I moved to the Philippines

Would you consider moving down south? Mindanao is a great place too. One advantage it has over the other 2 big islands - Luzon and Visayas - is that it is hardly hit by typhoons. (Well, except for that "unlikely" storm that devastated Iligan last year.) I'm from Davao City. But whichever you decide to move and live in, I guess having an expat friend can help you around. He may not be Dutch but it helps to know there is someone who is in the same shoes as you are. If you just want to go around and enjoy, perhaps you can try to buy yourself your own wheels. It doesn't have to be 4-wheeled. I even read a blog about an expat somewhere in the Eastern Visayas (I think he is in Samar) who travels on a motorcycle. He may give you an idea should you decide to travel on your own. I don't have the link to his blog but I think you can just do an on online search for that.

@Piloncitos: Thank you for this posting. As a matter of fact I'm a bit afraid going to Mindanao. A few years ago 2 Dutch guys vanished when they were traveling through Mindanao. I also heard that Davao may be safe (only during daytime) but that it's tricky to go out of the city. But Luzon has many great places too. I'm planning to go to Batangas early next year to see how it is. Just exploring, bit by bit.

You just hit the hammer right on the nail! It was good I started living with a friend here. But now it's time to move on and discover new horizons. In a way it feels like I left my parents to live on my own hahahahaha. But I'm a survivor and I like challenges. Even at the age of 56. Thanks for joining in!!

The Philippines had been a Spanish colony for more than a century. That explains the influences the Spanish language had on the Filipino language. Even the books written by our national hero - Dr. Jose Rizal - were originally written in Spanish. And yes, most of the EU nations are in economic crisis right now. You can easily check the economic status of a country by looking at their current stock exchange index and compare it to maybe 2 or 3 or maybe 10 years ago. Generally, the world economy maybe in a downtrend but if you will see it, money is flowing into Asia. As for your concern on moving in a non-English speaking country, please be advised that in whichever country you go, there is always a Filipino around. It's not because Filipinos just want to leave the country and look for greener pastures to earn big bucks. There are Filipinos in most countries in the world because they understand the universal language.

There's a lot Spanish blend in Tagalog and I guess many people there speak English. But Spain is in deep crisis right now. It will not going to be eaysy to get a visa these days

Thanks for the warnings! But I always keep my wallet in my front pocket. I have a little guard there hehehehe. I guess I am very careful always and I think the fact that I speak a little Tagalog -konti lang!- helps as well. I live in La Union. About 280 North-West from Manila. But would love to move to Benguet. Had plans going to Quezon province but cancelled that. Thanks for joining in!!

the mountain region of benguet is much cooler than in la union.

You should buy a wallet with a chain because it makes you feel safe. I use it for my safety. Just choose the most friendly not the strangers. I hope you can visit Bacolod someday. it is part of Visayas region.

I think it is a festival of the aringay town? Baranggay fiesta/festival of my aunt is different and I thik it is on April. I hope you will enjoy it here in the Philippines more

Well, I still live in La Union but would like to move to Benguet. I have a good friend in Aringay. Will be there next month for the festival. We're going to sing a duet then more then likely. LOL

turtle sanctuaries in the philippines can be found in palawan, davao, romblon... and similar areas. perhaps denr and wwf-philippines can be good leads for volunteer work. lolz please don't mind people asking about your personal life, it's like every other person would be asking, and every other question is the same. hehe it's like second nature to locals to ask about family as some communities can be quite tight-knit. as for growing roots, i was merely enquiring if perhaps with the years you've spent in the country, you might have found a sense of "belonging" to a certain place, like your second home perhaps.

I am an -early- retired caregiver. Soon I hope to start doing volunteering work here, saving turtles. No, not growing roots. As I always tell the people here: I'm single and NOT available LOL

Grow bitter gourd and eggplant? Hay, Pinoy ka na nga, at siguro kinakain mo ang mga yan with bagoong, or shrimp paste. I don't know where you live now and what conditions you have, but if all you want is a garden and a home with your dog, Dalton Pass is a good haven to me.

No problems with the jeepneys. "Bayad!" Pancit Canton I already cooked several times. I love the Philippino foods. Actually I do feel home here very much. Right now I'm going for new horizons. Wanna get out of the place where I live now. Maybe find something for just me. Just a nice small house and a bit of a garden so I can have a dog and grow my own Ampalaya and Talong.

I know there are things to consider before moving out and I wish you all the best

I'm living in the lowlands now, practically ON the beach. Not only it's very hot, also the salt spray is terrible. It destroys almost everything. Apart from that we have a beach front resort as neighbour. All they care about is their business and they don't mind about the neighbours. So a lot of noise and a lot of trash on our (private) road. Fortunately there are a lot of better places. But I won't make a move overnight.

Oh, then that is good that you moved here instead.. But isn't your home in Holland, didn't you grow up there? I wonder how you never got used to the cold..

hahahaha It's more the other way around I think: I couldn't stand the cold in Holland. Went there 3 years ago for vacation. In summer. And I was there with a vest!!!

There are always two opposing sides in every society and Filipinos have unpleasant characteristics too including undesirable ones who seek out foreigners like you. Am glad that you had adapted to our way of life and despite some flaws that we have, you view Filipino traits and culture positively. Welcome to our country and as louievill said we hope you continue to enjoy living with us.

Thank you very much. All over the world there are good and bad places, good and bad people. My motivation is as follows: Holland used to be a very nice, friendly, open country. Unfortunately, (like most other Western countries) it changed drastically the last 20 years. What I'm going to say here is the truth: when you're walking on the street it might happen that someone doesn't like the way you look or the way you dress or whatever. And they just start mugging you. For nothing! Old people get robbed and molestated. The kids have all they wanna have and yet are bored and like to mess up other peoples lifes. Or destroy waiting sheds, just for 'the fun' of it. Can you imagine how pleasantly surprised I was here with people greeting and smiling? We have a pottery around the corner. The goods stay out day and night. Now try THAT in any first world country. The next morning all will be stolen or demolished. There's so much more respect here. Hahahahaha, but to be called 'sir' every time is really too much for me. I know it's out of respect but I prefer being calles by my first name Frans.

Not trying to be offensive here but I noticed that people who live in America have problems to adjust to other culteres. True, Not Western countries may not have all the stuff we can get in 'our' countries but I appreciate the attitude here for instance much, much better then back in Holland. Western countries are filled to the brim with spoiled brats. showing no respect to others. Again: I'm not here to insult people but it's the way I see it. And I guess that's why more and more people from Western countries move to other countries.

You sound really proud but its your country . That is how I talk about my country also , most people do about their country . Crime is the downfall of every country in the world .

Oh but I already love it here! Getting adjusted to another lifestyle and another culture takes time but when you're open for it, it all works out fine. Yes most Philippinos are very friendly and hospitable. Thsnkd for responding and Happy Mylotting!

Thank you Mimiang. The first year I had lots of difficulties because of the climate. Terrible iches all over my body, fungal infection. Also I ha a food poisoning. In Western countries there are such strict rules for selling food that it's very hard to catch bacteria. Here I just buy chicken and pork in the market. Full of bacteria of course and my body got really upset. But that happened only once. I guess I will have the same experience now if I should go back to Holland hehehehehe.

oh well, I like challenges.

Well Raine, as I just said in another reply: I'm single and NOT available hahahaha. I'm an all time bachelor. My first christmas here my friend's relatives came over: 42!!! The good thing was that they took over the kitchen right away. I was no longer allowed in there hahahaha. And for those who are interested: No, I haven't eaten balut and I will not eat it. Not because I don't want to taste it but it's the smell of boiled eggs that make me feel sick. Most other Pinoy dishes I like very much! Tortang talong at langonisa! With the wonderful bagoong/kalaminsi juice. Adobong kangkong, ampalaya, puso ng saging, etc. etc.

Magandang gabi at maraming salamat din! Since I've been here I can already see changes. It goes slow but hey, if a ship changes course too strong, it capsizes!!

Yes and I just realized it's almost 6 years already! Time flies when you're having fun hehehehehe. I really love the country. Funny thing is that when I visit touristic spots I feel uncomfortable when people look at me as a tourist. I'd like to shout it out "Hey, i LIVE here!!! Nakatira ako dito!" LOL

Maraming salamat po. In the beginning I was as careful like a tourist. Then I realized we have pickpockets in Holland too. So what's new? My friends (so far) are true friends, never asking me to lend them money. Yes I did do that once. And I learned from that one experience. ;)