A mixed bag here, whether there is understanding or misunderstanding, many times some just go with what is easier, but often it would be fantastic if I could understand the local lingo, just to join in or listen, like my wife; everything I do or say she can understand, but when I try to understand her, it seems to go nowhere as often it is the slang that throws me completely off, when talking to other Filipino, most just run and quote; "Nose Bleed"... I am slowly learning, but honestly, some days I just resign myself that I will never get the hang of it...

 

Good news is unlike English, (subject+predicate) you can construct a Filipino sentence in both ways. Good luck!

 

People like it if you can say a few words. I'm learning slowly. My vocabulary speaking is very small, listening it's bigger. People always smile and are more helpful when I try to speak the language.

 

In addition to the previous answers, for those planning on staying long term it certainly doesn't hurt to show a little respect to the local culture - not to mention showing a bit of respect to our wives by learning at least a bit of her language.

I certainly respect those traveling to live in the US making an effort to learn English, shouldn't I do the same when I am the traveler?

 

I am slowly learning and got caught out a few times when greeting neighbours who assumed I can speak Visayan-Cebuano fluently, somewhat embarrassing when you have to tell them then in English you only know a little Visayan...
I am getting better at understanding some of what is said but for me it is recalling the words I need due to short term memory problems from when I hit my head in my accident 33 years ago.

I also 'spoke' online with my now Wife daily for 5 years before coming here and I did learn a lot to type okay back then as she worked 12 hours a day at the local Internet Cafe, or I thought I had learnt a lot, but upon arrival here I disappointingly discovered when you type Visayan and read it as you would English, the words have no meaning here, so assuming the alphabets were similar and learning by typing is not a recommended way to learn as I found out...

 

Totally agree but their President now and the Former both told us (them) that they are the best English speakers in Asia, in fact, Mr Aquino pronounced at one time, that English is the First language of Business in the Philippines. Go Figure

 

If only this came in the local lingo here...

 

Brian my Friend, that is one thing the average Filipino never understands the FUTURE. Today is Today and Tomorrow is in another world, "Later only" comes to mind

 

Right there with you on that one. Drives me crazy when we spend a minute going over a word until I say it correctly 5-6 times and after one more minute I have no clue. It takes forever for my brain housing group to hold onto something nowadays. Even worse is when I can't remember simple English words. But I do try.

Yup, and that is a small part of why I came here. So I didn't have to learn a language immediately like I would in Central/South America.