Should I stay another six months in The Philippines?

[Celibate Warrior21]

Good evening, just got back bar hopping just now. That's one thing I like about living here in the United States, I can frequent and drive to these places without needing to hitch a ride. I like my independence.

As of last year, I spent 8 months in the Philippines with my parents to help out with their business. Because of my disease, my parents like to live close to me so there will be someone to watch over me and stuff. But the problem is, I feel I'm at a stage now where I can care for myself. I know what meds to take when I'm having an episode and the usual plan to do when It's really bad.

I think it's time my parents recognize my independence just for once and let me live on my own for a few months. I can live comfortably on my military disability pension and can get a job if I choose. I need to speak to and eventually convince my father that staying here in the US instead of wasting another 6 months in The Philippines is a good idea.

What am I gonna do there? When I'm in the Philippines, I'm bored most of the time and the province where we stay is a quiet village. The people there, they like to drink their butts off and I don't want to be picking up any bad habits while I'm there. I think I'll be more productive here in the states.

I can go volunteer at the places I've always wanted to volunteer such as The Veterans Affairs and art museum. Or go on a road trip across the USA using a GPS and camp out lol. Also cook the meals that I want instead of the meals they usually cook.

I think this would be a great idea to test my independence and take a break from my parents.

What do you guys think? Any advise? Thanks.

 

[Celibate Warrior21]

Update: I had a discussion with my father, Im only spending 3 months over there and flying back here solo.

It should be an interesting three months. I hope to make the most of it.

Flying in and out is always a drag.

 

[WanderingProtagonist]

Wish I could try seeing what that place is like, but unfortunately you can't go unless you are vaccinated... Wish I had of went years ago, but I doubt even after Daurte is gone they'll get rid of that mandatory vaccination mandate over there. So it's another country I won't ever get to see.

 

[Mountaineer]

Do not, if the world turns plandemic 2.0 Philippines will be hell.

 

[Beyond Borders]

I was there for 3 years when this started, spent the first year of Covid there and had to leave because visa expired (they wouldn't let me fly back in if I left to renew, but they wouldn't extend inside the country either).

We spent MONTHS on our island restricted to only leaving the house twice a week within a two-hour window (to get groceries, etc), and only one of us could go. Armed guards on the road checking passes. Curfew breakers literally thrown in dog cages at one point.

I still have a girlfriend there and we'd been living together for years, but I won't be going back unless they make a complete turn-around with the way they deal with this.

Bummer deal but they are just way too goofy with their covid rules. Now they require vaccine to come in too, which is deal-breaker for me. My girl's younger brother has a heart problem that prevents vaccination even if he wants to; because of that, he's not even allowed to leave his tiny island (pop. 2000). No medical exemption whatsoever. Completely cut off from attempting to have a normal life.

If you want to live in a cheap country abroad will all this going on, there are still a few that will allow you to do so without getting vaccinated.

Maybe you already are vaccinated. To each his own, I guess. Even then, over-regulation won't be going away anytime soon. In Philippines you have no choice but to play ball.

 

[greenwolf]

I would leave.
I was there in 2020 when the charade started and thank God still today I made it out just a few days before they closed off.

 

[fortyfive]

I was there for 3 years when this started, spent the first year of Covid there and had to leave because visa expired (they wouldn't let me fly back in if I left to renew, but they wouldn't extend inside the country either).

We spent MONTHS on our island restricted to only leaving the house twice a week within a two-hour window (to get groceries, etc), and only one of us could go. Armed guards on the road checking passes. Curfew breakers literally thrown in dog cages at one point.

I still have a girlfriend there and we'd been living together for years, but I won't be going back unless they make a complete turn-around with the way they deal with this.

Bummer deal but they are just way too goofy with their covid rules. Now they require vaccine to come in too, which is deal-breaker for me. My girl's younger brother has a heart problem that prevents vaccination even if he wants to; because of that, he's not even allowed to leave his tiny island (pop. 2000). No medical exemption whatsoever. Completely cut off from attempting to have a normal life.

If you want to live in a cheap country abroad will all this going on, there are still a few that will allow you to do so without getting vaccinated.

Maybe you already are vaccinated. To each his own, I guess. Even then, over-regulation won't be going away anytime soon. In Philippines you have no choice but to play ball.

One would think that in a developing country like the Philippines, there wouldn't be resources and will to impose such a draconian totality. Strange.

 

[greenwolf]

One would think that in a developing country like the Philippines, there wouldn't be resources and will to impose such a draconian totality. Strange.

Yes, I used to think that too in 2020 until it heated up. Thanks God I changed mind and escaped in the last days when it was possible without the whole theatre.
It is even stranger if you think it is a lot more on the poorer side compared to like Malaysia and Thailand.

 

[Beyond Borders]

One would think that in a developing country like the Philippines, there wouldn't be resources and will to impose such a draconian totality. Strange.

Completely devastated the country.

Before covid I believe they were the fastest growing economy in Asia? Highly doubt they are anymore...

I was living on a very touristy island when lockdowns started. Quite a few of my Filipino pals were down at the water everyday spear fishing just to eat (local neighborhood cops would at least allow that). The first year crept by and place was still at a standstill. And on it went ...

My balcony overlooked a busy shipping channel and it was just eerie seeing the shipping lanes so lonely and quiet for months and months on end. I barbecued everyday, hung out playing guitar, working, and soaking up the ocean breeze in my house outside town... But at times it honestly felt like the world had ended. I had a good time but with all the drinking and monotony can't deny I went to the dark side a few times.

For long periods, only gov boats could come and go (and a local celebrity's helicopter, of course lol). There was no leaving without a really, really good reason. When you can't leave even if you want to that's when you realize what it really is to live on an island (not to mention at the total mercy of a corrupt, inept government). Even a lot of people who didn't have anything to do with the tourist industry couldn't go to work for long periods of time. I think you still have to jump through a bunch of bureaucratic hoops just to leave whatever island you're living on (maybe a bit more straightforward for foreigners?).

After it was clear I wouldn't be going back, my girl had even gotten vaccinated already and yet had to keep bugging the local barangay for weeks to cough up her vaccine pass. Just so she could get on the boat and relocate back where her family lives. She's already done the dirty deed they were forcing on her, but they had a daily excuse why they couldn't give it to her yet. Thankfully our landlord was a buddy of mine so he let her keep using the house until her paperwork to leave showed up.

Was absolutely mental and I don't know how people were surviving in the heat of it. Burglaries skyrocketed. The local gov would pass out bags of rice every once in a while and a pathetic portion of canned goods, and get pictures patting each other on the back. I'd rip by random police on my motorbike, on a country road, by myself, and they'd be waving frantically for me to put my mask on.

Some genius even came up with this idea to "protect" people from one another while riding together on bikes (usually people who already live with each other by the way): https://www.rappler.com/nation/266407-look-motorcycle-barriers-covid-19-protection/

I believe he was a politician (go figure). He got his government cronies to enforce it at first and was likely on his way to making millions on it but thankfully someone finally figured out how absolutely, skull thumping retarded it was and called the plan to a halt.

Another policy that simply boggled the imagination was the fact they locked us in our houses all day but then designated a time slot when you were allowed to finally go into the grocery store. So it'd be dead quiet until that time arrived and then completely crowded because everyone was forced to go in together. I believe it was only a handful of barangays allowed at any given day but still. Everyone from those barangays shows up in the same two hour window. I'm shaking my head laughing just remembering the brain dead things they thunked up.

In any case, never seen a country so hellbent on crippling their own economy, and it was a wonder to behold.

I'm sure it's chilled out a lot but I know it's still a headache, at least for locals. Unless that country does a complete reversal of some kind, I'll move on to other pastures. Having a beer in Mexico as I write this so there's that.

 

[fortyfive]

Completely devastated the country.

Before covid I believe they were the fastest growing economy in Asia? Highly doubt they are anymore...

I was living on a very touristy island when lockdowns started. Quite a few of my Filipino pals were down at the water everyday spear fishing just to eat (local neighborhood cops would at least allow that). The first year crept by and place was still at a standstill. And on it went ...

My balcony overlooked a busy shipping channel and it was just eerie seeing the shipping lanes so lonely and quiet for months and months on end. I barbecued everyday, hung out playing guitar, working, and soaking up the ocean breeze in my house outside town... But at times it honestly felt like the world had ended. I had a good time but with all the drinking and monotony can't deny I went to the dark side a few times.

For long periods, only gov boats could come and go (and a local celebrity's helicopter, of course lol). There was no leaving without a really, really good reason. When you can't leave even if you want to that's when you realize what it really is to live on an island (not to mention at the total mercy of a corrupt, inept government). Even a lot of people who didn't have anything to do with the tourist industry couldn't go to work for long periods of time. I think you still have to jump through a bunch of bureaucratic hoops just to leave whatever island you're living on (maybe a bit more straightforward for foreigners?).

After it was clear I wouldn't be going back, my girl had even gotten vaccinated already and yet had to keep bugging the local barangay for weeks to cough up her vaccine pass. Just so she could get on the boat and relocate back where her family lives. She's already done the dirty deed they were forcing on her, but they had a daily excuse why they couldn't give it to her yet. Thankfully our landlord was a buddy of mine so he let her keep using the house until her paperwork to leave showed up.

Was absolutely mental and I don't know how people were surviving in the heat of it. Burglaries skyrocketed. The local gov would pass out bags of rice every once in a while and a pathetic portion of canned goods, and get pictures patting each other on the back. I'd rip by random police on my motorbike, on a country road, by myself, and they'd be waving frantically for me to put my mask on.

Some genius even came up with this idea to "protect" people from one another while riding together on bikes (usually people who already live with each other by the way): https://www.rappler.com/nation/266407-look-motorcycle-barriers-covid-19-protection/

I believe he was a politician (go figure). He got his government cronies to enforce it at first and was likely on his way to making millions on it but thankfully someone finally figured out how absolutely, skull thumping retarded it was and called the plan to a halt.

Another policy that simply boggled the imagination was the fact they locked us in our houses all day but then designated a time slot when you were allowed to finally go into the grocery store. So it'd be dead quiet until that time arrived and then completely crowded because everyone was forced to go in together. I believe it was only a handful of barangays allowed at any given day but still. Everyone from those barangays shows up in the same two hour window. I'm shaking my head laughing just remembering the brain dead things they thunked up.

In any case, never seen a country so hellbent on crippling their own economy, and it was a wonder to behold.

I'm sure it's chilled out a lot but I know it's still a headache, at least for locals. Unless that country does a complete reversal of some kind, I'll move on to other pastures. Having a beer in Mexico as I write this so there's that.

Covid barrier on a motorcycle...hmm., maybe not a worth Nobel prize, but if it saves just one life?

 

[Beyond Borders]

^ Those with true moral righteousness even use it when they're riding alone!

 

[Steady Hands]

@Beyond Borders Welcome back and thanks for posting in detail.

 

[Mountaineer]

Having a beer in Mexico as I write this so there's that.

What do the locals think of the vax and mandates?

 

[fortyfive]

Having a beer in Mexico as I write this so there's that

I wanted to ask you the same. Can you compare LatAm vs Asia as an escape place from the western covid craziness?

 

[magaman]

Having a beer in Mexico as I write this so there's that.

You and I have the same idea of having fun. Having been to Mexican border towns pre and post pandemic, I can say I've never had much of a problem over there. Even in early 2021, they had signs on the doors saying to wear masks but it was not enforced. Crossing by foot, I have still yet to hear anything about a vaccine mandate and I haven't heard anything about "essential travel" since 2020, although the US border agents do still like to play hardball at times.

 

[Celibate Warrior21]

Update on my current situation.

I’ll be staying here in The Philippines for a few more months hopefully. I think I’m losing weight because I’m not eating as much junk food compared to the states.

As I mentioned earlier in one of the mental health threads, I’m a diagnosed schizophrenic and I’m taking my meds daily here. I can get triggered by the locals here when I go out somewhere. I feel they want to start fights with me, so for the most part I'm reclusive and stay at home in my room.

Just for extra information. I am not anglo, I'm of Filipino descent so I blend in pretty well until I start opening my mouth lol.

But really guys, I gotta do something while I'm out here. I can't just lock myself away in my room while looking at Social media and Netflix all day to entertain myself.

I don't have a consistent ride or means of transportation, so I guess I'll just have to use the tricycle to go down town somewhere....that might be one option.

I want to build up a social circle and eventually just find ways of having fun while I'm still out here. Who knows? I might meet a girl here.

I'll keep you guys updated on my current situation. Take care, God Bless.

 

[san26]

you can go to the Orthodox Church in Paranaque and introduce yourself to the priest.

 

[Beyond Borders]

What do the locals think of the vax and mandates?

In the beginning they seemed to be on board with it, and I'd often hear them repeating some of the prescribed statements like "we need to protect our parents/grandparents," etc. My girl thought I was crazy for not having any fear of the virus. When either of us got sick she'd go into a panic and when she got the vaccine I think she wanted it to an extent and went with all her friends to get it.

Over time, though, a lot of the ones I know seemed to start seeing through it and would joke about how useless the vaccines and masks are. Most seem to see through it now and talk a lot about how the local healthcare providers and gov are constantly out to make more money on tests, vaccines, etc. My girlfriend regrets getting vaccinated.

At the same time, I think they just feel completely powerless to push back in any way, shape, or form. They are pretty subject to whatever whim the authorities have, and not just the ruling elite, either, but even down to the most clueless ignorant barangay staff in their local neighborhoods. Tough spot to be in...

I wanted to ask you the same. Can you compare LatAm vs Asia as an escape place from the western covid craziness?

I don't know that I can fairly compare them. I left Asia for the states and then was stateside a full year before getting to Mexico, and now I've been in Mexico so just over a month. So while my impression is Asia in general is a lot more hard core, I experienced them in different stages of this whole charade. From what everyone says it was way more chill here than Asia the whole time, though, which is why I came.

Also, I spent all my Philippines lockdown time on an island, and while we went through some really gnarly times, as I described earlier, it then opened up a bit more. We were stuck there (and new tourists couldn't come) but we pretty much could roll around everywhere on our side of the island, eating and drinking at resorts, etc. Most people just stopped wearing masks at this point.

So we had to wear masks in certain parts of the island and could only go so far, but other than that we just kind of did what we wanted. Benefits of rural living.

It seemed way stricter when I went through Manila though, where you had to have both a mask and a face shield to go into the mall. I can't imagine having had to spend the whole ordeal there, cooped up in some tiny condo....

In Mexico I'm in a city rather than on an island. No restrictions coming in, no test or anything. But people sure are gung ho about wearing their masks here. On the other hand, I generally don't wear mine unless asked and for the most part people don't seem to mind or at least don't say anything. They also still do the hand sanitizer thing going into a lot of places but I just ignore it.

To be honest, the most chill place I've lived since this all started was Arizona on the Colorado River, where I camped for a few months before leaving the states. Nobody really cared at all and everyone was pro trump, anti-Biden, anti-lockdown, etc. A lot of people in the area seemed to be Californians trying to run away. I think over a few months in AZ I was only asked to put the mask on twice and it was in Native American establishments so I just stopped going to those places.

Red states probably still the freest places, but I'm thinking when I get out of the city here and get to a beach the mask thing won't be so predominant.

You and I have the same idea of having fun. Having been to Mexican border towns pre and post pandemic, I can say I've never had much of a problem over there. Even in early 2021, they had signs on the doors saying to wear masks but it was not enforced. Crossing by foot, I have still yet to hear anything about a vaccine mandate and I haven't heard anything about "essential travel" since 2020, although the US border agents do still like to play hardball at times.

You mean play hardball as in give you grief coming back in?

Flying in from Philippines, I was surprised nobody asked me a single question. Was just relieved when I walked out seeing my brother didn't have a stupid face shield on so I could finally yank mine off - they made us wear those things over our masks all the way across the ocean.

Update on my current situation.

I’ll be staying here in The Philippines for a few more months hopefully. I think I’m losing weight because I’m not eating as much junk food compared to the states.

As I mentioned earlier in one of the mental health threads, I’m a diagnosed schizophrenic and I’m taking my meds daily here. I can get triggered by the locals here when I go out somewhere. I feel they want to start fights with me, so for the most part I'm reclusive and stay at home in my room.

Just for extra information. I am not anglo, I'm of Filipino descent so I blend in pretty well until I start opening my mouth lol.

But really guys, I gotta do something while I'm out here. I can't just lock myself away in my room while looking at Social media and Netflix all day to entertain myself.

I don't have a consistent ride or means of transportation, so I guess I'll just have to use the tricycle to go down town somewhere....that might be one option.

I want to build up a social circle and eventually just find ways of having fun while I'm still out here. Who knows? I might meet a girl here.

I'll keep you guys updated on my current situation. Take care, God Bless.

Are you getting some therapy at least?

Mental health issues or not, it sounds like you could definitely benefit from some better habits.

Consider getting out of the city at least. Living on a beach with some elbow room and fresh air to breathe could do you some good. Might be a better way to meet a decent girl too.

 

[WanderingProtagonist]

I seriously wanted to visit the Phils but I read that you have to be vaccinated to go there now. It's a pitiful disappointment but some people say this will hurt tourism. Daurte already did a good job of doing that with his war on drug BS where he had a lot of his own people executed and now this vaccination nonsense. The only people that will probably still go there are those that were vaccinated, and there are a lot more people that got vaccinated vs those of us that didn't. I live in California though, and Newsom is still forcing the masks and everything else. The problem is Californians need to stop running and take the damn state back. What's the point in fleeing to another state just so you can vote in the same garbage that destroyed CA. All it takes is for them to go to a state and hate the policies because they feel "it's too intolerant over here." And they'll change the place despite claiming to be "conservatives" fleeing when it was fake conservatives that killed a bunch of other states they ran off to that became Democratic strongholds. It's just that now a lot of parts of CA is like Chicago. A city called Oakland is that place, Los Angelas and San Fransisco aren't too far behind.

 

[Yeagerist]

Good to see that the white folks here are being disabused of the Philippines as some based tropical paradise. There are still a lot of ugly stuff over here that you guys wouldn't know because of the image of the Filipino diaspora as nice people.

I've seen a lot of right-wing Westerners who are fans of Duterte just because the media in this country hate on him. Guess what, he's just the same as the oligarchic ruling elites and the excessive measures in the "pandemic" starting 2020 would have made the Western globalists blush.

And as a side note, the presidential election is in a few days and it'll be a total sh1tstorm. On one side you have the son of the former dictator running for president and his running-mate is none other than Duterte's daughter. Opposing him is the current vice president. Then there's Manny Pacquiao of all people who also seeks to be elected. The whole thing is an utter joke.

One would think that in a developing country like the Philippines, there wouldn't be resources and will to impose such a draconian totality. Strange

Half of Filipino society is predisposed into lawlessness and lack of discipline, and the other half wants a dystopia for the sake of imposing order and discipline. Filipino culture is way messed up (why else would thousands leave this country every year as unwitting cheap labor exports?)

As I mentioned earlier in one of the mental health threads, I’m a diagnosed schizophrenic and I’m taking my meds daily here. I can get triggered by the locals here when I go out somewhere. I feel they want to start fights with me, so for the most part I'm reclusive and stay at home in my room.

Just for extra information. I am not anglo, I'm of Filipino descent so I blend in pretty well until I start opening my mouth lol.

Well you answered your own question. People around you regard you as some snob privileged rich kid because of your inability to speak Tagalog, and their hostility is gonna manifest in one way or another. I have a rough time growing up with such punks and druggies, and the way that the dissident Right in the West talk about deporting the "refugees" from Europe, their behavior reminds me a lot of them. But if your face has a lighter complexion you would have experienced the opposite treatment of being placated by Filipinos.