Hello From the Philippines!

chasbear · May 28, 2010

Hi, my name is Charles and I've been living here on Mindanao Island, the southernmost and 2nd largest island of the Philippines archipelago, for the last 2 years (I migrated to here from the Western US.) In that time I've managed to plant over 3000 banana plants on 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) which need to be sprayed every 10 days. Since I'd like to double that number of plants this year, I seriously need some powered-up method of applying the spray, hence my visit here! For now I have been using the latest technology around here which is a power sprayer (similar to a pressure washer) sucking from a 200 liter barrel, pumping out through a 100 meter hose with a long bamboo wand and nozzle attached. There is a non-functional 1975 IH 784 here at the farm which is too large and too expensive to repair, so I intend to home-build a compact tractor which includes air-blast capability using the limited materials and tools available in a developing country coupled with the rather limited skills that I possess! More on all of this when I get started, hopefully SOON! I'm very inspired by the wealth of information I see available from the members here.

dex3361 · May 28, 2010

Welcome to TBN Charles. My brother spent about 10 years in the Philippines until the volcano ran him off. He told me about how resourceful the locals were in keeping thing going.

bp fick · May 28, 2010

Mabuhay, and welcome to the forums at TBN. I know Tagalog is not likely the primary tongue of Mindinao, but a little Tagalog is all i know.

brin · May 28, 2010

Glad to see you here Charles, My Dad was in the Navy many years ago and was stationed in the Philippines and spoke many times of his time there. I look forward to hearing of your progress and there are many folks here that can answer any questions you might have.

chasbear · May 29, 2010

dex3361 said:
He told me about how resourceful the locals were in keeping thing going.

You got this right, Dex, I'm always amazed by what people are able to do without the list of goodies from the local hardware... they get it done with nary a visit to that place! For a great example, check out the pic of the tractor I'm driving... the sheet metal is all held together with nylon fishing line since the bolts have all rattled out or been stripped over the decades this poor old tractor has been in use here.

bp fick said:
Mabuhay, and welcome to the forums at TBN. I know Tagalog is not likely the primary tongue of Mindinao, but a little Tagalog is all i know.

Exactly, bp fick, Tagalog is the national language and I have to ignore what I hear on the TV so that I have spitting chance at learning Visaya, the local tongue here. But, Mabuhay, thanks for the hello!