Southeast Asia, Iloilo Philipines 7/8/2013 - 7/22/2013

Sharon and I traveled to the country of her birth the Philippines.  We visited her parents and family in Iloilo where we were graciously welcomed.   The people of Iloilo are the nicest people you would ever want to meet.  They are very kind and helpful.  We had a wonderful time.  Thank you Mom and Pop and the entire Magsipoc family.

My beautiful sister in law Glynda (Pinky) Ortega flew in from Los Angeles to stay with Thara and her friend Mark in our apartment.  Thank you Pinky.

3AM at Gate D at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Manila.

He looks the way I feel.  At this point I haven't slept in over 24 hours.

Sharon rolling our luggage near Gate D at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Manila.

Sunrise taken from Cebu Pacific jet over Cabanatuan just north of Iloilo International Airport before landing.

A neighbor, Manong asking to borrow a ladder at the Magsipoc house.

A Jeepney in Iloilo City.  This is public transportation in the Philippines.  The driver either rents for the day or owns the Jeepney.  Often you will see the How's My Driving sign on the back.  That's a give away that it's rented.  People wait by the road, hail the Jeepney and hop on the back or where ever they can depending on how much room is left on the inside.  No room inside?  You ride on the roof.  You see tons of these vehicles in Iloilo and no two are the same.  They are painted with colorful art and the destinations are printed on the sides.

This is a Sikad.  Human powered bicycle with side car.  The other form of public transportation in the Philippines.  There are more Sikads in Iloilo City than Jeepneys.  The drivers rent a Sikad for about 20 Philippine Pesos per day and they collect about 150 Philippine Pesos per day in fairs making a profit of about 130 Philippine Pesos per day.  At the time of this writing 1 US Dollar = 43.3 Philippine Pesos.  You do the math.  These nice people are very very very resourceful.

Another Sikad but this one is motorized.  If a Sikad is motorized it is referred to as a tri-cycle.   Still room in the back.

This is the SM City Mega Store in Iloilo.  It's like a mega mall in America and this is the place Sharon and I went most of the time when we were in need of supplies.  There is a Starbucks to the left of this picture where I went almost every morning for breakfast.  A venti coffee and 1 or 2 croissants.

Drive safely but don't forget to buy some liquor.

A cute billboard ad.

Mid morning Iloilo traffic.  There are no traffic lights or stop signs in Iloilo.  Everybody is very courteous to one another and the general rule is if you got there first you have the right of way.  It is astounding.  I never saw a traffic accident in the two weeks I was there.  It would take me several months to learn to drive in Iloilo.

A typical view of street side shops in Iloilo.

Here is a street side shoe repair shop and shoe shine business.  I don't see any leather shoes.  I guess the bulk of the business is in repairing tennis shoes.

Sitting on the Jeepney deep in contemplation.

This is my brother in law Carlo (Bro).  This picture was taken at a great restaurant called Breakthru. Santo Nino Sur, Iloilo City, Philippines on the Gulf of Panay (pronounced Pan-Eye).  Carlo runs his business from his phone most of the time.  C'mon Bro.  Get off the phone and join us for lunch.

My beautiful wife Sharon and I at Breakthru. 

Now here is a beautiful couple.  Momma Magsipoc and Pop Magsipoc at Breakthru.  Pop is 75 years old but he still has the energy of a 25 year old.  Pop told me it is important to have at least one good laugh everyday with your wife to remain happy like they are.  Good advice Pop.

Molo church (St. Anne Parish) Iloilo City.  Gothic-Renaissance architecture built in 1830.

Another view of Molo church (St. Anne Parish) Iloilo City.

Dinner time at the Magsipoc house.  From left to right - Cookie (Carlo's wife) Magsipoc, Carlo (Bro) Magsipoc, Pop Magsipoc, Bic Bic (Elsie), My beautiful wife Sharon Jackson, Momma Magsipoc, Baby (Eloisa).

Bed head birthday boy.  It's 7AM, I just woke up, and it's chocolate cake party time.  Thank you everybody for remembering my birthday and the delicious cake.  Dig in.

Happy 53rd Birthday Doug!

A view down the street in front of the Magsipoc house.

Another Sikad near the Magsipoc house.

A group of shanty houses on the south side of the Jaro River.  Photo taken from the left side of the MacArthur Bridge traveling south.

Jaro Cathedral (Our Lady of Candles) built in 1874 by the first Bishop of Jaro, Mariano Cuartero.

A traffic cop in Iloilo City.

Police Regional Office, Region 6 with Golden Salakot.  My wife lived here for four years with her family when she was growing up.  Pop was a decorated police officer.

A picture of a picture.  My daughter Thara.

Another picture of a picture.  My daughter Thara.

The family in Iloilo doing Facetime with Glenda (Pinky) in Washington, DC.  12 hour difference.  It is around 11AM in Iloilo and 11PM in DC.

Hi Pinky.  You look great.

Trisha Facetime chatting with her mom, Pinky.

Atis (pronounced ah-teeese) also known as Japanese Apple, Sugar apple, or Custard Apple was introduced to the Philippines by the Spaniards around 1590.  This photo was taken just in front of the Magsipoc house.

Here is the gang sitting at the bar at the Bearland Resort, Tan Pael, Tigbbauan, Philippines, on the Gulf of Panay (pronounced Pan-Eye).  From left to right - Carlo (Bro) Magsipoc, A.J. Magsipoc, Bic Bic (Elsie), Baby (Eloisa).

My beautiful wife Sharon and I spent two nights at Bearland.  Here is a picture of the living room of our Cabana.

A picture of the Bedroom of our Cabana.

Another pic of our Cabana at Bearland.

Another pic of our Cabana at Bearland.

My beautiful wife Sharon sitting at the jacuzzi in Bearland.

The pool at Bearland.  We had the whole place to ourselves for two days.

My beautiful wife Sharon on the beach at Bearland.

Another view of the beach at Bearland.  Notice the local fishing boats that bring in a fresh catch every morning.

A Lempuyang Bud, (also known as Pasao in the Ilongo dialect).

This is one of Momma Magsipoc's plants at the house.  It is an Anthurium.

A.J. studying some C++ code.  He has a very bright future.

Here is the lawn set I bought for Mom and Pop Magsipoc when we were there.  They deserve it and I know they will enjoy it.