Why would anyone want to visit the Philippines?

[LC 100]

I have been married to a Filipina for 21 years, they are generally really nice people, like everywhere some better than others. We lived in an area north of Subic Bay for 3 years and loved it, we also lived in Thailand which my wife preferred (mainly due to not having the family on your doorstep every day and Thai food). Definitely worth a visit though and as others have mentioned don't spend too much time in Manila....

[Maejoe]

You guys should not knock it until you have tried it.

Admittedly parts of Manila are an armpit,but so are parts of Pattaya That said Manila is easily avoided.

Fly into one of the other international gateways such Cebu, Iloilo or Clark for a warm welcome from very friendly English speaking people.

Plenty of pristine beaches with NO hawkers or headaches,. Yes, for you cheap Charlies the fast food restaurants all offer

low quality food,( you can blame their past colonial masters - the Americans for introducing that) but if you search there are plenty of local restaurants serving good quality food.

For those of you looking for girls, Yes, there are cheap and most provide an excellent girlfriend type experience.

For those of you resident in CM, have you ever wondered why there is an increasing number of resident westerners living there with a Filipino wife?

[Thaidream]

The Philippines has some of the most beautiful women in the World and some of the friendliest people there are. The scenery is beautiful. The food is horrid but usually when there I find a Thai restaurant that saves the day. for those who drink - alcohol is much cheaper than Thailand. I am never afraid- the guns are mostly for show. The killings people read about never involve foreigners. The culture is much different than Thailand. Usually people mean what they say. You don't have to ask the same question 5 times to get the real answer. Loss of face is usually not an issue. I could handle living there but Thailand is still my best choice but many expats do live in the Pi and get on just fine.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Thaidream

[tolsti]

They do good webcam porn though!

[tolsti]

They do good webcam porn though!

[Nbarch]

I have spent many happy years living and travelling around the Philippines, the islands are beautiful and unspoilt, some of the remote parts of Palawan are amongst the most beautiful places I have ever been. Great diving sites, great place to sail.

The people are friendly, generous and speak English.

The downside is of course Manila, Manila Airport, Manila, the whole of Mindanao and Manila, if you avoid those places you should have a great time.

An expression I heard that sums up the Philippines (and some other countries)

”Lovely people, beautiful country, c**p government”

[slipperylobster]

I lived in Barrio Barretto,Olongapo for 15 years. Violent crimes happen frequently, but I have only been hijacked on a jeepney once....late at night. Darn thing sped up and left town, with only me in the back. The driver and his copilot demanded money, and flashed a knife. I grabbed both of their heads by their hair and shook them until they stopped. Immediately ran to the other side of the road (they took off)...and found a jeepney full of passengers.

When I was younger, I liked it. Have now 3 grown up kids. I liked that most could speak english, and I could speak Tagalog. Friendly girls (more so than Thais)...and you don't need to go into a bar to find one. No sin sod or silly stuff like that. Despite the murders, assassinations, and hitmen (more killings in that area between subic and angeles than I could count...including many friends/close acquaintences..I still visit annually to see my son. The weather is atrocious (typhoons and storms in rainy season). It can be less developed than thailand, in my areas. If you are street wise...you could enjoy your stay..... more caution is required there.

[lungnorm]

I too am well travelled throughout Asia.I was going to retire to Thailand having been there numerous times over the last 20yrs for varying lengths of stay. However I have ended up retiring to the Philippines, I have not experienced any of the bad things toy mentioned. Maybe that's because I have not spent much time in Manila. I agree Manila is a bit rough, but I never had any bother when I stayed there 2for 2 weeks, going to the Malls to eat and not going to night clubs, making use of the hotels entertainment. However Cebu is a lot different from Manila apart from the bloody traffic. Other places are ok too, so please dont tar them all with the same brush as Manila. Also I am starting to think I made the right decision reading this forum on all the crap you need to go thru to stay long term in Thailand and they seem to be creating more hoops to jump thru as far as visa's are concerned. In the Philippines you just extend your tourist visa every 2 months costs about US$100. I myself have been here just over 12 months tis time and I have obtained a Permanent Resident visa which cost approx US$330 its a temporary visa for 12 months then I can convert it to a full Permanent Residents visa. After that I will just do an annual report so they can keep my address on record. I feel safe here but its like any other country where foreigners stand out in the crowd, best not to wander around alone, always have a local with you. Cheaper too when you want to purchase something.

[coppywriter]

There are over 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines, most of which have pristine noncommercial beaches that let tourists bring their own sun beds etc, try finding that in Phuket and Pattaya.

Not all of Manila is as you describe, there are as in Bangkok and most other world cities good and bad areas, remember Manila is not the Philippines such as Bangkok is not Thailand.

For expats the Philippines is one of the easiest places to retire to in terms of obtaining visas, even if you don't want to retire the visa system is simple and accommodating and you can stay for years at a time without putting down a deposit in a bank each year.

Don't knock it till you try it.

[emilymat]

For the Brits. The state pension has annual increases because the Philippines has a social security agreement with the UK.

Can't comment on anything else though as I've never been, although we did consider a golf holiday there, but there didn't seem to be the same number of golf course within easy distance of any one location.

[hawker9000]

Much exaggeration and undeserved bashing going on here. Just avoid Manila (to esp incl NAIA, if you can...). If you must fly in/out thru NAIA, do some homework and inform yourself beforehand of the best options for transiting thru Metro Manila - you don't want to spend anymore time there than necessary.

[Lex Talionis]

Judging a country by one city... Hmmmm. Let me see.... Hmmmmm That's like judging Thailand by Pattaya, no? The armpit of SE Asia

[tacoofthehillpeople]

It is kind of funny. Most threads on here that I read are negative. Towards Thailand. Do not do business, they are ALL thieves. Do not buy wife/GF/child a house. They will steal it. If you object, "Family" will harm you. All the girls from Issan, blah, blah. Yet so many move to Thailand. And do not go home. Crime? Is everywhere. No country on earth is immune. Ph has its issues. But Palawan just listed by Conde Nast as the most beautiful Island in the World. Much of Palawans beauty, looks like parts of Thailand. Are parts of Manila bad? Sure they are. But the same can be said for Bangkok, Pattaya, where ever. Locals only bars or places where hostility is open to outsiders. Have that EVERYWHERE. In the US. I have seen 3 different places. All have a similar decoration outside. On a wall a picture of a watermelon with a circle with a line thru it superimposed. Those it is intended for know exactly what it means. So Ph is bad? I guess if you want too see it that way. I like most of everything I have seen in SEA including Ph. I do wonder if it is sooooo bad. Why not a multitude of posts saying bye Thailand.

[Jacks77]

Philipines has amazing islands to see. Search Boracay, Palawan and Puerto Princesa. Philipines is also the only place I have not been in SE asia. Better stay away from the big cities like Manila. Go for the islands, there are 1000s of them.

[Colabamumbai]

The murder rate by gunshot is far lower than in Thailand.

Can you list some sources because I cannot find them.

Yes if you are regular on TVF you will have read that Thailand has more guns, and more death by guns than any other S.E. Asian country.

[Phatbeets]

Your friend is a geek. you might also be one.

Metro Manila is easily avoidable you can stay one night at terminal 4 and take a plane from there and start to explore the country without any fear.

Yes you need to make a lot of flights but so what? its quick and still way cheaper than e.g. a BKK-Koh phangan trip with Lomprayah with yearly 15% inflation and that will also cost you a whole day.

el nido and Palawan as a whole, Siquijor, Bantayan, Camiguin, comotes, Siargao, etc tops the current samui, phuket and Pipi by a landslide

Check out all uutuub vids from "Rob Brand" regarding cebu islands

There you can actually take a motorbike trip and start counting the number of kids that will say Hi! to you.

I could easily get 50 in a couple of minutes would that still happen anywhere in this greedy and saturated Thailand. nah.

[Dionigi]

spent 2 months in Manila place is a slum with islands of civilisation in it. The only way to take a taxi was by grab taxi where you agree the fee before pickup. Got mugged but that could have happenened anywhere except for the fact it was middle of the afternoon on a main road. all in all not a place I would go for a holiday not as cheap as I had been told grog not cheap not impressed. Maybe out of Manila is ok.

[elgenon]

I think the people are nice.

The girls in Angeles are chunky compared to Thais. Some of the bars have signs on the door saying no guns allowed. But nobody checking!! Made me wonder who was packing.

The food doesn't compare to Thai.

The people are nice and, if you are looking for a mate, a lot of girls would like to leave and bring their families. I think Thai girls would prefer to stay home near their moms.

With the ASEAN treaty coming into effect I expect to see more Flips in Thailand.

[Nowisee]

I have been married to a Filipina for 21 years, they are generally really nice people, like everywhere some better than others. We lived in an area north of Subic Bay for 3 years and loved it, we also lived in Thailand which my wife preferred (mainly due to not having the family on your doorstep every day and Thai food). Definitely worth a visit though and as others have mentioned don't spend too much time in Manila....

You guys should not knock it until you have tried it.

Admittedly parts of Manila are an armpit,but so are parts of Pattaya That said Manila is easily avoided.

Fly into one of the other international gateways such Cebu, Iloilo or Clark for a warm welcome from very friendly English speaking people.

Plenty of pristine beaches with NO hawkers or headaches,. Yes, for you cheap Charlies the fast food restaurants all offer

low quality food,( you can blame their past colonial masters - the Americans for introducing that) but if you search there are plenty of local restaurants serving good quality food.

For those of you looking for girls, Yes, there are cheap and most provide an excellent girlfriend type experience.

For those of you resident in CM, have you ever wondered why there is an increasing number of resident westerners living there with a Filipino wife?

I am bailing out of CM in Feb or Mar for a trip to PI and around the islands... def not Manila though.

The guys that have a Filipina girl living with them in CM have it figured out IMO... good job fellas.

Looking forward to my well deserved and far too late trip there.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Nowisee

[ggt]

The PI, Thailand and much of SE Asian was more kinder and gentler 50 years ago...poverty, corruption, and thievery have always been present...but seems more prevalent now...

People do what they have to when there is not enough employment to go around...many are poorly educated and have learned from their peers how to survive on the streets stealing from those who have...mainly unsuspecting tourists...

As far as "they constantly are trying to ram ' GOD ' down my throat and I am a long time atheist"...it is likely not God...they want to ram down your throat...

[bazza40]

They drive on the wrong ( American ) side of the road. Too freaking hot. Haven't been there; however, if the food is as bad as other posters say, not interested.

Like Thailand, the Philippines has its share of horror stories about women. Lang Hancock is the most famous example.

[Shadychris]

Gentlemen, (I beleive there are still a few here on TV) we are missing a trick here. We should be focusing entirely on the many positives of living in PI v's LoS. This is a golden opportunity to encourage the bar stool, Sun reading, beer swilling, Thai bashing, and generally undesirable, bigoted and obnoxious sexpat losers out of Thailand to a place they will feel much much more at home!

I therefore highly commend the PI for the following reasons:-

There is a more plentiful supply of women willing to sell you their bodies and marry you. They will also never scam you.

There are many more ladyboys.

RedHorse is stronger and cheaper than Chang. It does not give you a hangover.

You never need to learn a single word of Tagalog - mostly everyone speaks English and signs are all written in standard alphabet.

Road safety is second to none. They also drive on the wrong side of the road - Americans will love it!

For those who whinge and moan about visa restrictions in LoS its a lot, lot easier in PI.

The local food is great - not hot and spicy at all - its just like baby food and so colourful.

The Phils people are all in total awe of foreigners, they want nothing more than to make their country and culture exactly like the one you have come from. They will treat you like a King and always respect your rights as a superior foreigner.

It is even cheaper than Thailand - if you dont have a wife you will be able to afford a maid and a cook.

You will be so happy there in fact, that you will never again feel the need to make daily posts about everything wrong with your life and the place where you live on the PI equivalent to TV,

I commend the PI to the TV readership.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Shadychris

[dogpatch55]

Yeah I went a few years back, liked it there, nice people, beautiful girls and countryside, cheap beer.. But I would not want to stay in Manila.. A guy told me his wife was robbed by two guys a 100 yards from a police man!!!

[fekman]

OP, most is correct. I've been to 72 countries, and PI is #72 for food. Un-eatable. Even the Western food sucks there. You will find yourself at KFC and McDonalds every other day. As a foodie, I couldn't live there.

Im from the Police State and will liberated PI in 1945, and they talk about it to this day. They LOVE us there. In Thailand, they HATE us,......unless we are buying from them....

[sendbaht]

I love PI...but have a Thai wife and enjoy it here too...I could live in PI very easy and make the best of it there too. But then again I love living here in Thailand too...California too for that matter..Be nice to have 3 homes..)

[roiethome]

Having worked and lived in Philippines on several occasions, I cannot agree with most of the comments.

I have driven around Manila and other cities there, never felt threatened, just as safe as Bangkok.

Local food is great, Spicy Sissig ( minced pig cheeks and other part ), Sizzling Gambas ( prawns in chilli sauce ) and Bulalo ( marrow bone soup ) are all delicious, and lecche flan is better than creme caramel.

If I ever had to leave Thailand, Philippines would be my next home, no problem.

[jspill]

One negative is it's legal for a wife to kill their husband if they're unfaithful

http://nomadphilippines.com/stupid-laws/

[LC 100]

One negative is it's legal for a wife to kill their husband if they're unfaithful

http://nomadphilippines.com/stupid-laws/

Ah!. but that's only if they walk in and catch you in the act....

[KittenKong]

Sorry, but I have to query your assertion that "Filipinos basically think like Westerners and rarely do anything bizarre or incomprehensible". My mother in law from my first disaster bought a pair of football boots because she thought the studs were for keeping your feet out of puddles when its raining! I could go on.....and on........and on!

That hardly counts as bizarre, I think. Just lack of knowledge of what football boots are. Compare it with some of the totally weird (to our eyes) things that Thais do.

I lived in the RP on and off for about 10 years and never came across a single bizarre thing in all that time. Here it's several times a day.

[KittenKong]

Local food is great, Spicy Sissig ( minced pig cheeks and other part ), Sizzling Gambas ( prawns in chilli sauce ) and Bulalo ( marrow bone soup ) are all delicious, and lecche flan is better than creme caramel.

If I ever had to leave Thailand, Philippines would be my next home, no problem.

Some of the food is great as you say but much of it is very bland.

The RP would probably be my first choice ahead of Thailand if it wasnt for the tax situation.