I get this also whenever I visit the Philippines. It bothers my wife more that it does me. As I only have visited 4 times it hasn't bothered me, but if I lived there as you do I can see where it would after a while. My wife takes it as an insult, I take it as they don't know my name. It would be more polite to say Good day/evening to someone who you don't know their name, but I have found several, not all, filipino(a)s to but rude to me, a stranger. I love the country and will retire there so all you filipino(a)s please don't get anymore offended than us ""joes"" do when we are shouted.

Years ago, I bought a book in the Philippines called ""Tagalog for Travelers"". In it I found the following: ""Try to be instrumental in abolishing the crude 'HI, Joe!' which came into existence when American soldiers waded ashore in WW II and which has remained alive as a greeting for all Caucasian visitors. Even Pope John Paul II probably garnered a couple of Joes when he visited the country in 1981."" It goes on to offer a response to ""Hey, Joe!"": ""Hindi ako si Joe! Bakit hindi mo na lang sabihin ang 'hello'?"" (""I'm not Joe! Why don't you just say 'hello'?"") I've never been anywhere in the Philippines where this doesn't work like a charm! I guess that this response appeals to people on a more personal level and the attempt to use the language is appreciated. It also is a response that is not expected! I usually get a polite ""Oo!"" I don't really mind being called ""Joe"" since I don't feel it is really disrespectful. But, it is fun to interact with people personally when it's possible.

I remember one time when my hubby visited me in the philippines. have met friends somewhere in the mall and they just greeted my husband...hey jew. but the the way they pronounced it was joe. it's his real name anyway. so my hubby asked me how come those friends of mine knew his name. i just laughed and explained to him later. funny though.

People must be living in different parts of Phils to where I go, I've rarely heard Hey Joe except when listening to Hendrix.... The most common shout in Leyte is Kano or its longer form Americano. The only problem I have with this is not being American and there is no shout for Britano. I have never seen or heard any ill intent so why let it worry you, a smile disarms most kids, or a wave and the novelty wears off when they see you a few times. I also have a plastic bag/shopping bag collection.... And several other collections, But so what, life is too short , pass the tuba someone

hi i was called hey jane i do not mine it like a greeting and i heard it because the gi was there and miltary presance. they called my cousin hey joe but he is from switzedland and i live in california.Recently I've realized that if you can't fight em' join them. Lately I've been saying ""Hey Joe"" to the other white people here. The response is usually entertaining. I haven't gotten the off Joe"" or ""you Joe"" yet, but that's probably because I'm 6'5"" 250lbs and 25 is still young enough to chase a few down. I guess if I wanted to hear the normal good evening I'd live in the US. I'm white and I'm on the other side of the world so I expect things to be different.

Hello Everyone, Having made a grand total of $7,065 USD in 2002 I really need to find a very low cost (Vs. the I pay $800 a month for my ten room house with a staff of 6!)I.e. a poor mans guide to the P.I...I hope to retire in 2006. No one seems to have this Intell. Please email me or contact me here if you've got any hints tips or areas where a tiny S.S. check will go a long way...Jungle/Mountain areas are fine. TIA,Gen. R. E. Lee

I have had the same experiences you have. I don't get the ""Hey Joe,"" in the cities so much, but in the province, yes, if it is the first time they have seen you. If not, they will address you by name or sir, or a greeting, in my experience. I think they want to acknowledge you, don't know you, you are different, and I think it is done with respect. They do care about foreigners here. And they have a special bond with Americans who they respect and ask for advice. Many especially in the provincial area assume foreigners are American, but I sometimes am pegged as being from Australian, but I am not. I consider it a complement, not an insult. Maybe I am wrong, but I am happy with myself and my life here. It seems the writer of the article is not a happy person, may not be anywhere. You can always find wrong things over which can agonize or view in a positive light: it is up to you, as they say here. The later seem best to me, and I guess too you too, Gene. But to each his own.

My fiancee needs to take those photos, those ones that are like only about and inch and a half, and she can't seem to find a photo gallery that does this. Already 4 of them turned her down. She lives in Manila, in the Malate area, can anyone please tell me if they know of a photo gallery that takes those tiny pictures?

Recently I've realized that if you can't fight em' join them. Lately I've been saying ""Hey Joe"" to the other white people here. The response is usually entertaining. I haven't gotten the ""----- off Joe"" or ""you Joe"" yet, but that's probably because I'm 6'5"" 250lbs and 25 is still young enough to chase a few down. I guess if I wanted to hear the normal good evening I'd live in the US. I'm white and I'm on the other side of the world so I expect things to be different.

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.I consider it a complement, not an insult. Maybe I am wrong, but I am happy with myself and my life here. It seems the writer of the article is not a happy person, may not be anywhere. You can always find wrong things over which can agonize or view in a positive light: it is up to you, as they say here. The later seem best to me, and I guess too you too, Gene. But to each his own.

My fiancee needs to take those photos, those ones that are like only about and inch and a half, and she can't seem to find a photo gallery that does this. Already 4 of them turned her down. She lives in Manila, in the Malate area, can anyone please tell me if they know of a photo gallery that takes those tiny pictures?

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.

General Lee, may I begin by saying I think you was robbed and the South will rise again, Suh! Come and live in Bogo, northern Cebu. I posted my budget a few months back but basically you can live comfortably for US$500 a month here. Rent on nice houses is about P2500 to P4000 for a mansion. I live in a large matchbox for P2000 a month and would move except Asawa says the next house we move into we will own. If you want detailed breakdown of my budget and spending I will attach it below. Cheers, Perry ITEM MARCH RENT 2000 ELECTRICITY 750 WATER 300 FOOD 5000 CLOTHING 1000 TRANSPORT 2000 TELEPHONE LL4000 CELL PHONE CARDS 1200 ENTERTAINMENT 2000 SAVINGS 1750 MEDICAL 1000 EDUCATION 2000 POCKET MONEY 1000 2000 TOTAL 25000

My daughter will be joining me here in Cebu City at the end of this month (March). She is coming to live with me so as to attend college here beginning in June. She is half Filipina, 16 years old, fluent in Tagalog, Visayan, and English (American) of course. She graduated from High School in Digos City (Mindinao) a year ago. During the last year she has been in the U.S., where she has finished her U.S. high school requirements and taken her SATs. She has finally convinced me that she really, really wants to live in the RP and go to college here. She is undecided on which college here to attend. Her two choices right now are either University of San Carlos or University of San Jose - Recoletos (which her Mother attended for one year). After she arrives, we will visit both schools and talk to the Registrars, and gather as much information as we can. Oh yeah, she wants to major in Business Admin., Banking and finance. My questions to the group are very general. Do you have any recommendations between the two schools, experiences (either good or bad), opinions, knowledge, or even heresay. Even any general comments about the two schools would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any responses,

There's this filipino song entitled ""American Junk"" sang by a trio group called the ""Apo Hiking Society"". They were popular in the late 70's and early 80's. The group's songs are mainly satirical and folksy in nature. In the beginning of the song... one of the singer's says ""Hey Joe"" and the other singer with an ""american"" accent replies with ""Hey Pedro"" (pronounced as 'pay-drow'). :) Perhaps, instead of saying ""Hey Juan"" you can say ""Hey Pedro"" since most people in the Philippines are familiar with the song. Anyway, I don't think that a filipino saying ""Hey Joe"" is meant as an insult for the most part anyway. One of the things filipino's are known for, other than their 'hospitality', is their crude humor. Filipinos have a tendency to make fun of each other... and they don't like it when someone becomes a 'pikon', or someone who can't take a joke. But, there is a thin line between just kidding around and just insulting someone.

There is dozens of shipping companies in Al Khobar and Dammam that specialise shipping from KSA to the Pi. Many of the companies have Filipino staff and have are all around the same price per Kg air or sea cargo. I do not know about shipping from other countries to the PI but what I have found is the big price difference between shipping to Cebu and shipping to Manila. For example One such company offers 0.80USD / Kg (Sea Cargo) to Manila and around 1.6USD to Visayas and Mindanao with a minimum shipping order of 20KG It does not matter if it is air freight or sea cargo the prices are double to the Visayas and Mindanao. It seems strange that your shipment travels all the way from Saudi to Manila for 0.8 USD but cost exactly the same again to be shipped from Manila to Cebu! Perhaps it is all the handling charges to get it out of Manila and down to Cebu. What really increases the price of the door to door shipment is provincial delivery at 13 cents /KM We are in the process of shipping around 200KG Door to Door so we will see how well it works.

On my first visit to the Philippines my lovely wife decided to take me to her local church(we are both the same religion). As we walked up to the church door I could clearly hear the talk being given by a young lady in visayan. I opened the door to allow my wife to enter the building as I started to enter the church building the young woman giving her talk looked up and saw us entering. By the time I had crossed the threshold of the door she had cooly switched to english with no hesitation and for the remainder for the srvices all I heard was english. needless to say I have always felt welcome there.

I have also been in the same situation as you are now facing. Perhaps different countries have different rules etc. I am American and was also stuck there in the Philippines due to financial problems. I found the Philippine immigration office in Manila where you went to be most kind and helpful. They advised me to get that same letter from my embassy. I went to the American embassy and had no problem in getting the needed document. It took only a five minute interview with a worker there and another 15 minutes waiting for the letter to be typed. I returned to Philippine immigration with that letter in hand. After waiting a short time I was interviewed by an attorney and also the immigration commissioner. Again, everyone there at immigration was kind and helpful. The departure fines were waived, the departure order was signed, and I was on a jet to the U.S. the following day. Only problem doing it that way, is you are put onto a ""black list"" and can not return to the Philippine unless or until the fines are paid-(before returning to the Philippines.) The best of luck to you and please keep us posted as to what is happening with your planned departure.

I believe that there are nine square feet in a square yard. I also believe that a square yard is just slightly smaller than a square meter. I use this as a way to get the general idea of size. If anyone can provide an exact formula, I, and I'm sure Ruby, would appreciate it.

Does anyone know whether the ""Dual Citizenship Bill"" has been passed and signed by the President, and is indeed in effect right now? My lawyer recently told me that he thought the bill was not active yet. I am an American living here in the Philippines for 11 years, married to a Filipina, and we have four children, all born here in the Philippines. I have taken all of them to the US Embassy and acquired their USA citizenship and USA passports. My question is whether the new ""Dual Citizenship Bill"" will apply to my children and allow them to also acquire Philippine citizenship and thus have both USA and PI citizenship. I have read that the primary requirement of acquiring dual citizenship is that you were born a Philippine citizen (which they were since born here and Filipina mother), later acquired foreign citizenship, and that one of your parents needs to be a Filipino. By that basis it would seem that they could acquire dual citizenship unless there is a specific exclusion for this situation. Does anyone have any good information on this? No one I have run into appears to have the definitive answer to this and I have been perplexed for a while. I sure would appreciate any help with this.

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).

Well my apologies. Upon further reading I just noticed that this was recently discussed (had not read my recent digests) and that the dual citizenship bill is stuck in Congress right now. John Wood mentioned I believe that he acquired dual citizenship for his daughter in a situation similar to my own. Is that completely legal even without the dual citizenship bill? And how long can a child maintain that dual status? Do they have to declare one or the other when they are 18 or can they maintain that dual status for life? Having that dual status would make traveling abroad much easier, as he mentioned.

Does anyone know whether the ""Dual Citizenship Bill"" has been passed and signed by the President, and is indeed in effect right now? My lawyer recently told me that he thought the bill was not active yet. I am an American living here in the Philippines for 11 years, married to a Filipina, and we have four children, all born here in the Philippines. I have taken all of them to the US Embassy and acquired their USA citizenship and USA passports. My question is whether the new ""Dual Citizenship Bill"" will apply to my children and allow them to also acquire Philippine citizenship and thus have both USA and PI citizenship. I have read that the primary requirement of acquiring dual citizenship is that you were born a Philippine citizen (which they were since born here and Filipina mother), later acquired foreign citizenship, and that one of your parents needs to be a Filipino. By that basis it would seem that they could acquire dual citizenship unless there is a specific exclusion for this situation. Does anyone have any good information on this? No one I have run into appears to have the definitive answer to this and I have been perplexed for a while. I sure would appreciate any help with this.

WOW! this is like the energizer bunny...just keeps going and going....my final thought....the 'universal language' I go by is understanding, and kindness to anyone, regardless of race, origin, or ethnic background.

The below message is in answer to a question posed to me from Ray and Junalyn Madsen of Dallas. I lost the thread and had to query Margaret in Guimaras for the correct answers. My company (Raytheon) evacuated the wives due to the current situation here in the Middle- East. Margaret left Amman on Feb.8th and returned to our home. Below are some answers to Ray and Junalyn questions on House construction costs and some additional information regarding our Guimaras Island Home. On Guimaras we have had 2 houses constructed: 1-main house (150 SqM)2-bedrooms (Queen Size Beds, with attached full bathrooms (Showers)and built in closets, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen w/ Breakfast area/ Dirty Kitchen, Maids(Storage)Room) with seperate 1/2 Bathroom, 1-Computer/Library & Guest Bedroom and a 3X7 meter enclosed patio area. The main house is concrete construction, but the roofing is made of asphalt shingles imported from N. Carolina, and are readily available in the market with a 25 year guarantee but a bit expensive - our roofing alone is about P260.000. 2. Flooring is Italian tiles (Glossy and embossed design) which is about P75.00 per piece and I would recommend the above as marble is not practical in the province, expensive and quiet hard to maintain. 3. All appliances (AC/ Stove/ Refer etc) are not included in our contract but everything from bathroom fixtures to sewage disposal are included - and the house is completly screened so that we have cross flow ventilation. We signed a ""straight contract"" with our architect/contractor (for 1.5 Million Pesos-including the roofing) which means labor and materials are included as well as processing of all building and electrical permits. 4. We had our fencing, driveway, and landscaping done personally as we prefer to do these according to our personal specification and to save a little bit (estimated cost 145,000 pesos) as we have 14,000 square meters to develop and work on so you can just imagine if you'll have a contractor do this for you($$$), but of course everything can be handled by your architect/contractor, it's an option. 5.Lastly, our second house (The Guest House) has 2 bedrooms (w/1 Queen Bed in 1 room and 2 single beds in the other)with a full bathroom (shower) big deck, bar and a secondary cooking area. This Guest house is basically made of local materials but the foundation is concrete, I personally did the supervision and purchasing of materials but hired an architect for the design and supervision. The Guest House labor, materials and furnishings cost is about P500.000 I hope that I have answered some of the questions Ray and Junalyn have asked. Maybe he or someone else maybe interested in buying our property since we have such a long term contract in Jordan. It may save Ray and Junalyn or someone else a big headache and also benefit from not having to start from ""ground zero"" . You can probably send or post the photos of our little quiet nook in PI that you took in Dec. or since I am here on Guimaras till Raytheon authorizes my return maybe they would like to visit? That was Margaret's e-mail to me yesterday. I would like to add that both houses were completed and Blessed in Dec.2000. We also have 2 wells w/ electric pumps, complete Cyclone Fencing around the property, two Metal Gates, Water Tower w/ Large Water Tank, an additional caretakers cottage, a small gezabo, 2 Large Shaded areas utilizing Tennis Court Netting overhead, a 8000 watt honda generator (as back-up), and attached to the back of the main house a small carport (we do not own or need a car) that I park my Kawasaki 650 Enduro Bike, my tools, snorkle gear etc. Additionally, we have 85 Coconut Trees, 600+ Calimansi Trees, a 2-3 each of Jackfruit, Mango & Bannana trees, Margaret's Orchards and various plants, 15 chickens, 10 ducks, 2 dogs. I love the place, it's quiet & peaceful, the people are super friendly, great weather patterns, no crime, no pollution, fresh breeses and we live on $400 a month. That is, when we are there. Hope that this has been of assistance.

Margaret and I have shipped 2 sets of HouseHold Goods (HHG) from Taif, KSA (5000 lbs) as well as from San Diego (2000 lbs.) We have also shipped individual and multiple Balikbyan Boxes from the above locations. We found that it was more cost effective to send everything to Manila, then Trans-ship from there to Iloilo. We have used and will continue to use GeoLogistics, Sucat Road (within 10-15 min from NAIA)Paranaque, MM. GL picks up our stuff, sends it to Iloilo and will then bring it to the Iloilo Port (Parola) to then be brought over to Guimaras Island by boat. Once at Guimaras Port (Ste. Rosario) we have contracted ($25) for a clean Dump Truck and crew to load and unload and bring everything to our property.

Hi to all, I'm a new member and have found this to be a useful site. Am moving to Davao this June or July, to build a house on lot we bought two years ago. My question is, since I like to fish does anyone know if it's feasible to bring a boat over there in a shipping container. I have an 18' boat and trailer that would fit in a container and since we were planning on a container anyway to ship furniture and such, I was wondering if the fees would be to high to make it worthwhile. Thanks in advance for any info.

I was wondering if you have a contractor, or if you are hiring the labor yourself. We were quoted P8000 per square meter, structure only, or P15,000 per square meter finished. I feel this is very high from what I have been reading.

Yes, if your children are born in the Philippines, and your wife has not immigrated (yet?), your children can carry both passports until they are 18 years old. Maybe by that time, they will pass the Dual Citizenship bill! LOL When traveling, just show both passports to Immigration and the airline check in when leaving and arriving in the Philippines. By the way, do not forget that or they will search the plane looking for the miscounted person or stowaway!! We have traveled 4 times with my daughter and there has been no problems with it.

Ok folks me and my wife have bought land inPI Bicol province and now we are splitting up and could end up in divorce vill yes it is sad but that is not my question here I want to sell out of the land or at least get back some of my investment for the time being anything I can do my name is not on the land papers due to I cant be tied to the land excpet Im listed as her husband and some worker supporting the payments I have offeredd the land office 50% of the vested net worth balance of the calue of the land and my wife was agreeable to this but they turned up down any suggestions on the best way to advertise or sell this lot of land.

Just curious, does anyone have an idea of the Caucasian/Filipina divorce rate vs a typical Caucasian rate (such as the USA)? I realize that the vast majority of Filipinas are Catholic, and divorce is frowned upon by the church, so that leaves open the real possibility of unhappy, yet still wed couples. Me? American, divorced (she was Caucasian) and happy as a clam!

Dear Joe and Mimi, and others who are interested in Orchids. I have been unable to get the exact name of the Orchid farm, but I can tell you the following: It is not South of Moal Boal. It is on the main road, IN Moal Boal. Go to Moal Boal, and anyone can direct you further. I have also learned that they have some cottages and a swimming pool, so it is possible to stay right there at the orchid farm. I have also learned that the display of orchids is even more spectacular than when I visited a year ago. I hope this is helpful. Sorry I cannot provide a name and phone number. Regards.

I AM AN AMERICAN, HAVE BEEN LIVING IN DANAO SINCE MAY...NOW LIVING IN MACTAN. I TRYING TO START A WEBSITE, AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND A COLLEGE STUDENT TO HELP DESIGN, POSSIBLE PART-TIME SECRETARIAL WORK, ALSO.

If married in the Philippines and living in the Philippines the divorce rate is just about zero. In the states I have no idea but wouldn't be surprised if it was a bit higher than the average. Besides the cultural differances there are some ladies for various reasons looking for a way out of the Philippines most reasons are honorable I believe but some not so.