The big thing I will say from my experience there: the people are AMAZING. I didn't get ripped off, everyone was so friendly, got to play basketball with a group of kids and had a blast. And the nature is incredible.

It also had some of the most downtrodden areas I've ever seen, some of the biggest displays of wealth disparity, and after a few weeks on different islands, Manilla felt more like a theme park for the rich than any kind of city.

Overall, really recommend it, but try going off the beaten path!

I understand this. I was underemployed for a while, so I was doing tutoring American English online. Since I was working graves, my schedule meant I ended up with clients from SE Asia, China, Japan.

After a few months, I found better work and didn't need to tutor as much. I cut my availability and was down to 2, then one.

The one I still tutor is a Filipina in nursing school. Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the "I'm a creep/She wants a green card" duality.

I get tired of explaining that she actually qualifies for permanent residency as soon as she gets her work visa. She doesn't need me at all to come to the US to work.

There are plenty of legitimate organizations and agencies that help Filipino nurses get jobs and visas at minimal cost above the required fees.

She has mentioned that she'd prefer to live with me and would be open to a relationship with me, even though I am older...much older.

I leave that last bit out when talking to folks because it makes me sound like a creep. I totally get why people would think that.

On the other hand, an attractive, intelligent, hardworking, and fun younger woman is interested in me? It's a challenge to say no to that.

My brother is 26 and his gf is a similar age. Because we're on the other side of the world they've a long distance relationship but he traveled there last year to spend a few months with her. They talk basically all day on a Saturday and Sunday as he works during the week. There's nothing creepy or pedophilic about him yet that's clearly the assumption that would get made when despite being around the same age. And yes I have seen what his gf looks like and she speaks to the rest of the family sometimes too.

You know what? Fuck the haters, and go. By being yourself, and going for your own reasons, you are doing a big part to break this ridiculous stereotype.

I’m a foreigner who owns a business in the Philippines and has worked connected to there for years. (Though I live elsewhere in China) You don’t have to worry about anything - the Philippines is awesome and tons of people go there for legit reasons and no one will raise an eyebrow about your trip, all good.

as someone who's visited, I can say the stereotypes are very real. and it's the locals who will have that perception of you, not social media.

they will still be very welcoming

It isn't the creeps ruining things it is fuckers stereotyping people. The world is full of creeps no one has a monopoly on them.