Living in Cebu

In early 2006 I will be moving to Cebu, Philippines with the entire family.

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Why I continue to live here / Magellan’s Landing Pub Marina Mall Mactan

I realize that I do write a lot of negative things about living here in the Philippines and to anyone reading may wonder why I would stay another day.

Many of the positive things about living here are somehow less tangible than many of the negative. There is a certain feeling of freedom here.

Life is less regimented and the pace of life is much more layback. In this regard it truly is an escape from the rat race back home. Right now I feel no inclination to go home. I am content to know that it is there waiting for me should I decide I want to.

The things I may seem to hate and complain in this blog are exactly the same things that facilitate that sense of freedom I mentioned. In other words to rectify all those negatives I write about the Filipinos would have to adopt an entirely new mind-set and the end result would be a very different Philippines that I feel would not be the place many of us would want to live.

I have come to the conclusion that the Filipinos like their Chaos. It is a smoke screen that enables them more flexibility. The apparent inefficiency and corruption are frustrating when they are inhibiting or obstructing you but when you understand the way things are done it is possible to have it work to your advantage.

It is a bit of a paradox…I hate the chaos on the roads but also enjoy some of the benefits of participating in that chaos.

I don’t have to wear a seat belt and if I forget to put it on (the wife is always telling me to) I will not be booked and fined. If it’s late at night or there is no other cars or police around I do not need to obey the traffic signals. Back home we would wait for minutes for light to change.

At the risk of sound irresponsible to many I enjoy the freedom to go out and have a few drinks and not feel paranoid about driving home. Back home it’s reached the point where most people are afraid to have anything to drink if they are driving.

Restaurant Review – Magellan’s Landing Pub Marina Mall Mactan

I have had a number of meals at this restaurant. It is an up market establishment and the prices are also on the high side. At first the prices only seem a little higher and then they add tax and a service charge. It was not so much the higher prices than annoyed me on the first visit but the extra slug on the bill at the end.

The menu selection is good and the service and presentation are both superior. This is a relatively rare thing in Cebu therefore I have continued to visit. All the food has been good with one exception.

I recently ordered the hamburger and did not like it at all. The patty was very soft and the bun was dry. The salad was insufficient and the cheese (cost 50 pesos extra) did not suit the burger. After two bites I put it down and ordered the bill.

Back home one might expect a replacement or refund but in my experience with the Philippines this is just not done. I was totally prepared to pay for the burger and leave without any complaint. It simply was not to my liking and perhaps others might like it.

The manager saw that I had not eaten the burger and came over and asked if something wrong. I said I just don’t like it and would prefer not to eat it and there was no problem. He asked if I wanted something else. I said it was ok. He came back a few minutes later and apologized profusely and repeated his offer. He suggested they replace it with the Fish and Chips, which he knows I have ordered in the past. I agreed as I could see it would almost be insulting not to.

On the way out I thanked the manager and told him to tell the cook not to be offended. I just did not like the burger and I would return again.

I have to commend this restaurant and its excellent customer service. The food is good (with the exception of that burger) and while the prices are higher than average so is my appraisal of this restaurant. Its on out list.

Posted: Monday 25th September 2006, 8:01 AM

Learn To Speck Cebuano

If you are planning no living in Cebu then its a good idea to learn the language and I have found a great teacher here in Cebu. He can also assist you online and is available to translate any documents.

If you plan to live in Cebu then why not learn to speak the language and earn to Speak Cebuano - Translation service also available