WTNY 8-26-2007 07:19
Why Scottish expat Sue keeps coming back to the Philippines
[img]http://expatinterviews.com/files/imagecache/thumb/files/susan-panay_0.jpg[/img]
Scots lass Sue finds much to like and dislike about the way of life in the Philippines. Nevertheless, she’s appreciative of the accepting and friendly nature of the locals, the plethora of entertainment options in Makati City, and that there’s still so much more to experience and discover about this country’s 7,000+ islands.
Susan Panay
July 16 2006
-Where were you born?
I was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live with several friends, they are all Filipinos.
-In which country and city are you living now?
Makati City, Philippines
-How long have you been living in the Philippines?
I have been living here on and off for the past nine years.
-What is your age?
I am 35 years old.
-When did you come up with the idea of living in the Philippines?
I was initially offered a job here which was only to be for three months but I was offered an extension on that contract and having spent a short time in the country decided to give it a whirl. There were so many things that I found exciting here and I really wanted an opportunity to be able to see more of the country.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Getting the necessary documentation was not much of a problem at all; this was processed without any delay and I found this to be dealt with very efficiently.
-How do you make your living in the Philippines? Do you have any type of income generated?
The company I work for designs mid-range accounting platforms for software companies and as I mentioned earlier, the job was offered to me in the UK. The offer came from a friend of mine, who had himself spent several years working in the Philippines and I accepted on the understanding that he would be here when I arrived. However, two days before my departure, he showed up on my doorstep informing me that he had been re-assigned back to England and that he would not be returning to Manila.
This nearly prevented me from ever coming here as I was a little worried about entering another country and not knowing anyone there -- no friends to talk to -- and this was quite a big leap for me. I thought it over for 24 hours and decided, 'what the hell, nothing ventured - nothing gained' and decided to come over and check things out.
-Do you speak the Philippine language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I do speak some Tagalog and try to learn new words and phrases as often as possible, as I think this is paramount in ensuring that you enjoy the full Filipino experience.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do miss my family and friends from home but I was very lucky when my family came out here for a visit a couple of years ago. We spent two weeks at a beautiful beach resort in Cebu and it was lovely to spend time with them again. I also use the Internet as a good way to stay in touch on a regular basis.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
There are so many islands here that I still want to visit. With over 7,000 to choose from, there really is something for everyone.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I am very fortunate to live with some lovely Filipina friends of mine; we share a house here in Makati.
-What is the cost of living in the Philippines?
The cost of living here is very low compared to the UK and it's one of the things I so love about being here, my money goes SO much further now.
-What do you think about the Philippine people?
The Philippine people are great; they are very friendly and helpful to most foreigners. There are, of course, a few rotten apples. But that is the case wherever you go in this world, and as long as you have your wits about you and try not to behave like an idiot, then you're going to be okay.
I will say, though, that during my time in this country I have not encountered harassment from men, etc. or the problems that can arise as a single female living abroad.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the Philippines?
Positive:
* cost of living
* beautiful island getaways
* friendly and helpful locals
* the most amazing food (especially pork tocino - my favorite!)
* 24/7 entertainment
* beautiful people
* the choice to openly be yourself without fear of abuse - being a gay woman, this is very important to me.
Negative:
* poverty
* lack of public facilities
* treatment of animals - this is something that did disturb me about the Philippines; being an animal lover I was not used to seeing dogs in cages and seeing so many animals without a home
* Filipino time - "soon come" is something you hear quite often and takes a bit of getting used to.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the Philippines?
The only tip I can give you, is come here and try it for yourself. I did that and it was one of the best moves I have ever made.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the Philippines?
Here is a link to webpage, feel free to come and say hi anytime:
[url]http://www.myspace.com/moody_in_manila[/url]