Best Posts in Forum: Dumaguete City

I have to say that Dumaguete has always been safe for me as well as all other parts of Philippines I have visited. I have a fairly good sense for danger and would strongly agree that US cities are far more likely to be dangerous than any place I have been on the Philippines so far. I have had a few incidents but all ended fairly quickly once each side could listen to the other. Filipinos by nature are far less violent than Americans I do not think that most of them want to fight with giant foreigners. I do my best to make friends and not enemies but their are some who truly hate Americans or white people or whatever. Such is life....people have a right to make choices good or bad!
Now as far as being a pedestrian.....that can be a bit scary until you get in rhythm with the locals who cross the street ! Dumaguete is easy compared to Manila dodge and weave I do recall the first few visits I was almost clipped a few times but once I realized pedestrians didn't have the right away, the odds of getting smushed decreased exponentially . Also keep in mind the bigger vehicles are the bullies such as the Ceres liners ! If riding a motorcycle....you have to make your own safe path.

 

I live in Colorado for 30 years; when I moved to Dumaguete--I knew what I was getting into. For me, when you start comparing places--you will never be satisfied. The last time I check, there is no perfect place.

 

A lot of issues on this thread. I have not lived here that long, but already have some observations. I came here, like many, for the warm weather, low cost of living and a people who almost always are friendly, nice and understand English (even if they don't speak it.) I was also hoping to be a help, or sorts, to the Philippines. I have been able to sponsor several young people in their quest to get a college education. Tuition is very low compared to the US, so through church and other charities I stepped up. I will continue that committment, but now wonder (based on many criteria, including personal observation) if a Filipino education is worth my investment. The young people certainly are worth any investment I can make. All people are "worth it" if the bottom line be told, but I am not Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. What I have I have earned from my own labor; I have never had employees.

But there have been several comments here about the far sub-standard (on a global basis) education that is offered in the Philippines. My first hint came many years ago when a good friend with a B.S. in Electronic Engineering from a prominent private university in Manila was unable to understand a basic D.C. circuit. I let it slide.

Then years later a person with a bachelor degree in nursing from Silliman was unable (twice) to pass a certification test to work in the US as a nurse after taking a rather expensive preparation course tailored just for that test.

Right now, I have a young man (28 years old) who returned to university to study business administration and is in his second year. I was stunned when he told me many of his classes at NORSU Dumaguete are rarely attended BY THE TEACHERS! Most days classes are cancelled. And in late November it was Founders' "Day" celebration for a week when nothing got done. They actually scheduled 5 full days of movies during what should have been classroom time in addition to dozens of other events which, I understand, were mandatory. He want to work overseas in his major area of study. It sounds like NORSU is totally letting him down as far as preparation is concerned. Tuition there for his second year was free, but I support all the nonsense projects that his teachers dream up as well as keep him clothed and fed since his family is unable to provide anything but a roof. (There are actually some "uniform requirements" at the college level in the Philippines.) So 1950s!

I have an expat friend who teaches part-time at one of the private universities in Dumaguete. He just shakes his head when I ask him about the experience. The students are not accustomed to be in a learning mode. Their elementary school and high school classroom experiences are (evidently as commented here) more about what would be extra-curricular and after-school activities in any other country, so when confronted with a Westerner teacher they can't cope with being asked to learn and study the course material.

Don't really know how I will proceed. I will see my current students through to graduation, but I don't feel there is any point in paying toward higher education here until a bachelor degree represents at least approximately the knowledge base for that degree throughout the world.

 

I totally agree with everything you say Shawn, my wife and Daughter have absolutely NO interest in living abroad, they would like to visit, but live there, no! And to live abroad, I would not like them to experience life there full time, not live the life I lived and the life my kids have to live there working their asses off getting nowhere fast.

We bought 2000m2 close by but do not plan to build a house there, it is purely to one day build Pig Sty's and hopefully generate an income one day where we can buy a house in a more convenient location, so basically I want to leave my Wife and Daughter something that can generate an income for them and provide for their future after I am gone. As you stated if I was in the West and things go belly up I would stand to lose most everything anyways, so like before, if it does go that way I will simply pick myself up, move on and start again... I have no problem with that.

I have the benefit of hindsight (in the West) which I have have learnt a big lesson from and carefully put to good use in my decision in my life to marry my Wife here and live here (in the East) I am taking everything one step at a time, I have a plan and we are slowly achieving what it is we are setting out to do as a team instead of me being the only one doing all of the work like before.

I have been watching/speaking with some other expats here and the ignorance and arrogance factor of some amaze me! They wonder why they are doing it tough here and for me they are getting exactly what they deserve! Believing that they are superior to, greater than, mightier than, smarter than, know everything and ridicule anyone else's suggestions because they know better, yet are grovelling to make it work here, I have resigned myself to zip my lips, turn my back, and let them self destruct! Who am I to worry what they think or do... My Wife and Daughter are my ONLY concern.

 

Actually it's neither a blackout nor a brownout, it's a power cut

"There's no such thing as American English. There is English and there are mistakes."

 

about visa: I find it very comfortable here in Phils, on a 6 months tourist visa, extension without problems for a fair ammount right here in town...I almost forgot the horrible visa runs in Thailand every 3 months where I had to leave the country just for a minute...
about relationship: there is a nice saying in asia: no money, no honey. turn it around and you have the perfect recipe for a great relationship, whatever kind of. don't be cheap charly, it doesn't work anywhere in the world, and espacially not here in asia. give a fair allowance and feed the girl 5 times a day and you get the best partner here. -only problem she will gain weight :-)

 

Dogs that are chained/caged/neglected by their humans are the ones that are barking; very sad but too common.

I have 3 Belgian Malinois that have a free run of the yard and house...but d*mn they do have some huge voices when trying to alert us to something. I know they can be quite noisy, especially with the wife or me get back to the house...they missed us after all. Their barking at night is normally finished in a minute or so once they've figured out all is good.

We have good dogs and I never have to worry about my wife and family.

Shawn

 

Word of warning with these solo driving instructors they require payment in advance for 10hrs lessons then often accept too many clients. They will do half the total hours paid for if your lucky then give excuses after excuses why they can't turn up to complete the lessons - and will not refund the unused portion of the payment. Best to use GlobalLinks driving school.