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Author: Reekay V.
Since 2012 I’ve been traveling through various islands of the Philippines as a full-time Expat and spent 1999 living in Vietnam.
Share with me my ongoing adventures of life in the Philippines. Hopefully you find my observations helpful in your own adventures.
— Reekay
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Here is a link to just one of the homeless expats, Bob, in the Philippines..
https://youtu.be/2cvwLgYWSZQ
A news report on the homeless expats in Thailand. (starts at the 3:05 mark)
https://youtu.be/xnR-CIG0k0Q?t=3m5s
Another great post, as usual. IMO, ex-pats should keep their home base back home (income, assets, banking). The new exotic place (wherever) as a second-home (only rent, never buy). Your $11,000 a year destitute minimum is good advice. ALSO, most are men and there due to dating SMP (which means money). Men instinctively “think” with their reptilian brain under the influence of high testosterone (little head). The Filipina only has to show up. Her anatomy is all she is bringing to the table, and they blatantly admit this when they say “I’m simple” or that they need money for (whatever). In contrast, the man has to become someone to be able to compete in the SMP to attract the fleas, I meant women. The idiot male, in the presence of the female, will puff up his chest and fight (Alpha strategy) or open his wallet throwing his ATM at her feet (Beta strategy). There is no pre-frontal cortex activity in either scenario. Feminists say they want to be valued for who they are (mind, intelligence, education, skills, arts, sport, business acumen, etc.), not her biology. But, most Filipinas seeking foreigners only flash the biology card lacking the aforementioned attributes. Don’t fall for it. Go MGTOW. Know your price to play (sadly, that’s all it ever is, especially in marriage with mis-matched income and assets). Don’t be the simp who needs validation and has deluded himself about family because he’s an Omega. Remember, she doesn’t love you, only the idea of you. A trip to the Philippines is like trip to the Las Vegas casinos. You can set aside a budget for your entertainment. But that’s all it is. She “loves you” for the exact same reason a casino does (and for the same length of time – dime).
I feel so fortunate that I won’t have to face either of these alternatives! LOL! Considering what we both said about minimalist life, my best option will be to find a rich Filipina, in a gated compound, who loves me for my lovable personality, well-spoken English, and big nose.
I agree completely about keeping your “wealth” close to the vest, although this is tougher than just not telling anyone. Do you drive a decent car? If so, people will know. Do you live in a nice home – whether you buy or rent? If so people will know. Surprisingly (since many expats don’t do this) I suspect that one strategy is to make good neighbors. I know lots of expats whose Filipino neighbors look out for them.
The one thing I would disagree with is the comment about keeping information from your wife. If you feel you need to do that – don’t get married. Once you marry you have to be as transparent as possible with her, while explaining to her why your mutual wealth should be kept a secret.
My wife often fibs to her family, telling them that we are broke. Now they probably don’t believe it but it’s better than telling them what we actually have.
On the wife/insurance issue, it’s not that I necessarily think the guy has an untrustworthy wife. It’s that she will share the information about a life insurance policy with her family And then some greedy relative figures once the money is hers.. they have a better chance of getting to it. It’s not a matter of not trusting her, it’s more a matter of not giving in-laws a motive.
Excellent advice!!! I’ve seen this FIRST hand, but by near miracle I am alive to tell. Never marry, make that perfectly clear. It’s not worth it, especially if she walks away (which she will do). Admittedly, there is another Beta mangina simp lining up behind you ready and willing to take your place. But you don’t want to be that man. As hard as it may be, take the existential step of severing yourself from from the indoctrination of your super-ego AND your reptilian brain under the influence of testosterone. Go MGTOW.
DaveW, I don’t know what your net worth is, but how would your opinion change if had a net worth exceeding $2 million (US)? Would you feel comfortable if your filipno wife disclosed this information to her family?
Most expats I have met over here have always been on the TOO LITTLE end of the money situation , thus usually having to pack up and head back.. I came over many years ago with what was equivalent to around 13 million pesos and almost 2 decades later I still have not gone through the entire 13 million so as long as you come over prepared you can make money like that last a long time, and I’m only 52 years old so I have nothing coming in a month on top of the lump sum that I just spoke of I won’t get Social Security until I’m 62 so as long as you come over here prepared you should be fine
Hi reekay great podcast this week, of course I agree on things you mention here most of this I would think is common sense I mean if a person doesn’t know this by now don’t even think about moving to a foreign country, you had mentioned that one guy Mike just talked about in his video, the guy who lost his house because his gf scammed him there, but you diddent mention he and his gf where going for two years that’s the scary part of course you don’t send anyone lots of money when you know them only a few months but two years wow that is just crazy scary there, haha
I only wish I had to much money to live on in the Philippines like five grand a month ☺those other guys you talk about who send there gf all kinds of money after only with them a few months, unfortunately that is there bad mistake and I hope they learned a lesson from that it really pays off to to do your homework, resrch everything you can find out about the facts from people that have done it, people that are doing what you want to go do arm yourself with as much knowledge and information you possibly can, because like you say know one will give a crap about you, know one is going to help you, and from the sound of it not even the us embassy is going to help a American who has been scammed out of there life saving, it’s true what you say you must have a income, you must have savings, you must have a back up plan a exist plan and be prepared for any emergency that may or may not happen to a person in another country, thanks for the podcast.
Good advice here…I was in Cebu 4 years ago in an mall…when fellow American approached me..he seemed friendly and was dressed fairly nice clean,he asked me if I’m from USA I said yes and told where I was from..I asked his location he said from Arkansas .he then ask if I had a few piso to spare,I was somewhat shocked at his request.he reminded me of scammer working the streets panhandling….I was thinking he has nice clothes on and expensive sandals and he is clean…..so I gave him 200 piso.he said thanks a lot brother and continued on.made me realize that no matter what country your in some things don’t change much.but that thought has always stayed in my mind.
During my first few weeks in the PH, an expat around 25 years old approached me in a net cafe. Since I went there daily, he kept hitting me up for conversation. After a few days, he then asks if I could loan him $400 usd, which he promised he would Paypal me in a few days. I told him, ‘no’ and he finally dropped it. I then saw on Facebook he had gotten the money from someone else and was now in Thailand. “Good luck” to whoever loaned him the money.
On the guys that flaunt thier cash..I have agree 110 percent what reekey is saying it is critical that you keep your wealth to yourself.reminds me while in sm mall in Cebu having an old CPU worked on power supply out and minor upgrade….I could have easily bought a new tower for the kids…but my gal insisted we fix this one.in comes a American.and starts saying I want this and that….he spends around 2000.00 us for his brother in law’s new business.problem I have is he plays the rich American and demands attention basically makes an ass of himself….I try to stay humble and don’t play the Santa clause routine…my gal even commented that the guy is foolish with his money….
Great site, say it how it is. Many men are insecure in their own country and they think they can get any girl they want in the Philippines if they flash their cash around. As they say “a fool and his money are soon parted” Don’t let their beauty overcome your common sense, and just tell them there are 100 million people in the Philippines and don’t let the door hit your ass as you leave lol.
That would not have been a fella with the initials P V who was scamming people out of their money posing as a phony preacher? ha ha ha..
Good advice but just to pull you up one thing – it is a Cause and Effect universe and if someone scams you or does the wrong thing by you, you have to have done something in similar vain in your past for it to happen to you. You always reap what you sow and what comes around, goes around.
Natural Law applies to a human as it applies to any thing in nature and balancing is always occurring. There are no saints on Earth and we ALL have skeletons in our closets but that does not mean that all people who get scammed etc. are not generally good people in the main. Your best safeguard is to watch your own behavior in regards to doing the right thing and not ripping anyone off or treating good people badly. The ”clean hands make a clean life” policy is the best one to follow as much as possible in this world of temptations, and especially in a place like the Philippines.
Vandever is in a world of pain because of his actions and you can see it in his sunken, sullen face and P.V. does not have skeletons in his closet but more like a cemetery in his back yard. He has got a LOT of pain coming his way and will be a distant memory in the PHIL. within a year or two, as that is a given by his actions…..
Anyway, first time I have heard one of your podcasts and it was very well spoken with helpful info. Gracias mate.
Thanks Jeff, and yes, I would agree that there are consequences to what are called, “bad life decisions”. Even the guys who get scammed to a degree were a victim of their own hastiness and lust. In order to survive the PH, a man has to exercise some amount of control over himself so he can think out his plan to prevent such fraud.
But in the case of people like Peter, I’ve seen enough of his decision-making process to know that he practically invites calamity to his own front door. His situation has deteriorated quite a bit in the last few months. But as I see no signs of humility from him in his videos, nor any reform from his past behavior, I find it very hard to feel sorry for him. In his case, he’s made his own mess and now has to endure the consequences as best he can.
Yup, true Reekay. I have been in contact with the Bureau of Immigration there and two days ago after I sent his Duterte rant vids to them they told me they had NUMEROUS complaints against him previously and that the ”proper authorities within the Bureau were looking into him”.
Now that’s one character over the years I could never figure out Vandever??? He is a young guy that’s been living in the Philippines for years now you can tell by looking at his videos he’s not very bright he is definitely a few sandwiches shy of a picnic basket but in some in his videos he talks about how he lives on $2000 a month I would like to know at his age being that he doesn’t look too smart how on earth did he get his money to come over here and live it isn’t like he worked all his life because he only looks like he’s in his 40s and he doesn’t look too bright so what could’ve he had done to have that kind of money coming in every month to live that’s an odd case there
The simple and direct answer to your questions is; he is a liar. He doesn’t have $2,000 a month. Or a condo, or anything else he claims. Some people in life are just addicted to lying even when it’s plainly obvious to everyone.
I really liked this podcast. Having been on the ground in the Philippines I can relate to a lot of it, especially when I went to the BIR due to overstaying, which equated to only a few weeks – but it cost near on 8000 peso to get everything sorted out and a lot of moving between windows to get this and that stamped.
I never witnessed any foreigner who were homeless, but I did meet and talk to a lot of Filipinos that were in a homeless situation. So one only has to look at how bad their own have it in the Philippines to realise (if you have a brain) that a foreigner is going to get equal or less help if they find themselves down and out.
In respect to Bob’s post in regards to Filipinas saying they are ‘just a simple girl/woman’, and that translating into they are only good for one thing or have one thing to offer – sex. I have to dispute this, a lot of it will depend highly on the upbringing of the said girl/female/woman, whichever term you prefer. It is not at all uncommon in many families for the parents (or guardians) to say to a daughter that she is ‘just a simple girl’ and even tell foreigners who meet this girl the very same thing. After seeing this on a few instances in different families it struck me as to a possible reason why this was a term being touted around. Typically you will find that the girl who is referred to as a ‘simple girl’ is the one doing the majority of the housework. Filipinos can be very good at psychological manipulation if you look under the covers. They are very apt at keeping the status quo to how they want it. So in the situation of the family with the ‘simple girl’ she is told that almost constantly and reminded that she is just a simple girl – it is another way of saying “Well no decent man would want you, because your only talents are cleaning a house and maybe cooking”. Which in effect makes them (the girl) feel it isn’t worth looking because no one would want a ‘simple girl’. So she stays at home and continues the daily grind of household chores year in, year out – at least that is the hope of the family.
As for guys that get scammed – in some ways I feel sorry for them. Some fall victim to some very crafty and well planned scams. The only advice is to check and check again, then fall back to the old saying: “If it looks to good to be true, then it probably is”.
Obviously there are men who are just plain foolish, and Bob has hit it on the head pretty much there. They see this pretty young thang and loose their marbles. She may not even be young, either way once the Filipina knows she has a bite, they are in hook – line and sinker and if she is of less then decent morals she will syphon as much as she can while she can, and most get very good mileage per gallon out it.
Flashing your cash is not a very smart move in the Philippines. Not only from a safety and well being stand-point but from a social stand-point. Most Filipinos don’t take to well to some wanker flashing their cash constantly and in effect saying “Look what I have that you don’t”. They know what they don’t have, and they don’t like some tool rubbing it in their faces daily.
Obviously anyone who has being to the Philippines will know every foreigner is referred to as ‘rich’. Regardless of whether you make enough to just scrape through each week in your own country, in the Philippines you ‘are rich’ – Compared to what they have, you are very rich! Even a very low wage such as 300 dollars a week put’s you into the ‘rich foreigner’ category. And depending on how you conduct yourself will depend on if you get hit on for loans of money or to purchase items, whether it be food or whatever. In my time there I never had one neighbour approach asking for money. We had a couple of times neighbours asking for some sugar or milk etc – which we happily provided, that is just being neighbourly. I never told anyone how much money I had on hand or in the bank, except my asawa. Never did I walk around with wads of pesos in my pocket. Always just taking enough for what I needed.
Nice one Emu you’re obviously a fellow aussie 🙂 this is all common sense but it never ceases to amaze me on the amount of people who do not learn the free lessons in life and are quick to draw the victim card. yes the wankers walk among us lol
Ricky, as usual you are right on the money. No matter where you go if your an ass…….your an ass…
I have been guilty of thinking with the little head my self in the past. P.V. gets what he deserves. …. he has been a jackass in the P.H. way to long… There are some thing’s about banking there that still are not clear to me but I will reach out to in a private message. I’m not moving there for about 19 months. I’m not unschooled in travel,I lived I’m Mexico for 3 years, and Peru for 5 years . But there are things culturally that are different about the Ph.
By the way I grew up in Solana Beach.. I think you know where that is….Keep the good info coming. .Thanks
Another good one Henry! actually, this is good advice for anyone, anywhere. There is nothing to be gained by advertising how much money we have. I have found that living a little below one’s means is the best way to go.
Hey Reekay,
Just wanted to let you know that I did learn one thing from your video that would have never crossed my mind. And yes, there are the obvious problems you could encounter by flaunting your wealth, but I will have no problem with that part. I go to work everyday here in Hawaii with a tee-shirt, jeans and I own no jewelry, other than my $50 Timex Iron Man watch. But I am single, don’t cook, and I do love to eat out a lot. And I don’t hold back either. I tip very generously. Something I will have to consider when indulging my favorite restaurants in the Philippines.
Hey Reekay, Is there Prenuptial in the Philippines?
From my limited conversations with wealthier expats, yes, you can set up a pre-nup here. It largely depends on where you plan to live and build up assets. If you plan to live in your home-country, better to arrange the pre-nup there. In the PH, there is no divorce but there is separation of property for a legal separation, along with child support. The default for legal separation is basically a 50/50 split of assets and income.
There’s not really child support in the Philippines as we know it in the United States they don’t have a domestic relations here that kind of comes out and chases you down for money or takes it out of your paycheck or punishes you in some means if you don’t pay out it’s a pretty weak system of child support here in the Philippines that’s why a lot of guys come over here to be with girls because they know if they have a child or two over here the child support laws are so weak they won’t have to worry about losing their cash like they would if they were in the United States so I just wanted to clear that up a little Henry , The rest of the prenuptial information is correct .
I find it very hard to believe you can not live well on $11,000 per year. I live in the USA on $12,000 per year and help my girlfriend and daaughter in manila who live on about $140 per month. If you were in the USA would you tell me I cant live on less than $100,00 per year without suffering?