By It looks like some people in the Philippines are a bit upset about the influx of Koreans in their country:
The people I refer to, of course, are none other than the South Koreans, whose now-divided country was under Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945.
I feel compelled to draw attention to these visitors, whose presence as tourists and investors in this country would normally be welcome—and even encouraged—for obvious economic reasons.
But lately, I’m afraid, the relationship between Koreans and Filipinos has begun to sour. Have you noticed how they have swelled in numbers lately, especially in the urban centers of Luzon and the Visayas? Why is it that I am getting this feeling that we have been invaded? (……)
I have yet to find out if the bureau is keeping track of them. We know that as a matter of policy, the government encourages the entry of tourists and foreign investors. But the sheer number of South Koreans coming, I’m afraid, is beginning to spawn a host of problems.
Filipinos who come in contact with them all over the country are beginning to question their motives and resent their presence. I know for a fact that as proprietors of restaurants, bars or poker clubs, they have often been denounced for their shabby treatment of their workers. [Business Mirror via the Marmot's Hole]
The complaints about the South Korean business owners makes me wonder if it has more to do with jealously of Korean business success?
Here is where things get more interesting:
A Korean mining group, called Jisan Mining Corp., according to Cagayan folk, has, in fact, been shipping off its black-sand extractions from the five towns for a long time with the full blessings of the provincial government.
Thus, Jisan Mining has been merrily shipping off the black sand undisturbed in spite of loud protests from the townspeople. Huge barges were used in shipping off large chunks of the beaches over the last two years.
The grim result of this callous destruction of our natural wealth was this: At least five of the six municipalities that had once been proud of those quaint beachfronts are now gone, permanently reclaimed by the sea.
Literally, the South Koreans have sliced off the northernmost edge of Luzon and shipped it in chunks to South Korea!
If the northern most edge of Luzon is being shipped off to South Korea, surely it could be seen on Google Earth, wouldn’t it? Well I went on Google Earth and checked out the coast line of Buguey, Philippines that this South Korean construction company is supposedly shipping off to South Korea:
Well guess what, you cannot find any evidence of this beach around Buguey being destroyed by mining:
In fact here is a picture posted on Google Earth of the black sand beach still intact:
These Google Earth images are from May 2007, so unless this mining company in two years has mined away all the beach around Buguey it appears that this story may be sensationalized and not as bad as it appears to be at first. Additionally if this story is true then why isn’t this reporter condemning the corruption throughout the Filipino government that is making this possible instead of the South Koreans taking advantage of it?
12:33 pm on June 27th, 2009 1
I have been to Cape Verde (Africa) and they have black sands as well. Honestly I prefer the normal sand because black sand looks like dirty sand
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6:44 pm on June 27th, 2009 2
Interesting, but yet inconclusive. A lot of interesting claims are made bout Jisan mining damaging the environment by bribing officials and violating the environmental laws that need to be addressed. Whatever the truth of the matter is, Google Earth is just a start.
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8:07 pm on June 27th, 2009 3
The Koreans have been stealing the Phillipines number one natural resource for years. Prostitutes.
Your buddy in 2ID just married one.
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June 28th, 2009 at 9:10 am
AAHH–hahahahahaha!!!!
What is really funny is that what you said is just so TRUE. But they only ship the really ugly ones to Korea. The koreans don’t know the differience anyway. Most GI’s as well. I’m so happy that most GI’s don’t know how to get to the “factory”. If you “think” you want to marry a Philippina—go to the Philippines. Not Korea.
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8:20 pm on June 27th, 2009 4
I frequest the Philippines a lot and I find it disgusting how the Koreans treat the Filipino people. Koreans treat them like they treat everybody else who is not Korean…treat em like shit!
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June 28th, 2009 at 9:26 am
My last trip to the PI was march. From time to time you would see these korean guys come in a bar. They always had this serious look on their face. Dude—your in a place where the beer is cold and the women warm—why so serious? The girls would laugh at them when they were not looking, because the koreans are the only people that frown when they should laugh. But korean guys really come off the money in the PI. As I do! Cheaper then being married.
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4:30 pm on June 28th, 2009 5
There are way too many Koreans in the Phils. And they have this arrogant attitude in general that is just appalling. Yes dude, you are rich while there. We get it. But so are all foreigners. Don’t be an ass about it.
There is some backlash. For instance, some municipalities have passed laws requiring that all signs be in English (the official language of the Philippines) along with other languages. They got tired of Korean only signs and banners.
However, for the time being, stupid Filipinos will continue to sell their country and culture for the peso today, and not worry about tomorrow. There are plenty of corrupt government officials that will let any company do anything for a white envelope.
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June 28th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Pot calling the kettle black.
Ugly Americans are the infamous ones all over the world. The Philipinos even kicked your military out back in the 1980’s because they hated your arrogant kind.
Give me one country where American tourists are well received and well liked. They all say you people are arrogant crap.
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June 28th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Hi “tom”. Feeling a bit threatened are you. Your rant was funny and your facts flawed.
But I feel sorry for you uneducated “toms”, so I will enlighten you. That is what this arrogant American does best.
Pinatubo erupted in 1991(june), not the 1980s, during our nagotiations with the PI government. We, the “arrogant” Americans, who had ran the Japs out of the islands and GIVEN the Bases back to them (just like we did in your coutry of korea), arrogantly offered to pay rent after WW II. In 1991, the peso loving government had reached an agreement on the rent, at least twice. But got gready and raised the rent again. We, the arrogant Americans were about to make another offer when pinatubo distroyed the base in Angeles and Subic, covering the remains in ash. So we had enough and told them we would take our toys—and jobs on base else where.
You have a nice hate fest there “tom”. I pity you. At least google before you rant. PDB
Your correct about this American being arrogant “tom”. korea owes MY FAMILY a great deal. As does the Philippines. Neither country would exist with freedom except for my family and our dead paying the price. I’m not sorry about it. America is the greatest country of the modern era. Arrogant enough “tom”? I Love being an american! I feel pity for the “toms” out there. You could not defend your own country. That is not your fault. You needed help. We helped. You hate us for helping you regain your country. That IS your fault. Because all this is true—I pity the “toms” out there. I am VERY happy I am an arrogant American! I am lucky enough to have been born an American. I was and still am, proud to have served my Country. I didn’t have too. I requested to do so.
Thank you for reminding me of just why I am so arrogant
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7:40 pm on June 28th, 2009 6
Ugly Americans and how they treat Philipinos:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/v
iew/20080126-115026/AFP-probes-ugly-American-incident
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36157
http://thewarriorlawyer.com/2006/12/14/the-subic-rape-case-part-iii/
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7:44 pm on June 28th, 2009 7
Loud, obnoxious, arrogant, impatient American tourists.
http://kelmuna.blogspot.com/2008/04/american-tourist.html
LOL.
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7:48 pm on June 28th, 2009 8
It looks like Americans in Korea do not follow their own embassy’s advices.
http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Annoying-Things-American-Tourists-Should-Not-Do
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9:53 pm on June 28th, 2009 9
Well, they are received well received a lot of places as research shows.
It was 1992 when the Philippine legislature voted to cancel the agreement with the U.S. I don’t think it was arrogance as the main factor, but if you were interested in the truth you wouldn’t be typing like you are now.
The blogspot you reference gives a couple of examples that are part misunderstanding, and part arrogance. Try this one instead: http://iosnews.blogspot.com/2008/03/french-deemed-worst-tourist.html
Wait, here’s one with U.S. the best and British the worse: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2137729.stm
But, the Brits recovered some in the last few years: http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2007/05/23/313845/british-no-longer-tops-the-worst-tourist-list.html
So, if you are done with your American bashing, stick to the facts. This was a post about Koreans in the Philippines. If you wish to make a post about stupid Americans, then do so in the forum.
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12:21 am on June 29th, 2009 10
Tourists are obnoxious whether they come from Germany, America, Korea or elsewhere.
They’re amped-up on being somewhere new, excited, jabbering loudly, ready to party and, because they are spending their hard earned time and money, believe they are entitled. Anyone living in a place filled with tourists will be annoyed by them. But, they bring money and we have to put up with things we don’t like for the sake of money sometimes.
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5:52 pm on June 29th, 2009 11
Yes Tom, you’ve managed to pick out some bad apples. Good for you. Now, show me a society without any incidents?
Your link on the rape says in the story: “But this is not just an ordinary rape case. Its political character is undeniable. Not surprisingly, anti-American elements used it for propaganda purposes.” Apparently you are a tool as well. This kid screwed up and got convicted. He certainly doesn’t represent most, many, or even a fraction of Americans. And all Americans condone what he did. But, back to your point, the arrogant Americans actually MADE him stand trial in the Philippines instead of sneaking him out or trying to get him off, all exactly as the VFA called for.
As for your other two links, you have 1 more on the rape, and 1 on a car accident where the American fled. Wow, such dastardly stuff those car accidents. And how does this relate to arrogance?
Look, hate America if you want, just use facts and do it for the right reasons, not for made up reasons. With Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, drugs, crime, and a myriad of other topics you don’t have to make up stuff.
I noticed you didn’t even bother to refute all of the studies I linked to. Enough said I guess.
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11:28 am on July 25th, 2009 12
14 Filipinas rescued from Korean traffickers.
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3:08 pm on July 28th, 2009 13
american are well loved by the filipinos, we owe them our freedom, dont mind the people rallying against the US. co’z in the end american will be the defending the philippines in case china attack it
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3:09 pm on July 28th, 2009 14
american are well loved by the filipinos, we owe them our freedom, dont mind the people rallying against the US. co’z in the end american will be the one to defend the philippines in case china attack it
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