Working with Filipinos here in FL...this is not much different than what I hear from them.
Many Filipinos, even after becoming US citizens, retire to the Phillipines....because they really can live “like a King”
Personally, I could not retire in the Phillipines....it is quite hot and humid all year...and the reason I want out of Florida. Sweating to death in December is not fun. I am willing to trade some cold weather for some dry weather
As I understand it, not all parts of the Philippines are hot & humid. Someone told me that many of the upper elevations are quite nice, plus there is air conditioning in most every building.