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Hi All,
 I've met dozens of Filipinos in the Philippines that insist that there is no crime in America,  that you can work at McDonalds and live like the millionaires they see on tv,  no drugs, no poor people,  no traffic, etc.
They are shocked to hear that I feel much safer in the Phils than I would in LA, DC , etc.  For example, I can go to Manila, and never feel the fear that I would feel in many large cities in America.
They honestly believe that everything they see in the movies and on television is true, and that all Americans live like Multi-millioniares.   They also think that along with the higher wages in America, there
is also lower prices.  They really do not understand that prices can be 10 or even 20 times higher in America than here in the Philippines.
What adds to the problem is that many of the Filipinos living in America will return to the Philippines and greatly exxagerate their living conditions in America.  The American Filipinos are only interested in showing
off, and do not tell the truth about how working at McDonalds in America is a job that many people laugh at, and that the salary is not even enough to live on.  They also do not understand that most American businesses get by on 1/4 the employees that you see in Filipino businesses, and the American employees must work harder for that higher salary.  
Of course, I understand that poor people in America typically live better than poor people in the Philippines, but most Filipinos have a true misunderstanding about reality in America.
My question for the Filipinos here is what did you think about America while living in the Philippines, and what do you think about America now that you live there ?

Thanks,

Don

... in response to Reality, and a question for the Filipino..., posted by don2222 on Dec 14, 2003

America is about opportunity and less discrimination. In the PI, if you came from a good college/university and affluent upbringing you are assured of employment.  Here, a high school grad can earn more than double the minimum wage especially if he is skilled.

America is about less corruption and where police really 'Protect and Serve'. Well at least most of them do. In the PI, policemen and hoodlums are in the same league. Well at least most of them do.

The Philippines is all about family and clans. Grandparents live with their children and are assured of care. Here in the US, you'd see them in nursing homes.

The Philippines is all about community. You can always tell what your neighbor had for dinner last night and what the couple two doors down are arguing about.  Here in the US, a neighbor could be dead for weeks and you'd never know until you see lots of police cars and medics on your driveway.

As for Balikbayan showoffs, its all about image.  Pinoys think that when you are in the US you are rich and rolling in the money.  Of course, the balikbayans have to endure and live up to this image.  Otherwise you'd be branded a cheapskate.

I guess you cannot have the best of both worlds.

... in response to Baywatch and Beverly Hills 90210 VS. Rea..., posted by Carr on Dec 16, 2003

I notice a similar thing in many countries - more sense of community, more caring for friends & neighbors, more extended family involvement. Unfortunately, along with that comes more corruption, more poverty, more people overtly taking advantage of others.

Of course I realize, that because of circumstances, you probably didn't have full control over the situation, but just curious, any regrets about moving to the land of the big PX?

- Jeff

... in response to Re: Baywatch and Beverly Hills 90210 VS...., posted by Jeff S on Dec 16, 2003

But like I said there are things that I like here and things that I like back home.  Thats why I go back every now and then.  You are right, corruption was borne out of our familial society.  I wish the Filipinos are more patriotic than mastering the practice of simony.

What I noticed when I was there and FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr, Kuya Dabe's favorite Pinoy action star) announced his presidential aspirations, people are more vocal in their disgust than when Estrada did the same thing.  Which is a good thing, the Filipinos as voters are waking up.

I forgot to mention my perceptions of the US before I came here.  I thought that everyone here are Baywatch babes and hunks. I was not prepared for all the obesity that I saw. Here at work, I can count on my fingers the people who are not obese.  Where are all the thin people they show on TV?

... in response to No regrets...., posted by Carr on Dec 16, 2003

Hi C,

Actually FPJ is now my #2 favorite Pinoy action star. Philip Salvador took over the #1 spot when I saw him sliding down a hill firing two fully automatic Ingram Mac-10's...killing a large group of the bad guys, without missing one. Hell, I can't hit the broad side of a barn more than twice with an automatic Mac-10. ;o)))

Dave H.

... in response to No regrets...., posted by Carr on Dec 16, 2003

... those shows are all shot in Southern California. I just walked a business visitor from Michigan through South Coast Plaza. His neck was swiveling like Linda Blair's. As we walked out, he said, "Geez Toto, we're sure not in Kansas anymore." We both agreed the new "g-string peeking out the top of the pants" look is hot.

He's a big, burley, black ex-football player now engineer, and almost crapped when I took him into Macy's and told one of the make-up girls he was looking for a Michael Jackson look.

Big stories in the all the business pages today about the 7E7, due out 2008. Should be plenty of job security up there in Rain Festival country.

- Jeff

... in response to There's a reason...., posted by Jeff S on Dec 16, 2003

But after the tanker fiasco, who knows what the bigwigs are up to. You won't believe all the fingerpointing happening internally.  I'm just lucky to have a job.

Nice chatting with you, Jeff.

... in response to If we get it..., posted by Carr on Dec 16, 2003

I have a feeling things will work out just fine.

- Jeff

... in response to Baywatch and Beverly Hills 90210 VS. Rea..., posted by Carr on Dec 16, 2003

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... in response to Reality, and a question for the Filipino..., posted by don2222 on Dec 14, 2003

Hi Don, i just want to answer your questions since you are asking Filipinos here.
When i was in the Philippines i never thought that Americans are multi millionaire, i have clear view that crime is everywhere, that there is always poor citizens even in a  rich country. but i still thought that in the US everybody who has a job can afford substantial foods, that in the Philippines only those who have a good job could buy. Now that I'm here, i think it's true, even if you earn a minimum wage you can still afford to have good foods in your refrigerator, have a bedroom that is not too crowded. One thing that interested me when i was there was that, everytime i watched american movies i saw those houses without any fence. For me, it only mean one thing... that you can sleep at night peacefully. Peace of mind that my beloved country would not give me.(contrary to what Febtember posted; not sure about the crime rate where she lives)I know that crimes are everywhere but at least here
you can still trust policemen. Of course in PI not all policemen are corrupt but GRAFT & CORRUPTION is too much already. I love my country but i chose to leave because only those who are rich will become richer and poor become poorer. I want my daughter to have a secure future that every children deserved; rich or poor. Here, if you work hard and save, you will have a better future, that's what i thought.(correct me if i'm wrong) I just want to be true to myself,  you can live a 'good life' here if only you work hard. There, working really really hard is not enough to experience it. Can you blame me if that is the way i see it? Of course all those things has its own price.
Homesickness,  being a second class citizen, plus your college education there, is not recognize here unless you're UP or Ateneo graduates. Don't get me wrong, i miss PI, miss her very much specially during christmas time because every christmas i prepared 50 packs of chocolates for children who can not afford to buy one. I still hope that corruption in the Philippines will become less, because Phils. is a very rich country and i still plans of retiring there.

... in response to Re: Reality, and a question for the Fili..., posted by littleflower on Dec 15, 2003

Hi Little flower.
 Thanks for your reply. Why do you feel like a second class citizen in America ? Please explain ?

Also, you are probably right about the college educations.
IMHO , the Filipinos in the Philippines studying computer science, commerce, hotel and restaurant management,etc, are probably throwing away their money if they plan to go abroad.  The only course being studied in the Philippines that is usefull is probably only nursing.
For example, I talk to com-sci college students in the Philippines everyday that do not know how to use the internet, or have never even used a computer.
The sad fact is that many of the schools in the Philippines really do not care about education, their only business is to make money.
Also, Filipinos graduate from high school at age 16, so a second year college student in the Phils has only been in school as long as a 4th year (senior) high school student in America.

Don

... in response to Reality, and a question for the Filipino..., posted by don2222 on Dec 14, 2003

Don,
I never realize that america have  higher crime when I'm still living in Philippines.But the reality  is  that it's much scary here.There's many children and young women been abducted everyday and never be found again.How many people die in accident because of drunkard driver and men and  women using their cellphone while driving or highway shooting.Very scary you don't know what will happen to you within next seconds here.At least in philippines most crime happen in big city but in here its everywhere.I thought that when your already in America you already feel so much secure and free from danger but you scared for your life here.You don't know if a bulglar and a robber come into your house and start shooting on you.I don't understand at first why most american keep guns or riffle in thier house.No wonder why.The first thing my hubby teach me after we got married is how to use the riffle so if in case a bulgar came or somebody came and have bad intentions  while his gone working at least I can defend myself.First thing he teach is don't panic,hide and if they start breaking the door it means they have bad intention.Dont start shooting unless they never do anything because I could end up in jail.The most important thing he say to me is that let them know you have gun because criminals afraid of gun.Now I know.But if someone came in our house take the t.v or whatever I just let them take all what they want as long as they never harm me.Everytime I go out in our house and get mail I have to look on the sorrounding first hoping nobody hide in the bushes or our shade and then once I get the mail I run as fast as I could back to the house lock the door as fast as I can.I always think that what if that minutes a criminal pass by and kill me so I always do this kind of trick everyday.Remember I live in countryside far from nieghbor so no matter how hard I shout nobody will hear me.
About american live like Multi millioniare yah most filipino think everybody is millioniare here.I never even realize when I'm still in philippines that there are lot's of homeless people here.Lot's of poor people here too but by philippine standard they will rich.

... in response to Re: Reality, and a question for the Fili..., posted by Febtember on Dec 15, 2003

Get a Big family watch dog, keep it outside in a dog house. I wouldn't allow dogs and cats indoor around Matthew.

... in response to Good Post Raquel :O), posted by greg on Dec 15, 2003

Hey Greg,
How's little Gregory.You know the dog on my wedding picture Ginger she been cayote food last summer.We still keep looking another nice dog that won't bother our chicken,guineas,and ducks especially my bunnys.I miss Ginger so bad.Matthew is on the front page of our local newspaper with santa.Santa scares him so much.He will celebrate his first year birthday soon.Give my hug and kiss to your handsome son.Raquel

... in response to Re: Reality, and a question for the Fili..., posted by Febtember on Dec 15, 2003

While I do realize crime exists, in most of the country you really don't have to be paranoid that there's a bad guy hiding behind every bush. If you look at the statistics, violent crime is really quite rare unless you live in certain neighborhoods. The chances that a bad guy will kick in your door with intent to do you or your family harm is so slight, it deserves barely a passing thought - and running back from the mailbox to lock your door won't reduce your chances. The scary part is the randomity of it all - people picking out their targets at random. Relax - you're just as safe in rural Illinois as you are anywhere in the world.

- Jeff

... in response to Don't get paranoid, Raquel, posted by Jeff S on Dec 15, 2003

Jeff,
Your very much right.I got OCD obsessive compulsive disorder.Maybe the one that cause this is too much listening to my husband horror crime story.When we go to any big city we always avoid bad neighborhood.And every night we park our  one pick-up truck outside leave the key  so if in case a bad guy happen to pass by he just take the truck and leave our place than harm us here. So far our truck still here. The only thing we keep missing is our ducks.We got 26 ducks and now were down to one.They disappear on us without leaving any tracks.I'm glad we live in a very safe place but not safe for the ducks.I wish I'm close to where Peter Lee karate school so I can learn karate for self defense.Raquel

... in response to Re: Don't get paranoid, Raquel, posted by Febtember on Dec 15, 2003

Raquel about the ducks, well I have a sad story about that.  One of my rental guys left overnight to run away so he didn’t have to pay rent.   But he left behind a Duck who was raised in the closet.   I adopted the duck took him home and called her Quacker.   Well Quacker didn’t know what she was and she was so lovable.   I put her in our swimming pool and for the first time she found out why she had webbed feet.  She swam and dove in the water for the first time in her life.   We fed her the best food and she would thank us by laying eggs at least one per day.   The eggs were better than chicken eggs and fresh.   Quacker wanted to live with us in the house but my Mom who I shared the house with at the time said she has to sleep outside like ducks do.   Quacker was very nervous about sleeping outdoors and I built a little dog house for her.   Next day Quacker was gone, blood and feathers in the little house.   Raccoons got to Quacker, killed and ate her up.   I didn’t think I could cry over a stupid duck but I did.  I blame myself for not protecting her better and I should have known about the raccoons.   So maybe Raquel you have thieves that are not humans who are having duck dinner at night.   Ducks keep safe in the wild by flying away and going into the water.   I have to say I miss Quacker and her blue eyes and still feel her thanking me for the few months she had that she knew she was a duck.

... in response to Re: Don't get paranoid, Raquel, posted by Febtember on Dec 15, 2003

Hi Raquel,
Daytona Beach is a strange place for safety.  Because it is a resort lots of criminals have been caught here.  I tell my wife Maricel who is still in Banservil Kapatagan in Mindanao that it is like a big Boracay in the Philippines and criminals can hide in a nice warm place among tourists.  
Here is a past newspaper article from my wife’s home town.
The following day, August 8, residents in Barangay Bansarvil 2 of SND heard reports that there were two corpses found in their barangay. These were delivered to a military detachment of the 67 Infantry Battalion under the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade operating in Lanao del Norte.
The soldiers of the 67th IB did not accept the bodies so a captain from the Army’s division in Zamboanga went to the office of the municipal mayor Motalib Dimaporo,” said Orquillas, who was with other members of non-governmental organizations in Lanao, during the fact-finding.
So, crime is very low here, criminals if they come to hide here keep quiet spend money and keep a low profile LOL.  My house has no fences, my sailboat is not locked up but we still don't keep the keys in the cars at night, I feel that is not a good idea.  What I do is put the alarm on the car so if someone tries to break in the alarm will sound and give me time to get my Samurai sword ready LOL.  
My rental and Karate school has a fence but the reason is so there is just one entrance so I know who is coming and going.   I have problems with mice coming on my sail boat and chewing things up including electrical wires they eat anything including tooth paste.   I have tried everything but they keep on breaking in without my permission.   I have asked my police friends and they said that it is a personal problem LOL.  Anyone have any ideas? I tried traps the poison food and that sticky stuff if they get on it get stuck but the mice seem to outsmart me each time and play with the toilet paper and crap all over my little kitchen on the boat.    
Although we lock the doors and garage at night all the screen windows are open when the weather permits it.  I noticed that most front doors here have glass so you can see who it is at the door.   That makes locks useless coz all they have to do is break a little glass and open the door.   So it seems that locks are to keep out salesmen family and friends or people surprising you coming without notice.   My sister who lives about 45 minutes away is in the country and when she leaves the house never locks it.   Neighbors next door on each side look out for each other.  Most crimes here in Daytona are internal or people who had been working for someone and later come back to steal.   I have a hand gun but it is in my vault at my business and I never had a time when I had to use it.  I would not teach Maricel how to use it coz in our situation it would probably do more harm that good.   My idea of a hand gun is if you show it you have to use it.   Yes I read in the paper of home invasion but it is rare here and the population for news of bad things happening is much larger than in the Philippines.  My Christian fundamentalist friend a mile from my house has a hand gun he carries around on his property.   I don’t agree with what he does but that’s what this country is all about, he has the right to do so.  
Daytona is warmer than most Northern States a lot of homeless come here for the warm weather coz they can sleep outdoors without paying rent.  Most of the homeless get government money for one reason or the other.  They take the money for alcohol or drugs and get free food stamps to get food.  If they are sick they get free treatment at the local Hospital with out insurance.  
My Martial Arts School is located in the center of town and there are more homeless there than anyplace in town especially at night.   When it gets cold they look for places to sleep and sometimes they chose my place.   I call the police and they arrest them and I don’t want them on my property but I feel sorry for them coz they live in the greatest country in the world and they can be whatever they want.   I have about 20 people rent from me here and I have TV cameras recording there comings and goings.   The rental people want to feel secure and I try to keep it that way.  Most of any problems I have are from people living here and the friends they bring.   On weekends they may drink a little and once in a while make some noise and cause a disturbance that I take care of right away.   My Martial Arts training helps most with me having posture and looking authorative.   But I walk softly and carry a big stick type of philosophy.   Bikes that are not locked get stolen on a regular bases around my rentals if they are not locked up.   But in my house just 5 miles away you can keep a bike in front of the house and never have it touched.  
One thing no one has talked about is Crack Cocaine.  This is so bad that when someone is on it they will do anything to keep high.  Most of our local crimes are from that and anything not bolted down will be stolen for a $5 hit.  But Raquel your husband sounds like he knows what he is doing and he knows his situation more than anyone.  I wouldn’t want a nervous Filipina pointing a rifle at me LOL.   But ask him about leaving the keys in the truck I have never heard of doing that for safety.  I will send you my cd on self defense as promised so you can practice with your hubby.  Just don’t hurt him ok LOL.  

... in response to Reality, and a question for the Filipino..., posted by don2222 on Dec 14, 2003

Hello Don,
      Thinking  about America  while  living  in the  Philippines?Well  I think  theres a  lot  of  diferrences,In  terms  of jobs,opportunities,type  of  living,big  value of money,foods,weathers,society,language, people.But now Im  here  already  in  America  my  thoughts  was  changedbased  on  my experienced  and observation  thats  there   still  in  common,The only main  problems  is   corruption  thats  why many  Filipino  people  living  abroad  in  many  places  or  in  America to  work  and  earned  for  thier  families.In  terms  of  corruptions,I  think  here   are  not obviously than  the  Philippines.In terms  also  of  high   technology  are   very  similar.Here's  crime  are  not obviously.But  in  the  Philippines  very obvious,you  can read  everyday  in  newspaper plenty  of  crimes.Thats  why I  think  living  in Philippines  and  America  has  no   in  common.The  only  thing  we  need  to  do  are  work  hard,responsible  in  everything,be good,Because  ur   success  or  ur  future  is in  your  hands............Godbless  and  Have a  good   day.
                                    Thanks,
                                      Joy

... in response to From Joy., posted by equitis on Dec 15, 2003

Hi Joy,
 Welcome to America, and thanks for your reply.
The crime in America is just as bad, if not worse, IMHO.
If you read the paper in America you will read about plenty of crimes.
And, you are right, there is less obvious corruption in America.

Take Care !

Don