if you plan or returning to the Philippines... don't stay in Manila as it is full of BS.

go to the province... buy a few hectares of land / farm / palaisdaan (that was foreclosed by a bank to keep the price low) then manage it yourself.

the ROI is very good if you manage it yourself. of course, you won't have the convenience of malls, gadgets, etc... but who cares when you are out there... resting under a mango tree with a cool breeze blowing in the middle of the afternoon?