Don't rush into any relationship based on some rumors, myths, or legends you've encountered in the press or on the Internet. Don't "hope for the best" or fool yourself into thinking you can "make" a marriage work. The fact is that there are a lot of people out there who are ready to deceive you with half-truths and lies about relationships between Filipinas and western men. Some will push you into relationships with Filipinas, while others will try to persuade you that such relationships can only end in heartbreak.

What you need are the hard facts and some objectivity. That's what the "ASAWA Guide to Fil-West Relationships" is all about. My guide explains in non-nonsense terms what you should expect before, during, and after a marriage so that you can make a reasoned, educated decision before you commit yourself to a course of action. After all, the real question is not whether you can marry a Filipina, but what marriage to a Filipina is really like. Think about it. Your engagement and the immigration process might take six months, or even a year, and the wedding ceremony will take just an hour or so. In the big scheme of things, those are just blips on the radar screen. Your marriage, if it's a good one, will last many decades - "until death do you part."

1. Should you marry a Filipina? Learn why Filipinas can be the best wives for some men, but the worst for others. Which category do you belong to?

2. Do Filipinas really desire older men? My statistical analysis of public and private polling data provides a surprising answer, and some interesting conclusions.

3. Why aren't the people of the Philippines called Philipinos? And why is it Philippines instead of Phillipines? And why is it Filipino sometimes, and sometimes Filipina, and sometimes Pinay, and sometimes Pinoy? I'll give you the answers!

4. Is a prenuptial agreement a good idea? Better think about this! I'll give you some food for thought.

5. Did the Philippines actually pass a law that makes "pen pal" relationships illegal? There's a lot of confusion about this. I'll explain what the law actually says, explain who it affects, and tell you what you can and cannot do.

6. Should you marry her in the Philippines, or in your country? There's a LOT of things to consider when making this decision, not the least of which is how long you two will be separated while doing immigration paperwork. I cover the pros and cons of both approaches.

7. How can "the living dead" prevent you from marrying the girl you love? Hmmmm!

This is barely the tip of the iceberg. In the ten years that I've operated the ASAWA website, I've exchanged thousands of emails with westerners and Filipinas alike, and there are few questions or situations I've not encountered when it comes to Fil-West relationships. I've used this experience to write and compile dozens of articles I think are CRITICAL to any western man who's seriously considering a Filipina bride. Here are the topics I address:

PRE-RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION The 'Average' Fil-West Couple: A Composite Philippines Trivia Philippine History in a Nutshell Religion Philippines, Filipino, Pilipino What's In a Name? A List of Famous Filipinas The American Romance in the Philippines So You Want to Marry a Filipina So you STILL want to marry a Filipina Heaven or Hell? Fact & Fiction about Filipina "Mail Order Brides" Correspondence Services Legal Concerns Age Differences Do They Matter? The Attack on Feminism Is There A Shortage Of MEN In The Philippines? The Problem with "Submission" Learning through Hypotheticals City vs. Province Questions For HIM Questions For HER Suggested Books Recommended Movies	MARRIAGE AND IMMIGRATION Making Your Intentions Known Immigration Pointers Common Visa Types Proof of Your Relationship Prenuptials Annulment The Cost of a 'Traditional' Wedding Marriage: Where And How 'Dual' Ceremonies Lured And Abandoned A Cautionary Tale ITIN ? The Taxpayer Identification Number
COURTSHIP Your Travel Budget Flying To the Philippines from the United States Packing Your Bags The Traveler's Suitcase Travel Information - Vaccinations & Inoculations Hotels Recommended by ASAWA Visitors Security in the Philippines Social Situations Learning to Communicate Sex and Virginity	LIFETIME ISSUES Homesickness Separate But Equal? Health and Dental Issues Transitioning from Filipina to Filipino-American Superstitions Dealing With Intolerance Sources Of Conflict In Fil-West Marriages Tampo Financial Support Of Relatives In The Philippines
APPENDIX Survey Results Information from the CIA World Fact Book Electricity Currency Philippine Holidays Names And Naming Structures Sending Money to the Philippines Sending Mail And Packages Republic Act No 6955 Terms and Acronyms Immigration Phone Numbers & Addresses Philippine Area Codes & Calling Procedures