Cebu Journal (pg. 8)
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September 2005 trip miscellaneous thoughts
Monday, September 19, 2005: The last couple of weeks have been really busy for me. I have taken a couple of nice trips and have seen much. However, there are always things going on daily. Some of them are the drab old things of work. Yet, there are other refreshing things as well. I am always interested in reading the newspapers while I am here. Presently there is a movement on to impeach President Gloria Arroyo. There have been Jeepney strikes (and there is supposed to be a big one nationwide this Wednesday); there have been protest marches (there was one in front of the hotel here a week ago Sunday at 7 AM!! Drums beating and horns blaring) and of course editorials galore. In this morning's paper there was an article that caught my eye. This week begins the 11th annual Press Freedom Week in Cebu. Yesterday morning at 7 AM there was another parade in front of the hotel with drums and horns and dancers. All of the participants were representatives of the various newspapers here in Cebu and were competing for prizes. According to the paper there were prizes for best costumes and dancers, etc. The one that got me was "The Gay-est Reporter" award, for the reporter who dressed and acted most like a women. The Freeman News reporter won the contest and was touted on the front page and everything. What shocks me is that the paper appeared proud of this. It was really something else I tell you. Here is the picture from the paper:
This is the rainy season in Cebu and it has rained almost every day since I have been here. We were very fortunate on Saturday that it wasn't raining. But, by the time we returned it was. It rained a good part of yesterday and has rained all day as far as I can tell. It makes for a muggy day and also makes me grateful for air conditioning.
While here I have neglected to mention my Lexmark counterparts much. These folks are an awesome bunch. For those of that don't now, I am a Software System Test Coordinator for Lexmark International, the printer manufacturer. We have a Research and Development Facility here in Cebu that I am visiting on this trip for a training and research visit. The team here works closely with the team in Lexington and I have gotten to know these folks very well. We have had some fun times, even at work, as they are all a fun loving crew. Last Monday, after work, I was invited to the Lexmark Women's Volleyball League Championship game. It was alot of fun and the team that had some of our team members won in an exciting battle. They even had "male cheerleaders" with pom-poms and everything. It really was a good time for all.
L-The team volleys back. C-System Test Coordinator Kathryn Rodil bumps back to the other side while fellow Coordinator Froilan Magdadoro looks on. R-The Cheering Squad chants their slogans
Another thing they do here is celebrate birthdays. They always announce them and make sure that the birthdays are posted on their websites. Last week, there was a birthday and also the celebration of my five year anniversary as a Lexmark regular. John Moro, the manager over System Test in Cebu, ordered Lechon (roasted whole pig seasoned with spices to give it a distinct aroma; it is known for its reddish color and crispy skin. See page 6) for all of us. So, I go to the conference room on the 10th floor expecting a meeting and walk in and there is this WHOLE roast pig...about 4 feet long, with head and snout and feet and tail. The whole works. They brought in a big bunch of rice, some bottled sauce and then poured some bags of cooked pig blood into a dish for all to share. I was asked to say a blessing on the food and then was also allowed to take the "first cut". I thought the leg would be best, but they informed me that the ribs were best and I should cut there. So, I cut into the side of the pig and took some of the crunchy skin and then some meet from the ribs...all of this with my bare hands. I then sat down and to my amazement watched everyone go at it...15 or so people attacked the pig with a vengeance. They were all grabbing with their hands. Then, they sat down and put sauce on a plate to dip the pig into and then mixed that cooked blood into their rice. I passed on the blood. They continued until there was very little left. But, nobody went for the legs, so I grabbed some of that meat. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I guess we have different tastes. What few leftovers there were had been gathered up by John and put into a large baggie that came with the lechon. This would be used later in a lechon stew. I sure wish I could have had some photos of the onslaught, but, here are some typical lechon shots:
Now, a funny thing about the birthdays here is that they don't do cake. One of the Team Leads had a birthday as did two of the Coordinators last week. I got two cakes for them. Julius Ringca, the Team Lead, just turned 20-something and has NEVER had a birthday cake until the other day. I couldn't find candles, but here is the party with his FIRST EVER Birthday cake!!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005: Another busy day at the office and lots of other things going on. I am trying to finalize some of my trip thoughts before I go, include some pictures of my "Marriott Prison Cell" and other things. It has been pretty stormy the last couple of days and I think it is supposed to continue as such. As I write there is lightning flashing outside and the rain is pouring pretty hard. It makes me wonder how everyone gets around. The tricycle motorbikes are all equipped with a flip-over plastic sheet that covers their entire body bit their face. The jeepneys have drop down plastic covers for the open windows so the rain doesn't get in. I imagine that must make it sweltering inside those Jeepneys. The sheer thought makes me nauseous.
I mentioned the Marriott Prison Cell. I have stayed here for about two weeks. Seems like I never left in February after my one month stay. The hotel is really not a bad place. Almost all of the help greets me by Sir David or Mr. David or Mr. Kravetz. They all seem to know me. But, the place sometimes seems like a prison cell to me. Nobody in the room to talk to, same old TV, same old view from the window...of the Innove Plaza building where I work during the day. Everyday I come back to another small basket of fruit on the table, a clean room and a made bed. That is nice. At least this time the pillows and bedding were much nicer than I had the last time I was here. But I will be glad to be heading home in a couple of days. Two weeks is actually pretty manageable. But a month really got to be a drag. As well, this time I have had associates from Lexmark to join for breakfast and other meals. That has been nice too.
Marriott Prison Cell: Couch in one room, bed in the other. My two main views--the Innove Plaza where Lexmark's offices are and the port of Cebu. Ironically, when I look out the window of my office at Lexmark, I get the same view of the port.
Of course, just a five minute walk from the hotel is the Ayala Mall. I think I have included photos of it before on other Cebu Journal pages. But, a walk around the mall kind lead one to some tastes of Americana....sort of:
Besides Coke and Pepsi, perhaps McDonald's is the kind of place you can find anywhere in the world. But at this one you can get Ribs and Rice, fried chicken and rice and Taro Pie, a reasonable facsimile of Sweet Potato Pie.
Then of course, there is KFC. You can get a bucket of chicken with all the fixins...except there is rice and not mashed potatoes and gravy. You can even get your Scooby Cups with the meal!!
If you don't like KFC you can get Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken, with rice. Or, you can get Dunkin Donuts. But don't try to get your donuts and coffee before 9 AM, because they aren't open until then. Sbarro's really does taste the same!!
If Pizza is your bag, there are many kinds here. Besides Shakey's, there is a Pizza Hut. But, unfortunately, I could not locate a Papa John's or a Dominoes. And yes, Pizza Hut does deliver, but Yellow Cab Pizza does not.
Jollibee is the biggest competitor to McDonald's in Cebu. But don't order the Champ Burger, the equivalent of a big Mac. It takes a long time to cook because nobody ever orders one that big. Instead, try Kublai Khan's All-U-Can-Eat Mongolian food. It is one of the best places in the Ayala Mall to get full and tasty at the same time.
The Dessert Factory has some good desserts and some strange costumes. On the right is Professor Dumbledave with the gang at the Dessert Factory. I just couldn't resist.
For everything else, there is True Value Home Center. You can even get your Pre-Christmas Christmas goods at 50% off.
And that is a taste of Americana in Cebu....or at least a reasonable facsimile.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005: This morning I was once again awakened by drums and horns in the street...at 4 AM!!! It is the anniversary of the death of Ferdinand Marcos and perhaps someone was celebrating. But I wasn't. I wanted to sleep. I never did go back to sleep.
I have finally left the confines of Lexmark and will be out of the Marriott in about 12 hours from now. I do look forward to going home and getting away from the constant revving of motorcycles and the constant honking of horns 11 floors down on the busy street in front me.
Notice the truckload of people on the left. There always seems to be traffic down there on that intersection.
All in all, this has been a good two weeks. I got a lot accomplished at Lexmark. I saw some great sites. And most of all I spent time with some good people at Lexmark who shared the hard work AND the fun times. Indeed, we worked hard and we played hard. I'll miss the Cebuano Lexmarkers until the next visit, which will hopefully be soon.