About Us
What is LiP?
Well, it is the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine!
Are you tired of the rat race, the long hours, the constant running that you find in the United States, or in other Western Countries? Well, why don’t you get away from it? Think about moving to the Philippines! We can help you with that!
The Philippines consists of 7,107 different islands, each with it’s own unique flavor! Imagine the island life, with the trade winds coming in off the ocean to keep things a little cooler. Heck, even if it’s hot, that cold beer and the ocean breeze make it bearable, right?
You can do it… throw away that stressful life and move to the islands! I did it back in 2000, and I’ve never regretted it! Sure, if you are retiring that is the easiest, you have your social security and perhaps a pension from your company, you’ve got it made! But, even if you are younger, you can still make the move. Heck, I was only 38 when I moved here, and I am enjoying a great life, nothing missing!
The key is… read this website daily! Post comments on the blog, and I will reply with an answer for your question!
Lose that rat race, flee the country! Go to the Philippines!
See you soon? I hope so!
About Bob Martin
Bob Martin
About Bob Martin, the Founder, Publisher & Editor in Chief of the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine. Bob is an Internet Entrepreneur, operating this website along with more than 100 others.
Yes, I am an American, but I have been coming to Mindanao regularly since 1990. In addition, I have lived permanently in Mindanao since early 2000, and I love it here. The thing that I hear all the time when I tell people that I live in Mindanao is that I must be scared because it is so dangerous here. Actually, that is really far from the truth. Yes, there are places in Mindanao that are quite dangerous, but the majority of the island is safe. Is it perfectly safe? No, I know of no place on the earth that is perfectly safe, do you? I have lived here for a number of years now, and I have never felt that I was in danger yet. I do try to use common sense in my daily comings and goings, though. I suppose that in these days of uncertainty that would be a sensible thing to do no matter where you live.
I have been involved in a number of different types of businesses over the years. I guess that at the root I am a retailer. I have managed a number of different retail stores ranging from small specialty shops to huge discount stores in the past. Since the early 1990’s, though, I have been self employed. In that time I have done different things. Initially I was a writer, authoring about a dozen different books that were published. Most books that I wrote were on the subject of Amateur Radio and Shortwave Radio Listening. In recent years I have sort of mixed my passion for retailing with my passion for writing and for the Internet in general. I have a number of different blogs on the Internet, as well as e-commerce stores selling different types of items on each of my websites. It is a good life, and I enjoy it very much. The kind of business that I do allows me to have free time when I want it, and also work at whatever schedule I choose. It allows me time for my wife and kids, which I enjoy a lot as well.
I guess that when you mix up all of my interests and my passions, there is only one thing that you could call me. An Entrepreneur. Yes, I am an Entrepreneur, and I love it!
Come back to the site often!
About Feyma Martin
Feyma Martin
Feyma Martin is a Columnist here on the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine, she is the wife of site Publisher, Bob Martin. Feyma is originally from the Philippines, but went to the USA for 10 years after marrying Bob in 1990.
Bob & Feyma moved to the Philippines to live permanently in 2000.
Other Writers
LiP features a variety of other writers who share their experiences of living in the Philippines. We currently have ten regular writers, a couple of dozen past writers, and a regular supply of guest writers. Regular writers are featured with weekly articles on the site. You can always read articles from past writers on the site, by checking on the header menu under “LiP Writers” then the “Previous LiP Writers” section.
So, welcome to LiP, and I hope you enjoy the information here and find it useful in your planning to become an expat and live in the Philippines!
Mabuhay!
i would like to meet americans living in the phil. I am moving there this week Thanks
If you participate here on the site, frank, you should meet a number of fellow expats. Good luck with your move.
Hi Mr Bob,
My husband renewed his probationary to permanent acr card. Somebody in immigration assist us last Oct. 18, 2013 just before the expiration date. We we’re told after the interview that it would take 3 to 4 weeks but until now theres no result. my husband have to postpone several of his trips because he does not have a passport returned.. Hope you can give us some idea on how long really does it take. Thankyou so much!
Sincerely yours,
Mrs Lufkin
Usually it takes less time than even 3 to 4 weeks. There must be some other hold up. Have you inquired with the Bureau of Immigration to see what they say?
Greetings Mr. Bob!
This website is amazing. I’m so blessed that you love our country even though you are not a Filipino. Anyway, thank you for this website. God bless you
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting, Elydia! All the best to you.
You are very much welcome and sorry for the late reply. Should you have friends Mr. Bob who plan to stay in Las Pinas, Alabang and Paranaque area and would want to study, please let me know. I am connected with an international school. Thanks. God bless you.
Interesting report. But I could never bear the extrem heat at night, I would not sleep well. And I hate aircons and eltric Vans.
So I prefer to stay in Germany. It is quite good here.
Not such durty streets like in Davao and crowded places.
In my opinion Davao is good for a vacation, not to stay there.
Hi Ralf – We all get to choose where we would like to live. For me, I love Davao, yet I’d have no desire to live in Germany. That’s what makes the world great, everybody gets to make their own choice.
RuI would like to speak to you about SSID I would like tou move to phillipines but I donot know how that will effect my disability.
Bob martin my church has a church located in molave and Ive talked to other guys living in other parts of the phillipines and they say that that area is muslim…..? its a pentacostal church So I dont understand that. they also tell me its very dangerous dont go there. the name of the church is Christ Gospel Church do they have others in other parts of the phillipines. thanks.
Johnny
Hi Johnny – Molave is on the Zamboanga Peninsula. It is a Christian Majority there, but there is a larger population of Muslims. It’s not so dangerous in Molave.
I find your website very interesting..Thanks for exploring my place.. batanes..
Thanks for visiting the site, cheng!
Bob, Come be a guest on our show sometime?
Hi Raju – I would gladly guest on your show.. I live in Davao, though, and rarely make it up to Manila.
If you apply at the Cebu Consulate for an “Affidavit in lieu of Marriage Certification” – does anyone know if they keep a photocopy on file? What if you never use the certificate? or lose it?
Thanks for any help.
Hi there Eric! This must be a very late response (I just recently discovered this very interesting and helpful website, thanks to its creator :-))…probably by now, you have consulted a lawyer or have actually married considering the date when you posted your inquiry. But anyway, just in case you still need an answer … did you mean to say “Affidavit in lieu of Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage”? You may send me an email to my address as herein posted. I’d be glad to assist you. Congratulations by the way just in case you have said “I… Read more »
I lived for one year in Cebu from the summer of 07-08. I got my future wife a fiance visa;she came to the US and we married. She is a Filipino citizen. I would like to move back eventually, buying a condo in Cebu. The following are questions I need answers to and maybe you can provide them for me. I appreciate your help in advance. 1) When I last went, I applied for a one year visa in the US which required that I renew it every 2 months, up to one year, (6x). If I went back, I… Read more »
Hi Richard – The answers to all of your questions are already here on this site. But, I will offer a short answer to each that you ask: 1. If you are now married to a Philippine citizen of former Philippine citizen you can now avail of a Balikbayan Visa or get a Resident Visa. Balikbayan will offer you 1 year stay with no renewals required. Resident will allow you to live here permanently. 2. Yes. Use a mail forwarding service address. 3. You should be able to wire money using the telephone or internet. Alternatively, as you say, just… Read more »
I know it’s been over a year since you wrote this, but thank you. I’m still researching and learning about the process of moving to the Philippines. I am married to a Philippine citizen, have been for 8 years. So, maybe my best option is the resident visa route. Thanks again. Oh, my real name is Steve. Hope it’s OK I use my pen name “CoffeeGrin” here. Yah, I love coffee..haha.
Hi Coffee Grin – Yes, the 13(a) Resident Visa is definitely a great option!
I have been living in the Northren Philippines for 18 years. ( La Union one hour from Baguio)I have built four houses and am working on the fifth. I am originaly from America, and I think a site like yours is very useful. Any advice on insight I can provide on living here feel free to ask me. My Philipine wife is a real estate broker here, so we also know most all the in and outs of buying property and what to watch out for.
Regards
Stan
Welcome to LiP Stan.
Stan, can you give me an idea of where to live when I move to the Philippines. I know that’s an open ended question and depends a lot upon what you’re looking for. I’d like to live somewhere the transition between my US life and new life there won’t be so radical. I’ve been to the Philippines several times and am married to a terrific Philippine lady. I’ve heard Clark Subic is very nice and have lots of Expats. By the way, my real name is Steve Olson. I use Coffee Grin as my pen name.
Hi Coffee Grin – Clark and Subic are two different places. But, it’s important to remember that moving to the Philippines is a radical move and requires a lot of adjustment, no matter where you choose to settle.
This website is Technically and Objectively useful.
Thanks for the Whole Crew of this Website……
Thank you “fron Iligan City”. We ask that you use your real name on future comments, though.
Bob, thanks. I’ve made several comments already on your great website using my pen name “Coffee Grin”. But, I can understand why using your real name makes sense on this site. So, if “Steve O” is OK with you, I’ll use that from now on. Thanks for your great site.
Steve O is great.. thanks.