Intro Service Question

[reveis]

I know of a Russian who provides individualized into services and actually flies to Russia with his client.  Is there any comparable service for the Philippines?

[Jeff S]

Not to be negative, but do you really need something like that? As a person who's traveled internationally, mostly alone, since the mid 1970s, I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing scary about anywhere in Asia that I've ever been - though I'm sure there are some areas in places like Mynamar that aren't so round-eye friendly. Stick to the beaten path, be polite and friendly, and you'll have no trouble finding your way around anywhere. Want to make friends in most of Asia, stand on a street corner with an open map and a confused look on your face.

[Dan]

I know of a Russian who provides individualized into services and actually flies to Russia with his client.  Is there any comparable service for the Philippines?

Jeff is correct - you have little to be concerned about in Asia, if it is safety that worries you. If your interest is more towards hiring a 'wing man' to accompany you, I do not know of anyone offering that service to the PI, but you may be able to find someone here who would help.

BTW - is the guy you are referencing Eduard (from FL) by any chance?

Couple of important differences between FSU and the PI. Legally, in the PI, mail order bride activities are prohibited by statute. That does not mean there is no activity - only that you should be aware of the laws, and officially, any organization providing MOB services is acting outside their laws. That is why you see most internet agencies offering "penpal" services for their contacts in the PI.

There are other things to be aware of. The PI is predominantly Catholic and most people speak pretty good English. As you move toward the southern part of the country (away from Manila), you begin to enter areas that have large Muslim populations, and there *is* tension there. I am thinking of Mindanao as a prime example. I don't recall any recent reports of violence there, but there are periodic problems due to religious tensions in the southern islands.

In general I found Manila and Cebu to be quite nice. Downtown Makati was a bit strange the couple of times I was there, in that there are armed guards EVERYWHERE. It gives the impression of a dangerous city, though my experiences in wandering around and interacting with residents did not support the impression.

Others here have vastly more experience than I do in the PI and will certainly offer their suggestions.

Good luck,

- Dan

[Ray]

Yes, I have seen one two guys who offer that kind of escorted introduction service, but it is illegal and those guys are really just looking for some sucker to pay for their round-trip air fare home.

Now I do personally know of several guys who met ladies in the Philippines through relatives living here in the States. Their Filipino acquaintances here invited them along when they went home for a vacation so they could personally introduce them to a female relative back home and there was no charge at all. In almost every case, they ended up marrying the young lady in the Philippines and everything worked out very well except for maybe one case where the guy ended up being a total jerk.

If you are not willing to go it alone, I recommend that you make some Filipino friends here and see if you can tag along when they go home so they can introduce you to some nice female relatives.

Forget about anyone charging you money to escort you to the Philippines or anywhere else.

Ray

[Dave H]

There are other things to be aware of. The PI is predominantly Catholic and most people speak pretty good English. As you move toward the southern part of the country (away from Manila), you begin to enter areas that have large Muslim populations, and there *is* tension there. I am thinking of Mindanao as a prime example. I don't recall any recent reports of violence there, but there are periodic problems due to religious tensions in the southern islands.


Others here have vastly more experience than I do in the PI and will certainly offer their suggestions.

Good luck,

- Dan

Hey Dan,

Nobody mentioned me specifically by name did they? 

reveis, Mindanao is a very large island. The trouble spots are mainly to the west south west, although you can have trouble in the bundok. Using common sense, you will do OK in most larger cities of Mindanao, (and surrounding municipalities) like anywhere else in the world.  Davao City, General Santos, Iligan, Cagayan De Oro, Butuan City, Surigao City are all great. Dipolog City and  Zamboanga City are probably OK, but I haven't been there yet. I wouldn't visit the Sulu Archipelago or Jolo, and probably not Cotabato City, even if I was a Muslim!

The other day, my wife and I were on a 5 hour bus ride through the mountains. A large truck crashed and blocked the entire highway some distance ahead of us. I convinced my wife to walk with me the several kilometers  to the crash sight and up the mountain around it. There we caught another bus and continued on our journey, without further incident. I felt safer than walking in our upscale South Florida  neighborhood!

Dave

[Ethan14]

I wouldn't visit the Sulu Archipelago or Jolo, and probably not Cotabato City, even if I was a Muslim!

Oh wow. I'm talking to a cool girl from Cotabato right now. I guess I will have to cross her off the list. =/

[Dave H]

Oh wow. I'm talking to a cool girl from Cotabato right now. I guess I will have to cross her off the list. =/

Hey Ethan,

Not necessarily...you can always visit the lady in another city, like Davao or CDO.

If you listen to some people, they will advise you not to go to the Philippines because of terrorism, natural disasters, etc...having never been to the Philippines themselves, basing their opinions entirely on what others have said or done (including some VERY STUPID people). How many Filipinos (usually from Luzon) even warn people to "Stay out of the Visayas and especially Mindanao!" Yet, thousands upon thousands of foreigners live there and travel there every year. I have had no reason to go to Cotobato City, so have not been there yet. There have been a higher incident of problems in the region, but  doubt that I would personally have any problems visiting Cotobato City. I use common sense, follow the laws and customs, and most importantly don't hang out with a bunch of drunk and belligerent foreigners! Don't be surprised if I say that I visited Cotobato City at some future date. In the mean time, I will wait for a reason to visit.  

Dave

[robert angel]

Just like there are places in the USA I wouldn't go, especially parts of NYC, Chicago, LA, etc., there are parts of the Philippines i wouldn't go to. Take this with a grain of salt, especially because I haven't been there, but I'd be a little leery of Cotabato city --especially certain parts. We have a Filipina friend who lives in Atlanta--her family now lives in Cotabato city and when this lady Celo, travels there with her husband and daughter, the whole clan stays in Davao City, because they're a bit concerned.

At first, when I traveled long distances through rural Mindanao--like three hour bus rides (there are MUCH longer rides there, believe me), my wife's family asked me to rent a van and have my wife's bros accompany us for safety. (Well, maybe for my WIFE's safety) but now, I don't mind the public bus, although I want one with air con and I cover my eyes when the driver passes slow trucks on sharp curves on high mountain roads.

My wife's main worry is not so much the bus ride, but the bus terminals where some scary guys might be, and she likes me to not get off the bus and to sort of 'blend in', wearing a hat almost over my eyes and slouch down, read a newspaper, etc.

"Blending in--not wearing gold, not wearing a tux on the public bus--that kind of advice is good universally.

Mind you, here in the USA, my wife prefers me to go a certain way to just Walmart--4 miles away, because she feels one neighborhood 'just feels a little bit safer to her'


Like Dave (or don't like Dave--your choice--haha) I'd probably go if I knew who I was going to be around, the general safety of that part you'll be visiting and knowing you'd be with people who know and will look out for you at all times.

OK, Dave--I double dare you to meet me for a two week vacation on Jolo Island--I'll bring either frumpy local looking like clothes, or matching red, white and blue Ralph Lauren outfits that will make us look like real Yankee doodle dandys--how about dem apples?


Ha-ha--I think even the mighty Dave (or any other common sensical non muslim foreigner)would think twice before visiting or going boating around Jolo island and in the Sulu sea...

[thekfc]

OK, Dave--I double dare you to meet me for a two week vacation on Jolo Island--I'll bring either frumpy local looking like clothes, or matching red, white and blue Ralph Lauren outfits that will make us look like real Yankee doodle dandys--how about dem apples?

Robert, let me tell you a little secret - Dave H is the Governor of Basilan, he controls the entire region. shhhh - don't tell anyone, this is top secret.

On a side not, there were places we would go & Ahya would hold my hands tight & pull me closer to her.
There was also a time when we were near Fort Bonifacio & a guy was looking at us "funny", another guy said to him that is Randy sister & Errol's aunt, then that guy quickly left. Ahya's nephew Errol is a commander in the ROTC &  "Kuya" Randy is a Staff Sgt in the Army & both of them are based at FB. I saw both of them practicing Arnis & all I could say was WOW. The practice was full contact. I also saw another instructor showing his team how to catch a cobra.

[thekfc]

Sorry DP as in double post - get your mind out of the gutter 

[Dave H]

OK, Dave--I double dare you to meet me for a two week vacation on Jolo Island--I'll bring either frumpy local looking like clothes, or matching red, white and blue Ralph Lauren outfits that will make us look like real Yankee doodle dandys--how about dem apples?


Ha-ha--I think even the mighty Dave (or any other common sensical non muslim foreigner)would think twice before visiting or going boating around Jolo island and in the Sulu sea...

Hey Rob,

Hmmm...Are you paying?  We can always go to Tawi Tawi. Then take a small boat to Malaysia. We will go by large ferry from Sandakan back to Zamboanga. You can use one of my motorcycles. Let me know!  I know....you are up for it too...but you and I both know that our Filipina wives will put a stop too all of our foolishness!!! 

Dave

[Dave H]

Robert, let me tell you a little secret - Dave H is the Governor of Basilan, he controls the entire region. shhhh - don't tell anyone, this is top secret.

Hey thekfc,

You may not be too far off!   

Ahya's nephew Errol is a commander in the ROTC &  "Kuya" Randy is a Staff Sgt in the Army & both of them are based at FB. I saw both of them practicing Arnis & all I could say was WOW. The practice was full contact. I also saw another instructor showing his team how to catch a cobra.

I like full contact Arnis myself...I give...while others receive!  I haven't been able to catch a cobra yet, but have seen a few eyeing me at the farm.

Dave

[piglett]

I know of a Russian who provides individualized into services and actually flies to Russia with his client.  Is there any comparable service for the Philippines?

Ok what part of the philippines do you intend to visit?
I felt quite safe in Manila while i was there.
at one point i rather rough looking dude was staring at me & my wife.
i sure didn't like the way this all looked so i gave him a big smile I waved
guess what .......
he quickly smiled back, problem solved.

My wife & i walked the streets in Manila after dark & atleast in that small area i saw nothing to be scared of.
granted i am 5'10" & 200lbs so maybe that makes some 5'5" 130lbs pinoys think real hard before robbing me.
I am sure if you went looking for trouble you mite just find it but i can say the same about any American city too.


piglett

[Dave H]

at one point i rather rough looking dude was staring at me & my wife.
i sure didn't like the way this all looked so i gave him a big smile I waved
guess what .......
he quickly smiled back, problem solved.

piglett

Hey pig,

That is usually how it goes in the Philippines! 

Dave