Santa Ana Church, Molo, Iloilo City
My wife and I have chosen the Philippines as our retirement home. We spent several months in Cebu City and two weeks in Dumaguete. We were trying to be systematic about looking at various places before we settled down. While we found much to like in Cebu City, for us the disadvantages outweighed the advantages. Despite friendly people, top-notch medical care, shopping, pretty subdivisions in the surrounding hills, we found the worsening air pollution, traffic congestion and escalating prices hard to live with and likely to get worse. So, we decided to look at some of the smaller Visayan cities; in particular Bacolod and Iloilo and to spend more time in beautiful Dumaguete. Our plan was derailed in Iloilo. We were planning to stay in Iloilo City just for a month and then to move on to Bacolod. We ended up staying in Iloilo City for more than two years. Our future in Iloilo was sealed when bought a property and built a house outside of Iloilo City, in the pretty seaside town of Tigbauan, about one-half hour west of the city proper. Iloilo City will continue to be our main center for shopping, medical care, dining and other urban amenities and necessities. We’ve posted an extensive account of our house building experiences.
We’ve been pleased with Iloilo. The people are its treasure. Medical care seems fairly good and educational opportunities are extensive. In fact, Iloilo’s only real industry seems to be education. Thousands of doctors, nurses and seamen are trained every year. There are some decent restaurants, and you seem to be able to find and buy whatever you need at the markets, numerous malls or the downtown commercial area. The city is fairly compact, easy to get around.
Alubihod Beach, Guimaras Island
Although we find much to like about Iloilo City, we are not enamored of Philippine cities in general. Most are conglomerations of concrete buildings, a tangle of power lines, and choked with traffic. The air is dirty with diesel fumes and you’ll be hopping over open sewers. They almost totally lacking in the trees, parks, bookstores, cycle paths and other charms of urban life elsewhere. They do have elaborate shopping centers which, along with upscale subdivisions, and chain restaurants, are safe, comforting, cool refuges from the realities of urban life in the Philippines.If you’d like to live outside the city, but still have easy access to it, Iloilo has some exceptionally nice small towns with pretty Spanish churches and plazas. We especially like Santa Barbara, Oton, Tigbauan, Miagao and San Joaquin. Life in the small towns can be a much bigger adjustment and is not for everyone. The culture shock is greater. You have to give up that is familiar and comforting; the shopping mall, the supermarket, the chain restaurants.
While we love living in the Philippines, we try to present a balanced view of the pluses and minuses of living in the Philippines. Be sure to read our short essay: “Reality Check: the Philippines – a tropical paradise for the retiree?”
You can explore further using the topics list on the left side of every page. Comments, criticisms and additional information are very welcome. Address to hammerslag@gmail.com or use the comment forms on most pages.
October 2, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Good grief – good luck with Typhoon Parma. Looks enormous on BBC weather animation today, October 2.
October 1, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Did Ondoy cause any big damage in your area? Hope all is well with you guys. We were finally able to connect with our family last Monday morning. They said they had no flooding
in Maasin. Take care!
September 26, 2009 at 9:20 am
Thanks so much for you kind words, Al. I too have lived many places but mostly in the U.S. I really feel at home here. As I’ve said on , I am treated so well. Maybe it’s a sad thing to admit, but true for most foreigners even if they don’t admit it — we old, decrepit, overweight foreigners enjoy a status here we could never have at home, not in our home towns, not anywhere. I don’t mean in chasing young girls (ala Angeles City) but just in everyday life. It’s a privilege to be here and be treated so well. With Ilonggos I feel a sincerity I don’t feel elsewhere. Not so many foreigners come here because Ilonggos don’t make a big fuss over you as they may elsewhere in the Philippines, but mostly what you get from them is sincere, not just a prelude to getting something from you.
Bob
September 25, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Amen to that Al! Definitely, life is easier when your heart is in it. What I really look forward to when we retire there is to contribute to the betterment of the quality of life in Iloilo. We have been lucky to see how people live in America and other parts of the world. With that knowledge and a little wisdom, we can certainly be pro-active in improving what we have at hand. Now that I have come to this site, I feel
I have a bunch of friends when we get there. Thanks to you Bob and Carol.
September 25, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Bob, you are right on with your assesment of the living conditions in the Philippines. Especially with expectation and the subtlety of what it has to offer. I, myself, was born in Iloilo City but migrated to California in the early 70s at age 11 where I attended grade all the way to high school. Being young did not give me a true understanding of the situation of back when. Not until I was sent back during a temporary deployment at Clark AB (as USAF member) that I realized what a golden opportunity for having lived in the states. In a way, I got to see both sides of the fence. The struggle growing up and where I am now, comfortable and content. In fact, I had colleagues who took up residence near or around Angeles basically trying to relive their past glories only to be dissappointed two years later. I have returned to Iloilo City on two occasion, 1983 and 2007, believe me what a big transformation for the better. I felt safe walking around town not like Makati/Manila and especially not around Angeles. The 20 yrs I spent in the military has taught me that home is where you make it to be, but the sense of belonging always seems missing. I guess the beauty of what I’ve experienced during my military years is knowing that in 3 or 4 years, a new adventure begins. Off to a new land, people, language and culture. Despite years of absence from Iloilo, I will remain an Ilongo by heart. One thing to remember, to feel at home, your heart has be in the right place or else it will be a struggle. Make each situation the best and by having the right attitude can definitely ease the adjustment period. Having a back up plan won’t hurt a bit :>)
Bob/Carol, your article is the most accurate I’ve read so far about the Philippines. Thank you for letting the world know just how cool Iloilo is… I agree with Al Ogilby’s suggestion, “write the darn book!” :>)
cheers,
Al
September 24, 2009 at 6:57 am
Bingbing,
It’s great to hear that there’s an active retired Navy organization in Miag-ao. Like your dad, I’m a Navy retiree planning to retire in Iloilo. I know that there are a good number of Navy retirees living in Miag-ao. I had a shipmate a long long time ago named Pomperada. I think they built a house in Miag-ao. Please send my regards to your dad.
September 21, 2009 at 12:58 am
WOW! This blog has some great info! My dad is retired US Navy living in miagao now. They have a VERY active organization for retired US military. They have (i think) access to the best healthcare in Iloilo – utilizing their tricare and medicare benefits. And they have such a fun social life with all the retirees. They meet up every month or every week. If anyone needs more info…I can get more exact details from my dad. Keep the info flowing!
September 19, 2009 at 11:25 am
Dear Bob and Carol,
Hi, it’s been awhile since i ate patola. This October i am going home to visit my family in Iloilo hopefully i will be able to taste it once again.
I am very proud of our Philippine heritage and the cultural events i mentioned to you awhile back was very successful, i used some of the photos you posted on the net in the scrapbook i made and they love it, thank you so much.
Please let me know, if it is alright to visit you on my holiday there in Iloilo, thanks.
My email address indaybd@yahoo.com
God bless………
Aussie Inday
August 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Almedo, I use an old Fuji F11, a compact camera with a larger sensor that can produce good results, especially in available light. I also have a Sony A100 DSLR. It’s a good camera but the kit lens that comes with it is not so good. The Panasonic LX3 seems to be the best bet in a compact digital camera. It’s so popular it’s hard to find. The brand new Canon S90 also looks good. For a DSLR I’d buy the most expensive Nikon or Canon I could afford, as well as as many lenses as I could afford. I recommend the reviews of photo equipment at http://www.dpreview.com
I do not have a video camera but sometime use the video function on my Fuji. The video capabilities of compact digital cameras gets better and better, so a dedicated video camera may not be necessary unless you are really looking for professional results.
Bob
August 20, 2009 at 3:55 am
good morning bob & carol,
Your pictures are very crisp and clear. What camera are you using? I use a Canon Powershot A560. Do you also use a video camera? I’m planning either to buy a higher end digicam or videocam. What brands and models would you recommend for a tourist photographer?
almedo
August 17, 2009 at 8:03 pm
To the best of my knowledge, there is no boat from Iloilo City to Boracay.
August 17, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Good afternoon Bob & Carol,
Is there a boat from Iloilo direct to Boracay? If there is what time does it leave for Boracay and come back to Iloilo?
August 12, 2009 at 11:26 am
Thanks Bob, I think that answers my question, we’d much
rather be in more laid back area than the hustle and
bustle, sounds like Dumaguete would be it. Take care
always and looking forward to more photos of your island
paradise…lady
August 11, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Lady,
I find it really hard to advise you. I am not familiar with the resort you mention in Zamboanguita (Negros Oriental) but I have been to Zamboanguita and the area is pretty. It would be a totally different experience than Boracay. Boracay is a busy international resort with all kinds of dining, recreation and entertainment options. Zamboanguita is likely to be pretty, peaceful, quiet and low key — assuming the resort is a good one. Both are good options but radically different. Which is better depends on what you’re looking for. Best, Bob and Carol
August 11, 2009 at 11:05 am
Hi Bob!
Everyday I come home I check your site just to see and read up on new things, seems like yesterday when I first wrote, and here we are gathering firewood already again preparing for cold. Just wondering, have you heard of Thalatta Beach Resort in Dumaguete? suppose
to be in Zamboanguita(sp) anyway, my hubby and I are
gearing up for our trip home and thinking about traveling to Dumaguete instead of Boracay, what do you
think about this idea? Thanks in advance for you advise.
Take care always and God Bless…lady
August 5, 2009 at 5:52 am
I would like to know if any Americans are living in San Jose, Antique? My wife and I intend to go back in November. I am a permanent resident. I was told that there is a BI in Iloilo. I don’t want to go back to Manila in January to pay for fees if I can do this in Iloilo; let me know. We live on Capadocia St., San Jose, Antique when we get back in November.
August 4, 2009 at 1:05 am
Hi Bob & Carol,
I am curious with your house project if you are using the alternative to hollow block construction. I mean the one that incorporates the insulation. This is widely used in Europe and being adopted here in America.
Carol, I love your harvest (my favorite patola).
Best regards,
Citas
—
Citas,
We have not investigated that option, but good friends in Iloilo did and they found building with the insulated panels was considerably more expensive than conventional hollow block — and these people were on a more generous budget than ours. We are going to stick with hollow block. We’ll try to beat the heat with big windows, broad eaves, high ceilings and shade trees. The mangos we planted won’t kick in for about fifteen years! Also our site is VERY breezy.
Bob
July 31, 2009 at 9:23 am
Dan,
I’m struggling to add a better RSS feed but really don’t know much about what I’m doing. I’ve signed up for Feedburner. Check the new RSS link and see if it helps. Any suggestions welcome.
Bob
July 30, 2009 at 12:59 am
Bob,
Great site! I used it to plan a trip from San Jose Antique to Boracay in June, and your notes added a lot.
I’m confused about your site, because I would like to view postings in reverse chron order. I tried the RSS feed link but it only goes back to April.
Keep up the good work!
Dan
July 28, 2009 at 2:20 am
I read in your website that Doctor Ramirez is a good dentist. My wife and I will be in Iloilo next january and we may have big job to do with our teeth.
Do you think we are better to take appointment with doctor Ramirez before we leave Québec City?
If so, do you know if Doctor Ramirez has an e-mail adreess?
For months, your site is a real guide for us. Even if I’ve been in Iloilo four times, I learn something each time I read your site.
Keep up with the good work.
Gy Pelletier
Québec City
July 25, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Erlinda,
I know a few words of Tagalog and even less Ilonggo, but I get along OK. Most Filipinos know at least some English. With some patience and good humor some level of communication seems to work itself out.
Bob
July 24, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Just to let you know how great it is that I stumbled upon your website. You really have provided a lot of good and useful information. I look forward to reading more about your experiences in building your house in Iloilo.
Incidentally, experience any problem with the Ilonggo language/dialect? I know that many people in the Philippines, especially professionals, speak and understand English. But what about daily communication with the public at large? A “translator” cannot accompany you all the time.
Wishing you and your wife continued success in your building project.
July 17, 2009 at 10:18 pm
hi bob & carol,
i really love your topic here i am a real ilongga,15 yrs.now i never explore in iloilo, and i read in your blog i really feel homesick.Heart is always in iloilo, my b.f and i are planning to retired in iloilo too.I have a very sad story in iloilo not in the city but in my province about family problem, but then its already past but there are times that i recall it when i go back there so thats the reason i miss iloilo so much. Thanks a lot Bob we ilonggo appreciate what you have done. God Bless You Both.
Rose,
July 15, 2009 at 2:35 am
glad to hear the progress on your house project. pretty soon you and carol will be picking fruits from your backyard.
July 12, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Looking forward to seeing the latest pictures of your property
July 12, 2009 at 7:10 pm
i understand that feeling of dread–it’s usual to “line” a few palms with cash for expediency..ugh!!!i thought the architect does that for you?
i heard about the rain!! my sister had their nursing reunion in Anhawan, and it was pouring! but they still had fun..
good time to plant! we have good jackfruit in our lot, Bob..ask sis for some seeds..
July 12, 2009 at 8:22 am
Natie,
Good to hear from you. As I write we are being lashed by a tropical storm. We have not started construction on the house yet. That will be late in the year, after the rains have tapered off. We are meeting with an architect today at SM City to get the plans started and then to get our permits so we’ll be ready to go. I dread the permit process. Just getting our temporary electrical permit has been horrible. Anyway, now we’re having fun planting: a few palms, bougainvillea, hibiscus, mango, lacatan, pomelo, calamansi, avocado, malunggay, and so forth. It’s so nice to see our rather barren lot begin to bloom a little. Everything grows so fast here!
Bob
July 11, 2009 at 8:32 pm
hi, Bod and Carol?? how’s the construction going?? it will be raily season soon..hope the roof is up to shelter the materials from the monsoon…love to both of you!!
June 20, 2009 at 2:41 am
Aussie Inday, my wife did not receive your e-mail. So did I. You may send it to jm@antiaginggenesis.com, reference Aussie Inday. Thanks and Regards.
June 19, 2009 at 6:42 am
Hello Jim, i hope you received the email i sent to your lovely wife.
I really thanks to Bob & Carol for this site, it’s very interesting and enjoyable to read. It’s a kind of a family reunion of your lost long family. It’s also very helpful for future retirees. It helps me thinking more of retiring there in Iloilo. My dearest family lives around Visayas, so it would be nice to be around with them for a change.
I am excited to see the progress of your house and the finish product. I am wondering if you were able to visit Asilo de la Milgrosa at molo.
Take care and God Bless, Aussie Inday
June 17, 2009 at 10:19 am
Ed,
I was born and grew up in Miagao. Did your wife graduate from Miagao High School? I did in 1961. What’s her maiden name? Regards to you and your wife.
Jaime Monreal
June 17, 2009 at 8:50 am
Hi Ed,
Don’t be discouraged by my accounts on http://www.. I try to give an unvarnished picture of life here. Sometime I bend over backwards to describe the problems. This is because one person moved here in large part because he read my and others glowing reports. He decided the Philippines was not all it was cranked up to be. After that, I have gone out of my way to not oversell Iloilo or the Philippines. Sure there are problems, but we love it here and I would never go back to the US.
Antique Province is wonderful and Miago a favorite of ours. Only you can decide if life in the Philippines is for you.
Good luck
Bob and Carol Hammerslag
June 16, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Ulysses,
It is really a small world. My maiden name is Calantuan and my first name known back home is Angeles. If Alicia is your sister in law and we are talking the same person she was a year ahead of me in High School but we were staying at the same place at lunch time.
Say Hi to your family and sure will keep in touch.
Angie
June 16, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Angie,
My wife has a sister named Alicia. She and her family live in L.A. My wife’s name is Adelfa or Eden. She went to Oton High School as well. What is your maiden name?
Small world, isn’t it? Let’s keep in touch.
Regards to your family.
Ulysses
June 15, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Ulysses, what is your wife’s first name? the last name is so familiar as I recall way back in high school. Is she related to Alicia? I went to Oton High School from 1975-1979 and I grew up in Bita Sur, Oton. My husband is from San Isidro, Nueva Ecija but Oton, Iloilo will be our destination to retire. Anyway, Sta. Rita is a nice place too and it is very close to town and to the city. There are few subdivisions close to Santa Rita now (Florville and Santa Filomena). We are planning to go back home again on April next year as we have project going on too. Keep in touch and will hope to see you guys someday.
Bob and Carol, thanks for the respond. We will keep in touch with you once we are in Oton.
June 15, 2009 at 8:48 pm
i couldn’t think of a better place than Iloilo…but of course, i’m biased…hi, Bob and Carol!!
June 14, 2009 at 11:36 am
Hello Bob and Carol. I enoy reading about your experience. My wife grew up in Miagao and we visited in April after 30 long years. We rented a car with a driver and went looking for a land to buy, including Lauan, Antique her birthplace. I like it much better than Olongapo where I grew up. I left in 1972.
But your story about the fence and the sewer kinda cooled me off. But I’m still considering about retiring in Iloilo.
June 13, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Hi! Bob and Carol. Hope you’re all doing great. I’m sure your house project is nearing completion. Please continue to update us with the progress, all aspects going smoothly and not so smoothly, and the pictures. Thanks for being so generous in sharing your Iloilo experiences with us.
To Angie, my wife is also from Oton and we intend to spend most of our time in Sta. Rita, Oton, when we retire in a few years. My wife’s maiden name is Figueroa. Best of luck to you. Hope we get to meet and know each other someday.
My regards to all.
Ulysses
June 11, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Hello Bob and Carol. Thank you very much for a very insightful blog … can’t wait to see the house progress. I myself from Oton, Iloilo living in Canada right now. Your place is just next to ours and I actually remember the area. We were home last Nov to Jan and planning to go back next year. I hope we will have a chance to meet you and Carol and to visit your project. Slowly we are making our move to Iloilo too … to enjoy life so we are gathering as much information as we can.
Reading your blog inspired us. Thanks again. Angie
June 10, 2009 at 11:33 am
Aussie Inday, my wife’s name before we got married – Luth Bajar Joson. Her email address is symonreal@aol.com
June 10, 2009 at 11:06 am
Hello once again,Bob & Carol. How’s the building progress of your house? i would like to thank Carol for posting some of our traditional filipino food, market, houses & etc. I actually printed it out and used it in my scrapbook about filipino culture. This scrapbook is for the clients which i am volunteering. The place(Mai-Wel)is a non-profit organization which involved in helping not-able people involved in community activities and work.I will try to cook on our cultural day celebration some filipino food, i’ll let you know how it goes.The staff & clients are lovely people to work with.
I also would like to thank Jim Monreal for posting a note for me. I am delighted of your response and hello to your lovely wife. My birth place is quinayangan Tunga,Masbate.I am not sure if she heard years ago a passenger pamboat called Inday Mildred.Adelaide is quite far from NSW which i live. I haven’t been to Baleno, Masbate. But my parents and relatives did. I still have many relatives that lives in masbate and i miss and hoping to see them again one day. Love to hear from you and your wife.Maybe i can keep in touch with your friends here in Australia.
Thanks,Aussie Inday
June 8, 2009 at 8:48 pm
May, I completely agree with Bob – you need a good and honest attorney you can trust, and a Philippine bank account. Don’t just sign any legal documents yet until you have a lawyer to verify all the papers. Maybe, you need to go home first and do these things. Is the house already built, ready for occupancy, or still to be constructed?
June 8, 2009 at 7:13 pm
May, I wanted to reply to you via private email but you did not leave an address. There’s no problem in wiring money from a U.S. bank to your U.S. dollar account at a Philippine bank. That’s the safe part. But, there are many, many potential problems with buying real estate; making sure the seller owns the property and has the right to sell it, making sure there are no encumbrances, making sure the title is recorded as soon as possible. I could go on and on. In my section on real estate http:///category/iloilo-real-estate-rentals-apartments-houses/I recommend Jeanette Ong, and Iloilo attorney and a real estate Internet group which offers good advice.
June 8, 2009 at 12:29 am
hi, can you please help me i want to buy a house a house in iloilo for cash i’m in u.s. right now that house is for my parents. what”s the safe way to send my money safe? is wiring thru the bank safe sense is involves millions of pesos. I will really appreaciate you advise. i just want my money to reach there safe.
thanks
June 5, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Hi Bob, For those that have asked about a flying club in the Iloilo area… I visited Visayas Aerospace college and technology at the Iloilo airport and spoke with their president, Orson Bahinting. They do rent planes and provide the necessary instruction for those wanting to get their Private rating. They currently have a Cessna 150, two 172s and a Barron 55E (twin). His number is 033-333-0330 for those wishing to get more information.
May 26, 2009 at 10:07 am
great idea natie. starbucks not allowed, only dunkin donuts. ha ha ha.
May 24, 2009 at 8:40 pm
bob and carol–your blog is a wonderful spot to “meet and greet”–maybe a cafe’ forum here for expats?? haha. i visit here almost everyday. i miss iloilo already
May 24, 2009 at 12:45 pm
NOTE: the following is posted as some readers may be interested in the services offered. We have not used them so they’re just passed along for your own evaluation, GoIloilo.
I’m relocating to Iloilo from Los Angeles County. I would just like to say Hi and thank you for the insightful tips. Your page is really well organized and you’ve provided insightful tidbits, like the days for the market, home building experience and recommended doctors.
My father owns a home improvement/wood working business here in Pavia and I just wanted to invite you and your readers to come check us out if you ever have a chance.
http://pacificwoodmaster.blogspot.com/
I also am an avid yoga practicioner so I hope to lead some classes in the garden here as well.
http://yogainiloilo.blogspot.com/
hope to see you guys!
May 22, 2009 at 5:30 am
I am interested in filing for a 13a visa from here is the usa. Does anyone know of a website or a person who can give me advice on it?
May 20, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Hi Bob, we are in Sibalom visiting for the town fiesta. I would like to swing by your “house”project if time permits and you wouldn’t mind. Would you drop me an e-mail and we can coordinate a suitable time? Thanks so much.