The Barangay Captain

[Jack Peterson]

As a Foreigner here, even after all these years,[for me] it seems that we (the foreigner) are never going to understand all, that we need to know about Living here, I took time this morning to visit our new Barangay Captain to enquire just what we can or cannot do. His reply was, you can do most things except, Disrespect us and that is uppermost in his and I guess Mr Presidents eyes, one thing I did ask is about gatherings of any sort and where we can have them. Oh in your house or a bar, at a resort BUT be careful what you say, People will listen and will report and if a complaint is made about Disrespect of Locals or the culture you will be brought in front of me (or another Captain where the offence took place) then the local Court, Cyber Law is being taken more upscale now so even if we write it they will act. One thing for sure is that although we are welcome to live here, it is going to get harder to express any Opinion as our Opinion will be looked on as Disrespect One thing he did say was that I personally, had dealings not long ago and you saw that our Barangay system can and does work Both ways. His 1st councillor added that we all of us (Including Locals) were so very happy that again this year the Elected Captain will remain for the 4 years. Had the President had his way  the Captain would be one of the Presidents choice and things would be so Different.

All in all I tend to think that we should all be aware that Big Brother is watching.

 Thank Goodness we are not on Mindinao. One of my well used phrases is  "Not what we say but how we say it"

Let's be safe my friends, let's think before we speak, write or react 

 

Jack

Morning All

Edited July 25, 2018 by Jack Peterson
a little punctuation if you don't mind

[Snowy79]

I've just seen what happens when a Foreigner says something that gets taken out of hand.

I'm on a Facebook members section to do with things to buy and sell in the local area.  A few days back a foreigner posted that he had arranged to meet a seller to purchase some goods. On arrival it turned out what he wanted wasn't available but the seller had brought similar but not the same items.  He pretty much said she had wasted his time and was untrustworthy etc, etc. 

Well this lit the blue touch paper and within seconds the libel accusations were flying with threats of court action, deportation and some slightly more serious threats. Not just from the seller but her rather large, extended family joined in and before you knew it foreigners as a whole were getting vented at.  I recognised some of the locals names and most are in businesses that make money from foreigners. 

It made me realise that although a lot of people smile at you and say hello underneath there may be slightly different thoughts.  Tread carefully out there.

[expatuk2014]

My wife and I moved here in 2011 , we visited 3 times since 2002 before retiring here and we sent money to improve the family home, on retiring we built our now 2 level home , and the wife and her mother were told some of the neighbours were jealous ! Then when we replaced the front gates with new folding ones and purchased a used Nissan Urvan , some said we were showing off ! So you can imagine what they said when we purchased a brand new car ! Even though most of our neighbours are Cousins, and Aunties etc. It wasent long before we had the long line of those asking for money ! But my wife always said no! However we do tend to become sponsers for weddings last year there were 3 ! Luckily for me my wife used to work for the Government So she knew all about the rules regarding Expats etc. And one of the Brothers was in the Police. But i have kept a low profile and if i need to go for a hair cut etc the wife or the brother comes with me. And we always go shopping together Most of the local tricycle drivers know me and know where we live as us expats do tend to stick out a bit. Anyway regarding the Barangay Kapitan, he is the son of our neighbour ! Who are second cousins hes not a bad guy he is well liked and does do a lot for the Barangay.  Regarding Facebook i rarely use it these days although i mainly use it for chatting with my son and daughter in the UK ! No disrespect meant to anyone here but i also tend not to get to know other expats after meeting a guy from the UK who has a wife locally but lives in the UK and visits 3 to 4 months a year i was curious how he could afford to do it and he got a bit upset ! So lesson learnt

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

1 hour ago, expatuk2014 said:

But i have kept a low profile and if i need to go for a hair cut etc the wife or the brother comes with me.

I'm glad I dont live like that to be honest. 

[sonjack2847]

15 hours ago, Snowy79 said:

It made me realise that although a lot of people smile at you and say hello underneath there may be slightly different thoughts. 

I agree with this as most of the dealings I have had here have taught me that as soon as your usefulness runs out so do the smiles.Not all people here are like it but you soon learn who are fake friends and who would be fair.

[expatuk2014]

To add further the Brother is a tricycle driver and by using him basically every time we go anywhere its our way of helping him as we pay him between 150 - 300 pesos a trip 150 to anywhere local and up to 300 for a car trip to Nuvali S&R and the Japan surplus stores near there and we feed him also.

Im not worried about going out alone i often go for a walk exploring the local area

[RBM]

Jack good this thread was started.  I have noticed over the years the THEM AN US  mentality is becoming stronger as is resentment.

A foreigner  here does not even have to offend a local, if particular foreigner is unliked by said local it's enough to charge you. I should know as I have lived it.

Of concern to many should be, awareness, a GF whom one has caused loss of face to or perhaps a brother what ever, if any local fees insulted we can be at risk. 

Safe is....live under the radar....

[sonjack2847]

I have heard mentioned a few times that foreigners should register with the Barangay captain. So today off we go to the hall.I go in to see the captain and she says "what is your problem" I replied"I don`t have a problem but as foreigners we have to register with you" She was unaware of this law but took my name anyway and asked if she could do anything for me,I told her no thank you.She seems like a nice lady. They even scanned my ACR card and gave me a photocopy.I am of the thinking that even if we don`t have to a short trip to see the captain can only go in our favour.

My wife also asked about registering to vote and was told come back next year.

[palu]

6 hours ago, sonjack2847 said:

I have heard mentioned a few times that foreigners should register with the Barangay captain. So today off we go to the hall.I go in to see the captain and she says "what is your problem" I replied"I don`t have a problem but as foreigners we have to register with you" She was unaware of this law but took my name anyway and asked if she could do anything for me,I told her no thank you.She seems like a nice lady. They even scanned my ACR card and gave me a photocopy.I am of the thinking that even if we don`t have to a short trip to see the captain can only go in our favour.

My wife also asked about registering to vote and was told come back next year.

I have never heard that foreigners need to register with the barangay captain. Where did this come from? Is it new?

[sonjack2847]

9 hours ago, palu said:

I have never heard that foreigners need to register with the barangay captain. Where did this come from? Is it new?

It has been posted on here but I cannot remember where @Jack Peterson@Dave Hounddriver might remember.