We’ve been living here in the Philippines for seven years now. I thought I could get used to the noise of the people singing in the karaoke machine at the neighbors house. I was wrong, lately our next door neighbor have party at their house. I’m not sure if some of our neighbors are just used to it. I don’t think that somebody complained to them though. They just don’t think that other people have to work the next day. They usually start the party late in the evening and end around dawn. We are up too because they are loud.
I am not really sure what’s the business of our neighbor, but I could see though they got so much junk at there house. During night time they are sorting I think like bottles or something because we could hear noise of glasses that was tossed around. Sometimes our dog keeps barking because she could hear people talking and noise at the other side of the fence. Now I think she’s used of them making noise. We thought at first it was her that’s playing around outside with bottle, I was kind of mad I thought the kids left their bottle of pop outside, then the dog had fun with it. I was wrong.
You know what? The idea of building a house in Samal, it’s supposed to be in ten years, but it is getting so tempting now. Whenever we go to our land there in Samal we always said it’s so peaceful there, good view no noise. Just dreaming for now guys.
Somebody asked me about land in Camudmud and Mambago. Those places are good to live. Very quiet there.
Mabuhay!
Hi feyma for the noise I have bad experience last year I am
with my wife in cavite we stay for the house relatives of my wife 4-5 times in the week have philipppino
men start in the night 8 oclock and stop 4 or 5 oclock
in the morning I am very angry (get nervous) I speak the relatives why no speak stop this noise of music and conversation
tell me the relatives I can't to speak them no posible.
But in plase my wife in san juan nearly to vigan in night quiet
but start music 6 oclock in morning. you tell about vigan you
know is good place to live foreigners if you don't know about
vigan if you frients you can ask please.
regards
Feyma
This is a big problem but what is interesting to me is that YOU as a Filipina also appreciates the problem. When i go to wifes mothers house (in tagum) seems that its only me notices the NOISE. Just background noise but like you say can be very annoying, especially excessive noise at night
Funny, when there is a 'brown out' and there is generally peace, but then within seconds of power on, the music cranks up straight away, but it is also other things like people warming up the diesel engines of their trucks and a million other things, however i can get used to most things but the thing that prompted me to comment is this Feyma…….
As a Filipina, can you not politely ask your neighbours to curb their noise because it is night time and your children need their sleep because they have school tomorrow? Or is this not possible in your society because people are allowed to make noise in the privacy of their own homes?
Here is hoping for peace for you all the very best
hahahahaha! The guarded and gated community I live in is not looking so bad now diba? One thing I notice is that the back of my house is against the river and on the other side is the barangay complete with a videoke bar. Yeah they get noisy sometimes but I just don't notice it anymore most of the time.
Good subject Feyma, we have noise problems here in UK also, loud music, conversation, banging and crashing, people just dont seem to care ! I DONT THINK ITS JUST THE PHILIPPINES, i think its everywhere, nuisance neighbours we call them, or neighbours from hell, but I must admit, I notice also in the Philippines, the noise is high, I dont suppose you can knock on your neighbours door and say "Excuse me my good man, would you might lowering the volume of your magic sing?"
Hi Feym,
I feel for you. Every time I visit, that's what I notice. Filipinos have a higher tolerance for noise. Drivers don't have any second thought about beeping their horns unnecessarily. The mall is just defeaning with music blaring and all other noises mixed in.
I remember the last time I was there, we were staying at a resort and I woke up at 4:30am to watch the sunrise. I heard a videoke still going full blast! It did take away from the tranquility that I was looking for.
I would advise you to talk to your neighbors. If no one brings it to their attention, they'll think everyone's okay with it. Just my opinion and I know you can do it. 😉
Feyma and folks,
2 things here…. First, the noise related to the "partey", which leads to karaoke singing, etc. You got to consider though that it's cultural, at least, on my own opinion. Pinoys consider this as their past time, a form of socialization, etc. Just like Pinoy having fiesta celebration. In Gensan, where I was from, each barrio/barangay has their own patron saint that they celebrate. And during that month-long celebration, there's beauty contest, singing contest, dance contest, etc. with loud speakers blasting the neighborhood. However, doing this and other party "activities" til dawn is unexcusable.
The other one is the "glass/business" of your neighbor. That's where US differs from Phils. because here if your business causes disturbance to the community, you have to move somewhere else, period.
But unfortunately, there's not much you can do in your situation, but just to look forward to your Samal house. Otherwise, you will be the bad guy. And by the way, that's why everytime we visited Gensan, my hubby do not want to stay in our house, and use a hotel instead. He always said, that he's on vacation, and wants to enjoy his stay. Though, I find it costly, but he has a point in a way. If he wants to socialize, then, he'll come to our house, and when it's rest/sleeping time, he's back to the hotel. Actually, last time, the 3 of us stayed in the hotel. 🙂
Hi Zois- Just curious are those men drinking? That might be why they are loud and stayed till morning. They just didn't think that they are disturbing other people. Too drunk. to think.
I think Vigan, Ilocos Sur is a good place for foreigners to live. I haven't ther though so I can't really tell you more. I will ask around and let you know. Goodluck.
Hi Rick- Honestly, before I lived in the States the noise here in the Philippines doesn't bother me a bit. I grow up that my Dad was the Barangay Captain and all the games and festivals just they had it in practically in our yard. But since living in the States I'm used to being quiet in our place. We lived in the country. I loved it.
Yeah it's true during brown out time it's so peaceful here. No loud music that the whole neighborhood can hear.
It's really hard to talk to people that doesn't have common sense though. Too drunk to think.
Hi Louis- Good for you.
By the way, Congratulations to you and Venice. Nice wedding.
Hi Pete- Wow I'm shocked that it's like that in the UK. I thought it would be loud in the bar there not in your neighbor's house. I haven't experience that in the States before. Well you might have to unplug the magic sing of your neighbor then. ;-).
Hi Tina- I don't know why here as if people can't talk to each other unless they had like background music. I noticed that in malls even hotel restaurant. You have to tell them to turn down the volume of the music..
My friend was also complaining to one of the hotel here. They turn the music so loud still early in the morning.
I will ask around here if somebody already told our neighbor about it. I'm tempted to tell them.
Hi Lea- Honestly if its fiesta I would not complain about it. It's not a weekly thing. When they are singing and drinking just to have fun its okay but they have to consider also that they are not the only people in the neighborhood, Just lower their voices a little bit. Like I said before people just don't have common sense sometimes.
Yeah The Samal land is sooo tempting now. I can't wait to live there. 😉
I think "getting annoyed" started after we have experienced other countries' quiet and sometimes boring way of life.
Before that, we seemed to be ok with everything about being Pinoy-happy and loud. We now even have a word for it-obnoxious.
In our household, karaoke replaced the anti-depressant my mother should have been taking.
We can never take it away from the Filipino people, but we can always go away…and comeback and be a Filipino again.
We have no choice but to live a double life and it's the most challenging role ever played.
Hi Feyma,
We have young men in our neighborhood who played basketball on the road (one goal!) 'til the wee hours. Approaching them barefooted and in my pajamas helped them realize that they've to quit dribbling the ball and apologized. Sometimes I thought that dribbling the ball at night is better than these young people having a drug session in the neighborhood.
Hi Feyma I talk you for bad custom of philippine people. Now
I talk for good custom of philippine people If you smile
philippino very fast smile for me I am surprise and I look them
if I travel bus jepne or motorcycle very closed friendly for me.
Another day I drive car on street from san juan go to vigan
I make press the horn (whistle) of my car because have many cars and get nervous with me but philippine people no speak
nothing to me I am surprise, if I make in greece in greece
like very easy angry with me greek peoplel.
only my problem I like to find rent house in vigan I stay with
my wife 1 or 2 years I learn the philippine life and philippino
custom And after I look where to stay and live. Please you no forget I wait information of vigan .
regards
I truly miss the crowing of cocks early in the morning and the chirping of birds and the crickets at night. I guess those were music to my ears compared to hearing the sirens go off anytime here. Do you remember the howls of dogs late at night ? Oh my, it made us close our eyes and cover our ears when we're kids! And the sound of geckos or tuko, isn't it sweet and rythmic ? Thanks, Feyma!
Feyma – yes, fiesta is once a year but you forgot other occasions like graduation (esp. for us who lived close to schools. whew! very loud speakers, and reading of all the names:) ), other school events, Christmas (judas belt!), neighbor's birthdays, etc. Oh, always, everytime we use taxi, the drivers radio is blasting esp. they see that my hubby is black, they tried to play rap or hiphop music. Very funny. 🙂 because my hubby is a classical music type of person! So, he politely ask the driver/s, to either turn it off or lower it down, most of them do without hesitation, others ask why, and we just laugh!
kiarizona – I totally agree with you. It's almost about everything actually, not just loud noise. Even when it comes to littering, or known as "kalat" in Cebuano. I'm not saying I didn't do it then, but I tried not to litter like chewing gum wrappers, etc. However, when I got here in the US, you can tell the difference, at least for places I lived like MI, FL and currently VT. So, everytime I come back home, to Gensan, for me it looks very "kalat". And yes, same with my Mom who has Alzheimers', karaoke is one of her pastime/meds 🙂 Don't worry Feyma, she's not using mic. 🙂 Also, sense of charity and spirit of volunteerism, US is great when it comes to that too , at least based on my experience.
Personally, I tried using the good traits I learned here, and at least try show it to families, relatives, and "hopefully", they'll follow.
Hi,
That's one of the things that annoys me about the philippines!
badly sung kareoke all day and all night! Personally I would ask for someones comment on my singing after one song or listen to a recording of it before I did it again!
Maybe you can do that! record the whole night of your neighbours drunken howlings and play it to them the following morning as loud as possible!
One of the reasons my wife keeps convincing me to go there is because of my music room, where I play guitars and drums but even though (I feel) they are played well I still stop playing at around 8pm. I just can't help it out of consideration for the neighbours! and thats after it was soundproofed.
Regards
Phil
The place where my family's house is used to be so quiet and peaceful.Well that peace and quiet was shattered when the government relocated a group of squatters on the land behind our house. The land behind our house used to be a ricefield and a vegetable farm. Now, It is highly populated and the noise that goes with the growth of poulation is driving me crazy.
Though our house is enclosed ny walls you could really hear the music comming from the house directly behind us cause he uses boom boxes and has a sound system that could be use for fiestas and community dances. WE could hardly hear each other when we're talking, we need to shout. What's worse is that the windows and the glass are vibrating because of the deafening music. Its kinda scary to see glass vibrate.
Anyway, after years of tolerating this, as my dad just wanted to let it be cause he says its one concession we can give them as a good neighbor, I finally did something to put a stop to it. I brought it to the attention of our brgy captain. Well he did stop playing loud music and doing loud videoke but it was temporary. After sometime he would again do it for weeks and we have to complain again then he would stop again. It was a taxing cycle. Well, I finally just early this year put a stop to it. I reported to the police,instead of the brgy. captain, and my he was shocked the first time a whole bunch of policemen went to his house in the middle of the night. Our neighbor tried to to do it again for several times but evrytime he did it Ill call the police. Moreover, i told him that the next time he steps out of bounds with music and the videoke singing I'll write to hus office and file an administrative complaint for conduct unbecoming. He apologized to evrybody in the neighbor as nobody really appreciates his noise.
My point in sharing this is to tell you that You can put a stop to annoying noise. Go to the barangay captain to file your complaint or whoever is the head of your neighborhood or community. Most times many do not realize that they are an annoyance. Many times they will be apologetic.
We Filipinos love music and singing ,I agree, but there is a limit and time for everything. Being rowdy has nothing to do with being filipino or one's nationality. So being filipino should never be an excuse for making annoying noise.
Whats wrong with us is we do nothing about the noise we tolerate it cause we dont want to cause trouble to our neighbor. But really, I think we should also try to make them realize that what they are doing is not within their rights. Thst what our brgy officials and tanods are for. If they are helpless call the police. I havent had any trouble with the police usually they are willing to help. Just be sure you are also diplomatic with your neighbors in settling the noise issue.
Hi Sophia – Well said!
Hi Kiarizona- I guess you are right, but I am not gonna accept it though.
Hi Jul- That gave them lesson to quit playing ball then. Gosh, that's really life here sometime they just don't think that other people wants peace and quiet.
Like you the roosters crow doesn't bother me too.
Thanks for your nice comments as always.
Hi Zois- You know what their's a lot of good thing here in the Philippines. I am happy to be here, but we can also share you guys some that have bothered us too. Not a bad thing though. Okay I will really asked my cousin about Vigan when I see him.
Thanks for your comments.
Hi Lea- Yeah we got so much special occassions in this country, I think how many times a month. That's funny with what happen with your hubby with the music thing.
I tried to teach my family on putting their garbage in the proper place, not just throw it on the road. My family when they come for a visit in our house they know they will not throw garbage all over the place. My kids are good when it comes to that, they even put their candy wrapper in their pockets whenever t they can't find any garbage can around.
Hi Phil- That's really a good suggestion. we might try that. 😉
Hi Sophia- I could not agree you more. Very good advice.
Hi FEYMA Noise is my main dislike of Phil no matter where u go the noise is sure to be there. Remmber i met u and Bob for a coffee last month at SMcity.while in Davao we stayed at a hotel next Rizel promenade.Bands playing till 2in the morning right next door to the bedroom.Fortunitly enough to drive a man to drink.I would not reccomend that hotel any one unless they are deaf.
Hi Frank- I remember you. It's a great pleasure meeting you and your wife. Sorry that you had problems with the noise at the hotel. I hope you guys still visit Davao. We still have some other hotel here.
Hope to see you again.
I have lived in the philippines for nearly 5 years, I used to live in a pretty run down area but it was very quite at night, I am british and have a filipina wife and son, we brought land and built a house in a area that looked very nice, in fact the whole street is nice except right opposite our house we now have young kids/adults/teenagers sitting in the street drinking from late to early morning, they are a noisy bunch and have my dogs barking because of their disturbance. It really is a nightmare for us now, i have put the house up for sale but you know here it can take years to sell, i really am at wits end, we have politely asked for them to go elsewhere but they take no notice, Also only tonight i catch them sitting on our fence/chicken wire around our grass outside cutting their hair so our ya ya will have to clean it up in the morning, they are a terrible nuisance and wish we could do something about it but the police i am afraid are not likly to do us any good i think it would just cause us more problems with me being a foringer if the police got involved. I just wished we had stayed where we were living before and not tryed to upgrade ourselves, The street really is nice both ways except right outside out place, What a shame on the local people.
Hi alex – This is a pretty common situation in the Philippines… you move into a nice neighborhood, but the neighbors are a problem…. sorry to hear of your situation.
Well a few weeks ago we were luckily enough to sell the house, I took a big discount but now our lifes have changed so much for the better of we can now relax
life is back to good, Our next move is down to dumagute(spelling I Know)
but have been in angeles through to much of the bad times, will be glad to get out of here, god bless to all