THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

THE PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE:

  Of course, every situation is different. However, this question arises so often that it is worth noting here. No matter what the situation, the proposal is a very important moment in BOTH of your lives and should be taken very seriously.

  Many Americans, even though they discuss marriage before he arrives in Philippines, like to surprise her by proposing marriage in TAGALOG  language while they are videotaping the proposal in Philippines.  This will often bring about a very memorable response from the Filipina, Pinay, often times even tears of joy.  Not only because you have asked her formally, but also because you loved and cared enough about her to learn how to say this in her own language. Even the parents will find this VERY special!

   One of the greatest positive points of Filipina, Pinay, is the fact that in the Philippines, your age difference is usually NOT a problem! In fact, to most ladies in the Philippines, and to their families, the belief and hope is that if you are an older gentleman, that you are much less likely to be a "playboy", and also that you will take much better care of your fiancée.
   So DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED if you should be attracted to a much younger Filipina lady!!
   However, due to the sensitivity of the situation, and to avoid any possible rejection, as well as serving as a pleasant surprise to the lady you love, you may wish to take the following advise.
   Ask What SHE Wants or Likes!
   In Tagalog you might just ask her:
   "GUSTOMO KITA, MAGING REYNA SA USA?"
   Translated, this says "Would you like to come to USA and be treated like a princess?".
   Now you have still not asked her if she wanted to marry her. Only if she would like to come to leave her family, and come to USA.
   If the Filipina gives a positive indication to your question, then you might ask if "SHE" would like to marry YOU. In Tagalog ask her:
   GUSTOMO KITA MAGGING ASAWA?
   Translated: Would you like to Marry Me?
   At this point she will either answer you directly, or else she will ask you "What about you?". You see, you STILL have not TOLD her that you would like to marry her! To do this, you merely say:
   GUSTOKO KITA MAGGING ASAWA.
   Translated: "I would like to marry you".
and,
   GUSTOKO KITA MAGGING REYNA, SA USA.
   Translated: I would like to marry you and take you to USA and treat you like a princess.
   BINGO! Now you have proposed!
   WARNING: Do NOT let to much time elapse between these questions. You do not want to make her feel like a "beggar" for your love and/or proposal, or YOU will loose! When you make the last statement, you will see the greatest, happiest and most content smile you have ever seen!! Now she knows you are serious and that she is not wasting her time.
   By reading the above you can see that just TWO WORDS determine whether the comment is to be a "question" or a "statement".

   GUSTOKO:    Means: "I Like."
   GUSTOMO:    Means: "Do You Like?"

   When shopping in the Philippines, it is very easy to use the above words as entire statements. (Example: Pick up a Mango and ask, "Gustomo?" Meaning "Do you like?" Little short cuts such as this will greatly ease your first trips to the Philippines.
   Likewise, if you want to know if somebody has something, you should know the word "MERON" (long sounding "O", like "Oh".) If you were asking if someone had coffee, you would simply say, "Meron Cafe?"
   Also, the word for PLEASE and THANK YOU are very important.
   PLEASE is:     PWEDE BA
   THANK YOU is:    SALAMAT

   I mention this because prior to your proposal you may wish to whisper romantically to her:

   "PWEDE BA MAGUSAP TIYU"
   This means, "Please, I would like to talk to you about something".

   I hope this has helped you a bit. By giving only a couple of key phrases, you do not have to much Tagalog to study.
   If you are a client and have any other questions, just feel free to ask.

   The spellings above are made so that you can apply English pronunciation to these basic Tagalog words and phrases.
   There are thirty-three different dialects in the Philippines, but Tagalog (also called Pilipino) will be understood most everywhere, as it is the national language.
   By the way, in the Philippines, the restroom is called a "Comfort Room" or a "C.R."
   So to ask for the rest room you would simply say:
   "SAAN C.R.?"

   Note that recently, the government has decreed (Ordered) that English be taught even in the elementary schools of the Philippines, so you will find English almost everywhere. Prior to this decree, English was taught in the High Schools. This is one of the main reasons that the Philippines is one of the BEST Asian countries for American's.

  FINAL NOTE: Remember to prepare "Letters of Intent" for both you and your fiancé so that you can attach it to your fiancée petition.  Just a simple and dated letter that states each of you intends to marry the other within 60" days of her arrival to the USA.  Also prepare a Letter of Approval of Marriage for her Parents to Sign saying that they agree to the marriage of their daughter to you (be sure to use your name and her name specifically in the letter) and be sure to have it dated. Be safe and have them notarize it also!