expat daily journal of his life in the Philippines

[seattlejoe]

A interesting read, giving you the daily life of living in the Philippines.


  http://mylifeinthephilippines.com/

[seattlejoe]

It amazes me that he blogs about his daily life in the Philippines. A smart thing is you
want to keep a low profile there.

[kennumen]

The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, are they? It's not because you have a blog about being an expatriate in the Philippines that the local populace will know about it. If they have internet - which I understand to be somewhat of a luxury -  why would they spend their time looking for expat information?

[Ray]

The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, are they? It's not because you have a blog about being an expatriate in the Philippines that the local populace will know about it. If they have internet - which I understand to be somewhat of a luxury -  why would they spend their time looking for expat information?

  Actually, even before the Internet, they had what we refer to as "The Bamboo Telegraph", where it seems that ALL Filipinas know EVERYTHING.
　
Privacy as we know it in the West is virtually non-existent and not generally respected. You should expect your private e-mails, letters, on-line chat sessions, etc., to be openly shared with others.
　
Joe knows what he is talking about. If you post something on the Net, expect it to get around.
　
Ray
 
 

[Jeff S]

Yeah - remember what they say....

[seattlejoe]

Kennumen,
You would be surpise that the younger Pinoy population is
well versed of the internet. or any computer app.
A lot of american companies use their skill of English telemarketing

[kennumen]

Oh I've no doubt of that. There is the question as to how many would spend their (rented?) internet time looking for these things, but even that's a bit beside the point. There are several billion websites on the internet. That's got to give you some anonymity?

Still, if that were my blog I'd at least have a nom de plume. And less pictures with me in it

[braziliangirl]

Kennu,

Isn't there such thing as gossip in Germany?

In Latin America a blog like that would be very dangerous... I bet some bad guy would see that and rob/kidnap the blogger.

[kennumen]

Germany? Eh, close enough I'd wager gossip is everywhere women are. My aunt knows everything.

I'm not saying you should be careless. I only took a quick gander at the listed blog, and while I'm an avid ITer, I don't partake in social media like twitter or facebook, so I'm lacking experience there. Still, with some prudence, I don't see why a personal blog has to be dangerous by default - although I'm less and less confident as I appear to be the only one with this opinion. Still, with a few simple rules it can be perfectly safe. Use a domain proxy service so your WHOIS info doesn't show who you are. Only post experiences with a delay (if you're going on a trip, don't tell anyone until after you're back). Don't post pictures where you can be easily identified. Post under an alter ego.

Those four little rules should keep you safe and private whilst still divulging your story to the WWW. I myself have half a dozen websites, I doubt half a dozen people know I operate even one...

That said I still find it hard to believe - even ignoring your own privacy and safety - a public blog could be so dangerous. I mean, what, do people really google an expat or tourist after meeting them and learning their name?

[Jeff S]

Marshall, a member here, who was a handyman in the Pacific Northwest, moved to China and became an English teacher after his fiance was denied a K1 visa, has been keeping up a blog for something like 4 years. It's a great read also:  http://emsique.blogspot.com/ No discussion about it ever being a security issue.

[braziliangirl]

Germany? Eh, close enough

Hahaha. Sorry! I was confused with the flag angles.

[seattlejoe]

Marshall, a member here, who was a handyman in the Pacific Northwest, moved to China and became an English teacher after his fiance was denied a K1 visa, has been keeping up a blog for something like 4 years. It's a great read also:  http://emsique.blogspot.com/ No discussion about it ever being a security issue.

  Jeff,  I think it becomes a security issue if you pictures of yourself and family.
And you discuss your daily travel and the money you flaunt around.
I found his blog on a expat Philippine forum

[kennumen]

  Jeff,  I think it becomes a security issue if you pictures of yourself and family.
And you discuss your daily travel and the money you flaunt around.
I found his blog on a expat Philippine forum

If you let it be known you have tons of cash on hand and who you are, where you are and when... That's a security risk anywhere. I wouldn't say it's caused by a blog or the Philippines.

I feel this is a similar argument to opposition of google maps street view - where people say it's so much easier for thieves to case a house because of it. Never mind that most thefts are by people close to you or how thieves could drive by anyway.

A blog is just a medium, not unlike facebook. Only share private information with people you trust and take appropriate measures for any public forum.

[seattlejoe]

If you let it be known you have tons of cash on hand and who you are, where you are and when... That's a security risk anywhere. I wouldn't say it's caused by a blog or the Philippines.

I feel this is a similar argument to opposition of google maps street view - where people say it's so much easier for thieves to case a house because of it. Never mind that most thefts are by people close to you or how thieves could drive by anyway.

A blog is just a medium, not unlike facebook. Only share private information with people you trust and take appropriate measures for any public forum.

   I am well aware what goes in the Philippines, I have traveling there for 30 years my friend

[kennumen]

I never implied anything to the contrary (or certainly didn't mean to) and you may well be right in this aspect. I have yet to visit the Philippines so my knowledge of its culture is very limited. What we're discussing though - in my point of view - is whether blogs are an implicit security risk. My answer is no - it's a form of advertisement which, when used with the appropriate level of caution, can be perfectly safe.

I certainly meant no offense, only to discuss and learn.

[Jeff S]

I agree. No reason to be paranoid (unless you're going to someplace like Colombia or other place where kidnapping gringos is big business.) If you don't post specifics about yourself, the risk is minimal. Truth is that if someone is after you - not much you can do about it anyway.

[seattlejoe]

I agree. No reason to be paranoid (unless you're going to someplace like Colombia or other place where kidnapping gringos is big business.) If you don't post specifics about yourself, the risk is minimal. Truth is that if someone is after you - not much you can do about it anyway.

  I gave no reason to be paranoid. What I said you need to keep a low profile.
Same as Colombia, Jeff. They do kidnapp
Kano  or any tourist in the Philippines.

 

[Jeff S]

I didn't realize that was a concern in PI.

[kennumen]

I didn't realize that was a concern in PI.

I didn't realize that was a concern in PI - outside of Mindanao.

That said I would still guess the main concern isn't with the blog itself - but how careless you are with it. That and the stakes are apparently quite a bit higher - losing life vs losing possessions.

[Ray]

I didn't realize that was a concern in PI - outside of Mindanao.

  Tell that to Guillermo Sobrero, who got his head chopped off. He was kidnapped by the Abu Sayaf, along with fellow Americans Martin and Gracia Burnham, form a resort on Palawan.
　
The terrorists have perpetrated kidnappings and bombings from one end of the Philippines to the other. Resort areas and places where tourists congregate are favorite targets.
 
Though this happens seldom, you should always be aware of your surroundings and take appropriate precautions.
　
Like Joe said, keeping a low profile is a smart move...
 
 
Ray
 
 
　
 

[Jhengsman]

I didn't realize that was a concern in PI - outside of Mindanao.

That said I would still guess the main concern isn't with the blog itself - but how careless you are with it. That and the stakes are apparently quite a bit higher - losing life vs losing possessions.

Kidnapping for profit is a common theme in Filipino popular culture. The victims would normally be Tsinoy (Chinese Filipinos) but in recent years Koreans are becoming the target

[Dave H]

I'm with Joe and Ray on this one! I've been busy, but also keeping my profile a bit lower lately. While living here, expressing opinions (whether negative or just misunderstood, which often occurs) about the Philippines can cause you all kinds of problems! Kanos who express "constructive criticism" are not well received!!!  Putting some opinions online could propel you into the national spotlight...just ask "Jimmy" in Cebu who made a video!!!  http://www.channelfix.com/video/174/ 


I guess Jimmy is still alive,errr I mean living here. http://www.diversityhuman.com/index.php?post/2012/03/22/Jimmy-Sieczka-apologized-regarding-his-video-entitled-20-Things-I-dislike-in-the-Philippines


Even improperly signing  Lupang Hinirang (the Philippine national anthem) can send a well intentioned foreigner or Filipino to jail! http://www.bakitwhy.com/articles/philippine-government-passes-law-against-improper-singing-national-anthem


Dave

[Jeff S]

Some karaoke definitely merits jail time:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuyvcxCA8L0&feature=related

[Ray]

 
HOLY CRAP!
 
 
 

[Bob_S]

HOLY CRAP!

Yeah, I couldn't take more than 3 seconds of that.  It started bad and got worse.