When I read a few expat's websites around here, I would guess 99.99% of them met their Filipina wives through the internet. The older couples met by being penpals which was the craze before, during pre-internet days. Nothing wrong with that, this happens in other countries too. But there is this "negative" perception that exist, I just cannot pinpoint exactly what it is. Maybe this was because of what I have experienced myself several years ago when I went to Norway for a business convention.
In the evening after the convention, there were several party places - restaurants, night clubs, etc. My colleagues took me to this night club which looked high-class and everybody was very well-dressed. It was crowded, so clearly a favorite place. Since this was a convention, most participants were out-of-towners, and I was the only one with black hair, black eyes - you get my drift. We formed a line and maneuvered through the thick crowd to find a good spot. Then it started. The men started grabbing my arm, wanting me to join their group. Fearing that I would lose my own group in the crowd, I twisted my arm loose and continued walking away. Then they started to pull my clothes. I can't believe this! These are business people, supposed to be decent, well-educated and proper - not acting like animals! I turned around, curled my fingers into a fist and was just about to hit him on the nose when my colleague stepped in. He lied to the group of men to "leave my wife alone". That colleague was Kjartan, by the way, and I didn't know then that he will eventually be my beloved spouse. Anyway, long story short, I later asked a Norwegian why this happened and this was what he said - "You looked exotic, and being colored, they assumed you are "easy" and a fast score". On hearing this, I wonder what others think when they see me walking beside Kjartan. What about here, in my own homeland? What are they thinking?
I dress very simply - I wear t-shirts and loose pants. I don't even wear shorts because I don't like being attacked by mosquitoes. But I see others, walking besides foreigners, and they are wearing very short shorts, tight, skimpy tank tops and clinging to the arm of their partner. This is not normal for the Philippines. This is a very conservative, traditional and God-fearing country. My goodness, in seeing this, no wonder people jump to conclusions. But this is just an exemption, a very small percentage. Filipinas are wonderful, loving people. The key is to find the perfect match, continue to love and respect each other and have an open mind to the difference in cultures - and you will have a happy long-term relationship. It doesn't matter whether "mail order" or not. To those who think that "colored" people are easy and a fast score, then the relationship is doomed from the start.