Clarification...

[wizard]

Ok, this post is bound to draw some diametrically apposed views, but here goes... I have been searching for a life-mate in SA for some time now with mixed results... I've now started searching for asian ladies as my first and foremost priority is to find someone who wants a life long relationship and commitment.. No games and no BS... What I have found is that the girls from PI are much, much more interested than latinas... Just my perception... I am now planning a trip to PI early next year...

Generally, the first time I travel to a new country I feel a bit more comfortable when I have arranged my travel itinerary with an agency or tour company... Now I understand that mariage agencies are illegal in PI, but you see alot of them listed in the net... Most, if not all indicate that their fees cover everything from air fare, hotel, meals, tours of local sites and of course introductions... They all indicate that the introductions are free eluding to the PI laws for MOB agencies... When doing price comparisons for the trip, these tour agency fees are in line with the total costs I can do the trip myself... Time being the most precious commodity that any of us have, I want to make the most of what time I can spend in PI...

I know alot of you guys prefer to just wing-it when you get there... Travel on your own schedule, stay where you like and meet girls everywhere... Sounds like heaven to me... For the non-indoctrinated and wanting to make the most of my time, I'll probably go the tour route for my first trip... I have a few ladies that I have been corresponding with and talking on the phone that I want to meet... But to make the most of my time there, I want/need someone who can do the leg work for me in arranging meetings with ladies that are in the top 10 percent that meet my criteria... The last thing I want to do is worry about making hotel reservation, learning the cities and getting around, not to mention meeting women...

Having read the archives and some of the negative posts regarding certain "tour agencies", can anyone comment on reputable and reliable companies who can provide the above services in the Cebu area???

Thanks in advance...

wizard

[wizard]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

Thanks guys...

Just looking for some friendly advice... It seems that each place you search in this world has different ground rules and accepted methods for this process... It also seems that the general concensus is to not use a tour guide... With some pretty stong reasons for not doing so...

I appreciate the advice you have provided and the manner conveyed...

wizard

[nealt]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

wizzard e- mail me at jneal@worldnet.att.net
tneal

[nealt]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

I can,Olvis travel it is on the net
tneal

[donb2222]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

Every time I go to the Phils I end up meeting someone from this board.  Why don't you find someone that is going the same time as you, and see if they wouldn't mind playing tour guide for a day or two?
Also,  look for introductions from board members wives and girlfriends.  That would probably be one of the safest ways to go.  Most Filipinas love to meet someone that has been recommended to them.  And, find a Filipina from this board that still lives in the Phils that can play tour guide for you.  If you are walking around the malls looking for girls, there is nothing better than having a Filipina friend with you that can do the introductions.
I would never use a "professional"  tour guide in the Phils.
I have seen them at work, and most of the women you will end up meeting are prostitutes.  Why?  Because it is easier for the guides to find bad girls for you to meet, and also, the guides are probably looking to get a kickback from any money the girl gets from you.

Good luck, and have fun,

Don

[Jeff S]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

I'm seeing a bit of the seemingly very common attitude of many MOB seekers of: "How can I get this unpleasant task over with with the least amount of time, effort and money." I recommend you read the references Hum made about Don222. He's not even looking for  a wife, in fact just got divorced from one. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy yourself. This is not a race against time or budget.

As for non English speaking Asians having a language "barrier" - only if you look at it that way. Here's someting I wrote a while back from the archives:
http://www.planet-love.com/wwwboard/search/searchdisplay.php?page=asian&archive=000050&id=18662&bold[]=dictionary

Remember the rewards of succeeding in this endeavor are wonderful, but conversely, the emotional pernalties of failing are also large, so take each step as it comes. There is no one path suitable for all, just as there is no one person suitable for all, nor one nationality suitable for all. Each of us have our own different set needs and wants to be fulfilled.

Best of luck to you.

- Jeff S.

[wizard]

... in response to Wizard. I applaud your well planned appr..., posted by Jeff S on Nov 18, 2002

Thanks Jeff..

I appreciate the advice and the manner conveyed... ie: read my response to Hum... I have read most of Don222's trip reports along with alot of other materials on PI, Thailand, China, Signapore, etc... I have been at this for awhile and am in no hurry... Literally searching for the needle in the haystack...

I have been at this for awhile, still searching...

I am preparing to go to Cebu in late February 2003 and am in contact with many girls... Just trying to keep my options open, defray some of the leg work making reservations and arrangements...

After all, time is money...

wizard

[Humabdos]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

Go to the book store get The Lonely Planet Travel book on Philippines. You don't need reservations in the Philippines unless you are going at Christmas time (Wait until the end of Jan to go) Next read Don2222 trip report here on PL. Expect a lot of what he went through! Don't compare SA with Philippines. Your bet is just get a few pen pals get to know them as best you can before you go. If that doesn't work malls, traveling around and such is a good bet.

Sounds like you are going about it like a cowboy BUYING a horse! How much time do you have two or three days to buy that wife cowboy? How do you expect to find someone who "wants a life long relationship and commitment. No games and no BS..." in a few days arranged by some pimp?
Picking someone out of a "line up" is very odd way to find a wife to me.

After reading the travel book and reading Don2222's report if you still can't figure it out on your own then I would advise you to stay at home Joe! (you will probably get kidnapped)

Yes this is one of those diametrically apposed views! lol

Hum

[wizard]

... in response to DON'T TAKE TOUR!, posted by Humabdos on Nov 18, 2002

Should have figured the only person to give me a bunch of crap is you Hum...

Just looking for some friendly advice cowboy... No need to get a burr under your saddle... I have read quite a bit in PI, so I'm prepared for what is there... Nor am I a novice traveler... I'm NOT trying to buy anything... If that's what I wanted, trust me, THAT'S easy to find...

Just like here or any other place in the world, it seems stupid to just wander the streets hoping to bump into your match... I am not the type to hang out at malls and sweet-talk 18 year olds... Yes, I am writing to a few ladies that MIGHT turn into something when I arrive, but I have been that route before... Write to girls for months, then travel to meet them, only to realize after about 5 minutes that there was ZERO chemistry or they used a 5 year old picture or BTW they have 2 kids or or or... I like to keep my options open and not be tied to one girl who acts as my tour guide...

So what's wrong with using someone who KNOWS of responsible ladies, in my age group, with the education standards I expect, the physical characteristics I'm looking for and has arranged to meet me??? No, there is no "lineup" where you pick your bride... Get your head out of your butt... You correspond with a select group of ladies that YOU select from a website, sound familiar???  No cattle calls, NO BS...

So what's wrong with spending the same dollars (almost to the penny) to have a beach front room reserved, someone to pick you up at the airport, use of a car & driver for the entire time there, meals, tours of the sites (if you want to take them), no required itinerary, no additional charge to take care of visa requirements (both sides) and meeting women that meet you minimum requirements without having to waste time on the also-rans, and and and... Nobody leads me around by the nose...

As far as being kidnapped Hum, well, I've traveled quite a bit, including SA... You know, Colombia, the kidnapping capital of the world??? I have also lived in the MOST dangerous neighborhood of the MOST dangerous city in this country... No problems, no harm, no foul...

As far as diametrically apposed views, there is such a thing as making a point without showing YOUR ASS... Climb out from behind that keyboard if you dare, big boy!!!

You can live your life wandering around behind the little animals, no focus, no direction, just bumping into your life partner... Not me... I subscribe to the 7P's... Prior proper planning prevents p*ss poor performance...

BTW, just how many trips did it take for you to find your match???

Me, I'm in no hurry...

wizard

PS: In case you haven't figured it out Hum, you p*ssed me off!!!

[Humabdos]

... in response to OK BUTTHEAD..., posted by wizard on Nov 18, 2002

Don't forget to check her teeth! LOL
Can't wait to hear your trip report ;-) BTW I do remember someone who can help you his name is Ron Perry of Farm tours dot com he even owns a beach resort near Cebu you can stay at. He will do everything for you including changing your diaper! Or maybe an experienced traveler like yourself can manage that.

Sorry for the jokes I was just kidding.
Hum

[wizard]

... in response to Hope you rope you one Cowboy!, posted by Humabdos on Nov 18, 2002

Hum, some people are just about as subtle as a slap in the face...

Apology accepted...

wizard

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: Hope you rope you one Cowboy!, posted by wizard on Nov 18, 2002

I was just looking out for you! I've seen way two many nerdy guy's go the tour route, Yes some where lucky and actually found a good wife this way. From what I have seen in over ten years of traveling to the Philippines the tours are the worst way to go and a big waste of money. Just get the tour book and go. It's just not that hard to get a taxi and a motel dude!   Didn't mean to pizz you off ;-) Hum

[outwest77]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

I went my first trip in april, met my penpal the first
day, and we hit it off like old school buddies, she was
my interpreter, tour guide, she cooked for me , made me laugh my butt off the whole trip, we went all over the place in luzon and went to puerto galera for 10 days, and had a blast renting a boat for all day and scuba. These
filipina women are so charming, so easy going , eager to please and fun to be with,

You need to go with a tour about as much as you need a kick in the head, I too, thought of doing that before i went , the first time in april, but i am so glad i did not, i did not want to be tied down to anyone there, and the last people i want to hang out with in the phils is westerners, you will find many of them there are arrogant , if you are like me u will prefer the company of locals and your penpals to westerners in the phils.

The wonderful charming people in the philippines make you feel totally relaxed , they speak english, dont waste your money like the post below says, going on a tour with a bunch of dorks and paying 1000 bucks for their "expertise".
If you met a girl you like u would want to ditch the tour guys anyway.

Just wing it, the whole country is all about winging it, You will never be sorry you did, just get with a few guys who are going over there and meet up have them introduce you to people, or make sure you have a few penpals to meet up with.

[Ray]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

Hi Wizard,

My advice is to get the idea of tour/introduction agencies out of your mind. We do it a little differently in the Philippines.

You said you have a few ladies you want to meet? Good! The way it’s usually done is to have a pen pal meet you at the airport and have her be your personal guide for all or part of your stay. She can assist with finding a hotel room, show you all the tourist sites and photo ops, and take you shopping for souvenirs to bring to the folks back home. She’ll hold your hand and make sure you get safely back to your hotel at night. She’ll watch your back for pick-pockets, bargain for the best price on everything, get you a good exchange rate for your dollars, and hold your money for you if you want. She’ll even bring along an assistant or two (chaperones) who may be more beautiful than your guide. It sure beats a tour with a bunch of dorks where they bring in a lineup of women for you to look at. Hell, you can do that out on any street corner. Don’t rely on someone else to pick a wife for you.

It’s best to meet your pen pals on their own turf if it’s a safe area or in a city that she is familiar with. I recommend that you try to get out into the provinces instead of hanging out all day in the air-conditioned mega-malls of the cities. If you have a chance to spend a night or two as a guest in a Filipino home, take it! Try to see several islands out of the 7,000 available. Bring a camera and tons of film.

The people are friendly, the countryside is beautiful, the prices are a bargain, and the weather is always HOT.

Think ADVENTURE!

Ray

[joemc]

... in response to Clarification..., posted by wizard on Nov 17, 2002

Hi Wiz,
      Here is my two cents, just wing it.Find yourself
      a few penpals. and go, make a few arrangements.
      I guess this will be your first trip to the P.I.
      take it as a vacation, go out meet the country side
      and the people. In my opinion South America is alot
      like the Philippines. I have traveled S.A. extenive,
      I have been to over a dozen countries in S.A
      I winged it twenty one years ago, I met a woman there
      and still marry to her to this day.
      Also Tim gave some good advise in meeting a woman in
      China. I also been to Hong Kong and Taiwan.
      And the Chinese are also nice ladies.Or taking a
      trip to Japan. There are few guys on the forum could
      fill you in on Japan. I am just twenty years behind
      times.  I suggest an watch, learn ,and observe trip.

                                    joemc