Objective Jerk
I use my MIC and my platform as a form of "therapy" or "medicine" for myself.
Objective Jerk
EXPATS IN PERIL: Kidnappings, TikTok Lifelines, and Cultural Controversies in the Philippines
An American citizen's kidnapping in the Philippines has grabbed our attention and led us into a serious, eye-opening discussion about safety for expats living abroad. We explore how platforms like TikTok have become unexpected lifelines for real-time updates during crises, citing recent events like the Maui fires. As we piece together sparse information on the abduction of Eastman from Zamboanga del Norte to Sulu Island, you'll hear about the geographical and logistical challenges that come with navigating life in a foreign land. Through personal reflections, I highlight the importance of being cautious and aware when living in unfamiliar territories, while also sharing my aspirations to explore the beauty of the Philippines, despite its risks.
Switching gears, we venture into more controversial territory by discussing the cultural practices surrounding food consumption by immigrants, touching on sensitive topics like consuming animals often seen as pets. This sparks a broader conversation about global perceptions and the political climate, including my thoughts on Trump. Personal anecdotes and references to movies like "American Assassin" punctuate our exploration of the southern Philippines' allure and danger. Wrapping up, I celebrate the vibrant expat community in the Philippines, sharing the joys and challenges of embracing life abroad.
What's going on? This is the Objective Jerk. And I'm said jerk, how's everybody doing? I hope everybody's doing. Well, not much going on with me. Same old crap. Different day, right um. Same old crap, different day, right um, although sadly well, so I'm well. I kind of got ahead of myself there. I think I should maybe start having a script. Huh, I actually did take a little bit of notes, but so apparently there was a american citizen that was kidnapped just the other day here down south, here in the ph. So it's kind of scary. It's kind of crazy. I mean, people get kidnapped all over the world. So it's not like, but you know, anyway, but I'm not.
Speaker 1:So I got back on TikTok again. I don't know why. Oh, it's because the, the, oh, it was because the um. The thing I liked about tiktok was when the maui fires were going on and people that were there were posting stuff. So that's like the only way you were kind of getting some like decent information regarding it, you know, is the people that are actually there. And so when the, when, the, when the hurricane and the floods were all going on. That's why I was like, well, I'm gonna, I'm gonna get tiktok again so I can maybe see kind of the stuff that's you know and you do see stuff there that's not you know. That's the first time I saw about the guy getting arrested or possibly arrested for saving people and fema getting I don't know. It's just crazy. But that's for another podcast. I guess I'm waiting to see what other information comes out about that.
Speaker 1:But yeah, so now that I'm back on TikTok a little bit, I'm seeing a lot more foreigners like myself that are over here in the Philippines talking about living here in the Philippines and stuff. And I'm like been here for four years, chump, where you been? No, but yeah. So I started seeing that you know. And then I saw which looks to be another guy who's talking about a US citizen who was kidnapped the other day. And then you know, just like anything else else, it's like you can't go based off of that or just you know, oh my gosh, somebody on tiktok said it, it must have happened. Oh, you know.
Speaker 1:So then you kind of do some research and there wasn't a whole lot like that. I could find on like news stuff regarding it, which I thought was kind of weird because I did find stuff eventually, but there's not a whole lot of information. So that's why I kind of felt like maybe I should talk about it a little. I don't know, but but just like I don't know, a few days ago there's a us, uh, individual. His last name I'm not gonna say his whole name, I don't know, because I just kind of feel like I don't have the right to but that seems dumb maybe I don't know, but anyway his last name is eastman. Um, white, american looking dude, I think, from what I can tell. Again, before I get any further.
Speaker 1:You know, this is just off a little news clip from the Philippines here and some other little information, but so I don't know what is actually fact or not. So I'm just, but this guy, like me, married a Filipino, but he lives way down south. I'm going to put a map to kind of show you. I'm not going to put a map to show you where I live because for reasons like this, you know, I mean I live on Luzon, the main island, but it's still pretty big, you know. So, um, but he lives in Zabanga del Norte, which I know I'm not saying right, but that's where he was kidnapped anyway, and then they said that he was taken to the Sulu place salon, whatever kind of island. So it's like an island which I'll show a picture of that too which is, you know, you have to get there by boat or plane maybe yeah, I think there is an airport there to to, you know, to get there right. So from the place that he lived or was kidnapped to where he was taken, is like an 11 hour trip, you know, by ferry and stuff like that. So it's you know, it's not close by. And then for somewhat close to me, to get down to where this guy, it's like a day in 12 hours, like it's a journey. You know what I mean. So it's pretty far from where I live, but that was one of the things that you know I was, I learned when looking in to move here was, you know, don't live down south, that's for sure anyway.
Speaker 1:So the poor guy, I guess he, his wife, I don't know, I have no idea if they met online or what I have no idea Passport bro, I have no idea. What I do know is that he converted to Islam, which maybe was an attempt to kind of protect him, because the muslim community is pretty big down there, and then, especially where they went, where he was taken to um, but he, I guess, was kidnapped by three individuals. He was shot in a leg because he was trying to escape or fight or something. And then they, and supposedly they, they, they know the three individuals, but he was taken from where he lives in the Zambanga del Norte to where I'm trying you know it's not funny, but you know to where you know they're going and they hit, but they don't. They have no clue where or anything. You know they don't. I guess there was. No, they haven't heard anything. It's like any kind of demands or anything like that. So I don't know, it's not too good. I mean, I'm going to pray for the guy. I hope, I hope he makes it out of there.
Speaker 1:Um, but I guess the, the Sulu province, out of all the provinces out of philippines, which is like 80 something provinces, um, this one's like the poorest out of all of them, you know, and um, yeah, the poverty rate's really high there and it's, yeah, it's, there's a lot of, you know, muslim and, I guess, some pirates and you know a lot of. You know shady characters, you know, um, but yeah, pirates and you know a lot of. You know shady characters, you know, but, yeah, so that's, you know, one of the reasons why I mean, even if my wife was from there, I wouldn't be living there, you know, we would be like, hey, we're gonna move up north. If that was, if I had to come here so bad, you know. But you, my wife, she she's Northern Luzon, which is like the main Island that Manila is on, but Manila is like on the Southern part of Luzon. I live closer to the Northern part. That's about as much information as you're getting.
Speaker 1:Um, but yeah, I'm not. You know, I don't really say too much. I don't have, I mean, mean, obviously local people know, but like cars that I drive, they're not anything fancy. You know, I don't have like an American flag hanging like you know, my property in a big pole. Be like I, I'm American. Yeah, you know, and I don't drive cars that. Just be like, look at me, I'm American.
Speaker 1:I mean some of it's just because I'm just not like that. But another part of me is just because I don't like to draw attention to myself, because I'm kind of an introvert, but also for this reason right here, not to say that there's those threats here, like here, it's pretty, it's not really a concern. But you know, never say never right, you know so it's, it's just so. Yeah, I don't, I don't really play around with that and try and advertise whatever, so that's kind of crazy though.
Speaker 1:But yeah, so hopefully I hope. I hope it works out for him, not that I'm pessimistic, but I'm worried about the guy. But I'm hoping, I'll pray, so hopefully that works out. But yeah, you know it is, it is a possibility. But I mean people get murdered and kidnapped all over. It's just you know it is a possibility. But I mean people get murdered and kidnapped all over. It's just, you know, for different reasons and different methods and stuff throughout the world. So it's like I'm sure there might be, you know, people like, oh my gosh, maybe somebody that I know that hears the story and be like, oh my gosh, blake lives there. I just gave my name away, I might have to edit that out. The objective jerk lives there. Um, and you know they're kind of worried, but I mean it's.
Speaker 1:The thing is is, like you know, people have like a false sense of security in the States, I think, and and and I got that a little bit when we were talking about moving here they're like man, are you worried? It's like they think, like you know, america's like just this, nothing can happen, and then the rest of the world sucks, which I mean, you know, it's just, it's not as scary. I think that's why a lot of people don't move overseas, because they are kind of afraid of that. I'm not worried about it, I don't know, at least where I, you know where I live, I wouldn't. I'm never going to go visit down south. I'll probably never leave Luzon Island, the main island.
Speaker 1:You know I do want to travel a little bit and see some place, and there's some really pretty places to visit down south, but I'm not gonna go. You know, mount Rushmore is cool, but I never went there either, not because I was afraid of getting kidnapped or anything, but I just, you know I didn't see everything in the states either. So, but yeah, I mean, as far as, like traveling here, I'm, it's just up here in this, the main Island, and then, uh, maybe other countries or something like that, but I don't, yeah, I don't have any there's. You know, I can watch, you know, some documentaries about Southern Philippines and learn some stuff that way, you know. So, um, but yeah, I mean it sucks. I hope, like I said, I hope the guy makes it out all right, but it's, yeah, it's a little scary, but it's just kind of weird that I haven't heard anything, maybe because there's just not a whole lot of information. Let me know, if you're watching this and this is not the first time you're hearing it, that you've heard it before to say something, because I didn't, yeah, I didn't really.
Speaker 1:You know, I got on like the normal kind of whatever and just nothing was really kind of coming up, I mean some stuff, but it was, it was a little harder than I thought, like it wasn't. It's like they're not trying, it's not breaking, it's not, you know, national, worldwide, you know not. You know, I mean there's so much evil going on in the world, you know that's so I don't know. Plus, right now they got the Iran and Israel thing going on. What's that about? Right, no, but yeah, it's just kind of crazy.
Speaker 1:World War III you know, I know I hate to say, but everybody's talking about, like, how trump's gonna start world war three. But then look at where we're at right now. It's like I made a post about, uh, everything, everything that's, or no, maybe. Well, it's just everything that, like trump has been saying is going to happen, or things that people were saying, that the left was saying, oh, that's, that's, that's um, you know that's misinformation and fake news and all that kind of stuff. It's all become, it's all, it's all became true. You know, I mean all of it. And it's like the left still, I mean not, you know, some people are like, wow, it's kind of crazy all this stuff, but they're still just like the next thing that comes around, yep, oh, oh, oh, it must be. You know what I mean.
Speaker 1:Like, like I got a buddy that he's I don't know, I don't, I don't remember really talking politics with him, but but he, you know, and I don't think he's like like left wing necessarily. I mean, I think he's, he probably votes Democrat for the most part. Uh, buddy might lives in Louisiana, but he, he, I don't think he likes Trump and and he likes to make some jokes and remarks about stuff which is more about, I think, trying to just be like a troll sort of. You know what I mean, um, and sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's like, whatever, dude, you're stupid, but, um, but yeah, so it was like.
Speaker 1:You know, I made that post regarding how, like, everything's coming to fruition. Basically, he's like, oh well, even even the eating people's pets, and it's like, just wait, just wait, it'll come back and be like, oh you know, apparently there were. And the thing is is like there were, like you know, like ducks and geese being eaten. I mean, there's proof of that now. I mean it was there actually people's pets being kidnapped or whatever. I, I don't know who knows, I don't know it's not unheard of. I mean, people eat dog here in the Philippines, you know.
Speaker 1:So for immigrants from you know, a poor country that are used to maybe eating dog, come across a stray dog or somebody's dog that got out. You know, it's not. It's not like it's unfathomable, unfathomable is that? Did I say that right? Unfathomable, unfathom, unfathomable, whatever. Anyway, you know. Plus, like people were talking about how, like, just so many cats were missing. So it's like it's not. It's not like completely crazy to think that that that was happening. I don't think it was as much as like some people on the right were trying to make. You know, they're trying to push it more to make, to help their argument, you know, like you know. But yeah, it was, there were some immigrants were eating animals. That was happening, fact, fact. So Now you know, was it Garfield and od, who's to say? But it was definitely like.
Speaker 1:You know, some geese and and dude canadian geese are good. I don't know if you've ever had them. I had a neighbor that would go and hunt them sometimes in washington and he would bring back some and, um, I mean, I mean you can, I guess, maybe eat it like a duck or, you know, like a whole bird or whatever, but that's not what they're really. They just eat the breast of it, which is kind of kind of a shame, because you're just like the whole bird and you're just eating a small part. But that small part is like it's so good, it's like it's like beef, it's like really tender beef, it's insane. Like it's so good, it's like it's like beef, it's like really tender beef, it's insane. Like it's it doesn't. It's like what? This is a bird, what it's crazy. They taste really good.
Speaker 1:So I mean, you know, for people to be killing you know Canadian geese and or ducks that are hanging out at ponds and stuff, and you know, yeah, like that's completely believable, you know, but that's the thing. So it's like. I don't think he was like my friend, I think he was just trying to troll a little bit, but that's kind of how a lot of them think, though. Like they're just like, oh, okay, so then what about the? It's like dude, okay, there's all these things that have happened and shown to be true, but then you're still holding on to the little oh, they're eating their pits. It's like what, what is it? What is it going to take for you to to just get it that dude? The left I mean all politicians lie. All politicians are garbage. That's why I like Trump. So I mean it's just, it's retarded. But anyway, what else? What else? What time is it? Oh, dang, I'm only at 1640, something, crap.
Speaker 1:I thought I was going to talk about this poor guy, but yeah, his name's you know what, screw it. His name's Eldon Eastman. So hopefully he makes it out of there. But yeah, um, it's kind of crazy, but that's pretty far south for me. I mean, it's almost like another country really. Um, because if you look at, I'm gonna put maps of the philippines, hopefully. Last time I meant to put like a picture of a video I was doing. I forgot, so I was like, yeah, I'm gonna put it right here and then nothing. So hopefully I don't forget, but, um, but yeah, it's pretty far and it's kind of.
Speaker 1:You know, philippines is crazy, how it's set up and all the islands and everything. So I hear it's really really pretty down there though, like you can, you can find some nice resorts for pretty cheap. But then when I think about that, I think about that movie. It's a movie, but what is it called? American Assassin or something? The dude who he's like at a resort somewhere and terrorists come and kill his fiance and then he ends up training and getting with Michael Keaton and stuff I can't remember if that's what it's called, but it's pretty good with batman, with michael keaton and stuff can't remember if that's what it's called, but it's pretty good.
Speaker 1:But yeah, every time I kind of think of like or if I see something with a, with a, with a nice resort down south that's that's kind of the picture I think of is, you know, and you can't really live like that, you know that's like. So you don't go to places where there's possible threats. There's plenty of other places you can visit or live, you know. So I don't know, hopefully, I don't know, I'll see what happens. If you guys want, let me know, like this video, and I'll talk more about it as information comes out, I guess. Plus, I just want to kind of let people know it's not me, I'm nowhere near it. Like I said, it's like a day and a half travel for me to get there. But, yeah, there are a lot of foreigners younger too, actually, because there's a lot of older guys that are here I see all the time. But, um, I'm starting to see a lot more of people living in the philippines. I don't know if they live there completely or what, what's going on, but and I always post on there I'm like shut up, man don't tell, because it is pretty great.
Speaker 1:Here I got my TikTok, my TikTok, my Talk, talk. There's a video I did with that. If you want to look at it, look it up. But I love that thing, man, it's actually.
Speaker 1:It helps me, because every time I had to go somewhere around here or drive somewhere, I would just be like, oh, my anxiety would just go up and it's like I gotta be like okay, come on, be cool. Don't you know what I mean? Because it's just, it's insane here. It's like mad max, you know fury road every time, sort of I don't know or like think of fury road mixed in with like some driving miss daisy people all together and it's just, it's just crazy. And then you got people walking all across the road, all over and I don't know. But you know it's, it's just, there's not a lot of room, they don't have massive roads, you know, it's just two lane roads and highways and people can't you, you get stuck behind the dumbest people and you're going 20 miles an hour on a highway.
Speaker 1:And so not that I take the talk talk on the highway, but around town though, cause it's just the roads are small, it's a, it's a bitch to get anywhere in a car, so it can be very infuriating. So driving that talk talk kind of eliminates a little bit of that for me, cause for one thing thing, it's kind of fun to ride and it's easier to get through some stuff, to find parking and you know, just do whatever. So around here, dude, that's what I drive, that's uh, you know I haven't driven a car car in a while, because then usually when we do go somewhere, my wife will drive, because I don't get annoyed being the passenger, and then it's funny, because then she's all like what the hell? She's all getting like angry and stuff like that, and I'm just it's. I think it's funny, but it's crazy. It's crazy, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Anyway, let me know if I was kind of actually thinking about you know, I do like I kind of want to share a little bit about my life living here. You know what I mean. I'm not real open, so you know, but I'm not the type of person to walk around with a camera or the phone and do stuff. You know's like, okay, look at me, here I'm at the store, blah, blah, blah, but what I could do is get a pair of sunglasses that have, you know, a high def camera in it and I could just wear those around as I do stuff and then do it that way. I was thinking about doing that maybe because my kids were always wanting me to record me driving, because I used to just, you know, just say some stuff and they would be laughing. They're like man, we should. I mean I've kind of calmed down a little bit but, um, but yeah, so I don't know thinking about that, maybe just for be fun, but it's like man, you can spend at least a hundred dollars and then some of those things are like not the greatest. I think to get one that's good and reliable, you're going to be spending like $200 to $300. Not down with that, but anyway, I think that's about it.
Speaker 1:I'm going to end it here. Say some prayers for Eldon Eastman and hopefully he makes it out of there. All right Until next time. Thanks for listening and God bless. And hopefully makes it out of there all right Until next time. Thanks for listening and God bless. All right, bye.
