Hi my name is Matt and new here, and could do with some advice on travel safety

[MattO]

Hi I am getting married in Phils next year, but my family are concerned about my safety in Phils, I am not personally worried, but to help my family feel reassured, they are quite paranoid about me traveling half way round the world alone, and think I should register with the british embassy when I arrive, I am staying with my future partners family in tarlac city, any advice on safety when in Phils would be most welcome.

[stevewool]

i had the same from my family, but i was just going to see Emma for the first time, have your family seen their future daughter in law, or even spoken to her, if so that should put them at ease, if there is internet at home why dont you call them and let them know you are fine, thats all i did once i git there and when i remembered to call them also,

[Michael Parnham]

Welcome to the forum Matt, I've been to Philippines many times and never had a problem regarding personal safety, just take your time and learn about what's happening around you, just use your common sense, I'm sure you'll be ok. Enjoy your time there!

[Arthur Little]

Matt ... ! Whilst I understand your family's concerns for your safety, you should be alright living with your fiancee's relatives during your stay.

That's what I did back in 2008/9.

That said, it would certainly do no harm to register with the appropriate British Consul through the Foreign Office ... and it would also help to keep your own folks' minds at rest.

[ericthatcher]

hi matt! you will be find mate and tarlac its good and safe! my wife have relatives there lots people who are very very nice in tarlac! i went 3 times because going to baguio as well u will find out mate how good they are cheers!!

[Terpe]

Hi I am getting married in Phils next year, but my family are concerned about my safety in Phils, I am not personally worried, but to help my family feel reassured, they are quite paranoid about me traveling half way round the world alone, and think I should register with the british embassy when I arrive, I am staying with my future partners family in tarlac city, any advice on safety when in Phils would be most welcome.

Is this your first trip to Philippines?
Is this the first time to meet your gf in person?
How long have you known each other?
Have you previously communicated with your gf's family?

[RickyR]

You can register your travel plans with the Foreign Office prior to departure using the LOCATE service, which provides all of the details to the Embassy and helps them contact you in an emergency. If you ask your mahal to buy you a local I'm card before you arrive you can register the number and also pass it to family and friends so that you can keep in contact cheaply.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...g-safe/Locate/

[MattO]

Is this your first trip to Philippines?
Is this the first time to meet your gf in person?
How long have you known each other?
Have you previously communicated with your gf's family?

Yes this is the first time to go to phils.
yes this is the first meeting in person.
we have known eachother for 8 months, we met on a dating site.
we are in regular contact via skype, viber etc.
I have open communication via skype with my partners family.
She is a member here also, and has studied in uk before we met.

[emcel]

Is this your first trip to Philippines?
Is this the first time to meet your gf in person?
How long have you known each other?
Have you previously communicated with your gf's family?

Thanks terpe! I am his fiancee hopely my fiancee will be satisfy and get help to this forum I also member here since 2009, and help me a lots on my student visa advice befoere we've known 8 months and yes he is regular communicate with my family using skype and viber yes he is first time to in the philippines, and his family only concern about his travelling for his safety! thank you so much

[stevewool]

from talking daily to the first visit is so much more differant, just take your time, what is the rush to get married, it had taken over 2 years of contact before i meet Emma, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me, get over there and enjoy seeing each other and take it from there

[ericthatcher]

hi stevewool! even me its only first time to meet her and straight away married in phil but it depends how you feel each other because the love a feel to her and now were stroger and the trust with each other thanks! good luck again matt enjoy tarlac

[MattO]

hi stevewool! even me its only first time to meet her and straight away married in phil but it depends how you feel each other because the love a feel to her and now were stroger and the trust with each other thanks! good luck again matt enjoy tarlac

your partners family are from tarlac, it really is a small world.lol

[stevewool]

indeed she is, i have never visited Talac, but hope to one day

[ericthatcher]

your partners family are from tarlac, it really is a small world.lol

Yes small world for us! She had relatives in tarlac. Near in magic star I remembered lol!

[bigmarco]

Hi I am getting married in Phils next year, but my family are concerned about my safety in Phils, I am not personally worried, but to help my family feel reassured, they are quite paranoid about me traveling half way round the world alone, and think I should register with the british embassy when I arrive, I am staying with my future partners family in tarlac city, any advice on safety when in Phils would be most welcome.

Hi Matt and welcome to our friendly forum.
Looks like next year is going to be quite eventful for you.
I've been 3 times now and haven't encountered any major problems but nonetheless you still have to be careful in a country which has an awful lot of poverty. You shouldn't encounter problems as you will be staying with family who will help familiarise you with your surroundings.
If registering when you arrive will be put your families minds at ease then perhaps you should do it.
Above all have a fantastic time as I'm sure you will and don't forget to come back and share your experiences with us.

[MattO]

Hi Matt and welcome to our friendly forum.
Looks like next year is going to be quite eventful for you.
I've been 3 times now and haven't encountered any major problems but nonetheless you still have to be careful in a country which has an awful lot of poverty. You shouldn't encounter problems as you will be staying with family who will help familiarise you with your surroundings.
If registering when you arrive will be put your families minds at ease then perhaps you should do it.
Above all have a fantastic time as I'm sure you will and don't forget to come back and share your experiences with us.

Yes I will be on here more often as it is nice to have some advice from people with actual knowledge, and people who are positive about phils, as I have encountered negativity from people where I live, but I put this down to their narrow mindedness, so this site is a refreshing change.

[bigmarco]

Yes I will be on here more often as it is nice to have some advice from people with actual knowledge, and people who are positive about phils, as I have encountered negativity from people where I live, but I put this down to their narrow mindedness, so this site is a refreshing change.

It's ignorance Matt. Must admit a few years ago I would have had problems pointing it out on a map. Now I'm married to a gorgeous Filipina and love the place. Can't wait to go again.

[stevewool]

Yes I will be on here more often as it is nice to have some advice from people with actual knowledge, and people who are positive about phils, as I have encountered negativity from people where I live, but I put this down to their narrow mindedness, so this site is a refreshing change.

i still get people asking when am i going back to thailand, even though i have never been,

[lastlid]

i still get people asking when am i going back to thailand, even though i have never been,

I thought you were going back in 2013?

[okdom_7667]

Sir MattO, the Philippines is a great place to stay and if you are going to Tarlac it is a 2-hour ride from Manila via SCTEX. Most people who live there are Ilocano and Kapampangan and if your fiancee is an Ilocana I assure you they are nice and warm. Goodluck sir!

[stevie c]

Hi matt welcome to the Phils

As others have said just keep your wits about you don't flash money around,don't wear jewellery & try to be with one of your family as much as possible

Tarlac is a safe place in general....my wife is from Tarlac a place called San Miguel can't forget that lol as in the beer..., where in Tarlac is your wife from?

I'm sure that you will have a wonderfull time enjoy mate

[fred]

Matt... Ive lived here on and off for donkey`s years... Never had a problem anywhere in the country.
You will experience a good deal of culture shock but thats good... It means you are alive.

[Tish]

Hi I am getting married in Phils next year, but my family are concerned about my safety in Phils, I am not personally worried, but to help my family feel reassured, they are quite paranoid about me traveling half way round the world alone, and think I should register with the british embassy when I arrive, I am staying with my future partners family in tarlac city, any advice on safety when in Phils would be most welcome.

Hi Matt and welcome to the forum

Traveling half way round the world on your own must be daunting but you'll be fine

There are a lot of foreigners in Philippines now than they were over 20 years ago so that in itself should put you at ease

Tish here BTW