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The book is in PDF format and contains over 200 pages
(books are reviewed from time to time so we do not want to specify the length here as it will increase with future updates)
Below is some sample content including
Forward, Introduction, About the Author, About the book and two chapter extracts
THE PHILIPPINES SURVIVAL HANDBOOK
The StreetWise Guide To Safe
Enjoyment Of The Philippines
By Perry Gamsby
PHILIPPINES SURVIVAL HANDBOOK
Table of Contents
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THIS BOOK
PART 1 THE BASICS!
A NEW LOOK AT THE PROBLEM!
RINGS AND RULES
ATTITUDE + AWARENESS = AVOIDANCE
ANATOMY OF A SITUATION
LEARNING THE LINGO
LONG HAIRED BODYGUARDS
WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE!
PART TWO – SERIOUS SITUATIONS
CASH OR CHARGE, SIR?
WHO’S GUARDING THE GUARDS?
FALLING AFOUL OF THE LAW
DID YOU EVER SEE “MIDNIGHT EXPRESS”?
GETTING OUT OF DODGE AND BACK TO KANSAS, DOROTHY!
THE LIFE SAVED MAY BE YOUR OWN!
THE PATTER OF TINY FEET!
PROOF OF LIFE
CROSSFIRE!
PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
PART THREE – COMMON THREATS AND SITUATIONS
MECHANIZED DEATH
WHERE ARE YOUR WATCHERS?
THAT’S NASTY! STD’S AND WHAT TO DO.
IMODIUM BE THY NAME!
NICE SHOTGUN, DAD!
THE BUTLER DIDN’T DO IT!
WEARING OUT YOUR WELCOME
YOU WON’T GET ME ON THAT THING!
HOTEL HELL
SCAM CENTRAL
FORT APACHE – YOUR HOME!
DIRTY BUSINESS – THE ONLY KIND!
READ THIS IF NOTHING ELSE!
BON VOYAGE!
GOVERNMENT TRAVEL WARNINGS & HANDY LINKS
USA
UNITED KINGDOM
CANADA
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
POLICE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
HANDY LINKS
FOREWORD
A good friend of mine who I have spent numerous enjoyable evenings with while in Manila kindly offered to write a Foreword for this book. Over many San Miguels and quite a few excellent curry dinners, David Shaw passed on much invaluable advice about staying alive in this fascinating country. As a former British Army Gurhka Officer who has spent over 40 years in Asia, speaks seven Asian languages and has derived his income from his security consultancy business in Makati for the past quarter of a century, his is an opinion, and a voice, I respect and heed. Maraming Salamat Po, Kuya David.
To write a book about any country requires a lot of in-depth research and experience. The experience of living and working in a country as culturally diverse as the Philippines really does require severe mental, moral and at times physical, adjustment. To change from being a western foreigner to being a happy, locally integrated foreign resident takes a lot of effort and is not for everyone; however those who have done it, are more than happy with their change of lifestyle.
Perry Gamsby has done it, he has the experience and knowledge of the Philippines and is thus in an excellent position to assist others who may want to change their lifestyles and live in this fascinating country.
There is, however, one very important factor to remember before making any shattering changes to one’s lifestyle. The Philippines is in Asia. Many people come here as tourists or businessmen, decide they like the country and want to retire here, forgetting that they are moving to an Asian country.
Filipinos are, in the main, English speaking Christians. Herein lies the problem; many foreigners assume that Filipinos are western in their thinking just because they are English speaking Christians. Filipinos are not, they are Asians first and foremost. Their values, their culture and their society is Asian orientated. The veneer of westernisation is just that, a veneer. Many is the foreigner, who having forgotten that fact, if he ever realised it, has unwittingly faced major problems and in some cases left the country a sadder, wiser and poorer man.
To take my point further. When a foreigner goes to China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or any other Asian country, his “subconscious defences” are up. He doesn’t speak the language, he knows little about the local religion or lack of it, he, often, doesn’t know what he is eating; in essence he has very little knowledge of what is happening around him. He treads warily, he thinks before he speaks, he rarely lets his hair down, he is being cautious.
The foreigner, in the Philippines however, sees life differently. Here is a haven of English speaking Christians amongst an Asian sea of incomprehensible customs and languages. Here he can live a laid back and relaxed life amongst a people who think like him.
Wrong. The Philippines is in Asia, Filipinos are Asian, do not forget that fact.
Finally, may I welcome all newcomers and those of you who are thinking of relocating to the Philippines. I can only recommend the same advice I was given before settling here, 24 years ago. It held true then as it does now. Live here for at least six months before deciding to settle here, a two week holiday is just not good enough! Travel the country, make absolutely no commitment of any sort to anyone. Relax, enjoy yourself, take the time to look into the culture, don’t skate over it. Having done that, then decide what you want to do. Living here can be frustrating, annoying, illogical but it can be fun, relaxed and very pleasant. The Philippines is not for everyone, just as other countries will not suit everyone. Read this book, it is packed with good advice. Enjoy and come on in!
Mabuhay!
David Shaw,
Makati, March 2008
INTRODUCTION
I have been travelling to and living in the Philippines for twenty years. As well as four years living there full time, I also spent numerous vacations and business trips there over the years. So far, I have only been kidnapped five times and murdered twice. At least according to the so called experts and the various government travel advisories and warnings I should have been killed that many times because the Philippines is such a dangerous, deadly place. Yes. And no. Everybody knows people get kidnapped there by the Abu Sayyaf and the Muslim terrorists, right? Not quite.
There is a lot of misinformation out there that is causing more harm to this country and the tourism industry than any concentrated campaign by the NPA, MILF, Abu Sayyaf or any body else for that matter. Yes, there are places in this fascinating country that are just plain lethal for foreigners to visit; but you can’t get there! Not without a pass from the authorities and a military escort. Yes, there has been kidnap gangs snatching people off the streets but they don’t randomly target foreign tourists. This is a business and these ‘businessmen’ target people they know have rich relatives to pay the ransoms, most often Chinese-Filipino families who are least likely to involve the police.
Travelling, anywhere in the world, even from your home to the corner shop, can be fraught with peril. However more people die in their own homes and in their own beds than anywhere else! So what are you going to do? Move house? Sleep on the couch?
It is all about risk and probability. You weigh up the risk. You try to gauge the probability and if the odds are better than 50/50 what do you have to lose? Surveys have shown repeatedly over many years that when people reach retirement age they regret the things they didn’t do far more than anything they did attempt, regardless of the outcome!
Few things in life are actually fatal. Knowing the risk, knowing the odds and knowing a little of what to expect and being ready in advance is what self protection and survival is all about. Some people think it is like self defence, being able to fight off a mugger or some bully picking on you in a bar. It is all that and yet it is far more.
This eBook will look at the big picture. We will try to explore all potential risk inherent in visiting and living in the Philippines. We offer no guarantees other than you won’t get out of this life alive! Enjoy,
Perry Gamsby
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Perry Gamsby has written several eBooks on the Philippines and Philippines related topics. He first visited the country in the mid 1980s and then returned on a regular basis most years until 2002 when he married a Filipina. Migrating to Cebu, Perry lived the expat life for several years until relocating his family to Sydney in late 2005, mostly for the benefit of his children and their education.
His credentials for this volume also include service as a Military Policeman and Special Investigation Branch Investigator, Private Investigator, Bodyguard, Security Consultant, Process Server, Repossession Agent, Bouncer and Self Defence Instructor.
In 1986 Perry started WalkSafe: Close Personal Protection Concepts and was one of the pioneers in reality based self defence instruction in Australia. He was also trained in Filipino Martial Arts and won the 1994 WEKAF World Full Contact Stick Fighting Championships. Since returning to Australia he teaches private students and seminar groups in personal protection concepts that go well beyond contemporary martial art based self defence programs.
Now the father of four Aussie-Filipinas, Perry still enjoys sailing, scuba diving and driving his sixth Land Rover, “Bear Truck”, a 1993 V8i Discovery. Perry is a professional writer and currently a full time student, reading for a Master of Arts in Writing from Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
I have organized this book so that most of the exciting stuff is up the front! The corrupt cops, the night in jail, getting out of town or hiding out, even surviving a kidnap or ambush. The reality is, and I will remind you of this several times, that most of you will never experience any danger of this degree even if you lived here for many years.
All the same, Martin and Gracia Burnham were American Missionaries who had lived here for many years before they were kidnapped and held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Another American hostage, Guillermo Sobero was actually beheaded by the ASG. Martin Burnham and Ediborah Yap, a Filipina nurse also held hostage, were killed by gunfire from their rescuers when the Army attacked the kidnapper’s base and freed Gracia Burnham. I don’t think any of those kidnapped ever imagined they would find themselves in such an ordeal when they booked their tickets for their trip to Palawan!
There is far more chance of you getting your pocket picked or a bad case of throat and chest infection from dirty airconditioning than there is of kidnapping and possible death. All the same, it has happened, it does happen and that is why it is included here.
Each chapter stands alone and can be read by itself. You can pick and flick or read from start to finish, up to you. Keep in mind that everything you read here, unless from an accredited outside source, is merely my experience and opinion and your mileage may vary.
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SAMPLE EXTRACTS FROM THE BOOK
FALLING AFOUL OF THE LAW
So what should you do if you are arrested for some reason? First question I ask is who arrested you? If it is the NBI it still might be a scam but it will be an elaborate, often politically motivated one and these blokes don’t mess about. They are professionals and they will not come cheap. On balance I would say you have done something illegal and you are in deep trouble.
My advice is to say nothing until you have a lawyer present and make it a good one! Then follow their advice but I would not admit to anything I didn’t do just to get a lighter sentence. Sentences can be appealed but if you have admitted guilt, even if it was a plea bargain or under duress, the fact is you are guilty. You just said you were so anything you say after that will sound hollow and pretty pathetic.
Withstanding interrogation is a skillset that they teach in the Army to at risk individuals such as special forces, aircrew, intelligence and military police as these people are more likely to have information of value to the enemy than the average infantryman or tank crewman. Having been trained in resisting interrogation, as well as interrogating suspects and with some experience in the topic I can tell you it is easier to interrogate than it is to resist. Even without physical methods being used. So forget playing hero and simply get professional help, you will need it.
If the cops arresting you are local PNP and of low rank then the sooner you can talk your way out or bribe your way clear the better and cheaper it will be. The higher up the ladder you go the more expensive it becomes or the more likely you are in serious trouble and trying to bribe the officer will get you thrown away for longer!
Again, stay calm. Say as little as possible. Don’t give them anything to work with. Smile a lot and be their friend with much professing of willingness to assist and so on. Do not be belligerent and never tell them you know your rights. You have no rights other than those they allow you to exercise! I can recall at the Bureau of Immigration actually hearing an irate Kano say very loudly “But I’m an American dammnit! I know my rights!” You could tell by the looks the Filipino officials gave each other they were going to give him a lesson in just whose country he was in and precisely what rights he did have! Bureau of Immigration by the way are one of the better government departments I have ever had to deal with. I found them to always be professional and fairly courteous but at the very least honest and above board.
If you think it is going past the point of a shake down by a couple of low rank cops, then shut up and get a lawyer! There is due process of law in the Philippines albeit rather crowded and slow so be patient and keep the faith. And hire a great lawyer!
You should also ask for your Consulate to assist you as best they can. Often there is little they can do other than call friends or family back home for you, but they will let the locals know someone out there knows you are inside. They can’t supply money or lawyers but they might be able to negotiate on your behalf over minor matters. Worth a call!
People do get set up and wind up in the local jail but usually it is their own fault. At best (or worst) they did something that pissed someone off and they knew it might do that. Often greed is involved, or lust or one of the seven deadly sins. Most people bring it upon themselves either through arrogance or ignorance or sheer stupidity. So don’t be rude, dumb or an idiot and this chapter should be just for information purposes only!
DIRTY BUSINESS – THE ONLY KIND!
Advice I received and should have heeded when I migrated to the Philippines was that one should live there for at least a year before even contemplating investing in any kind of business or real estate. I actually bought a block of land before I moved there permanently and managed to sell it at a tidy profit a few years later. By then the electricity and water ran past the block and made it a far more attractive proposition than when I agreed to let my then fiancé purchase it.
I took risk with buying that block and fortunately for me I not only did well out of it, I also learnt a lot about the real estate game in the Philippines and included what I had learnt in my eBook about that topic. The Philippines Property Primer contains everything you need to know to keep yourself safe when looking at buying, renting or leasing real property in the Philippines. It isn’t within the scope of this eBook to repeat that valuable information so if you are thinking of buying property, buy that book!
If you are considering investing in a business venture, read my other eBook Making A Living In The Philippines. That volume goes into great detail about buying a business, investing and even getting a job while in the Philippines. There are a lot of traps for new players and forewarned is forearmed.
In a nutshell, DON’T. Filipinos rip off each other with scarcely a second thought so a newly arrived Kano with money that should be theirs is just too tempting a target. Worse still are the Kano’s who will try and beat the locals to your money! I have had several people actually say the words “we gotta talk!” meaning they saw me as an opportunity to get them out of their holes.
When you are sitting back, chilling out and relaxing in a bar with readily available young female companions on tap there is an understandable tendency amongst us middle aged men (and older) to want to make it last. To find some way we can stay here forever and, like Peter Pan, never have to grow up or go back to that place from whence we came where life isn’t so wonderful for us.
Along comes a friendly, experienced fellow countryman who has lived the good life here for some time and is just loving it! What’s more, they have found a perfect life/work balance that will make a lot of money for them. And you because they are willing to let you in on the deal because, well, hey, they like you! Isn’t that reason enough? They have the experience, the idea, the contacts everything. All you have to put in is some cash. And you have plenty of that, right? Convert those dollars or pounds or euros to this funny money they use here and you are rolling in it!
So you now find yourself a partner in a viable business venture in paradise and your mind races as you contemplate your good fortune. I knew one bloke who had handed over thousands and was eager to return to the USA so he could withdraw more money and even sell up some real estate holdings he had so he could pour more money into the new venture. He wouldn’t say what it was as he had been sworn to secrecy and he didn’t want to risk everyone getting in on the deal and ruining it.
I asked him a few questions such as how well did he know his new partners and so on and he replied he had met them a week ago but had been introduced to their families and felt like he had known them forever. Oh, and don’t worry, he knows he can trust them because they are Christians like he is. Well hey, that would be guarantee enough for me… NOT! Suffice to say the Filipino Christians he handed thousands of dollars over to lost the lot and then got more off him before he finally wised up.
What was the business venture? Would you believe a gold mine? Yes, a gold mine. Classic! This man had been here for a three week vacation to meet his chat cam girlfriend, was introduced to her parents and they liked him so much so quickly they decided to let him bankroll their family gold mine. He wasn’t all stupid though, he had asked the Kano who owned the chat cam service where he had met his fiancé if they were good people and could they be trusted. The kano backed them up 100%, which you would expect since he was sleeping with the fiancé and half of the other fifteen chat cam girls who worked for him!
This isn’t included in the scam chapter because the family really did have a goldmine, a registered mining lease and a duly registered company to mine that lease. Everything they said was true, to a degree. They just needed an injection of cash to get the mine operating. However once the cash was injected it was soaked up by corrupt officials with their hands out, poor capital equipment purchases and several other factors.
It could just as easily have been a scam. The alarm bells ring the same tone in my ears. Of course our hero was greedy. Greedy and gullible. He wanted to believe the positive side of things and ignore the possibility that the goldmine venture might fail. He thought by checking out the company and the lease with the appropriate authorities such as the Securities Exchange Commission and the Board of Investments that he had it all covered. As I said, the goldmine and the mining company were actually legitimate but that didn’t protect him from incompetence, corruption and the reality of doing business in the Third World.
I have been offered shares in bars, dive shops, resorts, taxi and bus companies and all kinds of legitimate ventures. If they are going concerns then they won’t be bargains and there will be a genuine and plausible reason for sale. Remember what I said at the beginning of this book, if it seems too good to be true then it is! There are good business opportunities to be had in the Philippines but if you are reading this book I doubt you are in a position to take advantage of them. They require millions of dollars, solid upscale connections and a lot of expertise. Anything less than that and you really need to be very, very careful.
Heed the advice I didn’t take seriously enough: don’t get involved in any business or real estate venture until you have lived in the country for a full year. You can read how I lost US $7,000 in a failed bar and resort venture through no fault of my own other than not wanting to miss a possible golden opportunity in Making A Living In The Philippines. When you are newly arrived the sharks will smell the blood and come around looking for an opportunity to feed. Keep your fingers and toes well out of the water until they get bored and swim off!
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