hi there!

Mike and Jeff are both right. I understand that this will be your first trip to the Phils, so if I am you, I will take their advice seriously.

Especially the Behave yourself part. By all means be yourself but always be aware of your actions while you are there. Filipinos especially Visayans (my dad is from Samar and my Mom is from Bohol) are very sensitive people. They are sweet loving people, but they are as what we Filipinos called "balat ng sibuyas" which means extremely sensitive like an onion's skin.

Most of all, NEVER, EVER Promise them anything that you cannot keep, especially with the old people like her Mom & Dad. Just be in the safe side and always answer "I'll do what I can, but not promising anything." Make sure that message is clear to them.

Want to make the relationship start right? Then start at the right foot. NEVER flash your money around while you are there. Ask Richard (rlmsoft) for more opinion on this part ;)

Flashing money around on the first visit will give them an impression that you are rich and that you are willing to support the entire clan. This is the mistake that most of the guys from other country makes that's where their money problem rooted when they finally marry the girl.I am not saying all of them I mean most of them. And of course, there is this mentality among Filipinos that whenever their kids marries a foreigner, they will be set for life. That they will not have financial problems in the future. So to avoid that common inter-racial marriage conflict, start the relationship right.

Judy