "sure" Jay is buying "drinks" for his new-found friend's? It all hinges on the Peso.
Watch your pocket. "When you lest expect it".
Man you sound really jaded. What did you expect? Filipinos have an average annual income that is lower than China's. In every country on the planet where you have a lot of people and low income you will find people hustling in every way imaginable. Big deal. That's the way it is.
I am SURE that you have zero idea about what Jay is doing despite reading his reports. Jay wasn't born yesterday and he spent a lot of time on the road and has seen every hustle that there is. You really should research who it is you're attempting to characterize here.
There are lots and lots and lots of expats who love life in the Philippines. After they get the partying out of their system they settle down and enjoy the real culture.
When I was there for two days a few years ago I walked into a strange poolroom, got action right away, played and had a good time. Couple guys volunteered to be my guides and I accepted and we were off to make the rounds of the pool rooms and bars. Yeah, I paid for their service but they were not hustling me and we all had a great couple days. I got them into the World Championships, which they couldn't afford the tickets to, and they got to watch their pool heroes playing on the big stage.
Yeah, I could have gotten myself into a trap and been harmed or murdered. So what? Sometimes you have to go with your instinct and live a little. But I was smart enough to leave the bulk of the cash and the cards and the passport in the hotel safe. This kid was schooled right by mama on the streets of Miami and Oklahoma City.
How about not spoiling Jay's stories. Some of us have been enjoying them for years with every trip he takes. He knows the score over there, much better than you do it seems.
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funny how well it works when you treat everyone as equals
Jay,
Absolutely great reports as always from your travels. No surprise that you get along everywhere though, it is largely a matter of attitude.
I haven't traveled the world, never used my passport before it expired. I have traveled many worlds though. Ate with people who had no electricity or running water and scraped any leftover food back into the pot when the meal was over. Talked to the man that some magazine and newspaper articles called the most powerful man in the world over his side fence several times, dealt with every level of people in between. Treated them all as equals and never had an issue with over 99% of them. Generally when there was the rare issue the other people there were quick to address it.
My first trip to Utah many years ago I needed to stop at a store in Salt Lake. I was in the wrong part of town and when I walked towards the door of the convenience store I saw a group of six or eight young men around the door on both sides of it. While I had known Mexicans and Indians and got along with them these were big city people and I'm not a big city guy. I was further out of my element than usual and these were dressed like gang members are supposed to be dressed like. Not good but what the hell, I had planned to go in the store and I'm still me. As I walked up one held the door for me. I thanked him and he replied very politely. Same thing on the way out! Yeah, I felt silly for my concerns. Met the same reception throughout the western states including on the reservations and well away from the tourist haunts.
I have long ago lost count of how many questionable places I have walked into to play pool. All I needed was some reason to think there was a pool table inside. Many of the small country places you couldn't be much more of a stranger in a strange land anywhere on earth. One small town in south Louisiana speaks it's own language, apparently the only place on earth that does. Seems that we usually find what we are looking for though, good or bad. Once I outgrew some young foolishness I found it easy to get along with people anywhere I went.
Seems we find what we are seeking to find wherever we go, good or bad!
Hu
Jay,
Absolutely great reports as always from your travels. No surprise that you get along everywhere though, it is largely a matter of attitude.
I haven't traveled the world, never used my passport before it expired. I have traveled many worlds though. Ate with people who had no electricity or running water and scraped any leftover food back into the pot when the meal was over. Talked to the man that some magazine and newspaper articles called the most powerful man in the world over his side fence several times, dealt with every level of people in between. Treated them all as equals and never had an issue with over 99% of them. Generally when there was the rare issue the other people there were quick to address it.
My first trip to Utah many years ago I needed to stop at a store in Salt Lake. I was in the wrong part of town and when I walked towards the door of the convenience store I saw a group of six or eight young men around the door on both sides of it. While I had known Mexicans and Indians and got along with them these were big city people and I'm not a big city guy. I was further out of my element than usual and these were dressed like gang members are supposed to be dressed like. Not good but what the hell, I had planned to go in the store and I'm still me. As I walked up one held the door for me. I thanked him and he replied very politely. Same thing on the way out! Yeah, I felt silly for my concerns. Met the same reception throughout the western states including on the reservations and well away from the tourist haunts.
I have long ago lost count of how many questionable places I have walked into to play pool. All I needed was some reason to think there was a pool table inside. Many of the small country places you couldn't be much more of a stranger in a strange land anywhere on earth. One small town in south Louisiana speaks it's own language, apparently the only place on earth that does. Seems that we usually find what we are looking for though, good or bad. Once I outgrew some young foolishness I found it easy to get along with people anywhere I went.
Seems we find what we are seeking to find wherever we go, good or bad!
Hu
TheThaiger
Banned
I know where Pangit is coming from. The difference between what a vacationer sees and what an expat sees is VAST. I'm talking from a Thailand perspective here, but pretty much everything I've read on this thread is identical to what I experienced during my 2 years in Thailand - arrive in awe and wonder at the smiles and generosity of spirit, but leave with a slightly different perspective. It's true many expats in Asia become jaded and bitter and moan about everything, and expect their own western habits and customs to be maintained, but it's equally true westerners are only really welcomed for the wealth they bring. You'll be packed off sharpish the second the coin runs out.
It's a difficult situation and I don't condemn either viewpoint. None of us know REAL poverty and no one likes to be constantly badgered or on their guard.
Again speaking from a Thailand perspective, few westerners if any really get to grips with Thai society and family structures. All foreigners are called farang - basic translation is sub-human scum. We are welcome on their terms but we are not Thai, nor will we ever be. We come waaay down the pecking order. I'm not sure if PI is as overtly racist as Thai society but it wouldn't surprise me.
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Nonsense. I have been in China for five years. The people I deal with don't give a crap how much money I have or don't have. I know several expats who work in China for Chinese companies making about the same wages as their Chinese counterparts who are happy and living normal lives.
Life is what you make of it. If you're the type of guy who is looking to exploit the girls and the bar scene then you will find out quickly that you are a target all the time.
If you're someone who can immerse yourself in the culture and make friends outside the "bar scene" then you will find genuine and good people. I have met SO MANY people in China who have helped me in a hundred ways and adamantly refused to take a single penny for their service. This country is full of wonderful people living close knit family lives with honor and integrity. They treat foreigners the same way they treat everyone else, with respect.
Please don't speak for everyone. I know real poverty intimately.
I would prefer to have some of our more distinguished members chime in here who have lived in Thailand for a long time to speak to your characterizations. Somehow I doubt that it's really as bad as you think. Maybe the "bar" girls look at all foreigners as "farang" because they think all foreigners look at them as only living sex dolls and not as people.
I am positive that just like in China there are many foreigners in Thailand who have managed to assimilate just fine.
TheThaiger
Banned
Christ on a bike...
Yeah. Well, make nonsense statements then you get the rebuttal. There are a few people on this forum who live in Thailand, I bet they have a different perspective.
TheThaiger
Banned
Then ask them. You could ask the King what he calls foreigners whilst you're at it; the Prime Minister, too. And the state broadcaster. And the Head of Police or the Army chief. And every single Thai person ever. But obviously you know best.
You could also ask my Nigerian mate how he gets on with his business in China. You could ask him how often he's racially abused and by how many. You might want to ask him how it feels to be sniffed at a thousand times a day, and how he had no idea about how racist a society it is until he married and learned how to speak fluent mandarin. You might be slightly surprised...
Your rebuttal was too poor to respond to in any length, so that's enough. With you spending soooo much time on here getting into pointless arguments all the time, how DO you find the time to make your cases? Hmmmmm...
Then ask them. You could ask the King what he calls foreigners whilst you're at it; the Prime Minister, too. And the state broadcaster. And the Head of Police or the Army chief. And every single Thai person ever. But obviously you know best.
No I don't know "best" nor do I know about Thailand. However I know that you don't speak for my experience in China and I do know that there are several others who are members of AZB who spend quite a bit of time in Thailand. So I prefer NOT to rely only on YOUR characterization. And furthermore I didn't find any reference that states that "farang" means sub-human scum. Maybe you should consult google before you speak. I will ask my Thai friend what it means and see what he says.
I might be. I didn't say that people aren't racist. Of course there are going to be people who say racist things. Maybe you should go read up a little bit on how the Chinese and Asians are and have been treated by "whites" for centuries. I am sure you would be equally shocked to find out that there are many black people living in China who grew up here and speak perfect Mandarin and who are assimilated into the culture as well as any Chinese. Do they still get strange looks and comments? Sure, just like ANY minority does anywhere on the planet.
Ever the easy out for those who have no proper come back. Sorry you don't get to pontificate with absolute and stereotyping without getting called on it.
And again the second resort for those who can't support their argument is to get personal. I have 20 people who work for me making cases so that I can afford to spend a little time making sure your brand of misinformation isn't taken as truth.
If this topic is so pointless then why did you respond to it? Jay was simply giving us his trip report as he often does in the great way that he tells it and Pangit comes out with a bunch of negative whining about his life in the Philippines which is not the way that a lot of other expats experience it. Ask Ted Lerner what he thinks of the Philippines.
You don't get to speak for me. I have five years here so far and looking at a lot more. So you can say what you want but if I have a different and opposing experience then I will share it.
Your comment about how "we" don't know real poverty is a perfect example. Maybe you don't but you certainly can't afford to generalize. And what IS "real" poverty to you anyway that you can say "we" don't know it? The implication is that you somehow know it but we "westerners" don't know it. If a person does not want to be on guard all the time and targeted for their assumed wealth then they shouldn't be living in a country where they are going to stand out in sharp contrast to the citizens and the culture. And they shouldn't frequent the places in those countries where the hustlers gather to target the foreigners.
Jay, just to correct you, its made by TONY BAUTISTA, who is Raymond?
You are now what we called "TIRADOR" meaning like some Filipino going around oher pools halls to play, but i know you like the challenge here.
Joyren
Thanks Joyren for the correction. TONY makes beautiful cues, like this one I bought from you my friend. I'm fortunate to have made so many wonderful friends in the Philippines. Joyren, Darwin, Bob Guerrero, Biboy Soriano, Anthony Suntay, Perry and Verna Mariano, Ted Lerner and his wife Ou, Ish Caperras, Joan and Jen, and many more I'm overlooking here. My friends here are never further than a phone call away. My heart aches a little when I must leave, but I know I will return soon.
Right on my friend, life is what you make it. My attitude is to look every man in the eye and speak honestly and directly to them. Most men respond well when they are given respect.
In my poolroom in Bakersfield, I would get occasional visits from Hell's Angels, Gypsy Jokers and Outlaws when they wanted a breather from a long ride. True, my heart might beat a bit faster when I see 20 or 30 bikes pull up out front. I NEVER had a problem with any of them! I would greet them like any other customer, serve them cold drinks and pizza and they would be on their way.
In my last poolroom in Inglewood, sometimes members of the Crips and the Bloods would be in there with their girls at the same time, just enjoying themselves. Jay's Billiards was neutral territory, kind of like Switzerland. :wink:
Again, I never had a problem, even though I knew many of them were packing. These guys knew who I was and that I was a long time friend of all the old time black pool players in L.A., who would often hang out in my place. These were men even the gangsters looked up to. I think sometimes they protected me at night when I closed up and left with all the dough. NO ONE ever approached me or touched me in all my years there!
So am I worried about playing pool with some young thugs in Manila? NOT! I get along fine with them. The foreigners who get in trouble here are the loud mouths and the drunks. And you better show respect for the women too.
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just a funny biker story or two
Knew a lot of bikers myself, dated the lady that ran a biker bar for awhile but had known many of them already anyway. Never had any special issues with them.
Once my brother and I were in the four corners area and the only motel in the small town or for many miles around had dozens of bikes in the parking lot, otherwise empty fairly late in the evening. The owner was less than happy. He had thought he hit the lotto when he first rented all of those rooms at once but then when he discovered that nobody else was willing to stay there he realized he had made a minor miscalculation. When Mike and I stepped in the office he said "You guys look like you won't be bothered by a few bikers, bet you are AAA!"
Another time I stepped in the door of a topless bar that had a full pool room on the side. I owned a mechanic shop and turned wrenches for a living so I was in black t-shirt and grease stained jeans. A new girl was working, a very attractive bionde. When I walked through the door she ran up and hugged me. "Thank goodness a biker came in here, all these straights are creeping me out!" She was a biker chick and totally out of her element. Being a gentleman I of course didn't correct her that I wasn't exactly a biker. I did have a black Norton. :thumbup:
Hu
Knew a lot of bikers myself, dated the lady that ran a biker bar for awhile but had known many of them already anyway. Never had any special issues with them.
Once my brother and I were in the four corners area and the only motel in the small town or for many miles around had dozens of bikes in the parking lot, otherwise empty fairly late in the evening. The owner was less than happy. He had thought he hit the lotto when he first rented all of those rooms at once but then when he discovered that nobody else was willing to stay there he realized he had made a minor miscalculation. When Mike and I stepped in the office he said "You guys look like you won't be bothered by a few bikers, bet you are AAA!"
Another time I stepped in the door of a topless bar that had a full pool room on the side. I owned a mechanic shop and turned wrenches for a living so I was in black t-shirt and grease stained jeans. A new girl was working, a very attractive bionde. When I walked through the door she ran up and hugged me. "Thank goodness a biker came in here, all these straights are creeping me out!" She was a biker chick and totally out of her element. Being a gentleman I of course didn't correct her that I wasn't exactly a biker. I did have a black Norton. :thumbup:
Hu
Cool story! I NEVER owned a Harley. A buddy once told me never to own a bike I couldn't pick up.
I did own in order a Honda 305 Scrambler, A BSA Hornet (650cc), a Triumph TR6 (650cc), two 750 Honda low riders (soft tail, extended front end, 880 kit), a Yamaha XS-650 and finally a Honda 450 Rebel. After a near fatal mishap I was all done with road bikes, at least in California. I rode in the pre-helmet days. My current "bike" is a Vespa 150 scooter, just enough power to keep up with traffic and get me to the beach!
P.S. It's my last day here, off to the airport tonite for the long flight home. I said my good byes to my sweet girl friend and now I will visit my little Jalo one more time. Believe it or not she's two and half now. She does have her Philippine passport so I'll work on her USA visa for next year. She still does not comprehend that her father lives so far away and that's why I'm not always there. I have been told she asks for me for about a week after I leave. I think it's much harder having a long distance child than a long distance girl. At least the GF knows what's up.
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