Traveling to Philippines :Tips

If Philippines is one of your planned travel destination, preparation is a must.  A trip to a developing country is not as convenient as what you might experience in a developed country but it is an adventure you will never forget.

The Philippines has very unique food, attractions and people.  If you go with an open mind you can  learn a lot from the culture.  The people there have a different standard of happiness.  Traveling in my own country and other South East Asian countries has given me a wealth of memories and experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Here are few tips for going to the Philippines:

1. Restaurants. When eating in a restaurant giving 1 or 2 dollar tip is already more than enough for filipinos. They are thankful with that amount. The current exchange rate now is $1.00 = P 44.69. Average minimum wage for Manila is P466.00 and Cebu is P 310.00.

2. Blend in. To look normal, do not carry a backpack if you are going to the mall. That is just weird for filipinos. Plus in the cities, some malls may block you and thoroughly check your body and bags especially the guys to ensure that you are not carrying anything the might be seen as a weapons. Malls are guarded with cctv cameras. They are strict in inspecting people and people carrying backpacks because thieves usually carry backpacks to steal stuff from the store.

3. Pick Pockets.  Always feel and watch your pants pockets because there are many pick pocketer there.

4. Dating. If you are going on a date with a filipina, always offer to pay and if she offers to contribute, refuse immediately.  It's an automatic rejection when they have to pay a share.  If she had to pay at all you should not expect a future in that date.  A few girls might reconsider this but only if she is super into a guy.

5. Whitening products.  If you are using a special soap, get some before travelling to the Philippines because 90% of the time, it will not be available there.  Also, all lotions, face creams and soaps have whitening chemicals. Only Vaseline and baby products do not contain whitening.

6. Exotic food. While traveling in the Philippines, you will notice that filipino cuisines have so many exotic food that we do not classify as exotic and that may be gross to you.  Do not try it if you are not ready. You can stick to American restaurants there, they have a few like TGI fridays, McDonalds, Shakeys and Pizza Hut.

7. Deadbeats. If you are walking alone and a filipino shows up trying to be nice and befriended you, be suspicious and ignore him/her if you can. They are not trying to be nice for free. They
want money from you.

Elf beauty reviews

Elf beauty reviews

I have tried a beauty product called  ELF (eyes, lips, face).  They have a variety of tools from eye make up to make up remover.  So far, I am satisfied with every thing I have used.  The last time I ordered from ELF they were offering free shipping on orders of $35 and above. It was a great deal so I immediately grabbed it!

After a week my package arrived and it was time to try it out.

ELF's make-up brushes are a decent quality.  Back in the Philippines, I had used it and noticed how soft it was when I applied my foundation. The eye brush is equally good.  Though not as soft, the eye brush is great for the price.  It is only a dollar.  The small brush I had used for my eyebrow gel made my eyebrows look so defined and beautiful.

The Eyebrow kit was especially impressive.  The Eyebrow gel and powder allow me to sculpt and shape my brows to achieve the look I want.  I use it every time I go out with my husband for a special occasion and it can last all day.  NO matter what the weather is, my eyebrows stay intact.

Another thing I really like in my batch of order was the cream eyeliner. I ordered metal blue and black. Because my eyes are small, the cream eyeliner really helps in defining and making them look bigger.

Another ELF product that I would recommend is the pale lipstick. It is beautiful!  Even though it is probably more suited for light skin women, it looks good on me too ;). I hope so.

The only thing I was really disappointed about was the nail polish remover. It had a very strong chemical odor when I used it which is probably unavoidable.

ELF also sells a few nail tools and a set of 14 different types of nail polish on their site. It was on sale for $14.00.  It is good quality and so worth it for what you are getting.

Unfortunate kids in cebu city

Cebu City:  The Kid on Fuente Osmena Blvd

Article created: June 2014

This is a true story about a little girl I met on the streets of Cebu City.

In 2008, I was approached by a little girl who had been wandering Fuente Osmena Boulevard.  She looked about 8 year old.  Beggars and con-artists of every age are common in that area and I really did not want to be bothered that day, so I told her to leave me alone.  I had troubles of my own.  I only had enough for my own survival at the time.

As I continued walking, she followed saying in Cebuano, “Ate, sige na, malouy ka naku gutom na kaayo ko wa jud koy kaon”.  Which means:  Elder sis, please have pity on me.  I’m very hungry, I have not eaten yet.  

I stared into her eyes trying to figure out if she was sincere.  Her dark eyes were hopeless.  She had layers of dust on her pretty, brown face.  Her hair was a tangled mess at shoulder length spilling on skinny shoulders.  She wore an old, gray t-shirt with holes at the seams, filthy brown shorts and no shoes.  

I felt sorry for her.  As bad as my situation was, hers was 10 times worse.  So I asked, ‘’Ok, what would you like to eat?”

“I wanna eat Jollibee, ate,” she said.  

“What would you like to eat in Jollibee?” I asked.

“I want burger, coke and french fries,” she replied.

photo by: filipinobackpacker.com

The fact that she was a little demanding and knew exactly what she wanted made me smile.  We went to the counter to order her food which left me 100 pesos (about $2USD at the time) for the rest of the week.  We got our order and sat down right next to as statue of Jollibee himself.

“Do you like the food?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied through a mouth full of fries.

I looked over at her and did something that I bet she was still too young to do.  I wondered about her story and why she should have such a fate, “How come you  are out in the streets begging? Do you have parents?”

“No,” She said.  “I don’t have parents.  I have been abandoned and a lady adopted me. She has a  very small shop on Fuente corner but she does not have a home too..”

“I heard DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] has a project for street kids,” I told her.  “Don’t they pick you up so you can be adopted permanently?”

“Yes, they do pick us up at daytime but throw us back in the streets at night time.”  Then she said something that haunts me to this this day.  “Ate, can you just bring me home with you and adopt me? I would be a very good girl for you.”

At the time, I was also homeless living on about 2,900 Pesos/month ($64USD) per month.  I had to  refuse.  I was homeless because I decided to live by myself rather than be pressured by my parents to marry a rich guy for money to help them out of poverty.

Street kids are not allowed to enter Jollibee loiter because the staff does not want paying customers to be bothered while eating. There are too many beggars in the Philippines these days.  The situation is out of control.  More families are living in the streets and pushing their kids to beg or worse.

These kids are brought up on the streets and sometimes turn into criminals taking violent risks to survive. They stop begging and resort to stealing wallets, snatching necklaces or purses.

It makes me wonder what is the source of the problems in Cebu City? Is it prostitution, street kids, beggars?  It seems like these are all the results of one thing...poverty.  But what is causing the poverty?  How can it be solve?  

I think it might be that the population multiplying much faster than Cebu’s socio-economic growth can handle.  I am relieved that RH bill has been approved allowing organizations to teach and promote family planning. Now, people can decide for themselves the right choices for their families.

Passing a law will not change the situation of the Philippines overnight. It will take time. In the mean time little kids have to suffer.  

I still wonder about that kid on Fuente Boulevard.

how are filipino women

How are filipino women?

When a filipino women has dedicated herself to her man, she will always stay loyal and faithful with or without the presence of her man beside her.

Since we were born and raised to be trustworthy and god fearing most filipino women are good and ideal as wives.

How are filipino women?

Once you earn her love and trust she is so obedient that some might see it as a negative thing.  But you have to realize that in her culture, this behavior is not only acceptable, it is expected.

This does not apply to how all filipino women are.  We are individuals so I know many exceptions to what I have mentioned above.  But I can tell you honestly, if she is in love with you there are not many exceptions.

full article here: http://efilipinowomen.com/how-are-filipino-women/

Expectation from a Husband

In the Philippines marriage is a big step.  Most filipinas look forward to being a wife.  But there are some important things that a pinay should consider before becoming a wife.  To settle down and to live with the man we love. It is important to meet each other’s expectation on many things. Although there is absolute certainty that your spouse will change over time theres always a way to make the relationship work.  If both husband and wife adjust to those changes they can grow together rather than apart.

1. Understanding and respect of filipino culture.  If your man is not a filipino, then its really important to respect each others culture.  It takes patience from the filipina and the man.  I am so glad my my husband  understands it. The culture may  seem weird but things like being attached to the family is normal in the Philippines.  In the Philippines a daughter is expected to take care of  parents.  A filipino daughter is not necessarily supposed to support them monthly but stuff like medication or to be there for them and to visit.

2. Filipina Wife Loyalty and Dedication. Every filipino wife expects their husband to be devoted and loyal.  A good filipina will be loyal until death to a good man.  She wants the same in return.

3. Trust of your Filipino Wife is a MUST. All wives expect the husband to trust when they go out.  A filipina needs to be trusted to be faithful.  She must be trusted not to flirt with other men. Temptation is always there but only when you let it.  Noone want to be in a relationship where they cannot go anywhere or do anything due to lack of trust.  The only way to make the relationship stronger is to trust.

4. Filipinas Adapt, They Expect the same from their husband.  Survival of a relationship depends on the ability to change and adjust.  For example, adjustment to each other’s personality and behavior. As a wife, we may have some attitude that men do not like but its a matter of adjusting. There are some things we do not like that men do but as a filipino wife,  we can give way of enjoying movies he likes, sports or boring music and enjoy it because he into it.

5. Being Supportive and a helpful husband is every Filipino wife’s dream.  A good husband is expected to be there during his significant other’s achievements. A great husband would always seek to find ways to encourage, praise and be helpful of his wifes ideas about house designs, goals and life plans.  He does way more than opening jars and assisting lifting heavy stuff.  The very best husband will actually participate in his wife’s shopping by interacting and enjoying her pleasure as she gathers new accessories.  He should not ignore her or treat her bad when she is shopping.  

6. A Filipina wife wants a husband that appreciates her.  Appreciating what a wife does to serve her husbands wants and needs is an incredible way to bond and get more SEXsess.  DO NOT compare her to Exes or belittle her. Every women has different characteristics and skills. It is offensive for a wife to see that her husband is discontented of what he is getting.

Overall, a filipina wife is looking for a reliable, supportive and loving man who will protect her.  If the man can put his self in her shoes and serve her as willingly as he wants to be served most of the stuff listed is easy to figure out.  A filipina wife is willing to completely submit herself to a good man.