Living Abroad Vs Living In The Philippines?

[E. Fitzhume]

I am considering attending AIM's Masters in Management program (11 month program).  Lately, I feel that I missed out on something.  My family immigrated to the California when I was 11.  California is home but I'd like to spend a full year in the Philippines as an adult.  It's sort of an itch that I need to scratch.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I did exactly what you want to do 10 years ago. After graduating from UCLA, I went to the Philippines on vacation and stayed for almost a year to scratch the itch. I worked for a local company, had a great time but in the end, I decided, my riches will be made in the US. 10 years later, I'm 5 years away from early retirement and then I'm ready to go back to the Philippines for good.

[Guest airmax]

I did exactly what you want to do 10 years ago.  After graduating from UCLA, I went to the Philippines on vacation and stayed for almost a year to scratch the itch.  I worked for a local company, had a great time but in the end, I decided, my riches will be made in the US.  10 years later, I'm 5 years away from early retirement and then I'm ready to go back to the Philippines for good.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

i agree with you dude

[Guest khoki]

Just for vacation, most of my relatives are in North America.

[redax]

Was in the US 80 - 87. Standard of living definitely higher here having maids and the cost of gimmicks so low. True as a lot of posters said, you have to have the money, though.

[new2dabeat]

Just curious to know how many members of this board are non-resident Filipinos. Meaning you live primarily in another country (whether as a Permanent Resident or Naturalized Citizen).

 

If so:

 

1) How often do you come "home" to the PI.

 

2) Typically for what reason.

 

3) Typically for how long.

 

And the bigger followup inquiry: If you're one of those who haven't been back to the PI for an extended period (10+ years), what moments of "culture shock" have you gotten and why?

 

 

I'll get the post started by answering these myself

 

 

1) Not very often - this is my (planned) first trip back after being away for 20+ years.

 

2) No "typical" one yet (see #1) - coming back to get some legal stuff taken care of.

 

3) Again, no "typical" one yet - I'm looking at a one-week stint right now.

 

The followup inquiry: Well, I'm not sure what to expect after being away for so long... any pointers?

[new2dabeat]

Note to Moderator(s) / Admin(s):

 

I wasn't quite sure if this should be here (as it's Travel-related), or in the Culture section (as it's also Culture-related).

 

If it properly belongs in the other section, please move the thread. Thanks!

[spumante]

im a resident here in italy two years more and im entitled for a naturalized citizen..

 

- every year I take my vacation in the Philippines (usually April or August)

- To visit my parents and relatives

- 30-45 days it depends on my budget..

[agxo3]

Just curious to know how many members of this board are non-resident Filipinos. Meaning you live primarily in another country (whether as a Permanent Resident or Naturalized Citizen).

 

If so:

 

1) How often do you come "home" to the PI.

 

2) Typically for what reason.

 

3) Typically for how long.

 

And the bigger followup inquiry: If you're one of those who haven't been back to the PI for an extended period (10+ years), what moments of "culture shock" have you gotten and why?

I'll get the post started by answering these myself 

1) Not very often - this is my (planned) first trip back after being away for 20+ years.

 

2) No "typical" one yet (see #1) - coming back to get some legal stuff taken care of.

 

3) Again, no "typical" one yet - I'm looking at a one-week stint right now.

 

The followup inquiry: Well, I'm not sure what to expect after being away for so long... any pointers? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Check out this thread -

 

http://manilatonight.com/index.php?showtopic=20640

 

Lots of overseas (OS) MTCers, including a quite a few in the Bay Area. There are some heading back right around now, visiting for the holidays.

 

I went 20+ years ('79 to '01) between visits. Then a few more years until last year when I started stopping by whenever I could. Been there 3 times since last year, usually for 2-3 days - go from SFO to Taipei to Manila, then back to SFO via Taipei. My company buys me the Taipei/SFO/Taipei ticket (that part's a business trip, after all) then I buy the Taipei/Manila ticket (or use my miles) and head over for a few days of R&R before winging back to SFO and my daily life.

[dodo]

Just curious to know how many members of this board are non-resident Filipinos. Meaning you live primarily in another country (whether as a Permanent Resident or Naturalized Citizen).

 

If so:

 

1) How often do you come "home" to the PI.

 

2) Typically for what reason.

 

3) Typically for how long.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hi new2dabeat,

 

I wonder if you should change the title to get more replies. Just a suggestion. Anyway, here is my reply:

 

1. The last 5 five years I have made 8 trips to the Phillipines and I live in Minnesota USA

 

2. Most of the trips are for personal business reasons. One trip in 2004 was just a family vacation. I am married to an American girl and we have to kids. I took them to the Philippines for the first time in 2004 to show what the Philippines is really like. We spent three weeks driving all over Northern Luzon all th way up to Aparri, Cagayan. We, as a family, are going back again this July. This time our focus will be the Visayas Region. Not sure yet exactly where we will end up.

 

3. I am usually there anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks.

[nataraki]

Pushing thread up

[luckystrike]

lahat naman tayo gusto talaga muwi satin but all of us also fear of living in the phils lalo na if your use to living in your present country, but sabi nga nila pag may pera na bakit hindi.

[G T]

Just curious to know how many members of this board are non-resident Filipinos. Meaning you live primarily in another country (whether as a Permanent Resident or Naturalized Citizen).

 

If so:

 

1) How often do you come "home" to the PI.

 

2) Typically for what reason.

 

3) Typically for how long.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've been here in Singapore for almost 3 years and a permanent resident.

1.0 I visit Philippines almost 6-8 times a year.

2.0 Mostly its due to my work. I always plan to have a vacation in the Philippines at least once a year.

3.0 I usually stay 1 week/visit when its work-related. Kung vacation naman, its 2-3 weeks.

 

I agree on the previous suggestion that you might consider changing the title to get more responses from the members.

[muffy69]

1) How often do you come "home" to the PI?

I've been a permanent resident in the US since 1998 and I've only returned to the Philippines three times (June 2001, December 2003, May 2005). My next visit maybe on December 2006, January 2007 or March 2007.

 

2) Typically for what reason.

I go back for the following reasons:

 

- I want to have the life I used to have.

- I get to have a social and night life again.

- I visit my former students and former co-teachers.

- I organize EBs to meet my cyberfriends from different message boards.

- I want to check on my ex-boyfriends. Ahihihi.

 

 

3) Typically for how long.

I wish could stay for a month but my boss won't allow me because she would go crazy and drive everyone up the wall. So, I could only enjoy a two-week vacation in our Mother Land.

 

The followup inquiry: Well, I'm not sure what to expect after being away for so long... any pointers?

 

1) Dress down if you're just going to the mall, buying groceries or exchanging currency. Bad elements are on the look-out for balikbayans and could sniff you a mile away. For guys, don't place your wallets behind your back pockets. For girls, a shoulder bag is okay only if you place the bag in front of you with the straps slanted. Placing a shoulder bag on your side is an easy target for running pickpockets. For everyone, don't ever think of carrying a backpack especially if you're riding a public vehicle.

 

2) Exchange currency in increments of $300 a day if you can. Don't exchange $5000 (if that's your pocket money for a month) all at once. That's the stupidest and most dangerous thing for you to do. And if you do exchange currency, be aware of your surroundings. Look for people who walk behind you as soon as you leave the counter. Turn around and pretend that you forgot something.

 

3) Avoid smiling at guards at the airport. They will ask you for "balato" or "pasalubong" and will make comments to make you feel guilty that you are a dollar earner and they're not.

 

4) If you stay at hotels, tip the doormen, bellboys, room-service people and housekeepers for excellent service. They'll always remember you when you go back. Besides, tipping them is one way of sharing your "wealth."

 

5) If you're returning home to the Philippines for a vacation, go during the months of December, January and February. Weather is better and humidity won't be that bad. Unless you're a beach freak, I wouldn't recommend March, April and May for the extremely hot weather. Neither June, July, August and September are good months because of the typhoons.

 

That's all I could think of right now. I hope my tips help anyone who's going back for a visit.

[dodo]

hi new2dabeat,

 

I hope you don' get paranoid about your safety and security based on the previous post. It's really not that bad in the PI except for maybe way down south in Mindanao. Manila is just like any other big city like New York or Chicago. Just use your common sense when you are out and about. Just to give you some perspective, my wife is Amerikana and she took a taxi a couple of times to go shopping at Greenhills. Except for few stares, she didn't run into any problems.

[muffy69]

Hi, dodo. I can't help but think that you thought I was scaring new2dabeat. I just wanted to give him some scenarios so that he can be really careful. As the cliche goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

And in spite of what's bad in our country, I can't help but go there for a vacation instead of going to other countries. Cheers.