ray seva

Hey everyone! <BR> On September 30th I'll be going over to the Philippines...flying out of LAX on Philippine Airlines. <BR> Anyone out there have any comments/observatios about experiences flying PAL? My buddies jokingly say I'd better be prepared to pay for another ticket to get home because the airline could go bankrupt at any moment...thus stranding my butt. <BR> They're just kidding, right? <BR> <BR>PS Also, some of my friends say the native filipinos don't like filipino-americans (I'm filipino-american)...ESPECIALLY those who can't speak tagalog. I'm REALLY excited about visiting the islands for the first time. <BR> Again, my friends are only joking about this, right?? <BR> <BR>Thanks...actually, salamat.

cb

I don't know of any Filipinos who hate <BR>Filipino-Americans. In fact, mestizos are highly regarded in the Philippines. Filipinos consider those who are fair-skinned & light-haired to be automatically good-looking. However, do not be too critical, do not be arrogant or make them feel inferior, just be friendly and they'll treat you like royalty. Just remember that the Philippines is a 3rd world country and you will not find all the conveniences you are accustomed to. <BR> <BR>sorry, can't comment on PAL.

cb

I do not know Filipinos who hate Filipino-Americans. In fact, mestizos are highly regarded in the Philippines. Anyone who is fair-skinned, light-haired are automatically considered good looking. However, do not be too critical, do not be arrogant, do not make anyone feel inferior even though Filipinos have a tendency to think mestizos are superior. Just be friendly and you will be treated like royalty. Remember that the Philippines is a 3rd world country, and you will not find all the conveniences you are accustomed to.

cb

Sorry for the double reply; I thought I lost my first one.

Emily

Perhaps your friends are referring to the fact that Phillipine Airlines recently went bankrupt and ceased to operate for a period (I'm afraid I don't know for how long). At any rate, they're back in business now; but I don't know anything else about their financial stability. <BR> <BR>My Asian-American friends who don't speak their mother tongue have said that they sometimes get surprised looks (nothing more) from the native population when they go back to visit. What about taking a quick course in conversational Tagalog? You could take out a few tapes from the library or look for a class in your school district's Adult Education School or at a local community college.

Beverly

Hello, Ray Seva. I was just browsing the Philippines forum. In case you are still checking in, I'm curious to find out how your first trip to the Philippines went. I, too, am a Filipina-American, meaning I have two Filipino parents but I was raised in the US. I do not speak Tagalog and I find those who do in this country don't accomodate those who don't very readily. <BR>I am hoping to visit the Philippines in the next few years and would love to know about your experiences. <BR>