To Answer this up front. ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, NOT!!!
Having been a watchdog and analyst in another business I tend to judge things as a matter of course. I have decided as part of this article to lay judgement on one of the other Philippine oriented blogs out there. I do this for no other reason except to let the owner know what I think and ways he could improve his already excellent product. I truly mean no harm or insult to Bob and I am not angry in the slightest. I Just felt it was time I would give a wakeup call as is my nature to do. See what boredom can lead to as I have no idea why I should care one way or another. It's that pebble under my foot thing I guess. LOL
There is a popular Blog (LIP) on the Philippines run by a very savvy (actually brilliant) businessman named Bob Martin. He earns based my observations probably in the neighborhood of five figures monthly from the traffic to his websites dedicated to various subjects about the Philippines (he actually suggests this himself by way of his ebook sales). He writes many of the articles on the various sites himself and he is an excellent writer. I really admire Bob (yes, I am a bit jealous LOL) for this and I suspect he will continue to generate more earnings as more and more people visit his educational and informative sites. Interestingly enough, I generally don't see eye to eye with Bob as we see in a way, two different Philippines and he has booted me me off of his blogs for one reason or another mostly due to my general negativity and attitude. To be blunt, I find Bob so Polly Ana as he does not allow for much if any criticism of the Philippines on his Blogs. For Bob it is all about selling and making himself money (see all his obnoxious site advertising) and that requires a positive spin on everything!!! E-Books for $39.99 PLEASE!!! I find this Polly Ana approach on his part very disingenuous, but it is his blog to do as he pleases. I can only hope in the future he adds an additional section that deals with THE REALITY of life here. The first thing I would do is get rid of about 100% of his contributing writers (except John Miele who I think is great) as they really suck. Anyway, I know he truly loves the Philippines but it would be nice to see him fight online through his Blogs for a better one he says he loves so much. Remember Bob, the Cybercrime Bill in under TRO. I'm not opinionated am I. LOL
Germane to this article "Title", he recently responded in an interview that it takes about 5 years if not longer to adjust to life here. Much of this adjustment is cultural in nature. With all due respect, who in their right mind wants to come to a Country with FU money ($1,000,000+) knowing they will have to undergo 5 years if not more of potential stress, aggravation and frustration and that this is a good thing LOL. There is definetely something wrong with that picture.
When Filipinas go to America (and I know many) there is a very short cultural transition time and learning curve in most cases. Why? Because aside from their missing family and friends back home as is natural, everything else is in easy grasp. You can find what you are looking for almost 100% of the time. Why? Long story short. THINGS WORK in AMERICA!!! IT IS THE LAND OF PLENTY!!!
Recently, Bob asked his readership to respond to a question asked by one of his other readers (Hi Kevin). It was titled “Are there a million reasons to live in the Philippines?” I found the topic very amusing and actually hysterical, but one that again opens the door for being able to objectively address this important subject as to what attracts people to the Philippines. Bob as he says over and over in his blog loves living here and is convinced this Country is a great place to live. Frankly I don't think he spends much time outside of Davao so what he really knows of other parts of the Country is a huge question mark which I think should be addressed more in detail in his blog as well.
However, to address the main context of the article I will say upfront that a million dollars will not in any way shape or form improve your life in this Country and therefore in no way shape or form should or can it actually serve as a catalyst to moving here. If you do move here you are both mentally and physically resigned to dealing with a challenging environment PERIOD!!! The following list focuses on life mostly in the Province areas where most foreigners settle down in and to a lesser degree in the major cities which do offer better services but also have their own problems and issues that many cities suffer from anywhere. Here are some of those adjustments you may have to make.
Your million dollars will not:
1. Stop the corruption – Corruption is the rule and not the exception. Will never stop until you change the gene pool of Politicians or prevent same family service. It keeps this nation as a 3rd World Country. Maybe 2nd World on a good day;
2. Fix the roads – That would involve stopping corruption. There have been some improvements now being made on national roads out of absolute necessity;
3. Stop the brownouts – that would require modernization of power related equipment. Too expensive to undertake and given rates are amoung the highest in world (Hawaii, Italy, Malta, Japan, Cyprus, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Philippines and Singapore), passing on costs would be impractical;
4. Improve your food selections – Slowly happening with supermarket improvements and more foreign operated grocery/deli operations. But, very, very expensive. Beef is absolutely terrible,like eating a shoe;
5. Modern Housing – Architecture here can make you literally puke. Also impractical building styles prevail. You need to build it yourself (provinces);
6. Stop all the Noise – Cars, Dogs, Roosters, Karaoke, Trucks, etc… nothing exotic or romantic about it; Filipinos are immune to it so it won't change;
7. Eliminate all the stray dogs – That would be killing off a major food source. Kidding. They just love their flea ridden dogs here. Actually, Filipinos are oblivious to them;
8. Stop the polluting of the rivers and seas – Where else are they going to throw their garbage;
9. Stop illegal logging – Slowly happening but only after major landslides occur killing many people during rainy season but then out of sight out of mind;
10. Stop the dynamiting/poisoning of the precious reefs – Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Filipinos like the first way one better. Slowly improving but not fast enough;
11. Improve Customer service - What's customer service. I like it best going into just about any hardware store here and find practically none of the salesmen have any clue about hardware or what's being sold there;
12. Improve education - They certainly learn about God, Mary and Jesus and that will surely help them in their working life. Forget Math, English and Science. Useless subjects;
13. Retard poverty - Start paying liveable wages and provide training for jobs so the uneducated can work at something useful;
14. Give you better Internet or Cable – Again related to modernization of equipments;
15. Improve traffic - Not only will it not improve, it will be getting so bad that it will eventually cause huge bottlenecks in many if not most of the cities during rush hour. Too many OFW's and foreigners buying vehicles as are workers in higher paying jobs here such as from Call Centers. The worst is really yet to come;
16. Blatant Rudeness – Filipinos for the most part have no notion of proper etiquette. Cutting in line, interupting conversations, are all considered normal. This will not change in the foreseeable future;
17. Stopping Crime – Which is now increasing against foreigners at an alarming rate. Just ask some of the expats who live in Cebu City. Many expats I have spoken to in various places there, have informed me that in the past year or so many more foreigners are being targeted. Here in Dumaguete more house break-ins are taking place as well. It will only get worse;
18. Give you better Restaurant Service or get your Eggs Properly Cooked - I Can't tell you how many times when eating with someone, our food orders were delivered over 5 – 10 minutes apart Or when eggs were not burned. Over easy is something most restaurants cannot comprehend.
19. Asshole Neighbors (even Bob has had issues with this for one reason or another and the reason why he rents instead of owns. He apparently doesn't want to take a chance being stuck. Some paradise Bob!)
I could go on and on and probably list over 100 more reasons money won’t help your life here, so to be perfectly blunt this whole notion of a million dollars or any large sum of money being a reason to come here is RIDICULOUS!!! People who come to the Philippines generally follow the demographics I list below and it is more of a mindset than anything else and not having much money seems to play a role as well even though in reality the Philippines can be a very expensive place to live relative to the benefits you receive and will continue on that path where sooner than later many will actually have to leave the Country due to affordability issues.
I have said this over and over and over in this Blog about who comes to the Philippines to live and no matter what Blogs like Bob’s try and lead you to believe the facts speak for themselves and this comes from talking to hundreds of people about WHY the Philippines. For the record I leave the city of Manila out of this equation as Manila is not the Philippines
Based on the polling around the Country I have done over the years, I would venture to say over 90% of the people that come to the Philippines to live permanently are:
Retired, older men who are seeking the company and physical affection of girls (starting age 17) or to meet someone (various ages) they have established contact with on the internet. These single men are mostly of blue collar working backgrounds, fixed income (some with good pensions) over 60 year of age, many ex-military, generally having very poor physiques bordering on obesity, would not be considered very attractive and I would venture to say have never had the opportunity of being with the variety and quantity of beautiful woman such as they have here who are interested in them. Most of these guys settle in Provincial towns.
Now granted many of these same guys as I said may have an internet based relationship going on before the move and many will pursue a relationship perhaps leading to marriage with these same online GF's once they arrive but by and large most come as Singles looking for action.
The guys who really, really benefit are those who also drink and smoke as the cost of those two vices are very affordable here. Cigs only $1.00 pack, beer about .75 and bottles of Rum about $1.50.
A Small Percentage are;
People like Bob and his wife who represent mixed couples where usually the female is a Filipina and they are returning back to the Philippines to live (most of the time) for retirement purposes. Bob and his wife settled in Davao City which has many of the conveniences most other towns DO NOT HAVE so in a way it is easier for him to enjoy the Philippines living in a City like Davao. He has all those great western style restaurants in Abreeza to eat in. Funny thing is, after so many years here he doesn't even own his own house as he says he has had challenges with neighbors so needs to keep his mobility. I find this in direct conflict with his premise of how wonderful it is here. I frankly never recall having problems with neighbors back in the States. Anyway, you can multiply this single issue with neighbors (which here is VERY COMMON!!!) twenty fold with the many other challenges so this begs the question is it really worth living here to begin with for any amount of money. Come see and try for yourself before you commit.
A Small Percentage are;
Foreign couples and individuals seeking an affordable alternative to their existing living situation back in their home Countries. Most of these are Europeans whose Countries cost a fortune to live in and have lousy cold weather. So, they tend to settle in tropical beachfront locations around the World in places like the Philippines. Anyplace that is warmer and cheaper than what they have back home in Europe.
A Small Percentage are;
Very Religious and want to live in a Catholic country.
The bottom line is the vast majority are here for girls and that is IT!!!!! and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, take that benefit away and you will have practically NO SINGLE MALE FOREIGNERS living here.
The notion of affordability while a valid one in the past in now slowly disappearing. Everything is getting more expensive and unless you are a hermit, life in the U.S.A can actually be cheaper if not very competitive depending on where you live. My Sister-in-Law and her husband live a wonderful life in Ogden, Utah for well under 2k monthly. Their mortgage is only $350/month. What is missing in the States. Hmmmmm Let me guess………18 year old girls!!!! HELLO
Any Website or Blog that tries to tell you differently is full of crap. Period. End of story!!!
So if there is any argument at all for coming here with 1,000,000 bucks it would be that is what you will need just to survive here in the not to distant future but in no way should it be an incentive as there are much better other places to go for the money or just stay home might be best.
In conclusion, "The Philippines as it is today just ain't my cup of tea"……….. NOT AT ANY PRICE!!! and we will most likely leave in the next year or so. While we are away I will be earning 18% on my money (Philippine Investment) so the U.S.A will be a much cheaper living situation for my family so all the better going back there. Of course we will maintain a presence here with our properties and we will no doubt enjoy our annual visits and eventually this place will get its proverbial shit together and become more tolerable. I think this getting its act together will take upwards of five years but then things will have become more westernized which I see as a good thing. Personal services will hopefully remain as they are as will the good nature of the people but things will become more modern and convenient. Yes, there will still be adjustments to be made and other challenges for a foreigner but with much less sacrifice than present time. But rising prices may negate the attraction of moving here as well so we shall see what the future holds for the Country of the Philippines.
Corey….U ASS !!! U love confusing me lol
I know u speak the gospel but damn, can u at least keep some roses from wilting? U just kill dreams
Man, I want to go there but I have looked in to some Latin American countries recently. But, I live in one now ,Miami, so why would I move ? lol
How come u didn't respond on the LIP post? Woulda really made it interesting.
LOL. Sorry about the roses wilting but someone has to try and put a stop to all the mental masturbating going on about this place. Certainly Bob won’t as his income is directly correlated to multiple orgasms his readers have about his Philippines so why present anything other than Polly Ana distortions LOL I would love to get a honest dialogue going there but I am banned Remember. Yes do come, but remember it’s all about the p-ssy.
A lot of truth to what you say about Philippine infrastructure. Seven years in the Philippines was about all I could stand at one sitting, before I took my Filipina wife and our two kids to the US. I agree that life in the US is better, especially if you have a faithful, good-looking, young Filipina trophy wife to take back with you.
However, a lot of expats visiting the Philippines who go looking for someone in the bars and cabarets aren't likely to find good candidates for fidelity and home-making. Many a returning expats, who maybe didn't spend much, if any, time in the Philippines with their dearly intended, found their "trophy" just looking for a free ride to the US before they jumped ship.
I encourage expats looking for lasting, faithful relationships to look outside the bars and caberets. Start off looking through candidates on Cherry Blossoms, pick out a dozen or a hundred that catch your eye, buy their contact info, and write them. After you have exchanged some corresponsence (snail-mail, email, facebook, or otherwise) and gotten an invite, go see them and get to know them in person. Stay out of the bars and cabarets — there is nothing good will come out of them.
Amd once you found the one, live with her there in the Philippines for at least a year, if not more. That way you can make sure yhat things will work out between you. The first six months are likely to be the roughest, when you and she are adjusting to each other. Its best to do that in the relative safety of a foreign country.
Not everyone has the resources or is situated to spend a lot of time in the Philippines, with the exception of retirees (like myself — pot belly or not.) So it is just natural that we have the statistical advantage for the cream of the crop.
The best scenario, I think, taking the Filipina wife into consideration, is to have two homes — one in the US and one in Philippines. That way you both can enjoy the best of both worlds. And you can always make an escape (either way) when you feel like it.
Davao City is where I lived most of the time, and I think it one of the better places. We had a lot of friends (mostly other expat-Filipina couples) from a lot of different places (mostly Europeans), and a lot of really good parties of the family type — the kids running around the place playing, husbands gathered around one place, and wives gathered around in another. Lots of good food from cuisine around the world, lots of interesting people who lived in far away places in strange foreign lands to swap stories and compare notes.
We've been back in the US now seven years, and I really am starting to miss the Philippines — especially the many expats from other lands who settled there — like English John, Irish John, Charles the Scott, the Canadian, the Germans, the Dutch — it was like a mini UN.
Great, great Advice. In fact I met Lynn on Cherry Blossoms. She is from Davao and we are moving back there in May. Where in the States are you. We might visit this fall.
We live in Austin, Texas now. Its where I retired to before I went to the Philippines. I bought a home here a few years before going to the Philippines, and I am glad I kept it.
We would like to build a second home in Davao City (or nearby Samal Island). Can't afford to do that right now. Maybe in a few years when the kids are older. We have two girls, age 10 and 13, and I really don't want to move back permanently until they are much older – either married or have a career.
My wife went back to Davao for a visit and some dental work a couple years ago. She plans a second trip this year, assuming we get a decent income tax refund (not so certain of that this year). She travels and stays there with her close friend, who also lives in Austin, and has a 2nd home in Davao City.
One nice thing now is the global reach of the internet, and in particular, Facebook. We maintain contact with nearly all the people in the Philipines (that we want to). Another nice thing is MagicJack — If you have a DSL connection (or better) in the Philippines, you can call free to anywhere in the US or Canada.
I have magic jack as well. However, T Mobile just came out with an App called Bobsled that you can install on your Android phone or computer and gives you FREE telephone calls to the United States or Europe from your Android Phone or Computer. check it out.
There are many reasons to live in the Philippines. However to paint such a rose colored view does more to hurt the future expat then help. When you speak the truth people will often say you are negative or you do not want to be here. Yet again normally farther from the truth. Understanding all the trials and problems you will face living a third world country is important. When I read some of these things it makes you believe life is like a Hawian paradise at a fraction of the cost. It is third world here and it is that way for a reason. Glad to see others blog about the facts with out putting on the colored specs. Thanks have a great day.
Thank you for your comments. I do have a tendency no doubt to be harsh and perhaps come across as angry. Even so I am passionate about this Country and want the best for it yet I don’t want to see Expats get lured into it beleiving a bunch of Poly Ana ballyhoo so I play the mean, bad blog. It does suck not getting many comments but I guess I will just have to live with that. True most people like to read positive.
Hi Corey, I have nothing to add to your Blog. Many things you mention are a Deja-Vu for me. I only can speak about Cebu (island), Cebu City, Argao (Cebu) and 24 hrs in Dumaguete City.
Hey Corey, pls advice me how I can get updates (in my email inbox) of all new Blogs? Thanks in advance.
Robert
Breda
Netherlands
Date: Sunday 10 February 2013 @12.37PM Dutch time.
I am sorry but I do not know the answer to that. There aren’t many here in the Philippines to begin with. I think I have a list somewhere in my resources section of some existing ones.
Hi Corey,
I've lived here for almost a year now. For me, the Philippines is what you make it. You sure are spot on about the bullshit here that's for sure. There's no way this @%#$ing place is ever going to have its act together like America does. That said, I have learned alot here about being the thin reed that bends in the wind only to return to its original position when the storm has passed instead of the tall rigid tree that gets uprooted and swept out to sea.
I get over to Dumaguette all the time, there sure are alot of sickly old potbellies there with hot young girls, what's wrong with that though? A relationship is really a mutual fufillment of need. If both parties are getting their needs met, who cares? I see less of that here in Cebu, but it's around often enough, just head over to Ayala. I've also spoken with a boatload of women here in Cebu and in Dumaguette that prefer an older potbelly man to a younger man because they believe he will be more faithful to them and more appreciative of their love. The women here can be very nuturing. Some of the really good ones REALLY don't care how old the guy is, they just don't want to deal with bullshit like cheating, drinking and gambling.
I'll tell you something else too man. Filipina girls don't care if you fart. Farting without reprisal is really nice. Can't get that in America either hahahaaaaa.
Remember that corruption can work in your favor and YOU can be the one messing up your asshole neighbors if it's worth your time. Being in the right here really doesn't mean anything. Why bother trying? Today I had another motorist swipe my truck because he foolishly tried to pass it without judging oncoming traffic correctly. Man I just laughed and kept going, they were loaded down with people on their way to church. For a second I wanted to do a PITT maneuver and show them how fragile the human body is when it's getting crushed by metal but what would I have gained from that? I would have shown a foolish person that they're foolish – but they'd be too foolish to learn from it anyway.
A friend of mine told me never to forget that we're only guests here, that's it. We can't change this place and it doesn't belong to us anyway. Dude, we have USA passports man, any time we want we can grab a thousand dollars and fly away and set up shop anywhere in the world we please. These people here don't have that luxury and they know it.
Once in awhile, they DO get it right here though. 90% of the time I get shitty customer service. 10% of the time I get better service than I ever got in America. I found that if I lost my obsession with white sand, I could put myself at some really nice beaches too – renting the little cottages and spending the day there in the sun. Been to the nice white sand ones too, but the regular sand is less expensive.
I have 3.5 domestic helpers too – do I REALLY need that many? Not at all! But it's nice to not have to deal with cooking or cleaning or attending the small internet cafe behind the house. It's also nice to not have to deal with long lines at the government offices or the store too often. Want to avoid the instanity at the supermarket? Don't go! Send your yaya there man! Don't want to stand in line at Globe and Veco paying your bills? Send your yaya bro! Think I want to change alot of shitty diapers and stuff? Hell no man what is domestic help for?! But…. To benefit from this lifestyle you have to change yourself because nobody will clean as good as you will or cook as good as you will and no matter what equipment you get, your @#$%ing yayas will still wash your clothes by hand with cold water and it wont get grease and oil stains out of your black shirts. Black shirts are cheap though. Just get used to the ants and let your best yaya do the cooking because in AMERICA, I couldn't afford ANY domestic help and had to deal with all that crap myself or sacrifice my girlfriend for hours each day to it.
It's also very nice to just walk in the pharmacy and buy whatever the hell I want with no questions asked and no prescription needed. Ever throw a loud party here? I did, nobody said anything to me – like you said they are immune to the noise so they dont really care. Also, yes there are gold diggers but there are also some very nice ladies here too from very nice families. Things are less black and white here with more grey areas. The lady I came here to meet is now having our baby next month. Things can happen fast here if you want them to.
I think some people come here just expecting a bunch of happy jolly poor people that don't need money and are thrilled that foreigners come spend 1/5th of the price for things here that they would spend in their home countries. Know why your customer service sucks so bad? Maybe the guy that just ignored you makes less than $5.00/day. How happy do you really think he is about that? He works 10 hrs/day and 6 days a week for shit and he knows it. Your shirt is a weeks wages for him. Maybe more.
A sincere smile goes a LONG way here and will get you things you couldn't buy back home.
There is no way you can explain this place to anyone. My advice to people that are interested is to come here and experience it for yourself. Spend 6 months and reassess yourself and your situation.
This place will not change, but if you're flexible, you will change to adapt to it. When I look in the mirror I see a different person than the man that came here a year ago. I am much more tolerant of senseless bullshit (since I am immersed in it constantly) and much more open minded and way less judgemental about people.
Your points are well taken. There is good and bad everywhere and it really comes down to whats between your ears that determines how you will handle that. I have been one of those rigid trees and need to become a reed. Thanks for your input
Corey,I agree with most of what you have said,I spent eight years in the Philippines before moving back to the States,i still have friends living there that are not into bars and chasing the youg girls and love the place,but like anyplace there are things that really bug them.When i was living there i would leave and spend three months in Alaska fishing,but the main things that i got tired of were-the brown outs-the terrible roads-the poor supply of quality food in the province-rudness and customer service and internet and tv access.My wife and i move to the west coast of the USA and she never wants to move back.Guys complain about the USA but you talk to filipinos that have moved here and the see nothing to complain about.The Philippins is still a great place for some but not all, they need to go there for a few months and check it out to see if it is for them and they can find the write place.For us the Philippines is just a short vacation spot to see family in Samar every two or three years as we have a house there.
I think that is what is in our future. visits back to the Philippines but living in the States. Thanks for visiting
you all are something ….LOVE IT. The feedback here seems so much more believable to me. It is what I figured when I presented the question to Bob. But there were prob 50 replies and maybe 1 or 2 negative. Really opened my eyes and everyone commented how good the people were. Here, it tells me if you can put up with a lot of bullshit then come on over.Prepare yourself to say WTF a lot but keep a smile on your face. lol, Is common sense at least 75%. I think I can put up with 25% BS
My house here is paid for, 54 yrs old and single. I would have to sell my house to live there. I have a good job but don't know how much longer as business is AWFUL. I dont want to work for anyone again. I could sell my house and live off that till i start receiving SS. Remain single and rent Corey's mom's extra condo in Manila lol I bet she would love me as a neighbor
CAN I MAKE IT THERE?
Kevin bring the right mindset and this place is cake. Manila would be much easier but it is a big, bustling city and girls are much more serious there but you can go to the province so cheaply and then bring them back to Manila. Best of both Worlds. So you will be leaving just when I am coming back Huh!!! Bob who???? LOL
Shall miss your blogs on the Philippines when you return to USA, I just love your site.
not going anywhere for a long time
Well it looks like this article attracted the most feedback. After reading a bit of LIP, which I didnt know existed until you pointed it out, I like both for content but put more weight on what you've got here. You say it as it is and don't surgar coat it…and that's important. If I am going to spend the time, effort and $$ to go halfway across the globe, i would want to know exactly what I am getting in to.
And if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I don’t charge like LIP lol