Blog
Stay updated with our latest articles, insights, tips, and comprehensive guides designed primarily for expats planning to settle in the Philippines.
The Global Oil Shock Hits Home: How the Iran War and Hormuz Closure Are Driving a Philippine Energy Crisis
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has triggered what may be the most significant global energy disruption since the 1970s. At the center of the crisis is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime chokepoint responsible for transporting roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. For highly import-dependent nations like the Philippines, the consequences have been immediate and severe.
culture 25-03-2026
Gates Rusting After A Year
A year ago, we had iron gates installed with a pattern that the girlfriend liked. This replaced a temporary set of gates that was installed by the original construction crew using cocolumber and sheet metal.
home repair 15-03-2026
Preventing The Rusting On Locks Outside
News Flash: Metal Locks + Tropical Heat + 85% Humidity + Salty Sea air = Rusted, Non-Functioning Lock In About Six Months.
home repair 08-03-2026
Our latest Technical Glitches
I've recently had to work my way through a couple of technical glitches in my power systems.
electrical 01-03-2026
How the US Dollar's Value Changed In Relation to the Filipino Peso While Building Our House
During the time we have been buying land and building our house here in the rural Philippines, the foreign exchange (FOREX) rate between the US Dollar (USD) and Filipino Peso (PHP) changed about 15% in our favor. That made buying the land and paying for the house to be built cheaper by around $25K USD. Which is awesome.
forex 25-02-2026
Adventure: Finding a Fedex Shipping Location in Tacloban
So, a few days ago, I had to go to Tacloban to mail some documents. At the risk of revealing what part of the Philippines I live in, that was the closest city that had a Fedex shipping location. Things did not go as planned.
expats 17-02-2026
Data Protection and Privacy Standards / Regulations in the Philippines
Many people will tell you that privacy is dead in the modern age. I think that's a pessimistic view of the world. Yes, you've got to put some work into it, but a reasonable level of privacy can be achieved. Of course, it depends upon which country we are talking about. This blog is mainly focused on North American and EU-based audiences. So, what laws and regulations exist in the Philippines to protect citizens and residents' data and privacy?
privacy 16-02-2026
Philippines Digital Nomad Visa: 2026 Edition
If you’ve been eyeing the beaches of Philippines while answering Slack messages and cashing overseas invoices, you’re not alone.
expats 14-02-2026
Real Estate Shenanigans: Volume 2
This blog post chronicles the multi-year effort to obtain clean titles for the four lots of land we bought that make up our small farm.
realestate 11-02-2026
For the Love of Notary Public Services in the Philippines
If you’ve spent any time dealing with Philippine government offices, banks, utilities, or even private corporations, you’ve likely encountered a familiar refrain -- “Sir/Ma’am, this needs to be notarized.”
culture 09-02-2026
Real Estate Shenanigans Series
A collection of blog posts describing real estate transactions in the Philippines.
realestate 09-02-2026
🌍 International Schools in the Philippines: A Guide for Expat Families
Choosing an international school in the Philippines is one of the biggest decisions expat families make. Quality education that’s recognized internationally, especially with US or European accreditation and curricula, can ease transitions between countries and help with future university placement abroad. International schools here typically offer English-medium instruction, globally recognized programs like IB (International Baccalaureate), US-style standards, British and other European systems, and a diverse, multinational student community.
expats 07-02-2026