People have varying peculiar taste preferences depending on the taste preference of their country of origin. Some go for hot and spicy foods, some for bland, some for salty. But while an expatriate in these parts, it’s not only worthwhile but sometimes necessary to try out native dishes when one finds oneself in the Philippines. It is often deemed an offense to turn down invitation to taste or eat a native delicacy.
So what do we do?
One of the challenges of the expatriate life is what foods are safe to eat. All native foods are relatively safe, of course, but there are those that don’t mix well with some foreign digestive systems. And when some incompatible chemistry builds up in this, expatriate life becomes sour, to say the least. So here are some tips for choosing safe foods for expatriates.
If one wants to avoid extremely exotic foods (and this is often the case), safe food for expatriates would be a chicken, egg, pork, or beef menu. One can safely try beef or pork Caldereta (spiced beef or pork in melted cheese), vegetable or ground beef or pork omelets, “Sinigang” (pork or beef sour soup with vegetables), “Menudo” (pork and liver cubes in heavy tomato sauce), “Adobo” (spiced pork or chicken), or “Apritada” (beef, pork or chicken with potato and chili in tomato sauce). They’re not only safe foods but very delectable to make any expatriate’s life like heaven on earth.
Watch out for pork dishes like “Binagoongan,” “Pinakbet,” “Dinakdakan,” and “Kinilaw.” The first two are cooked with preserved fish or shrimp; the other two are often not well cooked---even raw---but taste good enough for one to think they’re cooked.
Hot or spicy safe foods for expatriates: “Bicol Express,” “Bopis,” “Paksiw,” “Mechado,” “Sisig,” and “Ginataang Sili.” These are all well cooked pork or beef cuisines that would brighten an expatriate life anywhere in the archipelago. Bicol Express is crunchy pork and long chili servings in thick coconut milk, and Paksiw is roasted pork cooked in rich and thick liver sauce (there’s a fish variety with long chili cooked in vinegar). Mechado is tender beef loin with chili in very thick and rich tomato sauce, Sisig is super hot meat or fish flakes, and Ginataang Sili is chili cooked in coco milk.
For bland tasting native dishes, foods safe for expatriates are “Pangat” and native sautéed vegetable dishes. Pangat is fish boiled in tomatoes. If one goes for sandwiches, native rice cakes will suffice.
Expatriate life need not be spoiled by worries about safe foods. Ample varieties of native foods safe for expatriates line up menus.
Expatriates often come across several difficulties in attuning to a foreign land: there’s culture shock, the seeming timidity of life, legal issues, and even the hassle of traveling across the country. These difficulties seem to be magnified in the Philippines, an archipelago, wherein one does not only need to ride a plane or boat to access several amazing tourist spots, one also needs to get used to a variety of languages and people. Fortunately, expat networks are there to help the expatriate be relieved of a stressful life.
On the issue of culture shock, expat networks help by providing the expatriate with information about the country beforehand. Expat networks often have websites that contain valuable information, ranging from geographically-specific problems like heavy traffic in the metro, up to some culturally-related subjects like folk tales and myths.
These websites also provide the expatriate with information regarding possible activities to do and sights to go to. For example, expat networks would help the thrill seeker to find which beaches in the Philippines are sites for wakeboarding.
If one would just like a relaxing time at the famous white sand beaches of Boracay, Pagudpud, and Puerto Galera, websites by expat networks often have information on the best way to travel, the best lodgings, and the various activities one would find there.
These websites also provide information on what native delicacies are to be sought for and where to find them. Do you want spicy foods? Maybe a Bicol Express would satisfy that palate. Or are you on a diet? The fresh vegetables and fruits of Baguio might be your answer.
Expat networks would also lend assistance to expatriates who would like to work in the Philippines. They would be providing guidance from the legal procedures needed to acquire a job to finding the companies that would hire an expatriate. For the expatriate that would like to live a charitable life, some expat networks have ready connections with orphanages and charity institutions.
But perhaps the most comforting aspect expat networks would have is the chance to connect with fellow expatriates. Homesickness is inevitable, and having someone from home in this second home, to share experiences of this new land, if not to tell tales of the old place, would be a very effective relief.
For expatriates in the Philippines, expat networks would help you enjoy your well-deserved relaxed life. From alleviating anxiety about the culture through ample information, to providing assistance in traveling, to connecting you with fellow expatriates, expat networks help make this foreign land your home.
A foreign national, when visiting in the Philippines, is classified according to his purpose, length of stay, civil status etc. Resident aliens are those who have acquired necessary requirements that permit them to stay in the Philippines for a lengthy time period. However, those who stay in the Philippines for no longer than 180 days are classified as “non-resident aliens”, doing or not doing business in the Philippines. Being classified as a non-resident alien has its own laws regarding employment.
Non-resident aliens can be employed in the Philippines. To satisfy this obligation, the foreign national is required to fulfil an Alien Employment Permit (AEP). This is a documentary form that grants the foreigner to work in the Philippines, as the country prohibits the employment of anyone who does not contain a work permit, alien or otherwise.
The AEP, or expat work permit, is to be filed at the regional office of the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) where the purposed place of work is under the office’s jurisdiction. The expat work permit requires documents for application.
A letter of request should be accomplished as an initial document for an expat work permit. This is a letter addressed to the Secretary of Labour to grant the expat the authorization of working in the Philippines. Obviously, another requirement for the filing of an expat work permit is for the foreign national has to sign a duly accomplished application form. Lastly, curriculum vitae will also be required of the foreign national. This is to prove the authorities that the foreign national is capable of employment. This criterion will play a major role for the approval of the expat work permit in the Philippines. The foreign citizen’s spouse is also required to file her own expat work permit should she be willing to be employed as well. Normally, in the cases of non-resident aliens or otherwise, the work permit is filed by the employer to complete the employment process.
An expat work permit is hard to accomplish due to a major criterion imposed by the Department of Labour. An expatriate has the greatest chance of his or her employment permit be approved should it be proved that he or she can perform a highly-specialized skill where no one in the Philippines is able to do so. The authorities provide top priority to able Filipinos to address the country’s high unemployment rate.
To be not required of an expat work permit, the expatriate should file for an alien certificate registration that transfers his or status to a resident alien. The expatriate can also choose to be naturalized as a bona fide Filipino citizen. Otherwise, the foreign national can secure a business permit to generate an income in the country.
Expat banking now makes managing finances even away from home a much easier thing to do. People should have nothing to worry about now when it comes to leaving home and their possessions behind. Through expat banking, nothing gets wasted even if one is away from current finances.
The first important thing to do would be to consider a specific bank account which can serve your expat banking needs. You would do well to ask the opinion of a tax adviser to make sure that everything gets covered as you get into a new account. May expats usually find local currency accounts as the best way to manage expat banking. Such type of bank account would also enable you to have an offshore account which can receive salary and in the long run, bigger savings get accumulated. In the European Union, many local banks enable its patrons with flexible processes for daily money transfers. However, other countries may still require you to build up on a certain credit rate first before you can get into expat banking. This is an important reason why you should get all your information first before zeroing on one particular account.
To avoid these problems, you can choose to open an account in an offshore bank to make things easier for you. These kinds of banks usually provide its customers with check books together with a pin card and a chip. There are also available expat banking services done through the Internet sand through phone. Usually, banks like these are subsidiaries of big bank players and just do your research well to get well informed.
In addition, offshore banks are also more convenient. This is because you can actually make applications through online registration. This definitely saves you a lot of time and effort. Expat banking thus becomes easier and at its finest. After filling up the needed forms, you can download them to print them and then post them to the affiliated bank. Be mindful of the charges you need to pay when making these transactions. Offshore accounts really do a lot to make your savings grow.
Also, offshore banks can help your expat banking needs by allowing you with enough flexibility to access your money. No matter where you are in the world, you can be sure to get in touch with your finances at however way most convenient for you. Expat banking becomes a breeze rather than a burden.
New challenges always face expats the first time they set foot in the country. One of the most serious and life-threatening problem that must be immediately addressed is---not really terrorism---but food. Specifically, where to buy expat food that foreign residents often terribly miss and yearn for, especially in the tropics.
The good news is that today the Philippines is more open to expat-food type of cuisines, meaning, the native tongue keeps insisting on accustoming itself with global dishes as an offshoot probably to the thrust to go global in everything. Thus, the country, especially the major cities, is alive with fast food chains that serve expat food varieties targeting not so much the locals as they are a foreign clientele. In fact, the Philippines in no longer just the country in the Far East that it once was but a cosmopolitan tourist destination for expats from all over the world.
Another relevant development here is that the country is, in fact, fast becoming popular for serving one of the best classy expat food items in these parts, sometimes with quality better than those found in their country of origin. This is possible due to the influx of expats who share their culinary technology to the locals, or locals who extracted the technology in their stint abroad. Hence, premier hotels and luxury inns in Philippine cities and municipalities regularly feature special expat food specialties subtly seasoned and concocted for the discriminating foreign palate.
Even the regular fast foods in the country are mostly attuned to expat food standards and the preferences of foreign nationals in the country. Most expats have already accustomed their tastes to native flavors and often prefer a sampling of expat food in native flavors. A good number of them have also altogether adapted the delight of native foods and actually crave for exotic Filipino delicacies. They go out of their way seeking original recipes in the countryside.
But generally, the country is a versatile resource for any kind of food, native or otherwise. Expat food is no longer a big issue in the face of a growing global outlook in the country, and numerous expats have been comfortably settled here, without much ado on expat food. In fact, to stretch it a little, some just come here for expat food.
This may sound a bit exaggerated but the national cuisine perhaps may be expat food. On second, as we look around, this may not be too much to claim.
As a foreigner in the country, you have to be prepared physically, mentally, financially and emotionally for the challenges and adventures that you will have. Part of the preparation that you will need to include on your list is to get an expat health insurance. Having an expat health insurance will give you the peace of mind that you will have immediate and appropriate health services in case something unexpected happens during one of your trips.
When choosing expat health insurance, there are some things that you should consider.
Just like most people who buy health insurance, one of the first things to consider in the expat health insurance is the cost. The price of the expat health insurance varies from one person to another. The quote is based on the age of the person, the location, the type of coverage that you choose and if you have any pre-existing conditions. The presence of pre-existing conditions could make your expat health insurance quote higher than that of a person without any health issues.
Get an expat insurance company that you can trust. Ask the expat insurance company how long they have been in business. Ask for papers as proof. It is less risky to deal with an expat insurance company that has been in business for at least ten years. For recommendations on expat health insurance companies, you may ask your friends and the consulate or embassy of the country.
If you currently have insurance, ask how will getting an expat health insurance affect it? Some expat insurance companies will allow you to switch terms from a different insurer without having a waiting period for the approval of your expat health insurance.
Is your family with you, or are you planning to have a family? Ask the expat insurance company if they have coverage for your family members and how you can get insurance coverage for your kids.
When choosing an expat health insurance company, inquire on the terms when having your treatment. Can you choose your own doctor or do you just have to go to the doctors and hospitals that are affiliated with the expat health insurance company?
Request for information on how to file expat health insurance claims. Make sure you understand the process and that the process of filing a claim is easy, practical and will not cause you or your family much disadvantage.
When traveling internationally, it is important that you get an expat health insurance to cover any health issues that you might encounter. You wouldn’t be sure how your body would adapt to the geographic changes.
Expatriate life in the Philippines is often lonesome at the start. It picks up after a while, but it often takes a while before everything becomes a comfortable routine. The first challenge usually is how to get used to a place. But one must first learn to love the place before any thought of it can get settled in the mind.
For expat life to be pleasant, one must learn to like people around one’s environment. That’s the main key. Then getting used to the place becomes automatic. But how does an expat learn to like strange people? There are often 3 groups of people in an expat life: people at home, in the community, and in the workplace.
The first phase is home. Learn to like it and one realizes there’s no place like it. By “home” of course, we mean the Philippine residence of an expat, not where an expat’s family is---except if the whole family’s with the expat here. In such case, expat life becomes simpler and “home” will be easier to like. It will just be a matter of getting used to the physical house---rooms, toilet, dining, kitchen, TV programs, water, and food.
But often, expat life is living away from family. And what is called “home” is a strange residential unit---a lonely one if occupied alone---and an uncomfortable one if shared with others, at least for the moment. So the best thing is to like the unit and its occupants.
How does one do this?
Come to terms with reality. Learn about them or play some sports or games with them, or share hobbies. Go out with them. Take note of their strong and weak points. Expat life is helped here especially when properly relating with them.
To like the community around, often roam around in free times. Expat life eases a bit when meeting some neighbors. Frequent the local stores---in the Philippines, this is one way of helping expats begin to like the place and the people in it.
In the office, where expat life will mostly be spent, having snacks and spending lunch breaks with co-workers is advisable. Don’t be a lone ranger and always isolate oneself especially during breaks. If possible, invite officemates over to one’s place on weekends, or join them sometimes in weekend escapades.
Expat life can be lonesome but it doesn’t need to be. Just learn to like people and getting used to the place will be spontaneous.
Before you will be allowed to enter the Philippines, you are required to secure a visa from the Philippine consulate or embassy in your country. Just like in other countries, there are several expat visa requirements that you need to submit before you will be issued a visa to the Philippines.
One of the expat visa requirements is your passport that should be valid for at least six months from the date of your intended stay in the Philippines. When submitting the expat visa requirements, only the photocopy of your passport is required.
Another important expat visa requirement are the accomplished expat visa application forms. These forms are available from the Philippine embassy or consulate and may also be downloaded from the website of the Philippine government. In order to process your expat visa requirements quickly, fill in all the needed information completely and attach the required documents.
As part of your expat visa requirements, you will need to submit a proof of your status. Are you coming into a country as a tourist or as a businessman? Are you a student who intends to study a short course or are you going to get a college degree in the country? Prepare proof that justifies the purpose of your stay in the country.
Depending on the length of your stay, one of the expat visa requirements could be a return ticket to your country or a ticket to your next destination.
Along with the forms and documents for your expat visa requirements, you also need to submit two pieces passport photos. One will be used for your file and the other will be for your visa.
Once you have all the expat visa requirements, you also need to pay the visa fees so that your visa will be processed.
Other documents may also be required as part of your expat visa requirements, such as your employment history and a contract of employment (if you will be working in the country).
If your spouse or children are coming with you, your expat visa requirements will also include your marriage contract, their birth certificates and photocopies of their passports.
If you just intend to visit the country for not more than twenty-one days, you may be allowed to stay without a visa. Check the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs to know if you meet the conditions.
To have a hassle-free trip to the Philippines, submit the expat visa requirements the soonest time possible.
Being an expat in the Philippines has lots of advantages, especially for those coming from developed countries. With more than enough money to spare there’s no question about a luxurious expat life here, while at the same time keeping with an obligatory remittance back home. But another consideration is how to have a meaningful expat life in the Philippines---particularly, meaningful expat life weekend work breaks.
Charity work is a very worthwhile expat-life pastime option. It can be a very elating hobby or leisure-time activity. It doesn’t have to be a hefty amount. The emotional returns of charity giving is enormous, to say the least. A group of expats can form a “hobby club” or something whose goal is to do a weekend Samaritan deed to a select group of locals. They can enlist the assistance of social workers in the locality or barangay. Through social workers they can also request police assistance, if they think it necessary. But best of all expats can remain anonymous while channeling donations (in cash or kind) through social work service.
Expat life can also be meaningful through mini scholarship grants. Two or three public elementary pupils can be anonymously sponsored for 6 months or a whole year. An expat can visit a public or even religious elementary school and get hints on who deserves scholarship that can take the form of daily allowance, fare, school supplies, or books and notebooks. Engrossing expat life weekends in such meaningful hobbies as granting scholarships is a good diet for the soul.
Expat life weekends can also be dedicated to organizing youth activities such as glee clubs, dance troupes, drama or oratory clubs, or sports clubs. Speech clubs are very welcome in lots of schools. Schools can be contacted by expats offering this free service. Expats with relevant skills can offer free lessons to students on weekends.
Later, the students can be organized into clubs to do school or interschool performances. This will be exciting and memorable fun moments with dynamic and very artistic Filipino students who love such thoughtful and liberal gestures from foreigners. And the reward is really on the expatriate. Mingling with Filipino youths in such lessons and trainings will make expat life weekends productive and sought after.
A dormant expat life that consists of a monotonous work and home scenery week after week is boring to death. But expat life weekends can be made very meaningful and vibrant with some considerations for charity work.
Retirement in the Philippines evokes thoughts of an easy life. Life in the Philippines, after all, is much simpler compared to the flurry of hasty activities in developed countries. But retirement in the Philippines can sometimes turn out another way when certain considerations are not taken seriously.
A pleasant retirement in the Philippines means to stay with closely-knit families, if not in one compound, then at least within the same locality. The culture of an extended family is something other countries do not have. Hence, retirement in other countries often end up in lonely seclusion, living alone or being in institutions for the elderly.
Retirement life is best spent with family, daily, with love ones, and especially with grandchildren. To many who spend their retirement in the Philippines, the consensus is that there’s nothing like being able to watch one’s grandchildren everyday, hearing them shout at play, seeing them grow up, and being part of their lives. And retirement in the Philippines means exactly that---a grand, longer time to spend with family, especially grand tots.
In case a retiree has no family here and yet retirement in the Philippines is still considered, the government has a safe program for adoption. People who seriously consider retirement in the Philippines without families to share retirement with can always avail of social welfare assistance to look for children to adopt. Adoption is better started early, some say.
The first phase of adoption may be spent in the orphanage premise. Just go daily to visit adopted kids at the orphanage. Then gradually the kids can be brought home. Spending retirement in the Philippines with kids is a change of pace and scenery. It’s something therapeutic and physically relaxing to watch kids at play or progressing in school and in stature. To many, this is a grand way of spending retirement in the Philippines.
Finally, another option is setting up a kids or youth club in the community of one’s residence. Retirees may opt to put up a baseball club, basketball team, choir, glee club, dance club, quest club, or mountaineering club and be head of it. Staying close with young people has a way of perking up vigor and forgetting age. This is an exciting way of spending retirement in the Philippines.
Relaxation and quiet is just one aspect of having one’s retirement in the Philippines. There can also be the adventure and compassion factors in it.