What's Your Story? How you ended up as expat in the Philippines.

[CebuAndy]

Gentlemen, What's Your Story?

How come that you ended up as a expat / semi-expat in the Philippines?

Why do people move across the world, suffering 15-25 hours in a airplane, just to live in a third world country?

 

Here's My Story.

Back in the 90's my missus died of cancer. Our plan had always been to retire early, to somewhere in sunny Spain. With her gone, my life was in turmoil. My own theraphy was to work day and night, keep my mind occupied. And save money, lots of money.

Noticed a influx of asian women in the capital where I lived, and all this eye-candy got my mind on Asia. Bought all Lonely Planet books about south east asia, and a new dream was born.

The new Millenium had just began, when I was on my way, moving to Thailand. Had read about the infamous Pattaya, and desided to avoid that place. Headed up country to the province, made new expat friends and mentors that saved me from many newbie mistakes. Later got married, learned to speak thai, as wife had zero english.

A decade later, wife and I had split up, and I continued to travel all around Thailand. Things started to change, visa extensions became very difficult for us not yet age 50. Always had to find a new loophole. Solution was a friendly consulate in nearby countries.

Reached age 50 and finally qualified for non-o 1 year extension of stay (retirement visa). Yearly fee 60USD. In the next years, more new requirements to apply for another 1 year extension. Expats was always stressed out. Would they get another year extension, or not. Many expats moved to Cambodia, where visa was easier to obtain. I wasn't interested in Cambodia, so Philippines became My Choice.

2011 was the year I started my new Philippines adventure. The change from Thailand was huge. Not only did many speak english, many was very polite. What a positive culture chock from Thailand. I became the long nose, with a big smile on my face. Loved It.

As a newbie, I did the typical mistakes. Was fooled by the easy girls, who approached me. Lesson learned quickly. Was in a bad relationship where Lies become almost daily. Another lesson learned. Made some new expat friends, friendships that last until this day. Adopted the asian-way of dating, slowly, not rush into relationship. Be friends first. Find a woman who have a normal daytime job. In the end, that worked for me for many years - until she one day demanded marriage.

Adjusting to weekly frustrations was difficult, out of stock, long lines everywhere and more. Because of that, I divide my time between Thailand, and the Philippines.

What's Your Story? How come that you also ended up as a expat / semi-expat, in the Philippines?

[Major Tom]

I lost all of my money and my home in a divorce to my first wife, and a lovely Filipina offered me a place to live.

So I took her up on her offer, stayed for a few months, fell in love, got married, and we gave birth to a guapo Fil-Am boy. 

Nowadays, we reside in the USA. When my wife and children go to the Philippines for a visit, I’ll be staying behind since I’ll be 70 y.o. (in a few months) and I need to be near my American doctors and hospitals. I am already way too familiar with the medical care that I would receive for my chronic health conditions in the Philippines.

P.S.  Prior to coming to the Philippines, a Norwegian woman in Ålesund offered me a similar arrangement but it didn’t work out, but now Jeg kan snakke en litt Norsk in addition to English, German/Deutsch, and Tagalog.

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by Major Tom

[Terry P]

Met my girl before this damned pandemic. We had a great time in Europe with plans for me to move here a long time ago. Yep then this damned pandemic. Finally arrived here a year ago and living in kabankalan. It's been eventful to say the least but I'm here for good 

Some of you may remember me as I do you. I hope you are all well and looking forward to hearing from you.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

35 minutes ago, Terry P said:

Some of you may remember me as I do you. I hope you are all well and looking forward to hearing from you

Yes, now you have two accounts for some reason. Do you want them merged together?

[Jack Peterson]

40 minutes ago, Terry P said:

Some of you may remember me as I do you. I hope you are all well and looking forward to hearing from you.

 

 Hello stranger 

[Terry P]

1 hour ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Yes, now you have two accounts for some reason. Do you want them merged together?

May as well J I've lost the old email account so can't access it 

[Terry P]

1 hour ago, Jack Peterson said:

 Hello stranger 

Hi Jack

Yep I'm back it's a long story but everything is good 

[Jollygoodfellow]

1 hour ago, Terry P said:

May as well J I've lost the old email account so can't access it 

Done

[CebuAndy]

[BrettGC]

Back on topic.

I first visited PI in 1990 with the navy, we had 8 days in Subic when it was still a little wild at night, 3 nights in Manila and then we were supposed to go to Davao but that was changed to Cebu as Davao was deemed too unsafe due to crime and Abu Sayef was just starting to ramp up outside of the Zamboanga penninsula.  This was well before D30 became mayor and cleaned up the city.  Back then Singapore was still considered a developing country, but not for long. 

Over the years I visited with the navy many times and slowly fell in love with the place, as a visitor, more so than all the other SE countries we'd visited for some reason (every country other than Vietnam and Myanmmar).  When I left the navy in 2007 I finished my degree (I started under a veterans scheme whilst still serving) and backpacked solo around Asia and India for 12 months.  The majority of the time was spent in India and the Philippines with a large chunk in Indonesia, mainly Sulawesi, Borneo and Western Java as well as the usual suspects of Thailland, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and finally got to Myanmmar (beautiful country with wonderful people btw, such a pity the shite that goes on there) and a 1 month stint in PNG as I had family living in Weewak at the time.   During that time, my love of PI grew.  

I came back to PI fairly regularly for 3 to 4 weeks at a time just about yearly after that.  The only exception was when I was offered a job in Portland OR, USA for two years.  2012 I met a girl from Butuan that was working in a call centre in Angeles so took some time off and stayed for 4 or 5 months with time split between Angeles and Butuan.  We parted ways as she wanted more kids and I didn't.  She already had a 3yo boy when we met and I had 3 grown kids, that part of my life was done and I'd had a vasectomy that I didn't want reversed.  

I continued to visit and explore from Vegan to Davao then I met my wife on an online dating site.  Again, the kid issue rose after a couple of visits, so we split.  Fast forward 3 years and we re-connected and more visits both ways, kid issue sorted, and now here I am.  Been here just over a year now and still love the place despite its pitfalls and for me, the benefits and my lifestyle here far outweigh the negatives.