Perceptions or tips given to foreigners if they choose to live in the Philippines

[pspoon_low-end]

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i was really amazed reading this forum about foreigners living here in the philippines, specifically CEBU. murag ako nauwaw ko sa ila mga gipang ingun. naay thread didto about cebuano culture nga dapat ma sabtan sa mga would be settlers dri sa cebu and murg na uwaw jud ko nga ani ta mga pilipino. murg most of the foreigners dont agree with our hospitality anymore. bati kaayo paminawn. just read some of the tips they are giving out to foreigners who will be settling here...

these are some of the tips they are sharing about us filipinos, or specifically cebuanos.

You have prepared everything, or so you thought and have all the necessities: cash, clothes, camera, before flying off to the Philippines, specifically, Cebu. But are you confident that it will be easy to adjust to the way of life of the people? Underneath the cheerfulness and the smiles lie a complex system of behavior that would baffle even those who have been acculturated to the way the people live and behave. The following are tips for those who would be coming to the island for whatever objective or purpose.

1. When Cebuanos ask you “where are you going?” simply give a vague answer like, “over there” or “just here”. This question is a kind of informal greeting all over the island. So don’t be annoyed if they ask you this always. The same is true when they ask you where you have been. Filipinos have a knack for asking what’s obvious.

2. Don’t hold personal information if you want to gain the trust of the locals or don’t want to be labelled as “stand-offish”. Sharing personal information is a way of establishing the foundation of relationships.

3. If you are a single female or a single male, it is best that you don’t announce this fact, otherwise be ready for the matchmaking campaign that the locals will be doing for you. You can prevent this by simply claiming you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend waiting for you back home. It is handy to keep a photo of someone in your wallet just in case. But if you don’t feel comfortable deceiving people about your status, you can just go along with their matchmaking efforts and meet all the eligibles that they will introduce you to.

4. Don’t be offended if they ask you your age, saying it is a secret is acceptable. Just say “secret” in a sweet manner. They won’t be able to resist your charms.

5. For females, don’t fall for the charms of married Filipino men. They can be very good flirts and treat you like a queen until you eventually will fall for them.

6. Don’t be shocked if some Filipinos wear t-shirts on the beach or when going for a swim. Some are not comfortable showing their skin and conservatism extends here too.


7. Avoid harassment by “repressed” men. Don’t wear see-thru clothing. It drives men wild and may harass you in the form of whistling at your back or heckling at you. It is enough that you are exotic to them, so try to be inconspicuous. Men have a different perception of blonds and you can blame the proliferation of x-rated videos in the net.

8. Don’t be annoyed at mendicants or street-children asking for change or alms. It is all about economics. The common perception of the locals is that “white people” are wealthy and announcing that you have no money is futile for nobody will believe you. Therefore, it is best not to display expensive things like cameras and laptops.

9. Whenever possible, study useful Cebuano, there is a shock value when you dish out Cebuano phrases and Cebuanos appreciate people who make the effort in learning their language. It will surely be useful in the market or in the streets.

10. Dutch treat is not popular. Once you invite someone or some people for dinner, be ready to pay for the meal. Only those who are exposed to foreign culture would volunteer to pay for their food, otherwise, the one who invites will play the “host”.

this is a reaction coming from one of those tips above and its very TRUE!!!

"2. Don’t hold personal information if you want to gain the trust of the locals or don’t want to be labelled as “stand-offish”. Sharing personal information is a way of establishing the foundation of relationships. "


One problem with sharing personal information is that there is very little sense of privacy in the Philippines. All information that you share will very quickly be spread around and probably/possibly distorted. Filipinos seem to love to gossip, and nothing is ever a secret or held in confidence.





"10. Dutch treat is not popular. Once you invite someone or some people for dinner, be ready to pay for the meal. Only those who are exposed to foreign culture would volunteer to pay for their food, otherwise, the one who invites will play the “host”."

99% of the time i does not seem to matter who does the inviting, it seems as though it is always the foreigner that is expected to pay. Some middle and upper class Filipinos will offer to pay, but it does seem as though the foreigner is expected to pay with the majority of invitations.

i dont blame these guys for sharing these tips since i believe in them. THEY ARE TRUE!!! grabe ako jud nauwaw nganu ing ani ta mga pilipino. i could say culprit jud ni ato educational system. wala ta gi tarong ug tudlo mao na ing ani ta. kanang hilig mag bugal2 maoy usa ka trait nga walay tarong nga edukasyon. majority of filipinos are poor thats why ing ani ang nakita sa mga foreigners.

HOW I WISH THIS WILL CHANGE AND MUBALIK NATONG KINA-IYA NATO NGA HOSPITABLE FILIPINOS DOING THE BAYANIHAN SPIRIT.

di nani makita karun ang bayanihan spirit kay its himself for everything. so sad....

[joan624]

hehe ok rana oi.. kay sila may niadto sa atong country, silay muadjust nato..

kita btaw kng mulangyaw ta kita mn say muadjust.. naa pay discrimination.. mauwaw sd sila ana hehe

[pspoon_low-end]

yup agree ko anang adjust2. pero kanang kina iya nato nga manitsit (considered bastos sa uban) murg wala jud na sauna. i remember my lolo and lola telling me once kadto panahun pa sa mga amerikano (before world war 2) nga ang mga taw sauna naay delicadeza. nga naay respetar sa usat usa ug mag isig tinahuray. how i wish ing ani pa unta ta karun. pagkanindot unta sa pilipinas.

[joan624]

^^yes agree sd ko ana.. mao jud ni sad reality gud.. mausab ang mga tao.. actually sakto sd sila when they said: "Men have a different perception of blonds and you can blame the proliferation of x-rated videos in the net.".. influenced mn sd ta sa western world tngali mao nainana ang new generation.. nag-anam ka liberated.. hehe

[joan624]

im glad wa gi-emphasize diri ang pagkakawatan nato mga pinoy.. mga hustler, tulisan, snatchers ug uban pa hehe
ako tito iya gyud sulti kay kng adto sila cebu, pirmi naay mutry ug ilad nila
like ig mag taxi, mangayo ug dako nga bayad ba kana gning pakyaw imbis naay metro..
and naay girecommend among parenti nga kaila daw nila na muabang ug auto
kia rio ang auto pero 30k ang bayad nila sa usa ka buwan nya twice a month ra sila mulaag adto ra sd sa malls
nya sila mn mupagasolina.. ang kinamahalan mn jud daw nga gasolina pirmi itubil.. ana gud ako tito sure cya kng di sila mupatubil ato dili kadtong kinamahalan ang itubil sa tag-iya hehe

[pspoon_low-end]

mao jud. may na lang wa gi apil ug share sa tips pero i doubt kibaw jud sila ana nga kasagaran pinoy hilig mu take advantage. sad lang jud paminawn nga ing ani ta. if only each of us could understand the true meaning of being a filipino, ma tarong man jud unta ta.

[joan624]

^layo nana sa tinuod labi na sa generation krn.. ang mga kids nagkagrabe na gyud

[pspoon_low-end]

mao lage. ako sa bata pako hilig kaayo ko ug bato lata, dakop2, japanese game ug unsa pana diha pero karun mga bata kay dota, counterstrike ug unsa pana diha. wa nay physical work ang mga bata karun. cge lang tinapulan. kung ang mga inahan ug amahan pud way paki, ang bata ma wala sad juy batasan.

one example kana sa simbahan. ang bata nag cge na ug dagan2 diha. ang inahan di lang jud ka badlong sa iya anak. pasagdan ra pd. kami sauna, kusniton na amo mga bugan kung mag kiat2 labi na naa pa sa simbahan. hehehehe

[pspoon_low-end]

another blunder by these so called bankers who we regard as respectful and courteous to customers..

Well, this American is now in Cebu.
We arrived May 13 and are just now settling into a house.
Have cable installed and after trying PLDT and globe for DSL, with no luck, now have the Smart Bro thing installed with about a 16ft antenna on top of house. Looks like the most gentle wind will topple it, and the installer just shrugged when I asked what happens when it begins raining. 1000 pesos a month.
Want to specailly mention opening bank account and thank Paul Petrea for his help.
We first went to Allied/PNB in Car Car and not only turned down, but treated very rudely in the process. Then went to Land Bank where we were treated very nicely, but still would not let us open an account without an ACR card. they did at least offer to open an account for my wife which Allied would not do.
Then made trip to Bank of Commerce on Osmenia Blvd and asked for Mayen, but she was not there. A nice yound woman by the name of Rob took over and gladly asslisted us in opening both a USD account as well as a Peso account. Have filled out less paperwork buying homes, but at least it was done with my wife and me only showing our passport.
Have made several trips back since and have also now met Mayen.
So if anyone is looking for a bank, I would definitely reccomend them-they do ask how you found out about them, so feel free to use the Byrd family name to introduce yourself and mention how pleased we were with the treatment receiv ed there.

[pspoon_low-end]

sus intawn.. gi himulbulan tawn ang foreigner sa mga badjao nga manglilimos. grabeha oi...

I went to Fuente Circle for a nostalgic trip and to buy some drawing materials from the National bookstore. I have to say either they have improved their stock or Cebu City has a better selection than Davao because I found most of the things and quality I was looking for. Walking to McDonalds I proud of myself for being a hard bastard and ignoring the beggars and touts who didn’t bother me after a short shake of the head. I am experienced now, no armchair expert.

Leaving McDonalds I was accosted by a woman with a baby who asked me for food and when I suggested an apple from a nearby seller she asked for rice, the national fuel for Filipinos. Having several kids of my own whom I love and care about. I was a sucker for her requests and bought her some rice and chicken. Lots of rice. My good deed done I proceeded to Robinsons and got waylaid by another woman with a sick child with a bad infection in his head outside the Pharmacy. All she was asking for was medicine for her baby and showed me the half empty bottle. Having nursed many a child of my own through the night with various illnesses I couldn’t refuse her.

I went in to the Pharmacy with her medicine and waited my turn and asked in Bisaya if they had any and the assistant brought me a bottle different brand and more expensive. When I asked the price for both bottles I was a little indignant with the assistant and asked why bring me medicine I didn’t ask for when you have it here. Well the answer became clear when my friend told me the guard was telling her that these women, beggars, were running a racket and often did this with foreigners. The woman asked for baby food and milk and I bought her a small packet of baby milk suggested by my friend rather than the more expensive food and larger milk.

While waiting for the medicine the woman and I talked in Bisaya basically she was telling me her child was looking at me like I was one of the saints. Feeling a little trapped I wasn’t enjoying the adulation. During all this time no one warned me of the racket everyone was complicit in this conspiracy to defraud a sucker, I mean a foreigner with a kind heart and large wallet. Afterwards I was angrier with the assistant who tried to sell me the more expensive medicine. I guess if you walk around with the word sucker on your head it becomes a license for people to suck. If someone says the Philippines sucks there is some truth in it.