Philippine Comments :

I also enjoy life in a semi rural area. I visited a place in Roxas City in the Panay Islands and I like the lifestyle of people living in the place. I plan to retire in this place. The fish are always fresh. My wife also love the place. It is quiet and peaceful. My wife is from another area (in Davao) but she liked the quiet atmosphere in the area. In this area, you can live with $150 a month. You said "" settle down and hopefully find a nice local wife"". How would like to meet a friend of my wife. Her name is Trina. She is a close friend too. Who knows, she's got what you are looking for in a partner. I was really hoping this girl could find an American husband. I am certain you will like her too.

Philippine Comments :

Philippine lunchtime TV! Eat Bulaga!, the Sexbombs! of course! As for the left overs, we even have left over drinks. My daughter opens a small milk carton (200ml or so) and drinks some. Then puts it in the fridge. An hour later she opens another, takes two sips and puts that next to the first one. Luckily the Fridge Patrol catches her with milk number three and pours all three into one glass. This is later ignored as she opens number four! Mother's response? At least she is drinking milk! I mean ""fresh milk"" (of the long life UHT variety). My reply? You call that drinking? More like random sampling!

As for your slippers disappearing, mine do whenever the asawa needs to go outside for a quick task. For some reason it takes longer to put on hers and the job isn't worth wearing her own slippers anyway. I'm still working on that excuse. I did notice how, within a week of my arrival, my favourite t-shirts had been liberated. Some she wears and some other relatives wear. Kinda deja-vu like to say good morning to the father in law and recognise your old souvenir t-shirt staring back at you.

Back to left overs. Yesterday we had left over spaghetti bolognaise. Lots of spaghetti, 10 grams (yes I weighed it) of bolognaise. That's about a mouthful. It was almost cling-wrapped when I rescued it. Actually, the cat with the broken tail took two mouthfuls to finish it off. Asawa couldn't figure why I wasted good foreigner food on the cat. I told her I was fattening her up so she could take on the ""noise under the kitchen sink"". This cat is so spoilt it now refuses fried fish after a week of smelly Hungarian sausage that went off in a brownout. But I digress. Thats why we love them Perry! Golly I feel lucky, my wife caught on to cling wrap in a month, but only after I kept throwing everything away she covered with the other plate and left on the table overnight. Now I have created a monster, if its in the refrig over one day she says its old and won't eat it. But thats better that her getting food poisoning or sick. And I only have to deal with 8-10 pairs of slippers(she calls everything slippers).

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I am Australian and my wife is Vietnamese/Filipino. She was born in Siagon and moved to Phils when she was 3 years old. Her Mother is Viet and her Father is Filipino. We married in Manila Sept 2001 and she arrived here March 2002. We would like to return to Phils and start a bakery business and would like advice in the road ahead of us! She had a tempory spouse visa here and can get permanent status either in Sept 2003 or when the baby is born in June this year. ( oh yeah, forgot to mention the wife is expecting!) We would both appreciate any feedback.

Philippine Comments :

Thanks to all who answered my question on Electricity rates. It is also good to read the comments about low or high ceilings. Just to add to this debate on the cost of ac/fans/ceiling height. I recalled last night a conversation I had some years ago with a Swedish Arcitect friend of mine. He was staying over night and when I said I would just turn the radiator on in his bedroom, he question why I did not leave it on all the time. To save cost was my answer. Not so, according to him i was adding to my heating costs. He then went on to explain that reserch had been done in Scandinavia with regard to energy saving and it had been proven that keeping all rooms at the same temperature all the time saved on energy costs. I could detail his explination in more detail but it would take time, needless to say it made sense. I am assuming that the same general parameters apply to both heating and cooling, given that to keep heat in or out, or cool air in or out requires good insulation. Many posts have suggested this. Am I right in thinking therefore that a correctly constructed house with full airconditioning would cost less to run than the 10,000 php a mounth some have suggested or am i oversimplfying the situation? And yes I do apreciate the comment that to keep the house cool will mean a lot of visitors who will stay a long time. I will calculate that into my budget. Ha! Ha! Any way I was thinking along the lines of a ducted system, that i can adjust in order to control the time of stay. Has anyone any experience of these types of systems?

Philippine Comments :

I am a single guy, never married, who is about to bust at the britches cause I want to marry a Filipina gal so bad! I just tried the e-mail correspondence thing with 3 gals I met through a dating service via the net. I went over to the Phils in early January 2003 to meet all 3 of them, and guess what? NONE of them panned out! Not because of them, but because of my picky standards. I'm looking for a woman with the following 3 basic qualities. Must be a protestant Christian (not a church of christ or catholic). Must have a bachelors degree of some sort. Must preferably be 5' 3"" or taller, and slender. Is this asking too much from the world, or am I being reasonable here? If the latter, I NEED SOME SERIOUS ADVICE ON HOW TO GO ABOUT PULLING THIS MATCH OFF! Is there a better service out there than asian friend finder? Let me know!

Philippine Comments :

As some of you know, we have a resident rat. Actually it is officially a Filipino Fighting Mouse according to the Anonymous Bear. This is the second one he's training up to take on the neighbour's rooster. The first one succumbed to the poison the Asawa sprinkled around and died a smelly death under the daughter's bed. Luckily there was a Kano handy to clean it up. Me. Why he's training it is because the bloody rooster crows all day and all night. Forget the Walt Disney version crowing only at dawn to make sure Farmer Brown is up and out in his galoshers, Filipino roosters crow interminably. If you lower the height of their hutch it stops them stretching their necks enough to crow, but this one lives under an ""A"" frame in the vacant lot behind us and simply steps outside to crow. The height of the fence makes it awkward to lob stones at it so the Anonymous Bear has resorted to getting the 4 year old daughter to act as Forward Observer for his indirect fire missions. She isn't very good at it but when he hits the target by sheer luck she squeals for joy. Anyway, the training regimine consists mainly of leaving pictures of roosters lying around next to the useless bloody mousetrap. Since the rat ignores the mousetrap, I figure he ignores the photo's too. Anyway, it keeps that pesky Bear off my computer. Meanwhile, Asawa wants the rat gone. Today while in Cebu we came across a side street packed with bird cages and full of, funnily enough, birds. Personally I am against keeping a bird in a cage but across the street was a man with a 2metre long Python wrapped around his arm. He saw the Kano in the car and wandered over post haste, offering the snake up to the Asawa's open window. She has seen enough snake shows on National Geographic not to panic, but did anyway. So did mother in law and youngest sister int he back. Daughter thought it was cool, as did the Anonymous Bear. Anyway, for only P800 we could have bought the snake and the man would have removed the tape around its mouth so it could bite us. If I had a fish tank ready at home I would have bought it on the spot, but as soon as we get the tank, we'll be back for the snake. I can always release it into the wild if it doesn't like the tank. ""Do you like your new fish tank? One hiss for yes, two hisses for no. Don't you poke your tongue out at me!"" Sorry, got carried away. Or, it might stretch to a nice belt, maybe even a handbag. I told Asawa we could eat it eventually but forgot to tell her I have eaten snake before. It doesn't taste like chicken, it tastes like snake and is bloody awful. Now, given the Anonymous Bear's tragic record to date in animal training, I would have to take over handling the Great Rat Hunt. My only fear is getting the snake back into the fish tank after it catches the rat. Rat is in house. If snake goes in house, Asawa leaves house. Thus The Great Rat Hunt could only happen while Asawa is at mother in laws etc. Asawa has already told me how this snake would a) bite and kill everyone (all snakes are venomous to her) and b) eat her or a small child. (there's several next door I wouldn't mind seeing disappear headfirst down the snakes dislocated jaws!) What if I can't get the snake back in the tank before she returns? What if the snake gets out of the house and disappears, re-appearing now and then to scare the neighbours? Budd, you reckon you got problems with ants! How would you handle a rabid, rampant snake on the loose! How much are small chicks to feed the snake with? Could it manage a full size rooster if it was really hungry? These questions and more need to be answered. As for the Anonymous Bear, I know as soon as the snake thing goes wrong, he'll disappear and leave me to face the wrath of Asawa! What would I call the snake? Why Monty, of course. Stay tuned. Cheers, Perry, snakeless in Bogo.

Philippine Comments :

Apparently you are of the opinion that the Philippines law regarding squatters is somewhat archaic compared to the more civilized U.S.A. and other western countries. So let me tell you something you are probably unaware of. I my long and diverse life... one of the things I was involved in was the five years that I was in the title insurance business in Los Angeles... two years as a title searcher, three as a title examiner, and a few months as a legal officer. Very early in my career there I was somewhat shocked to learn of the ""prescriptive rights"" of tresspassers. The simple truth is... though it is not called such... the ""squatters rights"" laws in California (and most other states as well) is actually a little MORE outrageous than the law in the Philippines. If you move onto someone elses land, build a house or other structure, occupy it, and are ""notoreous"" (not hiding or secretive about it)... in FIVE YEARS... you OWN THE LAND and cannot be removed! Of course... you don't have a squeeky clean title and the whole issue could end up in court. But, assuming it DID end up in court, and your lawyer knows his stuff... you win.. the lands ""legal owner"" loses. Now.. there's a ""twist"".... and I could see the same loophole working in the Philippines. It's the issue of whether you have the cooperation of the legal owner or not. If you are ""notoreous"" about tresspassing... you can win the land. But... if the owner actually gives you PERMISSION to ""squat"" there for given periods of time... he can then later demand that you leave and the law will be on his side.

Philippine Comments:

Ron, without getting too far off the Filipino thread, we have squatters laws in Australia, too. Basicaly similar to those you mentioned and I believe originating from the UK when it sent lots of colonisers off with charter's to form new colonies and so forth. We actually call our ""ranchers"" Squatters and at one time there was a ""Squatocracy"" in power in New South Wales created by the power these primary producers had in the early colony. But I digress. The big difference in the Lina Law is not that the squatter can eventually lay claim to the land and be granted title (obviously an incentive for absentee land owners to not be so absentee-ish!) but that the owner must pay compensation or provide alternate housing if he wishes to enjoy his land. I wrote a short story covering a similar loop hole/double jeopardy situation but on a different topic (female genital mutilation of all things). If you wish to have a read I can always send you a copy. Cheers, Perry PS Trespass in NSW is a Civil, not a Criminal matter so you can't resort to Police assistance until after the Court grants you an Eviction Order, and then they only attend to protect the Sherrif from copping a hiding or to prevent a breach of the peace. Here, the Police I believe can be called in by the land owner directly. Am I correct or waffling? Anybody out there know?

Philippine Comments :

Dear john, Bars and Restaurants? I think if you were a little more specific it might help people help you. When you say ""hanging out"" at the malls, I take that to mean you are looking for a place to kill time... how do you want to spend that time? Drinking coffee....talking about home? Eating? Watching beautiful women dance, in a pleasant atmosphere, with soft music? Or sitting with the ""GOOD OLE BOYS"", swapping spit (drinking Tanduay out of the same mayonaise jar)? As far as being ""SAFE"", one of my oldest friends was was shot in the head, while gong to his car from one of the nicest lounges in Pismo Beach, CA. No (known reason), no suspect, no known person who didn't think he was a great guy (he really was). He had been in a wheel chair since the age of 10, he wasn't a bully. What is safe? Where is safe? Hopefully, this might also help everyone out there who are prey to the ingenious taxi drivers; quit thinking you are a potential ""victim"", you are in a different country.... so what? Some things in life are UNIVERSAL, one of them is; you are either a jerk who thinks taking advantage of anyone who will let you, is the key to a happy life; a person who allows this; and a person who insists that people are treated ""FAIRLY"", and DEMAND the same in return!

Philippine Comments :

I am wondering just what a squatter is. I know that many people here in the PI are living on land that belongs to the government, or in some cases a 'land barron' who bought vast amounts of land years ago, many years.. and never did anything with that land. Much of it is beach front, and around cities you will find many famlies who have built there and have been living on this land for 30 years and more. Not only are there homes, but businesses too. I know for a fact that the absent owner must buy their homes, etc before he/she can make them move. I think land monolopy was played here long ago by people that are NOT pilipino. After all, no matter where you are from, with whoever is in government, money can talk and open many doors. Many owners are from Japan, and China, Korea, and who knows where else. In america, everyone who came there to take the land from my ansestors are squatters. I am native american, and the land was all ours until the white man came. In this case though, squatters had all the rights, the real owners had none. In this case, in the more modern PI, I would just advise you to have a caretaker watch your land until you decide to build. That is what I am doing. The care taker can have a small house, and later will be our helper with good salery plus home on our future farm. This is my way of keeping my land safe, and helping another to have a home where he can raise his family, plant a garden, and have clean air to breath. A squatter will not mov e from your land. After all, possesion is 9/10's of the law. Just my two pesos.

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Oliver, yes my banca is still for sale (haven't advertised it yet). It is just back in the water after re-painting, new decks and engine service. It will cross the straits I believe, dpends on who is navigating. I cross the tidal rips and confused seas to Malapascua and they can get very nasty. Not huge but short and vicious and she has never let me down in some rough stuff this last winter.

I will send you a photo privately, but this is before she was re-painted. She has new outriggers, decks, some side panels and the hull has removable floor panels so you can walk and sit comfortably, as well as fittings for nav lights. The banca comes with lifejackets and gas cans and is offered at P40,000. The engine is under 100 hours since fitted new in October, cost was P22,000 alone. Cheers, Perry is your banca still for sale-I have been thinking of getting another and rather than having it built again wanted to see what was available and expat preowned-at least you can see the finished product.Is yours big enough to cross to San Isidro and go through the san juanico channel-(probably better than lilloan straits)--if so can you post a pic.

Philippine Comments :

Dear Cold, ex-pat jobs are few and far between but lucrative if you can get one. You will have to apply outside the country, of course. There is also a slow death in major manufacturing here in the RP. Textiles are known as a ""sunset"" industry as China and Vietam are taking more and more contracts from everybody. The same goes for other industries, but try a few US firms operating here, like Timex and Caltex etc. The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce can help, do a google search and find their website and all your hopes and dreams will be just a click away! Sorry, got a little carried away there. Being financially stable (and well done, no doubt you worked for it) why not consider renting the house in the US? Your Cebu house is rent free so your living expenses are lower than if renting. If you could squeeze the monthly needs out of the rent you would be set until the big six five rolls around. Meanwhile you could look at ways to lose money here. (I have a nice bar you might wanna think about). Why not re-train? Take the redundancy money when it comes and go and learn something new. I am presently putting myself through a self designed course in becoming a shipwright, ie; I'm building a boat for the first time and thinking about building some more and selling them. Keeps me busy. Maybe if you took a course or two at the local college you could do something you have always wanted to and then apply it over here. The rental income keeps you from worrying about actually making money at it while you fill in your days doing what you love. Plus you don't lose the house in the US and can always sell it if need be

Philippine Comments :

I am currently employed by a dying company. Our factory has been recently bulldozed to make way for a new mall, and our production moved mostly off-shore. What was once a 500+ workforce manufacturer is now less then 50. The remaining employees are located in suite 1 of an office complex in Dilbert style cubicles. Each of us watches our dwindling sales and missed budgets, waiting to be caught in the next workforce reduction. A move to another company in my area is possible, but not desirable. I would have to make no better than a lateral move, and lose my seniority and vacation. I am just ready to get out of the Ragweed capitol of the Midwest and move to cleaner (Less Pollen) pastures. I am going to spend the last of my gainfully employed years(?) here working towards an early retirement and move to Cebu. I have read with great interest the costs of living budgets for Cebu and surrounding areas. I pretty much agree that $1000 a month would be adequate for a comfortable lifestyle for my wife and I. My 3 weeks in Cebu a couple of years ago only cost me about $700, if you discount all of the souvenirs I bought. I read with great interest that some US Expats are employed in various places in and near Cebu. I am very curious how one would go about finding one of these positions and what the pay scale is. Such a position could greatly accelerate my moving plans and might help me avoid another winter here on the plains. My situation is a bit unique in that I am debt free, own my home and rental property, am married to a Filipina, and own a new home on Cebu island. I am an experienced Manufacturing / Production engineer, and my wife managed a hardware store in the Philippines. I know how to build things, and she is experienced in RP cost negotiations. I think we could start a business when we get there, but I would still be more comfortable with a job for the next 10 –15 years. I also have a meager retirement benefit coming at age 65, but that is over a decade away. I am re-writing a resume geared toward the Philippines, in the hope of...? I agree it is a long-shot, but I will never know if I don't try.

Philippine Comments :

Mmm, to start with the last one I think it does matter and despite other reactions I think the lying is to protect herself and not you. You have to know that most Filipino's do not like second hand wives so it could very well be that she is afraid to loose you. If you think all sexy Filipina's work in bars then I have to disappoint you there are not that many bars in the Philippines. I tried to hire a secretary and ended up getting married. My wife could very well have been working in the mall, nothing strange with that but I am working here in the Philippines. If the guy was here that long then what was he doing here? For the rest this does sound like a typical Filipina to me. I would suggest that you visit the Philippines and visit her family and friends. That way you have a change to find out for yourself.

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Can land be leased in the Philippines for a long term legally --by long term I mean 100years or more to get around the fact that foreigners cannot buy and in the Philippines. Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

My wife's family lives on government property. Through the vine, I have found out the government plans on building a roadway through their area. They have a house in the way of this roadway. We are not sure when the roadway will be started, but we believe it could be very soon. They have built a small, but nice, bamboo house with a steel roof. We added a bathroom and running water and other inprovements. We don't have the money presently to buy them a house and land as we had hoped. Maybe we can buy some land now on credit, but not build a house too. Does anyone know what my in-laws rights are? What should we do now to insure they are not left without any place to live? The government pays to relocate them, but will they give them a new home too? And give them a water line?

Philippine Comments :

Yes, Eric it's a great inducement to live in Philippines, apart from all the other ones! I don't know how it came about; the UK-Thai DTA has no such provisions. I guess it might have been intended for the benefit of Filipinos working in the UK (I remember seeing quite a few there in the 50s and 60s) but, of course, to be fair, it has to work both ways! The treaty basically says that, with the exception of Government Service pensions, a pension is only taxable in the country of residence and since there's currently no tax on Pensions in Philippines then I'll take advantage of it while I can. I've written a snail-mail letter to the UK Tax authorities to clarify the ""waiver"" requirement as requested by the BIR in Philippines and shall report on the results to LinP. I've lived in UK for 664 days out of the last 12+ years so my passport entry and exit stamps should verify that for the UK Tax authorities as Ron ""pictureman"" suggested. Still hoping, nevertheless, that someone on LinP has trail-blazed this issue and will share experiences.

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SRRV is a special multiple entry visa program of the Philippine government that grants foreigners and former Filipinos non-immigrant permanent resident status and vests them the privilege to own real estate properties or proprietary golf shares, put up and conduct business, work, study and reside permanently anywhere in the Philippines. The Philippine Retirement Authority, created by Executive Order 1037 on 04 July 1985, is a government owned and controlled corporation that processes applications for Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) issued by the Bureau of Immigration. The Philippine Retirement Authority guarantees that the SRRV can be issued after five (5) working days from the date the complete documents and requirements are submitted. I. BENEFITS Once you become a member of the Program or a holder of the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), you will enjoy the following perks and privileges: 1. Permanent non-immigrant status with multiple-entry privileges; 2. Exemption from customs duties and taxes for the importation of personal effects, appliances and household furniture worth US$7,000.00; 3. Exemption from exit clearance and re-entry permits from the Bureau of Immigration; 4. Exemption from payment of travel tax provided the SRRV holder has not stayed in the Philippines for more than one year from date of latest entry into the country; 5. Conversion of the required time deposit to active investments which may take the form of shares of stocks in existing or to be organized corporations (except those traded in the country's stock market), proprietary club or golf shares, long-term lease of real property, construction of residential house on a leased property or on the property of a former Filipino spouse, and a purchase of condominium units for commercial or residential use; 6. Foreign currency time deposit in the name of the SRRV holder can be converted to Philippine peso deposit and earns interest credit to the holder subject to withholding tax; 7. Pension and annuities remitted to the Philippines are tax-free; 8. Guaranteed repatriation of the requisite deposit, including invested profits, capital gains and dividends accrued from investments upon compliance with Bangko Sentral (Central bank of the Philippines) rules and regulations; 9. Holders of SRRV are exempted from getting the Student's Visa/Special Study Permit; 10. Former Filipinos have the option under the Foreign Investments Act (RA 8179) to acquire lands limited to 5,000 square meters in urban areas or not more than three (3) hectares in agricultural areas for business or residential purposes. II. DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS Principal applicants are required to open a US dollar time deposit for a term of at least six months at any of the four (4) PRA authorized bank in the Philippines: Equitable PCI-Bank, Bank of Commerce, Chintrust Banking and Metrobank. The bank deposit may be withdrawn after six months and converted into active investment. Bank Deposit 1) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above : US$1,500.00 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above : US$50,000.00 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 : US$75,000.00 2) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant : None III. FEES The following fees should be paid at the office of the Philippine Retirement Authority or can be deposited directly to its Land Bank of the Philippines US $ and Peso bank accounts: ONE TIME FEES: PROCESSING FEE 1) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above : US$1,300.00 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above : US$ 1,300.00 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 : US$ 1,800.00 2) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant : None SERVICE FEE 1) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above: US$ 200.00 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above : US$ 200.00 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 : US$ 200.00 2) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant : US$ 100.00 BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION CONVERSION FEE 1) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above : None 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above : None 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 : None 2) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant : US$ 7,600.00 BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION EXPRESS FEE 1) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above : PhP 500.00 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above : PhP 500.00 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 : PhP 500.00 2) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant : PhP 500.00 PRA I.D. 1) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above : PhP 250.00 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above : PhP 250.00 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 : PhP 250.00 2) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant : PhP 250.00 TOTAL FEE 3) Principal Applicant 1.a) Former Filipino 35 years old and above US$1,500.00 (PhP750.00) 1.b.)Foreign national 1.b.1. Age 50 and above US$1,500.00 (PhP750.00) 1.b.2 Age 35 – 49 US$2,000.00 (PhP750.00) 4) Foreign National married to former filipino and dependents below 21 yrs old joining the principal applicant US$100.00 (PhP350.00) If the Special Resident Retiree's Visa is issued by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate abroad, the applicant, his spouse and dependants shall pay the required visa fee. ANNUAL FEES: 1. Visitorial fee of one-half percent (0.5%) per annum of the Philippine Peso equivalent of the deposit converted to actual investment; IV. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS QUALIFICATIONS: Citizenship and Age 1. All foreign nationals (except those from countries with no diplomatic ties to the Philippines or are classified as Restricted by the Department of Foreign Affairs); 2. Former Filipinos who are how holders of foreign passports; 3. Provided they are at least 35 years old. DOCUMENTS: The Special Resident Retiree's Visa will be issued after five (5) working days upon submission of the following: 1. Accomplished PRA Retirement Program Application Form; 2. Original valid passport; 3. Department of Foreign Affairs Medical Examination Form #1 accomplished by a licensed physician abroad, duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if the applicant is outside the Philippines or PRA Medical Certificate (RRSC Form # 002) accomplished by a licensed physician in the Philippines; 4. Certification by PRA short listed bank of the requirement deposit of US$ 50,000.00 or USA$ 75,000.00 or US$1,500.00 whichever is applicable; 5. Police clearance issued abroad duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate if the applicant is outside of the Philippines or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance issued in the Philippines; 6. 1"" x 1"" and 2"" x 2"" colored photographs (6 pieces each size); 7. If the spouse is joining the applicant, Original Certificate or Marriage Contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate nearest the applicant's residence if marriage was contracted abroad. If applicant's marriage was solemnized in the Philippines, original copy of the Marriage Certificate issued by the civil registrar; 8. If dependents are joining the applicant, original copy of Birth Certificate of dependents born in the Philippines or Birth certificates duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate nearest the applicant's residence abroad. Only dependents below 21 years old are eligible to join the program.

Philippine Comments :

I just returned from the PR, after meeting and proposing to my new fiancee. I am so happy! I want to thank everyone on this list for all the great insights and info. We flew down to CDO to meet her family who drove up from the Zamboanga area in their big truck. The security was very tight.....never seen so many pistols, shotguns and tommy guns before! I felt very safe indeed.....that is...until..... I got back, and read stories about all the kidnappings that have happened in places like Manila, Cebu City, Palawan and other resort like places in broad daylight!! Maybe I was too naive in thinking I was safe because I was merely in the city?? I read that a couple was abducted right out of CDO! And, to make matters worse, the special police and other government types seem to be in on it too. Whoaaaaa.....hey...these are the folks who are supposed to be protecting us there?? I would be very interested to find out what the 'on the ground' reality is there from those of you who have been living through this. I don't see many posts about this subject, unless it has already been covered ad nauseum. Please let me know. I would like to return this summer to get married in CDO. My financees family did not think it was a good idea for me to go outside of CDO, especially down towards Zamboanga on the west side. But, it sounds to me like the abductions are taking place in other areas too.

Philippine Comments :

I agree with this post. filipinos do have a great skill in bending the truth and its not just the women that im thinking of. let me put it in a historical perspective so that you can understand the development of this psyche. filipinos learned two very valuable skills under the occupation of spain japan and the usa. their job was to please their masters and a key skill that came with it is the skill to lie to please the masters and to lie to make themselves look good in the eyes of the masters. The philippines was under the spanish rule for over 300 years. in the period of this occupation the filipinos were ingrained with the tenet that they do not measure up to the european standards of the conquistadors. they were second class citizens not beautiful enough, not educated enough, not civilized nor sophisticated enough to lead an existence next to the spanish high culture. catholicism and the cross were used to subjugate and gain social control and the cult of the virgin and religious guilt took hold. the japanese raped and pillaged for a bit but our liberators rescued us brought a taste of the good life and the american dream-- capitalism, hollywood, and spam. unfortunately all we got is a taste and presently were mired in the quagmire of consumerism, marketing and commercialism. who are filipinos now? did they escape the predicament they were in over 350 years ago? well, 90% of the wealth and resources still belong to 20 families descendants of the illustrados of the spanish times, our homes are full of blaring radios and televisions touting the new and improved latest products a good filipino just got to have and we have hollywood style politicos hell bent on sucking the marrow of the countrys bank vaults at the expense of her people. we have no choice but to be whores to the rest of the world whether were entertainers, housewives, accountants, doctors, and nurses. we still cannot thrive in our country and enslavement is our lot in life especially since we want to buy a piece of the promised land. the name of the game is survival. what does all this have to do with your girlfriend? first of all maybe she lied because she was in a survival mode. she didnt know if she can trust you with the truth. maybe she still saw you as many of us saw our masters- a meal ticket and she would have employed the skills and art that so many of our ancestors utilized. maybe now shes seeing beyond that and shes developed some sort of trusting relationship with you and shes opening herself and leaving herself vulnerable. remember this is just the beginning because if you are able to accept the real her then be ready to take in the rest of her (families and expectations). good luck to you.

Philippine Comments :

Current kills but all bodies have resistance so voltage is required to overcome that resistance. I can get 200 A+ out of a car battery - is it going to kill me - no its only 12V and voltage limited. Body resistance/contact resistance and earth resistance path can change that's why electrics are dangerous when water is around. All countries that use 250 V systems and are in the 1st world have mandatory requirements for power tools used externally i.e. outside. All of these involve the use of a 115VAC transformer so the tools are safe even if the angle grinder slices through the power cable. Sure you can get a shock from 115V but it's a lot, lot less likely to be fatal than simply accidentally grabbing hold of a bare 250V cable while the other hand is grounded - that will be fatal as its right across your heart! So my original point was if you are used to 115V systems, 250/220V systems are potentially more dangerous if abused. The PI standard electrical plugs are a bit of a joke - they look like US 115V plugs and they arc and spark in the humidity and because of poor construction of both the plug and socket. Yep sorry for my muddle on 50/60 Hz, too many countries too many conversions, too much typing. A UK 50Hz ac synchronous motor would run faster in the Phils in the ratio 60/50, or burn out, frequency conversion USA/Phils not an issue.

Philippine Comments :

I am in aggrement with Paul. I was not told that my wife had a child for the first 2 months we wrote, then she had stated that she would understand if I did not write to her again after she told me she had a son. And I did not meet my wife at a bar and she had won a beauty contest when she was in her teens and she still could win and she is 18+26 (cant tell you her actual age :) ). So all breautiful or one's that marry foreigners hang out in bars. My wife worked 10 hours a day 6 days a week and raised a son, did not have time or the money to frequent bars.The philipina/o's have a stigma for previous marriages/relationships that produce offspring and such. Mmm, to start with the last one I think it does matter and despite other reactions I think the lying is to protect herself and not you. You have to know that most Filipino's do not like second hand wives so it could very well be that she is afraid to loose you. If you think all sexy Filipina's work in bars then I have to disappoint you there are not that many bars in the Philippines. I tried to hire a secretary and ended up getting married. My wife could very well have been working in the mall, nothing strange with that but I am working here in the Philippines. If the guy was here that long then what was he doing here? For the rest this does sound like a typical Filipina to me. I would suggest that you visit the Philippines and visit her family and friends. That way you have a change to find out for yourself.

Philippine Comments :

As some of you know, we have a resident rat. Actually it is officially a Filipino Fighting Mouse according to the Anonymous Bear. This is the second one he's training up to take on the neighbour's rooster. The first one succumbed to the poison the Asawa sprinkled around and died a smelly death under the daughter's bed. Luckily there was a Kano handy to clean it up. Me. Why he's training it is because the bloody rooster crows all day and all night. Forget the Walt Disney version crowing only at dawn to make sure Farmer Brown is up and out in his galoshers, Filipino roosters crow interminably. If you lower the height of their hutch it stops them stretching their necks enough to crow, but this one lives under an ""A"" frame in the vacant lot behind us and simply steps outside to crow. The height of the fence makes it awkward to lob stones at it so the Anonymous Bear has resorted to getting the 4 year old daughter to act as Forward Observer for his indirect fire missions. She isn't very good at it but when he hits the target by sheer luck she squeals for joy. Anyway, the training regimine consists mainly of leaving pictures of roosters lying around next to the useless bloody mousetrap. Since the rat ignores the mousetrap, I figure he ignores the photo's too. Anyway, it keeps that pesky Bear off my computer. Meanwhile, Asawa wants the rat gone. Today while in Cebu we came across a side street packed with bird cages and full of, funnily enough, birds.

Personally I am against keeping a bird in a cage but across the street was a man with a 2metre long Python wrapped around his arm. He saw the Kano in the car and wandered over post haste, offering the snake up to the Asawa's open window. She has seen enough snake shows on National Geographic not to panic, but did anyway. So did mother in law and youngest sister int he back. Daughter thought it was cool, as did the Anonymous Bear. Anyway, for only P800 we could have bought the snake and the man would have removed the tape around its mouth so it could bite us. If I had a fish tank ready at home I would have bought it on the spot, but as soon as we get the tank, we'll be back for the snake. I can always release it into the wild if it doesn't like the tank. ""Do you like your new fish tank? One hiss for yes, two hisses for no. Don't you poke your tongue out at me!"" Sorry, got carried away. Or, it might stretch to a nice belt, maybe even a handbag. I told Asawa we could eat it eventually but forgot to tell her I have eaten snake before. It doesn't taste like chicken, it tastes like snake and is bloody awful. Now, given the Anonymous Bear's tragic record to date in animal training, I would have to take over handling the Great Rat Hunt. My only fear is getting the snake back into the fish tank after it catches the rat. Rat is in house. If snake goes in house, Asawa leaves house. Thus The Great Rat Hunt could only happen while Asawa is at mother in laws etc. Asawa has already told me how this snake would a) bite and kill everyone (all snakes are venomous to her) and b) eat her or a small child. (there's several next door I wouldn't mind seeing disappear headfirst down the snakes dislocated jaws!) What if I can't get the snake back in the tank before she returns? What if the snake gets out of the house and disappears, re-appearing now and then to scare the neighbours? Budd, you reckon you got problems with ants! How would you handle a rabid, rampant snake on the loose! How much are small chicks to feed the snake with? Could it manage a full size rooster if it was really hungry? These questions and more need to be answered. As for the Anonymous Bear, I know as soon as the snake thing goes wrong, he'll disappear and leave me to face the wrath of Asawa! What would I call the snake? Why Monty, of course. Stay tuned.

Philippine Comments :

I agree with this post. filipinos do have a great skill in bending the truth and its not just the women that im thinking of. let me put it in a historical perspective so that you can understand the development of this psyche. filipinos learned two very valuable skills under the occupation of spain japan and the usa. their job was to please their masters and a key skill that came with it is the skill to lie to please the masters and to lie to make themselves look good in the eyes of the masters. The philippines was under the spanish rule for over 300 years. in the period of this occupation the filipinos were ingrained with the tenet that they do not measure up to the european standards of the conquistadors. they were second class citizens not beautiful enough, not educated enough, not civilized nor sophisticated enough to lead an existence next to the spanish high culture. catholicism and the cross were used to subjugate and gain social control and the cult of the virgin and religious guilt took hold. the japanese raped and pillaged for a bit but our liberators rescued us brought a taste of the good life and the american dream-- capitalism, hollywood, and spam. unfortunately all we got is a taste and presently were mired in the quagmire of consumerism, marketing and commercialism. who are filipinos now? did they escape the predicament they were in over 350 years ago? well, 90% of the wealth and resources still belong to 20 families descendants of the illustrados of the spanish times, our homes are full of blaring radios and televisions touting the new and improved latest products a good filipino just got to have and we have hollywood style politicos hell bent on sucking the marrow of the countrys bank vaults at the expense of her people. we have no choice but to be whores to the rest of the world whether were entertainers, housewives, accountants, doctors, and nurses. we still cannot thrive in our country and enslavement is our lot in life especially since we want to buy a piece of the promised land. the name of the game is survival. what does all this have to do with your girlfriend? first of all maybe she lied because she was in a survival mode. she didnt know if she can trust you with the truth. maybe she still saw you as many of us saw our masters- a meal ticket and she would have employed the skills and art that so many of our ancestors utilized. maybe now shes seeing beyond that and shes developed some sort of trusting relationship with you and shes opening herself and leaving herself vulnerable. remember this is just the beginning because if you are able to accept the real her then be ready to take in the rest of her (families and expectations). good luck to you.

Philippine Comments :

Condos in the philippines are a study in them self. I have two in makati, neither being of the high cost type yet both supply what mt wife and her family need. I have looked at like 50 apts, some way over priced, some substandard, some not bult yet , some will never be built. Main things I would look for are how good the title is, sprinklers, quality of construction, quality and amount of elevators, back up power, cost of parking and who's providing the construction financing. My wife and I are presently building a place on Panglao Island, Bohol and have no need for a mansion in Manila. The best deals we found in the high rent district was at Ayala West where one could get a 1-3 bedroom from $70,000 up to around $150,000, pretty classy place. We just purchased a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath 120 sq mtr place in Makati from Home Gaurantee Corp an arm of the Government for $41,500 it's partially unfinished but we are sure we can renovate for less than $10,000. It's on the top 4th floor has a pool, gated security and two parking spots come with the 120 sq mtr apt. Our other apartment is a small 2 bedroom, 65 sq mtrs we paid less than $20,000 and put another $6,300 into it. Most of the inhabitants are middle class filipinos judging by the expeditions and mercedes. Lots of scams going on and I would be careful of any investments in the philippines. WE are presentlt building a 280 sq meter home in panglao near the beach and our manila place is just more or less a stopping off place, we plan on spending a month ot two there each year and proceeding to Bohol.If you are from NY City or the Left Coast you will think all prices are cheap, I'm from upstate NY and I can buy land cheaper here than I can in the provinces.

Philippine Comments :

There is SARS in Toronto also but number of cases are going down. It is advised to be careful and to wash hands frequently. One third of cases in Toronto were medical staff, and 15 staff got it from one person they were working on for four hours. It is usually not deadly unless there are other complications or illnesses present (if a person is in good health they should recover). This from Manila Times, Saturday April 26, 2003 (tomorrow from where I am): Leyte governor reluctant to take in SARS patient By Niel V. Mugas, Correspondent TACLOBAN CITYâ€""Leyte Gov. Remedios Petilla bristles at the prospect of having a suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patient stay at a government hospital here. “We are really hesitant to accept her since we are also trying to protect the health of the people of Tacloban. This city is very congested and may be easily infected by the disease,” Petilla said. She was referring to a Filipino maid from Hong Kong who is due to arrive at the East Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) just across from the provincial capitol building. The woman, referred to by health authorities only by her initials JP, arrived in Maydulong, Borongan, Eastern Samar, on Monday, 10 days after planing in from Hong Kong. She stayed in Metro Manila before she traveled to Samar by bus. The Department of Health Region 8 office said she has all the symptoms of a confirmed SARS case including fever, cough and respiratory distress. Suspected and probable SARS cases usually develop fever and cough. Petilla is worried about SARS spreading in the capital once JP is confined in the hospital. Petilla said Tacloban is a congested area and is susceptible to any disease. She also explained that the two isolation rooms allocated by the EVRMC for SARS cases may not be enough to meet the requirements. The governor is also worried that the presence of a SARS patient in the provincial capitol may hurt tourism. Leyte has just launched a program to promote tourism in the province. Petilla fears the entire city might be placed under forced quarantine, similar to what the government did in Vacante, Alcala, Pangasinan, where another SARS patient, Adela Catalon, stayed. Aside from JP, the provincial health office is also recommending quarantining her immediate family members. Text messages and reports claiming that JP had died at the EVRMC further fanned apprehensions about the spread of the disease. For EVRMC chief, Dr. Adelaida Amalarga-Asperin, the arrival of JP presents administrative and financial problems. Amalarga-Asperin told The Manila Times that the hospital’s adminis­tration is scrounging for funds to set up specialized rooms for SARS patients. She said the hospital even had to borrow a considerable amount to fund the materials for sealing the SARS isolation rooms. Air conditioning units and exhaust fans installed at different departments of the hospital have also been pulled out and reinstalled in the isolation rooms. DOH-8 officials said they have no choice but to transfer JP from Maydulong to Tacloban. The Borongan Provincial Medical Center where she is confined does not have isolation rooms for her and her family. “Inasmuch as we don’t want the SARS patient here, we have no choice since the hospital in Borongan does not have the means to isolate the case and stop the possible spread of the virus. We can’t refuse any patient since it is our job to serve everybody regardless of their disease,” Asperin said. Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro announced that its attached agency, the Philippine Center for Health Research and Development, is now conducting intensive studies to come up with a diagnostic tool that will effectively detect the disease.

Philippine Comments :

KM,On your question if FILIPINA lie a lot? definitely not it depends to a person we are not talking only to PILIPINOS but of all races. Lie is a lie no matter your motivations are good or bad when i was a kid my mother told me that liar will go to hell and i keep that in mind. Every individual has their dark past ( if someone not he is lucky ) being a woman who was raise by poor family and lacking many things in life the only thing we have is the dignity and and principles to live with. I myself was a victim of difficult circumstances in life no higher education and poor. But i am proud of being me because i never cheated anyone to make a living for me honesty is the best policy. My biggest fear is to look at the mirror and see my reflection as a different person. I am married to my husband but before decided to continue to correspond with him i struggle myself to tell him everything that he has to know because i wanted him to accept me as who i am. Telling him my childhood everything. And now we are living together happily. This issue couldn't base in historical perspective but it is base to a person's individuality. The more you lie the more you become a different person. You created a ghost that haunted you and only truth could set a person free that is based on the bible and that's true. Every one could play their own game but in the end they will be the loser. It's up to you if you could live with her lies, for me it is better to tell the truth and lose him rather than to lie and to keep him for i was just deceive myself. Ask yourself if you could still trust her and love her in spite of her traits. Somebody could have a multiple personality just to be somebody who she wants to be. Only yourself could find an answer to your question. A good relationship is being true to each other sharing with each other fears,weaknesses and support.

Philippine Comments :

Hahaha, I think John is full of it,(joking). Where did you learn that theory? Wasn't around during those times but my Father told me it was hard, those Japanese were mean, raped their women and killed lots of men they suspected were American sympathizers. If you had lived during those times, I'm sure you'll lie too and probably will tell those Jap you aint American! If they lied, it's for their survival. People always lie, regardless of their ethnicity. When Filipina didn't mention about marrying a 60 year old man, it doesn't mean it's in their genes or she just used the man to get to America. Maybe she thought she was inlove with the old man, etc. I know a Vietnamese girl, raised here and very beautiful. She acts like so proper, shy toward guys, etc. But she wears very revealing clothes to get guys attention. Or when a guy asks her name she acts like she is so shy but you can read on her face that she is enjoying the attention. Filipina, Viet or whatever, everyone are different. Some woman needs or enjoy attention, some probably won't admit it, but when they don't, that's when it gets annoying. Women, married or not wants to be told they're always beautiful, (even NOT). It's why some try hard by resorting to dressing up so sexy, etc. but it doesn't mean we will cheat to our husbands. All these negative stuff, such as, ""I didn't know she was married before, she probably just used me to get to America,etc."" are the speakers fault. Why did you let that person lie to you or put you in the circumstances you are in now, whos fault is that? Anyway, regardless, generalization or steriotyping is always unfair but it's always used as a reasoning for ignorants.

Philippine Comments :

I am writing to warn people about a taxi-hold-up that I fell victim to. Last Saturday after leaving Shangrila Mall, I hailed a taxi to go to a Makati appointment. After advising the cab driver of my destination, he, an old man in his mid 50's with salt and pepper hair and slightly heavy, advised me that he just came from EDSA and that the southbound lane is choked because of an accident. Thereafter he suggested that we take the C5/Fort Bonifacio route instead. Once he started off, I proceeded to do my calls and texts and didn't pay much attention after that. Shortly before the Fort Bonifacio turn, he pointed out a taxi on the side of the road with its hazards on. He said in a concerned voice that that was his friend (""Ay kumpare ko 'yon"") and pulled over in front of the cab. I complained because I was in a hurry but he said ""pasensiya nap o, hindi ko naman maiwan basta-basta"". So I went back to texting and making calls. The next thing I knew, the other ""taxi driver"" opened the driver side back door and jumped in the seat next to me, pointed a gun at me and grabbed the phone and said that I did not need to get hurt if I cooperated. He was younger than the first driver and had dark skin. He grabs my purse and attempts to rifle through my stuff and got irritated with all the papers and small notebooks so he dumped out all the contents in the seat between us. He proceeded to take 3000 pesos cash I had in there and asked me for the atms. We then drove to the NEW MANILA area in an attempt to find an ATM that did not have a lot of f oot traffic, according to him. He got the PIN and other particulars from me and when we found a BPI along E.Rodriguez, we drove past it and pulled around a corner. Then a third man knocked on the window. For a moment, I thought that I was going to be saved, that was when I turned and noticed the same cab we stopped for along C5 was behind us and must have been following us all along and that this guy was part of it. The guy sitting next to me rolled down the window, gave him my cards and card particulars. He walked back around the corner and must have gone to the bank. I pleaded with the man beside me for my purse, keys, the necessary IDs, cards and documents. The third guy comes back, mumbles something in what I think was Visayan (although I am not sure) and after that, the guy turns to me and angrily says that they got only Php 10,000.00. Apparently, the BPI did not take my other ATM (IBANK) but only the credit card. They said that they had to look for an ATM that accepts IBANK. At which point, I remembered that there was nothing in the account because we were switching to a direct cash system with accounting. They off course did not believe me and the guy with the gun said that if I tried to trick them that they would kill me and dump me in Batangas. So guy #2 and #3 discussed among themselves and then guy #3 drove off with my cards. We waited for what seemed like forever and I kept my head down and prayed quietly. When I looked up, he was tinkering with my phone and inquired as to whose (I had a 7650) photo was on the wall paper and if that guy was my boyfriend (actually, it was a photo of my husband who is American). I did not say anything and he got angry and poked me with his gun. I just told him that it was a photo of a guy I met when I was in the states. Shortly after he turned it back on, messages started coming in and the phone started ringing and he panicked. At which point I told him that I was already late for a meeting and that people are probably already wondering where I am and looking for me. He turned off the phone and then we waited some more for his third companion. I tried as much as I could to remember details about the cab but almost all of the inscriptions inside it had been scratched off. When the third guy came back, he was very agitated because there was nothing in the ATM. They muttered some more stuff and he thumbed through the cash that he had, gave some bills to the third person and indicated to the driver to drive. He brought us back again to C5 this time nearer Kalayaan and I had walked to the nearest store to call my home but no one was there. Fortunately, I was able to get a hold of my client's office and fortunately, was able to get a hold of my husband through them. I took a cab back home and it was then that the reality of what had happened sank in. I thought up until yesterday that I was too street -smart to let something like this happen and that I am usually vigilant about MOs. I probably would have caught it if I had paid more attention. One of the more frightening realizations was without my cellphone, outside of my home number and my husband's cellphone, I could not even get a hold of anybody - my family nor my friends. They were either connected to me through their cellphone or I didn't even bother to learn/remember their landlines. Next time you take a cab and the driver suggests an out of the way route, or want to pull over for anyone or for any reason, watch out. I hope you can share this with your readers, friends and family so we can nip this MO in the bud.

Philippine Comments :

Rose, so now I don't have the right of reply? Think about it, you reply on post to tell me not to reply on post after my reply to you offered the private reply bit first? Why did you send the below reply on post? As for not mentioning you, if you post on a public board then you have to expect a response, especially when you take it upon yourself to make statements about other people's rights to debate various topics. I could have ignored this and not replied but why? As for emailing you privately, I doubt it would achieve anything positive. Regarding your ""showing off"" comment, that is very school teacher-ish. If I wanted to show off I would have ripped you and your argument apart and offered some cutting and incisive comment backed by scientific and historical fact that would have probably had you resigning from the List. But I don't feel I have the right to do that to anyone, no matter what they say to me. This is an open forum within certain guidelines and you have as much right as I do to post (within those guidelines). Regardless of whether we have Moderators or not, I agreed when I joined this site that I would follow the rules and that includes not flaming people. I have never flamed anyone, nor do I need to. Most people deserving of being flamed usually provide their own matches and fuel by what they write anyway. Now, as I said in my response, this is no longer on topic and if you have anything further to say to me on the matter, feel free to email me privately. I am sure if our first contact had been on any other topic or in some more face to face manner you would not feel this put out by my responses. Rest assured I hold no ill feelings towards you for anything you have said as I never take discussion of this type personally. This board is meant to be fun and informative, open to all.

Philippine Comments :

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers but I will stand by what I said and I tried to say it in a nice way. The information I get traces Chikka back to ownership in the Philippines. I was not trying to flame the Philippines but just stating a fact. I do not think an explanation to the Pinoy members is needed here. Pinoys are all too aware of of the value of most products and services from the Philippines. I love the PI and love living there for the most part, but the facts can not be changed. The best always. Gene D. Well since you made the original derogatory comments here, Gene, it might be fair to our Filipino members to go ahead and explain it. By the way I don't know what information you have that indicates Chikka is based in the Philippines.. the parent company is in the British West Indies and Chikka Pte (the owner/operator of the web site and service) is a Singaporean company. It seems to me they provide a heck of a lot of service to people for free, but like any other service that's free, you can always choose to go elsewhere. It seems unfortunate that you have been having dificulties with it, but I am at a loss as to why you feel your difficulties are caused by the Philippines or Filipinos?

Philippine Comments :

First... as a 65 year old man with lots of life left in him... I just kinda resent your reference to the 60 year old she married as ""really old guy"". Second... if there is a problem... I don't think it's in how long it took her to tell you she married the ""really old guy""... but the fact that, apparently, she married him and subsequently broke his heart just to USE him to get to the U.S.A. (You didn't say she was a widow. Divorced, diba? That's a concept rather alien in the Philippine culture). I think it says something about her character. And that might have something to do with NEVER getting straight answers from her. Sorry to splash water on all those answers you've been getting here... but I don't see anyone duly cautioning you and I think it's in order. Now... having said all that... I'll add this. I, personally, married a young Filipina aged 21 when I was 53. Yep... 32 years difference. And, after a couple of previous failed marriages, I felt I had died and gone to heaven. The next seven years of my life were the HAPPIEST years of my life. The most contented. And all my family LOVED her to death as well. A better person, wife, and mother you could never find. Well... after seven unbelievable years... she met a very rich man who set about using his enourmous wealth to take her from me. It took months... there were fights (the FIRST fights in the whole seven years of marriage) and tears. But, in the end, the millions won out... we were divorced and they are now married. So what's it all mean? I guess it means that, after they are in America for awhile.... it's all a crap shoot. Might last. Might not. But, hurt as I was (and this is the important part), I always tell those who care to ask: THE SEVEN YEARS OF MY LIFE I SPENT HAPPILY MARRIED TO HER WERE BETTER THAN A LIFETIME WITH ANY AMERICAN WOMAN, all other things being equal. So... go for it. Put all the doubts aside. Commit. And try to make her happy. As I see it.... your alternative is to maybe... skip it.. go on with your life... and later marry an American woman? Now THAT would be risky. Nothing in the way of relationships comes with a guaranty.

Philippine Comments :

I've been dating a Filipina for nearly year and a half now. Actually, she is everything you can imagine.. I mean, all the stereotypes.. basically, loving, passionate, faithful, loves to cook and to dance, loves her friends, loves her family, loves me, and all the rest.. Second thing to note.. she is in California.. and I'm a white American guy. Also, I am 32 and she is 27. We're both in the USA, but she spent most of her life in the Philippines. Okay, here is where the questions come in. I'e been with her for a year and a half now. First off, is it just me, or do FILIPINAS LIE ALOT? It seems like she has 10,000 stories all conflicting.. and particularly in regards to her past.. I've finally sorted them out now.. and found out that basically she came to the USA because she married a 60-year- old american guy a few years ago. She's late 20s.. Anyhow, it took her over a year to tell me this.. but now all around that I keep finding more and more and more lies.. everything is a lie.. just about everything about her.. nothing too big.. (although that one was a big one).. but before that it was she was a virgin (she's obviously not since she's been married before).. and the list goes on and on and on.. Despite all of that, she is still a very pure heart, very caring individual, and very seemingly very faithful.. I have no reason to doubt any of this.. But why all the LIES all the time? Another problem I have.. where do you young women meet old american men? My first inclination is in a bar of some sort, right? She says she worked at a mall.. and her husband courted her there.. he would come in on a regular basis and talk with her.. and then one day he asked for marriage.. and he seemed like a good guy.. so she married the really old man. Could this be true or false? Should I have any reason to doubt this? Another question.. she dresses so SEXY all of the time!! She often pretends she is completely oblivious and completely unaware of it.. she doesn't even think she is most of the time.. but then she become so shy like in the bedroom or on a webcam or all kinds of other situations she becomes really shy? Yet, she'll go to the mall or a disco and look like so sexy it just staggers the mind.. of course, maybe I'm just jealous or something.. but is that commom from most women coming from the Philippines? Overall though, she seems extremely naive, very kind and nice, very innocent in many ways, she loves to do anything and everything for me.. my entire family parents and relatives and everyone has met her and absolutely adore her.. there is almost nothing wrong with her at all by any means.. Anyhow, I'm just completely thrown by all the lies about her past.. and wondering whats up with that.. and if anyone has ever quite been involved with a Filipina like that and what I should make of it.. (other than that, i feel quite good about her) - just completey unnerved mainly by the lies - and quite curious where people might REALLY think she met her american husband while she was still living in the Philippines - maybe its all legit.. what does everyone else think? Does it even matter?