Best Posts in Forum: Expat Section

And so do you.

 

Rising above the USA political turmoil, cheers to all who have served in the military in all countries around the world.

 

Final report:

After a few week's absence, finally reached the finish line (almost)! Despite being the dry season we have pushed ahead with landscaping and laying turf. This means copious watering twice a day - fortunately nature has played its part the last few days with heavy overnight rain. Long may it continue!

All units have been fully fitted out now and the water supply system installed - reserve water tank, pump and pressure tank. The system is rigged to run off city water unless the pressure drops below a certain level, which will trigger the pressure tank and pump to supplement the supply.

Cable TV and internet the last remaining non-construction related items yet to be sorted. I hope this thread has been of interest to anyone considering a building project in these parts.

Many thanks to our builder Dhing Santos, who yet again produced results far exceeding our expectations and without whose voluntary help in dealing with the local electricity cooperative we could never have reached this happy conclusion.

Major credits to Belle Caldosa, co-owner of the apartments for her flawless eye for design and fantastic landscaping.

Many thanks to Pakon, a lovely lady who single-handedly planted each individual piece of turf under an intolerably hot and unforgiving sun over the last two weeks.

And lastly to Clary, my daughter, whose future inspired me to undertake this project in the first place!

 

Bit late now - but just for info.....It was an artery down south - not the aorta....Supplies blood to the legs....and the lack of blood for a while meant my legs are about 80% of what they were. I'm not going to do a marathon but walking a k or 2 daily is ok....They did fix it up as best they could and I feel fine except for the leg weakness....Not a huge issue at my age - I would expect worse. Wife has retired.....from her nurse job at a local hospital....she will go to Negros soon to visit relatives (finally after Wuhan virus killed travel from and to Australia) and stay a while to evaluate things. We will see....I feel fine and working on the leg circulation daily.....currently 10 km a day on the exercise bike with moderate resistance. I think on current trend-line that Bacolod or Dumageute is likely. Pity my favourite relative there on Negros, an uncle who died from the Wuhan virus.....his wife almost died and is still suffering. I really feel the loss of such a great man and his wonderful dedication to helping the poor. Just because I want people to know - his name was Nestor Gabalda....an extremely successful businessman (owned sugar and electrical companies across the Visayas)....but also a very pious Catholic who sponsored probably hundreds of young students up to and thru university. Many of which he hired after they graduated. Many of which were the children of his very own employees! It is hard to imagine an employer who pays fairly - and pays for the entire education of your children...That was Nestor......He grew up poor....and remembered what a helping hand would have been worth.

I really miss Nestor he was a kind and yet lively friend - always with an opinion - and always so helpful. China killed him with their virus - and the Phillipines lost a very, very rare angel. But his good works will live on for generations - those graduates are moving forward in life and so are their children. An amazing fact - he actually lived in a house in downtown Bacolod.....a house he bought with his earnings in the early 1980's after he had a few taxis in his first successful company....That house was the same house he died living in. Of course he made it larger and more comfortable for his wife and kids....It was still the same house they always knew though - and the same house we enjoyed visiting and even staying. Minimal security....everyone knew - Nestor was special.

What is the point of writing this about Nestor? People like him do happen...even in the Philippines.....So rare...we should treasure them when we know them.....

 

We can debate this ad nauseum but never reached agreement as we are all individuals - my view is that I am not here primarily to travel and eat out everywhere. I have the income to do so, therefore it is a choice and not a necessity. I am here to avoid cold winters, which I totally detest, and to enjoy the sea views - I am happy to eat out at times but can become bored when doing so regularly. I think my desire is a spiritual one and my need therefore is for enough money to survive and enjoy some of those material things on offer to me. The smiling faces of many people here is a bonus!

I can inform anyone wishing to live here, but who reads of Php 150,000 as a monthly requirement, that it is possible to: rent a 2 bed furnished house with aircon for Php 8000; pay about Php 4000 for electricity and water; spend about Php 20,000 on eating in and very occasional eating out; get internet for about Php 2000; allocate Php 2000 for transport (relying on their own legs, trikes, jeepneys and buses); allow perhaps Php 2000 for clothes (less if bringing some clothes with them). This equals Php 38,000. The BIG unknown is medical costs, so two choices: 1) Buy medical insurance (costs are very different depending on age, so difficult to quote) 2) Have a fund available to return home if it is more cost effective.

So I think about Php 40 - 70,000 per month is survivable in The Philippines. Plus that essential reserve to get back home if necessary.

But if you want a big house on the coast, helpers, a car, a boat (yacht perhaps), fine dining (IF you can find it!), lots of travelling, full coverage of all medical needs, etc. then come if you are loaded or stay in your own country if you are not.

Even then, there are degrees of everything and a basic lifestyle can be combined with SOME of your desires - when you have reached your financial limit then stop desiring!

Although I would never suggest recklessness - it is actually the opposite of the way I live my own life - I would also not rust away in the harbour if you can go out to sea and have an adventure.

 

she is with foster family in phoneix. It is just her a foster mom and dad I am in the states but I did not want to see her now she has made new friends in school I think she is happy for the most part I will visit her next year as I thought it was better for her to settle in

 

3 Year Stroke Update.
I had a mini stroke about this time 3 years ago and a maxi stroke 3 weeks later. I post progress updates to inform others in case it happens to them.
Those of you who know me see me as a positive force, never giving up, doing everything I can to get better. I have an intrinsic characteristic to fight to get back to normal. Sound like a tough guy? No way. Most days I feel like screaming and shouting because of my handicap and limitations, but I don't. Many days I fight severe depression but then I pull my head out and realize how extremely lucky I am. I have an angel for a wife, a son who is my pride and joy, and a caring extended family to look after me. Although we don't have much now, the house and vehicles are paid for and our boy is in a good private school, and I can pay for my necessary medications. Those things keep the stress level way down.
So you see if you have a stroke and do not have a support system your life will simply be challenging and maybe overwhelming.
My right side (arm and leg) has paralysis and the muscles have shrunk. I walk with a person on my right in case my leg gives up or I lose my balance, which is probably my biggest problem. Still, I can walk the 1.8 kilometer round trip harbor to the tourist police office and I go to the gym 5 times a week. I can not drive and I can not write or sign my name. I have to use a finger print at the bank. It is embarrassing wobbling when I walk in the mall but it is what it is.
So friends, get your blood pressure and cholesterol level checked. Proper diet and exercise is up to you.
Having said all this, I am fortunate and life is good. Take care.