New: Gatherings and events in the Philippines

Think its a good idea, difficult to gather people from far fetched places and would suggest a mid day event so that folk can return home in daylight.

Makati is good for me

Palawan is nicer and clean

we will have a project soon in Palawan by Century Properties.

Hello everyone,

This thread is to inform you about this new section : Events in Philippines

If you are willing to organize an event, you are free to use this section to promote your event and invite members to join.

Thank You,
Best Regards,
Naomi.

Great idea !!

Hello

Unlike many other successful networking expat communities around the globe (InterNations is an example) even they are constantly on the lookout for new 'organisers' in the Philippines. I think much has to do with the spread-out nature of expats here (i.e. geography).

Whilst it is fair to assume Makati, Alabang, Cebu could generate sufficient interest, travel time is a real disadvantage for many (IMHO). Unless an event is on someones doorstep - the hassle of getting to the event is off-putting.

The other 'negative' is that many organised events are sponsored by companies and/or institutions seeking to sell you something. I have travelled quite a distance to attend Manila events previously, only to be greeted by a room full of Real Estate agents, Socialites/Escorts and Financial Advisers (of varying degrees of incompetency).

I am in favour of such events as an informal way to meet fellow expats - but the only ones that seem to gain any traction are ones based around a particular hobby or interest?

I am [currently] based in Clark/Angeles and would attend a local event - as long as it's not 'bar-hopping' girlie bars [yawn].....

I put our group together simply by approaching expats in our area and offering them the time and place to meet. Ours is the first Sunday in the month and quite successful. Some of the group enjoy a beer or 2 and so they meet in town on a Wednesday evening.
Put simply ..if you want to meet other expats you have to work at it.

I certainly applaud Peter [Clark] for organising a regular expat meet up. And it's nice to learn that it's successful. I think my view is somewhat tainted being based in Angeles City. Lots of expats of course - but many are transient, visiting for a short period of...."R&R" (Ahem).

I concur that "you only get out what you are prepared to put in" and it takes some effort. I do chuckle at myself sometimes. Back in the UK it was hard to plan anything outside due to the unpredictable climate, and yet here in the Philippines I find it either too hot to bother, or raining at a biblical level!

One of our members I approached as he was leaving SM with his Sunday morning shopping and thought he looked OK. We have been friends for some 3 years or so and he remarked that he wouldn't have been able to approach me as I had done to him.
This an industrial Architect from up James Herriet  country.
Very glad I made the effort.

Peter, I haven't heard about James Herriet  for donkeys years !!
Sorry I haven't been on line, it's that Third World technology thing.
Jennie was in Gen San for a week as her sister was unwell, but she returned yesterday so all is good in the Casson household, PLUS she returned with tuna, lots of veggies that are less than half price there. she also brought Durian and whilst I like it, the fridge doesn't smell too good.
All the best,
Tom

Hi Tom, yes that Durrian takes some eating ...a bit like diesel to me unfortunately grew a couple of trees some years back and fed the grubs with the fruit, beastly weevils!

It's more the smell, being a sick little puppy I like the consistency !!

I was stationed at Clark in the early 1980s. I would not mind going back. However, there might be other areas that would be better to settle in long term.  I have a pension. I am 54. The peso rate is great. I am thinking of going in a year or two.  My name is Glenn, and I am an American. I would not mind finding a permanent wife either. I have not found any American women interested to any degree, my income is very good for retired at 54 - but not rich, yet it would be a fortune there. I write books in my spare time which is all the time, and I am yet to be published. I am not too sure how to navigate this site yet, so pardon if I got off topic. I would join get-togethers once I move of expats.

Hallo Glenn,
I'm Tom and married to my pinay wife, it'll be ten years in September.
We are roughly the same age, I'm 56 and yes, things are substantially less expensive here, than the U. S..
Although I have visited the Philippines many times, choosing early retirement we have been living in Tagaytay since April of this year.
The weather is great and although we are only a few hours from Manila, it hasn't been much over 70 and it rains a lot, being this IS THE RAINY season.
Unless you are married to a pinay, you cannot own a property and even our house is in my wife's name. There are loads of condos available, however.
You didn't mention whether you're in the country now, but when you arrive as a tourist, your passport will be stamped, stating you can only be in the country for three months, I believe. In fact, I am going with Jennie tomorrow to see an attorney who will file some paperwork that allows me to stay and it'll cost less than $100.00.
Women wise, as you have been here before you know that Pinay are very beautiful, so as long as you don't get a money grabber, you will be fine.
Incidentally, what area are you thinking about moving?
Good luck and I trust that I was helpful.
Tom

Tom, I am still in the USA. I have an Air Force pension. I have quite a few books written, but no book deals. I f I relocate to the Philippines the Europe book markets open for me. I was told I can go overseas and it will not affect anything I get now.  I am OK not owning property. It is sometimes better to rent. I own a condo in the USA and I am tied to it.  How can one stay there long term with no wife? I don't want to rush into a marriage. Filipina women will put up with a lot, but they should not put up with someone (me) who is right now anyway, not marriage material. Maybe in a few years. I worked at the hospital at Clark.

I believe and the Real estate people will tell you that you basically sign on the dotted line ....
My Pinoy buddies in L. A. said DO NOT GO OUT WITHOUT JENNIE,as the unscrupulous will screw you over and that's precisely what happened, when we went T. V. shopping !!
Glenn, I would hope that if you found a reputable real estate agent, they wont screw with you.
Being in the ASAF, what do you do?
Tom

Sorry, I meant to say USAF !!

Tom - Sirro - Yes, I could just go to Hong Kong for a day. Or Thailand, I have not been there yet. I am retired now. I write books full time. I do not work a regular job. I still work daily with the writing. It is difficult to get published in the USA with the literary market being a mess. One must have a name. I don't have one yet - one has to break that barrier somehow. What about cats? Would that be a no-go taking pets? I have three. I know if I go, it is for good. I will not come back to the States. I already lived in the Philippines. I may come back in my 70s, if I have to - for healthcare, etc. - I know of a woman - she's deceased now. One of her four sons had some top secret job in the government of some sort - he retired in his early 40s due to a bad heart. He went to Thailand for about a decade, but he had to come back to the States - as he was told he needed the healthcare in the USA.

My brother is moving over from England with his two felines and there are no restrictions, but it's one heck of a journey.

Hello Glenn.  I am a Filipino by birth but was able to join the US Navy back in the days.  My older brother was also in the Air Force and he was actually stationed in Clark for almost all his 20 years, except a few months stint in Panama City, Wake Island and Okinawa.  His last assignment was at the Hospital also.  I was stationed with the Seabees in Subic Bay for a while and lived mostly in Angeles City while I was there.  I have retired after 23 years in the Navy and next year will be my 20th year with the Federal Government as my second career.  I plan on moving back to the island just as soon as my last college student graduates sometime next year.  I have shipmates that moved on to Angeles City after they retired and could not shut them up talking about how good they live after retiring.  Funny thing is I know they were married while in the U.S, but now they have wives that are about a third of their age or in the early twenties.  Must be some kind of racket.  If you go there, you can rent an apartment or buy a condo near where the base was.  A bit more expensive, but well worth it.  Otherwise, you can choose to live outside the city where it is a bit more affordable.  Their advice is to make sure you join the American Legion if not already, as they have the best support services for veteran expats and will even loan you money to pay for a house down payment.  If you are eligible, make sure you register with VA for your health coverage.  If you are still enrolled, your Tricare will work there also.  You just have to submit your medical receipts to the program.  Best of luck to you.

Thanks, Rudy. I know how it was at Clark. I would relocate there for a time maybe... but not permanently. I would locate probably to another area near the ocean. I am hooked up with the VA now already. I was medically discharged before 20 years but I have a 100% pension now. I am 54. I have enough money to relocate there. I own a new townhouse condo in western Massachusetts. I don't plan to relocate for a few years yet.

Hi Glen,

Although I am British, I have several US friends here in Clark. I am married to a Filipino and have a family here. At your age there are a few ways you can live in the Philippines permanently, so all that can be sorted out. It is not hard to do (in principle) but the process is frustratingly slow due to the filipino authorities desire to do all paperwork in triplicate! 

FYI, there is an interesting video I saw on YouTube recently where a US chap revisited the 'old' Clark Hospital - which is now a derelict building and a far cry from its heyday. I am sure you will have many memories of the place - so you might find the video of interest? Just Google it...

You will surely find a companion, but obviously take your time doing so. There are good & bad women everywhere in the world. The most angelic filipino beauty can be a godsend OR a god dam nightmare! In very general terms, a realistic, untainted reasonably well educated woman from the provinces is likely to be more content than a glamorous 'diva' with socialite aspirations. Just the same as any other country

If you are the type of individual who is more comfortable with better infrastructure and facilities, then you need to stick to the MAIN expat areas of the Philippines (aka. Manila/Alabang, Angeles/Clark, Davao, Cebu, and possibly Subic). If you wish to avoid traffic and be closer to beaches/scenery and are happy being bored, then Dumaguete/Dauin would probably suit you better. Just remember that after the initial euphoria of moving somewhere nice - it can get boring even in places like Dumaguete, where choice is very limited.

I don't think that from the USA you can plan too much, as any picture you paint in your mind via internet research and discussion groups/forums (such as this one) will not be accurate enough. Only you know what you like. I would suggest you plan to base yourself somewhere like Angeles or Cebu to start, and from there travel around to see where you may wish to lay your hat? Cebu is the better option to access domestic flights to most of the outlying island destinations, AC is better (IMHO) than Manila to initially base yourself whilst exploring the main [Luzon] island.

In any event, I am confident you will find the Philippines an interesting and refreshingly laid back place to retire - whether you stay for a few years and decide later to move-on (as many do) or stay for good (as many do).

Best wishes.

Hi, Thanks so much for the information. I did see the hospital video on Facebook. The building is a shell. One big regret is I did not stay there longer, I was there 18 months, and could have stayed 3 years. We can't change the past. My mom is deceased, my dad is still here - my sisters are very distant from me. I can relocate. I have no girlfriend in the States now. I am on 'tame' sites and they are not good. I am 6 foot 2 and good-looking to many women - a female friend who has a boyfriend is after me, but she has mental health issues and is very broke and I do not want a woman dragging me down with her problems. I speak Spanish very well and I am not Hispanic. I would likely stay near Clark at first for a long time. I know the area well, though I see after nearly 35 years it has changed. Fields Avenue when I was there was not paved. I understand about the women - it is better to look far away from Clark or Subic areas for a wife. I was medically discharged from the military. Eventually that was honored. My pension is quite generous. I am not wealthy by any means in USA standards but I am doing well. I write books all of the time - I do not have to work a regular job, I own a brand new townhouse condo in Westfield, Massachusetts, and I can easily afford it - but I have no female companionship right now and the area is very dull in general - I live about nine miles from the house I was raised in - in Easthampton, Massachusetts. My writing career may take off in the next few years as I have so many books written. If it does I want to go to Hawaii, but I would go to Clark for extended stays as a base and try to find a wife. I could live in the Philippines and then Hawaii, etc. - though I have lived in Hawaii also. Right now it is a bit out of my price range with a decent place costing too much in Hawaii. I can easily afford to live in the Philippines. Where I am now the mortgage, taxes, utilities (cheap, as everything is brand new), average probably around $1400 USD a month total - which is affordable for me here. I don't need to own property there. Hawaii rents can cost much more. I loved the Filipino people. I see on the news there is turmoil there with the new president in the Philippines. The USA has its own problems with out-of-control crime in cities like Chicago. I was there for so long - I know what to expect. I know the life. I know I could live there permanently as long as foreigners can stay. I have been there. If my writing takes off - maybe Hawaii would be better. I will get a decent inheritance from my dad - but he is very healthy now. If he were to pass soon, I would go right away probably as money would be NO problem. I am glad he is well. He is only 18 years older than me. He does have high blood pressure. Anyway, when I was there I traveled by myself around - and was OK. I liked it there. I could easily move back - it would be a few years from now probably - to see how the political situation goes too, and my writing career - if that takes off I could also go over for an extended visit or move back rapidly too.   Thanks,      Glenn

Hi peter which place do you uaually gathwr. Thanks