Why is it that the Philippines government seem to hate foreigners.

It could have something to do with the Spanish coming in on wooden sailing ships and taking control of their country for about 200 years. Also the U.S. had a significant military presence in the Philippines until Mt. Pinatubo errupted in the early 90's. Now the U.S. president thinks interfering in Philippine affairs is acceptable behavior. The Philippine government, naturally, disagrees with being told what they should do and how they should do it. They believe they have the right to govern themseves as THEY see fit. I can't say that I blame them for taking a dim view of what they call foreign interference.

Carl Isom

Or just maybe they finally realize that many other countries have transformed/improved so much just in the past 50-60yrs leaving much more to be desired here....sadly anything is only earned through sheer hard work; perserverance and offcourse with a little luck... btw nothing is given/achieved for free...even
freeeedooom comes with a price tag. (Omo)

Manwonder,

When it comes to the price of freedom you're singing to the choir with me. I did 23 years in the Air Force. 3 combat tours in Afghanistan and 3 combat tours in Iraq. That doesn't count the 6 months I spent in the Persian Gulf area for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I've loaded Human remains in flag draped coffins on airplanes , and handed wifes and mothers the three corner folded flag at military funerals. I GET IT! I retired in 2005, and to this day there are things that I saw and did that I won't talk about.

carlisom78 wrote:

Manwonder,

When it comes to the price of freedom you're singing to the choir with me. I did 23 years in the Air Force. 3 combat tours in Afghanistan and 3 combat tours in Iraq. That doesn't count the 6 months I spent in the Persian Gulf area for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I've loaded Human remains in flag draped coffins on airplanes , and handed wifes and mothers the three corner folded flag at military funerals. I GET IT! I retired in 2005, and to this day there are things that I saw and did that I won't talk about.

“hear ye, hear ye”

Ever hear of  Douglas MacArthur a five star US General and Field Marshall of the Philippine Army?

Many years ago quite by accident I met a Filipino man in the states who knew General MacArthur. MacArthur was revered by a generation of Filipinos who are all dead. (old age).

FindlayMacD wrote:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1394334/doh-foreigners-inclusion-in-covid-19-vaccine-program-under-review

This is old news.

Just because the Department of Health said initially that they were thinking about not including foreigners in their Covid vaccination program doesn't mean they hate them.

In February when this article was published, the vaccine hadn't even arrived in the Philippines. As in ZERO, NADA, NOTHING to share with anyone. The 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine mentioned in the article didn't even arrive. The reality is first world countries have first priority because they have power and the money to pay for it.

First one that arrived in the Philippines in March: a Sinovac donation. It was followed by a bit of Astra Zeneca, then Sinovac again, then Sputnik V, then FINALLY in mid-May Pfizer has trickled in but reserved for frontliners / health care workers.

23 year Air Force Vet Carl-- My dad was Gen Curtis Lemay's right hand man(Squadran adjutant) CWO-4 at Offutt AFB) 12 years  and retired in 1966 with near 30 years active duty. He worked in the underground "vault" in top secret all or mostly classified environment. I enjoyed being an air force brat-best branch of the military as far as I am concerned. Had 1 older brother(marines) 1 younger brother 101st air borne both over in Nam 1967-1968 same time but never even saw each other. It was a useless war just like all of them-all political. Only justified war was WW ll as Japan attacked our shores. Thanks for your service to our country. It would be awesome if we didnt have anymore wars that sole purpose is to  line the politicians pockets, I dont care for this administration but if the brave men and women in Afganistan or any other country we shouldnt be in are able to return home to America it will be one good thing this administration has accomplished. If its not stopped now it will go on another 20 years. What a waste of human lives and taxpayers dollars! There's no rationale!Jimmy in Baguio city

Not odd they give higher priority to Filipinos. 
It's only stupid countries as Sweden     which give top priority to new immigrants.  E g  they can get same/similar as my SSS payout WITHOUT never worked in Sweden and never paid anything to the Swedish SSS system!!!

On top of that recently Sweden agreed to pay "citizen salary" to people in SPAIN geting pay even when they don't bother to work because the get such salary anyway!!!

So Sweden is a sinking ship, which make I want extra much to move to Phils   

What a remarkable name for this discussion thread.

I live 15 years in the Ph, I don't feel hated at all. And concerning vaccination, I now know several non-Philippinos who have ben vaccinated already and for free.

I dont think the Philippines hates the US Gov.I think its a bit of a love-hate relationship. Remember we helped the Philippines with WW ll when the Japs invaded Philippines. We had the crazy short war with Philippines when the Spanish gave the islands to the USA, end of 1800.We should have just given the Philippines to the Philippines and not had that war, Some here are still bitter over it. We did help build settlements after that 1898 war and even built Baguio City where I live with the help of Philippino and Chinese workers and I assume some American workers as well.. !st Gov I believe was  William Taft who also was a SCOTUS Justice  and 27th POTUS, All American governors up until about 1927. The popular jeepneys here were left by us troops after WW ll and a Philippino guy came up with the idea of  turning them into transport vehicles which they did. Seems like countries like us when we help them but no so much when we dont and they will call on us for help when they do need it.I believe the Philippines and the USA have a good relationship and the President here knows he can call on us for help if there is trouble here with china or any other country .I have lived here long enough to love this country but still get a little homesick once in a while,JIMMY

I understand they don't want foreigners to buy up LAND in Phils,

BUT law make it SEEM to hate foreigners is NOT allowing foreigners to have the power in BUSINESSES (except "export businesss") even in businesses foreigners have financed fully!!!  That's BAD for the PHILIPPINES because:
/I suppouse many expats SKIP to finance and start businesses in Phils because of that....
/There ARE Filipinos with good business skill, some by education, some by being street smart, BUT there is a big shortage of such knowledge among Filipinos, which have made many oppotunities have got screwed up and a lot of often OFW money have been WASTED. At same time there are many expats in Phils with skills and experience not in use...

But it seem to be even worse. I'm not sure but according to a Filiipino interpreeter of the law it isn't even allowed to be a business dominated by foreign KNOWLEDGE!!!   

(It took me years to find a Filipino with knowledge enough to make my compleeting knowledge a minority...)

coach53 wrote:

(It took me years to find a Filipino with knowledge enough to make my compleeting knowledge a minority...)

This point of view may also depend in the culture of the foreigner's origin. Many a people think they are better than the other. This is not to say that applies to this post.
Talented Filipinos may have found jobs outside the country for better compensation. Brain drain is a real thing. One thing I had been hearing for a very long time is that the wealth in the Philippines is not distributed.

I think the premise by the OP was off base. Just because a government doesn't prioritize foreigners for a much needed vaccine, doesn't mean "they hate foreigners". They're just doing their job, by prioritizing their own citizens. There was plenty of upset folks in the US when it was discovered foreigners were coming in for vaccines, as there should have been, imho.

Of course foreigners will get the vaccine at some point as they are living in country. So it makes sense.

Jackson4 wrote:

coach53 wrote:

(It took me years to find a Filipino with knowledge enough to make my compleeting knowledge a minority...)

This point of view may also depend in the culture of the foreigner's origin. Many a people think they are better than the other.

Well. Not cultural by I think I'm better than Swedes too  haha
but Filipinos are much better than I at languages.

Jackson4 wrote:

Talented Filipinos may have found jobs outside the country for better compensation. Brain drain is a real thing.

Yes.  And many poor never get a chance by no access to start capital. not even from the programs ment for that!    (I have long stories about that, but I jump that now because off topic   

Jackson4 wrote:

One thing I had been hearing for a very long time is that the wealth in the Philippines is not distributed.

Yes. 10 families have almost all power at national level and similar with the wealth.

capricornrising wrote:

23 year Air Force Vet Carl-- My dad was Gen Curtis Lemay's right hand man(Squadran adjutant) CWO-4 at Offutt AFB) 12 years  and retired in 1966 with near 30 years active duty. He worked in the underground "vault" in top secret all or mostly classified environment. I enjoyed being an air force brat-best branch of the military as far as I am concerned. Had 1 older brother(marines) 1 younger brother 101st air borne both over in Nam 1967-1968 same time but never even saw each other. It was a useless war just like all of them-all political. Only justified war was WW ll as Japan attacked our shores. Thanks for your service to our country. It would be awesome if we didnt have anymore wars that sole purpose is to  line the politicians pockets, I dont care for this administration but if the brave men and women in Afganistan or any other country we shouldnt be in are able to return home to America it will be one good thing this administration has accomplished. If its not stopped now it will go on another 20 years. What a waste of human lives and taxpayers dollars! There's no rationale!Jimmy in Baguio city

“hear ye, hear ye”

pnwcyclist wrote:

I think the premise by the OP was off base. Just because a government doesn't prioritize foreigners for a much needed vaccine, doesn't mean "they hate foreigners". They're just doing their job, by prioritizing their own citizens. There was plenty of upset folks in the US when it was discovered foreigners were coming in for vaccines, as there should have been, imho.

Of course foreigners will get the vaccine at some point as they are living in country. So it makes sense.

I agree. It's understandable if a government decides to prioritize its own citizens before non-citizens especially when the vaccine is in such short supply.

As per emnavingen, there are non-Filipinos who had been vaccinated here in the Philippines for free. I'm a dual citizen, and I haven't been vaccinated because I'm under category C, i.e., I'm not a senior citizen, and I don't have any health issues / comorbidities.  My husband, our housekeeper and driver are all in the same category as I. We'll probably get our turn in October 2021.   My parents will get their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine this week.

As per the US Embassy website, American citizens here in the Philippines should contact / coordinate with their local government unit (LGU) if they want to receive the vaccine.

[link under review]

Well that could/may be a valid reason as far as the covid jabs go....however the way in which many "SRRV holders" were/are being refused  entry into the Philippines sure leaves a very bad after taste.
(OMO)

coach53 wrote:

Not odd they give higher priority to Filipinos. 
It's only stupid countries as Sweden     which give top priority to new immigrants.  E g  they can get same/similar as my SSS payout WITHOUT never worked in Sweden and never paid anything to the Swedish SSS system!!!

On top of that recently Sweden agreed to pay "citizen salary" to people in SPAIN geting pay even when they don't bother to work because the get such salary anyway!!!

So Sweden is a sinking ship, which make I want extra much to move to Phils   

This is similar to whats happening in many other developed countries & something to do with the local young couples not wanting to have children whereas immigrant couples seem like they do/will...looks to me like its a "quick fix" as the kids of these immigrants also grow up in these developed countries & they too find that they don't want kids as much as their immigrant parents once did & so the can is kept being kicked down the road...or like you say "till they sink".
(OMO)

capricornrising, General Lemay was a GREAT leader. He was retired before I joined. But, If I had served under hin I would have willing followed him into hell and back.

Vietnam was the first place I ever loaded a flag draped coffin of human remains into the cargo bay of my C-130. I've since loaded flag draped coffins on airplanes in Afghanistan and Iraq. We were on a "repatriation" mission to fly in teams searching for Human remains of MIA's,
Then we'd haul the previous team out of country. Well on my second repat mission I had the honor of flying the human remains of three individuals out of Vietnam to Thailand where we refueled and swapped flight crews. Then we flew the HR to Hickam AFB, HI. As we were loading their remains on my airplane I remeber thinking "This is as real as it gets." Then I cried for the families who were FINALLY going to get to give their loved ones the proper burials they deserved. Even now those missions are the ones out my entire 23 year career that I am most proud of. We got the honor of being allowed to help do the right thing for those families.

Coach 53-Bussinesses struggle with any business here generally speaking they are not good business men/women. Extreme poor management. I am a previous business owner in California several decades ago. Business principles dont change. Walk into any store here like DYI and they have a dozen employees mostly standing around when you only really need 3 or 4 on a busy day. I have seen them sitting down in the back of the store (4-5 of them)taking a nap or playing with their cell phones. This is not good business/management. Its good that these employees have work to make money but the owner of the business is not making much of a profit to allow this to happen. The management in Philippines, Korea and China is terrible and again may employees standing or sitting around doing nothing. Something that really IS annoying and hard to get used to when you go into a restaurant and they have a big 6 foot colorful sign out in front with something really appetizing and you walk in and you order it you get a 'Sorry-out of stock" So then you ask for a menu and say "Well how about his?" and again they say "Out of stock" This is just common sense POOR management. There multi tasking is also a pain in the butt. you are at the counter trying to pay for your item and someone else walks in and they start waiting on them. And then by that time theres a bit of irritation but easy to shine it on. Then after that happens 3 or 4 times consecutively while people are buying their ciggs its just plain rude. Or they butt in line in front of you. I guess children are not taught proper manners in Asia like Americans are, I say this because  the rude people dont even realize what they are doing and think its natural to do these things. USA is called the greatest country in the world for many reasons -one being that we are taught courtesy at a young age. Asians arent as their actions speak louder than words. I am still dammm proud to be born and raised in the greatest country in the world.Just cant afford to live there.Jimmy in Baguio(Big time POOR management anywhere in Asia(Havent lived in Japan-been there several times.They seem to be more business minded)

An other thing about "hate" is charge foreigners higher at touriss spots even oficial sins saying much higher prices for foreigners.  So not enough with the foreigner pay for the Filipina wife's many following uncles and third cousin... 
But that's no problem for me because I don't like tourist places anyway   

"Kano prices" elsewhere is an other thing.  But that can be solved by
/sending a Filipino to buy it
/become friend an buy from same ones. One even said "I don't count you as foreigner anymore".
/Can "vote with feet" = don't buy from then who charge to high. 
A foreigner and his Filipina wife was at a farmers market, but walked separate each looking ffor what they wanted. The foreigner found something hard to find:
-How much?
-50.
This he ffound outrageous so he went through the huge market to look for better price, but didn't find any so when it was time to go home his wife went to buy.
-Magkano?
-50.
The foreigner had thought it was per EACH, but it was per KILO, so very CHEAP so he bought all and had wasted much time seaching for better price   

An oppinion among Filipinos, who ask "Kano prices", is  "It's their fault if they don't know cirrect prices".
So learn correct prices     and it can assist too to manage to buy and hagle in the local language .  I mean when it's any importance.  I don't bother to pay to much to someone very poor selling for instance a fruit, but Ibother to show - ssmilin - Iknow it's to high to keep reputation this foreigner is to hard to fool   

(Not sure i they try to fool us in a business deal or if they are idiots - which they are too if they believe I can be fooled that easy    but they want us to send big downpayment to owner abroad BEFORE they sign and send the contract to Phils.  NO WAY I agree to such..)

manwonder wrote:

.or like you say "till they sink".

Not sinking of the reason I wrote in this topic just sinking faster   

The main reason I predicted 25 years ago "rich" countries' economy would sink is because so many jobs have moved abroad.  In the long run countries can't manage that. USA has since I predicted that got lowered credit rate and that's only the start. ..
I predictED this will go on until the salary gap between high and low salary countries have become small enough to be worth to take the jobs home again,
BUT I have adjusted my prediction to it's possible these productions will NEVER be moved back to the "rich" ccountries because the demand in the low salary production countries grow much when they earn more, so why would companies move their productions "home" away from these growing markets... 
And GOOD education as e g engineers grow much in countries as e g India and China, so they can "take" these jobs too for lower costs for companies. Some perhaps say companies better be kind and keep jobs in their home countries.  Some can by their products have high transport costs, but if others try, then their jobs will be lost anyway by they go bankruptcy...

Carl-Doesnt sound like you had much of a fun job. No job over there was. Older brother Tom in Marines was in motor transportation and younger brother Jack in the 101st  Air Borne was trained to jump out of planes, Not something I would do. Younger brother was a cook. Received the bronze star when he was 18. Never talked about it. Both came back with PSTD but are quite functional. Personalities are pretty much established when we are about 18 yrs old. My brothers personalities havent changed. Older Bro Tom is a bit of a talker and a flirt. Used to always flirt with my girlfriend (my older bros wife's younger sister)when I was in my twenties. Thats a part of his personality that has never changed. jack still a quiet guy like he always was. Had an insecurity complex and i believe thats a reason he went into the Army at age 17(lied about his age) Wars are all an unnecessary evil.Started with the war in Heaven with Michael and Lucifer. That war was necessary in order for our existence and for evil and good to exist. Example of good verses evil in our government going  on now. Everything USUALLY has a way of working out the way it should. Have to wait and see how Nov 2022 comes out.JIMMY

capricornrising wrote:

Coach 53-Bussinesses struggle with any business here generally speaking they are not good business men/women. Extreme poor management.

That's GOOD for me, because  it make it much easier for us to beat the competition           (with a Filipino being the face of our business).
Most Filipino businesses and organisations don't even answer AT ALL at inqueries from possible customers!!!  (An exception is SOME real estate agents.) A few others answer in 2 week - 2 months instead of what I  keep as absolute max =2 days, but mostly fast. 
Chineese answer in SECONDS... 

capricornrising wrote:

I am a previous business owner in California several decades ago. Business principles dont change.

Yes. So a skilled business leader can successully lead any business if find partner/employees covering the needed specific knowledge of the business in question.
(That's why I as business consultant have managed solving problems/improve results in very diferent business types as e g distribution, education, computers, caretaking, shops...)

capricornrising wrote:

Walk into any store here like DYI and they have a dozen employees mostly standing around when you only really need 3 or 4 on a busy day.

It's common though they earn by commisions at sales they make, but bad management anyway.

capricornrising wrote:

The management in Philippines, Korea and China is terrible and again may employees standing or sitting around doing nothing.)

I ssuppoue many business skilled Chineese have let China generations ago   
It's common in Phils the successful have chinese blood.  E g he who founded CEbu Pasific and Globe and brroke the meat (pork?) monopoly mant years ago.

capricornrising wrote:

you are at the counter trying to pay for your item and someone else walks in and they start waiting on them. And then by that time theres a bit of irritation but easy to shine it on. Then after that happens 3 or 4 times consecutively while people are buying their ciggs its just plain rude. Or they butt in line in front of you.)

Well.  Poor Filipinos are treated bad too so not only foreigners. Richer Filipinos - and them trying to claim they are rich but are broke by they pend more than they afford to LOOK rich     - expect o get handled first.
It can have to do with too Filipinos in average are bad organiced and queues are about organicing   

capricornrising wrote:

I guess children are not taught proper manners in Asia like Americans are, I say this because  the rude people dont even realize what they are doing and think its natural to do these things. USA is called the greatest country in the world for many reasons -one being that we are taught courtesy at a young age.

Well. I claim average Fiipino kids behave much better than American - and Swedish - kids. Except concerning throwing garbage everywhere 
Perhaps they don't behave good towards you because of your attitude towards them?   
Beside the gold diggers, who find me being a kuripot    (=stingy) , most Filipinos like me. And except richer part of Manila Filipinos, because I cought them lieing, which many of them do a lot 

Well. USA is BIG but it's Americans - and people from poor countries who don't know   - not West Europeans or Australians, who say USA is greatest. 
I saw am AMERICAN documentary TV program about people from other countries coming to USA to marry Americans.  E g a man find Spain much better than USA but agreed to move to USA because his American fiancee didn't want to move to Spain.  Beside the weather Spain is among  the LEAST good west European countries but he found Spain much better than USA anyway...
And an Ukrainian women THOUGHT USA was great, but found  it very disapointing when she got there,  she even thought of going home allready the first day...  Ukraine is below average of European countries...

Hi everyone,

Kindly note that i am closing this thread.
We received a few complaints stating that the title of the original post has no relation with the body of the post.

Besides, first posts with only links and no further explanation are not accepted.

Thank you,

Priscilla
Expat.com Team

[ Topic closed ]