MICHAEL and VHIE.
Expat and Filipina Couple In Love with Each Other, and Dumaguete
Michael is originally from Ireland while Vhie comes from Balamban on Cebu Island. Michael is seventy. Vhie is thirty-four. They first met online, then in person at the Ayala Mall in downtown Cebu. That was five years ago. They now live near Dumaguete City with their daughter Sunshine and are a perfect example of a great expat and Filipina couple
Michael and Vhie are both outdoors types who enjoy hiking, trekking, cycling, and playing tennis. They have recently begun lessons to became certified at scuba diving.
Michael told us that “On January 1st 2017, I began my new life in Dumaguete. I’d left California with a half empty back pack. Nothing else. I’d been to Dumaguete once before, knew nobody there, but intuitively felt it could be the right place for me to retire. Forbes magazine confirming Dumaguete as one of the best places in the world to retire, influenced me to come here. But, if it didn’t work out, I planned to move on to Thailand, Vietnam, or some other Asian country. Fortunately, that wasn’t necessary. I’m very happy here and grateful for the experience and, perhaps most of all, for my unexpectedly meaningful relationship with Vhie.”
Vhie likes the ambiance of Dumaguete. “It’s close to the mountains with beautiful Mt. Talinas, Valencia, Casarora Falls and many other places we enjoy exploring. School choices here are plentiful. We’re privileged to have our daughter Sunshine attend an excellent private school that has high academic and social etiquette standards.”
Vhie owns and operates a busy full-service beauty salon in Valencia. Having already retired, Michael had no plans to begin a business. But, like many other ex-pats, he decided to go back into business. In February 2020 he and Vie created Veritas Consulting Group . Veritas provides a wide range of services for foreigners that include assistance arranging retirement visas, incorporation, business licensing, due diligence, and other services needed by ex-pats. (http://vcg.ph)
Michael ended our interview by saying “I’ve lived in many countries. The Philippines, and specifically Dumaguete, is my final destination. For the first time in my life, I wake each morning feeling completely at home with no urge to get up and move anywhere else. In addition, I’m involved in a loving and respectful relationship with Vie. For that, and for so much more, I’m grateful to finally have stopped roaming the world and finally settle in Dumaguete, a place I now call my home”
Just one more successful Expat and Filipina relationship story!
