I am living permanently in the Philippines since January 1999. Meanwhile I got great opportunities: writing for several print papers and hosting radio shows in the Philippines, which are also to be recognized via live stream.
Meanwhile I receive a lot mails daily - mostly from concerned foreigners, who plan to put a business here or to get married to Filipina/Filipino national. Or, they are in need to get help and professional assistance in dealing with several Philippine authorities.
I always like people asking a lot of questions before moving to the Philippines for good. I appreciate that. Anyway, some questions are still hurting me, although I am not a Filipino. Sometimes, I really don't know whether I should laugh or cry.
A doctor from a Western country sent me an email (already many years ago, but it's really a fantasic example!), asking if Filipinos are wearing shoes, because he only and always saw them in slippers. NO COMMENT.
A businessman asked why Filipinos try to avoid to speak (and/or learn) the Spanish language.I suggested to him, to research Philippine History.
Someone mailed and asked, if the Philippines are really such poor, and if we would have hunger here?
Another doctor planned to open up a clinic in the "capital of the Philippines", asking me, if I would enjoy living and working in this capital "Jakarta". I really thought, he was kidding. When I mailed him, that Jakarta is not the capital of the Philippines,he stopped mailing me.
Sometimes, I am wondering myself, why foreigners don't know more about this beautiful country - especially if they are planning to move here for good.
"Do you have tomatoes there?" - An email - just a couple of days ago... .
Maybe those million Philippine Oversea Workers could help to establish a better image of the Philippines. Before Philippine Star columnist Jessica Zafra stated: "It's an entire country outside our national borders. All those Filipinos have friends, former classmates, colleagues and family members living abroad!"
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