I just wanted to clarify that I am not implying in this blog that everyone in the Philippines stay where they are and not even think of living abroad. I am also not even suggesting that everyone pack their bags and leave their new country at the first sign of loneliness or culture shock. I am a huge fan of going abroad, traveling, taking risks and seizing every opportunity that is presented to us. But one thing I may be biased about is the idea of retirement in the Philippines. I think it is worth considering for those hitting their golden years or even those who are young who are looking into laid back lifestyle to consider coming back to our country. I know for a fact that a lot of older people who got petitioned by their children are actually almost always end up coming back yearly to our country because at their age, life abroad (such as in the US) is just well, quite meaningless and lonely for them. They have stronger ties to our country and there sad to say, they live only to support their children, watching their grandchildren and almost not having a life of their own. I don’t imply that everyone is like that. Some are fortunate to find a big support group because they have lived there for 30 years already but I am talking about those who were brought in by their kids. And even those who did built a life on their own, it is really worth the try to consider the Philippines instead of choosing to retire in let’s say Florida (please no!), or Spain.
I encourage young single people to not be afraid to go on your own and leave your comfort zone in our country but do not forget that living abroad means having the first few year of your life dealing with the weather, culture shock, loneliness, maybe language and a lot of money spent in furnishing your flat, and buying your car. If you are single you even have to deal with how to find your partner! As if that is not a problem in itself. But anyways, you came there to earn money also and help your family. That is usually the case. But don’t forget to take care of yourself first and foremost and enjoy yourself. Go explore and learn about your new country and get immersed in the culture. Know how people think and decide what makes them tick and what is actually the norms in their culture.
But at the end of they day, you realize you are just a visitor in that country. Even if you end up becoming a citizen. You find yourself dreaming of being back in the land where you were born. And the food yes, the real Filipino food that the Filipino stores and restaurants cannot even compare with. And worse, if you live in a country that is devoid of these Filipino stores, Filipino channels, Filipino restaurants and even Pinoys themselves — the homesickness is unbearable. You have no choice but to decide to be one of them or maybe decide to leave.
And then there’s the obvious potentials the Philippines has. Many foreigners know it already and they have been “secretly” or quietly coming there and setting up businesses and making huge money in the process. Some of us have developed into great entrepreneurs but some are still oblivious of the fact that there is really something brewing in our country and we have to be there to discover it.
4 responses so far ↓
1 grrlash // Apr 8, 2008 at 7:12 pm
We have the same sentiment about retiring in the Philippines. We plan to do the same. There’s just no place like home and you’ll never be a second class citizen in your own country. Kudos to you!
2 Sam Shoushi // May 6, 2009 at 12:53 am
I bumped into your blog in the middle of searching for people who have experienced the Philippines after being abroad.
What’s different now though is that I’m going back to start my career there. I’m still not sure what I would end up doing but at least I won’t have to worry about being homeless somewhere in the US while I search for something to do.
I appreciate your comments and I can’t wait to read more!
My situation is a little bit different. I was born in the Philippines but my mother, who married a Jordanian man, took us to the homeland of my father. From Jordan I got a scholarship to go to Italy for highschool then another one to attend a top liberal arts college in the US. I’m graduating in less than a month and, unfortunately, I’m having difficulties finding a job or something to do after college.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot and something is making me want to go back to the Philippines. My mother objected at the beginning… She doesn’t like it there. My relatives will also be surprised by my decision. But I’ve been back there a few times and I don’t think that it’s that bad. I actually liked living in Manila
What do you think? Am I making the right decision?
You can email me at mshoushi@gmail.com!
Thank you
Sam
3 mixxy // May 6, 2009 at 3:20 am
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s nice to know you appreciate this blog. About your question, I can only give you pros and cons and you will see me talking about it in this blog but in the end only you can make the right decision — but I guess you know that already
. You are still young there is no harm in trying out things out of the ordinary. You can also come over here on short visits as what many, including I suggest doing first. But I guess you’ve done that already . Do you still have relatives here in Manila where you can stay with while looking for a job? By the way, I am curious, what was the course you studied exactly?
4 Sam Shoushi // May 6, 2009 at 5:07 am
Thank you for your reply!
I have relatives in Paranaque and I’ve always stayed with them during my visits. Ideally though I would like to find somewhere to stay on my own, or with a roommate. I just don’t want to stay at my tita’s or tito’s for a long time
A pinoy friend who went to the same college as I did offered me a part-time job at an international school in Las Pinas. Another friend offered me a job at HSBC. So I guess I’m lucky that at least I have a couple of things going on for me and shouldn’t complain.
I’m graduating from Middlebury College (Vermont, USA) with a major in International Studies and Political Science. I am a native speaker in Arabic and English, fluent in Japanese and Tagalog, and conversant in Italian. I am interested in International Development but I still can’t put my finger on what I would like to do in that field. As many balikbayans, I have a small dream in establishing something back home. I don’t know how capable, or even willing, I am to start my own business there but I really want to look into starting an NGO. But this is just my idealist young self speaking
You’re blog is great btw! I was really glad to read about your thoughts about going back to the Philippines and your experiences there right now. I feel that I’m making one of the most difficult decisions in my life and it’s good to hear about others how have been or are going through similar situations.
Sam
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