Every single day, I am contacted a number of times by expats from around the round world with a variety of questions about retiring to the Philippines. Including , the cost of living, medical care, cost of insurances, safety and security, the best places to live and the whole nine yards. Without failure, at the top of the list is about relationships with the women of the … [Read more...]
El Groupo Gougers
During the past two weeks, I made a very amazing discovery about the price of imported food and drinks in Bacolod City! Some of the stores have really jacked the prices up on a lot of food items that many foreigners enjoy buying. Can we get real here? If Walmart in Florida USA can sell a plastic bottle of mustard for only 68 cents US, and you know they are still making money, … [Read more...]
Everyday Is A Fiesta!
One of the aspects of the Philippines that really captured my attention 28 years ago is the Filipino’s love of celebrations, parties and festivals. This fabulously exciting atmosphere in the islands has only grown stronger over the years! I don’t know any other place on the planet where people can have so much fun with so little! If you could be a Filipino for one day, you … [Read more...]
Things I Used To Do
Getting up early to do something for someone else was once my way of life but now, I only get up early when I want to, not because I have to! I love the smell of work in the morning is something that I never really enjoyed but it was a requirement for a number of years. What kept me going morning in and morning out was that, while I felt like I was being used, I was also using … [Read more...]
Philippine Dating Scams
Do you remember the words to the old song, "Looking for love in all the wrong places?" There is a lot of truth in the song and people the world over make mistakes by looking for their lifetime partner in the wrong places. Retiring to the Philippines as a single guy and looking for your partner in life can be exciting and it will be a life changing event, whether it turns out … [Read more...]
Banana Ketchup
It doesn't matter if you are visiting in a native house, in a condo, in a bungalow or in an exclusive mansion, you will find one product of the Philippines on every table. Banana Ketchup! Jufran is the brand of choice but there are about a dozen different brands of banana ketchup. It is a household staple. If you have never tried banana ketchup, you may ask yourself, "What … [Read more...]
Working On The Building
One of the major concerns an expat has when considering retiring to the Philippines is the housing question! This was a concern 28 years ago in the Philippines and it remains a frequently asked question in 2014. Most expats are not interested in living in a native nipa or bamboo house but believe it or not, some expats embrace that adventure! I know a couple of Americans who … [Read more...]
Crossing Muddy Waters
There are a number of taboos in the Filipino culture that are best avoided at all costs. Most Filipinos are very friendly, loving and hospitable people but there are some actions exhibited by both expats and Filipinos alike that can put you on the wrong side of a gun in a heartbeat! I have found that most Filipinos are more tolerable toward expats than they are toward their … [Read more...]
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
All through the ages, Man has the urgency to new discoveries. Well, not all men but at least Adventurist Man! Hey, that's me! I am a lifetime member of that Club. Amazingly, a number of my high school classmate still live in the same area of rural Alabama where they were born, raised and studied. It has been a long time since Graduation and last year, I connected with a few of … [Read more...]
Stupid Is As Stupid Does
In the Philippines, there is a saying that has the exact same meaning as the words of Forrest Gump in the movie. 'Tanga is as tanga does!" Yes, stupid is as stupid does. Over the years, I have listened to a number of expats complaining about their number one mistake in the Philippines. When I asked them if they would have done the same thing back home, the answer was always … [Read more...]