trip to Philippines

I agree Alec...

When people from the outside try to express in writings or in words what they think of our country, numbers of us are RAGED and FURIOUS about them saying "Phil is dirty.. Phil is this.. and that.."

BUT

When our goodlooking and smelly politicians rob our nation's wealth.. most of us fail to notice their acts.

Why do you think is that?

in reply to your comment djnavarro, here's a copy of my post from a recent thread...

i am not criticizing. i am just presenting facts & evidence that we all need to understand & not ignore. i know it hurts but that's the reason why our brain is placed above our hearts!

a lot of you don't know that i have spent several years in philippines on volunteer (US-AID) work trying to uplift the lives of fellow filipinos in far flung provinces where your government do not bother to reach. we've had countless of education, food, micro-finance & health programs that actually worked. so don't lecture me about criticizing filipinos for, as an individual, i've done a lot for the philippines than everybody in this forum combined could ever dreamed of doing.

what i just so hate is how, these so called "proud to be pinoys" are raping their own country. whoelse destroyed their rivers? forests? & cities that is so full of every conceivable dirt on earth. whoelse so patronized imported goods that we turned out to be importers than producers like say, rice? & most of all, whoelse have elected their so called leaders which they ironcally blame for their woes? is expressing my disappointment criticism? my suggestion is, you go back to school & learn more about socio-economics other than your mindless tv shows!

so tell me djnavarro, have you done anything for your country yet? i bet my lifesavings you are nothing but one of the rapist! i hate hipocrites who do nothing but show off their nokias & imported shirts & shoes & have the nerve to pretend to be patriotic??? how many of you filipinos out there actually own filipino shoes?

To Mr. Alecscotland and the other Filipino Expatriates, if you want to help our country, why don't we all return to the PHilippines and use our God given skills and talents to the betterment of our country, instead of bashing it out here in QL, let's just help our country!!!

nice chilling with u guys :)

yeah right nice one! we also had Bentot! lol!

"Even if  LOVE is full of thorns, embrace it. For in between those thorns there is a ROSE that's worth all the PAIN."

If Australia has Ben James, Philippines has Ben Tumbling!

Come on people, give him some slack.

Why don't you leave Philippines, you are asking him.

But how many of you complained about Qatar sometimes? I'm sure each of you. Yet, you are still here.

I think every intelligent person will see good and bad things about the surroundings they are in, and if they openly talk about it, that's only a positive of this person.

Not always we can be where we want to be, sometimes it's just life.

Plus maybe he likes being in Philippines although he has many negative things to say about it.

Like many of us when it comes to Qatar.

Kismet

is there a big homeless population in the phillipines?

dmightysolomon... you're a classic example. you just don't get it. it's people like you who teaches filipinos the wrong militant mentality. first of all, i have no intention to argue for i am simply presenting clear cut evidence- the truth. i totally respect the philippines but i can't deny the fact that something there is wrong & something has to be done.

certainly, i am not selling my ideas nor forcing it to anyone. it's up to the readers to be a pro or con since they will be the one who will suffer or gain from the consequences. as for me, i am happy that wherever i go, i'm not being treated as 3rd world regardless of my skin tone. i command respect because i don't give them a reason not to.

Please check this out and vote http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/

mouth...I dont know how old either of these blokes are, but Respect begrets respect...

And no, i dont know that song.

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"hotheaded ones" and you will start irritating them again. I think it is in your "in-born" personality to start word war and you're life is not complete without arguing to someone.

Try Sherwin, I know the guy, he won't let you down (at least you won't laid down facing the sky but for sure, your face sunk to the .....).

And to you, MR PAUL, no need to teach Sherwin, he is a good guy, you remember the song "coward of the ....", sometimes you have to fight when ...... That us, Filipinos. Respect commands respect. Respect us, we respect you, RIGHT GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mabuhay

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

in all my travels, i have heard every conceivable negative remarks about the philippines & filipinos. as a filipino by birth, admittedly i am offended even though it's the truth. but instead of mindlessly being hurt, i took this up as a challenge & began my "conquest for greatness". by embracing the truth & doing away with traditional ineffective cultural beliefs, i survived the modern world & i'm proud to say that i am a world-class filipino citizen!

so fellow filipinos, leave your denial stage & embrace what is real. face the challenge rather than being bitter about the truth that we filipinos must rise up. if you don't want other nations to look down on you, then don't give them a reason to do so.

Oh Mr.Paul, I'm sorry i was talking about this

"The number system was invented by India. Aryabhatta was the scientist who invented the digit zero."

It was discussed in another thread if you need more info pls google.

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

wmhizon, the dollars being brought by OFW's do not generally help the philippine economy. although it does help increase the dollar reserves, but the reserves are used for imports & not investments.

in many cases, the families of OFW's spend a large protion of the remmitances for purchasing import goods or import dependent goods & little is left for savingins or investments. so essentially OFW dollars simply go back to the foreign countries which helped pay for OFW salaries.

your idea that OFW money is helping philippine economy is a false & misconstrued belief. we could however change the situation by trying to funnel remittances to productive use ie. SME's or savings instead of foreign brand clothing. i don't understand why many filipinos cry out they are "nationalistic" but pours out all their money to foreign goods.

I doubt it. I dont think they've learnt to count even now considering ur sailor post!

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

"the british wudnt have been able to count if the indians didnt teach u to count"

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I thought that you have in your country something which is called "Freedom of expression"

Why are u being so sarcastic? he was telling his opnion from his point of view. PLUS it's kinda true don't deny it. I do really like how u filipinos are so proud of ur country but at least u have to know that there is something wrong in the philpines. BTW I even know some filipinos from other provinces and they hate Manila.

before i go to Phil. I was warned from phil. people:

- Take care or u might be kidnapped

- Don't put ur wallet in ur back pocket

- keep ur eyes always opened

- Don't talk to strangers

- Don't show off with a valuable watch or cell phone

and some other stuff like that and they were from filipinos

We egyptians are proud of our country too but we still know from inside that there are a lot of bad things about it.

So please have mercy on the guy. he was just shocked and no need to be unrespectful. if he was unrespectful try to be more tactful and respectful he might change his mind when he find that although there are some bad people there in the phil. there are a lot of good peoples too.

================================================

My Music: http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/LittleGuitarist

My Photographing:

alecscotland.. the british wudnt have been able to count if the indians didnt teach u to count and the americans wouldnt be able to write if the chinese didnt invent paper...let's be proud for the right reasons!!!

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

dmightysolomon... yes many expats really did contributed to the nation building of many oil exporting countries but only in providing labor... they were NOT responsible for developing the technology which gave birth to the oil & gas industry. the british & amercians were the one's responsible for first, inventing the internal combustion engine which demanded fuel, second minining technologies for sucking the oil off desert lands.

another thing, these OFW engineers would not be able to see this part of the world if not for the western-based education in the philippines.

again, let's be proud for the right reasons... & thank the west for making us who we are now & not the other way around. welcome to reality my friend.

lessons in manners and politeness, cos as far as im concerned now, he has put Pinoys/pinays in a bad light with his hate filled rants.....

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We just want to defend our own country thats all...

"Even if  LOVE is full of thorns, embrace it. For in between those thorns there is a ROSE that's worth all the PAIN."

here. No doubt, our country is a fantastic one. Have you wondered if Filipinos did not go to MIddle East 30 or 40 years ago? Can you imagine the condition and situation of this part of the world? In a "little way", we have contributed a "LOT". FYI!!!!!!!!!!!

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

to defend our lovely country. BenJames is just stating a fact, but the problem is, he generalized his view without even looking on other places. Maybe he never knew that our's is an archipelago (7100 islands????). It will be more fitting to advice the guy in a good way and if doesn't respond positively, then HE has a problem, not us, because whatever other people says, we will remain Filipinos by heart and we only have one country to call our's. MABUHAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"

my country has, and so do most of the honest working class people there. Steps are been taken to remedy the faults but they are not always successful.

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Others don't have a heart to understand what "hurt" means.

filipinos are nationalistic so dont blame them if they were hurt with d comments

What is the difference between Indians and Filipinos and all of you living here? Nothing...when you go to toilet, you share the same smell of sh!t. so you don't have anything to argue with.

I was so poor growing up...If I wasn't born a boy..I'd have nothing to play with.

Leaving our own country doesnt mean that we dont value or love it...

We leave our country in order to help more our economy.

"Even if  LOVE is full of thorns, embrace it. For in between those thorns there is a ROSE that's worth all the PAIN."

Hate to say it, but I actually agree with Mr Paul. There is no harm in accepting what is wrong ith your country and working to correct those wrongs. I also believe though that the Brits are probably uique in their ability to criticiz theirpoliticians and country.

nothing is perfect in this world.

it, in fact i think the Uk is a retched hive of scum and villany these days. Thats one of the reasons i left.

But i think you miss my point,These are just things he observed whilst there.Maybe he has a point, maybe it is dirty. That may not be yer fault but he wanted yer thoughts, not yer abuse......

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bcoz we want to work & send dollars/euros to our families back home. these money helps our economy.

im sure if somebody tells something bad against ur country, u'll feel hurt too. u need to understand how d filipinos feel.

You all fired into Ben for his remarks, for which he apologized for repeatedly. But if the phillipines is such a fantastic place, then why are all you Pinots/Pinays leaving to work over here ? If its really that good, then why dont you all just head back home.....

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i am very sad... bad things said against philippines that came from a filipino... this is not acceptable. i feel bad for my country & my fellow pinoys who are trying hard to make our country a better place.

The views of Ben James (and the Indian hater from another thread) don't necessarily represent the views of the vast majority of aussies.

Drink beer and be merry!

Ben James,

I hope critizicing Phils makes you happy!

Before I criticize someone, I walk a mile in their shoes. That way, if they get angry, they are a mile away and barefoot.

Ben James from Autralia, a young Engineer but....

waiting for an apology....

a thread against indians..and now this one.

if you think your country is the best, then for f...ck sake dont travel outside..

what the hell is wrong with you people

http://www.qatarliving.com/group/ql-kairali

YOU DONT KNOW ME, DONT EVEN TRY !!!

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 when i see i remember, but when i do i understand

make a difference....

"Be of good courage and HE shall strengthen thine heart..." (www.truelovewaits.com)

to forgive is divine....

as a filipino, i was hurt by your quick note. since you apologized, then ok, from my part apology accepted. although, be sure to learn from your mistake... some of the replies to your post here make sense, so follow it.

If you believe, you will receive what you ask for in prayer

i am not criticizing. i am just presenting facts & evidence that we all need to understand & not ignore. i know it hurts but that's the reason why our brain is placed above our hearts!

a lot of you don't know that i have spent several years in philippines on volunteer (US-AID) work trying to uplift the lives of fellow filipinos in far flung provinces where your government do not bother to reach. we've had countless of education, food, micro-finance & health programs that actually worked. so don't lecture me about criticizing filipinos for, as an individual, i've done a lot for the philippines than everybody in this forum combined could ever dreamed of doing.

what i just so hate is how, these so called "proud to be pinoys" are raping their own country. whoelse destroyed their rivers? forests? & cities that is so full of every conceivable dirt on earth. whoelse so patronized imported goods that we turned out to be importers than producers like say, rice? & most of all, whoelse have elected their so called leaders which they ironcally blame for their woes? is expressing my disappointment criticism? my suggestion is, you go back to school & learn more about socio-economics other than your mindless tv shows!

OMG Alecscotland! When will you stop criticizing the Filipino people? Just start it with your self please!Lets face it! Everyone has a bad side not only Filipino people! And dont mind others! Whatever blah blah blah you will say, you cannot control it!

Filipino people have a lot of positive side!

as a filipino (by birth) myself, i have to apologize for some of the negative comments you read here... they are still "in denial" stage.

like you, i did a few years of work (US-AID) in manila & many provinces & i'm not particularly happy about what i saw... not because i despise what i saw but because, hope erodes...

the cleanliness & orderliness of a city or town only tells you what kind of people live there... it's all about discipline & i painfully admit that we filipinos do not have much of it. but there's hope... if & when my fellow filipinos jump out of the denial stage & start teaching their children about discipline, instead of making excuses while riding on their emotional souls, then perhaps the next generaton of filipinos will at least some hope for improvement.

Manila is overpopulated but there are Cities that manage to maintain cleanliness. If you are looking for a paradise you will never find it in the City. Better search on the internet for best tourist spots for you. Make the most of your stay there by searching and planning. Cheers!

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LOLS!OMG! try also this benj. our place is just 40 mins.

away from Manila. you have sure shot of beautiful place and good food! Our town called "Artist Paradise a Tourist Haven" and thats Angono, Rizal PROUD to be!!

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/561697012obgPgx

Going to Mount Pinatubo sounds crazy especially if it is manifesting a violent seismic activity. lol

fyi.. male here.. just like the nickname irene.demova lol

sounds crazy! but indeed funny, yeah try that dude Mt. Pinatubo has great shape & good crater surrounds in it!

Thanks for the tips and thanks to those who hammered me for my statements, it was truly deserving and has definatley struck a chord.

"mistakes make us stronger"

I have been in the Phil all my life. And I love it! But sad to say I am not proud of how Manila became the way it is. Lack of environmental awareness might be the reason for this.

Although you might not find something special in Manila, it is not as bad as the cities named here: http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/environment-green-blacksmith-biz-man-cx_db_1129pollute.html

There are a lot of wonderful places in the Philippines that are miles away from Manila. Being in such places are qualified to have a tag like: "Things that money can't buy."

If you are willing to sweat for a 3.5 hour trekking of a 1300-meter climb.. go here:

The Crater: Mount Pinatubo

Haven't been there yet.. but my friend did. :)

Travelling hits the learning curve....

Ben is having a bit of culture shock.... maybe he didn't express himself well but when he comes back to Qatar I will invite him round to see my photos and chat to him.

He will probably leave with deep respect for Philipinos for the way the carry on with a smile under circumstances he hasn't seen before.

yeah! 2 thumb for yah Oryx. LOLS! have a peaceful day. I owe you benj.

this is a learning curve and for those of us brought up in the middle class suburbs of the West it can be shocking to see this.

I went to mexico city when I was 19...it was overwhelming.....

I still get upset when i travel...Khartoum, Nairobi...etc

Look beyond what shocks you Ben and you will see amazing humanity and grace in the presence of adversity..

this is the human spirit that will warm your heart.

Then go and give gratitude for what you have and remember to stay humble.

BenJames,

I understand your predicament, though i must admit you have indeed over reacted (and so u get these throngs of violent reactions).

my suggestion are the following:

1. Party in the City - Go to Makati City (Ayala Center and Greenbelt Area), Eastwood City Libis, The Fort in Makati City , and you'll have a different view of the city.

2. Beach - Well. Boracay tops the list, and the endless list goes on and on

3. Nature Trekking - Theres also a long list for it, and I suggest you stay on a good hotel in the city, and ask the people there.

Just remember to always keep ur pocket and wallet safe, be vigilant, keep your baggages in the hotel secured, and as much as possible have someone accompany you, dont go out alone all the time.

Enjoy ;)

Visit my Blog - http://wakatteruttebayo.blogspot.com

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Oryx has provided an insight into my thoughts that I was expecting from other QLr's. This whole thing got out of control and it was my fault albeit unknowingly.

Qatar was the first stop and manila the second. Otherwise my world has consisted of camping trips 2-3hrs from my home town.

cesmarjaf - agreed use of words and spell check is a issue for me as you can see. I'm a numbers man.

I vowe to update my thread prior to departure to reflect my thoughts

ok this is the score

In many countries the capital city is a nightmare... what you do is get out straight away and go to the second city.

Great example is Guatemala...second city: Antigua is divine.

The only capital city i have been to in Asia that I really like is Rangoon.

My fav capital city in Africa is Asmara and I do love Maputo and Windhoek is fine but some of the others... can be a culture shock.

I know loads of people who have been on hols to the Phillipines and to some island and just dont stop raving about the place.

I think this maybe Ben's first trip to somewhere with these social/economic issues and it can be shocking.

WATCH YOUR WORD MAN! YOU DON'T KNOW "THE PEARL OF THE EAST YET! (FYI)BE KIND

benjames?! no malace? or no malice? are you sure you are from aus?

F*CK UR FLOWER A*S!MADAFU*KERS!! WHO THE H*LL ARE YA!? IF YOU EXPECT RESPECT BE THE FIRST TO SHOW IT!!THUS YOUR PARENTS DON'T CHA TOLD ABOUT HOW TO SHOW SOME LI'L RESPECT TO OTHERS?JOIN THE GROUP "GREENPEACE" AS*HOLE!! SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT DEEPER PHILIPPINES HAVE!!! MY BLOOD ARE EXTREMELY HIGH FOR YAH!I WILL F*CK YOUR MOUTH OFF!!!

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

This is playing on my mind greatly and if you could stand in front of me this secoond you would see how sincere I am.

No more words can describe my regret and ill feeling.

FUCK UR FLOWER ASS!MOTHERFUCKERS!! WHO THE HELL ARE YA!? IF YOU EXPECT RESPECT BE THE FIRST TO SHOW IT!!THUS YOUR PARENTS DON'T CHA TOLD ABOUT HOW TO SHOW SOME LI'L RESPECT TO OTHERS?JOIN THE GROUP "GREENPEACE" ASSHOLE!! SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT DEEPER PHILIPPINES HAVE!!! MY BLOOD ARE EXTREMELY HIGH FOR YAH!I WILL FUCK YOUR MOUTH OFF!!!

try to go out of Manila first before you open your big dirty mouth.We dont want people like you in our country.

My sincere apologies guys. There was no malace intended. I was looking for options outside of the city and it didn't come out the way I intended.

I do except full responsibilty for what I wrote and a mistake was made.

Please accept my apologies.

I do remember my intro and I still believe in it.

exactly raulski, what we are saying here is, don't judge the country in a couple of days or week of stay.

unless you dont have enough money to go places. now i understand you benjames.

It's on my arm mallrat lol

Been to US last year for a family vacation and while in new york shopping and strolling around i found a lot of dirty places too and far more number of homeless, but does this mean new york as a whole is a dirty place? While in Philippines, stay in makati or greenhills or eastwood it's not that expensive. You probably decided to stay in a cheap and delapidated motel then brag about it...

Manila is not the entire country. There's a lot there than the things you've seen. Try the provinces.

And next time, watch your language. Pay some respect at least.

keep your options open

was there last Oct.2007, stayed at tides, celebrated my birthday there with BF., beach is just amazing, just heavenly amazing.

wonder where in your body got tattooed, lol

Never go younger by a month, a hard bod is no substitute for wisdom.

-Angelica Houston, Material Girls

Spot on mallrat!!! It was off-peak and I loved it. From memory it was around August time. Got a great tattoo when I was there also.

thanks flanostu.

guess you were there during off-peak season, that's why no too many tourist.

Never go younger by a month, a hard bod is no substitute for wisdom.

-Angelica Houston, Material Girls

I had a great time. Not too many tourists.

and its paradise right?

Never go younger by a month, a hard bod is no substitute for wisdom.

-Angelica Houston, Material Girls

sure have mallrat

Have you been to Boracay yourself?

Never go younger by a month, a hard bod is no substitute for wisdom.

-Angelica Houston, Material Girls

may be u go to hell place as all foriegner did?

may be ur in malate which all hoaker around

go back tour country than criticize philppines

we have a lot to offer to those generous visitors

 try and try until you succeed

i which place you go

and wht the hell you doing here in our coutry

whats ur mouth may be some resto owner will put some poison on ur food

 try and try until you succeed

Go to Boracay Island man.

As for Manila being dirty, get over it!

most probably BenJ is on assignment in the Philippines. I have been there a couple of times and protected by my friends, so I have had a wonderful time travelling to the various provinces, and yes any city is the craps. You need to get out to the province or towns, villages, resorts etc and there you have the actual essence of the country.

I have experienced this in most of the countries visited.

Have a good peaceful friday.

i went to philippines last feb 4 our vacation. in d airplane, there were around 50 passengers who are foreigners. i heard some of them talking that they'll be in naga for 10 days to surf, etc. others will backpack & go to bohol.

my colleague went to a south asian country to take her CGNFS. she told me that d houseflies & cockroaches were very friendly in that country. she said dont dare to open my mouth in public coz those insects will juz enter ur mouth... d garbage is all over d place, d cup of coffee she ordered has still a lipstick on, etc.

if philippines is dirty, how abt d other 3rd world countries in other parts of d world? i wont mention d name coz im sure there'll be tonz of violent reactions here.

Why don't you leave Philippines? If Philippines is dirty, then why people like you are coming there? So, that means, your country is more dirty than Philippines because you choose to be there rather than stay in your country...

"Don't say anything if you don't like, it describes only more than what you are..."

"When you have found food for your soul lead others to the Source."

HEY BEN JAMES! here is your intro. in case you forgot!

Hi all,

Just landed 4 days ago. I'm pumped to be here and can't wait to be involved with the wider QL community.

Let the good topics role on!

Cheers Ben

"WHY NOT"

sorry guys but its early in the morning and this thread is my breakfast! it boils my blood!

You know what ben james? If you have nothing to say good about anything, shut your mouth!!! My country have a lot to offer and people like you doesnt deserve my country!

I think your parents did not teach you to be respectfull!!! So get out to my loving country and go back to your jungle! looser!!!!!

Hey amigo do what you've said "look deeper"...

...just leave.

but honestly, philippines is a good place to visit for western people like you but try to avoid staying in manila bacause that's where you'll see all the craps and unpleasant things. go to our nature's sites, beaches, forest treks, caves and other natural attractions. i personally recommend that you go and visit the tubbataha reef at the soutwest coast of the phils. it's one of the strong contenders for the new seven wonders of the world. but you have to learn scuba diving to see it.

cheers!

PLEASE dont ever blame us, our country and mostly those citizens of the Philippines, in ur eyes it is a dirty and filthy place, and what the hell are u doing in there, looking for a job?? working for a greener pasture, or looking for big F!@##$...so better go out asap...