Balikbayan Boxes: The Filipino Tradition Expats Love to Adopt

Understanding the Balikbayan Box Tradition When one thinks of the Philippines, images of white sandy beaches, colorful festivals, and delicious cuisine might come to mind. But there’s a less-known tradition deeply rooted in the Filipino culture that many expats have come to appreciate and adopt: the sending of Balikbayan boxes. The term ‘Balikbayan’ is derived … Read more

Island Living: The Best Locations For Expats In The Philippines

The Philippines, a dazzling archipelago comprised of over 7,000 islands, is a wellspring of natural beauty, rich historical narratives, and diverse cultural traditions. Its tropical weather patterns, affable local residents, and cost of living – typically lower compared to many Western countries – make it a desirable relocation spot for expatriates. This guide offers insights … Read more

Retiring In The Philippines: Visa Requirements And Lifestyle

The Philippines, with its tropical climate, idyllic beaches, and warm hospitality, has become a favorite destination for many expats seeking a comfortable and affordable retirement. The country’s unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, coupled with a low cost of living and English-speaking populace, makes it an attractive option for retirees from around the globe. … Read more

How To Register For Healthcare In The Philippines

Following a recent overhaul, the Philippines has a two-tier health insurance system, comprised of public insurance and private cover. We will look below at your options for registering with the healthcare system. PhilHealth, the national healthcare scheme, is funded by the government and by employer/employee national health contributions. Although everyone is technically entitled to healthcare, … Read more

How To Open A Bank Account In The Philippines

If you plan to move to the beautiful Philippines, you may find yourself wanting to open a bank account. Even if you maintain existing chequing or savings accounts at home, to pay certain bills or to manage your savings, you may find that you need a local account to pay local expenses and so that … Read more

What Quality Of Healthcare Can You Expect In The Philippines?

The quality of healthcare in the Philippines varies substantially between the public and the private sector. In the public sector, you will find a number of issues, including overcrowding and limited medical equipment. Meanwhile, some of the private clinics are much more modern, and the region is becoming a destination for medical tourism. The standard … Read more

What Cover Is Available For Sports Injuries In The Philippines?

Whether you are resident in the Philippines or simply visiting, you may wish to take advantage of the country’s beautiful coastline and beaches. The country is a major destination for diving and other water sports, and, particularly in areas such as Luzon, there are thousands of dive sites.Diving is a year-round activity with three main … Read more

How To Register With The Health System In The Philippines

Following a revision of the national healthcare system, the Philippines is now functioning on a two tier health insurance system, made up of public insurance and private cover. Will you be able to register with this scheme, if you are an expat? We will look below at some of the options available to you.How does … Read more

How To Keep Your Health Insurance Costs Low In The Philippines

As an expat living in the Philippines, your insurance choices will be limited. Until recently, foreigners were not eligible to join the national health scheme, but in 2017, PhilHealth was extended to apply to expat workers. However, public healthcare is patchy in the Philippines, particularly in rural areas, and there is a shortage of medical … Read more

How To Keep Fit And Healthy In The Philippines

If you are living and working in the Philippines, or if you are visiting the country, you will find many opportunities to keep fit and well. The country is a beautiful one, with some lovely coastal and mountainous regions for you to take advantage of. Bear in mind that it may be worth taking out … Read more

How Much Do Health Procedures Cost In The Philippines?

How much you will pay for healthcare in the Philippines will depend on whether you choose to access the private or the public sector. Your eligibility for national health insurance is likely to be limited, but you can still access the public healthcare system if you are prepared to pay out of pocket. However, bear … Read more

How To Rent Or Buy Property In The Philippines

The Philippines (officially the Republic of the Philippines) is a tropical archipelagic country in Southeast Asia consisting of an estimated 7,641 islands. The islands are subdivided geographically into three categories, which, from north to south, are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The islands that make up the Philippines, named after King Philip II of Spain, are … Read more

How To Apply For A Visa In The Philippines

The Philippines is a fascinating area to visit, whether as a tourist or as a potential expat looking for work. The country has a wide range of visas available, and which one you need will depend on the purpose of your trip, how long you intend to stay, and your nationality.Will I need a visa? … Read more

How To Find A Job In The Philippines

The Philippines are likely to attract the more adventurous expat job seeker and finding work here can be a challenge, although it is not impossible. In order to encourage employers to hire local workers, to combat the country’s 5.2% unemployment rate and ensure that overseas personnel pay taxes, the government has recently overhauled the work … Read more

What To Do When You First Arrive In The Philippines

You’ve negotiated visas and vaccinations, packed up your home and belongings, and said goodbye to your family and friends. However, once you land in the Philippines, there’s a whole new set of essential steps for you to tackle.Health Insurance The Philippines offers a government-owned national health insurance programme called PhilHealth. As an expat, if you … Read more

Moving To The Philippines? Get Your Paperwork In Order

Are you dreaming of a retirement lounging on a beautiful beach? Or looking to further your banking career in Manila’s rising skyline? Whatever your reasons for arriving in the Philippines, make sure you get the paperwork right to avoid unnecessary problems. Obtaining A Visa Many people stay in the Philippines for the short to medium … Read more

An Expat Guide To Healthcare In The Philippines

Medical tourism is gaining prominence with people from around the world. Many people, especially those from the US, UK, Canada and Australia, travel to certain Asian and European countries to undergo long-term treatment or take advantage of an inclusive system with lower rates. Here, patients can spend a mere fraction for their treatments than what … Read more

The Philippines – Recommended Social Media Accounts

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at the Philippines and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.Philippines Expat Support NetworkFacebook Page This … Read more

The Philippines – Recommended Blogs

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at the Philippines and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Retired in Samarhttp://retiredinsamar.com/ Randy and his wife decided to escape their … Read more

Sea Gypsies And Expert Equestrians

While expats may realise that the Philippines is spread across lots of islands, they may not appreciate that around 12% of the population consists of indigenous peoples. There are estimated to be between 14 and 17 million indigenous residents, mainly spread over the northern Luzon region as well as in Mindaneo.There are around 100 highland … Read more

The Basics Of Immigration Laws In The Philippines

The Philippines, a group of 7,107 islands, has become a popular expat destination for people from all over the world because of its beauty, climate, modern infrastructure, standards of living and safety measures. Moreover, the cost of living in this country is relatively low compared to western countries. Many people from the US, Canada, Australia … Read more

Top Ten Insider Tips About The Philippines

Living in the Philippines can be a wonderful experience for expats of all ages from any part of the world. This country offers modern infrastructure and high standards of living at relatively low costs. What makes the Philippines so special though is its hospitable, friendly, optimistic and fun-loving people. Most of the tourists and expats … Read more

Philippines – Recommended Blogs

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at the Philippines and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there. My Philippine Dreamshttp://myphilippinedreams.com/ If you prefer to get your news … Read more

12 Things That Filipinos May Not Know About Their Country

An Alien's View by Bruce Curran, Senior Consultant Financial Adviser, writer, author, adventurer and Filipinaphile! (i) As a child, like most children in the west, I fancied myself spinning, tossing and playing with my Yo-yo. It was not till 40 years later that I discovered this toy originates from the Philippines, with its meaning as … Read more

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