BALIKBAYAN STORIES & EXPERIENCES

[Cali4Nia]

I've been a balikbayan only twice in my late teens but...

To Filipinos in Pinas:
Curious lang ako fellow PEXERS:D
What GOOD and BAD experiences have you had with or stories you have heard about BALIKBAYANS (Fil-Ams, EuroFils, AussieFils, etc)?

To Filipinos Abroad (yung mga Balikbayans):
Since nasanay na tayo na tumira sa ibang bansa. Your used to a different lifestyle and standard of living but, of course, you also missed the Philippines and couldn't wait to see it again. When you visited Pinas as a balikbayan what GOOD and BAD experiences did you have?





[Edited by Cali4Nia on 11-29-2000 at 05:53 PM]

[Ka|sKee]

hmm i went to MNL nung `97 (after 5 yrs of waiting)super excited ako as in..uhm..di we got there..talagang para akong ihing-ihi sa pagka excited. anyway, when we got there..halos halikan ko na ang floor sa tuwa.eheh pero di baka masira poise ko hehehe..dami papparazzis grabe hehehe tas may bayad pala yon..shyet. anyway, pag labas namin bigla akong sinugod ng heat grabe..ang init..tas trafik ganon..then may nakasabay kaming van..may kid na naka silip sa window..kinawayan ko..tas nagtago (ang sama!!) tas biglang lumabas 2 kuya nya ang gwapooooo! ehehe nag kawayan kami hanggang sa nag exit na kami sa bicutan..
before i left cali, nag worry ako kasi walang hot water..pero ang init dyan sobra, nakaligo ako ng 5am na walang hot water..ehehe..aliw..i made tusok tusok da pisbols in da corner store. ahay..

[Cali4Nia]

Caligirl, glad you had fun. I wished I had time to go to one of those resorts though or get some spa pampering type things since it's cheaper in Pinas than here in the States...nuts...we'll save up for next time.

On the FLIPSIDE:

Well, I've been told by some people about snooty balikbayans who go home and really flaunt it and think their above everybody else...that's a really bad attitude to bring to the motherland when you're visiting...irritating...even to me, a Filipina living abroad.

Anybody got stories bout things like this...I'd like to hear?

[- Caligirl -]

About the snooty balikbayan syndrome, I wonder if that's really true? Well, of course it's possible but I think it's just exaggerated cuz do you ever watch TFC or Tagalog movies? I loooove watching those but sheesh....I noticed that they always make all balikbayans/Filipinos who were raised somewhere else look bad. :(

[latepinoy93]

Hey peeps! This again is a very good question, and one that's worth reflecting for all of us "balikbayans"... I must say that I had to be "whipped" into shape in the first few months there as I complained that everything didn't work properly. Heat was just killing me! Complained that everybody was so slow in doing stuff (coming from HK, I was just not used to ppl. taking their time! Stuff moves fast, really fast out here!). Then there was the occasional "walang tubig and electricity" stints where I lived, then there was the baha when rainy season came along and literally didn't want to go to school!

The bad experience that I've had was that I was a bit of a sooty myself at the beginning because of what I was used to:( It took my best buddy in College to tell me what a jerk I was by acting as such and when I did come around, I enjoyed everything more!

Later on, I finally saw a reflection of my initial self when I met some Balikbayans and they were badmouthing some local peeps about something and I just kinda had to tell them off.

Now the good thing was that people would ask you stuff like where are you from and what's it like out there or something! Kinda makes it easier to break the ice!

No one's perfect - the crash course really helped though. It's just sometimes, you realize just how damn lucky you are
to have been given the opportunity to live in a different culture and in my case, a more productive and efficient place. Just makes you appreciate the conveniences that was once yours. This has to be the biggest plus in going back as a Balikbayan... Just being there makes you learn more!

Caligirl: well, sometimes some balikbayans kinda act silly and just do/say stuff w/out thinking and thus offending people. Just the way some of them carry themselves to portray that they are "taga abroad" just seems way overboard! I think that it is a fair exaggeration as these peeps actually "exaggerate" everything :) Wala lang... parang wala silang pakialam sa ibang tao dahil sila ay mukhang "expensive". Pero, yung talagang grabe ay yung "new Balikbayan"!! 'Yan minsan, nakakainis!!! I always wondered if I was ever like that??? Geez, hope not lah

[:Þ]

There's no bad experience attitude-wise, but about the "actual arrival" Didn't happen to me, but it happened to my parents. Some *** in the NAIA's bureau of customs ripped their baggage open and stole my dad's laptop. What an ***.
Aren't they getting paid to do the right job? why do they need to steal?

They're positive that the customs hit the thing since before they check the boxes in, it's not damaged but after arriving in LAX, the laptop was gone. I have nothing but bad impression on Philippine Bureau of Customs, they're such an ***.

[Cali4Nia]

You guys have heard of the "lagay" phenomenon with Phil. customs,too, right? So they don't rummage through your boxes of stuff.

When I visited Pinas at age 19, I was praying that they wouldn't do that to me and I thought...hmm...would I go along with it and give em money to spare me the inconveniece or was I gonna stand firm? Luckily they didn't trash my stuff.

That's weird..you hear these stories from others but di ka sanay kasi di ganung ka sama ang bribery sa States or at least di ganung masiyadong obvious at open.

Haven't actually seen snooty balikbayans in action but if I did I'd be disgusted and tell em off, too.

[Cali4Nia]

A Balikbayan told me once that when visiting and sightseeing in the Philippines and you're not dressed down to the 9's ie. wore jewelry, brandname clothes, etc. then you'll be stared down badly or people in stores and government/local offices won't pay any attention to you and pass you up.

How sad that people are so hung up on IMAGE. Here in the States, IMAGE is also a big thing. An example would be an increase in people getting plastic surgery here and there. But you don't get stared down or given bad service just because you wear a pair of old sweats, sneakers and a plain shirt while conducting your normal everyday business.

[Cali4Nia]

Hahahha! Another story when I was there in Pinas was when I got hungry and wanted to eat in a street corner turo turo place. My cousin's laughed at me and said I'd be crazy to try food from the streets because it is dirty. Safer to eat at mall food courts they said.

But I really wanted to because it smelled good and lots o people were eating there and I have memories of eating pancit and lugaw w/ tokwa baboy with my lola and puto bumbong and hot tea with my lolo in these street turo turo's when I was growing up in Pinas. I guess things had changed that even local pinoys, except maybe for the poor, didn't find street turo turo's acceptable anymore.

Chickened out and did the food courts but this lunch I had at the Ali Mall gave me a stomach ache sooooooo bad. We figured it must have been the buko juice and the water they mixed in with it that made me sick. Damn and I loved the buko, too!

OH and I tried the local ICE CREAM sold by the "mama" on wheels. My cousins called it DIRTY ICE CREAM. Okay naman...I liked it a lot :D

[Cali4Nia]

Did you feel like Mr or Ms Moneybags when you visited Pinas?

How much did you spend and did you think you were gonna spend that much in Pinas?

You really shouldn't overstay your welcome as a Balikbayan unless you're in your own home with your immediate family (or even then maybe not) but when your PASALUBONGS RAN OUT did you kind of sense that your hosts or extended family felt it was time for you to ship out?

A balikbayan related that to me once. For me, I saw that same reaction with my cousins and aunts/uncles, too but it was understandable, I guess.

[Cali4Nia]

HEARD many many stories of Pinoys being dismayed by Balikbayans thinking that Pinas was still stuck in the stone ages, really backward, no advancement whatsoever from the time they left Pinas for another country.

I'm guilty of that, I admit. Sadly there are stereotypes and bad stories that we've heard. Forgive me.

What surprised me:

American Fast Food Chains and Restaurants Galore serving itty bitty serving sizes at American prices.....Helped a lot with my DIET though....heheheh!

Cellphones, cellphones, cellphones, cellphones...loud ring toned cellphones. Oh well, Asia will always be in the forefront of wireless technologies compared to the States.

Malls, malls and more mega huge malls.

All the other "Bourgeois" places your host/relatives take you that, sadly because of the growing gap btn. the rich and the poor, the majority of the "masa" class can't afford.
***********************************************************
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****I observe observe and observe but feel the need to take action...hmmmm...I feel sorry for the "masa" but feel detached and helpless from Pinas and their condition at the same time because I immigrated to the States and grew up here....but I feel the need to take action in the future after college.....to help out.....What If I hadn't been fortunate enough and ended up a "masa" class?....How do I help??Any suggestions from anybody besides joining a missionary group of some sort....teaching maybe?********

Seeing the poverty and the shanties to and from the airport NAIA really shocked and disturbed me as a Balikbayan. Hec, even though we've had our TRIALS and HARDSHIP as immigrants to another country I can only shut my mouth and slap myself compared to our fellow "masa" poor filipinos.

[Cali4Nia]

Look below :D

[Cali4Nia]

Originally posted by - Caligirl -
About the snooty balikbayan syndrome, I wonder if that's really true? Well, of course it's possible but I think it's just exaggerated cuz do you ever watch TFC or Tagalog movies? I loooove watching those but sheesh....I noticed that they always make all balikbayans/Filipinos who were raised somewhere else look bad. :(

Oh yeah...seen it...Snooty Balikbayan Syndrome Stereotype in movies. Balikbayans are not all like that.

[latepinoy93]

As this thread grows, we can see that there are lots of good things and sad things about being a Balikbayan. Again, one thing also that gets me is that not EVERY balikbayan has money to splurge and shower to an extended family of 100+!!! (yes, I have an immensely big extended family that it is a matter of whether I have the money for Duty Free Pasalubong but not the actual plane ticket!) I agree that stuff at home is great, and is cheap, but it is just impossible to get all your friends and relatives presents when you return! I mean, that is just one experience that I have trouble with... Parang you feel real bad kung wala kang dala regalo for all the people you know! They seem to think that you can afford everything (Palihbasa galing abroad may pera!!) but that is not true at all! Rent in HK is just horrendously high and the standard of living is unimaginable! To get a decent meal (kanin at ulam w/ Coke) na hindi McDo, you need to pay 120 pesos... Yes, given we are paid in hard currency, but we spend hard currency everyday!!

When times were good, I went home 4-5 times a year to chill out or go shopping for what I need! Pero this year, hinid pa ako nakauwi sa Pinas!

Another observation: Cali4Nia, I went w/ a good friend to Abenson's (Like a RadioShak kinda place!) to buy a brand new TV and VCR and all sorts of goodies and the salespeople were ignoring our various inquiries re. price, quality, etc... as we were really gonna buy the stuff! Dressed only in t-shirt, shorts and sandals, they thought we were just taking the piss... That pissed me off very much! I mean, what gives??? Awful, don't look at what foriegners think of us, but what people in the Philippines think of average Pinoys! :(

Street food is always great! Dirty Ice Cream after Sunday Mass is again a treat as always!

There was a quote on how to help the masa? Well, I'd really like to find out what we all have to say about this! It's something that we all would like to do, but we cannot seem to find a place to start!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Cali4Nia: Thought you were saving your "walking" for Finals????? ;) Still wanna e-mail?

[Cali4Nia]

Latepinoy: Trying to squeeze in PEX during my breaks...hehehe:) So addicting!

Yeah lets e mail but how can I give my address to you??? Think of something will ya? :D

[topnotch97]

"....aaarrrggghhhh!!!! ayoko na!!!! sa pilipinas na lang ako!!!! walang kuwenta doon!!!!"


and then there's:

"....dito na lang ako sa pinas!!! sa states kasi walang mayaman at walang mahirap!!! lahat pantay-pantay!!!
pero dito sa pinas, mayaman AKO!!!! Sikat!!!!"
i really liked this statement... :lol:

[:Þ]

Cali4nia: Yeah that's pretty dumb for people to lookdown on you whenever you dress up casually (like what I always wear)
Yeah people here doesn't really care whatever you are wearing, not unless you're nude :D They won't give a damn if I go to the mall wearing boxers and shirts, I mean.. it's damn normal.

[latepinoy93]

Well, the higher the perceived people you deal with, the lower you feel... I did remember that when I went back to Manila, some kababayans seem to get a bit peeved if you speak in English all the time! Parang ang dating mo ay "pa-sosyal" or something. Problem is, my Tagalog isn't as good as it should be and so when it comes to the medyo malalim na sentences, I get stuck and have to end up speaking in English. You then get the stares, the "whispers" and so on... That sorta makes you feel like in Limbo - not entirely Pinoy, but not entirely foreign! Another one of those strange occurances I guess!

Cali4Nia: Would love to e-mail you at some stage but... Still thinking of something though! Keep checking in once in a while, OK? Oo nga eh... Very addictive indeed! I'm still at it!! Hey, look me up later on the e-mail page of this exchange or something... You may be lucky, OK?? Try lang!

[Ka|sKee]

:lol: my aunt was willing to pay us money just to hear us speak english..ehehe ang weird no? ahahah eh me and my sibs speak english lang most when we're arguing. kaya oks alng sa kanya mag away kami..

weird thing that happened to my sister & mom:

they went to the bank tapos they didnt say anything and they look filipino as in..tas tinanogn sila nung teller "ma'am taga states kayo no?" parang how the hell did she know!?

[latepinoy93]

KalsKee: "they went to the bank tapos they didnt say anything and they look filipino as in..tas tinanogn sila nung teller "ma'am taga states kayo no?" parang how the hell did she know!?"

Dude, this is what I mean by the "X" factor. Sometimes you're all simple or something and then people pick you out. Happens to my elder sister all the time - my mum says that she sticks out like anyting in a crowd! Never really got that...

Cali4Nia: How's things? Click on my profile and you'll see what you need, OK? Good luck!

[rocks-e]

"UPS" in going back to the Philippines

- seeing all my friends and relatives again
- time seems slower when you're there
- good Filipino food
- not to mention desserts
- a lot of the clothes are actually my size (I am really tiny (size 0) so it's hard for me to find clothes that fit me well)
- no snow (I went back Christmas time)
- lots of cute Filipino guys
- being treated special

"DOWNS" in going back to the Philippines

- too hot, I take at least 3 showers a day but I always end up getting sweaty all over
- traffic, I thought it'd be cool to commute but strike that!
- people STARING at you or your clothes, I can't seem to wear what I want because some of my friends thinks it's too sexy or too daring
- my friends hate being video taped or have their picture taken in popular places
- seeing ultra rich people then seeing really really poor people...DO THE RICH HELP THE POOR?!? Seriously...can someone answer me?

[- Caligirl -]

About the "lagay" issue..oh man. Whenever we went back for a vacation, my mom would just slip in $20-25 into our passports and voila! What the customs people would do is open our boxes and sorta make "gulo" the stuff on top to make it seem like they looked through it. tsk tsk tsk...

[topnotch97]

about the lagay issue....kapag umuwi kayo sa pinas, at kapag humingi sa inyo ng lagay....UPAKAN niyo, kahit may baril or wala, IHAMPAS niyo yung ulo ng mga customs officials....at ng madala ang mga T@#$$@$%#& yan

[sampaguita]

hi cali4nia!

like caligirl, i spent the past summer in the philippines and i haven't been back since the last i visited, which was 10 years ago. the one thing i couldn't get over was knock-off clothing! there was polo this and gucci that. do you know how expensive that is around here? geeze!

the heat just about killed me. i actually longed for snow! the food was spectacular! (nothing can beat good ol filipino cooking! max chicken! mmmmm!) it was great seeing old friends and extended family. and the traffic! what horror! a three-lane road turned into a 6 1/2-lane road! i wouldn't get behind the steering wheel to save my life!

... but one thing that struck, the same thing that struck me when i last visited... all the polution, the poverty... i felt a little uncomforatble. there i was, sitting in an airconditioned car, while just outside, little kids are slumped against dirty walls, holding their palms out. i wanted to pick up this little girl i saw by the curb. (she couldn't have been more than 3!) i wanted to take her home with me, bathe her, feed her, comb her hair, give her my dolls, and tell her everything was gonna be ok. but i didn't... and nobody did.

it's sad when i think about it. i loathed the unfairness of it all. it seemed to me that the rich were really rich, and the poor were really poor...

[Cali4Nia]

Sampaguita: Yeah I felt the same way you did the first time I visited Pinas after 13 years. I actually went through this phase of handing out lots of change to the street kids or food that I couldn't finish but my dad told me that I shouldn't really give out money to the street children because he said that some of 'em were run by syndicate gangs that pay these kids a salary to panhandle for money. I was blown away. No way....I thought. It was weird hearing that.

I actually drove in Pinas...can you believe it! Darn proud of it, too. I got into a minor accident, though. I was trying to kill a mosquito in the car and was too busy paying attention to it while driving...but driving really slow cuz of the traffic so not driving fast....and then BOOM...I hit the guy in front of me and his car wasn't even dented...mine (my front bumper) was, however. So I got out and we had to exchange info and I ended up paying him off like 200 pesos so that I wouldn't make traffic worse than it already was because we caused a jam on that higway. This happened on Marcos Highway before it hit that Aurora Blvd/Katipunan intersection to get to that road (Katipunan, i think) where the Ateneo University was located...the college with the big eagle on it.

Really dumb of me to get caught up trying to kill that stupid mosquitoe. Kasi puros Dengue Dengue Fever ang sina sabi noong mga pinsan ko...tinatakot ako...ay nako!

[latepinoy93]

Sampaguita: Snow????? ARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!! I cannot take the snow! That's why I try as much as I can to go to reallly hot and really humid places! I honestly almost froze to death when I went to Northern China 2 years ago for work and it was -16 degrees centigrade and mind you, I found that unpleasant.

When I go home, I feel so so bad because of the fact that I seem helpless, and year after year, there seems to be more kids on the street and more people getting hungry. In the province, farmers are getting disgruntled because of the ever falling prices of copra and ever increasing prices of necessities, pesticides, fuel, parts, etc... Just seems so bad. Because of this, I also feel uneasy going out at night, really having fun and just being me because I am a bit loud and rowdy - people may get the wrong idea and may get pissed off and downright dangerous!

Going back as a balikbayan, you feel more sensitive and aware of what's around you and who's around you. I commute in Manila because I don't have a car there anymore. That in itself is fun, but I just get this feeling of frustration. Things are just getting worst for the majority of the population!

It is true apparently about the "kids being run by a syndicate" to beg for money and get paid! They don't really get paid but they get fed and get given a place to sleep. See, most of those kids are from really screwed up families where the parents don't even know what to do with themselves. I know because I have a lot of friends from College that live in the squatter areas. I am proud of them because they are trying to make something of themselves and at the same time, trying help others around them. Stories like this gets talked about just on the alleys of the slum and you know about it! It is true, and it is sad! But there are just too many things that are just not right and are not talked about in the general level of society that it is scary!

One thing that really took me by surprise was that people didn't take conraception seriously! A lot of my guy friends jsut laff it off and I think that that is just so dangerous and irresponsible! Really, being a balikbayan made me thing a lot about the conflicts of tradition and modern society! I mean, I know that the Catholic Church dicourages the moral implications of contraception, but if people choose to have some fun, they should be responsible about it!

Most of the time, what happens is that unwanted pregnancies take place because they didn't use contraception. That becomes a problem when they have many children that they cannot adequately handle!

I just end up feeling really really bad because Filipinos are intelligent. Really they are, it's just that they are not led well. The current pres. has certainly put the icing on the cake for probably the most "moronic" government that this country had ever seen!

Looking at it from here in HK, I see women separated from their families just so that they can put food on the table. Again, going home to see this makes me even more pissed off because so many people are giving up so much just to see their family survive - just to meet the basics...

Some of the stories above just sometimes makes it a bit of a turn-off to even go past the airport! The "Lagay" bit just pisses me off. I mean, I don't mind if some of my stuff gets held because I bring in items that are taxable or just over the given allowance. But the problem is how they sorta want to milk cash from you so that you can take it all in. Feeling nila "May kinakailangan sila sa akin!" kinda thing and they make you make them "semi-lambing" and slip in a little "pang-christmas". I can see they need the extra money because of the poor salary they get given, but if they want to have some money pang-coffee, don't make us look stoopid and get an ego trip at the same time!!

Some people just have all the fun, don't they???

[Cali4Nia]

latepinoy: Yeah I know what u mean bout the contraception issue? I'm still trying to figure that out for myself.....I'm a devout catholic and half of me understands the reason for not using contraceptives but then again it is not "logical" to not use it at the same time because of the unwanted babies and the population explosion problem. Talked to many christian friends about it and believe me, iba iba rin ang views nang different christian denominations on contraception....it's a whole 'nother topic :D

About the street kids and syndicates: So that is true...I really couldn't grasp that concept. These kids' jobs are to beg for money.

Goes to show how naive I was and how foreign I felt in my own native country during my visit. Many social norms and new slang and local info/stories I did not know. For a person who was born in Pinas and raised somewhere else, I used to think I new what Pinas was all about just because I could speak tagalog....kaya ko sigurong mamuhay doon kung gusto ko ulit kahit magisa lang ako...but not true....there's tons of things I need to be taught....like about the local scene and how to conduct business there....and how to get a job.

[hannah014]

yup! i just came home 6 months ago... i stayed there for like almost 6 months. wish i could stay there for a year but then i'm not a canadian citizen yet so i have no choice but to go back. grabe no, it took me 4 years to go back home and imagine how i've missed my close relatives i've left behind. when me and my sister finally decided to go home we spent our time saving money to buy us a ticket so we could spend our new millenium in the phils. grabe! we were excited to go home pati nong nasa eroplano na kami.

about lagay thing? nong nandito pa lang kami, sinabi na sa amin ng pinsan namin yon but i never expected it to be true. actually, my sister was the one was holding my passport back then so i didn't know that she kinda put some money in our passports so that they wouldn't open our belongings. sabi ko nga sa isip ko back then, di naman pala totoo yong sinasabi ng pinsan ko only to realized na tama pala sila. sabi nga ng sister ko, "ever wonder why they didn't open our luggage?"

humidity? grabe... as in ang init... reklamo nga ako ng reklamo pati yata uncle asar na sa akin sa kakareklamo. good thing is, we spent our vacation in our province so di polluted and not that humid.. in fact, when we were there from dec to january it was kinda cold... medyo umuulan pa nga eh...

traffic? mas grabe... i've never seen any traffic signs from the airport to our place in quezon city... can u believe that? tapos di nasusunod yong mga lanes. sabi nga nila magagaling daw na driver ang mga pinoys dahil doon... but come to think of it, they're right... tapos biyahe from proj.2 to ali mall took us about 30 mins sa sobrang traffic na kung tutuusin eh malapit lang naman diba?

isa pa sa mga na experience ko dyan eh yong tipong di ko maisuot yong mga sinusuot ko dito dahil sa sobrang conservative ng mga tao sa amin.. well at least my families are... one time, we went to church and i was wearing a skirt(na sa tingin ng uncle ko eh maiksi na) and sleeveless top(take not ah, di spaghetti strap yong suot ko), tapos nong nakita ako ng uncle ko pinapalitan sa akin. sira tuloy poised ko. i was so embarassed kasi parang, basta... tapos yong tipong tingin sa amin ng mga tao napaka snob namin dahil yon nga... di daw kami approachable(base from them nong naging friends namin sila). isang pang nakakapikon, di mo alam kung saan ka lalagay kasi pagtumulong ka sa kanila sasabihin wag na kasi baka masira kamay, tapos pag naman hindi, sasabihan ka ng maarte.

pangpagaan ng loob, laht sinasabi na di daw kami kagaya ng mga ibang balikbayan... i was really happy to hear that, dahil nga kasi yong stereotype na mostly ng balikbayans eh may ere daw... sabi nila ah...

[JasonFilAm]

Hey i was just so amazed that i foind this thread cuz i wanna speak out my mind too about these stuff..hehe..

Anyways, Last 5 months ago my brother and i (he's actually my twin brother) went to the Philippines and spend our summer vacation. We were both very excited and we couldn't wait to get off the plane. We we so excited in the plane that we just so freikin bored and really couldn't sleep well..hehe. Anyways when we got off the airport (NAIA) and walked out the plane we both felt this very warm air..hehe.
grabe!!!woo!! it was like a BIG blow dryer hitting our faces and bodies. The heat is just ridiculous over there..I was jus sweatin' my *** off when we were walkin. Not to mention, but i was just soakin wet. So i decided to go to the Bathroom and the first thing i noticed was the odor of those bathrooms..Oh my God!! it was so stinky!!!.Do they ever clean their bathrooms? I mean it's an international Airport for cryin' out loud!!! it's suppose to be clean and smelling good!!!. But anyways i changed my shirt and we shirt and everything. so when we got out the airport, 5 minutes hasn't passed yet and i was just sweating like a pig again..hehe..it was just so funny!!..i couldn't believe it..

[JasonFilAm]

When my brother and i (my twin) went to the malls, we were just so excited cuz it's been a while thatt we haven't been to those malls in the Philippines like Mega Mall, Glorietta,
Green Hills, etc.. But the mall that we decided to go first was in Mega Mall. So as we were walking a lot of peeps we just staring at us. I mean i was like "is my face dirty"..hehe. anyways peeps were just lookin at us. I think it's because we looked like "taga-states" and stuf like that. Plus i think it's because we're both tall (we're both 6'2")..And then i asked my mom "mom, why are people looking at us?" and the she's all like "and tatangkad niyo kasi eh, plus mukha talaga kayong taga-states"..so we were all like "oohh okk..hehe"..But we really did stood our from the crowd..everytime we would walk, people are just staring..
it's just funny..hehe!!.

One time we were in Hard Rock,Makati..It was a fun place to be at especially at night!!!!..nice cute chicks too!!hehe!!
anyways..My brother and i and some friends were with us just to dance the night away and just have a great time. Then hard Rock had this VJ contest and it was sponsored by KAHLUA.. So the staffs of the program saw us both ( i dunno why but i think it's the way we look again) so we were candidates for the VJ hunt. Both of us did pretty good but this one dude won. I dunno why he won but i know that i did a lot better of VJing in front of the crowd..one thing i noticed though was that he was pretty known over there. So i guess he was pretty popular..so he won the freikiin VJ contest..But i still think that i did better than him ^_^.
hehe...

One night i was walkin in the streets of Manila and this one guy offered me a flyer about this model search thing. So i read it and it amazed me in how to become a model. I dunno how he picked me to be one but i guess it's my height again.. I was just willing to model for the company but i was like , i'm gonna be going back to the U.S. anyways so i just had to put the offer down. It was actually my opportunity to become a fashion model and i really wanted to be one too but oh well.. I'll just try to become one here in the U.S. Sikat pa diba!!?..hehe..

One more thing, Oh my God!! the girls just hit one you just like that!!..My brother and are always approached ..
I remember this one girl coming up to me and just bluntly said "and gwapo mo!'..i was like "ah, ok thanks..hehe"..
i couldn't believe that though. So are people really like that over there though?...oh wells i can't wait to get back and make-pasyal and stuff again...the NIGHT LIFE is fun over there..lots of cool and annoying peeps also.. but overall it's COO!!

[latepinoy93]

JasonFilAm: Welcome, and thanks for sharing! I used to go home quite often and yeah, the loos need cleaning much more frequetnly and the cleaning company should provide more cleaning materials and more staff... Nagtitipid lang sila para they can earn more!

I've said this once, and I will say this again: if you've lived abroad, or were born and raised abroad, you will be noticed - even if you were as tall as the regular Juan de la Cruz! There's just something that stands out about us or something and I still can't quite get what it is!!!

It does bother me.

But doesn't it feel great to go home althought you sweat like a freaking pig the minute you get out of the flight cabin?

[- Caligirl -]

When I went back to the Philippines, I noticed that there was a BIG difference between how the women in the two countries carry themselves.
I guess Filipinas in PI are more into that whole "Plain Jane" look with the barely-there makeup whereas most Fil-Am women usually like to get all glammed-up with the dyed hair, makeup and clothes. Anyone else notice this?

By the way..hehehe it seems like all of us were overwhelmed by Philippine weather, huh? ;)

[Cali4Nia]

Originally posted by latepinoy93
But doesn't it feel great to go home althought you sweat like a freaking pig the minute you get out of the flight cabin?

Hec ya! I dunno bout u guys but I welcomed the sweating and humidity...I'm sick and tired of this aarid and dry desert type nippy weather in Southern California...well not the sunny times but these dry times when you have to put a whole buncha lotion all over your body.

The sweating felt good for some reason...I guess impurities really get squeezed out of you like as elders have said. Beats me :D

[latepinoy93]

Cali4Nia: Seriously, I was literally dirpping with sweat before I reached the immigration counters that one time 'cause nasira 'yung aircon sa arrivals level!!! Serious heat!

Speaking of which... any plans of "Balikbayanizing" in 2001?

[latepinoy93]

Originally posted by - Caligirl -
When I went back to the Philippines, I noticed that there was a BIG difference between how the women in the two countries carry themselves.
I guess Filipinas in PI are more into that whole "Plain Jane" look with the barely-there makeup whereas most Fil-Am women usually like to get all glammed-up with the dyed hair, makeup and clothes. Anyone else notice this?

By the way..hehehe it seems like all of us were overwhelmed by Philippine weather, huh? ;)

I am suddenly in a writing frenzy at the moment!!!!! I do notice that you know... Guess it's the lifestlye and practices that one's used to. The "X" factor!

Heat and humidity is nice - as long as you live in it day in and day out. If not, it is truly a nightmare!!!

[xyzseaman]

Going to take a vacation sa Pinas in Sept. How much money do you need to bring? (going to stay for 3 weeks....)

[latepinoy93]

Originally posted by xyzseaman
Going to take a vacation sa Pinas in Sept. How much money do you need to bring? (going to stay for 3 weeks....)

Well... what are you looking at doing?? The rate is gonna definitely fluctuate by then and perhaps the stuff will all go up due to inflation and all sorts of politically-triggered factor! You must party in Makati, Pasig, Katipunan, QC, Remedios Circle - Nakpil area(Happening!!) and Ermita! Perhaps a night out boozing in Tagaytay or Los Banos! 20 - 40 USD per day is really lots! Shopping for locally licensed foreign brands in SM is also a bargain, but the fabric quality still is a bit behind...

Post your question and have a look in the Travel and Lifestyle forum if you haven't done so already! ;)

Have fun!!

[phantom]

It's fun to "hear" all your balikbayan experiences.

As for the weather, well... when you bought your plane tickets, you knew you were not going to a temperate country, right? ;)

As for people staring at you, it seems it's all in the mind. Some people have been preconditioned that "taga abroad" people will be stared at. Surprise, surprise... even local people do get stared at also. Try a little experiment next time you visit Phil. again. :) I notice also that some people go around with that notice "I am a balikbayan" stamped prominently on their forehead. And they love to carry their weight around.

I'm not throwing a wet blanket to the discussion here. I just figure that it's also important to remember that no two countries are the same. East Coast Americans even find it different to be in the West Coast, and vice versa. Same is true with Manila folks who move to the Visayas/Mindanao, and vice versa. Cies't la vie! Enjoy the ride. :)

Peace and Joy for the coming New Year!

[phantom]

I'm in North America also and I always welcome the opportunity to visit Philippines. I love the typhoons there and I enjoyed my first "baha" experience. :D Nothing like being immersed in a different state/country/culture. I don't like the humidity in 'Pinas but I always go there prepared for anything, same thing when I go to humid Floriduh and swampy new Orleans. :D

[- Caligirl -]

Oh cool...which part of North America do you live in? :D
Wow..you actually like "bahas"? Well, I guess it does look kinda fun cuz you get to go canoeing. :lol: I have yet to experience my 1st flood adventure cuz it doesn't really flood around my relatives' place in Manila. :)

[DaZeD in HK]

can't say i'm a real balikbayan, haven't been away long enough to qualify, but going home for christmas was a nice break...

it wasn't that hot, and it wasn't that cold in hk when we left either... but when they announced the temperature (high 20's) when we landed, we couldn't help but laugh and shout 'woohoo! summer!'

about the staring thing, i think it's a pinoy thing... phantom and caligirl's right that even local people get stared at, and that some balikbayans feel like they're superior (a real pet peeve of a lot of my friends)... it's mostly cus of the way you carry yourself, the way you dress, the way you talk... i'm not trying to differentiate myself, but i grew up in manila so i probly just blend in. my japanese gf got some stares, but she learned to ignore them :)

another thing 'bout going back is that everybody automatically assumes you have a lot of money, just 'cus you've been abroad. for one thing, the exchange rate is really good for balikbayans, but then again, if u don't have that much to start with... :D

xyz: make the most out of ur stay... we spent around US$ 300-400 for our 1 week stay, but that was mostly cus we tried to fit everything in 1 week (3 days in boracay, all over metro manila, 2 days in batangas)... still lots to see and do. got to see the new mall they were raving about (power plant mall in rockwell, makati), there were some upscale bars in that area too. malate is well, malate, tho some clubs have opened in intramuros for the raver in you. pasig/libis area have some new and not so new restaurants/bars/grills.

latepinoy: want some lambanog? i brought in a case you're welcome to a bottle or 2 :D do u know if we have arctic vodka here? at 8 bucks a pop at bars back home, i'm kicking myself for not buying at least 3 bottles...

happy new year kids!

[phantom]

Originally posted by - Caligirl -
Oh cool...which part of North America do you live in? :D


Kung saan maraming "isno". ;)

Well, I guess it does look kinda fun cuz you get to go canoeing. :lol: I have yet to experience my 1st flood adventure cuz it doesn't really flood around my relatives' place in Manila. :)

Sumama kasi ako sa Tita ko na nagtuturo dun sa school na nasa ilalim ng tulay, este LRT Taft. :D Tapos naabutan ng baha.

[phantom]

Ooooops..... double post, sorry.

[Cali4Nia]

Welcome back Dazed:D

Bumping up to see if anybody else wants to share :D

[topnotch97]

ano `to TANGING YAMAN :lol:

may music sa background

[latepinoy93]

Originally posted by DaZeD in HK

latepinoy: want some lambanog? i brought in a case you're welcome to a bottle or 2 :D do u know if we have arctic vodka here? at 8 bucks a pop at bars back home, i'm kicking myself for not buying at least 3 bottles...

happy new year kids!


Welcome back dude! Listen, lumbanog is just sweet man! We must then meet up, sneak it into some bar here and just party on! Will call ya, and feel a little bit jealous that you got to go home - X-mas is just not the same here!

[stnickmt]

My family (to include my American husband, my 1 1/2 yr-old child, and my mother) spent 30 days in the PI back in May of 99. My son (who has asthma) got sick on our first week there due to the sudden change of weather. Then my husband didn't like his first week there either, because of the change of environment so we decided to get out of the province and stay in Manila with our relatives. Boy, he was impress with the malls we've been at. He went shopping crazy 'cause of the prices of the merchandise.

He also loved the food (well American food chains are ample in Manila), but me I ate a lot (I mean a lot) of Filipino cuisines, I especially devoured on the halo-halo, pansit gisado, siopao, kare-kare, and a whole lot more. We hung out in a couple of bars and discos (that was fun) around Makati,then we spent the rest of our stay in local beaches. I wish I could go back there like now.....

[Estrella]

My daughter and i took our vacation in Pinas last summer.
To my surprise i was able to handle heat and humidity. I felt so sorry for my daughter she was misserable almost the whole time. The kids just love to hear my daughter speak in English. I've notice that I've been stared like something wrong of my face but, i paid no attention to it.
My biggest disappointment was, coming back to the States;i have a big entourage and they are not allowed to the departure area. I gave all my cash money (peso & $)to my sister and my mom. Not reallizing i have to pay for the stupid terminal fee. They won't accept credit card so i missed my flight.
I have to drag my luggage outside in the streets coz they won't allow you to hangout on the departure area. It was my most terrified moment in my whole life. By then my family had left and took them 3 hrs to get to QC coz of the traffic. If they have cellphone it would have came in handy. I finally get a hold of them to come pick us up. For the mean time scare the witts of me. I learned my lesson to always leave cash with me.

[womanontop]

Originally posted by Cali4Nia
I've been a balikbayan only twice in my late teens but...


To Filipinos Abroad (yung mga Balikbayans):
Since nasanay na tayo na tumira sa ibang bansa. Your used to a different lifestyle and standard of living but, of course, you also missed the Philippines and couldn't wait to see it again. When you visited Pinas as a balikbayan what GOOD and BAD experiences did you have?


[Edited by Cali4Nia on 11-29-2000 at 05:53 PM]


Hey Cali4nia.... Here's my experience.

The first time for me was 13 years ago. I just graduated from college and I haven’t been back in 17 years. I wanted to explore at least ¼ of the 7000 islands. I want to experience what it’ was like to live in the mountain province and to ride in a carabao and plant rice. I’ve so much plans--- things to do, food to eat, places to go. I planned my trip very carefully. I bought a book called The Lonely Planet, travel guide to the Phil When I told my parents of my decision to go back by myself they got really nervous although they didn’t discourage me either. So what did they do? They called just about all my aunts and uncles back home and warn them of my arrival.

When I arrived, I was walking out of the gate I saw a bunch of people carrying a huge Welcome sign that has my name on it. I figured hmmmm they kinda look like me must be my relatives. You see, I didn’t expect them at all. My plans were to take a cab and go straight to my hotel. My parents didn’t tell me about them picking me up. I really didn’t know half of the people who picked me up and I had no choice but to bring the entourage to my hotel room. Ang feeling ko at that time was, God, I wish they’d leave coz I was super pagod. So, sabi ko sa kanila, that I was tired and I needed some rest. I figured that they got my cue and they would leave and they told me to just go ahead and rest and they won’t make any noise.

I told my relatives of my purpose of my visit back home and I warned them that they were not going to see me for awhile. I told them that I was going to start traveling north and go all the way South and that I would see them a week before I leave for the States. Shocked that I would do all these stuff alone, then they start telling me that I shouldn’t be walking around by myself because I was a woman and they might think that I was a CG (call girl) or I might get raped, robbed or beaten etc. Of course, I didn’t listen and I took off.

Speaking of the heat, yes, it was unbearable specially where I came from (Chicago)---deep chill zero degree temps. I’m just not used to it. So, I wore my shorts and spaghetti strap shirt. Yes, I got a lot of stares and some of them pointed out to me that I was a Japayuki. At that time, people wore jeans and T shirts. I didn’t understand why ang init ng soot nila. When I walked down the mall, merong sumasabay sakin na mga lalake and they kept saying kung puede bang makipagkilala or sometimes I got followed around everywhere and anywhere.

Speaking of bad service, you don’t get good service if you weren’t dolled up and if you don’t speak English. I thought, I’d get a better service If I at least use the tagalog language but noooooooo lalong sumama. When I checked out from my hotel room, I was totally ignored by the desk clerk. She was taking care of all the other foreign guests although I was there before them. So, I tried to get her attention in tagalog and sure enough nagbingi-bingihan siya. Finally, I turned on my ***** attitude and I really gave it to her in English. Boy, was she apologetic and she said, Sorry, Mam, I didn’t know that you’re not from here." Similar thing happened to me when I was trying to change my flight schedule from Cebu city back to Manila. Again, I got ignored and had to turn on my ***** attitude again. Another incident when I had to send a letter to my parents and I lined up at the post office. When It was my turn to buy the postage, the clerk, closed the window and everyone else behind me started to leave. I was pissed so I opened it. He was already eating his lunch. He said, it’s lunch time and I should come back in an hour. And I asked him what time was his lunch and he said, 12pm and I said (of course in English) that it was only 11:45am so he still have 15min to go. So he had no choice but to take care of me and the rest of the people that came back. Another incident was when I went to Fort Santiago to check out Dr. Jose Rizal’s museum. Again, an older man whom appeared to be shocked to see me all by myself came up to me and asked me, Nag-iisa ka lang? And I said, Excuse me? A younger man came to my rescue and told the older man to leave me alone and he said, "Tay, hindi taga Pinas siya."

So, yan ang experience ko sa Pinas at marami pa kong maikukuento but till next time. Baka naman super haba na. Other than that, I had a fabulous time. I hooked up with some young European travelers and the funny thing we all had the same book but different language version. At least na experience ko na mag ride sa roof ng jeep sa province and get to pet a carabao. I took a hike sa rice terraces in Banaue. I rode sa kalesa sa Santa Cruz. I ate all the tropical fruits and lots of fishda and veggies. I did some serious island hopping to places that didn’t even have no electricity and running water. I had the best time of my life. I’m ever so happy that I went back to the motherland.

[Venizza]

What do guys think are do's and don'ts for balikbayans? Or for people going there for a vacation? What's hot what's not, please tell me.

[Ira]

Never, ever compare the lifestyle in the Philippines to the way it is abroad, unless prompted to do so. Hardly anyone appreciates listening to "Oh, we do it differently in Cali" or "In the States, our roads are so much better" or "What, you don't have hot water in your faucets?" --not because of jealousy, but it comes across as an insult to your hosts.

[bLaCk]

Don't Trust Everybody... not even your relatives

[Kaboom!]

If you can't speak Filipino, just stick to English, almost everyone here understands it anyway. It's better than butchering the native language and ending up not being understood.

Peace.

[Expat-n-Amerika]

:) Be humble and don't flash your money around...Don't believe to all the sob stories specially from relatives... When leaving a tip to a waiter/waitress, hand the money to him/her don't just leave it on the table...
:) when you want something , tell the maid to get it for you cuz its ok, its their job....:lol::lol:

[m'saia]

Originally posted by Ira
Never, ever compare the lifestyle in the Philippines to the way it is abroad, unless prompted to do so. Hardly anyone appreciates listening to "Oh, we do it differently in Cali" or "In the States, our roads are so much better" or "What, you don't have hot water in your faucets?" --not because of jealousy, but it comes across as an insult to your hosts.

i agree!!

Also, do eat all the food/fruits that's impossible to find abroad. Take advantage and go to the beautiful resorts/beach in the Philippines since it's cheap and nice (it beats going to the caribbean). Do spend a lot of time with your family.

[DarkArchon]

To balikbayans who were gone only for a few months- never ever try to pretend that you already "forgot" how to speak tagalog. Hindi maganda tingnan at minsan pakinggan (dahil mali-mali rin naman ang english niya).
In a similar note, never do something that will look like you want people to know that you've been somewhere else.

[topnotch97]

and another, if you think the Philippines is as bad as it gets or whatever you've been hearing so negative about us or the Philippines, then don't go to the Philippines because it would probably spoil your vacation;
after all, weren't you've been warned by your "friends"
that the Philippines is this and that
so why bother forcing your self to go and visit as
a so-called "balikbayan"!!!
"balikbayan" means going home, so treat the Philippines as your home even if you're not born in the Philippines

[lestat]

If you can't speak Filipino, just stick to English, almost everyone here understands it anyway. It's better than butchering the native language and ending up not being understood.

I disagree. Your intention is not to butcher it but to communicate with it, so if you want to practice your Filipino, go ahead. I think every people appreciates it when strangers come to their country and try to speak their native language, the Filipinos are no different.

I have lots of friends who once or twice a year go to other countries on vacation and they try to learn some useful phrases before going. They tell me that the natives are mostly amused or appreciates it when they try to talk in their language. There is also this place called Paris where people would ignore you or be outright rude if you talk to them in anything but french.

[Flypinay]

have FUN!!! ENJOY!!! make the most of it...IT'S NOT BAS AS OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT THINK IT IS bec...whatever...THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!believe me, that's how i feel!!!

[phantom]

Don't go around with that sign "I am a Balikbayan" stamped prominently on your forehead. :D

[stnickmt]

Just be yourself, and enjoy if you can, :-). Masaya namang kasama ang mga Pilipino maliban lang sa ilan, who tried to be so Americanized.....

[Cali4Nia]

Hey anybody else wanna share.

[pinkmoon]

I'd only been away for about a year an a half when I first went back to visit, so I was still more or less prepared for the heat.
The thing I noticed though when I went back was how evidence of poverty was so blatant compared to when I used to live there and just took it for granted. I tell you it was hard seeing kids going up to your car window again and begging for change. It used to be so easy for me to brush them off before but this time I couldn't help but notice them.
The cellphone boom was also at its peak when I went back and I had noticed that a lot more Pinoys had been more showy, flashing their Palm Pilots, fancy phones and designer brands. I mean, this isn't exactly new but it just stood out more this time around.
Also my husband and I were shocked at how much prices had gone up. My friends took us to Malate, which had been a regular haunt for me and my hubby before. We were shocked at the prices, they could almost compete with the prices over here, even at the exchange rate!
My hubby and I also spent a week in Boracay. We never wanted to leave. Strangely enough we had the most delicious Indian food we had ever had over there. We thought it was such an old place to find THE best Indian food ever but hey!
Next time we fly in we're headed straight for Boracay!

[bepanthene]

I don't know but a lot of people seem to think that if you live elsewhere (especially in North America), you're super rich...as if money comes out of your *** when you take a sh*t :P

i find it very annoying when they ask for so much stuff or want to borrow money. Maybe it's just our friends and acquaintances who are like that.

[tagaAplaya]

the Good..
looking forward na maka bisita ulit .. diretso sa Puerto Galera
inihaw na tuna na sanay would have cost me $80 bucks pero 180 pesos lang..
san miguel beer w/ inihaw na isda sawsawan ay maanghang na suka ..
inuman w/ friends .. halakhakan..
- kids enjoyed riding the tricycle.. and jeepney
- pagkain na wala dito ..like manggang kinalabaw na hilaw,lanzones,duhat..
cakes from red ribbon,jollibee, max's chicken..

the Bad...

na override naman ng magaganda.. but one of the things na irritate the pak out me ay some taxi driver na hindi ka pasakayin dahil laging lamang akong naka shorts and t-shirts tsinelas.... kaya naman yoong nagpapasakay sa'min doble ang bayad .. mini merry christmas ko pa..

[Missy19]

nice thread..

Pagdating mo pa lang sa street nyo para kang artista,tingin sayo lahat ng tao...

Paglabas ko pa lang ng airport,Oh!My God ang init... :D

[screamocrat]

I was born and raised here, but I go home to the Philippines a lot. Ever since the summer after my sophomore year of high school, I've been hopping planes onward to Manila. The following is a revue of my experiences sa atin :rpflag:.

1998 - The trip home is a first in five years for me. Last time was at age twelve. I experienced culture shock (siyempre kasi I haven't been there in so long). I met a cute girl who was four years my junior [the courtship eventually lasted two years]. We had a party for my 17th birthday. Shortly after, I went to Megamall for the first time . Appreciation for Pinoy heritage sinks in.

1999 - The sequel. I discovered a cure for my horrible skin allergies. Also I established a bond with these really cool relatives I never knew before [on my mom's side]. Visited Luneta and Fort Santiago for the first time in like forever. BAD NEWS: I fought with the girl I was courting [for the first time ever -> things never the same again]. It was also first time I missed out on our town fiesta [I left because of early start to senior year of high school].

2000 - I started hanging out with my cousin and his friends [mostly chicks]. Through him indirectly, I met another cute girl [nothing happened]. My parents' silver wedding anniversary was held there. So was my nineteenth birthday/high school graduation party. Not to be emo or anything, but I ended things with the girl I was courting since '98. It was for the best.

2001 - By far, my longest stay there [[I]halos apat buwan!]. I met and befriended my kumpare. As it turns out, we have the same taste in music -> the heavier, the better. This trip will especially be remembered for one important event: the start of my relationship with the greatest love of my life, Irene :bashful:.

2002 - Irene and I spent lots of time together. I bought her a promise ring. It would be the first time we share a passionate kiss alone. We reach the first-year mark as lovers on my 21st birthday. First time I get a taste of Pinoy rock by way of Slapshock and Wolfgang :rocker:.

2003 - This was the first time I went home late in the summer. Irene was not there, but in Laguna working. I did hang out with her during our town fiesta, though. Sadly, I missed out on bidding her farewell. I did get a second chance when my younger bro came down with sore eyes and had to be treated. My last night there was one of the most romantic of our relationship thanks to some Piolo Pascual songs.

2004 - Things got off to a rough start kasi nakabadtrip si Honey. It's a good thing her mood swings subsided in time for fiesta. The night of fiesta we took our first-ever picture together. Nag-date kami sa Maynila on my second to last day there *okay*.

ANO KAYA ANG MANGYAYARI SA NGAYONG TAON? ABANGAN!