21 Secrets About Living In the Philippines To Know Before Moving

Are you thinking of living in the Philippines in the future?

You’ve come to the right place!

The Philippines is a dynamic and beautiful collection of islands in Asia with lots to offer, but there are a few things you need to know before you book your flights and apply for your visa.

Sections

1. Don’t speak Tagalog? No problem!

There are plenty of reasons to visit the Philippines or move there long term, but one factor that might put you off is the language barrier – you don’t speak Tagalog or one of the four indigenous languages.

The good news is you don’t have to – English is one of the official languages in the Philippines, and the majority of the population has some degree of fluency.

2. There are thousands of islands to explore

There are over 7000 islands in the Philippines, so living in the Philippines is for you if you love beaches!

Not only that, the climate in the Philippines is tropical, so you are guaranteed yellow sands and azure waters. Leave your apartment in Davao City on the weekend and explore the many tropical islands – you can enjoy sunbathing, scuba diving, and boat rides.

3. Prepare for the heat and humidity

When someone tells you a place has a tropical climate, the tendency is to sign up right away!

But don’t act too soon.

Consider the temperatures and humidity involved because they can take their toll. The hottest month of the year in the Philippines reaches 92°F, and the coolest month is 87°F. High humidity is also easy to forget about but valuable to remember.

4. Your taste buds will thank you

If you were looking for an excuse to visit the Philippines or move there permanently, this is it!

Forget about the tropical beaches and the friendly people.

The food in the Philippines is flavorful and fresh. Some of the food you find living in the Philippines includes a whole roasted pig, Philippines sausage, omelet, and skewered beef – so you will never struggle for tasty food.

5. Set your clock to Filipino time

The Philippines uses clocks set to Philippines standard time (PHST); this is something your smartphone will adapt to automatically.

It’s also something you will look up online and factor into your domestic communications. However, don’t expect Filipinos to adhere to any agreed meeting times; you can expect people to be late – they operate on Filipino time.

6. The costs of living are low

There are reasons why so many natives leave the Philippines for new pastures; they can earn well living abroad and support their families back home due to the average living costs. Compared to the United States, the cost of living in the Philippines is 46.90% lower than in America, which is also good news for Westerners traveling to the Philippines on a tourist visa.

7. Tipping is generally not required

If you’re a traveler from America, chances are you have some dollars in your purse or wallet for tipping at restaurants and cafes, but you’ll be surprised when you visit the Philippines.

The Philippines is traditionally a non-tipping culture, so tips are not expected. Although tipping culture is growing in the country, servers will still not expect anything extra.

8. The healthcare system isn’t that great

The Philippines has a national health service called PhilHealth that provides international health insurance. However, the system struggles due to underfunding and a lack of medical personnel.

This prompts most citizens in the country to go private if they can. Always consider your medical needs if you opt for a pre-arranged employment visa to visit the Philippines.

9. Don’t get shaken up by the number of earthquakes

Traveling from the West, you may not have experienced an earthquake before, but these events are expected of Philippine citizens. The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly prone to quakes of various magnitude. Admittedly, this might shake you up at first, but the country is well equipped to handle earthquakes in its bustling cities.

10. Filipinos love the US

In general, Filipinos and Filipinas have a favorable view of the United States and western culture because they have grown up in a world of Hollywood movies and pop culture. Many people in the Philippines speak English directly from watching American television and listening to music. So if you’re from the USA, don’t be surprised if you get a warm welcome.

11. They have three of the world’s largest shopping malls

On American influence, the Philippines seems to be inspired by giant shopping centers. Still, in this regard, the country outperforms even the biggest that the States have to offer. The three largest malls are SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, and SM Megamall. The malls are all super accessible, and you can find plenty of what you need.

12. There is an island with more volcanos than towns

Since it is located on the Ring of Fire, the Philippines are no stranger to volcanos. It might surprise you to learn that Camiguin island, located in the Bohol sea, has more volcanoes than towns.

But don’t worry, the island is still safe to visit despite its dangerous landscape. There hasn’t been an eruption there since the 1950s.

13. They have a monkey-eating eagle

Yes! One of the giant eagles globally calls the Philippines its home. This eagle is called the Philippines eagle or the monkey-eating eagle. The eagle stands one meter tall and has a wingspan of two meters. It commonly eats snakes, flying lemurs, and Macaque monkeys. The Philippine government also protects it because few of them are left in the wild.

14. If you need a ride, hop on a Jeepney

Getting around the big cities in the Philippines is simple, but it’s also a lot of fun! The Philippines is home to the Jeepney, which is a small, brightly colored bus that you can cram into with other travelers to get around. A Jeepney costs around 8 Pesos depending on your journey, and you can hop on and off. These modes of transport are hard to miss, and you’ll see why.

15. Basketball is one of the most popular sports

Perhaps owing to the popularity of America in the Philippines, basketball is one of the most popular and successful national sports. You will notice public basketball dotted around for local people to shoot some hoops as you travel around the country. Basketball is also taught in schools, and the Philippines are pretty good at it, so if you’re feeling competitive, have a game.

16. The country has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites

A world heritage site is a place that is deemed to be of cultural or natural importance to the world; this is called a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Philippines has six world heritage sites, some of which are cultural and some natural. There are churches, reefs, national parks, cities, and wildlife ranges on the list – you won’t be short on something nice to visit.

17. Visas and permits required

Remember you will need some visas and permits if you want to visit the Philippines. If you are traveling as a tourist, you don’t need a visa as long as your stay is under 60 days; anything over this and you will need a non-immigrant visa. If you intend to work in the country, you will need an alien employment permit or a permit for foreign nationals seeking a residency.

18. Christianity is the main religion

Whether you visit the country for a short stay or on a non-immigrant visa, you can expect to see a lot of Christian symbols around the necks of the local people and at the local places of worship. The primary religion in the Philippines is Christianity, thanks to the historical influence of Spain – 79% of the population is Catholic, while 9% of the country is protestant.

19. Prepare for karaoke

Karaoke is massively popular in the Philippines, which might surprise you! Locals enjoy karaoke in local bars in the West at weekends to socialize and have karaoke machines in their homes for special occasions.

Karaoke is prevalent in many Southeast Asian countries, but in the Philippines, it is difficult to avoid, so pick your songs.

20. Filipinos are very social

The Philippines join many other countries in the ranks of happy and friendly populations. This is something you will notice right away when you visit the country. People from the Philippines are easy totals and love to talk to English-speaking tourists. So, whether you are traveling alone or in a group, you won’t feel like a stranger in this famous country in Southeast Asia.

21. Most people have a good work-life balance

The economy in the Philippines is not as affluent as average Western nations. However, most people living there (around 65%) report satisfactory work-life balance levels.

However, people in the Philippines are very family-oriented, and they appreciate spending more time with them. For that reason, some might report a lower level than a foreign national.

FAQs

How much is health insurance in the Philippines for foreigners?

If you intend to live and work in the Philippines, you will need to join the national health service or sign up for private medical insurance to protect your health in the country. If you decide to join the PhilHealth scheme – the national health service – you can pay between ₱2,400 and ₱3,600 a year. This is around $47 and $70 per year for health care insurance.

What is Davao City known for?

Davao City is one of the most well-known cities in Southeast Asia and is the commercial center of the Philippines. If you visit the City, you will find the City is famous for several reasons.

Firstly, it is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of hectares; it is also famous for fruits, vegetables, and flowers – especially orchids. The City also has some significant malls.

What is the Special Resident Retiree visa?

If you are an ex-pat who would like to make the Philippines a home from home, you will need a special resident retiree visa (SRRV). This is a special visa issued by the bureau of immigration in the Philippines; it allows holders to leave the country and return any number of times without re-applying for a visa. It’s perfect for regular visitors to the country.

Are there any international schools in the Philippines?

An international school teaches a full range of subjects using a western-style curriculum. If you move to the Philippines and you have kids, you need to know where the nearest suitable schools are so they can receive an education. Unfortunately, these right schools are rare in the Philippines, but there is one that you can find for your family in Manila.

Where do most expats live in the Philippines?

Whether you travel to the Philippines for work or pleasure, you will find yourself in the country’s capital city – Manila! This is also where you will find most ex-pats and foreign travelers – especially in the Metro Manila area. Metro Manila is the bustling heart of the Philippines. You won’t feel like a stranger for long after you arrive in the City.

Final Thoughts

The Philippines need no introduction; the country is known as a famous and beautiful archipelago in Southeast Asia with yellow beaches, azure waters, and friendly people. But there’s more to the country than this – as you can probably tell from the 21 points above.