Too many negative things being written. Yes the Philippines is a great place to live and generally the people are very friendly. I write the bad things because I don't anyone to have the same problems I have experienced over the years. If you can learn from others it's better than learning from your own mistakes. The average Filipino is so nice and friendly that it is unusual to be in someone's home for more than a few minutes without being offered a drink and snack. Even if they hardly can afford to feed themselves (you must always accept if offered. You don't have to drink or eat much but always accept it). Graft and corruption is common in 3rd world countries. Whether we want to admit it or not the Philippines is 3rd world. Police earn a very low salary so they try to earn extra on the side. A common word in the Philippines is lagay (extra money being given under the table). Filipinos are nice friendly people but a common thought deep inside is Foreigners are rich and Filipinos are not. The foreigner takes advantage of the Filipino (colonialism). Many places there are foreigner prices and local prices. I like to think of it as a game, living in the Philippines. I love the Philippines but you must learn all the rules of the game in order to play it to your advantage. Of course and to enjoy it. Every baseball stadium has it's own ground rules. Life in the Philippines can be very nice.
