Why does a relationship that might generate gossip and criticism in America often attract little attention in the Philippines? This post explores age gaps, foreign boyfriends, chismis, family expectations, and why Filipino culture often views these relationships very differently than the West.
One of the fastest ways for an American retiree to get frustrated in the Philippines is to take every “Yes, sir” at face value. You ask:“Can you finish this by tomorrow?”They say:“Yes, sir.” Tomorrow comes… nothing happens. At first you think you’ve been lied to. You haven’t.You’ve just bumped into one of the deepest cultural … Read more
After more than a decade living in the Philippines, one American retiree compares doctors, hospitals, dentists, healthcare costs, and veterans care with the United States.
If you grew up in the United States, you know exactly what to expect on the Fourth of July: parades in the morning, BBQs in the afternoon, fireworks when the sun goes down, and the whole nation calling it a night by 10 p.m. sharp. One day, one celebration, one set of traditions. Then you … Read more
I’m a 76-year-old former U.S. Marine, still in reasonably good shape, but realistic enough to know there’s trouble ahead. I didn’t end up in the Philippines because of a postcard fantasy or some retirement brochure. I’m here permanently because of a tragic turn in a friend’s life — another Marine who built a beautiful home … Read more