Off Topic Part Trois

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Um.. sir, those don't look "half" anything. Those cookies are raaaaaaaaw.

I'd eat 'em...

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Compared to the population of the country, the percentage of people immigrating to the US from the Phillippines is not even that high. I don't see the big deal... I mean, there are also quite a few people from a lot of other specific countries as well. I mean we all immigrated for love too right? What's the difference if we're from Canada, Colombia or Phillippines? We all did it for the same reasons. Who are we to judge?

Yeah, I'm going to guess (or at least hope...) that Rhiann had a little brain fart moment when she said that.

Marriage brokerage aside, I think almost all of the folks on VJ -- Filipina, Zambian, Canadian or otherwise -- are here for love. I don't think people would typically register and post regularly on a family-based immigration message board when all they're doing is seeking a green card.

Edited December 20, 2009 by Wyatt's Torch

[darkchilde794 5]

Marriage brokerage aside, I think almost all of the folks on VJ -- Filipina, Zambian, Canadian or otherwise -- are here for love. I don't think people would typically register and post regularly on a family-based immigration message board when all they're doing is seeking a green card.

I for one want to end this particular topic as it does not belong to this thread or to this forum. And I dont want to add to or extend this brain fart anymore, especially since both Sapphier and Wyatt have quasi-ended the topic so nicely.

However, to make generalized and misinformed assumptions that Filipino women are green-card seekers and that their arrival to the United States should cause alarm or disconcert, is… to say the least… just ignorant.

I entered the US as an international student back in 2003. When I completed my degree in molecular biology, I left the country as part of my visa requirements. In the past two years, I have completed a master’s degree and am now a published molecular microbiologist. In the spring I will be beginning a career as a biology professor. I am debating of pursuing a doctorate in science education in a few years.

And I am Filipina, married to an American.

Even when in school, I have never been unemployed nor have been poor. I have contributed equally to the down payment my husband and I used to purchase our current house. I have also prepared for my immigration to the US financially, making sure I have enough money saved up so I do not enter the US completely dependent on my husband for money.

I won’t disagree that there are many women out there who marry for money or for the American green card. I won’t even disagree that there are many Filipino women who do that. But there are a lot of successful, ambitious and independent Filipino women like me who immigrate to the US because of love and nothing more.

I thought about whether or not to post this thought overnight, as I wanted to consider all the possible implications of even continuing this bizarre topic any longer. Part of me felt that replying to this topic isn't even worth it... and that I shouldn't even have to defend Filipinas. But another part of me wanted to remind everyone that it is not best to generalize... or pass judgment. VERY public judgment.

I understand that every person has a right to his or her own opinion. And I understand that moments like this will occur in public forums. But if it offends people to read about whatever inane topics posted in the Philippines forum, per se, then perhaps it is best to avoid the forum. I do not think there is a “block” option in the thread, but there is the option of choosing not to go there… right?

Finally, I do not mean any disrespect by posting this. And I think it's best for everyone to end this topic.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Very well put, Darkchilde. Awesome, definitive...just plain great.

Now. How about those Vancouver Canucks?

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I constantly have brain farts.

Good thing gas doesn't come out of my ears

[trailmix 77]

I understand that every person has a right to his or her own opinion. And I understand that moments like this will occur in public forums. But if it offends people to read about whatever inane topics posted in the Philippines forum, per se, then perhaps it is best to avoid the forum. I do not think there is a “block” option in the thread, but there is the option of choosing not to go there… right?

Finally, I do not mean any disrespect by posting this. And I think it's best for everyone to end this topic.

Where others fear to tread....

Darkchilde - I hear you - I hear you about the broad generalizations. I'm sure Rhiann can speak for herself, I personally didn't jump to any conclusions, I don't actually know what she really meant.

You are, of course, right - none of us need to venture in to the Phillipine forum or any other forum really, we choose what we view. However, what I wanted to say is, the other comments made were about how horrible it is that women from the Phillipines are spoken about in such a derogatory manner.

So while we can choose not to view these threads and can also choose not to speak out, what does that accomplish? Absolutely nothing. I personally wish you would post something like you just did in one of those threads.

I disagree about others not venturing there - we can and we should and we should speak out.

In these forums (as in VJ) it is (generally) the men marrying women from the Phillipines that are showing disrespect.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

There's so much ####### in my fiance's garage.

I actually have to get out of the car before he pulls into the garage cause there's so much.

I live with packrats.

[Revenesque 2]

UPDATE!!!!

Jonathen Richard was born at 4:01 PM. He weighs in at 7lbs, 1oz, and he's 21 1/2 inches long!

PROUD AUNTIE I ARE!

Congratulations, Auntie!

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I'm really bummed out

I was supposed to see Ka by Cirque du Soleil in Vegas the night of my wedding, but everything from the 15th to the 28th is sold out.

I really really wanted to see it...

[trailmix 77]

There's so much ####### in my fiance's garage.

I actually have to get out of the car before he pulls into the garage cause there's so much.

I live with packrats.

I'm really bummed out

I was supposed to see Ka by Cirque du Soleil in Vegas the night of my wedding, but everything from the 15th to the 28th is sold out.

I really really wanted to see it...

Congratulations Frenzy

Hey Flames, I just noticed you changed your username - very cool

Rhiann, I think you have forgotten the way:

Edited December 20, 2009 by trailmix

[Revenesque 2]

I thought about whether or not to post this thought overnight, as I wanted to consider all the possible implications of even continuing this bizarre topic any longer. Part of me felt that replying to this topic isn't even worth it... and that I shouldn't even have to defend Filipinas. But another part of me wanted to remind everyone that it is not best to generalize... or pass judgment. VERY public judgment.

I can agree with your post, especially regardng generalizing/passing judgement. I think it would be fair and mention that it goes both ways wether it was generalizing the negatives or positives. Philipinas or (any racial group for that matter) are not monolithic in character and should not be brushed with one broad stroke.

I ventured into the Philipines forum thread once and called out American men who I felt were objectifying philipino women in their praise for them and demeaning American women in the process. Well, they didn't like my opinion very much, lol.

Oh well.

[Revenesque 2]

I'm really bummed out

I was supposed to see Ka by Cirque du Soleil in Vegas the night of my wedding, but everything from the 15th to the 28th is sold out.

I really really wanted to see it...

Rhiann, too bad you are going to missed it! It was FABULOUS!--the best Cirque du Soleil ) performance I've every seen. Make it a date on your anniversary!

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I wasn't so much venting about the show thing, I'm just dissapointed about it

And this is a weird question, quite off topic and fitting for this section... on my desktop I had firefox and it would underline my spelling mistakes with red, but my netbook doesnt. Is this something I have to download/enable?

[Revenesque 2]

Hubby and I went to see Avatar in 3D and it was FANTASTIC and amazing to the senses. Anyone seen it yet?

[Rhiannercakes 14]

We're debating about seeing that movie.

We have like 8 free movie tickets that we've had for about a year, and apparently getting more for Christmas... so we need to use them on something.

I'd probably go see the non 3D version though, I have a hard time with those 3D glasses cause of my existing glasses