Boats,

The Japanese are very active as a trading partner in the P.I. and do their usual excellent job of matching quality goods to the local economy. The usual appliances, motorcycles, cars, computer sub assemblies, cell phones and engines seem to be the most frequent items of commerce. Things like the Jeepnys are all built in the P.I. but invariably have Japanese engines and running gear. All the tricycles (motorcycles with side cars) are based on Japanese 125 cc motorcycles. A lot of the jeepnys have the Mercedes Benz logo but that?s just for show. Pop the hood and it?s a Hino engine almost every time. And if I?m not mistaken, this is the usual Asian knock-off of the old, old reliable GMC six-cylinder truck engine.

I don?t detect any particular animosity toward the Japanese but I don?t see any Japanese tourists or businessmen around either, plus there are a ton of ethnic jokes and stories that single out the Japanese, and it?s probably the same about Americans when the Japanese are the audience. Maybe they hang out in Manila, I don?t know. Fact is I don?t see any tourists aside from Philippineos on holiday, an occasional Yank at the shopping mall in Lucena and a few former US servicemen retracing long ago journeys. American culture is very evident everywhere and even their language; Tagalog, is jokingly referred to as ?Taglish? because of the intermixing of phrases and words. Overall, I think the US-P.I. relationship is just OK but I think they prefer us to be us and for us to let them be themselves. And of course they all want more US financial participation, etc. Roger on the big bugs, snakes and all, they are still around and thriving. No volcanic activity going on but the flooding in eastern Quezon province is all very tragic.

Scamp

Scamp have you ever been to site: http://www.subicbaypi.com/index.htm

Scamp,

Got any Filipino jokes about the Japanese you can share?

Scamp : The best thing for the restaurant on the river is looks like you don't have to sweep the floor :D Looks like a fun place to eat also. Some great pics thanks for posting :ae:

Dan,
Here is a repeatable one. There was a small inter island ferryboat that came upon heavy seas and the Captain ordered that four brave men jump overboard so that the rest could be saved. Zo, a Frenchman, Brit, American, and Filipino raised their hands. In turn, they each stepped forward, said something patriotic and then bravely jumped. When it came the Filipinos turn, he quickly grabbed a Japanese businessman, kicked him over the side and hollered ?Mabuhi, long live the Philippines?. This joke is delivered with great animation and a Karate style kick with the punch line.

One of the legions I have heard over and over again is that the Japanese Soldiers always mistook a Filipino chamber pot for a rice cooking pot and after confiscating said pot, used it to cook rice in. Of course the Phenoy (That?s what they call themselves) thought this to be very funny and made it a point to empty the chamber pot early in the morning in the event some pot grabbing Japanese Soldiers came by. True or not, I don?t know, but it is repeated over and over again and I give it a courtesy chuckle each time it is told.

Scamp

WWII museum near Sarayaya with a Japanese tank for the lookin, pokin?n rubberneckin.
The coax machine gun was in the main museum building but no pic taking allowed there, drat. All the really cool stuff was in the building. And, ya, I got up there by myself, somehow.

Scamp

Here is one for you Jerry and Dan. The plaque said this was from the fledgling P.I. Air force of the early 50?s and mentioned something about a TF 28 that was redone by or for the P.I. Air force. No other info and I am not an airplane guy at all. As I have said before, I know I can swim and equally assuredly, know I can?t fly. ;)
It has a big radial engine, a tri-blade prop and that?s all I know. Any idea about this rig Guys? :cd:

And I came across this cement and plaster Japanese Soldier and he didn?t have anything to say for himself. Just saluted and stood there is all. So what the hell, salute as well, eh.

Aarrgg, forgot the pic. See next.

Scamp

Next try.

Great site, man does it bring back memories of WESTPAC cruises. PI was definellty one of my favorite liberty ports.