⌛ Living in the Phils

I am going to start this topic here so hope its in the right place :

For myself and my wife we could live in the Phils, she is from Dgte the family are from Dgte going way back, I get on with them okay, so for us we could move there no problem. BUT for us we have a few big issues. I do not see anyone on the forum talking about their children, especially the kids that were born in the west and moved there. As I think for these kids it is no good and they will get bored and not reach their potential, I have seen this happen to kids with a few friends who moved there. For young people there is no stimulus and nothing to do in the phils as diverse as where I am in the UK. eg : when you get fed up going on the beach what else do you do? where can kids go for recreation? the school system is very restricted and even the posh schools are only like average schools here. AND even if they get a good education where are the good jobs? Also my kids speak only english so thats a problem also, but I never hear anyone else mention this.

So this is a big issue for me, also the health system there is very patchy and you have to pay for it..something we are not used to in the UK we have health problems here we do not have to travel so far and its free. We are all getting old, everyone is and this is another big issue.

Also to live there you need to get up out of bed to do something everyday, so what do you do? work in a community project is my idea, not for money but for something to do and make a difference. but what is there?

I would like feedback on this, and before someone starts on me I am not criticising anything but I am trying to think ahead mostly for my children. and trying to see it in their eyes.

My short term idea is to sell our house BUT leave most of the money in a bank here and try phils for a few years and see, if not we got some money to buy a house back here, has anyone tried this? if so how did it go?

ok thats all.

 

All my kids

are grown and most of the grandkids are also. We have two great grandkids.
We were in Dumaguete last Dec. 2006 and Jan. 2007. We took our oldest grandson with us. He was 17 than and he had a real good time the 19 days we were in town. When we left, he had so many friend at the airport, people that didn't know him or us though he was a movie star. He is in the US Army now stationed at Ft. Lewis WA. He is still in contact with several friend that he made on that trip. He made more friend in 19 days than I did in 19 trips. But than he was 17 and I am 61.

 

Here he is

at the airport in Dumaguete as were leaving.
View attachment 2976

 

The photo above is one reason to bring kids to Phils would that ever happen in the west? I dont think so. Having all the 'toys' available in the west is not the be all and end all. Did you have lots of non boring opertunities when you were young ? proberbly not.
There are differnt benefits to living in a third world cuntry. When I lived in Nicaragua, which makes Phils look rich, I was amazed to see all the dad's out every single night in the street kicking a ball or a tin can around with their kids.
Spending real time with kids is more impotant than the availablility of an ice rink or a shopping mal, quality of life is what its about , no matter how young you may be.

 

That is a holiday I am talking about living there, going to school there, especially when you were born in the west. I think this is different scenario you are describing.

 

Up2U no I do not mean material things but cultural and recreational for kids my kids play instruments and are good in the Arts in my area it is rich in Art and culture my youngest wants to be a vet, are there vets in the Phils? the other plays in a concert band, plays ladies football, At school they have a laptop each, in a free school! How can they adjust to life there? Its a question. the fact that not many have answered this thread is worrying. Life in the phils and life in the west is really different and the kids are the ones that have to adjust the most. I would feel most for boys, life and opportunites in the phils is very narrow for boys even more than females. I do not know maybe someone has some opinions...anyone?

 

PhilT I think you've hit it right on the head. Most foreigners who can eventually take their kids back to the West for schooling. I know plenty who left just for that reason.

Unfortunately real estate back home can go up faster than you think, and you end up going back to an apartment.

The shortcomings and limitations you mention are spot on. Retirees may make do in Dgte and other such places, but even in the states small towns aren't very stimulating for kids growing up.

Plus the Western kids may not be accepted well in the Phils. Sure the locals are always smiling-but too often there's more to that smile than meets the eye.

You don't read about it because it isn't done for the most part.

 

educate your kids at home then move here later. Most do that, some raise second families here, then the only real opportunity is to work abroad, or get lucky here with job or bussiness. Having a foreigner father is some advantage for obvious reasons.
The educational system is not near any western standard. A good opportunity to help here is to teach at a local university, I hope to do that this june, They will pay you, but it is not much, so you will be doing a service.

It would be a great place to bring your kids to experience a different culture and gain oodles of perspective, but to educate them here is only if you realize the realities.

 

Travel Time, thanks for reply, and also I am amazed that someone is on my wavelength on this topic, JHB yes you are right work in the College or school, as I did just that in 1992!...for no money! 12mths work was very satisfying although sometimes it was frustrating, ie : I asked the students to call me by my first name and was hauled up before the Principal for doing that..it has to be Mr or Mrs! The English text books were so boring, I did not even use them although the gov't insists you use whats provided.. but it was very brain numbing!

I agree to expose your children to the other side but they will only ever treat it as a holiday! but yes travel broadens the mind, it makes you a better person. As for jobs, if you want to get a good job there

 

Travel Time, thanks for reply, and also I am amazed that someone is on my wavelength on this topic, JHB yes you are right work in the College or school, as I did just that in 1992!...for no money! 12mths work was very satisfying although sometimes it was frustrating, ie : I asked the students to call me by my first name and was hauled up before the Principal for doing that..it has to be Mr or Mrs! The English text books were so boring, I did not even use them although the gov't insists you use whats provided.. but it was very brain numbing!

I agree to expose your children to the other side but they will only ever treat it as a holiday! but yes travel broadens the mind, it makes you a better person. As for jobs, if you want to get a good job there UNDER YOUR OWN TALENTS and not get a postion thru contacts ie Cronyism what is there? Teaching, nursing, and for the boys Merchant seaman, outside of these there are Lawyer (not like the wests lawyer fees) banking, thats about it. OR turn full circle and go abroad! See? not easy is it? I think this should be thought about by Foreigner/ filipina marriages a huge topic. and I have not even metioned the other biggy.... Health!