Why I won’t live in the Philippines anymore
I’ll be 42 this year, it’ll be quite a while before I retire. But sometimes the topic of where to retire comes up in conversations when I’m with older friends, or among my peers who are in the military & will retire after they fulfill their 20 years of active duty service. Most of the Filipinos I talk to say that they’d retire in the US, not in the Philippines. I ask them why, considering that because of the favorable exchange rate, they could retire comfortably in the Philippines. We have some common answers, which I’ll elaborate on below.
Now before I go further, let me say that the US is not perfect, no country is. But in spite of its flaws, I’d rather live here. I cannot speak for my friends, but here are the reasons why I no longer want to live in the Philippines & prefer instead to live & retire here in the USA:
Bangko ng bayan – If you retire in the Philippines, some of your relatives, friends, even neighbors will come and ‘borrow’ or ask money from you. There’s always some sort of medical emergency going on or a child who needs tuition money. They will approach you too if they need money for a birthday party, baptism, wedding or burial. If you say no, ikaw pang masama. And don’t expect them to repay you if you do lend money.
Security issues – I think no matter how simply you live, word will get around that you’re receiving some sort of retirement income from the US or abroad. You could become an easy target of ‘akyat-bahay’ gangs or kidnappings, either by strangers or by disgruntled people you didn’t lend money to.
No 911 or emergency services – unlike here in the US where you can call 911 & an ambulance will be there in a few minutes, in the Philippines, no such emergency service exists. Even if there were, with the traffic in large metropolitan areas like Manila, by the time the ambulance does reach you & transport you to the hospital, you’d probably be dead or close to death by then. And if you don’t have any health insurance, I doubt you’ll be taken care of.
Corruption – things happen faster if you bribe people. I clearly remember hearing that it takes years for people to get a phone line, but the process could be speeded up if you knew someone at the phone company. Those who have drivers licenses, what’s the percentage that they actually took both a written & practical driving test? At almost every contact I had with the government, things were slow & people would ‘offer’ to speed things up for me if I paid a little extra, which I refused.
Pollution – during my last year in the Philippines, I would get a sore throat every 6 weeks or so from the dirty air I was exposed to while riding tricycles & jeepneys. It was so bad that I had barely any voice left, and my voice was needed because I constantly spoke with people at work. Except for the tourist spots & business districts, most areas you went there was trash on the streets. It’s a common sight for people to just throw candy wrappers anywhere, further clogging the drains which contributes to the floods whenever it rains in Manila There are no trash cans or dumpsters to speak of. Some men will urinate at the nearest wall instead of looking for a public restroom. Signs like “bawal umihi dito” and “bawal magtapon ng basura dito” are ignored.
Traffic – what would normally take 15-20 minutes to navigate will take an hour or more because of the traffic. I do not want to deal with that. I remember when I was still working in the Philippines, I had co-workers who would leave home at 5:30 or 6 am & get to work just in time at 7:30 or 8:00 am. And rules of the road? I am embarrassed to say we have some of the most undisciplined drivers I’ve ever seen.
The laws are less female friendly
- In the Philippines, if you have a child and your husband or boyfriend ran off with someone else or simply abandoned you & your child, sorry ka na lang. Here in the States, even if you’re not married to the guy, there are laws in place. He is legally, not to mention morally, obligated to support his child. You can take him to court for child support & since everything here in the US is connected to one’s social security number, if he’s working, he can be tracked down & his wages will be garnished (automatically deducted) from his paycheck & sent to you. If he stops working, once he does find work again, he now owes you back payments & he will legally have to pay that on top of whatever court ordered child support in place.
- I don’t know how seriously domestic violence is treated in the Philippines, but here, if a guy merely pushes you, or even talks to you in a threatening or demeaning manner, you can call 911 on him for domestic abuse or violence. It will go on his record, & he could get into serious trouble especially if he’s in the US military.
I have many fond memories of the Philippines. I have many friends there that I keep in touch with via email, fb or skype, & I can see them when I visit. It is where I was born, & where I lived from the ages of 9-28. The Philippines will always be a nice place to visit, but it’s not where I want to live anymore. And unless a lot of things change for the better, I have no intentions of going back there to live .
###
by Den Dominguez
©Copyright 2011 – 2013, Filipino | Definitely Filipino™. All rights reserved. Copying of any article from this Definitely Filipino blog without permission, is strictly prohibited. DISCLAIMER: All articles are opinions of their respective authors and not necessarily of the site owner and Definitely Filipino.
Well if you don’t want to die in your home land it’s up to you.but don’t think that things will be the same in America when the time comes that you’re going to retire.you’ve live there for 28 yrs and now you can’t live there anymore because of the same system.well goodluck to you when America fails your expectation.go on and pay your mortgage and bills for the rest of your life in America.
My house is paid off.
Dr. Tola stepped in after I contacted him. He saw
the problem and told me when things fell apart. I
had him to cast the Obstacle Breaker and Ultimate
Return My Lover Spell since things was blocking
my boyfriend to come to me and four days after the
spells was casted my girl came back to me.if you
are looking for a genius spell caster you can contact
him via { [email protected]}.
In addition, Mr. Macon, I doubt your request back home for the Congressman urging them not to send anymore aid or help to the Philippines will be granted. Uncle Sam is a show off country. It would keep on helping the outsiders even though it is already in deep hole just to prove that it is still the super power country in the world.
Do you remember the on going competition of which country can donate the biggest money during the 2004 tsunami? Do you think America would quit helping the Phils and let other countries break its record just to please you? Nah. Not a chance.
Filipinos, in general, can be thankful that I have no authority or am not in an official government position in the USA. I would cut off all foreign aid to the Republic of the Philippines as Americans are only wanted here for their money. You all know that is true.
Well, let’s put it this way. Both countries: The Philippines and the US need each other. So, saying you would cut off all the foreign aid to the Republic of the Phils if you are in power, is like cutting one of your legs. It takes two to tango, you know?
The USA spends WAY too much money on foreign aid, to countries that don’t even like the USA. Pakistan comes to mind immediately. The only reason the Saudis like the USA is for the MONEY the USA spends on buying oil from them. Filipinos, I have noticed, try to copy all things American. Know the first thing I heard when I vacationed here in Cebu in 2004? Rap music. Rap music originated in the USA. The clothing styles, movies, attitudes and now..even food…(donuts, pizza, etc.), all are copycats from America, now in the Philippines. The hamburger is a “gift” the American G.I.’s left the Filipinos from World War II. I think the Philippines needs America a lot more than America needs the Philippines. The Philippines cannot even control the rebel element down in Mindanao.
Oh, do you think I don’t know that? That pissed me off in a way that Uncle Sam is spending so much money on countries who hate us Americans. The Phils doesn’t hate America. Only few Filipinos that do. Those are probably the few who got kicked in the ass by few Americans in the past.
The rest of us love America and its people that’s why a lot of us have colonial mentality. As what you mentioned, so many Filipinos copy cats America. It is because of our love to Uncle Sam and to grumpy people like you.
America can do without the Philippines alright but not until the WWIII hit. The Phils with the biggest naval facilities in Asia and the only friendly place to land beside Japan is very handy to have during the war. This still fall to what I said, both the Phils and the US need each other no matter what.
Since you think the Americans are only wanted in the Phils. for their money, what keeps you there letting those so called Filipinos in ” General ” leeching on you for? I think you are pretty hard on yourself for letting them torture you like that.
Not going to go thru my whole life story of why we are here in the Philippines..I have told it at least 6 or 7 times on this thread or on another one in DF. Look it up. The point is…people should mutually respect each other, regardless of race and I just don’t see any evidence of that here in the Philippines around Cebu. My torture, as you put it, will end sometime in 2014 when I go back to God’s country, TEXAS.
I don’t have time to look it up all over DF just to read your posts. DF is a huge site. Why don’t you just tell me in few words why are you staying in the Phils if you are not happy? Can you please tell me? I’m curious to know.
I am that nosy.
That’s right. People should have mutual respect with each other that’s why try not to generalize the Filipinos so you would gain respect from the decent bunch.
If you keep on running your mouth in person the way you run it here, no one would respect you there. There’d annoy you to get even. You are lucky you are not getting beat up yet. You haven’t encountered the mean Filipinos who would not take any crap from anybody. You are still surrounded with the tame ones. Be thankful for that.
You will be back here next year. I bet, you will miss the Phils.
At some point, I have to agree on what you have written here. I’m living in this piece of land and spotting most of these flaws that you exposed here.
Well, it’s your choice to retire on US anyway.
And I don’t see the point why people are counter-ranting the wrong way here, except those ones na worthy naman basahin at pansinin ang mga argumento nila an still nasa bounds ng isyu na ‘to.
It’s a personal choice wherever we want to retire. Wherever we are comfortable, that’s where we will stay regardless of what anyone think of.
Your all idiots! PI girls in bars are the best and cheapest in the world!!
Unlike you, not everybody care about the bar girls.
This is what I mean. At first, you dont know your way around. Afterall, it is a new environment. So therefore, it is a given that you will be lied to or cheated on. But now they can never fool you. There are things that you can change, there are things that you can’t. By knowing your way around, they will somehow know that you are street wise and not an easy target. Afterall, a good percentage is communicated through body language. Now for my next point. There will always be others that aren’t that good at reading body languages, ignorant, etc and the way you look will make them think you are an easy target. Ahhh, a foreigner. Perhaps he is new to the country. He will be an easy target.
There are things you can change and things that you can’t. You just have to learn to accept that fact. You are in your 50s right? I am pretty sure you know what I am talking about. Just as there will always people that will judge me for my skin color, there will always be people that will also judge you according to your skin color.
I think you may have been living on the poor areas of the Philippines. How would you feel, if I came to New York and get lied cheated and robbed and then said to you, all Americans are all liers cheaters and robbers because thats what they did to me in New York. You probably will say, you only went to one part of the country. You can’t generalized them through that. This is what everyone is trying to imply to you.
You have to understand that a lot of people in the Philippines are poor and are always looking for a way to get their next meal whatever the means. Is it their fault or not? I would say a bit of both. If you are from a poor family, you can’t really get a good education. But most people give up easily, so most stay poor. One of the major fault of Filipinos is their overly religious zeal. Oh don’t use birth control because it is bad. If you divide the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) divide by the population then you get the average income theoretically. So therefore, a high population with lots of unemployment will lower the average income. A lot of Filipinos in the country are unemployed. Therefore, it is not in our best interest to increase our population further. Take into account that the money is not distributed evenly, we get a very poor and very rich group. The very poor people are what you are mostly frustrated with. There is a reason they are poor and I am going to be blunt about this. It is because they are ignorant! The poor has many children when they can barely support themselves. In their desperation, they resort to lieing and cheating. There is a hidden belief in the Philippines where having many women and children is a manly thing. You see where I am getting at?
It is our fault but at the same time also not. Poverty causes overpopulation and at the same time overpopulation causes poverty. The situation is compounded by the fact that most males think that having many children from different women is cool. I heard a lot of cases, when I was still living there about men who has two families. The two families don’t know of each other presence until several years later. Compounded also by the fact that most Filipinos are very religious and that the church forbid the use of birth control.
Oh yea the kids that approach you. Where are the parents probably gambling drinking or maybe working almost 24/7 to support their ridiculously large families. They are the ignorant ones. The poor are poor because they are ignorant and irresponsible. Not all Filipinos are ignorant, some are very smart. Just as there are a lot of dumb Americans. There are also a lot of dumb Filipinos. It is not so easy to spot dumb Americans simply because a lot of them have jobs. But dumb Filipinos on their poor country, well good luck finding a decent job.
I want to add that your logic is flawed. I was mostly mistreated by Caucasians during my whole course of stay in Canada. Using your thinking deduction process, I can arrive at a conclusion that all Caucasians are racists. Are you also implying to us that your wife is also irresponsible since she is a Filipina? If so, I already feel sorry for your wife.
U.S. ship damaged the coral reef yet U.S. government refused to pay for the damages. Well, that is also irresponsible. Two wrongs don’t make a right you know.
Ralph…breathe..and think. I am reporting on my personal experiences from whence I draw my conclusions. You are welcome to do the same. My wife is an exception in more ways than one. She lived in America for 35 years but as I found out when we got over here and compared her to her sisters and brother and many nieces…she is quite different. For one thing..she CARES. For another, she is super neat and clean. I looked at their houses. Disgusting. Filthy. Just because you are poor is no excuse to be filthy. As far as the USA paying for damaging a coral reef…please. How much aid has the USA given to the Philippines over the years in terms of money, military support and aid when disaster strikes the Philippnies? The Philippines should let this one go and chalk up it towards the debt that the Philippines will never be able to pay America for what they have done for the Philippines.
I am relaxed. I am just pointing out the mistake on your logic. On my other response to you I made a lot of comments on poor people. To summarize, they are poor because they are the ignorant irresponsible ones. Not all Filipinos are like that just like not all Americans are all like black ghettos in New York.
You still dwelling in here dude and singing the same old song? LMFAO! Big Time!
1- Can you tell me exactly how much aid the USA has given to the Philippines?
2- If they were aids as you call them then why is the Philippines owed so much that the country could not pay it?
3- Why lend more money to the Philippines when the USA know the country could not afford to pay even the previous debt?
4- The biggest military AIDS the USA has given to the Philippines is the kind that is sexually transmitted. LMFAO!
The Ferdinand Marcos regime borrowed billions from the USA,especially from 1966 to 1969. The Philippines also borrowed money from the IMF. (International Monetary Fund) The Philippine national debt reached a high point under Gloria Arroyo in 2003 with a debt of $57.6 BILLION. The United States gave an ADDITIONAL P164 million for victims of Typhoon Pablo in Jan. of 2013. With that, 3,400 metric tons of rice were bought for the typhoon victims, enough to feed 170,000 Filipinos for 2 months. As of 2010, the Philippines had receiv ed $531,190,000 in the form of Development Assistance. In 2003 the USA gave $50 million to help the Philippines battle Al Qaeda militants. In 2012 the USA agreed to give the Philippines $30 million for military aid.All of this stuff, as well as a lot more is easily found on the internet. The main HELP to the Philippines over the years? America, hands down. I suggest you read more and spout nonsense LESS. Just a suggestion….
It is so sad because, I see a lot of young boys and girls in the street begging for help here in USA. Who help them? They sure can use some help and they need help.
I sure hope you Steven Macon will find peace and learn to forgive the people around you. You are one unhappy spiteful person.
I lived in Texas for 50 years. I can count on one hand and have fingers left over the number of beggars I ever saw.
The Philippines, according to a government report in 1998 had 1.2 million street kids begging, 70,00 of them in Metro Manila alone. Now..since the population of the Philippines in 2013 is around 84 million total people, it is safe to say that there are probably about 2 million street kids out begging in the Philippines. The Philippines is the 12th most populated country in the world. In truth, during all the time I commuted back and forth to Dallas, Texas to my job, (note: Dallas is the 9th most populous city in the whole United States), I think I saw THREE people on the street begging. I worked in Dallas for 15 years. I can see 3 people begging from my upstairs bedroom window here in Talisay City, Philippines. LOL! There is absolutely no comparison between the number of beggars in the USA and the number of beggars in the Philippines. A quick check of facts available on the internet will bear that out.
You are a spiteful individual… no one is comparing which of two country have more beggars begging in the street!
I am reporting on FACTS, rather than resorting to name calling, which gets no one anywhere. Per your post, “It is so sad, I see a lot of young boys and girls in the street begging for help here in USA.” You insinuated that there were just hundreds of Americans out begging in the streets. What city would that be, exactly? Certainly not Dallas, Texas. Certainly not Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Certainly not New Orleans, Louisiana. Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, perhaps. You, Miss Olson brought the subject of American begging up and I merely brought FACTS to the discussion. I always find it amusing that Filipinos and Filipinas who DO NOT CURRENTLY LIVE in the Philippines but live overseas always seem to want to jump into discussions on how people need to be sympathetic to Filipinos and help Filipinos. I have helped many Filipinos and not even gotten one single, “Salamat”, up to now. By the way, as I type this, I have the windows open and I get to smell the lovely smell of CRAP from my neighbors roosters and dogs. Lovely. Facts. They are not always pleasant.
I can see the point why there are more Street kids beggars in the Phils compare to the beggars in the US. There are so many poor people in the Phils who keep on breeding even if they can’t feed. That’s due to the influence of their church that brainwashed them against contraceptives and family planning. The result, more hungry mouths were born to poor parents. A lot of those children are in the Street eyeing on rich people particularly foreigners for alms. In the Phils, there is no food stamp to feed the poor whereas in the US, there are many programs that cater to the poor. Therefore, the children in poverty are not in the Street to beg for their next meal. Without the food stamp in the US that even feed those darn illegals then there’d be bunch of American people, young and adult, who will be begging in the Street just to eat. For now the US economy is in deep hole I can see more beggars from all races asking money for food. As for the smell in your neighborhood, why not move if it displease you?
Dude, you did not answer my simple questions – 2nd and 3rd, nevermind the 4th.
Let me just remind you why there are poor people in this world. That is simply because to keep he rich people rich. No different to rich countries and poor countries.
Recession = To stop the poor having more money
Inflation = To stop poor people affording the better things in life.
Rich and poor, black and white, good and evil etc… One does not exist without the other. Something for you to think about. I doubt even with your high IQ you’d find this extremely hard to comprehend. I pity you… but I’m hopeful.
I typed along response but I lost it .it might show up a little later CCM
Steven Macon, you love the smell I am sure. The American who doesn’t like smelly neighborhood, they go somewhere else!
Marita, you never say anything that makes sense. I LOVE my apartment here. For the equivalent of about $210 I have a fairly new, 2-story apartment behind 14 foot concrete walls and a sliding 8 foot iron gate with a lock. Close to the main highway. What else could I want? You know as well as I do that no matter where you live in the Philippines, there is ALWAYS SOMETHING that stinks!! LOL!
I am just tired of your whining and putting all Pilipino down. I have enough of your insult. You decide to live in our country because it is cheap and because you can’t afford to go home and live in comfortable life. I could careless what you do, just stop generalizing all Pilipino! It would be acceptable if you only bad mouthed those who screwed you up; I would feel sorry for you; in fact, the very first time I read your story, I did feel sorry for you but you become spiteful to all Pilipino! You want some pilipino feel sympathy for what happen to you in the past? Then start respecting the people in the country you live in. And stop comparing between two country? Either you find a way to enjoy being with my people while living in my country, or leave? I am sick of reading your complaints and putting all of us down! You choice to live in a smelly place; that is your problem.
Yup! that includes your own pad… funny man!
Ralph, as for your post about you being mistreated in your whole stay in Canada, I’ve heard that there are Canadians who are prejudice on White Americans so what more on non Caucasians especially the ones from Asia or Africa?
May I ask,who mistreated you in Canada? Your employers? Don’t you have any labor law against discrimination and unfair treatment on employees there? If your neighbors are mistreating you, why not call a cop or move?
In the Phils, there are also Filipinos who are prejudice on their own fellow Filipinos may it be the skin color, height, education, etc.
The Asian race itself is also prejudice and racist. There are Asians who are also racist, bigot, and prejudice to other Asians. There are Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese people who look down on Filipinos or any Asian nationalities just because of their skin color and because their countries are poor. And there are people from those Asian countries I mentioned who are racist against blacks. Well, there are Filipinos who are also racists against black people wether they are foreigner or local. Face it, in our country, a lot of people there love white skinned people.
Steven Macon
I have been taking advantage too in Canada. People who take advantage of others are everywhere. It becomes more pronounced depending on culture, poverty etc. I am pretty sure that if I were to visit Europe, I am probably going to be lied, cheated, robbed. Why? Because they will see that I am a foreigner.
I think what really happened is that because you weren’t very familiar with the place, you became a target. I am pretty sure that if someone were to try to lie, cheat or do something to you in the Philippines, it won’t be easy anymore. But there are some things that you can’t avoid like standing out. You are white, so you will be labeled as a foreigner. And foreigner = money for poor people in the Philippines. That’s just how it is. I am sorry for what happened to you.
My advice to you if you still need or want to stay in the Philippines is to relocate somewhere where poverty is less pronounced. Somewhere with more foreigners so you are less likely to stand out. What you have to understand is that you are married to your wife, not to her relatives. It is not your responsibility to help them if you don’t want to.
Ralph,..so what you are saying is that I should just accept the fact that I will be lied and cheated because I am a foreigner, is that correct? I refuse to live that way, Ralph. I will be returning to America to stay, probably about mid way thru 2014 if all goes as planned. The cleverly disguised hostility here towards foreigners is quite evident to me now and no…I am now NOT an easy target. I do not give money to the always present kid in the parking lot who insists on “helping” me park my car, as if I am some kind of idiot and need help to park my car. I no longer give money to street beggars and I do not let ANYONE thru the gate at our apartment compound unless I know them personally. I carry a policeman’s billy club in my car at all times and a very sharp lock-bladed pocket knife. I do not trust ANYONE in the Philippines except my wife and the people at our church. I am a product of the treatment I have received here.
I agree. The Philippines is not the best place to live but for me it is where I will feel that I belong. I have been living in Canada for about 11 years now. I came when I was 15. I was a very shy guy when I came to Canada. Three years later, I was suffering from many psychological problems due to bullying and isolation. What I am feeling at the moment may just be an illusion, but I remember being happier in the Philippines.
I think the best thing that can be done if there are some things you dislike about the country, yet you like it enough to stay there is to be a source of positive change. I am planning to still go back there. Biggest question is what can be done.
Marunong pa rin akong magtagalog. Nag ingles lang ako para patunayan na nakatira ako sa Canada nang 11 taon. Maiinis ka rin sa mga Filipino dito sa North America. After one year na stay dito, suddenly they can’t speak tagalog. My best reason for wanting to go back to the Philippines is you will always be a foreigner here. Sure, you are an American or Canadian Citizen but don’t expect to be treated the same as the white guy next to you even though he is also an immigrant (russian, polish, etc).
So to summarize, don’t complain if you are not doing something about the situation. I can compare the people who complain endlessly to someone who complains that he is starving yet there are berries everywhere. Get off your bottom and pick the berries if you are starving. I speak from experience so you can’t call me a hypocrite. Despite all the hardships, I fought hard and did something with my life. Do you have any idea how hard it is for someone who is suffering from social phobia to get off the house and face many people? Not to mention job interviews. I got my B.Eng a year ago and now currently working as an Engineer but I shouldn’t label myself as an Engineer until I get my P.Eng. I am probably going back once I got my P.Eng.
Ralph,
I just wanted you to know that you don’t have to be a foreigner to be bullied and mistreated in Canada. I am white, male, 100% Canadian (whatever that means. lol. i mean my family goes back several generations in Canada – about 200 years).
Racism couldn’t have been the issue and yet I was one of the most bullied kids in school that I know of. No joke. I only saw worse bullying in movies. I had few friends. These experiences made it difficult for me to develop necessary social skills and confidence. Psychological problems? I deal with low self-confidence every day, even 30 years later. I was shy, like you.
I don’t know your situation. It is possible that it is racially driven, but it might not be. I think the shy guys are easy targets. Are you small? I am not a big guy. Again, easy target. When a kid can’t defend himself very well and isn’t confident enough to really stand up to anyone because he’s too shy, he will likely be the victim of bullying.
As for being taken advantage of, same here. I am a trusting person. I am nice to people. I’ve had girlfriends aplenty that screwed me over pretty badly.
It sucks cuz you have to learn to stop trusting people and you become overly guarded. But that’s the way it is. It’s not all, or even most, Canadians that are like this. I know lots of great people, of course, and hey, I’m one of them too! haha. But I think people like us attract the riff raff because we’re easy targets. I’m not an easy target anymore so I don’t have to deal with it as much.
Take a good look at people before you trust them. It sucks to have to be cynical all the time until they prove themselves, but for your own good, it’s almost necessary.
What I do now is I have rules – rules I live by that prevent me from getting taken advantage of easily. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and will trust them, but only so much until I get to know them much, much better.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that what you’ve experienced is something that a white Canadian male also went through. Possibly even worse than you. You’re not alone.
we begin and end…with family…hope you’d change your mind…
Personal Responsibility. Filipinos, in general, have no idea what that is. From the politicians in Manila, down to the terrorists in Sulu, no one wants to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. It is all about, “Give something to ME!” I am sick of it. Just the other day, I am sitting in my car on a parking lot at a grocery store, waiting for my wife when 3 Filipino kids approach, asking for money, as usual. I told them, “Walay trabajo, walay pension, walay kwarta!” I said, “Ikaw…YOU….YOU….YOU..give ME money!” They looked at me like I was crazy but finally went away…
I am just sick it and where the hell are the parents????
Steven Macon, please do not generalize Filipinos. Yes, I will admit that the Philippines is covered with poverty and those 3 children that asked you for money is an example of those poverty. However, not every Filipino is irresponsible and it is not always about “give something to ME”. Although I do agree that there is a need of change in our government. However, please… please… do not generalize Filipinos as irresponsible..
Angelo, please just shut up. I am no longer a “tourist.” Who do you think you are speaking to…someone who just got off the plane?? I have been lied to and taken advantage of by: our first landlord, retail clerks, vendors at the market, beggars, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, ALL of my wife’s relatives here, and even policemen. Who the heck else is left??? Unless you have walked in my shoes…and you haven’t….you have not the slightest idea how I and my Filipina wife have been mistreated here..so YES…I think I will go ahead and generalize all Filipinos as irresponsible. Shall I even mention the crooks in the government in Manila or the terrorists down in Zamboanga? Now..the government of the Philippines wants MONEY for the damage the U.S. ship, Guardian, did to a coral reef. For pete’s sake! I have already e-mailed my Congressman back home urging them NOT to send any more money or aid of any kind to the ungrateful Philippines, thank you.
If you are being lied to and taken advantage of by those opportunist buggers then why stay long in the Philippines? There is no point of staying here and as you have mentioned, your wife’s relatives are taking advantage of you. Why prolong your suffering? You can just simply dump your wife and go back to where you came from. Just leave this filthy country. But let me guess. I think you are just afraid of losing an AMAH and a wife at the same time for you cannot live alone. Going back to where you came from may seems very difficult already for you I think. You may ended up on the street as a homeless beggar. oh what a life!
Mr. Macon, that’s below the belt when you generalized the Filipinos as irresponsible. Not all Filipinos are like that. Besides, aren’t you married to Filipina? Are you saying she is irresponsible as well? Lol.
The number of Filipinos that I have personally met who are NOT irresponsible is in the minority. Sorry. Just telling the truth.
It still doesn’t qualify for generalization.
In addition, Mr. Macon, I doubt your request back home for the Congressman urging them not to send anymore aid or help to the Philippines will be granted. Uncle Sam is a show off country. It would keep on helping the outsiders even though it is already in deep hole just to prove that it is still the super power country in the world.
Do you remember the on going competition of which country can donate the biggest money during the 2004 tsunami? Do you think America would quit helping the Phils and let other countries break its record just to please you? Nah. Not a chance.
Marita, you never say anything that makes sense. I LOVE my apartment here. For the equivalent of about $210 I have a fairly new, 2-story apartment behind 14 foot concrete walls and a sliding 8 foot iron gate with a lock. Close to the main highway. What else could I want? You know as well as I do that no matter where you live in the Philippines, there is ALWAYS SOMETHING that stinks!! LOL!
we begin and ends…with family…hope you’d change your mind…
Nakakalungkot makabasa ng ganitong mga komentaryo lalo na kung galing mismo sa isa ring kapwa Pilipino. Oo nga’t maraming hindi magagandang pangyayari sa Pilipinas tulad na rin ng mga nabanggit mo, but I’m sure may mga ganyan din naman sa US o kahit saan pa mang bansa sa mundo. Hindi naman nawawala ang ganitong mga negative aspects sa buhay. Nasa atin na yun kung pano natin hahanapan ng kagandahan ang bawat bagay at pangyayari. Para sa akin, the best pa rin ang Philippines. Dahil dito, ramdam ko ang sense of belonginess, dahil nandito ang mga taong malapit sa puso ko, dahil dito mas ramdam ko ang pagmamahal na hinding-hindi ko ipagpapalit sa mga nasabi mong 911, child support etc. Pero kanya-kanyang opinyon lang yan. Mapalad ang mga taong nakakakita ng kagandahan ng sariling bansa despite all the critics na ibinabato dito.
Marahil ay nais mo lamang gisingin ang mga dapat gisingin at imulat ang mga mata ng mga tao sa kasalukuyang suliranin ng bansang PILIPINAS. MARAMING SALAMAT PO! Ang dapat na gawin ay solusyon sa problema, kung may itutulong ka ay tumulong ka at kung wala ay pasensya na muna di ga!
Everything you said is true but still I am going back to retire back home. I have enjoyed and will enjoy being outside and I have learn a lot. I will still go home and already formulate how to live with situations that you have mention. Kahit saan may problema, kahit saan may extremes but home is where you feel at home….
To the writer, I hear you.
Likewise, as much as I like the Philippines because of friends and relatives I have there and that feeling of belonging, those issues you have raised have prevented me from making up my mind where I would retire some day. Add to it, the heat and not much health benefits.
True, we shouldn’t compare an orange with an apple or go bashing. But what the writer said are facts that we really do have to consider. It’s just that in the end, it’s a matter of priority.
Makes me think, maybe I’ll just visit there every now and then. I’ll just cross that bridge when I get there.
Much better siguro, stop comparing. U.S and Philippines. Both of them meron good and bad sides. Mas maganda siguro kahit san tayo makakarating lagi natin ipagmamalaki san tayo nagmula.di rin makaka ila marami mga turista na nahihikayat manatili sa atin bansa. At iyun respect at pagmamahal sa sariling atin wag ka makalimot.pag respect sa iba culture.
Much better siguro, stop comparing. U.S and Philippines. Both of them meron good and bad sides. Mas maganda siguro kahit san tayo makakarating lagi natin ipagmamalaki san tayo nagmula.di rin makaka ila marami mga turista na nahihikayat manatili sa atin bansa. At iyun respect at pagmamahal sa sariling atin wag ka makalimot.pag respect sa iba culture.
AFTER READING YOUR REPORT I AM ORDERING A COMPLETE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ON YOU. AS A UNITED STATES INS
INSPECTOR YOU SOUND LIKE A VERY DEPRESSED ALIEN RESIDENT IN THE USA. IF YOUR BACKGROUND REPORT TURNS UP NEGATIVE, I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ORDER YOU DEPORTED BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES WHERE YOU WHERE BORN.
Sir, who are you talking to?
First off, don’t compare life in U.S. and life in P.I. It’s entirely two different planets. Relatives or neighbours asking for money; just hold your ground tell them you don’t have enough to sustain you and your family. If they hold it as grudge against you; then so be it. Your better off without them anyway.
“Akyat Bahay” (Home Invasion here in U.S.)or Kidnappaning: it all depends how you flaunt your wealth. If you’re insecure on your social status – you’ll “broadcast” your so called wealth accumulated from the U.S., thereby opening yourselves to ‘open season’ or easy target for criminals.
Pollution – then live in rural parts of Manila, where there’s no pollution. Not unless you don’t want to sacrifice the ‘creature comforts’ you’ve gotten used to in the U.S.
I agree with Jeff Sinclair (another poster). You’re so “Americanized” that you have no clue as to what life is all about. For you, it’s all about materialism,comfort,and security; irregardless of your quality of life and happiness. I pity you.
As a Fil-Am, I have fond memories of the Philippines as a young girl. I arrived in the USA when I was 8 and didn’t return for a couple of decades. The Philippines is all what I remember and more.
Yes, there’s trash, so does the USA. Yes, there’s corruption, so does the USA. Crime, “akyat-bahay”, kidnappings, bombings, car-jacking, burglaries, people “borrowing” money from you and never re-paying, so does the USA. I guess it’s all about how you look at things. People are pretty much the same where ever you are. Just the other day, one of my neighbors found a burglar rummaging in his bedroom in the middle of the day and I live in an upper middle class neighborhood in Silicon Valley where you can write home to Mom about.
I lived in the Philippines for a while last year while I was setting up my business. Since then, I have been flying to & from. I can tell you one thing, I feel safer in the Philippines than in some streets in California and New York. I’ve walked down streets at night and even talked to a few people who were “tambay” in the street corner, having beer. I didn’t feel threatened. I even went to Divisoria and shopped for some items by myself and came out in one piece. I wouldn’t dare do that in some streets in the USA, day or night.
I guess it’s all relative. I love the Philippines and it’s in my heart. I love the people, even though some I wouldn’t cross the street to yell at, just like some people in the USA.
Philippines will always be in my heart, my mind, my soul. It’s part of me, the people, my people and I will always call it home. Good luck and I hope you find happiness. God bless.
Mr. Steven Macon,
You mentioned a lot of negative aspects about the Philippines, and I agree with you on some of them – corruption, pollution, crime, etc. However, the fact that you’re still there and planning to stay there for five more years proves that you and your wife get much more advantages than the many disadvantages you enumerated.
Since you mentioned all the negatives, let me tell you the benefits that you are reaping, which are obviously much more than what you are willing to acknowledge:
1. You and your equally ungrateful wife live in the Philippines. Why don’t you both live in another country; there are hundreds in the world.
2. Your daily living expenses, such as housing and utilities, are much lower.
3. Your medical expenses are much lower.
4. You don’t mind consuming the local resources.
5. Your wife speaks the language and can easily assimilate with the people and environment where she was born and raised in.
Here are the facts about you, based on what you wrote but never directly acknowledged:
1. You are old with a disease, which is being treated by the very people you detest.
2. You cannot afford to live in your own country.
3. You cannot afford to live in a nicer neighborhood in the Philippines, despite working for decades and earning so much more here in the States.
4. You are an ingrate to your host country and people – you are just a guest there.
5. You are just one big whiner. You have the power to change the things that are happening to you (such as leave the Philippines – duh) but you’re doing nothing but complain.
Bottom line, it appears that you are lower than the people you are demeaning. Look at the mirror and try to see what’s in front of you. Maybe the one thing wrong with the entire situation is you and not those around you.
Since you are nothing but a charlatan, you may be tempted to defend your indefensible position with a lengthy and unverifiable response. However, your despicable character has now been exposed, so no amount of justification, insults, or complaints can rescue you.
Well said. I couldn’t say anything more. Thanks Jeff for your big heart.
Bravo, Jeff!
You nailed poor old grumpy Steve Macon on the head!
Seeking Guaranteed and affordable low score Loan? Apply With Us and
get fast approval today. No Credit Checks, No Col-laterals.easy steps,
Fast Funding and low interest rate. Via [email protected]
I hear you Steve. My only suggestion is to volunteer at a school or Orphanage during your remaining time there. Maybe help out some of the kids with their English. Those kids really dont have much to be thankfull for besides their friends and family, for whom they always love. My wife whi is a filipina came from very little but she is very respectful of anything she has especially her big family. God works in tough ways too maybe he is making you stronger so you can return here with a new found respect for the situations here at home. I wish more of our teenagers would go to the Philippines so they can learn that in life the relationships and friendships you make our your true gifts and all this Materialstic stuff is just Stuff.
Im the type of person who typically enjoys reading the real ratings on say a hotel site and what real people have to say. I tend to get a good idea of the good and the bad. This blog is so bad with a few people going back and forth and very few else want to say a word. Many of your comments are valid just state your opinion and let it go. I would never compare the philippines to the US. The reason is as an American we have the ability to leave if we dont like it. To a filipino its their home their family and friends. Why attack just state your piece and let it go and then go home and complain about the illegals and bugs and snakes and the white trash that Texas is famous for. That last sentence was to make you understand what its like to attack someones home…..
Derek, understood. It is just that ever since I got to the Philippines in March of 2009, it seems as if the entire country has been screaming at us, “Go home!” I am listening. I will be going home to Texas in 2014, God willing. I will miss the little Baptist church here that we are members of.
Mr. Steve, rather than complaining, why don’t you just enjoy your stay? Obviously, you have no choice but to stay in my country because of your personal reason! Don’t you think that we are tired already of your whining over the things that you already know and can’t do anything to change them? So loosen out!
Steve Macon, I don’t think the whole Philippines would shoo you out the country. Those who would want you or your kind to leave are probably the anti-Americans and those you displeased with your presence in the Phils. The rest of Filipino people love the Americans especially if they are White.