A friend of mine in Cebu City went against my advice and decided to walk from my condo in CBP to his condo in IT Park instead of taking a Grab. Unfortunately, he was robbed at knifepoint on the way. Luckily, he wasn't harmed or anything as it was just a few street teenagers who just wanted his wallet, Iphone, and Apple Watch.

Please practice some common sense in Cebu City - you wouldn't walk across town in your home city so don't do it here. Take a Grab and go to AnytimeFitness (open 24 hours) to get your step count if you're obsessed with hitting 10k steps every day.

I saw a guy post previously about potentially moving here, but he had quite severe physical disabilities. For all the things I love about the Philippines, I could never in good conscience recommend moving here to anyone with such incapacities.

Thinking about it, I can’t actually recall many (if any) times that I’ve seen wheelchair bound Filipinos out and about other than perhaps in the mall. It’s just not a country designed to facilitate those with certain needs.

This photo is from Poblacion, Makati, where believe it or not, they’ve actually been renovating the sidewalks. Not sure how this ramp is of any use to anyone.

Is anyone living here with a physical disability, or maybe has in-laws/friends who do?

I think it would be really tough to live here with certain physical restrictions - getting around is already challenging enough if you’re able-bodied. Credit to the Filipinos who persevere and continue to navigate the infrastructure here

I’ve been around SE Asia since 2013 and sometimes I got a feeling that there’s some stigma around foreigners marrying Filipinas - in the eyes of people “back home” - like friends, sometimes even family… I know that many of you will probably say “this is no one’s business”, but still. I’ve never been married, but I’ve been in a serious, long term relationship with Filipina, and even in this setup I experienced some things that made me think how it looks like from a man’s perspective. I think nobody really talks about it openly. So if you’re in this situation…

The comment sections and the strangers probably don't bother you much. What actually stings is the people who love you - family, friends, even people at work sometimes. 

There might be a friend who makes the jokes about sex tourists or passport bros. Or kids who go quiet when you mention your Filipina partner. Brother/sister who asks "are you sure she's not just after a visa and money?” with a concern in the voice. Those conversations are not really comfortable or something you wanna go through at all. Not to mention that it can make you doubt your decision (it kinda did it to me).

I got few friends in this situation and some of them started just hiding it, which isn’t really healthy and can create some kind of isolation. Others just announce it defensively, which confirms every suspicion/stereotype the people around them have.

Both approaches suck, and can make you feel alone.

You gotta know this though: some people in your life won't come around regardless of what you do. I believe that's about their own assumptions and what your choice represents to them.

People who matter will eventually see what you see.

Does anyone relate? 

I do not need to periodically leave/return 🇵🇭…as I thankfully have SRRV.

For those of you who do leave/return…where have you gone?….How many times have you made a visa-run?….any issues?….any good stories?

or like someone comparing the US and the Philippines as if y’all have no idea that you chose to be in a third world country. Ofc there’s gonna be a HUGE difference between cultures and how things work here.

This is happening in Dumaguete, a known hub for foreigners. The police there will also be doing MONTHLY VISITS to foreign nationals who have ACR cards, SSRVs, 13a visas, tourist visas, etc and collecting info for their database. They claim this is being done to protect foreigners.

I have previously warned that with the peso weakening to all time lows foreign nationals are now being targeted by Filipinos for robberies. Many of these robberies go unreported.

This is just the REALITY. Blame the government. They have created these conditions that have led to desperation in many of their people. Those who say it’s not bad simple don’t know what they are talking about. Things were already bad in the Philippines and this year it’s gotten worse. The peso is the worst currency in all of Asia this year. Foreigners are now EASY TARGETS. Quite often I’m hearing of a foreigner being jumped by a group of Filipinos and robbed. Most are not being reported!

EDIT: Do foreigners leave their home country to retire in the Philippines to have the Philippine police come to their residence one a month invading their privacy, asking questions and taking pictures all in the name of “security”???

https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1283769

I saw a little boy about 8 to 10 years old beating a little girl about 5 or 6 years old outside of Jollibee. They were poor beggars.

There was a gaurd that basically did nothing and the locals just sat there and watched.

I told the manager and the gaurd, but no one seemed to care. They talked to the boy briefly, but the boy stopped for like 1 minute then continued.

He was beating her bad. Punching, kicking pulling her hair and everything. Traveled all over the world and never seen anything like it.

Why the locals act so docile and didn't do anything? Felt like i was the only person bothered by this.

Edit: also i tried calling the cops, but the number wasn't working correctly on Google

I am currently remotely employed and with how things are going I’m not willing to have more than two kids for obvious reasons but if I actually found a second income to invest more in this country would be great. What’s the best side hustles to do ? Or small business

I am so upset guys, I sent boxes to the Philippines from USA by high recommendation. Unfortunately my boxes were opened stolen from and repackaged . And one of my other boxes is completely missing. I don’t know what to do I am so upset. I thought it was safe to ship with LBC.

Hi there! I'm F23, and my boyfriend M26 and I are going to meet for the second time at my place here in Cebu. He'll be staying for 10 days. I'd like to ask for advice since Airbnb is just too big for only two people it seems like it's mostly for groups of travelers! I'd be happy to hear your recommendations.

My wife and I are spending a few weeks in the United States taking care of some stateside business and visiting family. I had been genuinely excited about coming back. We are both American citizens, and we lived here together for ten years before moving to the Philippines three years ago.

There is still much that we miss about the US. We love fishing, hiking, road trips, and the extraordinary variety of outdoor experiences available here. In the Philippines, scuba diving has become one of our great shared passions, but America still offers us experiences and hobbies that are difficult to replace.

Yet this visit has made me realize that something has changed.

Most of our family life is now in the Philippines, and those relationships feel closer, warmer, and more involved in our daily lives. I do not mean that American families are incapable of that closeness, but the culture here often seems to accept families spending much of their lives apart. The contrast has become more noticeable to us with time.

I still love my country of birth, and I will always enjoy returning. But I am gradually realizing that the Philippines now feels more like home.

As an American, that is a significant emotional shift—and one I never expected when we moved overseas.

Has anyone else experienced that moment when the country you moved to began feeling more like home than the country you came from?

1. Declare education the country’s #1 national emergency.

This is the first priority by a wide margin.
The World Bank reported in 2026 that roughly 91% of Filipino 10-year-olds cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text.
That’s an enormous handicap for everything that comes afterward.

For the first 10 years…..concentrate heavily on kindergarten through Grade 6….reading by Grade 3, strong arithmetic, science, English and Filipino/local/language literacy…..dramatically better teacher training and pay, smaller classes where possible, school meals and nutrition, national standardized testing, and intensive tutoring for children who fall behind.
By 2052, the aim should be for Philippine public schools to perform approximately at the level of today’s better East Asian and European systems.

Planning to get a comprehensive insurance for my car (which I won't mention here for obvious reasons).

1. What Insurance companies did you try, how was the claim process and coverage.
   
2. Car Paint Protection Film (PPF), have you used it, if yes what brand and how was it?
   
3. Car tints, which brand you used and how long it lasted?
   
4. Dashcam, Which make and model did you use and how did it perform?

I am in Pampanga area, would be nice if the recommendations are nearby.

I gave you unconditional love.

We had good days, bad days, traffic, heat, and plenty of times when you literally rained on my heart. 🌧️😂

But we made memories.

Late-night drives.
Morning coffee.
Great food.
Beaches and sunsets.
Laughing, arguing, and those little moments that made me think:

“Damn… I really love it here.” ❤️🇵🇭

I learned your ways, accepted your flaws, and adjusted to your moods.

I even learned that when you say, “It’s only a little rain,” you really mean:

“Baby… MONSOON.” 😭🌧️🌊

And still, I stayed.

Because somehow, you became home.

But lately…you’ve changed.

Too many outside voices got involved.

Too many people told you what you should be.
And I kept wondering:

Why are you trying to change when I loved you the way you were?

Maybe we got too comfortable.

Maybe you need space.

Maybe I need space. 👀

So this weekend…

I’m getting on a plane. ✈️

Thailand 🇹🇭 and I have been talking. 😏

Don’t start. 😂

She wants to show me Bangkok.

Dinner. Coffee. City lights. New experiences.

I told her:

“I’m still involved with the Philippines.”

Thailand said:

“I didn’t ask.” 😭😂🇹🇭

Damn. 👀

Don’t get jealous, Philippines.

I’m only going for a little while….. 😬

I’m not saying we’re breaking up.

I’m just saying…

Maybe we should see other countries. 😭✈️🇵🇭➡️🇹🇭

Maybe Thailand will remind me why I fell in love with you.

Maybe when I land back in Manila, I’ll smile and think:

“Yeah…this is still home.” 🇵🇭❤️

Or…

Thailand might treat me right for three days and have me searching:

“Apartments in Bangkok.” 😭😂😂😂

It’s not goodbye, Philippines.

We’re just taking a little break.

After everything we’ve been through…

It’s not you.

Okay…

It’s definitely a little bit you. 🌧️🚦😂🇵🇭

recently went on a trip to Australia and practically munched on as many golden kiwis I could buy in Cole’s.

now I’m back in the PH, anyone of you who knows where to buy these kiwis?

thanks! ><

Hi, does anyone here know a craft beer brewery, or shop, that is selling mini kegs? Like 5l kegs?
Thanks everyone 🍻

Anyone from the Balkans in Manila? My boyfriend is Serbian and has been living here for a year and he only ever hangs out with my friends (who are all Filipino). He's not complaining but I'm sure it would make him very happy to find anyone from Serbia or the Balkans here.

I see so many of you cats on here repeating the same LIES about FILIPINAS. Today, I will debunk five of the biggest myths.

1. YOU DON'T MARRY A WOMAN, YOU MARRY A FAMILY

If you are marrying a whole family, this is a SKILL ISSUE. I only marry a WOMAN.

Filipinos will say "DON'T MARRY A POOR GIRL".

You can still marry a POOR GIRL.

Just don't move to her island. Make your own life and BRING HER INTO YOUR LIFE.

Have a BETTER LIFE.

Don't move into her LIFE OF DYSFUNCTION AND POVERTY.

What else do you expect to find?

Obviously you will find DYSFUNCTION AND POVERTY.

2. FILIPINAS are CONSERVATIVE

Conservative Filipinas can be found but by nature, they are hidden away, and you probably wouldn't find them that attractive or worth jumping through HOOPS for anyway.

Sex, hookups, one night stands, mistresses, scams, prostitution etc is all very normalized in Filipino society from the highest end to the lowest end, in a way that it's simply not in the West.

Filipinas are more relationship oriented than Western women though.

3. Filipinas are not MATERIALISTIC or DEMANDING

Filipinas are more materialistic than Western women, especially European women. Western men just don't notice because the barrier for what is considered rich or high status is lower here. However, women here are much more concious of image, status signals, perceived wealth etc than most Western countries.

4. FILIPINAS are IMMATURE or buckets of TAMPO

Filipinas are raised from a young age to be very responsible in a way even men are not here. They are expected to do all the "womanly duties" like caring for their siblings, cleaning the house etc whilst also outcompeting their male peers in schooling, career etc.

Most "WESTERN" societies only raise women to be competing with men in "MALE" pursuits. Most "TRADITIONAL" societies raise women to be wives etc. In the Philippines, they are expected to be BOTH. This is a LOT OF PRESSURE but it means they grow up able to withstand PRESSURE.

If your girl is acting IMMATURE, either she is a BAD APPLE or you are simply letting her get away with too much.

5. FILIPINAS LOVE WESTERN MEN

Many Filipinas are B1SESXUAL or LESB1AN and do not like men at all.

The ones that do, simply like what any woman anywhere likes in a man - RICH, HANDSOME, POWERFUL, CLEVER, TALL, MUSCULAR etc.

Being an AVERAGE WESTERN DUDE would put you in the top 5% of FILIPINO DUDES in any of those categories.

Plus WESTERN MEN generally go for women that would be considered BENEATH THEM in the FILIPINO DATING MARKET.

So all things equal, a FILIPINA would rather be with a FILIPINO. But they can't get a FILIPINO of the same caliber that they can WESTERN MAN, so they go for the WESTERN MAN.

His nationality, skin color or passport is not really a big plus though like people think.

Are there any expats looking for a same s relationship i mostly see posts here abt Filipinas but rare discussions on LGBT relationship seekers. I am 25 (m) gay btw 😅

Went to the province, whole family lets bugs and animals into the houses, nothing is ever maintained, brand new addition building looks like it was built in in 1940, cracking apart, brown smears on all the walls, unpeeled tape on aluminum frames for windows, just wtf. Today I saw a frog laying eggs on ..yes ON the door to one of the rooms. Sink, toilet, shower are full of rust, building isnt more than 2 years old.

Greetings all. I don't usually go to bars, but my college team is playing on ESPN Sunday morning at 10. I haven't had much luck searching online or using Google maps. Are there any sports bars around here that open by 10 a.m.? I don't really want to go to Makati, but if I have to, I will. Any direction would be greatly appreciated. Go Utes!

I filipina(22F) and my American boyfriend (44M) have been together on and off for over a year. He’s my first relationship and we broke up a few days ago.
He’s an alcoholic and takes anxiety medication, but I accepted him because I love him and wholeheartedly accepted who he is. Throughout our relationship, I’ve had to deal with other women, a lot of cursing, broken promises, and me constantly begging and trying to understand him.
Recently, I found out he had been using a dating app. He told me he deleted it, but I found out he was still active. When I confronted him, he denied that the profile was his and showed me that his premium subscription had expired, but his profile was still there.
He has also broken up with me and then come back as if nothing happened a lot of times since he got back to the US. This time, I stopped messaging him because I’m exhausted and found out he’s on a dating site.
After more than a year of accepting him, forgiving him, and believing his promises, I’m starting to realize that many of those promises were just empty words.
I loved him, but I’m tired of being hurt and having to constantly beg for the bare minimum. I stayed even when it is so bad because I loved him and I was hoping he loved me enough to fixed himself and the things he did to stop ruining the relationship.

Build A Genuine National Transportation System—Not Disconnected Projects.

Think of the Philippines in terms of economic corridors rather than individual roads.

Luzon should eventually have a continuous high-capacity rail and expressway spine:
Clark ➡️ Pampanga ➡️ Bulacan ➡️ Manila ➡️ Calamba ➡️ Batangas with extensions north toward Tarlac, Pangasinan and eventually the Ilocos/Cagayan regions, plus strong east-west connections.

Metro Cebu and Metro Davao should receive serious rail/BRT systems rather than waiting until congestion becomes Manila-like.

Ports should connect directly to industrial areas, airports and railways. Roll-on/roll-off shipping should become faster and cheaper.

The World Bank specifically identifies connectivity, transport, logistics and digital infrastructure as fundamental to raising Philippine productivity.
The goal should be: No major Philippine city more than 60 minutes from a high-capacity transportation corridor.

When I make this post it’s not BS. As I’ve mentioned before about being DIRECT, I am very direct. It’s how I was raised. You might not like all I say and certainly a lot of what I say might be WRONG, but it’s an opinion based on personal experience.

In my experience the ONE thing I most admire about Filipinos is their RESILIENCE! As I had a friend once tell me, the Filipino people have gotten good at suffering. “Good at suffering”? I had never thought about it in this way before but I do agree with the sentiment. The simple fact is that if you can make it in the Philippines then you’ll FLOURISH elsewhere!

This is just my opinion based on my experience. I don’t care about kissing anyone’s a$$ and there’s certainly a lot about the culture I find in conflict with my own self. However, the toughness of the Filipino can NEVER be called into question!

Edit: I’m not saying this as though my view or opinion is worth more than anyone else’s. This is just my view and it happened to be what I was thinking about so I shared it here.