PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

                                 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
                                   Office of the Spokesman

        This information is current as of today, Mon Dec 30 22:14:00 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time) 2002.

                                     PHILIPPINES

                                       November 3, 2002

This supersedes the Public Announcement for the Philippines dated October 23, 2002. It has been updated to
include information on the potential for terrorist bombings during the holiday season as well as the regional
threat posed by Jemaah Islamiya and other transnational terrorist groups. It expires on January 10, 2003.

In view of a number of recent security-related incidents and the possibility of future terrorism, kidnappings, and
other violence or criminal activity, Americans traveling to or residing in the Philippines are urged to exercise
great caution and maintain a heightened security awareness. In the aftermath of the October 2002 terrorist
bombings in Bali, Indonesia, the State Department is concerned that similar attacks may occur in other
Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines. Extremist groups present in Southeast Asia, such as
Jemaah Islamiya, have demonstrated transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations where
Westerners congregate. Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.

The terrorist threat to Americans in the Philippines remains high. Information available to the United States
Government suggests terrorist groups may be planning bombing attacks in the Philippines from now through the
New Year holiday period. The U.S. Embassy urges all Americans to avoid crowds and crowded places,
including nightclubs and bars, particularly through the New Year holiday and to exercise special caution in public
places, such as cemeteries and shopping malls, or when using public transportation. Philippine authorities have
confirmed that they have put into place extra security measures during this period to deter possible terrorist
attacks and to protect the public, including resident and traveling foreigners. A number of bomb-related
incidents have recently occurred in the Metro Manila area. On October 18, 2002, an explosion on a bus killed
three and injured numerous others. Earlier that same day, a hand grenade exploded at a main intersection in
the Makati commercial area, and another unexploded grenade was found in the same vicinity. On October 16,
2002, a bomb was discovered and dismantled inside a passenger bus on the regular route from Manila to
Laguna Province.

On October 23, the United States Government designated the Jemaah Islamiya (JI) organization a Foreign
Terrorist Organization. JI is an extremist group with cells operating throughout Southeast Asia. JI members
recently arrested in the region have revealed links with al-Qaeda, other regional terrorist groups, and previous
terrorist attacks in the region.

The terrorist New People's Army (NPA), the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, operates
throughout the Philippines and has recently issued public threats against U.S. citizens and interests in the
Philippines. In early 2002 an American tourist was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman on the slopes of
Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga Province, an area known for NPA activity. Americans are warned to avoid hiking or
camping in this area, and are advised to exercise caution when traveling elsewhere in the Philippines due to
armed clashes between the NPA and government troops in some areas.

Several Filipinos and foreigners, including one American, have been kidnapped by extortionists or other kidnap
gangs operating in various parts of the Philippines. Family members of prominent local politicians and business
persons have also recently been kidnapped in the Metro Manila area.

The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has recently issued public threats against U.S. citizens and interests in
the Philippines. The ASG has taken hostage a number of Filipinos, Americans and foreign tourists since April
2000. Several were freed after substantial ransoms were paid, some escaped or were rescued by military
action, and some were killed. In 2002, one American hostage was killed and another injured during a rescue
operation after spending more than a year in captivity. Because the ASG has demonstrated its ability to travel
long distances by boat to kidnap foreigners, it is possible that other locations in the Philippines could be
attacked. Accordingly, Americans should defer travel to isolated beach resorts in the southern portion of the
Philippines.

U.S. citizens are warned to avoid all travel to the central, southern and western areas of Mindanao, including
Zamboanga City and General Santos City, due to incidents of kidnappings, bombings, and other violence and
criminal activity. U.S. citizens should also avoid travel to the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo, located in
the Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines.

During October 2002 at least 20 persons were killed, including one American soldier, and more than 100
persons were injured in various bombing attacks in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Province, and in Kidapawan,
Cotabato Province. Other explosive devices have been discovered and defused prior to detonation in these
and other areas.

Americans residing in central, southern or western Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago should carefully
review their security posture, take appropriate action to secure their well-being, and remain in close contact with
the U.S. Embassy for current information. As a precaution, the U.S. Government has restricted travel by official
personnel to these areas and has withdrawn resident official Americans and contractors from these areas.

U.S. citizens living in or visiting the Philippines are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy, located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila City; tel. (63-2) 523-1001. For further general information
on travel to the Philippines, please consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet for the
Philippines and the Worldwide Caution dated October 10, 2002, which are available via the Internet at
http://travel.state.gov.

Department of State travel information and publications are available at Internet address:
. U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in
Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax
by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine.

I used to think that was logical, and still do think it sounds logical, but have seen evidence that it doesn't work in practice.  Haven't had personal experience, but have seen other guys, friends, etc, who have gone that route, with unexpected results.

That is to say, some very unattractive or even mostly ugly women have become very demanding and undesireable wives.  They seem to not understand that they have a once in a lifetime chance and blow it.

I would agree that the chances of longtime happiness are very slim if a guy goes for the number 9s and 10s, but don't settle for the 2s and 3s either.  Some of them can be just as much of a horror (in their subsequent actions) as the 10s.  Of course there are no guarantees with any woman (or man), but once that is understood, no need to go below the 5s and 6s.

JR

But if you insist on going for the really good-looking Filipinas, you don’t have to travel all the way to the Philippines and risk having your head chopped off by the Abu Sayef. Some of the nicest looking Filipinas that I have seen are right here in San Diego, Ca. And many of them are available too. No need to spend all that money for plane fares, long-distance phone calls, visa processing fees, etc. because the women here already have their green cards (LOL)

Ray

Don

Don

Anyway, good luck and widen out your search.