Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

I’m 500 today!

Expats / by

Can you believe it?  I hit the big Five Oh Oh – 5 0 0 – today! No, that’s not my age, so don’t start making those jokes on me!  What I mean is that as of this very article, I have personally written 500 original articles for this website!  LiP got started out in August of 2006, and in those days it wasn’t much.  I was the sole and solitary writer on the site, and I only wrote articles “when I felt like it.”  Things have changed a lot these days!  Now we have 8 writers, plus guest writers from time to time.  I write every weekday, in most cases, and the site has grown like wildfire in those two years since it started!  I must say, I am quite happy with the reception this site has gotten, and from the activity that it generates.  For that, I thank all of you!

So, what is LiP all about? Well, it is about Living in the Philippines!  It is about what it is like for a foreigner to live here permanently.  Living here is not the same, or even close to the same, as coming here for a vacation.  It takes some serious adjustments in your personality, your outlook on life and generally the person that you are if you want to succeed at living here.  Most people who move here “permanently” end up leaving in a year or two.  They can’t handle life here, because it is nothing like what they expected.  That’s what this site is all about, and that is why I am here.  I want to make it easier for you to make the adjustment to living here, by reading about what I went through in moving here.  I want to blaze the trail for you, so that you can maneuver a little easier.

When I moved to the Philippines, on May 2, 2000, there really wasn’t any information on the Internet that I am aware of about this topic.  I came here “in the blind,” so to speak.  There have been a lot of days when I said to myself – “I don’t understand this place at all, what in the world am I doing here?”  However, even when I’ve had those thoughts, I never really regretted making the move.  I try to look at it as having earned a little more education than most people, or a type of education that most people don’t necessarily recieve.  It’s an education that has not always been easy, but it has been valuable.  Talk about the old “School of Hard Knocks”!

Sometimes, when I look at some of the articles I have written, I wonder to myself – “what does this have to do with living in the Philippines?”  Well, when I think that question over in my mind, I usually come to the conclusion that almost anything I write about my day to day experiences is indeed about living in the Philippines, because these are experiences that I would not have had if not for the fact that I live here.  For example, last week, I wrote about “washed up” performers doing concert tours in the Philippines.  On first thought it doesn’t seem that has much to do with actually living in the Philippines.  However, it points to something that you should expect to see if you live here.  That’s how I look at it, anyway.  I mean, there are only so many articles that you can write about the procedure of moving here, or the adjustment that you have to make to live here successfully.  But, I feel that any peek into my life here is just one more thing that readers can look at and get a picture of what kind of lifestyle they can expect here.

I hope that all of you have enjoyed the majority of my 500 articles on this site!  None of us can agree with every single thing that a person has to say, and I don’t expect that.  What I can say, though, is that everything I have written on this site is honest, and an accurate description of my life in the Philippines.  Sometimes, I play devil’s advocate on the site, which generates some fireworks on the site, but that’s all part of life, and keeps us thinking.  But, I’ve never been dishonest in any of my writings on the site, of that I can assure you.

Well, let’s all raise our glasses and toast the first 500 articles that I’ve written here.  I hope, and expect that it’s just a small installment in what we’ll see on this site in the longrun.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi Bob
    Well I have to admit you don't look a day over 450! Anyway the way I look at it is anything you write about pertains to living in the Philippines because you are living there. If your goal is to teach people what to expect then you are doing a great job. Happy 500th.

  2. Hi Bob – Congrats! 🙂

    To all who shall see these presents, greetings. By the powers invested in me by the Chancellor and Board Emeritus of the School of Hard Knocks, I here and now proudly bestow upon you. "Mindanao Bob," the title of Doctorus Difficili Loci (D.D.L.), with all honors, privileges and courtesies associated therewith. 😆

  3. congeatulations bob. i guess this also means i've read my 500th article too. i've witnessed the growth of this site & it certainly is quite an achievement.

  4. Maayong buntag Bob
    I have enjoyed reading your articles for the past 5 or so months since I first came across your web page. You have exposed many things abut living in the RP that I have noticed others have sugar coated over. I still intend to move to the RP even though there are many issues with living as an expat. Yes I will miss some things in the states like being able to travel 90 miles to another city in about an hour and 10 min. To me the friendly faces in the RP make it all worth it. Congratulations on the 500 mark and keep up the good work.
    😎

  7. Hi macky – Thank you! Yes, indeed, you have been a long time reader, I remember you making comments on posts right at the very beginning!

  8. kamusta bob
    i must say i do wish i had found your site before i went to philippines myself.i can relate to alot you have experienced there in mindanao.i find this site informative and sometimes amusing.im hooked bob,like a glass of fine wine.it only gets better with age.i tip my glass to you bob.thanks for the great site.
    sincerely a happy reader Ron W 😉

  9. Hi Larry – I am glad that you have found the site informative and enjoyable! Yes, living here is not perfect, but it is still enjoyable! I do try to mention all I can about living here – warts and all! 😆

  10. Hi Dan Mihaliak – Ha ha…. I do my best to keep looking young, so thanks for the compliment on looking 450! 😆 Thanks for your vote of confidence!

  12. Congratulations Bob. I enjoy reading your articles and those of your other contributors. I also enjoy reading the friendly and sometimes not-so-friendly comments posted here. 😀

  14. Happy 500th Bob. I have read only about 10 of your articles, but I found a few topics dated 2007 ( tourism in the Philippines) very interesting and provocative, and have written some comments .
    I hope you still read your old blogs. I have also been advertising your blog on friends here who plan on retiring in Philippines. I do not know much about Davao. although my sister-in-law resides there, so I always plug for my adopted province, Marinduque. My native province is Iloilo, so I understand a little bit of Cebuano, Here's a glass of champagne for your 500th article..

  15. Hi Ellen – Thank you! Thankfully, most comments are friendly. We can even disagree in a friendly way. A few comments move in an unfriendly way, but that is an exception. I'm glad to have met you through this site! 🙂

  17. Hi David B Katague – Yep, I still go back to all of my articles. As a matter of fact, I have posted replies to every comment you have made, whether on an old post or a new one.

    Thank you helping spread the word about my site! I appreciate it very much.

  23. Bob,
    Congrats for all your writings and information. I know you have been a big reason so many have come, moved and learned to enjoy living here. I still remember after finding your site, I spent most of a weekend just reading all past articles from the start.

    KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

    Bruce

  24. Hi again, Bob –

    Well, if you had taken the elective course, "SoHK Indoctrination 101," your professor would have imparted to your class that the school does not confer degrees, certificates or "sheepskins" to those completing the required curriculum. You do receive the titles, honors, privileges and courtesies which you've earned – just no papers. 🙁

    In the words of the Chancellor, when responding to my salary inquiries upon receiving my authority to bestow the school's titles, "Sorry, Doc!" 😆

  26. Hi Bruce – Thanks! I do hope that I've had some impact on promoting the Philippines, helping people gain information (and courage) about moving here, etc. It would make me feel good to know that I've had a positive impact.

  27. Hi Paul – I knew I should have chosen another school! 😯 I had a place on the wall reserved for that sheepskin too! Could we talk about a Carabao skin? 😆

  28. Hi Bob – as one who's tried his hand at this, I know how hard it can be to keep it going – for a variety of reasons. I tip my hat to you for the 500th post, and even more so for the daily thoughtful posts.

  29. Kamusta Ka Bob,

    Great job, and thank God your here to help us green horns along our way to becoming "informed ex-pats" :mrgreen: . Here's looking forward to another 500 articles…Cheers!!

    Salamat ka,
    Danny

  30. Hi Randy C – It is not always easy to come up with things to write about and such, but after you have done it for a consistent period, you will find that ideas flow easier. Nowadays, I rarely have trouble thinking of things to write about, whereas in the early days of writing this column, I would often have to think for a long time to come up with topics.

    Thanks for your comment, and for following the site!

  32. Hi Bob,

    I've been very impressed with your website and the quality of your articles and those of the other writers. My wife and I have enjoyed reading them very much.

    I especially like the fact that I get the real facts about the Philippines from you and the other writers and commentators.

    Best wishes and keep up the good work!

  33. Hi Randall Jessup – Thank you very much. I am happy to be able to provide useful and interesting information for you and everybody else who reads the site!

    I'll keep pumping out the articles, as long as you and others keep visiting the site! 🙂

  34. Congratulations Bob! This site has been very informative and helpful to Rebecca and I. You have developed quite a valuable and useful resource in a region where few previously existed. Thank You!

  35. Hi John Miele – Thank you very much! I am glad that you are contributing to the site as well! I am quite certain that you have a lot more to add! 😆

  36. Yes BOB , indeed your site is a great help , for those who live ,
    and even more for those [ like me ] who are planning to come
    Live In The Philippine.
    I,m waiting for your book to arrive , so that i can read all about it,
    and maybe , in a year of 2 , we can really meet somewhere
    on Mindanao .
    Gr. Anton from Heerlen [ The Netherlands ]

  37. Hi Anton – Thanks for your comment, and thank you for ordering my book! We are shipping it out via Priority Mail today!

  40. Hi Bob,

    For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Way to go and we all look forward to the next 500+ articles!

    Cheers!

  41. hi bob, congratulations on your 500th. It is my morning read with my first cuppa of the day, and keeps me feeling close to my lovely family in Davao.

    Thank you

  42. Hi Bob- I now understand why you have pains in your wrists.Incidentally how are they now?
    With all the new speak type software nowadays I hope you will continue to write and reach a 1000 in the not to distant future.
    Keep up the good work.
    Regards.
    Jim.

  43. Hi Henry – Well, thank you for that rousing musical comment! I have to figure out how to let readers add music to their comments! 😆

  45. Hi Jim Cunningham – I need to write a little update about my wrist condition, I think. Thankfully, they are giving me few problems now! I found out that it was not the keyboard that was causing the problem, rather my mouse! When I switched to using the voice software instead of typing, even after a month I felt only a small improvement in my wrist. Then, I switched to a graphic tablet instead of a mouse, and in about 2 to 3 days my wrist was feeling a LOT better! Last week, I used a mouse again for a certain project I was doing, and the pain returned! I don't use the voice software too much now, and find that it doesn't create a problem, as long as I stay away from the mouse.

    Thanks for your concern! All the best to you and Marilou!

  46. Good work Bob Ive been reading ur blogs for a long time and i really enjoyed them after i came back from the pines the first time .then i understand them better cause i was there and i understand what was going on and some were really funny ..hee hee ..So keep up the good work and some day I will come down to see u and we can toast the good work u r doing with a bottle of my home made Elderberry brandy,if I can get it thru customs …Phil R

  48. Congrats on your " First 500 " Bob. Most of the information you provide are things never mentioned or found in generally available travel guides. A lot of information in travel books is obsolete before the book is even marketed for sale. Your blogs and websites are of present day iformation and as I have commented before, any information you have given me via E Mail about my visiting there proved to be highly accurate. Without a doubt your blogs give the reader a virtual " window " to how it is to actually live there. The comments your blogs bring greatly enhance the topic under discussion.

    I am sure I am not the only one that will be looking forward to your next " 500 " !

  50. Bob,
    It sounds like you are working way to hard. Anyway"Tagai"
    Your efforts here are very much appreciated.

  52. Bob,

    This to add my sincere “Congratulations!” to all the others.

    The quantity of comments about this post demonstrates the loyalty and interest of your readers. On the same vein, it is interesting the negligible amount of cantankerous comments you receive.

    500 is certainly a significant accomplishment. It is even greater when you consider that you are keeping up the pace even as you have dramatically increased the content with the addition of the other contributors.

    There is not a single contributor that I don’t keep up with. They are all relevant and interesting.

    On a side note, what is your specific choice of graphic tablet?

    Looking forward to meeting you some day in Davao.

    All the best!!

    R L Graham

  55. Hi R L Graham – Thank you as well! Yes, I am always happy that the discussions here on the site are almost always quite tame, not much flaming going on. That is always stressful if it happens.

    On my graphic tablet, I have a Wacom Bamboo tablet.

  56. Hi Bob,

    My congratulations to you and the rest of your contributors..like most of your readers,my day is not complete if i can't go and visit your site.I look forward to all the articles that you post and here's to another 500,and more…..