I was stationed in Korea, not the Philippines, but will you look at the prices?! Even in Cebu (the second largest city) one can live like a King or Queen on $1000-1500 a month, including rent, food, servants (maid, driver, gardener) etc.. In smaller cities and towns it costs even less...
Okay I hear you on the prices. But man, I hate their food. And I am no food snob- I’ve eaten some crazy stuff in some crazy places.
As a Caucasian who has lived in the Philippines for nearly 14 years, I must caution you from thinking the country is ideal for your needs.
Sure money will go a lot further than in the States, but that’s only for basic necessities - if you want good quality items or imported goods - prepare for sticker shocks. As a non-Filipino, you will not be allowed to own land, only apartments and condos that are elevated above the ground (stupid law, I know) unless you have a Filipina wife who can then have the property in her name. Sure you can have a maid to cook, wash, and clean for around 150 a month. Sure, the beaches are fantastic - I got married on the beach in Boracay - astonishingly gorgeous. Sure Filipinos are very friendly. If you marry a Filipina, chances are you’re going to be supporting her whole family (not the case with me - I told her right at the beginning it’s not going to happen).
However, all the benefits must be weighed against the very real problems of the country. Corruption is unbelievable - just about every level of government will need bribes to get anything done. Traffic, especially in Metro Manila is horrible and driving habits are disgusting. Pollution and filth are everywhere in the cities and Filipinos in general simply don’t respect the environment and the importance of biodiversity - garbage is thrown everywhere, sewers are clogged with it (which results in floods even in mild downpours), any wild animal is fair game for hunting.
Can you handle seeing appalling poverty? It’s everywhere over there. Children and pregnant women begging. Abandoned wives and evicted stepchildren forced into prostitution.
Heaven forbid you get sick over there - you’ll need to pay for emergency visits up front and only a handful of hospitals are up to Western Standards (Asian Hospital in Muntinglupa is excellent and is the best imo - just letting you know).
Diseases on a scale unseen in the West are chronic. The education system is overcrowded like you’re not going to believe (65+ students in elementary classes as young as first grade - and sometimes two shifts - one group in the am and another in the pm).
Oh, I guarantee people will be borrowing money from you all the time - I hope you do give them money - but just be aware you’re giving them money, not lending it to them.
As I said, I speak from experience - I lived there for nearly 14 years, speak the language like a native, am part Filipino through my father’s side, am married to a Filipina and have five incredibly handsome half-Filipino sons.