Betrayal

[ekimswish]

The last few years that I've been traveling to the Phils I've always had one solid friend to hang out with and watch my back. Because of his wife's reputation as "plastic" and a user, I always considered that he was hanging with me to benefit in the short or long term but didn't mind since I had no one else to hang with. I'd give him money for diapers or milk, but he'd also show me around and how to have fun on the cheap.

Recently though our camera got stolen and my wife reported it to the police. She told them the names of everyone who'd been at the house. When he heard that he'd been named he lost it. He sent angry text messages to her threatening to blackmail her to me. He also started gossiping about her around town.

There were already stories of him stealing and pawning stuff off around town. Apparently he owed his shabu dealer some money. Eventually my wife tracked down the camera to the house it had been sold to and they didn't want to give it back unless she paid them. She went to the cops and they returned it immediately. She also found that my buddy, Mike, was really the one who stole it.

Now we've filed a case against him but no one else has cuz it takes time and money. Once we filed the case he and his wife really turned up the gossip machine and the threats. My wife went for a defamation case and he backed off and apologized. The theft case remains.

Turns out he bragged about planning to steal the camera as early as August, when I was last there. His wife wrote me on FB blaming the drugs, but insinuating that it was no big deal and my wife is also to blame in our feud. I wrote back with the nastiest stuff I've ever written to someone, all accurate portrayals of who she is, and moved on.

How does this relate to the life of foreigners in the Phils? Even though you may be short on local friends, DON'T settle on people with questionable motives. Unfortunately, this may mean keeping distance from people who don't have money or a professional career. This is just one bad experience you say? Unfortunately I've experienced similar things a few times now in the Phils. I'll hang out with poor guys now once in a while, but no more bonding. Gonna keep a bit more of a guarded distance.

Edited November 17, 2012 by ekimswish

[Dave Hounddriver]

shabu

A person with shabu as a friend will have no other true friends.

Now we've filed a case against him

Seen that done a few times. Every time, in my experience, it turned out to be a money pit with never any satisfaction.

You realize you are well rid of this fellow. I tend to stay clear of locals and foreigners alike if they are friends of shabu.

[ekimswish]

shabu

A person with shabu as a friend will have no other true friends.

Now we've filed a case against him

Seen that done a few times. Every time, in my experience, it turned out to be a money pit with never any satisfaction.

You realize you are well rid of this fellow. I tend to stay clear of locals and foreigners alike if they are friends of shabu.

I don't expect anything from the case. I just figure it will scare him a bit, or possibly even work. Wish justice were the job of the police but they work like pinball machines. Hard to play and need to keep filling 'em with quarters.

[FlyAway]

I steer clear of friendships with anyone who uses any type of drugs. Better to refer to them as "Acquaintances or I know of them." 9 times out of 10 they will eventually steal something from you and blame it on the drugs or what ever personal problems they are having. They will sell you out in a heartbeat to fuel the habit.

Usually falls into the lack of personal responsibility thing we are all used to hearing now.

[brock]

Never have friends that abuse Drugs, because one day they will abuse you for sure 100%

[Mike S]

Another reason I don't associate with other foreigners in person here in the Phils ...... you just never know when something is going to rear it's ugly head ..... like someone throwing back in your face everything they have ever done for you while trying to lay a guilt trip on you ..... friends like that you don't need ..... if i do something or anything for someone I NEVER expect to be repaid (unless it is agreed on before hand) and for the most part after a while I forget about it ..... true friends DON"T KEEP SCORE CARDS ....... it is very very childish ..... IMHO ...... :thumbsup: ....... :cheersty:

[gottawannalive]

I can sum this up in two words. 1. Shabu 2. Naive

[sjp52]

I know shabu is a drug but what drug is it

[i am bob]

I know shabu is a drug but what drug is it

Shabu is methamphetamine. We in the west are more familiar with the names Ice, Crank, Crystal Meth or even Speed.

[i am bob]

I have had a couple friends who have died from their drug use. Others have done similar to what was written above. I have watched these friends of mine turn into strangers.... And some you would never know were taking these drugs. One acquaintance (but not a friend thankfully) showed a group of his students the old 1950s "Killer Marijuana" film where the one kid jumps off the roof of the building and dies. After class was out, he helped himself to a little Crystal Meth and then did the same thing - crystal meth (or Shabu) will make you feel invincible! If you know of someone close to you who is involved with Shabu, try to get them help. And if they refuse any help? The best thing you can do for yourself is stay as far away as possible.