As recently as four months ago, eight hour electrical blackouts were a daily fact of life in most of the country. Now the power outages have been reduced drastically and by early next year it is expected that this problem will be solved. (Note: as I am writing this report the light’s went out… oh well!) It now seems that maybe, just maybe, the Philippines will be “the next place” and so we are here. Understand of course that those bogus Giibson guitars and mandolins which have been featured in previous issues of our Retail Music News will not be a part of our offerings and that I’m trying hard to resist adding the nose flutes favored by the Ifugao tribesman here in the mountain provinces. Now, if Mount Pinatubo doesn’t blow its top again – and if the typhoons don’t wash out Central Luzon – maybe we’ll have some new products from here soon.
Richard Keldsen
Baguio City, Philippines
November 1993