Moalboal, Philippines Information

#76 13th. February 2016

simon — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 18:55:18 +0000

Hallo Friends of Moalboal.

My first responsibility as the new owner of this list is a sad one. The reason for the change in ownership for those that don't know was the shocking death of Lars Starner in a motorcycle accident in December.

I'm not going to write much about that; you've all become familiar with Lars over the last 16 years of this list, his life in Moalboal and around the world. I just want to say that it was a pleasure to have known Lars and he is and will be sorely missed. I made a short visit to Moalboal in January with my partner Jorja and was happy to have briefly seen Chikako. My deepest sympathy to her, to Lars' family and all members of the Moalboal family who knew him - I'm sure I speak for everyone who has not been able to contact her. I hope that Chikako will find it easy to stay on in Moalboal surrounded by happy memories that she and Lars shared.

Chikako asked me to take over the group since without a moderator/owner there would be no more posting, news or updates. As you may or may not be aware the settings of this group allow only moderators to post and Lars was the only moderator. So . . . with the co-operation of the Yahoo admins we had to hold a poll to vote on a new moderator. Thanks to the five people who voted and the half-a-dozen who sent me email votes.

I guess a short introduction is in order since I'm sure there have been many changes in the membership since I originally started this list back in 1998! I started coming to Moalboal regularly in 1989 and lived there for seven years between 1992 and 2000. Initially as a Divemaster then Instructor at Saavedra, later at Visaya Divers. In the latter half of the '90's my ex-wife and I ran Cakes & Connections in what is now Lantaw Restaurant. Happy happy days! Regula and I left the Philippines in 2000, returning to Switzerland with our two Filipino cats (long deceased but not forgotten) where I've been working in IT for various banks in Zürich and Regula is a social worker in Uster. Regula and I unfortunately split up in 2003 however we have a very good relationship still and often reminice about the "good old days". Emphasis on "old" now of course :).

One of the reasons that I wanted to take on the list owner job again was that after 16 years working I feel that it's time to retire and in July will be returning to where my heart. Together with Alain Amrein we are developing a small eco-resort between Moalboal and Badian: Eskapo Verde. Of course the work involved in this will mean that retirement is relative but it will for sure beat the 07.27 train to Zürich every morning! I have a wonderful partner who is interested to share some bits of Moalboal with me . . . some of you have met Jorja last year or in January. Since she is one of the Tagalog-speaking minority from Quezon City she will be needing Cebuano lessons for her visits. As of course will I :). This is a very exciting time on all levels for us and I hope to be able to share some of that excitement in the second half of the year and going forward.

Don't expect much activity until I get back to Moalboal in the second half of the year. Of course until then since I am 11,000km away I will be dependant on people sending me information. If you have any info that you'd like to share with the group then please send it to me. The mail addresses for the group have not changed, just drop a note to me at moalboalmail-owner [at] yahoogroups.com and I will pass it on to the group. Any subject relevant to Moalboal, the people or the businesses is fair game including social news, business promotions, facilites in the area, suggestions for things to do . . . anything that visitors, residents or just people with a special place in their heart for Moalboal might be interested in. You send it, I'll publish it. Conversely, you don't send it, I can't do very much!

Due the rather low level of response to the ownership poll, I've been wondering what the level of interest in the newsletter is now. Please would you register your vote in the poll linked here. This poll will directly influence the amount of effort that goes into the newsletter. Few votes means that the effort that goes into it is not worthwhile. The future is in our hands . . . .

Another piece of business is that I would like to have another moderator for the list.
Responsibilites: little and seldom. Backup moderator to ensure that in my absence there is someone available to manage the list. No need to be able to write since I'll do my best to look after that side!
Requirements: occasional e-mail access, that's it!
Anyone who would like to be considered please send me a mail.

That's about it for the moment. I wanted to close with a link to some video shot by Pete Morgan in 1993 when he was diving with Visaya Divers. This was something he sent me a while ago and my Facebook friends will probably have already seen it. For the rest of you, I hope that you will enjoy a step back in time to a rather different but still recogniseable Moalboal . . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqg2oX2jlRI

From a snowy and cold Switzerland, wherever you are "may you have fair winds and following seas" (c) Lars Starner.

All the best,

Simon Wright.

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#75 31st. December 2014 (orig. #85)

simon — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:51:42 +0000

Moalboal 2014/15

HAPPY NEW YEAR, friends of Moalboal!!

Soon another year and more celebrations.

2014 was quite slow after May. No one is really sure why, might be the aftermath from Yolanda and tourists got scared. Tourism is however up 4% this year, compared to 2013.

This high season is busy though, with most cottages booked. The Philippine economy is steaming on and now have the second highest growth rate in Asia and will probably have it next year as well.

Economy and growth can now be clearly seen in Moalboal. We now have a Gaisano Supermarket and one more being built. Mc Donalds and Seven Eleven. Not sure if that is a good thing but all that is up in Moalboal. Down on the beach it still look pretty much the same.

The price for land up by the road in Moalboal is now around 5000 peso/sqm

As of today, we are 496 readers of the Moalboal mailing List.

ACTIVITIES:

Pool tournament at Chili bar every Wednesday .

PRACTICAL:

As of only a few hours ago, the bridge in Alcantara is closed for traffic. Yesterday they had more rain than anyone can remember and over 15 people dead in villages north of Moalboal.

A lot of my friends in Panagsama woke up last night with up to half a meter water in their house.

At the moment the
exchange rate is:
1 $ = 44.7
1 Euro = 54.4
1 Pound = 69.5
1 Swedish crown = 5.8

Thailand is restricting visa for tourists staying a bit longer so more tourists might come to the Philippines instead.

FOR SALE:

If you have something for sale, just E-mail me and I will add it onto
the mail.

GENERAL:

If anyone has any information that they think would be interesting
for people on this list, please do let me know and I will add it in.
If you know anyone that would like to receive this letter, please
tell him or her to send me an E-mail at the address below and I will
add him or her. I've found it to hard to do it through
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/moalboalmail

Regards, Lars Starner
The Moalboal mail http://groups.yahoo.com/group/moalboalmail

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#74 27th. May 2014 (orig. #83)

simon — Thu, 29 May 2014 09:03:39 +0000

Moalboal, May 2014

Hi, friends of Moalboal!!

Low season has started after Easter. Easter was however busy and some dive shops did not even have enough boats to ferry all the divers.

As of today, we are 488 readers of the Moalboal mailing List.

Cebu and Moalboal is growing fast. In Cebu city buildings are shooting up everywhere. On BBC they said that the Philippines has the second most growing economy in Asia. The Gaisano supermarket looks like its half way built. Applications for building permits are up 30% in Moalboal. BUT, on Panagsama beach, not much has happened. It’s still business as usual, in a nice slow manner.

In Moalboal a new 7-11 has opened together with a new bank. The bank has an ATM but does not take international VISA cards.

BIRTHS, SOCIAL AND GOSSIP:

Very sad to say that Manfred Langer has passed away and his ashes are now spread between his house and Pescador. He battled with cancer a few years.

This nice bit was posted on the Facebook page of Cebu Fun Divers

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Manfred Langer, the founder of Savedra Dive Center and Seven Seas Aquanauts Corp.

After living and working as a dive instructor in the Maldives, Kenya and Hawaii, his passion for diving brought him to the Philippines in 1983, where he founded Savedra Dive Center in Moalboal, Cebu. There was no electricity in those days, no air-con or even a fan, no fridge or cold beer, and fresh water was delivered daily by little fishing boats. But he fell in love with this place, the people and the dive spots. Unfortunately, circumstances forced him to sell the dive center in 1984 and so he opened a new one on Mactan island, Kontiki Divers.

Kontiki Divers quickly became one of the top dive shops in the region. In 1990, he took over another dive center for five years at Club Pacific Beach Resort in Sogod, Cebu. For this he founded Seven Seas Aquanauts Corporation the same year.

In 1995, Savedra Dive Center became again part of the Seven Seas Aquanauts family, joined by the Seven Seas dive center at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in 2004 and Cebu Fun Divers Dive Center in 2009.

Manfred had a contagious passion for scuba diving, infecting everyone he met. He was one of pioneers of tech diving in the 1990s and always was happy to share his extensive knowledge of diving with those who sought his advice.

He truly lived life to the fullest with no regrets and everybody who knew him was in awe of the energy and positive vibrations he seemed to radiate all the time.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chili Bar has a new manager. Peter (he used to own Czeck inn) is now the new guy in charge.

A new restaurant, located on the road just before the beach, has opened in the building that started as a bowling alley. Sutokil have tanks with live fish. 5000p/Kg for lobster is a bit steep though.

Cafe Cebu has opened where Seaview restaurant used to be (Neighbor to Chili Bar). Fine dining with a Sea View.

Someone is starting an Italian restaurant in old Chief Maos.

PRACTICAL:

At the moment the exchange rate is:
1 $ = 43.6
1 Euro = 59.6
1 Pound = 73.6
1 Swedish crown = 6.6

FOR SALE:

If you have something for sale, just E-mail me and I will add it onto
the mail.

GENERAL:

Regards, Lars Starner
starner@...

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#73 7th. January 2014 (orig. #83)

simon — Thu, 29 May 2014 08:58:24 +0000

Moalboal 2014

Hi, friends of Moalboal!!

New year and new possibilities. I think we had more tourists around, last year. Not sure if it is because of Yolanda. Weather has been great Mid November until last week. Amihan (Northerly winds) has started = bit of rain, bit of sunshine every day.

As of today, we are 488 readers of the Moalboal mailing List.

ACTIVITIES:

Pool tournament at Chili bar every Wednesday

BIRTHS, SOCIAL AND GOSSIP:

At the moment it REALLY looks like we will get a Gaisano mall (or at least a super market) in Moalboal. They are busy building on the East side of the highway, north of the Petron gas station.

We now have a second ATM in town as well. Located on the East side of the road between the Petron gas station and the market.

There is a big sign saying “ Here will open a 7 Eleven” close to the T junction where you turn into Panagsama road.

A lot has changed the last few years here. I remember getting off the Liberando bus just after sunset 1991 and there was no one around. Eventually I found someone that knew a tricycle driver that could give me a ride.

I’m not sure if all this is for the better. All I can say is that Panagsama Beach is still pretty much the same.

Chili Bar had a one hell of a 10 year anniversary December 15. At least 170 people listening to a reggae band and Budoy (world famous in Cebu) was the DJ.

PRACTICAL:

At the moment the exchange rate is:
1 $ = 44.6
1 Euro = 60.8
1 Pound = 72.9
1 Swedish crown = 6.85

YOLANDA,

My friend Joonas, with his boat Queen X, went to an island south of bantayan with relief supplies. When they arrived the government had given the islanders 3 kg rice/family two weeks ago. So you can imagine how happy they were when they came. All the goods they received was well appreciated. They are now planning another trip next week. If you would like to contribute (please do) this is it:

Paypal: joonas.tenhunen@...

Western Union would also work. His name is Joonas Tenhunen and the E-mail address same as below.

Here’s a link to what they did last time they went :
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460267127412034.1073741863.100... It’s well worth a look.

This time they will focus on building material.

Here is a brief account on what they did last time:

Relifegoods carried:

32 sacks of rice á 50 kg P60,800
20 boxes of sardines, 100 x 155 g cans in each P26,000
20 boxes of noodles, á 72 packs in each P9,500
4 boxes of various candy P3,928
13 boxes of nails (no 2 n 5) á 25 kg each P12,480
23 kg of steelwire, 1 kg in each roll P1,320
20 kg of nylon, no 100-150, 1 kg in each roll P6,080
200 units of school supplies, notebook and pencil P3,130
71 packs of biscuits/crackers, P3,160
35 toothbrushes n toothpaste P652

Loading cost to delivery guys from stores and harbour P800

Total value: P127,850

Some of the contributors for the next relief trip will be (and they have already sent the money)

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Lars, I just came from the Western Union where I wired $700 to you in Pesos. You can pick it up any time.

Please thank the following people, perhaps in one of your newsletters or reports. I would love to be able to forward to all those who helped with this little fund raiser. Bless your efforts, Kathy McGuire

Mary Jean Jeanae, Sally Hearon, Margie Helgeson , Audrey Von Bieberstein, Kathy McGuire, Ken McLaughlin, Peggy Kearns , Kathy Piasecki, Pat Canning, Lana Rose, Benedict Family.

Shimamoto gave me money to forward to Joonas, they came from his Japanese neighbours.

Here is another YOLANDA youtube one, still good. http://vimeo.com/80544414

WHALE SHARK SIGHTINGS:

Thresher shark is now the BIG thing here. There’s a big school of sardines outside Nelsons Dive Shop/Cabana Pier. They sardines have attracted the Thresher Shark. This week they have seen them many times during the day.

FOR SALE:

If you have something for sale, just E-mail me and I will add it onto
the mail.

I personally have a 3500 sqm lot for sale. 1650 peso/sqm that could be subdivided into smaller lots. The lot is located close to other foreigners but not too close. 10 min walking to the beach. Clear papers. Road right of way and water / electricity very close. If interested send an E-mail to starner@... or +63908 565 4512

GENERAL:

Regards, Lars Starner
starner@...

Moalboal home page:
http://www.moalboal.org.uk

Other Moalboal Web sites
Kalles blog: http://living-and-diving-in-moalboal.blogspot.com
http://www.moalboal-online.de
http://moalboal.gov.ph
Moalboal town now have their own web site: http://moalboal.gov.ph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLHxVbW8nsk , dive video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-pWX2Y6hXE , dive video

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Moalboal Newsletters

#72 5th. October 2013 (orig. #82)

simon — Thu, 29 May 2014 08:41:06 +0000

*Moalboal October, 2013*

Hi, friends of Moalboal!!

October and this should be low season but there's lots of tourists out and about. I'm not sure why that is so. This week we have lots of Chinese

The land bank of the Philippines just upped it's prediction for the growth of the Philippines from 5.9% to 7% this year ... that's a lot. Moodys have upgraded the Philippines at least twice this year. It's even looking like they are coming to
terms with some of the corruption, so the Philippine economy is looking brighter. Unfortunately for us tourists, that means that things will become more expensive.

The Philippines has started to put on a "SinTax" on alcohol and cigarettes. The tax will progressively be larger. Beer in most restaurants are now 40-45 pesos.

As of today, we are 488 readers of the Moalboal mailing List.

*ACTIVITIES:*

Pool tournament at Chili bar every Wednesday. Normally there were no tournaments
between May and December but with so many players around it has been going every
week. Last Wednesday Liz won over Katz. Chili bar gave Katz a glass of whiskey
before the final and that did the trick to stop "the amazing Katz".

*BIRTHS, SOCIAL AND GOSSIP:*

*PRACTICAL:*

Gaisano REALLY did start construction for a new supermarket across from Doctor Iris by the Petron Gas Station. They have stopped now because of land disputes, hopefully that will get solved soon. There's also a rumor that another Gaisano brother is planning to build close to Belcris on the way to Badian.

The beach has a few more restaurants.

Czeck Inn opposite Neptune with good food.

Pleasure Principal with Spanish influence, Silver Ray split their restaurant and they are now located there.

Top of the Beach, Normal Pinoy food. Beach Bar closed and they are now located
there.

Another one between Sarah's and Silver Ray that I do not know the name of.

Sunset restaurant next to Chili Bar is getting an upgrade but not finished yet.

Tiki Tiki Divers are relocating to where Hannah had her rental cottages.

At the moment the exchange rate is:
1 $ = 43.08
1 Euro = 68.7
1 Swedish crown = 6.79

You now get a 30 day VISA on arrival, it used to be 21 days. Make sure to have a
printed ticket for your return flight. Kicki got put back on the same airplane
she arrived on. They did let her buy a new ticket at the airport or
S'pore but sent here all the way to Denmark to buy a new ticket.

They have made the Panagsama road 2 wider from Moalboal to Linos lumber.

*WHALE SHARK SIGHTINGS:*

*
*

I know they have seen Whale Shark lately but not where.

The BIG school of sardines have now moved from Pescador to Cabana reef.

*PRACTICAL TIP:*

To always have a copy of your passport and important stuff available. Scan it and send it to your own G-mail/hotmail address. Not yet sure how to scan a beer though.

*FOR SALE:*

If you have something for sale, just E-mail me and I will add it onto
the mail.

GENERAL:

Regards, Lars Starner
starner [at] hotmail.com

Moalboal home page:
http://www.moalboal.org.uk

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