Thanks for your message Aposhark, Your story reflects my life there, as for : can Filipino's change their mindset. I firmly believe and have witnessed that those Filipinos who have been OFWs and seen the outside world, or have immigrated to 1st world countries and returned later in life to live in PH suddenly have a different mindset, these people can see what is wrong with their country and are happy to open up about it and wont deny it if a foreigner brings it up in conversation, where as, those that have never been outside the Philippines are what I would say as being "onion skinned" they dont like the criticism and have this Pinoy pride thing, most will tell you to go back to where you belong if you don't like it there, yet deep inside them, they know of the problems but choose to do nothing about it. My opinion after 5 years of life there is that. Philippines and the Filipinos have potential to reach new highs in the world standing, but its not the government who will change the Philippines, it is the people themselves, Prime example is, People will still dump garbage everywhere, then when it rains and blocks the drains, these people are the first to complain to their local barangays when their whole street and homes are under a few feet of water. Its as if they are never going to learn from their mistakes, they keep on dumping garbage rainy season after rainy season. This is just one example. There should be severe penalties for dumping garbage in roads and rivers like they have in other countries, this is the only way to instill discipline. so until the mindset changes, I doubt much will change. It makes me sad to say this, because I love the country and its people
Yes, Makati is safe, Greenbelt area is nice and clean, plenty of guards about, Legaspi village, etc all safe places. Yuna is right.
One of my friends got robbed there in daylight. He was riding a jeepney, then a thief came and pointed a knife at him. He couldn't do anything but give his wallet. After he did so, the thief just ran in a burst of speed. But that was way, way back in early 2000. So things might be different now in Cubao. But I'm still wary. I don't really pass by that place anymore. But from what I hear, the overpasses are still dangerous late at night. For a British chap who is still new in the Philippines, it's best for them to avoid that place, if going by foot and they have no business there. -------- I forgot, unless going to areas near Ali Mall, Araneta, SM Cubao. Those are fine.
I would try to avoid Jeepneys at night if at all possible, a few of my ex female work colleagues have had their bags slashed with razor blades. The trick is that the thief sits as close as he can to you (normal in a Jeepney) and proceeds to cut your bag or briefcase very carefully until the hole is big enough to get his hand in their, then if he is lucky, he pulls out a mobile phone or your money. Be aware of this also on the MRT / LRT trains. When in a crowd, keep your bag at your front so you can see it,
For a poor guy like me before, jeepney was one of the only few methods of travel available. Hahahahha...
My wifes sister had her kneclace wrenched from her kneck, waiting for a Jeepney, during the day on their way back to Cavite from Manila. Her toddler was in her arms.
That's why when people ride jeepneys late at night, the driver sometimes say, 'Mga pare/mare, walang mangho-holdap ah. Uwi nalang tayo ng maayos' (Gentlemen/Ladies please don't rob people alright? Let's all just get home safe.)
Seems so, just today in CDN:- http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/60440/police-warn-students-of-new-theft-modus
I think the 166 number is a new introduction, I'm sure I read about that not too long ago, equivalent to 999. I think it's just specifically for Cebu though.
Actually,I dont think they do.. When they return home,most of them revert straight back to their old ways.. Thats just my observation BTW. They may see whats wrong but they also know how to keep their mouth shut for their own safety/sanity.. Filipino`s dont take criticism lightly especially from their own kind..As you say..""onion skinned" Anything of value is salvaged and cashed in..Tin,glass bottles with a deposit value,paper,cardboard,scrap metal etc.. 10 years ago they used to burn the rest of it in the evening.. These days 1st world countries have told them that this is no good so now they chuck it in the rivers and the sea.. Personally I preferred it when they burned it..Problem is they get fined or persecuted these days for doing that.. I blame the first world for creating a problem that didnt really exist before here.. (enter the GLOBAL WARMING scam) If they employed new generation incinerators they would probably have enough power to put Meralco out of business!! He he.
Showed it to Mrs Ash. She said they are well established ruses. She also talked about the pervs that frequent the jeepneys.
This isnt quite true. The Philippines has its own people driving "the global warming scam". And in fact are quite disparaging about the "first world". Neither burning or dumping is a great solution.
Mrs HaloHalo has had no nasty occurrences on jeepneys except one. She had an abrasion from some rusty metal that she banged into when the jeepney suddenly braked. So rather minor in comparison to what can happen. I've had no bad experiences personally but I guess its all about the percentages.
Sounds more likely in Manila and surrounding districts. My wife used jeepneys a lot over the years so she has seen a lot. Probably less of an issue in the provinces. She used them to get to university and back and to get to work and back to Manila, early mornings and evenings. As a young woman, she learned to be careful as she travelled. She knew about the chewing gum ruse.
Yep. Must admit I have felt safe in Cebu for the majority of the time. Was walking not to far from Carbon market late one night ( got on the wrong jeepney). I decided it was safer to walk in the middle of the road than the 'side walk' down the poorly lit road I was on.
