- Filipino 'niceness' - Really they are only nice as long as you are nice to them. You are nice back because they expect you to be nice. And you are nice because you have no reason not to be nice. You even remain nice (as a foreigner) when they invite you into your home, not because you are not nice, but because you don't trust their niceness. You don't want to offend them right? Understandably because if you offend a Filipino, you are in trouble. They are very proud of their 'goodness', to the point of arrogance. Never show that side of them...as they can be very vindictive, and the police in the Philippines are next to useless, so you don't want to give them cause for a grievance.
- Being nice - We have hence realised that being nice is simply not confronting people with expectations or conflicting values. Basically its about talking about frivolous stuff like the weather or sweat foods, or boyfriends, whilst not imposing any expectations that are likely to create conflict. This is why the Filipino is so nice and relaxed. They are mostly poor, and they are surrounded by people who share their poverty. If they are not poor, they are happy because they feel great they are not poor, and they in the last 10-15 years have had the opportunity to experience some aspiration.
- Original Sin - Filipinos accept this notion of Original Sin, so they pray a lot when they do something wrong, but it seems they can't rehabilitate or 'self-treat' because they are often dishonest. Middle class people will say that its because they are 'poor', but its actually not that. Being poor is not a reason for crime or unethical thinking, at least not in the Philippines where destitution is not so bad. There is actually plenty of food in the Philippines. People live in ghettos for a chance at aspiration, not because they are poor. They moved to the city to get rich, not to survive. They aspired for more; the problem is they did not know how to do it, or to get it. It is easier for a Christian to look down upon themselves and their fellow man, because its the ultimate acceptance of one's flaws. It is an act of self-contempt.
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Over the years, this ebook has been enhanced with additional research to offer a comprehensive appraisal of the Japanese foreclosed property market, as well as offering economic and industry analysis. The author travels to Japan regularly to keep abreast of the local market conditions, and has purchased several foreclosed properties, as well as bidding on others. Japan is one of the few markets offering high-yielding property investment opportunities. Contrary to the 'rural depopulation' scepticism, the urban centres are growing, and they have always been a magnet for expatriates in Asia. Japan is a place where expats, investors (big or small) can make highly profitable real estate investments. Japan is a large market, with a plethora of cheap properties up for tender by the courts. Few other Western nations offer such cheap property so close to major infrastructure. Japan is unique in this respect, and it offers such a different life experience, which also makes it special. There is a plethora of property is depopulating rural areas, however there are fortnightly tenders offering plenty of property in Japan's cities as well. I bought a dormitory 1hr from Tokyo for just $US30,000.
You can view foreclosed properties listed for as little as $US10,000 in Japan thanks to depopulation and a culture that is geared towards working for the state. I bought foreclosed properties in Japan and now I reveal all in our expanded 350+page report. The information you need to know, strategies to apply, where to get help, and the tools to use. We even help you avoid the tsunami and nuclear risks since I was a geologist/mining finance analyst in a past life. Check out the "feedback" in our blog for stories of success by customers of our previous reports.
Download Table of Contents here.
Monday, November 11, 2013
The pride of the Filipino - the delusion behind Tacloban storm surge
Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 6:02 PM 0 comments
Labels: Education, Natural disasters, Philippine Values, Philosophy, Religion, Science
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Gates open to foreign investment in the Philippines
Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 10:15 PM 0 comments
Labels: Expat Living, foreigners, Philippines Property, Visas
Monday, June 24, 2013
Placing Philippines property investment in its historic context
"Hi Andrew. Many years ago, I stumbled across your blog on investing and property. I also noticed you lived in Japan for sometime. I quite liked your thinking and analysis....I have family and business commitments in Japan. Currently I'm based in China. I'm looking for an investment property but am thinking Malaysia or Indonesia now. I can afford Australia but its still 40-60% overvalued in my opinion".
Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 11:27 PM 0 comments
Labels: Advantages, Indonesia comparison, Opportunities, Philippines Economy, Philippines Property
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Japanese funds new Manila light rail lines
Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 7:03 PM 0 comments
Labels: Philippines Growth Zones, Railways, Transport
Bohol development underwritten by Japanese
Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 6:39 PM 0 comments
Labels: Japan, Opportunities, Philippines Property, resorts
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
When to retire in the Philippines?
Many expatriate Filipinos living in the United States are inclined to retire in the Philippines. There are of course many reasons to do so, and not to do so. Among the reasons are:
1. Proximity to old school friends
2. Greater value for their savings
3. Greater opportunity to work in non-profits or opportunity for their children
The reasons not to are perhaps:
1. Nicer natural environment in the USA
2. Greater job satisfaction
3. Suffering is everywhere - you don't need to go to the Philippines
4. I'm no longer Filipino - I'm a balikbayan that no longer relates to homeland values
5. My savings are adequate such that I don't need to
These are different perspectives, and the reality is that one can choose both. The reality is that its never been easier to invest abroad, or to travel abroad. There are greater opportunities in property in the Philippines, and that is where most people make money - in property. this is becuase:
1. The Philippine population rate is growing 2% per annum - maybe America is the same given its Mexican influx - offsetting natural birth rate sluggishness
2. The rapid rise in incomes in the Philippines - whilst unskilled wage rates in the west flounder, and corresponding welfare/tax imposts rise, and govts screw up with inadequate provisions for this problem
3. The rapid rates of urbanisation - seeing provincial unemployed flock to the cities
4. The tightening land use restrictions - surely the 1991 Land Code will take effect sometime???
These are the trends which cannot be ignore, irrespective of any blow-off by excessive land prices. The rise in the PHP has been a phenomenon since 2005 - when it was P54. Today its close to support at P40. The question is whether this support for the USD is going to hold. I suspect it will. You don't have to believe me. You can watch and wait for a reversal.
The implication of a reversal, and it may consolidate for a time, is that it becomes more appealing to move any savings from the US to the Philippines to pay off interest-bearing debts. Buying property in the Philippines is a decision which depends on local fundamentals, which for the reasons mentioned, are good. Also yields on most property are very good given the added capital appreciation, and trend. Property will eventually become overpriced.
Andrew Sheldon NZ Property Guide Philippine Real Estate Guide Foreclosed Japan Guide Applied Critical Thinking, Strategy, Integrity Investments SheldonThinks
Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 3:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: Balikbayan, forex rates, Fundamentals, Philippines Property, Retirees
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Business outsourcing and creation in the Philippines
The Philippines has a strategic advantage in the call centre/ business outsourcing arena. How long is it going to last. This is an interesting question. I would suggest it will sustain itself because people as they are educated and wealthier are opting for those resources which will bring them into the global market. Consider the following:
1. University influence - At the moment the people showing the most commercial acumen are those who are going to those ivy league universities or who have professional or business-owning parents. This list of people is growing
2. External role models - Teachers are often not good role models since most of them are unthinking, unchallenged bureaucrats; however the expatriate uncles and brothers often are, and often willing to finance opportunities which they bring to the family.
3. Investment propensity - There is a lack of places to invest in the Philippines. People are more likely to invest in their brothers job than buy investments like land and stocks. You can't trust stocks, and many families are divesting under-utilised land rather than buying it. This does not make land a bad investment (in the right area), but it does convey that Philippines, even if they are asset-rich, are cash-poor.
4. Disparity of opportunity - There is a strong distinction to make between those working in the global economy and those stuck in the domestic economy. Many foreigners come in and attempt to build businesses in the low-end market because its big. The problem is that they have no value proposition beyond their 'great idea'. The problem is that their idea is so easily copied, so they make the mistake of entering an arena where the barriers to entry are low.
The Philippines is a land of opportunity....just choose your vocation wisely. See our blog post on the global dynamics of outsourcing and offshoring.
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Posted by Andrew Sheldon at 3:05 PM 0 comments
Labels: Business Outsourcing, Education, Offshoring, Philippine jobs