Why Davao City?

Re-published column of mine from August 1, 2014 in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR with friendly permission of Publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

A couple of years ago, I got the chance to meet Davao City's then vice mayor Sara Duterte for an interview. She took almost an hour to talk with me. One question of her was very much preying on my mind: How can Davao City become more attractive for investors and expatriates? Expats as pensioners and as business people as well... . 

Davao City has really a lot to offer. Where should I start?

Living in this wonderful city since 1999 already as an expatriate and businessman, I experienced already many of the good things that Sara Duterte has talked about. Sure, with the predominantly migration population, Davao City is a melting pot of cultures where diversities are well appreciated, respected, and  nurtured in a harmonious and peaceful environment. This is one of my most important reasons in staying here for good. Until 1998, I resided in Berlin, which is also very known for a multi-cultural and open city.

Davao City has one of the highest literacy rates in Asia, if we could believe, what's been published many times already. Davao City's labor force is cited as among the best in the region: educated, easily trainable, industrious and English speaking. Yes, I love to do business here while also being able to teach at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Obrero.

Every time, I am coming back from different business trips and entering then Davao City's airport, I utter the groan, "Salamat, I am back home!"

There is another reason: Although Davao City's average monthly crime volume went up a little bit, the peace and order public safety is indeed unique and awesome and very well known even leaving the municipal area of Mindanao itself. The Philippines' first emergency 911 call center has been of the priority development programs of our good mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Many expats or tourists can't imagine that a state of the art communication system that Davao City shares in common, an only befound in the U.S. and Canada.

Many more things could be mentioned. One thing for sure: Our good mayor has credited the Aquino administration for putting Davao City on the "green map" of investments and tourism in the country, as the MIRROR headlined last Monday. The mayor is totally right in saying, "Whether it is a spin-off of an improved economy - it happened during the Aquino administration." Speaking about the whole nation, German Ambassador to the Philippines Ossowski got the same opinion  when I met him last time in the German Embassy.

Yes, Davao City is really "a haven of urban luxury and gateway to natural wonders, engaging festivals and world-class tourism facilities. I left my heart in Davao City already in 1982 - during a trip to San Francisco... !

It's never too late!

Re-published from Mindanao Daily Mirror, Opinion Section, my column dated September 20, 2013 with friendly permission of my publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

I know a lot of pension expatriates living in the Philippines for good. Many of them get a big problem after staying here for only a couple of months: they get bored.

Having a vacation all day, all week, all month and all year long is really not an egg's yellow. I experienced the same in 1999 after moving to Davao City. At that time I justed turned 46.

I remember my last days in an international publishing house in Berlin (with branch offices in New York and Amsterdam. I packed up my things after signing my resignation letter. Of course, I hadn't reach my final pension age yet, but I got a lot of ideas on how to shape and organize my "new" life in the Philippines. I never forgot some office mates smiling at me: "We can't cross such bridges before we come to them!" Of course guys, you have been right!

Anyway, age doesn't matter - you can enjoy the second half of your life residing in the Philippines. As many of you know already: I stayed in many countries worldwide. I could have migrated to the U.S. I didn't. I choosed the Philippines.

Most important thing: Keep yourself busy... .

Sure, there is always a time, when we should rest and really enjoy life. Sure, we brought our savings and many of us enjoy the monthly pension in Euro or Dollar. Several weeks ago, I read a good idea in an U.S. business weekly: "Partner up with entrepreneurs who have long been in the business, or those who have just retired as well!" Worth to think about it!

Getting bored, means also for some to start grumbling and complaining about everything and everybody in the Philippines. I always keep my distance to such negative people. We are not here to change this country and its people. Why? What for? Filipinos are also not planning to change our home countries or us!

I really don't get more stressed than in my home country before. Critics reproach and accused me of living a life as expatriate while wearing pink tinted glasses. Sorry, but my conscience is very clear.

I keep myself busy, too busy sometimes: Teaching, translating, writing, in the radio, and many more things. It's never too late. It's your life! Take your chance and enjoy life in the Philippines. And stay away from grumblers and grousing people... .