General Info

[Gentleman Travel]

Just wondering if anyone can provide a quick idea of "normal" wages girls might be earning in jobs like retail clerk, housekeeping, nanny, etc.

And how that varies between Manila / big city and smaller provincial towns?

I have a number of prospects working in these kinds of jobs and wonder what my "gift" to them will mean in terms of daily wages?

Thanks for any info.

GT.

[Indy Hundred]

It's a legacy method of driving.

Post world war II, a lot of these developing countries started building roads and more and more people started having cars. As well, the petrol they used would have dirt, water and all sorts of fun things so, pre Fuel Injection, this nasty petrol would easily disrupt the carburetor and points. Hence, this archaic method of driving where you are constantly revving to push a lot of fuel into your engine in the event a small piece of dirt or water would come into the carburetor and stalls the engine. Even today, if you rent a new motorbike in PI, the person renting to you will tell you to keep revving the engine to avoid it from cutting out. Philippines petrol just doesn't seem to have high quality.

You can see this style of driving in other parts of the world as well. Hong Kong comes to mind quickly.

I understand why they do it around town, but for the life of me, I simply can't comprehend the need for this style on the highway.

Fuel economy mustn't be too big a concern given that every pinoy driver pumps the accelerator (throttle) pedal every 5 seconds or so resulting in a jerk jerk jerk ride. This is using liters of additional fuel. They have obviously not heard of Electronic Fuel Injection and they all seem to do it.

Next time you're in a taxi watch how he pumps the accelerator in and out all the time. It drives me crazy (excuse the pun)

I asked my first driver why he did it and he explained it was to keep the fuel up to the engine or it would cut out. This was on the expressway where we were doing upwards of 60 kph. When I suggested to him to try driving with his foot steady and not pumping he was reluctant but then dumbfounded when not only did the engine not stop but we settled into a nice smooth ride. It took me around a month of reminding him but he now drives smoothly.

I think it originates with the jeepney which needs to be revved continuously because of the crap engine, and so everyone thinks that's how you have to drive.

[Flyboy 2000]

Still drives me crazy when they do this and I haven't found any that don't pump the accelerator.

Had a mini-bus driver in Seoul doing this, for hours on end on the freeway. Would plant the foot and the vehicle would surge forward, then he'd let it coast until speed dropped back to whatever, then he'd pump it again. Was with some colleagues from overseas and Seoul and we were truly getting motion-sickness from the constant surge-coast-surge-coast! Was told that the drivers reckon this saves fuel compared to keeping their foot on the throttle at a lower speed, Seoul colleague tried to reason with the driver but no, the driver insisted that the petrol companies spread the 'keep foot on pedal' idea as being more efficient just so they can sell more fuel!

[Dg8787]

In theory the automatic costs more to buy and the gas mileage is less. After you factor in the cost of replacing the clutch a few times especially in city driving the cost evens out long term.

The way most drivers lugged the gears and shift too early I don't think the gas mileage is any better, maybe even worse than with an automatic.

The other thing that drives me crazy is that they use the parking brake when sitting at a red light! Even on a level street.

[Dg8787]

Couple reasons for the need of pumping. 1. Fuel filter is clogged. 2. Need to reset the idle. Reminds me of my first set of cars decades ago.

Just make sure they don't need to pump the brakes!

[Shark5]

Fuel economy mustn't be too big a concern given that every pinoy driver pumps the accelerator (throttle) pedal every 5 seconds or so resulting in a jerk jerk jerk ride. This is using liters of additional fuel. They have obviously not heard of Electronic Fuel Injection and they all seem to do it.

Next time you're in a taxi watch how he pumps the accelerator in and out all the time. It drives me crazy (excuse the pun)

I asked my first driver why he did it and he explained it was to keep the fuel up to the engine or it would cut out. This was on the expressway where we were doing upwards of 60 kph. When I suggested to him to try driving with his foot steady and not pumping he was reluctant but then dumbfounded when not only did the engine not stop but we settled into a nice smooth ride. It took me around a month of reminding him but he now drives smoothly.

I think it originates with the jeepney which needs to be revved continuously because of the crap engine, and so everyone thinks that's how you have to drive.

Still drives me crazy when they do this and I haven't found any that don't pump the accelerator. Last time I was there about 5 months ago I got a Uber and it was a brand new car with an automatic transmission. Very nice!

[WestCoast1]

I don't think I've ever been in a vehicle in this country that has an automatic transmission. Why all of the stick shifts here? Just because they're cheaper to buy?

An automatic transmission adds about $800 to the cost of the vehicle initially. It also adds larger repair expenses later. In addition, the manual transmission will get better fuel economy by several miles per gallon of fuel.

If you are the purchaser of rental vehicles (many taxi's in phils are not owned by the driver, they are rented by the shift daily or several times daily) and are buying a fleet, cost of purchase, operation, and maintenance are large considerations.

[Red Kilt]

Taxie drivers tell me it's because they get better fuel economy than automatics. I really feel sorry for the jeepney drivers. Can you imagine how tired that left leg must be after a day of pushing that clutch in and out.

Fuel economy mustn't be too big a concern given that every pinoy driver pumps the accelerator (throttle) pedal every 5 seconds or so resulting in a jerk jerk jerk ride. This is using liters of additional fuel. They have obviously not heard of Electronic Fuel Injection and they all seem to do it.

Next time you're in a taxi watch how he pumps the accelerator in and out all the time. It drives me crazy (excuse the pun)

I asked my first driver why he did it and he explained it was to keep the fuel up to the engine or it would cut out. This was on the expressway where we were doing upwards of 60 kph. When I suggested to him to try driving with his foot steady and not pumping he was reluctant but then dumbfounded when not only did the engine not stop but we settled into a nice smooth ride. It took me around a month of reminding him but he now drives smoothly.

I think it originates with the jeepney which needs to be revved continuously because of the crap engine, and so everyone thinks that's how you have to drive.

[Nightrider1]

I don't think I've ever been in a vehicle in this country that has an automatic transmission. Why all of the stick shifts here? Just because they're cheaper to buy?

Taxie drivers tell me it's because they get better fuel economy than automatics. I really feel sorry for the jeepney drivers. Can you imagine how tired that left leg must be after a day of pushing that clutch in and out.

[Slippery]

I don't think I've ever been in a vehicle in this country that has an automatic transmission. Why all of the stick shifts here? Just because they're cheaper to buy?

[Wimble]

My TV is digital only so I cannot receive analog signals. However, the Philippines uses the American NTSC standard for analog TV. Therefore, an American analog capable TV set would have no problem picking up analog Filipino channels. The Philippines intends to discontinue analog TV broadcasting in 2020 or not later than April 30, 2023.

Thanks Chocha Monger. It appears to be moving faster than I expected given the price hurdle for a new TV in the Philippines. Just an FYI, I believe your TV does do analog; next time you scroll through the Input Source, there should be something like ATV for Analog TV, versus DTV for Digital TV. It should list your HDMI and other inputs too.

[Chocha Monger]

Thanks Chocha Monger. How many analog stations can you get? Can a US TV receive those analog stations are they are NTSC?

My TV is digital only so I cannot receive analog signals. However, the Philippines uses the American NTSC standard for analog TV. Therefore, an American analog capable TV set would have no problem picking up analog Filipino channels. The Philippines intends to discontinue analog TV broadcasting in 2020 or not later than April 30, 2023.

[Wimble]

I get four digital channels using an indoor antenna. Strong signals deliver cable TV picture quality. Signal strength can vary from room to room without an externally mounted antenna. The number of channels will depend on your location and any obstacles in the way of the broadcasting transmitter. You are unlikely to find local programming interesting beyond news reports. Here are the digital stations in different areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...he_Philippines.

Thanks Chocha Monger. How many analog stations can you get? Can a US TV receive those analog stations are they are NTSC?

[Chocha Monger]

I am moving some stuff to setup in the Philippines and want to find out if a newer flat panel TV from the US will work in the Philippines. Dual voltage so that is not the problem. I think the Philippines is NTSC like the US. The question is how many channels are analog NTSC and how many are going digital? I heard the digital is different from the US. I assume a digital box could handle that if there is enough on the digital spectrum.

I also think you can get a satellite dish still as it has been many years ago that I had one from the Philippines.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I get four digital channels using an indoor antenna. Strong signals deliver cable TV picture quality. Signal strength can vary from room to room without an externally mounted antenna. The number of channels will depend on your location and any obstacles in the way of the broadcasting transmitter. You are unlikely to find local programming interesting beyond news reports. Here are the digital stations in different areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...he_Philippines.

[Wimble]

I am moving some stuff to setup in the Philippines and want to find out if a newer flat panel TV from the US will work in the Philippines. Dual voltage so that is not the problem. I think the Philippines is NTSC like the US. The question is how many channels are analog NTSC and how many are going digital? I heard the digital is different from the US. I assume a digital box could handle that if there is enough on the digital spectrum.

I also think you can get a satellite dish still as it has been many years ago that I had one from the Philippines.

Thanks in advance for any advice.