I don't get your point? The language in Australia is English, same as the ""Official"" language of government, business and schools here in the Philippines. If I was speaking to a fellow Australian and Filipino's were present, why would I speak to him in Tagalog unless we both understand that language? The Filipino's in Australia all speak English and usually very well (they slowly lose the American accent). Methinks you are trying to make a subtle point with a dry twist of humour but it didn't quite work.

I feel your pain"". I have been dealing with this ""problem"" for many years now. It is not a problem. It is, however, a price you pay. Your wife's family have a life and a language that you are not a part of. Get comfortable with it. If they respect you, and they probably do, they will switch to english if the conversation could be of any possible interest to you. (My wife makes sure that I'm informed if the conversation drifts to subjects that I might be interested in.) After a few years you will begin to ""pick up"" and understand more of what is going on. You will, then, appreciate being left out. In the past, I asked Sandra to tell me what everyone was talking about and she did. I usually regretted interrupting and found something else to do. Eventually, the conversation came around to me and they realized that I was not there. At that point I was found and brought back and the conversation was in English for the next few minutes. Your wife's family speaks a different language than you. They are comfortable with it and they do not mean to exclude you. Let them be happy and be there when it matters.

I think both Gary and myself were not expecting Filipino's to speak English merely because of the presence of an English speaker. I also agree that we should make every effort to learn the local language, I try to learn at least one word a day. In fact I write the word on a blackboard on the kitchen door and don't wipe it off until I know it. In seven months I have a vocabulary of 120 words and growing. However, I feel Gary has a fair point given the circumstances he stated. I have replied that I believe it is cultural and, like just about everything in this country, done without any intention to cause offence whatsoever. That is the saving grace for so many things that frustrate the average foreigner here, there is no malice involved. My wife says that when she goes to Australia she will do everything in accordance with Aussie rules, but here she is a Filipino so she does as she pleases. Fair enough. I don't think either Gary or I were demanding Filipino's speak English to us simply because we are English speakers and thus in any way superior. I merely understood his frustration. Cheers, Perry Ursus Incognita wrote:Nick I tend to agree with you. Many English speakers just assume that everyone else should speak English when they are there because it is the dominant commercial language Worldwide. For anyone in this position who doesn't understand the conversation at a family gathering I would say try to learn Tagalog or whatever language they speak. It shouldn't take long to pick up a little and then just keep trying every day to add to your vocabulary. If you want to speed things up, take lessons, you could be passable in two or three months with a bit of effort. I'm sure they'll appreciate it and you should feel better too. If a foreigner comes to stay in the UK they are expected to learn English. But their partner should learn their language as well. My ex now speaks perfect English with a lovely Polish accent and I speak Polish with a Glasgow accent.

If nobody has explained what they're talking about to me for awhile, I wait for a lull in the conversation, and politely say ""Hindi ko naintindi han."" (I hope that's the right spelling.) It seems to be a gentle way of reminding folks that I'm interested and means ""I don't understand."" Done with a big smile or a puzzled look, it seems to do the trick, at least for awhile. I do understand what concentration it takes many Filipinos to converse in English, and, I try to understand it if they wish to talk more freely in their own dialect. So, I just drink my beer or eat my dinner and wait. Once I went to a party in Iloilo province with my brother-in-law and his friends. I was surprised that his friends didn't sit with us as they had every other time that we had been together. My brother-in-law finally told me that they said that they were getting headaches from trying to speak so much English with me! Well, their English was far, far better than my Illongo will ever be, so, I couldn't take offense. Wherever I live when I finally move to the Philippines, I'm going to learn the language even if I have to hire a tutor!

I've followed this post now for the past few days. And alot of good information is being passed, I can see how someone 'may' have perceived it to be insulting, or saying that filipino's should speak english, but I did'nt. From experiance, being married once to a filipina, I have the following to pass or as I usually say, add my two cents worth. >From experiance, most of the younger generation, and even those in my age group (40), can speak english, its taught in the schools, however as one of the posts said they are too shy to speak it. I learned tagalog long before I had met my 'then' wife, so I was able to just listen, however she was from Mindanao, so of course, 'bisaya' was spoken, I was lost! But eventually I let the cat out of the bag..actually while playing a basketball game with the guys, after that, amazingly they spoke english. I also learned that we speak fast, 'to them', so I would slow my speech down as if I were talking to a child, and I've had no problems. I've traveled the world during my military career, and I've tried to at least learn the basics..and no not just the 'bad' words either. But my choice of keeping one strong language was that of tagalog. Another post said that if you don't understand 'hindi ko alam', that say or give that 'deer in the headlight' look with a smile, and again I've never been told that my expressions were insulting. Of any country I have been too, the Philippines is my top choice, the people are too kind, yes there are the bad apples, just as any society, but staying away from places like Metro Manila, Angeles, and Subic when I was stationed at the Embassy, and going to the countryside, made me appreciate the culture more each trip. As my 'X's"" lola would tell me, I've only spoken english to you, and one other american, and that american was the GI that had came back with MacArthur! I learned alot from that lady, and still visit her to this day, even though I am no longer married to her granddaughter...nothing like sitting down and smoking a cigar with your grandmother! In a nutshell, if I don't understand, I'll say it in english, or give my famed 'deer in the headlight' look with a smile. Eventually someone will either come along to explain, or someone will break the ice with either tagalog or english. Plus carrying the ever trusty english-tagalog dictionary with you is a plus too. Just remember, be nice, smile, and have a great time, learning the language is easy, and as someone stated, to write the word down until you can effectively use it...is exactly what I did.

While the rest of America is girding for a war on Iraq, some 65 officials and employees of the US Embassy in Manila and their dependents, including members of various American agencies, moved ""to build houses and rebuild lives"" together with volunteer partners at a Habitat for Humanity project yesterday in Polo, Karuhatan, Valenzuela. Aside from volunteer labor service, the group, which calls itself the US Embassy Club (USEC), headed by Randy Boyer, also donated P120,000 to help fund a house at the Polo Transmitting Community Development Cooperative Inc. Project site. The group was led by US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, with his wife, Marie. The US envoy said he was impressed by the spirit of Habitat. ""I am very impressed about the Habitat program particularly the 'sweat equity.' This is not just a simple giveaway. The recipients give out a few thousand pesos back for the house and lot, the funds of which in turn are used to extend a continuing benefit to others who need a roof on their heads,"" said Ricciardone. The ambassador quickly provided comic relief as they labored under the hot sun by breaking a shovel on his first try at mixing mortar. ""I was just too strong for the shovel,"" he quipped. Ricciardone said the event was nostalgic, remembering the days he did some carpentry work as a young man in his native Boston while working his way to college. ""I love doing carpentry and I am having great fun,"" he said adding it was his first opportunity to build a house in the country. Also with the group was former Ambassador to the Philippines Frank Wisner, now vice chairman of the American International Group (AIG). Wisner, who worked up a good sweat carrying mortar and cinder blocks, said ""Habitat can make a great difference in the lives of the homeless. It gives hope to the needy and also changes forever even the lives of the volunteers like us."" The USEC volunteers included Tom Kral, embassy cultural attache and Philippine-born Theodore Maline, Megan and Jed Maline's (of the World Health Organization in Manila and USAID, respectively) first born being the youngest at two and a half months. ""It is our aim to be able to contribute our share in eradicating poverty housing and homelessness in the Philippines which has a housing backlog of about 2.4 million units,"" Boyer said speaking for USEC. The Habitat is building 27 of 86 housing units at the Polo housing project. Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol ""Magi"" Gunigundo has extended P1.4 million of his countrywide development fund (CDF) for site development particularly the roads and drainage systems in the 3,869 square-meter Polo housing project. Homepartners Rody and Tessy Austria, whose house was built by Ricciardone and Wisner,said they were very happy they now have a home they can call their own after living in a decrepit house for some 20 years. Greater Metro Manila Habitat for Humanity President architect Carlos Ilustre delivered a strong message for the public reminding them that the real war is not in Iraq. ""Dito sa ating bayan ang tunay na giyera where our real enemies are reeling poverty and homelessness. At Habitat, we can show that people in all walks of life can come together to build in partnership with the homeless and the poor,"" Ilustre said.

What messenger program do you use? My girl friend and I have been trying to use Yahoo's Messenger with little success. We almost always resort to typing. I have a friend who uses MSN to talk with his family in Mexico. Works great for him, even better than the phone. But I don't want to go through the hassle of teaching her a new system if it is not going to work any better.

As Don has been telling you, I've had a health problem. It took a few nervous weeks to diagnose, but it appears some scar tissue from lung surgery I had 2 1/2 years ago has popped loose and is causing inflammation of adjacent organs and/or nerves. I've had widely varying levels of pain, and I missed about 7 days of work in the last two months. But drugs have the pain under control now, and my energy level is close to normal. It's more of a nuisance than a serious health threat, but I may need surgery to fix the problem. Anyway, I hope to be more active as a moderator now. And after I get my taxes done, I want to edit the list guidelines, as Don asked. Sorry I've been so invisible. Thanks to everyone for carrying the freight, including the energetic newcomers.

Here an e-mail out of the other side of the world and well from Europe (Netherlands). Why a mail is coming to your School??? Well our whole family, me, my wife and 2 sons got plans to removing maybe soon to the Philippines for life sentence. Before we decide to do that does we first need a lot of information from different kind of places, like example your the School for our sons. Ok here the questions:· We got 2 sons from 2 and 4 years old. They need to go to School but first we wane have some information about that. What is it yearly costing to bring this 2 boys to your School? And is that all the money what we spend on one year, or are there still other things who are costing money (projects, books, penciles or some other things)?· In what month the School is starting normaly (in the Netherlands in the month of August a new schoolyear is starting)?· If we are interested to bring them to your School must they standing on a waithlist, or is there always place for them? · What are the times of starting and finishing the School for them daily?· How many children are sitting in one class?· How many children are sitting on the whole School?· What are the possibilties for study if they are older? I mean in what kind of occupation they can study in your School, and is it possible on every level?· What are the prices for a Schollyear if they are older?· Is it also an obligation to wearing a kind of uniform and who pays that? So that's for the beginning all what I wane know, and hopenly you will answering all that questions serieus. Ofcourse with 2 sons you do not make so easy the BIG step to remove for lifesentence to the Philippines, but when we have good feelings about the School for them we already are a very BIG step closer to make it reality. We will waitng for your response, and do not forgot to say us also in what area your School is standing because we have no idea where we must looking for it. Distance for my kids is not so important, only a GOOD SCHOOL who can gives them one day a good future is important for a normal price. Thanks for reading our mail, and hopenly I will hear soon from you. PS: Maybe your school is not make it possible to taking youngh students, but do you got maybe for us than an e-mailadres that we can sending them this question, pls.

Interesting post Tony. I would suggest you begin your search for information by refering to the archives of this site. There you will gain a lot of insight into your concerns and questions. In addition you will know what specific questions you want to ask.

My husband is retired military. I am a Filipina, but became a U.S. citizen. We want to move back to the Philippines permanately. What type of visa or paperwork do we need to complete.

I left USA to work and live in 1986 (Indonesia and Saudi Arabia), and am married to a woman from PI, and have spent time through much of SE Asia since my first visit there in 1967. I have limited experience with health care in PI, but my son did catch an amoeba in the intestiinal track on the last trip, and we had it cured in Cebu City. No the facilities were not nearly so sparkling as in the USA, but there was a caring attitude (one that is often not found among the high-handed, and very expensive, US doctors) and the locals were very familiar with the common diseases to be found in PI. While living in Indonesia I went to Singapore for medical and dental, and felt they were the equal of the USA in quality, and again without the high-handed attitude of the medical establishment in the USA. After retireing from KSA and returning to USA only last July, my health insurance has gone up by 10% already, and there is no end in sight. I see my Mother spending huge parts of her limited income on prescription drugs, even as I see the TV ads telling me to 'ask my doctor about ...... ' and of course the pharmeceutical company recently entertained 'my doctor' at an expense paid Hawaiian conference......' In general, there will be a compromise on health care, but in fact many Americans can not afford it now, and even fewer will be able to in the future. We plan to settle in the PI once my wife's visa is finalized, and I'll take my chances with the health care in Cebu City, or go to Manila, or worst case go to Singapore. Just my opinion.

What to do when you have no idea of what is being said??? It is amazing how a few words of Pilipino (the language) could go a long way in forging friendships in the Philippines. Even if the Filipinos (the people) know how to speak English, it remains a foreign language to them. it is okay to converse English among themselves because they could understand each other's accents and turn of phrase. However, if a real Englishman starts talking to them in English, most will shy away. I experience this everytime my British husband and I visit the Philippines. Even my dearest friends who are proficient with the English language beg for time out when talking to my husband. Like what was said here, it gives them a headache! It sounds really funny but it's true. I hate to say this but there are so many words in Pilipino that do not translate very well. Sometimes there are jokes better said in the vernacular. I try to teach my husband some words but he finds it terribly hard because it is too ""foreign"" for him unlike say, French or Italian. As for myself, it takes me a couple of days in the Philippines to start conversing in Pilipino. My friends insist I try to understand the slang as well, but with only three weeks' visit, that is just too hard!

I will tell you what I know. I am sending a kid to collage there and it cost me appox. P12,000 a semester. Two semesters a year. This include books and two uniforms a year. She has to supply her pens paper etc. The school year starts in June. The second semester starts in Nov. Her school year ends the end of March. Your situation is different since you have grade school age kids, But this may give you some idea.

Thelma, I use that site too, http://www.philippinesphonecards.com . He doesn't keep his webpage very up to date, but i use 2 other cards he sells. One is called ""Great Manila"" and you get about 52 mins for each $10 card you buy and the other is ""Magnum"" and that one is about 54 mins per $10 card. These are to cellular phones. Its cheaper to call a land line. To order them, you click like you're ordering the MCI card, but in the message box on the order page, you type in either how many ""great Manila"" or ""magnum"" cards you want. So if you are ordering the 2 for $18, you say "" Please send me 2 X $10 Great Manila cards"" and you get the 2 for $18. I've had the best connections and clairity with the Great Manila card and have never had one problem getting through. The 800 number for the Magnum card hasn't been working for the last 2 days, I will post again if it continues. Since the end of January, the Philippines has added a tariff on all incoming calls. So what was once one of the most expencive places to call, is now even more.

Do any of you have experience with owning, leasing or renting cars, motorcycles, aircraft, etc. in the Philippines? What is the relative cost compared with the U.S.? I have heard their vehicular insurance is what they call ""third party liability"" and not real great. My Cebuano wife of 16 years and I will be visiting Cebu this Spring to see our family and to look for Real Estate. We plan to relocate from FL to the RP in five years and as a real motor head I couldn't be without my transportation and toys.

MY mom and i plan to move to the philippines and she is a philinpo what visa do i need and can i get dual citizenship and is it better to take your stuff from home or buy new stuff there thank stephany

Actually my American husband have thesame problem whenever we are in the Philippines. Sometimes he wishes people will speak to him besides me. MY brothers are mostly college levels but they are too shy to speak english. Most of them can speak it but whenever there are other people around, they are afraid those other people will make fun of their grammar and stuff. But my Mother sometimes put on a brave act and whenever she speaks to my husband in english, she tend to speak so loud and kinda laughing, then when someone else from her children speak english she sometimes get sarcastic that they are speaking wrong grammar and stuff. I told her to stop though. So i think it's part of it, they are embarrass and concious that others who will hear them speak english will laugh at them and they a just basically shy.

I really started something on Saturday, but two people including Norrie both said that talking English with a natural English speaker could give Philippinos/as a headache. I was told this in Minsk by a lady whose normal language was Russian, she said she had a sore head as she had been speaking and thinking in English for too long that day. I thought she was just ""at it"", so I suggested we switch to Polish which she said she could understand easily as it is very like Belarusian which she also spoke and I am quite good at Polish. But within five minutes she, not I, switched back into English. I just laughed and said in my limited Russian ""I'm sorry I don't understand, I don't speak English"", and then she laughed and we carried on, but in English, the headache was not mentioned again. You can always try and make a joke of it, but if possible in their own language. I am sure they are not deliberately meaning to hurt or insult you, but I am sure everyone agrees it is much easier to talk and joke in your own language. For you, as an adult, to learn Tagalog or whatever should be easy, as thousands of little two year olds can speak Tagalog, but then maybe they stay in Manila. :-) There is no easy answer, just learn your partner's language, after all your partner learned yours

Your frustration is understandable. I am a Filipino who lives in the UK,but I still try conversing in couple of Filipino dialect when with Filipino friends. However, I do get frustrated at times when my English friends make jokes that I do not to follow. Although, I am more comportable using English,and often when with Filipino friends we actually spoke in English in respect of their western partners if presence. But, then I live here so English is a must to me. I do agree that when living in the Philippines, it is indeed sensible to expect that family etc etc. will always converse in their mother tongue regardless of their ability to speak English. It is not rude to them I can assure you that, it is simply comportable to speak one's language when in their own country if they wish to do so. When I was in the Philippines at Christmas time,I have spoken in Tagalog to my relative who lives in Manila and I have spoken in Pampanga with my family in Angeles City. In no point my honey have objected while I spoke in my mother tongue to my family or relatives, who actually speak good English. I simply translate to him after what we were on about. He finds it puzzling that I kept reverting to English as it is. He feels it is good to use one's language whenever is possible. He can't understand a thing about the filipino language but it didn't intimidated him a bit. Having said that,some of my English friends feels rather intimidated when groups of ethnic minority are talking in their mother tongue and I had to explain to them that in no way their subject is about them or anything to do with them. So, I understand very well where you coming from. Simply stated how you feel and they will make adjustment and consider how you feel about being left out. I often translate to my English friends what we are on about,so, that they don't feel left out. I felt similar while living in HK and I can only understand very few phrases and I often feels left out when my colleagues are having conversation. I didn't learned the language much tho. as what I don't understand it doesn't hurt.

I did get headache thinking too much in local dialectt while I was in Angeles City, I simply didn't think that way for quite sometimes. I was talking in tagalog but my brain is geared in English and it is simply hard task speaking in 3 languages and kept switching off. It is rather amusing for my tired mind! I'm pulling this directly from Don Herrington's Living in the Philippines web site: ""For visa information and rules regarding moving here, put ""Philippine Government"" in your browser. The Department of Immigration and the Customs Bureau will have everything you need."" There is also some information in our files section on visas, as well as dual citizenship. I think the consensus on furniture is that it's better to leave it behind and start fresh in the RP. For threads on that topic, search the message archive. I hope this information gives you a good starting point. If you have specific questions afterward, please post them, and I'm sure someone will have an answer.

We have had many thoughtful and educational posts on this subject. As an American, I have frequently found myself in the situation described where I am being excluded from the conversation, both in the U.S. and in the Philippines. I think that the most important thing for non-Filipinos to remember is that Filipinos are the most respectful and cordial people on the face of the earth, and i'm sure that NEVER have these non-english conversations been meant to be rude or disrespectful. Sometimes, we English speakers tend to adopt the attitude that everyone should speak English at all times. We don't mean to be so selfish. It's just that we are sometimes thoughless.

our frustration is understandable. I am a Filipino who lives in the UK,but I still try conversing in couple of Filipino dialect when with Filipino friends. However, I do get frustrated at times when my English friends make jokes that I do not to follow. Although, I am more comportable using English,and often when with Filipino friends we actually spoke in English in respect of their western partners if presence. But, then I live here so English is a must to me. I do agree that when living in the Philippines, it is indeed sensible to expect that family etc etc. will always converse in their mother tongue regardless of their ability to speak English. It is not rude to them I can assure you that, it is simply comportable to speak one's language when in their own country if they wish to do so. When I was in the Philippines at Christmas time,I have spoken in Tagalog to my relwhere you coming from. Simply stated how you feel and they will make adjustment and consider how you feel about being left out. I often translate to my English friends what we are on about,so, that they don't feel left out. I felt similar while living in HK and I can only understand very few phrases and I often feels left out when my colleagues are having conversation. I didn't learned the language much tho. as what I don't understand it doesn't hurt.ative who lives in Manila and I have spoken in Pampanga with my family in Angeles City. In no point my honey have objected while I spoke in my mother tongue to my family or relatives, who actually speak good English. I simply translate to him after what we were on about. He finds it puzzling that I kept reverting to English as it is. He feels it is good to use one's language whenever is possible. He can't understand a thing about the filipino language but it didn't intimidated him a bit. Having said that,some of my English friends feels rather intimidated when groups of ethnic minority are talking in their mother tongue and I had to explain to them that in no way their subject is about them or anything to do with them. So, I understand very well

Well, lets see if this post draws any fire (kevlar and flak vest available upon request..hehehe) The post of ""what to do when you have no idea what is being said"" or words to that effect was really great. But now lets take it another step..........karaoke! I've found that filipino's simply enjoy hearing a foreigner attempt to sing in their language...and they may laugh, or giggle..but its not an insult to you...to me they are actually applauding your courage to attempt it, and to hear it sung by someone else other than another filipino. And if they in turn sing a song in english, after they are done, do the same for them..it only bonds the two cultures together....... So go for it!.......sing your heart out..if you say words wrong, after your done..I've always found they will help you correct the word or words you said wrong..and they do it with a smile and with sincerity. So don't worry about whats being said, enjoy the moment and enjoy being with your new found friends! Take care!!!

WOW! I wondered what the next position on this post would have been after I had put my 'two cents' worth in. For the one inquiring mind since all that was left was 'JK'...yes my X wifes grandmother is single still (widowed), I however am engaged, but we still correspond and see each other when I can visit. I've found that in whatever country I am in...'I' am the one that should be learning their language, not 'assuming' that because they 'can' speak english that that is how we will communicate. One of the posts hit the nail on the head with, ""headache""...trying to convert Spanish, Japanese, and Tagalog,Visayan,Cebuano,Illocano, etc, etc all over into english in ones mind...might cause a serious migraine! Like I've said, if I don't understand...thats why I've got a dictionary, and together we can communicate that way...I've never expected a filipino to converse solely in english, and I hope they in turn don't expect me to converse solely in tagalog, (except when I've had way too many San Miguels!) As for hearing a filipino speak english, I'm not a english teacher by no means, so I don't care what the speech, or the grammer sounds like, its communication...effective communication is what makes it all so much happier! And what I usually look for is body language...took me forever to figure out when a filipino was pointing to something they would use their lips to basically show me.....now its just second nature..same with raising the eyebrows to acknowledge a question or to even say hello. Alot of people think that when foreigners come to the USA, they should be expected to speak english, not true, anyone I've come into contact here in the USA from another country, can communicate with the basics..thats good enough for me! If a filipino decides to converse with their friends in their dialect, I'm not offended, I try to piece together what they are saying, and if I can't oh well...I just patiently wait until they are done, and we move on with life. I'm a firm believer in equality, we are all human, from different ways of life, cultures, and traditions, lets just mingle together, learn more of each other's countries, and enjoy. Because life is too short to drink cheap beer! See you all in a few weeks!

Please give a week or so to be better able to provide you more accurate information. My wife Margaret was evacuated from Amman, Jordan on Feb. 8th by my company (Raytheon)due to the current situation. Margaret has the breakdown on our Guimaras construction and I will send her an e-mail as soon as I sent this requesting answers to your questions and any corrections to what I have stated.

I have lived there and have visited there quite a bit. I've also lived in and visited a lot of other places in the world, 60 years worth, and I'd like to offer this observation. I have met and know people from a lot of different countrys and cultures and I have never met anyone more courteous or respecful than the wonderful folks of the Philippines. To me, it makes sense and seems pretty natural that people in their own countries are going to converse with each other in their native tongue. Accepting that, I have learned something I've heard many saying on this site and that is that if one makes even the smallest attempt to speak the language of the culture they're visiting or living in, you see eyes light up----especially in the Philippines. Taking out a phrase book makes those lit-up eyes even brighter. I've had many of my friends in the RP tell me they feel even ""honored"" that we would wish to converse with them in their dialect, no matter how small an attempt it is. No matter what the culture, I have also learned that certain things we say can open up an entire new experience. In addition to greetings and courtesy phases, learning to ask how to say something in Tagalog, Cebuano, etc. or what something means in that dialect is almost even indespensable. Add that to learning some of the particular cultures gestures and, of course, a smile and it is my belief we can find out anything we wish. Just my two centavos worth for whatever it means.

well less than two weeks and over the big pond for you, must be getting excited. still plan on picking you up at the air port on the 14th. just a short story to add about filipinos and the english language. my son john's birthday was a couple of weeks ago and assawa invited a few of the mothers that she socializes with from the school, and one of those mothers brought her husband with her so that he could meet me. after a couple of smb, and a little bit of english conversation, he told me of an american that he has for a neighbor and spends quite a bit of time with(mostly drinking) what he said next surprised me. he said if you come over to meet mike (another mike)me and my friends won't have head ache so often trying to speak english.

That might be the $1,000,000 question. I can only make some comments because I don't think there is one answer for everyone. It appears that Cebu is the most common nesting ground for Expats. It also apprears that Cebuano is more widely spoken than Tagalog (which was a surprise to me). That would lead some to beleive that Cebuano is the choice. Another factor would be what your plans are as it relates to travel once in the Philipppines. If you are going to travel on a regular basis as opposed to settling down *maybe* Tagalog would be better, I'm not really sure. Now that I've learned that Cebuano is more widely spokenn than Tagalog. That would tend to lead me towards Cebuano. But that's me with a wife fron Cebu. On a side note my wife's friends who speak Cebuano at get togethers are very apparent in there lack of desire to speak Tagalog even if there are girls who only speak Tagalog. I'm not 100% sure why and will try to get some clarification on this. I believe it has something to do with pride of province. I guess you couldn't hurt yourself trying to learn either or both. Or you could work on all the other aspects of Living in the Philippines and wait to meet your sweetheart to pick a language. Although it is always impressive to a filipina if you have any command of any philipino dialect.

A lot of peaple say there are problems with the residents around CDM due to flooding and/or loss of irrigation water due to the development (this has been in the local newspapers but I wont make categorical statements for legal reasons). Also very few houses have been built there, the roads are mainly dirt (still) although the lots were all sold out long ago (phase I) but the clubhouse building is there with a swimming pool. It is next to the sea but at low water it recedes vary far and the view bears little resemblance as depicted in the glossy brochures

If I were in your shoes the first thing I would try to do is get clarification on why your wife wants you to learn Tagalog. Second what is most commonly spoken in the home? I do know that Cebuano and wari wari are very different as my wife speaks both as well as Tagalog. Depending on how versed her *entire* family is in all of these different dialects I know I would not want to have my wife translating from Cebuano or Wari Wari into Tagalog or English just so I could be part of the conversation.

Check out the Philippine, Stock Exchange and SEC sites. There are some rules what Foreigners can and cannot invest, I am not particularly knowledgeable of them. Does it make sense? It's emerging market stock, limited to one country, it is high risk, which could mean high return as much as high losses. In addition to capital fluctuation you have the added risk of currency fluctuation, a market that is not so transparent; insider trading is common, and lack of Corporate Governance in Companies. A common thread of many Asian companies that even though they are public they still have a majority ownership by certain individuals. You can also buy into mutual funds, some are country pacific while others are region specific such as ASEAN, South East Asia Funds.

Not only is there a lot to do in many cases it easier to do, as firstly and secondly in most instances it will not cost an arm and a leg. I also play tennis, which is very popular here, unlike say in Hong Kong where can be very expensive and you need to arrange to play with other people, here I can play when I like, all I do is hire a hitter for 100 pesos an hour, at the same time I hire a ball boy for 40 pesos. Anybody that needs coaching it is 200 pesos for an hour. Add to that bowling also very popular from automatic lanes in the big cities to manual ones in the provinces, fitness centers, spas including natural ones, mountain climbing, horse riding, horseracing and even polo. Plus for those who enjoy night life, Manila is known to be one of the best in Asia, where apart from the restaurants, casinos and cinemas you can listen to a variety of excellent musicians in the clubs and bars from folk, to jazz, to classical, to pop etc. normally for no more than the cost of a dollar a beer. Now how can you get bored!

We have a link on things to do at www.livinginthephilippines.com, most put up by David Whittall. But there are a couple of things that come to mind that are not there, that I do, and the Filipinos love. I play table tennis, and everyone else does. Volley ball is also very popular. More popular than them both are Chess, with Scrabble a close second in many households. Tennis is expensive for many, but there are many courts here in Cebu and other places. For exercise you can always do some ball room dancing. If you need private lessons, they are about $4 here for the best, and much cheaper lessons are available. You can find tutor for just about anything you want at an excellent price, highly qualified. My hobby and avocation, for years, has been flying kites. I now fly the two string ""stunt."" kites that take a lot of concentration and al the strength I have left in this old body to control. When I get tired I pull out a more conventional on or more and decorate the sky. (That was the name of my former kite business, now defunct, *Decorate the Sky!* "") The best months in Cebu are April May and July for kites. Bear Brand milk has kite contests all over the Philippines with finals in Manila, usually. Some place near the water has good winds all year around. I still order ripstop nylon from the States, not available here, an build my own, when I can. I want one for windsurfing a fast growing sport in the states, ""Kite surfing,"" faster and more demanding the windsurfing, so I read. It is not done here. If there were enough tourist to afford it, or economic times were not so hard here, it may make a good business too, lessons, equipment sales, rentals and all. Now these are just a few. And some of you have your own hobbies. Everything from classic car collection to sitting on a bench, is here. For entertainment you can't beat the Philippines, in my opinion, because there is always someone unemployed to do it with you. I get most of my enjoyment and pleasure from being with the Filipino people. And of course ever NGO needs volunteers,even the Red Cross where I am on call for typhoons, etc. We have had so few here in Cebu, I have never been call and been to training and on the list for three years. As the moderators continue to contribute more and more to helping me manage the List, I intend to do more of the above, especially some island hopping. Don't do as I do, get tied to the computer and miss all the fun. I had 11 good years of it and then started the list. It gives me pleasure to provide what I can to others as it does the moderators, but it takes so much time.