Weird financial mysteries in the Philippines I can't figure out!

[momopi]

My buddy married a Pinay from a well-off family with land. When I was in PH in 2007, her family sent a van with a driver and a male servant to haul us around Manila. At the SM mall in Makati, I was told by my buddy's wife that when she was younger, she'd go shopping at the malls with her sisters. Before departing home (1+ hour away by car), they'd remove all jewelry, watches, etc., dress plainly, take the car ride to the mall, do their shopping, then be escorted back to the car for the drive home.

But if you saw her and her sisters walking around the mall back then, you wouldn't know that they have $ other than the fact that they're shopping in the mall.

[Repatriate]

I don't hate being Filipino, but sometimes I get highly disappointed and discouraged if there will be any improvement at all. *sighs*

I guess I should ask this question since no one else has. Why do you care? Weren't you mostly raised in America if not born there? Then by definition you are American. Filipino is an ethnic identifier but your connection to that region is pretty tenuous like all other asian-americans.

My parents are originally from "Taiwan" but I don't feel any deep bonding with that country culturally or otherwise. I look at what benefits each country has to offer me rather than what my ancestral connection to it is.

[philosophical_filipino]

But you have to ask yourself, what does it mean to be American? America is a young nation, 300 years old. It really doesn't have an authentic, genuine cultural identity. India, for example, has been around for thousands of years and has contributed immensely to mathematics and wrote the original bible of sexual positions: The Kama Sutra. Americana is all about profits, greed, and unrestrained social darwinism between the sexes. The alienation in labor is a debilitating to the emotional psyche.

Check out Immortal Technique's interviews on RT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlBg8GtoHR0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJuxb7HddOM

I wasn't raised by American-born parents. My parents are immigrants from the Philippines. They came to America for the education/career opportunities. Like Winston said, America is a corporate business culture, it lacks any real human connection in terms of solid identity. I have different perspective on life than those raised by American born/raised parents. You cannot deny your ethnic background, it's a essential part of your identity. Let's say you were born in America and you become heavily Americanized, you lose out on where you came from and speaking your own native tongue.

I reject anything the official authority says and I go investigate the truth for myself. I am no sheep. And Sexter is a faggot.

[lavezzi]

But you have to ask yourself, what does it mean to be American? America is a young nation, 300 years old. It really doesn't have an authentic, genuine cultural identity. India, for example, has been around for thousands of years and has contributed immensely to mathematics and wrote the original bible of sexual positions: The Kama Sutra. Americana is all about profits, greed, and unrestrained social darwinism between the sexes. The alienation in labor is a debilitating to the emotional psyche.

Check out Immortal Technique's interviews on RT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlBg8GtoHR0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJuxb7HddOM

I wasn't raised by American-born parents. My parents are immigrants from the Philippines. They came to America for the education/career opportunities. Like Winston said, America is a corporate business culture, it lacks any real human connection in terms of solid identity. I have different perspective on life than those raised by American born/raised parents. You cannot deny your ethnic background, it's a essential part of your identity. Let's say you were born in America and you become heavily Americanized, you lose out on where you came from and speaking your own native tongue.

I reject anything the official authority says and I go investigate the truth for myself. I am no sheep. And Sexter is a faggot.

But haven't you lived your whole life in America? Sorry but the American environment has too powerful of an affect on a person's mind not to mould their personality significantly, so much so that having foreign parents wouldn't be enough to prevent it. You have that nasally accent don't you? that's a very strong indicator that you are in fact an American. Do you think if you were born and raised in the Philippines you'd be talking about "p***y" like it's a status symbol? or posting pictures of a girl (who you've probably never met) and bragging how you f***ed her?

[philosophical_filipino]

Do you think if you were born and raised in the Philippines you'd be talking about "p***y" like it's a status symbol? or posting pictures of a girl (who you've probably never met) and bragging how you f***ed her?

My parents are immigrants from the Philippines. They have huge cultural influence in raising me. The American environment of going to school, going to work, hanging out with other Americans does affect the identity structure. But that ethnic immigrant teachings are still prevalent in the household growing up. Listen buddy, I'm a guy first and foremost, and I like p***y. So if you got a problem with that, then go f**k yourself back to whatever prude nation shithole you came from. I love p***y and it's delicious.

I did f**k that girl. And I took that picture. Even when we went out in public, I'd get shit from random guys who didn't believe she was my girl. They would even hit on her while I was right there! Asian guys get zero respect in American society because we're stereotyped as weak or effeminate. That's why you got haters like lavezzi or sexter talking shit that I'm not worthy enough to be with a hot piece of ass like that.

I f***ed her brains out and enjoyed every minute of it while it lasted. Yup, I'm bragging like a motherf***er.

[Repatriate]

But you have to ask yourself, what does it mean to be American? America is a young nation, 300 years old. It really doesn't have an authentic, genuine cultural identity. India, for example, has been around for thousands of years and has contributed immensely to mathematics and wrote the original bible of sexual positions: The Kama Sutra. Americana is all about profits, greed, and unrestrained social darwinism between the sexes. The alienation in labor is a debilitating to the emotional psyche.

Culture is a malleable ever changing concept. Even in countries where there is "ancient" culture it's only practiced superficially by the majority of the population. India and China were under the thumb of various imperial powers for centuries. India lost a great deal of its original culture when muslims burned down buddhist universities and temples back 1500+ years ago. Same thing goes with China..the classical China is much different from modern China which lost a great deal of its identity during the various revolutions.

America has a definable culture. American pop culture, fads, trends are powerful influences around the world. Everywhere I go I see people mimicking U.S. culture. Even in Europe it has a strong pull. You'll never see American kids walking around speaking french and talking about the latest french stars but you'll certainly see french youth walking around talking about hollywood movies and American hip hop/pop music.

You cannot deny your ethnic background, it's a essential part of your identity. Let's say you were born in America and you become heavily Americanized, you lose out on where you came from and speaking your own native tongue.

I don't deny my ethnic background but your environment has a stronger influence on who you are than where your parents are from. Your parents were molded by different cultural forces.

[Winston]

Do you think if you were born and raised in the Philippines you'd be talking about "p***y" like it's a status symbol? or posting pictures of a girl (who you've probably never met) and bragging how you f***ed her?

My parents are immigrants from the Philippines. They have huge cultural influence in raising me. The American environment of going to school, going to work, hanging out with other Americans does affect the identity structure. But that ethnic immigrant teachings are still prevalent in the household growing up. Listen buddy, I'm a guy first and foremost, and I like p***y. So if you got a problem with that, then go f**k yourself back to whatever prude nation shithole you came from. I love p***y and it's delicious.

I did f**k that girl. And I took that picture. Even when we went out in public, I'd get shit from random guys who didn't believe she was my girl. They would even hit on her while I was right there! Asian guys get zero respect in American society because we're stereotyped as weak or effeminate. That's why you got haters like lavezzi or sexter talking shit that I'm not worthy enough to be with a hot piece of ass like that.

I f***ed her brains out and enjoyed every minute of it while it lasted. Yup, I'm bragging like a motherf***er.

Wow where did you meet her? Where is she from? How did you get a girl like that?

One time I walked around LA with a hot Asian female friend of mine, and guys were hitting on her in front of me too. Maybe if you held her hand, they wouldn't hit on her?

Yeah I tell people in the Philippines that being an Asian guy in America is one of the worst things, while Asian women are treated totally different. They are surprised that I'm so honest about such an ugly truth, but it makes sense to them.

[philosophical_filipino]

I met her @ Navy Pier through some mutual friends. She's from Colombia.

I dazzled her with my baby panda jokes. My whole game plan is to keep her smiling and laughing. She kept playing with her hair and touching my arm. She said she never hang out with Asian guys before, but she was always attracted to them. I grew some Man Balls and asked her out, the rest is history. I don't regret taking the risk, yeah, I could have been rejected. But so what? I believe in NO RETREAT! NO SURRENDER! Life is too short to miss out on the hot p***y that comes once in a lifetime.

The lack of respect white guys give me when I'm out with her in public. They just assume I'm her friend or not even exist. Until we hold hands or french kiss like pornostars. As a man, you gotta claim your bitch and let other motherfuckers know that she's your girl. Straight up.

[zboy1]

Do you think if you were born and raised in the Philippines you'd be talking about "p***y" like it's a status symbol? or posting pictures of a girl (who you've probably never met) and bragging how you f***ed her?

My parents are immigrants from the Philippines. They have huge cultural influence in raising me. The American environment of going to school, going to work, hanging out with other Americans does affect the identity structure. But that ethnic immigrant teachings are still prevalent in the household growing up. Listen buddy, I'm a guy first and foremost, and I like p***y. So if you got a problem with that, then go f**k yourself back to whatever prude nation shithole you came from. I love p***y and it's delicious.

I did f**k that girl. And I took that picture. Even when we went out in public, I'd get shit from random guys who didn't believe she was my girl. They would even hit on her while I was right there! Asian guys get zero respect in American society because we're stereotyped as weak or effeminate. That's why you got haters like lavezzi or sexter talking shit that I'm not worthy enough to be with a hot piece of ass like that.

I f***ed her brains out and enjoyed every minute of it while it lasted. Yup, I'm bragging like a motherf***er.

Wow where did you meet her? Where is she from? How did you get a girl like that?

One time I walked around LA with a hot Asian female friend of mine, and guys were hitting on her in front of me too. Maybe if you held her hand, they wouldn't hit on her?

Yeah I tell people in the Philippines that being an Asian guy in America is one of the worst things, while Asian women are treated totally different. They are surprised that I'm so honest about such an ugly truth, but it makes sense to them.

I don't think other races realize how difficult it is being an Asian man here in America. All the other races either believe in the "model minority" stereotype, or somehow believe that since Asians are so successful economically here that there is no racism directed at us. I hate those white supremacists bastards that always try to put us down and then try demean our women by insulting us in front of them. I've gotten into numerous fights with white assholes who act like that. I also dislike the way Blacks and Latinos racially abuse Asians, and yet claim Asians are racist when we try to fight back against such behavior. It all comes down to the messed up racial climate in the U.S.. And you wonder why all the races hate each other they way they do in this country.

[Repatriate]

And you wonder why all the races hate each other they way they do in this country.

Race in America is pretty screwed up in general. Plus asians are a scant 4% of the population. If you break that down even further asian men are only 2% of the U.S. population whereas you have a huge majority of other races who dominate the cultural and media climate. Of course things are going to be shaped negatively towards tiny minorities. This is especially true when the immigrants are from an area of the world that is culturally so different.

There's no point in getting overly angry about this because it's not changeable due to numbers. It's better to look for better solutions abroad. America in many ways is a good economic base but very poor for anything social or community orientated.

[ladislav]

Wow where did you meet her? Where is she from? How did you get a girl like that?

I have screwed many girls like that so I am cool with that. The others may just be jealous. Such girls are hard to find in the US. So, I don't look for them in the US. End of the story.

I don't think other races realize how difficult it is being an Asian man here in America. All the other races either believe in the "model minority" stereotype, or somehow believe that since Asians are so successful economically here that the...

You know, you need to stop wondering about the why's and the wherefore's. The country was built on it and it won't change in a few hundred years. It will just drive you nuts trying to figure it out. I stopped long ago. That is just the way it is in the US. Accept it and move on ( and out!) A very backward, angry racial social hierarchy on par with South Africa if not worse. Do not try to adjust yourself to that sick and negative system. It will only leave you embittered and hateful as it is leaving millions of people and as it used to leave me feeling. Enough is enough! This is why we are happier abroad and we look for countries that do not have it. And so, you should too.

[ladislav]

And you wonder why all the races hate each other they way they do in this country.

Race in America is pretty screwed up in general. Plus asians are a scant 4% of the population. If you break that down even further asian men are only 2% of the U.S. population whereas you have a huge majority of other races who dominate the cultural and media climate. Of course things are going to be shaped negatively towards tiny minorities. This is especially true when the immigrants are from an area of the world that is culturally so different.

There's no point in getting overly angry about this because it's not changeable due to numbers. It's better to look for better solutions abroad. America in many ways is a good economic base but very poor for anything social or community orientated.

The same goes for Arab guys, different Western Asians and E. Euro guys. They are pieces of shit and fourth class citizens. This is why I have met E. Euro immigrants in the Philippines. They are from Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and well, here I am, too, all holding US, Oz, Canadian passports and we love it here. No need banging your head against a concrete wall and taking shit from US society. And you need to start moving on.
You have established the problem and rehashing it will waste another day of your life and you only have some 30,000 of them. So, time to flush and move on. Start making plans.

[Repatriate]

The same goes for Arab guys, different Western Asians and E. Euro guys. They are pieces of shit and fourth class citizens. This is why I have met E. Euro immigrants in the Philippines. They are from Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and well, here I am, too, all holding US, Oz, Canadian passports and we love it here. No need banging your head against a concrete wall and taking shit from US society. And you need to start moving on.
You have established the problem and rehashing it will waste another day of your life and you only have some 30,000 of them. So, time to flush and move on. Start making plans.

Just out of curiosity Ladidslav but when EE immigrants from the U.S. go to EE countries does that confer any kind of status or advantage? I imagine EE are more cynical about dual nationals but in Asia it's generally respected.

[Winston]

Larry Elterman, author of "A Man's Guide to Life and Love in the Philippines" gave me some insight into my question in another thread. See below.

viewtopic.php?t=8365&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

Winston Wu wrote me the following question: He was referring the the low salaries of Filipino workers. It’s a good question so I decided to answer it on the Forumn.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM WINSTON

That's very little money and salary. I've always wondered, how can anyone survive on 180p a day or even 300p a day. I mean, mathematically we could not survive on that. It's not enough even to pay rent and food everyday, nowhere near enough.

So how does the average Filipino survive and buy clothes, pay for trikes, food, bills, etc.? The numbers don't add up.

Furthermore, how do all the many SM Malls stay in business? The average price of jeans at SM is around 1000p or more. If someone is making 180p, how can they ever afford to buy those jeans, since they could not even pay for food or bills or their family's expenses and school fees, etc.

So then where do all the rich folks come from that keep SM in business everyday? Someone has to be buying stuff regularly. But who? The average person making 180p a day can't.

I could never add this up. I've asked many Filipinos to explain this mystery to me, but they aren't sure either. My girlfriend just says "Well they find a way to make ends meet" and leave it at that. But still, the numbers don't add up, not even close.

You ever figure this one out?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think I can more or less answer this question.

First of all there are a lot of Filipinos that have access to help. Of course some are married to foreigners or have foreigner boy friends. Many have relatives married to foreigners. Many have family members working abroad and sending money home. Some are friends to more wealthy Filipinos that help them out. There are many pretty young woman being mistresses to wealthy Filipinos that help them out.

There is also a wealthy class in the Filipinos, perhaps a few percent, the ones owning all the land and business, and there is an upper class (but not rich of maybe ten percent)

So there are quite a few Filipinos with access to more than bare survival money.

But still, there are quite a number of Filipinos working and living on 5000 peso’s a month. How is it possible? For sure in the USA this would not be possible, but in the Philippines it is, and here is how:

First lets address housing

Some of them live in large groups in houses belonginging to the family clan. These are extremely basic shacks handed down from generation to generation. There is no taxes or costs associated with these houses (shacks).

Others rent a place with a group of friends. Maybe they rent a small basic apartment for six thousand a month and ten of them live there.

Still others rent what is called a bed space. This is basically just litterly renting a bed in a room with many other people. A bed space can be as little as 500 peso a month. A nicer one with a common room and tv and electricity might be 1000 a month.

Needless to say there is no privacy in any of these situations.

Now lets address food. They don’t eat at resteraunts. They buy there food at the market, and its nothing fancy for sure!

For example, they might subsist on mostly rice, a few vegitables and a tiny bit of pork or dried fish. A half pound of uncooked rice is about 10 peso. They might buy a few vegitables and pork and basically spend about 50 peso a day on food.

So far you have 1000 for the bed space and 1500 for food. That’s about 2500, and leaves 2500 for everything else.

Clothes? They don’t buy them at the SM mall, that’s for sure! They buy them at second hand shops where a pair of Jeans is 50 to 100 peso, and a Tee shirt is 20 peso. Shoes are second hand slippers (flip flops) costing 20 peso, or if they splurge for new ones, rubber flip flops for 80 peso.

They cant afford to go to the doctor or dentist. They don’t go to movies. For a lot of them the rest of the disposable income goes towards drinking!

By the way, want to get drunk for cheap? A big bottole of tanduay rum is only 100 peso or so, and this is luxury. You can buy rot got almost pure alcohol and for about 20 peso get roaring drunk.

It’s a pretty picture? Could you live that way?

[Falcon]

On Filipino close family ties
http://antipinoy.com/on-filipino-close-family-ties/