Taguig, Philippines

An British expat talks about spending winters in Taguig, Philippines with his Filipina wife of 25 years. He does miss chatting with other English speakers and hopes to find some expat clubs in Bonifacio Global City.

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Taguig

How long have you lived there?

5 years

What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?

I am a rather elderly male married to a Filipina for 25 years and spend 2-3 English Winter months in Bonifacio Global City in a condo, which we share with my daughter, who has been resident there for 5 years (was a gap-year!) and she is already fluent in Tagalog!

This area is fantastic, with the newest and largest SM Aura Mall, and fairly new Market-Market Mall, both with loads of shops and restaurants plus the new wider roads and even more shops and restaurants.

There are many tower blocks and new condos. The only thing I miss is expats for chats, meetings, etc. So I would welcome news of any expats/expat clubs and meetings in or near to Bonifacio Global City.

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In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

I'm constantly puzzled why, with so many tower blocks and new dwellings, I rarely see expats in the local malls, so I assume that many of the condos - such as the. 50-storey tower block in which we live- must be either held by expats as investments for the future, or by overseas workers? In the 25+ years that I have either lived in or visited Philippines, the only problems I know of were when many areas of Mindenao were passed to Muslim control. (I'm certainly NOT racist, having worked on development projects in many countries, and always preferred village life).

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

Main industry seems to be retail, particularly catering, and building tower block! Of course these would only offer employment to expats in highly-qualified level.

In general, what are peoples' priorities in this city? For example, do lives revolve around work, family, socializing, sports, etc.?

Well, it's well-known that when you marry a Filipina, you also marry her family! Mine are many, and obviously have lots of young and beautiful children to spoil. But they also have financial problems, and shortage of employment prospects (many are poorly paid even as balikbayans (overseas workers) but never ask for help, so it gives us expats the chance to provide direct-charity, which makes one feel good!

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If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

Please come! Several of my friends have done, but all are in other locations and mainly retirees like myself. Several have taken permanent residence in Philippines; I should add - particularly now that UK has become degraded (say-no-more!)

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Source: https://www.expatexchange.com/advice/58/76398/90/Philippines/Living-in-Taguig