A Brutal Lesson Every Foreigner Needs to Learn About Money in PH
Hey everyone,
I hope this post helps some of you avoid the mistakes I’ve made.
I’ve been in situations multiple times where someone I know — a friend, colleague, or someone I’ve helped before — asks for financial help.
They promise to pay it back, but sadly, in most cases, it never fully happens. Sometimes you get a small portion back, but more often than not, you end up losing most or all of it.
I’ve learned this the hard way over the years, even after helping multiple people. I’ve been chasing some of that money for a long time now. Whether it’s small amounts or bigger ones, the story is usually the same: promises at first, then excuses, and eventually silence.
I truly love the Philippines, but this is one reality I wish more people knew: lending money here, especially to locals, is very risky. It doesn’t matter if it’s family, a girlfriend, a friend, or a coworker — the chances of getting it back fully are very low. Even with guarantees or collaterals, it can still go wrong if the person disappears or simply stops paying.
The only times I’ve been fully paid back were with expats. With locals, even small amounts like ₱1,000 often never return.
I’m not saying all Filipinos are like this — far from it. But enough people have taken advantage of kindness that I feel the need to warn others. If you want to help someone, it’s often safer to give what you can afford to lose completely, rather than lend with the expectation of getting it back.
Protect your peace and your finances. Kindness is beautiful, but it shouldn’t cost you everything.
Stay safe out there.