How can you enjoy a movie in Philippines?

[BillyV]

Can someone tell me how I can enjoy a movie in the Philippines? Yesterday, for the second time, I tried to see a movie. My son wanted to see “The Avengers” and since I like action super hero movies, I took him in Cebu. The movie theater was nice and had the latest digital surround sound etc. However when the movie started none of the Filipinas, yes the women, could be quiet. Many people told them to hush but they kept on talking to each other. These are women who will spend the rest of the day with their friends, can NOT stop from talking during the movie. Then there were men and women who had to talk on the cell; yes talk. I stopped counting at 20 cell phones ringing during the movies. TURN OFF THE SOUND OR THE CELL!!! PEOPLE GET A LIFE!! Learn to live without the cell phones. How many people today are controlled by their cell phones? That is why I DON’T have one and want one. My wife has an extra cell and gives it to me when we go to the mall to keep in touch. THAT’S IT!! So how can I enjoy the nice dark quiet sound of a movie theater with digital sound? Feel free to state your experiences…

[Gene and Viol]

Oh now, this IS a good one. In nine years living here I've never gone to a movie yet. But I'll guess here and say that since the sound track is in English, they are for the most part not there to understand the movie. They are there to enjoy aircon that they dont have at home and watch something moving on the screen. Had the movie been in Tagalog I "think" (except for the cell phones) things would have been far different. You are expecting courtesy and consideration in the Philippines? You must be kidding-Hahaha...
Funny but true. Watch locals if you turn on your own TV to an English broadcast or movie. Within minutes, you have the TV to yourself. Little understanding and even less interest in anything that makes sense much beyond Three Stooges type shows!

[HVACman]

Originally Posted by Gene and Viol

Oh now, this IS a good one. In nine years living here I've never gone to a movie yet. But I'll guess here and say that since the sound track is in English, they are for the most part not there to understand the movie. They are there to enjoy aircon that they dont have at home and watch something moving on the screen. Had the movie been in Tagalog I "think" (except for the cell phones) things would have been far different. You are expecting courtesy and consideration in the Philippines? You must be kidding-Hahaha...
Funny but true. Watch locals if you turn on your own TV to an English broadcast or movie. Within minutes, you have the TV to yourself. Little understanding and even less interest in anything that makes sense much beyond Three Stooges type shows!

You know, now that you brought that up, you're right.

For the two weeks I was at my Tagayay house, there were at least 4 people glued to the tv watching some show or another in tagalog, all day, all night. The one or two times I got to watch an english program, I had the entire room to myself. My father in law might have been with me... but he was sleeping in his chair.

[BillyV]

The same here. I am amazed at how they will flip from one channel to another and totally ignore the English speaking channels. The will even stop at a tagalog channel and watch what they don't even like just to avoid the english channel. I too have the room to myself with my son. When I watch a DVD sometimes they have to watch and are surprise how great the movie is. The kids don't care, they love the english movies.
When there are too many women in the house, they will talk very loud over what I am watching so I know it's better to turn off the TV rather then get mad.

Originally Posted by HVACman

You know, now that you brought that up, you're right.

For the two weeks I was at my Tagayay house, there were at least 4 people glued to the tv watching some show or another in tagalog, all day, all night. The one or two times I got to watch an english program, I had the entire room to myself. My father in law might have been with me... but he was sleeping in his chair.

[BillyV]

So I guess the bottom line is that I have to hope to have enough money when I build my house next year to create my own man-cave home theater room and have a living room for the wife and her family. Thanks this is interesting to learn...

[HVACman]

Originally Posted by BillyV

So I guess the bottom line is that I have to hope to have enough money when I build my house next year to create my own man-cave home theater room and have a living room for the wife and her family. Thanks this is interesting to learn...

That's why we bought a house with a basement...

We just haven't had enough time to furnish it yet.

[jon1]

I went with the route of installing a nice TV in the living room and my bedroom. So when they are watchin that tagalog crap (or singing videoke), I can watch whatever I want (usually movies/US TV shows that I have downloaded) in my bedroom (is insulated enough that I don't here their stuff and can enjoy without interference).

I have implemented an "english speaking only zone" around me hehehe. If you can't say it in English you don't say it in my presence (the room that I am in). It generally works and helps with their English literacy. If they don't want to speak English they know to leave the room.

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by BillyV

So I guess the bottom line is that I have to hope to have enough money when I build my house next year to create my own man-cave home theater room and have a living room for the wife and her family. Thanks this is interesting to learn...

Yea-that's the right idea. Also, if you have your wife's family live there or on an extended stay it pays to play the bad guy and set ABSOLUTE rules on things like when or if the TV can be used and keeping lights turned off. Then ENFORCE the rules or nothing gets done in the house and your electric bill will be the size of the national debt! Don't expect her family to help you save ($$$) anything-it won't happen.
The best thing is to have her parents/family live elsewhere. At least two hours away to avoid them being there all the time. Trust me, you will be sorry if they live with you and almost impossible to get rid of them if they do. Took me two years to get my in-laws moved out. I still remember the day they moved out and I still consider it a sacred holiday

[HVACman]

Originally Posted by Gene and Viol

Yea-that's the right idea. Also, if you have your wife's family live there or on an extended stay it pays to play the bad guy and set ABSOLUTE rules on things like when or if the TV can be used and keeping lights turned off. Then ENFORCE the rules or nothing gets done in the house and your electric bill will be the size of the national debt! Don't expect her family to help you save ($$$) anything-it won't happen.

Haha, that's so true... I did notice that weather in Tagaytay or stateside, everyone seems to have one prevailing attitude: 'what good is any electronic device or light it it's not turned on?'

[Nickleback99]

I've never had that problem at Glorietta mall cinema in Makati. In fact saw Avengers there when opened in Apr and place was packed and Everybody was into the movie. No talking and no phones. Same when been few others there.