Retired Life in the Philippines/Do I Feel Safe Living in Dumaguete?

Retired Life in the Philippines/Do I Feel Safe Living in Dumaguete?‪@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234‬ I review my outlook on safety issues to consider when living in the Philippines

[@Mortimer_Duke]

At least with corruption and bribes, one can be hopeful of actually getting done what one needs.

[@brianphuket5951]

True story. it is usually the bypass to get your stuff done.

[@user-ov5nd1fb7s]

In the west, there is mostly high level corruption which poisons people or something. In the Philippines, corruption is to get out of a ticket.

[@briane173]

That's true and when my wife & I traveled there we made certain to have a small stash handy to speed things up. I do think that any objective measure of "corruption" and "bribery" is elusive, because some people describe it as corruption or bribery when there was something they wanted out of local government officials and they didn't get it, or someone else did and they didn't; so I don't put a lot of stock in any _objective_ measure of corruption. It exists -- in greater numbers than the U.S. -- but not by much anymore. And some corruption and bribery we've learned to accept as a cost of doing business in the Philippines; it's just the way it is. Law enforcement is sketchy if not impossible in most areas of the country, and again, a good number of police are in on the bribery and corruption. So....ya roll the dice and go with what ya know.

[@edwinholcombe2741]

Unfortunately too many people agree with you regarding bribery and corruption. The accumulated sum is poverty and suffering.

[@Cons2911]

Sad but true

[@midlifewanderings]

I agree with you Paul. The most dangerous thing in the Philippines is driving especially at night. So many hazards along the road from people to dogs to drivers without lights on, teenagers with their cell phones on the edge of the road, etc... Bigtime drug busts are in the bigger cities but not in the province. Great video.

[@kinhason46]

No trauma center at the hospitals, we lost a great friend in 2011 due to his motorcycle sideswiped on a Sunday morning along the highway in Dauin by another cycle(hit and run, never caught the perp). His friends at emergency helped raise him up onto the scan table and help staff, nevertheless, he passed away 6 hours later at Silliman Univ Med Ctr. In The Netherlands he would have likely survived his injuries. His blood type A- is not available easily, we had to go to Robinsons Place and offer 12K per unit (5 units needed to give him a chance to live) RIP John . If you have a motorcycle , better give blood and have it ready just in case, rather than push up daisies which is more common than you'll guess. Be proactive, and stay safe.

[@stevefoster5172]

Regardless of anything, it's always best to have an awareness of what and who is around you at all times. No matter where you are or what you are doing.

[@michaelgodofredoquirao1583]

Iplp0

[@stevefoster5172]

@@michaelgodofredoquirao1583 (???)

[@puppetmasterblaster]

Your laugh is contagious man, you always cheer me up.

[@jasminequinones8521]

Hello Sir. Thank you for feeling safe in my home town. You are definitely right of your observations. Generally, we Dumaguete people are kind and hospitable. That is what our parents Generally thought us when we were young followed by good mentors in school. It has been the most peaceful place I ever lived in my life. What bothers me most is the traffic too. Love to be back there someday. God bless Dumaguete and the Philippines.

[@zandig666]

Thanks Paul I hear many conflicting bad stories sometimes I think people just try n scare people

[@federicobaena9405]

I am a Filipino Canadian and here is my take about all these Foreigners in my country. I say my country because I don't considered myself a Foreigner because I was actually born in the Philippines. I left at 10 years old and I lived most of my 50 years here in Canada. Although when I go back to the Philippines, most people consider me a Foreigner because coming from a Portuguese Father and a Filipino mother, I look more Portuguese than a Filipino. I like to think of myself as a true local Filipino in disguise as a Foreigner. I have been fortunate enough to be financially able to go back to the Philippines every year due to a business that allows me to travel freely. Anyways, the whole point of this is that I would just like to share what i see, (this is what I actually see each time I go back to the Philippines) how the Foreigners acts about their daily lives there in the Philippines. Whether I am in Dumaguete, Cebu, Makati or any parts of the Philippines. I find that the Foreigners are rude to the locals, loud, have very little respects to the locals and actually talk down to the cashiers and Filipinos working around the malls. It is that entitlement mentally that I see. It is all great that we have all these Foreigner bloggers inviting other would be Foreigners to come over. I get it, Foreigner can definitely help other locals, maybe improve the livelihood of others and over-all help the economy. But the attitude of entitlement towards everything is painful for me to watch. Again, there are good ones and not every Foreigners are like that. Just the majority.

[@ziggarillo]

Certainly apart from old age and cancer. traffic is the biggest killer.

[@arthurdunga345]

i'm lucky that i have travelled the PI a lot and i have to say that dumaguete is one off the places that i felt safe most of all

[@rosemariemandal4568]

Thumbs up Paul I am apriciate to you and Mae keep up a good work Paul

[@juanmoy4780]

San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, New York City, Chicago, Missouri and any place in America where the neighborhoods are prominently dark skins and drug infested area not safe for any skin color, specially Asians and Whites. How do I know news and experiences. Compared to the above cities and neighborhood Dumaguete is paradise. Of course in any paradise there is a serpent or snake 👍. Stay away from politics you’re safe in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Also, whenever disaster hit your area, Help Your Neighbors! They will remember your good deeds and that at other times might pay dividends in other ways🙏

[@blockaderunner]

National news HIDES all of that.

[@stannmcb3]

Conspicuous consumption attracts unwanted attention. Most people would never commit a crime to solve their own problems. Seeing desperation in your family can be an unbearable desperation in yourself to cause you to do desperate things. For everyone sake don’t make yourself a target by conspicuous consumption.

[@rickylee6129]

Very Informative Video Paul 📹 👍. Really looking forward to being there. Stay Safe 💕 💞 🙏 🙏

[@DonFashionBeauty]

Your background color looks very nice and soothing.

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@cliffordjbrazier]

Perhaps the most important factor is to integrate with the local community, getting to know folk, including your local barangay captain. In my experience, once mutual trust and respect is established, you will find a bunch of good people who have your back. If you have the means to hire a few people to work for you, you will be seen to contributing to your community. Of course, living in an urban setting will be more complicated, so smaller places outside the more populated towns may be consiered safer.

[@johnconstantinelegaspi2790]

That's correct. And as a Filipino we have this tendency or a culture of protecting our visitors, of course there are some bad guys for sure, but mostly if the people within your area knows u they will protect u.

[@marcrichard7251]

Very nice video Paul…. I felt safe in Dumaguete as well…. Can’t wait to get back to the Philippines…..

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Good to hear

[@marcrichard7251]

@@eddieBoxer Yeah it’s not for everyone….but I love not just the Philippines but Asia….

[@remote1426]

I've never felt unsafe walking around Dumaguete. At night at home is a different story. The second night in our Bacong apartment some guy stuck his head through our bedroom window at 2:30am. A friend in Dauin woke up in the wee hours to find a hot prowler 3 feet away from him going through the pockets of his shorts. We moved into a house in a small subdivision and every house here has been broken into at one time or another. A year or two ago a foreigner and his wife were murdered just a short distance from here. I could go on but you get the idea. Put every security measure you can think of in place and don't get complacent.

[@ron2823]

Excellent video, 5 stars!

[@theasianjaywalker4455]

This reminds me of much of SE Asia (not that I've been everywhere) but as a broad overall rule, there isn't a lot of direct-action street crime. There aren't going to be gangs of teens looking to play 'knockout game'. There aren't toughguys in the casino looking for a fight. Gas station holdups. That said, a lot of the crime is just behind the surface. There is prostitution aka 'escorts', there is all kinds of money-laundering schemes but they aren't anything a foreigner needs to know about. Yes, there is higher levels of corruption and here again, no foreigners, no expat, no tourist needs to ever know or care. Where I have seen an Expat get in trouble: The Expat, often a longer-term type, this guy gets way too snoopy about 'government bribes' and corruption, gets on a little campaign to decry the government 'payoffs' and intrigue about the cops and so on. Soon he's posting cynical comments on facebook and at the barstool telling everyone how damn corrupt the govt is. It may not be long before their visa is rejected and they can never return. We recalled an old Canadian retiree in Cambodia who would not stop 'exposing' the corrupt govt, intrigue around the 'Khmer Rouge', you could say he was obsessed with yammering about how he had really figured out the entire corrupt scheme and announced (many times) he was going to write and publish a book on the entire corrupt Cambodian system. He was last seen in a hotel room doing fine and then his remains discovered 3 days later in a jungle. No suspects were ever found, case closed. It's not for us to take on the King of Thailand, the 'Khmer rouge' or become investigative journalists into the Marcos Family

[@lavonyoung2366]

This is very useful information. Should be required viewing for anyone coming to Dumaguete or the Philippines in general. Great Video.

[@dustbusterz]

Great Content Paul. Yes, I Agree, Davao is High on the Safe List. I was there, Never Had Any Incidents of Any Kind. Flooding was Moderate, Crime Low. I think, For the Most Part, 80% Of The Philippines Cn Be Considered Safe as Far As Crime is Concerned( outside of the Occasional Pick Pocket or Something). Weather Varies Per Location So Do Your Research to Find Saftey in that Respect. Traffic is Heavy in Most Locations so That Can Be a Factor. Although With No Stop Lights, It's Much Safer( in My Own Opinion) than The States. Stop Lights Have Actually Been Found to Increase Road Danger. People Last Minute , Slam on the Breaks to Avoid Running a Red Light, Someone Following Too Close Behind can't Stop. Boom You Have An Accident. People Ignoring Red Lights and Running thru, Others Expecting them to Stop, they Take off Boom another Accident. Flashing Red Lights Warning to Slow Down( People over Time , Learn to Ignore those Warnings) Drive to Fast for Conditions, Boom, Another Crash. The More Warnings We Have, The Less Safe Driving Seems to Become .

[@ElmerForbusher]

I’m 61 and never thought of wearing a seatbelt til I was at least 25, when I realized how quickly things you need can be snatched away from you. I was somewhat surprised when I first visited the P.I. what I saw on the roads, and especially on motorcycles, like a woman with more than one child sandwiched between her and the driver, and all wearing sandals. My wife explained to me, “ we might not have a seatbelt, but we have a faith”.😀

[@mr.marvelousmess6986]

Nothing to worry about if you stay aware.

[@RafaelGil2022]

Paul . Philippine Dreams is back to Duma since Chrismas. Look him up..

[@jspice-kl2wc]

Thank you for all the great information., and the rules of the road in the Philippines. 👍👍👍

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Thanks for watching!

[@gregpraetz5342]

Great video Paul! I agree 100% with everything you said. The only time I have ever felt threatened in this part of the Philippines was by another foreigner.

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Well said

[@albruns9846]

I’ve experienced the same thing with nighttime driving. I HATE driving at night. A huge percentage of drivers drive without lights. So I avoid driving at night whenever possible.

[@artpeabodydiduseethat]

When storms or power outage, you can get a usb an hook it to bike or car battery to charge your phones

[@pete546]

at least twice while on holidays in Phils I read in local papers that a deputy mayor had been convicted on drug supply....this was prior to Duerte ....and it was not minor quantities.

[@blockaderunner]

is Duerte still there?

[@hewsi5751]

Love your channel Mike ❤ I'm currently at the stage of my life to move on from Australia and find a nice easy safe place to liveand new make new friends .

[@davidnordella7408]

I am glad that you feel safe, Paul. What about Gaylord? Have you seen the price of chicken lately? 🐔

[@joshuarizalforeman816]

I live in Antipolo, Rizal. I feel safer here than I have ever felt anywhere; I have lived in Central America, Laos, Hong Kong and, of course, the UK. The only time I have experienced the least iota of a threat in the Philippines was when an exuberant drunk guy 'interrupted' me on one occasion when I was having a beer and reading my book outside the local sari-sari store. He was quickly taken away, with abject apologies, by his buddies. Ultimately, all he wanted to do was engage with 'the foreigner'. As the lady at the store stated, he was probably in greater danger of bodily harm than I. (You are right about the booze, by the way. That's why I stick to San Mig Light).

[@Cons2911]

Years ago a drunk guy was walking on the street, but yes I was looking or staring well bec he was drunk. He was a bit aggressive but I wasn’t threatened. He was saying ‘what the hell are you looking at (in Tagalog of course)’.. usually I might feel threatened, but he was trying to say that while he was vomiting on the side of the street lol

[@josephstevano5905]

Interesting video. Super advice, as usual!

[@georgevincent7730]

I went down one-way street today wrong way. policeman said this is a one-way street and drove off, in England I would've been arrested.

[@bbustin1747]

England is a tough town , arrestee seems extreme , maybe if you are drunk driving down an one way street ! 😂

[@seeingeye5534]

I got to Philippines in December of 2018. I vowed to never drive and l never have. Taxi drivers will pass by locals to pick 😂 up a white guy like me. Usually say plus 100 which means meter plus one hundred. Sometimes I negotiate to plus 50. This is called “skin tax”. So what it’s usually only a dollar or two. I would usually tip this amount anyway. I try to never complain about anything in Philippines. To me it’s a paradise next to USA.

[@blockaderunner]

You must have money. I'm this way in America, but today they charged me $80 for an oil change when it used to be $29 just a couple years ago, then $189 for an anti-freeze flush. I pounded the table in anger cause of the hikes. My bud who was a Ford tech and hotroder told me to go ahead and get it because he does because he doesn't have the machine they use. I always run car repair costs by him, sometimes he says No! They're ripping you off! like with a quoted $1300 brakes replacement.

[@kkkttt1721]

Loved your trip to dumagett. Can you make a video of the 20 cent store. I would love to see what you can get. You can't even buy a gumball in US for 20 cents.

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Great idea!!

[@larrysmith8315]

Hi Paul. I agree somewhat with Mr Google regarding Davao being top of the list for safety. I first went there in 1991 and have lived there on and off for 14 years and since returning to Australia, and with the exception of COVID, visit there for a couple of months over Christmas period. Never once felt threatened, ripped off or hit up by the cops. We did have a tough mayor, his name was Rody Deterte, later President.

[@tonyharnett3169]

Yep ... driving in the Philippines is a treat! One thing that I had to get used to at night was flashing the head lights ... here in Canada that means go ahead ... in the Philippines it means look out I'm coming at ya ... lol

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Good tip!

[@derekhorsburgh6238]

Good down to earth advice as usual. Your conversations always keep me engaged when watching then afterwards, leave me with things to think about. I'm slightly older that you so, I hear you 👍👍

[@earlgrant6491]

Love watching your videos you and may are great people. I got robe in Manila riding a van at about 7pm if I had pepper spray I would used it. Now when I travel I have pepper spray and a taser to defend myself. In big city don't travel at night

[@mikegggg222]

I like the BOWIE, inspired couch cover. ,GROUND CONTROL, ZIGGY,,,STARDUST,,, between the couch cover ,and the little chicken, sometimes I get it lost,,

[@octi9465]

its cool living in there, its a semi urban place where people are peaceful

[@richard8181]

I 100% agree with night driving and no lights, Pangasinan is the same.

[@RafaelGil2022]

Here in Spain the winter has come. Mis Duma..Hi Paul and Baby Mae..

[@davidgleason3379]

I think you just have right idea you just adapt and like everywhere you just be cool and nice with the different ones you one across and like anywhere you generally don't have any problems.

[@timothybush9633]

Hi Paul, Thanks for the info😎

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

No problem 👍

[@mikesimpson9997]

Well done.

[@kevinhill7140]

Thank you for your content Paul, Peace and Blessings to you and your Family

[@stephanegosselin2861]

Salamat for another interesting video! Always great to listen to your experience

[@edic2619]

Hi Mae and Paul. Great video. Thanks. Yep... Feel exactly the same way about driving as you do.

[@jeffdrazewski]

..SALAMAT ..

[@PhillyP75]

I totally felt safe in the Dumaguete and Valencia area… I love everything about the area… Driving actually wasn’t too bad either… With the exception of the dogs always being in the roads… I can’t wait to visit again later this year!

[@lamonttaylor5061]

So you compare to USA it's alot more safe.

[@eddieslittlestack7919]

I always appreciate your insights Paul. Thumbs up!

[@garykelder]

Excellent video Paul. Driving here in the Dumaguete area is by far the most stressful thing I do here. 😱😱😱

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Tell me about it

[@garykelder]

@@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234 😂😅😂

[@anthonyguerriero3752]

Yes sir Paul driving a motorcycle is by far the un-safest thing that scares me here in Duma ... it seems to me that many of the locals have the me first attitude here I have seen so many near miss head on dangerous over taking moves here almost on daily basis and yes when they pull out of a side street very seldom do they look to see if its safe to merge they just assume you will avoid them and its on you to give them room to merge and then like you said the dogs dont move out of the way and literally look at you coming and step right in the path of your motorcycle and my pet peev is the locals riding on the opposite side of the road flying down the road ... safe travels Paulie

[@bobbyvee8941]

Thank you for what you do. Please extend my warmest regards to Miss Mae!

[@LvB-do8cm]

Nice one Paul, thanks a bunch

[@alejandroumaslay3657]

hey Paul you are safe there in dumaquite, nothing to worry about, I know that place, I am from Leyte province, dumaquite,city is peaceful and beautiful city, honestly over all Philippines is much safer to live with, unlike right here san California is no longer safe, just last week about 3 shootings occurred in different locations in San Diego, 2 in downtown which is 7 miles away from home the other one is just 3 blocks away from home, in the Philippines if you don’t use drugs I think you will be fine, just stay away from drugs that’s right thing to do

[@leroyybrown]

You summed it up nicely, usually the most dangerous thing that westerners do in SE Asia is get on a bike. Even worse most of those people only drive a car back home.

[@brianbaxter3913]

I agree about the driving being most dangerous and why I will probably never own a car here. I have been travelling around the Philippines for the last 7 months and feel Dumagete is a good place to be. I will be heading back there this weekend

[@jimcrain2647]

In the 1970's my grandfather made us roll up the windows at all times when the AC goes on.

[@frankellis9627]

Hey, Paul. Ned still post videos on KZbin "Philippine Dreams" 😎

[@happyguy7836]

I've never felt physically threatened in the Philippines, but I have had some stuff stolen. Nothing big, just little stuff....an electric razor and a hair dryer.

[@larrye2679]

Yes I agree with you about the overall physical safety there. I have never been threatened or assaulted when there. Perhaps though you can answer a question that has been nagging me. For a low crime country why do so many houses have high walls, barb wire or broken glass on top and also bars on the windows? It has always made me wonder. Going to be there around March, you never know we may run into each other. Great video 👍

[@mikegarman2140]

Great question man! Don't let your guard down,even in the city of gentle people.

[@georgevincent7730]

I'll be in Dumaguete Thursday, at last look forward to buying you and baby my Coffee.

[@garylawson7801]

Hi Paul, Again, this is a great topic, and thanks for your perspective. On the safety side of things, I've never encountered a problem where I thought I was at risk living here in Lapu Lapu City. Even when I can't sleep and go for a walk around the city at 2am in the morning. This may be due to the way I carry myself and having very good situational awareness. Regarding Police, being ex military, and having close workings within law enforcement, I have struck up a casual aquaitence with a lot of local and some National Police officers. There's always a nod of respect from me, and a pleasant wave or a "hello" returned to the point at times we may stop and chat for a time. Being a larger city, the crime rate is comparable with a typical metropolitan city. The stand out would be drug use and drug dealing, which, according to the latest reports, is categorised as high. Corruption is also listed as high. These 2 categories do not directly affect me. Mugging and physical assult is moderate with armed robbery apparently on the rise. I would suspect this being tied in with the drug issue My only encounter with this type of crime came in the form of a group of young boys who I believed were looking for an opportunity to relieve me of my wallet and iPhone. 2 young boys initially approached asking for money, then another 3 attempted to get in close to me from behind. Before they had the chance, I positioned myself where I could see all 5 and said hunong ang pulis. The boys scattered quicker than Jack flash. Every time I see them, it's hello mister and a quick exit. All in all, I consider the Philippines to be a reasonably safe place to live and travel around with the exception of Southern Mindanao due to the political situation with Muslim separatists and some areas in Manila due to street crime such as assault and robbery and Home break and enter.

[@joshuarizalforeman816]

I have always gotten on fine with the military personnel I have encountered here in the Philippines. Where my family lives, during the early stages of the pandemic lockdown, we had army checkpoints at about a quarter-mile radius. It's strange that the squaddies recognised I was ex-military immediately, as did the OIC and after showing my ID and proof of vax they allowed me to travel an extra 100 yards to buy my beer.

[@garylawson7801]

@Joshua Rizal Foreman We seem to have a knack to pick each other out. be it our posture and mannerisms how we lace our shoes or iron our clothes.

[@joshuarizalforeman816]

@@garylawson7801 My wife tells me that it's my 270 awareness, how I never put my back to a doorway, never offer up any personal information and how I always keep a good 3ft distance between myself and strangers. I'd never actually noticed but I suppose it just became natural. I totally get it with the ironed shirts and laced-up shoes!

[@Southeastasiantraveler]

I had $500 stolen from my bag that was left for a about 20 minutes at the Robinson Supermarket security deposit desk. Fortunately , they left my phone. My error to leave valuables in the bag. So my fault to some extent, but the theft was from a supposedly secure place.

[@PurpleUSA]

👍

[@orfe34]

I can say for myself i think best safe area Dumaguete I walk everywhere alone . To sibulan to dumaguete all streets.Alltimes night morning etc

[@KillerGrubwithMarkBagley]

I 100% agree with your summation Paul, I drive a motorbike in the Philippines everyday and it was especially sketchy in the beginning until I got used to the driving habits of the Filipino drivers, now I don't really have any issues driving here. Side note: what kind of microphones do you use Paul and did you order them from Lazada? or buy at a local shop? Thanks Paul Mark

[@zandig666]

Yessir Paul when I travel I typically like to look as bad or worse than the locals old beat up shoes old shirts n ripped shorts

[@rickbold9337]

Lots of break ins in San Carlos. Even my landlord and wife’s relatives stealing stuff constantly. We had to cut all ties. In Canada I felt way more safe and could trust almost everyone. I haven’t felt threatened of violence once yet in Philippines

[@wallykloubek4079]

Wow! Landlord and relatives stealing from You?...that would be the last thing they’d get from me...our relatives live in our house in Panay and there has NEVER been such a case of theft. In fact, they’d give you their shirt off their backs....we live in a village and everyone knows each other so it seems to be a safe place...yes, the dogs are a problem to motorcycle riders....do I have a complaint (reclamo)? Yes, what drives me crazy is the large boom boxes (speakers) bombing out techno “music” making my house shake....I’ve complained about this and it’s been greatly reduced by being friendly and bribing them with gifts..lol...but it’s bearable now....I suppose it will get back to high volume when we leave until we return for our annual visit...cheers🍷🇨🇦

[@rolfbertshit]

hi Paul, yeah i found Dumaguete save and the people very friendly. I did not have the same feeling in Puerto Galera. I found the men very aggressive.

[@Cons2911]

Most of places are generally safe. Of course it pays to know which places to avoid. And always be aware of your surroundings esp in metro Manila

[@bayoumanbryan]

Were waiting with bated breath for the tour and directions to your new apartment LOL.

[@cactusjackNV]

Good to know about the Typhoons. Sounds similar to Florida's west coast where you are much less likely to get hit with one of the bigger storms. Also playing it low key and under the radar goes a long ways to staying safe in a foreign country.

[@scotthummer1319]

Thank you Paul always great info

[@paulinthephilippinesolddog9234]

Thanks for watching!

[@k9companion231]

Hey Paul good report. I thought for sure the four guys getting stoned would go to satisfy their munchies craving. LOL but a band was good as well. LOL

[@OneJuanWon]

Anyone can find trouble if they look in the right place(s) for it, exercising common sense is the best card to play. Driving does look like Wild West stuff.....I'd rather have a car.

[@williamzee7748]

How much a month does it cost you to live…..that is, a moderate living style to rent, food, utilities, medical, and transportation? Percent of expats? Good fishing and snorkeling? Appreciate your response as like your honest presentation on this and prior videos. Can you also recommend realtor or good place for retired American? Thanks.

[@key39762]

good case for dumaguete. especially the info on typhoons. I'm leaning towards Davao I heard they have more traffic lights. lol

[@DogWalkerBill]

Night driving will improve after you get cataract surgery. I live in NYC and it's a cultural thing to wear black, all the time, especially at night, around here. When I was young, in Pittsburgh, there were PSAs on TV about "wear bright & light clothes at night." Do that in NYC and people will think you're weird.

[@edwinandhelenbyers3552]

True I’ve been here in Valencia for 7 months never felt this safe when I lived in Louisville Ky

[@jimi_Cal]

Thanks Paul for the video

[@ljw3491]

Good video Paul. I was never bothered when I was there.

[@alejandroumaslay3657]

I am also a citizen but a Filipino by birth, was naturalized back in 2011, I am planning to go back there in Philippines when I am retire but I still have long way to go

[@NewHampshireJack]

Beautiful Bride informed me that many drivers do not use their lights to "save the bulbs." She explained to my disbelief, that these individuals do not want the expense of replacing a burned-out bulb. They will be always ready for inspection. It has been a few years since I learned of this and I am still absorbing it with my ancient western mind. I am seeing improvements in the driving proficiency of many folks as more and more are attending driving school.

[@martinagnew7508]

Paul your night vision should improve after the cataract surgery, but I'd take the easy way out and drive your new Tin Can at night that way you know that Mae and you will be safe unless you get into an argument with a Ceres Bus or truck. Also the Tin Can has better lights than your scooter so it will be a lot easier to see things at night.

[@TomandAmyinthePI]

As far as driving in the Phils...Whether it's a Car or Motorbike you are driving You have to tap your horn whenever You approach other humans or animals or Intersections or alleys...The Filipinos do that for a reason and that's why I have not yet seen an accident here in Manila while living here since June and spent at least a month in manila in previous visits here

[@marlecmarine5393]

Corruption is ok if you get good value for money.........🙂

[@bigjohnson7415]

I'd say most places in the world you are safe, during the daytime anyway.

[@TheBuddyShowWorldwide]

Same here in Chiang Mai. The Land of Smiles is a safe place. But after moving every six months I'm getting antsy to see someplace else. Like the Philippines...

[@stephenleclaire2319]

Regarding corruption, the word "fixer" is common place here.

[@barrypress3704]

Hi Paul and Baby Mae from Panorama City California good info

[@markfromcanada37]

great video Paul ; how about a update on dean?

[@stevevandenberg8955]

Come spent some time with me in south Africa

[@blockaderunner]

Kurt Cas never goes back does he?

[@les8518]

Ha ha. Paul, The driving and dogs is the same in Thailand.

[@Waray25]

My nephew a police man in Tacloban, he told me after typhoon Yolanda, looting in departments store tv. electronics. Here comes a blk. foreigner carrying a toilet paper he couldn't believe it how important for him instead of expensive items.

[@tedrobertson1344]

Thank you Paul, great simmary re safety. Hint, could you sum up safety for Palawan ? From your discussions with people that traveled or lived there, When i move to Ph, it will be Negros Oriental, but travelling - Palawan is on the bucket list. Thx so much, cheers 😃