Living in the Philippines

[Soapy Smith]

A few days ago I took my Pinay squeeze to a restaurant in Greenbelt 2 that one of our forum's regulars had recommended.

She pointed out to me that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket.

It seemed a little strange. When the busboy brought our water and utensils, we observed that he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket.

Then I looked around and saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets. When the waiter came back to serve our soup I inquired, 'Why the spoon'?

'Well, he explained, the restaurant's owner hired some management experts from the Asian Institute of Management to revamp all of our processes. After several months of analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. It represents a drop frequency of approximately three spoons per table per hour. If our personnel are better prepared, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 man-hours per shift.'

As luck would have it, I dropped my spoon and he replaced it with his spare. 'I'll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now.' I was impressed.

I also noticed that there was a string hanging out of the waiter's fly.

Looking around, I saw that all of the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. So, before he walked off, I asked the waiter, 'Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there'?

'Oh, certainly'! Then he leaned in close and faintly whispered, presumably so my squeeze wouldn't hear, 'Not everyone is so observant. The management experts from AIM also learned that we can save time in the restroom. By tying this string to the tip of our you-know-what, we can pull it out without touching it and eliminate the need to wash our hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39%.'

I asked quietly, 'After you get it out, how do you put it back'?

'Well,' he whispered, 'I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon.'

[Fantasys]

Here's one I was looking for: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/...xchange_module.

Thanks Hut, really interesting. I also wonder,why so many TS in PHI.

So let us leave the discuss of Racist, politics outside, and back to pussy, haha.

I think guys here must have experience many kind of pussy already. Tight Asian Pussy is just something imagined by some [CodeWord906] boys. Hehe.

I have been with Caucasian, Asian, black, though most are Chinese. But not all Asian are tight pussy, Caucasian sometimes more tight than Chinese, or the black. But the most tightest pussy I experienced is from dark skinned short slim Filipina. Warm, tight and with more water.

That make me little bit worried about my sex preference. Wired? Any one here have the same? Maybe I need to see a psychologist. Any way need to follow my heart.

Thanks, Hut and GE, FreebieFan, BrainDrain so many good advice, and interesting information.

[Hutsori]

Here's one I was looking for: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/...xchange_module.

The next time you hear a male acquaintance say they prefer Asian women sexually, know that this preference may be an outgrowth of wartime, that they may want Asian women because, at some point in history, their grandfathers or great-great-grandfathers raped or sexually exploited Asian women and enjoyed it enough to spread the word.

Lest we forget, the exotification of my pussy began when the first imperialist r@pists arrived in Asia.

[GoodEnough]

Your point is well taken. The radicals I mentioned are not the norm, but they do exist. The neocolonial resentment here is certainly far from that found in the subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. In my defence, I said some men and women hold these ideas. #Notallfilipinos. Of this small group of people most I've met have been UP graduates radicalised by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), certainly more so than DLSU, UST, and Ateneo which tend to enroll wealthier more pro-establishment students than UP. How influential KM is I don't know, and of course uni students are attracted to radical ideas of all kinds. I reckon some I've met of the radical feminist streak are parroting memes they've read on tumblr and wastebook.

Rather than me try to (mis) speak for them this article presents the over arching theme I've encountered with the females of the brown and proud crowd: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/...ino-americans/.

Thank you Huts for including the link. I've read the article which, in my view was nothing more or less than a typical undergraduate polemic, offering superficial generalizations and remediation measures. Still, it's interesting that with about 4 million Filipinos in the US at any given time, they're not typically included as representatives of pan-Asian concerns in the country; assuming what the author said is in fact true. I think the "problem," if there is one, is that Filipinos arriving in the US already speak the language, and have assimilated so much US culture while still in the Philippines that they likely have an easier time integrating into US culture, and thus don't have as strong a need to fall back on the comfort of their own. But that's of course a guess.

I do not find it at all unusual, much less pejorative, that Filipinos raised in the US cannot speak Tagalog. The same is often true of children of immigrant parents from a large range of countries; these kids want to fit in, want to be considered by their peers as Americans, and thus insist on speaking English. Most of the Jewish kids I knew in the States, for example, were offspring of Russian immigrant grandparents, and they never learned (nor desired) to speak Yiddish or Russian. One of my son's closest friends growing up was the son of Korean immigrants, yet his English was indistinguishable from that of his peers and as far as I know, he didn't speak Korean. So I look at the "failure" to learn Tagalog, or Yiddish or Russian or Korean or whatever, not so much as a rejection of roots, but as an embrace of the American culture.

As to the skin color argument, I've got no particular point of view, as for me it's always been irrelevant to anything, as it appears to be for most of my Filipino friends here. Yes, white Americans spend billions a year trying to look darker, while "browner" people seem to spend billions trying to look whiter. I've always just thought of it as ironic, but never really tried to understand the reasons. African women spend billions a years trying to straighten their hair; Western women spend billions trying for temporary curls. My conclusion is that no one is ever happy, but I do not attribute that to colonialism as much as I do to human idiosyncrasy.

Interesting as well to me that Thai women seem to be as obsessed with the skin color continuum as Filipinas, and yet Thailand has never been colonized.

GE.

[Hutsori]

It's tempting, but usually unhelpful and wildly inaccurate to categorize the behaviors of people; in this case UP graduates. I've worked fairly extensively with UP faculty and with graduates of the university for years, and I've never found the neocolonial resentment, or underlying racism cited in the post below. It's been my experience here that people's attitudes and perceptions are governed by myriad factors including education, geographical location, socio-economic status and exposure (or lack thereof) to "others" outside of their tribal and / or ethnic or religious groups.

Your point is well taken. The radicals I mentioned are not the norm, but they do exist. The neocolonial resentment here is certainly far from that found in the subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. In my defence, I said some men and women hold these ideas. #Notallfilipinos. Of this small group of people most I've met have been UP graduates radicalised by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), certainly more so than DLSU, UST, and Ateneo which tend to enroll wealthier more pro-establishment students than UP. How influential KM is I don't know, and of course uni students are attracted to radical ideas of all kinds. I reckon some I've met of the radical feminist streak are parroting memes they've read on tumblr and wastebook.

Rather than me try to (mis) speak for them this article presents the over arching theme I've encountered with the females of the brown and proud crowd: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/...ino-americans/. (Note: there was a better article a friend sent a while ago but I can't find it. If I do I'll post it, but I presume the ideas raised are ones you've come across.)
here it is:
http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/be-proud-tight-asian-pssy/?utm_source=xojane.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_module

[GoodEnough]

It's tempting, but usually unhelpful and wildly inaccurate to categorize the behaviors of people; in this case UP graduates. I've worked fairly extensively with UP faculty and with graduates of the university for years, and I've never found the neocolonial resentment, or underlying racism cited in the post below. It's been my experience here that people's attitudes and perceptions are governed by myriad factors including education, geographical location, socio-economic status and exposure (or lack thereof) to "others" outside of their tribal and / or ethnic or religious groups.

Though I've worked with highly intelligent Filipinos throughout the country, I've found the largest number of sophisticated, well-informed professionals in and around the Makati / BGC area, with many, if not most, having graduated from UP Diliman, Ateneo, and De La Salle. Graduates of these institutions also appear to dominate the companies with which I've worked since I've been here. Of course this is just my impression and in no way a scientific sampling and I could well be wrong.

Just as parents' educational level is the strongest predictor in the West of the attainment level of their children, so I'm sure the same is true here.

As to the acceptance or rejection of racial and / or ethnic groups--Caucasians, Koreans, East Asians, etc. --I find, like Huts, that there's little in the way of systematic bias. Some individuals, it's true, prefer one or the other, but in general, I've found most Filipinos highly tolerant of differences and quite accepting; much more so than my American countrymen and women.

GE.

[Fantasys]

Sorry that my writing was unclear. No, the girl I dated wasn't radicalised. There are some women and men (almost always graduates of the University of the Philippines for some reason) who view foreigner-Filipina relationships through a political lens and declare it's neocolonialism. They see everything as some kind of oppression. Can't eat at this restaurant or see that film. It becomes tiresome doing things with these type of people because everything must be assessed through the political lens. You know the Cultural Revolution China had in the 60's? To the radicals today that's like the ideal society; the students running wild denouncing everyone, smashing everything, and conducting re-education to end thought crimes.

Two things about being welcomed. Some Filipinos resent Chinese-Filipino domination of the economy, and this resentment of outsiders is not unique to the Philippines. The other issue is the dispute over the South China Sea, which the Filipinos call the West Philippine Sea. Every Filipino I know thinks the territory is theirs and they feel their country is being bullied. Duterte has a new way of looking at this problem, but presently I think he hasn't convinced many of his countrymen..

Thanks for the advice. Now I understand. I do not care about the so-called 'graduate', as they are not in my shopping-cart of happy hunting. You give me a nice Pic of the time I will spend there, I think it will be nice, and lucky. Haha.

Be sensible and not paranoid. LOL. On the way to happy.

[Hutsori]

Just wonder what you mean above: you said people become radicalized. And tiresome associating with this type of people. You mean the dark skin short girl is radicalized? They are not easy to be with? I do not like -ism people.

Sorry that my writing was unclear. No, the girl I dated wasn't radicalised. There are some women and men (almost always graduates of the University of the Philippines for some reason) who view foreigner-Filipina relationships through a political lens and declare it's neocolonialism. They see everything as some kind of oppression. Can't eat at this restaurant or see that film. It becomes tiresome doing things with these type of people because everything must be assessed through the political lens. You know the Cultural Revolution China had in the 60's? To the radicals today that's like the ideal society; the students running wild denouncing everyone, smashing everything, and conducting re-education to end thought crimes.

My team guys who have been to PHI told me that Chines are not welcomed there by locals, they high price with service, like taxi, tipcycle. Dive center. Airbnb even refuse Chinese. That is also what I worry about.

Two things about being welcomed. Some Filipinos resent Chinese-Filipino domination of the economy, and this resentment of outsiders is not unique to the Philippines. The other issue is the dispute over the South China Sea, which the Filipinos call the West Philippine Sea. Every Filipino I know thinks the territory is theirs and they feel their country is being bullied. Duterte has a new way of looking at this problem, but presently I think he hasn't convinced many of his countrymen. Their feelings are similar to those felt by the Chinese about the Senkaku Islands, which the Chinese call the Diaoyutai Islands.

Some Filipinos will attempt to overcharge any foreigner, be they Chinese, British, or other nationality. Of course they may even try to take advantage of Filipinos too. I don't know about any specific problems with Airbnb, but I am unsurprised that some owners may refuse to rent their condos to others for a variety of reasons including race and ethnicity. The good thing is airbnb has hundreds if not thousands of properties. I don't know what it's like being Chinese, but I've been a minority for most of my life and I'd say the Filipinos have treated me very well with hospitality and good cheer. The very few bad experiences I've had were due to individuals and not the entire country. If you believe yourself under threat of being taken advantage of and view everyone suspiciously I think this may make for an unpleasant stay. Be sensible and not paranoid.

[Fantasys]

I think how you define dark will influence this outcome. I know many East Asians consider someone dark who many of us westerners wouldn't consider dark at all. In the Philippines you'll find all the shades.

You may like what the Filipinos sarcastically call the 'exotic beauty' - short, very dark, flat nose, and may have wild hair. How can I put this politely? The big city isn't kind to them; actually much of the Philippines isn't kind to them. Employers hire the girls with fair complexions, and even the job adverts state this explicitly plus height requirements. This is not to say these girls don't exist, but you're unlikely to find them working in a shopping mall, nice restaurant, etc. They find work as domestics, factory labourers, sari sari shop clerks, etc. Many come from a cycle of deprivation; their parents were menial workers who didn't have the money for school fees and supplies so their daughters often end up working as maids at a young age. And so it goes, generation after generation.

A few years ago I was dating a genuinely dark girl; though she wan't Aeta, she wasn't simply suntanned either. Much darker than the girls who call themselves morena..

Hi Hut,

You always help me with a really good point of view, to let me know what will happen there I like dark girl from PHi, because I met one in Hong Kong years ago. Really good experience I ever had. Nice hole, and easy to handle. Yeah, an 'exotic beauty' LOL. I do not care about whether rich or poor she is, whether educated or not she is. Though I am a doctor degree holder, though I earn a little bit more than normal Filipino worker. But I respect all kind people who enjoy life.

Thanks for tell me your date with that girl, really help. Just wonder what you mean above: you said people become radicalized. And tiresome associating with this type of people. You mean the dark skin short girl is radicalized? They are not easy to be with? I do not like -ism people.

Sorry, for my English is not so good to understand, I am a local Chinese from Mainland.

My team guys who have been to PHI told me that Chines are not welcomed there by locals, they high price with service, like taxi, tipcycle. Dive center. Airbnb even refuse Chinese. That is also what I worry about.

Thank again for the advice about badminton court. Hope I can use WeChat find nearby same interest as I do here in China.

[FreebieFan]

I will send by my company to Manila to work for some weeks, and will travel to there often. Company will help me to rent a room, apartment. I am not sure. As I know my guys there prefer to rent by their own.

So I would like to know the information about rent an apartment there. Anything, any advice will be help thanks.

And I would like to hire a maid, to look after the house, and would like to be with me in bed when need.

I prefer girl (not 26 yr), dark skin, short (not 150 cm,) , slim (not 45 kg), and not too lazy, could travel with me.

I am 45 yr old, single, and maybe busy working whole day long (more than 10 hrs / day). I am a Chinese.

Any advice. Cost, how to find quickly, any experience. Anything would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Sir, not a good idea to have a maid as a GF, or a GF as a maid. These are two different roles and definitely not good to combine them. Get a GF and get a maid and make sure they know which is which. The maid cooks and cleans, and the girl is there for enjoyment. Do not mix them up. That will create problems, trouble, and drama. And Filipinas love drama, and are quite happy to make trouble and problems for you if they think you have used them.

[Hutsori]

I really get hot when be with a short, slim, dark skin Filipino. Am I weird? Most guys of our company do not like work there, I am on the other side, hehe. Hope to have some same taste friend here.

Haha. Though I am not so good at English.

I do not like the working girl very much, because thinking about overused, and pretend. Prefer some regular girls. Not only fuck hole, but can out for dinner, film. And something fun.

I think how you define dark will influence this outcome. I know many East Asians consider someone dark who many of us westerners wouldn't consider dark at all. In the Philippines you'll find all the shades.

You may like what the Filipinos sarcastically call the 'exotic beauty' - short, very dark, flat nose, and may have wild hair. How can I put this politely? The big city isn't kind to them; actually much of the Philippines isn't kind to them. Employers hire the girls with fair complexions, and even the job adverts state this explicitly plus height requirements. This is not to say these girls don't exist, but you're unlikely to find them working in a shopping mall, nice restaurant, etc. They find work as domestics, factory labourers, sari sari shop clerks, etc. Many come from a cycle of deprivation; their parents were menial workers who didn't have the money for school fees and supplies so their daughters often end up working as maids at a young age. And so it goes, generation after generation.

A few years ago I was dating a genuinely dark girl; though she wan't Aeta, she wasn't simply suntanned either. Much darker than the girls who call themselves morena. Living in the provinces she started working as a maid at 8 years old. Through her own intelligence and determination plus a lot of luck a school teacher took her in, supported her, and she was able to complete high school. She moved to Manila and with a partner opened a small clothing stall in a Quezon City market. A tough life, but she was living it on her own terms and had optimism about the future.

This is not to say all dusky girls are from deprived backgrounds and without education. A weird thing happens though. When many Filipinos see a dark girl who appears independent and materially prosperous many of them assume she has a foreign boyfriend, husband, or sponsor. Even when they've made their own accomplishments others see them as utterly dependent. The maid who found a pot of gold. Sadly, some of them become radicalised, viewing attention from westerners as neocolonialism. Once they view life though this lens then everything is an -ism. It gets tiresome associating with this type of people.

P.S. I am a badminton lover, play 1-2 times / per week. Any one know that place with formal playground, and could find players with same level there?

Metro Manila is large and tough to commute. You don't want to travel 10 km to play badminton. You'll want to locate a court near your home or work to minimise travel. Once you decide where you'll live then you can start checking on that. If you google badminton and the name of the area where you'll live you should find places.

[BrainDrain]

I do not like the working girl very much, because thinking about overused, and pretend. Prefer some regular girls. Not only fuck hole, but can out for dinner, film. And something fun.

P.S. I am a badminton lover, play 1-2 times / per week. Any one know that place with formal playground, and could find players with same level there?

In which City will you be based? I have in mind the perfect girl for you. Please PM me for details of your city.

[Fantasys]

It depends on how often you visit and the duration.

Your best bet is a furnished condo. Pay attention to security. Are the guards checking people? Must visitors sign in at the reception desk? Or are the guards inattentive and dozing? We tend to think about entrance, but exit is important too. If you have a live-in maid and you're out of the country she may decide to empty your condo. Good management and security will prevent this.

I found my first place on craigslist, but there are plenty of agents. Whilst overseas I found adverts for several furnished places, emailed the owners, and scheduled visits for after my arrival. Do not enter any rental agreement until after you've met the owner, visited the flat for inspection, and determined what type of rush-hour commute you'll have. Stay at a hotel or an airbnb rental during this stage. Plan on 3-5 days to do these visits. Rent a flat near your office. Ideally a short walk / taxi / jeep commute. Don't rely on looking at google maps sole to determine this; physically perform this commute during the typical commute times. If you will work from home choose an area that has suitable amenities such a large grocer, restaurants, cinemas, etc. If you intend to have women visit you the condo / meeting point ought to be easy to travel to and find, so being near major roads and light rail is a good idea..

Have consulted my team guys about the furnished condo. They give the same advice on security. Thanks for the kind details. Do help a lot.

As for the maid, I think my original idea is not good. But a temp GF maybe a good choice. I will be there for some weeks, then back for a week in Beijing.

I really get hot when be with a short, slim, dark skin Filipino. Am I weird? Most guys of our company do not like work there, I am on the other side, hehe. Hope to have some same taste friend here.

Haha. Though I am not so good at English.

I do not like the working girl very much, because thinking about overused, and pretend. Prefer some regular girls. Not only fuck hole, but can out for dinner, film. And something fun.

P.S. I am a badminton lover, play 1-2 times / per week. Any one know that place with formal playground, and could find players with same level there?

[Fantasys]

It depends on how often you visit and the duration.

Your best bet is a furnished condo. Pay attention to security. Are the guards checking people? Must visitors sign in at the reception desk? Or are the guards inattentive and dozing? We tend to think about entrance, but exit is important too. If you have a live-in maid and you're out of the country she may decide to empty your condo. Good management and security will prevent this.

I found my first place on craigslist, but there are plenty of agents. Whilst overseas I found adverts for several furnished places, emailed the owners, and scheduled visits for after my arrival. Do not enter any rental agreement until after you've met the owner, visited the flat for inspection, and determined what type of rush-hour commute you'll have. Stay at a hotel or an airbnb rental during this stage. Plan on 3-5 days to do these visits. Rent a flat near your office. Ideally a short walk / taxi / jeep commute. Don't rely on looking at google maps sole to determine this; physically perform this commute during the typical commute times. If you will work from home choose an area that has suitable amenities such a large grocer, restaurants, cinemas, etc. If you intend to have women visit you the condo / meeting point ought to be easy to travel to and find, so being near major roads and light rail is a good idea..

Thanks, it is very useful, maybe not a maid, I found some girls in dateinasia, they said would like to be with me, but not sure it will be true what they said.

[Hutsori]

I will send by my company to Manila to work for some weeks, and will travel to there often. Company will help me to rent a room, apartment. I am not sure. As I know my guys there prefer to rent by their own.

So I would like to know the information about rent an apartment there. Anything, any advice will be help thanks.

And I would like to hire a maid, to look after the house, and would like to be with me in bed when need.

I prefer girl (not 26 yr), dark skin, short (not 150 cm,) , slim (not 45 kg), and not too lazy, could travel with me.

I am 45 yr old, single, and maybe busy working whole day long (more than 10 hrs / day). I am a Chinese.

Any advice. Cost, how to find quickly, any experience. Anything would be appreciated.

Thanks.

It depends on how often you visit and the duration.

Your best bet is a furnished condo. Pay attention to security. Are the guards checking people? Must visitors sign in at the reception desk? Or are the guards inattentive and dozing? We tend to think about entrance, but exit is important too. If you have a live-in maid and you're out of the country she may decide to empty your condo. Good management and security will prevent this.

I found my first place on craigslist, but there are plenty of agents. Whilst overseas I found adverts for several furnished places, emailed the owners, and scheduled visits for after my arrival. Do not enter any rental agreement until after you've met the owner, visited the flat for inspection, and determined what type of rush-hour commute you'll have. Stay at a hotel or an airbnb rental during this stage. Plan on 3-5 days to do these visits. Rent a flat near your office. Ideally a short walk / taxi / jeep commute. Don't rely on looking at google maps sole to determine this; physically perform this commute during the typical commute times. If you will work from home choose an area that has suitable amenities such a large grocer, restaurants, cinemas, etc. If you intend to have women visit you the condo / meeting point ought to be easy to travel to and find, so being near major roads and light rail is a good idea.

Maids I don't use daily. Why? Privacy and discretion. If you want to meet a lot of women you don't need a maid telling them about your lifestyle, and if you're fucking the maid then this is bound to cause trouble. Re the travel requirement, do you want someone to be a mix of maid and personal assistant (PA)? Presumably this PA needs to have skills beyond menial ones, and educated people often don't want to perform menial tasks they consider beneath their perceived talents. This being the Philippines most types of personal services will be promised. Well performed is a wild card.

For size, get at least a 1 BR condo (not a studio) so you have separate realms; you may need more space if you have a live-in maid, or she can live under the dining table. I think at a minimum 35 sqm is required for 1 person so you don't feel claustrophobic; for me about 50 sqm minimum is the best size because nothing feels cramped. You don't mention where in metro Manila you will work. In Makati you can find decent, affordable condos from p25000 to p40000 per month. Certainly you may pay more for location, amenities, furnishings, and prestige. BGC will be more expensive. Make sure internet service and cable TV are included. You want the electricity to be operating so you don't have the hassle of getting it connected. Make sure the landlord has paid the bills so you don't have an overdue balance that may result in disconnection. Condos have association fees, so you'll have to negotiate who pays this with the owner. Keep in mind if the owner fails to pay fees it's the unit and the occupant who will suffer. Appliances such as A/C, TV, and refrigerator should be newer and check their working condition. If something breaks then you have hassle of contacting the owner (who is often out of town for some reason) to arrange repair / replacement, and it sucks being without A/C for 3 days. The living room and the bedroom should have have their own A/C unit. Make sure the windows open.

Electricity is expensive, so keep this in mind when running A/C. You'll need an in-unit laundry machine unless you want to keep sending clothes to the laundry shop, which can be a bit of hassle. Most rentals have electric hobs, which I hate because they're slow to heat, poor temperature control, and electricity is expensive. If possible try to get a gas one, but these are uncommon for Filipinos. Make sure the hob has at least two burners / heating elements. You'll want a vent over the hob.

It's nice to live in a building with a pool, gym, laundry shop, convenience store, and bank / ATM.

If you're a picky eater check websites that cater to your particular ethnic community. Where I once lived had many Indian residents, and they had a daily meal service deliver food prepared to their expectation. I'm not Indian but I like the cuisine, so I too subscribed to this service for a while until I became tired of eating Indian every day. If you're in a building or area with many Chinese it'll be easier to obtain the products and services that appeal to you. One of my neighbours was running a Chinese canteen in his unit (violating condo association by-laws) for outsiders, and they'd show up twice a day for their lunch and supper. You may be able to find such a service.