Do you think the Philippines is overrated or underrated?

As a Filipino myself I like all their insights about Filipinos especially the country. To me ít doesn’t matter if it’s negative or not as long as it’s true. Thanks for the video.

The first man should be called "Captain Positive." I love how he refused to talk about the negative stuff and wanted to focus only on the positive 👍

The Philippines is definitely under-rated. I've been returning to the Philippines every year since 1975 when i married my first Filipina wife. We were married for 41 years until she passed away from cancer two years after we retired here. I am a permanent resident here and remarried to a younger Filipina who was once my caregiver. I don't plan to return to the US.

There are over rated and under rated aspects just like anywhere else. But, you're free to participate in or avoid any part of the culture that doesn't work for you personally. Being in a country doesn't mean that you lose your right to choose what is good for you and what is not. I've been living here since 2015, in Palawan, and there is a lot to enjoy. But, there are many negative aspects to life that I have either simply avoided or found an alternative option to get the things I want/need for my family. Is it paradise? Absolutely not. Is it hell? Of course not. It's just like every other country in the world. Good and bad can be found everywhere, the Philippines is no different.

Very interesting guests. The German fellow is very wise. Filipinos are very friendly, but beware of the one shaking your hand with a smile on his face, with a knife in his other hand ready to stab you in the back. I'm Filipino and know many of these individuals.

The laughing American guy was good. Lol. The laugh was an explanation enough to the answers

I enjoyed the Irish gentleman's thoughts. Very honest. There are a lot of thirst trap video's about the Philippines right now, reaching a feaver pitch. Please be wise in big life choices.

The main goal for going places like the Philippines is to live more life for less money. I recommend you work on yourself first doing your homework before making the move overseas. Go overseas for the right reasons leaving all your bad habits behind. Don't go overseas repeating the same old mistakes. If you respect the Filipinos and their culture you will have a wonderful time. Never rush to find love taking your time in finding the right partner. Most Filipino women are more traditional seeking a long-term relationship. A women place is under your wing and never under your boot. When traveling don't become a victim of your bad choices. You can't keep drinking the sewer water expecting not to get sick. I try to live each day that makes yesterday jealous. You have bad people all over the world so be smart staying safe. No where is a perfect paradise with always having its compromises. Remember you are responsible for your own happiness in life. I have traveled since 1993 finally moving to Thailand in 2013 mainly for medical reason. I am happily married considering everything else a blessing that comes my way. Have the courage to find your happiness never letting anyone destroy your peace.

These are great answers from these people Alex I enjoy it here in the Philippines and the fact that English is understood here from almost anyone is a huge advantage

I love the PI. But can’t go either way. It is unique and that’s always a good thing

Do not expect western country comfort you will experience here also. Places vary depending on your budget. Just come here with good intentions and experience the culture.

i love how they all laughed when comparing the western women to the philipina women. lol That gives a very strong message

Great insight with residents and visitors to the country! I have never been there before. I have met people from there in Australia, and most are friendly, hardworking and giving. Not all human beings are the same in character, personalities, wants and needs. I think everywhere in the world there is an underated and overated aspect according to lifestyle upbringing and social status.

Nice video. I will be visiting Philippines for the first time in two weeks. I've been to Thailand, Japan , Indonesia, and China. It will be an interesting experience.

The main reason why people are able to enjoy their stay in the Philippines is because they are able to see the beauty of the Philippines. Every country has their own negative side and its dangers. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There might be so much poverty but imagine if the Philippines is as rich as Singapore, Japan or Western countries, then I doubt you have as friendly and as hospitable as the Filipinos. If Filipinos have it all, then the world will never have nurses, engineers, cruise ship crews etc. Philippines definitely is underrated and the beauty of it is that when they discover that Philippines is better than expected then people gets impressed fast. Good thing also that Philippines is lest touristy than other countries is that were able to preserve our spots

This was a great crossection of subjects; Australian, French, German, English; married, unmarried. Young and old. Great perspectives and question. More on this same question would be good. I will be visiting Cebu, Duma and Siquijor next month on vacation from US; also recon for retirement.

yes, we are very friendly and accomodating... thank you for your appreciations...

We Filipinos loves those appreciate our uniqueness.well okay every one have different views in life .but if you are a foreign tourist just be respectful and you will be respected in return.thanks for this content ...be safe always here in our beloved philippine country. ❤❤❤

The People are More Natural and Down to Earth

It's what you make of it and to have realistic expectations. You can live a comfortable life here amongst friendly and kind people. Also there are certainly nice areas to live in.

Yes it is and the pinay overrate their value They bring Nothing To a relation just problems. Just enjoy life and stay safe from abusive people

Pilipino is the same like the other country specially now young generation have everything ,drug drink to much alcohol ,lots of young even adult have no respect to other people .always beware where ever you go people is not the same like before .

From my own experience and perspective in comparison to the responses received in this video, I think the Philippines 🇵🇭 is underrated. It all depends on the likes and views of what you’re looking for. When it comes to nice women, the abundance can never be overstated. 😊

I prefer if it’s underrated than overrated. Then they’ll be mesmerized of the beauty as unexpected

Very honest observation😁 we do have good and bad things to see in my beloved country but its up to every foriegners own eyes and experience to answer in positive or negative point of views...but thats my Country... people will always appreciate or not depend on what they want or expect🎉❤

I Love it Too , Ready to Return 🌴

Love the honesty

Interesting perspective! Honest thoughts about the Philippines help set expectations.

Investing in a condo is risky business in the Philippines

The German guy was a good laugh great sense of humour also the Irish guy spoke the truth good and bad .

that French Romeo is hot like a french fry lol

That was a nice interview Alex 😊👌

We could all learn from this videos: traffic, customer service, better roads, safety at night, health care

Good to hear the comments pros and cons. No perfect country that have all the pros.

You get what you paid for. Trashy beach or clean beach. Full toilet or buhos/tabo/common toilet. But food is mostly overrated cos they're mostly fried in bad oil that will clog your arteries, or you'll be eating intestines as streetfood. Friendliness is overrated. The girls laugh and giggle a lot because their English is being tested, and not because they like you. Lots of air and noise pollution even in the countryside becos of tricycles or notorbikes. Now is that under or over rated? It really depends on which part of the world you came from and your global travel experience for you to give a benchmark on ratings.

Great interview Alex.

Good interview..hi alex merry christmas♥️🌲

The Philippines has two major problems: infrastructure (including tourism infrastructure) and lack of manufacturing. As for the high population, the good news is is that the population growth rate is slowing down. And, back to the infrastructure, it may be less developed than many of its Southeast Asian peers, but at least it's getting better.

Can I used magic jack to receive SMS 2-factor authentication text messages from my bank?

Philippines is the place to be.❤

Good video thank you! I appreciated hearing from a cross section of people, not just Americans because people from different countries bring a different perspective.

The German guy tells you that he had come to the Phils for work decades ago and you did not ask him what kind of job. A big WHY? .Yet, it is still an interesting video...

❤

I love what irish man said is 💯 true...

Location makes a huge difference. I live up north in pangasinan in the baraguy. Infrastructure is horrible, crowded streets, filth, bad smells, smoke in the air constantly, and not many good options for schooling our children. Since there are only a few expats the shopping is fine for locals but nothing much imported so no comforts of home. It's on me mostly but I can't speak the local language so I struggle to socialize but would very much like to make friends. Having visited other areas the grass is certainly greener in other areas of the country. My advice to people visiting with thoughts of retirement here is to check out lots of different areas, then decide where and if it's right for you. If my wife didn't own land and build a custom home where we are I'd definitely live elsewhere. Angeles near Clark, Iloilo, Valencia, Cebu, or Baguio would top my list of great places to live depending on your hobbies and needs.

I'm a local And still. Surprised to get surprise when I travel in provinces

I like your video because you are talking to ordinary people who are giving honest replies. Thank you.

Most appear to have a positive overall perception of the country. No place is perfect so far as I can tell. Only unrealistic expectations might lead to tremendous disappointment. -?- "IDEALS AND REALITY - CAN BE MILES APART" - in the real world. - - - It really all depends on your 'perspective' and tolerance for their specific short comings ? > Every place has some challenges for people to deal with and people deal with them differently. And - "one man's trash - is another man's treasure" - so there's that too ? Meaning a case could be made for either one ! = Beauty is is the eye of the beholder.

YES

A great video.I am married to a Filipina.With 2 children of our own.I have been to philippines 3 times.A beautiful country lovely people.Awesome hospitality and culture.I am looking forward in retiring in the beautiful philippines.

I think the reason many avoids visiting Philippines is that the flight ticket is too expensive compared to other Asian countries..

The Irish guy give honest response. Very realistic.

It's like on the level of Myanmar or below.

For me, it is under-rated for holidays. I got officemates here in the UK who’s been to Thailand and Bali and they rave so much about them, not considering that Phils has so much more to offer if you want some nice holidays.

Every country is Unique.

Definitely still underrated!! Philippines is usually the last country someone from a western country would travel to if it’s his first time traveling to Asia.

Romeo is stunning!

Definitely underated but that heat is something else the women are beautiful. And the Filipino people are wonderful

just don't disturb the wrong people.........very well said...

Wow that's great 👍 Info Beautiful comments about the Philippines

Most Filipinos are very friendly, caring & loving people, but once abused verbally or they get treated cruelly, you'll get what you deserve.

Sometimes in other interviews . the comments are not realistic.. Just to please the country or do not want to leave the country or get bash after . 😅. . thats all i observe . i understand why.

As a Filipino i believe............... That i have no comment❤

The German guy was very intelligent.

I would recommend checking out different islands of the Philippines. The whole Philippines is not the same. If you only visited one area your not able to judge fairly. Each area or islands can have very different experiences.

We had a holiday in the Philippines in August 2023, the stuff I purchased were definitely a lot lot cheaper, compared to the price of products in the UK.

I think I agree a lot with the German gentelmen .

Visitors perception vs. foreignors who live here will have a diff perspective. Fiipines is underated for visitors and overated for those that live here.

I want to be fair, there are good aspects to the Philippines. But reliable electricity and Internet is not one of them. Sure some areas can be better than others but I don't want live anywhere near Manila Metro even if the elec stay on there. But I can also recognize the other side, if you have a lifestyle in which you don't really need electricity all of the time nor care about connectivity then the electricity issue is not such a negative. For me ? I've been in the Internet industry and a user since 1995, I do almost everything I can using the Internet. I love it. It's my library, my TV, my banking, etc. I need the Internet to do my thing therefore I've given up on living full time in the Phils in my retirement, I'm going to visit and say for weeks at a time but I"m setting up my retirement in Thailand this year where things work maybe 300% more & better than the Phils. That number is just my assessment, not a scientific proven measurement. But that is just me, does not mean others are not happy to live in the Phils. Since Thailand and Philippines are very comparable it's not a bad thing to visit both countries and learn what works best for any given person.

I'm a Filipina who was born here in the Philippines. I came back as a balik Bayan after almost 36 yrs. I've been dreaming about eating authentic filipino food for years. I couldn't find any authentic pinoy food. Everything contains sugar. ( I'm diabetic) There's so much scam everywhere you go. Me and my husband's got scams at the Dampa. We also got scams going to Puerto Galera by tricycle drivers. My favorite part of the Philippines besides than fruits is President Marcos. ( Junior and Sr as well) Marco's parin. Still ❤ Philippines. I also love all those Filipinos who are honest and work hard for living.

Self reflection is difficult for anyone, even more so for a culture. People get accustomed to these habits and after a few generations see nothing wrong until the shoe is on the other foot

Romeo Romeo ❤

Wow fom Philippines

The 2nd interview, the girl, she's got that superstar look. Really beautiful.

Wow from Philippines

I kinda got an idea of a good business. That could be guiding the foreigners where to live , how to have properties and partner..life can be tough

Good topic!

The first man got me laughing hard. His laugh was like my father. Like laughter with steps!

Its philippines its a world outside the fast world. It will never be over rated for the people seeking slow peace and paradises

Look, whatever country you're in as a foreigner, just don't be an ass. Follow the rules and regulations. Just because you're a foreigner from a first world doesn't meant that you can act entitled in other countries.

Good job

YES and its people don't seem bothered by the great divide 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Most think being hospitable and friendly are enough and equate it to life saving / quality of life impacting achievements... you know, things that really matter if you think you have something to be proud of collectively as a race. Pinoys pray a lot but are okay with extortion. Loves the family but burden the eldest with responsibilty. The dirt poor have the latest iphone. Squatters blast the loudest speakers in their homes. Loves getting drunk on the one-way streets not caring for the smell of feces of their own dogs decomposing for days (also in front of the house). Content with no savings as long as the 3 meals a day is completed then same people question singles why they haven't been married yet and encourage married couples to have more child to care of them when they are old, a child as the retirement plan in mind. Well, that's just the vast areas in Metro Manila as I have observed. I am glad I am from the rural area up north.

Why doesn't anyone say the Air Pollution! You need to breath!!

Forget Asia check out Belize or Chile it's better than NZ, I'm thinking about Patagonia , for fishing, skiing, ect...

We dont care on what you think about the Philippines. 🇵🇭 Phils. Should start getting visas on most nations since foreign criminals stay here cause of its hospitality.

Filipinos selling stuff/wares 0:03 in Boracay and other tourist destinations are very insistent or demanding to buy their products to the point of losing your patience.

The lady in the second video looks like Theresa Palmer 😊who is also an Aussie! Other than that everyone are nice!

Been to australia for the first time last nonth. And i got thinking, what are these aussie dping in the phils? They have such a beautiful country filled with cool people. I would not have gone home if not for my children waiting for me back home. Such a beautiful country… i wish i live there but i cant

It's good that's is underrated.... it's more for me

I too think Bali is over rated. If you go to Northern Luzon you will see more beautiful natural beauties than Bali. The only thing that made Bali nice are those areas planned by big international hotels where trees and flowers were planted but when you go outside those areas they are as messy as any third world country. Baguio in the Northern Luzon, you go to Camp John Hay, it is beautiful because everything was done according to American standard however the city center is still beautiful with nice architectured buildings to see, sidewalks well paved in the city center for good morning walk or evening walk though traffic and people are up to your face. The public market is a mess and a few streets close to the city center are still undesirable but the general look is beautiful.

Irish guy had the best prospective 😊

Im a Filipino and when it comes to friendliness just recall what smeagol of The Lord of the Rings said "we be nice to them if they be nice to us" 😁😁 Filipinos are friendly to foreigners until we realize they are not nice. Just be polite and all will be well with you when you come visit.

Hi Romeo...

Differences between phil and western women??? How much time you got???

Most of them don't want to talk about the elephant in the room. Sadly, what David the Irishman said is spot on. As a Filipino, I think the main reasons why a lot of people, including myself, would chose to go elsewhere/abroad if given a chance is the high cost of basic commodities vis-a-vis the per capita income, lack of transport infrastructure, and the lack of social support. We do have "social support", but it's akin to alms when compared to developed countries, and it doesn't provide significant help in times of crisis. Visiting the Philippines for tourism is great though. But the prospect of permanently residing, unless the 3 major problems are addressed, is not that good.

HAVE NOT BEEN THERE SINCE 1991

You should go to Canada. It's way underrated.

For me is underrated of the world..very different the rest of the world..

The guy wearing green shirt telling truth😊😊