- Six Month Update - Part 1

It has been over six months since we moved to Dumaguete in the province of Negros Oriental in the Philippines, and I wanted to give a little update.

On an early morning walk on the Boulevard
near the Port

Home in Dumaguete

The City of Dumaguete has consistently been highly ranked both nationally and internationally as an expatriate community and as a retirement location. It is known as the “City of Gentle People”, and for the most part I think it is. There are a variety of restaurants, things to do, places to see, and friendly people here. I have enjoyed living here, and we have not had any major problems.

Christmas time in Dumaguete

There are many foreigners living in and around Dumaguete, many Americans, and perhaps even more of other nationalities: Europeans, Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, Australians, Africans, Canadians, Indians, etc.

I personally don’t think having a lot of expats living here necessarily makes it a more desirable home city, but many people do. Whatever..., it’s just a matter of personal preference. Some local people say that foreigners act ugly and complain too much.

I'm not sure whether it was entirely intentionally or not, but I avoided having close expat friends. Of course having no close expat friends makes it more lonely for me. I haven't normally interacted with anyone other than Lyn and Wendie and occasionally Filipino neighbors. I have mostly stayed at home. (Lately I have begun to change my mind about this and have taken steps to reach out to other foreigners.)

Our home is comfortable too. Perhaps too comfortable. We have two air conditioners, plenty of food, an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken, fish, beef, pork. Both Lyn and Wendie are good cooks.

Vlogs of Expats in Dumaguete

There are several expats here in Dumaguete who regularly post videos on YouTube of their experiences here. You can get a good idea of life in and around Dumaguete by watching their videos. Here are a few:

Bud Brown Live – a retired 6^th grade school teacher originally from California

Swiss Humanity – a young, unmarried European with a very upbeat approach

With David of Swiss Humanity

Turquoise Sunsets – also from California with a wife and two small kids - he's soon moving to Bohol

Senseofstile – researches tricycles, motorcycles, and multicabs for potential buyers

Cost of Living Here

It would be a mistake to assume that everything is automatically cheaper here. Some things are more expensive. Electricity is higher here than in America. Some electronics are more expensive here. And automobiles can be more expensive. Some American foods, if available at all, can be more expensive.

Generally food at the grocery store is roughly the same as in America. Fresh food bought in the market can be cheaper.

Some things are significantly cheaper here though. Usually work, manual labor, is much cheaper here. Unskilled labor might be $7.00 a day. Skilled labor might be $8 - $12/day. You can hire a full time live-in housekeeper/cook for less than $70/month. Our next door neighbor has a housekeeper/cook/babysitter for that much. You can get an hour professional Swedish or Thai massage for $4 - $8.

Lyn eating durian

Lyn after eating durian

Restaurants can be inexpensive, though you can find more expensive ones. At McDonalds, Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, Sans Rival (some of the fast food and local restaurants here), you can get a meal with a drink for from less than $2 to about $5. At many other restaurants, you can get a meal from $3 to $7.50. Some restaurants are more expensive, running from about $10 to $20 or even higher. If you go for strictly Filipino street food or karendirya, you can eat for less than a dollar, typically about $.60 or less.

Tricycle rides around town are usually between $.20 and $1.00 per person. Taxis in this town are rare.

Some of Lyn's classmates came over to our house for dinner
and games

Bus fare to Bacolod, a six hour ride to the other side of the island is $6.00, $7.50 for air conditioned. The fare to Cebu City (six hours) including the air conditioned bus and the barge (it’s on another island) is $6.80. One way ferry to Siquijor Island is $2.60 slow (1 ½ hrs) and $5.00 for fast (50 mins). A one way ferry from Dumaguete to Tagbilaran, Bohol, is a little more expensive at $14 - $20.

Doctor visits are cheaper here. I’ve been to 6 family doctors or specialists since I’ve been here, and each time it’s cost between $2 and $12, usually $8 - $10. Dental work is cheaper too.

House and apartment rentals are generally inexpensive. Depending on number of bedrooms and your needs for conveniences, etc., you can find a furnished or unfurnished apartment for between $120 and $600 per month. Our modern furnished 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse rents for $310 per month.

Colleges and universities generally charge less too, often between $60 and $1000 per semester for tuition for a full-time student.

Reading

Since I’ve retired I’ve had more time to read, and I’ve read 21 books in the last few months. A number of those books have made a positive (or otherwise) impression on me. Some that come to mind are:

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

A story of a young Cambodian girl during the communist takeover of her homeland

I Who Did Not Die by Meredith May, Najah Aboud, and Zahed Haftlang

A young Iraqi soldier came face to face with a thirteen year old Iranian child soldier who was ordered to kill him

Rebel in the Ranks: Martin Luther, the Reformation, and the Conflicts That Continue to Shape Our World by Brad Stephen Gregory

The unintended consequences of the Protestant Reformation on the Western World

Ministry

Since we have come to the Philippines, we have seen a lot of people with needs, especially poor people. Actually it is endemic here. We want to be a help instead of contributing to the problem, and we have found places to give rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, and snacks to people in need. Seeing the need here can seem overwhelming, but we want to help.

Lansones tree loaded with fruit

Beside delivering food to some people’s homes, we also go on rides in poorer communities looking for kids to give a snack to. We hope to expand this in the future.

On a Personal Note

A couple of weeks ago while on an early morning walk with Lyn, I was bitten by a dog. I went to a Silliman University Hospital doctor who told me I would need to get a series of rabies shots that would cost several thousand dollars. Our neighbor Ariel took me instead to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital where I am receiving the same series of shots for free. We are very thankful for that and for good friends like Ariel and his wife.

Wendie with her friend Jen
getting ready to swim at Oceans 24
Resort

Stay tuned for the second part of this update....