Returning Filipino — Page 9 — Live in the Philippines

Returning Filipinos

Millions of Filipinos go abroad each year! Many go to become OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). Many Filipinos marry foreigners and leave the Philippines to live with their spouses abroad.

Whatever the reason, there are literally missions of Filipinos who no longer live in the Philippines, and the number continues to grow.

Many of these Filipinos who decide to leave the country hope to return one day, though, to live in the Philippines again. Mostly, they want to retire in the Philippines where the lifestyle is less expensive and at a slower pace.

What many do not consider, though, is that moving back to the Philippines offers challenges for the returning Filipino. Some returning Filipinos are discriminated against by their fellow countrymen, or taken advantage of. In many cases the Filipino who has lived abroad has become used to a life that offers more conveniences, better technology and generally a higher standard of life than may be available in the Philippines. When they move back and find things "a little behind" what they have grown accustomed to, the transition can be difficult for them. Read the archives below to learn about the experiences that returning Filipinos have faced.

Another somewhat related topic is about foreigners who have moved to the Philippines to become expats and then returned to their home country. A fairly large number of expats give up on life in the Philippines and return home. Others go back to visit. It is always interesting to hear the thoughts of those who have come to live in the Philippines and then go back home. Read about this in our Expats Going Home Archive.

Identity Problems!

Returning Filipino

I was eavesdropping and heard this problem. A lady’s cousin let somebody borrow her name to a friend. She must have trusted this friend so much that she let her use it. I guess the friend wanted to go abroad, she couldn’t go abroad with her last name because the sister had a bad record. […]

Contest for a cause!

Returning Filipino

During my grade school days I ended up joining some money contest for a cause. At that time I didn’t even know that I was chosen to join. I was just informed by my parents that the principal and my teacher talked to them and asked them if I can join. Of course they told […]

Reminiscing my childhood!

Returning Filipino

You probably already read Bob’s column that my kids and I went to the farm of my parents to visit my mom. She’s not in good health now. I don’t know if she will even be staying for that long. Anyway, it was the first time that my 2 kids visit there. I was interested […]

My view on Feyma’s adjustment

Returning Filipino

Note: I have decided to re-run this article from last year. We have a lot of new readers, and also there has been some talk in the comments lately about the adjustment of a returning Filipino. I think that this column will answer a few questions on that topic. A while back, Feyma wrote an […]

The maid’s choice

Returning Filipino

Today I got a text from our helper that she is quitting. She went home a few days ago to the province to visit her Dad and attend the wedding of her uncle. Our helper was complaining how did her uncle afford to be getting married (even special wedding) that him and his wife has […]

School Days

Returning Filipino

When I was a kid during my grade school years I studied at the school near our house. My family used to live in our farm over in Sarangani Province area. I love the place, its quiet and clean. At that time I had a group of classmates that we really were best buddies ever […]