Looking for love ❤️ on the Faroe Islands | DW Documentary

Around 50 thousand people live on the Faroe Islands. But too many of them are men. Faroese women go abroad to study. Many don’t return. Men stay behind to live off the sea. Now the islands are enjoying a growing influx of women from the Philippines.

Antonette gets her folk dress out of the closet. Like a native Faroese woman, she’s getting ready for the Ólavsøka, the national holiday of the Faroe Islands. The 36-year-old actually comes from the metropolis of Manila. But life in the Philippines was too loud, stressful and uncertain for her. Antonette sought security and safety and married Regin Egholm a year ago. Her first daughter was born nine months later. Her new happiness on the other side of the world is complete.
Antonette is one of about 200 Filipinas who now live on the islands in the North Atlantic. Rain instead of sun, dried fish instead of tropical fruits - at first, their new life on the edge of Europe was a culture shock for many of them. And yet Filipinas and Faroe Islanders often share the same values. Family, faith and tradition are important in both cultures.

These values are often reason enough for young, liberated Faroese women to leave. The only university is too small and most men too old-fashioned. As a result, there are about 15 percent more men than women living on the islands today. The government is trying to make the Faroes more attractive. New courses of study and more jobs are supposed to draw Faroese women back to the islands. But in the meantime, women from the Philippines are settling in their new home, where they form the largest ethnic minority on the islands, closely followed by women from Thailand.

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[bibidgondronk]

I live in Singapore. There are many Filipinos here. 1 thing i learned from them is that they're very adaptable to new environments and willing to integrate. They keep their culture but they respect local cultures. They make themselves as part of the country they're living in.

[p.w.]

My Mother's parents were born and raised in the Faroe Islands. They came to America in the 1920's . I was lucky enough to visit those beautiful islands 11 years ago and meet some of my relatives who still live there. Thank you for this documentary !!!

[SeauxNOLALady]

Here in New Orleans, we have a large Filipino community. They’re lovely people with a lovely culture

[vhoy]

It looks beautiful. That lady who went school and learned to stand on her own, I applaud her courage.

[bobbylindsey]

I love Filipino people: kind, wise, generous, intelligent, and open minded. Some of the best people I've ever met.

[nayyararmani]

After living in a bustling city, this place looks like nature's refuge. Those who love to live in nature would not think about leaving this place 😍

[backattackjack]

That single Filipina mother of two is a blessing. So much courage

[MayimHastings]

Beng is amazing! When she starts talking about her future, she is so radiant. That is a powerful, lovely woman!

[atlantic]

The narrator's voice is wonderful! Clearly spoken, pleasant to listen to and not too fast like some narrator's. Excellent documentary as always, DW.

[windbreaker]

I love and admire their resilience, adaptability, and sincerity in living and loving their adopted home.

[helenaivanka]

What a great story. Women leaving the island to start a better life and women coming to the island for a better life.

[joannasliwa]

I went to the Faroe Islandsa few years ago . They are the most stunning, mysterious, nature preserved place on the earth . I hope a mass tourisme will never destroy their beauty . The inhabitants are so wellcoming .

[FilipinaPaige]

searching for love isnt easy. i feel for all those who longed for someone to be loved and love in return. wish we all find the true love and ultimate happiness each of us deserve. happy new year!

[carolcarol]

Well done Beng ... looking after yourself and your children and being an independent, educated and strong woman. A great example for your children. It does look like a beautiful place to live.

[nenetteplozada]

I enjoyed watching this. I, too, never heard of the Faroe Islands. It is a beautiful place, with peace, serenity and natural beauty, I can understand why my fellow Philippine women adapted and fell in love with it immediately. Very opposite to the life we have here in the Philippines. People should understand that underneath the facade of regarding us as exceptional homemakers, the Filipino woman is an intelligent courageous woman, you can place her in politics, and commerce and she will work to make the community better!

[saifmusa]

Video title is misleading!!!
It should be more like how Filipino women are adapting to life in Faroe Islands.

[lagi-di-mana]

Beng Li Tang is very inspiring. She knows exactly what she wants & will fight for it. She knows where her home is & looks very genuinely happy. I hope she'll achieve what she's dreaming of ❤️

[noreen.diaries]

as an introvert and nature lover, i would really love to live here! such a paradise!😍

[ponypower]

"She cooks, cleans, does the laundry for you", I'm a man and I lived in the U.S. for many years but that doesn't sound right specially when describing your wife or girlfriend or what you're looking for in a lifetime partner.

[WhaleCommunicators]

Antoinette is a beautiful gentle spirit but quite strong when she speaks - its beautiful. I can see why her Faroe man loves her so. Many blessings to you and your family for many years to come..