If you see books written by me on a website, Retiring to the Philippines, please do not buy them. I am the writer of these books and I am receiving zero compensation for my written works.
I will not go into the long story but the short story is, I have no longer given anyone *verbal* permission to sell my books. I have never signed a written contract for anyone to represent me or to be my agent for marketing anything about the Philippines that I have produced. That’s the bottom line!
The verbal permission was based on my duly earned commission but since that has been off the table for 2 months, I will put it bluntly. I am being ripped off!
Friends in Low Places
I have written many articles in the past about how foreigners in the Philippines will stab you in the back. Every expat in the Philippines is not your friend. In fact, many are your worst enemy. Even your own Kabayan, or countrymen, cannot always be trusted. Allow them to earn your trust.
I had heard over the years about Crab Mentality in the Philippines. During my 29 years experience in the country, it is not Filipinos with the worse cases of Crab Mentality, it is foreigners. Many of them have personal issues. They cannot maintain a personal relationship with anyone, male or female. They are unhappy and they cannot tolerate seeing others happy. They want to rain on your parade and put crap in your stew…if they can. They don’t even like themselves very much.
I have 2 degrees in Mental Health. One in Mental Health Technology and the other degree in Psychology. I worked 30 years in the USA in Mental Health and in Law Enforcement. I think I can evaluate people pretty well, although I am not judgmental upon first impression. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt…in the beginning.
A Great Life
I suggest that if you think you will be happy in the Philippines only if you are surrounded by a wonderful group of expats, think more about this!
By far, most of my friends and acquaintances in the Bacolod Area are Filipinos and Filipinas. No, not foreigners. Honestly, I can take them or leave them and lately, I am mostly leaving them! I have a core group of foreign friends in the Bacolod Area and we have been friends for 5 years or longer. However, I am not going out of my way to make new foreign friends. If it happens, it happens. If not, that is fine as well.
I have a great life in Negros Occidental. I did not move here to hob knob with foreigners. I am not anti-foreigners in the Philippines but in all honesty, a number of them have created problems. I wish those particular ones would get on the next plane out and go home! Stay there once you get there and don’t let the door hit you in the rear end on the way out! Hasta la bye bye!
There you have it. Do not trust people in the Philippines just because they are foreigners. A number of them are also grifters, hackers, scammers and schemers. Never give out your personal information to anyone.
I hope to see you one day, somewhere…all around Bacolod.
Your Amigo,
~ Gary ~
All Around Bacolod 
Hello Gary: I’m one of those foreigners making the move to The Philippines. My wife and I recently bought a house near her family in Bago City. Since you’ve been in Bacolod a good long time, can you recommend anyone that could build me a proper swimming pool? Many people here claim they can build pools but I’ve learned that their definition of quality and mine are usually not the same thing. Best regards, Jerry Cassidy Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2015 04:02:57 +0000 To: olecattidy@hotmail.com