Just some practical notes:There are frequent buses from San Fernando bus terminal to Manila - Cubao, Monumento, Avenida and other places, take a taxi on arrival. Calculate 5 hrs from S. F. to the airport, or better still, go a couple of days early and relax in Manila. San Fernando isn't that dangerous, certainly not in daylight, Manila isn't either.Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp
There are lots of westernised Filippino restaurants and fast-food chains doing pizzas, burgers, pasta in town center, the level of English should be good enough to get by without a translator.Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp
Don't be scared because the place looks like a slum and folks talk local lingo to each other.
In the evenings it's a different ball game, quite possibly unsafe if you live in a 'shanty town', you should have some feel for it after 2 weeks.
Moving with her to nearby Angeles to get away from the family is another option, that's got an expat community, and it's only about an hour away, so she (and you) could still visit her folks easily enough.
Re: marriage, yes it is their culture, and both of you will be pestered by the catholic mother until you marry, ultimatum or not, but it's not an absolute, as you can see in case of the brother.
Up to you, just get out of the dependency in some way, i.e. create distance to the family or pack your bags and move on. Jeep a close eye on the family 'mood', if you have the nerve to stay, any indications that they turn against you, - RUN!