Bob Martin
Hi, my name is Bob Martin, and I am the owner/writer for the Mindanao
Yes, I am an American, but I have been coming to Mindanao regularly since 1990. In addition, I have lived permanently in Mindanao since early 2000, and I love it here. The thing that I hear all the time when I tell people that I live in Mindanao is that I must be scared because it is so dangerous here. Actually, that is really far from the truth. Yes, there are places in Mindanao that are quite dangerous, but the majority of the island is safe. Is it perfectly safe? No, I know of no place on the earth that is perfectly safe, do you? I have lived here for a number of years now, and I have never felt that I was in danger yet. I do try to use common sense in my daily comings and goings, though. I suppose that in these days of uncertainty that would be a sensible thing to do no matter where you live.
Yes, we have a few crocodiles in Mindanao
I have been involved in a number of different types of businesses over the years. I guess that at the root I am a retailer. I have managed a number of different retail stores ranging from small specialty shops to huge discount stores in the past. Since the early 1990’s, though, I have been self employed. In that time I have done different things. Initially I was a writer, authoring about a dozen different books that were published. Most books that I wrote were on the subject of Amateur Radio and Shortwave Radio Listening. In recent years I have sort of mixed my passion for retailing with my passion for writing and for the Internet in general. I have a number of different blogs on the Internet, as well as e-commerce stores selling different types of items on each of my websites. It is a good life, and I enjoy it very much. The kind of business that I do allows me to have free time when I want it, and also work at whatever schedule I choose. It allows me time for my wife and kids, which I enjoy a lot as well.
Speaking of my wife and kids…
I guess that when you mix up all of my interests and my passions, there is only one thing that you could call me. An Entrepreneur. Yes, I am an Entrepreneur, and I love it!
Come back to the blog often!
Very interesting article! Wish you and your lovely family bunches More of happiness and success in Mindanao!
Hi Bob…
Ever thought of exploring the ancient ties between the Philippines and Spain…. ?????
Take a look at our webpage….
All the best and enjoy Mindanao…
Hi Bob, I’m from Michigan, and I want to thank you for having the Mindanao Blog website. My wife had to move back with her family in Mindanao until her visa is approved, and your website helped learn more of her surroundings. I wish you and your family the best. Keep up the great work, and thanks again.
I came from Luzon and now I’m in Massachusetts.
Thank you for painting a good picture of Mindanao (and the Philippines) in your blog. I had been looking for sites that uplifts the image of my homeland. I’m glad I found your site.
Your mere presence in the Philippines is already a glaring example that Philippines is not as bad as others perceive it to be.
Please give my regards to your wife and kids.
Again, thank you for making Filipinos proud.
God bless.
hi bob, im in india right now but going back to gensan soon for xmas.i read ur blog daily and it was really helpful. pls. check this site about basilan..the photographer is my friend from UP(University of the Philippines) before. he sent me this link, maybe u can check it too..if u have the time..
http://www.pbase.com/van9338/jolobasilantawitawi
hi bob,whats up dude!how are you doing..i hope everything is ok with you and your family.
You have mentioned that you wrote some books with subjects on amateur radio and sw listening,well i’m an avid amateur radio enthusiast..just wondering if you are still active in this hobby and which mode do you operate.I’m currently in dubai now but when i’m in the phil.(i’m from leyte & bohol) i use to operate atthe 2 meter band using my old ic2000 and at HF using my old but reliable ic725.i have constructed here in dubai a 35 watts 2 meter transciever and a 40 meter cw qrp rig from tentec.i hope i can have a qso with you on the air if youy are still active with this hobby..
73 and more power.
natz(du5mie)
ps
tnx for the good fedback about my country.
Hello Bob,
Do you have any recommendations on the best way to travel to General Santos City from Mineapolis?
Thanks,
David
Bob,
Howdy? I hope everybody there is going fine.
Care if I ask what happened to the Kalinaw Mindanao site? The address http://www.mindanao.com/kalinaw is inaccessible. It’s a 404 error (Page nout found).
Best wishes, and advance Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Ash
thanks for putting mindanao in a good light.. im from surigao city, now living in wisconsin – have an internet cafe before migrating here in usa. keep up the good work and spread more good news about philippines – mindanao in particular.
Hello Bob,
Your site is very informational and intersting. I am making plans to visit Ozamiz City this spring from the US, and do have concerns about safety, not only mine but for the families of whom I will be visiting. I also plan to visit Pagadian City while there. Do you have any recommendations for safe travel, places to avoid, etc.. or where I could find information. I seem to be getting just bits and pieces. My inital plans were to fly into Cebu and take a boat into Ozamiz, but have also looked into flying instead into Pagadian via Cebu. Recent information I found indicated that the runway wasn’t safe in Pagadian.. So here I am still without definite plans yet. Any information would be greatly apprecaited.
Thank You,
Steve in Florida
Hi Bob,
great info – thanks, I’m arranging to travel to Carmigan Island in June with my girlfriend (from there originally – living in Newcastle, UK now – my hometown) for a fast (3 weeks factfinding mission (& to meet her family), any major do’s & don’t whish I may have overlooked?
Best wishes to you & your family
Gary
Nice Website. I am willing to help and promote mindanao.
dear bob,
so you are a book writer,, maybe you can write a book for my love life,,,my story my experience with my hole life, living in the phil. and living here in mississippi.
thank you for your web site
hi bob im rob in richmond Va. i was going on a website and saw this lady please email me so i can tell you that site and show you her picture . the site saws shes in general santos city.ill give you the link when you email me .i really would like to get to know her. i dont know if the site is legit be shes lovely . thanks bob
Hi Bob!
I came across your blog thru Cebu City Government’s Official web portal and what can i say!!! Absolutely fantastic job! For not only shedding light on Mindanao – as I was born and raised in Mindanao, specifically Bislig (Studied at John Bosco School, now me & my family are based in Leeds, Great Britain, UK’s 2nd biggest city after London) but also for making Filipinos abroad feel proud of their roots!
Keep on doing the good job!!! Warmest regards to your family too!!! Drop by my family website when you can:
http://www.pbase.com/jet_tina
More power & God bless!
Joe / Jet / Jo
You state that it is reasonably safe to travel in Mindanao, yet The U.S. government has declared Mindanao unsafe for travelers.
What parts of the island are unsafe? What methods of travel are unsafe? What activities are unsafe? What types of things are unsafe?
Can you assist me in this query, please?
Madera
hi bob
thanks for the info i have been here a year and im a georgia boy and this suits me fine……………….nolan
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the good words about Mindanao. Hopefully people will realize it’s a nice place to go.
Elmer
(Davao City/HK)
Mabuhay Bob, nice website you have here. I too am curious as to the safety of visiting Butuan City and staying a few days and going out to the coast. As well as seeing the sites of the city.
What is your take on this question?
Mahalo from Hawaii
Jay
Hi Bob Martin,
I have visit your website and its nice site for us who are looking for constant information about the building of the new airport in Laguindingan at the heart of Mindanao.
Just keep writing about it. Thats keep me continue to visit your website.
I will tell to the other pilipinos living in Europe. Mabuhay, Mindanao
Just wanted a few recommendations for where to stay while in Cagayan de Oro City and Camiguin. I have already stayed at The Dynasty and Country Village. Will be there in May. Also any good places to dive in the area? Can I rent all equip there?
Hi Bob,
really nice homepage. Hope you and your family are doing fine.
I’m from Germany and my future wife is from Gensan, and I’ve been there so far 3 times. Actually I came back 5 days ago.
My countrys foreign office also has warnings about Mindanao and suggests everybody not to go there. So, I and my fiancee were a little scared when I went there the first time.
Now, after I spent totally a couple of weeks there I do absolutely not feel unsafe there. Dangerous things can happen anywhere in the world.
So in the future I will go there with a good feeling in my mind and in my heart.
All the best to you and your family and keep on going.
I am a native of Mindanao and now resides in California. I had spent 7 years living in the US and can personally attest the big difference living in Mindanao and US. I worked as a web developer in one of the world’s largest Managing Agents here in Redondo Beach. I bought a house 5 years ago, enjoyed they called an “American life and dream” and guess what? I AM COMING HOME FOR GOOD! After reading your Blog, I can’t wait to go back home. Mindanao is a paradise that most of the people does not even care to talk about.
Just like how you eat your favorite food. Would it be better if you take time chewing and feeling how it taste like. Same with life in Mindanao. In US- life is so fast paced. Living in Mindanao is simple yet you can get what you want. No stress – no pressure.
Good luck to your endeavor Bob. Hope to see you in person.
-Nelson
how you doing. we have a home in buyugan 1. we will be back in phils. on jan.27 2006 for 3 weeks. are you from butuan? we go there a lot. we live in wisconsin usa. hope to hear from you.
Prima Website! Please keep on promoting Mindanao, afterall it is a beautifull Island, isnt it?
An der Stefan von Deutschland… just in case you will go back to this site! My husband is also German and I am living in Germany for already 2 years. Just like your fiancee, I also came around General Santos City
. Would be nice to get in touch to both of you 
.
Nice.
hi bob….i enjoy reading your website about mindanao….im living in the uk at the moment and my wife is from general santos……i visit there as often as i can..i love the place and its no where near what people say……i enjoy my visits there and dont feel that im in any danger at all…….the people are friendly and good all the time……..when i retire from my job in 10 years from now……the happiest day of my life will be when i get the one way ticket to gensan and never have to come back here again…….thanks again for the web site it keeps me informed of whats going on over there
hi bob. nice site you have here. keeps me up2date with all the happenings in Mindanao.
Dvo/Mkt
Hi Bob I too am from koronadal city and i was just there last september and enjoyed every minute of my vacation since i havent been home in 7 years.thank you for your feed back on mindanao god bless to yuo and your family. i now reside in maui and hope to come back home on may…… hope to read more from you and mindanao on your website aloha……..
Hi Bob, good to see someone else with the passion for Mindanao. I love it there and hope to retire with my wife soon back there.. where else can you walk out to the courtyard and pick such fresh fruits, or view the violent yet beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
hi Bob!
My husband and I cannot wait anymore to go back to the ” Promise Land” which means Mindanao. We are planning to put up an online shops there. How good is this bussiness in the Philipines, by the way?
More Power to you!
Hi Bob. Its encouraging to read about foreigners who has found their niche here in the Philippines.
It makes natives like me feel that our country can compete with other places in terms of comfort, safety, and beautiful spots.
dear bob, just a few lines to say hello and let you know how much i enjoy your site.i am a retired military veteran and in 30 months retiriring from the state of wyoming as an correctional officer.my wife is from davao city and such a beautiful person as are most filipinos.my i add she has a lovely family also.i count the days to retire there.hopefully you and i get to meet in the near future,and yes i feel completely safe when on my island of paradise mindanaoso much i could say yet i dont want to get long winded.also may i include that ill never miss the snow and cold weather here in the rocky mountains.thanks for you time and site may God bless all of you.
marichu and terry peede
Hi Bob! I’m glad I found your site. I have families in Mindanao (General Santos City) and very much interested in getting in touch with them on the internet. Sadly everytime I send emails , problem always occur. I guess I have the wrong email address of my family there. Anyway, my family owns Diagan’s Clinic (actually he is my nephew)and wondering if you can help me? If you can please give him a call and tell him if he can write to me instead at my email address . Thank you. I’m happy to know that you like Mindanao. Been there before and worked at my nephews clinic for more than a year and just like what you said, it’s a safety place to live. The people I met are not rude. Everytime I think of GenSan, I remember the sweet bananas, watermelon, papayas, pineapples and the good- tasting but stingk-smellng “durian”. Hope to hear from you and regards to your lovely family.
hi bob,i hope you can assist me,i am trying to plan a trip which i would like to include iligan,but am having difficulty finding a site where i can see hotel lists prices and booking availability,can you direct me.
thank you for you help.
neil
Thanks so much Bob. Until I found your site I was thinking of canceling my trip to Davao. Your article makes sense, just use the same common sense you would anywhere else on this planet. You might just be the best thing that has happened to Mindanao to promote tourism, I commend your efforts. Your advice is similar to that I received before my trip to Costa Rica. I had a wonderful trip there and have plans for the same in Davao………
hi Bob! Just knew this website. I am from Cebu City and my husband is based in Butuan City. Will be traveling by land trip with own vehicle and if you could help me out what specific points do we hit or target starting from home base – Ampayon, Butuan City going Visayas and ending in Parañaque, Manila? Daghang Salamat and more power to you and your beautiful family!Mabuhay.
Hi Bob! I hope you can help us promote our event, FOOD PROCESSING & PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY EXPO (FPP MINDANAO) which will be held on June 21-24, 2005 at Bangko Sentral Davao City.
Our company, Premier Events Plus Group Inc (PEPGroup) is the organizer of the annual World Food Expo (WOFEX), the biggest & most attended food trade event in Manila. We noted that a number of attendees of WOFEX come from the province, mostly from Mindanao. With this in mind, we thought of bringing the technology closer to them. FPP Mindanao, intends to bring the most FOCUSED and COMPREHENSIVE event in Mindanao showcasing the latest technologies in the processing and packaging world.
If you need more info, I will be delighted to provide you. Hope you can accomodate our simple request.
Thank you!
Bob:
Heck no one is safe if you cant even stand near the Vice President of the US without getting shot. Har. Been modifying scanners here lately like my old Radio Shack pro-2006. Did a memory mod to add 6400 channels…more than I’ll ever need but fun doing the work. Hope all is going well for you
Steve B.
Hi bob,
Im from Mindanao,Davao City to be more
specific,Im now based in Detroit,MI.I
just learned about your website and your effort to promote my homeland.I
want to thank you for doing it,to think
your not even a native mindanaoan.
Again,thanks and more power to you.
BOb,
Thanks for giving a good picture of mindanao.Im from cagayan de oro city now living in Toronto,Canada.Mindanao has the same size of south korea and i tell friends here that it is the promised land of the philippines.Were doing global outsourcing in Mindanao specifically Cagayan de Oro City.Our clients are mainly Canadians.Mindanao has its potentialto become the center of IT in the PHilippines
Hi Bob – your site is great! I too have heard how dangerous Mindanao is & it helps to get your pespective on it. I hope to visit Manila and General Santos City later this year and would appreciate info on traveling from Manila to General Santos City.
thanks,
best to you and family,
rene
Hi bob, can you help me find a large amount of tuna I’m a first timer exporter, its a very big help if you can assist me. thank you very much
Good day!
Hi, im Dr marlon. I’m a plastic surgeon based here in manila. But i was born and raised in general santos city. yes, it is very true that there’s no place like home(especially GenSan). I’ve looking forward to go back again to gensan and davao. I really missed grilled tuna, durian, mangoosteen, beaches, old friends…
Thank you Bob for promoting mindanao. It is really a land of promise.
Best regards!
I just thought I have to give you a pat on your shoulder for promoting Mindanao. But since I can’t, I think dropping you a line would do it. I’m from Chicago but originally from Makilala, Cotabato. I visit my hometown 1-2x a year to enjoy its laid-back way of life, fresh fruits and vegetables, magnificent sceneries, incomparable hospitality. I’m planning to stay a night or two in these cities: Davao,Gen San, Coabato, Zamboanga, Cebu, Bohol/Tagbilaran, Iloilo, Boracay,Olongapo, Baguio, Vigan on my next trip which is March 22 to May 16th.I’m a very local-looking and adventurous and can find my way around these cities so help is not really needed.I just want you to know, someone does read your notes and appreciates what you as an American do to our beautiful Mindanao. More power!
hi Bob,
its nice you as a foriegner to our homeland you promoted our very own! kudos my friend! hope other people in the foriegn country will see how safe our place to invest, with your passion to promote, thank you Bob, im steve from gensan now at manila
Asa ka sa mindanao Bob?
good day! I am Trisha, and i would like to know more about ur website. I am a member of a student international organization and I am looking for possible partners for our orgs. Sorry if this is very informal. But I will send an E-mail. I was browsing the internet and just saw your page. Hope to hear a response.
thank you.
Greetings from Texas!
I am an avid visitor of your sites and as a Butuanon who is now based in San Antonio, Texas; I am really hungry for news from my beloved Butuan City. Would you please specifically open a WOWBUTUAN web page?
I had a chance to meet Bob Martin last Feb 2006. I enjoyed talking with him and his passion for Mindanao is contagious. Gives me more reasons to love Davao even better.
Thanks for promoting Davao City and the rest of the places in Mindanao.
hi bob…
Your story moved me. Its peculiar but perhaps interesting to know your love for mindanao considering your a foriengner in this land. by the way, i belong to humble family and im need of a job to help my parents supprt my siblngs’ education. im also from gensan. hope you could help me. pls… tnx. God bless you and your family.
Hello Bob: I love your comment about the “perfectly safe place.” People tend to forget that the only safe place is in their mother’s heart.
helo bob, m from surigao city, currently working in phil information agency surigao city – region 13. thanks much for featuring our stories in your blog site. more power!
Hello Fryan,
Happy to know you! It is our pleasure to feature some of the PIA news from Region 13 on our site! Keep the stories coming!
Greeting of peace,
Hi Bob,
I am from Mindanao, to be specified more, I’m from Basilan Island, Yakan Tribe, but at the moment residing in Libya for more than 23 years, just a few months only we knew your helpful website, we mindanaoan abroad, regularly open your news column and many other interesting articles/things. More power and live longer with peace in Mindanao.
We very much salute you and appreciate your aphorism stated therein the reality situation of Mindanao as follows.
I love it here. The thing that I hear all the time when I tell people that I live in Mindanao is that I must be scared because it is so dangerous here. Actually, that is really far from the truth. Yes, there are places in Mindanao that are quite dangerous, but the majority of the island is safe. Is it perfectly safe? No, I know of no place on the earth that is perfectly safe.
Continue your great works about Mindanao, but kindly please include or take a look about Basilan island. Again more power.
Awalfamily/Libya
hi bob,
I’m really glad to found your site and let me say thank you very much for your appreciation to our home land that is excellent.
Could you help me to contact any of my friends in RMMC H.S. days yr.1982 or 1984 GSCI I will really appreciate if I can contact any of my friends on your behalf.By the way wich part of GSC
are you?…It will be nice to meet you this year so that my husband doesn’t feel alone while we are in koronadal.
say hello to your family…good work mate.
Bob Martin
Owner/Writer
The Mindanao Blog
Sir,
Greetings.
One of The Lucky Ones born to return the gift that GOD bestowed on us. Born to deliver history at the right time and at the right place. What made me say this? The following ideas stemmed up for the glory of this promised land which up to now suffers from the bondage of graft and corruption. Always a victim of politics at its worst scenarios. It has always been this way. We’ve been struggling ever since Independence was granted for the Republic of the Philippines. Leaders come and go. Systems, cultures, and traditions ate the incurability of such dreadful desease of the society. Fraud, deceit, prejudice and pride on the hands of abussive government officials who were drunk of their bitter sweet regimes. On different occassions and settings, on different sides, on different hardships through the decades and years of very difficult life… It has been like that, as if nothing has changed at all, in fact, its much fortified now. Many wise leaders has advanced in technological malfeassance. Still the same old tricks modernized into a new face of ill fate. Nobody dares to make a big difference. If there is, that hero gets killed along the way. Or a solid group becomes infiltrated by intelligent moves from one camp to the other.
SIETE DEMOCRATESTAMENTO
1.GOD Centered Country
A country that believes in GOD, follows his commands and have at least
that sense or fear of his divine existence simply exemplifies Faith.
A country that is focussed to GOD is in the right direction of governance.
A country that recognizes the power of GOD is never afraid to exercise authority.
A country that respects GOD respects the poorest of the poor who are always
victims of injustices, prejudice and biased decisions of the courts.
A country that knows GOD knows the real meaning of truthfulness beyond
the obvious lies and alibis protected by sindicated connections of power associations from within and far reaching the slightest doubts of things
unseen by the innocent public.
A country that thinks about GOD achieves more realistic success.
A country that sincerely prays to GOD receives more divine blessings.
2.A Transparency Government for Love, Peace, Justice and Unity
Love is the key towards upright governance.
Peace is the sovereign state of good governance.
Justice is the supreme court of legal governance.
Unity is the basic requirement for solidifying good governance.
3.Academic and Militaristic Rule
Education is the first priority of the state.
All government schools must cater Free Primary and Secondary Education.
Scholastic System for Collegiate, Masteral and Doctoral Courses
Military Academy for Military Science, Air Force Science, Navy Science,
Police Science, Fire Department, Jail Department and Drugs Army Batallion
4.Centralized Department Offices for Sustainable Development
5.Super Democracy
6.Super Economy
7.Local, International, World Business and OFW’s Role (16 April 2006/3:33 pm)
Solutions have been studied in the forms of seminar paper, thesis or dessertations. However, the lack of proper implementation short cuts the proper process. Laws are even paid at the right price and at the right cost of negotiations under the table of so many connections. Syndicates bear these trademark. The bad thing is, there are always sacrificial lambs, cover up stories, and unimaginable events that happens just to clear a major problem.
Sir Bob, its about time to legally separate Mindanao from Luzon and Visayas. My point is, what’s the use of following a government that is getting no where.
Pierze
Hi,
I just found your site, and I think that it looks great. A friend of mine is engaged to a local lady over there, and we are looking at expanding our business to that area of the world. If you have any insight into the business opportunities in Mindanao please let us know.
Contact Info: mindanao@xenotg.net
Thanks
Doug
hi bob,
Nice to know that a foreigner loves my native land–Mindanao, particularly GenSan.
I was born in Davao and grew up in General Santos. After college, i became nomadic ( settled to different places in the Philippines) but after those days i came back and resettled in GenSan. There’s no such place as GenSan… nothing compares.
Thank you, Bob. for sharing same insights and feelings about my beloved hometown!
God bless to you and your family.
Take care!
-IRIS
Hey Bob,
Good to see that someone has created a page about this island, aim from Palawan originally but I live in Quezon since about 1 year, this is a lovely and sadily a place which has been synomizied as dangerous by most foreginers.
keep up the good work m8
Hi Bob,
I’ve been out of the country since 2000 when I decided to move to Canada with my family. But seeing someone like you doing it the other way, that is you moving to the Philippines makes me feel proud that my native land has a lot of good things to offer. I’ve never been to Mindanao myself but I know one thing wonderful happening there today is the building of communities by a vision called Gawad Kalinga or GK-777. Hope you have heard about it and if not you can tell me if you need info and I’ll provide you.
God bless.
Carlos
Hi! Bob, i very happy to see those pictures about Mindanao. I wish you have more pictures about Glan where i was born. I would really appreciate it very much. Thank you.
And also, i was wondering why my name Mila Cania still showing in every comments reply box? Can you fix it please , because i don’t know what i did wrong.
Hi there Bob,
My name is Ben, living in the Netherlands and just back from Mindanao, where i visit my girlfriend.
Thanks to the friendly people i met there, my stay on the island was so great.
I will come back to Mindanao as much as i can, and i keep on reading your BLog as much as i can.
Regards,
Ben
Bob,
Where you at in Mindanao? I was born and raised in that humungous island, specifically Butuan and Ozamis City. Can’t legally take leave in Mindanao yet due to State Department constraints. At the moment, I’m enjoying my temporary duty station, Okinawa. Kinda like Mindanao also, i think. If you haven’t been to Butuan city, go check it out dude!!!
Hi Bob;
i am from canada, and i have tried many times to find out what it takes to move to the philippines to live there..i have found a lady..which i plan to marry..she is from esperanaz.i like to get information on what i need to live there..the web pages i click on..for the philippines…come up blank??or someother country..??
like to hear from you Bob..if you can help ..
Thanking You for your help..
Dave whiteway..
london,on.
Hi Bob. We featured your blog in our site. Hope you don’t mind.
Thank you so much for featuring Mindanao in your blog
and I do hope that other people from other part of the globe will notice the beauty of Mindanao 
Good Day!
This site is really great! At the same time, it makes me feel ashamed! Because I am a Filipino yet I can’t come up with this kind of creative output.
Thank you very much for making me feel proud to be a Filipino. And thanks a lot for showing how beautiful the Philippines really is!
Hello Bob,
Congratulations for a wonderful website.
I am truly impressed by your courage to live it out in Mindanao.
For a few years till 1996, I was often a visitor in Mindanao and used to laze around on the Santa Cruz beach near Basilan during my visits so much so I tried to get people from Europe to do something constructive in Mindanao and you may find it incredible but I was able to gather a few groups to do just that. We even sat down with Nur Misuari sometime in mid-1996 or right after he went back to the fold to see what we could do. He said that he would like to build a railroad that would cross the Mindanao stretch (can’t remember which provinces) but things grinded to an abrupt halt when FVR’s ended. I suppose Misuari’s financial “mis-handling” of the autonomous region of Mindanao capped by the incessant hostage crises during Estrada’s term doused European interest in their “modernization project for Mindanao”.
Pity really…
Am mighty glad not all is lost. Kudos and best regards to you and your family.
Atta boy! Well said and well done!
Hey Bob,
Like your site very much. My wife and I are in the process of building a house in Dipolog City. We will be moving there sometime in November 2006. I have been to Mindanao 23 times now and have never I repeat never have I had any problems. Oh I did get ate up with them flying blood suckers one trip. ha ha
When I stop over in Manila I get the same question ( are you not afraid to go to Mindanao ). Hell no !!! I love it there.
Send me some e-mail we should meet in Nov.
budbias@hotmail.com
Hi Bob,
Just wanted to add to your list of hotspots in Davao City:
Matina Town Square (MTS) has 3 known regular WiFi spots:
KANTO Jazz Blues Atbp, Whistletop Restobar & BluGre Coffee
Most are FREE with just a courtesy purchase of cofee or the like
Bob, Hope you and the family are fine. Read your article on Jatropha, If you hear about Jatropha in the Philippines that is the organization which I am representing.
You will be hearing of some of the advancments we are making to include a joint activity with presedent on the 16th of June. Regards
I really liked you article. My wife is from Bislig.
It was a treat to visit and it must be said that I
felt no threat there. My visit was about a month after
9-11 and many told me I was crazy for going alone,however
It was one of the best trips I have made. I wish you the
best…take care..Aloha from Hawaii.
Hi Bob. I really appreciated your promoting Mindanao. Plus you have the Mindanao.com to add!
Nice family you got there. Your sons remind me of my nephew who just left with his mom for Tenessee to be reunited with my brother-in-law who just got retired from the Navy.
Anyways, I’ll link you up to my blog later. Oh, I almost forgot. I was born in Davao City but living now in Cagayan de Oro
.
Later!
hi bob…
Thank you for promoting the Mindanao it is my homeplace. It is a good site that will help to
erase from the mind of others that Mindanao is a place of war…
hey bob…
A very nice website/blog spot of yours…i’m a native of Mindanao (native in the sense that I was born and grew up here on this wonderful island…)
I live in Malaybalay, Bukidnon and I do hope that you can also visit our province…the best province for me in the whole island (hahaha)
I thank you for promoting the island & for attesting to the fact that Mindanao is not a dangerous place to visit or live in…Agree with you when u said that there is really no perfectly safe place on earth…but Mindanao is not totally unsafe and many can attest to that…Kudos to your website!!!
Continue w/ ur endeavor…wish u all the luck..God bless!!!
thank you for bringing such wonderful images to my beloved place,born in cebu city growed up in mangagoy bislig,currently lived in montreal canada for the past 15 years,lots of friends still there,1 sister resides in mangagoy.it takes courages to a white man like you lived in that remote place.untouched by civilasation.as like you ive traveled a lots of places,beautiful country but i wouldn’t trade that places. still in my heart and soul fresh like yesterday.planning to visit 2007.good luck and god bless you and your family.
Hi Bob,
Nice to know a foreigner like you who speaks well of mindanao. I am from zamboanga city and we have that blow.. its a peaceful place here. think people are unfair to us thinking we are a land of terrorist. those events took place so far away from us. Thank you so much and More power
Hi Bob,
I am glad to see a fellow American speak so highly of the Philippines. I am currently considering moving there (as 1 option) and taking my Pinay-pal Queenie May as my bride. I would be settling around Ormoc City, Leyte. I have been assisting some single moms and distressed people there for 3 years now and find Pinays to be the sweetest women in the world. I admire your lovely wife and kids. Go dhas blessed you richly. I am with you in spirit to support ALL of the Philippines and I pray for its economic growth and prosperity. God bless you and your mission there in life. Carl
hi bob
im so happy that you appreciate the beauty of mindanao and bringing good insights and good example to the foriegners,viewing them that mindanao is a like a paradise waiting to unfold her magic,as the saying goes “never judge the book by its cover unless you have read it”.I was born in cagayan de oro city and im proud to be one..i lived now in germany and im proud to share to my family here where i grow up and maybe i will bring my husband and let him see how wonderful mindanao is..may God bless and good luck on your journey…..
Bob great website. I’d like to hear more about your e-commerce from there. I am currently in Borneo trying to start some biz. I’d welcome chance to visit you near Davao City if your free to meet another fellow American sometime?
Hello !
Great website! I’m Belgian, and I marry last november a Filipina from Dipolog City. We live in Belgium now, but maybe one day we will move in Dipolog.
What a nice place, and what a warm welcome from her family when I go there in June 2005!
I really wait to go back there, and visit Mindanao again.
We will be there for Christmas.
I laugh when the people of Belgium ask me if I’m not afraid to go there ! You know, we receive only the bad news here…
Best regards, Bob ! And sorry for my bad english
Cheryl and Thierry, Belgium
Hi Bob,
Good to know you made use of my articles – Romy Sabaldan
greetings bob,
I would enjoy visiting with you at your convenience. There are about 100 western foreigners in the Butuan area, and we meet each Friday at my facility. I am attempting to construct a source of realistic information about this region. Perhaps we can converse?
Thank you,
Greg May
hi bob!
I am very happy of your effort inviting people and extended good information regarding the true security situatio in our country as well as your country because your now ling here in the Philippines. More power to you!
My best regards,
Raul
Hello Bob!
Nice web site, very interesting. I am coming in Davao in october and plan to live there. I would like to have information about the place. I plan to buy a house, but i would like to get advise from foreigner who live there or people who have experienced life there. I am Eric from Montreal, Canada. You can reach me at this e-mail add.: campeau55@hotmail.com
Thank and best regards,
Eric
Hi Eric – Welcome to the Mindanao Blog. To learn more about living here, you should read my “LiP” blog, at: http://www.LiveinthePhilippines.com
Also, unless you are married to a Philippine citizen, you won’t be able to buy a house here, because foreigners like you and I cannot own property in this country. Good luck with your move!
Hi. Gerald here of GMA TV Network. I work for documentary show I-Witness. I just want to ask if you got any story suggestions for our next episode. It could be an issue or a feature on people’s lifestyle there. You could contact me at 02-9287021 local 1418 or simply email me. Thanks.
Thank Bob!!
I heard you can own a land if you open a corporation buy the lot at your corporation name. I will take more info with aFilipinos law firm in Manilla. Otherwise i would like to know about foreigner there in Davao city. Do you have any idea if they are many/ If it does have any kind of association of foreigner or place where they join once in a while there. I am going to get married with Filipinas lady and before coming i try to get as much info as i can get so help from more exprerienced person would be greatly appreciated. I am 30 years old with not much experience aboutthis kind of experience.
Thank for your time and your help
Eric
Hi Bob,
I promote Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro City. I wonder if you can recommend
me to some of your American Friends so I could market to them to retire in the
Philippines especially in Cagayan de Oro so we will get more investor and foreign
retirees in Northern Mindanao. This way we can paint the place as a better area
for foreigners and to balikbayans to visit and to stay. With your impression of the
peace and order of majority of Mindanao,it would surely help us invite people from
other country to see and experience themselves, that most of Mindanao is not a haven
of Abu Sayyaf and rebels but a place for peace-loving and friendly Mindanaoans.
By the way I am from New Jersey and have roots in Cagayan de Oro City. I am a broker
for Pueblo de Oro in the entire United States.I will be promoting the Pueblo Township in the Pista
Picnic of the Kagayanon-International East Coast Chapter at Liberty State park in Jersey City this saturday.
I will be attending the Kagayanon-International Southern California Chapter Pista Picnic
in Long beach next SAturday. Thanks and pls drop me a line.
Dear Bob, I just happened to surf upon your blog. I am marrying a beautiful Christian woman from Bukidnon. God is working in my
life. I was in Mindanao last December and loved every minute of it. I haven’t been all over the Island but the part I saw I felt very welcomed by the indigenous people.I’ll be their again in early October. My future wife has an Aunt who is married to U.K. man and they live
in Valencia City. I saw plenty of Pineapples and man are they good!I would not mind retiring in Mindanao myself, but you have to quit telling these americans it’s not dangerous….lol
I kind of like feeling special every once in awhile..! I saw your boys do they speak English as well as Visayan? How about you? Are you prior U.S.Military? I am a retired U.S. Marine. If you have time to visit when I come leave me an e-mail and phone number.You foreign
diplomacy is very badly needed. What a mess our government has made of foreign diplomacy. Almost single handedly…hint hint…!
I wanted to ask you, what is the safest way to send money to my Mother and Father n law. My bank said they need to have a checking account their first a savings account is not acceptable. Is that standard protocol?
Your a lucky man, I’m envious,I’d love to live their and it is our plan to make it our home when I retire.I’m am totally amazed
by the beautiful Christian woman I am going to marry. Even for the Philippina women she is one of a kind. I don’t know what God has in store for us, but I know this is all his work.Be safe,and I’ll be waiting to hear from you. Do you ever have big packages sent to you?
If so,let me know.We have a great company that transports to P.I. at a very good price. You are allowed to put all you can in
a large cardboard box for a 10th of what it would cost otherwise.
Paul S in Texas
Hello Bob:
Thanks again for the breakfast and lunch. The soup was great and the meat was tender.
This is my first time to look at your blog and you can bet I will be back often.
Hope all is well with you and the children.
Jim
Welcome to the site, JJ. Good luck with you blog.
Bob,
Good morning. I am getting ready to set up a commercial blog. We hope to have it up by mid September.
We got up early this morning, the ice man came and bought my nephews last 100 blocks of ice. The dog woke me up for the return of under $4. Pitiful, huh?
On the brighter side, we have new chicks to go with our new ducks. Now if the guinea hens will start growing we will really have something.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
JJ
wow! nice articles!
[...] Mindanao-based Philippine blogger, Bob Martin, was right when he said in his blog, "The thing that I hear all the time when I tell people that I live in Mindanao is that I must be scared because it is so dangerous here". [...]
hello bob,
i am a 27 yr old african american male who’s very much nterested in visiting mindanoa to visit someone i know there, however i’m curious as to how blacks are viewed there. do blacks travel to mindanao? if so are they treated differently? would it be safe? also i wanted to know about st. micheals cathedral, do people come from all over lanao del norte to go to that church? when i do visit, where would you suggest i lodge? im trying to get as close to kapatagan as possible, as thats where my friend lives. do yo know about that area, thanks for any advice you may give. im exited yet nervous
Chris A
Hey Bob,
As a pinoy living in America… Salamat for the many love you write about my islands.
Hey Bob,
As a pinoy living in America… Salamat for the many love you write about my islands.
Pssst
hi bob,
im shareina from brunei darussalam (borneo island).
im so glad if u say about peaeful at mindanao..actually my lovely boyfriend was bening sent overthere for a peaceful mission overthere. im so glad there is have enough facility overthere, such as internet.
at the 1st time i have think that mindanao dont have enough facilities..but now ur writing has change my thinking of mindanao.
so bob, can u tell me how do i want to go there..mayb some other day i want to visit my boyfriend that being having a mission over there.,
Hi Bob, Thinking of traveling to Bislig City in Nov sometime or maybe int he spring in March. What is the average temperature during those months?
Hello Bob!
I’m from Mindanao myself but now residing in Ontario. I have to admit that visiting your page makes me wanna
visit every other day.. I’ve been all over mindanao between 90 and 94, Studied in Koronadal,Bukidnon,Davao,Tupi
then off to Canada. I’ve got a few pics when i visited back in 2005, i’d be happy to share some for your
photo blog if you wished.
Well Done Bob!
Hi Bob, I spent six years in Cebu province and at the moment I am in the UK. Coming to Davao for the first time in October. My girlfriend is from Mati but works and lives temporary in the city. I will be returning to the Uk in December with my girlfriend. We will be in the UK for six months only then returning to Mati to live permanently. ( Have I got some stories for you.) I have a UK birthright but prior to Cebu I lived for 40 years in Australia. Ok Bob , maybe we will come eye to eye in the near future , Cheers Mel.
Hi Bob. Want to invite you to our One Internet Day event in Davao this September 22 as my guest.
Can’t seem to find your email address here though.
Heeeeeelo Bob and my wife is from from Dipolog and I was in dipolog last yearin August 2005.Yeah i had a great time friendly people and I felt perfectly safe.There are alot more crazy dangerous places in the world.A freind of mine just told me about your web site so I thought I would stop and send a message and I sure wish I could eat some of that pineapple you got right there.My wife and I plan on going back and forth to Dipolog city and Alaska in the future.Yes we live in Alaska, Anchorage.I been here 30 years my wife and I just got married June 25th 2006.She is so wonderful and I have some other freinds that are interested in a Filapino wife in the future.Anyway Bob I will be stopping by your web site now and then.May God Bless you and your family and you got a good looking family there.Hope to stop by and visit you in Dipolog city in
the future.
Mr.Martin, Thanks for your encouraging, frank words on the safety of Dipolog. I will be thier in a couple of months. I figure it’s about time I start living again and have a bit of adventure. Been sitting on my arse to long. Your web page gave me the inspiration to visit your city. I’m Alaskan native from the Southeastern part of the state. I was hoping you could recommend a hotel there. I’d appreciate it very much. I’m a former commercial fisherman. Any sports fishing there in or around the area? Peace, TJ
Hello Bob. I am a language curriculum developer in Virginia and currently preparing to develop a course on Tausug.
I see that you are an entrepreneur at heart and want to request your support in recruiting a qualified individual.
Hope you can help. Mouna
hi bob im from iligan city.seeing as you live in the other end of mindanao.id be glad to be of help.should there be peeps messaging you for assistance into travel to parts of mindanao near where im situated.
all the best, MABUHAY!!! and Bacud Iligan
bob waz uppp???????
i’m from koronadal, and now i’m working here in pampanga. thanks for promoting mindanao and we all know that most people that does not live there were scared. They just don’t know how lovely mindanao especially koronadal and of course the province of south cotabato..I am now planning to go back home and we know the saying that THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME..RIGHT????
And i want to find job when i go back there…
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Hello Bob,
In an earlier email I thought you were just a tourist going on a place hopping spree in mindanao
so sorry haven’t read all about you, now that I have – I am impressed. You are married to a filipina
got kids, living in mindanao. In the truest sense you are more filipino than me.I am here in california
but I hail from mindanao. I have been to all the places that you have featured in your photo blog,
thanks for bringing back all those memories. here’s wishing you and your family the best. Keep up the
the great work. will be visiting your site more and do take care always. Thank you.
jerrick
Hello Bob,
Good day!
Thanks a lot for in a way promoting our country. It’s wonderful that a foreigner like you cares for our country, especially mindanao!
I happened to open an article you wrote entitled “Boracay tourists generate billions in tourism receipts”. I am amazed that you even cared to research on such issue. I mean, you really gave us access to it and gave us an idea about it. you know, it’s seldom posted.
bob, do you have any statistics of the influx of tourists for the ati-atihan festival in Kalibo, Aklan alone? if you have, can you share it to me? I have research study about it for our English class, but i don’t have any access to it.
thank you so much and God Bless!
jotham
Hello Bob, congratulations for the job well done! The array of pictures you’ve captured for your blog is truly delightful. As a native of Mindanao, I admire you for proudly lighting up the torch for the entire island and for spreading the goodwill across the globe. Bravo!Thanks a lot for creating a work of art for Mindanao. I am out of the country at present and your blog is indispensable. Say more cheeses! Your work is quite contagious. See you in one of your adventures. All the best to you and your entire family and friends. Mabuhay ka BOB!
Howday Bob,
I am from Davao since I was 13 years old. I got married 2002 to American caucasian presently residing in Missouri, USA. I am very grateful that you love Davao and Mindanao. Thank you so much for promoting Davao and Mindanao in such a good way.Some people thinks the only safe place in the Philippines is Manila and Cebu. Once again, thanks for your websites to show these people that Davao is safe. Nothing to be afraid of, and to help them open their eyes in reality.
More power to your website and family!
God bless.
emee
Hello Bob,
Your site impressed me! I am originally from Polomolok and currently
working in Singapore, I met my husband Daniel online and been married here in Singapore last July. We will be together soon when my visa approved. Many thanks to your site,(WOW GENSAN) the service is reliable. Anyhow, thanks for promoting Mindanao. You’re such a man! Im proud of you, may you continue spreading the good news of the entire Island Mindanao.. All the best to you and your family.
goodluck,
dezzy
hi bob,
i am a student of Ateneo de Davao University. I am from Mangagoy, Bislig City in which u featured the news about the big fire there. i thank you for giving your time to see it for yourself what happened to my hometown. i thank you for the pictures that you posted because it is in your blog photos that i saw what is the scenario after the fire in Mangagoy especially the Public Market. For the few days when my mother informed me about the fire, i can’t wait to go home to see what is the scene there. thanks to your photos i can see now what is the picture of my hometown now.. hope u can go back to our place, bislig city, to see the beautiful spots there..
thank you..
good luck and more power…
bob,
thank you for creating good pictures of my city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
god bless
hi! hello!!!!!!
u know Bob, ur really a good guy. Remember when we we’re in the piano bar, you used to sing..”GO JHONNY GO’. But it seems, you seldomly visit the piano bar. The last time we met, that was in CASSADO BAR, Royal Hotel. What makes you busy now? Hope to see you soon, and God Bless your family. MABUHAY KA!
Adnan – you must have me confused with somebody else. I have never sang “go jhonny go” anywhere.
…….and thats what you call a real “mindanaoan” eventhough you are not from there you are more what I call a real “mindanaon” whether from Cagayan de Oro to the north, Davao to the east, Cotabato to the south, and Zamboanga to the west, you are much more concern and hands on to promoting our homeland than some of us. Im from Cotabato City and one of the amateur radio operator in that area. Currently residing in Sterling Heights, Michigan. I hope you had meet some of my amateur and golfing friends there in Davao City. If you are planning to visit Cotabato City again I may recommend some of my friends there for you to meet and who know’s they might be of help to you in anything you need.
email me anytime.
Hi Lito – thanks for visiting the blog! I am happy to know you enjoyed it. I have not yet been to Cotabato City, but it’s a place I’ve been wanting to visit. I hope to get there soon! Thanks for your nice comments.
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Dearest Bob,
Thank you so much for developing & maintaining this wonderful site! I grew up in Mangagoy, Bilsig, surigao del Sur. I’m glad you’ve been there, too!
Your site has painted a more realistic picture of our dear Mindanao than any other site I’ve visited. I pray for you & your family, that God will continue to bless you with a heart that transcends all the geographical (actually, more of the colonial mentality) barriers that hinders most of us from seeing the beauty of our own place.
I believe it takes a man who is truly at peace to radiate the genuine beauty of things that are “ordinary” to a common “busy” man. Thank God for people like you & of course, Maej!
Hi Bob!
Great work you have here! Keep it up! God bless you and your family, buddy.
Hi Bob,
I`m from Portugal,but living in Holland.Me and my filipino girlfriend are thinking on living together in Mindanao.the problem is how to get a job there.
Do you have any sugestion?
Good Luck and all the best to you and your family!!!
Thank you for the great web site
Thanks for the kind words, Bob. It took someone from another country to tell us that appreciate the beauty of the Philippines. Thanks also for sharing the photo of your family.
Hi Bob,
Currently at Marco Polo until Sunday morning. Would like to meet you and Gene Wilson, if he’s in town.
Jeff Jenks
P.S. My cell is 09267025501. My laptop seemed to have died on me so im in an internet cafe waiting to make a down payment for nephews tuition. I hope today or tomorrow to locate a Josefina Leonor (Linder) who lives near Tagum. She was a Kiwanian in Michigan, married to an American there. Was widowed and moved back home – but all I know is that she lives near Tagum and so I probably will be on a hunt tomorrow.
Bob,
You have a nice website here. Like you I am also a netpreneur.
Drop me a mail and we may be able to do something together.
Toni
So, you are “An American in Mindanao” then. I actually put together a blog of my trip to Dumaguete aptly titled, “An American in Dumaguete City”. I enjoy hearing the chronicles of Americans who are permanent residents of the Philippines.
Thanks for sharing!
Dear Bob,
How are you.
Well I actually did not finish reading your writing about Mindanao… but I can tell rigth away, how much you appreciate Mindanao. I was once visited Mindanao (1973)for different reason, and I also found Mindanao as friendly, I went to the deepest part of Mindanao like San Tomas (Tibal-og) and etc. I went to places where I met and be friendly with Mandaya and different tribe, I found them very friendly and generous.
Perhaps someday I will visit Mindanao again.
Thanks and Take Care,
Andy
Hi Andy – thanks for your comments! When you do make it back to Mindanao, be sure to look me up!
Hey Bob….
I’m an avid fan of LittleGreenFootballs.com Today…they had this report from Australia:
HARDLINE cleric Abu Bakar Bashir today told his fellow Indonesian Muslims that if they wanted to go on jihad, they should do so outside the country.
“If you want to go on jihad, do not do it here (in Indonesia), but in the southern PHILIPPINES or even in Iraq,” Bashir told members and supporters of the Indonesian Mujahideen Council (MMI) in a sermon at a mosque in Kediri, East Java province, the state Antara news agency said. Bashir chairs the MMI, an umbrella organisation advocating the implementation of Islamic Sharia law.
His sermon came as he was commenting on the “jihad” by the key players in the 2005 Bali bombings, for which he had been accused of advance knowledge and of having sanctioned the action.
He said that the Bali bombers had been on jihad but unfortunately “not at the right time or place”. He did not elaborate.
———
Not trying to scare anyone….just inform.
hi Bob Nice Blog! I hope to be there sometime next summer my chat mate is in Davao del norte, closer to Tagum city (I THINK LOL). Anyway maybe I will be able to check it out! Do you know of any free internet language guides? I try to type Tagalog but she rarely teaches me even when I beg!
Hi Cornelious – Tagum is just an hour or so north of where I live. It’s a nice little place. I pass through there on a fairly regular basis. Most people here don’t speak Tagalog as their language of choice. Here in this part of Mindanao, Bisaya is the preferred language that is spoken. Maybe if you ask her to teach you a little Bisaya she would be willing to give it a shot?
You raise your question about language at a perfect time, because I am just about ready to launch two new blogs about learning common phrases. One blog will be for learning Tagalog travel phrases, and the other will be for Bisaya travel phrases. I think I will probably launch them both on Monday, or sometime a little later in the week. But, I am shooting for Monday. Keep an eye on my blog, I will post an announcement here when they launch. In addition to having written phrases that will be handy for travelers, we will have an audio program once per week, so that you can HEAR each of the phrases posted during the week! It should be helpful.
I enjoyed very much to see your pictures featured here after covering lots of places in Mindanao. I would like to say that I have
been in those places too. I think you missed to take a picture of a house in Bukidnon, somewhere near Valencia. That residential building is long going up an elevation toward the backside. It’s like a covered bridges in America. It’s easy to recognise it from the highway because at the front yard you can see statue of animals and the biggest is the elephant. The facade have a pillars carved with a life size men supporting the structure. I wonder if that house still exist. I had a chance to tour the inside in 1975.
Hi Robert – I am happy to know that you enjoyed my site. Keep watching, I have many more photos of Bukidnon, and the one you are looking for might pop up one of these days! Honestly, I have driven that route many times, but have never seen the place that you speak of. I would suspect that it no longer exists. But, I will keep an eye out for it!
Hi Bob,
I remember I asked you about marketing the Philippines as retirement haven for foreigners. I check with PRA( Philippine Retirement Agency) and there is a possible that a foreign retiree can buy house and lot under the club share rule of a company owned by a partnership of foreign and local entity. There are quite a number of such real estate companies operating in the Philippines nowadays. I need to research more on the details on how this system works. I will keep you posted. Thank you.
Hi Gerry – that’s great news! Good luck to you as you look into it.
hi Bob…
How many Caregiver training schools are there in Iliagan City?
Hi William – I couldn’t say for sure, but I am sure there are many. Maybe a dozen or more, but that is just a guess.
Hi, Mandy told me about this website. very informative. Im a travel agent here based in Davao.Im in the business for 10 years promoting Davao and Mindanao as a destination! Thanks for this wonderful website, you can help me convince my reluctant clients to visit Davao and Mindanao as well. Hope to see you soon!
Hi Alex – Welcome to my site! We should get together to work out some kind of partnership on travel services. I get a lot of inquiries for such services!
hey bob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are very smart even though your really ugly
ok,bob.im mandys travel agent.my cell is 09108546018.office landline 3052210/3004210. Im in the travel business for 10 years mainly doing inbound/outbound travel.hope we could meet someday together with maej and mandy.im off to chiangmai,thailand dec 23-28.hope to see you before these dates.
Hi Bob,
Is there direct flight from Manila to cagayan de oro? I heard from friend that there is a airport in Cagayan de oro that will support a big boeing 737.
What hotels do you recommend for my stay in both cagayan de oro and Iligan city? one more question…what food and/or drinks do you recommend that I don’t consumed?
thanks for your time
kaibigan mo Bill
Hi Bill,
Yes, there are flights from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, you should have no problems lining that up. A Boeing 737 is not a big plane, it is one of the smaller Boeing planes. It holds only around 200 passengers, compared to a 747 holding in excess of 400. Indeed, a 737 can land in Cagayan de Oro, while larger planes would be restricted to the larger Mindanao airports in Davao or General Santos City.
For a hotel in Cagayan de Oro, my recommendation would be the Pearlmont Hotel. In Iligan, I would recommend the Marabella Suites.
There are no foods or drinks that I would say you should not consume. Let your own gastronomy be the deciding factor when choosing you foods. I suppose that it would be a good idea to use mineral water for drinking, although I drink tap water in many places with no side effects.
Enjoy your trip!
Hello Bob I just ran across your site an d I would like some information about mindanao. I am suppose to go there in jan 2008. Im in nursing school and that is where we are suppose to do our clinical. I f possible can you verify the location of the school? It is called southways college of technology in the city of mindanao. I would like to know if that specific area is safe and what it is like. Thank you very much.. Hope to hear from you soon.
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia – I am sorry, but there is no placed called “the city of Mindanao”. If you can tell me the name of the city, I will help you out with more information, but I just can’t now, because there is no such place as the one that you named.
I agree with you, Mr. Martin, there’s no place called City of Mindanao. I hope Sylvia will research more about this Southways College of Technology. She can write to the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Educ (CHED)to verify. The web is a good place to start. With nursing schools mushrooming around the country, many of which are not even licensed to operate and are therefore fly by nights, we need to be vigilant. I am an educator and I am very concerned whenever schools’ names come out that don’t ring out a bell in the Phils. Hope somebody out there will give Sylvia more info. Once again, thank you Mr. Martin (and to Maej) for this marvelous website. Hope your Mom enjoys the warm weather of Mindanao. I envy her. Am now shivering in this part of the Rocky mountain region. We’re 14 deg F currently. Bbbbrrrrr…soooo cold.
Bob i like to know if something happened to my fiancee she is a sales person traveling to southern mindanao from Davao Her name is Sheila S. Deligero i have not had any contact from her in a long time i want to know what happened to her is she in the hospital or dead can you help me find her take care and god bless you and your family
Hi Jul – Thanks for your support on that. I appreciate your assistance. Try to keep warm there!
Hi Charles – I will contact you via e-mail to get more information.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your beaut site. I am an Australian and visited my fiance in Northern Mindanao (I am blessed!)in Sep and am returning in Dec to get married. I found Mindanao to be a lovely place and I am really looking forward to coming back with my sons. In fact we are staying for 1 month in the Philippines so it going to be great.
Yes, the pineapples are amazing, not to mention all of the other beautiful tropical fruits. Great site and keep up the good work.
One day I might decide to come over to the Philippines to live.. Keep well and all the best to you and your family.
Kind Regards,
Andrew L
Hi Andrew! Thanks for leaving you comment! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Mindanao! It really is a special place for me, and I value my time here. You are correct about the fruits here, they are terrific!
If you ever make it down south to the Davao area, let me know!
thank you for shedding light to the world of how rich Mindanao is.
Kudos to you and your family.
Hi Allan – thanks for your nice comment! Enjoy the blog.
Dear Mr. Martin,
I would like to invite you to become market participant in foreign exchange here in the Makati City, Philippines.
Our company is Plauski Foreign Exchange Corporation located in 18th Floor of Equitable Tower in Paseo de Roxas in Makati City.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at (02) 8890599 local 138 or browse our website at http://www.plauskifx.com or http://www.plauski.com.
Sincerely yours,
Cecile Caragay
Account Executive/Trader
Hi Cecile – thank you for your invitation. I looked at the website to learn more about your services. At this time I don’t really have a need for such services. Thank you again, though, for your consideration.
Hi BOB,
Your site keeps me abreast with the things that happen in my hometown. Thanks for all the information that you put in here. It really drains down the homesickness that I feel quite often. Kudos to you and your staff for keeping this thing going. I also enjoy the pictures that you and MAEJ post in here. All my best. Happy Holidays.
M-A-V-E-R-I-C-K
(Location: Cebu City, Philippines)
(Hometown: General Santos City – The City of the Generals/Pacquiao Country)
Hi M-A-V-E-R-I-C-K – Thanks for visiting the Blog! I am glad that it helps bring you closer to home. I used to live in General Santos myself (am in Davao now), it’s a nice place! Happy Holidays to you also!
Nice job – interesting and informative – no ugly amereekan in your case. Although I am primarily a Siam fan/traveller for the past ten years, having been stationed in Subic for 7 years back in the 60’s and 70’s, your site has re-piqued my interest in the RP. Keep up the good work. Happy holidays. Gene
Hi Gene – thanks for you comment. If you ever come through this neck of the woods, look me up!
Hi Bob
I have been surfing the net for info on Mindanao and came across your site!
My father is coming to Mindanao next month to live and work with some internationl arts council, he is a potter, electrician and masseur by trade (mixed bag of skills)!
Of course I am concerned for his safety, as a close friend was killed in the Bali attacks. Can you please give me a list of do and don’t do activities and places in Minandao?
This is the first time he will be traveling alone (step mother died two years ago)so any contacts he could make before he gets there would be great!
Thanks Bob!!
Alysse
hi,hello My dear Brod Bob i am glad to know that you are one of my friend i hope that you gonna be all right and thanks for visiting us always here in our hometown Lanao del sur u know i believe that there is no place better my home lanao del sur thank you amnd come again.
Mr. Adie Tampi
Law student MSU
Marawi City.Lanao Sur
What would you say is the best business to get into at this time in Gen San City ?
Thanks in advance for your time. Teddy Tedset@hotmail.com
Hi adie_tampi1 – Welcome to my blog! Yes, I do hope to come back for another visit to Marawi City sometime in the near future. I am working on a little project right now that may delay another visit for a few months or so, though. Good luck with your studies at MSU.
Hi Teddy – When it comes to business, I am a firm believer that the best business is always the one that you enjoy doing. I do not think that the way to go about setting up a successful business is to look at what makes the most money and do it. Instead, I feel that you should evaluate your own interests and joys, and choose a business that is something that you enjoy! When you do that, I believe that the odds of success skyrocket! Good luck to you!
Hey there Bob. You probably don’t remember but we met once in passing. I live in Ozamiz City and also have a small beach shack in Miputak, Dipolog at Surfer’s Beach. I read that there are more and more Westerners deciding on Ozamiz as a destination and I operate a safe tour guide for private industry in the states. I can offer anybody information on the stretch from Cagayan to Ozamiz but go back and forth weekly from Ozamiz to Dipolog/Dapitan and and even ferried up to Lano/Illigan and through Dumaguete/Negros and drove all the way to Cebu. I can tell you where the safe places are and the not so in this northern region. The best places to eat and stay the places to keep away from. Some of the best places are also the best kept secrets while the commercial spots are a waste of time and money. I’m putting together another website strictly for pubic viewing. I also work with local carvers who produce bone jewelry and henna artists and recently have discovered some tugas furniture makers with some of the most beautiful and heavy home furnishing I’ve ever seen and I’ve been all over the world. Take care and God Bless, respectfully, Raymond (Triune Dium) aka Reaper
By the way my services are free just in case that sounded like an advertisement. lol
Hi Raymond – it sounds like you have some good things going on over in Ozamiz and the surrounding area. Sometime in early next year I plan to visit Ozamiz and Dipolog as well. I’ll look you up!
Hi Bob,
Am now in town with my wife. We arrived last Dec.12th. I saw the place you took the picture about the rice paddy (Mar.12,2006) I took a picture while the bus was running when we were on our way to Tagum last Wednesday. The picture is almost a duplicate of your shot. Yesterday, we were at the Tuganay Elementary School for their Christmas program and a recognition ceremony after our clan donated two sets of computers. Before stopping at the school, I instructed the driver of the car we hired to go to the place where your beautiful was taken. Now I know the location. It is at Purok 6 at the boundery between Barangay Tuganay and Guadalupe. I have also a copy of it. I can be contacted at my wife cell phone #0919-859-0222.At the moment she is in Tagum again, while I am here at SM Mart typing this messages. We are staying at Hotel Elena in Lanang. On the 26th, we will going to Cebu and be back on the 29th. I will be leaving for the states on the 31st and my wife will stay behind until Mar.29th staying at her brother’s place in Lanang near Elena Hotel. By the way, I saw a sign at the hotel that it is also a WIFI hot spot.Maybe you can add this in your list.
Regards,
Robert
Hi Robert,
Great to hear that you are here in the Philippines! I hope you really enjoy your visit.
Unfortunately, I will have to miss you this time. I have company here from the States right now, and also Christmas is a very busy time for my business, I just can’t break away right now. Next time, though! Let me know when you will be coming!
Take care, and Merry Christmas.
Bob
hello Bob, im from maine state usa, i have traveled mindanao and find that most places safe,some public beaches have been bad experiences for but as you say you can find dangerous places everywhere, i have filippina fiancee in panabo and she is so wonderful to be with,we just recently have a baby in taguam a baby boy weighing 14 pounds, mabe a rocord weight huh lol,i love your website so informative, im waiting for my next trip there in january 2007, hope to hear from you Bob, thanks for the wonderful website full of pics,alot of places i have been to also,ty sincerely Ron
Hi Ron, thanks for leaving your comment! Congratulations on that bouncing baby boy! That’s a big one! If you are ever visiting Tagum or Panabo, please let me know, we’ll meet up for a cup of coffee!
Hi Bob,
Gidday! I’m a New Zealander-Filipino who lived in Cebu for more than 30 years but used to visit different places in Mindanao.I got heaps of relatives up there. Actually, I’m presently living down-under specifically here in Sydney, Australia. I am amased and excited upon seeing you cuddling a young crocodile. Are you the Steve Irwin of Mindanao? If you are, then why not follow the legacy of this great guy who had just passed away from a freak accident while playing with sting ray.I’ll be proud of you if you are promoting conservation of our wild life especially in Mindanao which we Filipinos consider it as a Promised Island.
Sicerely and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You and Your Family,
Aniceto (Ike) Lingcay Bongcawel RN MD BS MSGEnPrac CaptAFP(Res)
Hi Ike – Ha ha… sorry, I’m afraid I could never be another Steve Irwin! He was a unique individual. Or, maybe when you say I should follow in his footsteps, you might mean that you want to pass away like him! Ha ha… just joking! I do enjoy wildlife, but certainly don’t have the passion for it that Steve Irwin did, nor the knowledge. I do consider myself to be sort of an advocate for Mindanao, though. If I can leave even a small mark in that vein, it would make me happy.
Merry Christmas, Ike!
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hi bob nice to read ur blog…. im from Negros, i am writing you to asked more information wat small business is good to put up in Dumaguete City…hope to hear from you… best wishes to your family….
audrey from Africa
Hi Audrey – my very best answer to your question is my response on comment #169 on this page. I will repeat it here:
When it comes to business, I am a firm believer that the best business is always the one that you enjoy doing. I do not think that the way to go about setting up a successful business is to look at what makes the most money and do it. Instead, I feel that you should evaluate your own interests and joys, and choose a business that is something that you enjoy! When you do that, I believe that the odds of success skyrocket! Good luck to you!
hello Bob..this is joy alcoseba from general santos city…i have known your friend robert from gensan.he knows me too..anyway..i would like to send you some pics for ecotourism in general santos city, i am a memebr of the documetary team and as of now we are working for the historical sites and ecotourism in K’laja in general santos city and that was actually the last bastion of the world war 2 and the dwelling place of the japanese during world war 2..we are currently working for it and by next year january we will present it to the local governemnt and afterwards that will be submitted to the national tourism and NHI in manila for the declaraton of the place..that is actualy a very great palce where there are lots of falls and caves which was used by the japanese as their dwelling place, and as thier hopitals, their are caves with stalagmite and stlagtite,i myself have gone into that palce and visited that area to get informations,pics and videos of the said place, i want to promote general santos, as of now the local government is very slow in working for the declartion of that place..the klaja area is so beautiful,there are 13 cascading falls and mountains are made up of kasrts and limestones, i wanna said some photos for publicity…so that people will really see the hidden beauty of general santos city…i hope you email me…
Joy
Hi BOB! MABUHAY!
I really appreciate your website. Can’t help but really appreciate what you have done creating a blog with picturesque Mindanao! The breath of fresh air and fresh food but not so expensive as it is here in Manila. I have been to many parts of Mindanao because I really appreciate that God has bestowed the island with bountiful gifts we cannot find in the busy Manila.
Great! Wish I will be back to the places I’ve been to in Mindanao! The LAND OF PROMISE coming out of its shell. My only regret is that Mindanao could have been more prosperous sans the insurgency and secessionist movement there. Wish our brothers in arms will re-think their position and go back to the folds of civility. Mindanao holds the promise of peace and prosperity and more beautiful than our southern neighbors if we can just maximize this promise it still holds until today since time immemorial.
Again MABUHAY BOB and to your beautiful family and kids! That’ an example of the fusion between the greatness of the east and the west as Mark Twain opined would not meet. But he is wrong as you have manifested establishing a beautiful life in Mindanao! the life I’ve ever wanted to live in my whole life.
Regards and onward MINDANAO!
-Otum
Hi Otum – Thank you for your kind comments!
Bob,
How are you doing? What’s up with the trouble in General Santos??!!!
I will be in the Philippines from 01/14-01/27. The number I can be reached at is: 011 63 9185948896
That is my wife Marisol’s phone. I will be in Cagayan de Oro and for part of that time.
Give me a call if you’re in the area and want to get together!
Cheers!
Craig
Hi Craig – I certainly do want to meet up when you are here. Do you think it is possible that we could meet like half way between Davao and Cagayan? Like in Valencia City, Bukidnon or something? If you don’t have transportation, I understand that. In that case, I will try to see if I can make a trip to CdO during your visit.
I would like to know more about development and project regarding about agriculture and transportations like RAILROADS/RAILWAY PROJECTS as we have the sufficient electric supply in our region to run trains…
Hi Bob,
how is everything. i use to live in Matina Davao City, i wish I could see some pictures form there , i use to remember there were 3 durian candy makers, and i knew all of them (Lola Abons durian candy, Lynns durian candy , and Mincos durian candy). They said that matina changed alot, I might go on vacation soon, I graduated from ADDU. I still remember the GSIS building, and i know there was a radio or tv station in matina, I also remember, ULAS, BANGKAL, Gingerbread bake shop. Matina Pangi, and also the Shine . pls. add some pictures of matina. hope hope to see it in your blog.
Hi Henry – Thanks for leaving your comment! I will try to add some more Matina photos soon!
I am married to a Filipina and we wish to purchase a house and lot in General Santos City. Can you please find some listings and fair market price. I will pay ONLY fair market value after I have it appraised by an independent contractor/inspector. We have a home in Davao where we have lived for the past 12 years.
I am looking for 4br 2 bath. Master Bedroom must have Master bath tub/shower enclosed. single level, small yard.
So, with that said, is there a web site in Gensan That I can visit for real estate there? I look forward to settling with my family in Gensan soon. Salamat po
Hi Bob,I ran into your site and blog and wanted to say that you have soon good info. I visited Davao last Nov. and am returning in Feb. My fiancee lives in davao and we are waiting for here visa approval so I decided to come back to see her over Valentine’s Day. I would love to get together for coffee, we will be staying at the Marco Polo so if you can we would like to meet.
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Ray – Thanks for your comments, I will e-mail you off-site to address your questions.
Hi Steve – If you will be in town after Valentine’s Day, I would be happy to meet you! Unfortunately, the business that I have (WowPhilippines.com) is super busy for the two weeks before Valentine’s Day (we deliver gifts like flowers, chocolates and such). I won’t be able to get out of the office before Valentine’s Day. But, on Valentine’s day, or within a few days after, that would be great! Let me know your schedule.
hi bob,
good day!
hope you’re doing fine.
i am a mother of 4 young girls separated with my husband since 2005.
honestly, im having try time to look for a job… and i want to work for my kids and supply their needs… please help me! im so depressed and down seeking for a job.
iam an hotel and restaurant management grad. from philippine women’s college… i can work with computers. i can cook. and i can do more.
please help me…. you can reach me at this numbers 82-2914698 or 09283663089…..
god bless you and your family
lauren
Greetings Bob and to You and Your Family:
My name is Kenneth (Ken) from North Carolina.. I have traveled to the phils regularly since 2001. Mostly im Mindanao (davao cebu gingoog city butuan cdo iligan city……
I have never been to Dipolog but have had invitations, even as recently as yesterday… have always been skeptical because of security warnings from the U.S. Gov…After accidently running across your web site i feel more at ease now about coming there..
My fiancee is from a small province 30 minutes north of gingoog city (by bus) if anyone contacts u about gingoog city i will be more than delited to share the information i know about the city…In my trips there I have stayed from 3 weeks to 2 months also will gladly help anyone that wants to travel to the places i have visited…..
Again tks Kindly for the info on your place of residence…
God Bless You and Your Love Ones
Kenneth (ken)
Hi Ken – nice to meet you! Thanks for leaving your comment. Just watch out on the site, plenty of people will leave comments with questions about different places. When you see one that you know the answer to, don’t hesitate to jump in with your follow up comment!
Thanks for visiting!
Dear BOB,
I sincerely thank you for this site. Its sort of an honor to all Filipinos, and particularly those from Mindanao.
I am from Tangub City presently managing a French owned aquaculture farm based here in Madagascar (Africa).
Would be great to visit you someday on one of my vacations.
Best regards,
Dodong Tala
Hi Leonido (Dodong Tala) – Thanks for leaving your comment. I’d enjoy meeting you anytime you are in the area. Just let me know!
Hi bob reading through this page it seems you are everybody’s go to guy, so whats one more
seriously i’m planning to go to davao for an exploratory business visit
and as such i would like an insight from an expat/foreigner who has been living there in davao for quite sometime.
Our company is looking to expand our reach but need to know if there is a market there in davao
Im scheduling a meeting with other people in davao as well and it would be great if you can share your thoughts with me.
If you have time please email me and i will be glad to share with you the full details of our visit offline.
thanks
Hi Bob
Great site and I agree with you entirely about MINDANAO. I travelled to Ozamiz City on 12 Dec 06 to marry my intended on 30 Dec 06. I found the people of Ozamiz and surrounding towns in Mindanao to be the friendliest people I have ever come across.
The climate whilst humid, was great, a beautiful city of beautiful people. A lot of the people I met were poor financially but rich in happiness.
I had a wonderful wedding rich in the culture of the Philippines unsurpassed by any I have previously witnessed. I stayed 50 days at the Royal Gardens Hotel in Ozamiz city, a great place to stay and I would recommend it to anybody, very nice and a very affordable tariff for excellent meals and accommodation.
My wifes extended family are all so very nice and friendly. My Filipino wife and I are both Christians and we are very happy indeed and I am so impressed with Ozamiz city and surrounds that I am considering retiring to Mindanao in the future. I have nothing but praise for the Philippines people a wonderful culture.
As for this part of Mindanao being risky, well you could see evidence of past problems but I saw nothing to suggest any current risk. I spent my honeymoon in Dakak, and I would recommend this spot in paradise to anyone wanting a holiday to remember.
I have nothing but praise for Mindanao the southern island of the Philippines a great place and great people.
Kind Regards from Laurie and Arlin
Hi Laurie – I’m glad that you enjoyed your trip to Ozamiz, and your honeymoon in Dakak. I have yet to visit Dakak, but it is on my list of places the I MUST go!
Thanks for leaving your comment here.
hallo bob,
lebe seit 1986 in pphilippines, bin neu zuhause
in tantag sds. kann ich dich einmal treffen? du kennst mindanao
ganz sicher besser als ich, brauche einige informationen von tawi tawi
weil ich moechte dort einen kultur film machen.
gruss von reto
Hi Bob,
You have done a great job with your blog. I am about a year and a half from retirement now, and looking at Davao to move to. It has been a year now since my visit and looking to visit again in August. Take care.
Brad
I am originally from Cotabato City and I’ve been here in London since 2004. I miss being in the Philippines, especially in Cotabato City. It is true that when people hear that you live/from Cotabato they would think that it is all about trouble. Apparently, Cotabato City is a place for everyone who wants to have fun. It is not completely safe but I beleive that not all areas around the city are not safe.
Bob, I really enjoyed reading your blog and I am glad that you like it there. Just keep up all the hard work and God bless you and your family.
Cheers,
Rain
Thanks for your kind words, rain. I have only visited Cotabato City once, but I enjoyed my visit there!
Hi Brad – thanks for your note! If you are coming back to Davao, e-mail me with your schedule, and I’ll be happy to get together and share whatever information I can with you.
Hello Bob,
hello! how are you? im very happy to find your site. You remember Alma and Mario from Gen Santos? Been missing you and Feyma for sometime now. I saw kids pictures and they are growing fast, the youngest being an infant when you were still in GenSan, very surprising to see him grow that big and handsome guy now. We are doing fine here with my 3 kids-they also growing fast. Mario is still with his legislative work and is staying most often in Manila for his job, he visits here regularly though. I hope to meet you and Feyma someday, once again. miss you guys…
alma
Hi Alma – great to hear from you! We see Mario on TV often, and with both of you well. I really would enjoy getting together again. IN the meantime, I believe Feyma spoke to you yesterday…. let’s make plans to get together sometime when Mario is back in town!
Hi Bob,
I have been to Davao to visit my fiance and her family twice since August 2006. I am arriving again on April 5, 2007. We were planning a trip to Boracay but her sister has reccomended Camiguin. I don’t want to fly to Cebu to take a ferry. I would prefer to take a bus to Cagayan de Oro and boat from another town close to there. Does Rural Transit have a good bus to take from Davao? And do you have any idea how long and how much it might cost? I have found several places on the internet to book a stay for a week but I just need to find the best way to get there.
Thank you for any assistance,
Dennis Miller
Thank you for all your nice words about Mindanao though I haven’t been there myself. I wish all the best to your wife and kids. God Bless!
Dennis – I would agree that Camiguin would be my destination! Have fun.
Hazel – thank you for sharing your thoughts. Maybe you can visit Mindanao sometime!
Hi Bob are u still QRV from that QTH ?
I will be from Panabo during 4-07.
May meet u on 7.090 ARAM
73 Maarten
Hi Maarten – Sorry to disappoint, but I haven’t been on the air for about 17 years now. But, if you will be in Panabo, let me know and we’ll get together to have a good chat!
Hi Bob,
I traveling to Davao the end of April and planning on staying at Malagos Garden Resort. Looking for a nice relaxful and peaceful vacation with friends. Do you have any information or pictures on your site/blogs? One of my friends was thinking that the resort is at higher elevation, if so whats the temperture?
Thanx and Great blog, my favorite is the photo blog …
Bill
Hi bob think your blog site is helpful. I am writing to you to see if you can tell me about the villiage Maigo in Lanao del Norte because I may be going there next winter I am from Ottawa Canada and am having hard time finding information about town I will be meeting a girl I have been chating with please I would value your advise thanks.
P.S. it -12 here think your in right spot there take care bye.
hi bob,
i like you blog. a lot. i work at the apo view hotel where i do also promote the tuorist destination in the region. glad to know that you have been promoting it too. by the way, havge you heard of the Aliwagwag Falls? its the highest waterfalls in the philppines located at Cateel, Davao Oriental. it is where i grew up. Ihope one day you can come and visit the place and perhaps do some features of it.
thanks alot.
Richard – I don’t know your extent as a traveler, especially in Mindanao. Generally speaking, for a casual traveler, I don’t recommend that you go south of Iligan City. You are starting to get into some country there that are just natural hot spots for wars. A number of wars over the past 10 years or so have broken out in that general area.
I feel that it would probably work out OK for you, and you’d be safe, but I am not comfortable in advising you to go there. I have spend a fair amount of time on that side of the island, and have gone to areas much more dangerous, but I am a pretty seasoned Mindanao traveler.
Hi Olan – I’m glad to hear that you are enjoying the blog! Keep coming back! Cateel sounds interesting, and Davao Oriental is one Province that I have yet to visit. I’ll see if I can put it on my schedule! Thanks for the tip!
Hi Bill – I was not aware that Malagos had rooms available for overnight stay. That must be something new since my last visit.
To be honest, Bill, I am not excited about your plans to stay there. There are several reasons for this. First, it is very far from town, and getting transportation to town will be difficult, except using the Malagos Van, but I don’t know how readily available that is. Secondly, I think you’ll get bored of the place. Once you have seen it once, there is not a lot to do there.
You are right, it is at a slightly higher elevation. How’s the temperature? Hot! You don’t notice too much difference there. If you want a cooler place to stay, go up into the mountain further, and stay at Seagull Mountain Resort in the Marilog District. It is much cooler there, and there is plenty of hiking and other things to do there. Still inconvenient to get in to town, though.
Personally, I would re-evaluate your plans, but it’s a personal decision.
I’m very proud for exploring our place here in agusan and spreading the good side of mindanao specially here in agusan del sur.
hop to continue ur good and un extra ordinary deeds
May God Bless u always
Hi knt – thanks for your kind words! I really enjoyed Agusan del Sur during my two visits there last year. It’s a Province that is very close to nature, unspoilt, clean and green!
hello Bob! MAbuhay! have a nice day! i feel honored to post a comment here, i am joy alcoseba from general santos city and who will soon be leaving gensan and transfered to laguna soon..but i wanted to post about my place, i am one of the documentor of he historical palce in gensan i want you to please help me promote my place general santos ,specially its tourism, and about the historical place of K’laja…a wonderful place …
God bless!
Hi Joy – thanks for leaving your comment! I just got back home in Davao after a trip to GenSan and the surrounding provinces there. I am not familiar with K’laja, can you tell me more?
hey bob i just wanted to know if there is away to go to the philippines that is not expensive and affordable. alabamna to davao thnx. bebot tayo
Hi Pacifico – Thanks for dropping by the blog. “Not expensive and affordable” means different things to different people, so it’s hard to answer your question. However, my recommendation would be to watch for the airlines for a time when they offer lower rates, sale prices, etc.
hello Bob! thanks for your reply..well k’laja is considered are the last bastion of the world war II…as from our studies…anyway we are working on it yet, its really a very nice place, there are 13 cascading waterfalls and 10 caves that are nature….or natural caves there are also caves which are really made by the japanese during the world war 2, its really at general santos, particularly in Conel..maybe you have seen the mountain before going to Davao…facing left side..the mountain there are called k’laja it is the place where there are really a lot of nature…the water are crystal clear…well we do have already the cd of that place and the place is declared as the local tourist spot if you want to do adventure and the place is safe…but as of now i guess the government is doing the development plan of that place…but i still dont know when will they implement it, they are planning to place a cable car transit to feel and see the beauty of the nature, the mountaind and smell the sweet breeze of the mountain grass…i am one of its documentor and we have been passing the documents this time to the national government for it to be declared…
Hi Bob,
It’s amazing how a foreigner like you love Mindanao…now I can tell my office mates not to worry about my family and I about our upcoming trip. (I can just tell them to check out your blog) And that trip is happening in a couple of days ;-p
I’m originally from GenSan and now residing in Toronto, Canada. This would be my first trip back to GenSan after 12 years! I feel like a foreigner myself ;-D I’m very excited to see my extended family and friends and what’s more to see GenSan City! I have asked a friend of mine if she can recommend a nice beach resort and she said the Isla Parilla. Now I’m wondering, with all the photos I’ve seen and here in your site, it doesn’t really say if it is a beach resort. I wanted to take my family to a nice beach resort – white sand preferrably. Do you have any recommendation?
Anyway, thanks for posting a blog and for this site. I still have more browsing to go…
All the best!
Regards,
Marie
Thank you for sharing aboutk’laja, Marie. It’s interesting to know more.
Hi Marie – Thanks for visiting the blog! I’m glad to hear your comment. Actually, Isla Parilla is not a beach resort, it is an island on a lake. It’s a beautiful place, but no beaches and such! For that, try Tropicana Beach Resort, which is south of the Fishport in General Santos. Enjoy your trip!
Hi bob i am adel lumagod from General SAntos City i am a friend of Shanta Somasundaram from Canada. Bob doyou know about the route from gensan to cagayan de oro and 3 places to stop on the way, with hotels, preferably in mountain areas?
Thank you so much bob….
Actually told me he has a copy of the mail that you sent but suddenly he lost it. Would you mind to send it in my email add?
adel
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your suggestion. We will try to go and check out Tropicana Beach Resort. The Isla Parilla sounds and looks nice but the last thing we want to do is swimming in a pool
or be in a lake only coz it’s what we have here in Toronto. We want BEACH for a change 
Again, thank you! And just so you know, I’m one of those people who appreciate you putting up a site about Mindanao. Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Marie
Bob,
Will be on island soon and would like to look you up if time allows.
Mark Worden
hi bob,
ive been following ure blog with great interest as i am visiting the philippines with my mother in april. i am most looking forward to it and was wondering if you wanted to meet irl would be nice to have a fellow american to show me the sights.
belinda
Hi Belinda,
If you will be in Davao, I would be happy to meet you and show you around town. Before you leave, please e-mail me and I will gladly give you my contact details here in Davao City.
Hi Bob I am an Englishman living in Koronadal City. I am married to a Filipina. I am a long time resident. I have to go to MacGregor coffe shop to go on line and I found your site by chance. Have a good life.
Thank you George
Hi George – nice to meet you! If you ever happen to visit Davao City, please let me know, I’d enjoy meeting you. I was in Koronadal City last week! I wish I had known you before. Maybe we will meet up sometime.
dear bob,
i came across with your blog and it seems very interesting one. please include me in your mailing list i would be very grateful to join in your activities( if you have such) regarding mindanao issues particularly peace related and environmental. good luck and more power.
paje
Hey bob thanx for the info! So your telling me that if I were to go to bayugan city that I would have no problems at all??? I am an american and my fiance lives in bayugan I will be there in july and I was just curious about my surroundings and what to expect?? E-mail me back if you can that would be awesome and thank you again.
-mark
Hi Mark – I have visited Bayugan, and it’s a quiet and peaceful place. I just can’t imagine that you’d run into any kind of problem in that area! I would go there and have a good time, if I were in your shoes!
Bob, I enjoy reading your website and gaining some needed information. I am married to a filippina and we are expecting a baby on May 27. She is in the final process of obtaining her visa but I think we have decided to live over there in Davao instead due to the cost of living. I am on Social Security disability and thus have a very limited income. Could you please help me with some questions I have before I get there? I have already lived in Makati from Dec. 2005 to Jan. 2007 so I am familiar with the Philippines but not with Davao which sounds like a much better and cheaper place to live. First of all is it easy to find a 2 bedroom furnished house in the 15 to 20 thousand peso per month range? Also if we are not in the middle of the city is it easy to get taxi service? Is your mail delivered to your house or do you have to go to the post office to get it? I know you say it is better to get the 13a visa before I leave the states but due to time restraints I will have to do it there. I just renewed my tourist visa in the past but I will get the 13a this time. How long does it take and how much will it cost and can I use an outside party such as a travel agency for assistance? Thank you for your time and I hope to hear back soon. Gary
hi bob! thank you for your promoting Mindanao in such a “delectable” way. I myself moved back here in davao after almost 3 years of working in jungle manila. i’m a lawyer by profession and an entrepreneur by passion. Davao is HEAVEN! My present job takes me to different parts of Mindanao, but the way i see it you’ve been to more places in Mindanao than I did. quite embarassing for a native mindanaoan. i had the chance to meet Datu Toto Paglas in Manila about a year ago. had a few bottles with him. great guy. a man of vision. maybe we could sit down and enjoy davao coffee one of these days, give me a ring at 300-6609. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! God Bless!
Hi Tata – I would really enjoy getting together with you for coffee sometime! Being as we are both entrepreneurs, I am sure we can coem up with some interesting conversation! I’ll give you a call when I am available.
Thanks for leaving your comment!
Hello Bob,
I have posted some previous comments on your interesting Safety Site.
I will be flying from England to Davao for my fifth visit in late May except this time I will be coming over with my Filipina wife. I would be really interested to meet up with you and hear what it is like to be permanently based over there. I would be also pleased to share my own experiences of Davao, Manila and Ozamiz. I have recently begun to write a book about my love affair with Phil and the way I met my wife through a web based Introductions agency. It contains some advice for middle aged guys like me who were looking for love on the rebound. Of course I would be grateful for any tips from an established writer like yourself !!
If you are interested in meeting up and have the time just let me know your contact details.
In the meantime good health and happiness to you and your family
NEVILLE & GRACE
hello i would like to give to you some pics and background of the palce klaja on a blog….i hope you can have ideas in it
hello i would like to give to you some pics and background of the palce klaja on a blog….i hope you can have ideas in it.. and you can open http://www.klaja.blogspot.com
hello i would like to give to you some pics and background of the place klaja on a blog….i hope you can have ideas in it.. and you can open http://www.klaja.blogspot.com
Very nice site….
God bless you and your family!
Hi Amanda – thank you for your nice comments! I wish the same for you and your family.
hello everyone i have added the pics at http://www.klaja.blogspot.com i hope people will appreciate the nature and history….i know everybody will love to see that place that there is a hidden beauty in general santos city that has not given a fast development…i hope the national government will be able to look at it and see that there is beauty and a historical place in K’laja…
Hey.
I am a Norwegian that travels with my family to Davao City once every year. My wife is a filipina and we have to boys aged 4 to 6 and expecting one more. We are planning on taking permanent residence in Davao City in about two years from now. To do that, l will have to go back to Norway to work every two or three months. At least in the beginning. Do you have any suggestions of what kind of business that you can make a decent living out of over there?
Regards
Per Hugo Olsen
ps. Liked your article
Hi Per Hugo – When you come to Davao, look me up! Let’s get together and talk about business and such. I feel confident that I can help you in finding a way that you won’t have to go back to Norway for a significant part of your life to make money. I am fortunate that I have been able to avoid that kind of situation myself.
Thanks for coming up with this site Bob. You are greatly helping Mindanaons for this initiative.
By the way I was an international voluntêer of VSO UK assigned in Bangladesh in 2004-2005. My skills area is participation and gơod governance. i WAS WORKING WITH 14 VILLAGES , two international NGOs (VSO Bangladesh and Care Bangladesh) for our climate change project in the southwest.
I am presently connected in theMunicipality of makilla, north Cotabato as focal person for the Agri Deve Program
Would appreciate if you can link us up with any interested parties who may want to invest in Makilala. Our Municipality is a rubber plantation area, and we practically control rubber processing here.
Firestone Tires used to have its plantation but eventually left due to the CARP. It was one of the best company here, model for gơod managment, salary scale and works for the farmers and residents.
Gơod luck and congratulations.
james zamora
Hi James – thanks for your comments and good luck with your work in North Cotabato!
Hi there Bob! I am an avid visitor of your blog and I am grateful for sharing your passion with us. Keep up the good work!
Check my site http://www.insidecaraga.uk.to for news and updates in Caraga. Thanks!
Hi Carl – thanks for visiting, and good luck with your website.
Great site, Bob! Very good looking kids! We are into outsourcing, please check us out at http://www.islandtechph.com
Hi!Bob April 8/07
Good job…for promoting my beloved and missed place in the whole world…Mindanao esp…Davao City where my one of my brother live.But I am born in Tagum.I spent my 36 years living there and teach their for 16 years in Magugpo Pilot Imelda Elem.School in Tagum City.Now,I reside in Salem , Massachusetts for 3 yrs.since I got married to a Chinese-American man.I am so sad to be away .It’s not really the same.My husband are to go back by Oct.2009 for good.I am looking forward to go home to my safest and livable place “”The Mindanao”
Hope to see you there!~!~!
Bob: I love reading your Blog, My soon to be fiancee is fron Surigao del Sur, and we will be flying in to Surigao from Manila in May. I am from Kansas City and have been to Manila for my work many times, but never anywhere south. Can you recommend a place to stay for a few nights close to or in Surigao del Sur?
hello…how are u bob? by the way Im from surigao del sur but as of now i am here in davao just for my work…i love reading your blogs, thanks for appreciating our nature here…..wishing u the best please extend my regards to your family..GOD BLESS
Hi lhen – thank you for your nice comment, I appreciate it a great deal!
take care always GOD bless
Hi Bob, nice site. Just wanna ask Bob, is there any US embassy in Davao? somebody told me there is, i just want to confirm. thanks… more power & god bless
Hi An – There is no United States Embassy in Davao. The USA maintains an Embassy in Manila, and a part time Consulate in Cebu City. Around twice per year the USA sends a field team to Davao for one day to handle embassy related matters. They generally offer these services at the Marco Polo Hotel, and usually around April and October, although the schedule is not fixed.
musta bob? first i like to thank you for creating this site. i have a love affair for the philippines. i dont have to tell you how beautiful of a place it is. i have a passion much like you do for enterpreneurship. i have trademarked a clothing line and would like advice from you as to how to get it started in the phils because i’d like to create much needed jobs there as well as to relocate there.
can you help me?
sincerely , craig p.
Hi Craig – Do you mean that you wish to produce the clothing here and export it? I don’t know too much about that business. What I do know is that there is some kind of trade limit as to how much clothing can be imported from the Philippines into the USA. So, you would need to research into that. I could probably help you locate a tailoring or seamstress operation that could assist in the production.
Hi Bob,
I have found my son’s Birth family in Polomolok and we want to met them.
what us the current situation as far as safety? WE are American. I don’t worry about myself sp much as my 16 yr old son. The US has a travel advisory for all of the Philippines…….
Thanks for your time,
Sue
Hi Sue – You can go visit Polomolok without any fears, it’s a safe place for Americans to visit. I am American also, and I go there frequently. I have a Canadian friend who is visiting there right now too. The biggest problem about your 16 year old son is that he will probably have a LOT of girlfriends in that area by the time you go home!
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Bob,
My name is Felina, a Bayuganon who now lives and works in UK.I came across your website while surfing out of desperation to find some articles and pictures of my beloved Agusan Del Sur especially my hometown Bayugan which I can show to my doubtful and scared British bf.I am just very glad to read your blog and some pictures as well as read some sensible questions and comments from the other people in have read your blog and seen your photo gallery….thank you so much for people like you who has a good appreciation in Mindanawan way of life.I used to travel to some beautiful places in Mindanao,one of these days I will send you some pictures and hopefully you will feature them in your blog.
Regards from Felina of Northants,UK
Hi Felina – thank you for visiting! It is my pleasure to share with you and your boyfriend the beauty of Mindanao!
Hi ‘Crocodile’ Bob,
Great site! Very informative! Keep up the good work!
Would love to meet with you and your lovely family when I visit Mindanao. Let me know if you need info/technical help on building a muni/rural wifi infrastructure.
Cheers,
Rob
from Google town, Ca.
Hi Rob – Glad you enjoyed the site! Whenever you make it to Mindanao, please let me know, we’ll get together for coffee, lunch or something. I am OK on the Wifi front, but would enjoy meeting you.
Hello Bob – I know the feeling of truly loving this country (philippines) and Zamboanga/Mindanao. I was recently there, yet seems a long time ago, back in January ‘07 and was engaged to a wonderful/beautiful woman there. The only reason we were not married is because of time contraints…my work here. However, now we are in the process of either filing a fiance’ visa or possibly, maybe, me relocating there. I would love to be there, I love my finace very much and the country, however, if I were to move there, Im not sure what I would do for work……any suggestions? Take Care & Bless You & Your Family!
Hi davidj – thanks for visiting my blog! I appreciate your comment. What to do for work? Well, honestly, I get asked that question many times, and my response to you will be the same as I tell everybody else. I believe that you should always do what you have a passion for. Choose what you do based on what you love. If you do that, you will always succeed in the long run.
great site and awesome job promoting a beautiful place. i am currently getting ready to hoist sail and circumnavigate with the island of mindanao as the likely place to drop anchor permanently. samal island of davao, macajalar bay of cdo are two of my options. can you possibly give any input on those areas and possibility of putting up a marina.
Hello Bob, I lived in the Philippines from 1984-1991 and I had a great time. I was able to attent the peoples revolution those were interesting times. I came home shortly after the Pinatubo eruption. I am also married to a filipina with two daughters. I came across this Mindanao.com site looking for news on Surigao Del Norte violence this coming elections as my wife is from there. But I was unable to find much news, I was told by the Foex company that my box’s sat in Surigao city due to election violence. I do not know which excuse to believe. I am fairly new to the computer world so perhaps I missed it. Have you heard of much violence in Surigao city this pased april of 2007? The best advice I can pass your way is to remain faithful to your wife and family. Mabuhay
Hi Bob, sorry, but I have not heard of any election violence up in Surigao del Norte. If there was any such problem, it must have been minor.
Maayong hapon, Bob!
I am planning for a FREE city-wide symposium on website business. I just want to let everyone know about the great potentials of having an informative website to advertise with. It will be a tremendous boost in their sales. We have lots and lots of creative webpage enthusiasts and many more businessmen in this city. If these two groups could merge, it’ll gonna be a win-win situation. I am hoping for your great ideas about this coming event. Can you come and share with us? It will be a great honor.
Rey in Gensan City
Hi Rey – kindly let me know the date, time and location of the symposium. If my schedule is clear at that time, I will gladly consider attending.
Daghang salamat, Bob!
You made my day! I am planning to set it one week ahead of e-business week this coming June. Maybe, it might fall on the first week or second week. Anyway, I would prefer anyday on next month as long as you are there with us. It’s only some working Filipino youth trying to help other jobless youth. The program is aimed to generate more website-management jobs within the city.
Certainly, I cannot tell all the specific details thru this blog but I know you got the bottomline. Won’t I be so bothersome if we can discuss these things personally? At your convenient time and place, of course. Please?
Rey in Gensan City
Hi, Bob!
My husband and I are planning a Luau(Hawaiian themed wedding)on our 8th year anniversary. Do you have any idea or suggestion where we should have it? ( my choices are Davao and GenSan). And how confident should I be in inviting my husband’s family and friends from the States? They already have this “Mindanao means a dangerous island” concept and I really want to change all that. Hope you could help me on this one coz I am still planning on how to make their arrival in Manila smooth and hassle free (that is if they decide to go)for it’s been always a problem for my family arriving and getting out of the airport.I just want everything to be well planned before I give them the invitation. It’s going to be a big group of foreigners that I’m going to entertain and keep safe and I hope you understand my concerns. I just want everybody to be there and change how they feel about going to the Philippines, especially Mindanao.
Thanks a lot.
Hi and hello, have just been newly browsing this kind of site which hadn’t interests me at all and am amazed to know that there are americans like you who aren’t afraid to live there in Mindanao.I myself, came from Mindanao, Davao, but grew up in Zamboanga City, my mother’s hometown.I came to marry in Switzerland and have been living here since 1984.
I envy you, I myself, a Filipina, am even afraid to try to settle down in my own country of origin. We lived apart for too long that I don’t know where to go to anymore.And since both our parents have long since passed away,I just thought there’s no more turning back, but my heart still yearns to be home….but where to? Though I have 2 grown up sons and a daughter, I live alone now, I’m yearning to go back but am too afraid because I have never been alone for too long….. and not that far!
Hi Anarizona – I can certainly understand your feelings – trying to convince people that Mindanao is safe is what I have been trying to do for years. Those who come here generally go home with changed minds. Those who won’t come here can rarely be convinced that it is safe here. I recommend that you do your party in Davao – it indeed is more safe than GenSan, and I would hate for something to happen and ruin your plan. Indeed, the airport in Manila is a hassle, and I know of no way to avoid that. Good luck with your plan! I hope that it works out without a hitch!
Hi a zuend-ventura – There are actually many Americans and other foreigners living here in Mindanao. Personally, I think that Davao City is the safest city in the Philippines. I encourage you to come back, look around, and see what you think! I don’t think there is anything to fear.
Hi, Bob. Me too am glad there’s one thig like your blog. I’m from Mindanao but I spent more than 20 years of my life in Luzon. Whenever the Tagalogs knew that I was from Mindanao, they would immediately think that I was a Muslim. I am not a Muslim, and not all from Mindanao are Muslims. We live in the coastal areas and that’s where the Christians usually are. Nevertheless, we don’t separate ourselves from the Muslims. It’s just that we differ a little bit on our sub-culture. Many Muslims now are, however, becoming more educated, modernized and empowered. I am interested to write more about the people and places in Mindanao, especially the livelihood that they do so that I too can contribute to making a better picture of Mindanao. You maybe can help me start efficiently. Thank you and more power.
Hi Mimi – I certainly understand how it is in Manila or elsewhere! My wife is from Mindanao, and she attended school in Cebu. Everybody there was scared of her and thought she was Muslim. They don’t realize that the Muslim population is a minority even here in Mindanao! And also, the vast majority of Muslims are not dangerous anyway! Good luck with your writing!
Hi, there!
I lived in Manila for few months and I was getting the same reaction/treatment whenever people learn that I was from Mindanao(I am 1/2Bisaya, 1/2 Pampango). I thought that was nonsense because the simple truth is: Muslims are not scary people and anybody could be scary.
When I came home from abroad sometime in August of 2004, the airline guy who checked me in (Manila-General Santos)started singing a Christmas Song while weighing my luggage (I was quite sure he was singing for me because I was the only customer at that time). He was really nice(and singing the whole time too). Then he asked me, “Are you a U.S.citizen? Are you here for a Christmas vacation?.” What??? Christmas in August? He even wanted to see my passport which I thought was inappropriate(domestic flights don’t do that, am I right or am I right?). Fortunately, my last name sounds Muslim if you say it with Bisaya accent, so I told him: “I am a Muslim, I live in Mindanao and I am not here for a Christmas vacation.” And from there, everything changed. He got serious and stopped singing. He said, “Have a nice flight.” I said, “Merry Christmas.” Until now, I’m still not sure what he was up to but I think, those kind of people in Manila are the “scary ones.”
Still in Manila, my brother and I were on a bus and we were talking in Bisaya and I guess the “Kunduktor” must have heard us so he started singing in a mocking way, “ang mga bisaya sa Manila dumarami…( well, there’s no such album, he just made that up!) So, I called his attention and asked him if he had a problem with us, Bisaya. Of course his answer was NO but I told him anyway, “Guess what, the Bisaya people are here to conquer Manila and we are going to take over.”
I wonder-Is singing the best way to express any kind of feelings in Manila? Hmmmm…
Peace.
Hi Anarizona – Ha ha.. I really enjoy your sense of humor! It brightened up my day!
Great blog. As a Filipino, I’d like to thank you for loving this country, especially Mindanao. This island has gotten a lot of bad publicity when it comes to safety. I was born and raised here in Mindanao, and there’s no other place I’d choose to live but here. The news about safety hazards are so overrated.
Again, thank you for patronizing this part of the country. We’d like to have more people like you to come around, especially here from my place, Cagayan de Oro.:-)
http://www.visitcagayandeoro.com
Hi Lance – thanks for your nice comments. If you ever make it down to Davao, let me know, I’d enjoy meeting up!
hi bob! thanks for the good things you’ve said about mindanao. some say, it’s a lost paradise but i say, it’s heaven on earth. i am from motorpool, tubod, surigao del norte and an ofw here in bermuda.
keep up the good work!
Hi, Bob- About the Luau. My husband and I have decided to just do it in GenSan coz that’s where most of our friends live and non of his family or friends are really crazy(right now)about going there. But we have also decided to travel around Davao after the party. It’s gonna be early next year so, see you guys there?
hello! ~ its nice to know that Mindanao is not as dangerous as many people thinks. We got friends there, but I always been hesitant to visit there bcoz of the news thats been spreading around. I admire your bravery Bob, it will surely take guts for a foreigner to live there. Maybe its really not that dangerous, its just that Media NEWS sometimes focus so much on the bad news…usually when there is bad news, it spread like wildfire in a minute, when its good news, chances are, it will disappeear into thin air.
I love the Durian Candies from Davao!
Hi anarizona – thanks for the update on the Luau. I bet you are going to have a great time! If we are invited to the party, we’ll make every effort to be there!
Hi MangoGirl – You are right, it’s really not that dangerous here. Hey, if you love the durian candies, you will surely love the real thing too! It doesn’t get better than fresh durian from Davao!
Hi Dong D. – I plan to visit Surigao del Norte soon. Not sure where Motorpool, Tubod is though!
No problem. I’ll give you more updates as we get closer, ok? Regards.
just wanna say your so cute Bob!!! im a chubby guy fan!
hello bob,
im from iligan city, thank you for telling the truth about mindanao. take care of your family bob … thanks!!! i love your text.. ooops… i hope you also visit iligan city, it’s nice there. had many falls and cold spring swiming pools…. it’s cheap bob try …. heheh…
enjoy bob..
hello bob,
im from iligan city, thank you for telling the truth about mindanao. take care of your family bob … thanks!!! i love your text.. ooops… i hope you also visit iligan city, it’s nice there. had many falls and cold spring swiming pools…. it’s cheap bob try …. heheh…
enjoy bob..
Hi Gwinch – Wow! I am flattered!
Hi Albert – I visit Iligan City quite often! I have a lot of friends there, and I probably end up visiting Iligan 3 or 4 times every year!
Thanks for your comments!
Hi Bob. I really sorry for this..
Im searching a web in mindanao. To create my blog or express my feelings.
I know Theres a lot of good places in mindanao..
But this is a warning to everybody in mindanao or even here in manila.
Dnt trust muslim, they will make your life Hell!!
Please Help me..
Hello XXX – I am sorry to say, but you have shown yourself to be a racist and bigoted against Muslim people. On top of that, you are a coward, because you won’t even display your name with your comment! For every Muslim that you can show me who is bad to deal with, I can show you a Christian who is the same. I feel bad for you that you have such a childish attitude. Wake up!
hey bob, what website can we go to to find the chepest flight through davao?
Hi Pacifico – Sorry, I really don’t have any recommendation on that.
bob
you just made my day here in virginia.
im touch and almost cry because i miss my country.
the last time i was home was 1996. thanks for the
beautiful picture and the reality of what a pilipino is.
to the xxxrated guy what level of education do you have?
you sounds like trying hard.
Hi bobbyd – thanks for visiting my blog. I am happy that it helped you feel at home!
Hi Bob my name is Frederick G Williams an (AMERICAN) I have been living in Manila for the past fourteen (14) years. I have Two (2) kids, married to a Filipina,who’s province is in Malaybalay.We will move to VIOLETA,next April our son will enter high school next year(June 2008).Can you give me some information on schools in that area.(VALENCIA or MALAYBALAY..Private schools that are English speaking.I know that you can help me and i hope to see you when i get in your area. FRED .
Hello, I noticed you said you had several businesses and been involved? Well, me too, as I kept getting ripped off over there constantly being begged out of my money and being framed if I did not give it up. I think the place stinks to Heaven because of these !!!! bastards that never cease to look for a way or opportunity to take you for a real ride. I learned my lesson very hard and to hell with those bastards overly. Don’t get me wrong, but there are some good and if not the whole damn place would fall into the ocean.
How about a snack? Give me, Give me, Give me, damn I need a snack and if you don’ then I will frame you, Got that!
Hi Frederick – I don’t have information on specific schools in Malaybalay or Valencia, but I am sure you can find a good one in either place. That’s a nice area! Yes, be sure to look me up when you are down this way!
Hi Floyd – I am sorry to hear of the problems you have encountered. It sounds, though, like you have a very bad attitude. Perhaps if you have a more positive outlook you won’t be approached by such people in the first place. I have not had this kind of problem.
Hi Bob,
I’m so impressed with your site though this is my first time.And thanks God that I met a friend from net whos from England who told me about you.I dont know how and when to start about my concern.I am one of the teachers here in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. I was a teacher in one of the private schools here for 6 yrs.After that, I resigned from my job coz I applied in the public school wherein I was hired August 22, 2006.It’s really painfun in my heart to see these poor children not only under my advisory but for the whole school.You know that the Government couldn’t provide everything. We lack books for references, and other facilities.What I wanted to share is that I wanted to help these children but I’m not that rich to do so.I am telling you bout this coz maybe you could help me find someone or companies who are willing to offer a help by giving any donations or school materials to those indigent pupils.Some of them, doesn’t go to school for they dont have food to eat.Others dont even have a good pair of slippers and their clothes are even dirty and looks like rags.Hope Bob you could help me bout my concern.Please contact me through my mail cherryllynnabroguea@yahoo.com or my mobile number:+639207124063.
Thanks and May GOD BLESS YOU AND UR FAMILY
Hi Cherryl Lynn – Thanks for visiting my website, I’m glad that you did so, and were impressed with what you found.
I am very aware of the plight of public schools here in Mindanao and throughout the Philippines. In my travels I have visited so many schools and seen the problems that they have. Now that you have left your comment along with contact details, perhaps you will hear from some of our readers here and they will have ways that they can help you.
Good luck to you!
Hello Frederdrick I can recommend Mountain View college in Valencia city Bukidnoon. This is private christian school run by a Seventh Day Adventist. A very nice school wih world class facilities. Many foreign students are studying in this school. I can assure you just check this site http://www.mvc.edu.ph/main/index.php for more information.
God Bless,
Almer
hi..I”am Ryan 18 years old high school graduate looking for a job email me at ray52x@yahoo.com.au
I read your article on how the foreigners were almost or did get scammed by some Immigration person. Well, Bob, my attitude is real and maybe bad because of how I was treated too. I went initially to be with someone I felt needed me but found out that not only was I needed by her but needed by the whole family for my soul. I barely escaped with my life. I gave out of my heart to everyone at first until I saw through how I was being used and that hurts. Yes, I got a bad attitude towards these kind and I maybe am not as smart as you on recognizing scams but as everyone knows the whole world is full of them. Even the Garden of Eden was screwed up because of Evil and believe me evil is there waiting for you. Some day it will be your turn and maybe your maid will be the one whom hands it to you on a platter. I say to you be careful as many of my known friends have been jailed on false charges to obtain their money and possessions. I was, and after I was arrested the police and others broke into my home and robbed everything I had. I was beaten by a policeman, put in jail for over three and half months and extorted money and property from me. Even my wife whom is Philipina was called a traitor and placed into jail with me too. Yes, I got a bad attitude. My passport was stolen by a immigration official. I was pickpocked by a huge Philipina man and his friends. I was robbed in Antique and almost killed by gunmen and witchcraft. If you do not believe that then remember I told you about a thing called an ASWANG. It is real buddy. I felt it and saw it in action. i met some fine Philipina people there and will not ever forget them. I remember one night leaving Caticlan going througn Bowanga near Libertad when an unsusual storm came up on me. Lighting bolts everywhere while I was sliding through rock and mud down the mountain backroads on my bike. It was very icy cold rain and heavy and luckily I made it to a persons house whom could help out and they did. This lady invited me into her home and lent me clothes to put on and fed me by a fire she built to keep me warm as I was dreaded cold from the storm. Her husband came home from fishing late that night and gave me a very good welcome. It cost me nothing. It was free. Now, I want to send them money for being good to me but you know they might never receive it because of corruption in controlled places. These are the normal people and some call them NPA. The real dirty ones are in the government and I doubt they would care for you very long but these people would keep you forever in their homes, so you see Bob, there are good ones over there too with good attitudes but the bad ones cause the bad attitudes in good people. My bad attitude comes from those kind and not the ones that were good to me, however I met and found more bad than good. That formed my opinion to not care anymore for helping out the good ones for fear of meeting bad ones that framed me and took everything I held sacred in my heart for them. I am Christian by faith but of course all falls short of the Glory of God. I pray for you to never run into a bunch looking for their opportunity to take you for a real ride. Take care, Floyd
Floyd – bad things happen in every country of the world. The Philippines is no exception. I am sorry that bad things happened to you. Try to have a more positive attitude, it will certainly make for a happier life for you.
HELO BOB! ITS ME AGAIN
Hello Bob!
Story of Floyd is true, some people were doing like that. And it is true that ASWANG are real, but not just that there were also people never be killed by bullets and swords or knife. Because they pray for their own gods or shall we called pagans. We called it “orasyion” they pray to keep them strong.
Have you seen a NEWS just a few years happen near in CAGAYAN DE ORO, they were called TAD-TAD. There were shoot by guns of army, but not killed and many soldiers there were killed, they were being slice by the TAD-TAD(they using sword of devil). And we all know that good is always win. Because of the faith of the people there and soldiers, the TAD-TAD were captured and jail some were dead by bullets.
im just sharing with you this story in parts of Mindanao. You can see the swords of TAD-TAD in the museum of XAVIER UNIVERSITY in CAGAYAN DE ORO.
Many unbelievable things you can see in the philippines!
Thanks for sharing that, Albert. Everybody has their beliefs, and I respect their right to believe what they want. I also have my beliefs. I personally don’t believe in Aswangs and such, but I respect that you can believe in that if you so choose.
Hi Bob, While I must say that I sympathize with the treatment Floyd has received, every country in the world has it’s own version of this kind of thing some worst than others, but you don’t dump a barrel of apples when you find one or even two apple are bad. Let’s not forget “we” are not above reproach (we being the developed world???:-)) and how a lot of “us” treat Filipinos in our countries. It’s very easy to show things out of perspective. We all get a knock at least once in our lives, let’s all hope Floyd is now over his hardest knock. Pick yourself up Floyd, brush yourself off and move on.
Hi Jack – You echo my sentiments exactly! Thanks for sharing!
12:24 AM Thursday, June l4, 2007
Hello Bob. I have been reading and looking at the photos you and family have taken in your travels around Mindanao for some time now thru the Website.
I am a Dabawenyo and was sponsored to the states by my sister-in-law living in New Jersey. I know of many foreigners living there having married filipina wives. In fact, my widowed younger sister who married an American in Tucson, Arizona has a small lot in Samal Island. I heard they will be leaving for the Philippines this coming December.
I am at present in Canada on a six (6) months visit and living in my son’s house at Whitby, Ontario. I am retired now but will find some kind of menial work when I return to the U.S.
Nice to know you are a “HAM” operator too. Will get in touch with you more if I received a reply from you. Regards to the family.
73’s Have a nice day. ED
Hi Ed – I will respond to you via private e-mail.
enjoy the pics and some of the blog. soon i will be visiting cagayan de oro. nice to know americans enjoy the philipines. it is a beautiful country
Hi harley mullen – thanks for your continued visits to my site! I do hope you enjoy the site and find it informative. You are right, the Philippines is a beautiful country.
Hi Bob,
I grow up in Tacurong, got a job in Davao and now im married an Australian guy. and reside here in Australian. Last two years ago me and my family stayed in Royale Hotel in Gensan, my husband and his friend really like and having shopping in Gaisano just opposite in the hotel.
Good on you! stayed in Gensan, actually encouraged some other foriegners to visit Mindanao, too.
Hi Ana – thanks for your kind thoughts. I appreciate it. If you and your husband make it back here for a visit, be sure to look me up! I’d enjoy meeting both of you.
Great blog, Bob! Have you visited Bislig City? If not not then please find time and try to visit tinuy-an falls. I think it’s a nice place to develop as a tourist attraction. God bless you and your family.
Hi Edwin – Yep, I’ve been to Bislig! If you search the archives you can find a number of posts about my trip there.
Hi bob,do you have any pic from Maguindao? please send me, just for my studies bout there, thanks a lot
Hi Haljir – I have lots of photos of Maguindanao! You can go to the Photoblog (just click on the Photoblog tab at the top of this page in the gold background) and type “Maguindanao” into the search box. Or, go to the PhotoGallery (link also at the top of this page), and go to the Mindanao Provinces gallery, then click on the Maguindanao Gallery.
hey bob,,,been living here in Mindanao since March 2006. Married a lovely young lady and have a 2 month old baby boy. Originally from NC, USA and, have no plans on leaving here. I’d like to meet other foreignors living near me.
Thanks for the comprehensive blog on Nueva Ecija, my wife’s home town. I could not glean that much info concentrated on her home area if i had to do it myself. I plan to retire to the philippines with her, and your info on mindanao makes me want to visit despite the widespread notions. BTW, is the croc alive, or your pet, or…..? Thanks for the good site!
( didn’t read all 328 previous posts )
Hi ray J – Thanks for visiting! Always great to have a new visitor. The croc is indeed alive. It’s not a pet, though.
Hi Francisco – Thanks for dropping by! Where about in Mindanao do you live? I am in Davao City. I’d enjoy getting together if you are in the area.
hi bob,
i’m from spore, which is only a couple hrs from manila.
am wondering how do i get to general santos city from manila.
am planning a trip there, to check out the plce sometime soon.
apprecaite yr guide, and infor.
thanks/regards,
eugene
Hi Eugene – You can catch a flight from Manila to General Santos City on Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific Airlines. They all operate a regular flight schedule between Manila and GenSan. Alternatively, if you are coming from Singapore, you could fly into Davao City, and then travel by land to General Santos.
Thanks Bob, for the very prompt response.
Btw, how far is Manila from Gen Santos, and likewise
from Davao City to Gen Santos.
Wud you happen to know which route wud be faster, in terms
of air travel and land travel.
Spore-Manila-GenSantos – flight time
Spore-Davao-GenSantos – flight/land time
Understand all of these plces are in Mindanao, perhaps some
more infor on geographical location could set me on the right course.
Sorry to be a trouble, just got on this site today, and am
still not familiar with the whereabouts of each city.
My focal interest is on General Santos City.
Thanks for being a help, Bob.
Regards,
Eugene
Hi Eugene – Just to be sure, Manila is not in Mindanao, it is on the island of Luzon. I am sorry, but I don’t know the flight time from Singapore to Davao or Manila, I haven’t flown that route before. It should be easy to check online, though.
Manila is about 900 Km north of Davao. GenSan is about 150Km south of Davao. Land travel from Davao to GenSan is about 2 1/2 hours. Flight from Manila to GenSan is about 2 hours. It will take a lot longer by the time you figure airport time, etc. Your quickest route would be to fly to Davao and take a bus to GenSan.
Good luck!
Hi Bob,
Thank you for this website, it is highly appreciated. Again thank you
Leah
Hi Leah – Thanks for taking the time to leave your comment! This website is really a pleasure for me, I enjoy meeting people through the website!
Hi Bob, I’ve been to Mindanao. Gen San City.
Now, and for the last six years I’m married to a lady from Negros Occidental. We have some land there and have thought about building a small resort, catering to Westerners. You have a beautiful family. Most Westerners just don’t get it yet. Filipinas are NUMBER ONE!!! They’re the best women on the planet! You and I have joined a growing fraternity of FilAms who were lucky enough to link up with good women and wonderful people in the Philippines. Email me sometime.
Take care,
Mike Walker-Port Lavaca Texas,USA AND Isio, Cauayan, Negros Occidental,PI.
Bob, excuse me for bloging again so soon. But when I first looked at this site I felt an urge to send in my opinion. I wished I would have read more of your blog first. Then I would have had more sensible things to say. Ok, here is something; Floyd!!! Get real man!!!! You can get taken for a ride in good ol’ Houston Texas. Maybe even wake up dead there. I’ve been going to Houston since the early 1950’s and I never had a bad experience, even though I read about people that have them everyday. I’ve been going to the Philippines since 1997, and guess what? I never had a bad experience there either. Bob is right. The key to it all is a positive attitude plus some good common sense. It sounds like to me you allowed yourself to get in some bad situations because you weren’t careful. When I go to Manila or Bacolod or Maktan Cebu or Dumaguete or wherever, I walk all over the place. I talk to the people like I’ve been there all my life. I eat street food with them(and never been sick, YET, though I’m not advocating this practice, just in case maybe I been lucky) AND, I treat them with respect. BUT, I don’t ever let my guard down for a second. AND, if I do walk around in an unfamiliar place, I always have an escourt who I know I can trust. Also, I never flash my money or dress like I’m a rich American. I go native. I know it’s hard for a white guy to blend in, but I try. Also, try learning a little Tagalog. They like it when you at least try to speak their language. They respect that because it tells them you give a damn about their culture. Remember, it is THEIR country. I never, ever, ever, not even for a nano-second talk down them or act condesending. I treat them just like I want them to treat me. With respect! Another point; how many white guys have I seen try to buy time with women off the street or in a restaurant like they were in a Cat House? I don’t know what it is about our Western mentallity that makes some of us feel like any woman that isn’t white is Cheap. But we do; well some of us do. It’s all common sense. It’s not rocket science. Give it another try Floyd. Rethink your steps. Think about it carefully. Don’t miss out on some fantastic life experiences because you made some mistakes before. Go for the GOLD man. Oh yes, one bit of advice; if you want to send some money, try Western Union. It’s cheaper than a bank transfer, it’s easy and secure. Enjoy! Mike
Hi Mike – Thanks for visiting my site! I appreciate your comments very much. I really agree with your sentiments!
Hi Bob,
I have never written to a blog before, but I like the work you are doing here.
I have been attempting to promote a fight in Vancouver Canada with Manny Pacquiao. We were making very good progress, unfortunately Vegas recently won out for October 6.
I am planning to come to Philippines soon.
Geoff
Hi Geoff – I’m glad that you like the site! I hope you find it helpful. Good luck on attracting Manny to fight there in Vancouver! There are so many Filipinos in your area, I am sure you could really fill up the seats!
Hi Bob,
I may have different message, i just need to have the contact numbers of two(2) persons happened to live in Davao Oriental & Davao del Sur which have business transaction w/ us. If it’s ok w/ you kindly furnish us the contact numbers of Mr. REne Ansico of Lupon ,Davao Oriental & Mr. Novis (proprietor of Funeraria Novis ) residing at Padada, Davao del Sur. Their names may appeared in Directories . Thanks a lot & more power!
Hi Grace – I don’t have any telephone directory for Davao Oriental, nor for Padada. Sorry I can’t help you out.
Magandang Umaga Bob and friends! I’m just surfing around this morning. Wish I was in the PIs right now. I miss it so. Anyway, last year I introduced a friend of mine to a girl I knew from Gen San City. I am acting as his agent for their fiance Visa. I mailed in the paperwork for it in April and he hasn’t heard from them yet. Well, Friday we called the Immigration hotline and checked on it. They said they forgot to send him his notification number but were working on his case and it would be about 4 more months and his girl would be ready for the interview process. If anybody needs assistance with a Fiance visa I’m open for business. Mike-Port Lavaca TX.
Hi Mike – Good luck to your friend!
Warm greetings!
Mindanao is the richest island in the philippines yet the people are poor but very cutlured people compared to the people of luzon and visayas. If there would be an independent movement that would free mindanao from the philippines. i would firmly support it since it is time that mindanawans would rule mindanao. I would support it since mindanao people have different mentality, attitude and set of ideals compared to the people of the philippines. Like for example, a mindanawan would work harder to feed his family rather than steal.I believe the minds of mindanawans are not corrupted compared to the people of luzon. I have been living abroad and I know mindanao people are much honest compared to ilocanos and kapampangans who fool their fellow people for a living. Thus, manlolokos. The reason why philippines is still swimming in poverty. Enough is enough Free mindanao and it would give our children and grand children a better future. I am from zamboanga and i know mindanao is different. WE are mindanawans we are different. I hope some will push free mindanao movement.
leon
Bob, I hope there is no limit on blogs on here, cause I can’t seem to keep quiet. Actually, I guess I’m homesick for the P.Is. This is almost like going to the local capihan in Isio each morning. Anyway, for Leon I got one bit of advice; Leon, you are CRAZY!!! So, you want to break away from the rest of the Philippines and do what? The Philippines needs every part of itself to have a chance of coming out of its economic woes and being a player on the World Scene. Get real Leon! Some Filipinos have TOO MUCH pride. It’s like my wife says; some thought they could do better by breaking away from the U.S. Well, is the Philippines better off being independent? Hawaii was very similar to the Philippines. They didn’t break away from us. Now and then I pass through there on my way to the Philippines. I see the native people there living in relative luxury campared to the average Filipino. Like my Filipino wife says; We would still be a part of the U.S. and maybe be a State now, except for the corrupt bawayas that didn’t want to because if they were part of the U.S. they couldn’t be corrupt anymore. Think about it Leon. Think real hard. Don’t let your pride get in the way of good common sense.
hey bob,
is asaptickets fake or not
Hi Bob,
It is a heart warming feeling to see a foreigner/ an American for that matter, who is married to a wonderful Filipno and living and doing business in Mindanao, Philippines. Good luck!
Hi Mike – No limits here! Blog away and have a good time!
Hi pacifico – I’ve never heard of “asaptickets” before, so I could not comment anything about them.
Hi Erwin – Thanks for your kind words!
Maayong aga Bob and friends. Well it’s morning here in Texas anyway, Ha! This is such a nice place to come for my mornings. In case any of them read this blog I want to say hello to my good friends, the Tagalog family in Gen San City. Hi Mararita, Norma, Efran, Roy, Nadi and all of you. It’s been almost 10 years since I came their and visited. I figure if any of you are on here it will probably be Brian.
I loved Gen San City. I stayed in the Sidney Hotel and out my window to the North was that huge Volcano. We also went to the Dole plantation and processing plant. I believe Efran’s brother was some kind of manager so we got the grand tour of the place. I remember as far as you could see there were Pineapples. Not too many Pineapples on Negros. Mostly rice and sugar there. I want to go see Davao someday. And Cagayan de Oro. Take care all, and for now Pa Alam.
hi bob, i have never before submit any kind of comment on net but i just stumbled on ur site and couldnt resist sending my comments. I met a nice girl from gingoog whom i have visited there on 4 occassions. I have never experienced so much hospitality anywhere in the world. im a black american from a small town in rural south carolina where racism still exist. But there in gingoog city, cagayan de oro and surroundins areas i was welcomed by all with open arms. Of course i displayed the golen rule “do upon others as u have them do upon u”. I read Floyd’s story with sadness but thats life. Each time i have returned from the Philippines my friends and relatives will update with me the latest tragic crimes that had occured while i was gone but not one time have i been able to tell them of an unfortunate event that i experienced while visiting the Philippines. I am a believer that ones attitude is their fate anywhere in the world even within their own house. Thanks for ur work and keep up the good and realistic information. I have 42 days before i return and this forum makes me Philippine sick.
Hi Mike – I’m glad you came to enjoy General Santos! It sounds like you have a lot of friends there, as do I. If you make it to Davao, look me up!
Hi Elmore – It sounds like you had a great trip to the Philippines! And, another one approaching! If you happen to make it down to Davao during your stay, please let me know, I’ll show you around town.
thnx bob
how far is davao from cdo. I would love to meet u there. i guess if i arrive in davao and ask anyone could help me locate u. i was considering maybe moving to the philippine one day. i have been self employed as a private investigator for over 15 years here. and of course i have a law enforcement background also. do u have any suggestion of any inveatigator jobs there. i have applied with federal jobs at the embassy but u must already live there.
Hi Elmore – Nah, Davao is a city of about 2 Million people. If you show up and ask about me, people will wonder what the heck you are talking about!! Ha ha… if it starts looking like you’ll be coming here, let me know, and I’ll privately provide you with my cellphone number.
Bob,
i was surprised to see you on your web! such a great thing for you and your fam lives peacefully in Mindanao. as have been known mindanao, home of terrorism and brings negative in the whole contry. am from northern Luzon but based now in Canada.thank you for uplifting Mindanao and Philippines as well.
May God bless you and your whole family. Keep the good things better.
Hi ellenmay – Thanks for visiting. Mindanao is not home of terrorism. Those who believe the negative press about Mindanao have generally never been here.
Magandang Hapon Bob and friends,
Elmore, you got it right. The Philippines have no room for racism. I’m a white southern boy myself, but I don’t have time for racism either. Life is too short. And in the Philippines you can enjoy your life without those inconveniences.
Yes Bob, I have good friends all over the Philippines. Elmore got it right; attitude is all! And that ol’ “Golden Rule” really pays off in the Philippines.
As many times as I’ve been there I just can’t get over how good the majority of the people are. It’s like when you get off the plane you’re walking into a big house full of your friends. I’m always telling the guys there “Don’t call me sir, I’m not that old” Ha! But, they never listen. They are so respectful. What a great bunch of people!
I don’t know how long it’s been since
you were last there Elmore, but I left there September 23, 2006 and I’m about to go nuts to go back.
Anyway, I’ll talk to y’all tomorrow if I can get on here. Y’all take care, Mike
Hi Mike – Yep, racism is a scourge that we all need to avoid. For me, I don’t have time to hate a bunch of people for no other reason than the pigmentation of their skin! It doesn’t make any sense.
Take care.
Magandang Umaga Bob and Friends,
Here it is already Friday again. Time flies when your having fun. Is it raining a lot there now? Do Typhoons bother Mindanao as much as Manila? It seems Luzon is right in their path. The part of Negros our house is in rarely gets affected by Typhoons due to the mountains I think. We are on the southwest part of Negros. Mountains run all the way up the middle of the island. Also, we have Guimerest(spelling suspect) just across the narrow channel and Panay close to that. So we don’t get much tidal surge either. All we get is a little wind and LOTS of rain. One thing amazes me. It can rain for 2 days straight and water will be standing everywhere. But 30 minutes after it stops it hardly looks like it rained at all. That volcanic sandy soil soaks up water like a sponge. If it rained like that here in Texas, I’d be on my roof hoping for a boat to pass by. So many things I miss about the Philippines. One thing is the fruit. Now you can buy mangoes and papaya and pineapple here in the stores. But it just doesn’t taste the same. Not nearly so good. I also miss the sticky rice. When I’m there I like to walk to the local capihan in the morning and buy sticky rice and eat it with coffee. I call it “The Breakfast of Champions” Ha! I also enjoy talking to the local people there. One bit of advice I offer to the Westerner in the Philippines; don’t be afraid to talk to the folks there. Don’t just sit around looking smug. If you try to fit in you’ll enjoy it more and you may learn some things too. Take care all, Mike
Hi Mike – Most of Mindanao is outside the typhoon belt and is unaffected by typhoons. Only the extreme northern part of Surigao gets the occasional typhoon, and that is rare. No, it’s sunny here in Davao today. The early morning sun is just rising as I type this, and is blinding me as it beats down on my through my office window!
Good advice, and enjoy your “breakfast of champions!”
hi bob,
its my first time to read about this blog and i find it very intersting. Well im a citizen from mindanao but i jst wondering why is it i did not find about my place ZAMBOANGA CITY region 9. Can you please include ZAmboanga City in ur article. U know there are beautiful spots here like beaches and others and i know you will jst love them, well im just telling the true. Hope next time i can read about WOW ZAMBO…and hope i can meet and talk with u personally. Anyway thanks a lot for recommending MINDANao….GODSPEED!
beth L.
Hi Beth – I do have articles about Zamboanga on the blog! I visited there in February. Look through the February 2007 archives, or do a search for Zamboanga and you will find plenty of articles about Zamboanga City.
Magandang Umaga Bob and Friends,
Bye the way, what dialect is spoken around Davao? I went to Gen San once, but I didn’t know one Filipino dialect from the other at the time, so I never picked up on what they were speaking. I have heard that some places in Mindanao it is Cebuano.
Anyway, no sticky rice for breakfast here. Just eggs and tocino. Actually, I had some leftover beans from last night, so I made some Frijoles Refritos with bacon and eggs. I do miss a Philippine breakfast with rice and eggs with corned beef or chorizo or maybe some good Filipino tocino or some tapa. OMG! I gotta quit thinking about it or it might cause me to blow some money that I don’t have right now and buy a plane ticket.
Hey Bob, have you ever had pineapple(pina) wine? It is something from the gods of pleasure to be sure. Anyway, I have made it. I make wine and beer. It’s one of my hobbies. The problem with Pina is that it doesn’t have much body. So to make good wine with pina you need to add about 25% guava juice to the mix. The guava will give it body, but the predominate taste will be Pina. Mindanao would be the ideal place to set up a winery. Plenty of sugar and fruit, cheap labor, lots of real estate. If a person could make a good product and export half what they made, they might really hit the jackpot.
Anyway, just a thought. What do you think? Would a good wine be a hit in the Philippines?
Seems like real estate is a big money maker there now. Everytime I turned around last year somebody was trying to sell us their land. The Philippines seems to be getting economically healthy. Somebody’s doing something right.
Hi Mike – In Davao, a mixture of Cebuano (Bisaya) and Tagalog are spoken. In GenSan, they speak Cebuano, Tagalog and Ilonggo. Cebuano is the most widely spoken dialect (or language) in Mindanao.
I haven’t had pineapple wine before, but I don’t really drink though. Well, I guess I drink a bit. I think I have had 2 beers so far this year!
The winery idea may be a winner!
Maayong Aga(Ilonggo for good morning) Bob and Friends,
Well, if I ever do the winery thing it would have to be in Mindanao. They don’t really raise enough Pina(I wish I knew how to make that squigly thingi that goes over the N to make it sound NYA) for a winery there. One thing I like about Mindanao is you can get good Tuna there. It makes a mean Kinilau. Speaking of Kinilau, a couple of my brother in laws made kinilau with a jelly fish once. I declined their offer to try it. I do have my limits, HaHaHa!!! I’ve even eaten Balut several times, but jelly fish? NO WAY!!! Anyway, y’all all have a great weekend.
Take care,
Mike
OOPS!!! upon rereading my last entry I see that i left out something. I was saying that they don’t really raise enough Pina on Negros for a winery. Mindanao is the World Capital of Pina. OK, NOW I’m gone!
Have fun!
Hi Mike – When it comes to tuna, I personally prefer Sashimi over Kinilaw. Jellyfish? Nah….
Yeah, me too! I think I started the “Say NO to Jellyfish” movement. Well, I guess if we could convince enough people that jellyfish were good to eat we could solve world hunger, Ha!Ha!Ha! (I think I’d rather go hungry)
Oh, Bye the way, what is Sashimi? I guess that got by me in my educational process…
Hi Mike – Sashimi is raw fish, usually tuna. It is a Japanese delicacy which is also widely eaten in Mindanao, especially in GenSan since they catch so many Tuna there. Sashimi is generally dipped in a combination of Kikoman Soy Sauce and Wasabi.
Well, I do love Wasabe. Actually, if you’ve ever tried English mustard you will note a strong resemblance to Wasabe. Since Wasabe is not readily available here in this one horse town, I usually just use Coleman’s Mustard.
So sashimi is a type of sushi, so my daughter tells me.(I think I knew that, but a sudden attack of CRS or maybe Brain Flatulence hit me.) She said that in Japan it is usually Salmon. Here in Texas we have Sevichi. It is similar to Kinilau in that it is raw fish marinated in lime juice or vinegar. Then, fresh tomato, onion and other goodies are added. Some add hot chiles to it. If made properly, it can be wonderful.
My son is a party boat captain and when they catch a Cobia(also known as Ling or Lemon Fish) they sometimes make a Sevichi. He said they put chiles, Cilantro and garlic in it. Sevichi is one of those dishes where your imagination is the only limitation.
Cilantro, chile and lime together are wonderful. Mexicans have known this secret for hundreds of years. When combined with good fish, Oh My God! My imagination is spewing forth….. Oh No!!! No Jellyfish please!
Have a wonderful day Bob,
Mike
Thanks for your site, Bob. What malls do you frequent? I think I’ve seen you around.
We are enjoying staying here. We’ve been here for 8 months. I read your site even before we moved to learn more about Davao. Keep up the good work.
Hi Beth – Nice to meet you! If I go out to malls, it would either be SM City or NCCC, although I am not in malls too often. If you see me, be sure to say “hi!” You won’t be the first, actually, people stop me in malls all the time to tell me that they read this or one of my other websites!
Thanks for visiting!
bob,
nice site, too many discussion.
thank for saying good thinfs about mindanao..
correct me if im wrong, the pic above is in del monte clubhouse. Look familiar cos ive been there also..actually im from malaybalay but currently im in malaysia. i have a american freinds i meet them in my restaurant in malaybalay, its good to stay mindanao, its a retirements place..is it right? maybe its true because now, the Abrown company, developer of Xavier estates and Paras is building a new subdivision which cater retirees from other country. this is located in del monte area. its a cool place. i dont know how much it cost, mAYBE QUITE expensive but its nice..if u can visit bukidnon again, try to drop by in our restaurant Tito tonys, try our specialty, steak, made of del monte beef, surely youll like it.
Goodluck and God Bless.
KIkil
Hi Kikil – Thanks for stopping by my blog. Indeed, the photo at the top was taken in Del Monte Clubhouse in Manolo Fortich!
to frederick, you havent told how old id ur kids.. in malaybalay they have an international school supervised by baptist but for other school youve got no problem in english because all school in phil the method instruction is in english. if ur kids like science and technology, i can recommend u to central mindanao university science high school MUsuan, 115 min from valencia, take note, only few can enter in this, brightest only. College maybe, Mountain View if they like nursing, but if they want engineering/ biology/agriculture/VEt med. go to central mindanao university, for education BSC…if youll be in bukidnon, you can ask for more… Bukidnon people are friendly..
Magandang Umaga Bob, Kikil and all here,
I didn’t make it by here yesterday. I had duty at the nursing home looking after my dad. That’s the only reason I’m not living in the Philippines at least 6 months a year. Both my mother and dad are still alive, but very old. My sister doesn’t live close and most of my kids have moved away, so I need to be here to take care of them. Last year while I was working on my step daughter’s immigrant visa I was there for a total of five months, and my mother was really hard pressed for help while I was gone. If not for that, I’d be there right now. The only time I prefer to be here in the U.S. is in the fall and early winter. I love American football and also the hunting and fishing are great around here then.
One question Bob; Are there party boats in Mindanao? That is, boats that will take you fishing offshore for a fee? And if so, what do they charge per day?
I would love to get in on some tuna action down out of Gen San.f\
I realize that you may not know the answer to this. But I figure if I put it up on your blog maybe someone who knew would see it and answer.
Take care,
Mike
Hi Mike – Maayong Buntag (most Mindanaoans use Cebuano, not Tagalog!) There is one company in Davao called “Wind and Wave” that has boats that you can hire out for fishing, diving or whatever activity you want to do. I am not sure of the price, though. Frankly, I’ve gone there and looked into hiring them, and they have always acted like they didn’t know what they were talking about when it came to fishing. They quote me one thing on the phone, and when I go there they act like they have no idea what I am talking about. I am hesitant to recommend them, honestly.
Hi Bob,
I guess I have missed a lot … interesting new layout … and interesting comments … I am very proud of you Bob … Thank you for giving Filipinos “Foods Of Thoughts” the World need people like you. I think it is time for people to think first before saying something “again”.
Thank you! you are doing a great job and my warm greetings to your family and a Hello to Feyma.
My gest Regards,
Letty
Howday Bob,
Your website is amazing!I always visit your website to check what is going on in Davao.My husband and I came back to Davao to visit my family this year. We were having a great time,and loved it. Davao had changed a lot since 2003. But in a good way.Anyway, we had some nice pictures in our vacation that we would like to share in your gallery, but we need your e-mail, though.
Thanks!
Good luck to you and your website.
Willy&Emee
Missouri, USA
Hi Letty – Nice to hear from you! I was thinking about you the other day and wondering how you are doing. I’m glad to know that everything is OK with you.
Hi Willy&Emee – Thanks for contacting me! I will send you an e-mail directly with my contact information. I will be happy to publish your photos.
[...] blogger, Bob Martin, an American, was right when he said in his blog that “The thing that I hear all the time when I tell people that I live in Mindanao is that I [...]
Maayong Buntag to you too Bob,
I had forgotten that. I used it while in Dumaguete. Dumaguete is in Negros Oriental and they too speak Cebuano or Bisayan as it is called in Mindanao.
Well, maybe this Wind and Wave outfit is like a lot of Filipinos; They don’t understand fishing American style with a Rod and Reel. With most of them it’s either a hand line or a net or God forbid, Dynamite, Ha! So, maybe it just looses something in the translation. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a store that sold rods and reels in the P.I. You could buy this stuff in Malaysia and most of the local fishermen there would take you out fishing for a fee.
Anyway, if I make it down your way sometime I’m going to try to find a boat to take me tuna fishing. I love to catch tuna.
Oh yeah, almost forgot; my friend Don is coming to Mindanao in September to see his fiance Cora Tagalog. Cora is from Gen San, but they say they are going to spend some time in Davao. He’s never been to Mindanao. He came to Manila last year and met her in person while my wife and I were there getting my step daughter’s visa. So, this will be his first meeting with her family. Oh, believe this, his little sister Margaret, who I went to school with, is going with him to chaparon, Ha! I wish I could go, just to be a fly on the wall.
Take care everyone here,
Mike
Hi Bob,
Thank you for caring … I am just attending a seminar that will last for some months … there is nothing to worry about (smile) “I will always come back” like the old “saying” hahaha. Positive developments are on coming and I will always get in touch with you ok? please do click my sites once in a while … I am still kicking. I wish to see you soon in Mindanao.
Till then,
Letty
OK, Letty. Thanks again, and it’s good to hear from you!
HI Mike – Thanks for dropping by this morning! I bet that your friend Don is in for quite a trip!
[...] – naubos sa gimik!). I bought the domain Macarambon.com just last week. I’ve to thank bigtime Bob of Mindanao.com for he provided the webhosting of this [...]
Hi Bob,
Just stopping by to say thanks a lot for being there with the Dabawenyos and Mindanaons, by promoting the cities as a good place to live and being a good example for everybody.
If you don’t mind,Mike Walker was looking for a boat for fishing/diving? I think Punta Del Sol in Samal got one, but I’m not sure if they still rent it or not. When we were there, they did. The name of the manager is Cely but I am sorry I cannot remember the phone #. I forgot to ask a business card from her when we left. I would also recommend the Carabao Dive Center If he needs some diving gears located at the F. Hermanos Bldg., Sta. Ana Wharf. Tel.# 300-1092, cell# 0919-8476067 or email:carabaodivers@yahoo.com. The owner is American.
Hope this helps.
Take care and your family.
Willy&emee
Hi emeeclark – Thanks for the nice tips!
Hi Bob,
Impressive site. I’m from Davao and I have been to a lot of places in Mindanao as well. My work is covering a lot of cities and Mindanao isn’t really that dangerous. Your site is veru much appreciated.
Hi Bob,
Impressive site. I’m from Davao. I do travel to various cities in Mindanao and I can really say Mindanao isn’t that dangerous at all.
Joel Reyes,
I am trying to find a lady named Ruby Evylyn Reyes that I knew in the early sixties. Do you know her or how I can get in touch with her?
Hi Mitchie – Glad to hear that you share my view about Mindanao! It’s a wonderful place!
Hi Gabe – Good luck in finding your friend.
I am also an American living in Butuan City. I had the plesaure to photograph Oliver North while he was speaking to the Republican Party in Jacksonville, Fla many years ago ,having met him and his brother before. My sons both were enlisted in the USMC.
I was wondering if you have an email address where I could reach Oliver North.
Thanks for considering my request.
T.A. Garrison …..Semper Fi
Hi Tobey – Thanks for leaving your comment. Unfortunately, I do not have any e-mail address for Col. North. Perhaps the best way to contact him might be through Fox News, since he is working for them. You could go to the Fox News website, and perhaps find a contact form, or maybe even an e-mail address.
Good luck to you! If you ever make it to Davao, please look me up!
Maayong Hapon Bob and friends,
My thanks to Willy and Emee, for the information about a boat. I have never dived before, but if these folks can put divers on fish they should be more than capable to put me over a few with my rod and reel.
Wow! Bob, do you know Olie North? He’s a BIG hero of mine. Good Ol’ Marines!!! Always there when you need em. America’s Best! And Olie is right up there with guys like Chesty Puller, the Greatest of the Great!
My mother’s sister’s first husband was of that cast. He wasn’t Marine, but he was the Best of U.S. Army. He graduated from West Point in 1939 and his first overseas duty was the Philippines. My aunt went with him and they lived around Ft. Wm McKinnly for a couple of years. When war appeared imminent and they sent the families home he stayed and was promoted to Captain. He was in the 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. He survived the battle for Bataan, the Death March and Camp O’Donnel, but died of Diptheria in October, 1942 in Cabanatuan. After the war he was awarded the DSC postumously for action on Bataan. There’s a museum in Abilene Texas where you can read all about him. And also they had an Army Reserve base there named for him; Rudyard Kipling Grimes.
Last September while we were staying in Makati waiting for my step daughter’s immigrant visa, I decided to go to Bataan. We rented a car and driver and drove down to Mariveles. I never dreamed Bataan was such a beautiful place. But the first few miles of the Death March route must have been a real killer for those poor guys. Because coming out of Mariveles it’s pretty much all up hill and Steep! And for those sick, starved guys it must have been a Special kind of hell. I have read several accounts of the March and the Filipino Civilians were real heros too. How many times did they risk their own lives to sneak an American a drink of water or a ball of sticky rice. And some died trying too. Those were grusome times for both American and Filipino. But, for those FilAms it was their finest hour. And there were no finer fighting men in WWII than those Philippine Scouts. They were mainly Filipino with American officers. But, they fought and died as good or better than any in the war.
I think both Americans and Filipinos need to read the history of the Seige of Bataan, the Death March, and of Coregidor. I think citizens of both countries could learn a lot about how American and Filipino blood ran together. We were ONE PEOPLE then. And, most people don’t realize what their sacrifices did for the war effort. The almost 6 months it took the Japanese to take both Bataan and Coregidor slowed the Japanese advance in the Pacific and gave the U.S. and its alleys time needed to get the wheels of industry rolling. Not long after the fall of Coregidor we defeated the Japanese at Midway and the tide was turned in our favor. So lets not ever forget what was done in the Philippines and remember that those sacrifices by both Filipinos and Americans were not in vain.
God Bless Our Troops! Mike
Hi Mike – I couldn’t really say I “know” Oliver North, sorry…
Hi Bob,
Thanks a lot for posting the photos!Costa Marina is beside Paradise beach resort.Just for correction, We are very sorry the photo on the beach with rocks was from Taragona (secret beach) farther than Mati. Don’t worry about the other photo you got it right.
Thanks a lot, though. We really appreciate it.
Keep up the good works!
Take care.
Willy&emee
Hi Willy & Emee – Thanks for clarifying that! I enjoyed seeing your photos!
Hi Bob,
You are very welcome! feel free to ask anything on those places. We will tell you about them as much as we could. Thank you, though.
I bet everybody in Dabaw is busy this month for kadayawan. We would like to be there sometime, especially kadayawan.
Enjoy the kadayawan celebration and more power!
willy&emee
Hi Willy & Emee – you are right, Davao is busy with preparations for the Kadayawan. August is always an exciting month here!
hi…do you have any idea on how to get to pagadian city from ozamis city? How long it will take me to get to pagadian city?
Hi Tina – Sorry, I have never taken that route before, so I can’t be sure. I would think that it would be no problem to get a bus or FX along the route, though.
Oh ok Bob. From Tobey’s blog there I thought I had missed something and maybe you and Olie North were friends or something. Anyway, sorry I got so long winded with my reply there, hehe! But, I think we should never forget what happened on Bataan and the bond between the Filipino and American. We really were brothers in arms then.
Take care,
Mike
Hi Bob,
I was so Happy to read your article about the new building for NSO office.When I was there 2002 getting my birth certificate certified was a job and very congested. The same way when we went back Ist week of January this year. We went there to get more copies of our marriage certificate or security paper for my citizenship next year here in the state.I noticed though, the service was a little bet faster this time but still people standing in a long line.Anyway, at least they have the authority to release a security paper for marriage contract, before (2002)I have to get it in Manila.
What a relief! Hoping for a faster service this time, since they have the new office.
We think, the new building will be good to the city and the community.
More power & good luck!
Take care & God bless!
Willy&emee
Hi Willy & Emee – I’m glad to hear that everything worked out well for you!
[...] was tagged few months ago by my mentor, it came from Bloggie to my boss and now here it is..I’m doing [...]
Hey Bob, this is cool. Nice to see your site. My wife is from Polomolok and we shall be there later this month. Maybe we can get together for one of nine daily family meals hahaha. Presently reside in Washington State and are thinking of possible retirement future there. Have spent several years in the U.S. military in the Luzon and would not trade my experiences int the Phils for anything (all good). Have a good one.
Hi Mike – on an earlier post, I had some information about Oliver North visiting Tawi Tawi as part of his work with Fox News. I think that is why Tobey thought that I knew him.
Hi Jeff & Cherisha – If you happen to make it to Davao during your visit, I would be most happy to meet you annd get to know you. I am also from Washington State as well. I lived in Vancouver, Washington just before moving here in 2000.
Hi Bob,
Can we ask a favor? Would you mind to post some photos from Kadayawan for us? We really appreciate it.
Thanks & Take care.
willy&emee
Hi Willy & Emee – I usually post Kadayawan photos every year. This year, I have a few very busy days during Kadayawan, but I will do my very best to get photos and post them again.
Hi Bob,
Just stopping by and say thank you.Just take your time.we understand, okay.
take care.
willy&emee
hey bro the pineapple looks cool hehehe.. u play golf bro..?????
Hi Willy & Emee – Thanks!
Hi asnawi – No, I don’t play. I have played a couple of times, but that was years ago.
hi! Bob,
Daghan salamat sa imong wedsite I’ve mentioned on my last e-mail that I was born in Masara and my parents move Compostila valley. I hope someday that you will post picture of Maragusan. Thanks from Smokey Point Washington
Josie
Hi Josephine – It might be a while before I visit Maragusan again, but if I do, you can bet that I’ll post some photos here!
Hi Bob,
How’s your day? Mine is not so good. My wife is on my case to go to the Philippines. She wants me to go stay with her brother for 3 months. She is afraid I’m getting too fat!!! And everytime I go stay in the Philippines for a few months I lose weight. But, I know her. After about two weeks she’ll be crying for me to come back home. If I do come I’m going to make it a point to come look you up.
Have a nice day, Mike
Hi Mike – If you are in the area, be sure to look me up!
[...] Bob Martin’s talk on travel and technology is probably a must hear. I never fail to look up Bob’s well known Mindanao blog whenever I look for places to go to in Mindanao. I am shamed by how Bob is more informed of Mindanao than a true blooded Mindanaon like me. Fr. Alejo’s talk on Socio Cultural Mindset of a Mindanaon is an interesting topic not just for any blogger but perhaps for any writer who wanted to dwell into the minds of the Mindanaon reader. As far as I know (not to be an isolationist though) Mindanaons usually “think” differently on so many issues. [...]
looking forward to meeting at the mindanao blogger summit
Hi Bob
going to gensan in feb 2008 hope to expereince the same feeling as u hav great philo wife and baby both born there but live in aust with me now takecare god bless u and ur wife and children feel free to email me
Hi jayvee f. – If you see me, be sure to say “HI.” I read your blog, so I’m looking forward to meeting you too!
Hi eric – Thanks for dropping by! I hope you have a wonderful trip to GSC next year!
Bob~Hello!
My husband and children are looking forward to vesit Maragusan if we do this will be my teen age boys first vesit. my husband is asking do we have VFW in Davao? I left Davao since 1979 It’s a shame I have to ask you. but you can give good info. when it come to places. I am greatful for what you do, Hope to meet you and your Family.regards to Feyma ug imong anak they are good looking kids.Nice weather in Smokey Point Wa. No,rain…
Josie
Yes Sir Bob, if I come to Mindanao I will definitely look you up. I’m going to tell my friend Don to look you up too. He will be leaving here on September 4, and will be going down to Mindanao after a couple of days in Manila. It has been about 4 months since he filed for a Fiance Visa for his girl Cora Tagalog, who is from Gen San and I don’t think it will be long before he hears from Immigration about that too.
It is strange, but I know 2 Filipinos that their family name doesn’t match the area they come from. One is Cora Tagalog, who is from Mindanao. The other is Noel Mindanao, who is from Manila, HaHaHa!!!
Hi Bob,
How are you? Nice looking family you have.I grow up in malaybalay city.I left home when I married a Navy man and we are now retired and we moved back to Alabama.I found your website and I really enjoyed it. It is really nice to know that you like the Philippines so much. Good luck to you and your family.
Hi Mike – Tell Don that I am quite busy in August and September, but if I have time I’ll be happy to see him!
Hi Marilou – Thanks for your nice comments about my family. I’m glad that you enjoyed my website.
Hi Mike,
I was reading the comments from one of your guest from Wa.State. We were station in Whidbey Island from 2000 to ‘03. We love the place. We would like to go back next year during the fishing season for salmon.
Have you taken your family to Washington State?
Thanks,
Marilou
Hi,Bob I apologize for calling you Mike.SORRY!!
MARILOU
Hi Marilou – No problem! I am originally from Washington State too! I came here from Vancouver, Washington.
Hi Bob!
I’ve been visiting General Santos City for 3 years now as I work for a company for food cans (tuna/sardine cans). However, I just go there for business. When I see your blog, I become interested in exploring gensan. I always stay at east Asia Hotel, I want to try Isla parilla Resort hotel. Can you comment on Isla Parilla.
Also, i learned from a friend, I can visit davao by land. Can you give me idea on this as I want to visit Davao also.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Joseph – I highly recommend that you spend some time at Isla Parilla Resort in Alabel. It is by far my favorite place to visit if I am in GenSan. The food is great, the ambiance is wonderful – for me it’s a 5 star place!
I live in Davao, if you make the trip up here, give me a shout! The trip is about 2 1/2 hours by car, a little more by bus. It’s a nice journey too!
Bob,
Thanks a lot for the info. I will be in Gensan late September and I’ll book at Isla Parilla.
I’ll e-mail you again late september, as I’d really love to go to Davao.
Regards,
Joseph Mina
Hi Bob, How’s it going in Davao today? I don’t know if my friend Don can wait another 3 weeks. He’s getting pretty excited about going to the Philippines. I wish I was going with him. But that isn’t going to happen right now. So, I guess I’ll just have to be content reading your blog and looking at Don’s Pictures when he comes back.
Take care and have a nice day, Mike
Hi Mike Walker – I am doing fine, and I hope you are as well. I bet that Don is getting so exicted! My Mom is in the midst of flying here as I type this, she will be in Davao for a visit for about 2 months or so.
Great! Hope your mom enjoys it. Has she been there before? I wish my mother would have an interest. My aunt, the one whos husband was on Bataan and died in Cabanatuan wants to go. She’ll be 90 this coming February, but she still gets around OK. She’s legally blind, but she wants to go back and visit. It has been 66 years since she was in the Philippines. Anyway, I wish you all well.
Take care, Mike
Hi Mike Walker – This is my Mom’s 4th time to visit here. She generally comes here about one time per year now.
Hi Bob,
I ran across your site while perusing all things Philippines that I can find online. I have been “seeing” a young lady in Cagayan de Oro daily (online via email, instant messaging, & postal letters) for the past (almost) 5 years & am planning my first trip to CDO in March 2008. We are both excited to finally get the chance to meet face to face.
Quite frankly I have been somewhat concerned about travel to Mindanao due to news blurbs & such, but your site is refreshing!! I look very much forward to meeting my love, even though we will only have about a week together this time. I am not a wealthy man, & as such it is difficult at best to be able to fund a trip halfway around the world & back. But I think now the timing is right! Unfortunately there won’t be enough time for much sightseeing…I have a feeling she & I will be…ummmmm….busy! I will be meeting her family while I am there, & hopefully I will be able to bring her to the States one day. But that will take some time.
Anyway, thanks for all things positive on your Mindanao experience from an American perspective! Very refreshing indeed!!
Hi John – I’m glad you found my website useful! Good luck with everything on the trip!
Hi BOB,
We saw your photo on your photo blog about your land in Samal Island. Can we ask some questions/help about property? Do you know some farmland like rice farm not too far from Davao City? We are trying to buy some rice farm for our family that lives in Davao.We can only afford the range of 750 thousand to 1 million pesos. We did look some property when we were there but most of them were expensive.
Hope to hear from you.
Thanks & Take care!
Willy&emee
Hi Willy & emee – sorry, I don’t know of any rice land on the market at this time. If I can find any I will let you know.
So glad to find your site. I am bringing my american friend for a visit next month. I can’t convince him enough that it is a beautiful country to see.
Hi Bob,
We really appreciate it.
Thanks.
Willy&emee
Hi Rhoanda – I’m glad that you found my site too! If your American Friend has any questions about coming here, tell him to e-mail me any time!
What a shame…Zamboanga City bomb scare again…
Tsk..tsk…
Hi radueriel – Yes, indeed, it is quite a shame. Sorry to say, but I am feeling quite depressed with the direction that Mindanao is heading lately.
Hi Bob, I took a couple a days due to a computer crash. It crashed and burned. Now, I need to wait til my computer genius gets back from his vacation to Colorado to see if he can salvage my important files. I can’t even get it to come up in safe mode. So, now I have this new Emachine with all the bells and whistles. Going to take me awhile to get used to it. When I think my first computer had a whopping 2.5 gigs and what, like 8 mb RAM? Looking back that machine was really retarded. This thing has like 260 Gigs hard drive and over 1000 MB ram. Man! like comparing a Model T and a Corvette. AND, my old eyes are getting the BIG break with this 19 inch flat screen monitor. Man! I’m in hog heaven.
Take care, Mike
Hi Mike – That PC sounds like a screamer! Congratulation!
Yeah, well I know my credit card bill is screaming. I hate going into debt. But I didn’t have much choice. Speaking of going into debt, my wife still wants me to go to the Philippines for awhile, and that will definitely create a little more debt.
Hi Mike – You mean when you use those little plastic cards you actually have to pay the money back? Hmmm… I’ve learned something new today! Ha ha… just kidding.
Hi John,
I am in a similar situation. My first trip to Mindanao is scheduled for April 2008. My personal finances are limited, so I’ve starting an extra job to pay the way to the Philippines. I’ve been in “contact” with my girl via email, instant messenger and postal letters. Just like, we’ve been corresponding for 5 years. This will be my first (and long overdue) trip, so I want to make the best of it. Thanks to Bob’s website, I’ve learned so much about the country. I’ll be staying in Davao City, and like you, will have about 1 week to make the most of my visit. I can’t wait to get there! I owe Bob a drink…lol.
Cheers,
Henry
Hi Bob,
Nice blog site you have. My wife is from Negros Occidental and we plan to move back to live with our two boys in the next few years. We have lived in Virginia, USA for many years. If we came back to live with $20,000 usd to invest, what would you recommend investing in to create an immediate income to live on? Thought you might have some suggestions.
If I may ask you, your blog site or website, is this how you create income in some way ? forgive me … just trying to learn and grow.. I’m not trying to be nosey… thanks for comments. God Bless you and your very beautiful family.
Gary
Hi Henry – I am happy that my site has assisted you in learning about Mindanao! I hope that you will enjoy your visit to Davao! If you have time, look me up!
Hi Gary – $20k is not very much money to build a new life. I came here with considerably more money than that, and in less than 2 years I had gone through it, and got to the point where I had to figure out how to earn money here, or return back to the States. Luckily, I was able to jump the hurdle, and now make a good living here. Yes, my blogs are one way that I make money here, but so far I don’t make enough from blogging to support a living here. I have other businesses on the web, like e-commerce stores that earn the bulk of my income.
My biggest suggestion to you is that you should save more money before coming. When you are ready to come here and plan to put up some kind of business, my advice for that is to follow your passion. When you do what you are passionate about, the money will follow. For ideas on earning money, check my other blog: http://business.auctiontopia.com
Good luck!
Hi BOB do you now of any good realestate brokers in tagum I am looking for farm land.
Hi Rob – I have passed your inquiry to a Real Estate Agent that I know in the area. She will be in touch with you.
[...] Bob Martin deserves a mention about his positive feedback of Davao City and Mindanao. An American with Filipina wife, he has lived in Mindanao (mainly Davao and General Santos cities) for the past years. And even if his country of origin often issues travel advisories on Mindanao, his web site http://www.mindanao.com is a testament that Mindanao is not a land of conflict. It is a land of people from various ethnicities harmoniously living and looking for a progressive Mindanao. [...]
Maayong Bantuk Bob(I know i mispelled that),
Yes, I learned a long time ago that when you swipe that little plastic thingy, you sell your soul to the Devil, HaHaHa!!!
I would like to ask Gary where in Negros Occidental is his wife from? My wife is from the Bago City area, Barangay Sagasa. We have a lot and a building there. We also have some land and a house down in Cauayan in Barangay Isio. My favorite place to go on Negros Island is in Negros Oriental. That’s Dumagette. While there we usually stay at the Honey Comb and eat next door at the Why Not Restaurant and Bar. The view on the water front is beautiful. You can get a nice airconditioned room for between $25 and $30 U.S. per night. Remember, this is a resort area and in the U.S. this same room would be over $100 per night.
As for John and Henry, “Join the Club!” I just finished paying off my last trip. I’m retired and live on a fixed income. But, when you get there you’re in for a pleasant surprise. You can live pretty fat for a fraction of what it takes you to just get by here at home.
However, your biggest expense is ahead of you. Getting your lady here, if you choose to do that, will cost at least $2000 for the visa and the air ticket. The last visa I got was for my step daughter and I figured I spent about $700 to $800 on it totally.
I’ve gone through the Visa process a couple of times in the last 7 years, so if you need some help let me know.
Take care and good luck,
Mike
See, I told you I mispelled it. Maayong Buntag
Hi there,
Very interesting blog.
More so coming from an American who has taken up residence in Mindanao.
My very first job sometime 20years ago took me to Mindanao also (Zamboanga City), with much reservations from and argument with my family, particularly my Dad.
I first fell in love in Mindanao and for some time I thought I’d be settling down there permanently.
Anyway, circumstances brought me back to Manila but I daresay that my stay in Mindanao (around 4 years) is, one of the happiest chapters in my life.
As for the safety issue, yeah you’re right. The east central part of London, the outskirts of Paris or the uppermost parts of Manhattan could be more dangerous than many parts of Mindanao.
More power to you.
Vic
Hello Bob,
Feeling homesick again so here I am browsing through your photo gallery. Nice pix of Mindanao.
Thank you,
Marilou
Hi Vic – Thanks for sharing your story and your feelings about Mindanao! It sounds like we have similar feelings!
Hi Marilou – Welcome back! You are always welcome here!
Bonjour(Hello) Bob,
Great job,May the “God Blessed You Always” especially during your trips anywhere in Philippines.I’m in France my husband is French we loved your web and blogs.Anyway can I asked you a favor, incase if you will go in Samal If you can drop in Mambago-b in the center which their is an old house(my grand’s mom house) and take a pix for me.Pleaseeeee.
I’m sorry,but I would like to see my( enfances) house before they destroy it.Actually this is my sentimental life,my life was beginning
in this house.Lots of story…
This house infront of the old tennis court with the fence(alambre) just besides the roads .I will very greatfull to heard this house. It’s not a great house but a big value,a very important for me….!
Merci beaucoup(thanks a lot) et Bonne Courages(good luck)…
Margs
Hi Bob,
Sorry It’s not a tennis court,this is basketball court.
thanks again,
Margs
Hi, Bob…just trying to acquaint myself about blogging. I really have to learn getting out of my comfort zone. I’ve come across your website when I started browsing the net 4 yrs ago. Since we visited the Phil and decided that my husband would like to retire there, we started building our retirement place with 1-bedroom units above us. Now, my husband is really ready to retire (should i say quit working). Just not so sure if it is time…if for some reason you would like to visit Manila (i don’t know why you would leave your beautiful sanctuary) with your family, be our guest. I guess, what I’m saying is ‘check us out’ and if you come across somebody with business in the vicinity of Quezon City, you can mention our place. My husband and I still have to learn to get the video we recorded to the computer. Then, we could probably think of starting a blog site. I came across your blog site again and had been enjoying your blog and your bloggers. Thanks for making this world a little better…CC
Hi Ritz – I’ll see if I can find the place one of these days! If I do find it, I’ll be happy to include a photo on my photoblog.
Hi cecilia – Good luck to you and your husband! Thank you for your invitation to visit you in Manila too. I rarely get up that way though (it’s been over 3 years since I visited Manila). If I do make it up your way, I’ll try to look you up!
Hi Bob,
We haven’t visited your blog lately. I am busy going to nursing school here in Missouri and my husband is also busy working. You know how that works. Anyway, if you don’t here from us, we are still there checking your blog and read some news.
God Bless you and your family.
Willy&emee
Hi Willy & emee – nice to hear from you! Glad to know that you are doing well.
Hey Bob,
Maayong adlaw! I am a Baguio boy (in Benguet)but went around Vis-Min area. I went to most parts of Mindanao (and also Visayas) and I love it! I am blessed to have a beautiful country like the Philippines. Only if Filipinos know the beauty of Mindano, they won’t bother going to Manila or to other places. I am a telecom and broadcast engineer, and I guess we both have that interest of RF thing. I am currently working here in the U.S. as telecom consultant but wanting to go back home (to the Philippines) in the future, God willing.
Have you been to church in Davao yet? There is a good service being held at Marco Polo hotel, I’m not just sure if they are still there.
I miss Davao, it’s one of the best places I’ve been to. The Blu-Gre’ cafe at Gaisano, oh how great! Go to Jack’s Ridge at night, oh men. Relax some music and concert at the Venue, or just go to turo-turo at the beach. Everything is accessible. Spend a night at Eden park, or you can go to the mountains at Marilog and smell pine trees there. Travel a boat and go to Pearl Farm beach for a day, and enjoy the clear waters there. Thank God for nice beaches! I just hope Mayor Duterte will keep Davao safe for years to come.
Man, there are a lot of things I can do in Davao while working, than working here in the U.S. Work there is a vacation
I appreciate very much for having this informative and yet entertaining page. People is becoming more enlightened about Mindanao. Don’t just go to areas around Lanao del Sur or Buldon, or Parang, Maguindanao. I had bad experience with young MILF fighters.
Anyhow, cheers and God bless you and your family.
Hi mahirapmagingpogi – Thanks or your nice words. Regarding travel of Mindanao, I have already been to almost everyplace that you mentioned! I have been to every province of the ARMM and never had a problem with the MILF or any other group.
Enjoy your time in the States!
Hi Bob,
It’s Labor Day here in the U.S. My friend Don leaves Austin tomorrow for the Philippines. I think he’s excited. I know I would be. I guess I’ll have to wait til next year to go back, but when I go I’ll be there for a couple of months.
What part of the U.S. are you in mahirapmagingpogi? We do have a few things to do here too you know. (Bye the way, my wife told me what your nick name means, LOL!!!) I have never made it to Baguio yet, but I will next time.
Anyway Bob, have a nice day and I will think of you when I’m eating some good BBQ and having a cold beer while celebrating our Labor Day today.
Take care,
Mike and Family
Hi Bob,
Thank you very much for your website, everyday I read the comments here and guest ?makes me laugh…
I feel homesick, but this site will ease all my homesick.even I just see one picture of cotabato city,the evangelical church,thats already near the city plaza…at least I feel happy looking on it.
I am originally from Rosary Heights, Cotabato City,presently I am here in spring texas, just 30 minutes north of houston…
Thanks Again Bob,
Carmela
Hi Mike & Family – I hope you enjoyed labor day, especially the cold beer!
Hi Carmela – I’m sorry that you must experience homesickness! I know that Feyma (my wife) had that when we lived in the States. I’m glad, though that my site helps bring you a little piece of home, though. Take care!
hi. this is ian flora. would it be possible to include my feature articles in your site, most of my news articles are in it.
Hi ian ocampo flora – If you e-mail me a copy of one of your articles to review, I would be happy to have a look! Send it to rmartin@mindanao.com.
Hi Bob.
I was at Gensan from Sept. 13 – 15 and I stayed at Isla Parilla as your recommendation. I just want to THANK YOU. It was really a great experience.
At first I became hesitant as I was told that it is far from the city. But I became so interested as the road going there is already a beauty. The resort itself is so lovely, and the people was so kind and really accomodating. The rate is cheaper than the hotel I was having at the city.
My planned of going to Davao was cancelled as I have to back in Manila Sunday. But next time, I’ll go to Davao and hope to see you there.
Thanks,
Joseph
Hi Joseph- I’m glad that you enjoyed your time at Isla Parilla! It is one of my favorite places in the General Santos area! It’s a little out of town, but I don’t consider it too far, though. The distance is OK because it is such a great place!
hi bob. im mark i hop u can help, see i have met the most wonful woman there in osamiz,city. i dont know much on what i need to do so we can merry. in away i wod like to stay there but i dont know if i can work there. i know thers a lot of peple there like me being form the usa. i just need help understanding what i need to do. con u help me plzz.thanks,
Hi Mark – If you are a legal resident here you will be able to work. But, would you really want to work for the wages they pay here? Figure $5 per day. But, you can find other ways to make money – maybe over the net like I do!
What I really recommend is that you read another blog of mine, all about living here in the Philippines.
Go to:
http://www.LiveInThePhilippines.com
Hi Bob,
Its so nice to hear from a foreigner like you that Mindanao is not what like other people out there say it is a home of terrorist. Can I have your e-mail address so that we can share to you some of our development in Sulu archipelago. Thanks, wish you and your family a happy stay in Mindano.
Hi Mcrajj – Thanks for sharing your nice thoughts! I’ll be interested to read what you send me!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the posted photos taken in Marfori heights, it makes us wanna go back to Davao. Because you know I grew up there and my husband is ready to go this year but in some circumstances we can’t.Oh well…we will be back one way or another. Take care & say Hi to Feyma.
I am looking for 3 old friends from Bayugan. I left Bayugan, Agusan sometime in 1972. These people could be retirees now and living somewhere else in the Philippines. Their names are:
Flaviano (Bobby) Guerra
Antonio (Tony) Ortega)
Rene Jaranilla
Would you be kind to point me to right direction in locating them? I tried the internet, to no avail.
Thank you for your much needed help.
Hi Dewell – I’m sorry, I know this won’t seem helpful, but about the best advice I can think of would be to go to Bayugan and look for them, or send somebody there. I wish I had a better answer for you.
Hi Emmy & Willy – When you are in Davao, please let us know! We live in Marfori Heights, and will be happy to meet you!
Hi Bob, how’s it going? I been down with Vertigo for a couple of weeks so I haven’t been around. I’m getting better now though and my vision is no longer double.
Anyway, I noticed Mark’s entry. I would like to say a couple of things for his benefit.
First Mark, before you marry her make sure you are BOTH serious. Most Filipina’s are serious about marriage. They hold it really sacred and can’t really comprehend Divorce. However, there are a few(Always a few bad apples wherever you go) that may take you for a ride.
Secondly, as I said, make sure you are BOTH serious. Too many Westerners go there, get married and then wake up one morning and say to themselves “Why did I do this?” Then they end up going back home and leaving a heart broken girl. That makes us all look bad. I hate it when I hear something like that.
Also, if you abandon a girl after you marry her, you have screwed up any chance of her finding someone else and getting married in her church( which most Filipina’s hold sacred). Because, there is NO divorce in the Philippines. They can get a legal separation, but after that they have to wait like 8 years before the marriage goes away. Also, they can have it annulled. But this takes money, more money than most Filipinas will have. So, this is why I say make sure you are BOTH serious.
The second point I wanted to tell you is that if you are serious about her and want to bring her to the U.S. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT marry her in the Philippines. Get some pictures of both of you together with a date in the picture. You have to show proof to U.S. Immigration that you have met before you applied. Then, come home and apply with U.S.C.I.S(Immigration) for a Fiance Visa. It will take maybe a year to 14 months if all of each of your papers are in order.
Also, don’t try to fool U.S. Immigration. If you use a false paper or you are caught lying to them, you will never get her back here. And, believe me, they know every trick in the book and have ways of telling if all your documents are real.
And, if you marry her in the Philippines it will take you years to get her into the U.S. Like I say, if you want to bring her back to meet your family or to live in the U.S. do the Fiance Visa thing. It’s not that hard and then she’ll have a green card and in 3 years she can apply for citizenship. And, besides, Filipina’s LOVE Walmart, Ha!
Take care and good luck,
Mike
Bob: I haven’t been to Mindanao(yet). I have been to my wife’s hometown of Inopacan, Leyte 3 times. All in the mid 60, 70, and early 80’s. I always enjoyed it. I was always the only foreigner/white person there, so it was easy for my wife to find me. We always flew into Hilongos and the Inopacan mayor would pick us up. When I first went there in Dec 1964, I was told that I was the first white person there since WWII. It was a rather unique experience to say the least. My wife’s relatives are there and in Baybay mostly. She has many relatives down where you are in Davao. A close cousin or her’s now lives in Las Vegas, NV. I do enjoy your Blog . Found it today.
Hi Mike Walker – I hope you are feeling better! I must say…. I couldn’t disagree with you more when you say “DO NOT marry in the Philippines.” Firstly, you are wrong, it does not take “years” as you say to bring your wife to the USA. It takes about one year, even less in some cases. The reason that I disagree is that by marrying you and leaving her country and her family behind, your wife is taking a risk, she doesn’t know you that well. Also, in the Philippine culture, family is a huge thing. Allowing your wife, and her family to enjoy seeing the wedding, and participating in it is one last gift that you can give to your wife and her family. Of course, this is a personal choice that must be made by every person individually, but this is what I believe.
Hi Dennis R. Taber – Thanks for visiting my site! I hope you will be back and share more stories of your visits to the Philippines!
Hi Bob – I disagree with Mike Walker as well and I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you.
Marilou
Hi Marilou – Thanks for your support!
Hi Bob,
I agree with Mike to make sure they really like each other or being serious. But I disagree that when you get married in the Philippines would take years.To make the story short. My husband used a lawyer to file our papers, he filed K-1(I-129)for fiancee and K-3 (I-130)for spouse visa at the same time just in case we are going to get married backhome and we did. to make the story short we got married in the Philippines Oct. 2002 after a week or two we went ahead and sent our marriage certificate thru Fed Ex. Thanks God! First week of June 2003 I got my yellow packet. I had my physical first week of July and July 18th for my interview then I have my visa after five days and left Philippines July 28th 2003. As long us the paper work are okay and complete in both side it would not be difficult for the wife to leave the country. It takes us only nine months for K-3(I-130) or spouse visa. I believe it’s case to case bases.
Take Care!
Hi Willy & emee – Glad that it all went smoothly! Back when Feyma and I were married, it only took 4 months for her to get to the States on a fiance visa!