Everything you wanted to know about the Philippines

[tiffany]

Yep, a real rough place. And journalists, radio broadcasters are routinely abducted, tortured, and killed in places like this.

It would be a bit easier on the nerves if he brought Airyn here to the states. I must admit that there's something fishy to me about the fact that she doesn't want to move to the States. Almost smells of a setup. But then I don't know... The brain likes to speculate. Hope he'll go there, enjoy life, and be happy.

Is very strange.......seems not quite right..............

[turtle03]

He should feel right at home. But he better keep his guns. Sounds like he may get to use them there..for real.
___________________

I'm a little confused. He said he'd be doing his show from Manila but that is a long way from where he said he'd be - Cagayan de Oro. Its not a done deal yet so I'm sure the specifics will get clearer as time goes by.

Unfortunately, foreigners aren't allowed to own guns here. I had to sell mine before moving. His wife can own guns, though, and even get a ccw permit. Guns are almost twice as expensive here, and there's a lot more paperwork and licensing to buy one. For Art, I'd recommend an armed body guard/driver, though. It's not too expensive to hire one here.

I missed the beginning of the Sunday show, but I thought he said he spent a lot of time in Cagayan de Oro, because his wife is from around that area. But their new residence will be in Manila. No doubt they'll be flying there from time to time to visit her family, though.

And about the politics, foreigners aren't allowed to interfere with local politics. So it would be wise if he didn't give too much commentary and views about local politics. I don't think U.S. politics would be a problem, though.

[tiffany]

Hope Art has read that report from the State Department.

[Wingnut's Way]

Hope Art has read that report from the State Department.

You might email him a copy of the report.

[tiffany]

You might email him a copy of the report.

done....................thx

[Alien_UK]

Do they sell VIAGRA in the Philippines?:D

[MAD]

I have family that have never gone anywhere, outside the USA and some not far from their own state.

Often, they don't even ask me, what is it like, they have assumptions.

Here is my philosophy, in a nutshell.

#1

You meet the same people over again. That is your auntie in Clevland, is pretty much like Rose, an Arab Christian in Nazareth who sells antigues.

Now you may say, well they are both Christians. But that is not the comparison, it is the "personality", the "moral aptitude" of the person, the esscence of the character, that is similar.

I have divided it down to 9, and I meet the same 9 persons over and over. So for me people are familiar. Their actions may differ, but I recognize the angry shopkeeper as my old employer.

This is important, because you cannot fall into the prejudice of "all so and so, are out to marry Americans for their money ", or " all so and so, are lazy workers", because you understand it depends on the person his character and so on.....

Remember this..........foriegners have opinions about Americans and they may be right or they may be wrong.......we are not "over worked and unable to relax" and some of us do speak more than one language!

People can live anywhere, if you are surrounded by people that you like, similar intent, values and so on. The grass is not greener on the other side, it is good if it is what makes you happy and you can be happy just about anywhere. And no there are places I would not like to be, but then I don't go there!

[MAD]

continueing my philosophy........

# 2 Another Dimension

I have said this to my family and friends, more than once.

Living in other countries is like this: There are cars with rubber tires, there are TV sets broadcast in color, there are churches, synogues and mosques etc, there are buttons on shirts, there are potatoes, there are street lights and stores.......everything you know and I know here and in America.....but it is different...it is like being in an episode of Twilight Zone and you are in another dimension!

All is familiar but differnt, something is not quite right and you feel it.

In Russian, I had nothing but stares at my German made sandals. When a woman would look at me and stare at my sandals, I wondered what she was thinking. It is unusual to see a woman wear sandals in Moscow, especially on cool days. I was different and she knew that. Even I could tell when someone was different and could tell who was not native....by dress and manerisms and the way they eat at restaurants.

In Israel, it is the way you walk on the sidewalk. Here they walk on both sides, and do not give up their space. This was true in other countries. MAD's spouse would let go of my hand to let the oncoming pass us. I resue to do what we think of has polite. I said "do what the Romans do" walk like they do and you will fit in and they won't see that has "foriegn". Forge through and don't give up your area of the sidewalk.

I'll be a big hit when I return to States.

But then, I have met more Russians in Portland, Oregon than I did in Moscow! (just kidding).

You can experience this if you live in Des Moins and go to New York City................it is familiar but you feel like your in another dimension.

This is not to say it is bad or good, just differnet.

[Conspiracy Theorist]

I spent a lot of time in the Philippines when I was in the Navy, but the last time I was there was in early 1971. In 1969, I actually met and shook hands with Ferdinand Marcos while on a tour of Malacanang Palace. Things are changed, but the people remain essentially the same. My feelings for the country and the people are nothing but positive, and I would not hesitate to visit there again.

I think you can avoid trouble by minding your P's and Q's, and Art is certainly world-wise enough to know the do's and don'ts.

The Philippine culture is very Spanish in nature, so if you've been comfortable visiting Mexico, you'd probably do well there. I was a little surprised about Cagayan de Oro, since that's on the Island of Mindinao, which can be quite dangerous because of the heavy Muslim influence.

If I were to chose to live there on retirement, I'd probably pick Cebu, which is a very peaceful and beautiful area in the central part of the chain.

I wonder how Art could broadcast or work on his Ham hobby from a highrise where he can't put up his array of antennas.

I'm also a little surprised he'd give out his exact location. Philippino memories are long, and they are a very loving but emotional people. Many will want to avenge insults to their national pride, and that phony anti-filipino post is still out there circulating around. Many will believe he wrote it and will not have read the retractions. That could be dangerous.

All in all, the Philippines can be a very wonderful place, and the positives far outweigh the negatives.

[Wingnut's Way]

CT: great thoughts. a nice addition. thank you.

[Patty]

EWWW! I just remembered something from years ago, I don't know if I am remembering correctly or not, but does anyone else remember all the threats against Art for being racist against Fillapino (sp?) people?? I remember it was something like that cause he kept saying it was a lie that he said something they said he said and his wife was 1/2 Fillapino and he loved the Fillapino people. It was an article in a newspaper over there or something. But it was REALLY AWFUL for awhile. It was quite a few years ago, anyone remember that?? I think it was when the fighting with "whatshisname" was going on. (Jeff Rense, I think.)Or maybe I'm confused with that timing.

[KB5FJX]

You folks must have a very active Imagination to come up with some of these ideas.

[Waverider]

You folks must have a very active Imagination to come up with some of these ideas.

What do you mean, KB5FJX?
Carl' Richardson
Seems like it's more facts than not.

Congrats on your new marriage.

[Hurst]

Welcome, KB5. Yes, I guess that most of us do have active imaginations to be here. ...and glaad of it! And yourself?

[MAD]

You folks must have a very active Imagination to come up with some of these ideas.

KB5FJX, please, to whom are you refering? Does, anyone of these post, get your attention or are you just going to leave it to our imagination?

I see this is your first post, welcome to Fantastic Forum!