My Move to the Philippines

I was reading an article on another blog, which I will give the link to at the end of my post, concerning the authors Top 10 reasons for dating a filipina girl. This list included things such as the beauty of filipinas, their great diposition, their committment to being  good homemakers and more. Please take time to read this article and leave a comment on what you think.

Although the things the author listed are true, he forgot what I think is one of the most important things, the filipino family. Even though I lived in the Philippines for almost 10 years it was brought home to me recently while talkng with a friend who had just returned from the Philippines. This was the first time this gentleman had been to the Philippines as he had met his wife in the states. The first thing he mentioned about his trip was how he was accepted by the family from day one. He felt comfortable with all of her family and was welcomed with open arms. In fact from a person who was scared about going over there he admitted that he couldn’t wait to return to the Philippines.

It’s the same with my wife’s family. They accepted me as one of their own right away even though they had never met me before and had only spoken limited times on the phone with me. I was now “Uncle” to more nieces and nephews than I could ever imagine. And you know what? I loved it! I was not close to any of the kids on my side of the family. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them it was just that they had their own lives and I had mine. They ran to dance lessons, ball practice, and whatever else was going on in their lives. But my nieces and nephews and brother in laws and sister in laws in the Philipppines seemed to want to be around me and do things involving me. I can remember my first week after meeting my new family I had the honor of pinning on a merit badge for my great niece as a Philippine scout. This was done in a school ceremony and I felt honored that she chose me. I hadn’t done something like this since my own children were that age.

There is a saying among Americans that are married to filipinas that when you marry a filipina you marry her whole family. Some imply that it’s a bad thing but I can tell these men have never visited the Philippines and met with their wife’s family. The man who has been there and met his new family and experienced the filipino family life knows that he is truely blessed to have “married her whole family.” 

Referenced article: http://www.visitphilippineislands.com/32/philippine-women/#comment-30