| Dutch expat Jan moved to the Philippines in 2008. He's no stranger to Filipinos and Filipino culture, being married to a Filipina for more than 20 years and having visited the Philippines several times before moving there. Here he shares with us some of his insights on the good and not-so-good aspects of living in the Philippines, his plans for his Internet business, and his advice for other people who are considering moving to the Philippines. |
 Jan van Dam |
-Where were you born?
I was born in 1950 in Helmond, Netherlands. I've been married since 1988 to my Filipino wife Flor. In 1990 we moved to the northern province of Groningen because of new employment there. In 2007 I became unemployed. That was the time that we decided to move to the Philippines.
-In which country and city are you living now?
Philippines, Antipolo City
-Are you living alone or with your family?
With my wife Flor. and our cat Emily. We don't have children but we see Emily as one. She is spoiled like a baby.
-How long have you been living in the Philippines?We moved to the Philippines in October 2008.
-What is your age?At the time of this interview 59 (born january 1950)
-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Philippines?
After I got unemployed at 57, I tried to find a new job, but finding a new job at that age is very difficult. So we were looking for ways to go to the Philippines. It was our plan already to go there after my retirement from work. I was able to have my retirement pension already in advance. And together with the financial parting gift (or separation bonus, whichever is the best word for it) from my latest employer we have enough money to live here without the necessity to work. The only problem was the sale of our house in Holland because of the bad market. It took more than a year to find a buyer.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?
Visa is no problem for those who are married to a Filipino citizen. I'm having the so called 'Balikbayan' status. This means that I can stay here for 1 year. After this year I have to leave the country for one day and come back and stay again for one year. I know there's a possibility to have an extension. Extension for two months coasts around 4500 pesos the first time, after that 2500 pesos.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
International insurances are very expensive. For that reason we have taken a local Health insurance plan with PhilHealth. Cost 100 pesos for the two of us each month. This insurance doesn't cover everything but a lot. For serious illnesses we have a savings account.
-How do you make your living in the Philippines? Do you have any type of income generated? 'Like I wrote already, I don't have to work because I have some income from Holland. I receive a monthly pension and some monthly money from my latest employer. I hope my website will give some revenue from the adds I have put, but it seems it is very little to nothing. So I have to do with my pension from Holland.
Check: www.expatinthephilippines.com
-Do you speak Tagalog and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I can speak 4 languages, all European. But the local Tagalog I don't speak yet, although I can understand some. After being married to a Filipina for 21 years and having a lot of other Filipinas as guests in our house, I've learned a lot about the language. Also typical Filipino things and habits I know already a lot. One day in the near future I hope to be able to speak some Tagalog.
We've only been here for a few months now, so it's hard to say if I'm missing my country and family. At the moment I can say: NO, although we miss our friends especially in playing Mah-Jongg. Here in our new place I'm spending a lot of time developing my website. It's far from ready, but already nice to look at. In the coming months I will publish a lot of pictures in different categories. For that I practically always bring my camera, everywhere I go.
Check my website here: http://expatinthephilippines.com
-Do you have other plans for the future?Like I said before in the Visa question, I have to leave the country every year. So a short travel to Hong Kong or Singapore or any other place will take place. Further, we would like to travel through the Philippine Islands and try to see a lot of them. We also will visit my family back in Holland from time to time.
The only business plan I have is trying to earn a little from my website. For that I need to have a lot of visitors on my site and some good ads.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?At the moment we are renting a house. Rental prices are varying a lot depending on the size of the house (detached, or condominium or bungalow), the location (guarded or non-guarded subdivision) and the city or village one lives. At the moment we are looking for a property to buy. If it's going to be just a lot and build our own house, or we buy a ready made house we haven’t decided yet.
update: Finding a place within the budget is difficult, especially if one has specific wishes. My wife likes a garden, me I like a quiet and safe neighborhood and we only have limited funds to spend so.......
-What is the cost of living in the Philippines?Life can be expensive or cheap, depending on the life style. If one keeps on the food he's used to and go out to dinner a lot, it can be expensive. If one gets used to the local food, life will be cheap, although the prices in the local market are getting higher and higher. Fast-food restaurants are everywhere and are not expensive.
Market prices: the price of pork and chicken are almost the same as in Holland. Beef is a lot cheaper. Most vegetables and fruits are cheap. Telephone is more expensive, also DSL cost more. Brand new Cars are much cheaper than in Holland, second hand ones are expensive. Local transport is cheap in our (rich) eyes, but for a Filipino who has to travel sometimes more than 2 hours to go to his work, it's a big part of his income what he has to spend.
I have written a post about the costs of living in the Philippines. Check my website: www.expatinthephilippines.com
-What do you think about the Filipinos?The Philippines is known as a very friendly nation. People smile the whole day, and are very hospitable. They treat most foreigners as if they are very rich. Of course the Filipinos are trying to take advantage of it. If I go to the market and I like to buy an item, it will cost at least 30% more than they will charge to a Filipino looking person. This is called: "white skin tax". When they get to know you better and you come more often to such store, they do not (dare / want) to do that anymore.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Philippines?
The positive aspects are: the warm climate, low taxes, good local food, delicious fruits.
The negative aspects: the poverty shows almost everywhere. Due to the giant corruption in this country it will take a lot of years to get better for most of the Philippine people. The second negative aspect is garbage. Although a lot of cities and villages have a garbage collection, there's a lot of garbage everywhere. Especially outside the cities you can see a lot of garbage along the streets and in rivers. People are then burning everything, from plastics to wood and from rubber to empty batteries. They just do that along the street or in their yard.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Philippines?
I have visited the Philippines several times and now I'm living here. There are a few tips I can give:
1, Keep a bank account in your home country, because it's not easy to open a checking account here if you're not 6 months here yet.
2, If you like to drive your own car: your foreign driver's license is only valid three months after your arrival date. Get a Filipino driver's license the moment you are here. It's easy. On the website of LTO you can find all the details. I also wrote a post about it.
3, Act normal, don't show that you have some money, and spread it in your pockets. Be aware of pick pockets, if you are in crowded places. And don't wear expensive jewelries. There's a lot of snatchers everywhere.
4, Don't forget that you are in someone else's country. Try to adjust to their values and habits.
5, Never forget that you are in a so-called '3rd world country'. Don't try to act as if you know better or don't try to lecture a Filipino. They are very proud people.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Philippines?
My own site: www.expatinthephilippines.com. I try to write about my everyday life and about things that crosses my path in the Philippines. I also have added some pages with pictures from the Philippines. Realy worth seeing them.
A few blogs my wife and I like to read:
http://houseonahill.net a Filipina writing about her country and a lot of other stories
www.marketmanila.com a blog about (Filipino) food and other stuff.
And there's a lot more, check my website for more links www.expatinthephilippines.com
visit my site, it's worth it
visit my site, it's worth it
Good to get to know you Jan.
I'm a 45 year old man living in Venray, who has a Filipina fiancee and a little anak to make our life complete.
My name is Adrie and I read your interview with great admiration, as I'm planning to marry my fiancee in the Philippines later this year or next year. I'm also thinking about living in the Philippines, because I'm unemployed here in Holland as well and my future wife lives in Manila. Maybe we can exchange some of the things, that are valuable for me to think of, before moving to the Philippines.
Thank you for your help Jan.
Regards,
Adrie
adriecornelissen@gmail.com
getting to know you
Adrie,
There's a lot I can tell you about moving to the Philippines. It's too much to put here in this post. I'm having my website where I'm putting a lot of information: http://www.expatinthephilippines.com and http://jansblog.expatinthephilippines.com
I will send you a private mail for more information.
visit my site, it's worth it
Getting to know you.
Hello Jan,
I've read yesterday your blog and website Jan and you're doing a great job with it. Many useful information that I certainly am planning to use some of it in my next visit to the Philippines in September this year. I'll try to visit some of the places with my sweet Filipina. We both want to look around where the best place is to settle down, though it might take another year or two, but it's better to look around and check out some places. I don't really like the idea to live in Manila, because this capital city is too overcrowded already and I like to walk a bit around without having to be afraid of the traffic rushing by.
God bless your lovely wife and yourself every day of your life in health and good luck.
Regards,
Adrie.
moving to the philippines
Hey jan I am happy for you and your family because you are living in the PI Question wheere would a good Place to stay in the PI this is where i want to live when i retier in about three years. I love this county the culture etc
a place to live in the Philippines
visit my site, it's worth it and you will find a lot of information there.
The place where one wants to stay and live in the Philippines is completely depending on ones needs and desires. Maybe you prefer to stay in a bigger city, or do you prefer to stay in the province, or maybe along the beach? There are so many possibilities that it's difficult to advise you here.
I'm writing about it on my website. here or here and most inportant: this .
After that you still might have questions: just ask me and I'll try to give you the best answer I can.
medical insuarce
my question is to jan van dam did you ever get medical insuranace an get your bussiness started? because hopefully i will retier in about three years i am planing to moving to the phillippines.
medical insurance
Headman,
I posted an item on my website just a few days ago about medical insurance. You better check it
here
My business is my website, it doesn't give enough profit yet but I'm just starting, and I'm not depending on it, so no hurry.
medical insuarce and where to live
hello jan thank you so much for the information on medical insuarance I will look into all this good information I receiced form you. I am really hoping to make this transfer in about two years to the philippines. I am so much in love with the customs there. I lived there for five years, I did not want to leave. I was there just this last year for about an month, of may 2008, I just can not believe how the people are, well enought of that before I start crying. when I was there it was as if I had never left. Problem is I got to get a good fix on where do I want to stay. Question do you have any suggestions?
where to live in the philippines
Headman,
You wrote that you lived here for 5 years before. You must know the country a little (or didn't you move during these 5 years?). I can not tell you where is the best place for you. It has to do with your personal preferences, and eventual family of your Filipino partner.
I'm writing on my website about this subject too. check here or here.
Think about yourself very well. For example: do you like to be alone sometimes? Do you always need to have people around you? Do you like to go 'out' a lot? Do you want to have your partner's family around every day? Do you need luxury? Are you a beach person? Can you stand the tropical climate in a city? Ask yourself a lot more of this kind of questions.
All together they are giving you the answer where to stay in the Philippines.
moving to the philippines in the near furture
Hello jan,
I want you to know that all the information that I receive form your web page is very very helpfull to me. also all the Qestions you have asked I have asked myself over and over again. I love the trolical climate, the beach by the way I am a scuba diver, so I love the water an as far as family members being around all the time I can take it or leave it. I dont need luxury in order to be happy. I just love people I do know that I was told that I am to freiendly and that evey one seems to take to me right away, I do not think or evey will feel that I am better than the other person. I do know that I love living in the country. During the five years I was there I went to a lot varies areas of the PI. I went to places I cant even pronounce the name, but I have it written down I will be checking on your web page from time to time becaause you have given me alot of good information I am very gald that expat have someone like you living in a country that I want to make my home becaues I can get good information from you.
moving to the philippines in the near furture
visit my site, it's worth it
Headman,
On my website you can subscribe to my newsletter, so you will receive all new posts in your email.
And if you have questions, even personal ones, just ask me by sending me a personal mail.
http://expatinthephilippines.com
Greeting's Jan
Hi Jan,
I'm 38 years old and married to a filipina.We both live here in the Uk at the moment which is ok i guess but not perfect.We had a plan to move to Philippines by the time i reched 40 but now what with the global recession etc i am now planning on moving at an earlier date.I think i'm the same as most foriegner that has travelled to Philippine's that it stays in your heart and actually doe's something special deep inside you that is hard to pin point :).Really enjoyed reading your blog and am really happy for you and your wife.Reading it all just pushes me into making my mind up and tell's me i'm missing out.Anyway thank's again for your time and effort in your blog and look forward to reading more. :o)
greetings
Hi Kuya Muzz,
I do not know why your name is Kuya Muzz, but probably your extended family is calling you so.
I'm happy to know that you like my blog. I would say: spread the word....
Did you subscribe to my newsletter already?
Searching work
Last post all, apologize if annoying. Hello, Im 29, I have a BS in business. I know alittle spanish, I know a few words in Japanese, and of course fluent english. Please email me at nickinil@yahoo.com I will send you my resume and answer any questions you have. I visted phillipines for the first time a month ago and I didnt want to leave. I'm making 70K+ USD at the moment do you think it will be possible to match that in the PI? I can do anything business related with trainnig, and can probably absorb the language in 3 years. Nick
searching work in the PI
Nick,
There's no need to send me your resume. I cannot help you in finding a job.
There are enough resources on the net to search for a job in the Philippines. But making 70K+ dollars in the Philippines is almost not possible. Unless you are employed through a company and hired from the US to work in the Philippines.
visit my site, it's worth it
http://expatinthephilippines.com
balikbayan
Hello Jan, my wife and i are preparing to move to the Philippines - you mentioned having a balikbayan status will give you no problems.
My wife has a balikbayan stamp in her passport and we have a official wedding certificate would that be enough to pass customs.
We are a couple who are married 36 years - i worked in the Philippines as a volunteer for SNV. Things have changed alot. Nice site, i hope you can tell me more,
Willemgg
balikbayan
Willem,
When you are married to a Filipina, like yourself, you have to ask the immigration officer at the airport to give you a Balikbayan stamp in your passport. This will allow you to stay in the Philippines for 1 year.
Before this period ends you have to leave the country to be able to come in again and get a new stamp for another year.
There's also another possibility: Before the year ends you have to go to an Immigration office in the Philippines and have the balikbayan status changed into a tourist visa. This is valid for two months and has to be renewed every two months. Maximum stay on a tourist visa is 16 months.
To get a permanent staying permit in the Philippines there are different options:
When married to a Filipina you can apply for a so called 13a visa. check the immigration website: http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&I...
If not married to a Filipina you can apply for a SRRV (special resident retiree visa). see the website http://www.pra.gov.ph/ for it.
visit also my website, it's worth it: http://expatinthephilippines.com
balikbayan
Willem,
Once you arrive in the Philippines, you have to ask the immigration officer to put a 'balikbayan' stamp in your passport. This gives you the right to stay for 12 months in the Philippines.
By going out of the country, for example for a short trip to HongKong, you will receive a new stamp upon entry which will be valid for a year again.
To get a permanent visa there are several possibilities:
1, apply for a 13a visa, see this website for more informatiopn and details: http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&I...
2, apply for a SRRV (special resident retiree visa). check this website: http://www.pra.gov.ph/
visit my website, it's worth it: http://expatinthephilippines.com