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GF and Extent of Her Family Involvement

Last activity 23 June 2022 by Cheryl

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Inkwell
thewoodenpotter wrote:

To some extent its Caveat emptor you need to be able to discern quality products when you see them and not be driven by price. Many Philos price is very important and Ormoc is a reasonably sized town/city which should enable you to get good quality items. I for one have been to and through Ormoc many times and I am quite familiar and where you shop makes a difference. Consider the new SM or Giasanos if they are still around avoid the marketplace unless you know the product. I do buy the cheap rubbish from time to time ie thongs or flip flops as I use them the duration of my stay and leave them behind.


Yeah thanks.
I am trying to learn. In general the customer service is great, but I really have no background/understanding of these Asian Brands... so it is tough!
I was thinking about possibly starting to purchase things online, but that seems like a challenge in terms of receiving the product.

moonunit0103

Thanks for the replies.  I have not had any trouble since we spoke about her planning things and spending my funds to include her family.  It wasn't a bunch, but I could see a pattern and wanted to stop it from continuing.  I told her that she needed to ask before making plans with others that included me.  I have read that it is assumed that whomever is more affluent picks up the tab if in a restaurant, but not sure if that is the custom or BS.

GuestPoster1650

Moonunit13,

When dating, I never cared too much about spending some money. What better could I spend it on ? Also, I am a gentleman, so I pick up the bill, with a smile.

For me, it's okay if she invites some friends and family. I like meeting them as it tells me a lot about her. I also understand what a big deal it is for the friends and family.

I didn't expose myself too much, and there are certain boundaries. If money was really all they cared for, I moved on quickly. 

I've lived in many countries around the world, and had some good and some bad experiences, but when I met a Philippina for the first time in my life, I fell in love head over heels. Beautiful, funny, well-educated. It took me a lot of time and effort to win her

moonunit0103

That is another way to look at it. My concern was not discussing plans before putting things into action.

Wellsfry

I had a similar experience with my now fiancee about 1.5 years ago.  My first meeting I was met at the Manila terminal 1 by not only the girl I met online, and had chatted with for 3 months, but her entire family in a van(10people)..
All was fine that night... they dropped her and I off at the hotel(very trusting I thought because I was 50, and she was 26)... anyways...(I did get a room with 2 beds, and that is how the first night was.. lol)  anyways... the next morning the family met us at the hotel in the rented van, and we went to breakfast..
The van driver came with also. And recommended a restaurant his friend owned(I found out after)... It felt a little weird because my new girlfriend kept saying "up to you" when we ordered... and it was a seafood place in Manila.... anyways... after everyone ate like kings... the 6000p bill was handed to me.  The funny part was I still had not exchanged money, so had no peso, they did not accept u.s. Bill's or credit cards... so they had to pay... I watched as her family all gathered basically all the money they had between them and paid it... luckily one had their rent money or I do not think they would have had enough....  I had a heart to heart chat after that, and it has never happened again.  My fiancee is the best thing that has happened to me.  She is stunningly beautiful, and takes AMAZING care of my every need, and she is freakishly frugal with money.  I do give her an allowance of 100 u.s. every 2 weeks, and basically most of it goes to family from what I see... but I am good with that.  I have on occassion treated for some family events, but most of the time, I just show up, and everything is done.  My fiancee has had a couple struggles becasue she is sooo sweet with others thinking she is rich because of me... and ask her for money.  She is learning however, and now demands interest from the small loans that she is asked for... lol...

Long story short... Yes... if your a foreigner, you are rich... that's all there is to it...  ohhh... and if you go shopping, I suggest letting your filipina shop, and you stay back a ways so you do not pay the foreigner price.

.... and ALWAYS control your own money.  She does not touch my money unless I say, although now I am looser since I know she is much more frugal than me, and never abuses it.

bigpearl

Slowly slowly like this post.

powerkiter120

I quickly made a rule they can order anything on the menu but if it costs more than mine they pay the difference to stop the ordering and wasting most of it.
Worked wonders especially if I just ordered soup lol
My wife's mother came over to the UK she soon  realised we weren't rich by western standards especially when she knew or mortgage gas electric food etc etc
And that we saved every penny so we can visit the Philippines every year

Wellsfry

That's an I interesting way to do it.  I treated the family(10) to Jolly bee on the way to a day beach trip where I rented a jeepnee for the day. And should have done this!  Lol... I ordered a normal meal deal, and did not monitor the orders of the rest. Got to the table and the food started coming.  Everyone else ordered 2 meal deals each, and ice cream... lol... it was still only like 2000 pesos so about 4 dollars each (40 bucks) but I was a bit surprised.
It is all about control.  If you take control when you know you are paying, or decide to treat... just control it, and it's all good.  This all happened last year.  I have since treated the family to Shakey's, and Jolly bees, and also dinner a couple of times, but now we ave the family just sit down, and me and my fiancee go up and order for all.  It's all good now.  I remember that first time at Jolly Bee, my fiancee recognized what happened right away, and leaned over and whispered in my ear "sorry. They ordered too much", we talked later, and came up with the simple plan to control it any time we go to dinner.  It's more fun in the Philippines!  Lol...

mugtech

I am a retired accountant, allow my wife to handle the money.  I give her $1,000/month which pays for all of our expenses for the month except cable and internet.  She buys all the food, she pays for the trips, decides which family members come with us and who pays what.  The family only ever sees me pay for books and t-shirts.  $1,000 is a lot when there is no rent or mortgage, electric about $50/month, but any "emergencies" come out of that money.  We have been eating and traveling well, and after 6 months my bank account has grown just with SSA deposits.  My wife also gets a monthly SSA check, so she also has plenty of backup.

Jackson4

Here is the rule I am using:
I don't (or try not to) give charity just because a relative wants/need something.
Instead, my wife and I paid college tuition fees so they can have a better chance getting a better paying job. If the child is failing subjects, we advise to get a course he/she can complete otherwise we pull back on the money. There is no use wasting his/her time and my money.
I read from another member's entry that they look at him as a walking ATM.

Wellsfry

How much is college tuition there per month?

manwonder

"PISA" ....1st refer to the rating & then decide accordingly!

Jackson4

For a Philippine citizen, just under USD 1000 per semester at the University of Santo Tomas.
A private Catholic university in Manila.

pnwcyclist

University of Cebu is $5-600/sem.  San Carlos University in Cebu about $1000/sem. Plus books in both cases. My GF just finished up a 2 year IT certification program at UC. I also have two kids in private schools - roughly $1000/yr each, plus books and supplies. It is a great deal to give them a decent education, compared to the useless public schools.

Wellsfry

Wow... pretty good... Alot different than my son at Oregon State University.   Luckily he is in scholarship, but normally it would be 50k per year for what he is given.

GuestPoster1650
moonunit0103 wrote:

Hi,

After spending 6 weeks traveling with my GF through the Central Visayas, we go to Ormoc, Leyte, to visit her family.  I have been letting her handling my money and she keeps meticulous records for our travels, and assumed  she would be as frugal once home.

Her family is very nice, but it seems that everything we do, there are cousins and friends whom she invites, which is assumed I will pay for everything.  She had mentioned going to Kalanggaman Island, and instead of the two of us, 30 of her family joins us, with me paying for the boat and most of the food. I bit my lip, and tried to be a good sport. I mentioned to her that some things I would like not to do as a family, bit as a couple, as well as me wanting to know what plans are instead of having things spring on me.

A few days later, we visit Tacloban  for an overnight stay (assuming this would be a couples trip), and she later tells me a couple of her friends are meeting us for dinner, and at the end of the meal, I wound up footing the bill.

The next morning she said we were meeting another of her friends, and I told her no.  I drove back to Ormoc not sure what to say. Once I calmed down, I sat her down and told her that she needs to check with me first before assuming I will be paying for whatever she wants you do and treating her family and friends. I also reminded her that sometimes I would like to do some thing just as a couple. She apologized and started crying, but I think my point was taken.

Is this typical? Should I not let her have access to my money?  I am really hoping this will not be a pattern.


It is typical to a point. A lot of expats do experience that.Think about how you can set limits in the future and how you will talk to your GF about that.

Enzyte Bob

I was thinking  the beginning  of the problem is when America had bases at Subic Bay and Clark. I can only guess how many service men (maybe hundreds of thousands) over a period of years. Think of the impact on a third world impoverish nation.

Put two & two together, this was the creation of the monster, thousands of horny guys, too much money, too much booze and too many hot sexy babes poor babes.

Now today the Australian Sex Tourist trade, thousands of Aussies on sex tours each year enjoying their bacchanal, no holding back, "get" while the going is good.

Now all these tales drift back to thousands of losers back home thinking with money they can buy love and have a hot young sex slave, just answer an ad on one of the many web sites.

Now for the women of the Philippines, they have been condition to get all they can from Expats or future Expats because these foreigners have money to throw around or at least from what they have seen or heard. This is one of the few options for them or get an education and become an overseas worker. For them they are between a rock and a hard place, with a foreigner possibly one of the few hopes.

pnwcyclist
Wellsfry wrote:

Wow... pretty good... Alot different than my son at Oregon State University.   Luckily he is in scholarship, but normally it would be 50k per year for what he is given.


Haha go Beavers! Great school, Corvallis.. I lived in West Linn for many years.

pnwcyclist
W9XR wrote:

I was thinking  the beginning  of the problem is when America had bases at Subic Bay and Clark. I can only guess how many service men (maybe hundreds of thousands) over a period of years. Think of the impact on a third world impoverish nation.

Put two & two together, this was the creation of the monster, thousands of horny guys, too much money, too much booze and too many hot sexy babes poor babes.

Now today the Australian Sex Tourist trade, thousands of Aussies on sex tours each year enjoying their bacchanal, no holding back, "get" while the going is good.

Now all these tales drift back to thousands of losers back home thinking with money they can buy love and have a hot young sex slave, just answer an ad on one of the many web sites.

Now for the women of the Philippines, they have been condition to get all they can from Expats or future Expats because these foreigners have money to throw around or at least from what they have seen or heard. This is one of the few options for them or get an education and become an overseas worker. For them they are between a rock and a hard place, with a foreigner possibly one of the few hopes.


I think you're right. The poor Filipinas mostly worship white guys. My GF had two older sisters marry Americans and she grew up wanting the same. And a mixed baby. They are almost racist about it, lol. But as you mention, it is one of the few options available if they want to get out of poverty. I don't blame them in the least. I just feel bad when guys take advantage of them.

manwonder
W9XR wrote:

I was thinking  the beginning  of the problem is when America had bases at Subic Bay and Clark. I can only guess how many service men (maybe hundreds of thousands) over a period of years. Think of the impact on a third world impoverish nation.

Put two & two together, this was the creation of the monster, thousands of horny guys, too much money, too much booze and too many hot sexy babes poor babes.

Now today the Australian Sex Tourist trade, thousands of Aussies on sex tours each year enjoying their bacchanal, no holding back, "get" while the going is good.

Now all these tales drift back to thousands of losers back home thinking with money they can buy love and have a hot young sex slave, just answer an ad on one of the many web sites.

Now for the women of the Philippines, they have been condition to get all they can from Expats or future Expats because these foreigners have money to throw around or at least from what they have seen or heard. This is one of the few options for them or get an education and become an overseas worker. For them they are between a rock and a hard place, with a foreigner possibly one of the few hopes.


Sad as it is...Life in general was never meant to be fair/just to begin with!

GuestPoster1650

W9XR

I agree with all  you said. Sex tourists need to be caned and then put back on the plane.

manwonder
Philippine Destiny wrote:

W9XR

I agree with all  you said. Sex tourists need to be caned and then put back on the plane.


Philippines. Corporalpunishment is prohibited...Need to go to Singapore for that!

GuestPoster1650
manwonder wrote:
Philippine Destiny wrote:

W9XR

I agree with all  you said. Sex tourists need to be caned and then put back on the plane.


Philippines. Corporalpunishment is prohibited...Need to go to Singapore for that!


I remember vaguely some kid vandalized several cars years ago and was caned. It was a media frenzy in the US.

manwonder

Yup...Michael Peter Fay (born May 30, 1975), better known simply as Michael Fay, is an American citizen who was the subject of international attention in 1994 when he was sentenced to six strokes of the cane in Singapore for theft and vandalism at age 18.

GuestPoster1650

Just wanted to reiterate to OP that what he is experiencing is not necessarily a negative.

Filipinos help each other. And there is sometimes an expectation for those who have more to help those who have less. Not always, but it seems that you are in that situation.

Just be patient and observant to take your time to discern what the nature of it is. You know where your limit is. You are a kind person and I know that you will be skillful in explaining your boundaries to your GF.

manwonder

Michael Fay now Has A Beard And Is A Respectable Casino Manager.

adriano69
@moonunit0103


I met an honest woman in davao last week. She organised a meal for 30 of her family and friends. When i asked who was paying she sheepishly said i was. When I refused(but offered to pay for 10), she had her bags packed in an hour, the taxi was booked and she was heading home. When i said i would pay she said it was too late. She wrecked my holiday. She told me this on the first full day of the holiday. She showed no signs of this before the holiday although she did politely request me to book certain hotels before i got there.
FindlayMacD

@adriano69  It seems you didn't learn the rules of the game before you came to the Philippines, it's not the girl you have to impress it's her family, if you can't impress her family hen your a waste of time.

Rita Suan
@adhe riano69

Hello sir Adriano.. I'm so sorry to  hear that ..find another woman a lot of woman goodluck
clinty54
@Wellsfry

Great message.

I'm in Leyte and my storey is similar.

Meeting the family. Paying for meals Etc.

But like you say the women are beautiful inside and out when you find the right one.

Take care .

Clint.
Wellsfry
@adriano69 That sucks... Wow... But true... I am with my second filipina... for the last 2+ years... and I had the similar experience when I met my first filipina about 4 years ago... we met at the terminal in Manila... we... as in her and her family of 13 people all packed in a van... I was shocked... but rolled with it... they asked if I was hingry...and I said sure..  we can stop for a bite... well .. the driver(not part of family) said he knew a good place... and they all agreed... so again... I rolled with it... I was naive back then... anyways... turns out this driver got a kick back from the owner (friend) of the seafood restaurant... And when we arrived... my girlfriend said it was up to me to order... FOR EVERYONE... I was pretty shocked... lol ... anyways... 6000 pesos later ($120 bucks) ...  they then happily dropped us off at the hotel I had booked, and they drove back to their house... needless to say my ex girlfriend and I had a heart to heart to explain culture, and expectations... so from then on, I told her plans are never made or discussed with any family or friends unless I am part if it FIRST... so I have more control... yes I did more... did the boat to the island and purchased a big fish etc... but i figure as long as your not blindsided with surprises... and control it some... then really it isn't all that bad... you can be creative and get away pretty cheap really... just buy Food and let them cook...  my fiancee now is basically the same... same expectations, except we started on the right foot, and she honors me by asking first, discussing, THEN asking family, friends... etc...  and I have to say this... I was married for 28 years to an American woman... and the difference is AMAZING... I am treated like a king DAILY... and have seen zero change in the 113 weeks I have been with my fiancee... 

Fyi... that first "manila" girlfriend i found out had a pinoy on the Side when I was in the states... so ya... kicked her to the curb the second I found out... which was my 4th trip in the first year of our relationship...

There are good and bad... I found my province farm girl in Mindanao... we now have an apartment in Dipolog... and I could not be happier.  Now I am buying a beach house... (carefully) and we will also be married...  Life is Good.


Lotus Eater
@adriano69



Did she have 'Honest' written on the front of her t-shirt?
FindlayMacD
So often the family of a Filipina who finds a foreigner bf seem to think they've won the lottery (the whole family, and sometimes the extended family) and all of their financial problems have been solved overnight, unfortunately for the Filipina in question, when this turns out not to be the case IE when the foreigner in question realises he being taken for a mug and decides not to play ball, the Flipina in question has no choice other than to dump him, because she has promised so much to her family which she can no longer deliver.
Cherryann01
If you think paying for a meal for a load of relatives is bad, I chatted to a Filipino woman working in Saudi and arranged to visit her in Tacloban when her contract was up. She was like yes I will stay with you in the hotel, make love, chill, go out exploring.

When I got there I was grilled by her gran, told we had to have a chaperone and asked to provide for the whole family so the woman did not have to go back to work in Saudi. All this in a matter of hours. I declined.

But now I have a great relationship with a beautiful woman from Mindanao and a beautiful 2 year old daughter who I have just been to see
powerkiter120

@adriano69  good riddance to bad rubbish she was a user

Nightfish
Moonunit013,

Your gf isn't naive she knows you are a retired dentist from the usa which means you.have. assets.

30 years age difference, you connect the dots.

Have fun but keep your real money or enough of it to yourself, at least for a few years and then go from there.
coach53

I met an honest woman in davao last week. She organised a meal for 30 of her family and friends. When i asked who was paying she sheepishly said i was. When I refused(but offered to pay for 10), she had her bags packed in an hour, the taxi was booked and she was heading home. When i said i would pay she said it was too late. She wrecked my holiday. She told me this on the first full day of the holiday. She showed no signs of this before the holiday although she did politely request me to book certain hotels before i got there.
- @adriano69

Do you count that as an honest woman?!

Better you got your holiday than your life wrecked...   smile.png

Better expect some.


I dont remember if I have told this:
A friend of mine were going to marry a Filipina, and had told he will get a house at price level 2 - 3 million pesos, because they lived 5 hours from the airport and my friend didnt like to go that bad road. The family would get the bottom floor, the second floor himself and wife when they would be there part of year.

They had decided they will marriage and when, but hadnt have any engagement party and he would be there only once before the marriage, so it was a misstake by him  to think it wouldnt be any then   smile.png
BUT when he arrived they had allready decided the party would be in a few days and WITHOUT ASKING him they had ordered TEN pigs to be eaten at that party!!! My friend got so angry so he CANCELED the wedding and started looking for someone else to marry...
Wellsfry

@coach53 I would have also... 10 pigs is like 50k... not cool...B-Bye 👋🏼

Wellsfry

@Nightfish True... Best thing to do is never let them know how much money you have... NEVER.  I haven't... i put us on a budget when I am there, which is 2 months on... 2 off... I budget $500 a week... MORE than enough to play and do whatever we want...

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