How Safe Is Cebu For White Americans?

[Guy F.]

I should have said "one of the oldest." I missed the part about Talisay. CHH is very near Fuente Osmena and the infamous Mango Street.

[Dave Hounddriver]

I don't think the father was trying to keep him "prisoner" but was trying to protect him. I don't know much about Cebu so I can't answer the questions. All I know is that I was told the father berated and told the daughter my son should always have a Filipino accompany him because it wasn't safe for him to be on the streets alone; he could be attacked.

 

I have issues with trying to differentiate between being a prisoner and not being 'allowed' to go anywhere for my own good, but I understand how an uninitiated person would view it.

 

Having a filipino accompany him would be unlikely to make a difference as I have yet to see a filipino jump into an argument where a foreigner is being confronted.  Running away is the norm, even for security guards.  But a filipino to accompany him would make it much harder for him to date or flirt with other ladies on the way, unless money changed hands.  I am sure you will see that as cynical.  I am just as convinced that this is the way things are here.  Others will have a different opinion and they are welcome to it.   :tiphat:

[UnCheckedOther]

KatsGMA, safety is relative. Your son would be safe by himsef if he were to walk around Rustans but in Gaisanano Mall in Colon? No way. I've felt safer in some dodgy parts in Cebu (ie: the Santo Nino Church area) than I did in the "safer" parts of Philly (museum area).

As long as he practices common sense and avoids dodgy people, situations, and places, your son should be okay.

[Jollygoodfellow]

It could be because the father in law knew the area. The OP said this happened after he walked from their apartment to the fathers house. We don't know where that is. Could be that one has to walk down narrow alleys in a squatter area or he has some bad neighbors but what ever mum can stop worrying and son will work it out.  :tiphat:

[John Mogusar]

I stayed (for three years) 45 minutes north of Cebu City. I was befriended by a very protective family. A member of the family often escorted me when I travelled to Cebu City. I was happy to have the company. I paid their way, of course, and bought them lunch and sometimes treated them to a movie.

 

They weren't overly familiar with Cebu City, but of course could advise me on the "best" course of action depending on what I wanted to do.

 

I *always* felt perfectly safe, whether accompanied or not. In fact, I felt MUCH safer than some areas around Kansas City (near where I live)--areas where I would never consider going unless absolutely necessary.

 

I didn't expect that my escort would be able to diffuse any situation that I couldn't do so myself. I also don't believe I would have ever gotten into a precarious situation without being accompanied by an escort.

 

I wouldn't walk down unfamiliar streets (outside the well-travelled areas) at night, but did so frequently during the day.

 

The biggest concern is pick-pockets. Always make sure your valuables are extremely well-protected as there are some very adept pick-pockets.

 

In summary, as a foreigner, Cebu City (with reasonable precautions) is probably one of the safer cities in the world.

[bows00]

I've spent 2 weeks in Cebu, alone, and never felt unsafe.  Maybe because I am an American Japanese I didn't stick out as much.  But I have ventured at night in the most questionable places (like Mango Street).  In fact, compared to several locations in California (i.e., LA), Cebu, in my opinion, is far safer.