General Info

[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.

[Cjetset]

Go to the etravel website. Need to add the gov dot ph to the end. Just have the approval code ready when you land. They usually check / scan prior to reaching immigration.

If you are fully vaxed it's real simple. Just go to the eTravel website and fill out the info. QR code comes back instantly. Just take a screenshot of it and present it at eTravel desk before you go to immigration booth at whichever PH international airport you land at.

[JusRide]

Go to the etravel website. Need to add the gov dot ph to the end. Just have the approval code ready when you land. They usually check / scan prior to reaching immigration.

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.

[Sammon]

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.

Within Philippines no restrictions. Very few wear masks. When you enter Philippines have to fill out new app application to get the barcode within 72 hours of arrival.

[Soapy Smith]

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.

[Expat American]

Not sure what your point is. When I travel the adventure is part of the fun. Going on a bus with locals is part of the experience. Not sure but by your logic, I originally paid about $40.00 usd for my hotel in Subic but I paid more than $200.00 a night in mnl. Should I have paid more for the hotel in Subic to justify my hotel in mnl?

Well by your own account your $40 subic hotel screwed you on the room, wouldn't allow you to even bring your own food in and didn't have housekeeping or an elevator. So you tell me. Maybe you should have paid a bit more.

[QuackUp]

So you were happy to fork over $4 k for a biz class ticket but the $150 for a comfortable ride from point to point was too much?

Not sure what your point is. When I travel the adventure is part of the fun. Going on a bus with locals is part of the experience. Not sure but by your logic, I originally paid about $40.00 usd for my hotel in Subic but I paid more than $200.00 a night in mnl. Should I have paid more for the hotel in Subic to justify my hotel in mnl?

[Goferring]

So you were happy to fork over $4 k for a biz class ticket but the $150 for a comfortable ride from point to point was too much?

There are benefits to using local-yokal transport. I've met many 19 yo goddesses in bemos, jeepneys etc on their way to buy a pound of carrots at the market. Even had a couple of bargirls say thanks for offering a free ride back to Manila after the public banca from Sabang.

Enjoy. G.