Living in the Philippines

[GoodEnough]

Depends on your nationality. If you're a citizen of one of many countries you will be granted visa on arrival for a period of 7 to 59 days - the great majority are granted 30 days. If your nationality is not on the list, then you need to visit a Philippine embassy or consulate and apply for a tourist visa.

Under Executive Order 408 dated 9 November 2014, as amended, nationals of the following countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days provided that they are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay in the Philippines, and possess return or outward bound tickets to their country of origin or next country of destination.

http://thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph/no-visa...-under-e-o-408

Huts, you might have been better off teaching the guy how to use Google. Give a man a fish, etc.

GE.

[Hutsori]

This is probably a dumb question for most but here goes. How exactly do I get a tourist VISA? I keep seeing it referred to but since I'm travelling soon guess I better get up to speed on what I need. FT.

Depends on your nationality. If you're a citizen of one of many countries you will be granted visa on arrival for a period of 7 to 59 days - the great majority are granted 30 days. If your nationality is not on the list, then you need to visit a Philippine embassy or consulate and apply for a tourist visa.

Under Executive Order 408 dated 9 November 2014, as amended, nationals of the following countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days provided that they are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay in the Philippines, and possess return or outward bound tickets to their country of origin or next country of destination.

http://thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph/no-visa...-under-e-o-408

[ForkTruck]

This is probably a dumb question for most but here goes. How exactly do I get a tourist VISA? I keep seeing it referred to but since I'm travelling soon guess I better get up to speed on what I need. FT.

[Chocha Monger]

This is a good statement. It is possible to live here on less than $500 per month, live and eat like some locals. It's not a retirement plan to live like that.

I saw someone wrote "Philippines is a cheap place to live for Filipinos. " That's why many OFW will return home, it's a cheap and comfortable place to live for them.

Managing our expectation and what we want to be doing in our retirement is the key (for me).

On $500 per month, a monger will live like the king of the squatter camp with the biggest shack in Tondo. Instead of cardboard walls and plastic sheet roofing, his shack will have high-end ply-board walls and a fancy tin roof. With his income, the monger may even have his own latrine, sparing him time spent in the fall-in line waiting for the community latrine. Showers are outdoors with a bucket and dipper, great for showing off his potbelly and back boobs as evidence that he eats well. He will eat rice 3 x per day with dried fish and a bit of shrimp paste. Perhaps, he will have some veggies to go with that. On weekends, he can breakfast on cornmeal porridge with cocoa powder.

Options for ficky ficky in the squatter camp for the expat king range from P200 to P500 roots with malnourished neighbors in desperate need of rice. The price does not include the cost of frequent visits the local STD clinic to get the burning and itching sorted out.

Given the latest price hikes on necessities and the rate of inflation, mongers should not plan to retire here with anything less than $3,000 per month guaranteed income. That amount goes up if the monger takes on a wife / live-in girlfriend, has kids, or supports the in-laws. Anything less than that, prepare to live at a standard of living that is below that of most trailer park residents in the West.

[D Cups]

PinaLove,

So, it's probably more like 1500/ month USD on the low end, yes? I realize there are many variables.

[PinaLove]

6. Underestimating the cost of living. There are so many books on the net about living like a king on only $500 per month that it is easy to get the perception that the Philippines is cheap. That belief is easily compounded on vacation or visits where things like hotels are cheaper compared to first world countries. Stories of cheap rent abound. However, many things are more expensive here, and attempting to live a western lifestyle can get expensive very quickly. Overall, the cost of living is generally cheaper, but the Philippines is not the cheap bargain that some make it out to be.

This is a good statement. It is possible to live here on less than $500 per month, live and eat like some locals. It's not a retirement plan to live like that.

I saw someone wrote "Philippines is a cheap place to live for Filipinos. " That's why many OFW will return home, it's a cheap and comfortable place to live for them.

Managing our expectation and what we want to be doing in our retirement is the key (for me).

[Chocha Monger]

The train just ran over pensioner mongers and those on limited budgets living as expats in the Philippines. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law triggered soaring commodity prices due to inflation, which Filipino businesses are using as an excuse to gouge customers. Expat mongers who once promised that a foreigner could 'live like a king on 500 or 1,000 USD per month' are going to find that living at all on that amount of money is impossible, unless it is in a bamboo shack in the jungle.

Average inflation over the first five months of 2018 was 4. 1%. Economists blame it on higher global oil prices, TRAIN Law tax hikes on fuel and other goods and services, the weaker peso, and higher rice prices.

TRAIN imposed an excise tax of P6 per liter on diesel, cooking gas, kerosene and bunker fuel, which is used to generate electricity. The levy is spread over three years starting this year. The 2018 increase varies on the product. In the case of diesel, it is P2. 50 per liter.

In addition to the levy, the law imposed a 12-percent value added tax based on the excise tax. Therefore, the total impost on diesel starting in January was nearly P3 per liter. In the case of other oil products, TRAIN increased previous excise taxes to P10 per liter. The adjustment was also spread over three years. In the case of gasoline, the tax went up from P4. 35 per liter to P7 starting this year.

Of course, Filipinos selling anything are now raising prices and blaming the TRAIN. For example, a taxi route outside the city limits that used to cost P240 is now P400, and garbage collection went from P130 to P360. Apply similar increases across the board for all goods and services, and those living on the economic edge go off the cliff. What are government officials doing to address the problem? Well, they promised to investigate. In the meanwhile, they recommend that Filipinos tell OFW relatives to increase the size of the remittances wired back to the Philippines by 20%. There, problem solved! LOL!

Expat mongers who cannot absorb a 20 to 30% increase in spending better call home for an increase in pension or book a ticket home before airfares jump 50 to 60%. Some will have to make hard decisions like deciding to stop supporting the girlfriend / wife's family, and telling them to get a job. Others are going to have to cut back on the rooting budget, and offload some girlfriends. Expect a lot of grumbling at the expat bars, and maybe a few suicides, once TRAIN hits happy hour booze prices.

This comes at a time when the Philippines is campaigning hard for increased tourism. It is hard to see how the tourism campaign would succeed with beaches closed at tourist hotspots because the contamination levels are on par with that of a cesspool, and the TRAIN law driving up prices of the unreliable transportation, poor quality food, and overpriced hotel services. Maybe, this is the secret plan to win over tourists from Thailand. LOL!

In any case, love and ficky ficky is going to start costing mongers much more. Those on a meager pension may have to forego the love, and settle for ficky ficky only. LOL! Do not expect prices to fall in tandem with any weakening in your home currency against the peso, as Filipinos do not believe in lowering prices once they raise them.

[Red Kilt]

Nothing new here but a few good reminders from the "Expatch" Newsletter. Note the headings were removed when I copied it.

Common Mistakes made by Foreigners in the Philippines.

(copied from Expatch, Philippines).

Relocating to a "tropical paradise" like the Philippines sounds fun and would add thrill to your life but it's unlikely to happen. These misconceptions about an easy life in the Philippines have left foreigners dazed and confused once they settle in and find out that their expectations don't match with reality. So to help out anyone planning to move here, here's a list of the common mistakes made by foreigners when they move here.

Remember to do a LOT of RESEARCH before flying out.

1. Thinking that you will find a job here. You need to survive in the Philippines, but more likely, it will not be by working for someone else. Yes, some expats manage it. But the vast majority of people who move here will not find employment standards much to their liking.

2. Thinking that you can buy land or work around the land laws: The obsession expats have with buying land is truly confusing. Given the legal climate and prohibitions on foreign ownership, one cannot understand why people would even consider doing so without living here for a year or two first. Yet there are dozens of sites on the net giving "ways" to own land, will land, form corporations to control land, and so on. This is perhaps the biggest and most financially damaging mistake that expats can make.

3. Jumping in and falling in love too soon. Can you REALLY know someone by chatting on the Internet? There are dozens of web sites filled with stories of people getting scammed. Most of the guys who got burned thought the same thing. It can, and does, happen frequently.

4. Thinking about the same old business ideas. How many people have invested in sari sari stores? In jeepneys? Thinking they know the market better than the Filipinos themselves? Thousands. How many have earned a living? Very, very few. How many people even bother to learn the rules of business here?

5. Thinking things will be "different", but "no big deal". Not so fast. While here on vacation, the cultural differences are very subtle. Things tend to take on more importance when you experience it on a daily basis.

6. Underestimating the cost of living. There are so many books on the net about living like a king on only $500 per month that it is easy to get the perception that the Philippines is cheap. That belief is easily compounded on vacation or visits where things like hotels are cheaper compared to first world countries. Stories of cheap rent abound. However, many things are more expensive here, and attempting to live a western lifestyle can get expensive very quickly. Overall, the cost of living is generally cheaper, but the Philippines is not the cheap bargain that some make it out to be.

7. Realistic expectations. This is perhaps the toughest to nail down. The question itself indicates a fundamental lack of the realization that the Philippines is a developing nation, with 40% of the population living below the Asian poverty line of $2 per day. Yes, schools are here, but the demand and ability of most people to pay the tuition is not here. The Philippines is not Switzerland, Holland, Singapore, Hong Kong or any other developed nation with a large, wealthy expat or diplomatic community with small children.

8. Over-thinking the visa. Visas are important and necessary. However, the visa process in the Philippines has perhaps more options and flexibility than most other countries. Again, it is so easy to live here on a tourist visa and convert, there really is no reason why anyone (from most countries) should stress over it.

9. Worrying about exchange rates. You can't control them. If you are not able to absorb currency fluctuations, then you cannot afford to live here. Exchange rates are also cyclical. They can just as easily become beneficial.

10. Not learning about the culture. Everyone here has encountered cultural ignorance. Read and learn as much about the culture and language as possible. Get out and about. Don't believe that you are a wealthy target everywhere you walk.

Leave the walled, guarded compound once in a while.

[Dg8787]

The husband of murder victim Joan Ryther was conned out of $250,000 by her family when he flew to the Philippines to see them after her death.

The grieving husband has told how he left Joan's home country fearing for his safety after her brother fired a gun in the air during an argument.

A devastated Cory Ryther took $16,000 in community donations when he accompanied his wife's body home to her family in Baroy.

He planned to use the donations to help her impoverished relatives but instead they fleeced him out of everything he had, using the money to build houses and set up a pig farm.

"Pretty much from the minute I landed till I left, it was just lies,' Mr Ryther told The Sunday Mail.

"I only wanted to do the right thing. All these people wanted from me, or most of them, was money. '.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...e0b916bdef7a4c

He was no victim. Stupid people and their money will soon part.

[PinaLove]

I read an article that explained why beards and facial hair for men came in and out of fashion. It was the rareness or uniqueness that mattered. When facial hair was rare and out of fashion, guys would attract attention (and girls) by being unique and growing a beard.

I guess this works in our favor here in RP. If a tall white skin foreigner is a rarity, then "it" become an object to be collected.

[Kabul Guy]

.....

As to the skin color argument, I've got no particular point of view, as for me it's always been irrelevant to anything, as it appears to be for most of my Filipino friends here. Yes, white Americans spend billions a year trying to look darker, while "browner" people seem to spend billions trying to look whiter. I've always just thought of it as ironic, but never really tried to understand the reasons. African women spend billions a years trying to straighten their hair; Western women spend billions trying for temporary curls. My conclusion is that no one is ever happy, but I do not attribute that to colonialism as much as I do to human idiosyncrasy.

.....

I read an article that explained why beards and facial hair for men came in and out of fashion. It was the rareness or uniqueness that mattered. When facial hair was rare and out of fashion, guys would attract attention (and girls) by being unique and growing a beard.

Other guys would notice and grow facial hair until it became the norm and some guy would shave and get lucky because he was then the unique one and the pendulum would swing the other way. Rinse and repeat.

Skin colour the same, just that how much pigmentation you have in your skin is a little harder to change than facial hair. That is partly why we westerners are attracted to Asian women and they to us. It also explains why after a while here we start to find white or African women better looking.

[Chocha Monger]

The husband of murder victim Joan Ryther was conned out of $250,000 by her family when he flew to the Philippines to see them after her death.

The grieving husband has told how he left Joan's home country fearing for his safety after her brother fired a gun in the air during an argument.

A devastated Cory Ryther took $16,000 in community donations when he accompanied his wife's body home to her family in Baroy.

He planned to use the donations to help her impoverished relatives but instead they fleeced him out of everything he had, using the money to build houses and set up a pig farm.

"Pretty much from the minute I landed till I left, it was just lies,' Mr Ryther told The Sunday Mail.

"I only wanted to do the right thing. All these people wanted from me, or most of them, was money. '.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...e0b916bdef7a4c

[Fantasys]

Was there in May. June. This is a late report, thanks for so many kind comments you guys give me here.

1 house renting: from airbnd, I found a condom, 1 bedroom, with a small kitchen, a bathroom, small desk. Queen size bed (that is cool) . Free access swim pool with guest. It is in the 44th floor and a safe case. 1st night 25 usd. I was so satisfied with it, so I asked a 3 week, host by a Italian guy, very nice, 3 weeks, give me a discount for 200 usd. Amazing prize. It is near Robinson. He introduce me a nice BBQ in the top of Robinson, very nice, and delicious. That becoming my date place to meet girls. Near my place, and easy to get her to my room. LOL I meet 7 girls totally, and all agree to back to my room.

2. finding girls in advance. Using DIA. I chat with girls there 2 month in advance. Filter with girl 18-24, <4'11, <45 kg, without kids. Manila. And about 20 left in the list, chat in skype, (if she said no skype, ask her install, if not, give up. Talk about sex, if she not interested, give up. If not looks good, give up. If hesitate to meet in person, give up. Tip: at first, tell her I will stay there 3 weeks, and suggest to meet, and show her the gift of chocolate, and a phone, if phone, give up. Then talking about her education, class some detail, you could easily get out the liar. Though I do not care college or high school, but lie is a bad sign. . OK it will be boring to talking about the details to select girls. Diff guy have diff taste) and I think 20 in the list is a reasonable number. Recommend DIA, a nice site.

3. be there, I give me 3 days to do the filter (3 days off without working.) when arrive the condom. My workmate help me from the airport, so no any trouble, and get a sim card from my company. Then begin to call the girls.

1st-2nd day: call the top 3 in my list. Meet 1 in night, and 1 next noon, I next night. All comes. Bbq with decent talk. Invite home. A drink with mojito I made in my room (buy them. Wis-key, ram tequila. Soda. When I arrived passing by the mall) with candles. A gift. Hug. Kiss then next. All are nice body. 1st one (will call her Ms, A) is a shy type, the 3rd (will call her Ms. B) one is open mind, nice sucker- tax fee (200 peso, put in her bag say taxi without other words) , make her home. And told I will busy in next 5 days working. No one ask money. The second one I did not want to meet again, so when made her out the building put 2000 peso in her jean pocket, say buy some gifts to your mom she keep on text me after for days, but I say sorry, I do not think we are fit. I think better tell the truth rather than cheat because she is little bit light skin, do not want me to touch her asshole and not willing to suck, just a rush oral. Though a nice face and easy to get wet.

3rd day: call 6 girls, 3 can not come, 1 did not appear. Deleted from the list. One for morning, the one call after the one did not appear for the night. Morning girl is OK, but not looks so good as the looks in cam, so 2000 peso in her bag maybe she know my feeling, stop text me after 3 days without reply. The night one is a nice girl tight pussy, willing to learning to be a nice sucker. So ask her (will call her Ms. C) back next night.

4th day stop calling others little bit tired t deal with girls. And I need to focus on my job. And night with Ms. See. She works in a Korean company as a accountant staff and back in my room after work.

5th day. Ms. C time, after she leave in 6th day morning, to working, 5000 peso found in her bag. And get a sweet call from her 1 HR after her leave with thanks.

6th day. Bring Ms. C to BBQ and call Ms. A to there in advance. A and see and me had chat in a skype group before. So when we meet there with a surprise, and decent talk when eating, and enjoy nice food there. Little bit annoying when they chat in Tagalog, so I said English please. -Take them to my room and enjoy drinks, then. You know what happened next. Really good experience.

7th day morning see to work, A left she do not have a job at that time a new graduate girl. So 6000 peso in her pocket, and leave a key with her and told her buy some food back. Night: I am the cooker, Chinese food, and tequila.

With them next 3 days. And see back home for one day when she is the day off of her work. .

(to be continued).

If interested. Will be talk about Ms. B, D, E. F.

[Ekspat]

'Well,' he whispered, 'I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon.'

Great one, mate!

[WestCoast1]

I asked quietly, 'After you get it out, how do you put it back'?

'Well,' he whispered, 'I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon.'

Maestro! Killin' me!