I hear from a lot of people about how they can’t wait to move to “paradise”.
Paradise? Who are you kidding?
Yeah, a lot of people have this fantasy that the Philippines is paradise on earth. Well, friends, I have just one thing to tell you: There is no paradise on earth! Forget it, it does not exist! Everything here is not perfect. In fact, the Philippines is far from perfect, most things here are problematic in one way or another. A lot of stuff does not work the way it should. Almost everything in life has pitfalls and problems. If you want to live in the Philippines you will need to learn how to deal with these challenges. If you can’t deal with it, you will certainly not be happy here. The majority of foreigners who move here end up leaving and going back “home” in just a few years.
In the past few days I have been getting some real firm examples of this kind of “paradise” thinking.
I’m not coming for vacation!
One fellow wrote to me and said simple “Well, no vacation in the Philippines this year.”
I was unsure why he would not be coming for vacation (actually I did not even know he planned to come for vacation), so I wrote him back and asked why he was cancelling his vacation. He responded that “all of the killings” made it where he did not want to come here.
“All of the killings”? What killings was he talking about?
- The drug war?
- The Marawi terrorist event?
- Some other killings that I am unaware of?
I told him that the killings that I was aware of were only making the country safer. I mean, the Marawi even caused a lot of innocent people to be killed, but the resulting Martial Law (most Americans misspell it.. it is not “Marshall Law” it is MARTIAL law) is only cleaning up terrorists and making it safer here in the Philippines (particularly Mindanao) than it used to be.
The Drug War? Well, cleaning up the drug dealers is probably doing the same.
Even with these killings… this guy is from the USA. How about all of the killings in Chicago and other big cities in the USA. He is still willing to live in the USA. What about the constant terrorist attacks in Europe? It seems like we are having such attacks almost weekly or more in Europe. Would he be willing to go to London? I imagine he would.
Free Speech
Another American friend was going on about Martial Law on Facebook. He talked about how, if he ever returned to the Philippines, he would demonstrate and speak out about the killings and the misdeeds of the government. I told him that if he did that he would be deported. His response… “what about freedom of speech?” LOL, I replied to him and told him that if he thought that as a foreigner living in the Philippines he would have freedom of speech he should think again and be sure to research into it before making the move!
Over the years that I have lived in the Philippines, I have seen a lot of foreigners being deported for speaking out against the Philippine Government.
If you want to live in the Philippines, and particularly if you want to be happy in the Philippines, keep your mouth shut and forget about what is going on in the Government! Concentrate on enjoying your life and let those who have a stake in Philippine Politics worry about demonstrating against the government. It is not your business, or mine!
In the entire world, there is no country that is “Paradise”. If you are looking for paradise, forget it. If you want to live a happy life, you don’t need paradise for that. Only you can adjust your attitude to the point where you are happy with your life. If you want to be happy, you can be happy pretty much wherever you are in the world. Maybe in some places you will be marginally happier than in other places, but basically only you can make you happy.
Yep, free speech only exists here in the US (read 1st amendment). Every other country can take speech as subversion, depending on who is in power, and can cause one to be detained. Remember kids, when in Rome…
They have free speech here, but it is for citizens. If you are not a citizen living here, you cannot speak out against the government and such.
All freedoms seem to end as soon as they interfere with someone ‘more equal’ then yourself.
Bob Martin does marriage make you a citizen? What are citizenship requirements?
No, marriage does not give you citizenship. If you want to become a Philippine citizen, number one you’re going to have to renounce your United States citizenship, you cannot be a dual citizen here unless you were born here or born to Philippine parents. You’re also going to have to learn the language here. After you have lived here for 5 years you can apply, but the application process can take around 10 years to complete possibly even more.
Oh…wow..ok…I didn’t realize. Thanks Bob
I seldom disagree with you, but have to this time. For some of us the Philippines IS paradise, even with all the stuff that ‘doesn’t work’. I’ve made 17 vacations there getting ready, and to BE ready. A friend is already established there, and my move there, (soon), IS a move to my idea of paradise.
Don’t take me wrong, I love living in the Philippines, but it certainly is no paradise. To me paradise means that everything is perfect, and the Philippines is far from perfect! There is no perfect place.
I also want to just let you know that coming here for vacation is very, very different than living here. I can say that for sure, and most others who live here will tell you the same.
I realize well that a few months a year isn’t the same as living there, but I have a friend that’s been there ten years now, and paradise doesn’t mean perfect. To many a deserted island can be paradise, to others a crowded city can be. If it doesn’t have the problems that where you are now does, it can easily be paradise. The Philippines offers the freedoms that many of us long for. I’ve wanted a simple life for most of my life, and I see it there. I love reading about the ‘problems’ you face there, but havnt read any yet that would upset me. Yes, I need a generator, and satalite internet, but with those and a good fan I think I will do fine. I made a point of spending a few months at a time there in each season just to be ready, and I’ve visited and helped out at a few natural disasters. Yes, to me it is paradise.
Steve, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I have no problem with whatever you think, that is your choice. My level of agreement with you is 0%, but sometimes those things happen, and it is not a problem to me.
Good commentary Bob. I live in the UAE right now and the situation is not ideal in this region – I keep my gob shut, it’s not my business to interfere. Likewise, when I retire to the PH I will keep my own counsel, and take care of family – get on with life, but not stick my nose in. They’ll have been there a damned sight longer than me.
Your thoughts, Roy, and mine, are mirror images. We completely agree.
There is a lot to agree with regarding this post – I have only lived here for a couple of years but problems seem to be around every corner – not insurmountable problems but you soon realise that things are not like they are back home. Would you expect that? The Philippines is far removed from the UK or the US or Australia and so on and settling here takes a degree of acceptence of that fact. Paradise is best left to the tourist boards as they focus on the beautiful beaches and so on but if your idea of paradise is the Palawan’s and Barocay’s then my advice would be to just holiday here. Expats moan and groan about things here on a daily basis and the frustrations are many but if you don’t accept this country for what it is then you are more than likely to return home at some point.
As for the killings and so on – the Philippines HAS to clean up the country if it is to thrive and become the country it is capable of becoming. The rule of thumb for expats of course is to keep your nose clean….stay away from potential problems and crucially don’t offer political opinions to Filipinos…….of course expats will chat together and that is normal but with all things here the more you get on with your life the more peaceful and contented life you will have. Holidays here are great but living here requires a lot of keeping your trap shut and making the most of life here.
Hi Tony, good thoughts there. For somebody who can accept the way things really are, and is not looking for Paradise, this is a great place to live, and I love living here. But, for the guy who’s Just Looking for Paradise, like you said, it’s best just to come here for vacation.
Depends on how ‘you’ define paradise. Anywhere you live is only what you make of it. Anyplace can meet the definition of paradise to someone. 20 plus years of visiting the Philippines has convinced me it is ‘my’ paradise.
Here is the definition that I find online:
an ideal or idyllic place or state.
I can assure you that everything here is not ideal. But, you are entitled to your opinion, and I have no problem with that.
So well put. Politics and religion are never good topics, and everyone has lots more to discuss. I love the festivals and displays of culture, the many difrent displays of nature, etc. I really don’t think I have enuf years left to see all I have on my bucket list already.
The PH IS thriving Tony. I’m excited to be retiring there. The West is down on the president so much – but hey, take a look at Paris or London right now – Robocop on every street corner. I honestly think that the RPI is going to be the next powerhouse of Asia, It just needs Western dick-head politicians to stay away.
The Western countries are constantly interfering in the Philippines, so if you’re looking for a place where Western politicians are not butting in, it’s something you have to get used to here.
I know that you are an American, Bob. I love Subic – seen the infrastructure that was left behind – astounding. Sadly the US government is not the same as the US serviceman and woman. And even more sad is that the US government, as well as the UK, Spain and nefarious others, won’t allow the PH to flourish. That is why I am glad you elected such a strong president.
Great comment, Roy! I completely agree with you!
Thanks Bob. I have total confidence in the RPI – I have transferred all my savings out of Western banks to local institutions. As a Brit I am done with the West – the corruption is appalling, yet we have the audacity to criticise the PH and her President.
The only problem I have with moving all of your money here is that Philippine bank insurance is very small, and takes a long time to collect on if there is a problem.
Just 2 days ago there was a problem with BPI where thousands (all?) of their customers lost all of the money in their accounts. Some people are saying the computers were hacked, some say it was an internal computer error. I believe it is either fixed now, or on the way to being fixed. But, for a couple of days people went hungry because they had no access to their own money!
Bob, in Cyprus the Govt STOLE their money! Mislaid is ok 🙂
Yep!
some people became Rich overnight by that computer glitch too !!
hahaha..at least for a little while.
Yeah, a few people got rich, but a lot more lost all of their money! Hopefully it will all be straightened out soon, I understand it is not fully back yet.
So true, Bob. I was pretty disappointed to see the US President a., congratulating President Duterte on the “successful war on drugs”, (as if that happened) and then making statements abut the tragic shooting a fire in Resorts World early this week, calling it an act of terrorism … which it has been shown to have no terrorism connections at all.
As an American I’m often quite embarrassed by my own country’s leaders vocally and rudely “sticking their nose” into the business of other countries … as if they knew. (and don’t anyone take this as a diatribe against President Trump, the rudeness and inappropriateness goes back many, many administrations.
As you (and others) have often heard me say, if someone is planning to move to the Philippines to “make them feel good” becuase they don’t like their present life … well just don’t do it,becuase wherever you go, there you are.
As far as president Trump goes, when he made the comment about the Resorts World incident being terrorism, it was widely believed to be terrorism. That was very early in the game. But, this article isn’t really about American politicians it’s more about the attitudes of people who want to move here. I totally agree with your very last statement wherever you go that’s where you are or how ever you worded it. It’s so true.
I would consider ” Paradise ” more of a state of mind than a geographical place. I would not consider Philippines a total paradise, I have had 12 fantastic vacations there over the past decade or so. To enhance your stay either vacation or actually moving there I would advise not telling people how to do things ( they already have their tried and proven ways ), don’t talk politics, Show some kind of appreciation for what you do find to be nice, give out a few compliments where appropriate. In some situations you may require a great deal of patience in going with the flow of things there. Keeping negativity and such comments to yourself can go a long way, don’t forget to give a smile once in a while.
Hi Bob, I know that you’ve had some very enjoyable visits to the Philippines, we’ve talked about those many times. Nothing could make me happier. Perhaps we just Define Paradise in a different way, but I just don’t think it could be possible to call the Philippines Paradise, or anywhere else on Earth for that matter. Thanks for your input.
One of the best posts I have read here on LIP. Fine line writing. Good job Bob.
Wow, thank you very much, those are very kind words.
Even if foreigners did have freedom of speech here, it would be rude to criticize.our hosts.
And even if we could get away with it, so what. We can’t vote, so there’s nothing we can do about political conditions here anyway..
I agree, it’s not like you would go visit some buddies house and criticize them about the food or about their hosting or anything like that. That would be very rude, and will be equivalent to being critical to Philippines while you’re living here as a guest.
I keep learning from you, Bob…Here’s hoping that one day, I will make it back to the Philippines…God willing.
Good luck Gil. I’m sure you’ll be back!
Bob. Your comments are right on target. I get the “killings” question and have to point out that 1,000 NOT 7,000 deaths currently under investigation in a country of 103 MILLION PEOPLE is not unusual.
If President Duterte said everyone should drop dead, the opposition and their fake media would blame every death the next day, week or month on the President.
Thank you very much Jeff, I’m glad that you enjoyed the article. I can’t disagree with you in anyway based on what you said.
Sir Bob: Excellent piece of thinking from you here; I modeled myself on your attitudes and that is why I can live here and ACCEPT everything, because I know if I cannot then I have the option of leaving. The EU, where I am from, should keep its nose out of Philippine governance. The President of The Philippines is often criticised by foreign politicians because he seeks accord with countries such as China and Russia …. what is wrong with every country getting on with each other…. that WOULD be ‘Paradise on Earth’.
Thank you Steve, if you can live your life the way that your rose, with that same attitude, I believe you will do well here. Good luck to you.
Bob, as usual great article. However, for me the Philippines is my Paradise. Yes I know it has problems but these same problems affected me where I lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Ca. Power outages, due to bad weather or someone hitting the power pole or fire. Water outage due to pipes freezing, or drought. IN US cameras everywhere with big brother watching and big brother listening. Killing due top drug wars, terrorist, gangs, road rage. For me this is my Eden, and I say that with eyes open. And I understand for total paradise I need to want, but at least here I am happy and I am content and that is all that can ask for.
Hi Luke, I’m glad that you’re really enjoying it here. I also enjoyed here, I think you know that. I believe we just have different definitions of paradise. I do not believe there is such a thing as Paradise on Earth. I also feel that many Americans and others from other countries would have a hard time adjusting here, and that is evident because a lot of foreigners can’t last more than a couple years before having to leave.
Bob, if I wasn’t born here and don’t have family here, I probably wouldn’t last, either. Over time, though, I’ve been finding it a little easier to adjust. Stretch, stretch, that’s what it takes.?
Bob, I totally agree with you. I think that everyone pictures Paradise differently in their mind. or me this is paradise, the place where I can relax, enjoy life and be happy. I know it is not perfect, nor is it Heaven. But I love it here. It is not cold, there is no snow nor iced over roads, no big brother looking over my shoulder ever min of the day. For me that is what I want.
For me, I could never imagine Paradise is a place where people get sick, people die, people are starving in the streets, that kind of thing. Is it really Paradise for kids who have no food? For me it could never be.
I do understand Bob and agree. The difference for me is Paradise for me now, verses Heaven or Paradise when Jesus returns. The now for me is here with it earthbound troubles knowing that at sometime in the future true Paradise will be where the Heavenly Father has made it.. Man is not perfect ( god knows I am far from perfect) but I need certain things and some of them are driven by things in my past before I met Katleen. We are saying the something only in different ways..I am agreeing with u, but still I have defined Paradise one way you another?.
Truth! I always tell people, you never hear about a country or a city, anywhere, until something bad happens. the rest of the time it is too peaceful and boring to get media attention.
And I would make your point even stronger: If you are a person who is disgruntled and irritated about life and the people around you now, it will only get worse if you move overseas. If you are strongly opinionated about politics, and like to set people straight on things in general, you will not last here, and the longer you stay, the harder life will become for you. A person who is not liked here finds that the wheels of life grind to a halt. The smiles never stop, but nothing works, and you are blockaded at every turn, until you decide to leave.
Thank you very much, you know that I value your opinion highly, and I respect you a lot. It means a lot to me, and I agree with everything that you said. Take care, and by the way, happy anniversary to you and Ed.
Thank you, Bob! 🙂 Re-reading what I wrote, it sounds so grim… so I will add this: If you have a respectful curiosity about people and their ways, and can laugh at yourself, you will probably be just fine. If you treat people with respect, kindness and good humor (laughing at yourself when there is a mis-understanding, not them), people will go out of their way to help you, and things will work. It might take longer, but it will work.
I agree, that is all very true.
Good stuff man. Spot on. Your line “Only you can adjust your attitude to the point where you are happy with your life”. Great line sir. It’s all in your attitude.
Thank you Roper! I’m glad you liked that line in particular! I know that I had to make major attitude adjustments after moving here, so I am certain most others must do the same!
Well said Bob!…Kudos to you
Thank you, SD.
Bob, I’ve been misspelling Marital Law. Thanks for posting the correct spelling.
Ha ha, no problem. It is Martial law though… Not marital law!
Hi Bob,
You and Dave were discussing the casino attack in Manila while it was not a terrorist attack it was troubling that security was so lacking and that he occurred in a place tourists might visit with the expectation of safety. It did not happen in a place foreign governments would warn you about. I personally think casinos are a bit sketchy anywhere in the world. A lot of people losing a lot of money.
I think the guy that perpetrated the attack basically wanted to die and figured security would kill him. As President Duterte said he was crazy at that stage in his life. I have always assumed that casinos had “guys” that would take you out if you made trouble. Good article it provokes thought!
Peace
Jay
I’m not really looking to get deeply into this whole Casino thing, because that has nothing to do with the article. All I’m going to say about it is that I find the whole robbery scenario to be a little bit shaky, some of the things they have said don’t really add up in my mind. But, it’s not a huge concern to me, robberies and such happen in every country, this time it happened in the Philippines. Not a big deal to me. I mean, it was bad that so many people were killed and said, but it’s not really what my mind is focusing on right now with this particular article.
Hi Bob,
Your article talked about Philippines not being Paradise and part of the reason you mentioned was questions of people feeling safe. What happened at the Manila casino certainly goes along with your argument that the Philippines is not completely safe…no place is.
I agree the robbery angle does not make sense, because he stole gambling chips which I assume have little to no value outside the casino. I think President Duterte summed it up correctly when he said the guy who did it was crazy. He also had a beef against the casino, because he lost all he had and more gambling and then they banned him. I watched a video of the guy in the casino he walked leisurely around with little opposition that surprised me. I assumed there would be stronger security measures in place. In the USA the press has coined a phrase because of the number of incidents where people commit a crime so the police will kill them, “Suicide by police.” I think this was similar.
Sorry for going on about this as you already said you do not want to discuss, but I feel that the attack makes many question the effectiveness of security in the Philippines even in places a lot of people would feel safe. I certainly will not feel offended if you ignore this post Bob.
Peace
Jay
Hi Jay, my objection to talking about this topic was not really so much about the casino it was when President Trump came into the conversation, I really have no interest in talking about us politics, it only ends up causing trouble on the site.
Hi Bob,
If you reread my comments not Dave’s I did not mention President Trump. Dave did. I guess I should not have referenced Dave’s comment.
Peace
Jay
Just want to be clear Jay, I never said that your comment was a problem, I said it was the comment about Trump that was a problem for me because I didn’t want to get into United States politics, that has no place on this website. You did not mention about Donald Trump, I had no problem with it, but you were replying to the comment that was about Trump, and I just didn’t want to expand that part of the conversation. I hope you understand, what I was saying had nothing to do with you it was all about United States politics.
Sitting by the beach drinking a margarita is a Jimmy Buffet song. They don’t realize after a couple weeks that gets old then what do you do next.. The grass is always greener on the other side.
This is exactly what my whole article is about. A lot of people can understand that that Margarita on the beach is great, but it doesn’t last forever. You’ll get bored so fast, you have to have regular kind of things to do.
Thanks Bob for posting about the misspelling of Martial Law. Several times I’ve misspelled martial law when posting.
I recently read another article about martial law. It was titled “Martial Law 101 for Dummies” and I still spelled martial law wrong.
LOL not a big deal.
Within the next 18 months Fe will retire and we will build on one of her lots in Cebu, however if everyone is in a panic and leaving perhaps we may get a tremendous bargain. We’re in Florida now, nice warm with fewer homeless then in the RP while many are undernourished very few will starve, America where the poor are fat, dying of heart disease, diabetes and drug overdose right beside the rich. At our age we know Paradise is the last adventure. Hopefully a long way away, if not these limbos and purgatory have been both interesting and fun. It does seem almost unfair that we have the choice of living in an excotic island setting or a vacation paradise, and being of an age that who is the boss, what langue you speak, who your scape goat is (as long as not us) matter so much less than who we are having over for dinner, what adventure to see or do and how to help out a little. Maybe then we will travel to Paradise… be good to see the family and old friends again.
I have a piece of advice for you. Of course, it is up to you and you can take my advice or leave it. I would be very cautious about coming over here and building a house right away. I see a LOT of foreigners come here and do just that.. and a lot of them end up losing their shirt.
I love living here, but there are plenty of things you need to be cautious of! Good luck.
Bob;;
I’m guilty of the spelling mistake, but that was not a first for me. I understand your view on paradise. True it is not,real but it will do until I find the real thing or the mythical Shangri-La (Not the hotel in Manila) All it is, is contentment or a peaceful state of mind!. In my case it is a mountain top in Bataan…(LOL)
Hi Paul, I forgot all about the Shangri-La Hotel in Manila! Hey, based on that maybe this is Paradise after all. Lol.
Happiness is within you…not some external destination…
Against all advice I sold everything…and moved to the Philippines…having never even visited before… Bob Martin’s books painted a pretty clear picture…I’ve been here almost 3 years… and have no intention of returning to the USA…I returned for my 50th HS class reunion and a short visit to my son’s house…not once did I think about moving back..
Wow, thank you Will, for that ringing endorsement, I appreciate that very much. I’m glad things are worked out well for you.
Bob Martin …knowledge is power….and your books and web sites have provided a great deal of knowledge..
Good luck with your eye treatments and your diet…
Thank you very much.
Will Moore Knowledge without experience is just information.
bob, to most people phrase ‘paradise’ is a state of mind. that’s why people should visit Philippines first and get to know the people; understand the state of conditions of Philippines. get away from the tourist attractions and go to some of the smaller cities to learn how life is there. I have been visiting PH since 2012 and to me PH is slowing down the fast pace of life in usa. its actually good to slowdown and enjoy life. if you want to live the life you had before coming to PH you might as well stay where you are.
Is Paradise is a state of mind, and the Philippines can’t be paradise, because the Philippines is a place, not a state of mind. Furthermore, if Paradise is a state of mind, then there’s no need to come to the Philippines, because you can just put your mind into that place while you sit anywhere in the world. Sorry, I don’t buy that argument.
Heaven is the only paradise! The most important thing is who your with, than where you are living. There are good and bad things about both the Philippines and the US. You just have to make the best of where ever you decide to live.
My thoughts exactly.
If things in Mindanao don’t clear up when it is my vacation time there I might very cancel but not for the reasons mentioned in the article. What I am thinking right now is the Curfew time which I think is 9 PM to 5 AM. To me it would be like paying full price but only getting half the vacation time. I like to walk across the street from my hotel around 2 AM for a fresh brewed cup of coffee or two at McDo or Jollibee, take it back to the hotel while I enjoy it and internet on my laptop. Traffic jams due to checkpoints are another consideration although I seldom leave the city until it is time to return home to the USA. I have heard from friends that many restaurants close at sunset now which kind of dissapoints me. The fighting and killings just 33 KM away from Iligan City where I go at this point are not a deterrant for me. It is just the fact of paying full price to get there etc. and then only have half the time to enjoy myself due to curfew and early closings. There are killings every day in New York City and yet millions from all over the world continue to come to visit and sightsee.
Hi Bob New York,
Your comment made me think different strokes for different folks. When I am in Bohol I almost never go out after dark. They have had a curfew for years and I don’t care. I am in bed when there usually by 9 PM and wake up about 5:30 AM and walking around the neighborhood by 6:00 AM. Nothing wrong with you or me just different. I can see why a curfew would bother you.
Peace
Jay
Bob,
I am married to a Filipina and have noticed the last two times in PI that immigration in Manila has automatically stamped my passport with a 1 year visa expiration! I am a US citizen and my wife is a PI citizen! We traveled there in January and May of this year on 2 week trips each time!
Hi Brian, actually there’s nothing unusual about that, that’s perfectly normal. Since you are traveling with your wife, they just extended you the balikbayan privilege.
hahaha…kind of funny really “what about free speech!”
lol..and what about the 5th amendment rights and 2nd amendment and…
oh wait, those were amendments to the UNITED STATES constitution…not philippino constitution for expats.
people get things so ingrained in their thinking sometimes.
So true!