PhilFAQS
Travel, Retire, Work and Live in the Philippines
Get There
This is an index page that leads you to every article written under the category of getting to the Philippines,… [more]
Live There
This is an index page that leads you to every article written under the category of living in the Philippines,… [more]
Airline Information
Here, in alphabetical order are the major ways to get from the US to the Philippines. Some of these airlines… [more]
A Bit About PhilFAQS
On this site you’ll find 5 plus years of my personal experiences, Moving to the Philippines, Making a living in the Philippines and hints about how you can also. I’m a 66 year-old US-born man who has lived abroad extensively and I chose the Philippines as the best place for me. Why? … [Read More...]
If It’s Friday This Must Be About Philippine Business
This is an oldy but goody article about life in the Philippines from a few years back, updated for living in the Philippines in the year 2012. A few weeks back I set myself a goal of not only writing regularly every week day here at PhilFAQS, where you get the answers to the common questions about living in the Philippines, but also to be more organized. So far I give myself a score of perhaps C- or D+, and this coming week is unlikely to get … [Read More...]
Philippine Destinations — Puenta de Fuego
A couple weeks ago I had a lovely day, sponsored somewhat to my surprise by my wife's boss ... throughly enjoyed it, thank you Andre'. When to a private club/resort on the coast of Luzon, just south of Manila known a Puenta de Fuego. (If you're not up on your Spanish, that's loosely "Fire Point". I believe the place got its name because much of the topography was shape by the massive Taal volcano … [Read More...]
Why is it so hard? — To Move to the Philippines, That Is?
… Don't you wanna give me some affection? Why is it so hard? … Some might think those lyrics were popularized by the “Lost Boyz”, but readers here who know my penchant for “The Sopranos” might also know that the version you hear on episode 28, season three, is actually recorded by Steven Van Zandt (Silvio Dante) for an unreleased album entitled Nobody Loves and Leaves Alive, by Little Steven (Van Zandt) and the Lost Boys. OK, … [Read More...]
Jobs for Americans in the Philippines
U.S. Embassy, Manila May 11, 2012 THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO U.S. CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. Foreign Service Officers Test (FSOT) Annually, the US Department of State offers opportunities for interested candidates to take the Foreign Service Officers Test. This test ordinarily … [Read More...]
Cost of College in the Philippines
One thing I like about blogging about my life in the Philippines is the fact I have so many online colleagues who publish their information for free (as I always do) and keep us knowledgeable and up to date. I also enjoy the synchronicity effect that shows up so often. My friend Bob Martin and I often have ideas that seem to come to us at the same time ... and thus often come up with blog articles on the same subject. But just this … [Read More...]
Work is Love Made Visible — Philippine Slant
Several of my most popular posts here talk about quitting your day job. Several of my online friends have some degree of notoriety for doing that very thing. Others are planning to do so seriously within the coming months. In my case I already quit my day job years ago … and my only regret so far has been that I didn’t do it a few years earlier. But I never quit work … and I never will quit working until my energy or … [Read More...]
Don’t Talk Yourself Out of Living in the Philippines
As many of you out there have often heard me say, it's not my job or goal to talk you into living in the Philippines. Living here is not paradise and if you are unhappy with yourself or your life as it is now, you better think twice (or even more times) about going through the stress or upheaval of a move ... because wherever you go, there you are. There's no magic formula that suddenly makes you happy just by moving. Those words of … [Read More...]
Doing Business In the US From the Philippines
Here's a comment/inquiry I received a while back which deserves a full article on its own. This reader has caught on to something I write about often, but which so many who come here blindly seeking a "job in the Philippines" often fail to consider. Living in the Philippines while earning/continuing to earn from the USA ... best of both worlds, so to speak. I'll quote my reader's contribution and add my own thoughts and comments "in … [Read More...]
Another Brick in the Wall — Moving to the Philippines
Here’s a special treat today, another story in the saga of reader Tom Maul who is still back in the work-a-day world of the USA, but is building his own support system for an eventual successful life here in the Philippines. Tom previously graced our pages with an article titled Raising the Roof: One Book at a Time to the Philippines back a bit over a year ago in January 2011. I’m always looking for success stories from readers and in … [Read More...]
Reduced Prices on US Visas — a Bargain in the Philippines
Day in, day out we all get tired of hearing nothing but "bad news" regarding prices. And I. for one, see little chance that many of the things we want, as well as the things we actually need, are likely to get much cheaper any time soon. And when it comes to dealing with the US government? Wow. As we say in New Jersey, "Fugedaboudit". Not long ago my friend Bob Martin wrote an article that surprised the heck out of me ... now it … [Read More...]
Most Popular Posts — Oldies But Goodies
Marriage, Nationality and Divorce
By Atty. Rita Linda V. Jimeno The story of Rosanne in my column last week triggered numerous reactions from readers that merit discussion. As a jump-off point, we shall encapsulate Rosanne’s case. Her Filipino husband who used to be loving and conscious of his familial obligations, abandoned all his duties toward her and their children [...]
Jobs For Americans Overseas in the Philippines
Some interesting thoughts about jobs, especially Philippines Jobs and other overseas jobs and Americans who can’t wait to take one: Meet Sam Palmisano, bozo of the month. We diss IBM’s CEO for allowing some management numbskull to suggest that the thousands of Big Blue employees who have been fired recently should consider a move to [...]
More About Foreigner Jobs in the Philippines
Foreigner Jobs. This is always one of my popular and searched for items … Jobs for Americans in the Philippines. Personally, if I had to have a J*O*B I’d rather have one in the US, but who am I to tell others what to do. Jobs for foreigners in the Philippines have traditionally been hard [...]
I Heard A Foreigner Can Inherit Land In The Philippines
Indeed, you heard right. This is the “saving grace” for many foreigner/Filipino couples who want to buy property together here in the Philippines and have an assurance that the “foreigner ‘ half of the couple can continue living in the couple’s property. Notice something important that I didn’t say above, though. I didn’t call it [...]
Is Your Child a Citizen?
Is Your Child a Citizen? Hmm, strange title, Dave. A Citizen of what country? Ah, that’s the reason for this article. One might think that would be an easy answer, but I get many queries that show me that a lot of parents, of every different nationality, don’t really know just what the citizenship of [...]
Why I Left The Philippines
Note: this post has been corrected, significantly expanded and re-published. Part of our on-going effort to make PhilFAQS.com your best source for answers to the frequently Asked Questions about Traveling to the Philippines, Retiring in the Philippines, or just plain living here in my second home, the Philippines. Yes, that’s right, after living in continuously [...]
Manila Forwarder — Shipments to the Philippines
Originally posted 3 Oct 2006. Updated, Note Name Change on 7 December 2010. Still a recommended shipping provider. The title and the idea behind this site was to provide people with the answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQS) about the Philippines. Sometimes a resource that answer many questions and needs just pops out. Manila Forwarders [...]
Owning Your Own Home — in the Philippines — Part 5
Owning Your Own Home in the Philippines This post was originally published last year. Along with Bob’s post, referenced below, I was a bit surprised at some of the emotional reactions it engendered and I was also a bit surprised at how little some of the Rent versus Buy folks really knew about the subject [...]
Your Best Places To Live In The Philippines
Where Are The Best Places to Live in the Philippines? I posted awhile back on this subject, What Are Your Best Places Philippines?, and also put up a dedicated best places in the Philippines map page with every suggestion I’ve received regarding the best places to like in the Philippines. So few suggestions, though. Why [...]
Philippine Marriage and the Am I Considered Married Question
Philippine Marriage Questions Recently I received another comment with questions on this surprisingly common issue. Is there anyway a Filipino,who was legally married as recognized by the Philippines, be considered legally “un-married” by the Philippines and.or the US government. (As always, remember that these are my layman’s opinions, offered for information and discussion purposes. They [...]
My Retired Pay Articles
- Seven Week Project — Week 2 (Still)
- Again Some Master Passion
- More About Passion and the Masters
- Seven Week Project — Week 2 (Almost)
- Self Perception — or Self Deception
- Seven Week Project — Thoughts On Competition
- The Seven Week Project — Thoughts On "Ideas"
- The Seven Week Project Report — Week One "Doings"
- More Perspective On The Non-Flat World
- How Will You Make Your Retirement Secure In 2008?
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