What should an expat know about living or retiring to the Philippines?

 

JohnRich R. Levine

 · 

What should an expat know about living or retiring to the Philippines?

There is nothing more to know than the information you already have at the click of your mouse or the touch of your fingertips.

Among these are:

1. Your preference for a temperate tropical climate. You don’t want to finalize your decision, and a month or two after living there, realize, that you don’t like the humidity that comes with sea breeze. Philippines is an archipelago of more than seven thousand islands. Breeze is everywhere. Humidity is in every breeze. Is this something you look forward to when you retire? It is water from end to end. If not, then consider changing your plans as early as now.

1. Do you like asian food (Filipino food) or the Filipino variation of westernized meals? These meals are named almost exactly the same names as you hear them in the west. But they are not cooked in the west. They are cooked and prepared with the Filipino taste buds. Sure, you can have spaghetti. But not your spaghetti kind. If you want your kind, your taste, your preference, you have to import that from somewhere, or prepare it yourself with the exact ingredients you use from where you came from, not from the local manufacturers. Is this something you want to adventure upon retirement? Many people would do this if only to depart from the usual life and lifestyle they lived while still earning their retirement.

This:

Versus This:

1. Do you enjoy adapting and adopting cultural practices? Do you like to decorate an accent of your own culture? The Philippines is a pot of gold of adaptations of cultures. You will fit anywhere, anytime. If you adapt. The Filipinos are born with innate tendencies to adapt to a culture around them. They will adapt to you. Would you adapt to them? Very flexible, considerate, adaptable, easy to teach and influence and noticeably versatile. Do you like this? Or do you prefer to be rigid and tough and rough? If you decide to retire there regardless of your cultural characteristics, chances are you, your ego will be broken to pieces in pain. But if you let go of that tough rough rigid image and embrace a new you, you will be crowned the apple of their eyes.

1. The Philippines is a nation of fun and adventurous people, at times over the top. There are no snow skiing, but you can always try doing it in the hills of chocolate grasses. Swimming with the sharks? No problem. Roller coasters? Sure. Flintstone style. Horseback riding? You got it. Except you do it on several other animals too, not just horses. Carabaos, cows, sometimes, donkeys the size of a goat. Pick your fun.

1. Budget? What budget? Just keep your money in your socks. We ain’t got nothing to budget. No, uh uh. Ain't gonna happen. You like McDonald’s? Sorry, thats for birthday, once a year. You are going to eat chicken, maybe sardines, and tons of fresh vegetables. Regularly. Or travel by motor bike as bus, or take the bankas as boat. It’s cheap here, man. You got to learn it. Get over your air conditioned cars. That’s for drama and show off. Take a motorcycle. Ten pesos per trip to downtown. That is about 25 cents a trip. And you could reduce that cost if you own your own motorbike and take someone with you for a fee. If that sounds adventure and fun to you, hop in on your plane and land in Cebu. You can start a life for less than a month’s salary.

1. So you are white, or black, Hispanic, or maybe a combination of a little bit of this and that color? And your nose a little bit different? No, hugely different? Then security is an issue for you. What do you do? Change your skin? Cut back on your nose’s height? No. Be you. Be the you that you want to be. Decide to live peaceably, and leave the litigious mentality of ‘see you in court” kind behind you. Ain't gonna work that way.

1. Eat. This is why you decide to retire there. Eat while planning what to eat next. This is perhaps the only reason that will stand the test of your decision to retire in the Philippines. Eat everything at least twice. If you don’t like to eat there, why are you there?

1. Miami, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona. Sometimes California, or New Mexico. And sometimes Texas. Are retirement destinations of the cold northerners. If they only know 7, 107 islands are waiting for them in the coasts of the Pacific for a fraction of the cost in Hawaii. Go live as a retired expat there, and go up north in the summer, to your point of origin. In terms of water, this is also called renewable sources of energy. Go up and down the globe, just like salmons upstream the streams to take advantage of the refreshing rivers.

Go. Just go. I’ll see you there, soon.

𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to marine environmental protection, Coast Guard Station Davao together with Civil Relations Group- Southeastern Mindanao, in partnership with the Tambongon Fisherfolks Association (TAMFIAS), successfully conducted a Mangrove Planting Activity at the Tambongon Mangrove Site in Purok Tambongon, Barangay Lasang, Davao City on 01 August 2026.

The activity resulted in the planting of 100 mangrove propagules, contributing to the restoration of vital coastal ecosystems that serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and the impacts of climate change. Healthy mangrove forests also provide critical habitats for marine life, support local fisheries, improve water quality, and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities.

Through initiatives like this, the Philippine Coast Guard continues to uphold its commitment to protecting and preserving the country's marine environment while fostering stronger partnerships with coastal communities toward a greener and more climate-resilient future.

#DOTr

#CoastGuardPH

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Kabacan responders top Gov. Lala Simulation Exercise

 

By Keith Bacongco

Published Aug 1, 2026 05:34 pm

DAVAO CITY – Responders from the local government of Kabacan in Cotabato topped the 6th Gov. Lala Simulation Exercise (SimEx) on mass casualty incidents in Banisilan, Cotabato from July 26 to 31.

The Kabacan Incident Quick Response Team (KIQRT) outperformed their counterparts from different towns in most of the disciplines during the competition.

The KIQRT was also the Best in Swift Water/River Crossing, Best in Hailing, Best in Low Angle Rescue, and Best in Emergency Transfer, List, and Carries.

Responders from Matalam placed second after earning the Best in Patient Management and Best in Extrication in the Mass Casualty for Earthquake, Landslide, and Flooding Incidents. Third was responders from Pikit which was the Best in Transfer, Coordination, and Endorsement in the same scenario.

In the same scenario, responders from Tulunan were Best in Camp Management; Makilala as Best Organized Team, and Best in Search and Rescue Uniform was also awarded to responders from Antipas and Makilala.

Special awards were given under the Mass Casualty Incident and Vehicular Crash to responders from Kabacan for Best in Extrication; Arakan for Best in Triage; M’lang for Best in Patient Management, and Pikit for Best in Transfer, Coordination, and Endorsement.

The five-day activity was part of the provincial government’s effort to hone the skills of every responder in the province in man-made disasters and geohazards.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the simulation exercises also aim to identify the competencies of all Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and partner-agencies in the province in managing events or incidents.

The PDRRMO acknowledged that the province is exposed to a wide range of natural and human-induced hazards, necessitating a high level of preparedness among responders and stakeholders.

“With its strategic locations and expanding road networks, the province continues to experience increasing risks of vehicular accidents that may result in mass casualty incidents,” the PDRRMO said.

The agency noted that the province lies in a seismically active region, making it vulnerable to earthquakes that may trigger secondary hazards such as flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse.

“These realities underscore the need for continuous capacity building, interventions, particularly simulation exercises that replicate real-life emergency scenarios and test the readiness of response systems at all levels,” PDRRMO said.

Banisilan Mayor Arlene Alisasis said that the local government is grateful for being chosen as the host of the activity.

“Calamities could strike anytime and anywhere, we cannot predict when disasters could strike. That is why we have to always be prepared, we should remain united because there are no challenges that we cannot overcome,” Alisasis said.

Maymay Entrata flaunts bikini body during Palawan getaway with boyfriend

By Neil Ramos

Published Aug 1, 2026 11:52 am

At A Glance

• Maymay Entrata delighted fans after sharing sweet moments with boyfriend Joaquin Enriquez during their Palawan getaway, where her stunning bikini photos also went viral.

Maymay Entrata is making waves on social media after sharing snaps from her recent vacation in Palawan with boyfriend Joaquin Enriquez.

The actress-singer treated her followers to photos from their stay at a private resort, giving fans a glimpse of the couple's relaxing island getaway.

Several of the images captured the pair enjoying the picturesque destination, while others highlighted Entrata's toned physique in a bikini, drawing praise from netizens.

"Palawan, La Isla Bonita. A grateful heart, breathtaking views, my bonito, and a beautiful newly engaged couple... what more could I ask for? Praise God indeed," Entrata wrote in the caption.  

Fans quickly flooded the comments section with compliments, with many gushing over the couple's sweet moments and admiring the actress' beach-ready look.

Others also praised the scenic backdrop of Palawan, one of the country's top tourist destinations.

The post has since gained thousands of reactions and continues to circulate across social media, with many fans calling the couple one of showbiz's sweetest pairs.

THE POWER OF LISTENING

 

The power of listening is the ability to build deep trust, stop fights, and help others feel safe. It means paying full attention without judging or thinking about what to say next.

Great leaders are great listeners, and therefore my message today is a simple one – talk less and listen more. The best leaders are proactive, strategic, and intuitive listeners. They recognize knowledge and wisdom are not gained by talking, but by listening. Take a moment and reflect back on any great leader who comes to mind…you’ll find they are very adept at reading between the lines. They have the uncanny ability to understand what is not said, witnessed, or heard. In today’s post, I’ll quickly examine the merits of developing your listening skills. 

Warning: this post isn’t going to coddle you and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy – it is rather blunt and to the point.

How to Do It RightGive Full Attention: Put away phones and look at the person.Stay Quiet: Let the other person finish their whole story without cutting in.Ask More: Say simple things like "Tell me more" instead of giving quick advice.

Want to become a better leader? Stop talking and start listening. Being a leader should not be viewed as a license to increase the volume of rhetoric. Rather astute leaders know there is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than by dominating it. In this age of instant communication, everyone seems to be in such a rush to communicate what’s on their mind, they fail to realize the value of everything that can be gleaned from the minds of others. Show me a leader who doesn’t recognize the value of listening to others and I’ll show you a train-wreck in the making.

Do you sometimes feel like this, my dear readers, that you want to discuss something, but the people opposite to you simply cannot listen to you? Sometimes, I would love to tell them, "first, learn to listen"!

Listening is indeed the key in effective communication. A person does not have to speak all the time to be the smartest person in the room. Lack of listening may result in frustration, disappointment, and resentment in our relationships. When we listen, we are able to create stronger emotional connections with people.

Many times during my teaching, I'm happy when my students have one or more questions for me - so, I can listen to them first. Active listening promotes mindful thinking, which can reduce anxiety and depression in students. It can also help students build relationships because as they engage themselves in conversation, their peers are more likely to view them as open and interested.

However, every time you use active listening, it gets a little easier. It can help you to navigate through difficult conversations. More than that, it helps improve overall communication, builds a better understanding and ultimately leads to better relationships with family, friends and co-workers too.

Listening is an active process by which we make sense of, assess, and respond to what we hear. The listening process involves five stages: receiving, understanding, evaluating, remembering, and responding. Not only in school or at the workplace. But especially talking about the workplace: Listening helps managers to solicit feedback and proactively find out about problems before they escalate. It's also the only way for management to get to know people as individuals and ensure that they feel genuinely valued.

Listening and the supreme gift of wisdom belongs together. You can only become a wise person, if you know how to listen. Do you still remember the university lectures in your old student days once upon a time? Anybody can become wise, Proverbs says. Wisdom is not reserved for a brainy elite. Becoming wise requires self-discipline to study and humbly seek wisdom at every opportunity. And allow me to repeat: and, first, learn to listen.

Electricity doesn't fall free from heaven

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Aug 1, 2026 12:05 am

A former Cabinet official likes to remind listeners of an unyielding truth: “Nothing comes free from heaven, and everything is a trade-off.”

It is a principle that populist politics regularly tries to sidestep. For decades, a political culture built on sweeping promises has fed the illusion that basic costs can simply be legislated away. In Congress, pending bills routinely propose consumer relief without ever identifying where the funding will come from.

The latest crowd-pleasing soundbite came during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), when he called for an immediate amendment to the 25-year-old Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to ban utilities from passing “system loss” charges onto consumers.

The logic feels appealing—nobody wants to pay for power they did not use. But recovering the cost of electricity loss is standard practice worldwide, even if calculation methods and billing displays vary by country. Crucially, energy distribution operates under the laws of physics, not legislative decree.

When electricity travels across copper wires, natural resistance converts a portion of that energy into heat. Even ultra-modern power grids in Singapore and South Korea experience these unavoidable “technical losses.” Combine that physical reality with “non-technical losses”—power theft through illegal jumper cables, defective meters, and administrative errors—and you get total system loss. Erasing that loss entirely is a physical impossibility.

Energy stakeholders have voiced support for reviewing EPIRA, but they caution against cutting system loss charges without a clear plan to recover those costs. The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest utility, noted that while it keeps its charges around five percent—well below the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) 5.5 percent cap for private utilities—some level of technical loss remains inherent in operating any grid.

The real crisis looms in the provinces. The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca), representing 121 electric cooperatives, warned that losses on rural networks stem from thermodynamics and sprawling terrain rather than poor management. While the ERC caps co-op losses at 8.25 percent, the Department of Energy (DOE) noted that some inefficient cooperatives suffer losses as high as 16 percent. Outlawing loss recovery without state subsidies, Philreca warned, will simply drive non-profit co-ops into bankruptcy.

If rural distributors fail, state entities like the National Power Corp. will have to step in to keep regional grids running. Taxpayers would ultimately fund government bailouts and loan guarantees, while the treasury forfeits the value-added tax (VAT) revenue currently collected on those billing lines.

Government agencies are now scrambling to figure out how to handle the proposed ban. The ERC emphasized that any reduction in system loss caps must be grounded in technical reality rather than arbitrary mandates, asking whether utilities are actually ready to absorb the hit without compromising operations. Instead of an outright ban, Philreca has urged Congress to adopt a performance-driven transition model with customized, feeder-specific caps, paired with government funding for grid upgrades and anti-pilferage enforcement.

To cushion the policy shift, the DOE noted that the agency and the National Electrification Administration are evaluating soft loans to help co-ops modernize. Yet financing grid upgrades through state-backed loans merely shuffles the bill from one government account to another.

As Meralco's chairman pointed out, nature is commanded only by obeying its laws. Moving electricity creates resistance, resistance creates loss, and someone has to absorb that cost. Shifting tens of billions of pesos in losses onto power producers and distributors threatens the stability of the entire energy sector.

Pretending that technical line loss is merely corporate greed makes for great political theater, but terrible economic policy. Outlawing the laws of physics will not lower the cost of living; it only ensures that citizens pay a much steeper price when the grid goes dark.