I don't see who in there sane mind can think that the Philippines was since about 4-5 years ago ever considered a long term plan. Its been quite clear that foreigners aren't wanted here and they just want our money. They constantly make life harder for foreigners even the good ones with Filipino spouses and kids... and even business's. Add in that prices have been rising drastically in the last 5-6 years and much if that is directed specifically towards those wanting *foreign* amenities and goods. When I first moved here in 2008 I knew a bunch of guys living decently off $600ish a month and now a foreigner living off $1k a month is a poor man who probably will run into serious crap when it comes time to exit if not sooner financially speaking. The way its going I'm betting within 10 years a foreigner living here on $2k will be just be managing with some difficulties.
Inflation is a b*tch for everyone. It's not just foreigners who are seeing the prices go up. Utilities, rent, food....pretty much everything is more than what it should be. Also, IMO there is a property bubble that's getting ready to burst on top of everything else. Right now I can get land at a cheaper price on the Big Island in Hawaii than I can in Dauin. Land prices in Texas are a fraction of the price you will find in a whole lot of places in the Philippines. Almost so much of a difference that you could almost buy the land AND THEN build a house on the lot in Texas. Buying property here in the Philippines is extremely risky at the moment and I see very few that are worth the asking price. There is little value in the Philippines.
I get aggravated and frustrated just reading all that. Personally, I see no upside to becoming a Filipino Citizen, but a whole bunch of stress even thinking about trying.
If it flies, floats or ****'s... Fantastic idea. Let's get into a non reversible agreement with the Philippines Catholic Church. Don't crowd. Line forms to the left.
You thinks that's a nightmare? Try the Philippines citizen by birth route. I don't know how they do it. Indeed, many are barely able to get by one day to the next.
Even if you get it, and even if you can get the senior citizen's discount card, McDonalds is still not gonna honor it because you'll still be a foreigner to them
I have had long discussions with my attorney friends about a US expat wishing to apply for Philippine citizenship. My idea was to file a suit against the government for discrimination against qualified Americans wishing to gain Philippines citizens without denying their US Citizenship. The law that would be challenged is the one that allows Filipinos who became US Citizen being allowed to apply for dual citizenship without giving up their US citizenship. If the Filipino is a US Citizen, how can he be allowed dual citizenship while still retaining his American Citizenship. This is discrimination. In all fairness, if a former Filipino can get a dual citizenship, an American should be allowed the same identical privileged. My lawyer friends say the case could be won but the legal cost might be 500,000 pesos. I suggested a class-action suit from at least 10 Americans to bring down the legal cost to 50,000 pesos each. They think it would work. Anybody what to go in with me? I believe we can win but the case might take 5 years or longer. We would all start by applying for Philippine citizenship in Regional Trial Court and then refuse to give up US Citizenship. Once we were denied, we would move to the Court of Appeals on a discrimination basis and then to the Supreme Court.