Hi there all My name is Steve, single and loves to travel. I am a new member here, I have just returned to the UK from the Philippines where I lived and worked for the past 5 years. I am here to meet new friends, tell of my experiences in the Philippines, the places I visited, the good times, and the not so good times. Hoping to meet some good guys and girls here. Thank you
Welcome here, Steve Always good to hear of Filipino experiences and ideas from an Englishman who has lived there. Where did you live?
Thank you Aposhark I lived in Cubao for around 5 years very close to SM and Ali mall...had some great times, but also some very frustrating times too, but the good times outweighed the not so good times.
Not through choice JohnAsh, but I had things stolen from me by my own ex in laws, I also got cheated out of money owed to me, also getting ripped off by taxi drivers, the banks..etc MMDA and Immigration at the airport...in the end, I just had enough, its a shame because its a beautiful country, but there needs to be major changes there, not just in government, but also mindset of the people. just my opinion after 5 years experience.
Your experiences parallel the husband off a friend of my wife who spent 14 years out there before calling it a day. Where were you based out there? I see, Cubao
It seems that some people do make a success of staying out there. But many do not. My wifes friends husband is absolutely full of stories about the Philippines, the way he tells them they all sound funny, but am sure they arent if they happen to one of us. My wife says that what he says is all true.
Corruption keeps the Philippines from progressing in my opinion, Steve. I have been there many times but the hassle of being ripped off is always there for us "long noses". Even my wife was angry about it the last time we went and she is very mild mannered but perhaps less tolerant after living in the UK for more than six years. Being the wife of a kano showed her things we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis there. When we once went to the Immigration for my visa extension the officer told us we would have to come back later to collect my passport or pay a fee to get it in 10 mins. We knew where the fee would go. It happens in many countries but it was so refreshing to visit Thailand together where there was never an issue with corruption. Do you think Filipinos can change their mindset?
Your woes stem from you choosing the wrong part of the country in which to live. I would never, ever live within 200 miles of the NCR, the best views of which are to be had from the air as the plane climbs away enroute to somewhere civilised. Like Davao! Or Amsterdam. I appreciate that you may not have had the choice, however.
That's the Express Lane fee and it used to be the case that it was an option. Now it isn't and Extensions take longer than 10 minutes to issue.
Cubao. Just that name, and I think I know already what you may gone through. lol. That place is full of thieves! For the British chaps here, if you ever find yourself in Cubao, don't ever try to walk by yourself alone! Daylight or night-time, it doesn't matter. Especially not on the overpasses! NOT ON THE OVERPASSES! Go by car, if you must. But if you don't have a business, don't even go there at all.
If you just want a good vacation, or you're a retiree, then best to avoid NCR. Unless you're already knowledgeable about the places and know some good people. Go to Cebu. Go to Bohol. Go to Davao. Places in Visayas and some parts of Mindanao are much better compared to here in NCR.
