For those of you who have been asking how to support this channel: Paypal is best. PayPal markfthornton@yahoo.com Expat Philippines Filipina Every Man Has a Story
Once on a flight from USA back to Philippines I met a guy who inherited parent's farm. He met a girl online, fell in love, sold the farm and sent all the money into Filipina's bank account. He was flying to Philippines to meet the love of his life for the first time. Upon arrival he discovered that she was a he.
@@johnbrian1046 Here you don't have to bathe the women before you bang them. Even the skanks bathe. Exponentially better chance at an STD though as you are one of hundreds if she is over 24 here
My first year in the Philippines, I never signed a lease, plenty of people will rent you a place month to month,I never bought anything or accumulated anything I couldn't fit in my car, oh yeah I bought a car,( it has been the best decision since I have been here, ) I like that I can pack a couple of bags and throw them in a car at a moments notice, I recommend to travel around the islands and check places out first before you settle anywhere, there is so much to see, with woman here, they will be on their best behaviour, it takes months before you meet the real her, if you don't know the culture learn it before you commit because you wont understand half the things she does and you will fight over things that are always just a miss understanding , I learned patience and to hold my tongue, Filipino are super respectful and saving face is everything, that's something I learnt early, but its easy to be nice all the time, the Philippines made me a better man.
the dog jumping out in front of you is my exact motorcycle story. Bought a car soon after instead. Listen to this man! His words can save you a lot of trouble.
great video my friend. i lived in Cebu 2019 to 2021 then back to Canada. i listen to Bloggers like yourself in the Philippines before I visited. listening to guys like yourself is very helpful to foreigners. keep up the good work. thanks again. God bless.
Very important advice.I am a Philippine born,left in 1978 to live in Australia (45 years) and Naturalized. Planning to live there part of the year in my retirement. Am so westernised and to live back there permanently is out of the question. Health care is very important and financial plan is a must.Have this in place.I can still speak Tagalog and still love Philippine cuisine. I intend to just want to live the best of both worlds.I am blessed.💐
I've been doing 'month to month' condos and hotels for 6 months. DOGS and KARAOKE are the biggest nuisances here and it's great to be able to get away from it with minimal inconvenience. Too many places to choose from to be stuck for a year right off the get-go.
Very informative. I have watched a lot of your videos and paul as well and have learned a lot. I am moving at the end of September to Duma. Am 70 y/o in good shape. Will be staying at hostel while i look for month to mo. I don't drink so its a priority to find a sober environment. Thanks again mark!
@@herbigp , when they're talking about karaoke they mean karaoke everywhere, could be in the street ,could be on a parking lot ,could be on a balcony, the mall etc. You could meet single girls anywhere.
Excellent coverage of various key topics that most people need to consider. Succint, clear explanations in a serious and credible presentation. Helped me a lot.
Girls in the philippines are Western now. Coming and going since 1981 and I see the change. The filipina in the USA is the filipina in the philippines. It's not like 40 years ago.
In my experience I have to agree 100%. Things work differently there and it’s not your job to try and change it. Always remember it’s not your country and you are a guest. The minute you lose site of that you will no longer be welcome. As far as rents etc. also right on the mark. Very possible in the first year you decide you love the country but hate the the town your in. We are not all cut from the same cloth. One other thing to add. The women are definitely a breath of fresh air but if you had a bad track record finding the right person in your home country the problem might not be the country. It might be you. Even if you want a long term relationship you might not be cut out for it. Nothing is wrong with that as long as you recognize it and can live with it. If your not happy alone then it’s going to be difficult to be happy with the responsibility of a relationship.
Great stuff...very practical. I was relieved that most of the things Mark addressed are things that I have already addressed through common sense planning. He had a few topics that I still need to plan for and I'm really glad I spent the time to watch his video. Thank you Mark, you have definitely contributed in a very tangible manner, to the success of my upcoming initial visit (4 months) to the Republic of the Philippines!
Sage advice Mark. As a new comer to your channel your overview is comprehensive and covers so many essential areas which I would not have considered. a heartfelt thank you!
Mark, great advice for newcomers. LISTEN & LEARN! Wishing you continued success with your wife & channel. Appreciate your honest evaluation of life in the Philippines for anyone. Keep Up the Fire!
Moving to the Philippines is an overwhelmingly stressful event. Planning, and making connections with trustworthy people already in the Philippines is the key. Having a couple of foreign guys that you have become really good friends with will be an invaluable source of support when you finally pull the trigger to relocate to the Philippines. Depending on your girlfriend that you met online for that much needed support is ill advised. Filipino's experience in planning is subpar at best.
Great advice and you covered some important things that are many times overlooked by people who are coming to the Philippines. Love your videos and your perspective. Hopefully many will take your advice. Congratulations on going over 50 k subs. Quite a milestone! I’ll still be here when you hit 100 k. 😎
Very well said!I have so much respect to a person like you who shows the same respect to all my fellow Filipinos. I’m jealous that you’re living in my home country,Philippines 🇵🇭 I’m living here in Japan for 30 years,married with 2 daughters and a granddaughter.I missed the chaos,going out with my filipino family & friends and life out there.There’s no place like home🏡 .It’s true ,it’s more fun in the Philippines 🇵🇭.Thank you for saying the good side of filipinos and the Philippines 🇵🇭 More power to you!God bless you and your family🙏
Met a Canadian with major disabilities who managed to get around just fine, wheelchair and all. Key point for everyone is, BE flexible which means adjust to the country, rather than expecting the country to adjust to your expectations.
12:40 - Great advice! I've experienced much of the same. From the debit/credit cards expiring, to the low water pressure. One thing you forgot to mention is that the land, and the building ON the land, are two separate entities, and not packaged together like it is in the USA. Foreigners cannot even own land, but they can own a building on a land (you can own a condo, but only if half of the condos in the building are owned by Filipinos). I know it's a weird concept for us Westerners, but it's how they do it here.
There's a new law that has been passed recently that foreigners can own 100% of a business here in the Philippines. Some foreign companies buy properties through their businesses. Some foreign property management businesses let their foreign clients take a 20 yrs lease (land or house) or longer. There are ways now.
Greetings Mark. Well said. One thing to add is when people here burn garbage and leaves or wood and the smell is terrible. That's my biggest problem as I despise the smell. Take care
Great channel and your comments are on point. I'm a Westerner from USA and I moved to retire in the Philippines in 2016. I'm North of you in the Western Visayas about 50 miles South of Bacolod City. And your so right that you must have a plan before coming over to the Philippines for good. I grew up in So San Francisco and most of my neighbors were Filipino. So I knew and understood their culture. I met a woman online and we talk and write each other for over a year before I travel to the Philippines to meet her in person. She was an OFW working abroad and when we meet it just was perfect. After our vacation and our meeting in the Philippines she went back to work abroad and I came back to America. We finally decided to both retire and live together in Philippines in her province in 2016. And because I understood their culture and ways it has really worked out. I also came with sufficient pension and social security to live comfortably in the Philippines. It's a beautiful life and beautiful friendly people here. But you are so correct about people needing to have a solid plan when they think they want to come and retire here. The Philippines is incredibly beautiful, but it's not for everyone. 👍🇵🇭🇺🇲
Hello. We might be neighbors one day. I have a question. I have the opportunity to build a home near one of the provinces in Pontevedra but I found out that the locals don't have weekly trash pickup services. They are used to burning their trash weekly or daily. Is this a problem leading up to rat infestation? Did you have to deal with this? Also, how often do you feel earthquakes in your area? I know I sound paranoid but I have to plan for things like this.
@@johnnyg7899 Hi I'm about 4 towns South of PonteVedra, and have been living here now in Negros Occidental since 2016,but have also visited here since 2010. We just got garbage pickup started just last year, before that, people burned their garbage out in the streets or in their backyards. Although we do have rats here, we also have a large population of cats here so we've never had a rat problem in our brgy. And since I've been here there have been 2 felt earthquakes here. One in 2016 that was just 3.4 and another here in 2020 that was 4.7. my gf said in 2013 there was a 6.8 earthquake that struck in Eastern Visayas but there was no damage to our home which is steel and concrete block. I'm not sure if PonteVedra has garbage pick up yet. But I pass by that town at least twice a month when traveling to Bacolod City and it looks like a nice area. Good luck in the future!!!!! 👍
@Barton Percival thank you so much for that update. I appreciate it. I am closer to Antipolo where they will be expanding the highway. So I guess I will just have to wait and see.
Listen to Mark, I grew up in the Philippines until I was 19, lived in the US until I was 59. Having said that, what Mark is talking about is can you live in the Philippines with your comfort level. Don't buy a big bike because you'd be lucky to go 25 miles and hour for 2 minutes during rush hour.
You deserve your success on RU-vid. This is great advice and should be mandatory viewing for all foreigners. All of the items you mentioned should be considered by everyone.
I love your take on the relationships. A lot of foreigners look at the pinays as a usable commodity to use as they please, Your view towards pinays is respectful and compassionate. Kudos to you!
33 years lived there on and off, you realy do not know what your saying, rather like saying I am not afraid to swim with Great White Sharks, "depends how you treat them".....your a dreamer , just go and do-it then come back in 3 years with a different story...Bastos...
Excellent video Mark! Everything that you mentioned is true. This certainly could be a go-to video for expats thinking of relocating to the PH🇵🇭. Thank you for doing this for us. Be safe and enjoy your evening tonight. 🌙⭐️🌙
Salamat Mark …spot on as always…it took be getting burned once to find the right Filipina…sorry to miss you when i was there last month…hope we can meet you and Jen in Bacong where my fiancé lives …and we can catch up on things here in “The Ville “ so take good care and God bless my friend
Mark, My 45 years in & out experience of the Philippines your advice is on target. Love your channel you always give great advice. You don’t pull any punches giving advice for other older folks who wants to retire in the Philippines. Please continue with your outstanding channel.
Of all the videos I have watch,and trust me they have been many, some very good,but none has been better than yours sir,not even close,without this video,I see many costly mistakes I've made, I have repeat listening to this video several times to make sure I didn't miss none of this great advice,man you are good,you are really good,thanks for your awesome advice,you have saved me from being a BIG DUMMY...I appreciate you very much.
Outstanding description of a roadmap to success and the pit common pitfalls. My wife is from Bacolod City, and I’m a potential expat. I am considering Cebu City or Dumaguete as a full retirement location. We happily live in Honolulu.
