Random Philippine musings

Pangit said:
I really am positive...or at least I try to be. I'm a "Ninong" to far more than one child in the Barangay.

I've lived here for a long time 365 days a year. I'm not a tourist that comes here a couple times a year and "focuses" on the good things.

Great for tourism...not the real deal. As much as I love the PI...it's mostly poverty stricken, waist deep in Corruption.

It's not a new Fad, There is a long history.

I don't care about the Pool aspect...I'm talking about real people's lives.
Click to expand...

I see the same things you see, I'm not wearing blinders! I also see many gracious, kind and considerate people everywhere I go. Some day I plan to be an ex-pat just like you, with all the good and bad of the PI. I come here with open eyes, shaped by all the years around the gambling culture and the poolroom scene. I am constantly aware and vigilant in my travels, just like I would be in many cities in the good ole USA.

Say what you want, but it is mostly a matter of perception. My friends that I've made here are genuine friends who value my company, just as I value theirs. I do feel more safe walking these crowded streets than being out at night in Los Angeles (substitute any U.S. city for that).

Bottom line for me is I make my own destiny wherever I go. I can chose a healthy happy life or a miserable existence. I chose the former!

P.S. I've been pick-pocketed (on the MRT), been the victim of an attempted mugging and been scammed a few times already. Hasn't soured me a bit, just made me a little more vigilant. ;) Hey, I'm a pool player, shit happens!
I will add one thing - I really enjoy the poolrooms over here. I know I'm a novelty, a Kano who likes to mix it up playing Rotation and will gamble with their best players. But we are always laughing and joking with each other and I like that. Reminds me of the black poolrooms I used to play in all those years ago. The brothers knew how to have fun! I miss my last poolroom, located in the heart of the "hood" (Inglewood) in L.A. But hey, that's me. I really don't mind living just a shade on the edge. That's where LIFE is!
 
Last edited:
pt109 said:
Jay, I gotta hear some poker stories.
Alex is there now, shoving his chips.

regards
pt
Click to expand...

Alex, Efren and Busti spend more time in the poker rooms than in poolrooms anymore. I love them like brothers but they have a ways to go to be winning players. I try to explain to them that there is a learning curve in poker just like pool. It looks simple, but in truth there is more to it. A lot more! You absolutely must develop a feel for "reading" players, understanding position and bet sizes. Knowing the correct odds is another MUST if you want to win. You can't keep taking the worst of it and make money. And even with the best of it you will often lose hands. Bad beats are a part of the game and you have to shake them off or go broke thinking about it.

They are all bright guys and good gamblers, but poker is a learned skill and some people have a lot more experience. In general the games here are much better than what you would find in any American casino. Why, because they are full of inexperienced players. I usually find two or three good players in any game and the rest are varying degrees of weak. In the U.S. the ratio is probably the opposite or worse.
 
Jay, its really nice to see you around for such events, even to hear your great funs in poolhalls and poker clubs. Well see you around then, i know the warmth of hugging your daughter definitely make your trip worth while.
See you around, BTW have you been to Hermes lately?
 
TheThaiger said:
Not so at all. 'unique' experiences are extraordinarily rare, by definition.
Click to expand...
The phenomenon of unique experience isn't necessarily rare, but each individual unique experience is "rare" by definition (although I question if "rare" can substitute for "unique").

pj
chgo
 
Philippine Musing...on the "positive side" Friendly game, no money...

Loser has to crawl *under the table"? Where did that come from?

Iv'e only seen that sort of "tradition" in the RP.
 
jay helfert said:
I see the same things you see, I'm not wearing blinders! I also see many gracious, kind and considerate people everywhere I go. Some day I plan to be an ex-pat just like you, with all the good and bad of the PI. I come here with open eyes, shaped by all the years around the gambling culture and the poolroom scene. I am constantly aware and vigilant in my travels, just like I would be in many cities in the good ole USA.

Say what you want, but it is mostly a matter of perception. My friends that I've made here are genuine friends who value my company, just as I value theirs. I do feel more safe walking these crowded streets than being out at night in Los Angeles (substitute any U.S. city for that).

Bottom line for me is I make my own destiny wherever I go. I can chose a healthy happy life or a miserable existence. I chose the former!

P.S. I've been pick-pocketed (on the MRT), been the victim of an attempted mugging and been scammed a few times already. Hasn't soured me a bit, just made me a little more vigilant. ;) Hey, I'm a pool player, shit happens!
I will add one thing - I really enjoy the poolrooms over here. I know I'm a novelty, a Kano who likes to mix it up playing Rotation and will gamble with their best players. But we are always laughing and joking with each other and I like that. Reminds me of the black poolrooms I used to play in all those years ago. The brothers knew how to have fun! I miss my last poolroom, located in the heart of the "hood" (Inglewood) in L.A. But hey, that's me. I really don't mind living just a shade on the edge. That's where LIFE is!
Click to expand...

I envy you Jay. Your are doing what you want, where you want and with who you want. I'm not complaining mind you but rather just living vicariously through your posts.
 
Cdryden said:
I envy you Jay. Your are doing what you want, where you want and with who you want. I'm not complaining mind you but rather just living vicariously through your posts.
Click to expand...
Aren't we all!
Jay is a good guy and deserves this, just glad he is sharing:D
 
joyren said:
Jay, its really nice to see you around for such events, even to hear your great funs in poolhalls and poker clubs. Well see you around then, i know the warmth of hugging your daughter definitely make your trip worth while.
See you around, BTW have you been to Hermes lately?
Click to expand...

I'd like to go with you when I return from Davao this weekend. :smile:
 
Cdryden said:
I envy you Jay. Your are doing what you want, where you want and with who you want. I'm not complaining mind you but rather just living vicariously through your posts.
Click to expand...

Enjoy your life, it goes by in a flash! :smile:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top