Travel Tip #1 - Your Preflight CheckTravel Tip #2 - The PhilippinesTravel Tip #3 - Foreign Government Tourist OfficesTravel Tip #4 - The Changing Face of the Singapore GirlTRAVEL TIP #1
YOUR PREFLIGHT CHECK
You will probably look many times through this publication before you make the decision to plunge into a new relationship. There is time to pause and weigh the "pros" and "cons" of your decision. Among the pilots it is called the "go" or "no go" decision.
To arrive at that decision, every pilot has to run a thorough pre-flight check. The more complex an aircraft you fly, the more complex the check you would run. You must make sure that the journey you are about to begin will be safe and have a happy ending. The occasional articles in the news show that not all decisions are wise, and failure to do a thorough "preflight" usually results in grave consequences. As you can see, there are similarities in making a decision to start a flight or to start a new relationship. In both instances it is important to realize that without preparation and sound judgment, even a joy ride may end up in a disaster.
Several words of caution are due here. Most of them are common sense. However, because of the human factor involved we often tend to make mistakes in what normally would have been a straightforward decision.
As mentioned earlier, most of the people featured here are our friends or friends of our friends. As the number of names grew it became impossible to get to know every person featured here closely. We do verify every address, but it is always possible that there are unscrupulous individuals out there who would take advantage of your trust. Typically, such a person professes undying love for you very early on. Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. The typical scenario that follows is that either your pal or someone very close to her (usually a family member) is or becomes critically ill and only you can help. Actually, it is you and God, but since only you can provide cash, the burden really lies just on you. The help requested is usually a substantial amount of money. The actual amount varies and depends on how bold your pen friend is. If you will not help, "you'll break your friend's heart".
We suggest that that is exactly what you do at that point. Terminate your correspondence unless you wish to get gradually fleeced. Don't get sucked in. Any request for money or support should be a red flag and you better let them know that you know. You will also find out how quickly the "endless" love dies. As fighter pilot Chuck Yaeger once said, "the pilot who wants to live a long life knows when to press on and when to back off." Don't push your luck.
This is not to say that you should be unkind. In most Oriental countries poverty is rampant. There may be situations where some of your friends may not have enough money even for postage, let alone sending you their photos. That's when your judgement and wisdom comes in. A few dollars here and there for the postage may cross the bridge and bring you closer. It won't hurt you, but you must know how much is enough. You must also realize that family ties are very strong and important in the Orient. When you commit yourself to someone, it is a 'package" deal where your Oriental friend's family is a part of it. It is important to set the rules of the relationship early to avoid problems later. We know of Americans who went bankrupt in spite of their better-than-average income.
If you are looking for true love and total dedication then you are looking in the right direction. The Orient is the way to go. You will not find a more dedicated and more loving partner and parent. But occasionally it may lead towards an extreme where unfounded jealousy on your partner's part may destroy the relationship. To support my point I would like to refer you to a Dear Abby column which appeared in the LA Times (and all syndicated daily papers) on June 21, 1996 entitled "His Wife Has a Suspicious Mind". Several days after this column was published someone else sent in additional suggestions (July 17, 1996), proving that the cases of unjustified and exaggerated jealousy are not just isolated incidents.
The males featured in here are in many ways (though to a lesser degree) very much like their female counterparts which brings you to the conclusion that these traits are cultural. The incidence of smoking and drinking is much higher among the Filipinos, (but less among the Chinese, Indonesian and Singapore men) than among North American men.
While most of the candidates presented here are looking for a future spouse, you will find a number of married individuals who are interested in correspondence with others. Do not view them with suspicion. Those are people who are interested in your culture and friendship, and are happily married. There are still a few of us who believe that friendship between a man and a woman is possible without any sexual undertones.
The persons featured in the EUROPEAN EXPRESS section are quite different. Most of them are accomplished professionals seeking counterparts with the same interests. Most of them are looking for friendship although some would not object to relocation. While for most Orientals, a move to North America would be primarily motivated by improved in living conditions, a lot of Europeans like to correspond just to broaden their horizon.
Enough said? One cannot overstress the importance of open communication once you get close to each other. The rule is that no matter how much you are in love, there are certain freedoms and there are certain limits, and those have to be thoroughly discussed prior to any definite arrangement. Again, honesty and unrestricted bilateral communication are a must.
If you like to drink or if you are a smoker, let your friend know ahead of time. It is unlikely that you'll break the habits, but it is very likely that the habits might break your relationship.
TRAVEL TIP #2
THE PHILIPPINES
By Alicia M. Moncay
When Ferdinand Magellan came in l52l, he named the Philippines "Archipelago of St. Lazarus." The name "Philippines" by which the country is officially known, however, was given by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in l543 to honor Prince Philip of Asturias. The Prince later became Philip II, King of Spain. For three centuries, the Spanish ruled the Philippines and exploited the wealth of the country and people.
The Philippines lie a little above the equator in Southeast Asia. The total land area is 300,780 square kilometers or 0.2% of the world's land mass. Having 7,l07 islands, it is one of the world's largest archipelagos or group of islands. Of the islands, only 2,773 have names and l,l90 are inhabited. The biggest island group is Luzon (l4l,395 square kilometers). The second largest is Mindanao (l0l,999 square kilometers) and the third is the Visayas (56,606 square kilometers).
This country neighbors in the north with China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, North and South Korea and Japan; west is Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Burama, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Brunei, Indonesia, Papua-New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand are to the south and finally east of the Philippines is Guam and the Micronesian Islands (Marianas, Carolinas and the Marshall Islands).
The country is endowed with scenic beauties and natural wonders. In the highlands of Northern Luzon are the world-renowed Banaue Rice Terraces, acclaimed by historians as the "eighth wonder of the world." They were built more than two thousand years ago by the hardy Ifuagos who had only their bare hands and crude stone tools. Along massive slopes of the mountains, they rise like a gigantic staircase towards the clouds.
Other beautiful sights and tourist spots in the land are the Pansanjan Falls and Gorge, the inland Dimpaloc Lake of San Pablo City, the exciting Hidden Valley of Alaminos in Laguna Province and the amazing Umbrella Geyser of Barrio Bigas, San Juan. One can continue to the attractive Mawtabundkay Beach and the petite Taal Volcano.
The Philippines have more than 50 volcanoes which lie in the "ring of fire" in the Pacific. Most famous and scenic of these volcanoes is Mt. Mayon in Albay, Bicol.
The sunsets are breathtaking whether you watch them at the beach in Cawvito or in the lovely Manila Bay. Foreign authors and tourists unanimously hail it as the most beautiful sunset in the world.
But it is not just the sunsets. There is the glistening crystal cave near Baguio City, the picturesque Hundred Islands of Lingayen Gulf, the inspiring Montalban Caves in Rizal Province and the famous Boracay Beach in Kalibo, Aklan. Other places worth seeing include the scenic Talisay Beach in Cebu, the mysterious seven kilometer long underground river in Palawan. There are so many natural scenic and tourist spots.
The Philippines has a tropical climate which is tempered by the breeze from the Pacific Ocean on the east and the China Sea on the west. There are only two pronounced seasons: the dry season which extends from late March to June, and the wet season during July through October. The period from late November to February is usually cool. May is usually the hottest month of the year while January and February are the coolest. Some parts of the country are susceptible to typhoons, especially those areas facing the China Sea.
Though small, the Philippines has rich natural resources. Agriculturally, the Philippines are among the richest lands on earth.
The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia. About 93% of the people are Christians--83% are Catholics, 7.6% are Aglipayans and 2.3% are Protestants and other sects. Catholicism was Spain's greatest legacy to the Philippines. The Americans introduced western Protestant denominations (Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist and Seventh Day Adventist).
Most Filipinos are a combination of marriages between the Spanish and the Filipinos, resulting in the pleasing facial features. Several Filipinas have been crowned Miss Universe. John Foreman, a famous writer, once said that the Filipinos have many good qualities which go far to make up for shortcomings. They love fiestas, parties, expensive clothes and jewels, for which they spend a lot of money.
Filipinos are known also for their warm hospitality and for their close family ties. To them, "blood is thicker than water." The parents work hard and sacrifice much for their children. In return, their children love and respect them and take good care of them in their old age. Gratitude is another sterling trait of the Filipinos. They are grateful to those who have granted them favors or who are good to them.
Like other countries, the Philippines produced several great heroes. One of the most famous is Dr. Jose Rizal. His greatness lies in being a brave and intelligent man who awakened the hearts of many Filipinos who were mistreated during Spanish rule. As a way of honoring Rizal, school curricula include a specific course dedicated only to Rizal. The students study his life and works.
Apart from the Spanish, the Philippines were from time to time occupied by other nations--the Chinese, the Japanese and the Americans. Some of these cultures have become an integrated part to the Filipino way of life today. The most positive impact that the Americans had on the Filipino culture was the opening of public schools. Although the Americans had some motives in exploiting the Philippines' wealth, they did not neglect the importance of educating the people. From the time the Americans taught English to the Filipinos, English became the medium of instruction in all their schools.
Several Presidents have ruled over the Philippines. Ferdinand E. Marcos ruled the country the longest and was the one who declared martial law during the unsettling seventies. He was succeeded by Corazon C. Aquino, the first female president of the country. She is the widow of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who was accused of Communistic tendencies and later assassinated. Presently, Fidel V. Ramos, third cousin of Marcos is the President.
Currently the Philippines have good relationships with the United States in spite of the fact that they removed U.S. military establishments in the Philippines. (The base in Subic Bay has become the Asian operational center for Federal Express).
In terms of culture, the Philippines is a mixture of different cultures from the East and the West. It is said that the Filipinos can easily adapt to any culture. Among all Asians, the Filipinos are the easiest to pick out in a crowd as they look somewhat like almond-eyed Americans who have been browned by too much sun. Most speak English quite well and you will understand them easily once you are attuned to their accent.