Are tourists coming to the Philippines to visit? Not many, unfortunately. And, do you know what? There are a lot fewer “tourists” coming here than statistics will say. Why? Well, let’s take a look and you be the judge.
At this time, there are more than 11 Million Filipinos working overseas (OFW’s or Overseas Filipino Workers). A lot of those OFW’s come home to visit their families, particularly during Christmas time. Many OFW’s, if they are out on a long contract come home about once every 3 years or so. Of course, some OFW’s never come home to visit, so the numbers of OFW returns per year are hard to calculate. Let’s just say that most OFW’s, on average come home once in 5 years. That would mean that 2.2 Million OFW’s come home each year.
Another group that is a big part of the incoming tourist count is people like me (and most who are reading this site) – foreigners who are married to Filipinas. We come, usually with our kids too, to visit our wife’s family. I don’t know for sure how many such “tourists” of this classification are coming each year, although it is significant. I know that when we lived in the States, we came to visit every 2 years or so. When I am out around town, I regularly meet people who are visiting here to see their wife’s family. So, it is a significant number of people.
Now, how many total tourists are coming to the Philippines each year? Well, last year (2007) was a record year for tourist arrivals here in the Philippines. The total for arrivals from overseas was 3.09 Million in 2007. Well, we I already said that OFW arrivals accounted for over 2 Million, so that leaves just 1 Million or less remaining to be accounted for. Figure maybe a half million arrivals of people married to Filipino partners (only 100,000 or so families like this when you consider that it is husband, wife and kids in most cases), and you have perhaps as few as 500,000 real “tourists” left.
I have been talking about Thailand in my previous tourism related series of articles. Do you know how many tourist arrivals Thailand had in 2007? Approximately 16 Million people visited Thailand in 2007! That’s right, it is about 5 times more who visited Thailand compared to how many visited the Philippines! And, on top of that, Thailand doesn’t have nearly the OFW population that the Philippines has, let alone the number of Thais married to foreigners as the Philippines does. So, the vast majority of those going to Thailand are real tourists. Not just people coming home to visit.
Now, you may wonder, why do I say that the OFW’s and returning Filipino families not “real tourists?” Well, think about it. Particularly in the case of OFW’s, these people don’t come here and spend money in the way that a tourist does. Very few OFW’s would come home to visit family and stay in a hotel. They don’t eat out at restaurants at the rate that a tourist who is here on vacation does. They don’t buy souvenirs and such. Generally, a visiting OFW, if he/she has extra cash, will give that cash to their family to help pay regular household expenses in coming months.
So, after this article, I will have one more article in the “tourism” series of columns. Yes, I have spent a lot of time talking about this issue lately, but it is because I believe that tourism is a very important issue for the country to face. It is one area where the Philippines can compete on the world market, and become a world class competitor. It can also put a lot of food in the mouths of poor kids around the country, and that is a good thing. Tomorrow, we’ll look at how well the City of Davao is doing when it comes to attracting tourists.
I have tried and tried to get my friends and family to come visit us here in the Philippines! In 20 years, who has come? My parents, twice, and a friend whose son was marrying a Filipina. That's it, even though I offer them free housing and food. Are these friends I keep inviting travelling elsewhere? Yep.
Hi AmericanLola – Well, there you have it… a first hand testimonial!
Hrmmm…this could be an opportunity, ya know. Many times in history, where governments have failed, private individuals who've recognized an untapped opportunity that nobody else has have have succeeded. Just thinking out loud here…me and my black capitalist heart 😀
Its not hard to realize why tourists don't come. The Philippines for all of its beauty is not tourist friendly. Most flights arriving from the U.S. arrive at uncomfortable hours, the airport is terrible, the taxis are hustling people and filthy. Put in an international airport near Boracay, fly people in directly, clean it up and tourists would come. Take a look at Pearl Farm. Just imagine the amount of work it takes to get there from Manila-after a long international flight. Throw in the impression of terrorists, guerrillas, etc and why would anyone come there unless they had a reason to. You land in Thailand and the airport is 1st class, the transportation is clean and geared to get you where your going without any hassles. I have been coming to the Philippines since the early 70s, lived at Subic for a couple of years, and visited Marlou as often as possible. Each trip was never a pleasure it was always work to get where I wanted to go. Now don't get me wrong I love it there but not as a tourist attraction. The Philippines has a very long way to go before its a tourist destination. Ron
Hi RichardInSC – You think just like I do… in every tragedy there is opportunity! Ah, the pleasure of being entrepreneurial!
Hi Ron LaFleur – Yes, I hear you every step of the way! And, you are right on every point that you make. Funny thing is… look at a comment that was made on one of my earlier tourism posts this week – people at the Department of Tourism will look at this, and many of them will say "these guys are uninformed, we offer everything they are looking for." Well, the fact is that we are not uninformed. If the things that we mention are already in place, why aren't they being promoted? The people who read this site are informed, regular visitors to the Philippines, and they know what they are talking about. I only wish the the DoT would listen!
Most tourist want a package. Chartered plane, a hostess who welcomes you at arrival, guides you to the chartered bus that brings you to the hotel. Everthing is organized. I don't know in the US but in Europe nobody offers organized trips to the Philippines. Plenty all inclusive if you want to go to Thailand. But if you want to go to the PI you have to do everthing yourself. Find an airline, find a hotel…for most tourist too much of a hassle.
Hi Luc – It's the same in the USA, nobody is offering such packages to the RP, but to Thailand there is much to choose from. This is where the DoT could step in and do something. Yesterday, I was looking on the DoT website and they have some packages there. But, it is very ambiguous. By looking at it, I don't know where to go to get the package, how to schedule it or anything. It would appear that I must arrange everything myself, they are just suggesting a destination. Very confusing!
Luc – you are right. Mostly! A package deal, at a reasonable price might seal the deal for many wanting an affordable, safe, comfortable vacation. The PI has a lot to offer, but nobody knows that much about it and those who do have to do it all themselves and hope for the best. But it would take more than the typical 'Travel Agent' arrangement. It would take guarantees from somebody trustworthy to encourage people to 'make the leap'. A few thousand satisfied customers later, and the entire thing might snowball. Can't believe nobody has seen this until now. Take care of the customer and they will take care of you.
With the front line hosts embarrassing tourists,insulting & stealing from them. Grown men urinating in the middle of the street. Not to mention the monthly terrorist actiity on the news. I have to advise my friend not to take his wife there. Cleaning up these issues might be a good place to start. So that previous tourists like myself can tell my friends. It is a nice place to take your family!
bob, i think the reason most travelers dont stop in the philippines is because of all of the travel warnings posted. when you compare the warnings of irak to the philippines they look to be the same. i dont see that the philippines is any whorse than seattle or portland. the things i do see in the people of the philippines is that they seem to be moore friendly than most of the people that i have met.
Hi RichardInSC – Yep, I agree with you and Luc.
Hi Guy – It is unfortunate that because we are culturally different from each other, sometimes things are said that are quite embarrassing to the guest. For instance, the points that you brought up the other day. In my case, often times someone will tell me "Sir, you are very fat" and in our culture that is unheard of! Here, though, it is not considered insulting. For guests to be comfortable traveling here, such perceived insults must be put aside, no doubt.
Hi jerry smith – I personally do not believe that the travel warnings play even a small part in the tourism problem here. What has been pointed out repeatedly by commenters here is that they want to come to the Philippines, but the policies here have made it hard to do so! For example, if somebody is e-mailing a hotel and practically begging to rent a room, and the hotel doesn't respond, that has little to do with the USA issuing a travel warning.
As a point of reference I've been visiting the Phils for the last 8 years or so. Lately I've been about twice per year on business. I love it. I brought 2 of my business partners with me and we visited Palawan. We all had an excellent time. Now they can't wait to go back. I understand that the Govt should be doing more and could be doing more to promote the country internationally. I'm of two minds on this.. I feel like if regular tourists don't want to take the chance to visit it will keep the country from turning into a tourist trap like Hawaii is. Overrun with tourists, displacing locals and tearing up the natural beauty all for the sake of the dollar. Of course the other side of it is tourism bringing in dollars and improving the local economies. If only such tourism could be managed to empower locals and keep the dollars in their pockets and out of the pockets of the Govt. and international chains that tend to run big business tourism.
Hi Paco – Thanks for stopping by! You are welcome here, and we look forward to your comments any time! I, personally am of the mind that I would like tourism to improve and bring more money into a country where the people need it badly. I do understand your side of the coin, though, that more tourists might make it a worse place to go! For somebody living here, an improvement in the overall way the place is would be a step forward, though.
Hi Bob Atypical case of how switched off Phil is to tourists is your mother. She arrives late at night on a long haul flight at the NO 1 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT of the country . What happens She has to sit on the floor for hours because the airport is closed.what an imression this gives.
Indeed, the Philippines is such a beautiful country. Unfortunately it is not tourist friendly and lacks the structure to support a large scale tourism industry like Thailand. Democracy has its limitations. Votes can be bought. The goverment has to go to court to "relocate" squaters along the roads, beaches and rivers. Politicians need their votes during election time. Getting right of way for roads, electrification or expansion of airports is next to impossible. In Thailand the goverment can take property, relocate houses and structures at will. There is nothing the Thai people can do. Commit a crime against a tourist. You will not see another day.
Travel warnings have had a personal impact on me trying to convince my friends to accompany me to the PI every year. They read the travel warnings or remember the Martin & Gracie Burhnham incident and they say forget it. I try to convince them otherwise, but I always end up coming by myself. I wonder how many other people tried to get friends to go and they declined for the same reason?
Hi Bob, After 10 years of asking, my friend in Luzon finally convinced me that it was "safe" to come to the Philippines. So, last year I went with the wife in January and loved it so much I left the wife at home and went batching it with a Canadian friend in August. Again we had a great time, but we had the advice from someone living there a long time (i.e. bring toilet paper!).
Upon arrival we were met by a DoT "guide" on the check-in side of the customs and whisked through passport, control, conducted to the baggage area and then escorted through checkout to currency exchange. From there we were escorted to the DoT desk at the exit for brochures and maps while they called our hotel for a pickup car.
Everything very professional so it can be done! I'm not a diplomat or anything, and living on a small pension. My friend's wife had a friend in DoT!
The one killer to this long trip is the long bus or van rides to any destination. Almost 8 hours from Manila to Candon City. Then we were informed by an expat that there was a small airline flying from Manila to San Fernando (one hour trip) and then only 2 hours by bus – what a difference, but we didn't find out about this until we were in country.
You are right, better communication from DoT is required, both on Internet, at the airport, and in the towns.
Bobby has a good point. A benign dictatorship has a better chance of making sweeping changes than a corrupt 'democracy.' Tourists are not in a position to grease the palms of those who hold the power, and the bureaucracy is like swimming is wet cement.
And I do think a number of people are put off by the bad news and warnings. A friend of ours is expecting her pen-pal to come this week. The last time he came, he was scared to death refused to come to Mindanao and met her and her family in Manila. This time he is coming, but was shaking in his boots. His lady friend asked us to call and reassure him, so we did. He and his parents were VERY relieved to talk to Americans who had lived here for 20 years! Now he excited about coming and even plans a week up in the remote mountain village that is his friend's home. We'll take him for a steak dinner on his way out! 🙂
Hi Frank Fealey – Yes, that incident indeed is a very good example of how tourism works (NOT) here. I decided not to bring it up, because we covered that ground pretty thoroughly already. But, indeed, it is spot on.
Bobby – Keep in mind that until only a year or so ago, Thailand was a democracy just as much as the Philippines is. Yes, it was toppled by a coup, but the massive tourism industry was already in place under the democratic system. I do agree that a benign dictator can push things through when needed, I just don't think that Thailand is the model for that. I might be wrong, though!
Hi Bob (HI) – Yes, I do agree that the travel warnings have SOME impact… I just don't think that it is a major impact. People already have all the negative images in their minds, even if the State Dept doesn't warn them.
Hi John in Austria – I'm glad that you made the trip, and it sounds like you are too! When you were talking about the DoT people rushing you through the airport and such, I was sitting here with my mouth hanging open, I was so shocked. Then when you said that a friend had connections at the DoT it all made sense!
Hi AmericanLola – I'm glad that you helped the American fellow decide to push through with a visit to Mindanao! It's great to hear that. I get so many opportunities to do that as well, because of my Mindanao.com website, a lot of people write to me looking for reassurance.
Hi Bob, Just an update. The American Consulate site probably reads the same as this excerpt from the Canadian Foreign Affiars site: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?countr…
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the Sulu Archipelago, Basilan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga del Sur, Saragani, Davao del Sur (excluding urban areas of Davao City), South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao unless they have critical or compelling business or family reasons.
No wonder people don't want to go to the Philippines!
Hi John in Austria – The USA goes even further! They advise against all travel to Mindanao, not just those isolated places (and, I've been to all of the places listed!). But, still, Mindanao is only 1/3 of the country, there are no warnings about Cebu, but people don't go there either? Di ba?
the new FAA downgrading of Philippine travel safety to category 2 will not help. time to think outside the box in promoting tourism.
in the Philippines, you'd be better off not relying on the government (see DOT comments on this site). locals, residents, where's the entreprenuerial spirit?
when i search for destinations to travel, i rely in private websites for research. a small example, i'd love to see well-designed websites of new samal resorts. no need to go to govt websites.
times have changed. the internet brings new opportunities.
now if only local hotels return emails promptly…
Hi macky – I really agree. There is a place for the government, though. Just like countries like Malaysia and Thailand are advertising general ads on TV (Come to Thailand! or whatever). When those ads are seen, it puts an idea in people's heads that Thailand might be a place to check out… OK, let's go on the web and see what they have to offer! I think that this is a legitimate place for the govt to spend money.
The PI also gets a lot of tourists from South Korea who are mainly young students visiting up to 6 months to learn English. They spend very little time in hotels and spend a lot less then average tourists who might vacation for 1 to 2 weeks.
Hi neil hect – Exactly correct. I forgot about that. Between the OFW's, people coming to visit family and the Korean students, it probably accounts for 95% of "tourists" in the Philippines! 😮
Hi Bob and to all of you, guys. American Lola (#1) is so very right: we experienced the same during the past nine years. And Bobby (#15) is also absolutely right and give the answers in his comment. 😥
Hi Klaus – thanks for dropping in and sharing your comments!
I live on Borocay where much talk about an international airport with a 2,000 metre runway to be constructed on adjacent Karabou Island, never quite seems to 'get off the ground'.
Even a project that has been completed like Manila's new international terminal, stands deserted and bogged down in a political quagmire since construction ended in 2000.
The Philippines lacks good government not good tourist attractions.
Interesting read on the topic of tourism in PI. I saw someone had mentioned about the kidnapping of Martin and Gracia Burnham. I happend live in the city where they are from and where Gracia resides now. I also had the opportunity to spend several weeks in Mindanao and Zamboagna in November. Yes, you could say I was a tourist during that time. It was my first trip to the philippines and I had someone looking out for me the whole time I was there. My friends thought I was crazy to take off by myself and head to the philippines for a vacation. When I first thought about going to the philippines for a vacation I started doing some searches on the internet about places to see and visit, about half the websites that I could find had to do with sex tourism and finding brides. To the rest of the world Cebu and Angeles are the first impression people see or read about, just as I did when I started looking at vacationing in PI. This isn't very flattereing impression of what PI has to offer. For the record you can get a complete sex tour package from Cebu. Should add I didn't go to Cebu or Angeles while I was in PI. But it is sad that this is the only Tourist Package being offered to the world from PI. When I got to Manila and was leaving the airport I encountered a woman trying to get me into a 500 peso cab and telling me how much fun a man like me would have in Angeles. Manila reminds me of Mexico city and I have no desire to every go to Mexico again. I flew into Ozamis the next day. From that point on it was probably one of the best vacations I have every had. It wasn't a Luxury vacation, but a chance to see how beatiful the country is and experience the culture. Good food, great hospitality and very friendly people. Even had hot showers for a few hours during the day at one of the hotels I stayed at. I plan to return again in May or June. Want to see CDO, Camiguin and Boracay on the next trip. I wouldn't say my first trip was tourist friendly, but it was people friendly. About the only time I got a little nervous during my time in Mindanao was going through some of the military check points. Nothing happened, I'm just not used to seeing all the soldiers and they appreared to be well armed and serious. Just thoughts from a recent tourist.
One thing that bugs me is that Davao has a half decent airport but the only international flight is to Singapore. If they really want to get the tourists in then surely they have to get some more direct flights to other destinations.
Coming from the UK its a hastle getting to Davao becuase i have to always go thru Manila on a budget flight as London to Singapore to Davao costs a small fortune! So i always end up in Manila at some ungodly hour and have to get a hotel for the night then carry on the next day to get to Davao.
Hi Graham – I understand what you are saying about a hassle flying into Davao. I hope that will change someday. 😡
Now I'm sure whether I should go or not. I've been thinking of a trip to Davao, visiting places along the coast all the way to Sarangani Bay and doing a bit of research on the early American presence in those areas. My family and friends keep discouraging me from going because of political unrest and kidnapping incidents. Just what is it like to drive down the coast? Are there places to stay along the way?
Hi bebot – You should not be too concerned about a trip between Davao and Sarangani Bay. That is a safe area, and I would not anticipate any such problems in that area. Places to stay along the way would be difficult, though. It is only a 2 hour trip, and I do not know of hotels and such between the two, except in Digos City.
Land ownership by foreigners can also be one reason. If I am to invest millions of dollars in a world class resort. I want some kind of security on my investment. I would feel more secure if I own the land where the resort is built. To date you have to marry a Filipino or have a Filipino partner to own land. Allowing foreign land ownership would shoot property values sky high but would in return provide Job. Just see what it did to Bali Indonesia and the Carribean Islands. In Mexico one can purchase a beachfront property for 50 yrs with another 50 yr renewal option.
Open Skies. PAL and other domestic carriers have monopoly of the skies over the Philippines. Allowing foreign air carriers would stimulate competition and progress.
I live here and love it in many ways, but with the present attitudes of both the DoT and the BID I never recommend the Philippines to anyone. I would love to, but from Philippine Air Lines to the silliness of the 21 day visa waiver … and surliness of the BID officers, to the 'gulag' 'vistors in a cage' policy at NAIA to the oft-mentioned taxis … and the fact that both light rail systems reach almost to the airport … yet not quite … stop, Dave, the list goes on and on.
I don't know how to fix any of it. I'm willing to do my part and even more, but there's just no leadership. I lived in Thailand two years and Japan three … I'd strongly recommend either of those countries long before I would recommend the Philippines … and it make me sad.
Hi Graham #30 – If you fly KLM from the UK, you will arrive Manila around 9:30 in the morning. After clearing immigration & customs you can then take the free airport shuttle bus to the domestic airport and catch the PAL 1:30 afternoon flight to Davao.
I believe that there’s now a flight between Darwin, Australia and Davao. So if you come from Mindanao you can now visit Australia direct (by-passing Manila).
Hi bob- a bottle of pepsi outside a tourist resort in Cebu – 20 pesos, inside the resort -150 pesos! I know where I will be staying when I visit ! Thank god I am not a tourist.
hi bob,
you are a wealth of information on your adopted city. you menytioned that it's only a two-hour trip all the way to sarangani bay. Is this from davao city?
Hi Bobby – Yes, land ownership could play a role here, I think. However, I don't think we'll be seeing a change anytime in the near future on this.
Hi Dave Starr – It really is a shame that you feel that way. Don't take me wrong, I completely understand. I wish it could be different, though.
Hi Marilou – Thanks for posting that tip for Graham!
Hi anthony – Yes, this is true. I was at Marco Polo yesterday for a meeting. A bottle of coke, which is P15 at the grocery store was being sold for P85. I don't mind a markup, but that is going a little far!
Hi bebot – Thank you very much for your nice words. Yes, the trip from Davao City to Sarangani Bay is about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
more whining from the BHL's.
we don't compare a dog to a cat. So stop comparing RP to Japan. Compare it to its true peer – Indonesia.
hello bob, im back . sorry bob im home again after 3 days being out of town for work. sorry bob for mentioning the travil warnings. the only reason that i did is because of my mom. you see i have been trying to bring her to the philippines for years and she tells me when the travil warnings get better then she would go. bob i realy tried everything, i went to the travel warnings given from the philippines them selfs and to my supprise they were the same as the warnings of the ones given by the us. the warnings i am talking about are the ones on the president of the philippines own web site. also bob one outher reason might be is the book that is out in america of around 2001 of the death of the hostage, that was the first thing that my moms friends pointed out to her. i took it from her and told her not to read it because it was just one persons life and thats not the realty for all people.. bob the reason that i have slowed down in touring the philippines is when i come home the usa is because when i arrive in seattle the last two times any way the home land securites will pull me out of coustoms and question me about why i viseted mindono. the told me on my last trip , ( dont u know thats the home of the aubusiaf ) thats a quote bob i swear to god that when i am heald in customs its for at lest two hours. the only crime it seams i have done is visiting mindonao. bob sence 911 it has realy changed. when my family and friends hear about these things they are turned off and think about visiting outher places. but for me i will some day live in the philippines because i have had the pleasure of seeing it first hand and i like what i see.
Hi jerry smith – Certainly, there is no reason to apologize! You are alwasy free to mention any subject here! If you would like, I would be happy to talk to your Mom on the phone sometime to let her know that it is quite safe. I am an American, and have lived here in the Philippines for about 8 years now. In my opinion, the USA is just as dangerous as the Philippines, or should I say the Philippines is as safe as the USA. Yes, there was a hostage killed back in 2001. How many tourists visiting America were killed in the past 7 years? A lot more than 1, I can assure you.
Yes, I know about the Abu Sayyaf. I have actually personally visited areas that are Abu Sayyaf held. Going to those places can indeed be dangerous, but those are quite isolated areas. Going to most of Mindanao leaves no reason for fear.
I am not complaining Alan. Just stating a fact. Of course, I understand what you mean, I was just responding to something that another commenter said. Loosen up! 😆
<<I>>
stop comparing dogs to cats, Bob.
You can have your meeting in the food court of Gaisano South with your 15P coke bottle. No one will stop you. The locals do it all the time.
If you want to consume STRONG air conditioning, western atmosphere of people-not-listening-in-to-your-conversations, and guards who WILL dislocate the riffraff's shoulder to prevent him from disturbing you at your table, and guarded parking – you need to be at the Marco. Which you apparently already realize.
That's what your P85 bought. Not a fizzy softdrink.
Would you feel more comfortable with a 70P table charge, then a separately itemized 15P softdrink? It's really what is happening.
at least you give us an honest assesment/ news of the about tourism in the philippines.keep doing it.we appreciate you.i cancel my trip this feb. untill the philippines will make improvement on thre aviation issues.again thank you…,
Hi TV – I'm sorry to hear that you will postpone your trip! Things are not that bad on the aviation end, and you can always fly a US carrier if you worry about the Philippine airlines.
Hi John – Usually when the girl wants to meet you at the airport, the reason is that she wants to protect you from having another girl grab you away from her! Seriously!
If this is your first time in the Philippines, I would recommend that you not rent a car, use a taxi or other local transportation.
You’ll have a good time, John. Just go with the flow!
I am flying to the PI to meet my GF… I am flying an American carrier… She will get me from the airport, this is important to her, because she wants to make sure I am protected and taken care of, I really do not know what that means, she would not elaborate. Do any of you know? I will be staying at her sisters palce about a hour North of Manila.. Do not recall the name.
Also, trying to rent a car, because I will be visiting and spending a lot of time at her mom's place in Novatos… What can I expect and are there certain things I should or should not do? I am an African American, is there an issue with that?
We are also trying to visit Bocaray while I am there but it is difficult for me to get transportation or flight info directly. Last, is there anything else I should no or be prepared for?
This has been the most helpful site I have found in my search, it will definately be added to my favorites… I could care less about conditions ro what people say about me or how they look at me, I just want to make sure I am not being offensive…
Thanks Bob, I believe you are right, I am very excited about the visit… The area of Navotas is ok to visit and stay? Are the taxis exspensive or rather what are the rates like?
Bob,
Do you make reservations in Boracry with airfare and hotel accomodaton? Just curious…
Hi John – Yeah, no problem, we can deliver it long before your arrival.
You can find the Broadband Internet Kit here.
Bob, you're right again on this one, having just a 5-6 month contract was very frustrating, either the staffs are getting lazy due to so much stress w/ a very little salary or they know that after 6 months they will do a job hunting again, that's why in some companies you will find some unreliable staff or they didn't care whether they lose their job or not unlike when you worked overseas, you will do everything to become a compitent workers or you will face deportation. the problem in the PHILIPPINE LABOR LAWS seems lack of protection for the laborer, that's why most of us prefer to work overseas. How can we worked on a minimum wage of 130 php/ day when we need to pay a house rent for 2-3 thousand pesos/month, how about our food and our children's education? this is a very sad scenario at home.
Thanks Bob,
I love your site and I want to congratulate you on your business and family success there. You truly are blessed and an inspiration. If I were not a career Army Officer right now, I would learn how to survive there and move there. Do you help with visitor Visa's also?
Hi John – Thank you, my friend. I appreciate your kind words.
Really, for a visitors visa, you really don't need any assistance with that. You just show up and they give you a 21 day visa with no hassle. If you want to find out about Visas, though, I have a book, the Philippine Immigration Guide.
Hi John – Good luck on the sponsorship. If you are sponsoring for a fiance visa, you should have no trouble. If you are sponsoring for a visitor (tourist) visa, it just won’t happen, though.
Just want to be clear – I do not do anything with Fiance Visas, nor do my sites have anything to do with it. You see a link that says “Filipina Fiancee Visa” that is a paid advertisement that somebody pays to put on my sites. I just want it to be clear that I am in no way involved in that.
Thanks Bob,
I will sponsor her. I work for the the Government, I am an Officer in the Army… Then it will be Fiance Visa through your site, when she is ready..
No, I would sponsor her…
Hi John – Good luck with that.
I am going to the Philippines later his year but I go there with caution. My wife is Filipina and thru her over the last 11 years I have met dozens of Filo,s living here in Australia.The general consensus of opinion is that the place is not a place that a person they deem to be white is considered just another Joe. In fact , he to many of them is a target.
By that, I have been hammered with the theory that whites (as they refer to them) are carriers of mega dollars or euros or whatever. We are considered wealthy even if we were to have the asse out of our pants. To many of their women we males are considered as a meal ticket to a better lifestyle and are a one way ticket out of the place. Naturally their men, because of this hold us in contempt. I have a friend who with a large group of others visit asian destinations every other year to play golf and also the women scene. They all inform me that to asians, we whites are considered useless unless they consider that we can advantage their lifes in some manner. That is our sole attraction to them!!!.
There is also another often bantered theory about not being entirely safe (if we are white) is in the fact that Filipinos at first glance consider most white foreigners as Americans. And without prejudice, anyone with a high school education knows quite well that in most countries Americans (United States citizens) are generally loathed. They say that you can tell an American tourist (United States citizen) from half a mile away because you can hear him/her and also witness their rampart brashness. Most Americans (United States citizens) that I have met are nice people but it only takes a few to destroy an image. Anyway there is no such country as America. I assume that people are alluding to the United States of AMERICA. Which is part of AMERICA, just like Mexico or Brazil. Thus all being part of the continent of AMERICA north or South. Thus to educated people, Canadians are also Americans. So because of this world wide putrid tourist image , it makes it harder for us non USA tourists to get about in a comfortable manner.
Hi Brian – Thanks for displaying that not only Americans can be ignorant… but Australians can too.
Sounds like you have had some bad information passed on to you. At least 95% of the Filipino people I have met were very nice to me and a good share of them asked for absolutely nothing. Of course I was not acting like I was rich and definitely not acting superior to any of them.