GENERAL INFORMATION
The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.
CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.
POPULATION
There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population.
LANGUAGES
Two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. Filipino is the native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups.
Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.
RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.
UNIT OF MEASURE
The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.ELECTRICITY220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.
CURRENCY
The Philippines' monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Finding Paradise by Marlies R. Bosch, M.D.
Finding Paradise
By Marlies R. Bosch, M.D.
Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, Northern Palawan
“Club Paradise is also a well-established and well known Diving Resort. The Dugong Dive Center has equipped itself with credible, courteous and professional instructors and divemasters with very high safety standards. You can enjoy diving in the house reef which is home to a wide variety of marine life.
You can relax on the boat while it takes you on a diving trip to Apo Reef or Tara Islands. You can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with the Dugongs during Dugong Watching. You can explore the numerous ship wrecks and relive history in your mind. Or you can go to Coron Island and dive in Barracuda Lake where you can take pleasure from experiencing the extremes of a thermocline.
No matter which adventure you choose, it will definitely be worth your while. And I assure you, you will surface with elation.”
"Club Paradise... a place where you can enjoy both the beginning and the end of the day... a different sunrise and a different sunset each day...a place full of smiles... a place full of good people with interesting stories to tell, stories that you'll never forget, stories that are unique to paradise... a place where the bats fill the wildly colored sky and migrate to the mainland at sunset... a place where deer and monitor lizards roam... a place that is home to the turtles who come to the beach to lay their eggs... a place where the baby turtles hatch and feel the sand for the first time and soon enter the sea after being taken care of for a month or so... a place full of enchantment where love blooms and families are built... the place where people dread the day they have to leave..."
Note: Courtesy of Philippine Star
By Marlies R. Bosch, M.D.
Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, Northern Palawan
“Club Paradise is also a well-established and well known Diving Resort. The Dugong Dive Center has equipped itself with credible, courteous and professional instructors and divemasters with very high safety standards. You can enjoy diving in the house reef which is home to a wide variety of marine life.
You can relax on the boat while it takes you on a diving trip to Apo Reef or Tara Islands. You can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with the Dugongs during Dugong Watching. You can explore the numerous ship wrecks and relive history in your mind. Or you can go to Coron Island and dive in Barracuda Lake where you can take pleasure from experiencing the extremes of a thermocline.
No matter which adventure you choose, it will definitely be worth your while. And I assure you, you will surface with elation.”
"Club Paradise... a place where you can enjoy both the beginning and the end of the day... a different sunrise and a different sunset each day...a place full of smiles... a place full of good people with interesting stories to tell, stories that you'll never forget, stories that are unique to paradise... a place where the bats fill the wildly colored sky and migrate to the mainland at sunset... a place where deer and monitor lizards roam... a place that is home to the turtles who come to the beach to lay their eggs... a place where the baby turtles hatch and feel the sand for the first time and soon enter the sea after being taken care of for a month or so... a place full of enchantment where love blooms and families are built... the place where people dread the day they have to leave..."
Note: Courtesy of Philippine Star
Friday, April 10, 2009
Why Retire in the Philippines?
Why Retire in the Philippines?
“Smile at Life in the Philippines.”
This is our invitation to our former Filipino citizens and foreign nationals to choose the Philippines as their second home. Famous for our vibrant culture, hospitality, friendly English-speaking population, natural attractions, and tropical climate, retirees can expect the good life in the Philippines at an affordable cost.
GEOGRAPHY
The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the Southeast Asian region, and is bordered by Taiwan to the north, Indonesia and Malaysian Borneo to the south, the South China Sea to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Three main Philippine Island groups are Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. The Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT +8 hours.
CLIMATE
Generally, Philippines has a tropical climate. March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78F/25C to 90F/32C; humidity is 77%.
LANGUAGE
Understanding each other will not be a problem between the retirees and our people. Almost every Filipino can understand and speak some English. In fact, we are the third largest English-speaking nation in terms of population.
Two official languages are Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog is the national language. English is widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education. Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog; Cebuano; Ilocano; Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.
RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Muslim. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.
COST OF LIVING
The principal appeal for retirement in the Philippines is the lower cost of living. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. Global Filipinos and foreign retirees can retire in the Philippines and enjoy not only the lower cost of living but also the very favorable currency exchange rate.
The Philippines’ monetary unit is the Peso. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.
WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
In terms of medical services, our facilities are comparable to the best anywhere else. Our highly trained medical personnel and caregivers are in demand all over the world not only for their competence and expertise but most especially for the care and compassion they show to their wards. Health care, a top priority of the senior market, is an expertise of the Filipino who is world-renowned for his excellent health care practitioners.
FILIPINO HOSPITALITY
Filipinos are naturally warm, friendly and hospitable. We have a ready smile for everybody and our religious background that is predominantly Catholic makes service to others an innate trait.
TELECOMMUNICATION EDGE
Every retiree can avail of the country’s continuously improving telecommunication facilities. They can keep abreast of what is happening around the world and keep in touch with their relatives and friends back home.
ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION
Philippines can provide the retirees endless choices of world-class destinations that will bring them closer to Mother Nature with clean air and beautiful sceneries. The white sand beaches of Boracay and Panglao and the virgin islands of Palawan often referred to as “the last frontier” are truly unforgettable places that entice the visitors to come back in the Philippines.
PRA SERVICE
The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) prides itself on the after-membership service that it provides to the retirees. During their stay in the country, they can consider PRA as their second family. PRA helps them address their needs. If and when they encounter any problem, PRA is with them every inch of the way.
“Smile at Life in the Philippines.”
This is our invitation to our former Filipino citizens and foreign nationals to choose the Philippines as their second home. Famous for our vibrant culture, hospitality, friendly English-speaking population, natural attractions, and tropical climate, retirees can expect the good life in the Philippines at an affordable cost.
GEOGRAPHY
The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the Southeast Asian region, and is bordered by Taiwan to the north, Indonesia and Malaysian Borneo to the south, the South China Sea to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Three main Philippine Island groups are Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. The Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT +8 hours.
CLIMATE
Generally, Philippines has a tropical climate. March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78F/25C to 90F/32C; humidity is 77%.
LANGUAGE
Understanding each other will not be a problem between the retirees and our people. Almost every Filipino can understand and speak some English. In fact, we are the third largest English-speaking nation in terms of population.
Two official languages are Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog is the national language. English is widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education. Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog; Cebuano; Ilocano; Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.
RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Muslim. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.
COST OF LIVING
The principal appeal for retirement in the Philippines is the lower cost of living. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. Global Filipinos and foreign retirees can retire in the Philippines and enjoy not only the lower cost of living but also the very favorable currency exchange rate.
The Philippines’ monetary unit is the Peso. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.
WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
In terms of medical services, our facilities are comparable to the best anywhere else. Our highly trained medical personnel and caregivers are in demand all over the world not only for their competence and expertise but most especially for the care and compassion they show to their wards. Health care, a top priority of the senior market, is an expertise of the Filipino who is world-renowned for his excellent health care practitioners.
FILIPINO HOSPITALITY
Filipinos are naturally warm, friendly and hospitable. We have a ready smile for everybody and our religious background that is predominantly Catholic makes service to others an innate trait.
TELECOMMUNICATION EDGE
Every retiree can avail of the country’s continuously improving telecommunication facilities. They can keep abreast of what is happening around the world and keep in touch with their relatives and friends back home.
ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION
Philippines can provide the retirees endless choices of world-class destinations that will bring them closer to Mother Nature with clean air and beautiful sceneries. The white sand beaches of Boracay and Panglao and the virgin islands of Palawan often referred to as “the last frontier” are truly unforgettable places that entice the visitors to come back in the Philippines.
PRA SERVICE
The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) prides itself on the after-membership service that it provides to the retirees. During their stay in the country, they can consider PRA as their second family. PRA helps them address their needs. If and when they encounter any problem, PRA is with them every inch of the way.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Extreme Temperature not good for Retirees
An article below suggests strongly for elderly or retirees to avoid settling down in areas that have annual occurrence of extreme temperature especially the low temperature.
In the Philippines, there are only 2 seasons: the dry and rainy season. Ideal place to go for retirees especially with heart diseases are exclusive villages or subdivision with wide open space, lots of trees, grass and with lakes or ponds. Ayala Land Inc. for example has a project near a beach with trees and lakes and is a haven for bird watchers as different species of birds may be found almost everywhere even at your own backyard. In fact the latest village in that project has 85% of the area committed to open space.
Title: Relationships between the seasonality of temperature and ischaemic heart disease mortality: implications for climate based health forecasting.
Personal Authors: McGregor, G. R., Watkin, H. A., Cox, M.Author Affiliation: School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Editors: No editorsDocument Title: Climate ResearchAbstract:
The relationship between the seasonality of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and temperature is explored for the purpose of evaluating the climate-based predictability of the magnitude and timing of the annual IHD mortality peak for 5 English counties. Seasonality is described by the amplitude (magnitude) and phase (timing) of the first harmonic of the annual cycle of IHD mortality and mean and minimum temperature.
Study results reveal a positive association between the amplitude of the annual IHD mortality cycle and temperature seasonality such that years with an exaggerated mortality peak are associated with years characterised by strong temperature seasonality. Overall, the timing of the annual mortality peak is positively associated with the timing of the lowest temperatures. Such findings provide some optimism for exploring the development of experimental climate-based health-forecasting models. This is because the simple climate-seasonality diagnostics presented here provide a fundamental source of predictability of the magnitude and timing of the annual IHD mortality peak.
Publisher: Inter-Research About CAB Abstracts CAB Abstracts is a unique and informative resource covering everything from Agriculture to Entomology to Public Health. In April 2006 we published our 5 millionth abstract, making it the largest and most comprehensive abstracts database in its field.
In the Philippines, there are only 2 seasons: the dry and rainy season. Ideal place to go for retirees especially with heart diseases are exclusive villages or subdivision with wide open space, lots of trees, grass and with lakes or ponds. Ayala Land Inc. for example has a project near a beach with trees and lakes and is a haven for bird watchers as different species of birds may be found almost everywhere even at your own backyard. In fact the latest village in that project has 85% of the area committed to open space.
Title: Relationships between the seasonality of temperature and ischaemic heart disease mortality: implications for climate based health forecasting.
Personal Authors: McGregor, G. R., Watkin, H. A., Cox, M.Author Affiliation: School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Editors: No editorsDocument Title: Climate ResearchAbstract:
The relationship between the seasonality of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and temperature is explored for the purpose of evaluating the climate-based predictability of the magnitude and timing of the annual IHD mortality peak for 5 English counties. Seasonality is described by the amplitude (magnitude) and phase (timing) of the first harmonic of the annual cycle of IHD mortality and mean and minimum temperature.
Study results reveal a positive association between the amplitude of the annual IHD mortality cycle and temperature seasonality such that years with an exaggerated mortality peak are associated with years characterised by strong temperature seasonality. Overall, the timing of the annual mortality peak is positively associated with the timing of the lowest temperatures. Such findings provide some optimism for exploring the development of experimental climate-based health-forecasting models. This is because the simple climate-seasonality diagnostics presented here provide a fundamental source of predictability of the magnitude and timing of the annual IHD mortality peak.
Publisher: Inter-Research About CAB Abstracts CAB Abstracts is a unique and informative resource covering everything from Agriculture to Entomology to Public Health. In April 2006 we published our 5 millionth abstract, making it the largest and most comprehensive abstracts database in its field.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)