Christian English Speaking Country: The Philippines is a Christian (Catholic mostly) country that is somewhat English speaking. Filipinos tolerate us foreigners pretty well (they like our money). This is a society where you are told they respect us older folks. I tell you they respect us because we have more money than they do and this is a society where money talks....all others walk, or take a Jeepney.
Work: If you are thinking of coming here to work, don't bother. The minimum wage is a little over $4 a day and most don't even honor the minimum for many jobs. This $4 could be for a fourteen (or more) hour day. Foreigners are not allowed to work here anyway, in most instances. I hear that in Manila it is common to expect over $8 a day for pay. Of course, it is more expensive to live there. High unemployment keeps wages suppressed and people flock to the cities in hopes of that 'high' paying job. Many end up being 'squatters'.
Business: You better have an MBA and deep pockets if you think you can just open a business here and thrive. If you do, I want to be your free protégé for a few years! I owned my own business for almost twenty years and was in management prior to that so I am not exactly naive. This is a tough place. I just kind of laughed at the last American who 'was here' who was going to make a 'killing'. Ownership of any business you do start will most likely be in your wife's name. Come here to live if you want, but consider somewhere else if you want to make a living.
Really: The real reason you are coming here is that there are young beautiful girls willing to be your partner for life. This is not a country people come to because of the 'country'.
