I've heard some foreigners complain about the large family reunions held in the Philippines, however, I really enjoy them! My Filipino family does not hold a family reunion every year, but it is part of the vibrant Filipino Culture to hold one every few years. Most families have OFWs, workers abroad, so whenever a few of them are in the Philippines on vacation at the same time, … [Read more...]
Bend Me, Shape Me, Anyway I Want Me
I remember back in the early 1970's when a cousin moved from small town Alabama to Atlanta and she told the family she was trying to 'find herself'. Some of the family, who were born and raised in that same small town in Alabama, had a good laugh about that and they thought she had lost her mind! As it turned out, she had broadened her horizon, met a man she later married, both … [Read more...]
A Rainbow Amidst The Rain Clouds
I took the above photo from the courtyard of our home in Bacolod City on Thanksgiving afternoon. Two days later, as I began looking at all our photos from our annual Thanksgiving Fiesta, this photo captured my attention in a remarkable manner! Initially, we were concerned of inclement weather, which would have moved our Thanksgiving festivities indoors, however, we never … [Read more...]
Finding Your Paradise In Wonderland
It has often been said that one man's Paradise is another man's Hell! I certainly believe it. One size does not fit all and we cannot paint a true picture of Paradise using the same brush, as people have different ideas about Shangri La or Dreamland. Everyone does not enjoy living on the beach in a rustic beach house by the sea, surrounded by lush coconut trees. Everyone does … [Read more...]
Sojourning Retirement Lifestyle
Can you imagine yourself being happy living in a native house for a few months on one of the rustic beaches in the Philippines? There are many such beaches all around the Philippines where an expat can rent an inexpensive beach house for the month without concern about a lease. Many of the rustic beaches have "Resort" after their name, however, these are not resorts that most … [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...]
Philippines Retirement Visa
There are some who sell retirement information to future expats but they never mention retiring to the Philippines, so I inquired why. My answer was because only foreigners married to Philippine citizens can avail a permanent visa to live in the Philippines. This, my friends, is far from the truth! The Philippine government actually promotes the Philippines Retirement Visa … [Read more...]
Paradise Or Pair A Dice
Maybe your idea of paradise is living near the strawberry fields of Baguio? When many people think about the Philippines, they often conjure up an image of lounging on a beautiful white sandy beach with an ice cold tropical fruit cocktail. Others think about trekking around one of the breathtaking mountain resorts found on a number of islands. Yet, others visualize dancing with … [Read more...]
Tolerance Tempered With Tradition
If it uplifts you to come in contact with easy going people with smiling faces all day long the Philippines could be a place where you will feel right at home. The native residents are - for the most part honest,innovative, often hard working as well as tolerant and happy. The diminutive incomes, noise at all hours and traffic jams - they face it all with a smile. If I hear a … [Read more...]