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 .
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by Den Dominguez
©Copyright 2011, Definitely Filipino™ Blog Network. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise stated, all articles in this blog are opinions of their respective authors and not necessarily of Definitely Filipino and its staff.
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Den Dominguez 
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Quoted on Jack Narciso – “Comparing our country with a First World country is never apples to apples.”
Here’s mine… Comparing our country with a First World country is like Aplles to Mangga… well, I still prefer Mangga with bagoong alamang or asin. LOL!
to blogger Den Dominguez –it’s not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country PERIOD! sorry to burst your bubble but no country on God’s earth will admire a pathetic and selfish bigot and hypocrite like you! people like you sit and complain but does nothing to improve things! typical crab! it sux to be you! lol
true pinoy….what did PI did to you lately ? I bet if you were given a chance to stay in different country, you will take it. Will your country take care of you when you get old ? lost a job ? I know it SUX to be you to get stuck there. You hate the blogger because you were there and she’s telling you the true situation in the Philippines. Lahat nang Martyr ay Patay na ok. You will be lucky if the PI government will build one for you once you die because of your martyrdom.
habang binabasa mo ang sagot ko, pakinggan mo to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbopyl1mGaw
1. what did PH did to me lately? –it shaped the person in me. it taught me valuable lessons in life never to give up when the shit hits the fan. apparently the PH is at an all time low but what does that mean? it means that there is no other way but UP! and to insult and lambast someone or something that’s hit rock bottom is un-pinoy or even worse, SOULLESS! natanong mo na ba sarili mo kung anong klase kang tao at anong klaseng buhay ang gusto mo? ito ba ay makatao or makadiyos?
2. don’t BET because you will definitely LOSE! be careful what you wish for because i’m “in” that chance you’re talking about! as a pinoy living the PH for 35 yrs, i have been living inside the box and i know how difficult it is. now as an OFW, i’m on the outside looking in. i’ve experienced both sides of the fence so i know how it feels and definitely my heart is in the PH no matter what. LOL look what we’ve got here! another selfish person trying to be smart. for christ’s sake, your country will not take care of you! it’s thru your own hands that you will be taken care of. please juan tamad tumayo ka jan at huwag mo hintayin mahulog ang bunga sa puno. freaking grow a backbone!
3. you think you know me? what made you think i don’t know what’s happening in the PH? am i blind? am i uneducated and unable to read? stop sounding smart to the rest of the people here. what i despise is people who easily give up, quitters, loses hope, sitting on their fat asses and waiting for the word to change for them when IT IS YOU WHO MAKE THE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE AND TO OTHERS! oh please, get your head out of your ass!
4. kung lahat ng martyr patay at least nabuhay sila ng may honor, marangal, matapang at may pinaglalaban which i’d prefer instead of being bahag ang buntot, walang bayag at duwag na katulad mo!
5. i am lucky because lumaki ako sa pinas, at hinulma nya pagkatao ko at tumibay nag tuhod ko sa mga pagsubok na binigay nya sakin at dahil don ay sa pinas pa rin ako magreretiro at hindi katulad mo at ng blogger, i prefer to be a first class citizen at hindi lang basta nakiki-angkas sa kasikatan ng isang bansa na hindi mo naman kadugo. sumasabay lang kayo sa agos instead na lumangoy kayo against sa agos at labanan ang pagsubok.
magsama-sama kayong lahat malalansang isda!
mga ingrato!
mga hipokrito!
mga TALANGKA!
Wow.. grabe ang reaksyon mo pards.. ang sinasabi nya lang, as pilipinas magtrabaho ka ng 70 yrs wala kang matatanggap pagkatapos, Kasi kurakot. Lumaki din ako as pinas pards, pero Hindi naman ako o kahit sinong Tao ang pinas uusapan ah, ang sistema.. wow naman..
WEH !? d nga?
wala naman ako nakita sabi nya na “pilipinas magtrabaho ka ng 70 yrs wala kang matatanggap pagkatapos, Kasi kurakot”. marunong ka bang magbasa sa post nya?
“Hindi naman ako o kahit sinong Tao ang pinas uusapan ah, ang sistema.” bulag ka ba? sabi na nga ng blogger “some of your relatives, friends, even neighbors will come and ‘borrow’ or ask money from you” … ano yan sistema ba yan or tao?
non-sense naman post mo basta lang makapag-post ka sa blog na ‘to para lang may masabi at mag-mukhang intelehente ka? get your facts straight wag ung hirit na lang basta!
Wow.. so nice.. and so tough..
Galit na galit si True Pinoy…kasi hindi ka pwedeng maging permanente sa pinagtratrabahuan mo. kapag binigyan ka nang chances na tumira nang amerika ay mamumulat ka sa katotohanan. Umiral na naman ang pagiging hipokrito mo at pati diyos ay ginagamit mo. Dito sa amerika, we dont sit..we work and we rip the benefits of working hard. Ikaw…magaling ka..tumutulong ka ba talaga..hanggang kailan aasa sa iyo ang tao..kung ang gobyerno nga nang pilipinas ay hindi maibangon sa hirap nang pilipinas..eh ikaw pa. Anong part na nang mundo ka galing na ? Hindi ako duwag..tumayo ako sa sarili kong paa at ang taong katulad mo ang nagtuturo sa pilipino na lalong maging tamad dahil sa iyo lang sila asa nang asa.
You said it all for us. I completely agree with you.
One cannot invoke JFK’s “ask not what your country can do for you…” when one feeds only on noodles, rice and salt. Tell that to the many urban and rural poor and let’s hear what they have they to say. This is basic Maslow’s hierarchy of needs if one dares to refute basic Psychology. The point of the article is that it always takes two to tango. People pay taxes and taxes should in turn benefit the population. The moral is no different from what I stated in my article
“Ampaw” (http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2011/05/08/ampaw/): “so little effort seen from the people who could have done something for the very people who fuel the political and business machines they operate.”
If taxes are utilized properly then we could have some if not all of the things the writer wishes for in her retirement.
Me tama at katotohanan din nmn sa sinasabi mo, ang kaso lang, sigurado kabang porke malinis tingnan ang paligid mo, ang hangin na nilalanghap mo, ang pagkain na kinakain mo eh healthy na talaga? … kung tutuusin mas maraming issues jan sa US kesa sa pinas
di nga lang obvious at aware ang iba 
… sabagay tulad ng sabi mo kapag maganda na dito ulit sa pinas saka ka na lang uuwi, aba malay mo dumating nga ang araw na yan, e di uuwi ka rin hehehehe! >:) … at kung iniisip mong malayong mangyari ang sinasabi ko, isipin mo na lang BILOG ang mundo, hindi porke ganito lang ang Pinas ngayon ay manantiling ganito sya habangbuhay, malay natin isang araw sa malapit na hinaharap isang maganda, masagana, tahimik, mayaman at masayang Pinas na ang meron tayo dito. Ang mahalaga hindi nawalan ng pag asa at nananatiling umaasa na darating din ang araw na yan! ^____^ … At isa pa nababago pa naman ang puso’t isipan ng bawat tao, at umaasa din akong darating din ang araw na mababago ulit ang pananaw mo sa mga nandirito 
.. at least ako umaasa at nananalig na magbabago ka din, ako at tayong lahat for the better 
Agree!I Like your comment.
i like reading the comments. and i like the way that posters are so passionate about what they write.
IMHO, the author just wanted to share her views about the Philippines. And she just wanted to let other people know her intentions of not going back with the reasons she has clearly enumerated. and like everyone here, she is entitled to her views.
people who have gone abroad will find life easier because like what many have pointed out, life here is hard(er). but what it’s really all about is one’s point of view: glass half empty OR glass half full.
given the corruption, the pollution and safety issues here in our country, i still see the glass as being half full. there is still hope. i am optimistic that our country will become a better place to live in because i am optimistic that Filipinos who care about the country contribute (little as they may be) to make the Philippines a better place to live in.
if you are fatalistic (which is a very classic Filipino trait, by the way) about our country’s future, then by all means, find greener pastures.
but if you care and if you still want to see a better Philippines, do
your share. like i said, every little thing counts.
if you ask me what have i done to make this country better, i’d give you these:
1. i still live here, that means i am capable of influencing others through my actions to help make our country better.
2. i vote. because even if i am just a statistic, i know my vote counts.
3. i volunteer. i join NGOs and government funded initiatives to help teach urban poor children during summer.
4. i pay taxes. yes, i know that with all the corruption some of these taxes are not put into good use, i still believe that if we vote for the right people, our taxes would be put to good use. the money would be used for nation building.
5. i tell other nationalities about how wonderful our country is. if they visit, then i hope they’d tell others about the Philippines too.
i do not dream of changing the country on my own. but if there are other Filipinos who have the same ideas i have, then every little positive action and contribution would add up to a lot.
i am staying because i know i am in the best position to help our country by being here. and i am never losing hope. because if there’s no Philippines, then who am i?
Amen!!!!very well said
Wow!
OMG… dont compare 3rd world country to rich countries.. kaya di umaasenso ang pilipinas dahil sa nga ugali nyung bulok.. hayyss.. nakatungtung lng sa kalabaw akala nyo mataas na kayo..kahit saan dako kayo sa mundo di nyo maalis yung kulay nyo na pinoy pa din kayo.. sad to say this, kung mahirap ka at yumaman, kusa mo na lng tatalikuran ang nakalipas mo….buhay ni juan..sana naman gumawa o tumulong kayo at hindi i compare si JUAN kay UNCLE SAM.
Sinasabi nya lang mas gusto nya sa ibang bansa kaysa pilipinas, at sinasabi nya kung bakit.
Everyone has their personal belief and has rights to choose for greener pasture. Most of our fellow filipino brothers and sisters have fled and has been contributing their skills to other countries for better living. That is not other people’s business to judge if it is right or wrong. I have been traveling around the world for so long, both opinions count. I, too, had the mentality before for choosing not to retire at the Philippines. Why live in Philippines when I have better livelihood in a different country? Wouldn’t you agree? This concept most likely appealing to people who wants more in life in the Philippines. Younger generation at the age of 20 to 40 will agree on this. They want more quality in life. That is a right path for making something for themselves.
On the other hand, Other fellow Filipinos, myself too, want to live back in the Philippines. Those are men and women who had their shares of glory, fast pace and time sacrificed away from their family for nurturing their livelihood. Now, they want their life back where everything is slow and time is not gold but nurturing life worthiness. They choose this because it is better for them spiritually even though the environment might not be up to par with standard quality of life in the 1st world country. They choose the simple life where cost of living is cheaper rather than live in the house worth half a million dollars with a expensive cars and personal accessories which lead you in debt for the rest of your life, be enslaved financially and work until your body worn out.
So you decide which is better for you and for your future. By the way, It is not only filipinos are doing this migratory decisions too. It is everyone i.e. China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, US, Canada etc you name it.
I am an american. And I plan on relocating to the philippines. Life is good in the usa, but your a slave to material things. I have had 3 homes. all lost through divorce. I had 16 brand new vehicles in my life. all gone. life is good for the women. they get all the benefits from having children and divorce. i recently finished paying child support plus over 10,000 in back support. I have lived in poverty for 13 years. while she recieved all the benefits. Is it really worth it? At this point in my life, I am looking for a simple life, without all the stress and hectic pace of having. Even though your neighbors want to borrow from you, your culture is to help one another. try that in the usa. Knock on your neighbors door for help, and you might get shot. I plan on finding a quiet corner of your country, having a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food to eat. If I have extra, I would be more than happy to share. The bible states, that when you prosper, you should help others to prosper.That is the christian way. take care and god bless. jeff
im proud of you, Jeff! keep it up.
and welcome to the Philippines!
I am an American married to a Filipino for the past 24 years and plan on retiring in the Philippines. I have no intention of living in Manila. The people and country of the Philippines are beautiful. MANILA IS NOT THE PHILIPPINES. I sponsored several family members to the USA and I believe you and them would get along great. They to quickly became Americanize with there selfish and greedy attitude.
Cheers to you Melvin! Here’s to more years of happy marriage with your wife. ^_^
\m/
JEFF, only thing I can say is LOL! you got owned by your bitches. Maybe get to know the woman before eloping to Vegas. Or maybe the issue is yourself and not the women you married. Think about it. 3 marriages and all ended up in divorces. Maybe you are the problem. Once again, LOL!
hahahahahahahahahaha. yeah, i concur. jeff, you got owned!
I am a Filipino, born and raised in the Philippines. I currently live in Norway which is considered by many as “the best country to live in” and I admit it’s true, in my opinion. For a long time I’ve been planning to move back to the Philippines and live there. Although I agree with many of your arguments, it doesn’t change my mind even a bit. Even if Norway is such a great country and I have a good life here, the country doesn’t give me the same feeling that Philippines can. The feeling of being TRULY home. That and lots of other personal reasons. I’ve been living here in Norway for more than 12 years and it still feels like I don’t belong here. Surely there must be something that makes it worth living in the Philippines for? Something or someone? Where there is a bad side, there is always a good side.
haha nakakatawa ka naman. wala ka na bang ibang reply o itatanong sa kanila kung anong nagawa nila para sa Pinas? bakit hindi mo ienumerate samin kung anong mga nagawa mo sa Pinas para maisip namin na naexhaust mo na lahat para sa sarili mong bansa. ibilang mo na rin ung sarili mo sa mga quitters na nawalang ng hope para sa bansa. magfo-42 ka pa lang pero sa pagsasalita mo e parang nasa death bed ka na ng pagkanegative. sana inisip mong makatulong muna para sa future ng kapwa mo Pinoy lalo na sa kabataan. Or atleast man lang ay mas isipin natin ung mga magandang bagay-bagay sa Pinas kesa ung mga kapangitan nito. Tama ka, walang country na perpekto. Bibilib pa sana ako kung sinabi mong sa Canada ka na lang kasi mas mabisa ang healthcare nila doon. Lilipat ka na rin lang, sa talamak din mangurakot. Dont worry, fan ako ni Barack Obama. Bilib ako sa kanya. At kahit anong bwisit ko sa government natin, proud pinoy parin ako.
Tama si ‘Fellow Pinoy in Canada” – you definitely shouldn’t go back in the Philippines. Your people doesn’t want you as much as you don’t want them. — ang mga kagaya mo ay hindi kapakipakinabang. Ang gusto nyo lang ay kung saan kayo giginhawa pero wala rin namang nacontribute sa bansa.
Wag mo isisi sa bansa mo ang pagiging mahirap ng mga mahirap, at pag yaman ng mga mayaman. Hindi ibig sabihin ay bulag ang LAHAT ng tao sa katotohanan. Maraming tao ang kulang/kapos sa karunungan lalo na ang financial literacy. Pasalamat ka sa mother mo dahil kung hindi sa pagsisikap nya ay hindi ka makakarating dyan. Pero she should be ashamed of you kasi tumanda kang selfish at walang sense of nationalism. Sayo na nanggaling, unless a lot of things change for the better, you have no intentions of going back here to live. Kung asawa mo ang Pinas, masama na ang loob nya sayo, dahil for worse ay nasa ibang bansa ka, pero for better andito ka.
Kunsabagay, kanya kanya lang tayo ng trip. Kaya wag mo na ko tanungin kung anong nagawa ko sa Pinas. Dahil sasagutin ko na yan. Unang una, nandito ko.
Ang pagstay ko dito ay nakakatulong para manatiling positive ang mga kapwa taong nasa paligid ko. Chain reaction yan — dahil positive sila – they are more productive and enthusiastic everyday kahit may problema. Dahil productive sila — good income – good vibes – nakikinabang din dun ang mga anak – masaya sa bahay – masarap pumasok sa school – mabuting bata – lalaking mabuting tao. Isa pa lang ang minention ko, pero andaming epekto. trickle effect yan. Hindi ko kailangan sumama sa welga, hindi ko kailangan maging politician, hindi ko kailangan maging popular at mayaman para may maibahagi sa ikauunlad ng Pinas. All I need to do is believe and hope na there is future here.
Sana ginawa mo ung article na ito para mapansin ka. Kasi napansin ka naman. Congrats! Sana next time yung maganda naman. Para nakakatulong ka sa kapwa mo na manatiling positive.
Hindi lang saving the Philippines ang plano. Saving the Earth pa.
Oh well. I’ll wait for your funny response. na-pepredict ko na ang isasagot mo dito. ^_^
PEACE!!! \m/
kung ako ang sinasabihan mo dun sa 1st few lines ng comment mo, here’s my answer – A group of my friends and I go to different parts of North Luzon and teach children in public schools for free. I teach mostly Math and English for elementary kids, Algebra, English and Biology for the highschool kids. From time to time we hold charity events to get money, and the we use the money to buy the books that our students need. And I admit, matagal na akong nawawalan ng pag-asa, but that doesn’t really mean I’ve quit helping.
Ikaw, anong ginagawa mo para makatulong sa pag-so-solusyon mo sa mga problema sa Pilipinas?
i’ll wait for your response too. kung may maisagot ka man.
ay nasa comment mo pala ang “ginagawa” mo para makatulong. so, sa tingin mo, ang pag-s-stay mo dito sa Pilipinas, ay mawawala ang corruption sa gobyerno? sa pag-s-stay mo dito, yung mga perang kinurakot, maibabalik? na imbis na, tulad ng mga tinutulungan ko, imbis na mapunta sa pagpapa-gawa ng mas maaayos na paaralan, masuportahan ang edukasyon ng less fortunate, eh nabubulsa ng mga kurakot? pag nag-stay ka dito sa Pilipinas, aayos ba ang pagmamaneho ng mga drivers? pag nag-stay ka ba dito, gaganda na ang ekonomiya, magkakaroon na ng sapat na trabaho para sa lahat?
“All I need to do is believe and hope na there is future here.” – REALLY? REALLY? yun lang ang kelangan mong gawin, “believe” and “hope”? Sooooooooo, you’re not really doing ANYTHING but rely on your “trickle” effect? wow.
haha sabi ko na mapipikon ka sa mga sinasabi ko. easy ka lang. chill. mashado mo akong pinag-eenjoy sa pagbasa ng sagot mo.
chaka basahin mo muna kasi ng buo yung sinulat ko bago mag-react para hindi ka mapahiya at magfollowup ng post. ^_^
napakapredictable mo. ^_^ im so happy to be a part of your day. dadalin mo ito hanggang pag-tanda mo ‘lalo’. nakadikit na sa pangalan mo, Den Dominguez, ang mga comment ng mga tao dito sa article mo. Hooray! successful ang pagpapansin mo.
Gusto ko mag-Thankyou sayo. Dahil sayo, na-remind ako how grateful I am to be pinoy. Goodjob ka!
By the way, wag mo naman mashado ipaalam sa lahat kung gaano ka kakitid. Hindi ko lang inisa isa sayo lahat ng nagawa ko, porke sinabi ko lang na nagstay ako sa Pinas, e yun lang ang nacontribute ko. And I never said na yun ang magiging sagot sa LAHAT, or na yun ang magbigigay ng trabaho , kaunlaran, o sagot sa corruption.
If you know how to read the lines and use common sense, then you will get what I mean.
Intay ko reply mo ha..
Dont forget to monitor your BP, and take your maintenance medications, baka ma-stroke ka ng di oras. Ay kunsabagay, okay lang, kasi nandyan ka sa tate para icover ng insurance mo ung hospitalization mo. Good for you!
\m/
yun naman pala, may nagawa ka, e di ituloy mo. wag ka maghanap ng kapalit sa pagtulong mo. kung hindi mo masasagot ang corruption, magpursige ka na ituloy ang pagtulong sa nangangailangan. kung gusto mo masagot ang corruption, itry mo tumakbong presidente. ay hindi pala magandang idea yun kasi kung gaya mo ang magiging president, lalo “kaming” mga Pinoy ang kawawa. kunsabagay , kahit tumakbo ka hindi ka mananalo.
tama, dyan ka na lang. para masaya.
in canada, they speak french more than they speak english.
Dear Kuya,
Kung makapag salita ka naman akala mo naman “Amerikano” pero mas gusto mga Amerikano sa Pinas but hey, racism exist there and I bet that you guys are ISOLATED from other ordinary people around you.
And by the way, you left Philippines when you were 28 years old which means you were used of every crap you get every single day back home.
You’re blog shows how hate our country not just in our country but some other Filipinos in US especially newcomers. Why.? Because when you see them, they remind you how crappy you were in Philippines by looking at their skin. Tama ba.? kasi halos lahat ng kaibigan ko ganun ei.
Yup, I’m only 20 years old and I came to Canada when I was 16. I still love my country even though we’re still having a problem back home. . . and I bet US mostly care about the majoritis which are white people.
So kuya, think about yourself look every square inch of your skin how you were made. . . I’m a bit upset because while you’re explaining these things you’re showing that you’re blaming your family na nag palaki sayo.
“ANG HINDI LUMINGON SA KANYANG PINANGGALINGAN AY HINDI MAKAKARATING SA PAROROONAN”
I hope that quote will STAB your mind and STUCK ther FOREVER.
Truly Yours,
Anonymous – Baka ipa-patay mo pa ako.
Look, 1st of all dummy, the author is a woman. 2nd, how in the world did you come up with “I’m a bit upset because while you’re explaining these things you’re showing that you’re blaming your family na nag palaki sayo.” seriously, saan galing yun? And goodness, you’ve been in Canada for four years and you still have bad english. Oh, wait, maybe that’s Canada-english?
in canada, they speak french more than they speak english. just fyi.
First of all I just want to clarify that I love the Philippines. Whoever wrote this article has a lot of good points and I find it wrong for others to call him a coward just because he has a different outlook. Even the Ombudsman of the Philippines is corrupt. Now I’m only 24 years old so it’s not safe to say that I’m retiring soon but different articles about the Philippines I see on the internet like carnapping, pollution, theft even the environment is discouraging because it seem like it happens more often. But despite all the Philippines is still beautiful with all the beaches, natural beauty and ofcourse, all you’re relatives, but sometimes, it seems that some relatives expect alot from you and are only there when you have something for them. I haven’t been in the Philippines in 9 years but next month, I’ll be there and I hope it all goes well.
let’s just be practical. totoo lahat na nakita at na feel mo about Philippines but if you have a heart of a true filipino and with all the experience you gathered in travelling to several countries sana ginamit mo ito para may ma ipuno ka namang magandang change sa nation natin. Hindi yong aalis ka nalang sa problema ng bayan mo.Sarili mo lang iniisip mo.Remember what Rizal said,na ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay mas YUCK pa sa FISH.
I agree with you that life is not actually good in the philippines with all its corruption and bad habits of us Filipinos. I am in Australia and may I say that life here is really different from life in the Philippines. You really are being taken cared of here by the government unlike back home. People here are well disciplined and has manners. No pollution and no rubbishlying around in the streets.But hey here, as well as in the US when you get old, you get transfered to a nursing home where people you don’t know take care of you and are most of the times rude to you just because you are already old and when you complain about it, well, its your word against theirs. In the Philippines your loved ones take care of you until the day you die. you get taken cared of in the best possible way simply because the people taking care of you are your family and they love and respect you. You are right, the Philippines is not a great country, its not even a good country at that but it’s still home. Compalining about your country, the place who took you in when you were born, who raised you up and made you who you are now is one thing but turning your back to it is another. America really has changed you, and like the Philippines, its not for the better. You complain about so many things about your contry when you aren’t even doing anything to help change it. With people like you I think the Philppines would be better of without you anyway. Accept your cuntry with all its flaws just like the way it accepted you with all your faluts and flaws. I really am ashamed to call you a fellow Filipino.
Who does not want to have a good life? But no matter what you do you are still a Filipino and a second class citizen everywhere else. No matter what you do, a few roads will lead you to the Philippines. The Filipino people are caring, fun-loving and hardworking human beings. They are what they are now because they learned to adopt and survive. Expose them to the opportunities that you have and we will all be on level ground but that is not the case. If you want to abandon the Philippines for your personal gains, no ones going to stop you. BUT PLEASE JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTH (or keyboard) BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT HELPING THE MILLIONS OF FILIPINO PEOPLE TRYING THEIR BEST TO ADOPT, SURVIVE, AND THINK OF WAYS TO MAKE THEIR LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES BETTER, NOT FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO COME. I admire the Filipino people because they are brave and resilient. AND YOU KNOW HOW FILIPINO PEOPLE HATE COWARDS WHO HIDE IN RICH NATIONS PRETENDING TO BE RICH AND HAVING A GOOD LIFE. You complain (or shall we say, whine) everytime you are in the Philippines because you do not have the slightest idea on how to adopt and survive. LET TSUNAMI REIGN THE WORLD AND LETS SEE WHO SURVIVES…..
EKIS!!!
Yan lang ba ang basehan mo kaya ayaw mo nang tumira sa Pilipinas? NAPAKABABAW MO! Nakalasap ka lang ng marangyang buhay dyan sa ibang bansa kinalimutan mo na ang Pilipinas. Wala rin namang may gusto sayo dito kaya dyan ka na mag retiro.
lol, pinanganak kang mahirap, mamamatay kang mahirap
Well, FYI, hindi ako mahirap. I’m a succesful engineer who worked abroad and now owning hectares of land in our province. Baka gusto mong pumunta dito at i-tour pa kita sa farm ko.
At dito sa Pilipinas mamatay ka mang mahirap atleast kasama mo pamilya mong nagmamahal sa iyo hindi tulad sa ibang bansa, mamamatay kang kasama ang caregiver sa home for the aged. At sa pinakahuli, babalik at babalik ka pa rin sa Pilipinas nang nakakahon para ilibing ng mga pamilya mong nagmamahal sa iyo.
nice one, proud pinoy! ^_^ astig. natuwa ako sa sagot mo, kasi nagsimula kang humble sabay astig pala ang status. cool!
SUPER LIKE!!!
nice one, proud pinoy! ^_^ astig. natuwa ako sa sagot mo, kasi nagsimula kang humble sabay astig pala ang status. cool!
\m/
thanks… sariling sikap lng… natamasa ko rin sarap ng buhay sa ibang bansa pero hindi ko ipagpapalit ang buhay sa pinas.
nabasa ko rin post mo, PANALO!
totoo yan kaibigan kahit anong sabihin niya ay “AMERICAN SIXTY CENTS” lang siya at hindi pa rin ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS in percentage. May dugo pa rin siyang “POOR” at nakatikim lang ng magandang situation sa ibang bansa ay kung ano ano na ang sinabi laban sa pinas…
Comparing our country with a First World country is never apples to apples. Many Filipinos who have stayed in the US or any other first world country have often made such comparison. A lot of these Filipinos also opt to retire in the US because of the abundance mentality that pervades. My unsolicited advice to them is that even if they can speak the American English and feel that they are Americans, they must prepare for their nursing homes when they get old and prepare to live among themselves. We live in a compound with my 84 year old Mom and my 81 year old Mother In Law and I would never exchange that for anything. I talk to them about just anything and as long as I can still see and feel them, to me that is priceless. Good luck mga kababayans and I really hope that you don’t forget our Filipino values of taking care and respect for our elderly as we will become ourselves in the future.
Yan ang problema sa mga taong umaalis ng bansa. Nakatikim ng kaginhawaan sa ibang bansa, lalaitin na ang sariling bayan. Isa ka sa mga dahilan kung bakit lumulubog nag bansa “Namin”. Oo, Mahirap mamuhay dito, pero masarap dahil sarili kong bayan ang tinutuntungan ko, sariling hangin ang nilalanghap ko at hindi sa dayuhan. Kung nakaranas ka man ng masama sa bayan “Namin”, Wag mo sanang lahatin. Good luck sa pamumuhay sa ibang bayan. at wag ka nang babalik sa Pinas. Hindi ka kailngan ng Bansa namin.
You want to live no longer in the Philippines, which is clear. Your arguments are like most Filipinos. However, I must say that many Filipinos really go the eyes, if they live and work abroad. There are suddenly rules and people who looks the rules. You have to come punctually to work no matter what the weather. You have to pay taxes for everything even if you go to the bathroom deserves the state. If you send your child out of school the police arrive at the door. If you work black, you have big chance to end up in jail. The stress factor is so great that many overseas Filipinos are sick of the stress. I have found the Filipinos work abroad, the country where they work describe as a sugar country. Then I look after there hands by what I see is that the skin is thicker than the skin of water buffalo. Every time they come back to the Philippines, they playing Sir and Madam. A pile of gold on his fingers and chains around his neck and tell the family and neighbors how easy life is there. They build large houses in the Philippines, why not in the U.S.? Quite simply because the income in the United States is not sufficient to build such villas.
They make great party so think the people how rich they are. But in principle, they have almost nothing. The only advantage they have is dollars or euros. So and do not forget! Who in the Philippines is not lazy, can accomplish more there than in industrialized countries.
Where your future is hampered by the state. Just try to build in Europe a business then it will be funny.
So that is my comment if you all want go work and life in abroad than think first of you can hold the stress there.
omg I can’t understand what you’re saying.
me too!hehehe…anyways, this is not English class. keep up the good work Horst Heveling.
hahaha!!! nakakatuwa! Ako rin hindi ko rin naintindihan. Sana tinagalog na lang.hahahaaaa!
He’s not Filipino. Pero mabuti pa sya, may malasakit sa Pinas.
Wag nyong pagtawanan Ingles nya. Kaya natin naiintindihan ang mali-maling Ingles ng mga kababayan natin ay dahil sa alam natin ang Pilipinong pamamaraan ng paggamit ng salita na inilipat sa Ingles. HIndi rin tayo perpekto. Pero ang importante ay ang karakter ng tao.
Yeah1 I noticed that he’s not Filipino. But I’m neither english…. just want everyone to put in mind that we have language barriers anywhere .I didn’t even noticed that he’s pro-filipino, but the gesture of contributing to this blog made him so. SO IF MY MEDIUM IS ENGLISH, IT’S TO COMMUNICATE WORLDWIDE. NO MATTER IF UNDERSTOOD DOWN THE DETAILS OR NOT. No language is perfect even filipino to his tagalog. So if me englishing is not because I want to impress but to communicate to wider number of people.
Articles like these don’t do anything to help… they put the bad things in focus without offering any suggestions on how they can get better… this just leaves a bad taste in the mouth…
ha! what do you do to help or what can you suggest to change things for the better?
you know what, I don’t really care.
-The Government
Yes, this article definitely left a bad taste in the Mouth!
Well, if youre in Manila.. Probably yes.. i move to province coz of some of that reason. But lets not generalize Manila or Other City as a whole PHP.. some of tradition or attidudes, good things in province.. where people are hospitable and loving.. still philipines is the best place to be.. except the Metro
for me..
bat ganun? bat may mga pinoy lng nakatungtong sa mayaman bansa ganun na ang tingin sa bansang minsan ng humubog, buo at nagpakita ng tunay na buhay.. oo sa pinas “TAMA” lhat ng nkikta mo madumi matraffic walang seguridad at kung anu ano pa.. pero nkaisip kba ng maaring solusyon para maibsan ang mga nasabi mong problema sa bansang humubog ng pagkatao mo?
natutuwa ako dahil di ganto mag isip ang lolo ko sa pinas paren xa nag retiro … at ako bilangf isang pilipino balik balik paren ako sa bansang pinangalingan ko
here in the US if you get older.your child most likely throw you to senior center…but NOT in the philippines.
I definitely agree with this comment. I do not live in the Philippines but I could go back there in a snap if I can. Life isn’t just about social services our government can offer. It’s not about money nor is it about luxury. Yes, the Philippines may not offer you a comfortable and secured life, but as a Filipino, shouldn’t you be more obligated to help and solve its problems? Shouldn’t you be more indebted to it because it has raised you and you left without giving something in return? That’s probably the worst flaw that our culture has passed on us, that we were not raised with a sense of patriotism. Yes, you may be proud to be Filipino, but to what extent? To liking a Facebook fanpage?
I am not living in the Philippines and is enjoying all the social services and luxuries that you are very much used to right now, but whenever I think of home, I feel a pang of guilt that I am not doing something to help my nation.
With a belief like that, you definitely shouldn’t go back in the Philippines. Your people doesn’t want you as much as you don’t want them.
What’s your plan on helping this country? I doubt that things would change for the better.
Plus my mom raised me, not the Philippines. She worked abroad to support my sister and I. If my mom would have worked here in the Philippines, we won’t get nowhere. In this country, the rich gets (filthy) richer, the poor gets poorer.
And yes, I grew up in this country, I know very well how things work around here. How can I live in a country where you can’t even trust authorities, the government?
So please, enlighten me with your plan to save the Philippines.
‘How can I live in a country where you can’t even trust authorities, the government?’
Really? So US gov’t is trustworthy? Try to read or at least watch the news. But I suggest you read Noam Chomsky’s ‘Manufacturing Consent’. Ah! But wait maybe you haven’t heard of him because judging from you article your too ignorant to be reading this stuff. You lambasted other peoples English yet you can’t even make your prepositions work.
Hate the people not the country. Philippines is home. Our country stands strong. The people that occupy that space make it look bad. But i agree with some other comments. Never say never coz you’ll never know where you’re going to end up. Changes happen every second and you’ll never know where you’re at until you are actually there. Deal with the present but prepare for the future. Pre-judging is a bad habit. Think positively and make yourselves happy. Anyway, like the rest of you its just an opinion. Peace!
I’m 100% disagree. First of all wherever you go there’s always corruption. Lolz
*bangko ng bayan – even your not in the Philippines your relative will always ask for help.( there’s nothing wrong w/that…that’s what family for)
*security issues – there’s no such “ secure” place specially now a days…lolz
*No 911 – 911 not always available. TRUST me…lolz
*pollution – California is polluted too..lolz
*traffic – California always traffic.
*child support – dah my friend they cannot even get child support from the father of their child bcuz his jobless..lolz
911 here in BC, Canada is always late! I called for their service for 2 occasions and one was almost 30 mins late and recently was 20 mins late…geeesshhhh
* bangko ng bayan- mapalad tayo kung hindi tayo yung nanghihingi, mahirap yun ha!
* security issues – may security alarm yung totoong mayayaman sa abroad, ibig sabihin may akyat bahay rin.
*No.911 – I hope I wont have to dial it in the future.
*pollution – air pollution lang naka-limit ang sinasabi, marami pang ibang pollution, at sa may dagat walang pollution kaso laging binabagyo. Ibig sabihin… wala naman tayong matatakasan, kahit saan magpunta may problema. E, ano ngayon?
* traffic – Yung FX na sinasakyan ko lumulusot kahit saan, may aircon pa, kung totoong may nangyaring maganda sa buhay sa abroad, pagbalik sa Pilipinas may sasakyan ka at driver, mas mabilis keysa 911.
* child support – inabuso na rin ang laws na ‘to, and who needs child support for my kids? Ang tunay na liberated woman ay “liberated” in all sense of this word.
Hi! Ako yung sumulat ng blog entry na ito. It wasn’t actually finished yet when I submitted it, I added a paragraph sa “Security issues”. The link is here: http://denganda.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/why-i-wont-live-in-the-philippines-anymore/
The main reason at this particular time that I don’t want to live in the Philippines are for security reasons & the lack of 911 or emergency services. Back in 2008 kami ng mga anak ko had to be rushed to the hospital. That was a real eye opener for me. If I lived in Manila, like I mentioned in the blog, I highly doubt an ambulance could reach us & take us to the hospital in time. Kung sa probinsya naman, same thing, may 911 o emergency services ba sa probinsya? How soon could it get to us? If we had an accident on the road, again, how soon could an ambulance get to us?
My reasons are practical & not based on emotions. It is based on my experience living in both the Philippines & the US.
I know someone in the US. She’s lived there for like about 10 years. You’re exactly like her. Bitter.
But that’s because she was unloved. She grew up with no one to care for her. She thinks she’s smart but she really isn’t. Of all her siblings, she’s the only who wasn’t pleasant looking. She grew up in hardship. In the slums, beside the Pasig river. Her mother died early. Her father married and had kids with a younger woman. She strived hard to finish college. Eventually got married to an American.
Now she’s fond of showing off how good her life is (I dont know if it’s true). Her father died, and she didn’t even take the time to come and see him. She did that on purpose. Her little sister is still in poverty up until now. But she wouldn’t budge.
Maybe it’s because the Philippines brings back bad memories. Of childhood, hardship, despair.
I pity her. And I think you guys are the same.