7,641 Islands of Warmth and Adventure
No — working for Philippine companies requires an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from DOLE, plus an appropriate visa (9(g)). Remote work for foreign clients is legally grey — technically requires a visa authorizing work, but enforcement on laptop workers is minimal.
For retirees 50+, the SRRV is exceptional value — your deposit earns interest (Philippine banks offer 3-5%), you get permanent residency with no annual renewal hassle, right to work (to manage investments), tax-free foreign income, and multiple-entry privileges. The deposit is not spent — it's in your bank account.
SRRV holders get one-time duty-free importation of personal effects and household goods. Used car import is allowed. New retirees also get duty-free importation of a vehicle once.
Yes — Philippine nursing, medicine, and engineering degrees are widely recognized internationally. Philippine nurses work worldwide (largest medical workforce export globally). CHED accredits Philippine universities.
Yes — unlike most Asian countries, the Philippines uses English as the primary medium from kindergarten through university in most private and many public schools. This makes international school fees much lower than elsewhere in Asia.
Yes — public school is free, instruction is English and Filipino. However, most expat families choose international schools or private bilingual schools.
Foreigners cannot own land. However, they CAN legally own condominium units (up to 40% of a building may be foreign-owned). Many expats buy condos in BGC, Makati, or Cebu.
BGC (Fort Bonifacio/Taguig) is newer, cleaner, better planned, with walkable streets, less traffic, and a modern expat-friendly environment. Makati is older, with a bigger business district, but more chaotic. BGC is the preferred choice for most expats today.
In expat areas (BGC, Makati, Cebu IT Park) — very safe with 24/7 security in condo buildings. Outside tourist/expat areas, research neighborhood safety. The Philippines has areas with higher crime rates; most expats stay in well-secured condo buildings.
Easy — Filipinos are famously hospitable. Best entry: workplace (BPO/corporate teams socialise heavily), basketball pickup at the barangay court (the national obsession), karaoke nights ('videoke'), church groups, fiestas, and inuman (drinking sessions with pulutan). Accept the first invitation to eat — refusing food is the rudest move.
Yes — consistently ranked among the world's worst. EDSA at rush hour averages 10–15 km/h; a 10 km trip can take 90 minutes. Plan around the 'number coding' scheme (plate restrictions Mon–Fri 7:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00 by last digit). Most expats live in BGC or Makati to walk/short-Grab to work.
Not strictly — English works everywhere. But learning basic Tagalog ('salamat', 'kumusta', 'magkano', 'po/opo') deepens relationships fast. Outside Manila, Cebuano (Visayas) or Ilocano (north) matters more than Tagalog. Filipinos warmly applaud any effort, no matter how broken.
It is the world's longest Christmas season. Carols start 1 September; parol (star lanterns) go up in October; 16–24 December is **Simbang Gabi** — nine consecutive 4 a.m. or evening masses, said to grant a wish if completed. Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) with lechon, hamon, queso de bola, bibingka, puto bumbong is the climax.