Oct

6

Swiss Questions

Filed Under General, Humor, Migrant Life, Society & Culture, The Philippines | 7 Comments

Okay, I’ve blogged about the silly and crude questions some of my compatriots, who are also based in Switzerland, had asked me in the past. (The post, apparently, has become one of the most commented and most linked blog entry on X-Press Files of late).

I guess it’s time for the Swiss version of the blog post.

So here it goes — a list of (silly) questions posed to me by some Swiss acquiantances:

– “Do you have wine in the Philippines?” — asked by my husband’s first cousin during a family reunion.

– “Does your family sleep in straw mats? Do they live in a hut made of dried leaves?” — asked by a German language teacher during class.

– “Do you know how to operate a washing machine?” — asked by the lady caretaker of our apartment building during my first month in Switzerland.

– “How come you can speak in English?” — asked by a group of French-speaking Swiss classmates in a German course for the jobless during the first day in class.

– “How come you know when America was discovered and when the First World War was?” — asked by the same group of French-speaking Swiss classmates during a trivia game in our German class.

– “Am I already considered rich in your country?” — asked by a cash-strapped, French-speaking Swiss classmate in the same German course during a speaking exercise.

– “Would you like to work as a guinea pig in a pharmaceutical company in Basel?” — asked by the same cash-strapped, French-speaking Swiss classmate during the start of a lesson.

– “What is the Philippines?” — asked by a Swiss lady customer during the monthly outdoor market in our town.

– “How does it feel to ride a carabao?” — asked by my husband’s former officemate, who takes pride in being a “wide reader,” during a visit to our apartment.

Thank goodness nobody has asked me yet which Philippine tribal group I belong to (note: not that it’s bad per se to be a member of a certain tribe).

With regard to the question if we Filipinos have wine in the Philippines, I managed to answer in a calm way that yes, we do have wine in the Philippines…as well as clothes (apart from loincloths to cover the male genitals), cars, houses, office buildings, schools, computers, and many other things. Not just tribes, carabaos, and nipa huts.

Jun

25

Philippine Booth

Filed Under Announcements, Business & Finance, Consumer Concerns, Faith & Values, Family & Friends, The Philippines | 6 Comments

Once again, the Swiss town of Biel-Bienne will hold its yearly three-day summer festival dubbed “Bieler Braderie” (view my 2007 Bieler Braderie slideshow here).

Come June 27-29, the main streets downtown will become a mini version of Divisoria, with all the makeshift market stands and tindera tables dotting the town center’s thoroughfares. There will be fun rides, food stalls, and outdoor concerts, too. Plus many more!

And here comes the shameless plug: my husband and I will man a Philippine booth, where we’ll showcase handmade bags (different types), wallets, pencil cases, toiletries kits and belts made from recycled juice foils. We’re helping promote the environment-friendly recycling products of an award-winning Philippine NGO, which spearheads livelihood and micro-financing programs to help underprivileged Filipino mothers living in the slums of Quezon City. Hence, our participation in this summer festival.

We’re going to share the four-meter market stand with a seasoned market seller from Bern, a Filipino lady who sells jewelry in memory of her now deceased daughter who was shot and killed in Bern many years ago (the daughter used to manage a shop in Bern). She now runs a Philippine-based foundation named after her daughter.

Truth be told, my husband and I feel extra daring to do this, given our inexperience. But I hope our good intentions will help boost sales.

XF readers will be given a 10 percent discount on total purchases worth CHF20.00 or more. Just say the following magic words (sort of a code): “Jayred, you’re cool!” — in English (note: German or French translation will not be accepted). :-)

WHAT: Philippine Booth at the Bieler Braderie
WHEN: June 27-29
TIME: Fr. 19.00-02.00/Sa. 08.00-05.00/So. 10.00-23.30
WHERE: Platz Nr. 203, Unionsgasse, Biel-Bienne

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