Simple But Hard!

Living in the Philippines - How Difficult Can It Be?

Most every westerner who visits the Philippines certainly remembers that special feeling of tranquility they first encounter here. They are the peaceful and serene memories of the warm and friendly welcomes that linger on in one's mind. Their initial perception of the Philippines. A visit to the Philippines can result in a form of toxic attraction to a lifestyle in paradise, and with the purchasing power of western currencies, it becomes a very attractive alternative when compared to living an increasingly more complex lifestyle in the west. On the surface that is.

Although the Filipino people have a long-tendered relationship with the west, and especially the United States, they still exude a passion of curiosity and attraction for our culture. While most Filipinos appear to be well embedded in a perceived simple lifestyle, they also seem to be happy with the status quo of their daily lives. As of 2023, 15.5% of the population of the Philippines lived below the poverty line.

Caveat: The poverty line in the Philippines is determined by the cost-of-basic-needs (CBN) approach, which is based on the cost of a food consumption bundle and non-food items required to meet the minimum needs of a family. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) set the national poverty threshold at ₱13,873 per month for a family of five (approximately $250usd).

Obviously from a westerner's perspective, the definition of poverty is much different than how the Government of the Philippines defines it, and given that idea, a majority of Filipinos actually live below world standards. But there is a certain richness about the quality of life here that is hard to explain to anyone who has never visited this country. Many who have visited here can attest to meeting a very poor people who always seem to have a smile on their face, even amidst their daily struggles.

It's More Than a Lack of Cultural Understanding.

What many westerners don’t learn during their first or even subsequent visits here are the many intracacies of a deep-rooted culture. Even with some very western-styled adaptations to their everyday lives, the Filipinos remain steadfast in their ways. The appearance of living here can be simple, and it can also be rather complicated. Visitors and newcomers will always encounter obvious differences when compared to their lifestyle back home, and will usually brush them aside as a minor inconveniences. But when one decides to come here to live, they should be reminded that all those inconveniences are permanent. It's just the way it is going to be. “Bahala na” as they say here which basically means "It is what it is."

When one comes this way to live, it's a good practice that they leave any expectations of living a western lifestyle at home. While it is not impossible to live a material western lifestyle here, it will have to be imported for the most part, and that can be expensive. Culturally speaking however, you simply cannot import expectations in customer service, in relationships, in communications, and even cultural understandings. The general populace here, while seemingly westernized on the surface, will never fully understand where it is you come from or your culture, nor will they ever understand your level of expectations. Never.

It's So Simple, It's Complicated!

When we retired to the Philippines in 2013, I purchased a small Honda motorcycle to help alleviate our total reliance on public transportation. I built a wooden rack on the back end to make it easier to carry stuff home. All I needed was a couple of “bungee cords” to secure things to the rack. I spent nearly two full days searching Calbayog City looking for these evasive elastic straps. Because “bungee” is not a common English word, it simply does not translate. I had an impossible time getting any sales clerks to understand what it was I was looking for. I was offered everything from Q-tips and Ace Bandages and even a radiator hose. The last place I visited I was told by the clerk “sorry sir, we don’t have those things” ... at the exact same moment I spotted a bungee display hanging on the wall behind her.

Sometime you gotta do what you gotta do!

Take English for Example...

Although the Philippines may be considered an English speaking country, with so many dialects of their own language (135 known), English proficiency can be a much desired trait among Filipinos… especially with westerners that is. Unless you live in the larger cities like Manila, Cebu, College towns, or areas that long-supported U.S. military installations in the past, communicating with Filipinos, especially in the distant provincial areas can be a serious challenge.

The language barrier alone is capable of producing such an inconvenience that it complicates even the most simple things. It will wear a person down. Sometimes I've had to pose my question three different ways before it can be understood. Maybe. Communication will always be hit-and-miss in the Philippines and is undoubtedly the most frustrating and complex issue experienced by most foreigners.

As the joke goes, English can be so taxing for some Filipinos that it causes nosebleeds! Many foreigners have discovered though that the younger and educated generation has a much better grasp of the English language and many times, we tend to turn to that generation for help with our translation needs.

A Simple Life Requires Simple Solutions!

The best solution I have found to make life more simple - to avoid the dreaded language barrier - is to keep your English speaking on the most basic level. Avoid using western slang as it only complicates any conversation. Learn to communicate on an 8 year-old English speaking level. Also, when I'm shopping for certain items, my phone is my good samaritan. These days, it is armed with a translator app along with many photos of everything I might be shopping for... from "taco shells" to "lighter fluid," and yes even "bungee cords."

This simple little tactic helps keep my frustration levels in check and also helps to prevent many a Filipino nosebleed. It's a win-win! One would think that living here would be more simple though.