Who here has been to the Philippines?

Well, their politicians are consistently some of the worst in the world, so it's not the water.

Well?

Cebu is apparently a great beach vacation. Haven't been there, but makes sense it should have some great beaches. Bitches.

They're ALL drama, drama, drama, and very gossipy!

Yes, there’s something in the water. Raw sewage.

El Nido and Puerto Princesa are top vacation destinations.

As is Boracay.

If you like men with pear-shaped body and man boobs and small, mangled dong.

And it's not the water, it's actually coconut milk.

For high-end shopping and luxury accommodations go to Bonifacio Global City.

Two things:

Why are they mostly “straight”? And they are all pretty short ain’t they…

People are really really nice, and of course language is not a problem.

But the country's infrastructure is poor and there's a dumpy feel to so much of the place. Really sharp and uncomfortable division between the haves and have-nots.

Lousy food.

I remember the story about the gay guy from San Francisco who'd married a Filipino and moved to the Philippines with him (only to get scammed) and was apparently having trouble getting a divorce.

R3 Cebu? It's a gateway to some nicer areas, but the city itself is worse than awful.

[quote] they all seem happy and upbeat and joyful.

Island people's joie de vivre.

Beautiful country, great beaches. Easy to get around because of English everywhere.

If you’re into history stay in Manila to see some of the sites, but otherwise skip it.

We love the Visayas and Palawan. We have not done Boracay but have instead done Alona (“Boracay of the South”). Going back in 2023 and still planning on what to do this time but Mayon/Legazpi is on the list.

While Filipinos ARE very nice they’re paid to be in tourist areas. Don’t expect the same “Mabuhay” spirit if in Divisoria or even an SM Hypermarket hah.

They apparently don’t have much opportunity at home for nurses.

Lousy food- The Filipino fast food chain Jollibees is expanding in the UK. On the menu is fries topped with ice cream.

I have had proper Filipino food and it can be delicious.

[Quote]of course language is not a problem.

Unless it's them trying to speak their national language.

R17, You do not experience a nation's food based on a trip to Jollibees just as you don't experience the best of Cajun cooking by going to Popeye's.

There are many regional varieties of cooking styles in the Philippines. The Pampangueños of Luzon are said to be the best cooks, while the lechon from Cebu in the Visayas is said to be out of this world. And for spanner crabs (curacha), head to Zamboanga in Mindanao for a real feast.

Filipino Chicken Adobo is delicious. It's also a great hangover food.

Some people say ladyboys are plentiful and inexpensive there!

At least that's what those other unname dpeople say!

They are the only Asians whose cuisine is God awful.

That's not true. They do grilled meat just like South Americans.

It's all about pancit.

Apparently, you can find great deals on pearls in the Philippines

Who knew?

Gay Filipinos (at least in the US) strike me as super cunty, like next-level cunty. Why is that?

Because of Andrew Cunanan. But they aren't in general.

What’s the trade like?

Did it make the international trade thread?

r23 has never tasted Filipino food.

Let's go and get Filipino food tonight. Said no one ever.

[quote]Is there something in the water?

It's a profoundly fucked up country. Fucked up by Catholicism. Fucked up by Marcos. Fucked up by lies. And fucked up corruption on a scale that makes Nigeria look like Switzerland.

R20, My favorite Filipino dishes are the tomato based stews: afritada, caldereta, mechado, menudo. Perfect hangover food.

Filipino bbq

R31 Don't forget geography and geology. And population.

[quote]And fucked up corruption on a scale that makes Nigeria look like Switzerland.

And look where Nigeria is on this list, compared to the Philippines.

I've only had a few Filipino dishes, but I did like the pork and peas or pork guisantes. I also like pinakbet. There's something called dinuguan, which contains pork blood & offal (incl. intestines). I didn't care for that.

There's a dessert called halo halo that I like.

Had no one here ever had lumpia?

Yes, lumpia is good. Basically, a spring roll (deep-fried). Not a "challenging" food item at all. Most people would like lumpia.

We stayed @ Amanpulo right after they reopened after Covid...... It was us and 2 other couples..... They were 100% open for us & FABULOUS. Such beautiful people, so happy & happy to serve, we did feel a little guilty, but we figured they were thrilled to be back to work & have guests!! The food was FANTASTIC!!!! A pretty amazing place.....

A gondola tour with your sweetheart through Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar would be a nice weekend getaway.

Who knew? I always had the impression that it was kind of dumpy there, but that’s probably because of a couple of rather bleak films I’ve seen set in Manila.

Think an Asia-themed Tijuana and you'll have it.

R19, I am a nurse and have worked with many Filipino colleagues for years. They bring in the most gorgeous food for night shift. My favourite is Mongo, which I now make at home for myself.

This is not Tijuana.

R44 If Makati and an Aman resort are the Philippines for you then you have quite a narrow view of the country.

For your information...

R46 Nobody here is talking about going to Sulu or Mindanao.

I havem't been to Asia (yet), but have only had poaitive experiences with the Filipinos I've met & known in the U.S. That being said, I've always found this intersection of Asian & Spanish culture to be weird. Every part of it is strange. And one would think the food would be AMAZING...but no.

Anyway, if the people are as nice as we've been saying they are, it should be a pleasant experience. But it's all so...weird.

R43 here. When I worked in care of the elderly, my Filipino colleagues were utterly devoted to their patients, and very kind. Nothing was too good for them. I know that many Asian cultures revere old people, but they were exceptional. Relatives felt very satisfied that their loved ones were receiving such excellent care.

R48, you probably don't want to make the Philippines your first Asian experience.

If you go, look out for Mark Alvee and his dancing penis. Starts at 13:30

R45, it was in response to R42. Tijuana is a city that has many connotations for many Americans, usually not very favorable. Comparing an entire country to one city is "a very narrow view of the country." Not every place in the Philippines is Tondo. There are nice places and bad places.

"Is there something in the water?" Yes, Cholera

My company have just fired all UK & US staff & moved their jobs to Manila. Can’t say I’m too enamoured with it currently but obviously not their fault. Those I have met seem genuinely lovely. Mega cheap labour & so many of them work nightshirts, it must be horrible 🥴

R48 I would agree 100% about the Filipinos I've met in the States. They've all been very warm and happy people, quite funny as well. I hope to visit the Philippines one day.

I saw a documentary once about some rural area in the Philippines where the young men couldn't have sex because of religion (until they were married), so they routinely had sex with young gay men. That's how it should work everywhere! They interviewed one of the older gays and he talked about how much fun he had had, but he didn't get any now.

I had a Philippina/American friend who went to visit relatives in the jungle and she said the outhouse walls were alive with huge bugs. She had no plans to ever go back.

[quote] "[R48], you probably don't want to make the Philippines your first Asian experience."

I can imagine, R50. Japan, Mongolia, Bhutan, and Nepal are all above it, on my list. Once upon a time, I really wanted to see China too (and part of me still does), but NO FUCKING WAY am I traveling there now. Probably never, at this rate. Unfortunately.

It’s very dirty when not in the tourist parts.

You get more money in the call center customer service rep jobs than as a nurse or a teacher.

I grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia and there was a Filipino family in the neighborhood. The father came there because of a job transfer of sorts. They are a very kind family and our still friends with my family to this day. Loving and heartfelt with some very tasty and delicious cuisine. They would have family in Manilla fly out and even they were just so very loving and heartfelt. Eventually they sent for their elders when their elders reached that certain age you know. No one in the neighborhood cared that they were quite literally the only Asian family for God knows how many miles because they were just so nice and actually no different than how most people act in Barranquilla.

I want to go somewhere in the Philippines one day. I don't even care where deep down. I just want to one day go and enjoy the culture and really good cooking like a native. Just walk around and enjoy you know. They're a beautiful people.

Manila struck me as generic and depressing. I'd be curious how things have gone with reviving the old central area, which had a lot of crime. The cuisine seems less interesting than Vietnamese or Thai--blander, not as much complexity to the flavors.

I dated a Filipino-American guy who was a chorus boy in the 90's. He was HAF.

The country that introduced balut to the world.

[quote] they all seem happy and upbeat and joyful.

That's because they all want to meet REECH American tourist!

.....

Unlike other East Asian or SE Asian groups, who tend to be reserved and aloof towards strangers or others outside of their circle of family and friends, Filipinos are generally warm, friendly, and hospitable. They will extend invitations to their home for dinner upon first meeting and will openly chat with strangers in the shop, on the bus, etc. They love to sing, dance, party, and entertain. They frequently have town fiestas and parades and love to celebrate life, no matter how rich or poor they are.

With that said, they tend to be gossipy and melodramatic. The notion of [italic]amor propio[/italic] (self-esteem) is so strong that if you wound their pride they can be vengeful bitches.

I can't stand hot humid countries. The air always smells like excrement. Fie on Thailand, the Philiippines, and so on. Give me a nice cold country any day.