Moving to the Philippines permanantly.

[Jeff S]

Hey Romello:
Congratulations on your marriage and glad to see you back posting!

You can always build a boat there. Here's a friend who's married to a Flilipina, living there, and built is second home made boat in the PI:



Jeff

[Romello]

Hey guys thanks again,

I guess I could part with the boat.  My brother is the real fishermen in my family anyway, I'm more of the drinking part.  Although I never hared of the Typhoon belt, I guess it's back to the reachsearch.

I notice that the last time I was there, that many of the Americans did not even look at me, I guess it is a trust thing.  I often speak to Francy about what to do with y spear time.  It seems as though our roles will reverse. 
Now, when I am at work, she just surfs the web.  When we move It will be my turn to sit and do nothing.

I do agree that I should rent for a year before buying.  Maybe two, since it takes tie to see if move or the marriage will last or survive.  As they say...."Time will tell",

Romello

[Ray]

Congrats on your marriage Romello!

I wouldn’t worry too much about the loneliness thing. She hasn’t been here long enough to get acclimated and feel comfortable with a whole new environment.

My question to you is… what are you doing to help her adjust to her new life? Did you take a few weeks off of work when she arrived so you could spend most all of your time with her at first?

I would recommend getting her out of the house as much as possible. Take her shopping, eat out, or just go for long walks, weather permitting. Sitting around the house all day watching Oprah or The View is not healthy IMO.

Look into getting her enrolled in English classes. See if you can help her find a part-time job. Get her into a self-defense class. Anything constructive to occupy her time...

She probably needs a lot of “training” on safety issues. She needs to relearn how to interact with strangers, whether in public, answering the doorbell or the telephone, etc. She needs to know the ugly truth about the real dangers out there to women in this country.

Teach her how to use the public transportation so she doesn’t feel tied down.

Go out of your way to accommodate her food preferences. If she normally eats fish and rice, then stock up on rice, get a rice cooker, look for stores selling “fresh” fish and seafood (preferably with the heads still attached), encourage to cook some of her favorite Filipino dishes, and get used to eating as much of that stuff yourself as you can.

And Dave H made a very good point about new friends. Be careful about encouraging her to make lots of Filipina friends because “some” of them can be a disaster to your marriage if you’re not careful. Always try to get to know her friends personally and spend some time with them together.

Give her time. Moving back to the PI and forfeiting her immigration status here may not be the best answer.

I’m looking forward to seeing those pics!

Ray

[Romello]

Francy is ajusting very well,

I did take some time off when she arrived and after we were married.  She doesn't like to get out much because of the cold, however, we do go shopping and have dinners out. 

She does have a small circle for Filipina lady friends.  6 ladies, one in Alabama, who flew on the same flight as she did to marry a guy in Huntsville, AL.  They talk on the phone about three times a week.  The other five she met on line here.  They have been here from one to three years and have arrived here as to marry American men in the same manner as she did.  All of the women keep in touch daily since they have so much in common.  There is bragging or bitterness between them.  The meet on some Saturdays for lunch.

During the week Francy spends her time on the computer posting the pics from the wedding and around Houston. 

I told her it has always been my desire to move to PI and that I may do it once my son heads off to the Air Force.  This has her really jumping and happy.  She has always dreamed of having a husband and coming to the US, but to have all of that and still be able to go back home and live well would be even better.

As for me.....Well, I good either way.

Romello

[Dave H]

Give her time. Moving back to the PI and forfeiting her immigration status here may not be the best answer.

Ray

Hey Ray,

An EXTREMELY IMPORTANT consideration!!!

Some very good advice...it takes time to adjust. Being busy and not sitting around missing home is very important. Working and going to Disney definitely helped my wife!

Dave

[Dave H]

You can always build a boat there.



Jeff

I'll drink to that! That is what I plan to do. Maybe your Kona or San Miguel designs. How can you go wrong with a model called the "San Miguel"! 

Dave

[Dave H]

I notice that the last time I was there, that many of the Americans did not even look at me, I guess it is a trust thing. 

Romello

Hey Romello,

That seems to be common...maybe they are Euroweenies. Most of the time they will ignore me, but if I wear anything that reveals that I am an American (hat, T-shirt, etc.) they often give me an evil look! Needless to say, I am buying everything that I can find with an American logo!  I have to say that Aussies and Kiwis have been the friendliest far! G'day mate!

Dave

It may take some time to catch on that they are actually speaking English! 

[Dave H]

I told her it has always been my desire to move to PI and that I may do it once my son heads off to the Air Force.  This has her really jumping and happy.  She has always dreamed of having a husband and coming to the US, but to have all of that and still be able to go back home and live well would be even better.

As for me.....Well, I good either way.

Romello

Hey Romello,

That is how my wife felt. We have lived in the Philippines for the past year (me 11 months). I have never seen her so happy! She has the best of both worlds (dual citizen). When I see her laugh and chat with her friends, relatives, and classmates that we often see around town, I feel a little guilty about having separated her from her homeland for 8 years.  I am amazed at how outgoing she is here. Many of the Filipinas we met in the US were very unfriendly and acted very arrogant. The best ladies that she met or spoke with in the US are married to guys on P-L!

Dave

[Dave H]

The cars are no problem (a drifter I can hire out, some American Muscle I can show off, and a peace of my man....James Bond)

I'm use to being the old pimp and local "Big Daddy" here in the States, but Francy is worried about me in the PI.

Impressive cars around here (Mindanao) are old rice rockets (like Honda Civics and Mitsubishi Lancers). Most people couldn't tell a Ferrari Enzo from a Hyundai Coupe or Mitsubishi FTO...especially when you add a lambo door kit.  










My motorcycle of choice in the US...BIG! In the Philippines my 125cc Honda XRM seems to impress and could easily get you hurt...I really need a clutch! I am thinking about moving up to a 155cc or 175cc bike. Maybe turn it into a private tricycle.  

Dave

[robert angel]

Isn't Australia the land where  "Men are men--and women are nervous" I dunno--maybe it was the sheep that are nervous...

Anyway--yes, a lot of Filipinas--heck a lot of Filipinos period, come to the USA and become 'more American than the Americans' in the worst ways, then add to it an extra extreme love for gossip and intrigue mix that up among a bunch of Filipinas and it creates a witches brew.

My wife saw it at 'prayer meetings' first, where no sooner where they done praying than the gossip about whoever wasn't present would begin.

They all want to know why she isn't pregnant yet and are really in her face about that. At the same time, they'd never ask that to a Kano woman....

I have seen Filipinas talk to other Filipinas and without even blinking, say "Wow--you've gotten fat!"

She soon decided to not only skip those 'meetings' but to not go to 99% of the local Fil Am meetings. She has exactly three Filipina friends locally. although she's cordial to all, but aware of their malicious nature.

I know in the RP that the gossip 'grape vine' is very much alive, but there, they have to face each other face to face more than in the USA, and the 'disconnect' here seems to make them feel they can do and say what they want and not have to face social backlash.

Perhaps the worse thing I've seen is how when we hired 46 Filipino school teachers, churches, schools, and private companies all helped them get situated for free, but several Filipinas managed to find a way to get paid for their time helping out. I am sure they felt they were doing the right, patriotic thing too...

[Romello]

Impressive cars around here (Mindanao) are old rice rockets (like Honda Civics and Mitsubishi Lancers). Most people couldn't tell a Ferrari Enzo from a Hyundai Coupe or Mitsubishi FTO...especially when you add a lambo door kit.  

I like Ferrari's, but It is a little out side my reach. 

During my research I have found the "2 faces of Manila"

One is a rather wealthy side.  I've seen Ferrari's, corvettes, ford trucks and more.  I've seen mansions of different sizes.

Then there is the other side.  I see the poor sleeping under roads and in whatever space they can find.

I hear the joy in my wife's voice when I talk about moving to the Philippines.  I know this will make her very happy.  She does have some friends here, but she would love to be back home in QC where her family and other friends live. 

She tells me I could play pool and hang out with other Americans, but I know she say this so I could feel OK about the move.

I've been looking for businesses in PI to start.  There are a few ideas we share.

Well I can't change the world, but I can have a part of it for myself.  Moving to PI has been on my mind for years, since the Marines. 

Romello

[Dave H]

I like Ferrari's, but It is a little out side my reach.  

Romello

Hey Romello,

Fake Chinese Ferraris are pretty cheap here.   Some actually look quite good...but the 4 cylinder motor sound and lack of power gives them away! Unfortunately, the doors may fall off after they are opened a few times. http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chinese-make-a-fake-ferrari

Some of the Philippine made Hummers are kind of cool.

Dave

[robert angel]

I've had it with boats. I have a 19.6 ft Carolina Skiff now that'll fit and carry a full size Ford 150 truck. It has a four stroke Suzuki out board. Loaded it with a dive deck, ladder, ship to shore radio, rocket launchers--the whole nine yards.

Like my previous boats--it's been a money eating bucket. Being in the salt sea water only makes it tear up faster. If not the boat, it's the trailer and electronics that need fixing.

I should know by now that the best boat is your FRIEND's boat!!

You supply boat, and I'll cover the gas, bait, eats and drinks!

[robert angel]

While it doesn't ooze the sex appeal of the Italian exotics, for performance (acceleration) and handling, it's hard to beat the approx. $133,000 Porsche 911 Turbo.  Only a handful of cars (the top Ferrari, the McClaren come to mind) can keep up with it. Not only is it reliable as a washing machine, but your grandmother (if she's still alive) could drive it.

I wouldn't (if I had one) drive a Ferrari or Lambo outside the city limits--they are just so finicky--breaking down a lot.

Different beasts, but the Corvette Z06, with added on twin turbos and the stock Nissan GTR are hard to beat in terms of bang for the buck. The stock Corvette ZR1 is awesome, but at $117,000 and w/ reliability issues, it's getting a bit too expensive--the Porsche is just too good a package in comparison.

[Ray]

Romello,

That’s great if you can live permanently in the PI!

Just keep in mind that she will forfeit her US permanent residency if she stays out of the country too long. It may not seem too important at first, but some day you will probably want to travel back to the States. You and your US citizen children will have no problem, but your wife will need to apply for a visa and that is easier said than done.

Now if she were stay here for about 4 years or so before making the move, she could apply for Naturalization. She could also petition for dual citizenship. That way, she would have a US passport and a Philippine passport, and be able to travel back and forth anytime. Ask Dave H about this.

Just some stuff to consider…

Ray

[robert angel]

VERY good advice from Ray there IMHO and the 4 year time line is a good estimate if you're expedient in following the steps  from Fiancee.spousal visa, on to naturalization, as the US Govt. allows. My wife's gone that route and it's worked out well.

I do know it's awfully tempting to pack it all in here and just buy a place and live in it in Davao City,(a day doesn't go by w/o me thinking about it) but we want to get our 'ducks in a row' first.

I have a few years on my wife, and I want her and her family to be able to make our country even greater, should they want to come and make a life here, come what may...

[Ray]

Additionally, if God forbid, something should happen to you, your non-resident widow in the Philippines will likely not be able to move to the States with your children if she should decide to do so later, except in rare circumstances.

Her US citizen children could possibly petition her for US residency, but only after they turn 21 I believe.

Also, raising your children in the Philippines vice in the USA could have definite advantages, but also many disadvantages.

Ray

[robert angel]

Hey guys--veering off the topic here, but I am having a hard time posting a profile picture--or any kind of picture here. Can someone clue me in, please? I know someone--I thought it was Kfc, gave some instructions a while back. I looked through a lot of old posts to no avail and their don't seem to be instructions on this site, unless I missed them somehow. My wife's a computer engineer and she couldn't figure it out!

Anyway--thanks in advance--We have 100's----probably really thousands of trip pics and wouldn't mind sharing a few, as well as getting a profile pic of my sweetie and I 'up there'...

[Jeff S]

That will give you this result:

[Ray]

Robert,

For your profile pic:

Place pic on your computer.

Edit the pic if necessary to fit max avatar size (100x100 pixels?).

Click on your name to view your profile.

Click on “Forum Profile Information” under “Modify Profile”.

Select “I Will Upload My Own Picture”.

You can figure out the rest… 

Ray

[robert angel]

Thanks, Jeff S and Ray. We like that Picasa site. It had been recommended before, but I use Canon's proprietary software pretty much--I should own stock in Canon for all their gear we've acquired!

Anyway, at first my wife was reluctant to send any pictures (Ms. Modesty) and then was suspicious that Picasa would allow anybody who wanted to to look at our pics.  After seeing Picasa in action though, she thinks it's pretty cool, and I agree. I did disable some of the Google tie ins, such as making them my default browser.

I hear Google's developing an operating system to go up against Microsoft and I wouldn't under estimate Google. They're into phones and a whole lot more now a days. I think they're looking for world domination on several fronts. I'm disappointed in how they got into China by just letting the Chinese govt do whatever they want in terms of censorship, but hey--that's business today for you. Why in fact--you could 'Google it!'

Another fairly good search engine is Dogpile.com

Anyways--thanks guys.....