How and why did you end up here in the Philippines

well rhoody--- good boys go to heaven, bad boys go everywhere

 

Been here. Done it. Three times!!

Before there ever was the internet, there was Cherry Blossoms. It came in the mail once a month - sort of like a catalog with maybe 20 pictures and very brief bios per page. In 1979 I was winding up 22 years of hell married to an American lady. Decided to check out what I'd often heard about oriental women. Made a few trips and met A LOT of nice ladies. Finally sorted it down to just two. Visited one. Decided she was simply too much of a provinciana and my young kids would give her constant problems. Ended up marrying a very honest, hard working, intelligent, well educated lady from Quezon City. That lasted 21 years. Finally we agreed neither of us were happy and split the sheets.

Came back several times to check out a bunch of ladies I met on the internet (still used Cherry Blossoms!). Really couldn't fine a lady I felt totally comfortable with. Met a nice girl working at the front counter of a hotel in Cebu. Knew her casually for a couple of years. Ended up proposing to her. Took her to the States. We got married there. She got her citizenship. Things really went down hill after that. She turned out to be real gold digger. Fortunately, I moved to quickly for her and her barracuda attorney to get very much out of me.

Divorced after six years at age 74. In very good health. Moderate financial situation. But didn't look forward to long cold winters in Seattle. So, headed back to the Philippines. Hooked up with a very nice lady from Cavite. We looked around at a few places to live. Settled in Valencia. Love it. Love here. Life is good after all.

 

rhoody has once again provided a feast for thoughts with his patience program. the 3 week wonders will most likely end in trajedy. committting to a long term relationship requires more than surface knowledge of a person. there are always bumps in the road and it really does take awhile to assess someones core values. i am just recently divorced from a lady from cebu and now live in reno nevada. been contemplating the move to Dum for some years now and usually spend time there every year. about due for another sojourn coz i do miss the place. hope to see you all soon-- later JL

 

Happy & Content

Left California in the Spring of 2007, in my late 30's to take a much needed and open-ended vacation. I felt 'done' with my life in America. I was already divorced, was sick & tired of the 7 year long custody battle, making just enough to survive month-to-month, and the same old same old...etc... I left it all with a one way ticket and $2000 in my pocket. It's 5 years later now. I am happily married to Filipina from Dumaguete, have property and are in the final stages of completing our little home surrounding by the tranquility of Zambouanguita. I did alot of teaching and traveling to get to this stage. I was able to travel to 12 different countries with my English teaching budget, and a few visits back to the USA. But the Philippines seemed to have the greatest appeal to me as far as a place to call home.

While I did find work on Boracay Island for a couple of years as a teacher in an International School there, I decided I could earn/save more teaching in another country. So i'm working here in China now, but the wife/family are supervising the construction of our home in Zambouanguita and I'm just paying off the project and then plan to rebuild my savings working in China. My wife will join me here next month.

I met my now wife online. I was extremely careful about asking the right questions, visiting the family, etc... Everything went just right and I thank the Philippines for offering people like myself another chance at feeling love, connectedness, family, serenity, simplicity and gratitude.

 

I came back in '95 to volunteer with an educational agency. Originally planned to just stay 3 or 4 months. Did that full-time for 3 years, then part-time, then moved into teaching, then recently had to return to the states. So I'm envious of those of you there.

Definitely agree that long-term research into the culture should precede marrying into it. I'll finally be marrying into it this year.

 

Like Rmanuel, I first came to the Philippines in the 60's while in the marines and liked the ladies and San Mig. Never made it back until 2005 when my company opened a call center in Eastwood (greater Manila). Then was transferred here in 2008 and lived in Makati. Divorced, retired, and came to Dauin to go diving. Met a nice young girl, moved here, and got married 8 mos. later. A year later we had a baby.
I had to check and make sure none of my wife's family were from Olongapo to make sure I wasn't marrying my granddaughter. lol

 

Good to see that some guys are a bit more open about their reasons/circumstances that brought them here, I am sure that this will help some guys abroad toying with the idea of marrying beautiful Filipinas with the help of the Internet, to inform them self about the culture first and be aware of the enormous pressure on the Womans from their families because of the need/greed for money. You will in most cases marry a whole family with build in problems/conflicts....

 

I don't agree with your "most cases" opinion. None of my foreigner friends here complain about whole family built in problems/conflicts. Maybe we were more selective. If in fact we are the minority, that doesn't say much about the majority of guys who married into problems.

 

I think most problems are discussed and solved within the family and not on the street. We know many people, but to call them friends, well there is just a few, and we really never know under what circumstances the others live their lives. Time will tell how high the integrity is......Que Sera , Que Sera.