Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Philippines	Cooking in the US?	Magic Sarap has MSG in it and can be made with other ingredients. I think the whole controversy over MSG is a bit overdone. Tomatoes, for example, contain MSG naturally. Same with Parmesan cheese...naturally high in MSG. That said, I do agree there are other ways to boost the taste of what you are cooking that are better for you (garlic, onion are great). I think the product, Magic Sarap, just makes it easier to boost the flavor without doing much. Get yourself a garlic press.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-02 14:12:00
Philippines	We are pregnant!!	Whoohooo! Congratulations to you and Ruchie, brother!	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-02-25 03:08:00
Philippines	Age gap she is 18 turning 19 as I am 35	QUOTE (Galt's gallstones @ Dec 22 2009, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok, I just read through several pages of this thread trying to see if anyone else had mentioned this, but to the OP, because of your wife's relatively young age, you will need a written consent from her parents. I can't find the Philippine Law requiring this, but you'll need to have this before she goes to her CFO seminar. You should consult with a lawyer there in her area as to the requirements for the validity of the letter of parental consent. I found it: Marriage in the Philippines Marriage applicants who are age 18 to 21 must have parental consent in writing, those age 21 to 25 must have written parental advice (a written indication that the parents are aware of the couple's intent to marry). http://travel.state....enship_757.html	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-22 13:35:00
Philippines	Age gap she is 18 turning 19 as I am 35	Ok, I just read through several pages of this thread trying to see if anyone else had mentioned this, but to the OP, because of your wife's relatively young age, you will need a written consent from her parents. I can't find the Philippine Law requiring this, but you'll need to have this before she goes to her CFO seminar. You should consult with a lawyer there in her area as to the requirements for the validity of the letter of parental consent.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-22 12:11:00
Philippines	Married life is great	My husband is very observant and every time we're out, he notices people staring at both of us or just me. I think people nowadays tend to stare in general. We are a generation who grew up on television shows that promote gawking and rubber-necking. We slow down to see an accident on the road. Staring is no longer considered rude or a taboo...and most people seem to be unaware they are doing it. I know I've caught myself doing just that. Edited by Galt's gallstones, 08 March 2010 - 11:57 AM.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-08 11:56:00
Philippines	Married life is great	They are a lot of times flat out rude stares that show disgust. One time I saw a lady cover her mouth in disgust when she saw us together. Not that it's that bad all the time, but stuff like that has happened before. It's just not an easy thing for her to go from the open friendliness of the Philippines to the quiet, reserved and awkward indifference of the midwest. What specifically do you think they are reacting to? That you are white (anglo) and she isn't?	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-08 01:38:00
Philippines	Married life is great	I'm not sure why they are staring? Are they not used to seeing a racially mixed couple? Many latinos will speak to my wife in Spanish, thinking that she is Mexican. She's gotten used to it though.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-08 00:35:00
Philippines	report of marriage	Finally got hold with one of the peps from Consulate today. Should write "ANNULED" in that space for status before marriage. Thank you Frostysoftyeaton & Galt's galls... for the replies! Good to know.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 10:35:00
Philippines	report of marriage	An annulment means in legal terms, the marriage was never valid, therefore you were never really married before, so choosing "single" is the most accurate answer.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-08 16:53:00
Philippines	Questions about online Filipina sites like FilipinaHeart and CherryBlossom.	My only question at this point, and no disrespect intended, but...why exactly are you here on VJ? Generally speaking, it is for people already in a relationship looking to move forward with immigration or people intending on immigrating in other ways. Why are you asking us for your dating website advice? I mean, there must be a million other forums better suited to your questions. Then come back when you have a SO who wants to immigrate here. -Blu-(just wondering) *cough* troll *cough*	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 13:38:00
Philippines	Questions about online Filipina sites like FilipinaHeart and CherryBlossom.	It's a perfectly reasonable question. A healthy sex life is EXTREMELY important to the long-term health of a marriage, unless you're a puritan. One of the reasons many marriages end in divorce is because of sexual incompatibilities. Are we children here? Are you part of the religious right? There is absolutely nothing wrong with my paragraph or question and has nothing to do with porn. I'm about as liberal as it gets around here... LOL...it's a given that sex is important, but so is a lot of other things that you didn't mention...like emotional intimacy. If your emphasis is on the sex part of the relationship and you're hoping to bag some little sex kitten from the Philippines because of some stereotype that Filipinas are little sex kittens then you're going to what you deserve. Good luck. Edited by Galt's gallstones, 10 March 2010 - 01:04 PM.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 13:03:00
Philippines	Questions about online Filipina sites like FilipinaHeart and CherryBlossom.	nm Edited by Galt's gallstones, 10 March 2010 - 12:27 PM.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 12:26:00
Philippines	Questions about online Filipina sites like FilipinaHeart and CherryBlossom.	I didn't mean I got "literally" no response on POF or OKC, I meant that there was no real interest from anyone. On those sites every single girl, no matter how hideous looking or unfriendly, gets flooded with messages from guys every day. I've had a few conversations going with good looking girls but they seem to just end abruptly and I never get another response. With American women you have to walk on eggshells and make NO mistakes when you try to interact with them, or they lose interest and move on to the next guy without giving you a real chance. I think I've got personality. I'm pretty laid back and fun to talk to, if the response from the Filipinas I've chatted with are any indication. There are plenty of laid back, American women who are easy to talk to. Maybe the sites you joined don't attract the right clientele? Just keep in mind when using those Filipina sites, that it's free for any girl to join and there's virtually no screening, so you're going to get a lot of girls who write to you even you were Quasimodo in drag. Women (people in general) are the same everywhere...some are good, some are bad. Don't buy into stereotypes, realize you are taking a big gamble with online dating (local or distant) and good luck.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 11:27:00
Philippines	Questions about online Filipina sites like FilipinaHeart and CherryBlossom.	You got no response from American women from your profile on those local sites - did you think maybe your lacking a personality? Are you trying to sell a used car or are you genuinely interested in meeting women?	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 10:33:00
Philippines	managing Finances	All I have an update. So after arguing about creating a budget last night I went to the Gym and then came back to the house after an hour. When I got home she started to create a budget like I asked and we finished it on an Excel Spread sheet. Basically once we really put down how much we spend a month she realized she cant keep most of her money to her self. I'm pretty sure our budget will still need some tweaking (example food is only 200 a month which i think is to low) but for now we agree'd on that she can keep 388 a month for purely her wants and to send money to her family. This is definitely a huge step in the right direction. I am okay with her sending some money to her family and she can have some spending money for herself since it seems very important to her. She went shopping alot in the Philippines before she came here. so i guess its something she grew to love and it reminds her of home. Unfortunately with this budget I really don't have any spending money myself but its fine. I don't really buy to many Wants as it is. maybe a new pair of shoes every year or a couple ps3 games and thats pretty much it. Thanks again everyone for you responses. I really appreciate it. I actually mentioned to her that alot of Filipino's disagree on visa journey about this being culture for the guy to pay everything if both are working and that her money is her's and not ours (and of course my money is also ours). Not sure if she actually read this or not but maybe that also helped with the situation. Thanks again. A step in the right direction. I would say you both need to budget discretionary spending for you as well, even if it's just putting $5 a week into a piggy bank. And to add to that...saving money, no matter how little, will help change her spending habits as she'll see her savings quickly grow, she'll be more inclined to keep saving more for something really big.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-10 10:42:00
Philippines	managing Finances	She's either making excuses or generalizing household and marital arrangements in the Philippines. You might want to reflect, too, what's the best way to have an agreement with her. Talk to her properly. If she doesn't want to contribute in paying the credit cards, you could tell her that you wouldn't use it anymore to buy her personal items... or just assign her another set of bills. Present options and make her choose. It's fine that she wants to help her parents in the Philippines but when a person gets married, his or her primary loyalty rests upon his or her wife or husband (plus children, if any) already, not on his or her parents. You fix this both.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-09 16:39:00
Philippines	PINAY IN NJ!!!!!!	QUOTE (chaparrita chula @ Dec 27 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> They don't check on the firmness and stability either. What matters to them is that it's American and they fancy that they just hit the mother lode! What did you hit, the jackpot?	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-27 21:15:00
Philippines	PINAY IN NJ!!!!!!	QUOTE (narcissist_pinay @ Dec 27 2009, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Excuse me!I came from a well to do family in the Philippines. My life in Phils is great.I had a very successful career, beautiful family. I did not come here in the states for the milk and honey. I am here because of love...love for my man. You can say whatever you want, criticize whatever state, i don't give a sh*t. Get a life guys! I asked a serious question. I did not ask for your sh*t responses. Don't mind Unlucky Linda. She's in the middle of nowhere, in Arizona. I'm from Arizona and we always laughed at the kids from Cave Creek. Edited by Galt's gallstones, 27 December 2009 - 09:08 PM.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-27 21:08:00
Philippines	PINAY IN NJ!!!!!!	QUOTE (Señor Pepe @ Dec 27 2009, 04:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't get it either. She should move to the Silver State, there are lots of jobs in human relations at ranches outside Reno! There are quite a few Filipinos living in New Jersey. narcissist pinay, here are some organizations that you might want to contact. Alliance for Cultural & Educational Services Bergen Christian Fellowship Faith Restoration Center Church Filipino American Club of Jersey Shore Filipino-American Community of Old Bridge, New Jersey Filipino American Golfers Association - New Jersey Filipino American Society of Teaneck Filipino American Association of Fair Lawn Filipino-American Association of Central Jersey Filipino American National Historical Society New Jersey Chapter Filipino American Tennis Association of Bergenfield Filipino American United Methodist Church - Jersey City First Filipino Baptist Church - Bayonne First Filipino Seventh-Day Adventist Church of New Jersey - Linden Jersey Shore Athletic Group (JSAG) Jersey Toastmasters - District 46 Club 7733 Jesus The Rock Fellowship - Union, NJ Jesus Christ Ministries - A/G Living Water Christian Fellowship International National Association of Filipino Americans Para sa Bata Organization Philippine Community of Southern New Jersey Philippine American Community of Bergen County Philippine Masonic Association of NJ Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey Samahan Cultural Heritage - Eastern Seaboard, Inc. South Jersey Bible Church International http://www.thefilipi...nnewjersey.html Edited by Galt's gallstones, 27 December 2009 - 07:45 PM.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-27 19:43:00
Philippines	PINAY IN NJ!!!!!!	QUOTE (narcissist_pinay @ Dec 27 2009, 03:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have been here for almost 9 mos and I can say NJ is pretty cool. We are near Philadelphia, near the Atlantic City,two hours away from NYC. Where in NJ is your wife's relatives? The cousin who works for the airlines lives in Piscataway and the other lives in central NJ (not sure about the city).	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-27 18:47:00
Philippines	PINAY IN NJ!!!!!!	QUOTE (narcissist_pinay @ Dec 27 2009, 11:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ???? We were thinking about moving there because my wife has some relatives in NJ, but the jobs are a bit scarce right now as they are everywhere. One of my wife's cousins works as a dental assistant (she was a dentist back in the PH) and another cousin who works for one of the airlines at the airport in Newark. They both have live there now for awhile and seem content. It's nice if you are close enough to NYC for work, but I guess it really depends on the type of work you are looking for.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2009-12-27 17:06:00
Philippines	You're lucky to have him	2.) What do you think of Filipina women that just looking for men on internet hoping to get lucky? Maybe you have a different idea of what "lucky" means when finding a partner, but the reality is that finding a compatible partner for a lasting relationship is difficult for nearly everyone...or at least everyone who is willing to admit it. A woman who agrees to go on a blind date set up by her friends, is she hoping to get lucky? We all want the same thing...to find someone who is going to love us for the rest of our lives...and I don't care who you are or how you go about it...it always requires a bit of "luck." 3.)Do you ever think it will affect our next generations if we get more bad Filipinos in US? If yes, are you willing to help the immigration someday to prevent this case? Can you define what a bad Filipino is?	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-03-07 02:05:00
Philippines	No meat for Thursday and Friday and Saturday girls.	I got to agree with my wife (poster # 3 above) on the sex. She's barely a month here in the US, hence, we have to strike while the iron is hot!	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-01 12:47:00
Philippines	pics from sophies arrival as promised	Congrats! She's adorable!	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-02 11:32:00
Philippines	My life is over....	We got home tonight and I asked her to help clean the kitchen, and she got mad again. She thinks I married her because I wanted a maid. Its my house, I should clean it. WE bought the house 6+ months ago, but due to the mortgage it only has my name on it. She has no credit history and it would have hurt our application to have her on it, or so we were told. I still haven't found out if it was true or not but she holds it over my head at times that her name is not on the house. I'm trying to leave her alone because she is acting like a child again and I don't want to escalate again. She she is saying things like we can't work things out, she is tired (which over time I think I have finally understood what it means to her, which makes no sense too me) and when she goes home she probably won't come back. After 2 years she still does not consider this home. I have since cleaned the kitchen and was starting to rewash the dishes, she doesn't do a good job if there are a lot and some of them still have greese on them because she doesnt change the water when it gets too dirty. She got mad at me again for rewashing them. Currently she is laying down on the couch with her iphone playing music up loud so I can hear it 3 rooms away. No offense, but you two sound like you have absolutely no romance - no sweetness towards each other in your every day interactions. And that part in red - you both are rubbing each other the wrong way. Get some counseling if you want to save the marriage. Edited by El Buscador, 14 April 2010 - 03:30 AM.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-14 03:29:00
Philippines	St Lukes says NO Whooppee for 30 days after immunizations!	Where are all the religious people who refrain from sex until marriage?	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-18 15:26:00
Philippines	St Lukes says NO Whooppee for 30 days after immunizations!	Does everyone that's been through St Luke's get the same message from the doc after you get shots? I'm just curious if people really follow that guidance... Based on your signature, her POE is about a month from her St. Luke's medical so you should be fine. If you two are worried, just hold hands for the first couple of nights.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-18 12:38:00
Philippines	Filipina writes up a storm	Lila Shahani is an academic born into political aristocracy who lived abroad for most of her life, until a natural disaster brought her back to the Philippines. (Mike Alquinto / For The Times / May 5, 2010) By John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times Reporting from Seoul Call her the accidental blogger, because Lila Shahani certainly never planned on becoming one of the Philippines' most controversial Internet voices. All she did was write a letter to her uncle last fall expressing disappointment over the government's response to the deadly Typhoon Ondoy. Granted, her uncle is former President Fidel V. Ramos. But supporters say the letter contained such elegant, well-reasoned arguments about what was wrong with her country that when the 42-year-old academic posted it online, people took notice. Now, as the Philippines prepares to pick a new president Monday, Shahani has left her Manhattan home for her political and ethnic roots. She's back in Manila, writing Notes From an Insomniac. In the post-midnight hours, she composes her thoughts about the intrigues of a nation where many live on less than a dollar a day. She doesn't just riff off the news, but hits the streets to do her own reporting on topics often ignored by the mainstream news media. She's taken on clan warlords in the restive south, and questioned the culture of impunity for the nation's elite. "My subject of interest is the disempowered," Shahani said. "I write what's in my head and I don't pander to the market, because I want to remain a social critic, nothing more." Shahani was born into political aristocracy. Her mother, a distant relative of the late Ferdinand Marcos, is a former senator and diplomat who helped oust the dictator. But Shahani's illustrious lineage doesn't stop her from offering scathing insights to the sometimes unsavory world of Philippine politics, getting attention for her investigation into allegations of perjury by presidential hopeful Sen. Manny Villar, a self-made property developer millionaire. A vocal critic of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Shahani despises what she calls the "power brokers full of hubris and a sense of entitlement, sycophants currying favor with all sides, self-righteous and embittered pseudo-leftists, political candidates peddling truth and enlightenment even as they sold off the country to the highest bidder, misogynists of every cast and temper, and vicious gossip as the one unifying thread throughout." Shahani supports Benigno Aquino III, the front-runner and son of the late democracy icon Corazon Aquino. She thinks he can repair the nation after Arroyo's tenure, which has been marred by allegations of graft and election fraud. She praises Aquino for speaking his mind "even at the risk of displeasing monolithic interests, whether they happen to be the administration, the Catholic Church, legal circles or public opinion itself." Her postings have won the support of human rights activists and even brought marriage proposals. They've also brought a backlash. She's been hounded by blog squads backed by various political candidates. One blogger dismissed Shahani as ignorant and "brazenly disingenuous." Calling her "a disgrace to the Ramos clan," another said she "makes a big fuss about shoving her credentials in front of everyone simply because she knows she can't prove her points rationally." Shahani doesn't flinch. "It's the nature of public discourse in Philippines: nonintellectuals incapable of engaging with you on the merit of your points," she said. "I'd welcome a spirited debate. Instead they just call you names." Supporters say Filipinos need people like Shahani. "The way she dived into the blogosphere, into the rough and tumble of Philippine politics, and her willingness to work with people on every social and economic level are just what it's going to take to change this country," said Mac McCarty, a Manila writer. Shahani, born in Newark, N.J., has lived all over the world. She returned to the Philippines to work as deputy director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and teach at her country's national university. She left in 1993, when her uncle was president, to visit India, her father's homeland. For years, she shunned political life. Then last fall, while in Manhattan working on her doctoral thesis for Oxford University, she saw the images of the typhoon ravaging the Philippines. Ondoy, known outside the Philippines as Tropical Storm Ketsana, left about 300 people dead. She felt compelled to write what she calls the "love letter to the Filipino people," and sent it to her uncle. Although she praised his accomplishments, she also questioned his support of the nation's political status quo. "Our government was as much to blame for the colossal loss of life and habitation in the country as was climate change," she wrote of the typhoon response, signing the letter, "Love always, Lil." Shahani posted the letter on Facebook, where the response prompted her to start the blog, which has received thousands of hits. She continues to expose those aspects of Philippine society that break her heart, including the rigid class system and "astonishing arrogance of the landed elite," she said in an interview. Calling her countrymen "forgiving to the point where we don't have any historical memory," she rues those who would vote for Imelda Marcos, who is running for a lower house seat. "It's a frightening spectacle to see people here genuflect to prestige and power," she said. "The Imelda allure is the glamorous clothes, Ferragamo shoes, lofty wave of the hand. Even the upper classes think it's prestigious to be around her." Although her blog signals hope for the Philippines, Shahani cannot shy away from the reality. "All the hopes and dreams we had after getting rid of Marcos — it makes my heart heavy every time I come back to the Philippines," she said. "I open the car window no matter how smoggy and look out and examine the road from the airport to our house, to see if there are more lights, more improvements. And it just gets worse." john.glionna@latimes.com http://www.latimes.c...logger-20100508,0,3193797.story	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-05-10 10:04:00
Philippines	Retiring in the Philippines	People have Lot's of reasons for living here and I do know a few ex-pats it suited for but considerations have to be made with a level head, this IS a third world country, chances are you met your lovely wife because she wants to leave here, work opportunities are non existent for a foreigner, property ownership for a foreigner is not possible I don't care what they say law's are made but trust me they are not enforced and that includes discrimination as it is prevalent and abundant. Another consideration is if you are raising kids here the public schools are not up to world standards, face it the government here is in it for the money, where i come from i pay 6% sales tax on everything I buy here in the Philippines I pay 12% but you know what? try calling 911 for a ambulance... you'll die before it gets there, try calling 911 for a cop ha ha you will die before one gets there, want to go to a public park ? there ain't none, having hard times and need temporary food for your family or assistance? wrong place Joe there's nothing here for you. The bright side of this country is the people, they are cheerful happy people even though 80% of them are poor but if you plan to live here just be aware there will be people at your gate (that's right most all houses have a gate and steel fence surrounding them for good reason) begging for food because the government of this country ignores it's poor even when dining in New York and bragging about a $20.000.00 meal, be prepared in an emergency to have a good amount of cash in your pocket should you need to go to a hospital because if you don't yep you guessed it... you will die and believe me it happens every day here. Well said. I love the people, food, culture, etc. of the Philippines and I hope that we will visit there for extended periods of time throughout our life, but I'm willing to bet that after a couple of months even my wife will be ready to come back home to the good 'ol US of A.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-03 10:22:00
Philippines	Retiring in the Philippines	is a serious decision although there are flights going both ways you will need major adjustment to not having steady electric service not having water sometimes different standards in food storage different values on rudeness and the way you are looked at as a foreigner in thier country. I have lived here for a year now and I am ready to go home. Just before you make a decision to move permanently consider what you value for comforts and familiarity. If you like camping where you can't go home you get along just fine. Just my personal observations of course ... YMMV Good advice.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-02 11:33:00
Philippines	Retiring in the Philippines	It's a nice place to visit, but I don't see any point in making it a permanent residence, especially because of the distance it would put between our family. Most likely, our children will want to live and work here in the states when they grow up. I want to be near them.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-01 12:45:00
Philippines	What would be considered alot of money in the Philippines	How about sending her a Visa Debit Card, then both of you can better track how much money she needs and where it goes? With a Visa Debit Card, she could withdraw cash from ATMs. You'd get a monthly statement, or better yet, manage the account online where you'll be able to see where the money is going.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-04-18 12:33:00
Philippines	How long does it take for wife to adjust to US Time	it depends on how long you keep her "awake" during the night	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-05-12 17:41:00
Philippines	Bisayan nickname translation needed??	just have her call you "LOBOT" I just want to say that your signature is awesome!	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-05-14 00:41:00
Philippines	Married and Sooo Happy!	Congratulations, Johnny and Wilma! Help her to make some Filipino connections here right away. That will do wonders for helping her adjust as well as any homesickness. Take her to church and there's a good chance she'll meet some Filipinos there. Best wishes to you two.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-05-23 00:28:00
Philippines	living here in santa rosa ca. 2yrs	Anybody here living in Santa Rosa Ca??? Been here for 2yrs very few filipinos, i hope somebody can PM me if u also looking for a friend, hangout, go shopping. Have you been to Trisha's Lumpia House in Santa Rosa? Perhaps try going there or attend one of the local Catholic Churches in that area. I'm sure you're bound to meet up with other Filipinos.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-06-02 18:55:00
Philippines	Sinigang and Sotanghon	LOL....yeah they put the old magic sarap in everything!(as you probably know : ) Fortunately, I'm not sensitive to it...and having lived in Asia where in every country 'cept Thailand its so prevalent, think I developed a tolerance for it! I have actually made it without the MSG in the US...and....its not as good! But I know it bothers a lot of people! It also causes weight gain, but I know it does make everything tastier, just like salt. There are healthier substitutions though - garlic and vinegar, for example.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-06-02 14:44:00
Philippines	Sinigang and Sotanghon	I anyone here has some family recipes for Sinigang and Sotanghon that are really good, please share. I know there are many variations of both. Thank you.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-06-02 08:49:00
Philippines	Financial Arrangements between couple?	Thanks. Yes, I have witnessed the difference of family ties or bond of Filipinos compared to most American families that I met here. Most Filipinos believe that Family is the top priority, so if there is anybody to help anyone then it is the family members. Although, there are only few instances that it somehow makes the family members an enabler. Yep. Unfortunately, a lot of family members who remain in the Philippines have come to rely on their 'rich' relatives living abroad. It's difficult to balance between truly helping them versus being an enabler.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-06-03 16:08:00
Philippines	Financial Arrangements between couple?	The U.S. has a long tradition of self reliance and when combined with many of the social safety nets, including student grants and loans, having to rely solely on family doesn't really apply to most Americans. That is the big difference I see between American families and Filipino families. I think both cultures have pros and cons with how that works out for families. In my observation, many American families are not as close, while many Filipino families have a tight bond that isn't easily broken. I personally would rather my family members rely on each other for support than have to go it alone or find other ways. So you and your spouse can create whatever works for your family, depending on what you and your spouse's priorities are.	one...two...tree	Male	Philippines	2010-06-03 14:04:00