Why Would Anyone Want To Live In That God Forsaken Country

[Art2ro]

I don’t disagree with Guardian he makes good points and sometimes I too get discouraged and angry reading all the negative things going on over there. It seems during our visits all that fades away and when its time to return home I am sorry to go.Keep in mind some people will chose to be unhappyOld55,

I have a neighbor and friend, he is always referring to Cebu and the Philippines and his wife and the local people in a very negative manner, yet he still stays here. I have come to the conclusion that the only way this man is ever happy is when he has something to complain about and a friendly ear to listen. Fortunately I have 2 ears. I let him complain in one ear so he is happy. I let it go out the other ear so I am happy.Dave Hounddriver

Some cases, the decision is already made for you. And sometimes the wife or soon-to-be wife wants to get the hell out of dodge ASAP. Would that be an issue going back to your old problems that you left behind to begin with?Jake

For all you malcontents out there, (Not including Old55, Dave, Jake, myself and the rest of our gang)There will always be negative comments from malcontents and or unhappy people from every walks of life about anything from under the sun no matter where, when it comes to 3rd world countries and a few 1st world countries too! As Dave mentioned in his post, we all just have to be thick skinned and just let some of the negative things we hear in one ear and out the other end, ear that is! We aren't forsaken, just redirected for what we want in life! As I always say, is "Different Strokes For Different Folks"! Edited February 20, 2011 by Mr. Lee
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[gapotwo]

:yes: the truth of it all is that we are living in that god forsaken country by our own choice. if you can honestly say that you are only there because your other has twisted your arm into doing it, then you will never be happyin the PINAS. some cant live with the coruption, and backsliding in the government and general public.others wouldnt think twice about a pay off,others cant stand the local ways and customs.the misleading and decieving,the lawless practice of politics,the arogance of elected officials. the rampant poverty all around the islands. but that is what makes me want to come home to my islands even more, WELCOME TO THE WILD WILD EAST where we all have a choice. love it or leave it. ive made mine, see you soon. :yes: :yes: tanks ej.

[Art2ro]

Just an afterthought from rereading the OP's thread! Why would he say "this God forsaken country" the Philippines and he has never been here before or has he? From what I read in his post, he hasn't! I guess he didn't ponder over his thoughts carefully before making such a comment and that's why this topic just continues to linger on without any end to it! Oh well, each to their own opinions!

Edited March 3, 2011 by Art2ro

[Inspector]

The only time I really really truly hate the Philippines, I mean where i want to just get on the next plane to the USA and leave it behind forever, is when I am done listening to videoke for 2 hours. The first hour I will be polite even if some Korean sings Dancing Queen, but the second hour I start to order more vodka, as another pinoy will get up and sing some slow love song that sounds like the previous 20 before, and he's acting as if the entire place is listening, and when I look...they are! Engrossed...as if if his entire life, his dreams and aspirations are all for that one night, that one song...a song he has no clue as to the words, just as long as it sounds somewhat familiar to the original 1970's version. I sit there dumbfounded, and trist me...I love ALL music, can disco the night away, be in a country roadhouse or a Who concert at Madison Square garden or watching Jazz at a blues club. But these videoke machines and the over and over the same freaking songs that get played, as if the term "played out" is a cultural term not quite understood, when most of the west learned quickly this term that was meant for Led Zeppelin...but please, Philippines...mix it the feck up!Pop and I love you songs...not good.And Michel Jackson was a pedophile...stop worshipping the king of fondling.Oh, and LOVE the videoke.

This is my close motorcycle riding friend, Robert Tippie, in Arizona...he's playing tomorrow out here for the finals in a contest. (Damn guy lost over 100 pounds)That's some music! :AddEmoticons04230: Edited March 3, 2011 by Inspector

[gapotwo]

thanks inspector , for reminding me about those kareoki machines, ill have to invest in a high output stereo system so when neighbors start singing , i can crank up my old uriah heep , and pink floyd music and drown them out.:AddEmoticons04230: tanks again ej.

[Jake]

thanks inspector , for reminding me about those kareoki machines, ill have to invest in a high output stereo system so when neighbors start singing , i can crank up my old uriah heep , and pink floyd music and drown them out.:AddEmoticons04230: tanks again ej.

In this country of the "Forsaken", sometimes it's hilarious to watch (but not listen) foreign singers belting out their soulto get a few minutes of fame. My favorite impressions are the Japanese who try to imitate Elvis. But on the other hand,the local Filipinas can melt my heart away in any karaoke bar. Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep and Pink Floyd! Oh yeah.....crank it up and I'll be over with pitchers of MoJos.See ya on the dark side -- Jake Edited March 3, 2011 by Jake
korrecting my Englesh

[Mr Lee]

Just an afterthought from rereading the OP's thread! Why would he say "this God forsaken country" the Philippines and he has never been here before or has he? From what I read in his post, he hasn't! I guess he didn't ponder over his thoughts carefully before making such a comment and that's why this topic just continues to linger on without any end to it! Oh well, each to their own opinions!

I believe the OP made that post in response to his reading about the Norwegian getting arrested and the fact that the law says an alibi is not a defense. I believe that when I read laws such as that one that does not make any sense, then I start to feel the same way about the Philippines at times. That poor couple had to spend 19 days in jail for something which was obvious that they did not do because video tapes confirmed by time and date stamp that they were not where the crime was committed, and on top of the tape they had many eye witnesses who could prove they were with them at the time of the crime. Archaic laws here, that often make no sense to me, trouble me as well, and no one should have to spend 19 days in a jail when their alibi could have been confirmed within hours. So I believe that was why he wrote what he did and why I did not feel the need to delete his post at the time it was posted.

[Art2ro]

I too don't like all the things that goes on in the Philippines either, but I don't talk trash about the Philippines! I just warn people of all the pitfalls I know of so possible problems can be alleviated some what by informing and stirring people in the right direction, avoiding them from being in the wrong place at the wrong time and this forum does that some what! As you well know, tourists are adventurous and thrill seekers and can afford to travel all over the Philippines and not knowing their surroundings one can experience and get themselves into unfavorable unpredictable circumstances or situations just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time and therefore read sad mishaps about foreigners in the media!

Edited March 4, 2011 by Art2ro

[No name]

I have been working and traveling, and I just read the first page of new posts on this forum, a Italian gets stabbed by a Filipina, a Norwegian gets arrested and charged even though he has a strong alibi, people who have no manners, corruption up the ying yang, so why the hell would any of you wish to live in a country like that where you have no rights? Angel wants to go back for a visit but after reading some of these items and seeing reports in the news, I do not think I wish to set foot in a country run by criminals are untrained police personnel.

That story about the Norwegian is bad and it looks really bad for the police to me. But, we don't know the whole story. Though, I never thought they had the right guy. There are other things wrong with that story besides the albi.As for the rest, Filipino are the most polite people I have ever seen.Filipina are awesome over all. The average Filipina will not be in the press for all the great way she will treat a man that is good to her.You will give up some rights, yes you will. No rights? That's not accurate.I have been living here three years now and I've had zero trouble. I know another man that has been here about a year spread over three and he was in constant trouble of some kind. He did very stupid things.I came from Memphis, Tn. And I would feel more safe in the worst place in the Philippines, the Sulu Region than i would in the project of Memphis. i wouldn't feel safe in the Sulu Region, in fact I wouldn't go there without military escort. I think the Philippines actually recommends that. But I had a permit to carry my 45 in Memphis and I wouldn't go to many areas there and NO areas without my gun. Well except a bank and other places you can't carry it.Violent crime is lower in the Philippines than the USA. I don't know where you are. Can't get stats on violent crimes on foreigners though, I'd like to see that number.There are probably more pick pockets here but someone tried to pick my pocket once, I don't believe that pretty little thing in Memphis was just found of my ass and that's why she was messing with my pocket. In any case, it stopped once I moved my wallet to my front pocket.Now the Philippines looked scary to me at first, with all the poverty. You walk into an area like that in the USA and you're in for trouble. Here, most of the time you're just fine. Nothing to worry about.Doesn't sound like you'd be coming looking for love so there's no need to warn you about those scams. Some Filipina will promise you any thing in hopes you'll send them a little cash. Most will never come through. But those are the girls online. Those are not the average Filipina you're going to meet on the street.I know people that have come here and are miserable. I know people that come here and tell it is paradise. And then there are those like me, how will tell it is great for me. But there are things one needs to do to be safer.Honestly, if I had more money, I'd probably prefer to live in the USA but on retirement and no nest egg, I'd be looking at a pretty bleak life in the USA and probably alone with poor health and would be too broke to breath. Here, I'm lower upper class. To most, I'm rich and have a wonderful life. If I felt better I could go scuba diving, learn to fly, travel all over this beautiful country. I can't afford to do those things in the USA. I came for the lower cost of living and you can certainly have a lower cost of living but it wont be the same standard your use to in the USA.The Philippines is not for everyone. It was nothing like I expected and I was pretty fearful at first. I remember thinking once, what have I done? Then I thought again and said, if all these people can do it, so can I. So I gave it a chance. I'm the happiest I've ever been.This a nice place with beautiful women that adore foreigners. This is NOT paradise.You know those guys that go to AC and hang out in bars, they are usually pretty jaded. Do the same thing in the USA, they will be jaded too and be without a lot more cash.Some people will complain about the Philippines then go home and tell everyone how smart they were for going. Expats tend to gather around and complain about the Philippines. That's not for me. How you will see the Philippines is determined on what is between your two ears.I know a man here, he had ZERO income and he managed to get by. He would say over and over "Gawd, I love the Philippines." It depends on what your looking for. If it 300 channels and a DVR, if you can't learn to live without centralized hot water (some have it, most of us don't) and some of the other things that I once thought were important, then its not for you. If you have a happy life in your home country, plenty of money, lots of love, then maybe there is no reason to come except to learn about the rest of the world, you're coming for a vacation? The adventure would be enough for me. That's why I came and hoped it would give me a better life. It did.

[Candyman]

I think Rusty has hit the nail right on the head, and I could not agree more ! It is very well put ! Another thing the Philippines still has, which a lot of western countries has long lost, is responsibility ! Responsibility for your own actions, and the freedom to choose without outside interference ! I know every day here in Australia, we are constantly brainwashed with constant Government funded ad campaigns to, "Do this or do that", and it is very draining, seeing all this crap, day after day, year after year ! As if we, as individuals, have no idea how to run our own lives, big Brother has to step into every facet of human life out here, and either tell us how to do it, what permits, licences, rules, laws and regulations to to follow, and what fees apply for even the slightest little thing you want to do ! At least in the Philippines the people there have the rights to be just people ! This is a freedom sadly lacking in Australia today ! The latest government funded ad campaign, which I just seen last night, was urging everyone to go and get checked out for STD's ! If anyone doesn't know they have the clap, why would Big Brother even want to, or even care ! We all know it is utter waste, and a payoff, for political party supporters, but where does it all end !At least in the Philippines, they have a lot more freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want to do it, without outside undue interference, as long as they follow their countries laws, which are no where near as draconian as Australia's ! Give me the Philippines way of life every time !