OK, I admit it. I am a Filophile. I guess I’d think that almost everybody reading this site is probably a Filophile. What is a Filophile, you ask? Well, it’s something that I just made up! It is a person who loves the Philippines. I got thinking about the term Audiophile, and then my mind veered into thinking about the Philippines, and I coined the phrase “Filophile.” Well, I think that I coined the phrase, maybe it’s been used before, I am really not certain, but it is a phrase that I just thought up, so I’ll say that I coined the phrase.
Wikipedia defines the term “audiophile” this way:
An audiophile, from Latin audio[1] “I hear” and Greek philos[2] “loving,” is a person, who typically listens to music on high-end audio electronics.
So, my defination of a Filophile is:
A Filophile, from Philippines [a country] and Greek philos “loving,” is a person who loves the Philippines, enjoys traveling and living there.
What do you think?
The way I think about it is this… I have lived in a lot of different places in the world, mostly in the USA. For example, I lived in a number of locations in the Pacific Northwest. I like the Pacific Northwest, but when I think about it, I never had the same interest that I have about the Philippines. For example, I never went endlessly searching around the Internet for more information about the Pacific Northwest. When it comes to the Philippines, I have spent many, many hours just cruising around websites learning more about the country, it’s culture, food of the Philippines and other such information. So, when it comes to the Pacific Northwest, while I like the area, even love the place, I could not say that I am an PacificNorthwest-phile. But, I am most certainly a Filophile.
It would seem to me that almost anybody reading this site could qualify as a Filophile, don’t you think? I mean, if your interst in the Philippines is so deep that you regularly visit this site and other sites about the Philippines, you are almost certainly a Filophile. Don’t you think?
It’s time for all Filophiles to unite! Mabuhay ang mga Filophile!
About MindanaoBob
Hello bob, my wife is in davao now, I hope to retire in 10 years. What is a good place to get a dsl router in DAVAO. enjoy the blog!
I guess I must be a Filophile…. the first 4 sites that I visit when I switch on my computer are all Philippines related. I have lived there for a short time and all my vacations are there… and I dream of retiring there.
Be careful when you use a word like Filophile……. some morons put 2 and 2 together and make 5…… of course not on this site
hmm, maybe i shouldn’t have posted that. hate to start a thread with false pretenses.
hey everyone, i was just kidding.
Have to admit i am guilty of being a Filophile but have you noticed spell check doesn’t much care for the term .
Hi Bob!
My daughter teases me because she sees me reading Philippine news often. She says can’t you read about something American? I laugh at her and say that all I can think about is when we return home. It is the the brass ring that Marie and I are reaching for. Honestly, Bob it is my opinion that you have drawn such a following because of your sincere love for the Philippines. Thank you for sharing your passion with us.
Kamusta ka Bob,
Yes, I guess I am one, I think I have done more research in the last year on this subject than I have anything else, except for maybe World War II history.
My day consist of turning on computer each day, first check emails, then check out LiP…then try to find info about Southern Leyte, and the rest of the Visayas. Since there really isn’t much on Southern Leyte on the web.
We will have to get a hold of Websters to get “filiphile” added.
Salamat kaayo,
Danny
Hi Bob, Count me in too! Guess I must be a Filophile, as like Gerry (above), the first thing I read in the morning is LiP and then a few other Philippine related sites in my RSS reader. Makes my morning, just like a cup of coffee.
I have seen that term used on another website similar to this one. Here is a quote from that site.
“Love of your wife, the food, the languages, etc., makes you at best a “Filophile”, not a Filipino.”
I guess I have been one since I was very young. My uncle married a Filipina many years ago while in the navy. While he was deployed she lived with me and my family. At an early age I was introduced to the inner beauty of Filipinos and the culture.
I traverse many websites and forums related to the Philippines and I am truly in love with the people and the culture. My research has really picked up within the last year or so to find out if living there is really for me. If you didn’t know me and looked at my bookmarked websites you would think I was Filipino.
Hi Bob – Guess I’m more of an “Ilocophile”!
Sometimes the relationship is tested, but overall I still think i,m in the right place.There is a huge difference between visiting here and living here and it takes a special person to make the change. I,ve lived the good life and the hard times here and I know which i prefer!
I’m a Filophile
to Bob ..I’m in the process of sell my place so I can move there as soon as possible .. I txt an chat my wife first thing in the morning then I go to Lip .read an laugh ..then I look places up on Google Earth in the Philippines and submit pic I took when I was there I have several pic on Google earth now …and surf for Realtor looking for land for sell all kinds of opportunities out there if you know where to look and who you know 
helps too .. Phil n Jess
Hi Bob
Do I see a new website in the future for this word? BTW since you invented this word you are required to go to wikipedia and enter it!
As usual, you are right on the money with this one Bob. My friends in the UK have often called me an ” anglophile ” so Filophile would fit right in. Goes well with ” Mindanao Bob ” and at a very special time of the year ” Minda-Clause ” too !
Sounds like it might be a good name for another of Mindanao Bobs group of famous websites, http://www.filophile.com ! Grab the name before someone else does !
Good to see there are many of us. I still read the news from the RP, anytime I get the chance to get at a computer. Plus Bob’s site as always.
God I can’t wait to retire in 2012 and finally move there. There is also another well know term for this need to always checking thing there. We call it PPD, not it’s not the test for TB, (Post Philippine Depression) LOL. The only cure is to read and post on the forums and get back as soon as you can for a visit.
ooops! I don’t know what I’ve done Bob, posting the same thing twice? Any chance of deleting the 2nd one? It must be me. I lost an article for Rusty’s website last week. I accused him of having a bogeyman on his website that’s gobbling up my article.
Good article Bob! I thought for years that no one loved the Philippines as much as I and I don’t even live there yet. I now see that many live what I dream about.
Much like Gerry above, the first thing I do in the morning is take my pain pill, check my e-mail and then http://www.inquirer.net for news of the Philippines and the peso rate. (Any other good sites to view Philippine news)? If I find time during the day I check the LIP forum and see what comments have been made since the night before. and finally in the evening I check the LIP site which improves my knowledge of the Philippines constantly.
Um like your idea Sir BoB. Seems like you had some time on your hands. lol.
Philofile…. hmm a bit of a worry. I think I like the more modern Greek translation Philopino.
Philo from the modern Greek word “friend” and pino from the “Philippines”. Friend of the Philippines. Well that was my two bobs worth. Have a nice day!
sir bob can you answer this if im 20years old and your 22 who’s the oldest just a little joke i’m off to dream land zzzzzzzzzzzzzz good night
I think this is a trick question Bob, I’m curious and waiting for the answer. Tonka…? are you there?…..
Ooops! so it is, Tonka’s puzzle distracted me. I’m still waiting for the answer, I’m intrigue-it’s probably something relly simple. Well, have you got a Filaphile discussion board?
Now I’m duplicated again! Bob, have you got a Bogeyman here too?
Hey Bob! Do you speak Bisaya? Anyway, im a Filophile myself, and despite the fact that my parents are Filipino, growing up in the U.S has made me as distant from Filipino culture as any other American-born human being. Im planning to do a backpacking trip starting in Mindanao, any suggestions on places to visit in Davao? Thanks Bob! Great site and salamat sa imong supporta para mga tao who are interested in the Philippines! (Forgive my horrible bisaya).
I guess I must be one too Bob. Day starts with reading Joseys off line unless she is still awake, then we chat until she can’t keep eyes open anymore. Next is lip, then to LIP forum then to Sun Star on line. read Davao sun star first then every other place in the phil’s that they have paper in the Phil. Do I qualify????
Hello again, Bob!
So now you call yourself “Filophile”, huh?!
Well, Good for you!!! I’d say!
Mabuhay to those who love the Philippines!
Cheers!
Yea you’re right Bob ,but it makes them think and even looking up the answers still makes a person understand what they are reading ,If they take the time to look it up or read it on your sites they will understand a least something about what was wrote .. Unless they are like me and take a wild guess and hope for the best , that’s always a funny answer too
…Phil n Jess
Gosh…I love the video that you made in Luz Kinilaw…I miss Davao!
Hi afull – for computer stores, I like Thinking Tools in SM, Octagon Computers or Byte World.
Hi gerry – Yeah, I didn’t even think of the 2+2=5 aspect. But, after thinking, I see what you mean. Oh well, it’s not a word that I plan to use a lot, just something I thought of the other day.
“that bob’s a nice guy. he’s a filophile”
“well, keep him away from the kids”
apologies. i’m in a jokey mood. i still remember you telling me a story about someone (your landlord?) asking you about this.
Hi macky – somehow, I never thought of that, until this morning with the first comment. I mean, I was thinking “Audiophile” – somebody who is a connoisseur when it comes to the Philippines. Oh well…
Don’t worry about it macky – it’s inevitable.
Bob,
There is a computer store Elena turned me on to on Roxas, a few blocks past Anteneo. It is Rasi Computer. They have sales and service. I found a great deal on a 10″ Laptop.
Hi Bruce – Yeah, I’ve bought from Rasi a number of times too, starting when they used to be on San Pedro. I like the place too.
Hi alan – I just invented the word, so I guess the people who make the spell checkers didn’t catch up yet! I’m sure, though that after reading my site it will be included in all future versions of spell check and dictionaries too!
Hi Tom – Thank you very much! Yes, it is true that I really do love the Philippines. Of course, I love America too, but somehow I have a special place in my heart for the Philippines and for Filipino people.
Good’day Tom, good to see here. I am a Filophile too,100%, (maybe I should say Bogophile?-I love Bogo). Now, I’m addicted to living in the Philippines/Cebu forums, which is really healthy for my bank account. Before I was addicted to Ebay, I was buying stuff from the UK and US.
Now I haven’t got time to browse at Ebay.
BTW, people should be careful when pronouncing Filophile. Notice if you say it fast, it sounded like that other creature we love to hate, those who ‘like’ kids inappropriately.
Hi Danny – OK lang ko, kumusta ka? Oh, I don’t think we need to contact Websters, they certainly must be LiP readers already, don’t you think?
Hi John – I’m happy to be your first read of the morning! Thanks for making LiP a daily stop.
Hi LJ – well, great minds think alike! I don’t know who else came up with the word, but I had never seen it before!
Like you, I have tons of Filipino sites in my bookmarks!
Hey Paul – Don’t worry, we won’t hold that against you!
Hi Daryl – I’m glad you are in the right place for yourself, I know that I am too. You are most certainly right that there is a huge difference between a visit and permanently living here.
Hi Phil – Sounds like you have a great routine there, and not all the different from mine!
Bob – “We shall overcome”
Hi Paul –
Hi Dan – Nice to hear from you. Nah… I’ve already got too many websites! I wouldn’t do one for this.
Hi Bob NY – Ha ha… you guys really want me to go for another website
? That’s a lot of work!
Hi Bilal – I never heard of PPD, that’s a new one for me! I guess I can’t have that, though, because I am still in the Philippines!
Hi Christine – Nice to see you here, thanks for visiting my site! My problem is that I have time for LiP and eBay!
Hi Christine – I got it! Don’t worry, our punishments here on LiP are quite light!
Hi Ed – I’m glad that you have your day scheduled all around something that is dear to you! My day goes much like yours does as well.
Unlike you Bob, I only have time for one or the other (Ebay or LIP). I still have to go out and make a living to pay for my Ebay purchases. At least LIP is only costing me the internet connections and power!
Hey Christine – I have to make a living too! Difference is that I do that on the Internet!
I’ll do any penance Bob, as long as I’m allowed to come back here. It’s a really informative website, and fun too. I didn’t return to PI for 22 years, I thought I did not miss it. I took my kids there for the very first time last year, they loved the place! Now we plan to return every year. Hopefully we can stay a month next year.
Good to see another Ebayer here. I still shop at Ebay, but now only a fraction of what I used to. I was spending $100 a week at Ebay until I found LIP and LIC (Living in Cebu) forums).
Hi Pete – That’s a good one too!
Hi Christine – Well, I kind of like you (only a little, though), so we’ll let you off on the punishment this time around!
You’re lucky!
Hi tonka – Hmm… You’ve lost me… I don’t understand the question.
Very kind of you Sir Bob. In return I will teach your (still) unpartnered Filophiles some good ‘pick up lines’. Say you are in a club/disco, you see a ‘hottie’ with a ladder in her stockings. You approach her, and say “hi, there’s a ladder in your stockings, is that the stairway to heaven?” Good luck guys….
Hi Christine – Oh my… now you are on the wrong topic! That pickup line is not for the Filophile, it is for the Filaphile, the man who likes Filipinas!
Hi Christine – No Filaphile forum yet, it’s still in the planning stages. I have to do more research!
Hi Christine – I took care of the duplication.
Hi Albert – Oo, magbisaya ko, walay problema. Malipayong ko magfilophile ka. Whenever you are in Davao, there are lots of places to visit and enjoy. Whatever your interest is, you will find something to fit the bill in Davao. Snorkeling, scuba, mountain climbing, quiet day on the beach, you can find it all here.
Hi Andy – Not only do you qualify, you’re up for President of the Society of Filophiles!
Hi JR – Nice to hear from you again, it’s been a while!
Well, I would not say that I call myself a Filophile, at least not regularly. It’s just something I thought of the other day!
if im 20 years old and you’er 22 who is the oldest ( answer ) both are 20 why ( if im 20 years old and you’er 20 too we both are 20
heres one for you ( if you have 5 apples and you take 3 apples away how many apples do you have?????
I knew it was a trick question. Maths was never my favourite subject, But I’ll play your game. 5 apples and you take 3 apples away how many apples left? Of course 2. But I know your reply will be something else….
wrong answer read what i wrote very very carefully.guees again
ok answer you have 5 apples remember i said you have 5 apples and you take 3 away ( you take 3 away you still have5 apples )know body else but you are there he hee
Awwww, Tonka, I knew it was a trick question! Hey, we’re messing up Bob’s forum. hey Sir Bob, what about starting a Trivial Pursuit with Filipino theme? Maybe with Philippine Historical stuff such, e.g. what year was PI handed to US by Spain, and why? If you are going to stay in the Philippines you might as well know its history. You might then learn to understand Filipino culture better.
Hi Christine – Yeah, these tricky questions don’t really have anything to do with the topic of the site, you are certainly right about that. You know, it’s funny, just today I was thinking of putting up some questions about the Philippines from time to time and letting people guess the answers. The problem that I thought of, though, was that everybody can just Google the answer these days! It’s too simple now to get the answer to any question that you can think of!
Hi Phil – Very true, even if they look up the answers they have to think about it, and will learn.
Hi laagan – Glad that you enjoyed the video!