General Info

Some guys might wonder about the real scope of Internet dating in the Philippines. Well my situation might be instructive. Instructive in terms of what can happen if you live here as I do. I live in a city. So in my profile I can refer to the fact that I am 'on the ground'. And actually, almost all of the girls have never met a foreigner and never will. So I am fresh meat. I use the website exclusively for my social life. To me there is none without it as I do not hang out anywhere at night. And Skype is essential. I will not interact with it. The country is obsessed with cellphone texting. I don't like it for getting to know someone and can't understand them when we are talking on the phone anyway. I have met some of the most beautiful girls that I have ever known. Of course not all. But plenty of 10's and some 2's also. And lot's of girls 50 years younger than me. Most are about 45 years younger than me. This is not the Dominican Republic where every girl is just about money. Lot's here are really about a husband and / or a realtionship. Sex is a 100% forgone conclusion. Ok, maybe 99%. The hours that the girls work on regular jobs makes things REALLY difficult. Most get 4 days off per month! Some work 12 hour days. They earn $160 a month for this. And they may work some distance, actually a great distance from where you are. They all spoke English At least the cabs are cheap. A one hour ride in the rain might cost $5. 00. (I hired a cab for a Sunday tour, 4 hours was $31). Anyway, I am no Don Juan that is for sure. And it is hard for me to believe that I turn anyone on. But I have received Interests, and messages on the website. Tons of them. So I counted up the number of 'favorites' that were sent to me over 30 days. Two short of 1000. In six months total interests have probably totaled 3500! Or many more. So, If social life is your thing then this is the land of milk and honey. If there is someplace better I certainly don't know where is might be.

This is where they invented 'Pura Vida'

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1775492]I don't know if you have been in Middle East or not but I employed many foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia. Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans were much cheaper than Filipino employess but we preferred Filipinos due to their English and Western knowledge.[/QUOTE]According to some recent news reports, overall revenues from OFWs actually declined--perhaps for the first time in a long while--over the past quarter. This has caused some concerns as remittances are the country's largest source of hard currency, given that aside from people, the Philippines doesn't export much of anything. However, it imports critical staples such as rice and gasoline and thus needs a reliable stream of hard cash to pay for it all.

Approximately 2 million Filipinos enter the labor force here every year, while the local economy creates about 1 million jobs a year. Thus the flood of those seeking oversea employment is likely to grow and given that supply exceeds demand, I imagine that salaries paid will either stagnate or fall.

GE.

I said 990 'favorites" I should have said 'interests' Still, shows the power of Internet and being here.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1775608]Approximately 2 million Filipinos enter the labor force here every year, while the local economy creates about 1 million jobs a year.

Thus the flood of those seeking oversea employment is likely to grow and given that supply exceeds demand, I imagine that salaries paid will either stagnate or fall.

GE.[/QUOTE]GE is correct in is premise on salaries if this related to the Middle East (where many end up).

Salaries 10 years ago in the UAE for example are now significantly less influx of people not only pinoy looking for work means employers have a huge advantage and can use that to its advantage.

For example, I know pinays offered jobs in malls in Dubai. Salary is PHP30-40 k a month which sounds great to them and the families who think she is rich! But the UAE is hugely expensive. And the salary is with no benefits. Even though the law says salary plus tickets home, employer pays visa expenses, healthcare. All these are expensive and is illegal for any employer to offer this contract (in reality it prepares a false employment contract to get the work visa as none are issued unless the contract obeys the law).

So room is around PHP 10-12 k (bed space with 4-6 people per room), plus transport and food (expensive even if Chowking etc) she can only have say PHP 10-15 k left to cover her meds, her family needs, her kids school fees etc.

If she does not accept as is the another will as plenty waiting for ay chance to ay cash (ie better earn than have nothing).

So remittances will over time suffer IMHO.

The lack of job creation in this country is another issue well discussed on this forum with way too many HRM, tourism graduates being sent out into the real world with no hope of a good job (and future?

[QUOTE=GoodEnough;1775608]According to some recent news reports, overall revenues from OFWs actually declined--perhaps for the first time in a long while--over the past quarter. This has caused some concerns as remittances are the country's largest source of hard currency, given that aside from people, the Philippines doesn't export much of anything. However, it imports critical staples such as rice and gasoline and thus needs a reliable stream of hard cash to pay for it all.[/QUOTE]If this is a trend and not a 1 year blip, the USD will get stronger vs the PHP. OFW remittances are the main thing propping up the PHP.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1775492]I don't know if you have been in Middle East or not but I employed many foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia. Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans were much cheaper than Filipino employess but we preferred Filipinos due to their English and Western knowledge.[/QUOTE]In Singapore, Filipinos are loved, not much for their English, but for the a) cheap cost vs others, b) willing to forego up to 6 months salary as placement fee, which some unscrupulous employees see as a revenue stream. (agreed, most of those taking advantage have no qualms because firstly they are small businesses, and secondly, it is a case of willing buyer-willing seller, though the Ministry of Manpower is finding ways to clamp down on that kind of abuse, their hands are tied when willingly Filipinos agree for massive placement fee).

I am talking of the professionals, in IT, service Industry etc. And in Singapore, English is not a major seller as almost everybody needs to know English to find a job, the only exception being PRCs.

[URL]http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/09/22/1502734/gunmen-kidnap-3-foreigners-filipino-davao-resort[/URL]

Zamboanga City, Philippines. Government troops have been alerted to be on the look out for fleeing gunmen who abducted three foreigners and a Filipina in a resort in Samal Island off Davao del Norte.

The kidnap victims are identified as Kjartan Sekkinstad, a Norwegian resort manager, his girlfriend named Tess and two Canadians identified as John Ridsdel and Robert Hall.

P.S. I would be interested in a collection of stories of the foreigners over the last 5 years who have met their untimely demise in this country.

[QUOTE=DarkKnight1;1777405]P.S. I would be interested in a collection of stories of the foreigners over the last 5 years who have met their untimely demise in this country.[/QUOTE]Not many cases even reach the news media.

In fact, a year ago a German was killed in Cavite, and till today the cops are saying it was a crime of passion. Though there was a kidnap attempt gone wrong.

Stories?

[QUOTE=EconoTech;1776310]In Singapore, Filipinos are loved, not much for their English, but for the a) cheap cost vs others, b) willing to forego up to 6 months salary as placement fee, which some unscrupulous employees see as a revenue stream. (agreed, most of those taking advantage have no qualms because firstly they are small businesses, and secondly, it is a case of willing buyer-willing seller, though the Ministry of Manpower is finding ways to clamp down on that kind of abuse, their hands are tied when willingly Filipinos agree for massive placement fee).

I am talking of the professionals, in IT, service Industry etc. And in Singapore, English is not a major seller as almost everybody needs to know English to find a job, the only exception being PRCs.[/QUOTE]Hi,

Booked a flight to Phils for 22 days leave on the 23rd day, then tonight I'm reading about the 21 day visa, anybody know what kind of jam up I face when leaving? Is this a big deal or something not to worrie about? Or something to be concerned about!

Thanks any help.

[QUOTE=RacShack;1777744]Hi,

Booked a flight to Phils for 22 days leave on the 23rd day, then tonight I'm reading about the 21 day visa, anybody know what kind of jam up I face when leaving? Is this a big deal or something not to worrie about? Or something to be concerned about!

Thanks any help.[/QUOTE][URL]http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/travel-req[/URL] says:

[QUOTE]
If you are a foreign national from a country with diplomatic ties or bilateral agreement with the Philippines, you are allowed to enter the country without securing an entry visa and will be given an initial stay of thirty (30) days provided that you are a holder of a passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond your contemplated stay in the Philippines and present a return or onward ticket.
[/QUOTE]

Just saw this in the Inquirer. Like a few other posters I use the airport a lot both domestically and internationally. Just something to be aware of and hope it never happens to anyone else. The US missionary seems to gone ad made a complaint, maybe picked on the wrong guy?

[URL]http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/724782/another-naia-flyer-complains-bullet-in-bag-planted[/URL]

[QUOTE=RacShack;1777744]Hi,

Booked a flight to Phils for 22 days leave on the 23rd day, then tonight I'm reading about the 21 day visa, anybody know what kind of jam up I face when leaving? Is this a big deal or something not to worrie about? Or something to be concerned about!

Thanks any help.[/QUOTE]You have read old information. It used to be 21 days but nowadays it's 30. So nothing to worrie about.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1778179]Just saw this in the Inquirer. Like a few other posters I use the airport a lot both domestically and internationally. Just something to be aware of and hope it never happens to anyone else. The US missionary seems to gone ad made a complaint, maybe picked on the wrong guy?

[URL]http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/724782/another-naia-flyer-complains-bullet-in-bag-planted[/URL][/QUOTE]A friend, once in NAIA 3, was told that the security found a pocket knife.

The fellow went ballistic and demanded what kind of joke is this, as he never has seen that knife in his whole life.

The security had laughed it off and told that it was a little joke. Joke Lang.

Not funny.

If my friend had got shocked, I am sure they would have set on him and tried to screw him.

I am sure many success stories never went to the press, as most people are terrified of Authority in PH.

Especially when you know they can make you miss the flight for no reason, and their leaders will insist that they are just following instructions!

[QUOTE=EconoTech;1778335]A friend, once in NAIA 3, was told that the security found a pocket knife.

The fellow went ballistic and demanded what kind of joke is this, as he never has seen that knife in his whole life.

The security had laughed it off and told that it was a little joke. Joke Lang.

Not funny.

If my friend had got shocked, I am sure they would have set on him and tried to screw him.

I am sure many success stories never went to the press, as most people are terrified of Authority in PH.

Especially when you know they can make you miss the flight for no reason, and their leaders will insist that they are just following instructions![/QUOTE]GE had posted the link also in the Manila thread (great minds think alike or just we both use NAIA a lot). I have no pockets etc on my hand carry so no one can plant anything in the bag All they can say is what happened to your friend and I would also react the same way and challenge the person.

As GE said, the number of scams (shale downs I you prefer) is increasing. What do you expect when politicians appear to do worse and get away with it. Was always told the leader sets an example. And they do and the subjects follow LOL.

Seriously this is not funny as it could be much worse than a missed flight as the missionary man found out.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1778454]What do you expect when politicians appear to do worse and get away with it. Was always told the leader sets an example. And they do and the subjects follow LOL.
[/QUOTE]Why blame the leaders? Their culture itself, in a way, screwed up for the state of the nation.

As Lee Kuan Yew famously said, the Filipino culture is so forgiving.

"Something had gone seriously wrong. Millions of Filipino men and women had to leave their country for jobs abroad beneath their level of education. Filipino professionals. Are as good as our own. Indeed, their architects, artists, and musicians are more artistic and creative than ours. The difference lies in the culture of the Filipino people. It is a soft, forgiving culture. Only in the Philippines could a leader like Ferdinand Marcos, who pillaged his country for over 20 years, still be considered for a national burial. Insignificant amounts of the loot have been recovered, yet his wife and children were allowed to return and engage in politics. "

And.

[URL]http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/2015/03/23/1436680/15-things-lee-kuan-yew-said-about-philippines[/URL]