The things I’ve discovered from dating a Filipino girl

• Posted on Feb 21, 2020

Uk tourist Jon Howe recalls their experience dating an other long-term adventurer, Filipino Kach Medina. The thing that was said to be a visit that is two-week them has because changed into nearly 2 yrs together

Back 2005 as well as for about a decade prior to, I happened to be located in the UK, learning architecture and working 9-to-5s in various architectural techniques. We had great companies and peers and I couldn’t help but feel there was something missing although I enjoyed my work. There must be more to life than walking to the building that is same time, seeing exactly the same individuals and doing just about exactly the same things again and again.

MEMORY. The we met day. Luang Prabang, Laos. All pictures supplied by Kach Medina or Jon Howe

I made the decision it had been time for a change that is serious my entire life, thus I conserved for per year, offered my automobile and other things that may be sold, purchased a one-way solution and left the united kingdom with absolutely nothing but my backpack. It had been while traveling through Laos by motorbike with my closest friend that We came across this young Filipino backpacker.

I immediately felt she was distinct from all the girls We came across while backpacking, and we hit it down immediately. We kept in touch although we went our separate ways shortly after. After 2 months, Kach came to see me personally in Hanoi for a fortnight, where I experienced set myself up being an English teacher. Well, a couple of weeks has because changed into very nearly couple of years, 7 countries, numerous random jobs and countless tales to inform!

You travel as an adult you see things differently and it changes you – sometimes in very subtle ways, sometimes more obviously whilst I traveled quite a bit as a child, with my parents working in Africa, when. Nevertheless, whenever you’re in a long-lasting relationship with some body from a different country and tradition, then you start to look at distinctions a whole lot more plainly. (READ: 10 Commandments for the next travels )

Being through the uk, you inevitably become used to Western methods and undoubtedly in change, Western women. Having kept Britain a while ago and achieving now been with Kach for more than a i thought i’d reflect on some of the things i’ve learned being in a relationship with a filipina and how i may have changed in the process year.

Open hands. Start doorways. http://rose-brides.com/italian-brides/ Into the UK, if somebody, understood or unknown, had been to reach at your home, for just what we’ll assume is some really good and truthful explanation, you then would in the beginning be just a little dubious. ‘They must want one thing from me personally, ’ you would think, or maybe more sadly, ‘ exactly exactly What? An individual? Within my home? Just just exactly How strange! ’

Reunion with friends and family members in Singapore

Now, in stark comparison, when you’re at the front end home of the Filipino and are also invited in, then you’ll realize that they’re a number of the warmest, many inviting people on earth. Also you, ’ you’ll already have met Mum, Dad, the grandparents and anyone else who happens to be in easy reach before you can manage a single, socially awkward, ‘Err, hello, so nice to meet.

Not only this, but quite literally away from nowhere, there will appear sufficient meals to feed a tiny village for a week. No, really it is awesome, Filipina grandmas have secret food abilities!

I’ll never think about break fast the way that is same once again.

British breakfast – Porridge, toast, orange juice, bacon and sausage – with beans, if you’re feeling rebellious. Complete!

Filipino breakfast – Adobo – Lots of meat, marinated in vinegar, soy sauce and garlic…with rice!

Tocino – Pork belly (the fattiest, tastiest bit! ), with salt and sugar, then fried till crispy…with rice!

Meals within the Philippines is amazing, it is as easy as that. Something that shocked me personally, but, had been the decision of morning meal meals. I’ve always been familiar with 1 or 2 items of bacon or perhaps a juicy Cumberland sausage into the but now I get mood swings if I haven’t eaten half a pig and a kilo of rice by 9am morning!

Ah, karaoke.

I’ve for ages been a small partial to loudly and drunkenly screaming out Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ for a Prayer, ” but since being with Kach I’ve developed a sixth feeling, that we are determined to phone, ‘Microphonia. ’ I am able to sense a Karaoke machine within a radius that is 20-mile I’m quite prepared to kill for the will of Red Horse alcohol together with opportunity to sing Pusong Bato in a club filled with random strangers!

We shall never ever haggle just like a Filipino

Growing up in Africa, I’d a good amount of opportunities to see my moms and dads negotiating along the cost of sets from fruit and veggies, to decorative woodcarvings and also (ahem) speeding seats. Therefore demonstrably a number of this bargaining energy must have rubbed down on me personally, appropriate?

Yes, I am able to get a couple of bucks from the cost of some tourist souvenirs on the market and maybe also bargain down my overnight bus admission a small, but I’m no match for Kach.

Bargain laugh (and exhausted merchant! )

For Kach, all things are a discount that is potential matter just exactly just how tiny. She’ll quite joyfully spend around 30 minutes wanting to negotiate 5 cents from the cost of an apple and then execute a success party on upon conclusion for the deal! She never ever also desired the apple. (BROWSE: 5 strategies for your financial allowance trips )

The mystical truth

It’s a well-trodden label in the western that Asian women can be extremely loving, faithful and good for their males and also this is undoubtedly true of Filipino ladies (though I’ve only known one! ).

Nonetheless, allow it to be magnificent that it is not exactly like subservient; really i’d like a relationship, the same partner. It’s the small items that count, like lovingly prepared home-cooked dishes each and every day and random mind massages – maybe maybe not as you asked or she feels she’s to, but because she would like to.

Be certain to not ever simply just take her for granted however. She might be incredibly loving, caring and devoted, but that doesn’t mean she’ll enable you to pull off being fully a shit husband or boyfriend. ‘Hell hath no fury like a lady scorned’ does not really start to explain a annoyed filipina – you have already been warned!

Kach usually informs me that although some Filipinos have become patient, in the event that you push them too far, they are able to actually hurt you. Needless to say, i believe she’s most likely simply attempting to frighten me, but would that risk is taken by you with all the girl whom watches you sleep?!