General Info

[Locamotive]

Haven't seen any info on this lately but I know many have entered. Philippine Immigration say no PCR test to enter if vaccinated shots? What's that mean, boosters? I got one shot J&J over a year ago but no boosters. After all the controversy with these things I said no way. I may schedule a PCR Covid test just in case as after 27 HR flight I want no issues. I guess OneHealth Pass is still required. Any info from those who recently entered appreciated.

[WestCoast1]

Not sure of the absolute fastest, but I got 500 mbps down (and up!) in 2 separate Knightsbridge condo units that used Globe fiber in Makati last year. Caveat: The wifi router in both units were running 60-80 mbps, depending time of day. It was only when I ran an ethernet wire from the router to my laptop's ethernet port that I got the big bump to 490-520 mbps.

Forgot to mention. I got 100 down using Convergance at Bel-Air Soho last year, and this year in Manila am currently getting 80.

My worst-case scenario was last year when an airbnb owner got confused about his router speed. He purchased 100 mbps, but when he checked me into his unit, I could only get 6-9 mbps. He was standing right there. I asked him to visit any speed test site on his phone and run a test. He got the same speed that I did. I asked him to show me the router, thinking that I could power-cycle it. "Its not here. Its down the hall in my other unit, 1707". Dude this is 1705, there is a unit between there and here. "Yes. I have an extender there on the wall". Great! He had another renter in 1707, so we walked down to 1707 and knocked and asked the renter his speed. "Lucky if I get 10. Its crap. OK for browsing, crap for streaming. Stuff buffers. Fix it". Owner: 'But, but, but I am paying for 100!' We power-cycled the modem and it didn't help. I was there for a month and complained again later about the speed. The owner didn't even call his provider to ask why they were delivering the slow speed. I complained to airbnb (property not as described, a blatant airbnb policy violation) and they suggested that I contact the owner first and ask for some money back. The owner agreed to a 10% refund, to change the txt in the description to say 10 mbs and that the unit's Internet was split with another unit.

The saving grace was that I'd just purchased a new 5 G phone and SIM card, and got a post-paid Phils phone plan. Unlimited calling and txting, and lots of GB of data. I was getting 110 mbps inside the unit (and 200 mbps outside the building) and hotspotting that to my laptop or the unit's Internet TV.

[WestCoast1]

This is pretty cool. Although which is it, 50 or 200? Kind of a big diff. : the I feel like I would need 200+ to work remotely in PH. Anyone know what the absolute fastest speed you could get in PH and by which provider?

Not sure of the absolute fastest, but I got 500 mbps down (and up!) in 2 separate Knightsbridge condo units that used Globe fiber in Makati last year. Caveat: The wifi router in both units were running 60-80 mbps, depending time of day. It was only when I ran an ethernet wire from the router to my laptop's ethernet port that I got the big bump to 490-520 mbps.

Also I got 150 down on a PLDT router sytem at a rented home in the province. I txt the owner to ask if he could get more speed but he was out of town, and he asked me to go to the PLDT store and inquire. Once there they informed me that they had a max 300 mbps down (early 2022). These speeds are vast improvements in Phils from pre-covid times, possibly due to new providers (Convergence is one; I saw their trucks in both the province and Makati; Musk's Starlink starts another).

The 50/200 is never really specified on satellite systems. Due to weather and any objects that might obstruct the signal, speed varies.

[FuriousGeorge]

This is pretty cool. Although which is it, 50 or 200? Kind of a big diff. : the I feel like I would need 200+ to work remotely in PH. Anyone know what the absolute fastest speed you could get in PH and by which provider?

Some good news. It would appear that Musk's satellite Internet service is available anywhere in Phils. The article says $500 USD (p25000) to purchase the equipment, and $50 / month (p2500) thereafter, gets you 50-200 mbps service.

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/phil....1677051442157

[JusRide]

You can use onwardticket. They charge $14 and it's a real reservation. Just go to their website. They cancel it I believe after 24-48 hours. I've used it before, but usually I've never been asked to show it but maybe once. They ask if I have a return date / ticket and I just give them the date booked. Granted my passport shows I've been to phils and many SE asia countries many times so they never really ask a lot of questions. I'm generally at the immigration window for less than 3 minutes. Hand them your passsport, airline ticket and prepare for pic and finger prints. Done.

On the Cebu Pacific website, make an account. Before you go to Phils, purchase any 1-way CP refundable ticket out of Phils (say, to Bangkok), for 29 days after your arrival date, and show that to the NAIA inbound Immigration. Upon arrival at your hotel, go to your account on the CP website (or app) and cancel the ticket. They money will be placed into your online account for use at a later time (up to 6 months I think). That doesn't get your money back, but you can use that money in the CP account to fly domestically about the country for 6 months.

Last year I posted a link to an organization that charges a small fee ($15-$20 USD) for reserving a flight for you. You have a few hours to print out your itinerary. Then the organization cancels the reservation for you. You show the printed itinerary upon Phils entry. Phils BI rarely check to see if your reservation is still valid.

There might be other airlines that allow cancel-able and fully-refundable tickets. Other gents?

[WestCoast1]

Tried searching this but no luck. Where do I rent a cheap airfare ticket to be used to show athorities I am leaving the country that I don't intend to use? Website or?

On the Cebu Pacific website, make an account. Before you go to Phils, purchase any 1-way CP refundable ticket out of Phils (say, to Bangkok), for 29 days after your arrival date, and show that to the NAIA inbound Immigration. Upon arrival at your hotel, go to your account on the CP website (or app) and cancel the ticket. They money will be placed into your online account for use at a later time (up to 6 months I think). That doesn't get your money back, but you can use that money in the CP account to fly domestically about the country for 6 months.

Last year I posted a link to an organization that charges a small fee ($15-$20 USD) for reserving a flight for you. You have a few hours to print out your itinerary. Then the organization cancels the reservation for you. You show the printed itinerary upon Phils entry. Phils BI rarely check to see if your reservation is still valid.

There might be other airlines that allow cancel-able and fully-refundable tickets. Other gents?

[ForkTruck]

Tried searching this but no luck. Where do I rent a cheap airfare ticket to be used to show athorities I am leaving the country that I don't intend to use? Website or?

Thanks,

FT.

[WestCoast1]

Some good news. It would appear that Musk's satellite Internet service is available anywhere in Phils. The article says $500 USD (p25000) to purchase the equipment, and $50 / month (p2500) thereafter, gets you 50-200 mbps service.

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/phil....1677051442157

[Radical Guy]

IMO, you are better off with Moto unlocked cell phone. Make sure CP is on the GSM network. Amazon has a Moto e40 dual SIM for $139. I recommend that one.

I simply purchased a used, unlocked iPhone 6 on eBay for $40 before traveling. It worked like a charm.

RG.

[MrHappyKat]

IMO, you are better off with Moto unlocked cell phone. Make sure CP is on the GSM network. Amazon has a Moto e40 dual SIM for $139. I recommend that one.

Thanks! Just ordered the e40 from Amazon.

[Dg8787]

I'm almost ready to fly. But now seeing reports of increased phone snatching and I want to get a burner phone I won't mind losing.

I'll keep my US-based iPhone 13 Pro on Verizon hidden with a 10 GB eSim activated for the Philippines and use it for any family / work needs only while I'm in a safe place like my hotel room.

But when I'm out and meeting girls & perhaps fellow hobbyists I want to use a cheap phone for:

1. WhatsApp, text, and other message and dating apps like DIA, PL, smooci, etc.

2. Some selfie pics while out and about, and while indoors with a girl (with her permission of course).

3. Google maps, grab, translator, GCash, etc.

If I need to make a call using cellular, I'll use my regular phone.

So looking at Amazon, it's hard to find a specific model that I know will work. I think I need the following features:

1. Unlocked, global smartphone.

2. Dual or single sim. I plan on buying a Globe SIM at the MNL airport.

3. Decent camera.

4. Decent amount of memory. Say at least 4 GB built-in for apps, and a MicroSD slot for a memory card.

5. Decent size screen.

I'm looking at a refurb. Samsung Galaxy A12 from Amazon for $109.

(https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galax...5&sr=1-18&th=1).

Anyone know this phone model? Will it do what I need? Or can you tell me what you use, approximate cost and, if you are happy with it?

Thanks for all your help and feedback.

IMO, you are better off with Moto unlocked cell phone. Make sure CP is on the GSM network. Amazon has a Moto e40 dual SIM for $139. I recommend that one.

[AsianPursuits]

I'm almost ready to fly. But now seeing reports of increased phone snatching and I want to get a burner phone I won't mind losing.

Thanks for all your help and feedback.

Would you consider just using your iphone with a local globe SIM? Is it unlocked?

Use Whatsapp Business which you can have installed along side your 'real" whatsapp.

Just install you other apps.

Back in my iPhone 4's days I had a complete backup which I made when I departed Ph and reinstalled that when I arrived next time. Then when I departed Ph, restored my home country backup. Not so easy now as our installs are so bloated.

The refurb Samsung Galaxy A12 from Amazon for $109 sounds good. Just make absolutely sure it is unlocked. Try it with a cheap SIM in the USA before you depart.

Also, no need to rush to get the SIM at arrival. They have a queue, are slow to serve, they charge extra and usually sell a minimum P500 load. A globe SIM can be picked up outside the airport for P50 then a P90 promo for a week is all you need. But small beer when you have travelled all this way. Also, remember initially you can be tethering your burner phone to your iPhone which will get you in contact for Grab, girls etc.

In 12 years of regular ravel to Ph I have not had my iPhone stolen. I just keep it in my front pants pocket. I'm also prepared to hand it over to anyone that wants to rob me.

[MrHappyKat]

I'm almost ready to fly. But now seeing reports of increased phone snatching and I want to get a burner phone I won't mind losing.

I'll keep my US-based iPhone 13 Pro on Verizon hidden with a 10 GB eSim activated for the Philippines and use it for any family / work needs only while I'm in a safe place like my hotel room.

But when I'm out and meeting girls & perhaps fellow hobbyists I want to use a cheap phone for:

1. WhatsApp, text, and other message and dating apps like DIA, PL, smooci, etc.

2. Some selfie pics while out and about, and while indoors with a girl (with her permission of course).

3. Google maps, grab, translator, GCash, etc.

If I need to make a call using cellular, I'll use my regular phone.

So looking at Amazon, it's hard to find a specific model that I know will work. I think I need the following features:

1. Unlocked, global smartphone.

2. Dual or single sim. I plan on buying a Globe SIM at the MNL airport.

3. Decent camera.

4. Decent amount of memory. Say at least 4 GB built-in for apps, and a MicroSD slot for a memory card.

5. Decent size screen.

I'm looking at a refurb. Samsung Galaxy A12 from Amazon for $109.

(https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galax...5&sr=1-18&th=1).

Anyone know this phone model? Will it do what I need? Or can you tell me what you use, approximate cost and, if you are happy with it?

Thanks for all your help and feedback.

[Sam 14]

Hey, I did something some of you have done and some of you have thought about doing, so thought I'the write a couple words about it: I took my Filipina GF to Thailand.

Why? Because I'm a chronic beach bum. And I love girls with brown skin. And my GF knows I love girls with brown skin so she'll do anything to please me, including baking her in ass the hot tropical sun. Why don't I just get a Filipina that's already black? I tried for 8 years, including traveling all over the Philippines. Filipinas aren't that dark in general; brown, not really dark brown. You see all these barangay kids that are almost black. But where are all the hot black girls by the time they hit the age of 18? They're there I suppose, just not in numbers. I rode my fuckin motorbike all the way to Laoag lookin for that stuff. That was a major pain in the ass. I guess there's some there but the city isn't livable for me. Why don't I find a country to live where the chicks are already black? Been to 19 countries searching a spot that checks off all the boxes. I dig Brazil but I'm too old and lazy and stupid to learn Portuguese.

More African countries are still on the to-do list. Was debating back-and-forth between The Gambia and Trinidad / Tobago for my next trip, but I lollygaged around so long that the Philippines finally lifted the last cOVID-1984 restrictions.

So there I was, sitting in Davao wondering how I managed to live there for almost 8 years. Bon Apptit is gone. Mia Figlia is gone. Claude's is gone. The gaggles of hot teenagers in Gmall are still there (18+ you freak). But the ones I'm looking at, I can't really get. The thing that isn't gone is all the diesel smoke. And the traffic is probably worse. So it's no easier getting to Samal, which was never a fun task anyway.

Anyhow, I thought getting her out of the country would be a breeze since our story is legit, and my friend did it without a problem. But I didn't have enough old pictures of us because I left my hard drive at home and the trip was an afterthought. Was insane, they split us off in two separate directions. I was able to go around and meet her in the Filipino interview area in NAIA. Our flight was Davao-Bkk, connecting in terminal 2 on PAL. I chose a flight with a 3 1/2 hour connecting time to be safe. There were no lines; our bags were checked all the way through; connection was easy and hassle free. But we barely made it to the gate as the flight was boarding because we got grilled so hard during the interview. I had to sign my life away promising to bring her back. And on return they asked me who I was traveling with, like they already knew.

Anyhow, Koh Samui was Heaven on Earth when I discovered it first in 1999. Now it's Koh Farang. Island Guava (White skin). They accomplish their goal. They turned the place from a backpacker haven, and Horny monger Paradise into a world class tourist destination. I hate when they clean up a good town. We checked all the bars repeatedly for a month, and I wouldn't go there for the pussy. But I already decided that 15 years ago anyway. To be honest, we walked Soi Cowboy every night we were in Bkk, and strolled through every gogo club in Nana Plaza, even had drinks and hung out in some of them. Maybe my taste has changed. But what I saw was a bunch of tall white chicks with colored hair, and mostly covered in tattoos. Im not saying I didnt see any crackin butts. But to each his own I guess, Id have a hard time finding someone to barfine, especially at the price they were fetching.

Beaches on Samui are still good, just crowded at the main spots. Beautiful island, great for exploring. Came up on three fresh motorcycle crashes with pools of blood and motionless victims. Drive slowly if you rent a murderbike.

Was it worth it? Probably considering the money of all the flights, much higher rent, the weather wasn't that great, and all the hassle of everything, probably not.

I'd take my trim to Bantayan or Comotes or somewhere else in the Philippines if I had it to do again. But glad we went, no regrets. And she loved being in a real country; Bangkok, and the sand beaches blew her mind.

[Mua Tur]

Does anybody know the covid requirements for Filipinos traveling within country? Cebu Pacific website is not very clear. Is a 72 hour test required, or just show a vaccine record and wear a mask? Thanks all.

Last 18th Dec'22 to 7th Jan'23, I was in Philippines. I got my boarding from Subarnabhum airport, bkk and the girl asked me if I have vaccination card or not. I answered yes even the booster dose too. I showed her and she said not for her I would be in need in immigration time at NAIA. But my surprise was NAIA immigration didn't asked a single word about COVID restrictions or even vaccine card. They just sealed and let me enter. These days most airport making finger scan and filling the immigration form is waved. The surprise was, NAIA still dose.

Happy Hunting.