In a Metro Manila public school, 2031 students
have to share one and only one working toilet bowl.

At the rate of 2 minutes per usage, the last kid in line will have to wait for more than 65 hours to poo or pee.

Amazing, for a nation that allots millions of pesos for its legislators who deem it essential to travel around the world -- to learn about poverty while staying in 6-star hotels furnished with Philippe Starck bathroom fixtures.

Amazing, for a nation that thinks nothing of spending P10,000 for a steak dinner at Serendra.

Amazing, for a nation that probably has the most number of glossy high society/gossip magazines in the region.

Amazing, for a metropolis where every other car seems to be an Expedition or a Suburban.

Amazing, for a land that's home to two of Asia's biggest malls.

Amazing, for a government that will borrow billions of dollars to put every school kid in cyberspace.

When the obvious pressing need, really, is for... some toilet space.

A Glimpse of Gorgeous Guam

If you’re sorely disappointed that Guam is not included in the best selling book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”, don’t be. Look at the bright side: less people will know about that gorgeous tropical hideaway that you’ve been keeping to yourself all these years.

Guam is a classic, textbook-perfect place for tourism.

Think clear blue waters framed by even bluer skies... miles of uncrowded, pristine beaches with sugary sand that’s actually corals pulverized by centuries of crashing waves... high, undisturbed ridges for climbing... deep sink holes for swimming… over a dozen golf courses.

And... hours and hours of duty-free shopping.

So no surprise: Japanese tourists come in hordes – to grab their piece of the sun, sea and wilderness while stuffing their luggage with a Vuitton, a Prada or a Fendi.

Irasshaimase!

Almost a million tourists fly into Guam from Japan each year. That’s 90% of total tourist arrivals. Because of the big bucks they bring, the Japanese single-handedly steer the U.S. territory's level of employment, tax base, business receipts and, in the end, standard of living.

That the Japanese are such an important aspect of the island’s existence can be gleaned from Guam’s many store signs that are in kanji, and the fact that just about everyone knows a sprinkling of Nihongo.

A small Hawaii? Perish the thought.

Compared to the frenetic pace of life in Hawaii, Guam is a refreshing and pleasant monastery.

The island has its own unique and slightly quirky personality that’s so fetching, Guam will never ever have a reason to develop an inferiority complex.

Ferdinand Magellan stumbled upon Guam on his way to ‘discovering’ the Philippines in 1521. The navigator and his mates were surprised that the islanders - proud Chamorros with Malay-Indo roots - actually lived orderly and prosperous lives.

But Ferdie’s trip was merely a stopover.

It was in 1668 that Jesuit priests from Spain came in earnest to bring Christianity to the natives and send home ‘samples’ of the island’s riches, in the name of the Cross.

Fast forward to 1898. The defeat of the colonizers in the Spanish-American War saw Guam being ceded to the United States.

Today, Guam – all 220 sq. miles of it – continues to be an ‘unincorporated’ territory of America. (A descriptor that induces a tinge of resentment since the US has never bothered to give the island ‘commonwealth’ status like Puerto Rico.)

Wander around, gawking allowed

Tourists gravitate to the Tumon Bay area, the unofficial tourist district.

The main drag is Pale de San Vitores where all the swanky hotels are located alongside fashion ‘cathedrals’ that pay homage to deities like Chanel, Bulgari, Ferragamo and Chopard.

When the shopping wears you down, you can have your carbo re-fuel on the strip at places like Planet Hollywood, Fridays and Hard Rock Café.

Alternatively, you can conserve your precious dollars by shopping where the locals go.

Two of the most popular shopping centers were built by Filipino taipans.

The crowd-drawing Micronesia Mall is owned by Lucio Tan.

The new sprawling Agana Shopping Center is a Henry Sy creation; its flagship tenant, an SM store.

For designer labels on the cheap, you can’t go wrong with GPO (Guam Premier Outlets) in the Tamuning district.


Liquid gold all around

Spend a day or two trying the many water sports available – from windsurfing to jet skiing, to sea kayaking. Choose from a full range of activities that will take you either over or under the surface of Guam’s inviting tropical seas.

Located at the edge of the Marianas Trench, Guam is renowned for its vivid turquoise lagoons, deep sea currents and water clarity.

Whatever kind of diving interests you have – photography, spear fishing, wreck and reef diving, or just a relaxing day admiring tropical fish and coral in crystal clear waters – Guam will satisfy.

For the meditative traveler, quiet moments can be spent at stirring sights like the Two Lovers Point. Take in a breathtaking view of the bay from a cliff where legend tells us two lovers leapt to their death, choosing this tragic fate over being set apart. Romeo and Juliet, with a Chamorro accent.

Or spend some serene zen moments at the pocket Chinese park on Marine Drive.

If it’s a Wednesday, it's time to head to the Chamorro Village to enjoy cultural dances, local handicraft and a bellyful of the island’s gastronomic passion – barbecue.

To round off the week, there’s the Saturday flea market at the Dededo district.

When in Guam... Spam!

The island is a foodie’s delight.

Because the population of 170,000 is 90% Catholic, Guam celebrates the feast day of hundreds of saints.

And every feast day can only mean… fiesta and FOOD.

The hands-down favorite is Chamorro food, flagshipped by red rice and barbecue.

Locals also go ga-ga over kelaguen which consists of chicken barbecue wrapped in a tortilla or served with crackers.

In Guam, just about every dish is dipped in a sauce called finadeni – a concoction of soy sauce, lemon juice, chopped green onions and red pepper flakes.

Filipino dishes are also a favorite with two standouts – lumpia and pancit – now considered local staples.

And here’s one for the record books: the island boasts of the only KFC units in the world that serve chicken adobo.

Of course, there’s Spam… everyone loves Spam in Guam.
There’s Spam mixed with fried rice, rolled into sushi, topped on pancakes or waffles, side-ordered for breakfast.

On the average, each person on Guam consumes 16 tins of Spam – a world record.

It also has the highest per capita consumption of Tabasco, roughly 4oz of hot sauce for every man, woman, and child.

And because Japanese tourists dominate the landscape, there’s no shortage of tempura or ramen or teppanyaki restos.

One of the most popular teppanyaki spots is Joinus Restaurant, where you dine while enjoying the skilled maneuvers of the hot-plate chefs who don’t look Japanese at all, because all of them are… Filipinos.

Going.. Going... Guam

The right time to visit Guam is right now. And right away.

Hotels are still affordable. (An average of $108 per night.)

The beaches are still clean and uncrowded -- even during peak season.

Crime is still almost non-existent. Police cars spend more time parked than cruising the streets which are totally devoid of thugs and trash. (Yes, you hardly see garbage – or street cleaners – wherever you go.)

The people are still infectiously warm and genuinely friendly.

And the troops haven’t completely landed. (Correct. Uncle Sam will soon move all its military bases in Okinawa and South Korea to Guam. The exodus has begun with 8,000 troops and their 9,000 dependents.)

So, come spread your wings and shout ‘Hafa Adai’ (Guam’s greeting - similar to Hawaii’s ‘Aloha’ and our ‘Mabuhay’).

Enjoy Guam now and revel in the fact that… you were in the 'know' long before the world found out about Micronesia's best kept secret.

WHY FILIPINOS ARE DROPPING DEAD.

The Truth about the Philippine Pharma Industry
(Or, questions you’ve always asked that remain unanswered. Until now.)

• Prices of medicine in the Philippines are currently one of the highest in the world. Statistics show that 8 out of 10 Filipinos die without any access to medicine, and 3 out of 10 patients die of cardiovascular diseases. There is therefore a pressing need to reduce prices of medicines in this area.

• Although the Philippines was the first country in Asia to pass a generic drugs law in the 1980s, it still ranks second to Japan in having the highest medicine prices in the region.