Do you think the Filipinos who dream of going to the US are aware of its problems?

When I announced I was moving to the Philippines my friends and relatives all warned me I would be killed.

It would appear the myths about other countries are alive and well in both our countries.

America like any country, including the Philippines, has it's problems. Each country has places and things of some risk and danger to the unwarry.

The media, both movies and the news media, sensationalize and distort the facts. Are there ugly areas like those portrayed in the American media....sure there are..... but they are few and far between. The media does not reflect reality there anymore than it does here (.....or in Iraq ....but that is another topic for another time)

My wife's father was hacked to death in a Pilippine fishing village fiesta when she was 8 years old. In her village, 5 people died during one festival celebration. She was afraid to take me to her village. In Dumaguete City, 9 journalist have been murdered in the last 6 months. Last month a teenage boy was gunned down on the pier because the vigilantees thought he was a drug dealer. He was just a kid visiting from another island. Across from my house a 12 year old girl was raped and murdered; the rapist was almost beat to death by my neighbors. I know of 6 robberies and murders of University students by drug addicts in the past year. I know personally, 4 foreigners who have been robbed at gun point. While everything I have listed is true.....it is NOT the beautiful Philippines I have grown to love. It presents a distorted picture and is just as unfair as the one you seem to have of America.

The ugly stereotype of countries is just as wrong as doing it to people.

I've been to your country on vacation several years ago and although your country and all it's various islands are very nice and quite unique in many aspects, I'd never trade living there for living here in America. Sure, there are a few gangs here and there, especially in the larger cities, but I haven't heard of any piracy in American waters since a few hundred years ago, but there are pirates preying upon tourists all over the place where you live. You law enforcement really sucks by American standards. Pirates, gangs, what's the difference?

Why do you think Filipinos go to Lebanon, even if there is a ban by the Philippine government, because of the great dangers?

Why do you think are Filipinos insisting in going through with their jobs in Iraq, at the height of the war?

Because they are willing to sacrifice life and limb to earn more than what they can earn in the Philippines, given their limited qualifications and opportunities. It is a sacrifice they are willing to take for a chance to improve their family's standard of living.

And the USA is a much safer place than either Lebanon or Iraq.

Hey Otaku!!!

What you said about many Filipinos having the 'American Dream' is true..sort of..

Well, your question is real interesting to me 'cause i'm half-filipina, half-American.('',), And its for this reason that I grew up as a little kid in America ( California) but later on, moved to my mom's birthplace,.. you guessed it, the Philippines. Now that i'm a college student studying nursing , i plan to move back to the states next year to continue my studies there.

Many of my classmates also happen to find going to America abroad a really vivid dream, they share with me their plans and goals of finding a good position as a nurse or caregiver there. For them, like you said, the U.S is a chance to earn a decent living. And sometimes, they ask me for pictures and my point of view on America...

I can tell you that they probably have a some idea of the states, but some Pinoys just are simply overcome with the dream of going abroad and making cash.,

Do you believe the stuff that's shown on the media about America?.. You know..words that Am-citizens are tough, girls there are "...liberal.." war and fraternity based topics are prevalent? Well.. the truth is, sometimes the media shows this about the states to just illuminate the Negative issues and topics in America.It exaggerates them so that attention can drawn to them, and leaves an impression on others, too.

I may have just been a 12-year-old kid when i was there, but as far as I know, not everything about the states is bad.. and

everyone there has their own unique personality, unlike the stereotypical impressions seen on media. But if people there really are being racists, they should be reported..

If we compare it to Manila, The U.S has its own problems too, like crime, poverty, and drugs.., but the Philippines has them too! Its just that their problems are being given more exposure..and thats to caution anyone who considers to go there..

Thats only my opinion. But its simply still an opinion and can be objected to, if anyone is against it. Pero, I hoped it helped you with your problem!! ;-) Salamat po!!

Obviously, some people don't have any idea about the real story behind the so-called 'American Dream'. They think that when you're already working abroad.. you are already sleeping on a bed full of money but the truth is they don't know that people abroad are working their as.s off to survive such a rat race life. You have to work.. work.. work.. and become a slave of work in order to survive and pay your bills. (credit card, house, car, etc..) Since when you're earning $ or € or whatever currency you're working for.. you are going to spend the same dough except when you're already back in the Philippines with your hard earned money. <*-*>

Bottom line: Sacrifice first before paradise.

I KNOW that the Filipinos who dream of going to the US are aware of its problems - but still the 'American dream' proves too tempting for them to resist.

...Any way, some do realise even MORE than they dreamed of, or for : After all, not every city and town in the US is infected with 'drugs, gang activity, and juvenile delinquency', nor are all US citizens colour-biased bigots !

hmm,interesting question.If I were young and poor I would move to the u.s.It does offer more opportunities than most countries,[but]for for every advantage theres a disadvantage,many americans are jaded by the american dream and have poor work ethics,in other words they want something for nothing hence the crime,drugs and dog eat dog attitude.I think people all over the world are basically the same,most good,some bad and many in between.

I spent about 3 years in the US. All things considered, if I were still single and looking to start a career I'd want to be in the US. But in my present situation, married to someone established here in the Phils, I wouldn't want to move.

going to immigrate to another place is a big step in ones life and i believe that filipinos dreaming of going to the us have taken into consideration the risks and sacrifices that comes with the move. we definitely have no right to judge others on what decisions they make. all of us have different dreams when we sleep. we have happy dreams, sad dreams and oftentimes scary dreams. i wish them well on their dreams.

It's all about the money.

Compared to the minimum wage they receive here, most filipinos would rather endure the loneliness and and racial wars in the US than stay here.