Live, Retire Like A King In The Philippines

What a king is to one man is like a pauper to another. I feel like I am living like a king here in the Philippines and have been since I came here because of the kindness of the people. And my small income seem like a kingly fortune too. In the States at fifty years old I was treated like an old man and I guess I was. I felt like one. No one smiled at me, not many cared. Nor did I smile nor did I care about them. Compared to the Philippines, the States and most western countries and even some Asian countries, there is little empathy, concern for others.

I was not an unhappy lonely guy. I was just a regular guy. And I felt reasonably content, felt that my life was pretty good. I was faring a lot better than some of my fellows who felt put out to pasture and had illness most illnesses stress related or induced. I still had some future before me, not much to brag about, just a better job and more money to waste or tuck away for the future I knew would never come.

Here at 68, I am a young man, treated like a king because I am a person, perceived as wise and kind and helpful. I was not always that way. The beautiful people here and their culture change me from materialistic wage slave and struggling business owner into a tao, a person. It was a radical change. I never know exactly what a person was. The Filipinos have taught me the value of a person. And they have taught me the value of each and every one of them. I leaned in all in my religious and spiritual upbringing, but the materialistic culture of the States, where the dollar is king, did not reinforce it to the point it became a part of my being. I am not saying there is not a healthy respect for money and material things by Filipinos and in the Philippines. But there is more of an appreciation of others and interpersonal relationships, certainly kinships in the immediate and extended families of the Philippines and in the family of Filipinos a family that spreads all over the world.

And including the respect I now have for others and myself, I have many amenities only a king could afford in a western country, not that I must have them. They are a lot of very nice to have, but not "must haves."I have all the things I need here, but I had those in the States too. As I initially said, the culture here is my greatest blessing. And it is true the Filipino culture is not impressive until you understand it. You can be here for years and not even be aware it. You can see it as just a flawed western culture. And many of you will not care to understand it, just plod on the same way with the same attitude. I assure you if you don't have some understanding and appreciation of the culture, you will miss out on something more valuable than Yamashita's gold.* But since that can come later and you want to hear about "traditional, "kingly living, here is how that works for me.

First I will give you a short run down on the unhealthy stuff many of you feel you may need. Beer, San Miguel is US 60 cents per liter, a quality beer. There are others legions of other brands too. Rum is $1.20 per liter, gin and Vodka a little mere. There are all kind of inexpensive local liquor some made under license from the US. So you can get drunk as a lord on a dollar on two dollars as drunk as a king, if that is your intent. Some more sin stuff? Okay, cigarettes are 60 US cents a pack many brand available many made under license from US and other manufactures. There are no closing hours for bars, though most close by three in the morning.

There are no drunken driving tickets and running red lights is the norm. But if you are smart you look both ways. The streets are for defensive driving and accidents are few. Drivers are inexpensive, live in. That is a good way to go.

Since it is hard to get rid of you money at the bars and paying traffic fines, (liability insurance for you car is required and about $14 per year) since the prices are so there are Casinos ever where, for the more adventurous, cockfights, and other way so indulge your gambling fancies. The shopping malls have large bingo parlors seven days a week. There are lotteries legal and illegal, the legal one give the best odds.

Nightlife is fantastic and cheap and abundant. I guess the Philippines is known for that, more than anything else. The Filipinas are fantastic, there beauty, loyally and kindness world famous. Filipinas are an at least an article or a book in themselves. But there is so much more.

I don't do so much nightlife; I do some, because I married one of these Filipina beauties three years ago. She is certainly the best thing that has happened in my life, except maybe moving here. As you can see from her pictures on the front page of the website she is gorgeous. But you cannot see her inner beauty. She does not do night life at all never has and never will, a non smoking, non drinking true Filipina bride and wife. I you want a Filipina wife to bar hop with you, they will oblige, but a true Filipina will leave the drinking and "outside activities" to the man.

Gambling, nightlife, booze, wine, women and song all okay, but forget illegal drugs. One leaf of marijuana or one grain of crack will cost you 12 years in a Philippine prison not country clubs like some in the US but places to make you remember not to come back.

Less Than Sinful and Self destructive Ways to Play, But Ways You Can Play and Even Become More Healthy:

A round of golf can be played for as low a $2. First run English movies are a dollar. Cable TV with 40 channels is $6 US per month. Pool is king since Efren Reyes has become a national hero. Basketball is on every corner and there are two leagues that never cease. There is so much more, ballroom, martial arts, singing at the drop of the hat, lessons in everything most things $2 US. Some one is always unemployed and ready to play with you. Play Station games, DVD's CD's and game disk like PlayStation can be found at Philippine prices, and are great if they work. Need a partner? Filipinos generally may not be rich in money but they have time. If you have no time you have nothing, even if you own Fort Knox.

A welder is lucky to make $3 per day and begs for your work does not require an appointment, same for a mechanic, bricklayer, electrician, plumber, and locksmith. You no longer have to say sir to a mechanic and beg for service. People want your business here. Craftsmen want to work for foreigners who may pay them more appreciate them more and be kinder to them than they ever imagined. A Handyman does not get $30 for a job, but closer to 30 cents. Some of the greedy kings just than them and give them some rice.

My two live in web helpers and a maid each cost about $45 per month and of course their food. Of course having helpers really makes me feel like a king and take all the chores out of my life. They are helpers, but more like daughters to me and friends. My Filipina wife enjoys the freedom from housework and errands as much as I do. And she is free to study in her pharmacy course at college here and do other thing more productive than mop the floor. She grew up doing her share of that and will never forget who she is or where she came from. Her tuition is $230 per semester. It does not wreck the household kingly coffers.

I really pay only $266.50 at today's peso rate. But my low cost may be because I have been here for three years. $380 is a more accurate market price today I guess. That is what others tell me. four bath houses with a nice yard, two telephones in a great neighborhood. The maids keep it up with the help of the handyman who stays next door to us in the day time. The house is in the university area of Cebu City, the Paris of the Philippines, I like to say the heart of the Philippines, where the mountains meet the sea. It is the land of scuba diving and beaches, rain forest wandering, night clubbing and bar hopping. And for a continuing education for you retirees there are colleges and schools everywhere, and tutors or the Internet for self study. And the Philippines are in the heart of Asia. So travel to neighboring exotic countries from the international airports is a breeze.

The Philippines major telephone company has DSL at $50 per month, maybe more expensive than the States. But with the low cost of other things you should be able to afford it. Dial up, 33K is about 18 cents per hour, not as convenient as DSL but a lot cheaper.

There are excellent hospitals nearby. So if I do have a problem I just get a helper to call one of them and a taxi to take me to the hospital. Office visits to a specialist are USD 6.00. I paid for chemotherapy treatment for a Filipino friend once. She had throat cancer and went to a government hospital. The six month successful treatment including the blood cost $800. If you get cancer, you may be able to afford effective treatment and not meet the deductible on your health insurance policy! My dentist has put caps on my teeth for $60 per cap and sings to me when she works. A face lift, the works, eyes up and down included, is about $3,000 including three or four day stay in a quality hospital. And the many tests required are included in that cost. They are test you must have prior to qualifying for this elective though no dangerous procedure, if done right.

Public transportation is great in Cebu City, a city of about 500,000 hospitable souls. It is not the only great one to live in. Baguio, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Baguio, Manila for those who prefer the metropolis is exciting.

The Philippines is the truly the only English speaking Christian country in Asia, so communicating with the driver or almost anyone is not a problem. Taxis are air-conditioned, new, and readily available. You can go to anywhere in town for $2.50 and a long trip to the airport is about $6.00. Make that even less with the recent continued devaluation of the peso.

Yesterday I went to visit a friend and my taxi fair was 25 pesos. I gave him 30 pesos, .75 US cents then. He actually chased me when I got out of the car to give me the change, about .10 cents. He could not understand why such a big tip, or a tip at all. I guess I am just a spendthrift.

I do not recommend buying or driving a car here. Today's peso rate is 56.20 to 1 US dollar. Today is December 14 here. 8 hours ahead of the States. Jeepneys (elongated locally made jeeps) are the way most people travel. They are ornate, gaudy or loud, depending on your taste. They are jeep style vehicles that carry from 14 to 20, seats on each side. Two ride with the driver "shotgun." Those seats are reserved for the disabled but often taken by young women. They have decorations, colors, family and nicknames, logos from everything imaginable, mud flaps, and other ornaments covering them. And they even altars on the dashboards. You can travel across the whole city for about .10 US cents. The oil prices have made the prices go up. Jeepneys are harder to get at rush hour, though there is not too much rush here. Have you heard of Filipino time? Only kings can set their own time. Here everyone has that prerogative it seems.

Jeepney travel is a good way to meet a lot of nice local folks. You sit with them face to face. They do love Americans and all foreigners here, perhaps to a fault. You can do no wrong, if you are a guest in their country. Jeepneys and taxis are safe. In fact Cebu City is a lot safer generally than most places I have lived in the States. You can walk the city streets at 3:00 in the morning and have no problems, male or female or in-between, in almost all parts of the city.

I got a haircut and short massage yesterday from my best barber in his air-conditioned shop for .80 cents. A one hour massage at a good parlor is between 200 to 300 pesos, more in Manila but not if you bargain. At a first class hotel is much more. But you will probably find someone in your neighborhood to makes house calls and may get a good one for a dollar.

Airfares are low to get here, especially off season, so if one is considering dental work or cosmetic surgery, they could save a lot of money by visiting here. The saving would more than pay for the airfare and other expenses you will have. Now if you are only going to have one gold heart implanted in a tooth, it may not be a good idea. But I don't know recent US dental prices. It may pay do come here to do wild stuff like that if you are or that bent. Tattoo artist and piercing is very cheap too and there are quality tattoo artists. I have passed that up but you never can tell. I have always wanted an ornate tattoo that said, "Tattoo."

There are many mammoth shopping malls here with everything you can get in the USA. If you don't like to shop, send a helper. Some of the imported goods are higher priced but some are lower.

New books, reprints for sale only in the Philippines, can be very cheap. I see books on computer and other subjects US price $40 selling here for $30. But I know there are discount bookstores in the States where you can do better.

There are local markets that are more "old Filipino" in nature where a lot of bargaining goes on. Best send a helper for that or sharpen your negotiation skills. At the malls the prices are fixed price. The local markets are much more colorful. But you do have to be a skilled in bargaining local style to get the local price. Southeast Asians are known for their bargaining abilities. And they know the "nibble," and can take a big bite out of you budget. Send your helper.

If you want American food it is all here, from Shakey's, McDonald's to the Marriott Hotel's best restaurant I have ever eaten in. The Hyatt is upscale and good too. Radio Shack, I heard, just came here and other discount US retailers have just gotten permission to move in, including some banks though, Citibank, Bank of American and HSBC have been here for a long time.

I trained one of my maids who was formerly a cook for a group of Japanese students how to cook American. She is pretty good. And I get my hot whole wheat bread fresh from the oven every day made to my specs. There are international cooking schools you can send your cook to if you are a gourmet and want special food. There are schools for baking and deserts. In the States only a king can afford a trained international chef.

Does this sound like kingly living to you? To me it is. I live it. I feel it. You might too. There is so much more than I mention here. If you would like to know more, read the website, and hear from other by joining the free Yahoo mailing List. Then get a plane ticket and come on over!

I don't own a hotel or resort. I don't charge for the List or the website. Here, retired in the Philippines, I have enough, little though it may be, to live in the Philippines like a king.

*Legend, some say fact, has it that General Yamashita buried a lot of gold in the hills here when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II. There are always people looking for it. No one has ever found it as far as I know. But Yamashita's gold is an exciting story, gold laying around always makes for interesting conversation.

Philippines

Still current at: 29 December 2011
Updated: 21 December 2011

No restrictions in this travel advice
Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country Avoid all but essential travel to whole country Avoid all travel to part(s) of country Avoid all travel to whole country

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary (floods on Mindanao Island). The overall level of the advice has not changed; we advise against all travel to specific areas of the Philippines and against all but essential travel to other specific areas of the Philippines.

Safety and security
(back to top)

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Such places could include, but are not limited to, airports, shopping malls, places of worship etc. On 25 January an explosion on a passenger bus in the Makati district of Manila killed five people and injured 13.

We advise against all travel to south west Mindanao covering the following areas, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM, including the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) plus the eastern provinces of Sarangani, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao because of ongoing terrorist activity. There have been a number of attacks against civilian targets. The most recent was on 5 August 2010 at Zamboanga airport where an explosion killed two people and injured 24 others including a British national. See the Safety and Security - Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.

Be aware of the risk of terrorist attacks to all forms of public transport: road, rail, sea and air. Terrorist groups have threatened to attack passenger ferries and other vessels, particularly those operating from Mindanao.

There is also a threat from kidnapping in the Philippines particularly in the southern Philippines. Kidnapping could occur anywhere, including on coastal and island resorts and on dive boats and sites in the Sulu Sea. Foreigners have been targeted in rural, urban and coastal areas in the past. On 5 December 2011, an Australian citizen was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay. On 12 July two US citizens and a Philippine national were kidnapped from a resort on the island of Tictabon near the southern port city of Zamboanga. You should be aware that it is the long-standing policy of the British Government not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

The Philippine government is taking action against the terrorist and kidnapping threat. It has tightened security in Metro Manila and other areas considered at high risk, including airports and seaports.

See our Terrorism Abroad page. You should also check the Embassy website: Philippines: British Embassy Manila.

Safety and Security - Crime

There is a high incidence of violent crime, including gun crime, in the Philippines. British nationals have been recent victims, but there is no evidence that they are specifically targeted.

Criminal gangs sometimes use terrorist tactics, such as kidnapping and explosions. Explosions attributed to criminal organisations have caused fatalities.

There is a high incidence of street crime and robberies, which often increases during the holiday season. Sensible precautions include: arranging to be met at the airport or using hotel transfer services; using a driver or taxis from a reputable source and avoiding displays of cash or jewellery. Even well lit and busy city areas cannot be assumed to be safe. You should beware of strangers offering drinks or confectionery; criminals intent on robbery may lace these to render the victim unconscious.

There is a threat from kidnapping for ransom in Philippines. You should be particularly vigilant when travelling on public transport. Armed hold-ups have occurred on jeepneys and buses in the Philippines, and have in some cases resulted in fatalities. The roadworthiness of some of these vehicles is also a concern.

On 23 August 2010, an armed man hijacked a tourist bus in Manila. During the incident eight hostages were killed.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/philippines#safetySecurity

December 28, 2011 19:03 PM

Abu Sayyaf Demands A$22,600 For Release Of Kidnapped Aussie

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 (Bernama) — The Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines is demanding an initial ransom of about A$22,600 (about RM72,000) for the release of kidnapped Australian Warren Rodwell.

The demand came after the terrorist group sent four “proof of life” photographs to Rodwell’s Filipina wife, Miraflor Gutang, 27, last week, The Age newspaper reports.

“There was a demand for money — the kidnappers demanded 1 million pesos (about RM72,000) as initial ransom,” a Philippine security official told the newspaper.

“The demand was sent through text messages and the family said they cannot afford to pay any ransom.”

Rodwell, 53, an adventurer, is being held on the southern island of Basilan.

Up to 2,000 soldiers are searching the island for Rodwell, who was kidnapped on Dec 5 by four gunmen posing as police officers.

He was taken from his house in a village near the seaside town of Ipil on Mindanao island, four hours by speedboat from Basilan.

Rodwell and Gutang married in June after meeting on the Internet. Gutang has been held in protective police custody since the kidnapping.

The newspaper said Abu Sayyaf initially contacted provincial governor Rommel Jalosjos and asked him to negotiate Rodwell’s release.

But Australia asked Jalosjos to reject the request, insisting a professional police negotiator handle any talks.

Police have blamed Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama for the kidnapping of Rodwell as well as for kidnapping US woman Gerfa Lunsmann, her son Kevin and a Filipino relative in July in Zamboanga City, several kilometres from Basilan.

The three were released separately after the woman’s husband, Heiko Lunsmann, paid a huge ransom to Abu Sayyaf.

As well as Rodwell, the group is holding an Indian, two Malaysians and a Japanese man, the newspaper said.

— BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=636886

“I’d rate it as about as dangerous as Cleveland. “

Well then. Boy, you’re convincing me to move to the Philippines now that you say it’s just like Cleveland.....

NPA rebs earned P300M from extortion in 2011 — AFP
December 28, 2011 3:14pm

Communist rebels earned at least P300 million from their extortion activities this year, and had perpetrated criminal activities that left 56 civilians dead, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday, citing its yearend report.

To augment their extortion activities and “support their criminal activities,” members of the New People’s Army (NPA) perpetrated 31 “atrocities” against business establishments and government infrastructure projects, the AFP said.

“Despite their projection of being a guerilla organization, the NPA has resorted to extortion and other criminal activities to gain funds and support,” said Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, chief of the AFP’s public information office, in a statement.

The NPA’s extortion activities come in the form of “revolutionary tax,” with it says funds the communist movement’s administration, defense, land reform, promotion of production and social programs, including public education, health, cultural and other activities.

Burgos said the rebels were also involved in other criminal activities — among them arson, bombing, robbery, kidnapping, and murder — that resulted in the deaths of 56 civilians and six soldiers.

CARHRIHL

In its statement, the military also said the NPA “has mastered the use of improvised explosive devices (IED)” which it said is prohibited under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

“This resulted to the detonation of 21 IEDs that killed a total of 28 people, five of these casualties are AFP personnel,” Burgos said.

The CARHRIHL is a written agreement between the government and the communist-backed National Democratic Front of the Philippines signed in March 1998 in the Hague, The Netherlands and was approved in the same year by both parties. The CARHRIHL brings into light both parties’ reverence to human rights marking the basis for their action which should be for the furtherance of life and liberty and against the use of violence.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/242902/news/nation/npa-rebs-earned-p300m-from-extortion-in-2011-mdash-afp

i just got back from the philippines... have been there about 10 times in the past 25 years but never as a “tourist” always for work. saw that the philippines was trying to promote itself as a tourist and retirement destination thought i would give it a try. big mistake, the place is a nightmare, a dump ! and you cant justify it cause its cheap cause its not ! stayed at one place in manila 50 bucks a night and the tv picture was so snowy couldnt watch it, one place was 100 a night and wanted 10 bucks more for wifi ! (went to restaurant and got on) cheapest gasoline i saw was 51 pesos a liter which is 50% higher than what im paying here in nevada 2.99 a gallon. (you can do the math) food might be a bit cheaper but sanitation was a problem at the cheap places. fast food is just as high as states but portions smaller and chili in wendys was 91 pesos or $2.10 its only $1.40 here. didnt see any crime but there are guards everywhere, makes me nervous , couldnt sleep cause of all the traffic which isnt sooo bad but they constantly honk . found a more quiet place but then a dog started barking all night then there are the videoke places.many beggars and ya feel sorry for the homeless kids (they estimate 2 million) but you can only do so much, you eat in a restaurant and youve got kids peering in the window and pawing begging for food and then guard shoos the away and i feel sick like im heartless. the burocracy is brutal, saw businesses with like 15 forms on the wall including a license exactly like a license plate (metalic). its very overcrowded , no peace and quiet at all , no places sit down and no toilet paper in stalls and didnt see any nice rivers or lakes , all polluted, many trucks and buses belching smoke and burns your eyes. tv, computers 20 to 30 more expensive than usa and the girls?
they were friendly but most are short, stubby legs, no behind, flat chested and looked like well... monk-—
also it costs like 500 bucks a year to get a retirement visa. i wouldnt stay there if you gave me 500 bucks a year ! who in their right mind would retire there should have their head examined (just to save a few bucks on booze and smokes??) i could go on and on, oh and you cant own a gun to defend yourself or land

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