8 Reasons Why the Philippines is the Best Place to Raise Kids

The Philippines may have inefficient systems, an extremely hot summer weather, daunting rainy seasons and floods, and the world’s worst traffic jams, but it still remains to be the first choice for many moms - including this author - to raise their children.

Friends have asked me why I choose to raise my kids in the Philippines when I had opportunities to work overseas. Working in multi-national companies has opened opportunities for me to relocate but unlike my colleagues, after years of working abroad, I chose to return to the Philippines to raise a family and openly declared at work my desire to remain here.  

The mindset that life is better outside our country makes a lot of parents strive to find ways to migrate their families to pursue that better life. Some parents have actually found more lucrative jobs overseas and the need to earn more to ease their financial burdens has prompted them to relocate, but most often, when asked if they would still choose to migrate if they had enough resources to provide a comfortable life for their families in the Philippines, they would say no and admit their desire to remain in our country.

1. Being close to family
The most common reason why moms choose to raise their kids here is that they can be close to family members. “Having a strong family bond is important to me,” shares mom Ruby Evangelista. She says that Filipinos always make time to nurture family relations despite being busy at work. “We love to get together and we make sure we celebrate important milestones and events with our loved ones.” Ruby also believes that family will be there for you no matter what happens and this gives her great comfort.

Mom Peya Cid agrees wholeheartedly. “I believe that raising kids is a family obligation and want my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents to help mold my children as they grow up.” Peya gave birth to her oldest son in the U.S.A. She and her husband lived there for a few years but eventually decided to return to the Philippines to raise a family here. “It’s easy when your family is nearby,” she says. “I love it when I see my children playing with their cousins and interacting with other relatives. This wouldn’t be possible if we were still living abroad. I may have been able to buy my kids more expensive toys if we were still in the U.S.A., but it is still much better to have my kids play with their cousins than play with toys.”  

Mom Justine Tanglao shares the same sentiment. “There’s a saying that it takes a village to raise a child,” she says.  Extended families play an important part in a child’s rearing.  

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2. Friends are close by
Similar to having family and relatives nearby, moms love the idea of having their friends within reach. My children are good pals with my friends’ kids because they’ve grown up together. My friends and I take along our kids whenever we get together for afternoon chats over coffee or long lunches and dinners at each other’s houses. They’ve shared birthday parties and fun summer outings together. Raising my children in the Philippines has enabled these friendships to form and evolve. An added bonus is that friends are merely a phone call away. You can actually share experiences together.  And sometimes, friends are just like family.  

 

3. Having a great support system
Moms are able to rely on having help with household chores, errands and babysitting in the Philippines.  We often call on grandparents to help watch over kids when needed, or help you fuss over your children when they are ill. Your trusty maid / yaya / cook  / driver are relied on for much of the household work. Mom Chelsea Alcantara says, “I am thankful to have a lot of help, especially from my daughter’s yaya. She’s reliable and helps get a lot of things done.” Chelsea states, “A solid support system leaves the parents more time to spend with their kids.”

 

4. Passing on Filipino values
“I think I’m a very traditional mom,” Peya confesses. “The kids abroad, especially in the U.S.A., seem too liberated. Family and personal values are much more intact in the Philippines.” Like Peya, moms Jouela Traballo, Caren Tiangco and Joie Nagtalon believe in raising their kids in a culture that promotes traditional Filipino values, such as respect for elders. Ruby has the same opinion. She says, “My husband and I remind our kids to say ‘po’ and ‘opo’, practice ‘pagmamano’ and to speak politely when talking to older people. We also like the idea that we take care of our parents until their last breath.”

Other Filipino traits that moms hope their children would emulate are Filipino hospitality, generosity and bayanihan, the importance of community and helping one another. Jouela and Joie both share that they personally know parents who have sent their children back to the Philippines to stay with grandparents for a few years to learn Filipino values. “It is much more challenging to teach Filipino values outside of the Philippines. Most of the time, kids are outside the home. They are influenced by teachers and classmates in schools,” Jouela states. “I really prefer raising them here.”

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5. Strengthening religious beliefs
Our Catholic Faith is another reason why moms like raising their kids in the Philippines.  “I believe I can raise my sons as better Catholics in a Catholic country. I want them to share the same religion and faith as I have,” Peya says. Ruby adds, “It is not difficult to teach kids the ways of a Christian here in the Philippines.

In our community, the spirit of sharing is very much alive. We also go to church together. We sent our kids to a progressive Catholic school where they also learn love of God and respect for other people.” Roman Catholicism is prevalent in the country and is often embedded in many facets of our culture. It’s common to see people pray before meals and attend mass with family every Sunday. The Philippines also has several excellent Catholic schools, making it easier for parents to inculcate the Catholic faith in their children’s upbringing. Bringing up kids who are prayerful and God-fearing is a goal most Filipino moms have and being in the Philippines makes it easier for them to achieve it.  

 

6. Opportunities abound
Asia is a growing region and a lot of opportunities can be found in our country. There are industries that are growing at a fast pace, such as the business process outsourcing sector. More investments are pouring in and more multi-national companies have shown interest in expanding their presence and setting up shop here. But opportunities are not limited to the corporate world. There are a lot of new local businesses being formed, paving the way for budding entrepreneurs.

Mom Maita Nolledo and her husband are both successful entrepreneurs and hope to raise kids who have entrepreneurial mindsets. Maita’s oldest son has actually displayed some impressive business-skills at a young age. She explains, “One time he came home informing me that he wants to sell candies and snacks to his classmates and asked my help. He was excited to learn how to earn money through his own efforts.” Her son also occasionally helps her out with her business and is a persuasive yet endearing salesman during bazaars. Exposing kids to the growing entrepreneurial landscape in the Philippines may help them come up with their own great business ideas one day.  

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7. Great vacation spots
“We have many beautiful islands where we can bring our children to appreciate and learn about our beautiful earth!” Maita enthusiastically proclaims. And indeed, the Philippines has a lot of fantastic vacation spots where kids can have a terrific time. Because of its proximity, it’s easy to bundle the kids and whisk them off to the beach for the weekend. Our country also has world-class vacation spots, such as Palawan and Boracay.  

 

8. Instilling love for country
Moms prefer to see their kids immersed in Filipino traditions and customs. They like to see their children enjoy the delicious Filipino food, speak the Filipino language, celebrate holidays the Filipino way. They want their kids to appreciate what it is to be truly Filipino, sharing experiences with their countrymen. One can love their country from far away, but there’s nothing like being physically here.  

Ruby shares that she teaches her children about love of country by finding concrete ways for her children to help other Filipinos. When the past two super typhoons Ondoy and Sendong struck the Philippines, Ruby’s kids willingly gave away their old clothes and offered prayers for the typhoon victims. They also regularly give their old toys to day care centers in a nearby urban poor community. “We try our best to get our kids involved in charitable efforts,” Ruby says. Kids raised here have tangible opportunities to be good citizens and develop a love for their own country and its people.  

 

Photo by Jun Pinzon