I won’t bore you with a lot of statistics and geographical information that you can easily search and read on the internet about the Philippines, however I want to share the real Philippines with you. The Pearl of the Orient.
Twenty seven years seem like a long time to many people but it doesn’t seem that long ago to me when I made my first trip to Manila, Philippines in 1986. I spent one year in the country while I studied a few college courses and I lived with a wonderful Filipino family. From Day One, I fell in love with the Philippines, Filipinos and the Filipino Culture. After returning to the USA to live and work, the Philippines was my annual vacation destination, as I returned to visit my many lifelong Filipino friends and to experience the beauty of the Islands and the vibrant Filipino Culture.
I have lived in Bacolod City, Philippines the past 4 years with my beautiful wife and our lovely son. Bacolod City is my permanent home. After 4 years, everyday still unfolds a new adventure for me and each morning brings a new joy into my life.
The Philippines is famous for having the most beautiful women in the world and I certainly agree. However, the Philippines is much more than only beautiful women but that is a good beginning. If you ever go out and enjoy the nightlife with a few Filipino friends, your life will be forever changed. Most Filipinos can enjoy the very moment without worries or cares of the world and without thoughts of what tomorrow may bring. Live for today, live for right now is often the attitude of the local people in the Philippines. While many are in the daily grind in other countries of planning for the future, if you are living in the Philippines, today is the future. You can enjoy life now and live life to the fullest everyday in the Philippines.
The cost of living is much cheaper in the Philippines than in most every developed country in the world. Foreign currency goes a long way in the Philippines when you exchange to Pesos, the Philippine currency.
If you love the beach, you can go everyday, all year round in the Philippines. I could not do that even when I lived in Florida for 15 years! There are so many nice beaches and one is not limited to going to a famous Beach Resort, such as Boracay. There are many local beaches that cost minimal admission and for rental of a day cottage. When we go to the one beautiful beaches in Bacolod, we usually spend about $8 for admission and the cottage rental for a family of 3.
The laid-back lifestyle in the Philippines is the allure to many. There is never a sense of urgency unless there is an emergency. Many people rush head long through life in other countries and never get anywhere but you can take your time in the Philippines and experience the grandeur of the islands.
Filipinos love to eat and there are many good things to eat in the Philippines. There is breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, coffee time, merienda (a larger, late afternoon snack) and supper, which is often eaten later in the evening. Concerning the price, less than $3 USD will buy a lot of food in the Philippines unless you are eating in a 5 Star Restaurant.
One of the main attractions that expats hold for the Philippines is the marvelous beauty of the many tropical islands. Other than the fabulous beaches and coral reefs, there are mountains, mountain resorts, both active and no-active volcanoes, rainforests and there are almost 4,000 species of plants and animals in the Philippines.
There are many islands in the Philippines to choose from and there is one island waiting just for you to make your retirement paradise.