It has now been over two months since my return. The elusive "product" I referred to is basically a hat, the exact style of which is not something I have ever seen in the states. We beleived and still do that there is great market potential for them, IF we can get them here.
As of May 15th, we finally have 100 pieces waiting for us in Cebu. A far cry from the 1000 peices we were promised. Unfortunately, we needed some changes to be made in order for them to be really marketable. For instance, the ones I brought back were shaped wrong, so that they only fit small sized heads. They fit women, children, filipinos, and pinheads fine, but they don't fit at least half of the male population of the US. Also, they had a very cheap plastic liner, which was very tacky. Although I had left my old hat as an example of what we wanted, and we repeatedly stressed the point we didn't want any more like the ones we got, the 100 that are waiting for us now in Cebu are just like the ones I brought back. Very disappointing.
One would think that a country that has such a poor economy would be much more willing to accomodate the wishes of a potential big customer. It is not so in the PI though. It doesn't seem to matter what you do, you will get things only the way they think you should have it, not the way you need it. Also, it almost never gets done in a timely manner. With this being the norm rather than the unusual here, it is really no wonder the economy is so poor. The only way I can see to get things done the way you want is to personally oversee their every motion.
It appears my friend Jovy is very angry at me for not showing up to see her. The only thing I have heard from her since my return was a quick note telling me she was getting married. She will no longer answer my emails. Of all the girls I have met there, she is the one I trust the most. I guess she'll either get over it or she won't. I kind of feel like a hypocrite, having not shown up. This is something I had told her used to bother me the most about the PI, was nobody was ever on time.
One other thing that bothers me about this trip is the way my time with Janie ended. I hate loose ends, and just want to know the truth. I would like to send her a message. If anyone is going there and would be willing to deliver it, I'll buy you a burger!
As for everything else, it was a great trip. I enjoyed myself immensely. I hope to be back before the year is out, hopefully for a longer period of time. I still plan to pursue the hat thing, but I now know for a fact that I must live there for a few months to get things done right. I had hopes of getting this venture off the ground this summer, but it is too late now. Maybe next year.
As many of you know, I spent a considerable amount of time earlier this year researching the feasability of starting a new non profit focusing on poverty, welfare, and education issues of PI citizens. After much research, I came to the conclusion that to do this right would take a tremendous amount of effort from a dozen or more individuals. I haven't the time or finances to focus any more on this at this time. However, I feel I could probably help a few families on a smaller scale without too much trouble. On my next trip, I intend to talk to the one armed girl on the footbridge. If I find her to be drug free, coherant, and willing to help herself, I have a plan I would like to try and implement.
This concludes my trip report for March, 2002. Hope you enjoyed it.
All parts of this report are protected by the copyright laws of the United States. No part may be used or reproduced for profit without the express written consent of the author. 
Larry R. Henderson
