UPDATE: Good Things HAppen To Good People!

[Bear]

... in response to Bear / Donb - what are you saying?, posted by Eman on Jan 6, 2002

...I would say its more likely that Michele married someone else and the family is aware that MarkUSA is a typical Kano, generous and giving, and they want to see if they can get him involved with someone else.

I know most of the people in the R.P. are good people but I have seen the bad side too.  Its just smart to be suspicious.  Ask questions to trip them up.  Refuse to send money and make statements like you never will.  

Occasionally go a little nuts and see how they react.  

This is the rest of your life and its just stupid to be naive about it.  Howard was a shoe-in and look what happened to him.  I have found that if you are stupid they will very willing use you and although some don't like to hear it they can and will lie.  I think no different that any other group with an agenda but they will lie.  I heard so much of it on my last trip.

Bear

[tito]

... in response to Playing the Devils Advocate..., posted by Bear on Jan 6, 2002

In the midst of tragedy and death you see a scam.Devils advocate?You're warped.

tito Matt

[shadow]

... in response to UNBELIEVABLE, posted by tito on Jan 7, 2002

I think overall I will have to side with Bear on this one. Maybe not to the extent of saying "Run", but at least to the extent of thinking something MAY BE amiss here, and proceed with caution.

I have seen many different scams there, and the first thing that ran through my mind when I read Mark's post was this sounds fishy. I don't think I would immediately discredit what the family was telling me, but instead would go see them, and after spending a little time with the cousin ask to see his beloved's grave. It should seem like a natural request. Does she balk at this?? Does she start making excuses? Or try to put it off? If she does take him to it, is it marked? If not, will a different family member take him to the same grave??

There is no limit to the scams some of these families can think up.

Back when I was somewhat of a newbie to this, I once got a letter from one girl who called herself Mira, who said she was 30 YO, single, no children, worked in a customs office. I did not respond to Mira right away. About 6 weeks later I recieved a letter from a girl named Mercy, who said she was 28 YO, single, with one child, who also worked in a brokerage firm. I didn't respond to Mercy either.

Several months later I was planning a trip to the PI, and finally responded to Mira, explaining that I was coming soon and would like to meet her. All was fine. Then  the day before I was to leave I am going through all my emails and I find something a little amiss. Mira's email addy and Mercy's email addy are the same! (annagirl@amanet.net, yes it is forever burned into my memory) Upon closer inspection, the writing style is the same, the same words are misspelled, and they both live in Mandaue.  I was going to take copies of both emails with me, but accidently left them sitting on my desk when I left.

Anyway, I met Mira, and she seemed REALLY nice. We got together on several occasions, and had a good time together. During these times together I asked her if somebody else used her email, and if she new a girl named Mercy. She answered "No" to both questions. After returning home, I sent to her copies of BOTH emails, asking her if she could explain. I never heard from Mira OR Mercy again. I still don't know whether it was Mira or Mercy. I DO know they had the same email addy, wrote the same, mispelled the same words, lived in the same neighborhood, etc.

As far as what Mark has been told, NOTHING would surprise me about the truth of the matter. I would, however, advise him to proceed with caution. It won't hurt to investigate it a little, but to go in blindly could hurt a LOT!

Larry.

[Matthew]

... in response to Sorry, guys, but..., posted by shadow on Jan 9, 2002

Nice to see you posting again Larry.I hate to disagree with you(LOL)but one girl using two email addresses is different than a family claiming a girl died when she really just married another Kano.I would be the one to eat Dave's purple G-string if that theory was proven:)

tito Matt

(got a new cookie and account name)

[shadow]

... in response to Re: Sorry, guys, but..., posted by Matthew on Jan 10, 2002

one address, with the claim being the girls don't know each other.

Your right, your honor, Relevance. Example only, not meant to be coincidental.

[Matthew]

... in response to Two girls,..., posted by shadow on Jan 10, 2002

Hi Larry,

I didn't know you were a lawyer!I had to reread your post about the Mercy/Mira scam a couple of times.It probably won't surprise you but I really believe you are wrong.One chick-two identities.Thats how I see that scam.Different guys look for different things.She was just trolling with different baits.IMHO.

I am awaiting with interest for your post regarding Charitable works in the RP.I'd love to hear your ideas and help if I can.Take care.

tito Matt

[shadow]

... in response to Two girls???, posted by Matthew on Jan 11, 2002

it was one and the same girl. She wouldn't admit that, of course, and when I sent her copies of both emails I never heard from her again, sooo... there is only one conclusion I could come to.

Still working on the other thing. It would be quite an undertaking, and would require 100+ people to make it work. The way the bylaws will be written up, I don't think the 100 people will be a problem, just a matter of who will do what. Ran into a stump. I need to figure out who should be the president for the initial period. It needs to be someone who is stable, (in the US) doesn't mind paperwork, and has some free time on their hands. I have someone in mind who occasionally posts here, but until I get it all put together I'm unsure how to approach her with it.

All for now.

Larry.

[Bear]

... in response to UNBELIEVABLE, posted by tito on Jan 7, 2002

...you see this guy going through things like some of the others are going through I bet you have a different prospective.  I bet ya'll tell him to divorce her quickly like everyone is telling Howard to do.  I personally believe its better to look at all points of view and make a good decision to start and not act on emotional issues alone.  Guys come here for advice so the "attitude", to keep quiet because someones feelings might get hurt, defeats the purpose of why anyone might come here anyway.  If we didn't have guys like Humabdos constantly reminding us that he did a lot of things right but got his butt kicked there would be more going through the same things.  Oh, and yeah, I hate it too.  It is very negative and hard to constantly have to read but it takes all kinds.

I'm sorry but I can see this guy really being in love and I think this "Aunt Fran" too convinient to the situation particularly that she is recommending he meet other "cousins" when one of her own just died.  Where is it is possible that this is all true I think extreme caution is advised.

Oh and these are opinions too.

Bear

[tito]

... in response to When..., posted by Bear on Jan 7, 2002

Bear,

As evidenced by the title of your post "the loosers of this game" your attitude seems to be shoot from the hip and peoples feelings be da**ned.You sound pretty arrogant for a guy who is just starting life with his very young wife.How do you know Humbados did lots of things right?He has admitted he screwed up from the start-getting involved with a 19 yr old brat.

Yeah, I know you put disclaimers on your posts that these are just opinions.That doesn't make your list of "loosers" or your scam theories any more palatable.Post like that are a disservice in my opinion.I'm sorry your in your limited knowledge of the RP you have been exposed to a nest of hornets.Too bad for you.

Remember,Bear,Our Heavenly Father requires humility.Try it!

tito Matt

[Bear]

... in response to Re: When..., posted by tito on Jan 7, 2002

I guess to you it is better to hurt their feelings after the divorce and say you might should have considered...

As for the guys you think I called losers I have a lot of respect for because I feel like I at one time went through things much similar.  If we can't give advice and not worry about walking on eggshells, why post at all.  Just put on your rose colored glasses and turn off your computer.

Bear

[Jay]

... in response to UNBELIEVABLE, posted by tito on Jan 7, 2002


WARPED!

Jay

[Ray]

... in response to UNBELIEVABLE, posted by tito on Jan 7, 2002

I also found that response to be quite sick and totally uncalled for under the circumstances. Even if someone truly believed in the possibility of that scenario, I find it very cruel to post it here, especially now.

Sometimes it’s just better to keep your opinions to yourself.

And that’s my opinion!

Ray

[donb2222]

... in response to Bear / Donb - what are you saying?, posted by Eman on Jan 6, 2002

I am only suggesting that Mark go nice and slow.  Something that I would recommend to anyone.  I feel a sense of urgency in his posts and his web page.  I think that he should just go to the Philippines with only a vacation in mind, and try to meet  many people while he is there.  The more he knows about the country and culture the better off he will be in a relationship with a Filipina. Also, there is no need for him to limit himself to meeting only one Filipina.  My guess is that this family will chaparone him everywhere, and not even give him the chance to meet other Filipinas.
His web page is:   http://www.filipinos.8m.com/

My dos pesos only,

Don

[shadow]

... in response to Re: Bear / Donb - what are you saying?, posted by donb2222 on Jan 6, 2002

[MArkUSA]

... in response to UPDATE: Good Things HAppen To Good Peopl..., posted by MArkUSA on Jan 5, 2002

The family is going to take me to Michelles grave..
when I get to Cebu .. The gravesight is in Oslob and I have made arrangements for a angel like tombstone for Michelle.

I am so happy to be able to do my part ...
And being involved has help to lessen my grief...

Ok Just wanted to share all my thoughts ...

Thanx
MarkUSA