Disgusting places: Manila to Mindanao

[pennybarry]

I think that is correct title of the program last night about Philippines.
I didn't expect to watch the dark side:omg:
I was expecting they will promote Philippines, but then it's real and true.
Poverty, Imelda's wealth, squatters etc.

[alicat]

yah,im a bit dissapointed as well.its not fair

[Mrs.JMajor]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:bigcry::bigcry:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:CompBuster:

[ginapeterb]

I also watched the program last night, I think if you want to be objective, it was pretty well balanced, yes you could say, they focused on the poor of Manila, Mrs Marco's dubious ill begotten wealth, and of course the Muslim struggle in Mindanao.

The program quite rightly starts in the North of the Philippines, at the Banaue Rice terraces, more of an Ecological look at what's happening to what is considered to be the 8th wonder of the world, I thought listening it was a fair and unbiased look at this area.

Then the move to the Capital city Manila was also in my view a pretty fair take on what's happening there, my wife and I were quite bemused to see people living in the cemetery and their innovative way of etching out a living.

I thought it quite Filipino through and through, that you get the casket space for 5 years, and if you do not pay, your bones are taken out, quite novel and very innovative Filipino business practice.

I also thought to myself, when I saw the millions and millions walking around Qiapo, and central Manila, that it does not take long to come home, and forget about the place you call your second home.

I mean, for instance, you spend a few weeks there, and get back into the Filipino way of life, but how long does it take before you return home, and forget really what the Philippines is like.

Even last year, when I landed in Manila, and walked out NAIA 3 I've always known what to expect, but even the heat, just hit me like a blast furnace, sometimes I would say, "Geeeeze I forgot what the heat is like"

The second thing of course, is when I jump in my car and start driving down town, I would say to my wife "Geeeze I forgot just what driving here is like" "Guzzling old jeepneys, that stop straight in front of you to pick up passengers, without any signal or any incling that something is going to happen"

On top of that, one does forget just what the poverty is really like, lets be honest, we think we understand, but we do not really understand what it's like, seeing the young lady April, with her 10 siblings living in a small Nippa Hut built out of Cardboard and waste wood, and there she was as a student, nice and clean, going to the church to be lectured about the evils of birth control and abortion, brings it home to me once again, that we are really dealing with the most diverse and unusual country in the world.

The mother, who has been told by her eldest daughter to refrain from having any more children, cries and laments on the fact that the babies just keep coming, every time she gets pregnant, its a strain on the economy of this large family.

They are told to cut back on what they eat, because remember, your brothers and sisters who also have to eat, we would ask ourselves the question, if you cannot feed your family, why have so many children, sadly, these choices are not available to these people.

The program moves to Bohol and the de forestation of that island, pushing the Tarsier, out of its natural habitat, and then to Mindanao, to the Muslim insurgency, where it appeared to me, the Muslim teacher in the program was clearly radicalising her own school children, by clearly stating that the region was not part of the Philippines, as they were never conquered by the spanish.

I was not surprised to hear her talk about the children's fathers, being Mujahadeen, or holy warriors, thus showing that different parts of this 7000 plus islands were very difficult to control.

I think as BBC documentary, the program was pretty well presented and appeared to be very fair in its outlook on the Philippines, they were not judgemental in any way, although I thought that Mrs Marco's desire to show the presenter her wealth of some 80 million dollars in a Belgian financial institution and then snatching it back refusing for the bond to be shown on the camera, was pretty sad, considering, she protested that her husband's wealth was from Gold dealing when he was a lawyer.

It did just go to show me, that this country we all have a relationship with, never changes, if you contrast her surroundings in a plus area of Fort Bonifacio, against the area's lived in by the poor, nothing really changes, it always looks the same.

Lest we not forget, that on seeing the documentary last night, my wife remarked, that we are the lucky ones, the ones who have something better in life, let us be all thankful for that.

[ginapeterb]

It's Gina here.....I quite enjoyed watching BBC last night as opposed to some. BBC was not there to promote tourism for the Philippine government, that's not the reason why the documentary was filmed.

I knew about people living at the Manila North Cemetery, it may come as a surprise to the Western world but then it is reality and they are actually making a home right there, raising their family and creating a community of their own. It's sad but then, they seem like they would better be there rather than the dangerous side-streets of Manila.

I love the bit about Palawan and thought of taking Pete there on our holiday. But even beautiful Palawan has its poverty areas which is but fair. But that doesn't stop people visiting Palawan. So no harm done.

What they said about our Catholic Church was true I can't argue with that. And the stampede during the Black the Nazarene procession is happening each year though I'm not one to do that.

Bohol is amazing and the tarsiers too. We love that place but what little protection and preservation they had done to the forest is but a common problem anywhere in the country. So can we blame BBC seeing how poorly we protect our forest????

Cotabato.... even I wouldn't dare go there... I love my life too much.

All in all Philippines is struggling for years and years except of course for the 10% of the rich distributed all over the country. We have to accept that it is poverty stricken and almost if not all Filipinos who are abroad have to send remittances back home.

There are areas in the Philippines that are awesome and worth your money and time visiting, but I'm not ashamed to admit there are a lot lot more unsightly places than the good ones. But that doesn't stop me loving the Philippines though!

So my credit goes to BBC for delivering it as it was! Well done!

[KeithD]

Pete & Gina tell it as it is in the real world :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[kimmi]

I also enjoyed watching the program last night, for me they really provided balance outlook of the Filipino lives..

They also showed some of the tourist attractions of our country, i.e. chocolate hills, rice terraces and oh the endangered tarsier.

For me they do a good job when they explore the PHILIPPINES.:xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

[PeterB]

Cotabato.... even I wouldn't dare go there...

I wonder whether I will ever get there ... Ruby's father's family are mostly in Cotabato.

[bread2lk]

No matter what they say, I am very proud about my country The Philippines...There are even worst cases or scenarios in other part of the world, I was amaze abt people living in the cemetery, I myself didn't have any idea abt that..And yes it's true sometimes I don't understand why some or most of the Filipinos in the coutryside giving up their beautiful life just to be in Manila even they ended up living under the bridge or in the cemetery but that is their choice and they are happy...Abt the program? yeah it is true, what they did is fair, we don't always expect the good one...

[charlwill]

I enjoyed watching the program last night together with my husband. I felt li'l bit sad about it but then my husband said it really fair observation. What we've seen is very true and we have to accept it "reality really hurts".

[ginapeterb]

No matter how filthy some areas of the Philippines are... no matter how poverty stricken the country is even until now......one of the many things that still comes out of it though is ....... Philippines' gorgeous Filipinas!!!

Black hair.....beautiful olive skin.... sexy charisma....no wonder our husbands are drawn to us.. don't you agree??

Guys..... no mutterings hahahahahahahha because it's very true!

-Gina-

[fred]

No matter how filthy some areas of the Philippines are... no matter how poverty stricken the country is even until now......
-Gina-


I have never really thought of this country as "poverty stricken"..
All the malls are packed with customers and quite often I cant get a seat in Macdonald's.
People in the provinces rarely go hungry like they do in real poverty stricken countries and people seem generally happy..(unlike those in Somalia or in the Congo)
Lots of extremely fertile land land here is left fallow by the locals which does not suggests a lack of food to me..
The poverty stricken in Manila really should go back to their home towns and help grow bannana`s,and sweet potatoes.

[KeithD]

Depends on which definition of 'poverty' you use, remember, 10% of people in the UK live in poverty :icon_lol: :icon_lol: .....my :furious3: :action-smiley-081:

[islander]

I'm also a bit touched by the documentary last night, it would have been nice if they also featured more of the nice places in Philippines. But fair enough, they just showed the truth and reality of Philippines, it feels sad but it's true...

But inspite of that fact... I think that made us FILIPINOS, A STRONG INDIVIDUAL AND A SURVIVOR wherever on the world we go.

[LadyJ]

No matter how filthy some areas of the Philippines are... no matter how poverty stricken the country is even until now......one of the many things that still comes out of it though is ....... Philippines' gorgeous Filipinas!!!

Black hair.....beautiful olive skin.... sexy charisma....no wonder our husbands are drawn to us.. don't you agree??

Guys..... no mutterings hahahahahahahha because it's very true!

-Gina-

That's very true:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[jimeve]

Happy,happy people. Filipinos second happiest in the world.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[bornatbirth]

the program just showed what it likes there and it didnt even make being poor look that bad,it never really showed the bad side of life.

whenever i go there i keep the poverty at arms length anyway,i say with my wifes family,we go to the safe areas and go to the malls and only drive past the squatters and even joke with my wife where our new home will be?

then after a few weeks im back home,so i often think its never that bad.

[IainBusby]

I thought that the part of the program about Mindanao was completely unbalanced. There is a lot more to Mindanao than just the war with the muslims in the south of the country, which is something that most well advised visitors would never come across.

Iain.

[DaveyWallis]

I thought that Peter and Gina's comments summarised the documentary very well.

I agree that it was well balanced and given that they had less that 1 hour I cannot see how they could have got more in. They covered a lot of wide ranging issues and the interviews were heavily edited as it was.

It showed both positive and negative sides without being particularly judgemental. They could have been a LOT more negative had they wished.

Just one point Peter; the bond that Imelda Marcos had was for 987 billion dollars :omg: (not 80 million). (So that's how the Philippines went from one of the richest to one of the poorest countries in Asia.)

Also I couldn't help but notice how, when the Muslim teacher asked the question "How do we solve the problem?" she passed over the first child's answer "Stop the war." and chose to dwell on the answer of fighting for independance. As long as kids are being taught in this manner there is no point looking for a peaceful settlement. She says that she doesn't recommend fighting or war. She just plants the seeds of violence in the minds of the kids and watches them grow.

She even admitted at the end that she would choose independance over peace. You have to agree with her though when she says that she cannot trust the people in power.

The final words of the documentary were that the Philippines is one of the most beautiful regions in the world so I really do think that it was a well balanced programme.

Andy

[IainBusby]

I thought that Peter and Gina's comments summarised the documentary very well.

I agree that it was well balanced and given that they had less that 1 hour I cannot see how they could have got more in. They covered a lot of wide ranging issues and the interviews were heavily edited as it was.

It showed both positive and negative sides without being particularly judgemental. They could have been a LOT more negative had they wished.

Just one point Peter; the bond that Imelda Marcos had was for 987 billion dollars :omg: (not 80 million). (So that's how the Philippines went from one of the richest to one of the poorest countries in Asia.)

Also I couldn't help but notice how, when the Muslim teacher asked the question "How do we solve the problem?" she passed over the first child's answer "Stop the war." and chose to dwell on the answer of fighting for independance. As long as kids are being taught in this manner there is no point looking for a peaceful settlement. She says that she doesn't recommend fighting or war. She just plants the seeds of violence in the minds of the kids and watches them grow.

She even admitted at the end that she would choose independance over peace. You have to agree with her though when she says that she cannot trust the people in power.

The final words of the documentary were that the Philippines is one of the most beautiful regions in the world so I really do think that it was a well balanced programme.

Andy

Hear Hear.

[pennybarry]

I watched some documentary about Indonesia, vietnam, and Malaysia and it was lovely. That's why I have same expectations:D


There is a better view of Palawan like the cave and Dos Palmas etc. They focused about how Badjao lives in dirty environment.:doh

There's better view of Banaue where you can see the entire beauty of Rice Terraces not the giant worms:NoNo:

I have never been to North Cemetery and I felt shocked when I have seen my fellows living with the dead:yikes:

I reminisced the past when I have seen Imelda's collection of Arts :Brick: When she mentioned about how her hubby loves gold, I remember year 70's when they were busy digging undergrounds for treasures left by the Japs and Spaniards:yikes:

Bohol is nice, perfect view really, but I feel sad when they mentioned that Tarsiers are almost gone because people hunted them in the wild:doh

Partly, it's involved our dirty politics. POWER :butthead:

[Jamesey]

I watched "Explore" and I thought it was very well balanced and well presented. They presented the issues clearly and in as much depth as can be expected in a 1 hour program.

I was fascinated by some of the stuff, like the people living in the cemetary and history of the rice terraces. It really was amazing! Other items saddened me, such as the Catholics' attitude to contraception and seeing what the Muslim children are taught in school.

But overall, it's great to get the Philippines "on the map". Every country has its problems but a lot of the narrative was very complimentary. Hopefully it will encourage more tourists. Everyone I have ever taken to the Philippines has loved it!

[Eljohno]

Pete & Gina

Do you see the respect you guys have on the forum? As soon as you give your honest thoughts on the program people seem to think differently about what they watched and that maybe it was not as negative a Documentary as was first thought......

Is there anywhere i can watch it like bbc iplayer??

[Jamesey]

Is there anywhere i can watch it like bbc iplayer??


http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00htg7d/Explore_Manila_to_Mindanao/

[gemini63]

I also enjoyed watching the program last night, for me they really provided balance outlook of the Filipino lives..

They also showed some of the tourist attractions of our country, i.e. chocolate hills, rice terraces and oh the endangered tarsier.

For me they do a good job when they explore the PHILIPPINES.:xxgrinning--00xx3::xxgrinning--00xx3:

Hello kimmi! where is the tourist attraction that u mean about last night s program? are you happy that we filipinos is in a laughing situation like what they showed? Yes its one of our tourist attractions in phil. but they dont show it in a proper way, they even damaged what good and nice attractions that we have in phil. Yeah some are reality, but it should be fair that they show also the good sides...Seems the more westerners will look down on us filipinos, when they saw that program.Especially those who hvnt gone in phil yet. Its one of the reason too why we dont go up, coz loads of other countries preventing tourist to go to our country by showing like that kind of program last night..

[Gavanddal]

Well we didn't enjoy the programme. If we didn't know the Philippines it would have put us off ever going there.
Yes, we know there's poverty, slums, war etc etc but surely at least part of the programme could have shown some positive aspects of the country.

It repeatedly made the point about the Philippines being 7000 islands but showed very little of the best of them. As has been mentioned, what about the stunning natural features of Palawan, the underground river, the fantastic diving, Tubbataha reef- also listed as one of the greatest wonders of the world? What about the colourful Sinulog festival? The beaches? The spirit if the Filipino people?

What's on next week? a guide to the drug dens, ganglands and sewers of Britain?

[Pepe n Pilar]

Very well said Gavanddal, it will really put you off visiting that country because mostly of the negative aspects were shown on that documentary film.:NoNo:I know there are beautiful sites that needs to be known by people who has never been in the Phils.

[darren-b]

Well we didn't enjoy the programme. If we didn't know the Philippines it would have put us off ever going there.
Yes, we know there's poverty, slums, war etc etc but surely at least part of the programme could have shown some positive aspects of the country.

It repeatedly made the point about the Philippines being 7000 islands but showed very little of the best of them. As has been mentioned, what about the stunning natural features of Palawan, the underground river, the fantastic diving, Tubbataha reef- also listed as one of the greatest wonders of the world? What about the colourful Sinulog festival? The beaches? The spirit if the Filipino people?

What's on next week? a guide to the drug dens, ganglands and sewers of Britain?

I think you are missing the point of the series - the shows are not meant to be tourism adverts for the countries they 'explore'.

"Explore, a new travel-based journalism series, provides an insight into exotic parts of the world, revealing stories about the environment, globalisation, and politics."

So yes if they did one on Britain they may well cover that sort of subject.

[Eljohno]

I think you are missing the point of the series - the shows are not meant to be tourism adverts for the countries they 'explore'.

"Explore, a new travel-based journalism series, provides an insight into exotic parts of the world, revealing stories about the environment, globalisation, and politics."

So yes if they did one on Britain they may well cover that sort of subject.

I have to agree that this was never meant to be a Documentary about Tourism in the Philippines.:Erm:

Although it did show some bizarre practises that do happen it did show some of the natural wonders that is in the Philippines...:BouncyHappy:

The guy doing the show finished with saying a nice thing about the Philippines and anyone who knows anything about the Country accepts how wonderful a place it is :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Mrs.JMajor]

Hello kimmi! where is the tourist attraction that u mean about last night s program? are you happy that we filipinos is in a laughing situation like what they showed? Yes its one of our tourist attractions in phil. but they dont show it in a proper way, they even damaged what good and nice attractions that we have in phil. Yeah some are reality, but it should be fair that they show also the good sides...Seems the more westerners will look down on us filipinos, when they saw that program.Especially those who hvnt gone in phil yet. Its one of the reason too why we dont go up, coz loads of other countries preventing tourist to go to our country by showing like that kind of program last night..

Very well said there friend ,:xxgrinning--00xx3: :bigcry:

[pennybarry]

Well we didn't enjoy the programme. If we didn't know the Philippines it would have put us off ever going there.
Yes, we know there's poverty, slums, war etc etc but surely at least part of the programme could have shown some positive aspects of the country.

It repeatedly made the point about the Philippines being 7000 islands but showed very little of the best of them. As has been mentioned, what about the stunning natural features of Palawan, the underground river, the fantastic diving, Tubbataha reef- also listed as one of the greatest wonders of the world? What about the colourful Sinulog festival? The beaches? The spirit if the Filipino people?

What's on next week? a guide to the drug dens, ganglands and sewers of Britain?


That's what I'm expecting to be featured. The beauty of Palawan. I know it's one of the cleanest place and looks really a paradise like. I hope the local municipality will pursue their plans for the relocation of Badjao's.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Mrs.JMajor]

No matter how filthy some areas of the Philippines are... no matter how poverty stricken the country is even until now......one of the many things that still comes out of it though is ....... Philippines' gorgeous Filipinas!!!

Black hair.....beautiful olive skin.... sexy charisma....no wonder our husbands are drawn to us.. don't you agree??

Guys..... no mutterings hahahahahahahha because it's very true!

-Gina-

nice to see you posting Gina :Hellooo::BouncyHappy::Hellooo:

[LEAHnew]

I just need to wait my kukupops before knowing this thread seems interesting for us Filipino that our country featured in foreign land.:xxgrinning--00xx3:


I think that is correct title of the program last night about Philippines.
I didn't expect to watch the dark side:omg:
I was expecting they will promote Philippines, but then it's real and true.
Poverty, Imelda's wealth, squatters etc.

I got your point there sis we really expect good side to be broadcast but you're right it's the real thing and true:bigcry:


Pete & Gina tell it as it is in the real world :xxgrinning--00xx3:

:xxgrinning--00xx3:I agree to you Boss they explain very well:)


I enjoyed watching the program last night together with my husband. I felt li'l bit sad about it but then my husband said it really fair observation. What we've seen is very true and we have to accept it "reality really hurts".

:xxgrinning--00xx3:Yes ate Chat upon knowing the plot of the report it's really sad:NoNo: but nothing different to other countries coz every part of the world has a problem and struggling as well:xxgrinning--00xx3:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00htg7d/Explore_Manila_to_Mindanao/
:Erm: I need to be in UK to open the page can't replay here in Phil:doh..
need to wait in youtube:D
Anyway my fiance explain it to me how informative it was and very interesting:)



Very well said there friend ,:xxgrinning--00xx3: :bigcry:

:Erm: have u watched it:doh

[aromulus]

I was fascinated by it.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

No holds barred, real life drama about one of the most captivating countries and people on earth.:xxgrinning--00xx3:


I had the rare chance to be able to watch it in its entirety because someone's wife was on the phone for ages with mine.....:xxgrinning--00xx3:

That's what I would expect from BBC2 all the time.

[Mrs.JMajor]

:Erm: have u watched it:doh

nice question kuku,from reading all the post above
, massive reply was all against on the documentary show,for sure you are smart enough ,you will understand what they are all mean:Erm:,and only 1 or 2 members are agree on the show,but being filipina, for sure you will always love your country,as i feel it to all the brit guy who posted that they are concern on the phil country as they're part of it being husband of a filipina

For sure kapag nilait na bansa natin,ipagtatanggol natin,we will not agree and tell they did their job pretty good showing all the negatives of your country:yikes: by telling it was fair damn right ,jesus :NoNo:

so I am sure you have Idea of the documentary show the way they comment,yah??
the point there is poverty is not only here in the Philippines.
disgusting sites and places can be find anywhere else.:xxgrinning--00xx3:you are right there

[KeithD]

The program was about a countries generic society, not about tourism, see the Travel channels for that.

The folk on here from the UK saying they never showed the lovely places, how many are their? Have you been to them all? Have you visited all the bad places to make a good comparison? No is the answer :doh .....and the overall view of the Philippines is not good...FACT, that is not to say some parts aren't good.

[IainBusby]

Well we didn't enjoy the programme. If we didn't know the Philippines it would have put us off ever going there.
Yes, we know there's poverty, slums, war etc etc but surely at least part of the programme could have shown some positive aspects of the country.

It repeatedly made the point about the Philippines being 7000 islands but showed very little of the best of them. As has been mentioned, what about the stunning natural features of Palawan, the underground river, the fantastic diving, Tubbataha reef- also listed as one of the greatest wonders of the world? What about the colourful Sinulog festival? The beaches? The spirit if the Filipino people?

What's on next week? a guide to the drug dens, ganglands and sewers of Britain?

Hear Hear. :xxgrinning--00xx3:
Iain.

[LEAHnew]

nice question kuku,from reading all the post above
, massive reply was all against on the documentary show,for sure you are smart enough ,you will understand what they are all mean:Erm:,and only 1 or 2 members are agree on the show,but being filipina, for sure you will always love your country,as i feel it to all the brit guy who posted that they are concern on the phil country as they're part of it being husband of a filipina

For sure kapag nilait na bansa natin,ipagtatanggol natin,we will not agree and tell they did their job pretty good showing all the negatives of your country:yikes: by telling it was fair damn right ,jesus :NoNo:

so I am sure you have Idea of the documentary show the way they comment,yah??
the point there is poverty is not only here in the Philippines.
disgusting sites and places can be find anywhere else.:xxgrinning--00xx3:you are right there

"For sure if our country was humiliated we'll fight for it".......

According to what I've read from the intelligent post of members here I didn't found it humiliated...it's just a matter of being documented proper and very sensible insights about Philippines.:)


The program was about a countries generic society, not about tourism, see the Travel channels for that.

The folk on here from the UK saying they never showed the lovely places, how many are their? Have you been to them all? Have you visited all the bad places to make a good comparison? No is the answer :doh .....and the overall view of the Philippines is not good...FACT, that is not to say some parts aren't good.

:NoNo::NoNo:Sad but true...Mabuhay Philippines!:xxgrinning--00xx3::Hellooo::Hellooo:

[ginapeterb]

Its nice to see so many replies from all of you about the documentary, I must say I am pleased to see so many differing viewpoints, thats what makes this forum so lively, the diversity of your opinions, thus showing only one thing about the Philippines.

I think its this:

The Philippines has something to offer for everyone, whatever you think, wherever you stay, whatever your experience is, you can't stop talking about it, but there is one thing none of us will escape, and that is WE SIMPLY LOVE THE COUNTRY, ITS PEOPLE AND ITS CULTURE.

My wife Gina and I were sitting last night reading all of your replies, and discussing this subject, I said to Gina, "You know sweetheart, look at some of the people we meet when we are in country", "They are so happy, they smile, they chat, they greet you, the kids on the street come up and say hello, everyone seems to be happy, sometimes when I look at them, I think, is their an injection for that ?" "Can I get that from my GP?"

No matter what the economic group or status is of individual's the one thing I notice so much about the people, is the ability to maintain their self respect in any given situation, what about the lady I was visiting, who lived in the Nippa Hut, who started to make me coffee !, when I gestured that it was ok, she simply insisted I sit down and drink coffee, and have something to eat"

What about that kind of hospitality, that only you can get in the Philippines, and of course other countries, where hospitality is the key to the culture, whatever we say about the Philippines, it simply has so much going for it, yes, why are we drawn to it, as my wife does say, we have an invested interested do we not, naturally, for most of you, the love of your life comes from the Philippines, in truth, when we examine our motives, we really do want the best for the Philippines, and even we will defend it the best of our ability.

Most of you will have been seasoned traveler's to the Philippines, your knowledge will be first class, and you will have seen most of what is on the documentary, it will come as no surprise to you, but maybe, when you really think about the documentary, you will start to realize, that its a mixture of all the facets of life in the Philippines that actually makes it so appealing.

For example, contrast the poverty, the plight of the poor, the middle classes, the rich, the beautiful mountainous scenery, palm trees, clear blue waters, the weather, that goes from tornado to beautiful sunshine, the eco structure, the abundant wild life, and diversity of wildlife, the music, and yes finally the people, when you throw all these ingredients into one pot, you come up with what is now the Philippines, whatever you think about it, the fact is, you are drawn to it, and once its in your blood, as it was me some 5 years ago, it will never go out of your blood.

Something keeps drawing you back for holiday's and ultimately to live there, maybe its the Place itself, it does that to you, by all of your comments, I can see
you've made it yours.

[Mrs Daddy]

to add me and all was quite surprise about those people living in cemetery.in here I have seen houses thats quite near to cemetery and i have told my other half i couldnt live near that place.but then I was gobsmacked knowing that there are people really living there and as well make a living out of the dead and when the woman being asked if she`s not scared seeing a ghost there and she said is a matter of seeing one (yeah,right!) I`ll be fainted seeing one for sure.:)but any road I am ranting about how greedy Imelda Marcu`s is I am quite surprise that she`s still around to be honest.wayback years of her husbands presidency you cannot measured the hatred of filipino towards them and I wonder if she could still sleep at night.How could she have all those unnnecessary things in life when in fact she couldnt take it with her when she die and a lot of people struugle to find their food in day to day lives.I have told my other half that i want to be a president so that I could provide home and job for the less fortunate people:D :D :D but in my dreams only I have to admit the fact that philippines never gonna change its condition if official itself are corrupt right from the very start.who can change our country and how?

[KeithD]

:doh Strange, but in last weeks Time magazine they had a page on Manilla, comparing it to the way it was in the 60's........nothing has changed according to the comparison.....except.....folk now live in cemetries! :doh

[KeithD]

...and that 5 years before they ship you out of the crypt if you haven't paid (bit difficult if your dead!!)....surely that goes against everything the religion out there is about. Desecrating a grave over money! :NoNo:

[Sim11UK]

Interstingly, most of my family & friends I got to watch the programme, only had negative things to say about the Philippines.

It certainly didn't encourage them to want to visit.

We're all biased here, the majority of us have first hand knowledge. We've seen the hardships & poverty, but we've seen it's beauties too.

[Mrs.JMajor]

"For sure if our country was humiliated we'll fight for it".......



thanks for translating it :icon_lol::Rasp::appl:

thanks kuku :D

[Alan]

Is there any way that I can see this programme, living, as I do in the wild depths of Cebu?

Al.:)

[nparvus1202]

I have seen a lot like this on British television. Sometimes they show prisons and life inside. Why is British television likes to show all these to British people? But you will not see a bad side of Britain being shown on Philippine television.

[DaveUK]

I have seen a lot like this on British television. Sometimes they show prisons and life inside. Why is British television likes to show all these to British people? But you will not see a bad side of Britain being shown on Philippine television.

I take it they don't show Eastenders in the Philippines then! :-)

[bornatbirth]

they get midsomer murders there :icon_lol:

my wife doesnt want to live in the country due to the high murder rate :Erm:

can i ask when poverty is so bad there? why do think tv shows or the media should only show the nice clean places because when you get round the corner the street is full of squatters.

near las pinas theres a expensive mall,on one side of the street there a very high wall with guards i guess to keep the poor out the other side of the street where the poor live in there shacks :icon_lol:

so do you just wanna see about the rich and the nice places to get to them you have to pass the poor?

[KeithD]

Is there any way that I can see this programme, living, as I do in the wild depths of Cebu?

Al.:)
Install a proxy and use iplayer

[gemini63]

Its nice to see so many replies from all of you about the documentary, I must say I am pleased to see so many differing viewpoints, thats what makes this forum so lively, the diversity of your opinions, thus showing only one thing about the Philippines.

I think its this:

The Philippines has something to offer for everyone, whatever you think, wherever you stay, whatever your experience is, you can't stop talking about it, but there is one thing none of us will escape, and that is WE SIMPLY LOVE THE COUNTRY, ITS PEOPLE AND ITS CULTURE.

My wife Gina and I were sitting last night reading all of your replies, and discussing this subject, I said to Gina, "You know sweetheart, look at some of the people we meet when we are in country", "They are so happy, they smile, they chat, they greet you, the kids on the street come up and say hello, everyone seems to be happy, sometimes when I look at them, I think, is their an injection for that ?" "Can I get that from my GP?"

No matter what the economic group or status is of individual's the one thing I notice so much about the people, is the ability to maintain their self respect in any given situation, what about the lady I was visiting, who lived in the Nippa Hut, who started to make me coffee !, when I gestured that it was ok, she simply insisted I sit down and drink coffee, and have something to eat"

What about that kind of hospitality, that only you can get in the Philippines, and of course other countries, where hospitality is the key to the culture, whatever we say about the Philippines, it simply has so much going for it, yes, why are we drawn to it, as my wife does say, we have an invested interested do we not, naturally, for most of you, the love of your life comes from the Philippines, in truth, when we examine our motives, we really do want the best for the Philippines, and even we will defend it the best of our ability.

Most of you will have been seasoned traveler's to the Philippines, your knowledge will be first class, and you will have seen most of what is on the documentary, it will come as no surprise to you, but maybe, when you really think about the documentary, you will start to realize, that its a mixture of all the facets of life in the Philippines that actually makes it so appealing.

For example, contrast the poverty, the plight of the poor, the middle classes, the rich, the beautiful mountainous scenery, palm trees, clear blue waters, the weather, that goes from tornado to beautiful sunshine, the eco structure, the abundant wild life, and diversity of wildlife, the music, and yes finally the people, when you throw all these ingredients into one pot, you come up with what is now the Philippines, whatever you think about it, the fact is, you are drawn to it, and once its in your blood, as it was me some 5 years ago, it will never go out of your blood.

Something keeps drawing you back for holiday's and ultimately to live there, maybe its the Place itself, it does that to you, by all of your comments, I can see
you've made it yours.

well said...This is the fair one that i want to hear. Being a filipina "im proud reading this...

[keithAngel]

to add me and all was quite surprise about those people living in cemetery.in here I have seen houses thats quite near to cemetery and i have told my other half i couldnt live near that place.but then I was gobsmacked knowing that there are people really living there and as well make a living out of the dead and when the woman being asked if she`s not scared seeing a ghost there and she said is a matter of seeing one (yeah,right!) I`ll be fainted seeing one for sure.:)but any road I am ranting about how greedy Imelda Marcu`s is I am quite surprise that she`s still around to be honest.wayback years of her husbands presidency you cannot measured the hatred of filipino towards them and I wonder if she could still sleep at night.How could she have all those unnnecessary things in life when in fact she couldnt take it with her when she die and a lot of people struugle to find their food in day to day lives.I have told my other half that i want to be a president so that I could provide home and job for the less fortunate people:D :D :D but in my dreams only I have to admit the fact that philippines never gonna change its condition if official itself are corrupt right from the very start.who can change our country and how?

Living in the cemetery must be more widespread than you might think, there is a Cebu community too!!

As to the five years deal the way I understand it is you go into the ground for five years and unless you have "bought" the plot permanently after five years your bones are moved to a small condo stack with a plaque which may contain several family members

If you cant pay for that your bones go to a common "bone pile" culturally different for sure the thing that suprised me was the amount of rubbish in the cemetary which no-one seemed to notice or think strange:Erm:

[Mrs.JMajor]

well said...This is the fair one that i want to hear. Being a filipina "im proud reading this...

hehehe

[pennybarry]

Living in the cemetery must be more widespread than you might think, there is a Cebu community too!!

As to the five years deal the way I understand it is you go into the ground for five years and unless you have "bought" the plot permanently after five years your bones are moved to a small condo stack with a plaque which may contain several family members

If you cant pay for that your bones go to a common "bone pile" culturally different for sure the thing that suprised me was the amount of rubbish in the cemetary which no-one seemed to notice or think strange:Erm:

As far as I know, you can buy a plot and that will will be permanently yours. If you cannot afford to buy a plot, you can rent a cubicle, or apartment to local gov't. But if don't pay in due time, then you are out:D

In the cemetery, you will find out who's dead was poor, middle class and rich:action-smiley-081:

[pennybarry]

I got your point there sis we really expect good side to be broadcast but you're right it's the real thing and true:bigcry:
:Erm: have u watched it:doh



Yap! That's why I told my in-laws to watch it. And they said, yes, we'll watch the beauty of your country nice to know why our only two boys wants to settle in the Philippines.:D

[aromulus]

Is there any way that I can see this programme, living, as I do in the wild depths of Cebu?

Al.:)

Hey Prof, got it for you.
Keep this link on your favorites, it's BBC iplayer, you can watch recorded shows and stuff.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00htg7d/Explore_Manila_to_Mindanao/

[darren-b]

Is there any way that I can see this programme, living, as I do in the wild depths of Cebu?

Al.:)

The programme is available for download via some BitTorrent websites.

[LEAHnew]

thanks for translating it :icon_lol::Rasp::appl:

thanks kuku :D

Your welcome:rolleyes: I guess i may not be qualify as Moderator but a TRANSLATOR will do:D:Cuckoo::Cuckoo:


Yap! That's why I told my in-laws to watch it. And they said, yes, we'll watch the beauty of your country nice to know why our only two boys wants to settle in the Philippines.:D

:xxgrinning--00xx3::Hellooo::Hellooo:

[Mrs.JMajor]

Your welcome:rolleyes: I guess i may not be qualify as Moderator but a TRANSLATOR will do:D:Cuckoo::Cuckoo:

yeah,you're right :xxgrinning--00xx3: remember i keep saying "ha'' to your kukupops cause i cant understand his Birmingham accent and you are the TRANSLATOR :icon_lol: :xxgrinning--00xx3::Hellooo::BouncyHappy:


sorry for out of topic friendship (penny) :action-smiley-081:

[charlwill]

Your welcome:rolleyes: I guess i may not be qualify as Moderator but a TRANSLATOR will do:D:Cuckoo::Cuckoo:




:xxgrinning--00xx3::Hellooo::Hellooo:
I LIKE it.


yeah,you're right :xxgrinning--00xx3: remember i keep saying "ha'' to your kukupops cause i cant understand his Birmingham accent and you are the TRANSLATOR :icon_lol: :xxgrinning--00xx3::Hellooo::BouncyHappy:


sorry for out of topic friendship (penny) :action-smiley-081:
:cwm23::cwm23::cwm23::NoNo::NoNo::NoNo:

[Mrs.JMajor]

I LIKE it.


:cwm23::cwm23::cwm23::NoNo::NoNo::NoNo:

did i say something bad to make you angry char :Erm: as you quote my words


yeah,you're right :xxgrinning--00xx3: remember i keep saying "ha'' to your kukupops cause i cant understand his Birmingham accent and you are the TRANSLATOR :icon_lol: :xxgrinning--00xx3::Hellooo::BouncyHappy:


sorry for out of topic friendship (penny) :action-smiley-081:

[walesrob]

Thread closed by request. Can we please stick to the subject at hand, which is discussing the TV programme here http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php?t=14088&highlight=Manila+Mindanao . Thank you :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Also, actions taken by Moderators or Admins are final, and not open to negotiation or discussion. Thank you for your understanding.