John Grant

I read a report this week about who actually owns homes here in the Philippines and I was a little surprised as the overseas Filipinos, retirees remain top buyers in RP residential market - low prices are the big draw  and a  top official of an international real estate services company said  Filipinos overseas workers and foreign retirees remain the most active buyers in the Philippines thus boosting market demand.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have long been a lucrative market for residential properties because of their desire to provide a better life for their families and retirees both expat and ex Pinoy have  ramped up property spending, mostly from life savings and retirement benefits and want  now to see out the years in paradise. and why not?

So many new houses are apartments are being made here in Davao City too and although this is great for the the overall economy I am concerned that the actual population is being priced out of any chance of getting on the housing market by returning OFW and the ex pats. I rent!!!

Real estate companies are evrywhere and are growing not declining like the USA and I get approached daily if I would like to buy a house even when I am in the mall shopping you see many stands promoting new homes at very reasonable prices. Reasonable to us that is!

To address increasing demand by OFWs and retirees, real estate developers are developing affordable housing developments and condominium projects, with investments ranging from PhP1-Million to PhP2.5-Million, according to a CBRE Philippines report.

In the period 2008 to 2013, 28 residential condominiums are expected to rise in Makati City, providing more than 18,000 units. Now that seems to a big difference from what is happening in America and my homeland of the UK.

According to CBRE Philippines General Manager, mortgage rates are hovering in a range of 8.5 percent to 12 percent and another bright prospect for the Philippine residential market is the development and market positioning of retirement villages for expatriate “empty nesters.”

My First Taste of the Philippines

I really knew nothing about the Philippines at all. I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard that the people were friendly and the climate was hot !! That was about it.So my first destination is Manila. I was flying from Bangkok, Thailand to Manila, which was not a long flight, so it was quite pleasant to be disembarking only 3 and a half hours after take off.It was dark by the time my friend and I arrived at Manila international airport.

That takes some getting used to. In the UK, in the summer time is remains light until 10pm. In the Philippines it is always dark by 6.15pm, Sometimes leaving the day seeming a little short.Oh yes it was very hot and humid. We went by taxi to the hotel. I love the jeepneys, they really have style and character. I enjoyed watching them from the taxi window, crammed full of pe

ople, some of the vehicles very colourful.I stayed in Ermita which appeared to be a mixture of fun and poverty. However no matter where I went, the people were so friendly and mostly happy. They were so hospitable towards a foreigner. Why is that? Why are the Filipinos so friendly always? It’s a truly wonderful part of the culture.

Of course there are good and bad in all cultures, but so many people I have met in the Philippines have gone out of their way to help me, assist me and greet me, with no ulterior motive. That is a really nice thing to experience.My first night in Manila was a wonderful introduction to the culture. It was spent on Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard, where the eating houses are and the bands are performing on stage. That’s another thing. I fell in love instantly with the voices of the Filipinos. How come most Filipinos can sing so well? There is truly unrecognised talent here.I have a real love for music, so that is a great thing I could share with my Filipino friends.On the bay, my friend and I spent some time in the evening watching a great band from Cebu perform, 2 girls and 2 guys. They were really great and the people around us were friendly and greeting us with waves and smiles. I was pulled up on stage at one point by one of the singers who then proceeded to serenade me. I then danced on stage with them while they performed one of my all time favourite songs “Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton. I was greeted with cheers and claps afterwards. It was a fun, happy, very warming introduction to the Philippines.

My next stop was Davao city. This was a different experience from Manila, but just as good and positive. I really like Manila, to visit and spend some time there and I made some good friends, but I don’t think I would like to live there. When I first got to Davao I was kind of shocked. I didn’t know what to expect. It seemed very dusty and poor and remote on first impression, however I have now been in Davao 4 times and I am now living here, so as you can imagine, I have moved on from my initial thoughts of what it was like.I found Davao city to have the facilities and fun of a big city, like Manila, but the people have a very much more provincial mentality, which I find really nice and positive.There is a unique friendliness here, it is totally refreshing.My first visit was for 3 days only, which is quite a whistle stop, but since, I have explored much more of the city and I have settled in well.

I have good friends here, lots to do and I feel safe and welcome in this environment.On that first trip, after my 3 days in Davao, I then flew with my friends to Cebu for a further 3 days relaxation. We stayed on Mactan Island in a Resort which was lovely, facing the beach. This was purely a luxurious holiday retreat but it was most welcome and the Filipino hospitality continued throughout my trip.I love the climate, the people, the friendliness and the beautiful places that you can visit here. There are beautiful beaches and mountains and water springs, water falls and places of interest all over if you are prepared to find them.My favourite way of exploring areas of the Philippines is by motorbike, there is a wonderful sense of freedom riding the country roads with the wind in your hair, the sun in your face and the beautiful countryside spread out all around you.

WOW Philippines…..you are great.

I remember when I was a kid i use to watch Star Trek and being amazed at the pretend communication systems that meant Kirk could speak into a handheld device and it was transmitted in real time across the universe, even with video feed.  WOW.

Well last week I managed to Star Trek too by using Skype and recording a podcast with me in Davao City and Migs in Manila and honestly the quality of sound was like he was in the same room too.

Now this gives me an idea how about some of you contacting me who would like to appear on a podcast either in sound or vision.

Come on get in touch lets chat and tell the world.

Now to hear the latest podcast click to the podcast page or click the link below.

jealousy

Now coming from Roast Beef dinners and so much food in the supermarkets that it was embarassing, it came as a culture shock when I looked for similar food here in the Philippines and in the main here in Mindanao its just not readily available unless you want to pay the price.

I tend to eat in and some times a smaller restaurants and I am always trying to read the menu to se if I can understand the words, so being lazy I only got to places with english menus.

P.

Enjoy your meals!!!

For those that know me will know that I am very much in love with the country and the people of the Philippines, and in particular my love for Davao City here in Mindanao. I have only been here for around four years and I have never ever had to feel scared I have had only one or two small incidents of theft, which in all honesty would happen in my home country UK.

I have walked around Davao City late in the night on my own and have had NO problems at all, but now I can feel my perception beginning to change, and its with regret I say that.

I do not know why but it seems that there are more murders of “bad”people and more of them seem to be people under 18, and even at this moment there is a case going through relating to a prominent family here who’s son shot two people dead over a minor argument at a bar.

I only have to look over my garden wall to see my great friend Klaus now in-tombed by a huge metal fence over some land issue that has appeared from nowhere. Now I do not know the full details of the situation that Klaus is going through but I know him as a gentle man , a man who has always looked after his extended family and he and Rose have helped the ex pat population for years and many times they help at NO CHARGE.

Klaus is a member of Rotary he has many friends in “high” places and he and his family have  major influence in the village and are well liked, so it is incredible that a family like his is having to suffer this shame here in Davao City.

Klaus is not a millionaire,  as far as I know he has no enemies and this use of force with guns that seems to have no real legal or morale foundation cannot be tolerated by sensible thinking people. The man’s family are in distress two elderly members are very sick and cannot get out of their own front door!! Wherever you are in the world does this sound right ,or is it a sign that Davao is lurching back to the gun slinger days again. God I hope not.

Not so much for my sake but for the great people of Davao City who through the mayors bravery and determination have left the hell of fifteen years ago and have found the City growing fast and quick with businesses arriving and the City progressing fast in housing and employment.

The recent deaths and and high profile murders may be things that happen to keep Davao safe, I honestly do not know,but if the City is to continue its fantastic growth the legal system needs to work properly and efficiently for all and not to be loaded against the ex pats and those are the same people who choose to live here who contribute to more taxes and employment and who LOVE THE CITY.

People who come to Davao or even the Philippines need to know they are protected by the system and that families are safe, this country loves the family and the people of the Philippines are the kindest people I have ever met, so what has happened or have I had my eyes closed?