Why do so many foreigners leave their country and come to live in the Philippines? Who are these people? What cultural and socio-economic class do they come from? What is their present impact, and what will be their long-term impact on Dumaguete, and in a broader sense, the Philippines?
In order to learn about them, I interviewed several expats here from Canada, America, England, Ireland, Holland, France, and Germany.They share a general consensus regarding why they are here in Dumaguete/Negros Oriental.
Top of the list is the low cost of living, compared to what they’d experienced in their countries. Many of them can comfortably life here on US$1500 to $2,000 monthly.
Not surprisingly, they all appreciate the warm, welcoming attitude of the locals. The relaxed attitude here is a welcome contrast to the fast-paced lives most of them experienced before coming here.
They also enjoy outdoor activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, trekking, mountain climbing, cycling, fishing, and running.
Fresh vegetables, fish caught daily, excellent quality chicken, pork, and other meats are inexpensive, and in plentiful supply.
Then there’s the inevitable attraction of the Pinay. Some foreigners come with the implicit intention of meeting a special woman to become an integral part of their new life.
Some pride themselves, with no sense of embarrassment, at such juvenile behavior by loudly boasting about the number of women they’d recently “spent time with.”
Others, like me, had no intention of entering into any serious long-term relationships, but subsequently did.
Most of them had at least one bad experience with a Pinay, before either giving up or hanging in, until they eventually found a good girl.
The average age of those I interviewed is 67. Clearly, that’s not an accurate statistical figure for the Region.
But observe while you walk around Dumaguete. It seems mid-sixties is the prevailing age.
Their educational levels vary extensively. Some are college-educated, while many have a military, technical, or trades background.
Some have opened a business here, through their Pinay partner/wife, but most came to relax and enjoy the remaining years of their lives.
A current impact on local society is the way the lives of Pinays and their families have benefitted. It’s not unusual for the expat to occasionally, or regularly, financially support his Pinay’s family.
Positive consequences result in an uplifting of the standards of living for some Filipinos.
Unfortunately, problems occur when the expat’s generosity is considered insufficient, and a sense of entitlement makes some families demand, not request, for additional funds.
That view is understandable. In Philippine culture, the expat has become a member of their family where all resources are shared. “Joy for one is joy for all. Sadness for one is sadness for all.” But such a viewpoint is not always shared by the expat.
On a somber note, while looking at the extensive number of “Beauty and the Beast” couples, I wonder if there is a law that I’m unfamiliar with requiring young and beautiful Pinay women to date or marry old and unhealthy foreigners. Is there? What’s it called? “The law of necessity.” Ah.
After a lifetime of travelling and encountering women all over the world, I’m convinced that if one is fortunate to find a good Pinay, there are very few women anywhere around the world who can match the Pinay for loyalty, sensuality, honesty, and overall excellence as a quality, life-long partner.
I smile ruefully when remembering that for me, a long-term relationship used to be one that began late on Friday night, and ended early Monday morning.
By marrying Pinays and having children, although the numbers are relatively small, it will inevitably impact the look of some Filipinos in the near-term, but more so in future generations as the number of expat and Pinay children increases.
The expats’ economic impact is significant. Their capital helps provide significant employment, particularly in service areas and construction.
It’s not surprising the Philippine Retirement Authority enthusiastically encourages foreigners to come live here, by providing guidance and incentives.
Expats also come here because of Forbes Magazine naming Dumaguete as one on the Top 6 places in the world to retire in.
The Philippine Retirement Authority has confirmed Dumaguete as the “best city in the county” to retire in.
Considering there are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, those are two significant endorsements.
Generally, the expats’ impact on Philippine culture will be subtle but meaningful, and become more so over time.
The attitudes brought by foreigners and Western principles, and instilled in their children will change society for better and for worse. Passivity will decrease. Demand for better behavior from politicians will increase. But despite that, overall changes in society will be minimal.
The full impact caused by the C19 pandemic is impossible to measure at present, but it’s probable the numbers of expats wanting to live in the Dumaguete area will increase in the future after the pandemic situation ends.
I did zero analysis regarding why I should live here. When I arrived in Dumaguete from California late in 2016, I carried my well-travelled backpack, my passport, a credit card, some cash, an ATM card, and nothing else. I’d disposed of my material possessions in America, and was heading on to somewhere, anywhere.
First stop was the Philippines, and Dumaguete in particular. Why? Nothing definitive but I’d visited several times, enjoyed the tropical climate, the people and, yes, the lovely ladies.
I was confident in knowing that if Dumaguete didn’t work out, I could afford to travel elsewhere until I felt comfortable. Fortunately, that wasn’t necessary.
Little did I imagine that after coming off the Ocean Jet boat from Cebu, because I knew nobody in the area, within a few months I’d be writing a column for this newspaper, teaching in a local university, publishing another book, and rekindling a relationship with a girl from Cebu Island that would have serious long-term implications for both of us.
It’s said one must leave home in order to truly appreciate it. I now consider the Dumaguete area to be my home.
When I went on my round- the-world trip in September 2018, I had a fascinating experience working as a crew member on a 100-year-old, three-masted sail boat beginning in Tenerife, Spain, then sailing south to the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa, across the Atlantic Ocean to the north east coast of Brazil, then south down to Montevideo in Uruguay.
Sadly, within a day after my arrival in California, I began to feel uncomfortable. Unlike the smiles I was used to here at home, I experienced constant scowls and anger. People were unhappy in the “land of plenty”.
And I’d forgotten corporate America has such a heavy presence. Huge signs for fastfood, junk food, cars, phones, and shopping malls were everywhere.
The absence of an environment where communities could exist was evident. Gigantic mounds of concrete formed shopping malls that dominated the landscape in towns named Roseville, Orangevale, Fruitvale, Citrus Heights. I doubt any of those towns had actually grown flowers or fruits in their yards for an entire generation.
Pit Bulls had replaced Golden Retrievers as the preferred home-dog. I was walking a friend’s dog when out of nowhere, a massive bulldog ran across the road, attacked and brutally savaged my friend’s dog. Then the Pit Bull’s owner laughed in amusement.
A sense of general uneasiness permeated the atmosphere. I can’t imagine what it’s like there now, and throughout America, in mid-2021 where the lunatic fringes on both political sides claim their moral correctness and scream self-righteous indignation.
Civility no longer exists in America. Tolerance of another person’s political viewpoint used to be respected, if not agreed with. That’s become a fading memory.
I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. On the third day, I felt the need to return home. The level of anger had begun to depress me. The final straw came when driving on highway 101, I barely avoided crashes first with a car, then a truck. Both drivers roared obscenities at me while energetically pointing a finger, even though I’d been defensively driving.
When I smiled peacefully at them, they became even more irritated by my refusal to buy into their aggression. I didn’t want to further aggravate them by questioning the harm they’d hoped to cause by pointing a finger at me while they sped by.
I parked as soon as possible, then purchased a new ticket from Philippine Airlines at considerable expense but which was worth every dollar.
The flight next day returned me to the relative calm and tranquility of Dumaguete.
Soon, I was again walking along Rizal Boulevard, with a smile on my face, lightness in my step, and contentment in my heart.
After 73 days travelling the world, I was finally home.
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Author’s email: irishauthorMichaelCassidy@gmail.com
