Random Philippine musings

jay helfert said:
I was in the Guisano Mall in Davoa last night sweating some pool action and playing a little myself. It's a small five table room where the best players in Davoa (second largest Philippine city) hang out. I watched a 15 year old kid named Jun-Jun playing some road hustler for 10K (pesos) and his buddy was playing the road guys partner for 11K with several thousand more on the side. This 15 year old would be head and shoulders above anyone his age in the USA, close to Landon's speed. And he lost! (both road men won). I love this room, it's full of hustlers, cue in hand looking for action. Kind of like the old time action spots in America.

After we left the poolroom the tremor hit and I knew immediately it was a big one. The entire mall was rocking and rolling. It's weird to have the floor you're standing on swaying back and forth. Many people were screaming and running for the exits. I told my girl to stand next to me and we would ride it out. I remember the people who got killed in the big California quakes by running outside and getting hit by falling debris. It went on for about a minute before finally subsiding. Fortunately we were about 250 miles from the epicenter. If it had hit a population center it would have been a real catastrophe. Glad that's over with.

Headed back to Manila today to work at the World Cup of Pool, one of the coolest events of the year (32 two man teams representing 31 countries - the Philippines has an A and a B team). You can probably watch it on the net somewhere. Over here it's live 6-8 hours a day, just like a major tennis or golf tourney in the USA. Already I see it being advertised on local TV stations and publicized in the newspapers.

P.S. Got word about some young guy down here who beat Efren even up this month and also spotted Gandy Valle (the number one player in Davao) and beat him too. He goes by a nickname, something like Kookeruu or something like that. They've got some monsters down here that are not well known players. I'd like to see this guy in action. He'll probably make it up to Manila one day to challenge all the heavyweights there. Lee Vann, Django, Ronnie, Warren and Dennis are waiting with open arms for all comers! :thumbup:
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Great story again jay! Are you already here in Manila?

Hope to see you play or play with you.

I have thought of a new game that is totally different from the usual pocket pool we usually see. I told myself that i will only tell it to a pool guru like you if I get the chance. Anyway, just something I thought of.

Good Luck on your pool tour! More pool stories jay!
 
Pangit said:
Johnny Rockets. A new location just opened at the new Ayala Mall In Olongapo City.

It's not anything like the US version Who signed off in this Franchise?

The burger's are pretty good by Pinoy Standards. The fries and Onion Rings are over cooked... and they are Kuriput about it?

The employees have this PI specific obnoxious routine of turning the music up way too loud and dancing in unison to Beat it, Respect, and KC and The Sunshine Band's, let's get down tonight.

Meanwhile...we get served our burgers...wait patiently, finally ask where are our sodas? The "girl" brings us sprite. I asked for coke.... By the way this "Girl" is a TomBoy and the business has uniforms and they let her dress like a man? I made a point of calling her "Miss".

As typical in the PI, the service was terrible. The employees were more worried about dancing then providing customer service.

The Cherry on top was when a tried to pay my bill. It was P686, gave them a P1000 note and the "business" in an upscale Mall couldn't provide change. Had to wait for 15 mins.. while they scurried around. Not to mention the tables...proudly Pinoy made. They are like tit high for me. These little short Pinoy's must be dragging the food straight off the table into their mouths. You would have to be at least six and a half feet tall to comfortably eat at these tables.
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Clearly you would be unhappy no matter where you lived, since life seems to be so hard for you. Poor soul.......
 
jay helfert said:
I was in the Guisano Mall in Davoa last night sweating some pool action and playing a little myself. It's a small five table room where the best players in Davoa (second largest Philippine city) hang out. I watched a 15 year old kid named Jun-Jun playing some road hustler for 10K (pesos) and his buddy was playing the road guys partner for 11K with several thousand more on the side. This 15 year old would be head and shoulders above anyone his age in the USA, close to Landon's speed. And he lost! (both road men won). I love this room, it's full of hustlers, cue in hand looking for action. Kind of like the old time action spots in America.

After we left the poolroom the tremor hit and I knew immediately it was a big one. The entire mall was rocking and rolling. It's weird to have the floor you're standing on swaying back and forth. Many people were screaming and running for the exits. I told my girl to stand next to me and we would ride it out. I remember the people who got killed in the big California quakes by running outside and getting hit by falling debris. It went on for about a minute before finally subsiding. Fortunately we were about 250 miles from the epicenter. If it had hit a population center it would have been a real catastrophe. Glad that's over with.

Headed back to Manila today to work at the World Cup of Pool, one of the coolest events of the year (32 two man teams representing 31 countries - the Philippines has an A and a B team). You can probably watch it on the net somewhere. Over here it's live 6-8 hours a day, just like a major tennis or golf tourney in the USA. Already I see it being advertised on local TV stations and publicized in the newspapers.

P.S. Got word about some young guy down here who beat Efren even up this month and also spotted Gandy Valle (the number one player in Davao) and beat him too. He goes by a nickname, something like Kookeruu or something like that. They've got some monsters down here that are not well known players. I'd like to see this guy in action. He'll probably make it up to Manila one day to challenge all the heavyweights there. Lee Vann, Django, Ronnie, Warren and Dennis are waiting with open arms for all comers! :thumbup:
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Glad to hear you made it through that ok. Sounds like there are some great players in the making there. I can't wait to see what the future holds for them!
 
jay helfert said:
I was in the Guisano Mall in Davoa last night sweating some pool action and playing a little myself. It's a small five table room where the best players in Davoa (second largest Philippine city) hang out. I watched a 15 year old kid named Jun-Jun playing some road hustler for 10K (pesos) and his buddy was playing the road guys partner for 11K with several thousand more on the side. This 15 year old would be head and shoulders above anyone his age in the USA, close to Landon's speed. And he lost! (both road men won). I love this room, it's full of hustlers, cue in hand looking for action. Kind of like the old time action spots in America.

After we left the poolroom the tremor hit and I knew immediately it was a big one. The entire mall was rocking and rolling. It's weird to have the floor you're standing on swaying back and forth. Many people were screaming and running for the exits. I told my girl to stand next to me and we would ride it out. I remember the people who got killed in the big California quakes by running outside and getting hit by falling debris. It went on for about a minute before finally subsiding. Fortunately we were about 250 miles from the epicenter. If it had hit a population center it would have been a real catastrophe. Glad that's over with.

Headed back to Manila today to work at the World Cup of Pool, one of the coolest events of the year (32 two man teams representing 31 countries - the Philippines has an A and a B team). You can probably watch it on the net somewhere. Over here it's live 6-8 hours a day, just like a major tennis or golf tourney in the USA. Already I see it being advertised on local TV stations and publicized in the newspapers.

P.S. Got word about some young guy down here who beat Efren even up this month and also spotted Gandy Valle (the number one player in Davao) and beat him too. He goes by a nickname, something like Kookeruu or something like that. They've got some monsters down here that are not well known players. I'd like to see this guy in action. He'll probably make it up to Manila one day to challenge all the heavyweights there. Lee Vann, Django, Ronnie, Warren and Dennis are waiting with open arms for all comers! :thumbup:
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Great stories Jay.
GAIsano Mall in Davao has the best pool hall there in Davao.
It's a little cramped but they do have Metro tables with their "pro-cut" pockets and Andy cloth. They also have one Linds table.
Davao City is actually the largest city in the islands in terms of land area.
JunJun might a champ in the making.
Have a great flight back to Manila.
In Davao, it only takes less than half an hour from the airport to your hotel or the mall. And in case you didn't notice, the city smells good and is cleaner.
 
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thanks for the updates Jay, glad your having fun. Wish I was there. :smile:
 
Pangit stop ruining Jay's thread. Go make your own thread about your crappy stay in PI. We came here because it's Jay's thread. Go take your pessimism somewhere else!
 
JoeyInCali said:
Great stories Jay.
GAIsano Mall in Davao has the best pool hall there in Davao.
It's a little cramped but they do have Metro tables with their "pro-cut" pockets and Andy cloth. They also have one Linds table.
Davao City is actually the largest city in the islands in terms of land area.
JunJun might a champ in the making.
Have a great flight back to Manila.
In Davao, it only takes less than half an hour from the airport to your hotel or the mall. And in case you didn't notice, the city smells good and is cleaner.
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Hey Joey! I think that one table is a old Puyat table not a Linds.

--Jeff
 
jaychi said:
Great story again jay! Are you already here in Manila?

Hope to see you play or play with you.

I have thought of a new game that is totally different from the usual pocket pool we usually see. I told myself that i will only tell it to a pool guru like you if I get the chance. Anyway, just something I thought of.

Good Luck on your pool tour! More pool stories jay!
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm back in Manila. The World Cup starts tomorrow and all the players are here. I'm heading for One Side later. I hear they will have action there tonight. :smile:
 
darren_simion said:
Pangit stop ruining Jay's thread. Go make your own thread about your crappy stay in PI. We came here because it's Jay's thread. Go take your pessimism somewhere else!
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Hey Darren, I played some guy who thought that I was you! You must be very handsome! Sorry I missed you on this trip. I will be back, I like Davao! :smile:
 
poolhustler said:
Clearly you would be unhappy no matter where you lived, since life seems to be so hard for you. Poor soul.......
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That's not the case at all. I'm just tired of dealing with total idiot's in a business setting. Day after Day, Year after Year. Not ALL, but 95% seem to have a Jr High Education.

It's perfectly acceptable and expected to hire employees by their looks/age/sex/height???? If it were the USA....the ACLU would have the whole country shut done. Let's not even mention OHSA...whew...Everyone is doing heavy construction work in flip-flops. Steel toed boot's??? "What is that"? Hard Hat....???? And these "skilled" workers are making about 300P a day...if he's lucky.

It's like Sodom and Gomorrah. Let's not even talk about the bar's. Politics. It's impossible to get elected Mayor in Olongapo City...unless your last name is Gordon...or Magsaysay... A person could be retarded....as long as he/she has the correct last name...you'll win the election. It's so corrupt. Buying votes???? If you mount a serious opposition.. maybe another Maguindanao Massacre? And the world in general turns it's cheek to this crap.

The longer I live here, the more frustrating it is. Us old time ExPat's...we have a saying when someone starts fuming about how the PI is consuming its self..."Remember where you are". And it's not funny.
 
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Jay, enjoying your posts.........

Jam I like your Volvo, got one myself last mth. for my birthday. Jay, yeah the sixties and pool and the good attitudes and the smiles, kinda like being around Jack Brett and the boys, it's nice stepping back into ''real'' pool time, and by the way, I'm finally a grandpa, boy 8.7lbs looks like he will be as handsome as Dylan, but a little stockier, 8-27@ 2:56 am in Steamboat CO, his name is Gavin.
 
Island Drive said:
...Jam I like your Volvo, got one myself last mth. for my birthday...and by the way, I'm finally a grandpa, boy 8.7lbs looks like he will be as handsome as Dylan, but a little stockier, 8-27@ 2:56 am in Steamboat CO, his name is Gavin.
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I'm on my fifth Volvo. I'm into comfort these days. I really, really like the seats in the Volvo. They're great for long trips, so comfortable. :smile:

Congratulations on your grandson. I really admire those who have strong family values. This is a man's world, but it wouldn't be nothing -- nothing -- without a woman or a girl, as James Brown would say. ;)

Wishing you and yours much happiness in the coming years! :cool:
 
jay helfert said:
Yes, I'm back in Manila. The World Cup starts tomorrow and all the players are here. I'm heading for One Side later. I hear they will have action there tonight. :smile:
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Wish you would have posted earlier, I may have been able to see you. Are you commentating on the World Cup tomorrow?

I hope they provide microphone for the players. It would be very interesting what they are talking about every play. I am sure people would laugh if Efren was talking to Django. Or Alex talking nonsense? Imagine if there were microphones during the time Dennis was partnered with Gomez, that would be funny! The crowd would go nuts!

Wonder why there are no ladies joining? I was hoping jasmine would have played for Austria.
 
JAM said:
I'm on my fifth Volvo. I'm into comfort these days. I really, really like the seats in the Volvo. They're great for long trips, so comfortable. :smile:

Congratulations on your grandson. I really admire those who have strong family values. This is a man's world, but it wouldn't be nothing -- nothing -- without a woman or a girl, as James Brown would say. ;)

Wishing you and yours much happiness in the coming years! :cool:
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It's a man's world in Asia, which is why so many western men flock there. It's not a man's world in the west.
 
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