I am a British citizen residing in the Philippines. I work offshore 6 weeks on, 6 weeks off.
In 1996 I met 'someone special' or so I thought at the time. We began living together, had a child and married in a civil ceremony.
I paid for a house on the outskirts of Manila but, being the only expat in the area, it soon began to be very difficult for me. I'd have a house full of her relatives but no one to sit and have a yarn with over a few San Migs. I was lonely believe it or not.
While attending a friends daughters baptismal in Palawan, I saw a very different way of life. A lot of expats, Brit, German, Dutch, Italian etc and an interesting social life. We decided to rent a house there and see how things would work out.
From that point, the relationship deteriorated. My Friday evening beers with the lads would result in 'You're always going to that bar, maybe you have a girl there!'. This from a woman who would disappear all day, pretty much everyday.
To cut it short, I found out that when I left for work, the boyfriend would move in or she would head back to Manila in secret. Housekeeping would be gone in a week ( $1000 per month at the time ). The crunch came when her sister and her Swedish husband came to visit Palawan and informed me of the reality.
We separated and I have since met another woman who I am extremely happy with. But, I am stuck with a wife I don't want and never see. I haven't seen my daughter in 6 months. I don't even know where she lives. The only contact I have is when she asks why the money I send for my daughter every month is late. She is welcome to the house and can keep custody of our child. I just want rid of her.
Is there anyone out there who has been through a bad marriage in Philippines? How did you deal with it? Any words of wisdom for those still suffering. Going through the Philippine legal system is a daunting prospect. Care to share your experience?
