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To Angeles residents.

Is this for real??

Trump's gone crazy and stirred up a hornet's nest in the Middle East, causing flight prices to quadruple. I can't go either, but....

The acacia trees we know in Korea boast white flowers that hang in clusters like grapes,

and I remember picking and eating a lot of them when I was young.

But there are acacia trees in the Philippines too.

In fact, if you've seen the flowers below, which are very common, Filipinos will tell you it's an acacia tree.

So, I looked it up and found out the following:

"The tree referred to as 'acacia' in the Philippines primarily refers to the Rain Tree, scientifically known as Samanea saman. While it's native to Africa, it grows extensively in the Philippines due to the favorable climate and is a common sight as a roadside tree or park tree, forming a large canopy."

There's a huge one of those trees sprawling in front of my house.

The problem is, when it rains a lot like it has been lately, all sorts of small branches and leaves litter the streets and get into the house,

and cleaning them up is quite a chore.

Also, these trees sometimes fall across roads where cars travel, causing traffic chaos due to forced road closures.

They get pruned regularly, but their vitality is just top-notch...

Even after cutting everything but the main trunk, they grow this much in just a month.

In short, they're magnificent!

An arcade located on the second floor of SM Mall. I go there…

An arcade located on the second floor of SM Mall. I go there every other day when I'm in Angeles.

In 1998, when StarCraft was released and a revolution occurred, shifting teenagers' leisure time from arcades to PC bangs, I still stubbornly played Tekken and King of Fighters after school instead of going to PC bangs. Unable to overcome the overwhelming tide of StarCraft, and despite the bitter reality of local arcades disappearing one by one, and even as youth arcades transformed into games like Sea Story for survival, I continued to frequent arcades.

It's fascinating that this World of Fun arcade keeps pace with trends in Korea. Korean arcades are now increasingly filled with crane games and prize redemption machines instead of the traditional joystick and button setups. They are being reorganized to focus on coin karaoke and racing games, and this place is following suit.

At World of Fun, you don't use real money; you play games with special arcade coins. One coin costs 5 pesos. If you buy a large quantity, you get bonus coins.

I mostly play claw machines, ticket redemption games, and racing games (Mario Kart).

It's large and crowded, making it fun to just watch.

When I'm playing games with a pile of coins, children who look like they're from impoverished backgrounds sometimes come up with pitiful expressions and ask for just one coin. I proudly give them one by one.

This past February, a group of Korean children came and were playing games. I asked them:

Why did you come here?

We came to learn English for two months.

Oh really? How much does it cost?

It's around 800!

800? You're lying! You're too young to be telling such lies to adults!

It's true. You can find it by searching "Dak Gong Camp" on Google.

Dak Gong Camp.......

I was quite surprised by the wealth disparity and culture in the Philippines, but I realized that Korea is the same in ways I'm unaware of. Two months of English immersion for children costing 800 is something only the upper class can dream of. Looking at them again, they seemed to exude an aura of wealth.

I remember leaving because I didn't have the courage to ask any more questions...

I've been to this place twice, in 2017 and 2025. There are t…

I've been to this place twice, in 2017 and 2025. There are two locations, Walking Street and Friendship, but I've only ever been to the Friendship one.

This place holds memories for me. It was my first Korean meal when I first came to Angeles City. I was so excited and thrilled when I ate there, so perhaps that's why I remember it being incredibly delicious the first time. The staff even grilled the meat for me... the side dishes and the meat were all tasty.

After a long time, I revisited Donenoo with a cooler head. They seemed to have made a lot of money in the meantime, as they had built a magnificent building right above the original one and were also operating there. I ate at the new location. It was still decent, but I couldn't feel the same level of excitement as before. Still, the food was good.

It's not bad, but for me, unless I'm reminiscing about the past, I don't think I'll be visiting often again for the taste or price.

This is an event that happens every year during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, whether I like it or not.

Seeing myself frantically running around, regardless of the beautiful scenery, makes me think it's a terrible sport...

If you enjoy golf, Clark offers a good environment with five golf courses nearby, but there's a lot of talk about price inflation.

I took a video of the kids on their way to school.

A new road has been completed along the Abakan River, and it's so refreshing to be able to drive without traffic congestion.

Things in the Philippines that are hard to understand.

At every convenience store and somewhat larger shop, there are always beggars by the door, and they open the door for you when you enter. They also open the door for you when you leave. I call them my personal doormen.

I understand why they stand there and open doors. But there are just too many of them. There's at least one or two at every convenience store. Even the Alphamart next to Healing Condo has them. At Alphamart, the doormen are a whole family with a baby, guarding the door.

How much do they earn in a day from this? Where do they live... In this situation, how did they even think of having children... let alone getting married... There are so many questions. Next time I go, I plan to buy the child an ice cream and ask the doorman.

Another thing is how incredibly slow they are. If you moved at that speed in Korea, you'd immediately get cursed at and kicked.

You can experience this at restaurants. It takes about three times longer to get your food than in Korea. You need a lot of patience. If you think by Korean standards, there will be trouble.

There was an incident at the old Cabalen buffet. We paid 1000 pesos for an entrance fee of around 600 pesos. But they didn't seem to be in a hurry to give us our change. When I asked, "Where's my change?", they said they'd bring it. Even after eating two plates, they still didn't bring it. I called them over and showed them a message on my translator: "Why aren't you giving me my change? If I don't ask, are you going to keep it? Stop acting like a beggar!" Only then did they sheepishly bring it within 30 seconds. It's baffling why they wouldn't do it quickly when they can.

And then there are the people who just gather around. If you observe the ubiquitous sari-sari or canteen stores, you'll see people gathered in front of them. They don't seem to be there to buy anything or eat, nor do they look like family, yet one or two people are always there.

If you keep watching, they don't really do anything special. They just sit there, sometimes talking amongst themselves. What is their purpose? Why do they hang out in places that seem to have no reason for them to be there...

Finally, the speed of checkout. If you buy something for 50 pesos and pay with 100 pesos, the change is 50 pesos without needing to calculate. Yet, they use a calculator or write it down on paper to figure it out and give you the change.

Is that something that requires calculation? Do you need to write it down to get the answer? Can't you just automatically get the answer in your head?

Regarding the last point, I tried an experiment at a bar. I offered money to the "babies" if they could solve simple addition and subtraction problems within a set time using a Nintendo brain training game. No one could solve problems like 5+8 instantly in their head within a second; they all had to think, ponder, and write down the answer, leading to failure. That's when I realized it wasn't intentional, but that they genuinely struggle with calculations....

Highly recommended. It costs around 600 pesos. This place wa…

Highly recommended.

It costs around 600 pesos. This place was very satisfying, along with Joseon Chicken near Mr. Wang Chinese Restaurant at the entrance of Fields Avenue. The sides like gimbap, chicken, and burgers are also excellent, and the burgers are especially delicious. Better than Jollibee. The interior and hygiene are also good.

I liked the shabu-shabu, except for the meat being so thinly sliced it was almost transparent. But since it's a buffet, you can just eat more.

It's not easily accessible. A car is essential. Walking there would take ages.

However, the taste is guaranteed. They seem to have sales at night. It would be quite atmospheric to go alone at night, have a drink of calamansi soju, play Nintendo games, and people-watch while eating.

Analysis of Peso Exchange Rate Outlook on the Occasion of the Exchange Rate's Emergence

No source. This is just a compilation from various places.

Currently, the exchange rate of the peso to the dollar is 61.8.

When I went to the Philippines in February of this year, I exchanged money at 58.2, so the value of the peso has depreciated since then.

Damn, I should have gone now instead of February...

Regretting it is useless as it's already in the past. More importantly, predicting the future of the peso is crucial.

My outlook for the peso's value is bleak, with a long-term decline.

The reason is the continuous decrease in ODA (Official Development Assistance). While it's a grand term, it's essentially like charity from the rich to the poor. It's a looser form of aid than loans, used by developed countries to prove their obligations in the international community and secure their voice.

By 2025, it will decrease by a whopping 20% to $170 billion. It also decreased in 2024. The causes are likely economic uncertainty, Trump, and the war in Ukraine.

The quality of ODA is also deteriorating, with increased allocations for essential support to Ukraine and the Middle East.

The Philippines is, without a doubt, a recipient country of ODA. This means the "free money" is dwindling.

In fact, the number of countries that have successfully transitioned from receiving ODA to giving it can be counted on one hand, like South Korea and Taiwan. This shows how difficult it is.

And then there's the situation within the Philippines.

The Philippines has always lacked industrial facilities and infrastructure. Despite a persistent and growing trade deficit, the country has continuously borrowed money from overseas to fund various construction projects. Fortunately, the trade deficit slightly decreased last year, but it is expected to increase again this year.

President Bongbong Marcos is focusing on building social infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and bridges, and most of the materials are imported. The largest construction boom in Philippine history is underway across the country.
There are dozens of large-scale projects, and they cannot be completed overnight, so a depreciation of the peso seems almost certain.

Furthermore, in Manila, numerous condominiums the size of Tower Palace are being built. Almost all materials are imported.

If you are considering purchasing a condo or something similar, it might be wise to wait a little longer.

Finally, let's look at exports. Lacking the funds and technology to produce high-value-added products, the main exports are remittances from overseas workers and agricultural products. Unfortunately, fertilizer prices are continuously rising, and climate change will increase the volatility of plantation crop exports. Fortunately, plantation crop exports are currently increasing. However, it is clearly a long-term risk factor. The remittance sector is the backbone of the Philippines' foreign exchange earnings, but it is currently a double-edged sword. Northern European countries, after experiencing severe consequences from accepting people from developing countries, and Western European countries observing this, are rapidly strengthening their immigration policies. Trump even made it a campaign promise... However, in reality, due to aging populations and low birth rates, it's impossible not to accept people from developing countries, as their national functions are on the verge of collapse. We need to watch this situation more closely.

What's interesting is that the peso generally strengthens from late October to December. This is likely because overseas workers, who work extremely hard, send home significantly more money during the year-end holidays. Then, it gradually weakens again, peaking around August-September.

Graze~~

This is the market trend I was hoping for!!

The exchange rate and oil price information on the main screen was updated quickly.

But it's great that they not only show the peso per dollar rate, but also the won-to-dollar and

won-to-peso exchange rates. Good!!

But I remember exchanging $100 for about 5820 pesos at a currency exchange when I went to the Philippines at the start of the year, and now it's over 6100???

Is the dollar strengthening globally...

I should write a post about the Philippine exchange rate soon...

The embassy staff worked hard, and in collaboration with the Korean Association, we successfully traveled by bus to vote.

I'm proud of this.

Current Situation in the Philippines

The current international situation surrounding the Philippine Sea. Someone has provided a simple and concise summary.

https://m.blog.naver.com/ranto28/223937280433?isFromSearchAddView=true&recommendTrackingCode=0

Here it is.

I saw news from a past summit where Duterte, in a private bilateral meeting, told Xi Jinping that the region (around the Philippine Sea) is a matter of sovereignty and not subject to negotiation or deals. He stated that China's claim to the area is just their view and that he wants to conduct oil drilling there. Xi Jinping responded by saying they need to maintain their friendship and he doesn't want to quarrel with Duterte, calling him a friend. However, he frankly stated that if Duterte were to persistently interfere in this region, he would go to war with him. https://n.news.naver.com/article/020/0003066266?sid=104

In reality, the Philippines' naval power is negligible, and China's naval power is now considered to have surpassed that of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. I can't even imagine how terrifying it must have been for Duterte to hear those words.

What I want to say. No source. My thoughts.

While China is indeed bullying and acting aggressively towards its neighbors through sheer force, I believe that if they were to truly decide on war, only one thing would need to be guaranteed. China is not a government that cares about justifications, public opinion, economy, industry, or resource supply like Western countries do. If the premise that the Communist Party's survival is possible is maintained, they would be aggressive in securing benefits through war. From that perspective, I actually believe Taiwan is safer. A failed invasion of Taiwan would mean the end of the Communist Party regime, so they would have to succeed at any cost. They have no other choice.

In that regard, rather than Taiwan, which is high-risk, high-return, China will likely test the West's red lines, test their own capabilities, and probe other areas where the Communist Party's survival is possible and where there are exit strategies even if they fail. It's like a practice test before the college entrance exams. Only after this is successful will Taiwan enter the countdown, and if it fails, it would be the best outcome for Taiwan. I believe the most dangerous places are the Philippines and Vietnam.

Today's Petron gas station prices (June 4)

Russia's COVID-19 response.

There are many similar videos from India.

At the end, the guy going up the escalator backward really caught my eye.

This is why a country absolutely needs a high income and continuous education for its citizens regarding their rights. When people are warm and well-fed, the social atmosphere becomes more tolerant.

There's a place in the Philippines I absolutely want to take the time to see up close at least once. It's the slum area next to the Abacan River. It could be for reasons like cheap pity, a sense of superiority, showing off, feeling sorry for them, collecting evidence and proof that I'm a good person helping them, or even with the intention of exploiting them. And if you ask me if those are the reasons, I honestly don't have much to argue against. Anyone looking would see it that way, and foreigners visiting there probably are. If I see others that way, how can I argue against others seeing me that way?

However, even if everyone thinks and sees it that way, there's something within me that I can't express in words, and that's why I want to see it. It's hard to explain this feeling. But even with that desire, I'm still scared and only get a superficial look at the area, unable to go deep inside.

Then, I finally found a video that goes into the heart of that place, filming the interiors and inside their homes. I watched it closely several times.

Compared to that, the house in Babaye I posted about recently is like a mansion in Hannam-dong. I was filled with questions like "How can this be?" and a complex mix of emotions.

Next time, I'll gather my courage and definitely go see it for myself. Of course, I'm too scared to go alone, so I'll go with a local guide.

The taste is the same as what you'd find at most Korean restaurants, with dishes like Jjajangmyeon, Jjamppong, and Tangsuyuk.

I used to love their Ganjjajangmyeon, but it's not as good as it used to be, so I recommend the regular Jjajangmyeon or Jjamppong. The Tangsuyuk is decent if you eat it at the restaurant, but

I don't recommend takeout because it gets soggy quickly. (I'm not a fan of the sauce either, as it's too thick.)

The only downside is that in this high-tech era, they only accept cash. They refuse all other payment methods like digital wallets, bank transfers, and card payments.

I don't know the exact location, but it's a high-end Chinese…

I don't know the exact location, but it's a high-end Chinese restaurant in Angeles City.

I haven't tried many dishes. Just fried dumplings, fried rice, green soup, and sweet and sour pork. I had the sweet and sour pork in the winter of 2019 at Jun Jun Bi Bin Ka, and it was so delicious that I had high expectations, which were met.

Each dish was quite good. The interior is also nice. The complimentary nuts served while waiting are also very tasty. They seem to be popular because they also sell them separately. The interior is well-decorated and spacious. The staff seem well-trained, as they constantly refill our empty glasses. It felt like being treated well.

The portions of the fried rice and green soup were also very generous.

The menu seems to start around 400 pesos (about 10,000 KRW). For two people eating until they're full, it's about 40,000 KRW.

I remember going with a friend, and after we ate, the bill was 1540 pesos. I went to the counter, paid 1550 pesos, and told them the extra 10 pesos was a tip. My friend looked at me incredulously and then called a server to give an additional 50 pesos tip.

I can recommend this restaurant.

The sunsets in the Philippines are truly breathtaking.

The tricky part is that you can't quite capture that feeling in a photo.

You'll nod in agreement when you see it for yourself.