Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? in Southeast Asian Chat http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r16866296 en Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:47:42 EDT Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:47:42 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866436 signmeuptoo : Will do!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866436 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:39:07 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866296 armitage : Ah... seems you've already immersed yourself in quite a bit of our culture already.

When you come for a visit and if you find yourself in Manila, throw me a message or something... I'll buy you a beer instead (I'm not all too fond of tuba myself).
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Windows? It's a pack of instant noodles. Convenient, but not very healthy. Linux? Well, linux is the kitchen.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866296 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:14:59 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866221 signmeuptoo : Oh yeah, I personally know plenty about all you say. I have had some of the foods, such as "chocolate meat" (innerds and blood on rice). The average USA citizen might faint once they see the poverty, and yet, in all that poverty are a people with great dignity and goodness. Sure there is crime, but I have been deeply moved by the people where I went.

I hope to return withing a 1 and a half as I hope to have saved up enough by then to go, and as you know, you can't go there empty handed, heh.

Anyone for some tuba with me?
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Let's be nice to each other, k? Life's too short.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866221 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:02:32 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866177 armitage : Oi. Another Filipino here... I mostly lurk in ATU land, but decided to take a peek here.

You planning to visit the country soon?

I'm not Visayas based though... I live in Manila.

said by signmeuptoo See Profile :

As far as Filipino food, be ready for major culture shock, their diet is a poor person's diet
As for poor persons diet... you'd be surprised. A poor diet here consists primarily of tubers, roots, greens and fish. The really poor people typically have a next to non-existent diet (believe me, you wouldn't want to know how poor the poor can get here - and no soup kitchens). If you have meat on the table, you're relatively well off.

I didn't take your post to be offensive, but just wanted to clarify the food matters... very few parts of a food animal go to waste here.
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Windows? It's a pack of instant noodles. Convenient, but not very healthy. Linux? Well, linux is the kitchen.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16866177 Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:56:25 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16793658 bixantine :
said by jhuanel See Profile :

But,if you really want to have a good time,i suggest Cebu, Boracay or Bohol.Ive just been to Bohol last summer and man it was so good there.pristine white beaches,unlike Boracay who have became a party island.

So don't you worry bout a thing.
Aahhh...i'm a fool for good beaches. well i've still got one more out of Malaysia trip that i need to fill before the year is up. contemplating either Phuket or Bali first but looks like i've got another option to think abt now ;)

Cheers!!! :D
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==Ne tournez pas le dos à moi, je ne sera pas igno== Hyelbaine == Lokee == The Blue Pill]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16793658 Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:51:31 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16789546 signmeuptoo : I am going on US state department warnings from the last time I was there and from my family there etc. Sorry po.
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Let's be nice to each other, k? Life's too short.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16789546 Sun, 27 Aug 2006 14:33:33 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16789210 jhuanel : I'm from Manila and Samar in the Visayas is our province that i regularly go back to.

I don't think that review is very insightful.It was sweeping generalization at most.He lumped the entire Mindanao area like it is a war zone when in fact, even in Basilan where the Abu Sayyaf is based is now a peaceful place thanks to the American troops presence and increased Philippine army presence too.In fact,those are small islands off the main island of Mindanao.I can assure you,you can visit Davao(The Philippines 3rd largest city,in terms of economy),Surigao(great surfing destination,with waves like in Hawaii),Cagayan de oro(with great white water rafting adventures),to name a few.

But,if you really want to have a good time,i suggest Cebu, Boracay or Bohol.Ive just been to Bohol last summer and man it was so good there.pristine white beaches,unlike Boracay who have became a party island.

So don't you worry bout a thing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16789210 Sun, 27 Aug 2006 13:23:23 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16680109 bixantine : wow....that's a very detailed inside indeed! thank you so much there. i don't think i can give such an insight to a place in our very own Malaysia ;)

Cheers!!! :D ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16680109 Thu, 10 Aug 2006 11:02:14 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16664749 signmeuptoo : Just be careful where you go bixantine: Don't go to the Southern Province Islands because a LOT of terrorists, mainly vehement anti-Christian/anti-Jew Muslims live and take American hostages. Stick to the Visayas or the Luzon area. Palawan is probably the most virginal, beautiful, exotic big island, but it can be dangerous there as well, sadly.

Their economy there would be much much better if it weren't for two things: Government corruption and anti government/religious nuts that screw with the populace and chase Japanese and Western business out from developing there. It is really too bad, because they are industrious, hard working, great people.

There is plenty to see there. In fact, Christianity first came to Asia by way of the Philippines and in Cebu you can see Magellan's cross and some of the oldest cathedrals in that part of the world, they are incredible.

One piece of advice: As far as Filipino food, be ready for major culture shock, their diet is a poor person's diet and they eat a lot of stuff like entrails (there is a dish called "chocolate meat" which is blood and entrails over rice, I have had it a few times). Get Pancit, each region has a different style of pancit, which is a rice noodle/tangy/meat and veggie dish, very simply but I love it. And try Halo Halo, the national desert, IIRC, it is really unique.

If you go to Manilla, the main city, it is huge, like New York City, population wise, but you won't see so many sky scrapers. The traffic there is much worse than LA on some days, like around Christmas, which is a big deal there.

Speaking of which, a great time to go is around the holidays because everyone is feeling festive and people decorate their houses with colored rice paper and such like a parade float, it can be really pretty. And, just like American's, they love their parades and festivals. Each barrio has a patron saint and each barrio has a holiday to observe such.

Diving is one of the big reasons to go there.

One book I suggest reading before going is a book with the title that sounds like this: Culture Shock, The Philippines.

When you go you will be fascinated with how westernized some things are, but don't be fooled, because underneath the thick veneer of Western dressing is a deep seated Malay-Polynesian set of norms and ways. For instance, when my father in law was dying, the doctor was jovial and cheerful with me on the phone, even laughing. The do that because they believe it is the way to soften the blow, the pain of it all, and Pinoys are hyper-sensitive to each other's feelings. If you act in public in a way that is insensitive you will be really shunned, it is a major sin there.

Also, like the Japanese, they do believe in "face" and "saving it". While most of them still are reeling from the Japanese occupation, Japanese tourists account for a LOT of the national revenue, so they are very nice to them.

If you are single, watch out, because many a filipina dreams of marrying an American hunk. They think we are all like hollywood actors, heh. Ah, well, some do. I had more girls giving me the eye there, and my girl is pretty jealous, so I had to be cool about it. If you have blue eyes really watch out.
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Let's be nice to each other, k? Life's too short.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16664749 Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:21:23 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16664387 bixantine : I've heard a lot about it and to be honest i'm kinda intrigued about the place. might make it my next stop for my around asia trip ;)

Cheers!!! :D ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16664387 Mon, 07 Aug 2006 23:23:55 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16638861 signmeuptoo : Back at ya. What Island are you on?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16638861 Thu, 03 Aug 2006 20:08:30 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16637283 RayMorris : Mabuhay! :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16637283 Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:24:23 EDT Re: Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16621518 removed :
said by signmeuptoo See Profile :

I love it there.
How many times have you been?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16621518 Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:36:33 EDT Anybody here from the Philippines? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16621299 signmeuptoo : Is anyone here from the Philippines? How many of you are in the Visayan Islands area, because I would like to communicate with you. I love it there. Hope all is well.

~Bucky
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Let's be nice to each other, k? Life's too short.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16621299 Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:06:54 EDT