Brett Jankowiak asked:




Philippines surfing is not quite a destination that would conjure up images of brilliant surfing breaks. Truth be told surfing in the Philippines can be fickle, but if you are after an adventure, are willing to go off the beaten track and are not afraid to try something different, then surfing in the Philippines will not disappoint you.

With 7,107 islands, the roaring Pacific Ocean bordering the eastern coastline and the South China Sea on the western coastline and attracting more typhoons than most neighboring countries, Philippines surfing is alive and well. In fact the Philippines are not a new surfing destination, with surfers enjoying the waves here since at least the sixties, maybe even earlier. Let’s face it who wouldn’t want a perfect left or right hander all to yourself!

Philippines surfing can be both temperamental and seasonal, it is important to know when the best time to come is or you may be disappointed, nothing worse that a surfer without surf.
amihan, during November to April. On top of the monsoons throw in a typhoon or many and you can imagine that surfing in the Philippines can really pump. The typhoons usually come in from the east of Mindanao and head in a north westerly direction hitting the southern Luzon and the islands between Luzon and the Pacific.

The west coast of the Philippines is more inconsistent than the east coast, it relies on the winds through the Taiwan Straights during the north east monsoon. This wind created swell hits the west coast of Luzon. The swell can also be really good when the odd typhoon heads towards Hong Kong. The swell that hits Palawan can be hard to pick, but you are guaranteed to have fantastic waves if you leave your surf board at home, typically if you bring it the surf will be flat!

So when is the best time to go surfing in the Philippines? Well your best to try the east coast during the north east monsoon. But like everywhere surfing the Philippines is inconsistent, however on it’s good day, totally unforgettable.

Where To Go Surfing


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Marvin Salazar asked:




The Philippines is a country that has rich and amazing places to visit. The country offers dynamic tourist attractions for all types of travelers with its 7,107 islands. Festivals and events are present all year-round from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that draw and captivate local and foreign visitors. Surely, a year is not enough to discover and experience the country’s pristine beauty so there is no proper time to travel than NOW!

As a traveler, it is important that you travel wisely. The main purpose of traveling is to have fun. To spare yourself the hassle and make it to an unforgettable trip, a systematic preparation must be done. Take it from a traveler like myself. Here are 5 tips for a hassle-free travel:

Know Your Destinations

Before you pack your belongings and book your trip, it is very important to know where you plan to go. Do your research first about the destination you want to visit. Get some knowledge about the location, climate, food, available accommodations, accommodation rates, dialect spoken, culture and values. Bring a map if you’re not familiar with the place. Although you can always ask the locals for directions, there is still a certain thrill of finding your own way out of the maze. It is also handy that you know something about the history of the place because it will give you a deeper appreciation. Believe me, it all works!

Book Early and Save Money

Early booker catches the best travel packages and promotions! Your travel need not be expensive. Cut down on travel expenses and save money by searching and availing of cheap flight deals. Hotels and inns also give out great discounts to group accommodations when the booking is done ahead of time.

Prepare Your Itineraries

When traveling, it is important that your activities are plotted earlier on. You don’t only budget your money but your time as well. Scheduled itineraries allow a maximum experience on a given place at a give time. You not only have time to enjoy the beauty of the place but you also can avoid rushing from one place to another.

Pack Light and Wise

Bring only the essentials! Don’t bring your house with you! Just bring the basic necessities. When it comes to clothes, bring only those that are generally wearable, comfortable and appropriate. If you’re going to a cool place like Baguio or Tagaytay, bring jackets and thick clothes. But, if you’ll be visiting the beaches, just bring your **** swimsuits and some light clothes.

Travel Safely

Be sure to bring a first aid kit. Accidents might happen on your travel so it’s better to be prepared than sorry. Bring your medications with you if you have allergies or common diseases. You don’t want to spoil your trip by experiencing asthma attacks in remote areas where no hospital/clinic nearby.

Always…

Remember: Expect the unexpected. Sometimes no matter how much you prepare, there are things that can still get out of control.

Bear in mind: Bring an open-heart when you travel. Do not be afraid to take risks and try new things. Traveling is not only about visiting a certain place. You travel to enjoy, learn, and gather travel stories to tell back home. By having a free-spirited heart, your travel will still turn out to be memorable no matter what happens.

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Eric A. Miller asked:




The Philippines is a majestic land, full of vibrant colors, a simple but admirable culture, budget conscious activities and products (cheap stuff!), and the total individual control to do what you want when you want.? When I retire, I hope I decide to stay in a paradise half as perfect as this one.? There is so much to do in the Philippines, so I’ve narrowed it down to the top five best things to do or must see items in the Philippines right here.? When I mention prices I will roughly convert it to dollars for you to keep it simples.? Remember, this is just me doing math in my head, and I really **** at math.

Just to let you know right now, I am a 26 year old male so this article is targeted towards people in there 20′s and 30′s.? There is a lot of history and modern day activities in the Philippines, so these are the top things that I enjoy or at least that I think everyone should see at least once in their life.

1.??? Stay on the White Sand Beach of Boracay during a holiday weekend.

2.??? See Angeles City and the Bar Girls.

3.??? Jet Ski

4.??? Shoot Uzi’s

5.??? Visit LA Cafe in Manila, Philippines

Staying in Boracay during the holy week, when everyone is off school and work, is an awesome experience.? Friday and Saturday night the beach is especially crowded with partiers ready to experience the nightlife that Boracay has to offer.? The whole beach is lined with clubs and venders selling booze, fresh fish, jewelry and clothing.? The White House, Boracay, Philippines, is a nice affordable place to stay that is in a central location right on White Sand Beach.? Be careful when you order the fresh fish from the counter.? Notice how all of the fish is sitting on ice with ice dumped on top.? I know, it looks delicious, but that fish was caught at about 6am and you are just getting ready to eat it at 8pm and there isn’t any refrigeration, so that fish has been sitting on ice all day.? It’s really not all that fresh.? Not to mention, all that ice is from nasty Filipino tap water – unfiltered.? Trust me on this, stay as far away from the tap water as possible.? I have been sick twice from the water in the Philippines.? Once I was so hung over and dehydrated that I didn’t even notice I just drank a glass of water.? You always want to order bottled water.? The other time was on the beach in Boracay: I only tried two oysters, but it was after my buddy ate a whole plateful, so the ice that was on top had completely melted down into the oysters.? My buddy was in more pain than I, but it was still awful.?

I missed out on Friday night in Boracay because of the glass of water I drank.? I was better by Saturday night, thank God, because it is something everyone needs to experience.? Every few feet there is another club bumping music with people dancing all night.? I recommend the hookah bars and any of the clubs; it just depends on your taste in music.?

Anyone who has traveled to different countries knows that there are red light districts around the world.? Amsterdam has the most famous, but not necessarily the best, as I found out after my visit to Angeles City, Philippines.? I have traveled more than anyone else I know my age, and I have never seen anything like Fields Ave., Angeles City, Philippines.? It was crazy!? The whole street has nothing but bars filled to the brim with prostitutes, a gyro spot with awesome gyros, and a 7-Eleven.? The best thing that the Filipinos have been able to organize in the Philippines is the prostitution in Angeles City.? The girls get a full STD check once a week.? We drove by the health clinic where they get checked and every bar has a different day of the week that they go.? Man, this place was busy, and understandably because there are so many bars, too many to go to even after one lives there for over a year.? Literally, there are hundreds of these bars.? There is never a door fee or an entrance fee to get in to these places.? A waitress will sit you, and then she will usually stand right by you.? Then, whenever you need something, just let her know.? If you see a girl you like and you make eye contact with her, then feel free to motion for her to come over and buy her a drink.? The biggest and best place that I saw was Atlantis.? It was three stories tall and there must have been at least 200 girls there and every single one was gorgeous.? It’s a little more expensive, but well worth it.? Buying a girl a drink there still wont cost you more than buying a drink in America.? Now, when you buy yourself a drink it’s about $1.50.? When you buy a “Lady Drink,” it’s $3.00, but the girl gets half of this money and drinks the drink.? She’ll sit down and talk with you and rub up on you.? It’s cool when you can find one with a good personality who can be sarcastic.? It’s a lot of fun to just talk with these girls and get to know them.? Some of them have crazy stories to tell.? I’m pretty quick to ask about personal issues like friends and family.?

If you think you’re connecting with a girl and you like her, and you want to ask her if she’d like to go with you back to your hotel, then you ask her a serious of questions.? Let her know that you like her and ask her if she would like a, “Bar Fine.”? She’ll either say yes or no.? She may not want to go home with you, she might be on her period, or she might be a “cherry girl,” which means she’s a virgin.? It’s important to be respectful and realize that all of these girls are not necessarily ***********.? These places are like strip clubs, only they keep their clothes on.? They might give you lap dances (way better than anything you’ll get in the states and it’s only a couple bucks) or have a drink with you and talk.? If she says, “yes,” when you asks if she wants a “Bar Fine,” then continue with a few questions and let her know that you’re happy she wants a “Bar Fine,” but you have a few questions first.? Ask her if she’s on her “mens.”? This is how they refer to their menstruation period.? You don’t want to get her back to the hotel and find out you can’t do what you wanted to because she’s bleeding.? Ask her what time she has to go home in the morning.? You don’t want her leaving that night (or maybe you do), but it’s better if she’s not leaving at 5am because she has a kid or something.? If she’s good to go, then let your waitress know that you’re going to bar fine her.? She’ll bring you your total bill.? It costs between $20 – $25 to “bar fine” a girl.? The girl will go change and then you leave together.? When you get back to the hotel you will both take showers.? Use a condom even though they are checked every week.? Don’t mess around with your life.? It’s up to you if you tip her.? She will get half of the “Bar Fine” the next day when she goes back to the bar either way.? It’s sad that these girls sell themselves and only get about $10, but they would only make maybe two or three dollars a day if they worked a regular job at the mall, plus they would work 13 hour days at another job.? What would you do?? Would you work a lot harder for much less money?? A lot of these girls come from the Province, which means they are from poverty, unlike any poverty we have in America.? They are from either remote islands or small villages and they are trying to send money home.?

Riding jet skis in Boracay is awesome!? You feel like you’re in a Jay Z music video.? It’s just the most amazing scenery to ride a jet ski in.? At some point you realize you’ve died and gone to heaven.? It’s somewhere between realizing you’re on this small tropical island in the Philippines, on the other side of the world, and dancing with the most beautiful women and the clubs.? They love to dance.? Actually, the three things people in the Philippines love are Obama, Hip Hop, and Basketball.? Anyway, back to jet skiing.? It was a little more than a dollar a minute, but well worth it.? We signed up for 30 minutes, but I think they gave us 45 minutes.? That was a good amount of time.? I was ready to stop when I did.? I was lapping people.? It’s ok to pass others (or at least no one yelled at me for it) as long as everyone is going the same way.? You should never go the opposite direction of someone.?

My friends met a guy named George within their first hour of arrival in Manila.? This guy was a hustler and knew everyone in the city.? At first he tried selling my buddies some Viagra.? By the way, there are tons of people selling Viagra and Cialis on the streets of Manila.? Then George asked my friends if they wanted to shoot Uzi’s.? This caught the attention of my friends.? “Hell yeah we want to shoot Uzi’s.”? So George took them around the corner to a gun range.? This was probably the most expensive thing anyone did on our trip.? It costs $1 a bullet to shoot Uzi’s.? It was worth it because now they have a fantastic story to tell people.

LA Cafe is a bar in Ermita, Manila, Philippines.? This is where a lot of girls hang out.? Some of them are working girls, but they weren’t charging us since they were just happy to hang out with some cool guys.? Be careful not to get hustled in this place.? I went there with three of my friends from California.? As soon as we walked in all the girls turned and looked at us.? I’m 6’7″ and we are all white, so we stood out everywhere we went.? We went into the VIP area upstairs (it’s only a couple bucks per person to enter) and we got a table.? We each left at different times because that’s what we always do.? I rarely come back to the hotel with my friends.? I get distracted too easily.? I left after hanging out for about an hour and a half.? I knew that my roommate had already left, therefore there should have been two of my friends left at the bar.? When I left I said bye to one person and I gave him $30 for the drinks, and I assumed the other friend was in the bathroom.? I was wrong.? Our other friend decided to leave without telling any one.? Never do this!? Always let the other people you’re with know when you leave or decide to do something else.? Anyway, my buddy was left at the bar by himself and there were all these girls who kept inviting their “cousin” over to drink and they were all drinking wine and ordering salads.? Then the bill came and of course it was expected that my buddy pay the whole thing.? The girls there never pay for anything because they are broke.? The bill was 5,200 pesos (more than $100, not much considering how much we drank).? My friend only had 5000 pesos on him and finally talked one of the girls into paying the other 200 pesos.? He left the bar and brought three of the girls back to the hotel lobby, but then they started complaining about how the one girl had to pay 200 pesos and they wanted my friend to reimburse her for that.? He explained that they drank a bunch of drinks and ate food, so they should pay something and he still paid much more than his fair share.? Keep in mind that this argument was over $4.? Then he pointed to the front door and said, “well, there’s the door.”? These girls are all hustlers, so beware.? Other than that, it was a fun place to hang out and play pool.? We stayed in a nice hotel in Emita, Manila, just a few blocks away from LA Cafe, and it was $100 a night, but it had a living room with a sofa pullout bed and a bedroom with a queen size bet, plus two bathrooms, so I split that with one person and it was $50 a night/person.

The Philippines is an awesome place to visit.? I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure.? It’s cheap, the people are nice, and the natural beauty is second to none.? It is important to stay safe any time you travel to the Philippines or any other third world country.? See travelingmiller.com to find out more on how to stay safe and have fun in the Philippines.? There is also a video from Palawan, which is another great destination in the Philippines.

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Randy C. asked:




Does Samal Island have the best beach resorts in all the Philippines? Well maybe not by most accounts, but the Island Garden City of Samal sure has a lot to choose from now a days. Along with the new developments coming in (Holiday Oceanview Samal, Playa Azalea, Kemabli Coast & Samal Highlands Garden Resort to name a few), and the potential Sama-Davao bridge, it may not be long before Samal Island is ranked up there with the best.

Some of the more popular current Island Garden City of Samal beach resorts are:

Fernandez Costa Marina Pearl Farm Balibali Punta del Sol HOF Gorei Bluewaters Isla Reta Chemas by the Sea Island Buenavista Bluejaz Resort & Waterpark Paradise Island

There are quite a few others, probably over 40 total by my latest count. The number is constantly changing but for the most part its been growing.

Everyone has their own favorite. Pearl Farm Beach Resort is probably the best known, and certainly one of the nicest and most expensive of all of them. Paradise Island Beach Resort is a favorite of many of the locals and fairly affordable, especially for a day trip. Chemas by the Sea is smaller and feels more exclusive, you won’t find a crowd there. Punta del Sol is well known to scuba divers and diving tours.

Bluejaz Resort & Waterpark specialize in water sports including waterslides. With Island Buenavista you can get the whole island to yourself and friends, for a day or overnight stay. There’s something here for everyone and it may not be long before they are not quite the secret that they’ve been in the past!

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Luvi Marie Corcuera asked:




The Philippines, commonly known as the “Pearl of the Orient” is an archipelago of 7107 islands with a wide variety of great destinations considered by many as paradise. From the hustle and bustle of the great city of Manila to many of the true white-sand beaches and virgin forests scattered throughout the islands, it is a place where everyone can find something that can suit their taste.

Discovering the beauty of each of the islands is a task that may take a lifetime but if you know what you like then you can choose from any of the destinations below that suit your particular needs and taste. Whether you just a tourist looking for the good old souvenirs or the adventurer seeking to find the next new place to discover there is something for you.

For Nature Lovers.

Nature has blessed the islands with a variety of natural resources and this includes virgin rain forests, indigenous wild life and scenic locations. If you are fond of nature then you have many choices to places to visit, from Zamboanga in the south to Vigan in the north.
For the wild life enthusiasts you can go to Davao where you will find the endangered Philippine Eagle, or to Donsol where the famous giant whale sharks ply the local waters, and perhaps take a dive in the waters of Puerto Galera which is home to some of the best coral reefs anywhere in the world.

For the scene lovers, take a trip to Palawan where scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves are abundant. Another place you can visit is Albay which home to the Philippines most active volcano Mt Mayon, a volcano with a perfect cone that has erupted over a few dozen times in the past century. Pagudpud in Ilocos north of the Philippines offers some of the most scenic and panoramic views on the islands which include the Mabogabog Falls and Saud beach.

For the Beach Bums

If there is one thing that Paradise Philippines is famous for it is the great number of sandy white beaches that are scattered around the thousands of islands. From the popular beaches of Boracay to the hidden beaches of Palawan there are literally hundreds of beautiful beaches to visit. A plane or boat ride away from Manila you can travel to any of the paradise beach locations in the Philippines.

A few of the best beaches in the Philippines include Coron, a town in the Busuanga Island in Northern Palawan, Bohol with hundreds of white sand beaches, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, and Cebu City. Where ever you go there are beaches and resorts that will suit everyone’s needs.

For the Party Goers

When the streets of Manila light up after dusk a whole new look to the city takes shape. From the neon lights of the red light districts to the hundreds of casinos, the karaoke bars and discos, and to the wonderful restaurants, whatever you want to do you can. You can party all night in the discos of Makati or the contemporary clubs of Manila and Quezon city, there is virtually no limit to where you can go to have fun and party the night away.

For the History Buffs

Hundreds of years of history have shaped the Philippines into what it is today, a melting pot of cultures from European, Asian and North American cultures. If history is what you are after, then you will discover a vast number of historic locations you can visit on many the Paradise Philippines [http://paradisephilippines.continentalgirl.com] islands, from the walled city of Intramuros in Old Manila built by the conquering Spaniards in the 16th century, to the Rice Terraces of Banaue built thousands of years ago by the indigenous natives of the cordillera, and to the more recent ruins of Corregidor which served as fort for the American troops during World War II.

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Allan Merin asked:




Looking for an idyllic setting for your next vacation in the Philippines? Pack your bags and head to the beautiful island province of Guimaras. Located in the Western Visayas region, Guimaras is highly touted for its unspoiled beaches that are considered one of the world’s finest. It has a wide array of resorts and accommodations that cater to the needs of both local and foreign tourists.

Like other provinces in the country, Guimaras also has its fine share of tourist attractions. Since the province is blessed with vast agricultural lands, the local government has been stepping up efforts to promote Guimaras as a premier agritourism site in the Philippines. Orchards, bee farms, and aqua culture ponds have been added to list of must-see attractions in the island.

Guimaras made headlines in 2006 when an oil tanker carrying more than two liters of bunker fuel sank off the coast of the province and spilled over 500,000 liters of oil. It was considered the worst oil spill in Philippine history. However, with the efforts of the national and local government, as well as the private sector and international donors, Guimaras is on its feet again. Tourist arrivals have picked up in the aftermath of the oil spill.

The following are some of the reasons why you need to visit Guimaras.

Guisi Beach and Lighthouse

Atop the list of tourist attractions in Guimaras is the Guisi Beach. Its azure waters are a perfect escape from the hassles of the city life. Guisi Beach is famous for its short coastline and awesome rock formations. To get a breathtaking view of the beach, you must visit an 18th-century lighthouse that once guided sailors passing through the island.

Guimaras Adventure Park

Guimaras also offers something enticing for the adventure-seekers. Located in the capital city, Jordan, the Guimaras Adventure Park has a wide range of amenities for paintball, war games, rappelling, target shooting, and horseback riding. The compound is also ideal for team building, camping, and other corporate functions, and family gatherings.

Trappist Monastery

A tour of the Trappist Monastery in Jordon is also a must while in Guimaras. It offers a quiet place to rekindle your spiritual life. Processed food, including jellies, jams, and candies, made by Trappist monks are available at a souvenir shop in the monastery. There are also guest houses that are available for rent at affordable rates.

Turtle Feeding Station

Get up close and personal with the pawikans with a visit to the Turtle Feeding Station in Barangay Lawi, Jordan. A floating cage, wherein visitors can take pictures and touch sea turtles, is the main attraction at the center. The station was established to raise awareness on wildlife protection and turtle preservation in Guimaras.

Guimaras Mangoes

You cannot miss out on Guimaras’ famous fruit crop, mango, while taking a vacation in this island paradise. Its mangoes are said to be sweetest in the world. They are already being exported to foreign markets such as the United States and Australia. Mangoes are also the center of the annual Manggahan Festival, which seeks to promote the fruit industry.

Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.

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Robert J. Carlton asked:




Do you have your trip booked and ready to take off on a dream vacation? There are some things to remember when preparing for your trip. Forgetting something or being ill prepared won’t be the end of the world but the added frustration can be prevented. Travel preparation is crucial and here are some tips.

Some people brag about how many outfits or how many shoes they packed. Over packing can create unnecessary headaches and frustration. If you need formal clothing then bring one outfit and several accessories. If you’re going to the beach then don’t bring any cold weather clothes since you won’t need them. Bring clothing that is of the same color scheme so you can mix and match easily. Neutral colors such as black and beige are easy to dress up or dress down and accessorize. Transfer toiletries into travel size containers and put them in leak proof sealable bags.

If you’ll be hiking or trekking then bring a backpack for a carryon since you’re sure to need one. If you’re planning on doing some shopping then consider bringing a half empty bag since you’ll need space for your purchases. Save space in your bag by stuffing shoes and folding your clothes as compact as possible.

If you’re traveling with young children then pack a small bag for them to carry. Include some favorite snacks and some new toys to keep them occupied. Consider bringing a portable DVD player so they can watch their favorite kids show or cartoon. Think twice about coloring books and crayons; they may sound like a good idea but there is a temptation to draw on seats and tray tables.

It can be hard, if not impossible to find prescription medication at an airport or on the road so pack any medications that you may need in your carry on bag. If your child needs medication or has allergies, ensure you bring their medication as well.

If you’re taking a tour to a place like the scenic spots of Benidorm then check with the company or tour guide and find out what amenities are provided. They can also advise you on what items to bring with you. Keep in mind that many things such as toiletries, film and camping equipment can be purchased at your destination.

Never pack your travel documents, medication or money in your checked luggage since there is a chance that your bag may be delayed or lost. Most countries have ATM’s so there is no need to carry large amounts of cash.

If you’re traveling by plane then make sure you get to the airport and check in as early as possible. Many airlines allow you to you check in and print your boarding passes at home.

Now you’re prepared and ready to take your dream vacation. Take plenty for pictures!

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A. Hathaway asked:


What to know when considering a Philippine Bride

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical “emergencies” where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she’s a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia’s site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you’re dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!

A. Hathaway

Ivi asked:


I received a copy of ‘The Philippines Through the Eyes of a Foreigner’ through an email last June 2007. Why did I not react then? First, I did not have my own blog yet. Second, and more importantly, I did not see the need to do so as it was one man’s sentiment and there was some truth to it. So why am I reacting now? Well, yesterday as I was sorting out my email I chance upon the letter again and then later on as I was doing some research on Filipino culture I chance upon the same essay. This time though, I was surprised to see a lot of reactions from my kababayans, ranging from defensive to violent rections. Why be so harsh on the guy when he is merely voicing out his sentiments as he is entitled to in the first place.

Although there are some truths in his essay, there are also some overstatements.

Let me start with the sad truths:

1. Yes, it is true that we do have streets lined with street people, beggars and squatters.

But, let me remind you that those people did not dominate our sidestreets overnight.

Once upon a time, those people used to live happily in the rural areas. Then one day, a politician named Mr. Trapo arrives in a shiny limo and promises them the sun, the moon and the stars. But there is a catch, they have to go to his town to help him win elections by becoming ‘flying voters’. They were pledged mammoth promises, given a few measly bucks and picked up by huge Sarao jeepneys bound for Zion. After Mr. Trapo wins his election, he leaves all the necessitous folk behind. With their families still with them, hungry, broke and exhausted, where do they go now? With very little money left from Mr. Trapo, they begin building shanties along the sidestreets. And the rest as they say is history……..

2. Yes, it is true that our roads are cursed with pollution and our public utility vehicles are in disreputable states of repair. Yes, we have streets full of potholes and unrepaired streets.

Then one day, after Mr. Trapo is sworn into office, he becomes Congressman Trapo. He decrees that the roads be repaired and lined with asphalt. Since he has the power to pick the contractor, he selects the one who offers him the most proceeds. And because the contractor has to give a huge chunk of his earnings to Congressman Trapo, he figures that to earn more he could probably gain more by using substandard materials. That explains the potholes.

Congressman Trapo runs for the Senate and wins. Senator Trapo is now even more jaded by all his power. He does not care (or he has been bribed enough) to overlook that the other government subsidiaries are allowing bus comapnies to import buses that are really old and dilapidated. So that explains the disintegrating vehicles and the pollution that comes with it.

3. Yes, it is true that our educational system allows children to attend schools without desks or books to accommodate them. Yes, it also true that teachers, even college professors, are paid salaries so disgracefully low that it’s a wonder that anyone would want to go into the teaching profession in the first place.

Senator Trapo has his share of the The Pork Barrel, A.K.A. Pork, Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). These are funds given to both members of the Senate and Congress, these are discretionary in nature so it is up to Senator Trapo to identify the projects that will be funded from these funds. Senators get P 200 million each while the congressmen are allotted about P 70 million each. To have something to show for, Senator Trapo builds small waiting sheds with a huge picture of his face and his name in large fonts to advertise what he has done. He forgets about the public schools that cannot accommodate half the school’s population. Senator Trapo also needs more funds to help him in his re-election bid. He forgets about the teachers who, aside from a meager salary, work long, grueling hours.

There are a lot of Mr. Trapos all around us. He could very well be holding office at your Barangay Hall, the City Hall, the House of Representatives, the Senate, maybe even in Malacañang. Who knows?

There is no ending to my fairy (goblin) tale. The rest is up to you.

As for the overstatements, here’s my take on that:

1. Filipinos do not worship, almost slavishly, everything foreign. Foreigners are not looked up to and idolized.

Filipinos are essentially warm, nurturing, and tolerant to a fault.

Do not mistake Filipino hospitality for worship. Having said that, it is but natural for Filipinos, even Asians in particular to be generous givers. Luxury goods, more often than not, imported brands flatter not just the giver but the receiver as well. Isn’t that what it’s about, status quo?

Case in point, last week my husband & I were in Greenhills for an errand. In case you don’t know, it is a shopping mecca for everything faked or copied. We traverse the tiangges as I wanted to do some research on the demographics of people who patronize fakes. Surprise, surprise. In one corner, we saw 2 Americans (males) searching for an ‘authentic looking fake’ briefcase. We walk some more and more and we see 3 foriegners (they sounded British but I wasn’t sure) looking for ‘authentic looking fake’ Mont Blanc pen. We walk a bit more and we see 2 foreigners (males) looking for ‘authentic looking fake’ Louis Vuitton bags for their girlfriends. Is that what character is to you? I’m not even making this up.

Allow me to spill another anecdote. A few months ago I was at Louis Vuitton in Greenbelt waiting for my purchase to be wrapped when I was approached by a man in his 60′s (about my Dad’s age) asking my impression on 4 LV bags laid out in front of him. He said he was having a hard time deciding which one to pick as an anniversary present for his wife and the SA(sales associate) wasn’t much help. I gladly oblige. Mind you, he was Filipino, very simply and unostentastiously dressed. He didn’t look like a fashion victim nor did he look uber rich. Maybe just like the rest of us, he appreciates a little luxury. Don’t you think?

Even in HongKong, walk around and you’ll see about 60% of the locals are carrying LV bags. Real ones, I’m sure. We went to all 3 stores and all of them were packed. In one store, we had to wait in a long queue just to get in. You wouldn’t call them slaves to foreigners, would you?

2. Filipinos are not itching to leave the country.

It’s just that sometimes, for some people, there seems to be no other choice.

Do you think our OFWs would still leave the country if they were given the same rate here as they are given abroad? Domestic helpers abroad are paid more than thrice over than what our teachers are paid here.

In the United States for instance, the minimum wage (average) is about $6.00 an hour. Did you know that that same amount is the minimum wage here BUT for a full day’s labor? I **** it when I hear foreigners say, ‘Oh, the gasoline prices here are the same as in the US’ or whatever country. No matter how the numbers match, it’s still not the same. No matter how our government rubs all sorts of figures on our faces, they mean nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why? Because we, the Filipinos, feel nothing. The government has nothing to offer. The jobs they claim to have are mediocre compared to what we as parents have to pay for in tuition fees. What jobs await U.P., Ateneo and La Salle graduates? Jobs at call centers?

To strive for something better is no shortcoming on our part. We will always strive for the best, not just for ourselves, but for our families and our nation.

The government claims that it is helping boost tourism in our country. How exactly?

When we went to Bangkok just a few weeks ago, I wanted to visit Siam Paragon. We could’ve walked as the mall was only about 5 kilometers from our hotel, I merely wanted to ride a tuk tuk so we hail one to take us there. Since the cab and tuk tuk drivers there understood very little English I brought a map, a picture of the mall and a copy of the exact address. About 15 minutes and many kilometers later, still no mall in sight. He brings us to a jewelry store, when we asked why, he said that he’s bringing us there at no extra charge to us. It’s just that everytime they bring in tourists, they get a coupon for free LPG (their petrol) from the government. We aren’t under any obligation to buy, just come in for a visit. He then takes us to another shop (and thus my asthma was triggered by the stench of LPG). We ended up buying some goodies as he says he will get a small commission if we do so (yes, we were that gullible, but to us it was being helpful). Even during the temple tour, the tour guide told us that it was compulsory for them to bring tourists to particular spots. That is because their government encourages exactly that. Do you think the tricycle drivers here would get an incentive if they bring you to Luneta? I don’t think so.

But what about tourism in the Philippines. My husband & I were surprised to see on a cable channel that some of our museums are still open. Note that it was on a cable channel and not even a local channel. Up until that moment we thought all our museums have closed down. Is that the government’s definiton of ‘boosting’ tourism?

We are a free country. We are free people. We are entitled to our own opinion. In the same way that each of us is free to voice that opinion. If you’d want to block or edit everything negative you hear just to make it favorable to you, won’t that be the start of censorship?

The reason behind my poking fun at Filipino drivers (in my blog) isn’t to insult, ridicule or degrade them but maybe, just maybe with those little insights I could reach out to someone to do something about it, be it by doing better at it (it is a skill after all) or by at least implementing the laws that are there for a reason.

Hats off to Mr. Barth Suretsky. I do believe that it was in his best intention to put a little perspective into our culture and I take no offense whatsoever. I thank him for taking the time to analyze the things that somehow puzzle me as well.

To all foreigners, always remember this, we Filipinos have managed to unseat 2 presidents in the last 2 decades. It is my belief that we can do so again. It’s just that at this point, there is no one person who could penetrate the system and not be spoiled by it. It will take time, discipline, and the will to change in each of us. Like I said, probably not in my lifetime. But soon, I hope.

I am a Filipino and I am proud to be one. I love my country and it is here that I will spend my old age until the rest of my days.

I hope you can say the same for yourselves.