Filipinos in Virginia

[Anoushka Drew 5]

Hello. Since I got here last month, I have only met two Filipinas. The Filipino Festival is several months away and There is no need to wait that long just to meet FIlipinos. Anyone living in Virginia? Hoping we can keep in touch.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Anoushka Drew

[Caryh 5,206]

When my wife was first here, she met her first Filipina friends when we went to shopping malls. I'd even occasionally come home at lunch time, then drop her off at a mall to just hang out while I was working. At least until she got her EAD and started working. Most of these have turned into just Filipina she knows and not close friends, but associating with them is how she met the people who became her close friends.

[Anoushka Drew 5]

Ohh thank you for the reply.

[Caryh 5,206]

No problem and good luck. I remember how much my wife wanted to get to know other Filipina that were in Minnesota when she first got here. I will warn you that even though you'll meet Filipina, not all will be compatible with you and your husband's lifestyle. Don't expect everyone to be a friend for life. Some can be quite destructive to your marriage, encouraging things that will bring discord rather than harmony to your marriage. Friends can come and go, but you want your marriage to last forever. With time you will find the people who are compatible with your life, and you never really know your new best friends might not even be Filipina. Some of my wife's best friends are of other races, although all were immigrants. I guess there's a common bond in the immigration thing.

[Anoushka Drew 5]

I was also given the same advice when I was still in the Philippines People just have different personalities and traits. They will come and go, I agree. And the marriage is the most important one. Thank you.

So far, I don't encounter culture shock and the only adjustment that I can feel is the cold weather.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Anoushka Drew, on 17 Dec 2014 - 11:52 AM, said:

Hello. Since I got here last month, I have only met two Filipinas. The Filipino Festival is several months away and There is no need to wait that long just to meet FIlipinos. Anyone living in Virginia? Hoping we can keep in touch.

Look for Filipino stores and Jollibee's in your area. Also do a search (Filipinos Virginia Beach, VA as an example but insert the area where you live) with google and you will get all types of business', clubs and entertainment spots. Then visit the places you found and be prepared to make the first step in introducing yourself. Opening line can be "Hi, I just arrived here not to long ago and I am looking for Filipino grocery stores in the area. Do you know of any?" From there the conversation will take it's course.

Good luck. Smile and be yourself.

[Anoushka Drew 5]

hahaha. I need to work on that. I am an introvert.

[Caryh 5,206]

hahaha. I need to work on that. I am an introvert.

Just give that famous Filipina smile, if they smile back you've met a fellow Filipina who is ready to talk. My wife is shy also, but when she meets another filipina, and they both give the smile, in seconds they're both going crazy talking. It often starts with "Bisaya?" both saying it at the same time lol. I have no idea how they figure out they're both Bisaya speakers when most of the local Filipinos here are Tagalog speakers.

[Torete 121]

OP,

Consider not limiting yourself just to kababayan.

Regards

No problem and good luck. I remember how much my wife wanted to get to know other Filipina that were in Minnesota when she first got here. I will warn you that even though you'll meet Filipina, not all will be compatible with you and your husband's lifestyle. Don't expect everyone to be a friend for life. Some can be quite destructive to your marriage, encouraging things that will bring discord rather than harmony to your marriage. Friends can come and go, but you want your marriage to last forever. With time you will find the people who are compatible with your life, and you never really know your new best friends might not even be Filipina. Some of my wife's best friends are of other races, although all were immigrants. I guess there's a common bond in the immigration thing.

[Anoushka Drew 5]

Of course, I am not limiting myself with fellow Filipinos.

[KHnTX 4]

Virginia Beach area is a good place if you make it down to that area as stated above. My wife made frequent trips to the Jollibee when she was visiting family there.

Edited December 19, 2014 by KHnTX

[Anoushka Drew 5]

Thank you for the replies. I am from Richmond and I am surprised that there is Jollibee in Virginia beach. I looked up google maps and it is almost 2 hour drive. I am now craving for peach mango pie!