Filipinas - Opinions and Advice

[QUOTE=Simmer;1937194]
I was telling my Filipino co-workers about this and they knew the beer bottle trick. Seems it's common enough here, maybe like the Thais and ping pong balls. As I say, they were going to take me to some place but backed out. At this point I should warn you again: these places may not be safe for white Westerners. Go with a local, leave your valuables at home, don't get drunk, and be very aware of your surroundings.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the intel. Hope the beer bottle wasn't the large Red Horse, that might put me off barfining that girl.

Question: Are there any honest Filipinos? Is there any such thing as a Filipino who is not a habitual liar, a deceiver and scammer? For such a staunch Catholic country, how can they reconcile their religious beliefs with such reprehensible behavior?

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;1938636]Question: Are there any honest Filipinos? Is there any such thing as a Filipino who is not a habitual liar, a deceiver and scammer? For such a staunch Catholic country, how can they reconcile their religious beliefs with such reprehensible behavior?[/QUOTE]Is there any monger, who is not who is not a habitual liar? As you call, you get. If you find a normal, good filipino girl, long away from any monger surroundings, not destroyed by the "easy" money, she is as honest as any western girl.

[QUOTE=AskeAske;1938664]Is there any monger, who is not who is not a habitual liar? As you call, you get. If you find a normal, good filipino girl, long away from any monger surroundings, not destroyed by the "easy" money, she is as honest as any western girl.[/QUOTE]Yeah this is absolutely true but of course as mongers we tend to only meet girls either being pro girls, girls operating in dating sites or girls learned by the jungle telegraph that foreigners are walking Atms up for exploitation. Nothing wrong in this and I understand the girls. To this kind of girls I lie quite a bit myself (small white ones mostly to protect my real life) and I expect nothing else back but since I am here for play only (short time games) I don't care about their trustworthiness as long as they are willing to meet up.

Quite a few of them get destroyed because they first met a guy with all good intentions (probably met pinoys before but mostly they can not improve their life one bit so quite a few try the foreign guy route) but many foreign guys they meet will be mongers and many finds out guys fuck around. Then girls change into this themselves if not already there aka jaded.

I have a few pinays outside this environment though who I have met through various occupational surroundings. These girls would be marked as upper class girls (well off families, good jobs, careers first family later girls, single) and they are quite different in many aspects. They are trustworthy as they don't have the money incentive while dealing with guys. Only from their peers I expect the truth but again these girls are not common to meet if you are on mongering sprees because they mostly stay away from places which are known for such activities. With natural game or introduction from someone its doable these girls get horny too and ONS are acceptable.

That being said when I travel to Phils I pretty much accept the fact that I will be lied to, cheated, overpay, mistreated etc etc but I really don't care as I am not here to find the love of my life. Phils is a country I pretty much have to visit a few times (so why not make the best of it when I'm here anyway) but I leave as soon as possible to the normal world.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;1938636]Question: Are there any honest Filipinos? Is there any such thing as a Filipino who is not a habitual liar, a deceiver and scammer? For such a staunch Catholic country, how can they reconcile their religious beliefs with such reprehensible behavior?[/QUOTE]It is actually quite easy for Filipinos to reconcile habitual lying, deception, and scamming with staunch Catholicism. According to Catholic beliefs, Filipinos only have to confess their sins to a priest and they are granted absolution. Also, Christianity is not as strictly adhered to by the natives as many foreigners would like to believe. If that were the case there would not be a burgeoning sex tourism industry and a relatively large and accepted openly gay population. Church is a place Filipinos go on Sunday, it is not something that governs their daily behavior and thought processes. While many Filipinos claim Christianity, they practice old native rituals like making offerings to rice gods and routinely consult the witchdoctor (mangkukulam) when ill. The Philippines is not unique in this respect as a similar pattern can be seen in developing countries in Latin America.

Also, mongering is an activity with takes place in the dark shadows of society. Therefore, when a monger enters that world he is more likely to run into more shady characters than normal. This shadow world includes mongering districts and towns. Shady characters are not limited to people directly involved in the sex industry, it includes people who prey on mongers like taxi drivers, trike drivers, short time hotel staff, beggars, robbers and crooked cops.

The links below will give some insight on experiences in Filipino honesty:

[URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1511-Filipinas-Opinions-and-Advice&p=906960&viewfull=1[/URL]#post906960.

[URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1511-Filipinas-Opinions-and-Advice&p=907158&viewfull=1[/URL]#post907158.

[QUOTE=ChochaMonger;1938835]It is actually quite easy for Filipinos to reconcile habitual lying, deception, and scamming with staunch Catholicism. According to Catholic beliefs, Filipinos only have to confess their sins to a priest and they are granted absolution. Also, Christianity is not as strictly adhered to by the natives as many foreigners would like to believe. If that were the case there would not be a burgeoning sex tourism industry and a relatively large and accepted openly gay population. Church is a place Filipinos go on Sunday, it is not something that governs their daily behavior and thought processes. While many Filipinos claim Christianity, they practice old native rituals like making offerings to rice gods and routinely consult the witchdoctor (mangkukulam) when ill. The Philippines is not unique in this respect as a similar pattern can be seen in developing countries in Latin America.

Also, mongering is an activity with takes place in the dark shadows of society. Therefore, when a monger enters that world he is more likely to run into more shady characters than normal. This shadow world includes mongering districts and towns. Shady characters are not limited to people directly involved in the sex industry, it includes people who prey on mongers like taxi drivers, trike drivers, short time hotel staff, beggars, robbers and crooked cops.

The links below will give some insight on experiences in Filipino honesty:

[URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1511-Filipinas-Opinions-and-Advice&p=906960&viewfull=1[/URL]#post906960.

[URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1511-Filipinas-Opinions-and-Advice&p=907158&viewfull=1[/URL]#post907158.[/QUOTE]Very good info, CM. Do you live in the Pi? Just wondering how perceptions change if one becomes part of the community.

Chocha Monger has written an 'A' level post this time (below). Normally of substance but latest one below, raises the bar. Post of Distinction please.

Over 40 yrs, going to and fro Phils many times, I have seen guys come and settle down in Phils, then leave few years later, hating the Philippines and the Filipinos.

Jet in, get what you want, jet out, way to go. They are ST, so we should be ST.

Don't be a sitting duck, be a moving target, and you will survive. Sorry, but the visiting Phils becomes a different Phils when you 'settle down'. Your enjoying it now cause you keep coming and going. When you some and stay, you will find the environment quite different. 40 plus years of observation and knowing folks initially in love with Phils, come to hate it, when they become residents, tells me so.

The in and out Mongers have a smile on their face. The residents do not, they look glum. Ho hum, no one listens, no one cares. Don't forget you will pay USA rates at hospitals in Phils, and expertise is at a different level. Got a friend now resident for 10 yrs or more. He is moving from place to place, to avoid creditors, chasing a P300,000 hospital bill, he can not afford to pay. He is stuck, can't go home (where health care is free, LOL), can't leave, and doesn't want to stay nowadays.

Folks can respond as they like. 40 yrs tells me. Do not pitch a tent in Phils. Hit and run, hit and run.

End of subject for me. Smiling me just visited Phils and left my sour faced resident friends behind, LOL.

Chocha Monger knows, that why he survives. I know, and that why I survive (40 plus years) and still got a smile on my dial.

As they say in Thailand "Up to You". End of subject for me.

[QUOTE=EngineDriver;1938636]Question: Are there any honest Filipinos? Is there any such thing as a Filipino who is not a habitual liar, a deceiver and scammer? For such a staunch Catholic country, how can they reconcile their religious beliefs with such reprehensible behavior?[/QUOTE]Well, about 3-4 years ago, I was touring around the sights of Cebu, and we went to some religious area with lots of crowds. I was stumbling with a bunch of stuff, when some 14-15 year old boy in ragedy clothes tapped me, and told me that I must have dropped something. In his hand was my wallet, which contained about 8,000 pesos and 5 $100 dollar bills, not to mention a bunch of credit cards, etc. I was so taken aback, I offered the kid 1,000 pesos as a reward, but he just put up his hand and said, "No thank you, sir. ".

I have since learned to be much more careful about my money and valuables (separate wallets, room safe, etc.), since the Philippines is full of crooks and cheats, as are many other countries and localities. But is is so unfair to generalize about anyone this way.

RG.

[QUOTE=Vitaplex;1938826]Yeah this is absolutely true but of course as mongers we tend to only meet girls either being pro girls, girls operating in dating sites or girls learned by the jungle telegraph that foreigners are walking Atms up for exploitation. [/QUOTE]Usually on each visit I seem t catch an infection of some kind be it a cold or stomach bug. I think it has to do with the number of girls that I have close contact with.

QUOTE=Sxxxx;1938866 Chocha Monger has written an 'A' level post this time (below). But latest one below, raises the bar. Jet in, get what you want, jet out, way to go. They are ST, so we should be ST. Don't be a sitting duck, be a moving target, and you will survive. / QUOTE.

You could be wrong but you could be right. I forget the band who sang this lyric but I can't help thinking there is an opposite opinion to this cyncism and pessimism supported by opposite facts and stories. Why else are so many Westerners living in the PI? I mean they can't all be losers given their domiciles, (retired) professions and beautiful young sexy attentive amorous wives.

[QUOTE=DCups;1939486]

You could be wrong but you could be right. I forget the band who sang this lyric. [/QUOTE]Billy Joel?

[QUOTE=Sxxxx;1938866]Sorry, but the visiting Phils becomes a different Phils when you 'settle down'. Your enjoying it now cause you keep coming and going. When you some and stay, you will find the environment quite different. 40 plus years of observation and knowing folks initially in love with Phils, come to hate it, when they become residents, tells me so.
<SNIP> I know, and that why I survive (40 plus years) and still got a smile on my dial.[/QUOTE]Agree. I have seen exceptions, but this is closer to the rule. Have written about this before, but I think that most guys come very poorly prepared (financially, mentally, physically) to retire into living in the Philippines or anywhere in Asia, especially those who are coming for a Sexual Disneyland feast that they had on a limited basis before retirement. There are a few guys who have posted about the financials behind their basic living, which is something that I consider often given that I will surely live out the rest of my years in Asia without the support of any schemes from my country of origin. But for those guys with in-and-out experience who have a plan to sell the house, move the bank account and tell the government where to forward their pension checks, I see, hear and read about so many cases where it all ends in tears.

And this is not limited to Western mongers. Last year I was in Glorietta where they were doing a Retire in Philippines Fair. US and Europoean citizens make up a TINY <5% slice of the overall pie of foreign retirees. The vast majority is from China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. And Japanese make up a huge majority of P4 P-seeking retirees. I was at McDo the other day in Bangkok and overheard 3 old Japanese guys talking about wanting to make their retirement escape to Thailand. I was looking at these guys and thinking that their biggest concern of moving here would be insurance lest they slip and break a hip. Just like in Philippines, none of the government social health insurance extends abroad, so a medical situation could (and often does) toss a retirement into turmoil. These guys are focused on where their next short time is coming they miss the long time. They don't factor for inflation, insurance, no government support, daily needs, etc. With an average male life expectancy of 75-80 yo (US / European / Japanese), the guy who drops his bags at age 65 is just 10-15 years away from death statistically. And depending on the physical shape they arrive, the latter of those years will be filled with medical challenges with no NHS or Medicaid to fall upon.

Not that it can't be done. It can and I know personally many who make it work. But they have thought things through with preparation and lead their lives by some rules and tactics. For those of you who are contemplating it, just take those things into consideration. Enjoy retirement, AsianRain.

[QUOTE=AsianRain;1939519]Agree. I have seen exceptions, but this is closer to the rule. Have written about this before, but I think that most guys come very poorly prepared (financially, mentally, physically) to retire into living in the Philippines or anywhere in Asia, especially those who are coming for a Sexual Disneyland feast that they had on a limited basis before retirement. There are a few guys who have posted about the financials behind their basic living, which is something that I consider often given that I will surely live out the rest of my years in Asia without the support of any schemes from my country of origin. But for those guys with in-and-out experience who have a plan to sell the house, move the bank account and tell the government where to forward their pension checks, I see, hear and read about so many cases where it all ends in tears.

<SNIP)

Not that it can't be done. It can and I know personally many who make it work. But they have thought things through with preparation and lead their lives by some rules and tactics. For those of you who are contemplating it, just take those things into consideration. [/QUOTE]Sensible advice here from AR.

I am into my 21st year of living continuously in Philippines, and bought my own condo 9 years ago. Best investment I ever made as it has saved me squillions in rent and the locale (in Ortigas Center) means I don't need a car in order to get around.

I am lucky in that I am still fully engaged in the work force on a foreign salary with frequent trips to other SE Asian countries so that keeps me sane and I can adjust to the traffic and other factors here that will stretch one's patience.

I am extremely fit and healthy at present, but my major concern is my health going forward because I no longer have the ready cover of the Australiann pension scheme. I pay more than 1000 USD per year on a very robust health insurance scheme because I want to have the option of the best treatment when it (inevitably) is needed.

I settled here because of various reasons (career, tropical weather, cheaper cost of living, proximity to the rest of the world to mention a few). Pussy was not a factor, so those guys who are making a life-changing decision to move here based primarily on that factor are, IMHO, silly.

There are lots of other things to consider as well.

[QUOTE=AsianRain;1939519]Agree. I have seen exceptions, but this is closer to the rule. Have written about this before, but I think that most guys come very poorly prepared (financially, mentally, physically) to retire into living in the Philippines or anywhere in Asia, especially those who are coming for a Sexual Disneyland feast that they had on a limited basis before retirement. There are a few guys who have posted about the financials behind their basic living, which is something that I consider often given that I will surely live out the rest of my years in Asia without the support of any schemes from my country of origin. But for those guys with in-and-out experience who have a plan to sell the house, move the bank account and tell the government where to forward their pension checks, I see, hear and read about so many cases where it all ends in tears.

And this is not limited to Western mongers. Last year I was in Glorietta where they were doing a Retire in Philippines Fair. US and Europoean citizens make up a TINY <5% slice of the overall pie of foreign retirees. The vast majority is from China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. And Japanese make up a huge majority of P4 P-seeking retirees. I was at McDo the other day in Bangkok and overheard 3 old Japanese guys talking about wanting to make their retirement escape to Thailand. I was looking at these guys and thinking that their biggest concern of moving here would be insurance lest they slip and break a hip. Just like in Philippines, none of the government social health insurance extends abroad, so a medical situation could (and often does) toss a retirement into turmoil. These guys are focused on where their next short time is coming they miss the long time. They don't factor for inflation, insurance, no government support, daily needs, etc. With an average male life expectancy of 75-80 yo (US / European / Japanese), the guy who drops his bags at age 65 is just 10-15 years away from death statistically. And depending on the physical shape they arrive, the latter of those years will be filled with medical challenges with no NHS or Medicaid to fall upon.

Not that it can't be done. It can and I know personally many who make it work. But they have thought things through with preparation and lead their lives by some rules and tactics. For those of you who are contemplating it, just take those things into consideration. Enjoy retirement, AsianRain.[/QUOTE]Excellent points, and I'm making that judgment from one who actually does live here. While factors such as proximity of decent health care, and factoring in sufficiency of financial resources are important, I think day-to-day happiness may depend on other factors that are less quantifiable and more psychological. Having lived outside of my own country for a good portion of the past 25-30 years, I've thought about this a lot, as during this period I've run into a large number of expatriates, some of whom were happy and productive, and many who were not, but who lacked the resources to return or had lived "outside" for so long that they felt they no longer belonged anywhere.

Based on my observations over the years, I believe the following generalizations hold true: First, develop realistic expectations based on a reasoanable knowledge of the place you've chosen. This means speak to other long-term foreign residents, identify most of the pitfalls of living here, and decide if the frustration you will doubtless feel in a third world country is outweighed by the benefits of same as you perceive them. Second, be prepared for the "V curve" of typical expatriate life. This includes a need to anticipate the exultation concomitant with the first few weeks of the move; the "I've finally done it and I'm free," feeling initially experienced by many if not most first-time expatriates. It is unwise to make any long-term commitments (for leases, for romantic entanglements or any financial commitments) during this period. This is the top of the "V. " This period is often followed by a steadily growing feeling of despondency, or perhaps panic, once one starts to bump up against the frustrations of daily living and begins to recognize the enormous differences between his developed country and his new country of residence. This is also known as the feeling of "Oh my God, what have I done?" I've never yet met an expat who hasn't gone through this. Finally, the curve begins to tilt upward again to a more stable, more realistic outlook. If you're lucky, or at least persistent, it's only at this point that you will learn whether you've achieved the psychological balanced perspective that's the pre-requisite for living successfully here, and it's only at this point that anyone should even consider thinking of the longer term.

I assume that most of the guys reading these posts are coming here for short periods during which they hope to achieve the short-term (and for them rare) chance to score as many young women as possible in a compressed amount of time. The ready availability of SWTs is the primary motivation. There's nothing at all wrong with that, but when such availability becomes quotidian, when it becomes a constant factor in every day life, it also becomes insufficient by itself to ensure long-term happiness here. Chocolate is a delicious treat when it's available to you only rarely. Once you own the chocolate factory, it's uniqueness diminishes, and then disappears. The upshot of that inevitable outcome means for me that other outside interests and outside friendships are critical.

I'll close with the final observation of how important it is to get out of here--to neighboring countries, or to your home country--on a reasonably regular basis, thus providing still an additional personal perspective that will either re-enforce the "rightness" of your decision, or suggest that perhaps other alternatives are available to you. It's also important to remember that, though you will likely be accepted after a while as a fixture in your community, and though you will be treated graciously and welcomed, this will never become "your" country and you will never understand its culture fully. You will be, in other words, in some respects, an outsider.

GE.

[QUOTE=AsianRain;1939519]I was looking at these guys and thinking that their biggest concern of moving here would be insurance lest they slip and break a hip. Just like in Philippines, none of the government social health insurance extends abroad, so a medical situation could (and often does) toss a retirement into turmoil.

the guy who drops his bags at age 65 is just 10-15 years away from death statistically. And depending on the physical shape they arrive, the latter of those years will be filled with medical challenges with no NHS or Medicaid to fall upon..[/QUOTE]Along with GE and RK's FRs I would concur with this.

As an example last year a very old friend had a stroke in the street in Manila. Was huge but he got lucky and ended up very quickly at the only place in town with the right equipment. His recovery has been amazing IMHO given how I saw him after the stroke but the cost was just huge. Something like 20000 pesos a day plus add ONS.

He did not have insurance (he is older than AR's age range above) and this was a huge dent in his savings etc.

For him the cost of health insurance is much greater than RK's and was prohibitive given his limited resources so he took the risk.

Is something I think about lot as RK and GE know and one people must consider as even a trip to Thailand is expensive.

For those who are considering living in the country even for short time periods, it is best get some health insurance. RK gave me good advice a long time back and I now have another friend / contact who offers this and is very competitive also. He is someone I use for car insurance and travel insurance also.