HE FOUND LOVE IN THE PHILIPPINES - A Veteran's Story

Pea interviews Dalton, a 43-year-old retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and his Filipina partner Ella Grace (who appeared on Pea's channel the previous week). Dalton shares how he found Ella Grace through her sister's YouTube channel, why he chose the Philippines over Cambodia and Thailand, his experience as a Black man in the province, and the couple's plans for marriage, kids, and a simple life on a military pension.

How Dalton found the Philippines and Ella Grace ​

• Dalton retired from the Air Force on February 1; he'd spent over 10 years living outside the U.S. — four years in Germany, four in Japan, two in Portugal
• He was researching places to live on his retirement pension and started watching YouTube channels about the Philippines, including Pea's (one of the first that popped up)
• He found Ella Grace through her sister Leia's YouTube channel, where Ella Grace was being interviewed
• What attracted him: the dress she was wearing in the thumbnail, her kindness, and the fact that she'd been an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) for almost four years, sending most of her earnings back home to build a house for her kids and parents
• He was moved by her sacrifice: "I can't even imagine the commitment that takes"
• She seemed very humble, so he created a Facebook account specifically to message her (he had no social media before this)
• His message was straightforward: "Hello, my name's Dalton. I saw your video, your interview with your sister. I would love the opportunity to meet you. If you'd like that, please give me a call."
• Ella Grace was excited and asked her sister Leia for advice; Leia told her to try calling him — when she called, he was sleeping and missed it; he panicked when he saw the missed call but she answered when he called back
• "Here we are" — they ended up together

Why the Philippines over other countries ​

• Dalton narrowed it to the Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand
• Deciding factors:
  • Language: English is his only language ("and sometimes I don't do that well"); the Philippines is much easier for English speakers — most Filipinos know at least three languages (local dialect, Tagalog, and English)
  • Faith: Dalton is Christian, and the Philippines' strong Christian culture made it "kind of a perfect fit"

The couple's current life and plans ​

• They're expecting a baby boy, due in August
• They live in the province (Fabian area, considering moving to nearby Candling for better internet)
• Dalton chose the province intentionally so their child would learn his mother's local dialect
• Ella Grace has started her annulment process — they plan to marry once it's finalized, ideally before the baby is born
• Marriage would also solve Dalton's visa situation — he's too young (under 50) for the retirement visa, so he's been on tourist visa extensions
• Monthly household budget: about $1,500 USD (81,000–82,000 pesos)
  • Ella Grace cooks at home, often just vegetables — they don't eat out much
• The "unwritten plan" for kids: keep going until they have a girl (Dalton's family has a lot of boys)

Ella Grace's frugality as a running theme ​

• Pea specifically highlights how Ella Grace keeps Dalton grounded financially
• When Dalton wants to buy something, she says "No, that's too expensive — we can get this instead"
• She's always thinking about resale value or cheaper alternatives
• Purse shopping example: Dalton sees a purse for 5,000–6,000 pesos and thinks it's cheap by U.S. standards; Ella Grace insists on getting one for 200–300 pesos
• Dalton credits her: "I'm blessed to have her because she's like 'No, we don't need that' — okay boss"

What Dalton loves and doesn't love about province life ​

• Loves: the people, the beauty of the area, the simplicity
• Only complaint: the internet is unreliable — "If the internet worked, I'd love it there"
• They've considered Starlink, which is now available in the Philippines

Experience as a Black man in the Philippines ​

• Everyone has been friendly and respectful from what he's seen
• He acknowledges "maybe it's good I don't know the language — ignorance is bliss"
• He emphasizes being a good ambassador: always smiles, always says hello, treats people with respect
• He recognizes that in the province, he may be the first Black person many people have encountered
• He tries not to take offense and keeps a positive attitude: "If someone does something, I think we need to be good ambassadors because this is not my country"
• His perspective: "I've never been to a more hospitable place — imagine the whole barangay welcoming you with a thousand smiles"

Dalton pushes back on the "poor Philippines" narrative ​

• He doesn't like people saying "the Philippines people are poor" — he sees it as more of a mindset issue
• His framing: there may not be as many opportunities, but he's never run into friendlier or happier people
• He and Pea agree: true success isn't about money but about the relationships you have; a happy home is success

On the stereotypes about foreigners in the Philippines ​

• Dalton addresses the accusation that all foreigners go to the Philippines to take advantage of poverty or are pedophiles
• His take: "It's human nature to look at things that validate our bias"
• He acknowledges some pedophiles probably exist but they're "definitely the minority" — one bad apple spoils the perception
• He points out that thousands of foreigners are there doing good — helping the community, supporting the economy — but they don't get publicized
• He came to the Philippines already planning to move there; finding Ella Grace was "the cherry on top"
• His other goals: finding a church family and being part of the community to make it better

On marriage skepticism from friends back home ​

• Dalton has divorced friends who say "I'll never get married again" — then they see him planning to marry in the Philippines
• His response: he appreciates that even friends with different opinions are respectful of his decision

Dalton's views on partnership and Filipino women ​

• He sees relationships as 100% commitment partnerships — "mine is yours and what's yours is mine"
• He doesn't buy the notion that a woman is only powerful if she has her own money and job; a partnership means whoever is the breadwinner, it's a unit
• He specifically pushes back on the "submissive Filipina" stereotype: "The misconception about Filipinas being subservient — no no no no no"
• Pea agrees: "I don't know where they're getting that either"
• Ella Grace can be headstrong — but Dalton admits he can too, especially when he feels unheard
• He tries to put himself in her shoes: "I'm talking in English and she's talking in her [language], so sometimes I try to understand"

Age gap dynamics ​

• Ella Grace is 29; Dalton is 43 (14-year gap)
• Dalton is aware people back in the West make comments about age gaps and say foreigners are just going for young girls
• His position: people don't know the whole story, and he doesn't let it bother him

Ella Grace's perspective ​

• She loves Dalton because he's responsible, humble, caring, and sweet
• She says being together is "life-changing" for both of them
• She was fine with not having more kids, but when she told Dalton she wanted another one, he said "we gotta get to doing it because I'm not getting any younger"
• She believes having a baby means more happiness and a stronger relationship

Dalton's final advice for men considering the Philippines ​

• "Come on out — it's been the best thing that's happened"
• Do your research: watch channels like Filipino Pea, Leia's channel, and others to learn different aspects before arriving

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