⌛ Why do people choose to live/retire to the Philippines

Not Just Dumaguete

Trying to do anything helpful in the Philippines can be frustrating. A number of years ago while doing some volunteer consulting at a hospital in Cebu I came across a typical example. Filipino doctors in the States had organized a donation of a container load of used medical supplies, medical instruments, wheelchairs etc. They paid for shipping and everything. It got to Cebu and the customs authority wanted to charge duty on it. I know it sat there for months and might still be there.

 

I think one of the reasons many of us retire here is because the alternative is so much worse. I can’t speak for anywhere else but in the States the fate of most seniors is dismal. If all that wonderful medical care I’ve heard mentioned on here keeps you alive long enough, you will warehoused in an assisted living or nursing facility till you finally kick off. Your kids, if you are lucky enough to have them, might stop by for a visit once a month. The rest of the time they prop you in front of a window dribble cup around your neck and a hopefully clean adult diaper. If you do manage to sneak out it like a prison break. And this is at the good facilities. This might suit office hands who never did much during their lives, they probably wouldn’t notice the difference anyway, hell they might not even notice when they die.

Here we are treated with a degree of respect. Filipino families take care of their older family members. They can’t understand the Western way of treating seniors.

I’ll take my chances with the medical care offered here. I don’t need the latest medical miracle so they can revive me and stick me back in front of that window for another year or two. When it’s my time , as Blood Sweat and Tears put it, “just let me go naturally”.

 

We should hear more about this Rhoody and not just the beer guzzling one. What you are doing there is commendable. People like you is reason enough why we should retire in the Philippines. I know you are not thanked enough for what you and your friends do there so let me be one of the many who already did, to thank you for what you are doing in Dumaguete and in the Philippines. Kudos to you my friend.

Kenny just mentioned what it's like to get old here in the West. I see that all the time and it is appalling. In the Philippines getting old has a lot of fringe benefit. One thing you can get away with a lot of silly things, but that's the naughty side of it, on the more serious side you have the respect and adulations of everybody younger than you and your opinion is not trashed but rather valued. There an old person can find new purpose in life.

 

HI Kenny! I agree with you. Our seniors here live with their families and particularly in Dumaguete, we have no such thing as "HOme for the Aged". People grow old and die in their own homes with members of the family by their side.

 

Hey Kenny

I couldn't have said it better myself. die free, die proud..here in the land I love.
But my wife is giving me a hard time about my ankles swelling up. I think it to much teaching not enough exercise. At any rate great post:D

 

Seriously, are there any tax-related reasons / profits to live in the Philippines ?

 

its a British thing, based in Liverpool, Johnboy knows who I mean.

 

Live free or ...

Yes, if you have no income, there is no tax. Absolutely heaven.:p

 

"Seriously, are there any tax-related reasons / profits to live in the Philippines ?"


Yea, the tax collectors can be bought for a fraction of what you would otherwise pay. If that's the route you prefer.

 

Several years ago former Filipino workmates were telling me that $100 US, and a bottle of Johnny Walker, would negate their tax assessments....