Title Page
TIERRA MARIA ESTATES
Sales Office in Paranaque - Philippines
TIERRA MARIA ESTATES - tried to scam me in a most DESPICABLE way.
Click the flags to read about all the alarm bells.
It's a really long story - this is just the latest news.
JUST IMAGINE - THE MARKETING MANAGER OF TIERRA MARIA ESTATES - MASQUERADING AS THE AUTHOR OF THE BLOG - JUST TO SPREAD HIS LIES.
AND THEY'VE BLOCKED ME FROM THE SITES.
Including one that contains a new blog -
QUOTE:
I truly feel sorry for Tim, the British guy. I also feel sorry for the young Filipina, the hospital doctors and lawyer, the British Embassy staff, the
real estate company and many others involved in the “group of scam artists”. They were all victims one way or the other.
It has gotten to the point an accusation is hurled against one of the suspected scammer who Tim believes is using my name.
Oh please, I am not part of this scam-internet-drama. I have better things to do.
It’s not the alleged grand-scale scam that concerns me right now because my opinion does not matter.
One thing that caught my attention in the moderated comment section was his claim to be the “innocent
victim”. It’s true we can be victims in any situation but it doesn’t have to be permanent.
UNQUOTE:
What's that all about then?
I discovered a link to a site called Filipina Images on an article about Tierra Maria Estates (on one of the author's other blogs.)
I had arrived there after following a trail of recent posts by Tierra Maria Estates - done in an effort to lessen the domination of my incriminating videos and blogs in the search engines.
It seemed at Filipina Image I might get some unbiased reactions - my story was certainly relevant to the IMAGE of the FILIPINA after all.
What did they think?
Well - I started a thread going with a posting (you can read it all below.)
If comments are left - I am sent a notification by email from the site - perfectly normal.
What I have not come across before is that these notifications contain the comment author's IP address.
(FULL DETAILS HERE.)
Since we have been keeping careful track of the IP addresses -
WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT THIS COMMENT WAS SENT FROM THE COMPUTER USED BY THE MARKETING MANAGER PREVIOUSLY, TO READ TRACKED EMAILS THAT WERE SENT TO HIM.
- despite pretending to be Noemi - the author of the blog - who remarks quite firmly that she does not know him personally.
A further comment made by EMILY - was sent from the Noemi's computer.
What can one deduce from this subterfuge and the fact that Noemi herself denies that it happened?
They are obviously in cahoots - as thick as thieves - another posting on her linked sites contains a short write up about Tierra Maria Estates.
The quantity of coincidences - arriving from so-called "only showing an interest" members of the Philippine community - absolutely astonishing - if you were to believe one word of it - they've all been told exactly what to say.
The bottom line is - for them to create doubts in my mind - guilt - leading me to remove my writings and videos.
Unfortunately - every time I discover more of their deceitful measures - I am inspired to put even more on the Internet.
Hence this - the latest posting.
Here is a copy of all the posts from that site - the comments marked with * were removed before the site closed the thread from any further additions.
Conned by a Filipina?
[They changed my original title which was - A SAD TALE - IS HOSPITALITY A MYTH?]
Posted by: ellumbra in The Filipina
(Noemi’s Notes: This particular journey started on the DateInAsia website, a story of a man from the UK and found love from a girl named Mayen. Tim believes he was scammed by Mayen and her group of friends.
Scammers are not limited to certain portions of our society. Scammers abound anywhere in the world even in the internet. I believe Tim’s story just warns foreigners like him using Dating websites to proceed with caution especially when money transfers are involved. Proceed with utmost diligence.)
Hello - my name is Tim - I have a sad tale to recall, but first, it occurs to me that it might be considered, by some, to be rather impertinent of me to post this here - I would qualify that by arguing that it is most pertinent, highly relevant - the story is about my relationship with a young Filipina - and how - through the events that happened - my image of the Philippines has been dramatically changed.
I have lost the dream that I once had - it has been shattered.
The dream was the same one that is used as a lure on dating sites.
However, there is not enough space to write all the caveats - all the warnings - yes - they advise against sending money - but they do not warn against the attitude of contempt that may be endemic.
I have read elsewhere on these pages of the contempt shown for imperialistic attitudes of the west - the conscious or subconscious justification for a beautiful siren - to beckon a ship of dreams on to her submerged reef. But people should always be treated as individuals - not as generalisations.
I am aware that the story touches on many aspects of our lives - cultural differences - deeply ingrained perspectives - but my struggle to come to some understanding has been generally met by a conspiracy of silence - a closing of ranks. Perhaps there is some nobility in that response - but as far as the projected image of the Philippines and her people on to the world stage - it offers little of value, internationally - except to deepen the mystery and darken the shadow.
I have really been left with the impression that the Philippines considers itself able to deal, at long distance, with those of us in the west - tinkering about on the new technology of the Internet and taking just what it needs - then sliding away into the third world shadows when it is convenient.
My sadness comes from the fact that I know what a beautiful country it is - and I do not doubt that good people live there - but why the mute response? Why are their hands tied?
Was it simply that I got enmeshed in a net of contempt - formed out of an unsettled history? Were my sincere dreams mis-interpreted as the perverted desires of sex-tourism? How deep rooted, how prevalent are these attitudes? If the people that I encountered are in such a small minority, why is it that my pleas for help, for understanding seem to fall solely upon deaf ears?
Is my new image - from this shift in perspective - the only bridge that I now have to approach the Philippines - a span of enlightened understanding - where I had hoped to build an arch of love?
The time is soon approaching when the Philippines will no longer be able to hide behind the mask - or portray herself to the world in the colours of sea and sunshine - if the people there do not actively show that they are appalled by the sort of abominable attitude that I was greeted with - in my first - and now, possibly my last - relationship with them.
Please - whatever you think - I am not a racist - nor am I trying to inflame relations between the west and the Philippines - I do not generalise - there are evil people everywhere as well as good - but I would be grateful for a constructive commentary.
Can there really be total apathy - about the behaviour of your country’s ambassadors - reaching out to the rest of the world?
Thank you.
If you would like to read the whole story - day to day - as it unfolded - click HERE.
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm and is filed under The Filipina.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Notes By Noemi
Comments are NOW moderated. I reserve the right to approve or disapprove comments.
Discuss the issues in a constructive manner.
Previous comments were allowed because they were not moderated.
I also reserve the right to edit/delete the previously posted comments that is in violation of our Libel Law as stated in Article 353 of the Philippine Revised Penal Code.
[Notice Noemi's interest in the libel laws - her husband is a lawyer.]
We do not delete or censor comments unless they have content that:
* is abusive
* is off-topic
* contains ad-hominem attacks
* promotes hate of any kind
* uses excessively foul language
* is blatantly spam
[This next comment from "Noemi" came from Sir Francis's computer. Notice also he refers to the same website mentioned in Noemi's notes at the top - but gets the name wrong - changing a user name is easy, as I have proved.]
noemi says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I sympathize with your story, Tim. It took me almost 4 hours to read it in its entirety. It’s impossible for dating websites to screen their members, short of asking for an NBI clearance. Did you complain at Dating Asia regarding Mayen? I believe she was operated since the British Embassy confirmed this for you.
I know the hospital and I can’t believe they were into this kind of fraud. My sister in law/doctor used to work there. The invoice looks original. It is true that one can’t just call the hospital for information about the patient. But then again, Mayen should have given you clearance to ask for such information.
The Tierra Maria Estates may be innocent in this. My best friend knows Chin chin, the celebrity endorser who is a Christian. The Montinolas who own Tierra Pura are well known in the country. The Sir Francis you mentioned is a former neighbor of mine in a Makati village I used to live. I don’t know Francis Jalbuena personally. But another fact is he is a realtor and respected in his real estate field. Word or gossip gets around in our little circle if scammer lives nearby. Of course, you might even start to think I am part of this scam. Sorry but I don’t know them on a personal level.
I can’t pinpoint them as part of the purported scam though. Filipinos tend to help each other in crisis.
It does raise suspicions if one is a foreigner like you. Our “bayanihan spirit” (a Filipino trait of helping one another) comes alive during a crisis. It could be true Francis advanced the money.
Not all Filipinas use dating websites to find financial security. My high school best friend is educated, earning well and not in poverty but resorted to a dating website out of a sincere wish to find love. I think the problem is with the young girls who are restless and want financial security. Dating older women in their 40’s might lead to better chances of success. Then again, there have been successful dating among the young as well.
I’m sorry to say this but based on my own gut feel, I felt that you were not scammed by a group of scam artists, the Medical Center Paranaque, the Tierra Maria Estates, the lawyer and the doctors. We have laws in place to police unscrupulous professionals in our country. Mayen raised these suspicions on you based on her many white lies, inconsistencies and her desperate attempt to find financial security. I feel sorry for the loss of your dream.
For you to have gotten to the bottom of this “scam”, you could have hired a local private investigator to do all these background checks for you.
Abbie says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
Hi, Tim!
I agree with Noemi. She have valid points in her comment above.
This big-time scam you are referring to is not at all possible.
I also read the transcript of your blog and I emphathize with you and your lost love.
But you might want to reconsider in implicating the hospital and Tierra Maria and the other innocent people involved based from what Noemi said above
I hope that you will find it in your heart the peace you are yearning for.
Deb says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Hi Tim!
Adding another “i think the same as previous comment” would probably mean nothing now.
But here is my two-cents worth.
I have read your story in your blog. I think that Mayen, at first did not intend to scam/trick you.
She may have felt genuine affection, but then things led to another, and she is stuck amidst her lies and resorted to more lies which she then have to cover up with more lies. Now, making this like a widespread scheme to con foreigners, that may be too complex to orchestrate at a level in which a hospital, a legit real estate company and the whole gamut of family and friends will be ON it to raise what? a few hundred thousand pesos?
I am sorry about what you went through. Reading your entries and your poetry makes me think that you are deeply scarred by this. Hope you resolve this soon, one way or the other.
[This next comment from "Emily" came from Noemi's computer.]
Emily says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Sure there are scam artists everywhere. Most of your accusations though are based on your suspicions and Mayen’s inconsistencies. If you had stayed longer in the Philippines and gotten to know your fellow British expats, you would have been guided properly instead of relying only on Jim. I am sure the British community would have provided you with all the necessary information. If you want peace of mind, try to locate this group especially those who married a Filipina.
This statement you made….“The result is a breeding ground for racketeering - Tierra Mafia - a cocktail of prostitution - money laundering - extortion - and the internet is the perfect tool to enable these practices to flourish.”
I am surprised that your suspicions went that far. Like Noemi said you need to make a documented basis for such allegations by hiring an independent investigator. You are fortunate the hospital and the real estate firm didn’t sue you for libel. But any intelligent person will see that these entities had nothing to do with your imagined “scam”. At the very least, Mayen scammed you . I hope you put closure into this and place a more factual basis for the scam.
issai says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
hello noemi, i was just reading comments… ano po ibig sabihin ng “My best friend knows Chin chin, the celebrity endorser who is a Christian.” i might be getting the wrong message from the statement, especially the “Christian” part.
i just feel sorry for this guy. scammed or not scammed, he felt betrayed. it’s a very unpleasant emotion to say the least.
noemi says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
@issai- Tim involved Chin chin the endorser as part of the scam artists. I said that to vouch for the character of Chin Chin. My point was any person with strong religious or moral values will not scam anyone.
Why was Chin Chin involved here? just because she is the celebrity endorser? It’s not fair for Tim to involve other persons without concrete evidence.
It was Tim’s choice to feel betrayed since he could have gathered more evidence to disprove his doubts.
That’s why I am suggesting he investigate further.
issai says:
February 4th, 2008 at 5:26 am
@noemi, thanks for the clarification.
ellumbra says:
February 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Now I think the mystery is beginning to clear a little.
Out of the blue my misconceptions evaporate.
Especially since I read of your concern for me.
My adventure was purely a mistake, I was mislead.
I should not be seeking to redress the balance.
I should instead make a graceful exit.
Seeing as there is no further ground to be made.
For all I know, innocent people are suffering.
Rediscovering my life is where I should be aiming.
A new year - a new life ahead.
Not wallowing in despair.
Confrontation is not the answer.
I must find that peace in my heart again.
Silence, open space, making room for a fresh hope.
Just reading these comments - I can see the answer.
All is clear to me now.
Love will survive through the ordeal.
Being free is far more important.
Understanding has at last arrived.
Easy to say - but hard to do.
Now though - it must be my priority.
Arrive at complete freedom, that must be my goal - I’ll find the answer will come - initially - it will be hard - to detach myself - first things first - letters I have written will eventually dissolve - fall away - all the words will be forgotten, enough is enough. There is a something here for everyone - a message - we can all learn from our mistakes.
[I included a cryptic message - revealing our discovery of the identity of the masquerader. I've made it obvious here.]
Alice says:
February 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I don’t know that the hospitals or whatnot were also part of it. I can’t even say that they weren’t.
What I can put in is that I have seen a very similar attempt toward a friend of mine.
Yes, I’m suspicious of my own people even as much as I love them. I saw the girl’s letters, her requests for money, her attempts to meet and the way she threw commitment around way too quickly.
Someone may argue with me on this. I’m not saying we’re all like that. I'm not saying Mayen is definitely guilty, but I have seen the possibility unfold before my eyes and I just wanted to say I sympathize. It’s a lesson worth learning. I hope you move on from it.
Tread with caution.
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 7:54 am
OK - Just to set the record straight -
1) I did not post here because I had any doubts about the scam.
2) I posted here because I wanted a Filipina’s views on how their image was being eroded by their own
fellow countrymen and women.
3) I know that some people at the hospital were involved.
4) Because the whole thing was a fake - anyone who communicated with me - corroborating the lie
that it was true - is implicated by association.
5) So are the people who did not reply to my suspicions - ie. the owner of Tierra Maria Estates (I wrote to them in August) - many government agencies (who didn’t have the courtesy to even reply) - colleagues of the marketing manager - & the celebrity endorser, Chin-Chin Gutierrez and her manager - both of whom I wrote to - but they have either been persuaded by more lies - or they choose to offer their tacet support by not using their high profile to publicly condemn this kind of activity.
6) Because I have a blockade of blogs and videos on the Internet at the moment - denouncing the many people implicated for the above reasons - and as a warning to others - devious efforts are being put in to try to get me to remove it - including the thrust of effort - suggesting that it was only Mayen who was responsible.
Sorry - that will not work.
Follow the links from this very page and you will see for yourself. If you are very clever - read the message in my previous post.
I doubt if this will get past the censors - guarding this page.
jepoy says:
February 5th, 2008 at 10:45 am
LOL, i’m only at “episode 22″ of this soap opera-sih crap and about 90% of the content I’ve read are already outright preposterous or just plain dumb. Sorry if you felt “scammed” but your thoughts of a grand scale scam maybe signs of old age or simply signs a delusional mind.
Your “blockade” of blogs and videos, especially your videos blatantly accusing innocent people, will surely get you your 15 minutes of fame in the Philippines. Good thing for you is that all we have is a stupid Republic Act 8792. Just wait till the local media notices your websites. Oh wait, lemme tell them directly :)
Your gut feelings and investigations are flawed. Mommy Noemi said it very well.
Edit by Noemi Name of the author within the comment removed which I felt was not necessary since he introduced himself as Tim but to play fair, I removed it.
noemi says:
February 5th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Tim- i read everything. like i said it took me 4 hours or so.
so the british embassy who investigated on their personal capacity is in cahoots too?
if there was a scam, the amount involved (100,000 pesos or so) divided by 5 or 6 people is not worth the trouble alone. Real estate commissions alone on one or two property sales can give them that amount.
I condemn scams from any person . But in this case, I do not see factual basis .
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
OK - Noemi - AKA ________ - why are you hiding behind a false name here?
Come out into the open. I can prove that you are masquerading behind “Mommy Noemi” - who by the way - would like me to think that she doesn’t know you personally - although she is also in real estate and her blog carries a ______ _____ ________ advertisement.
NO - you don’t divide - you multiply 100,000 pesos by the amount of girls and then by the amount of victims.
Jepoy - just another stooge eh? On the Bayanihan payola?
Great - announce it all you like to the local media - I welcome it.
The time is up for any more “fake” evidence - which btw was only forthcoming because of the pressure I was applying with the blogs. Otherwise they would have all disappeared into the shadows.
You are all just proving what a bunch of conspirators you all are.
What a disappointment - maybe not really - just living up to your stereotype.
*EDITED By Noemi- Name of innocent persons removed. [ie Francis Jalbuena & Tierra Maria Estates.]
noemi says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
oh dear. believe what you want. The tierra entry is not an ad and it was posted by lauren not me. Am really sorry you feel that way.
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
The British Embassy’s “investigation” was no more than a phone call. They simply obliged you by passing on the fake information - in the hope that their authority would make it sound convincing - we know all about it - you can no longer pull the wool over our eyes - we know all about a lot of things. How?
Well that’s what you’ll have to find out - won’t you.
We can prove that it wasn’t true - whereas you did not and cannot prove that it was - advantage to us - all round.
So - the sooner we start to see eye to eye on this - and face the TRUTH - the sooner we can start to adjust the situation - not until then.
*EDITED by Noemi to remove names of innocent persons. [Again Sir francis's name.]
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
BTW - Emily is FRANCIS JALBUENA also - do you put a frock on when you write these posts?
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
As for the sympathy voiced here - just like the “love” that lured me into the scam - it’s patently as fake as everything else. Pirated emotions - that only even bother to show their pale imitation colours when money is involved. It seems you are much more concerned with superficial appearances than genuine substance - hence your beauty is barely skin deep - purely a mask - behind which - you lurk - muggers of the Internet - pirates of the Cyber-seas.
Fake feelings - counterfeit consciences - second hand souls.
That’s why the image of the Filipina is tarnished - you do it to yourselves.
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
EMILY - aka FRANCIS JALBUENA - I did write to the British community - my reply came from a man married to a Filipina . . .
Hi Tim,
Sorry that you were a target, but these types of scams
are very common here.
Good luck,
Bob
That is genuine - I have no need to lie or fake what I say.
noemi says:
February 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Comments are NOW moderated. I reserve the right to approve or disapprove comments.
Discuss the issues in a constructive manner. Previous comments were allowed because they were not moderated. However, I also reserve the right to edit/delete the previously posted comments that are in violation of our Libel Law as stated in Article 353 of the Philippine Revised Penal Code .
We do not delete or censor comments unless they have content that:
* is abusive
* is off-topic
* contains ad-hominem attacks
* promotes hate of any kind
* uses excessively foul language
* is blatantly spam
Alice says:
February 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Ellumbra - Just as you have every right to make your issues with your situation known in order to warn others as you felt necessary, neomi had every right to voice her thoughts on a situation you made public.
You can’t expect everyone to agree with you and people will defend the things they know personally.
And she did say from the start that she read your post from start to finish, taking her 4 hours.
Read carefully and do not post so hastily.
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Alice - the first 2 posts from “Noemi” and the post from “Emily” were written by the marketing manager of Tierra Maria Estates. I have electronic proof. He is masquerading as those two people. Just to show how biased this thread is - only his name has been removed . . . to protect the innocent . . .
notice - my name is still left there in Jepoy’s post AND I AM THE INNOCENT VICTIM.
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Remember - I am not suggesting for one moment that the entire hospital or the entire embassy were involved.
It only takes one person - intercepting email - for the illusion to work.
alindog says:
February 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
what happened? i’m only in chapter 7 of the telenovela and i can’t link to the next installment of the riveting scam-drama! from what i’ve read so far, tim himself was not “that” honest.
timmy, you are still married and there you go posting in dating sites and galavanting half-way round the world looking for an unsuspecting-naive- thirdworld Pinay to “victimize”. Seems like it worked the other way around, as you claim.
Since I have not finished reading your saga ( as my third-world server conked out on me ) I really am not in a position to say my piece. However, since Pinays are prone to “saying their piece” here goes.
You accused a very reputable Philippine hospitals and a good numbers of legitimate doctors of helping out Mayen in her scam. Dude! I know some of these doctors and thet have no inkling of what you are talking about. If they hear of this, you firstworld ass will be sued!
That’s all. I have to finish reading the blog first before I can further comment.
Gutter Girl says:
February 5th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I’m sorry to read about your ill-fated love story (honestly, I only read the synopsis and the entries on the first page). From what I’ve read, I think it’s unlikely that Mayen and her co-workers purposefully planned the money extortion before the two of you met in the Philippines. However, the effort you put into making your story known reflects how much you’ve been hurt and damaged by her inconsistencies. Dishonesty
(no matter what color the lie is) and betrayal are such ugly things. It’s true that we are a poor nation, but every country has a few (okay maybe a lot) bad trees, and not all Filipinas take advantage of the benefits of being in a relationship with a Caucasian man when they are presented with an opportunity to be into one.
I would like to use myself as an example. I am engaged to an American man 11 years my senior for a little more than a year now. We also met online nearly 3 years ago (through my blog, and I found out later that he has a blog, too), but met in person only last year. When he was here, I never asked him for money.
In fact, I always offered to shoulder our daily expenses. I didn’t want him to spend a single cent, because to be honest, he didn’t have much money then, and I felt sorry for him.
We’re in long-distance relationship for now, but we’re doing great. My dad, brother and I are flying to the US in April so they could meet him.
If I may say so, maybe you shouldn’t have given her that small chance of raising a suspicion by having unprotected sex with her. If you had protected sex, then there would have been absolutely no reason for her to even think of the possibility of a pregnancy. Women have that kind of power over men, you know.
Sorry for the preachy tone, but I learned a similar lesson through first-hand experience and thought it might be helpful.
I am also from Paranaque, and I’ve recently applied for a staff nurse position in that hospital. It’s unfair to involve the name of the hospital in your pursuit to expose the truth, or any company for that matter.
I’ve seen the the hospital bill in your Flickr photostream, and it looks genuine (although I’m suspicious of the length of confinement, just 3 days to recuperate from a major surgery? Then again, it varies in every hospital). Still, shouldn’t that bill provide enough reason to believe her?
Give her another chance for what it’s worth. Good luck!
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Alindog - I agree - fair comment - I accept absolutely that I was rather devious myself in the way that I dealt with matters at home. Discussions of divorce are never pleasant - and it was all brought to a head by my involvement with Mayen.
I am not trying to excuse myself - but I will say that nobody is responsible for the timing of events in their lives - and I felt compelled at the time to follow through - as my intentions were entirely genuine - and they appeared to be reflected in what Mayen was feeling.
You are out of your depth when you start to mention “victimise” “naive” “unsuspecting” - I take it the astonishing coincidences appearing in this thread don’t include your actual aquaintence with Mayen?
Gutter girl - fair comment also - yes I was foolish, naive and blinded by my emotions - and that is why I was taken advantage of. It takes two to tango - I am acutely aware of my part in the story.
BTW - the “confinement” was eleven days - the caveat in the republic act forbidding detainment of patients for unpaid bills EXCEPT IN PRIVATE ROOMS - was fully taken advantage of to increase the booty.
It was originally going to be only three days - because they didn’t want the complication of me arriving in the Philippines expecting to see Mayen in the hospital.
I agree - it is not organised crime - it was disorganised incompetence.
As I mentioned before - I am not suggesting for one moment that the entire hospital, or the entire Embassy were accomplices in this business.
It only takes one person - in a strategic place - one person willing to accept the payoff - whatever it may be - favour or financial - intercepting & responding to emails - or by letting their name be used to legitimise fake evidence - just as we have seen going on here - for the illusion to appear real.
Come on - we all know that you are masters of mimicry - doyens of deceit.
Yes - I am mentioning the names of the people involved and the places where they worked. This was simply the information that I was given.
Buildings themselves do not scam people - the corruption lurks inside.
If the people have issue with this - then it is down to them to come forward & see for themselves how, why and by whom they have been implicated - but bear in mind that I cannot tell who is who over the internet - people have been masquerading on this very thread - it’s so easy to deceive - when that is the determined aim.
However - if anyone considers that as an option to disseminate more falsehood - the quantity of deceit, lies & attempts at manipulation that I have already uncovered leaves very little hope for Internet communication as a future strategy.
As I have already mentioned - a point which you all seem to be ignoring - I have absolute proof that it was a scam - and I have absolute proof that the marketing manager of Tierra Maria Estates was in full corroboration - instrumental - just as he will be insisting to you right now of his innocence.
My writing in this particular forum was to collect some points of view.
So - the more people who come to the party, the better - for you are all shooting yourselves in the feet - the only fact that is being proved here is how willing you all are to allow yourselves to be manipulated by lies - or bayanihan payola.
So please listen - once and for all - you do not know the facts, the details - some of you may have read the story - that is all. To anyone - reasonably honest with themselves - it speaks for itself.
But the words themselves cannot convey the understanding that is gained from day to day involvement.
But no - you think you can jump on the bandwagon - and give vent to your innate contempt - with transparent attempts at manipulation - just to oblige whoever has been whispering into your ears.
Central to this whole episode is the marketing manager of the real estate firm.
He knows the facts - you do not.
I am using the Internet as a lens - to put all the focus on to him - because he has not the usual luxury of being anonymous and unidentifiable this time - a quirk of the particular circumstances of the events.
You choose to believe his denial - but that is simply his efforts to distance this whole event from himself and the firm - or you do not care - and consider this entertainment.
Evil proliferates when good men stand by and do nothing.
Please let me remind you - that the results of this sort of scamming activity - not necessarily financially in my case - but certainly emotionally - are torturous.
In adopting this method to take extortionate advantage of any human being - from wherever on this planet - is possibly about the most despicable, unconsionable thing another being can do.
Trust is a most precious human commodity - it was thoroughly abused.
Do you seriously find it entertaining?
When the man or the girl at the heart of it cannot come out into the open on this forum to represent themselves - and one of them is discovered pretending to be someone else to conceal his obvious lies - what hope have any of you in me taking you seriously?
Come on - get real folks.
Please rest assured that I feel no malice - purely a dedication to truth and an appreciation of justice.
I am not pretending to be a saint - but I am a human being - I simply will not stand by and witness a serious imbalance of justice - the truth being twisted - falsehood being perpetuated - when this whole issue has so many implications - not only for future “victims” - but also - believe it or not - for the future of your very own beautiful country.
How will you be perceived after all this - if not one single soul amongst you truly values honesty - stands up for justice - fairness - simple human rights?
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Far too much faith is placed in the persuasive power of the written word - fake documents etc. - to the extent that other, much more revealing aspects and dimensions of communication are ignored.
Words are cheap - it’s easy to attempt to deceive in this way - and the scammers will probably continue to do so.
A faked up photocopied hospital bill - produced in the same manner as a real bill, tells us nothing and proves absolutely nothing - either way.
If the person who is responsible for it is determined to deceive - he might succeed.
It all depends on how it is perceived.
However - the truth can still be discerned - by other means.
That is what you are detecting - right now.
Truth has a certain ring to it.
Deceit has a certain - bad smell.
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Alindog - No - they did not originally help in the scam - they were approached when it started to go wrong for the scammers - when I started insisting on dealing only with the hospital. It was only after I revealed my blog that the marketing manager realised that there was a danger lurking for him and the company.
Mayen is in no danger - she has little to lose.
alindog says:
February 6th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Bear in mind that in the Philippines people will sell their integrity, compromise their honesty - “truth” can be purchased - by threat, by favour or by pesos.
umm… this is soooooo offending. timmy, do not generalize the Filipino. also, the “selling of integrity and compromising of honesty” is not an indigenous Filipino trait!
noemi says:
February 6th, 2008 at 9:22 am
This thread is now closed. If you want to discuss this more, please proceed to the author’s original thread.
He has a comment section in his blog for discussion purposes. If the author feels there is a scam, there are legal measures to address this with. The comment discussion was also moving towards being libelous.
Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code defines libel as “a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead”.
Instead of using this thread to add more insult and accuse some of the readers of FilipinaImages.com to be part of a “bayanihan payola”, it is best the author uses the proper forum to address this against the person/s and entities concerned. This blog is not the proper venue to air these grievances and accusations, hence the thread was closed.
Sales Office in Paranaque - Philippines
TIERRA MARIA ESTATES - tried to scam me in a most DESPICABLE way.
Click the flags to read about all the alarm bells.
It's a really long story - this is just the latest news.
THINGS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT SO GOOD - CONNED BY A FILIPINA? HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE COMMENTS.
THINGS WERE GETTING TOO HOT TO HANDLE THERE. JUST IMAGINE - THE MARKETING MANAGER OF TIERRA MARIA ESTATES - MASQUERADING AS THE AUTHOR OF THE BLOG - JUST TO SPREAD HIS LIES.
AND THEY'VE BLOCKED ME FROM THE SITES.
Including one that contains a new blog -
QUOTE:
I truly feel sorry for Tim, the British guy. I also feel sorry for the young Filipina, the hospital doctors and lawyer, the British Embassy staff, the
real estate company and many others involved in the “group of scam artists”. They were all victims one way or the other.
It has gotten to the point an accusation is hurled against one of the suspected scammer who Tim believes is using my name.
Oh please, I am not part of this scam-internet-drama. I have better things to do.
It’s not the alleged grand-scale scam that concerns me right now because my opinion does not matter.
One thing that caught my attention in the moderated comment section was his claim to be the “innocent
victim”. It’s true we can be victims in any situation but it doesn’t have to be permanent.
UNQUOTE:
What's that all about then?
I discovered a link to a site called Filipina Images on an article about Tierra Maria Estates (on one of the author's other blogs.)
I had arrived there after following a trail of recent posts by Tierra Maria Estates - done in an effort to lessen the domination of my incriminating videos and blogs in the search engines.
It seemed at Filipina Image I might get some unbiased reactions - my story was certainly relevant to the IMAGE of the FILIPINA after all.
What did they think?
Well - I started a thread going with a posting (you can read it all below.)
If comments are left - I am sent a notification by email from the site - perfectly normal.
What I have not come across before is that these notifications contain the comment author's IP address.
(FULL DETAILS HERE.)
Since we have been keeping careful track of the IP addresses -
WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT THIS COMMENT WAS SENT FROM THE COMPUTER USED BY THE MARKETING MANAGER PREVIOUSLY, TO READ TRACKED EMAILS THAT WERE SENT TO HIM.
- despite pretending to be Noemi - the author of the blog - who remarks quite firmly that she does not know him personally.
A further comment made by EMILY - was sent from the Noemi's computer.
What can one deduce from this subterfuge and the fact that Noemi herself denies that it happened?
They are obviously in cahoots - as thick as thieves - another posting on her linked sites contains a short write up about Tierra Maria Estates.
The quantity of coincidences - arriving from so-called "only showing an interest" members of the Philippine community - absolutely astonishing - if you were to believe one word of it - they've all been told exactly what to say.
The bottom line is - for them to create doubts in my mind - guilt - leading me to remove my writings and videos.
Unfortunately - every time I discover more of their deceitful measures - I am inspired to put even more on the Internet.
Hence this - the latest posting.
Here is a copy of all the posts from that site - the comments marked with * were removed before the site closed the thread from any further additions.
Conned by a Filipina?
[They changed my original title which was - A SAD TALE - IS HOSPITALITY A MYTH?]
Posted by: ellumbra in The Filipina
(Noemi’s Notes: This particular journey started on the DateInAsia website, a story of a man from the UK and found love from a girl named Mayen. Tim believes he was scammed by Mayen and her group of friends.
Scammers are not limited to certain portions of our society. Scammers abound anywhere in the world even in the internet. I believe Tim’s story just warns foreigners like him using Dating websites to proceed with caution especially when money transfers are involved. Proceed with utmost diligence.)
Hello - my name is Tim - I have a sad tale to recall, but first, it occurs to me that it might be considered, by some, to be rather impertinent of me to post this here - I would qualify that by arguing that it is most pertinent, highly relevant - the story is about my relationship with a young Filipina - and how - through the events that happened - my image of the Philippines has been dramatically changed.
I have lost the dream that I once had - it has been shattered.
The dream was the same one that is used as a lure on dating sites.
However, there is not enough space to write all the caveats - all the warnings - yes - they advise against sending money - but they do not warn against the attitude of contempt that may be endemic.
I have read elsewhere on these pages of the contempt shown for imperialistic attitudes of the west - the conscious or subconscious justification for a beautiful siren - to beckon a ship of dreams on to her submerged reef. But people should always be treated as individuals - not as generalisations.
I am aware that the story touches on many aspects of our lives - cultural differences - deeply ingrained perspectives - but my struggle to come to some understanding has been generally met by a conspiracy of silence - a closing of ranks. Perhaps there is some nobility in that response - but as far as the projected image of the Philippines and her people on to the world stage - it offers little of value, internationally - except to deepen the mystery and darken the shadow.
I have really been left with the impression that the Philippines considers itself able to deal, at long distance, with those of us in the west - tinkering about on the new technology of the Internet and taking just what it needs - then sliding away into the third world shadows when it is convenient.
My sadness comes from the fact that I know what a beautiful country it is - and I do not doubt that good people live there - but why the mute response? Why are their hands tied?
Was it simply that I got enmeshed in a net of contempt - formed out of an unsettled history? Were my sincere dreams mis-interpreted as the perverted desires of sex-tourism? How deep rooted, how prevalent are these attitudes? If the people that I encountered are in such a small minority, why is it that my pleas for help, for understanding seem to fall solely upon deaf ears?
Is my new image - from this shift in perspective - the only bridge that I now have to approach the Philippines - a span of enlightened understanding - where I had hoped to build an arch of love?
The time is soon approaching when the Philippines will no longer be able to hide behind the mask - or portray herself to the world in the colours of sea and sunshine - if the people there do not actively show that they are appalled by the sort of abominable attitude that I was greeted with - in my first - and now, possibly my last - relationship with them.
Please - whatever you think - I am not a racist - nor am I trying to inflame relations between the west and the Philippines - I do not generalise - there are evil people everywhere as well as good - but I would be grateful for a constructive commentary.
Can there really be total apathy - about the behaviour of your country’s ambassadors - reaching out to the rest of the world?
Thank you.
If you would like to read the whole story - day to day - as it unfolded - click HERE.
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm and is filed under The Filipina.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Notes By Noemi
Comments are NOW moderated. I reserve the right to approve or disapprove comments.
Discuss the issues in a constructive manner.
Previous comments were allowed because they were not moderated.
I also reserve the right to edit/delete the previously posted comments that is in violation of our Libel Law as stated in Article 353 of the Philippine Revised Penal Code.
[Notice Noemi's interest in the libel laws - her husband is a lawyer.]
We do not delete or censor comments unless they have content that:
* is abusive
* is off-topic
* contains ad-hominem attacks
* promotes hate of any kind
* uses excessively foul language
* is blatantly spam
[This next comment from "Noemi" came from Sir Francis's computer. Notice also he refers to the same website mentioned in Noemi's notes at the top - but gets the name wrong - changing a user name is easy, as I have proved.]
noemi says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I sympathize with your story, Tim. It took me almost 4 hours to read it in its entirety. It’s impossible for dating websites to screen their members, short of asking for an NBI clearance. Did you complain at Dating Asia regarding Mayen? I believe she was operated since the British Embassy confirmed this for you.
I know the hospital and I can’t believe they were into this kind of fraud. My sister in law/doctor used to work there. The invoice looks original. It is true that one can’t just call the hospital for information about the patient. But then again, Mayen should have given you clearance to ask for such information.
The Tierra Maria Estates may be innocent in this. My best friend knows Chin chin, the celebrity endorser who is a Christian. The Montinolas who own Tierra Pura are well known in the country. The Sir Francis you mentioned is a former neighbor of mine in a Makati village I used to live. I don’t know Francis Jalbuena personally. But another fact is he is a realtor and respected in his real estate field. Word or gossip gets around in our little circle if scammer lives nearby. Of course, you might even start to think I am part of this scam. Sorry but I don’t know them on a personal level.
I can’t pinpoint them as part of the purported scam though. Filipinos tend to help each other in crisis.
It does raise suspicions if one is a foreigner like you. Our “bayanihan spirit” (a Filipino trait of helping one another) comes alive during a crisis. It could be true Francis advanced the money.
Not all Filipinas use dating websites to find financial security. My high school best friend is educated, earning well and not in poverty but resorted to a dating website out of a sincere wish to find love. I think the problem is with the young girls who are restless and want financial security. Dating older women in their 40’s might lead to better chances of success. Then again, there have been successful dating among the young as well.
I’m sorry to say this but based on my own gut feel, I felt that you were not scammed by a group of scam artists, the Medical Center Paranaque, the Tierra Maria Estates, the lawyer and the doctors. We have laws in place to police unscrupulous professionals in our country. Mayen raised these suspicions on you based on her many white lies, inconsistencies and her desperate attempt to find financial security. I feel sorry for the loss of your dream.
For you to have gotten to the bottom of this “scam”, you could have hired a local private investigator to do all these background checks for you.
Abbie says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 am
Hi, Tim!
I agree with Noemi. She have valid points in her comment above.
This big-time scam you are referring to is not at all possible.
I also read the transcript of your blog and I emphathize with you and your lost love.
But you might want to reconsider in implicating the hospital and Tierra Maria and the other innocent people involved based from what Noemi said above
I hope that you will find it in your heart the peace you are yearning for.
Deb says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Hi Tim!
Adding another “i think the same as previous comment” would probably mean nothing now.
But here is my two-cents worth.
I have read your story in your blog. I think that Mayen, at first did not intend to scam/trick you.
She may have felt genuine affection, but then things led to another, and she is stuck amidst her lies and resorted to more lies which she then have to cover up with more lies. Now, making this like a widespread scheme to con foreigners, that may be too complex to orchestrate at a level in which a hospital, a legit real estate company and the whole gamut of family and friends will be ON it to raise what? a few hundred thousand pesos?
I am sorry about what you went through. Reading your entries and your poetry makes me think that you are deeply scarred by this. Hope you resolve this soon, one way or the other.
[This next comment from "Emily" came from Noemi's computer.]
Emily says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Sure there are scam artists everywhere. Most of your accusations though are based on your suspicions and Mayen’s inconsistencies. If you had stayed longer in the Philippines and gotten to know your fellow British expats, you would have been guided properly instead of relying only on Jim. I am sure the British community would have provided you with all the necessary information. If you want peace of mind, try to locate this group especially those who married a Filipina.
This statement you made….“The result is a breeding ground for racketeering - Tierra Mafia - a cocktail of prostitution - money laundering - extortion - and the internet is the perfect tool to enable these practices to flourish.”
I am surprised that your suspicions went that far. Like Noemi said you need to make a documented basis for such allegations by hiring an independent investigator. You are fortunate the hospital and the real estate firm didn’t sue you for libel. But any intelligent person will see that these entities had nothing to do with your imagined “scam”. At the very least, Mayen scammed you . I hope you put closure into this and place a more factual basis for the scam.
issai says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
hello noemi, i was just reading comments… ano po ibig sabihin ng “My best friend knows Chin chin, the celebrity endorser who is a Christian.” i might be getting the wrong message from the statement, especially the “Christian” part.
i just feel sorry for this guy. scammed or not scammed, he felt betrayed. it’s a very unpleasant emotion to say the least.
noemi says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
@issai- Tim involved Chin chin the endorser as part of the scam artists. I said that to vouch for the character of Chin Chin. My point was any person with strong religious or moral values will not scam anyone.
Why was Chin Chin involved here? just because she is the celebrity endorser? It’s not fair for Tim to involve other persons without concrete evidence.
It was Tim’s choice to feel betrayed since he could have gathered more evidence to disprove his doubts.
That’s why I am suggesting he investigate further.
issai says:
February 4th, 2008 at 5:26 am
@noemi, thanks for the clarification.
ellumbra says:
February 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Now I think the mystery is beginning to clear a little.
Out of the blue my misconceptions evaporate.
Especially since I read of your concern for me.
My adventure was purely a mistake, I was mislead.
I should not be seeking to redress the balance.
I should instead make a graceful exit.
Seeing as there is no further ground to be made.
For all I know, innocent people are suffering.
Rediscovering my life is where I should be aiming.
A new year - a new life ahead.
Not wallowing in despair.
Confrontation is not the answer.
I must find that peace in my heart again.
Silence, open space, making room for a fresh hope.
Just reading these comments - I can see the answer.
All is clear to me now.
Love will survive through the ordeal.
Being free is far more important.
Understanding has at last arrived.
Easy to say - but hard to do.
Now though - it must be my priority.
Arrive at complete freedom, that must be my goal - I’ll find the answer will come - initially - it will be hard - to detach myself - first things first - letters I have written will eventually dissolve - fall away - all the words will be forgotten, enough is enough. There is a something here for everyone - a message - we can all learn from our mistakes.
[I included a cryptic message - revealing our discovery of the identity of the masquerader. I've made it obvious here.]
Alice says:
February 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I don’t know that the hospitals or whatnot were also part of it. I can’t even say that they weren’t.
What I can put in is that I have seen a very similar attempt toward a friend of mine.
Yes, I’m suspicious of my own people even as much as I love them. I saw the girl’s letters, her requests for money, her attempts to meet and the way she threw commitment around way too quickly.
Someone may argue with me on this. I’m not saying we’re all like that. I'm not saying Mayen is definitely guilty, but I have seen the possibility unfold before my eyes and I just wanted to say I sympathize. It’s a lesson worth learning. I hope you move on from it.
Tread with caution.
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 7:54 am
OK - Just to set the record straight -
1) I did not post here because I had any doubts about the scam.
2) I posted here because I wanted a Filipina’s views on how their image was being eroded by their own
fellow countrymen and women.
3) I know that some people at the hospital were involved.
4) Because the whole thing was a fake - anyone who communicated with me - corroborating the lie
that it was true - is implicated by association.
5) So are the people who did not reply to my suspicions - ie. the owner of Tierra Maria Estates (I wrote to them in August) - many government agencies (who didn’t have the courtesy to even reply) - colleagues of the marketing manager - & the celebrity endorser, Chin-Chin Gutierrez and her manager - both of whom I wrote to - but they have either been persuaded by more lies - or they choose to offer their tacet support by not using their high profile to publicly condemn this kind of activity.
6) Because I have a blockade of blogs and videos on the Internet at the moment - denouncing the many people implicated for the above reasons - and as a warning to others - devious efforts are being put in to try to get me to remove it - including the thrust of effort - suggesting that it was only Mayen who was responsible.
Sorry - that will not work.
Follow the links from this very page and you will see for yourself. If you are very clever - read the message in my previous post.
I doubt if this will get past the censors - guarding this page.
jepoy says:
February 5th, 2008 at 10:45 am
LOL, i’m only at “episode 22″ of this soap opera-sih crap and about 90% of the content I’ve read are already outright preposterous or just plain dumb. Sorry if you felt “scammed” but your thoughts of a grand scale scam maybe signs of old age or simply signs a delusional mind.
Your “blockade” of blogs and videos, especially your videos blatantly accusing innocent people, will surely get you your 15 minutes of fame in the Philippines. Good thing for you is that all we have is a stupid Republic Act 8792. Just wait till the local media notices your websites. Oh wait, lemme tell them directly :)
Your gut feelings and investigations are flawed. Mommy Noemi said it very well.
Edit by Noemi Name of the author within the comment removed which I felt was not necessary since he introduced himself as Tim but to play fair, I removed it.
noemi says:
February 5th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Tim- i read everything. like i said it took me 4 hours or so.
so the british embassy who investigated on their personal capacity is in cahoots too?
if there was a scam, the amount involved (100,000 pesos or so) divided by 5 or 6 people is not worth the trouble alone. Real estate commissions alone on one or two property sales can give them that amount.
I condemn scams from any person . But in this case, I do not see factual basis .
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
OK - Noemi - AKA ________ - why are you hiding behind a false name here?
Come out into the open. I can prove that you are masquerading behind “Mommy Noemi” - who by the way - would like me to think that she doesn’t know you personally - although she is also in real estate and her blog carries a ______ _____ ________ advertisement.
NO - you don’t divide - you multiply 100,000 pesos by the amount of girls and then by the amount of victims.
Jepoy - just another stooge eh? On the Bayanihan payola?
Great - announce it all you like to the local media - I welcome it.
The time is up for any more “fake” evidence - which btw was only forthcoming because of the pressure I was applying with the blogs. Otherwise they would have all disappeared into the shadows.
You are all just proving what a bunch of conspirators you all are.
What a disappointment - maybe not really - just living up to your stereotype.
*EDITED By Noemi- Name of innocent persons removed. [ie Francis Jalbuena & Tierra Maria Estates.]
noemi says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
oh dear. believe what you want. The tierra entry is not an ad and it was posted by lauren not me. Am really sorry you feel that way.
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
The British Embassy’s “investigation” was no more than a phone call. They simply obliged you by passing on the fake information - in the hope that their authority would make it sound convincing - we know all about it - you can no longer pull the wool over our eyes - we know all about a lot of things. How?
Well that’s what you’ll have to find out - won’t you.
We can prove that it wasn’t true - whereas you did not and cannot prove that it was - advantage to us - all round.
So - the sooner we start to see eye to eye on this - and face the TRUTH - the sooner we can start to adjust the situation - not until then.
*EDITED by Noemi to remove names of innocent persons. [Again Sir francis's name.]
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
BTW - Emily is FRANCIS JALBUENA also - do you put a frock on when you write these posts?
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
As for the sympathy voiced here - just like the “love” that lured me into the scam - it’s patently as fake as everything else. Pirated emotions - that only even bother to show their pale imitation colours when money is involved. It seems you are much more concerned with superficial appearances than genuine substance - hence your beauty is barely skin deep - purely a mask - behind which - you lurk - muggers of the Internet - pirates of the Cyber-seas.
Fake feelings - counterfeit consciences - second hand souls.
That’s why the image of the Filipina is tarnished - you do it to yourselves.
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
EMILY - aka FRANCIS JALBUENA - I did write to the British community - my reply came from a man married to a Filipina . . .
Hi Tim,
Sorry that you were a target, but these types of scams
are very common here.
Good luck,
Bob
That is genuine - I have no need to lie or fake what I say.
noemi says:
February 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Comments are NOW moderated. I reserve the right to approve or disapprove comments.
Discuss the issues in a constructive manner. Previous comments were allowed because they were not moderated. However, I also reserve the right to edit/delete the previously posted comments that are in violation of our Libel Law as stated in Article 353 of the Philippine Revised Penal Code .
We do not delete or censor comments unless they have content that:
* is abusive
* is off-topic
* contains ad-hominem attacks
* promotes hate of any kind
* uses excessively foul language
* is blatantly spam
Alice says:
February 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Ellumbra - Just as you have every right to make your issues with your situation known in order to warn others as you felt necessary, neomi had every right to voice her thoughts on a situation you made public.
You can’t expect everyone to agree with you and people will defend the things they know personally.
And she did say from the start that she read your post from start to finish, taking her 4 hours.
Read carefully and do not post so hastily.
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Alice - the first 2 posts from “Noemi” and the post from “Emily” were written by the marketing manager of Tierra Maria Estates. I have electronic proof. He is masquerading as those two people. Just to show how biased this thread is - only his name has been removed . . . to protect the innocent . . .
notice - my name is still left there in Jepoy’s post AND I AM THE INNOCENT VICTIM.
Ellumbra says:
February 5th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Remember - I am not suggesting for one moment that the entire hospital or the entire embassy were involved.
It only takes one person - intercepting email - for the illusion to work.
alindog says:
February 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
what happened? i’m only in chapter 7 of the telenovela and i can’t link to the next installment of the riveting scam-drama! from what i’ve read so far, tim himself was not “that” honest.
timmy, you are still married and there you go posting in dating sites and galavanting half-way round the world looking for an unsuspecting-naive- thirdworld Pinay to “victimize”. Seems like it worked the other way around, as you claim.
Since I have not finished reading your saga ( as my third-world server conked out on me ) I really am not in a position to say my piece. However, since Pinays are prone to “saying their piece” here goes.
You accused a very reputable Philippine hospitals and a good numbers of legitimate doctors of helping out Mayen in her scam. Dude! I know some of these doctors and thet have no inkling of what you are talking about. If they hear of this, you firstworld ass will be sued!
That’s all. I have to finish reading the blog first before I can further comment.
Gutter Girl says:
February 5th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I’m sorry to read about your ill-fated love story (honestly, I only read the synopsis and the entries on the first page). From what I’ve read, I think it’s unlikely that Mayen and her co-workers purposefully planned the money extortion before the two of you met in the Philippines. However, the effort you put into making your story known reflects how much you’ve been hurt and damaged by her inconsistencies. Dishonesty
(no matter what color the lie is) and betrayal are such ugly things. It’s true that we are a poor nation, but every country has a few (okay maybe a lot) bad trees, and not all Filipinas take advantage of the benefits of being in a relationship with a Caucasian man when they are presented with an opportunity to be into one.
I would like to use myself as an example. I am engaged to an American man 11 years my senior for a little more than a year now. We also met online nearly 3 years ago (through my blog, and I found out later that he has a blog, too), but met in person only last year. When he was here, I never asked him for money.
In fact, I always offered to shoulder our daily expenses. I didn’t want him to spend a single cent, because to be honest, he didn’t have much money then, and I felt sorry for him.
We’re in long-distance relationship for now, but we’re doing great. My dad, brother and I are flying to the US in April so they could meet him.
If I may say so, maybe you shouldn’t have given her that small chance of raising a suspicion by having unprotected sex with her. If you had protected sex, then there would have been absolutely no reason for her to even think of the possibility of a pregnancy. Women have that kind of power over men, you know.
Sorry for the preachy tone, but I learned a similar lesson through first-hand experience and thought it might be helpful.
I am also from Paranaque, and I’ve recently applied for a staff nurse position in that hospital. It’s unfair to involve the name of the hospital in your pursuit to expose the truth, or any company for that matter.
I’ve seen the the hospital bill in your Flickr photostream, and it looks genuine (although I’m suspicious of the length of confinement, just 3 days to recuperate from a major surgery? Then again, it varies in every hospital). Still, shouldn’t that bill provide enough reason to believe her?
Give her another chance for what it’s worth. Good luck!
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Alindog - I agree - fair comment - I accept absolutely that I was rather devious myself in the way that I dealt with matters at home. Discussions of divorce are never pleasant - and it was all brought to a head by my involvement with Mayen.
I am not trying to excuse myself - but I will say that nobody is responsible for the timing of events in their lives - and I felt compelled at the time to follow through - as my intentions were entirely genuine - and they appeared to be reflected in what Mayen was feeling.
You are out of your depth when you start to mention “victimise” “naive” “unsuspecting” - I take it the astonishing coincidences appearing in this thread don’t include your actual aquaintence with Mayen?
Gutter girl - fair comment also - yes I was foolish, naive and blinded by my emotions - and that is why I was taken advantage of. It takes two to tango - I am acutely aware of my part in the story.
BTW - the “confinement” was eleven days - the caveat in the republic act forbidding detainment of patients for unpaid bills EXCEPT IN PRIVATE ROOMS - was fully taken advantage of to increase the booty.
It was originally going to be only three days - because they didn’t want the complication of me arriving in the Philippines expecting to see Mayen in the hospital.
I agree - it is not organised crime - it was disorganised incompetence.
As I mentioned before - I am not suggesting for one moment that the entire hospital, or the entire Embassy were accomplices in this business.
It only takes one person - in a strategic place - one person willing to accept the payoff - whatever it may be - favour or financial - intercepting & responding to emails - or by letting their name be used to legitimise fake evidence - just as we have seen going on here - for the illusion to appear real.
Come on - we all know that you are masters of mimicry - doyens of deceit.
Yes - I am mentioning the names of the people involved and the places where they worked. This was simply the information that I was given.
Buildings themselves do not scam people - the corruption lurks inside.
If the people have issue with this - then it is down to them to come forward & see for themselves how, why and by whom they have been implicated - but bear in mind that I cannot tell who is who over the internet - people have been masquerading on this very thread - it’s so easy to deceive - when that is the determined aim.
However - if anyone considers that as an option to disseminate more falsehood - the quantity of deceit, lies & attempts at manipulation that I have already uncovered leaves very little hope for Internet communication as a future strategy.
As I have already mentioned - a point which you all seem to be ignoring - I have absolute proof that it was a scam - and I have absolute proof that the marketing manager of Tierra Maria Estates was in full corroboration - instrumental - just as he will be insisting to you right now of his innocence.
My writing in this particular forum was to collect some points of view.
So - the more people who come to the party, the better - for you are all shooting yourselves in the feet - the only fact that is being proved here is how willing you all are to allow yourselves to be manipulated by lies - or bayanihan payola.
So please listen - once and for all - you do not know the facts, the details - some of you may have read the story - that is all. To anyone - reasonably honest with themselves - it speaks for itself.
But the words themselves cannot convey the understanding that is gained from day to day involvement.
But no - you think you can jump on the bandwagon - and give vent to your innate contempt - with transparent attempts at manipulation - just to oblige whoever has been whispering into your ears.
Central to this whole episode is the marketing manager of the real estate firm.
He knows the facts - you do not.
I am using the Internet as a lens - to put all the focus on to him - because he has not the usual luxury of being anonymous and unidentifiable this time - a quirk of the particular circumstances of the events.
You choose to believe his denial - but that is simply his efforts to distance this whole event from himself and the firm - or you do not care - and consider this entertainment.
Evil proliferates when good men stand by and do nothing.
Please let me remind you - that the results of this sort of scamming activity - not necessarily financially in my case - but certainly emotionally - are torturous.
In adopting this method to take extortionate advantage of any human being - from wherever on this planet - is possibly about the most despicable, unconsionable thing another being can do.
Trust is a most precious human commodity - it was thoroughly abused.
Do you seriously find it entertaining?
When the man or the girl at the heart of it cannot come out into the open on this forum to represent themselves - and one of them is discovered pretending to be someone else to conceal his obvious lies - what hope have any of you in me taking you seriously?
Come on - get real folks.
Please rest assured that I feel no malice - purely a dedication to truth and an appreciation of justice.
I am not pretending to be a saint - but I am a human being - I simply will not stand by and witness a serious imbalance of justice - the truth being twisted - falsehood being perpetuated - when this whole issue has so many implications - not only for future “victims” - but also - believe it or not - for the future of your very own beautiful country.
How will you be perceived after all this - if not one single soul amongst you truly values honesty - stands up for justice - fairness - simple human rights?
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Far too much faith is placed in the persuasive power of the written word - fake documents etc. - to the extent that other, much more revealing aspects and dimensions of communication are ignored.
Words are cheap - it’s easy to attempt to deceive in this way - and the scammers will probably continue to do so.
A faked up photocopied hospital bill - produced in the same manner as a real bill, tells us nothing and proves absolutely nothing - either way.
If the person who is responsible for it is determined to deceive - he might succeed.
It all depends on how it is perceived.
However - the truth can still be discerned - by other means.
That is what you are detecting - right now.
Truth has a certain ring to it.
Deceit has a certain - bad smell.
*Ellumbra says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. We reserve the right to approve or disapprove your comment.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Alindog - No - they did not originally help in the scam - they were approached when it started to go wrong for the scammers - when I started insisting on dealing only with the hospital. It was only after I revealed my blog that the marketing manager realised that there was a danger lurking for him and the company.
Mayen is in no danger - she has little to lose.
alindog says:
February 6th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Bear in mind that in the Philippines people will sell their integrity, compromise their honesty - “truth” can be purchased - by threat, by favour or by pesos.
umm… this is soooooo offending. timmy, do not generalize the Filipino. also, the “selling of integrity and compromising of honesty” is not an indigenous Filipino trait!
noemi says:
February 6th, 2008 at 9:22 am
This thread is now closed. If you want to discuss this more, please proceed to the author’s original thread.
He has a comment section in his blog for discussion purposes. If the author feels there is a scam, there are legal measures to address this with. The comment discussion was also moving towards being libelous.
Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code defines libel as “a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead”.
Instead of using this thread to add more insult and accuse some of the readers of FilipinaImages.com to be part of a “bayanihan payola”, it is best the author uses the proper forum to address this against the person/s and entities concerned. This blog is not the proper venue to air these grievances and accusations, hence the thread was closed.
Paranaque
fraud
extortion
real estate
Philippines
tierra maria
Top Stories
