Filipino Time: First Encounter
I clearly remember my first encounter with a phenomena in the Philippines called “Filipino Time”. I can see all you guys out there married to your wonderful, beautiful Filipinas shaking your heads as you recall your first experience with this rift in the time/space continuum. I doubt it was a pleasant experience for any of you. I know it wasn’t for me. Keeping it as a repressed memory is probably not a good thing, so Mindanao Bob and “Live in the Philippines Web Magazine” affords me another opportunity to vent, for which I am grateful.
January 20, 2000, on a Thursday at approximately 12:05 pm is when I first experienced my initial contact with “Filipino Time”. It was a hot and muggy day in Coloocan City. It was my wedding day. My fiance and I were ready to make the trip to the City Hall in Coloocan where my future sister-in-law Marialos had already made an appointment and arrangements for our civil wedding ceremony. The ceremony was scheduled for 1:00 pm. Since I had been in the Philippines for only four days and on my first visit and having just met my wife-to-be Melinda this past Sunday night for the first time, I was a bit on edge. (Melinda and I had been writing each other for the past six months.) The jeepney ride to the City Hall was a half hour away so that meant Marialos had only 25 minutes to get ready, Melinda and I were going to be late for our own wedding.
People are waiting for our wedding!
Realizing that Marialos was a woman I thought it might take her more than 25 minutes to get ready to be a witness at her own sister’s marriage to a kano. Please do not perceive this as a sexist remark, but I thought maybe things are different in the Philippines with the ladies preparation time than in the United States (you guys married to Filipinas can stop laughing now.) I was getting extremely upset, but I was still trying to present my best side as one is apt to do when dating someone, and then once you are married you can revert back to your old caveman self and walk around in your boxer shorts, scratching your belly, while holding a san mig in the other hand. I calmly asked Melinda when her sister was going to get ready. Melinda replied it is OK, we are in the Philippines and everyone is always late. I (still) calmly replied that we were going to be late for our own wedding. It is not a problem, she replied, this is the Philippines. We are on Filipino time!
Finally at about 12:30 pm my sister-in-law starts getting dressed at the time we should have been leaving in the jeepney. I cracked. Wisely, and somehow, I did not use any profanity but asked my future Sainted Patient Wife in no uncertain terms what was the matter with her sister and why did she wait so long since she knew we had to be at City Hall at 1:00. Again, not to worry, she said.
Finally at 1:00, the appointed time for our civil wedding ceremony, Marialos was ready. I was fuming! We go outside to catch a jeepney along with the rest of the relatives (too many to take in a air con cab I was told) and head towards Coloocan City Hall.
We arrive an half hour late, go up the stairs to the City Clerk’s office. The City Clerk that had arranged with my sister-in-law to have our wedding certificate ready, took one look at me and said something to my soon bride-to-be in Tagalog.
Suddenly the fee for the marriage license went up an additional 2500 pesos! What a day! My first encounter with “Filipino Time” and now I was experiencing for the first time the “Skin Tax”!
Well, things have worked out well since then. Oh, the marriage ceremony went as planned, and I have had almost ten years of marriage to my wonderful Sainted Patient Wife. Now we are living a great life in the Philippines. And “Filipino Time”? Better get used to it, brother. That is the way it is. That’s life in the Philippines!
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Hi, Dave- Pilipino taym has been around for ages. Don’t know whether we inherited that from the Spaniards, but it sure is irritating if you’re not a Pinoy or someone who is not used to it.
A couple of observations: If you’re invited to a dinner scheduled at 8:00PM, and you show up on the dot, it is seen as you’re eager to eat, and somehow a reflection of your economic status. Filipinos would rather be late for a dinner function than be perceived as poor.
The grand entrance. Some socialites just love to enter the grand ballroom very late and when everyone is already seated. By being deliberately late in a social event like that, you ensure that every pair of eyes in the room is trained on you when you make your appearance at the top of the stairs dressed in your expensive ballroom regalia complete with your glittering diamonds for all to see.
Be late for a job interview, however, and you might just as well forget about being considered for a second interview.
Hi Dave – Thanks for the true story of life in the Philippines. I got my first dose of Filipino Time in 1984. My 2nd wife was from the Philippines. When it became time to leave for our first Filipino party I was nervous that we were going to be late. She said not to worry. We should never arrive “on time” for the hosts would not be ready for us. I was a plant manager at the time and “JIT” had been drilled into me hard and deep. So we show up about 45 minutes late (I drove fast). We were still the first ones to show up. They didn’t know what to do with us. The food wasn’t ready, no one else there. When we had a party at our house it was the same. The X would work all week to get things ready but still was late. Me? I would reach bedtime and off to bed I would go. Never mind that new guests were still coming in the door. Maybe that is why she left me after 25 years? Nope! That wasn’t it. She became just like me. BE ON TIME.
This time I will live in Tagum City. It is I who must change. I am not worried, I am older and a bit slower. I will get there when I get there, and not one minute earlier. Hmm…I think I will enjoy that.
Hi David,
I enjoyed your interesting story.
I think the filipino time was inherited from a combination of Spanish “maniana” attitude and the laid back attitude of their Malay ancestery.
regards Chas.
Hi Dave.
My first experience of “filipino time” was waiting for my girlfriend to meet me at the airport when I moved here.She left me waiting for an hour and wasn’t answering my texts(no load).She eventually turned up,I was so relieved.
Hi Edward Gary, We had the same experiences it sounds like. We got our first Pinoy party invite back in the States, and I’m ready to go so we can get to the party on time. No need to rush, said my Sainted Patient Wife, no one ever arrives on time for a Filipino gathering. She was right! We get there a half hour late, and are the first ones to arrive. Lesson learned after that.
You can relax for sure when you get here, Edward Gary. That is one good thing I am adjusting to, the laid back lifestyle. Thanks for your comment.
Hi chasdv, thanks for the comment,I never knew about the Malay laid back connection,interesting. Well,the tradition is still being carried on today,that’s for sure. Thanks!
Hi portland bear. I’m sure glad she showed up! I would have been sweating bullets when I first arrived in the Philippines and my Future Sainted Patient Wife wasn’t there waiting for me. I bet you were relieved when she did arrive! Thanks for the comment.
Hi Dave – Funny how many non-Filipinos first experience Filipino Time coincident to other “different things” like “skin tax,” etc.
I’ll get you a better comment later on – have to take care of the PTA on this one (Philippine Time Adjustment).
Hi Paul,thanks for the comment. That’s true,Paul,but so far I’ve had only a rare run in with the “skin tax” since I’ve been here. Just so happened my first experience with it was my first encounter with “Filipino Time” which is an ongoing experience.
Hi Dave,
My first experience was our pre-wedding seminar. I rushed my fiancée so as not to be late for the 8 AM class. The teacher and most of the attendees didn’t show up until 9:30. Maybe I can adjust eventually.
Hi Richard, now that’s funny, and a classic example of Filipino Time. Good luck on adjusting to it, and thanks for your comment.
Hi David
How did you manage to get married after only meeting your wife 4 days before and on your first visit? I also married my wife after only knowing her for 12 days , we had to wait , we were told, until I had been in The Phills for 10 days by law. Has there been a recent change in the law? We were married in 1989.
All the best
Malcolm ( UK)
Hello Dave
When I saw “filipino time” a rush of memories of myself getting annoyed from waiting appeared. I have to admit that we are used to a much faster way of living, but I took it in quite quickly though. I still don’t like to wait…what can you do. It’s got to make you smile though how wonderful their smiles are when they know they are late! o_O
Hi Jason. Hopefully, I will be able to adjust because I really don’t have any choice. I still don’t like to wait either, but I’ll have to learn. Yes,it hard to get too annoyed when you see do the smiling face,that’s for sure. Thanks for the comment!
Here’s a quote from then Arch Bishop Sin years ago, pertaining to being late. “If you’re thirty minutes, or more late to work, just stay late for the same amount of time.” Even if your work place is closed, Cardinal?
This is on thing that I am not proud of as a Filipino! “Filipino time” means always late. Maybe it’s one factor that hinders the progress of the country.
I hate it when people arrive late than the scheduled/agreed time. Some people are inconsiderate of other people’s effort to stick with the set time. We also have our own businesses to take care of.
If I will be given the chance to be president of this country, the first thing I would do is synchronize all the watches in the Philippines and be strict about office hours and time schedule. =)
Hi Paul, that is a great quote. I tell you what, I worked for AT&T almost 30 years and if you were late you could not make up your time unless you called before your schedule time and made arrangements, and if you had too many tardies you were fired. I went 11 straight years without being absent, and I think I was late for work twice in almost 30 years.
Thanks for the comment, Paul, I appreciate it.
Hi Making Money Online, I hope you do become president! I’m all for you. You make some good points, Filipino time could be a factor that hinders progress in the Philippines,very possible.
And you are right about being inconsiderate. The people that are on time are being penalized.
If I could vote for you I would,I’ll ask the wife,she is registered to vote here. Thank you so much for your comments and insight.
Hi John Reyes. My office at AT&T tried a flex time policy for awhile but when I retired they had a policy of allowing changing your scheduled tour,work hours, a maximum of four times a month. You had to schedule those tour changes ahead of time,and they needed supervisor approval. There are no such things as allotted sick days at AT&T. You are paid for sick time off,but you are not given any sick days during the year that you can use just whenever you feel like it. Too many days calling in sick (and it didn’t take many) you were given upaid time off and then fired if you missed some more time. It was a very restrictive envoirnment.
To be honest, I do not miss any of that one bit. Thanks for sharing all the info about the Government’s policy. I am so glad I have quit the rat race and live in the Philippines. Anybody thinking of retiring here, come on over. Think you might like it here. Thanks for the comment, John.
Hi John,some great observations. I am trying to adjust to Filipino time here, and eventually I will since it sure isn’t going to change.
I love the grand entrance observation, I think you are correct on that, I witnessed that firsthand while still in the States.
Thank you for your insightful comments, John, I appreciate it.
Hi Dave and Portland Bear. Juramie was at the Manila airport with at least 11 other people before my flight left Tokyo. It is a lost feeling when you walk out of Manila customs and don’t know where to go. A security guard pointed me accross 2 roadways where I was greeted by a beautiful woman with the most amazing smile. This was definitely a peak experience.
Hi Malcolm and Dave – Feyma and I got married just 2 weeks after we met for the first time. So far, so good! We waited the 10 days waiting period, as is the law here.
Hi Malcom and Bob. Bob is right, we were supposed to wait 10 days,but the City Clerk that collected a little extra from us had already made arrangements with my sister-in-law to date the actual marriage certificate 10 days out. I only had a two week vacation so we didn’t want to take any chances.
Sainted Patient Wife requested and received another fancy wedding 5 years ago at the Catholic Church in Guimaras where we now live. To make things easier for me, I said,well,we will just celebrate our anniversary on the first marriage ceremony at City Hall. Sorry to confuse matters, guys, and thanks for the comments.
Hi Jack. Boy, do I know that feeling! It was mind numbing to go out there and see that mass of people; I didn’t spot my future wife right away. What a scary feeling! Thanks for the comment.
When I’m in the Philippines one thing I’ve noticed is that almost everyone with a watch has it set to a slightly different time. No two are the same. Too bad GSM cellphones don’t give you accurate time.
Hi Rob,I haven’t noticed that yet but it doesn’t surprise me. To be honest I have lost track of time since I have been here, and don’t always wear my watch like I did back in the States. Time just doesn’t seem that important to me,and some days I have to think really hard about what day it is. Thanks for the comment, Rob.
Dave;
I know what you mean. I did twenty one years in the Navy, and ten years as a Merchant Seaman, if I was late, I saw my house and job sail away!
Hi, Dave- Late twice in 30 years? You must have been a model employee, Dave. Fired if too many tardies? Not allowed to make up time if late arriving for work? Hmmm, and I thought AT&T was one of the most progressive and liberal employers around, Dave. How’s employee morale there? Consider this.
Most agencies in the Federal government, if not all, operate on a work reporting system called, “flextime”, whereby an employee may report for work anytime between 6:30AM and 9:30AM without advanced notification, and puts in 8 hours of work from the time of arrival. Thus, the employee arriving for work at 6:30AM gets off work at 3:00PM (with a half hour lunch break*), while the employee arriving at 9:30AM gets off work at 6:00PM. This system ensures that the office has employee coverage between the hours of 6:30AM until 6:00PM.
However, if you arrived for work at 9:35, you’re considered late, but you can’t make up the 5 minutes you were late because working hours end at 6:00PM. You will have to take one hour of annual or sick leave, from 8:35 to 9:35, and get off work as if you came in at 8:35AM.
In this system, it’s hard to be late because you have 3 hours, from 6:30 to 9:30AM, to report for work. It also helps you save your annual and sick leaves by scheduling personal appointments like dental and taking your car to the garage, either before or after the “core hours” (9:30 – 3:00), when your agency is presumed to be at its busiest with serving the public. Morale is high. Or, so they say.
I remember that this system of reporting for work started in Europe in the 70s. While other government agencies adopted the system earlier, our agency didn’t catch on until around 1976. When it started, the reporting time was between 6:00AM and 9:00AM.
Oh, regarding the asterisk above. Officially, lunch break in the Federal government is only 30 minutes. Is this observed? Not that I knew of. Just about everybody, from the head of OPM to the lowliest GS-1, I think, takes an hour for lunch, sometimes more. Some division chiefs and department heads take 1 1/2 hour for lunch even, but no one starts looking at his wrist watch when they walk back in into the office from a two-martini lunch smelling of alcohol.
Lunch break is not a subject that is talked about in government, at least, not in my agency. It’s like a don’t ask, don’t tell policy. If you’re a newly-hired, don’t put your boss on the spot by asking how long lunch break is, because, although chances are he takes an hour lunch, he will tell you it’s 30 minutes because that’s what the manual says. Just be quiet and observe. I wouldn’t recommend that you start taking one-hour lunches on your first week on the job. Give it time, and soon you will be just like the rest.
Welcome to the Federal Government!
Hi Paul,that’s right brother,the good old work ethic,show up for work every day, and show up on time. Thanks for the comment, Paul.
Hi Dave- There’s never been a question in my mind that I would love living in the Philippines. It has been my dream all of my working life. Now that I don’t have or need to work anymore, I am unable to convince my wife that we can have a house in the Philippines without having to deal with low water pressure and lizards on the wall or ants on the dining table. In many ways, I envy you and the rest of the expats living there. Hahaha
Wish you could convince your wife, John. Yes, we do have low water pressure, but the new shower in the CR works decent enough. The lizards, I am pretty much used to them,they are quick little devils, though. Sometimes I can whack one off of our bedroom ceiling, but they usually scurry away from me.
Ha ha, ants. Yeah, got plenty of those, too. Well, it’s not a paradise, but it’s a great place to live despite a few inconveniences.Take care, and thanks for the comment again.
Hi John – Truth is, if you live here.. you do have to deal with things like lizards on the walls, and low water pressure. That’s just part of daily life here. Speaking of lizards… tune in tomorrow for my article… it’s on that topic!