Book Review

The Philippines: Expat Survival Guide

Reviewed by: Michael Scott

This is the first in a series of thoroughly researched, in-depth Expat Survival Guides by local author Tom Henry, who has been living in The Philippines as an expatriate for some 18 years. Having done the hard yards and discovered how things work (and sometimes don't) in The Philippines, he is determined to make things easier and more worry free for expats who follow him.

The Philippines: Expat Survival Guide contains answers to pretty much all the questions that budding expats should be asking - before deciding whether to embark on a new lifestyle in the 'tropical wonderland' of The Philippines. Mr. Henry goes into some detail about the country’s early history, the influence of Spanish colonization, the American period, the Second World War and finally independence, neatly tying off all the threads that make up today’s Filipino culture.

One section of the book is likely to prove especially useful to prospective and existing expatriates. This section covers Visas - the various categories of visa available, who is eligible to apply, the requirements of applicants and any limitations imposed under the terms and conditions of each visa type. There is also comprehensive coverage of the ACR Card, it’s many advantages and benefits open to those expats who hold it.

Tom Henry tells it like it is. Digging deep into the local psyche to explain why Filipino’s behave as they do, discussing the importance of inter-personal relationships, the vitality of the extended family, and providing a realistic overview of the cost of living and how much it costs to maintain a reasonably comfortable lifestyle in the Philippines.

Not only does this book help newcomers avoid some of the more obvious costly, time consuming and frustrating mistakes that most of us expats have made over the years, it contains a treasure trove of advice on property, food, entertainment, getting around, politics and government, romance with the locals, business, education and, significantly, matters which may affect your health or that of your family while in The Philippines.

The Philippines: Expat Survival Guide is without doubt the most useful book of its type I have come across this year, (or any other year, for that matter), and should be compulsory reading for those with a ken to visit or live in The Philippines. It really is a “Philippines 101”course that I wish I'd read before I embarked on my life here.