Do you think that the Philippines is a dangerous place? A lot of foreigners think it is. If you look at the news from overseas, about the only time you ever hear mention of the Philippines is when something bad happens. A bombing. A kidnapping. Some kind of massacre like what happened last year in Maguindanao. So, it’s not unexpected or perplexing why the vast majority of foreigners think that the Philippines is dangerous.
However, there is also a lot of good stuff in the Philippines! Why do we never hear about any of those things? Are they being properly promoted?
I have mentioned in a previous article, but will bring it up again now, that last year I had watched a British television series called “Trouble in Tourist Thailand.” The show was all about problems that arise for tourists (primarily British tourists, as the who was a British production) when they travel in Thailand. Millions and millions of tourists go to Thailand every year. It’s a party haven, to be frank. The number of tourist arrivals in Thailand each year is a multiple of the number of tourists that come to the Philippines. The show that I mentioned revealed a statistic to me that surprised me. The show said that in 2008, nearly 300 British tourists were killed in Thailand! The number was actually a little over 280. This many tourists, British only, were killed in Thailand in one year. In the past decade, I do not recall a single British tourist being killed in the Philippines. If there were British tourists killed here in the past decade, I am sure that you could count the number on one hand. Yet, tourists avoid the Philippines because it is “too dangerous” to come here. They flock to Thailand, though, even though it is apparently much more dangerous than the Philippines.
Why?
Why do so many foreigners think that the Philippines is so dangerous?
Something came to my mind the other day that explained it. I think I know why the Philippines is considered to be so dangerous.
Filipinos tell us it is dangerous here.
It’s true. Let’s say you know a Filipino from Cebu. Ask him about the Philippines. He will immediately start telling you how great Cebu is. The same applies for any area he might from – Cebu, Manila, Angeles, Davao, wherever. There is always a lot of great stuff to say. But, ask that guy from Cebu what he thinks of going to Bohol, or to Davao, or almost anywhere outside Cebu, and he will say, “don’t go there, it’s not safe for you.”
So, if a foreigner is told this, what will he think?
Juan told me not to go, it’s dangerous there! Juan is Filipino. If even Juan tells me that it’s dangerous in the Philippines, it must be really bad!
Of course! Well, I am not trying to bad mouth Filipinos at all, but this is a simple fact, in my opinion. How many times has your wife, or your extended family said to you that you need somebody to go with you if you are going to town, because you’ll be “safe” that way? It used to happen all of the time to me. How did I stop it? When we decided to move here, I put my foot down and told Feyma that if we were going to live here, I got to decide where I will go, who will go with me (if anybody), and when I will go. I am a big boy, I told her, and I can decide what is safe or unsafe without input from others. Feyma accepted this pretty well.
But, there is something in the Filipino psyche that “home” is safe, but that next town over… well, it might not be so safe. I don’t know why, but a lot of people here are so scared to travel around the Philippines. Mention Mindanao, in particular, and you will strike fear into any Filipino who is not from Mindanao. Yes, there are dangerous places in Mindanao. There are also dangerous parts of Manila, Angeles, Cebu or New York City or Los Angeles. However, most parts of Mindanao are very safe.
A lot of Filipinos, though, get very upset when another country puts out a travel advisory against travel to certain areas in the Philippines. They feel insulted by those travel advisories (I don’t like them either, as I’ve said many times here). But, in the next breath, they will tell you not to go to town by yourself, because it is not safe.
It makes me feel bad that the Philippines does not get the tourism that it so deserves. There are great places here. Many great beaches. A rich culture. Lots of things that tourists love. But, people are afraid to come and see the place. And, as I think about it, I believe that the Filipino people are one of their own worst enemies when it comes to keeping tourists away from the country. It’s something that makes me sad to realize too.
Hi Bob;
My wife was the same way, about me going anywhere by myself, I explained that I’d been all over the world in places far more dangerous than the Philippines; I’d been to places where they shot at Americans. So like you, I explained that I’ll be the judge of what’s safe and what’s not.
The fear tourists might have is based on ignorance and lack of information. The world is a dangerous place for stupid people who act dangerously, and by not heading good advice, and straying into areas that they should avoid. And I’m not talking about the Philippines, I’m talking about the tourists own home country.
Safety starts with common sense, anywhere you go. I say come to the Philippines and experience all that it offers. Bob, we should be working for the Chamber of Commerce!
Hi Paul – I think it is important that our local families “allow” us to go where we want and when we want. We are, after all, big boys already. As you said, with your Navy life you were all over the globe, and in some pretty nasty places. The Philippines is a walk in the park. A pretty nice walk in a nice park too! 😆
You can walk in the park, I’d like to walk on the beach, in the picture you posted, those chairs look quite comfortable.
Don’t go assuming things, now, Paul… you know, the park can also be on the beach! 😉 Are you looking at the chairs, or the girls now? I suppose that while relaxing in the chairs, you have to have somebody to run and get you a beer or some snacks! 😆
Bob u know paul better and i do but i say he was looking at them girls after all mate all off us are men and married or not we do still in part like to look at lovely girls lol ok… peter martin…tassie
Wouldn’t be a surprise, Peterjoy! 😆
Haha, I didn’t even notice the chairs. Next you’ll tell me there are umbrellas too. 🙂
Hey Doug, after Paul wrote his comment, I actually had to go take a second look at the photo, because I forgot about the chairs! 😉
Bob;
My wife reads LiP, so I’m careful what I say about women. I like getting older and want to keep doing it (lol) I spotted the chairs much later…
Hi Paul – got ya! For Feyma, looking, even talking about it is not a problem… just don’t go beyond that! 😆
I really really like those chairs!!!…Those umbrellas look good too!!
You guys really seem to be enjoying that picture! 😆 Just wait until you see my article on Friday… it is about passion in the Philippines, and I think you guys will be surprised!
Don`t you have a pic of the chairs and umbrellas from the other side of the beach?
Hi preben – I actually do have a photo from the front. Unfortunately, the girls are topless, though, and this is a public site, I don’t want to offend anybody! 😯
From January 2009, to mid-June 2010, 95 foreigners have been killed during their trip in the Philippines. According to police reports, Indian nationals are the most affected with 29 victims followed by Korean (15 victims) and American nationals (14 victims). Officials also recorded the killing of nine Germans, eight Japanese nationals, six British, four Chinese, three Canadian, three Australian, two French, two Finnish, and one Norwegian, Dutch, Taiwanese, Pakistan, Iranian, Malaysian, Spanish, Slovenian and Swiss national.
5 Brits were murdered in Thailand out of over 800,000 tourists
Total murders in the Philippines was 6,553….8th highest ranking in the world
Hi Brock – If you don’t mind, may I ask where you got your statistics from?
Hi Bob
I googled it…..www.nationmaster.com
Their has been 3 brits murdered in has many months.
Great, Brock, thanks for sharing that. I will check it out.
Lol Thailand is nice Philippines is nice but Thailand is a lot safer I travel to northern Thailand Chiang mail and uttaradit I can walk around any hour of the night no a single problem no pick pockets no muggings no kidnappings all good 🙂
Lol indeed. I have lived in the Philippines for 15 years. Never been robbed, mugged, nothing. It is quite safe here. LOL
Filipino’s are proud that the Philippines is dangerous.. That is my only explanation.. My wife is also from the Philippines and I have lived here now for 26 years and still every time I want to go out.. Please ask someone to go with you, there are too many alduppers, snatchers, slashers, pick pockets etc.. When the only time I have ever had a problem is when I visit Starbucks, Shoe Mart, Jollibee, McDonalds or anywhere else that sells food or clothes.. I am continuously harassed by the staff to buy them something.. How many times have you been to Shoe Mart to buy a pair of Jeans and the staff have asked you to buy them something.? It has got to be the strangest thing I have ever seen.. You walk around Glorietta.. “Excuse me sir where are you going” .. “I am going to Marks and Spencers”….”Can you take me and buy me something while you are there”.. When I tell my wife and Family about this.. They always say I must have encouraged them.. But it is one hundred per cent not the case…..
For some reason Filipino’s are proud of the stupidest things.. I go out with my wife and her friends ,I tell them I will meet them at 5 pm they turn up at 6 pm.. I tell them I have been standing around on my own for an hour waiting, how come this is ok.. but If I ask you if I can go out alone.. you always say NO.. “Its filipino time, are you not used to it by now he he he” How can a Nation be proud of turning up late.? everywhere else in the world it is called being INCONSIDERATE…
What about the last episode of WOWOWEE , that should give you an idea.. Poor Pokwang, Poor Mariel, Poor Bentong, Poor Willie, Poor Floor and Technical Staff.. Was there one single mention of the people who lost their lives, and the loved ones of those that lost their lives because of the show about 4 years ago..?? None whatsoever..
You go our for a Meal or a drink.. It takes you 20 minutes to order.. Do you want the Promo.. ”Oh no not the Promo” If you arrive before 10pm.. you can sit down and have a meal and a drink and there is no entrance charge.. If you arrive between 10pm and 12 midnight you have to pay 300 but it is consumable.. If you arrive between 10pm and want to sit down and have consumable it is 400.. If you arrive between 12 and 1am You can sit down and get a plate of sizzling corn free with your drinks for only an extra 100 per person.. and the 300 is consumable.. If you arrive between 1am and 2pm and decide to pay the 400 you can have free corn and sit down in stead of standing up.. etc etc etc.. What a headache.. How about.. if i want to come in to your bar and have a drink and pay for it.. without 20 minutes of your explanations about your Promo is that possible..??
Worse than the Promo is the Special Promo.. Special Halo Halo,, Special BBQ,, Special foot Spa.. Have you ever been in to a place and said Can I have the Halo Halo that is not Special.. see what they say…
I once went to a Jack Daniels promo night.. Banners everywhere that Said Jack Daniels special Promo.. I asked for a Jack Daniels and was told sorry we only have Jim Beam..
Maybe they do not want me to go out alone because they are embarassed I do not know.. But everytime I tell them about these adventures when I go out in their country.. Thier reaction is always the same.. Ha Ha Ha thats the Philippines you have to get used to it.. Almost as if they are Proud of it..
Hi Clive – Your comment gave me a good laugh. So much of it is so true, and things I have experienced myself.
My only thing I’d like to ask is why do you have to ask your wife’s permission to go places by yourself. Are you not an adult? 😯
Great Site Bob, I just Love it all!! Since 1963 I’ve spent more time in the Philippines
than anywhere, been in your area of the country, no problems.
That’s great, Lee. Thanks for visiting my site!
Always tell someone where you are going and ask if it is safe try not to go out alone. If you underestimate your personal security in the Philippines you will come unstuck. Any foreigner living in the Philippines who has not been a victim of local crime is damn lucky.
There is a thing called skin tax and your white and its going on everything they think they can get away with so if unsure do Not buy and move on.
Take every security measure possible if you build a house 9 foot walls solid gates and lights and dogs and do not mix keep yourself and your families business private.
You will see no Rich people here as they know its not safe mull that one over and if your here already you will have done a budget risk assessment on where to retire. Think things through carefully.
The weather is the biggest draw here in the Philippines but get used to Manyana which in Spanish means tomorrow even Officials will keep you waiting 3 hours for an appointment. Do not try to work Filipinos out just go with the flow and try to relax or you’ll get a headache.
Bear in mind your small amount or large of money is more than they have which drives crime and yes there is a fair amount of real resentment against foreigners as your taking their stunning wives and buying their land. Best to trust no one except yourself and your wife and very close family. Tourists never experience the real Philippines as they live in the glass bubble that a resort provides. Learn to live by gut feelings and avoid confrontations as Filipinos can be difficult.
Try and stay the nice person you are and stay assertive. Remember one thing in retirement you only get your pension once be wise.
Having lived in the Philippines for 16 years, I find your assessment to be way off from my experience.
Oh, and don’t forget to watch out for the boogey man!
If a store or restaurant employee ever asked me to buy them something while I am in that establishment I would report it to the management immediately, or, get the name and badge number of the employee and report it to the management at my earliest convienience. It may or may not do any good but it would bring at least me, some satisfaction.
On one occasion I went into a bar with some friends in CDO. The waiter quoted me 5 times the price of a bottle of San Miguel. I also had Filipino friends with me so I was not alone. I passed on the over priced San Mig and we just got up and left.
The following day while looking for an ATM we just happened to pass by the Region 10 Dept. of Tourism. I stopped in there and politely reported the incident at the bar the night before. The bar in question was contacted immediately ( and I know the phone call was not an act because of certain ” key words ” only the bar would have known and repeated to the Board of Tourism phone call ). Obviously, that bar will never see me or any of my money again, their loss not mine. I will say I am well impressed with the ” service ” I got from the board of tourism office.
When asked where I was staying, the head of the Board of Tourism Region 10 , Mr. Chan, was able to book me into a much better accomodation at only a very modest increase in cost, well worth it to me. It was suggested in the future that it would be wise to try to stay in ” Accredited ” lodging facilities as if there were any problem the Board of Tourism would be able to offer this kind of assistance.
Hi, Clive:
Just to inject a little humor into your frustration over being harassed by store clerks and young ladies in the mall to buy them something, let me take a wild guess as to the two possible reasons why:
Could it be that you project a “grandfatherly” appearance and demeanor in the eyes of the pretty, young Pinays, in which case, they tend to perceive you as their kind “Lolo” who would buy them ice cream cone in the mall?
Or, could it be that you act and strut around in the mall making eye contact with the young ladies like a spring chicken on the loose (or on the make)? 🙂
In either case, you are most certainly to be hit on, so what to do? Never leave home without your wife . 🙂
Manila is really dangerous as a woman – in the taxi you have to worry about getting kidnapped when you are having a white nose.. and in the streets you can not walk alone … so how much freedom lies in this town?
Honestly – I do not blame Pinoys – but a woman from overseas living here it is really not simple.
A men tried to poison me of the Taft Avenue (main road) I was fighting and screaming –
people saw it and did nothing.. I am really trained right now that is the reason why I made it ..
This town is so poor they would kill each other like animals to survive
where as the rich do not pay tax but open another super mall.
Hi Bob,
Ha! Yep, I got the same thing from my wife when I was there last time. She insisted I don’t leave the hotel after dark…in fact, she had everybody she knew tell me the same thing. “Very dangerous for you here after dark, you’ll be kidnapped!”…supposedly we were close to a Muslim neighborhood in town, so they felt I would be a kidnapping target. The expats in the area had never heard of such a case, but there it is.
Well, you are right on…I generally felt safe there. However, I believe a lot depends on how you carry yourself there and your behavior. The cases where I heard about foreigners getting in harms way were almost all the same…people engaged in high risk activities, who didn’t understand the culture. Things like having affairs with other local men’s wives…getting too rowdy and aggressive in local bars….stuff like that. Those things still don’t always get you into hot water, but if you want to find trouble, it’s not too difficult if you put some effort into it.
Obviously, as has been said many times…it does depend on where you go too. The ARMM areas are probably not a good idea…and there are areas in big cities there, just like in the US, were wandering down dark allies or unlit streets is not the best idea.
Of course, I think the US State Department still has the blanket travel warning in effect for Midanao…I don’t know how many years it is now, but at least 3 I think. That certainly doesn’t help.
Hi rc – As far as I know, that State Dept travel warning has been in place for the entire 10 years that I’ve lived here. It’s crazy.
Don’t be scared of the ARMM. Most of the ARMM is friendly and hospitable. I’ve traveled the ARMM extensively, it’s one of my favorite travel destinations. Very interesting to see and experience.
From a security advisors perspective do not go out of your home/ hotel after dark and if at all possible do not travel alone criminals do not like another witness. Filipinos are mugging their own countrymen at the domestic airport so do not loiter have a travel plan and refuse casual lifts by strangers with private cars. Up your personal security in all aspects and except its a third world country still with rife crime and corruption that’s not changing anytime soon that is liveable with.
Hi Bob, I think that the fact that the Philippine Islands are so spread out and there are different languages and dialects in many regions that make for Filipino biases and fears against different areas. I think that the “I love my own” mentality among many Filipinos creates regionalism and suspicion and bias towards areas that they are not really very familiar with. In listening to Cebuanos that give me input about different regions away from Cebu, I hear many comments and conclusions drawn about other areas, which may or may not be true, but are still similar and opinions held by many.
Other than past media reports about the Philippines, I can’t figure out how the country could be perceived as being dangerous. Could it be a lack of information or maybe more foreigners who have more travel experience in other parts of Asia?
Hi queenie – I really think that the poor image of the Philippines is being fed by the “I love my own” mentality that you mention. “Cebu is safe, but don’t go to Siquijor, it is very dangerous there with lots evil spirits”. I mean, if a Filipino tell a foreigner that, what will they think? They will most certainly think it’s dangerous!
That’s really true Bob– if I polled many Cebuanos that I know, and asked them to describe different areas in the Philippines with just one or two words, I would and have heard input and opinions about every other area away from Cebu! That’s my experience, and probably other regions have their own biases too about Cebu and other regions apart from them.
Hi queenie – You better believe it… I think that every region of the Philippines plays up their own region, but thinks that everywhere else in the country is dangerous!
Spot on Queenie! Bohol is gorgeous; Cebu is unfriendly. 🙂
only nasty snakes in bohol
Just like the article I wrote a couple weeks back where I lamented that the Philippines gets no respect from the world media. the Philippines media doesn’t seem to respect itself.
Anyone who has been in public relations (and lord knows there are plenty Filipinos who make a living at that trade) knows that a., you fight lies with truth, and b., you don’t let gaps in information exist. … if someone fails to mention something, you write and bring it to their attention.
Silence is the strongest vote one can give to a lie, I think.
Hi Dave – PR is certainly very important in this kind of thing, and it appears that the only PR that the Philippines has is bad PR. How many times do you and I make discoveries of little “gems” in the Philippines that nobody seems to even know about? Nobody ever gets the “good word” out, only the bad.
You’d think with the number of OFW’s and Filipinos living across the globe that there would be more of a positive impression of the country.
I think you guys have hit it on the head. The broadcast news and print media do nothing but help this along. Nearly all of the Filipinos I have spoken to have the feeling of the RP being unsafe. The only difference is [insert same province name here], it’s much nicer and it’s a safe place. Don’t forget to mention cooler than the rest of the country. 🙂
The advice given by the others also warrants some merit. It might also explain the fear of the mountains, fear of groups or other nearby towns that my wife and her family have. Hmmm, that might explain my need for having a babysitter with me.
Thanks guys.
:beer:
Hi Kano Doug – My best advice to you would be to dump that babysitter. It’s the best thing I ever did. 😆
what beach? what chairs, what umbrellas???? I;ve looked twice…well ok…maybe 339 times but didn’t see no chairs….testoserone…a terrible terrible thing !!!
PS: last Feb while in Thailand in a party area in my “Philippines ” t-shirt alot of party animals asked me about the RP…..I told them it was hell, crime, hassles and to never go there ect….sorry Bob..felt I had an obligation to protect the mother land !!
Good job, my man! We don’t need all of the party animals here!
Same thing here. The only people who responded with “OMG, you’re moving to Mindanao” were Filipinos. Locals are surprised all the time that I drive, ride a trike, a bus, or jog or walk around town by myself. Make sure you change your routine, a kidnapper could be monitoring your behavior.
Some say I should drive over to the park and jog there – instead of jogging over to the park. “There’s more people, you’ll be safer.” I asked, “safer from who?” They said, “kidnappers, they could pull up in a van and snatch you.” So I asked, “do you think these kidnappers in the van might be armed?” “Yes, probably.” To which I reply, “so if armed men jump out of a van and tell me to get in, I don’t think the other joggers around the park are going to rescue me.” No reply to that.
My uncle used to work for the airlines and would pick destinations to experience just on a whim. He visited Zamboanga on his own in the early nineties. What did Rose say? “You shouldn’t go there, it’s not safe.” He talked about many of the far flung places he visited through the years – she didn’t say any of those other places might not be safe.
I remember a number of years ago that foreign tourists in Miami were getting shot and killed while driving their rental cars from the airport to their hotels. It certainly didn’t kill Miami tourism.
With the recent troubles in Bangkok, I wonder if Thailand is still getting more tourists than RP?
Hi Gary – interesting story about the jogging, and so very typical too! Regarding Zamboanga, I’ve been there more than once, and I can tell you that it felt very safe to me. I personally feel that Zambo is no more dangerous than GenSan is.
If you travel to Zamboagna del Norte as a foreigner you quadruple the risk to yourself and family of the risk of Kidnap for Ransom.
I have been to Zamboanga del Norte many times, and all of the other Zamboanga Provinces as well. I have been to places a lot more “no-go” than that, including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur. I would not recommend these for casual travelers or those without a good contact base.
Good article Bob!….The below is from a sight to ‘enhance’ tourism to Tacloban and to enjoy all that is there. It is; ……Discover Tacloban.com. This was on the home front page….
“As you may have already known, the Waray, native residents of Leyte, Samar, Sorsogon and some part in Mindanao is the largest Philippine Ethnic-linguistic Group in terms of population. The Warays are known for being fierce, brave and courageous as seen in tribunal battles and wars before. Because of such notion, the warays are most often mistakenly judged as troublesome and blood thirsty. People from other parts of the country when being met by a Waray is often careful and very sensitive to the words said and being meant. People visiting home towns of the Warays are also as careful not to hurt feelings or break into properties.”
After I read this, it did bother me as my wife and I plan on living there at the end of the year…
Sooo, …..your quote thoughts (below) in your article is right on!!!!…
“And, as I think about it, I believe that the Filipino people are one of their own worst enemies when it comes to keeping tourists away from the country. It’s something that makes me sad to realize too.”
Denny
Hi Denny – Thanks for your comment. Your example about the Warays hit the nail on the head. Every other location in the Philippines will also say similar things about other areas! It’s a never ending drama!
I realize that my reply is not to the point of your comment (how filipinos exagerate the danger of being here), but just thought I’d correct one statement in Tacloban’s web page. WARAY is far from the largest linguistic or ethnic group (although if you asked the girls in Angeles city where they come from you might think it was!). Below is the listing of ethnic groups from Wikipedia:
Larger ethnic groups
The following are the twenty largest ethnic groups in the Philippines:[2]
Cebuano (20,160,000; largest)
Tagalog (13,928,000; second largest)
Ilocano (9,527,000; 3rdlargest)
Hiligaynon (8,068,000; 4thlargest)
Central Bicolano (3,504,000; 5th largest)
Waray (3,426,000; 6thlargest)
Kapampangan (2,667,000; 7th largest)
Albay Bicolano (2,155,000; 8th largest)
Pangasinan (1,637,000; 9th largest)
Malay (1,287,000; 10thlargest)
Maranao (1,091,000; 11thlargest)
Maguindanao (1,077,000; 12thlargest)
Tausug (1,020,000; 13thlargest)
Min Nan Chinese (922,000; 14thlargest)
Masbateño (764,000; 15thlargest)
Capiznon (724,000; 16thlargest)
Ibanag (703,000; 17thlargest)
Aklanon (555,000; 18thlargest)
Suriganon (485,000; 19thlargest)
Kinaray-A (485,000; 20thlargest)
Hey Bob,
Yest it’s true…My wife is like a mother hen. Don’t do this or that, don’t go there! My plan is to retire there. If I’m going to be in prison, I don’t want to move there. 🙂
Hi Hudson – I fully agree regarding the “prison” remark. That’s why I told Feyma before we moved here that if we did live here the old babysitter thing would no longer apply. She agreed, and I have to say that she has been very good about it, and I think that it taught her a thing or two.
Spain is a better option for lifestyle choices if you have money Alicante or somewhere down the south east coast and Spain is welcoming Filipinos also. Its pricey in Spain and real estate is cheap in the Philippines but about to explode some land has doubled in price in the last 12 months. Being European we didn’t look at South America options.
Glad to see that I am not the only person who cant be trusted to leave the house by himself !! lol
When I first came here I bought a vehicle online from Manila and made arrangements to fly there and drive it back to Davao. Thought it would give me a chance to do one of my favourite things- driving leisurely through a country, seeing the sites, meeting some new people etc. Well the furor that errupted !! My business partner and her husband insisted on flying to Manila to accompany us on the trip back [ too dangerous, too hard to find the way, wont be able to communicate with the people etc etc ] Being new here I didnt know any better and gave in, with the end result that what was supposed to be a leisurely enjoyable trip became a 3 day trip from Hell – driving here almost none stop in 3 days !! lol And dangerous thing? mmmmm didnt see a single one of those. [ except maybe overcrowded ferries that took me 20 minutes to figure out where they hid the life jackets] Everyone I met on the way was very friendly. Not once did 3 thugs with masks and AK-47s pull up alongside me in a van to kidnap me haha I will admit that highway signs in the Visayas do not yet exist, and that even with my “bodyguards” we got lost several times- but hey- thats part of the fun of a road trip.
Last month we were walking on the beach in Samal and an old guy offered me some tuba- which i accepted a sip of. He was there with about 10 family members including small children. More warnings from the wife !!! lol Poison would be put into my drink by his fingers and I would get robbed ! lol Or some kind of ghosts would get me. I still havent figured out the ghosts thing that seems to permeat a lot of the culture . You see many movies in Tagalog with ghosts in them, or heads floating in the air. And I keep hearing references to certain things involving ghosts- and not the good kind ! haha And I’m not just talking about hearing those referrences from uneducated people from the provinces- many people seem to have some kind of fear of them.
Ha ha… it’s a never ending story, ian. I enjoyed reading about your adventure!
Hi Bob – Well, what can I say but, “the next town over is dangerous!” That sentiment goes back hundreds of years – even before the Sixteenth Century “discoveries” by Westerners.
In some areas, it was deadly true into the mid-Twentieth Century. Wars between villages in the Cordillera have caused more than one to “lose his head.” At the very least, mistrust of anyone from another village or barangay continues to this day.
The June 15th murder of a radio reporter/anchorman “in the next town over,” not to mention the death of that town’s late former mayor a few years ago, lends credence to the sentiment. Politically related? Clan related? Who knows? Balikbayan in other countries know of these tragedies almost immediately, and spread the word to family and friends, then to local and regional Fil-Am newspapers, etc.
The president-elect has been challenged to make good on his promise to end corruption, to include ending senseless killings. We’ll have to wait and see, with fingers crossed.
Hi Paul – I do not believe that a town or city exists where nobody has ever been killed. So, I take such stories with a grain of salt.
Hi Bob – You know that, I know that; the Balikbayan sitting in Daly City or West Covina, however, hasn’t gotten the complete “word” about their homeland. His/her source of hometown news is either via the “bamboo grapevine”/”coconut wireless” or the free gossip tabloid at the Asian market.
Convincing relatives and friends who have bound themselves Stateside to come back and visit their home town is more than a passing comment – it’s an evening’s worth of discussion, debate, proofs and promises. In most cases, I’d have better luck if I was trying to make a horse, I just led to the stream, have a drink.
So, I have to add a little “sugar and pepper” to that salt grain. I want to get that “left 30+ years ago never to return” sakada to come home for a visit, see progress, visit and reestablish friendships, etc. Once one from that group makes the pilgrimage, others will follow.
😉
I can’t disagree, Paul!
I take caution with me everywhere I go, no matter what country. Having said, that I actually feel quite safe here in the Pines. Manila was no big deal, Cebu was really nice and Davao felt great to walk around.
But when it comes to my family though in mindanao, there is no chance in hell they will ever let me out of their sight. I decided to go the local sari sari store across the road from our house and buy my own packet of smokes for the first time in 4 years, I was shocked at the mass panic it caused my family when they discovered I was missing for less than 5 minutes lol. It was the same scene when my one year old decided to leave the house and discover the street, well that I can understand! They screamed, what would happen if your kidnapped?? or you get hit by a pedicab? Or a common barangay girl tries to court you? Actually nearly been hit by a pedicab a few times, they did have a point on that one lol.
We have had a few bombs go off here in Iligan and we were in the vicinity of three of them and I can tell you it really rattles your bones and the reverberation in your gut is confusing. Yet if you choose to live here in mindanao you have to put up some of these annoyances and interruptions. For instance in 2008 when the MILF came within ten minutes from our home we rallied together and took 24 hour watch, boats for the ready and drank beer through the night.
Funny story, I’ll never forget the time I had befriended a new comer from Britain, we were showing him the sights of the city and we were near the scene when the the monument was blown up. When he saw what happened he started to run and run, god knows where he went. We didn’t see him for ten months. He actually came back, the reason for his return? he was in love. Moral of the story? Love is more powerful than bombs.
In the eye of the locals, the unseen threat that lurks around the corner here in the Pines is more powerful than the actual event. Nah its okay here.
Hi Boss – Back in 2001, a bomb went off just 30 meters or so outside of one of our businesses in GenSan. Soon, people were flooding into our place looking for help. Blood was running all over the floors, and it was very hectic. Yes, being in the vicinity when something like this happens can be unsettling, but I still love it here. And, Mindanao is the place for me.
“Mindanao is the place for me.” I hope so – otherwise you’ll have to change your name 😉
Ha ha… yeah, I guess I’m kinda stuck with it, Gary! No matter what I can’t move! 😆
Boss- I assume “the pines” is the subdivision in san pedro laguna?
Yep Ian mate, know the place your talking about, in Laguna, actually been there, pretty nice place, very beautiful scenery. Suffers a bit from druggies in the area but still nice.
But, nah the Pines I refer to is the Philip-Pines as to the country. Similar to saying, you got a Morris, Phillip-Morris. For some insane reason I’ve picked up the habit of cutting down names and words here. Like “talana” ( let’s go ) to “Ta”, “Tagpilla” ( how much) to “pila”. “Meeangrace” to “Meh”.
Recently, a friend of mine in Oz was excited when I said I was living in the Pines and he wanted to go back there. He said I was lucky to live one of the most beautiful islands on the planet. Then I thought hold on, this is not making sense, he’s never been to the Philippines?? He thought I was referring to the Isle Of Pines which is situated in New Caledonia lmao.
Bob..I have a lady friend in Manilia that I share with off and on at times. One time I asked her for the fun of it if she ever goes go Davo or to Mindanao..Her reply was..”oh no! To dangerous to go there..never go..U do not want to go there..not safe..and etc.So..after reading some of the comments here and Yours also..I do belive a lot of it is as you and others have said..Its a Fillipino mind set..and of course if you do not know much about the Phillipines I belive one is inclined to belive what the Fillipina or Fillipino said to you.
After reading many..many of the posts here for the last all most since you fired up this site I would have to conclude [and did so a long time ago] that most parts [not all] are ok for a foreigner is you mind your P&Q’S and just use common sense and etc.
Its interesting how I found out about your site here…over 3 years ago was chating a lady from Davo city and 1st time I ever chat her she said..Dan..I am hungry for some fried chicken..I said..ok..make ur self some..She said..No! I want you to buy me some…I said..what! lol..She said…Yes ..You can with your credit card…I said hello!! She said…ya…You can order on the net at WOW DAVAO…So I plugged WOW DAVAO in to goggle and up ur site came and she was right if I remember correct..there was chicken and flowers and all kinds of stuff..hahahah..but needless to say she did not get any chicken..did not even no the lady…but any way got to digging around and found LIP here…and been reading ever since……..so sure U no this..many of them sweet Fillipinas no about ur sites..at least the ones that turn them on..
Hi Dan – Thanks for sharing the story about WowDavao! Ha ha.. I had no idea! Very interesting.
Bob thanks for the article….I am always surprised how many Filipinos have seen less of their country than I have. The comments about Mindanao are always the same….Don’t go there ….way too dangerous. I have been to Mindanao and didnt feel any more danger than elsewhere.
Your comments rang true to what I have heard before….and now I have a little better idea of the why.
Sometimes the unknown is the scarey part.
Hi Greg – Yeah, most Filipinos are scared to death if “Mindanao” is even mentioned in passing! It’s amazing to me. Glad that the site helped you a bit!
Hi Bob,
It’s ok if people have a negative perception of the country. Frankly, being in the industry I prefer to see “quality” of people coming to the country rather than quantity. Anyway, when I arrive in April just talking to the coordinator who met me at the airport, he said, “Filipinos are foreigners in their own country.”
But what I see good that’s happened is that domestic tourism has increased so much that locals are discovering their own country. I think the number is 20 m domestic tourists. Thanks to Cebu Pacific for introducing discount fares, and GMA for her nautical highway and her holiday economics.
One major reason that the Philippines takes a bad rap overseas is the media itself. Goodness, whenever I read news reports it’s like holy smokes, the Philippine is going down the tube, a failed state. Duh.
Nice post, but let’s just keep the secret to ourselves.
Alex
Hi Alex – In many ways, I feel the same about “keeping the secret to ourselves.” However, the only way for things to improve a lot in the Philippines, better infrastructure, better tourism and such is by having more tourism to begin with. Nobody will spend big money to put up anything spectacular if it is a foregone conclusion that only a few tourists will come to enjoy it.
As far as I can see, the Philippines is not getting “quality” tourists, or many tourists at all. the latest statistics i can find show that in 2007, thailand received 14.5 million tourists, the Philippines 3.1 million. Then, subtract all the FilAms and so on who come back as tourists and largely visit family (and do not stay at hotels or tour beyond the home town) and all the pen pals you are left with VERY few genuine international tourists. (You might also want to subtract the tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea who fly into Clark for a weekend of fun and games.) I rarely meet “legitimate” tourists here. Except for the major torist destinations, it is VERY difficult to get information about tourist destinations here. And often VERY expensive when you do visit. As an example, after much searching I finally found information about touring Agusan Marsh: $500/day for my family. Maybe not.
All very valid and true points, ProfDon.
Bob,
On one of my trips to the Philippines I expirenced the same thing from my fiance. I like to walk/jog everyday and she would continue to tell me it was not safe. One day she went on my walk with me and we walked by a bunch of teenagers and young adults she once again was compliaining and scared that I would get mugged, shot or ?? and I should by no means ever leave the house alone again. I heard all the stories of the drive by mugging and the jewery snatcher and even about the elfs in the mountians lol. Well the next day I went on my walk and did not return when I was supposed and she came looking for me I think just to recover my body or take me to the doctor to get the bullets removed. The problem was I was playing basketball with the kids that were suppoed to mug me. Of course I would never try to convince her that she was wrong but I did end up be-friending the killlers and they spared my life for the rest of my vacation and ever agreed to play baketball and just it and hang out with me LOL. The moral of the story is situations can be dangerous where ever you are but why live in fear. It is no more or less dangerous in the USA just use caution and common sense. You will be ok and might even enjoy yourself
Robert
Hi Robert – Thanks for sharing that, I enjoyed hearing about your daily walks! I remember one time, another American friend and I went for a drive out in the countryside outside of Davao. We were out in the middle of nowhere and came upon a bunch of teens playing basketball out on a dirt court. We stopped, went and watched them playing for a while, and they soon invited us to join in. We had a great time, and enjoyed our new friends!
Hey Bob,
On my recent trip to Pagadian City I was asked on a number of occasions by the locals, including schoolteachers at a school I visited, if I, as a foreigner, felt unsafe coming here. I always replied no, and explained that the rate of incidents, such as kidnapping, murder or violent robbery, directed against foreigners seemed statistically very low, compared to incidents in other countries, not only in the region, but around the world. I assured them I had researched the matter prior to my visit. Slightly disconcerting though, was the waiter at the coffee shop in my hotel, who said to me, ‘Are you not afraid of being kidnapped? People will think you have much money because you are foreign and they might want to kidnap you!’ The guy was just being friendly and making conversation, but someone more paranoid might have thought he had something in mind, and certainly that hotel needs to train its staff on reassuring guests and promoting the region as a safe and friendly place. Hotel staff should not be discussing kidnapping with guests!
Incidentally Bob, many aspects of the Trouble in Tourist Thailand production were subsequently discredited, including the figures about Brit tourists. The number of deaths they insinuated as people being ‘killed’ were in fact people who ‘died’. Given that Thailand is home to a large number of elderly Brits, many of these were natural deaths, heart attacks etc, others were motorbike accidents. Thailand remains one of the safest and most hospitable countries anywhere in the world.
Hi Peter – Your story of the words you heard from the local people is very, very common.
The figures I heard on the Tourist Thailand show, I found unbelievable, but since they were on a tv show from a reputable channel, I assumed them to be true. Can you point to anything on the net that talks about the numbers being incorrect? I would like to read more about that.
Bob,
The documentary was a source of much controversy among the numerous Thailand forums and blog sites. Even the series producer, Gavin Hill, brought a complaint to OFCOM (British broadcasting watchdog), that the production company failed to check facts, and made unethical cuts to alter the reality of the situation. One of the facts cited by Hill was the figure of 288 Brits, which was, said the producers, the number of people killed. As he pointed out, this was the number who died, not who were ‘killed’. Ultimately his complaint was rejected by OFCOM, not because they disputed this, but because ‘it would not result in material harm to viewers’. Clearly facts are not important to OFCOM. Andrew Drummond, a well known investigative journalist on S.E. Asian stories, took up the story here : http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2009/10/29/british-broadcasting-watchdog-rejects-complaint-about-big-trouble-in-thailand/ and here:
http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2009/10/13/big-trouble-in-thailand-finally-the-truth-and-an-apology/
Blogger, Talen, of Thailand Land of Smiles, a blog very well known to those of us interested in Thailand, also took up the story in a number of blog posts, with the comments sections generating (often heated) responses from many of those involved, including Howard Miller, the prominently featured head of the Volunteer Tourist Police, Gavin Hill the producer, Tim Wright, the Marine seargent involved in some of the more controversial footage, and the aforementioned Andrew Drummond. A search of the September and October archives of Talen’s blog will reveal the stories in question: http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/
Thanks for sharing this, Peter, I’ll check out the links tomorrow when I have time. I appreciate this.
Hi Bob
The BBC did a feature on the Philippines, the impression they gave was that Mindandao was dangerous. The film was made by a tourist magazine. I sometimes wonder if all the good bits were edited out just to give the programme a bit of sensationalism.
I often travel on the P&O Ferry to Rotterdam and chat with the Philippinos who work on board. All the ones I have talked to have never been to Mindanao.
Weve lived with the threat of bombings here in England for years, the perpetrators have just changed thats all. Never kept us at home.
Marjorie
Hi Marjorie – Yeah, it’s the people who have never been to Mindanao who say how dangerous it is! 😉
Hi Bob
Just the other day there was an article in the Philstar newspaper that said 95 foreigners have been killed in the Philippines since January 09. The most killed were Indians (29) of whom I’m sure many were moneylenders. The 2nd top being Koreans then Americans at 14. I then I thought that was a lot but I think many of these people killed either lent money to people who would rather kill them then pay back the money or people who got involved with the wrong people (girls). There have been several articles about how the foreigner was killed but the wife was unharmed or not at the house. The German that was killed in Makati had as many as 8 girlfriends who the PNP want to question.
When I mention to my Filipino customers that I have visited the Philippines and have been to this or that city, some will say weren’t you scared. I will say that I feel much more scared in the city where I live(not the same as where I work), of course they agree on that.
Hi Neil – Interesting statistic. Like you sort of pointed out, we don’t know for sure what the circumstances were of their deaths. Like getting into the money lending business is very dangerous, and if they did that, well, they should have expected to end up dead. And, in the lending business, it’s not just “customers” who will kill you… your competitors are also a deadly threat. Anyway, I wonder how many “foreigners” were killed in the USA in the past 18 months? Probably more than 95!
Bob,
I heard on the news a few years back that there are 13 people killed every day in LA. Also the town I lived in was racked for 1 year as the per capita murder capital of the USA, due to 50 murders the year Prior. 14 in 18 months. Seems pretty safe.
Hi Richard – I am surprised that only 13 are killed in LA every day!
Sorry, but this is just plain WRONG. According to the LAPD statistics, homicides peaked in 1992 at 1,095 (and were high again in 2002 at 645. Still horrible, but no where near 13/day. According to the 2009 statistics, homicides were 315, much less than 1 per day, the lowest murder rate in 40 years. I realize that there are several definitions of what constitutes “LA”, but nonetheless, the stats above are far out of line – and should have been checked before posting. (FYI, LA “country” murder stats were 249 in 2009.)
If you want to see high murder ates (homicides per population), take a look at St. louis (46.9/100k)and New Orleans (63.6/100k). Nationally, murder rates peaked in the US in 1980 and are currently about half of their peak rates. New York City has a murder rate of about 6.3/100,000, LA 10, New Hampshire (1/100K) and North Dakota (.5/100K) have the lowest state averages. By comparison, the combined murder + homicide rates in the Philippines were about 10/100k. And yes, I realize that these stats are very iffy. But if you don’t use stats, then what do you use?
An interesting statistic: there is a strong NEGATIVE relationship between states that have NO death penalty and the murder rate, i.e., the average murder rate for states with the death penalty is 5.2/100k, while it is 3.3/100k for states with the death penalty.
I think Richard was not really quoting any statistic, he was obviously using anecdotal information, as he said “I heard”….. if you look at the State of California, there are years when the number of murders was as high as 3,600 in a single year. Also, it’s not really certain that Richard was talking about Los Angeles. He said LA. He could have been talking about Louisiana, which has a very high murder rate, much higher than Los Angeles or California.
Philippines follows the golden rule ” do unto others if you want others to do unto you. ” Don’t miss up with anyone in the philippines because we have strong family ties. Meaning if you mess up one of their family members, the other family members will not hesitate to kill you. Usually some foriegners are abusers they do bad stuffs in the Philippines. Normally the filipinos are kind to those who are good, but are not afraid to kill. The korean businessmen, i heard many of them abuses their filipino workers like beat them. It is common to beat in their country but it is a big no no no in the philippines. It will hurt the entire family so expect the revenge. The other foreigners are sex abusers they are practicing sex slaves and when the other family members of the girls will know that their precious girls are abused, good bye foreigners. See you in heaven. There are also bad businessmen who take advantage of the filipinos kindness. Filipinos are like lamb like beast. They may look helpless but they just can pay any killers to kill the offenders. If ofcourse you are good just stay away from dangerous places. Then you are safe in the Philippines. The people will even be the one to help you and keep you safe. If you are in the muslim area, you hurt one of their family then they will kill all of your families. Not only for the foreigners but also to all filipinos.
Hi bob i was in davoa the first time and we hooked up with an american couple (well he was anyway ) he said the thing about being kidnapped at night from the back of a jeepney i dont know if it has ever happened to a foreighner or not but i felt reasonably safe when we went out to dinner at night ,only one time i became aware of two guys following us in nccc mall in the city but nothing ever came of it the biggest shock i got was haveing top get of the bus from tagum to have it searched by soldiers now that made me feel uneasy ,my american friend greg would always wear this bloody big cowboy hat always thought of it as a beacon to tell everyone where you are from ,ny wifes family are the same they and i wrote you once on your security site tell me it is very dangerous to travel to the towns of tagum and the compestela vally ie: montevista it puta a real downer on going there i would love to see where her family is and visit her parents graves ect and just see more of the island of mindanoa rather than just davoa although there is nothing wrong with it apart from some guy screaming out ballot as he walks past your window ,now theres a scary experience eating one of those my wife and daughter love them but not for me i am afraid !
chris
Hi chris – I never heard of anybody being kidnapped out of a jeepney. In fact, in the last 2 decades I am unaware of any foreigner being kidnapped in Davao.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this one Bob. It IS the Filipino’s themselves who believe and perpetrate these myths. I’ve just had a chat with Vangie about this, in fact, and she really can’t actually justify her fears, other than…”well, I heard this and I heard that…etc”. And she’s the one with the 153 IQ!!!
I, also, had heard about the facts on that Thai program being highly questionable, but, as someone said, had not been publicly rectified. My golden rule is this: never believe much that you hear or see on a television documentary. They always decide what they are going to prove long before they set eyes on any actual facts, then only present the ones that support their case. An old boss of mine used to say statistics were wonderful things…you could use them to prove whatever you wanted, then by the time anyone interpreted them properly, it was too late.
Good thought provoking story though. Do you think we could, a few of us, jointly set up a Philippine tourist board and command lavish salaries?
Hi Jim – Thanks, I’m glad that you found the article thought provoking!
List of countries by intentional homicide rate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_homicide_rate
Rate per one hundred thousand people in the US: 5.4
Rate per one hundred thousand people in the Philippines: 3.82
Bear in mind these are reported crimes. If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say fewer crimes are reported in the Philippines due to cultural differences, poverty and general distrust in the police.
In the US, twice as many people die from automobile acidents as homocides.
Hi David – I think that when it comes to murder, pretty much every one gets reported sooner or later! 😉
Thanks for sharing those statistics.
I agree with the main thesis of your article, Bob, that many of the good things and safe places available to tourists in the Philippines are under reported, and statistics such as the comparisons you mentioned with Thailand, are low-balled. Caveat: As we all know, statistics are tricky. Without knowing the number of “deaths per foreign tourist day visited” in the Philippines compared to Thailand, we don’t really know which country is safer overall for tourists. I’ve also experienced the tendency of Filipinos to believe areas far from those familiar to them are unsafe. I suspect this is a human, rather than Filipino trait. During my visit south of Davao City last summer, I had NO negative experiences. Of course, I was always in the company of young, strong relatives! 🙂
As for the focus of the world’s media on events like the massacre in Maguindanao, when you learn about the events leading up to it, and why it was ordered, is it any wonder that potential tourists would rethink Philippine travel plans they may have had? With all the corruption and murders we have here in the US, to have a political incumbent carry out such a ruthless massacre of innocents as a way to defeat a challenger, is UNTHINKABLE! This is obviously related to the fact that the Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for media workers. Here is a good summary of the problem:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=586843&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Sorry that my post is negative so far, but I do have a positive purpose. One of my biggest complaints about the Philippines is the tendency of [at least] ex-pat Filipinos here in the US to have a defeatist attitude about the prospects of ridding the country of corruption, which I think feeds all the other problems. When I rant to them in anger at having mail stolen, or having to ultimately pay $146 to have a $25 book delivered to a student, they calmly tell me to “chill out,” or, “you have to learn to go with the flow.” I learned recently that one of my nieces, an elementary teaching graduate and wonderful with kids, had next to no chance to get a teaching position because she didn’t have a “sponsor.” When I learned what a “sponsor” was, I went through the roof! Again, what I’m told is, “…This is just the way it is.”
And now for the positive part! Just think what a tourist haven the Philippines could become, and how the average Filipino’s standard of living could be elevated, if ALL Filipinos were to come to a point where they were ready to say, “I’ve had enough!” If police, customs agents, and postal workers are corrupt because their salaries are too low, support them and help organize nationwide strikes until their salaries are raised.
The Philippine Islands are beautiful, and the majority of it’s people are beautiful too. Don’t let a minority of corrupt and greedy people keep the Philippines from putting its dubious status as a “third world” country behind it!
Thanks for sharing your take on this James.
I’m disappointed, Bob. I was hoping that you, or someone else here, would have a comment on my comment.
Hi James – I am sorry that you feel disappointed. I did reply, thanking you for leaving your comment. I did not go further, because I didn’t see too much that we have not covered here in the past. Let me look closer…
Books – Yes, this issue is bad, but it has nothing to do with corruption. It is customs policy that books have customs on them. In my mind, it is ridiculous the amount of customs, but that is the Philippine law, and I can’t change it. Also, if I get too worked up about it, the Immigration bureau may frown on my continued stay here.
Regarding corruption in general, yes, there is some corruption in the Philippines, just as there is corruption in the USA and every other country. To be honest, and as I have said many, many times on this site in the past, it is rare, if ever, that corruption ever touches my life. I believe it when I hear people saying they had to pay bribes to get things done or whatever, but the truth is, 100%, it has never happened to me in the Philippines. The truth is that back in 1992, I tried to pay a bribe one time, the only time I ever did, and I got in trouble for it. Philippine officials rejected the attempt, and singled me out for “further inspection” in customs because I put $20 in my passport as a bribe to get through line more quickly. Since then I have never attempted to bribe anybody, nor has any Philippine Official asked or even indicated that I should bribe them. So, in my life, corruption is not a big problem.
I hope that you will feel less disappointed, James. I certainly did not mean to make you feel bad or disregard your previous comment.
Bob,
Sorry, but we will have to disagree on this one. This is just one of many sources that does not compute with your statements on corruption:
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/gov_cor-government-corruption
As for the book problem, it’s debatable whether Philippine Law has been properly applied since the success of Twilight:
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/manila/1dispatch6.html
Actually, I was more interested in why it is so unsafe for journalists there.
Do you have any idea why no one else here is weighing in on my comments, pro or con? Ignoring problems does not usually make them go away, and that’s what I would like to help bring about.
–James
Hi James – I don’t think we disagree. I didn’t say that the US has the same amount of corruption as the Philippines, I said they both have corruption, and they do.
On the book thing, I disagree with the way they do it here, but they are applying their law as they see it, and they are the ones who wrote the law, so I can only assume that they know what the law is.
Why is it unsafe for journalists? I have no idea why.
Why aren’t others debating your comment? Well… truth is that on the comments here on LiP, while everybody is free to debate, the comments usually are a conversation between the person who wrote the article and the commenter. Others are free to jump in, but that usually is not how it works. Also, I think that your comment covers things that have already been thoroughly hashed out here, nothing new, so not much to jump in about. Those are my thoughts.
James F asks why people arent commenting on his posts! Its a terrible thing when you are looking forward to an argument but no one will give you one !! lol
On the other hand I didnt respond to the posts because I find that they use a series of unrelated- and sometimes irrelevant- comments to try and make a point
James said “With all the corruption and murders we have here in the US, to have a political incumbent carry out such a ruthless massacre of innocents as a way to defeat a challenger, is UNTHINKABLE! This is obviously related to the fact that the Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for media workers. ” WOW! What James is saying is that the corruption and murders in the US is obviously related to media workers getting killed in the Philippines . Thats why I didnt comment on your post James- because it just does NOT make any sense. And your use of the statistics on corruption in countries around the world is just that- a statistic which you dont relate to your argument.
Just like saying because X number of journalist got killed in a year that proves that the Phil is the most dangerous place in the world for journalist. Very faulty reasoning I’m afraid, simply because most of them got killed in one incident. And the reason that so many got killed in one incident is simply because so many were there at the time- which in no way advances the argument as to how dangerous a place is to journalist. You have to look at the number of incidents occurred in a year and how likely they are to happen before you can start throwing such statements around James.
Feel better now ??? lol
btw- altho I do find a lot of your logic faulty, for the most part I do agree with your take on things.
Thanks for your response Ian,
It appears I should have been a little clearer in my original post. Bob initiated a discussion of the question of why foreigners get the impression the Philippines is dangerous. I wasn’t looking for an argument, just a chance to express my view of why this is the case.
I happen to believe that the worldwide publicity of murders of political challengers and dissenting journalists is the principal reason for the negative perception, and I also believe that corruption is indirectly related to these murders. It’s not really much of a stretch to conclude this when it’s been clearly stated over the years that many journalists are killed because of their attacks on corruption and politicians. It was a poor choice of words when I said, “This is obviously related to the fact that the Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for media workers,” which caused you to conclude that, “What James is saying is that the corruption and murders in the US is obviously related to media workers getting killed in the Philippines .” This definitely NOT what I meant at all! By “this,” I meant the massacre in Maguindanao. Perhaps, what I should have said was, “This massacre made an indelible impression on Americans, supporting what they’ve been told for years, that the Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for media workers.” Sorry Ian, but statistics supported this perception long before Maguindanao. (And this doesn’t say anything about non-journalist expats!)
Rather than try to rebut your claims individually that statistics like those at NationMaster.com are not relevent here, let me summarize with an example. MOST U.S. soldiers do their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and return home without a scratch. Using your logic above, one could conclude that Kabul and Baghdad should be considered for vacation destinations! If you think this is absurd, go back and reread your comments, and the logic you used. What must be calculated to determine the relative safety of a given destination is the PROBABILITY of being safe there compared to the PROBABILITY of being safe in familiar surroundings. One way to make this determination is by examining comparative statistics by city and/or country. The fact that, on any given day, there is only a 1 in 100 chance of being blown up walking outside Kabul is not very comforting when you learn that the chance of this happening in Des Moines is only 1 in 100,000,000! (These are not actual statistics, just my guesses.)
Did you read the PhilStar article linked above?
As I pointed out in my original comment, I had a wonderful and safe visit to the provinces south of Davao City last summer. However, this fact, coupled with all the positive reports from those commenting here, does NOT answer Bob’s original question with any degree of certainty. It’s a point of logic.
James F- [ not sure why your posts dont come with their own “reply” button??] . I actually have no quarrel with most of your conclusions – only maybe sometimes how you get there ! – and was just giving you a hard time for your requests for responses !! lol Didnt want you to feel that no one was reading your posts !
Today is a very very miserable day here in Davao City- weather wise anyway- and I just dont have the energy to debate anything with much conviction . Hope its better wherever you are my friend.
The standard “wisdom” as to why so many journalists are killed is that many of them, especially in the provinces, are part of the political process. By that is meant, that they are bought and paid for by the various candidates and “stakeholders” to print “black propaganda” about their rivals. so politicians considdedr them “fair game”, along with their rivals. I live in one of the more notorious municipalities in the Philippines (google Sapang Dalaga) and rivals are murdered as a matter of course.
HUGE controversy over import tariffs on books. My suggestion would be if you want to get books to someone in the Philippines, go on line to “Fully booked”, an EXCELLENT bookstore if you want the person to have a specific book. If you are not picky about titles, but just want general subjects (such as economics, or nursing), or novels in general, then just send money and let the person shop at one of the used book stores: VERY cheap. At the very least available at Book Sale stores in every SM Mall.
As for corruption, you are right on, but strangely Bob is too. By any “objective” measure, the Philippines is one of the more corrupt countries in the world. Transparency International ranks it 139 (out of 180 countries) in its corruption Perception index, tied with Bangladesh and Pakistan, but ahead of Laos (158) and Myanmar (178), but WAY behind Indonesia ( 111), Thailand (84 ), Singapore (2), vietnam (120), and Malaysia (56 ), among the original ASEAN countries.
On the other hand, I have NEVER been approached for a bribe in over 30 years, even in buying land, a notoriously corrupt department.
Thanks Don,
I think we’re on the same page. And thanks for your insights and book tips.
–James
Thanks for the book tips. I often wondered why the book stores were so tiny and poorly stocked. Well, very good political strategy by the Government I suspect. Keep the population ignorant and poor and the pollies and churches will do a roaring trade.
The millions of Filipinos in the US have “voted with their feet” about the chances of the Philippines changing as you seem to hope. I have been coming to the Philippines since the late 1970s (and living here since 1995) and it’s always the same: IF the country ever got “on track”, i.e., right policies, correctly administered, without corruption”, WOW would it ever take off. I even wrote an article in “Challenge” Magazine with the title, “Give big Bucks to the Philippines NOW” in the late 1980s (after Mrs Aquino became president) saying essentially “give them a break and then watch what they can do”. Well, it still ain’t happened. Saying that if “ALL of the people said, ‘I’ve had enough’, is like saying, ‘If cows could fly, we’d have home delivery of milk.'” As the Lao people say, “Maybe in your next life.” As for wages being too low, a fact: the Philippines has the HIGHEST wages in the WORLD adjusted for productivity (see World Competitiveness Report). Government workers here have salaries above those in Thailand, a country with GDP/capita of more than two times higher! If you think more money will solve the corruption problem, then why has GMA and family reputably been so corrupt (to say nothing of the Marcos family)?
I hope you’re wrong, but I agree, the chances don’t look encouraging. Both my parents were union organizers in the ’40’s and 50’s in the US, which is probably why I tend to believe it might be possible if enough people would unite. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any wings sprouting on cows lately! 🙁
James, wish we could meet sometime. I like the way your mind works and the way you go to stats or factual material to back up your points. As for unions, sorry, given your family background, but they are one of the BIG probelms here. As i mentioned above, the Philippines has the HIGHEST wages adjusted for productivity of ANY country in the world. And with the rising currency and increases in the minimum wage, they are getting relatively higher. These wages refer ONLY to the FORMAL SECTOR (and include all the benefits mandated by law: SSS, PhilHealth, 13th month salary, layoff bonus). Wages in the informal sector are less than a third of NOMINAL wages and less than a quarter of the fully loaded wages. Why? Because, along with corruption and bad infrastructure, high wage levels drive away investment. the Philippines has the lowest level of foreign investment among the ASEAN countries (with the exception of Myanmar – an outlaw state – and Brunei – one big gas well. Its Investment/GDP ratio is among the lowest in the world. So few jobs generated in the formal sector and the labor supply is dumped into the informal sector. But organized labor still screams for higher minimum wages (in the formal sector).
“James, wish we could meet sometime.” Likewise. You seem to have a good grasp of the macro economic situation there and I’d like to know precisely what you mean by “adjusted for productivity.” The husband in a family I know south of Davao is a Fire Safety Inspector and his wife is a computer literate administrative assistant in a municipal office. However, their combined incomes convert to about $500 US, which doesn’t allow them to support 2 children in college simultaneously. Families living[?] in the US on $500 per month can’t afford digital cameras, even though they are cheaper in US retail stores than they are in Davao City, not far from where they’re assembled. So, it’s no wonder this family doesn’t own one, nor do they own a car. There’s something wrong with this picture. Can you shed any light on it?
James, as they say, “You got me.” Measures of labor productivity are notoriously difficult to obtain. The measure that I quoted from the World Competitiveness Report is simply GDP per capita, i.e., the output of the economy divided by total population. Terrible measure, but what can you do? To do the “right” measure for all the countries in the world would be a horror show.
Think of it this way, one would accept a positive relationship between GDP/capita and “wages”, however defined, e.g., wages in Singapore would be higher than wages in the Philippines (hence so many Filipinas in Singapore as maids). So graph that relationship with GDP/capita on the bottom axis and wages on the vertical axis. You will get a scattering of points going up to the right. Now do a regression anaysis that plots the line that gives the best “fit” for these points. What you will see is that wages in the Phipippines are the FURTHEST above this regression line of any country in the world. This is what “the highest wages adjusted for productivity” means. given GDP per capita the wages in the Philippines are the highest.
Tragically, this FACt is one of the reasons that investment and FDI is so low in the Philippines (the others are corruption, complex regulation, and lousy infrastructure). But with low investment, the economy CANNOT grow quickly.
When I first became interested in The Philippines, it was quite by accident. I can not recall any other place that I know of that I have heard ” Safe / Unsafe ” mentioned so frequently, in so many ways and pertaining to just about anything and everything to do with The Philippines. There was only one place that captured my interest and it all started with a city name and post code that appeared on my screen one evening while I was websurfing ” Iligan 9200 ” . Maybe it reminded me of the way telephone exchanges and phone numbers used to be. Viewing picture websites of the place, a lot of things that interested me caught my attention. Fast forward a few months and many hours of websurfing later, I realize that maybe I could really go to this place and see it in person. I had never even heard of Mindanao prior to this but I sure learned a lot about it in a short time.
I really think people tried to scare me out of going there. A Filipino that works where I do ( who really is from Cebu ) kept telling me about how dangerous it is in Mindanao, people would come at me with knives, cut the straps from my luggage and make off with it. Break into my hotel room at night and rob, kill or kidnap me. Snatchers would get me on the Jeepneys and it went on and on and on. Interesting this person had never been to Mindanao himself !
Well, for all of these dangers I kept comming up with possible real, or imaginary countermeasures. Put stainless steel strapping in the carry straps on baggage, barricade hotel room doors with the room furniture, and it went on and on and on !
Another individual told me if I went into a shopping mall with the wrong kind of clothes on I would be ” Mugged ” ! I never did find out what are supposed to be the wrong kind of clothes to wear to a shopping mall.
Another one was ” You’re going there ” Alone ? ”
Then it was ” You could be kidnapped by the terrorists ”
Well, I really did give that one some thought. What would I say to them if this really did happen ? Well, I came up with two answeres for that as to what I would say to them.
1. ” Can we stop at Jollibee, I’ll Buy ! ”
2. ” Take me to your Leader, we could make some promotional videos and put them up on Youtube ”
If that was not enough, then it was what seemed like a Zillion health and eating precautions, Dont drink the water, No Ice Cubes, No Dairy Products, and the list of those things went on and on and on.
Then it was ” You’re a Caucasion American you’ll be a walking Target ”
My friends here were really starting to get worried that I was going to The Philippines, especially Mindanao !
( Fast forward another year )
I finally arrive at Lumbia Airport, Mindanao. I have an entourage , body guards, Private chartered transportation waiting there for me.
Yes, I did keep in mind many of the precautions I had heard or read about. I was always in the company of Filipinos wherever I went. There was no problem and possibly I amy have missed a thing or two but I did not even see a potential problem.
The only potential of a problem I can recall is myself, getting quite ” impatient ” in a few situations but I knew that was my problem and that I was in a different part of the world than I am accoustomed to. I had to remind myself of this a few times.
As far as being ” Targeted ” Yes, I feel I was but not in the way you at first might think. There were a few places I felt I could go to on my own without being out of sight or earshot of the Machine Gun equipped hotel security. One was a resto-bar which provided a great place to meet with friends in the evening. Every time I went to that place, one of the resto bar staff at the entrance extended his hand to me, welcomed me to the place with a simle. I noticed that not everyone that entered the place got that kind of welcome. There were many similar situations like this even at places I had not planned on going to and neither did my Entourage. I was welcomed with a smile, a handshake where applicable and in those situations I know it could not have been something put on just for my benifit and there was no language translation necessary !
One thing I did think about though was why the reason for security guards at just about every kind of public place I went to ? I never see anything like that here, although in New York City maybe in the classier neighborhoods they have a ” Doorman “.
I think potential visitors and tourists may become a bit apprehensive in seeing this ? I thought it was kind of a novelty myself and I don’t mean that in a negative kind of way either. I wonder who are they protecting and from what ? It would seem it is a universal practice in the more populated areas of The Philippines ?
This whole adventure turned out to be one of the best times I have ever had, anywhere ! Maybe all the additional precautions I made arrangements for in advance were not entirely necessary but I wanted my first visit to go smoothly and successfully despite of so many negative things that were brought to my attention ( that never happened at all ) . The one individual who gave me positive assurance that I would probably have a great time was Bob ” Mr. Mindanao ” Martin. The information exchanged in a few E Mails before my first visit all proved to be true and highly accurate. I can not thank you enough for that Bob.
All vacations come to an end and when I returned to my job, I guess many of my co-workers maybe had started a pool as to what would or could have happened to me while on vacation. When they asked if they could see some of my knife and bullet wounds I could not help but laugh and say ” Sorry to disappoint you, there arn’t any ! “
Hi Bob – Thanks for your “plug” I appreciate it. I am happy that the info I gave you was accurate, because I would not try to steer you wrong!
Kamusta ka Bob,
I know this story is about Mindanao, and its “problem” of being “not safe”. Now I just got back from my first trip to the Philippines. I didn’t get to Mindanao, but I did get to Cebu City, and it was a very “dirty” looking city, but also it had character I thought, and I didn’t feel threatened at all there. The hotel we stayed at wasn’t the Ritz Carlton, it was an average local hotel, in an average area I thought…and thought it was quite nice to walk around. I am sure there are some problem areas, that should not be visited, or I wouldn’t suggest walking down any dark alleys. That would go for any big city you visit in the world, not just the Philippines.
I wouldn’t walk down the street at night two blocks away from the White House in Washington, DC, if my life depended on it, its not a good area.
So just some common sense should prevail….where ever you may go.
take care all,
Danny 😉
Hi Danny – Actually, this article is not about Mindanao, it is about the entire Philippines, and applies everywhere in the country. I wish you had been able to make it to Davao! Maybe next time! 😆
I first came to the Philippines in 1986 after I was married and have lived and worked regularly since then – I lived here from 1988 to 1992 then 2006-2007 and am a regular visitor as we own a house in Las Pinas.During this time I have never had any problem with security or crime – the only time I had any cause for concern was when I tried to get to work during the coup attempt against Cory and ran into a group of heavily armed rebels.They were very polite and told me to go home. Philippinos are always telling me how dangerous it is to go to various places etc.- they seem to suffer from paranoia,the problem seems to be that Philippinos do not trust each other and live in a constant fear of each other.There are places in Manila I would not visit at night but there are places in Scotland my home country that I would not visit at night also.
There are many things wrong in the Philippines but it is certainly no more dangerous than many other countries in my experience.
Hi Bryan – You’ve got a few years on me…. my first time in the Philippines was 20 years ago. I must say that my experiences, regarding safety, though, are very similar to yours!
Wow Bob…you got this spot on! So true…but that’s just the way it is. Filipinos are really afraid for the foreigner’s safety. That’s the reason why I got into your blog. John G. is new in the Phil & going to places etc that I think would be too much for a westerner. So I got tempted to leave a comment to say “Be careful!”
Hi Roy,
After a while I did come to the conclusion that the Filipinos I was with on my first visit and the visits that followed may have been more concerned than even I was that nothing happened to me.
In fact, I’ll even go a bit further than that. On my last visit when I presented my passport etc. to the Imigration officer, she asked where I was going. A brief discussion followed, I presented some additional information. After stamping my passport the Imigration officer gave me a business card and told me ” if you have any problem, any kind of problem at all, please feel free to call us right away !
Now that was a kind of welcome I never expected !
And, Bob, I bet you never needed to make that phone call, right?
Thats right Bob, Never had to make a call although I thought it was a very nice gesture and welcome from the imagration officer in Manila. Maybe they are afraid of Mindanao too !
Thank you, Roy. Don’t worry about John… 😆
I think lots of people from affluent countries tend to be apprehensive in the presence of the very poor. There’s an intuitive belief that poor people in slum districts, whether it’s Sydney or London or Chicago or wherever, are more than a little lawless and dangerous. Whether the fears are well-founded or not, they can avoid the perceived dangers at home because there aren’t many poor districts.
Here of course there are LOTS of very poor people – tens of millions of them – and it’s easy to understand why many foreigners feel they would be targets. Coupled of course with the other reasons given in earlier comments.
I think that’s a good point, Ken. Having a lot of poor, truly poor, around is shocking for most westerners.
Hi Bob,
For as long as I been going there I really see no real danger there. All you do is follow your safety rules and be aware of your surroundings. Like Paul T. I’ve been to some real armpits in the world and the P.I. is a best kept secret.
Yes; BoB I agree most filipinos think anywhere but their home province or town is dangerous.
My is no exception to this she thinks the only place I’ll be safe is in Subic or with her family in Silang Cavite.
Hi Bruce – I’ll take you one better… I’ve been to some real armpits of the Philippines, and I still felt really safe even in those places! 😆
I cannot help but smile at the familiarity of my own experiences in Philippines as to those described above. Iorked in the philippines for almost a year. I was living in a hotel and the door staff were constantly telling me to not go here and not go there because it is too dangerous. Do not ride on a jeepny because you will be robbed. I loved to ride the jeepneys everywhere around Manila. So much fun…and sometimes the driver would even ask me up into the front seat to talk. One night, after dinner in the visayas, some local boys not older than fifteen approached me and my local friend and asked if i needed help. My friend was horrified when i started to walk toward them, saying ” don’t don’t talk to them…they will rob you!” One of the young boys raced on foot two blocks and hailed a taxi from the main street for me and my friend and didn’t want anything in return for it! It is so true that local filipinos have a mindset of danger, particularly for westerners, that would scare the weaker minded westerner into leaving on the next plane to the familiarity of home. But it is of course in there kindly ways that motivated them to look out for you. However, it has to be said, as it has already been above, that like anywhere, stupid decisions in areas and situations in philippines where the natural risk is inreased, will lead to trouble. A friend of mine ended up robbed, bashed and in hospital for going to a private residence with a local girl he met at a bar, where four men where waiting for him. Silly mistake in the philippines.
HI Glenn – So true that you need to use common sense here, like you would anywhere else in the world. So many westerners do stupid things that get them in trouble, no doubt about it.
“Why do a lot of foreigners think the Philippines is dangerous?”
1) When in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, my girlfriend, later wife, and I shared an apartment with a Filipino musician & his Taiwanese wife. “JR” and his Filipino band members were all from villages in the Mount Pinatubo area. Without exception, they urged me not to go to Davao, as I would be robbed, kidnapped, murdered.
2) When we arrived in Davao, I was saddled with an entourage, a gun, and the expectation that I would be in countless “fights”. Though I escaped my security detail & sold my gun upon my subsequent return to Davao, I could have used that gun at a later date. Heck, I could have used my “bodyguards” as well.
3) Most conversations I had with local politicians, businessmen, police & military, were rife with concerns for my safety & opinions would fly back & forth as to whether the concerns were valid. Each time one of these people would give me some sort of protection, a business card, letter, phone number, etc., that would supposedly scare the bad guys away.
4) When I decided to get into the fishing business, my plan to build boats near Gen San was met with great concern by some of the military personnel I had met in Davao. In the end, they were right, I should have stuck to Sasa/Panacan (Davao).
5) There is a major difference between visiting the RP & living there, and “welcomes” can wear out with time. As well, one’s lifestyle – where they go, when they go, and the activities & actions involved – dictates the opportunity for adverse encounters.
6) Being “in the wrong place, at the right time” can and does happen everywhere in the world. Allowing emotions to dictate one’s reaction to an event can be disasterous in a country where many act on emotions.
7) “Did you hear the one about…” Ask anyone whom has lived in The RP long enough & they will have some story to tell you that involves the misfortune of a foreigner who was living in the local area. Sometimes the story comes first-hand, sometimes it has been around longer than that mutt laying under the mango tree & is just as flea-bitten.
Hi Mike – Ha ha… Some of those would probably make a good article to share on LiP! 😉
So many comments. but maybe this is a slight addition? Read the Manila newspapers that think of themselves as national newspapers. Uh huh! How many articles are about anything outside a fifty mile radius of Manila, unless the president goes to the provinces. This is a two way street: Manilan are not interested in anythingthing outside manila (so won’t sell papers to write about events in the provinces) and Manila-based reporters are not interested in going outside Manila either. Ten years ago, I was on an ADB project. My part was to find ways of improving the foreign investment system in the Philippines (which, surprise, was and is a mess). I interviewed the mayor of Cagayan de Oro and asked him what the government could do to improve the investment climate in his city and province. Reply, “Just have the Manila papers write balanced reports about the security situation here.”
This situation is not new. The “founding fathers” of the Philippines had a similar attitude. As far as I know, the Philippines is the ONLY country in the world where the national language is NOT the language spoken by the most people. As the table below shows, Cebuano/Visayan is the largest linguistic group by far, but, since the founding fathers came largely from around Manila and to the south of Manila, Tagalog became the national language!
Larger ethnic groups
The following are the twenty largest ethnic groups in the Philippines:[2]
Cebuano (20,160,000; largest)
Tagalog (13,928,000; second largest)
Ilocano (9,527,000; 3rdlargest)
Hiligaynon (8,068,000; 4thlargest)
Central Bicolano (3,504,000; 5th largest)
Waray (3,426,000; 6thlargest)
Kapampangan (2,667,000; 7th largest)
Albay Bicolano (2,155,000; 8th largest)
Pangasinan (1,637,000; 9th largest)
Malay (1,287,000; 10thlargest)
Maranao (1,091,000; 11thlargest)
Maguindanao (1,077,000; 12thlargest)
Tausug (1,020,000; 13thlargest)
Min Nan Chinese (922,000; 14thlargest)
Masbateño (764,000; 15thlargest)
Capiznon (724,000; 16thlargest)
Ibanag (703,000; 17thlargest)
Aklanon (555,000; 18thlargest)
Suriganon (485,000; 19thlargest)
Kinaray-A (485,000; 20thlargest)
In 1994 my wife and I were walking up the hill to a house we were renting in Olongapo City, two teenage boys were standing on the road and one yelled, “ Hey Kano, I think I’m gonna’ fight you.” My wife was panicky, and concerned when I smiled at the kids and told them I’d wait here, while they went to get two more buddies, so it would be a fair fight. They both started laughing and walked up the hill with us joking and talking. Humor can defuse a lot of situations. I talked with them for a couple of years after, and found they were good kids. That was the most danger (no danger) I have ever encountered living here.
Hi Paul – It sounds like you were shaking in your boots! 😆
Just my flip flops my friend!
Ah, so it was a more “laid back” attempted mugging then! Got ya!
No question that a large part of the negative perception of the Philippines is from the filipinos themselves. So frustrating for me to love a country where the people themselves seem to have so much distaste for where they live.
The other problem is the media. I can honestly say that in my 47 years on this planet I have NEVER seen a positive story about the Philippines from an American news organization. NEVER EVER EVER. Come on now!
But you also have to really wonder if the Philippines even has a tourism board. I cannot recall ever seeing an ad in an American magazine or on a network channel promoting tourism to the Philippines. I see ads for Thailand, for Austrailia, and many other places…but not the Philippines. That is absurd.
What is amazing though is that so many people that actually visit the Philippines like it, and many like me like it a lot. You would think the Philippine government would realize this and start to promote their country more….but most of us know the Philippine way. Never change much, just keep doing the same thing.
Todd
Hi Todd – In many ways I agree with you. On a couple of points I disagree, though.
I have seen positive press coverage of the Philippines from US media, although very limited. Just last year when Efren Penaflorida, a Filipino, won the CNN Hero of the Year award there was a LOT of positive press coverage of his efforts and of the Philippines in general. But, that is only one story, and you are certainly correct that such positive stores are few and far between, without a doubt.
On the advertising end… the Philippines used to advertise it self (ala the Malaysia and Incredible Inda campaigns) on CNN and BBC back in 2001 and 2002, with their WowPhilippines campaign. That, though, lasted only a very limited time, unfortunately.
In general, though, I fully agree with you, and it really falls back on the Philippine Government to turn this around, if they ever want to see tourism flourish here.
Richard Gordon was the Secretary of Tourism during the WOW campaign to promote the Philippines to the world. Some in Congress complained that he was wasting money, as they had never heard the adage “You must spend money, to make money.” And as the saying goes, that was it for tourism.
Hi Paul – I believe that Dick Gordon is the best tourism secretary the country has ever had. If he had been able to stay in the job much longer he might have actually been able to turn things in the other direction!
Well the way I see it right now any of us could do a better job than what is being done. I watch a LOT of TV over here (America) and as far as I can see there is little to no coverage of the Philippines to begin with….and if there is it is negative.
I have family members that are horrified that I go to the Philippines because they think it is so unsafe. My best friend of 42 years thinks I am totally nuts for going to the filipines…even though I have praised the place over and over.
But I will keep on promoting the country to everyone I know….and it is working more and more. More of my friends are going over and seeing the same thing most of us do…a beautiful country full of mostly warm friendly people.
Todd
Hi Todd – I can’t disagree. Everything you say is true. The couple of points I pointed out are only rare exceptions.
I like to go to Masaysay Park in the evening with a good book and sit by the bay and read. Yes, the park is not well kept and often the children are begging, but I prefer it over Peoples Park. People tell me I should not go there at all and certainly not go alone like I do. I have even been told if I get robbed I deserve it because I should stay away. I wish the City Father would have spent the funds on that park instead of Peoples Park, but he did not. I have been frighten by Filipinos from traveling outside of the Davao area and as of yet have not gotten the courage to do so except the local mountain area. I do not pay a lot of attention to the State Department warnings because I have found them to be overstated regardless of the country they are reporting on. I do not know if you can compare the stats on foreigners being harmed in Thailand to the Philippines because of the volume of foreigners that live and travel to Thailand. The number of visitors to Thailand in one quarter is equal to the yearly visitors to the Philippines. The Philippines has much to offer tourist and it is a shame that the trourist industry is not pursued more by elected officials. That is an industry that requires less capital to develop and can employ less skilled people. I believe the tourist industry could produce more revenue for the country than any mining endeavor and certainly do less harm to the environment. God blessed the Philippines with much beauty and it should be used to make life better for the Filipino people.
Hi Tom – I go to Magsaysay Park from time to time, and I find it a pleasant place. Of course, if I go there I have to stop by from some Durian at the Magsaysay Fruit Vendors place there…. It’s been a while since I’ve been down there, maybe I’ll have to make a visit soon! I’ve never felt unsafe there.
There are a lot of reasons that the Philippines is struggling to get people here and its not just the fact people “assume” its dangerous. Its also the eco problems that have been doing the Philippines international damage since the 70s putting off divers. The illegal dynamite fishing, cyanide etc. etc. destroying the local eco system at the same time.
But also if you check with the embassies they all have alerts for areas and Kidnappings and killings do happen but what isn’t mentioned is most of the time its people in the wrong place and often should know better. The Tourist Thailand program I could see how many people get murdered there seemed to be a severe lack of common sense with anyone on that show. They were generally involved with the drug trade either buying, taking or looking to export. Dangerous businesses come with high risks.
Now the paranoia that the next town is dangerous or not to go into certain areas is cultural and often a defence mechanism. If people see an area that is rough they assume its dangerous. Yet I would rather live on the outside of a sub-division than having them as neighbours. Because in reality here your more likely to get an official try to do you out of money than robbed in the street.
Ah, but my question in the article was not about why the Philippines is not getting enough tourism, it was why do foreigners think that the Philippines is dangerous! The question you answered is related, but not the same as what I asked.
Indeed, drugs lead to many problems, and also seem to cause stupidity among the travelers, no matter where in the world they are traveling. They do lead to a lot of problems.
The problem is, the Philippines has some great places to visit for foreign tourists, I am from the UK, yet none of the travel agents i spoke to have ever heard of Boracay island !!! perhaps its time the government started promoting tourism here on foreign coutries TV !
I do not think its dangerous here, you just need to be sensible, I use a bus everyday for work, I have had no problems apart from the odd pretty woman sitting next to me ( there were many other empty seats on the bus) asked me where i was from, if i was married etc etc, for all i know she was probably married herself, and even though i am single, i told her i was married, with that, she stopped the conversation as she realised she would get nothing out of me. you just need to use common sense here, there is a certain protocal with women in the philippines, local men can get upset if they see a pretty girl talking to a foreigner, if you must do this, do it discreetly. enjoy the philippines its safe !!
I Have lived 4 years here 1 year in Dumaguete and 3 years here in Tagaytay. Before I came here I lived in one of the suburbs of London. My wife comes from Romblon. I felt as safe in Romblon as in my home in the suburbs of London. In Dumaguete less safe but ok if you take care, here in Tagaytay the wife says don’t go out after dark on your own it is not safe (she never said that in Dumaguete) A balut seller was murdered at the front of our sub. div. for a few peso last year. Dasmarinas is the other place we visit to go to the local SM Mall I was in the Mall when it was attacked by armed men, this past week , my wife was very frightened, apart from this I would say it is a very dangerous town with a smell of danger. The truth is life is cheap here and you can lose your life here very easily be careful.
I’m filipino american and have been living in the U.S. for many years. There are a lot of things that foreigners expect when they go to another country especially a third world country like the Philippines. My advice is when you travel abroad is to leave behind you western mentality and learn about other cultures, not only their shortcomings but also their good qualities and what they can offer. These people might be poor but they might offer you a friendship that you can’t find in a civilized country that run your life like a robot. Maybe, you can relax and enjoy the beauty not only the places that you can visit but the people in general and be generous enough to reciprocate their kindness. The bottom line is that if you don’t like it, you can always go back to where you came from and hopefully that when you are tired and stressed out of the rat race, you can say I really appreciate the kindness, hospitality, and friendship of this people.
Hi Rey – I couldn’t say it better myself!
Hi Bob,- Nice comments, about Philippines. Our world is not safe anymore! Wherever you want to go, there is always a bad and there’s a good people. Meaning there’s such no safe place. You go to New Zealand, your enemy there is not about Rebel or terrorist, but the earth quake..Only one place is safe, and that is Heaven. and our no. 1 best friend that never left us is “GOD”.. Thank you. (”,)Y
Thank you, Noroden.
Hi all
i had found this post very interesting and wanted to add my views to this post
first of all a little about me i am a 31 year old british been in Cebu for about 4 years and married for 3 years and have enjoyed my time here and for me this is my first time away from my country for such a long time.
i wanted say my part regarding the subject me personaly i have found the Philippines to be a wonderful place the people are wonderful and very helpful and the philippines has plenty to see nice beaches and so on.
of course the philippines has its bad points but so has every country but all the good points will always out number the bad.
i also believe if people who come to the philippines or any other country for that matter should always do a little research and should also follow some simple golden rules and life here will be good.
i also had the same thing as Bob my wife also her family said i shouldnt go out alone and i also told them i am a big boy and that if i follow simple golden rules then i will be fine and they are keep my head down be polite and dont show off and since my 4 years here i have ever only had 1 problem.
but i really hope that the Philippines can enjoy more visitors to the country.
good luck to all and hope you all enjoy your time here
Last March I visited my GF/fiancee in Antipolo. I was never allowed to go ANYWHERE alone, not even sari sari (sorry sorry, we no have.) just stayed up on the hill and worked my butt off making improvements to land and house. Before I met her I had been around on my own in Manila, Baguio, Bontoc, Angeles, Puerto Galera, Palawan, many places, never had a problem except overloaded ferries!
Traveling in PH since 1989, most main islands and rural areas, met one day the PH army, the next in Negros the NPA, never a dull moment, always an adventure, but always alert!!!
I’m sure Thailand is a great country to visit, I never get further than the Bangkok airport transit terminal, to many tourists and I don’t want to meet my neighbour from back home.
Tourism has ruined Thailand, keep the Philippines safe from that please, shhhhh!
Hi Woody – you were not allowed to go anywhere? how did they stop you? Chains? Prison cell? ha ha…. why would you put up with that?
Well Bob, my GF living in one of the worst and poorest areas, and has been robbed and injured twice must have been her main reason for concern. During the first week in bayan, I had her and her two cousins watching my back. Later I told her on my next visit that I would go to town on my own if need be, then there was an argument. I somehow think she’s more worried about other women meeting me. Lets face it, they flirt a lot on the street when they see a foreigner. During my one month visit I did not see a single foreigner in town or anywhere else in this area (Cogeo), but had many nice looks from the women!
I find the PH relatively safe and have no problems traveling alone. My only important rule of safety is not to walk around alone when drunk in the evening, carry as little cash as possible & don’t argue to a knife or gun.
Hi Woody
i agree with some of the stuff you said in your post its the same with me but just got worse for me lol yes i agree one needs to keep an eye on whats going on around ones self like my wife says any girl maybe after me because im a white guy but she also asumes im going out to get my leg over if you catch my drift yeah kinda wish but as a white guy in the Philippines one has to remember that the way of life here is so different from our own country and if your married or even have a girlfriend you going to be watched like a hawk.
but as for me its really hard because i got a wife who is so jealous and a mother in-law who is such a control freak i can’t even scratch my balls without asking first and they want me to be like my father in-law work pray sleep work pray sleep and never have any fun.
apart from that the Philippines is a good place to be and i agree with Woody dont carry so much money just take out what you need or if one has to carry a large amount of money do what i do wear shorts unders your jeans .
anyways good luck to all here hope you enjoy your stay and hope you never get a jealous wife or controling family like i did lol
Hi Lee – Before we made the final decision to move to the Philippines, I told my wife that I am a big boy, and I get to chose where I will go and who will go with me. She thought about it and accepted that. Just as I don’t feel the need to send somebody to spy on her, she does not feel the need to do so to me either.
Hi Lee,
It would seem that from the many blogs on the net, it is mostly true… Once you have a partner there, it’s completely different from back home. “I love you honey, mahal na mahal kita!” at least 20 times a day. Extremely jealous & possessive diba? when in an argument or disagreement, “You don’t love me any more!” or “You have other woman!”
I guess they’re all different in some ways but the one I have can become like fire breathing dragon if not handled with care! Misunderstandings are common but not always obvious.
Forget not that to “Catch a foreigner” is big status for women there. so long you are white, tall & have a long nose – you are the one! What the Filipinos never seem to understand is that the money we bring is big there but for us back home crap! Also some of us have to go without many things in order to save extra, sometimes for a whole year in order to help them as well as the long expensive journey! My GF has a new I-phone, i told her to sell it seeing as no one in that area can afford one, and dangerous to use in public. She said that she couldn’t sell the phone because no one there can afford such a luxury.
I’ll just leave you with this: If you have a good one, she will love & care for you like no other woman back home. My fiancee pampers me like a baby, daily massages, always insists on showering together, worries if I cough or sneeze, a good cook and even tried to shave my face once, ouch! Yeah, the man is the boss, but the woman the commander… if you can’t see her, she’s behind you. If you want to go walk-about alone, she will either feel hurt, or suspicious. Sometimes it can feel like having a living shadow, at least I can take comfort & some solitude in the CR .. 😛
(PS: When she goes too far and oversteps that thin line, I let her know and later I get the ‘sorry honey’, LOL!) Oh yeah, and never mention anything about your X or old flames!!!
Good luck, being a ringmaster is mahirap!
Woody
Philippines is UNIQUE =)
I want to visit alone in January and I am an avid scuba diver. Recently discovered what a treasurer the PH is for diving. Would not mind having some small fun with some girls.
I was thinking of going to Sabang. I can dive like crazy and have a good time at night at the girly bars.
Is Sabang safe for extracurricular activities if I am alone and do not get out of hand as I don’t drink and am not out late. Otherwise I would go to Dumaguette.
Thanks
My wife is from the Philippines where I first met her. She is from Leyte. I had never been there before. Two of her cousins that worked as security guards went with us everywhere at first. I never felt in danger even when her cousins were not with us. Once I got lost in Manila and walked 18 miles back to Makati City. I could have paid for a cab, but I wanted to experience the city on foot. I walked through many different neighborhoods. I was never threatened. Maybe I was lucky. I’ve traveled around the Philippines out into remote locations and through most large cities. I feel much safer in the Philippines than in the USA and any other 3rd world country I’ve visited.
However, I hope foreigners continue to be scared of the Philippines, so I can afford to retire there. It is still affordable for most people that are not wealthy.
The fresh vegetables and fruit are some of the best in world. The mountain view across parts of the ocean are breath taking. I’ve seen many beautiful places, but you can find very unique beauty just about anywhere in the Philippines. We bought a small Honda motorcycle and traveled thousands of miles mostly in remote areas. I’ll never forget the fun. We visited my wife’s priest living in a remote location. He was taking care of disabled young people that helped him. We rode to the market on the Honda and got some fresh caught fish and shrimp and these disabled young men cooked us up about the best meal I’ve ever eaten anywhere. They used native wood and simple fire to cook.
The only thing hard on me about the Philippines is that hot weather near the ocean makes me sweat almost continuously. Sweating is good for the health. I prefer living in the higher elevations or about half way up some of the bigger mountains. I can always travel to the cities by the ocean.
Filipinos seem to have a calm nature, easy going, love to sing and dance, and in my experience much happier people than many of the spoiled materialistic Americans. I am a spoiled materialistic American, but I’m changing. I must get rid of all my material possessions before retiring in the Philippines.
Hi Mark – I think it’s a pretty poor attitude to say:
So, keep the Filipinos poor and struggling, so that you can benefit from it?
Bob,
I meant no harm in that statement, but as a joke. From the rest of what I said, I think it is apparent that I was never afraid. Thought that was the picture I was painting. Therefore, everyone realize that I see no reason why anyone should be afraid to visit the Philippines. I just rather not see the Philippines turn into something bad. I like most of it the way it is. I don’t like the poverty such that people struggle for the basics, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Most Americans have too much and I know that has been bad too. There is a happy medium.
Most of my charitable contributions that I earn in American go to poor families in the Philippines. That is one reason I don’t have much money. I’ve lived among many poor and struggling Filipinos. They seem happier than the average, too Rich American. I have no benefit to keep others in a struggle or poverty. If and when we move to the Philippines we will not have much. I want food clothing and shelter for my family and relatives. I will help others as much as we are able.
First time in the Philippines we needed a bunch of clothes washed. A pregnant Filipino lady that worked 12 hours a day in a German owned restaurant washed our clothes by hand. Her pay for 12 hours of work was $1.20 USD. My wife gave her 3 USD and she said it was too much. We finally convinced her to take it. Her father let me ride his scooter to visit the Chocolate Mountains and I found it needed a new tire and headlight. I asked him to please take his rental fee, plus put a new tired and headlamp on his scooter. He reluctantly took $20.00. Every year at Christmas when we send gifts and cash, we always send this family money for Christmas. They buy a few gifts for their children.
In American we always try to hire Filipinos to work for us because they are such honest hard working people. They are very resourceful in my experience. We hired Ruel to help us with our organic gardens and other gardening. He learned to use a tractor and front end loader right away. His last employer treated him badly and I new he was good find and asked my wife to give him 20% raise right away. Ruel’s son is stuck in the Philippines. His wife and 3 daughters are here in America. It is very difficult to get his son here. They said his income was too low. So I sponsored his son, guaranteeing that I will be responsible in case Ruel cannot. However, I know Ruel can provide for his family very well.
My wife’s family are beekeepers in the Philippines. We expanded that business and hired workers. I asked my wife to be sure they are paid well, have vacation/holiday pay and sick leave. They had enough profit during last honey harvest to buy a new motorcycle for traveling. We gave them the Honda when we left last time. Also we sent them all modern beekeeping tools to make their jobs easier.
I prefer to invest in Filipino’s lives and not just funnel money. I want them to succeed in business and growth so they can provide for their families.
what a nice thing you’ve done, awesome …. BIG RESPECT!! 😀
@ Mark, i realy like to read your post, it is strange but inside we are with the same kind of feelings.. I went to phil the first time in 2009 and everyday i went to the park feeding some children at the park and i come back again in 2009 and do the same thing and i did and still enjoy doing that..May i take a short of this post to tell which experience changed my point of view and the way was my lifes before. Once at the park i bought some bananas and there were about 13 kids so i gave them one banana each, insie of one minute already ate theirs but one little boy kept it in his hand, so i ask him a little boy why don,t you eat your banana, and he placed it to his heart and he said i keep it for my little brother at home…wow my friend this little boy has completly change my life, and since then i am marry to a filipina and we always give it is more fun to give than to receive, but i wish so much to be able to move there and find some ways to share with them but i have to secure myself a little…and concerning the post title, the news really don’t help us to feel so safe, it is always someone geting kidnap here and there, when i was on mindanao from my wife town, everybody i think has a gun…i wonder if someone drunk came to me and bug me,,,but nothing happen and yes i am still searching a nice place to stay didn,t find yet…
But i am learning a lots from you guys thanks to share all your stories.
salamat…
Renay,
You caused me tears, but they were happy tears mostly. Sort of bitter -sweet. I have so many memories from my visits to the Philippines – some sad and most happy. More people like you make the world a better place to live. I pray God will always keep you and your family safe no matter where you travel.
That little boy you speak about is possibly a small messenger from God. I don’t believe in coincidence – I believe things happen for good reasons.
salamat
Kuya Bob! you’re a great writer or am I say, blogger ? hahaha! Wish you can also answer my question why many foreign investors afraid to come to the Philippines.
Hi Sam – As much as I love the Philippines, I must say that the Philippines is not friendly to investors. I mean… I can pay all the money to put up a business here, but generally I cannot own it. Why would I want to invest in something I cannot own. If I want to live here to operate my business, I cannot own a house, so why would most investors want to stay here? In nearly every other country, it is not like this. This is one of the reasons why the Philippines cannot attract investors. Add to it that there are a lot of rip-offs here… well, I think you will understand why.
Yes Kuya Bob ! I understand why. Thanks for the answer. God Bless 🙂
hi bob
i like u post ok and like u i always hear about the bad things there mate i never for get the first time i ever was to go there it was about 12 years a go and there was ppl coing out tell me u are mad going there on ur own and u will be killed there and lol my sister she did not talk to me for a week over it mate and then there filipina friend well now mate what did i get from them just the same and more lol and yes in places it is bad but if u do ur work be for u go and see what and where u can go and do it safly u will be ok and all the time i have been to the php i have alwaays feelt safe and keeped out of bad things ….peter martin tassie
Sounds like your experience and mine are quite similar, Peter.
Majority of the killings in the Philippines of expats, were masterminded by expats, in the case of Indians, there are cases of Filipino policemen shot dead by Punjabi-Indian criminal gangs based in Philippines. Here are the numerous links to prove it from Philippine newspapers and Indian newspapers :
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/bi-bars-exit-4-indians-20110115-023600-655.html
http://www.canadaupdates.com/content/three-indians-arrested-bogus-philippines-visas-15838.html
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/69475/suspect-in-kidnapping-indian-nationals-nabbed-in-iloilo
http://rp2.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/01/10/indian-national-kidnapped-murdered-capiz
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/10/06/10/armed-men-kill-indian-national
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/225015/indian-national-shot-dead-in-quezon-city
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/40049/indian-national-robbed-killed-in-cebu
http://balita.ph/2011/01/07/kidnap-slay-charges-filed-vs-quezon-city-cops/
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/594669/two-men-shoot-dead-indian-man-carcar
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/265202/indian-national-killed
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-13/india/41372696_1_philippines-manila-money-lending
http://www.philstar.com/metro/660947/p8-m-pooled-kidnap-try-indian-sect-leader-witness
http://www.ncrpo.org/index.php/news/press-release-2011/20-press-release-january-2011/126-police-indian-nationals-charged-for-kidnapping-murder
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/01/13/11/indians-point-fingers-over-who-real-criminal
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7991491-cops-bravery-led-to-indian-mafia-in-phl
http://syednazakat.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/lending-in-trouble-indian/
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/113959/news/regions/nueva-vizcaya-not-spared-from-indian-mafia
http://syednazakat.wordpress.com/2011/01/22/lending-in-trouble-indian/
Well, I read every single comment on this page, and I have to say it does NOT make me feel like the Philippines is safe at all…hah.
And what do you mean by “bombs going off and bloody people running inside your store”? Sounds FUN…
I have been pickpocketed 2 times here in the Philippines one time I was pickpocketed for 35,000 pesos as I had just come from the bank. The other time I was lifted for 2,500 pesos and two cell phones. That happened in Cebu. Another time in Samar someone lifted my 45,000 peso camera while on a bus. with my camera in the overhead.
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. I’m not trying to be mean, but it sounds like maybe you need to be a little more careful.
Personally in 20 years of traveling in and out Philippines as well as living here in between, I have experienced very little crime and bits of annoyance here and there,but itis like 1%to what I have expereinced in China or Thailand…People in Manila do seem to dislike Mindanao in general…even in Cebu…
It is ok Francois. Most people in Mindanao dislike Manila. LOL