The Philippines is, in my view, a generally safe country. There can be arguments about that, some people feel it is quite dangerous. I am not in that camp, though.
I will say, there are some isolated parts of the Philippines, though, where westerners would not be as safe and precautions should be taken.
Recently, I got a question for my podcast from Bill. Bill is wondering if it is OK to wear clothing, especially shirts that have things like a US Flag on them, also things with US sports team logos and such.
One way to determine the safety of this kind of thing is to look at the local people and see what they are wearing. In my household, I need look no further than my own kids to know the answer to Bill’s question.
So, give the podcast a listen and see what I have to say. Let me know how you feel. Do you agree with my assessment, or disagree?
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Thanks again for listening, everybody!
Bob, There is crime everywhere in the Philippines, Even Davao but to a much lesser extent thanks to your Mayor. Just having fair skin and a hair color other than black makes you a target for scams extortion or kidnapping. I personally think it is best to dress as much like the local as possible. Definitely, one should not carry or flash large sums of cash or any foreign currency. Do not advertize your natioality<period! I am like you however in that I feel very safe here and just be aware of your surroundings makes me feel much safer. I also avoid going to bars especially at night.
Hi Joe – Thanks for stopping by.
There is crime not only in the Philippines, but in every country.
You said you should dress as much like the locals as possible, and I fully agree. As I said in the podcast, I see Filipinos every day wearing shirts with USA logos – flags, sports teams (especially basketball teams) that sort of thing. I don’t think it is a problem, except in areas where foreigners are less welcome, as I outlined in the Podcast.
Haveing lived here for 16 years now, I have a fair amount of experience in this realm, and feel very comfortable with the recommendations that I made. Thanks, though, for adding your view as well.
Hi Bob,
In Cebu as in other parts of the country, because of the popularity of ukay-ukay, American flag clothing and sports clothing are very popular items to purchase. I also notice American flag clothing that is new, being sold for local attire. Sometimes you can spot the fakes because it might say:
“Harvard University, U.S.A.” which is not typically the orig way of printing it.:)
One thing though I have come across often lately in the reading local news, is the case of drug related drive-by shootings. It seems that in the more touristy Mactan Island, Lapu Lapu City and Cordova there have been some cases of mistaken identity when certain foreigners who might be wearing caps have been gunned down. Being out wandering early in the morning or late at night with a baseball cap that hides your features some might be rather dangerous. These areas see a lot of foreigner traffic, especially at fast food places with outdoor seating.
Some foreigners are involved with drug trafficking and have aroused Filipino grudges and rivalries.
Best to be careful at these times of the day I would think, and maybe not wearing a cap would be a good idea.
You sure are correct, Queenie, about American styled clothing, it is very popular here. That is why I would not have a big concern about wearing that sort of thing in most parts of the Philippines.
Thankfully, drug trafficking is not much of a concern in Davao. I can see where it would be a concern in many places in the Philippines though.
As an aside,
I find it very surprising and disheartening to read in the local Cebu news about so many foreign nationals who are arrested for many serious crimes in Cebu. Drug trafficking is just one of the various crimes.
It makes us all look bad.
I agree, Queenie. A lot of foreigners here get into these things, and it is not good! Here in Davao we have little crime, because the Mayor is so strong. Drug trafficking in the city is virtually non-existent now… those who were involved are mostly dead. It is an unconventional way of dealing with these criminals, but it did work. Those who are involved in such crime are afraid to enter the city now, they fear for their lives, and rightly so.
Sorry Bob, but you seem to have been listening to propaganda and/or don’t have any real appreciation of the extent of substance abuse in Davao. Sure it could well be far less than in other major cities of the Philippines, but there is still plenty of Shabu in Davao. You may or may not have heard that the Davao Death Squad (DDS) can be selective in who it murders. The kill on command order may well be responsible for for the fact that there are fewer drug dealers in Davao than elsewhere, but it is a very fine line between the DDS and the Marcos regime’s assassination of political opponents.
I’m constantly telling my kids, who were born years after Marcos was disposed, that they shouldn’t eulogize any politician that feels he/she is above the law even if his/her actions appear to be in the best interests of the local community.
Hi Malcolm – You seem to have had trouble reading what I wrote -) I never said anything about the presence of drugs or consumption of such. I commented on DRUG TRAFFICKING. Things like manufacturing, transporting, large scale oerations of such sort. I firmly believe that such large scale operations of that sort are rare in Davao.
Bob:
When I first started going to Europe, people there immediately spotted me as an American just by the way I dressed. No, I did not wear clothing with the American flagg all over it. It is much more subtly. For instance, most Europeans never wear sneakers (“trainers”) unless they are going to the gym, jogging, or other such activity (same with white socks). In the USA, that is almost standard attire for a large portion of the population.
In the Philippines, and Asia for that matter, we stick out even more, regardless of how we dress. Ever notice how Filipinos can pick out an OFW on leave from abroad almost instantaneously? They certainly could with Rebecca when she first returned. As an aside, I used to sometimes bring her jewelry when I went on my trips. She asked me to stop, saying, in effect, “Thank you, but where am I going to wear this? The palengke or Quiapo?” She had a point.
I agree with you that how you dress will not make you more of a target. It is impossible to “blend in” here. However, you can make yourself less obvious. I believe it is more about not doing things that are stupid…. This applies anywhere. When I worked in Miami, a tourist wandering around usually was pretty identifiable, too. Flashing money or showing off makes you a target there.
Hi John, I sure agree with everything you said. Funny, I have been here so long that, like Filipinos, I can easily spot an OFW or Asians who are not Filipino.
Wearing “trainers” here will identify you too… Anything other than tsinelas shows you to be an outsider.
Hi John & Bob
The jewellery subject always raises its head when we go home to PI. If we are flying via Manila we both hide what we have but when we are home in Davao we never feel threatened or have a problems wearing jewellery. My wife does limit the amount she puts on though as we don’t want people getting upset with her as though she is showing off or “rubbing their noses in it”.
My wife and I are nearly always able to spot the Americans by the uniform that you listed above. As I tend to wear flip flops and shorts most of the time people ask if I’m American only sometimes but rarely assume it.
I try to wear some local shirts, if my size is available, as it shows people that I am making an effort but I have to admit that most clothing that I buy in PI is American branded due to the sizes being available. NCCC in Davao is very good for having more “western” sized clothes.
The British Union Flag is quite popular on clothing as well at the moment which quite surprised me but I have to admit that I’m not big on wearing it. Special occasions only. I prefer the English Cross of St. George but as the locals don’t realise that it is the flag of England it is never a problem. Again though I only wear it on a rare occasion.
Cheers
AJ UK
PS – I hope people are enjoying the holiday in the PI today!
Hi AJ – nice to see you, thanks for stopping by today.
Want to know why you are not asked if you are American? Because you are a foreigner, and in the Philippines, every foreigner is considered to be American!
You are right, NCCC is by far the best place in town to find western clothing sizes?
Not sure really Bob. It has happened but is a rarity as far as I can remember.
Possibly my London accent confuses the locals. I tend to get asked where I’m from rather than them assuming I’m American.
Or maybe it’s because I’m quiet, shy and retiring LOL.
I am generally assumed to be German.
Hi Bob, just wondering what your take on wearing army/camo clothing as a foreigner is there? I have been advised in the past not to wear it, and took that advice on my last few trips, not taking anything with me that could be mistaken for military clothing/equipment.
I guess that being a foreigner is one thing, but being mistaken for foreign military [especially US/UK, being the interfering bully-boy military power around the world that they are] is another. What are your thoughts?
Hi Johnson – I never thought about that, but I agree with what you have been told before. You would be thought of as military, and probably considered to be “on a mission” or some sort. I would avoid wearing camo.
I usually wear locally purchased clothes and have my filipino friends advise me on what looks good to them. When it comes to clothes I guess I fit in the fashion flunkie category so I am happy to have local friends to assist. I don’t wear flip flops, I prefer regular oxford type work shoes that I wear all the time at home. Obviously as a foreigner I never expect to totally blend in but maybe just stand out a little bit less. LOL. I try to get a few new shirts on each visit and luckily have been able to find things that fit, at least with the shirts LOL. My local friends also assist me when I ask which of my clothes would be best to wear to certain functions that I may get invited to or otherwise attend. It’s good to have local friends.
Hi Bob – I think that for somebody who comes here from time to time, as opposed to somebody who is here permanently, that is a great idea to rely on local friends. If anybody would know the scoop, it is them!
Many Pinoy wear old frayed Tshirts portraying US and other various foreign flags, et al. Those wearers, being Pinoy, however look more Pinoy than foreign, usually darker skin, flatter nose, Pinoy features, all that. Oh, and they speak fluent Tagalog plus whatever local dialect; Do you, can you reasonably converse in at least one or the other? The point is that the person wearing the clothes is more salient than the shirt they wear, so wisely consider who will be *in* your shirt before you put it on.
Though I’ve been periodically tempted to get Tshirts made to wear, reading …
“Katulong/Yaya needed” (front) “Usap mo ako” (back)
or “Walang ko gf, pwede mo apply dito”
and a lot of others thoughts, I’ve so far demurred doing so, though I still just might. Then again, I could likely and honestly deal with any resulting conversation in the vernacular and wouldn’t display anything beyond my means to positively or least neutrally deal with.
I’ve always had the least trouble dressing decently according to what’s prevalent where I might happen to be. Obviously the “dress” to attend at BI or a federal or provincial courthouse is quite different than at the local Barangay hall where they well know you and will help you when under duress. Further, dress down the scale at some informal Pinoy barkada session. A “barong” is suitable for a wedding whereas otherwise anything ostentatious or “western” suggesting ‘wealth’ is typically not suitable anywhere for the prudent.
My lifelong rules, everywhere:
1/ Never carry anything you’re not prepared to lose without question.
2/ Don’t appear to have things or wealth others might covet, especially if you can’t pay up to expectations you might foolishly cause.
3/ Never dress more than 20% beyond what the locals would for any given venue. Consider where you’re going before dressing to leave home.
4/ Be very willing to lose the shirt rather than die for your foolish choice of shirt. Give it away before it becomes a problem if you need be. Better no shirt and a good heart-felt conversation.
It really doesn’t matter what clothes you wear, you are going to stick out anyways because you are a foreigner.
You got that right, PD! 🙂