If you are going to live in the Philippines, one of the best friends you can make are with the government workers at the Bureau of Immigration, aka BI. If you treat them nicely, they will treat you nicely. That my friends, is the Key! One must understand that every BI Office in the country does not provide the same services. There are BI Field Offices, District BI Offices … [Read more...]
The Kano Coconut Telegraph
The coconuts are piling up! It has been my experience over the past 27 years that there are some fabulous expats who have made the Philippines their home, however, every expat you meet in the Islands is not your friend! All expats in the Philippines do not have any intentions of being your friend and some set out from day one to cause you problems. Call it the Green Eyed … [Read more...]
Go Tribal In The Philippines!
The Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines, their way of life, their culture and where they live in the Islands, may well be one of the most overlooked, yet very interesting, aspects of the entire Philippines! In the Highlands of Luzon, there is estimated to be 100 tribes and sub-tribes, who have preserved their lives much in the same way as was lived within their tribes … [Read more...]
A Wonderful World With Beautiful People
If you spend one weekend in the Philippines, you will never want to leave! An old retired US Navy guy told me this not so long ago and he shared his many wonderful experiences in the islands. He met the love of his life in the Philippines, as he married one of the lovely local ladies and is still married to her today, some 35 years later. I already knew about the grandeur of … [Read more...]
In My Midnight Confessions
How do you meet a fabulous lady in the Philippines? If I had P1 for every time I have been asked that question, I would have a nice little nest egg in savings to last me for some time! I remember back in the 1980s, the best way to find a lady living in the Philippines was to join Cherry Blossoms Introductions in Hawaii and become a member. You were then sent a list of photos … [Read more...]
See You In September, Christmas
Merry Christmas from the Philippines! September 1 officially kicked off the Christmas Season in the Islands of Paradise and it will not end until early January, 2014. For many, the Christmas season will not end until mid January, after the Festivals of The Three Kings, The Black Nazarene and Santo Nino. It really is more fun in the Philippines! The country is famous for having … [Read more...]
Retire In The Philippines Today
This is the last installment in my 3 part series for those who are intending to retire in the Philippines. This series of articles gives specific information to all those who are about to follow that dream! By now, you have all the information you need to acquire the needed visa to retire in the Philippines and to make your dream come true. The Philippines has three Regions … [Read more...]
Retirement In The Philippines
Retirement In The Philippines is a dream of many people who have a Philippine citizen spouse and they have already visited the country a number of times over the years. It is not only guys who are retiring to the Philippines, as I know several American ladies who are married to Filipinos and they have also retired to the Philippines with great excitement. There are many … [Read more...]
The Land Of Wondrous Smiles
The Filipino people are simply amazing! Many face economic hardship daily, they often endure natural calamities and other disasters and life is a struggle for many if viewed from the Western logic, yet many are still happy everyday. They can still break out with such a fabulous smile even during tough times. The children in my article photograph live in San Nicholas, Cavite, … [Read more...]
Adios Daily Grind, Hello Paradise
Several friends in America asked me this week about retiring to the Philippines, as they are sick and tired of the same old daily grind and they are at the point of retiring a few years earlier than previously planned. As you can imagine, they had many questions about actually living in the Philippines. The burning question was, "How much money will I need each month to live … [Read more...]