Living in the Philippines

[GoodEnough]

It's really something to behold. The contrast is ridiculous. You drive through the numerous sub-cities of Metro Manila and see the dirt, the squatters, the Trikes, Jeepneys, guys pissing on the street, the homeless, the shirtless etc. Then you pass the heavily armed gates of your subdivision and just like that your scenery is transformed into Gigantic houses, rolling lawns, empty lots of plush green, American standard paved roads, trash free streets, no Jeepneys allowed and best of all silence.The gated subdivisions here are indeed lovely, and fully up to international standards. Places like BelAir and some of the other "villages" might as well be on Mars, for all the similarity they bear to the rest of the city.

I don't think this is limited to Manila. I live in a beautiful, gated/guarded subdivision in Davao, and once you enter the village, it's like being in a different world, close to the city geographically, but separated by a million miles in terms of lifestyle and amenities: no jeepneys, no trikes, no filth, and acres of rolling green lawns, tennis courts, pools and trees.

GE

[Warbucks]

Are there at least taxis around when you want to go out, or are these places aimed more toward people with their own transport?No. taxis. When I was using public transport the guys would complain if they had to take me to my Sub that they would not get a return fare. Now this could be a marketing ploy to get more dough but I know at the same time it was true what they were saying. I used to have to walk about 25 mins to get to where the public transportation before I started making connects and gained like two personal drivers for a while. Most people where I live have more than a few cars.

[GoodEnough]

No. taxis. When I was using public transport the guys would complain if they had to take me to my Sub that they would not get a return fare. Now this could be a marketing ploy to get more dough but I know at the same time it was true what they were saying. I used to have to walk about 25 mins to get to where the public transportation before I started making connects and gained like two personal drivers for a while. Most people where I live have more than a few cars.
I hear you WB. On the other hand, just being back here for two days reminds me of what a total pain in the ass it is to drive in Manila; forever stuck in traffic, and then, on arrival, forever looking for someplace to dump the car. I realize that in the subdivision parking is not an issue, but one you venture outside and into the sights and smells of the city, it's a major hassle. I would definitely have a car or two if I lived in Manila, but I would probably only drive it on the weekends and use a driver for week days. I'm just too old to cope with the downside.

[X Man]

I've been to GEEE's place, but I don't remember a tennis court. Maybe that is over at the club house?

I do remember a very big dog. GE has his dogs well trained -- as they should be. The damn monster was looking hungrily at my thigh until GE called it off. After that, the monster was my best friend.

And regarding some places I've been, the interiors were far more sophisticated than the exteriors might have promised. X



The gated subdivisions here are indeed lovely, and fully up to international standards. Places like BelAir and some of the other "villages" might as well be on Mars, for all the similarity they bear to the rest of the city.

I don't think this is limited to Manila. I live in a beautiful, gated/guarded subdivision in Davao, and once you enter the village, it's like being in a different world, close to the city geographically, but separated by a million miles in terms of lifestyle and amenities: no jeepneys, no trikes, no filth, and acres of rolling green lawns, tennis courts, pools and trees.

GE

[Robbaf]

My buddy has a bar girl in Cebu that he really enjoys. Last week he was in Manila on business and offered to take her with him. He told her to buy a ticket to Manila for Thursday the 18th and arrive after 12 pm, and she would return to Cebu on Sunday. She arrived and they were having a great time Saturday and he asked her when she was going back to Cebu and she told him tomorrow (Sunday) and he asked her what time was her flight. She told him in the afternoon and he said good, what time Sunday afternoon??? She told him she didn't know, as she didn't have a ticket yet:D He took her to the airport and short notice one way ticket to Cebu was 3900P :o

It was her first flight and first trip to Manila!

Robb

[GoodEnough]

I've been to GEEE's place, but I don't remember a tennis court. Maybe that is over at the club house?

I do remember a very big dog. GE has his dogs well trained -- as they should be. The damn monster was looking hungrily at my thigh until GE called it off. After that, the monster was my best friend.

And regarding some places I've been, the interiors were far more sophisticated than the exteriors might have promised. X
In fact X, my dog was asking about you a couple of days ago. He remembers that uneaten thigh. The tennis courts are behind the basketball court, adjacent to the club house and in front of the swimming pool.
GE

[Eaglestar]

For some of the uninitiated. I found this post on DIA that gives an idea of how some of these ladies live........................

I want to meet a Male
with age from 39 to 60
and I want to meet for Marriage.

Tall, blue eyes, kind, understanding, funny, matured, and if possible american. Athletic, handsome, respectful, lifetime faithful partner. Doesn't beat his wife.

[Cbea20]

Your buddy should have purchased the ticket r/t himself, and texted to her the confirmation number. She picks up the ticket at the airline office, even the one outside the terminal one hour early. He can purchase online using credit card. This can be refunded only to his credit card (girl cannot refund it); but he might wait forever for the refund. He can pay cash at the airline office; they will make a note that it is refundable only to payor.


My buddy has a bar girl in Cebu that he really enjoys. Last week he was in Manila on business and offered to take her with him. He told her to buy a ticket to Manila for Thursday the 18th and arrive after 12 pm, and she would return to Cebu on Sunday. She arrived and they were having a great time Saturday and he asked her when she was going back to Cebu and she told him tomorrow (Sunday) and he asked her what time was her flight. She told him in the afternoon and he said good, what time Sunday afternoon??? She told him she didn't know, as she didn't have a ticket yet:D He took her to the airport and short notice one way ticket to Cebu was 3900P :o

It was her first flight and first trip to Manila!

Robb

[Henski]

Question for you guys living in Manila.

How do you know your way around?

Can I assume locally purchased iphone with gps map? Let me know your setup

I've had a quick search on here

Thanks

[Amavida]

Question for you guys living in Manila.

How do you know your way around?

Can I assume locally purchased iphone with gps map? Let me know your setup

I've had a quick search on here

ThanksGo to 'National Bookstore' (one in every big mall) & buy a street directory. This will be indispensable when directing taxi drivers & girls. :) Read it & memorise the area where you will be operating.

The big ring road called EDSA becomes a point of reference as does the rail system which now circles the city thanks to the closure of the missing link between Monumento & North Road (QC) stations.

Its easy to get disoriented here even for those with a good sense of direction.

The locals speak with great authority about directions but cannot be relied on to have a clue what they are talking about. When asking directions keep asking & cross checking many people as you go or you will be sorry...

A cell phone map is a nice luxury but beware the vagaries of signal strength. Smart & Globe (the two biggest players) both have their bad days hehe ;)

[Starchild2012]

Question for you guys living in Manila.

How do you know your way around?

Can I assume locally purchased iphone with gps map? Let me know your setup

I've had a quick search on here

Thanks


Use Google map

[LoveAsianWhores]

Question for you guys living in Manila.

How do you know your way around?

Can I assume locally purchased iphone with gps map? Let me know your setup

I've had a quick search on here

ThanksI use a Garmin NUVI with a Philippines map. The maps are quite complete and accurate, with the main problem being that it has very limited information on where to make a left or U-turn (which is maybe the biggest challange to navigating unknow Manila streets). Having a GPS if you drive here, especially if you are going somewhere for the first time, is quite the necessity. You can buy any Garmin NUVI model and load the maps from roadguide. Ph, or just pay a little extra and buy one with the map already installed from ebay Philippines. Google maps will work, but not very practical to use while driving.

[FreebieFan]

Question for you guys living in Manila.

How do you know your way around?

Can I assume locally purchased iphone with gps map? Let me know your setup

I've had a quick search on here

ThanksDriven there on every visit for past 5 years and every day when I lived there. I stick to the main and easy to get onto and get off roads. No maps needed.

Edsa/ Buendia/C5/ South highway/Makati Ave, Paseo, Ayala Ave, Lawton Drive ( Fort B ) Roxas/Rockwell Drive, P Burgos. Kalaayan etc. You can do everything you want if you know where these roads are.

If you need other roads, get a driver or a taxi

[GoodEnough]

I've been using GPS combined with the Google Maps on my BlackBerry for the past several months, and it works just fine. I've not yet encountered a situation on which I could not get a location fix due to poor signal strength.

GE

[FreebieFan]

The locals speak with great authority about directions but cannot be relied on to have a clue what they are talking about. When asking directions keep asking & cross checking many people as you go or you will be sorry.And to prove the point, once I was trying to find a street in Rockwell.

I stopped and asked two guys. One told me to go left, right, second left etc and looked pleased with his sense of direction.

The other was a security guard who said he had never heard of that street.

I digested their comments, then looked up and realised there was a street name sign almost above them.

I was actually on the street that I wanted to B.

The one with multilple directions was talking tosh, but the sad security guard didn't even know the name of the street on which he was guarding.

[Red Kilt]

I've been using GPS combined with the Google Maps on my BlackBerry for the past several months, and it works just fine. I've not yet encountered a situation on which I could not get a location fix due to poor signal strength.

GE

It's a good idea in theory but I had a mate lose his phone to 2 street guys who snatched it from him. He was so pre-occupied with checking the GPS he never realised he had a bulls-eye on his back

[Amavida]

It's a good idea in theory but I had a mate lose his phone to 2 street guys who snatched it from him. He was so pre-occupied with checking the GPS he never realised he had a bulls-eye on his backSnatchers are common. I warn people about pulling out expensive cp's on streets all the time.

AV

[Robbaf]

And to prove the point, once I was trying to find a street in Rockwell.

I stopped and asked two guys. One told me to go left, right, second left etc and looked pleased with his sense of direction.

The other was a security guard who said he had never heard of that street.

I digested their comments, then looked up and realised there was a street name sign almost above them.

I was actually on the street that I wanted to B.

The one with multilple directions was talking tosh, but the sad security guard didn't even know the name of the street on which he was guarding.
So true:( Try walking in a mall and asking a security guard where a store is located (like Globe). They have no clue:(

Robb

[Warbucks]

Snatchers are common. I warn people about pulling out expensive cp's on streets all the time.

AV....Mongers, mongettes and European [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) wallowers Manila failed to make this list of dubious distinction.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/04/10/dangerous.cities.world/index.html?iref=allsearch

[Puerto La Cruz]

Hahahahahahaha you gotta be shitt'n me. This guy is using an Expedition with red plates and he thinks nobody is going to fuck with it? Couldn't he have kept one of his guards outside and ordered him take out?

This guy needs to learn a little from Davao's mayor. It would never happen again.

[Robbaf]

Two fast stories:

First Guy A is an American friend of mine, 32 years old and married. Came to the Philippines for 6 months work. He met a girl from a bar and she quit the bar and because his FREE girl. He gave her 500P here or there to meet him and while with him he paid for everything (hotels, food, clothes) and he told me that she understands that he is married and leaving. He told me that he used the Love word after she did. Well he left last month and now she is going crazy and trying to call his home in he states. She googled his name and state and found his Facebook and home phone number. He is so worried about his wife getting the call.

Second Guy B is also a friend of mine, British and 46 years old and single. He was here for over a year. He met a girl in LA Cafe and took her home. First night he paid her and got her number. Started texting her and ended up seeing her for 6 months. According to him, no promises made to her, just hang out when he was in Manila and she said that she didn't need any money (again according to him). He left the Philippines last Oct 09 for Afghanistan and basically told her that it was over. She drank bleach and killed herself and the police has been calling him wanting him to come in and talk to him. He was scheduled to return to the Philippines last month, but now he is worried that his passport may be flagged.

Both of these stories unfolded in the last month:(

My point to these stories is: Pay them to leave...if you are truly not looking for a wife, don't play with freebies.

Robb

[Cunning Stunt]

A great read, thanks for sharing.

Yeah give the man a ROD for cutting and pasting.

Giant sounds to me like a real sad fucker, a paranoic screwball whining about how his cozy wet dreams have turned into a howling nightmare. AC is not short of these types. The part about him wandering around his home, cradling his gun and considering whether he should swallow the muzzle and pull the trigger cracked me up and speaks volumes about his mental fragility. Cannot really see him doing better in LOS or anywhere else in SE Asia that he drags his sorry ass.

AC (and Pattaya) do tend to attract these sad characters like moths to a flame. They come because they want to live their own warped fantasies of sex with wall to wall available pussy and forget that man cannot live by bed alone! Screwing, every night, with a different willing tawny skinned beauty sounds incredible and fantastical when you are back home living like a monk, beating the meat every night in your lonely little cell but it is amazing how the novelty can quickly wear off when you are faced by the sordid reality. Ho hum, yet another night screwing the tail off a LBFM. Astonishing but its true. So the more balanced types find a regular gf or take up a hobby or sport or try to restrict their sex addiction activities to a manageable degree whereas the wackos look to find solace in the bottom of a glass, and blame everything else under the sun, but there own inadequacies, for their problems.

When I’m in the Philippines, I go into pussy chasing mode a few times a month, sometimes more and sometimes less. The rest of the time I live a comparatively normal life, same as I would in UK. To live the lonely, debauched life such as that of this poor deluded soul does would drive me barmy in no time at all. If you are mentally fragile back home, your problems will be magnified 100 fold out here.

[Rubberyman]

Giant's report reads like someone who never came to the PI, but who avidly read the threads on this and other forums.

It gives us some insight into his own mind I guess, but for someone who claims to have lived there, it just doesn't ring true. For example, having to go out every night to get GFE was 'exhausting'? Seriously?

If someone truly lived there and they were 'exhausted', simply wait a day or two, sleep alone, let the sacs fill. Hey presto ma! No exhaustion. Either you want pussy, and you hunt it, or you don't want it, and sleep in.

Fishy.

[Wicked Roger]

Two fast stories:

First Guy A is an American friend of mine, 32 years old and married. Came to the Philippines for 6 months work. He met a girl from a bar and she quit the bar and because his FREE girl. He gave her 500P here or there to meet him and while with him he paid for everything (hotels, food, clothes) and he told me that she understands that he is married and leaving. He told me that he used the Love word after she did. Well he left last month and now she is going crazy and trying to call his home in he states. She googled his name and state and found his Facebook and home phone number. He is so worried about his wife getting the call.

Second Guy B is also a friend of mine, British and 46 years old and single. He was here for over a year. He met a girl in LA Cafe and took her home. First night he paid her and got her number. Started texting her and ended up seeing her for 6 months. According to him, no promises made to her, just hang out when he was in Manila and she said that she didn't need any money (again according to him). He left the Philippines last Oct 09 for Afghanistan and basically told her that it was over. She drank bleach and killed herself and the police has been calling him wanting him to come in and talk to him. He was scheduled to return to the Philippines last month, but now he is worried that his passport may be flagged.

Both of these stories unfolded in the last month:(

My point to these stories is: Pay them to leave...if you are truly not looking for a wife, don't play with freebies.

Robb
Good FR Robb and a reminder to all of us

I can add at least 2 more stories in a similar vein, one an Australian who has had to try and delete his Facebook etc as he was far too liberal in giving details on the page - received missed calls, text messages all sorts and the girl found his home number and called and left a message!! The other is a UK guy who is afraid to return as the girl may have taken a 'case' against him for 'failure to honout a contract"...all BS but he is concerned given the repuation for fairness of some parts of the LE etc

As for passport, get another with a different number...amy work but may not..

Some girls will miss call a phone 100+ times a day (a good mate in Dubai will testify to that), some will try anything to contact the man so use different phone numbers or pay and leave unless you really want to find a wife as R says.....

Another thing to note from Robb's FR is that dont do Facebook etc unless you have a false name, use different emails... if you really feel like Facebook etc then dont give out your personal details....that is crazy IMHO

Only a few know my number etc and those I trust and they have proven they can be trusted. And I dont leave details on any web site so they can hunt me down :D .......well if they are really cute they can ;)

[Paul C]

Does anyone know where a girl can get a Depo Provera (3-month birth control) shot and for how much?

[Amavida]

Two fast stories:

First Guy A is an American friend of mine, 32 years old and married. Came to the Philippines for 6 months work. He met a girl from a bar and she quit the bar and because his FREE girl. He gave her 500P here or there to meet him and while with him he paid for everything (hotels, food, clothes) and he told me that she understands that he is married and leaving. He told me that he used the Love word after she did. Well he left last month and now she is going crazy and trying to call his home in he states. She googled his name and state and found his Facebook and home phone number. He is so worried about his wife getting the call.

Second Guy B is also a friend of mine, British and 46 years old and single. He was here for over a year. He met a girl in LA Cafe and took her home. First night he paid her and got her number. Started texting her and ended up seeing her for 6 months. According to him, no promises made to her, just hang out when he was in Manila and she said that she didn't need any money (again according to him). He left the Philippines last Oct 09 for Afghanistan and basically told her that it was over. She drank bleach and killed herself and the police has been calling him wanting him to come in and talk to him. He was scheduled to return to the Philippines last month, but now he is worried that his passport may be flagged.

Both of these stories unfolded in the last month:(

My point to these stories is: Pay them to leave...if you are truly not looking for a wife, don't play with freebies.

RobbFreebies are ok as long as you have the mental strength to deal with their drama & lies. Be ready to throw away your sim card when you exit the 'relationship' & never ever put personally identifiable info on the net ESPECIALLY Facebook.

For every story of a girl that kills herself when her walking ATM leaves there is 10,000 others who, after an acceptable period of pinay drama will hit her 37 other foreigners in her yahoo contacts and tee up her next victim ..er.. foreigner bf.

More often the story is the foreigner who tops himself when he finds out his beautiful sweet innocent little mahal ko is spreading her legs to all comers regardless of how much money he is giving her.

Im sure many experienced expats can tell you stories of having sex with another man's remittance pinay who is waiting for her visa out of the PI or waiting her fiance's arrival from os.

I dont believe I seek out these types of women, i have simply found that most of the pinays I have met are duplicitous short term thinkers.

5 years ago you could get me to listen to stories suggesting that pinays are the victims but I have gradually changed my views.

Yes there are decent ones out there who will make someone a wife, but one needs to choose very bloody carefully.. Frankly I think one would be better getting introduced to the daughter of a wealthy Taiwanese or Singaporean family rather than take on the life draining debt burden of an (inevitably) impoverished pinay.

AV

[Amavida]

Does anyone know where a girl can get a Depo Provera (3-month birth control) shot and for how much?'Lady pills' are p65 per box (one month supply).

Next cheapest and simplest is an IUD. Next is a Depo shot. Go to any decent medical center in any large-ish town city.

If you are in Manila go to Medical City or Makati Medical Center or ask her local GP.

AV

[Paul C]

I need some car advice.

I'll probably be here for the long haul and I'm thinking about getting a car. But I'm wondering if it'll be worth it. Right now, my primary mode of transport is taxis. I spend $30-60 per month on taxi rides. I generally avoid going out after 4pm as I know it'll be hell getting a taxi going back home.

Pros of getting a car:

A) it would be more convenient going out (wouldn't have to rely on taxis) and as a result, I'd probably go out and explore Metro Manila more often.

B) it would raise my social value, especially amongst females.

C) I would get some enjoyment driving at night when the streets are clear.

Cons:

A) the costs of owning a car (depreciation, insurance, parking space, repairs, etc.) are quite high, I'm estimating around $150-200 per month.

B) I hate traffic and might want to kill myself in Manila traffic.

C) it would take a long time for me to learn the streets, although GPS might help, and it might be hard to transition since the driving style here is so different from in the states (I also risk getting into accidents).

What do you guys think?

[FreebieFan]

I need some car advice.

I'll probably be here for the long haul and I'm thinking about getting a car. But I'm wondering if it'll be worth it. Right now, my primary mode of transport is taxis. I spend $30-60 per month on taxi rides. I generally avoid going out after 4pm as I know it'll be hell getting a taxi going back home.

Pros of getting a car:

A) it would be more convenient going out (wouldn't have to rely on taxis) and as a result, I'd probably go out and explore Metro Manila more often.

B) it would raise my social value, especially amongst females.

C) I would get some enjoyment driving at night when the streets are clear.

Cons:

A) the costs of owning a car (depreciation, insurance, parking space, repairs, etc.) are quite high, I'm estimating around $150-200 per month.

B) I hate traffic and might want to kill myself in Manila traffic.

C) it would take a long time for me to learn the streets, although GPS might help, and it might be hard to transition since the driving style here is so different from in the states (I also risk getting into accidents).

What do you guys think?I would get a car. Get a decent car from Honda or Toyota as they have plenty of good service places,. Warranties on a new cars are good, they are professional in how they do their servicing and re-sale price of both brands remains high because of above.

You don't need to know that many streets unless you are really ducking and diving in some barrios and barangays. Always know where you are going to park and build up an army of guys who will " watch " your car. Theres a nice guy outside the Korean KTV near Stardust who does a good job, same with the guy outside Flamingo both on Burgos.

Know where U-turns are especailly on Edsaa and Roxas. Theres not many.

Learn to drive far away from lingering MMDA parasites.

And make your car comfortable and well tinted. I've had numerous blows heading up and down Edsa, on Roxas, in numerous car parks including full sex in Enterprise, and in Megamall rooftop. Etc. Having a car in Manila is fun and frustrating. But a much better experience than taxis.

[Spam Hog]

I need some car advice.

I'll probably be here for the long haul and I'm thinking about getting a car. But I'm wondering if it'll be worth it. Right now, my primary mode of transport is taxis. I spend $30-60 per month on taxi rides. I generally avoid going out after 4pm as I know it'll be hell getting a taxi going back home.

Pros of getting a car:

A) it would be more convenient going out (wouldn't have to rely on taxis) and as a result, I'd probably go out and explore Metro Manila more often.

B) it would raise my social value, especially amongst females.

C) I would get some enjoyment driving at night when the streets are clear.

Cons:

A) the costs of owning a car (depreciation, insurance, parking space, repairs, etc.) are quite high, I'm estimating around $150-200 per month.

B) I hate traffic and might want to kill myself in Manila traffic.

C) it would take a long time for me to learn the streets, although GPS might help, and it might be hard to transition since the driving style here is so different from in the states (I also risk getting into accidents).

What do you guys think?Peter,

I've been driving in the PHils for some time, I have owned vehicles in Davao, CDO and now in Cebu. If you have a western drivers license, preferable from the USA, coz the rules of the road are the same (drive on the right) you can get a Filipino DL quite easily from the local LTO (Land transportation office) also, you can get an INTERNATIONAL DL in any country or you can get one here in the PI. All you need is a valid DL in ANY country, some pix like 2x2 I think it is around P4,000 here.

If you decide to buy a car, I would not get a brand new one, too many idiot drivers and soon lots of fender benders, nicks and dings, etc. unless you want to pay cash, most of the companies will not finance you unless you have permanent residence status or are working in the PI.

You can however go to something like "car Mall" where they will finance you for a second hand vehicle or something from Japan which they call Japanese surplus or Koprean surplus, the Japanse do not fix a car if for example it needs brakes or a new alternator, they get rid of it an buy a new one, the "surplus" gets sent to the PI and some Pinoy with a car lot buys it, fixes it up and sells it to you...there really are some good bargains this way.

Friend of mine just bought a 2004 Kia sportage, paid P40K down and then something like P30K a month for a few months until it was paid off.

GET SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX, that means Toyota, Kia, honda etc, I had a hell of a time getting small parts for a Mazda Pickup I used to own.

Also, be careful of Motorcycles, #1 cause of death in PI is MC, and the cops
really check you close for a valid MC license.

Insurance is rather cheap as well, you pay for it up front when you tag and title the vehicle registation, I pay less than P4,000 A YEAR on a 2000 Honda accord.

Good luck


Spam hog

[Red Kilt]

....... I generally avoid going out after 4pm as I know it'll be hell getting a taxi going back home.

Pros of getting a car:

A) it would be more convenient going out (wouldn't have to rely on taxis) and as a result, I'd probably go out and explore Metro Manila more often.
.................
What do you guys think?First of all I don't follow your comment about "... hell getting a taxi home ..". Where do you live? I think one of the pros of NOT having a car is that it is very easy to get a taxi after around 10.30 pm at night. Another pro is that you can have as much to drink as you like and not have to worry.

I will give a contrary view to those who say get your own car.
I had a car for the first 8 years living here but I no longer have one. I live in Ortigas so it was very easy to walk to any of the 4 malls nearby and much faster than driving because all are less than a 10 minute stroll.

I gave up on the car because it got so exasperating to find a parking spot when I wanted to go to Makati or The Fort for an evening. I would wait in lines waiting for a parking spot around the Fort or in Greenbelt and around that area and in Burgos too for long periods. I left my car 2 or 3 blocks from Greenbelt one night in a Makati side street and had the side mirror stolen.
So then I got a driver which made it so much easier in terms of time wasting looking for a safe parking spot and he would drop me at the door of where I wanted to go but because he spent so much time NOT driving but just waiting around for me I realised that I was wasting cash and spending far more than taxis would cost.

The big advantage of having a car as you identified was that I could take myself off out of Manila whenever I wanted and drive myself too, but then I met a guy with a "tourist taxi" who was usually available at short notice to take me anywhere (Tagaytay, Subic ,etc ). He is really cheap too and just waits for me if I go anywhere with him. He also knows his way around very well too.

When I added up the costs I found that it was so much cheaper to use taxis whenever I wanted. When you factor in depreciation of your car too then it is way more expensive to own a car.
I also use the MRT in the off-peak times not because it is cheap but because it is faster and more efficient.

Another factor that really worries me is the huge number of condos being built in and around Ortigas, The Fort and Makati, yet the road infrastructure is still the same and will not be able to cope with the huge increase in the number of cars that these developments will bring into these central areas. So it will not matter whether you are in a taxi or driving yourself - it will still take the same amount of time to get anywhere. Actually it will take longer because taxi drivers often know short-cuts around bottle necks and they break rules and drive in the wrong lanes sometimes too and get away with it. Police and traffic enforcers like to stop foreigners so if you find yourself in the wrong place they will grab you. Note too that if they stop you and smell that you have been drinking they will put extra pressure on you.

I suggest you think about why you really need a car.
I can afford to have one but I don't wish to just throw money away and I found that I can still get anywhere I need to go WITHOUT a car and usually much more quickly too because I don't need to waste time looking for a parking space.

[Paul C]

Thanks for all the great advice so far.

Going home from malls at closing time (when everyone is trying to leave at the same time) is oftentimes a nightmare. Sometimes the wait on the taxi queue can be an hour and if it's too long I usually just go out onto the street to negotiate a higher fare because I don't want to wait that long.

In any case, I'm probably leaning toward not buying right now due to the high cost of owning a car, but I'm ready to pull the trigger in case I find a good deal. I'd be looking for a used car for the reasons Spam Hog mentioned, and if a new car is 700k and the same car used is 500k, I'd much rather save 200k and forego a new car warranty.

[GoodEnough]

I've lived in Davao for almost 7 years, and have had a car for most of that time, and cannot imagine living the same kind of life I do without it. However, Davao isn't Manila and I'm not sure what I would do about transportation if I live there. Most of my friends who live in Makati have drivers to take them around during the week and then drive themselves on week ends, when the traffic subsides a bit. This sounds like a reasonable compromise to me.

GE

[Red Kilt]

I've lived in Davao for almost 7 years, and have had a car for most of that time, and cannot imagine living the same kind of life I do without it. However, Davao isn't Manila and I'm not sure what I would do about transportation if I live there. Most of my friends who live in Makati have drivers to take them around during the week and then drive themselves on week ends, when the traffic subsides a bit. This sounds like a reasonable compromise to me.

GEAhhh GE that's completely different. I lived in Davao 2002. 2005 and used my car all the time there with no hassles at all.

But. As you said, Davao is definitely NOT Manila. If I lived ANYWHERE else in the Phils but Manila I would have a car. All the points I mentioned in my original post apply to Manila only (traffic, parking etc).

PG. It doesn't matter how cheap or expensive the car is; it will still take just as long to find a parking spot and get through traffic no matter what sort of car you have.

Re being in malls at closing times. I would also suggest that by the time you get to your car, leave the mall at closing times (peak), pay your bill, get onto the road and drive home it will still take you just as long as it might seem to take standing in the taxi line. But you solve your problem in the sensible way. You go to the street and offer a good tip. You are still well in front in terms of saved cash from owning a car.

I simply don't visit malls at the busy times as I know that taxi lines are long but so are the parking lines.

You should see SM Megamall today and all the streets surrounding it? It is the last day of a major sale and it is bedlam. I just don't go near malls when it is like that, whether I have a car or not.

[LoveAsianWhores]

There are pros on cons of the taxi/car decision, but it is not an either/or decision. I owned a car when I lived in Manila, and sometimes I would still take a taxi for the reasons mentioned. But having a car was also VERY convenient. And once you live out here, it will be socially awkward to not have one. In many places, Ayala Alabang for example, taxis are just not available, so someone has to drive you to a taxi stand. And there will be times when it is raining, and you are just stuck for a while until you can find a taxi. The bottom line is if you have about 15K a month extra in your budget, buy a cheap car. If not, then don't.

[Amavida]

Thanks for all the great advice so far.

Going home from malls at closing time (when everyone is trying to leave at the same time) is oftentimes a nightmare. Sometimes the wait on the taxi queue can be an hour and if it's too long I usually just go out onto the street to negotiate a higher fare because I don't want to wait that long.

In any case, I'm probably leaning toward not buying right now due to the high cost of owning a car, but I'm ready to pull the trigger in case I find a good deal. I'd be looking for a used car for the reasons Spam Hog mentioned, and if a new car is 700k and the same car used is 500k, I'd much rather save 200k and forego a new car warranty.Usually your Pinay will stand in line because she is used to it & frankly waiting for a taxi is probably a big step up for her from chasing jeeps in the rain.

If you get impatient, go to the 'other' taxi's & negotiate a (much higher) price to get the hell out of there right now :) If Im really tired thats what I do.

Owning a car can be more expensive than you think.
Some of the guys on this board have high salary jobs here or are wealthy. For them the subject of a car is relatively trivial. If you are a working class guy just trying to live here & enjoy the relatively low cost of living & abundant pussy then you need to be careful purchasing a used vehicle.

- The locals are hyper macho & so drive their vehicles very hard.
- Everybody is always short of money so preventative maintenance is rare.
- You're a foreigner so its open season on you regarding pricing & honesty about vehicles.
- You're a foreigner so its open season on you regarding extortion of money by traffic cops.
- You're a foreigner so its open season on you regarding extorting money by other drivers who will be only too pleased to slam into you & then claim 'compensation'. The corrupt legal system is always on their side.
- And of course there is the ever present problem of locals overestimating your net worth x10. Your pinay will steer you toward purchases way outside your budget often.

Bottom line,
* develop some contacts in the trade, this will help enormously for the inevitable repairs...
* be extra EXTRA careful selecting a used vehicle.
* get Insurance!!!!!!!!!
* Always carry a big wad of money for bribing traffic cops to leave you the fuck alone. You may go a long time without bother but you will be stopped sooner or later.
* In Mania having the business card &/or phone number of a congressman can often be enough to intimidate a greedy traffic cop into backing down. You start out polite & play the dumb foreigner, if they push their luck look irritated pull out your cell phone, tell them you are ringing your friend congressman (insert slimeball). They assume you are wealthy & have contacts. Contacts are feared in this corrupt country. Never get agressive - you will always lose. As a last resort bribe them.
* never carry your original license, carry a photocopy (xerox), cops delight in taking you license & forcing you to go to great trouble in city hall to get it back (at great expense).

Having said all that you can pick up bargains from down at heel pinoys (gambling debts, failed business's, sudden medical costs).

Cheers
AV

[GoodEnough]

What works for me is politely explaining to the traffic cop that you need his name and badge number, as before you do anything else, you're going to call citizen services at your embassy. After which, you'd be happy to go to the police station. They will typically back off within seconds.

GE

[Robbaf]

Two fast stories:

First Guy A is an American friend of mine, 32 years old and married. Came to the Philippines for 6 months work. He met a girl from a bar and she quit the bar and because his FREE girl. He gave her 500P here or there to meet him and while with him he paid for everything (hotels, food, clothes) and he told me that she understands that he is married and leaving. He told me that he used the Love word after she did. Well he left last month and now she is going crazy and trying to call his home in he states. She googled his name and state and found his Facebook and home phone number. He is so worried about his wife getting the call.

Second Guy B is also a friend of mine, British and 46 years old and single. He was here for over a year. He met a girl in LA Cafe and took her home. First night he paid her and got her number. Started texting her and ended up seeing her for 6 months. According to him, no promises made to her, just hang out when he was in Manila and she said that she didn't need any money (again according to him). He left the Philippines last Oct 09 for Afghanistan and basically told her that it was over. She drank bleach and killed herself and the police has been calling him wanting him to come in and talk to him. He was scheduled to return to the Philippines last month, but now he is worried that his passport may be flagged.

Both of these stories unfolded in the last month:(

My point to these stories is: Pay them to leave...if you are truly not looking for a wife, don't play with freebies.

RobbUpdate:

First guy gave the girl his work email and one day wasn't thinking and his wife walked in his office (they work in same building) and he was busted. They are trying to work it out.

Second guy was here Aug 16-20 in Manila. We talked when I returned from Hawaii and he had no issues with the PNP.

Robb

[ILoveChicas]

Hey guys,

I'm hoping someone can help with a little bit of info.

I'm looking for an online community forum (expats or locals) or legit city office in the area who can answer a business related question about Markina (sp?) where I understand there is a large district of shoe makers. I'm looking for some info on schools that teach people to make shoes by hand. Do they exist? Any place to get info on it?

Any info would be appreciated. I'm not available to PM here unfortunately. Off channel email accepted at juero59 a the popular "Y" email service.

Thanks!

[Spam Hog]

Hey guys,

I'm hoping someone can help with a little bit of info.

I'm looking for an online community forum (expats or locals) or legit city office in the area who can answer a business related question about Markina (sp?) where I understand there is a large district of shoe makers. I'm looking for some info on schools that teach people to make shoes by hand. Do they exist? Any place to get info on it?

Any info would be appreciated. I'm not available to PM here unfortunately. Off channel email accepted at juero59 a the popular "Y" email service.

Thanks!Very likely you will find all sorts of little hide away factories in various pockets around a business district. Not what you might expect, some are just holes in the wall. I am aware of such palces in the CEbU area but sorry am unfamiliar with Manila.

Theres a little factory close to me which makes ISLANDER brand shoes and sandals. Out on Mactaan island there is a whole compounbd dedicated to all sorts of small businesses like you are asking about, export quality. Problem is most of these places don't go on the internet. I would research around and find out the local chamber of commerce(Markina/Melate/Manila?) which usually has a web site and start my queries thru them regading business ventures.

Spamhog

[Carmex]

Thanks Jackson for the cleanup!

[Going Low]

There are pros on cons of the taxi/car decision, but it is not an either/or decision. I owned a car when I lived in Manila, and sometimes I would still take a taxi for the reasons mentioned. But having a car was also VERY convenient. And once you live out here, it will be socially awkward to not have one. In many places, Ayala Alabang for example, taxis are just not available, so someone has to drive you to a taxi stand. And there will be times when it is raining, and you are just stuck for a while until you can find a taxi. The bottom line is if you have about 15K a month extra in your budget, buy a cheap car. If not, then don't.You can also always just rent a car, very cheap compared to taxis.

One of the cheapest here linked: http://www.laspinas.info

[Amavida]

Am I mistaken in feeling there is a disturbing upwards trend in foreigner killings lately?

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=614418&publicationSubCategoryId=67

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=614413&publicationSubCategoryId=67

Seems to be a daily event now..
AV

[Starchild2012]

Am I mistaken in feeling there is a disturbing upwards trend in foreigner killings lately?

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=614418&publicationSubCategoryId=67

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=614413&publicationSubCategoryId=67

Seems to be a daily event now..
AV

Yep and the worse thing is no protest or complaints from UK or American embassy...they are just letting it go...if these were Chinese guys at this moment in time due to other issues hehehehe...i think the Chinese would have tossed PH from the map itself.

It was only other day, a British guy was hacked by jealous bf..before that some guy shot an american living in luzon.....its getting more difficult to keep a track on these killings now a days. As all papers says the same thing...two gunmen on bike shot dead so and so

[Wicked Roger]

Yep and the worse thing is no protest or complaints from UK or American embassy...they are just letting it go...if these were Chinese guys at this moment in time due to other issues hehehehe...i think the Chinese would have tossed PH from the map itself.

It was only other day, a British guy was hacked by jealous bf..before that some guy shot an american living in luzon.....its getting more difficult to keep a track on these killings now a days. As all papers says the same thing...two gunmen on bike shot dead so and so

There has a lot of chatter on other PI boards on this and especially AC where many seem to occur, some blogging on this seem to think much is jealousy and/or the wife's relatives getting greedy.

Some are also linking the latest UK guy to the fact that he sea swapped (as captain) of a vessel inside PI waters that was later impounded with a SA captain in charge who had entered as a tourist and the authorities found lots of firearms.

Sometimes more to it than it seems but many in AC who I know are thinking of moving on as too many murders per head of westen expat population

[Red Kilt]

There has a lot of chatter on other PI boards on this and especially AC where many seem to occur, some blogging on this seem to think much is jealousy and/or the wife's relatives getting greedy......

Even scarier than that WR. (maybe this should be on the Chat & Pen Pals site but it fits with this discussion).

A girl told me on Monday that a friend of hers and her hubby had composed a profile on DIA to try to get some guy hooked to meet her in a hotel and the hubby was then going to report them to the hotel on the basis of the law on adultery (yes - there is a law against it) and cause a stir.
He would agree to withdraw his complaint and keep it all quiet for a cash payment.
I really quizzed this girl and she was adamant that it was true. The husband of her friend had a good job and was well-educated and they had hatched this plan because they realised how many visitors were using DIA to set up girls for sex. It was not clear if they had tried it yet - my friend didn't know. She was appalled by the idea.

Be very careful who you are meeting on DIA guys. It scared the shit out of me. Yet another reason to stop them from texting all the time

[KongKing]

Just reading the latest Philippines Expat Newspaper.

On the back page the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Philippines says "I would like to felicitate my Muslim brothers and sisters on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Fitr".

Is this the appropriate forum to ask what must you do "to felicitate" your brothers and sisters??

[GoodEnough]

There has a lot of chatter on other PI boards on this and especially AC where many seem to occur, some blogging on this seem to think much is jealousy and/or the wife's relatives getting greedy.

Some are also linking the latest UK guy to the fact that he sea swapped (as captain) of a vessel inside PI waters that was later impounded with a SA captain in charge who had entered as a tourist and the authorities found lots of firearms.

Sometimes more to it than it seems but many in AC who I know are thinking of moving on as too many murders per head of westen expat population

I've lived here now for about 7 years and some of my close friends have lived here for 20 years or so. My more limited experience and their much more extensive experience suggest two things relative to remaining safe: first that you should never make the sometimes fatal mistake of thinking that you understand the country, the culture or it's people. You don't. Second, and a corollary of the first, don't do anything, ever, regardless of the ostensible provocation to call undue attention to yourself. Some guys come here thinking that their money, their self-imagined status, their skin color or their arrogance offers some sort of automatic indemnification. It doesn't. You have no protection at all save your anonymity and sometimes even that won't save you from harm.

GE

[Amavida]

Even scarier than that WR. (maybe this should be on the Chat & Pen Pals site but it fits with this discussion).

A girl told me on Monday that a friend of hers and her hubby had composed a profile on DIA to try to get some guy hooked to meet her in a hotel and the hubby was then going to report them to the hotel on the basis of the law on adultery (yes - there is a law against it) and cause a stir.
He would agree to withdraw his complaint and keep it all quiet for a cash payment.
I really quizzed this girl and she was adamant that it was true. The husband of her friend had a good job and was well-educated and they had hatched this plan because they realised how many visitors were using DIA to set up girls for sex. It was not clear if they had tried it yet - my friend didn't know. She was appalled by the idea.

Be very careful who you are meeting on DIA guys. It scared the shit out of me. Yet another reason to stop them from texting all the time
Good advice. There has been a sea change IMHO. There is a lot more hustle these days. II've always kept a strict quarantine between my naughty life & my everyday life. I'm kinda glad I have now. It's still fun here but i'm feeling less comfortable & more cautious with each passing year.

AV

[Amavida]

I've lived here now for about 7 years and some of my close friends have lived here for 20 years or so. My more limited experience and their much more extensive experience suggest two things relative to remaining safe: first that you should never make the sometimes fatal mistake of thinking that you understand the country, the culture or it's people. You don't. Second, and a corollary of the first, don't do anything, ever, regardless of the ostensible provocation to call undue attention to yourself. Some guys come here thinking that their money, their self-imagined status, their skin color or their arrogance offers some sort of automatic indemnification. It doesn't. You have no protection at all save your anonymity and sometimes even that won't save you from harm.

GEabsolutely agree with you that acting like a cock will get you in deep shit. however i'm sure you would also agree that it you live in one place for long then the whole barangay seems to know your business. I would advise to quietly, carefully cultivate contacts at all levels. Good manners & good contacts make life a lot safer.
After five years i'm carefully weighing my options looking elsewhere to settle.

AV

[Sammon]

even scarier than that wr. (maybe this should be on the chat & pen pals site but it fits with this discussion).

a girl told me on monday that a friend of hers and her hubby had composed a profile on dia to try to get some guy hooked to meet her in a hotel and the hubby was then going to report them to the hotel on the basis of the law on adultery (yes - there is a law against it) and cause a stir.
he would agree to withdraw his complaint and keep it all quiet for a cash payment.
i really quizzed this girl and she was adamant that it was true. the husband of her friend had a good job and was well-educated and they had hatched this plan because they realised how many visitors were using dia to set up girls for sex. it was not clear if they had tried it yet - my friend didn't know. she was appalled by the idea.

be very careful who you are meeting on dia guys. it scared the shit out of me. yet another reason to stop them from texting all the time
i doubt very much this would cause a problem about adultery. however if the girl claims [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) or sexual misconduct in the room it is a different matter. yes,there are lots of scams out there. but i have not heard of lots of foreigners are locked up because of these scams.
in spite of all the publicity of how corrupt phi police are, there are some rules they need to follow if the foreigners are arrested. once the embassy gets involved they need to show proof, evidence etc. they certainly do not want bad rapport with foreign embassies.
theoretically any girl you take to the room including bargirls, freelancers can put you into legal trouble with police. does it happen? no. have any girl taken from the bars gotten the person who barfined her into trouble? no.
i have met few dia girls and had sex with them including some virgins. none gave me any problems or demands. i met one girl in manila on dia and within a day she came to my room and we had sex. she ended up staying with me for few days. does it mean it is a scam and i should avoid? no. all mongering activities come with inherent risks. mongering happens all over the world. even in china, vietnam, laos to name a few foreigners are not allowed to have female companions in the room unless they are married. how many people are arrested over this?
i would advice normal caution whenever you try dia girls or freelancers say from manila bay cafe or anywhere. just be extra nice to all girls and do not force any girl to have sex. when she says no, it means no anywhere even if you spent lot of money or paid barfine.
many of these scam people definitely do not want police involved. they know once police are involved they become targets because they live locally. yes, they can threaten. in case that happens few pesos will definitely sove the problem.

[Amavida]

Yep and the worse thing is no protest or complaints from UK or American embassy...they are just letting it go...if these were Chinese guys at this moment in time due to other issues hehehehe...i think the Chinese would have tossed PH from the map itself.

It was only other day, a British guy was hacked by jealous bf..before that some guy shot an american living in luzon.....its getting more difficult to keep a track on these killings now a days. As all papers says the same thing...two gunmen on bike shot dead so and so
I was talking to the Australian vice consul in Manila the other day, her attitude was so breathtakingly cynical. she see's her job as collecting fees & processing paperwork. What ever happens to you, it's your fault & don't expect any help from them. No shit.

AV

[Amavida]

i doubt very much this would cause a problem about adultery. however if the girl claims [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) or sexual misconduct in the room it is a different matter. yes,there are lots of scams out there. but i have not heard of lots of foreigners are locked up because of these scams.
in spite of all the publicity of how corrupt phi police are, there are some rules they need to follow if the foreigners are arrested. once the embassy gets involved they need to show proof, evidence etc. they certainly do not want bad rapport with foreign embassies.
theoretically any girl you take to the room including bargirls, freelancers can put you into legal trouble with police. does it happen? no. have any girl taken from the bars gotten the person who barfined her into trouble? no.
i have met few dia girls and had sex with them including some virgins. none gave me any problems or demands. i met one girl in manila on dia and within a day she came to my room and we had sex. she ended up staying with me for few days. does it mean it is a scam and i should avoid? no. all mongering activities come with inherent risks. mongering happens all over the world. even in china, vietnam, laos to name a few foreigners are not allowed to have female companions in the rootoo m unless they are married. how many people are arrested over this?
i would advice normal caution whenever you try dia girls or freelancers say from manila bay cafe or anywhere. just be extra nice to all girls and do not force any girl to have sex. when she says no, it means no anywhere even if you spent lot of money or paid barfine.
many of these scam people definitely do not want police involved. they know once police are involved they become targets because they live locally. yes, they can threaten. in case that happens few pesos will definitely sove the problem.
on the contrary, adultery laws are policed in this corrupt & hypocritical country. if a local makes a theatrical police complaint against you the cops get real fucking righteousness real quick. be prepared to pay big bribes.
your faith in embassies & consulates is very naive.
they will do nothing unless pushed by publicity & then do fuck all.

av

[Jambo]

Gotta say all the reports of violence is giving me second thoughts about moving to the PI. I have about 2 yrs of experience in short-term stays. Living there for 20+ years as I plan, seems a long time to worry about shit.

Actually my fav country in Asia is Malaysia, but I wrote it off as a retirement place as I just assumed it was too expensive. Now I am looking at it again. May not be as expensive as all that. And I find they have an incentive program called Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) for retirees. If you are over 50 and can show about USD 2,900 in monthly income, you can qualify. The visa lasts years and is renewable and so far I haven't heard about any big fees for that. I am liking that right away.

Ok and here is the PI connection (why I post it here). They have various incentives, such as tax-free purchases of a car. But they ALSO:
Each applicant is allowed to apply for one maid (ie working visa from out of the country) Hmmm? You thinking what I am thinking? ...shoot if I could import a maid to the US I wouldn't have had to get married!

[GoodEnough]

I think there's a huge difference, in perception and behavior, between guys who live here and those who are only visiting. For the most part, those of us who live here adapt fairly quickly to the style and pace of the country and don't get into many ticklish situations. Where I live, in Davao, I have never heard of any violence directed at expatriates and there is a large and growing expat community.

GE


Gotta say all the reports of violence is giving me second thoughts about moving to the PI. I have about 2 yrs of experience in short-term stays. Living there for 20+ years as I plan, seems a long time to worry about shit.

Actually my fav country in Asia is Malaysia, but I wrote it off as a retirement place as I just assumed it was too expensive. Now I am looking at it again. May not be as expensive as all that. And I find they have an incentive program called Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) for retirees. If you are over 50 and can show about USD 2,900 in monthly income, you can qualify. The visa lasts years and is renewable and so far I haven't heard about any big fees for that. I am liking that right away.

Ok and here is the PI connection (why I post it here). They have various incentives, such as tax-free purchases of a car. But they ALSO: Hmmm? You thinking what I am thinking? ...shoot if I could import a maid to the US I wouldn't have had to get married!

[GoodEnough]

absolutely agree with you that acting like a cock will get you in deep shit. however i'm sure you would also agree that it you live in one place for long then the whole barangay seems to know your business. I would advise to quietly, carefully cultivate contacts at all levels. Good manners & good contacts make life a lot safer.
After five years i'm carefully weighing my options looking elsewhere to settle.

AV

I'm thinking along much the same lines. I am still working here, but I am thinking about where to go when I finally decide to slow down. I don't think I want to return to the US, and probably will not return to France long-term. I have thought about Thailand and even considered Cambodia, but the lack of adequate medical care in the latter concerns me. Bali remains a possibility, as I have a friend there who thinks it may be the ideal retirement destination.

I am lucky enough to live in a large, gated community here and don't interact very much with the neighbors. It's a very private place and I live a very "normal" life, so I don't attract much attention, and no one takes any particular interest in me.

My reason for looking elsewhere is that I am simply bored with the country on the one hand, and on the other find that it's utter hopelessness has gotten to me.

GE

[ThatGuy865]

i doubt very much this would cause a problem about adultery. however if the girl claims [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) or sexual misconduct in the room it is a different matter. yes, there are lots of scams out there. but i have not heard of lots of foreigners are locked up because of these scams.

in spite of all the publicity of how corrupt phi police are, there are some rules they need to follow if the foreigners are arrested. once the embassy gets involved they need to show proof, evidence etc. they certainly do not want bad rapport with foreign embassies.

theoretically any girl you take to the room including bargirls, freelancers can put you into legal trouble with police. does it happen? no. have any girl taken from the bars gotten the person who barfined her into trouble? no.

i have met few dia girls and had sex with them including some virgins. none gave me any problems or demands. i met one girl in manila on dia and within a day she came to my room and we had sex. she ended up staying with me for few days. does it mean it is a scam and i should avoid? no. all mongering activities come with inherent risks. mongering happens all over the world. even in china, vietnam, laos to name a few foreigners are not allowed to have female companions in the room unless they are married. how many people are arrested over this?

i would advice normal caution whenever you try dia girls or freelancers say from manila bay cafe or anywhere. just be extra nice to all girls and do not force any girl to have sex. when she says no, it means no anywhere even if you spent lot of money or paid barfine.

many of these scam people definitely do not want police involved. they know once police are involved they become targets because they live locally. yes, they can threaten. in case that happens few pesos will definitely sove the problem.you are so mistaken. i have 2 friends both who were thrown in jail. one spent 1 year in their jail. a cherry girl went back to the bar and claimed [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) and he was thrown in jail. he refused to pay the high bribe money. about 10k usd. i don't know whether he just didn't have it or what. but he didn't pay it. and he spent a year in prison there. before they let him out. i don't know if the charges were dropped or what cause as soon as he was let out he jump on the 1st plane out of there. and no one has heard from him sice. the second one got caught up with the **** scam. a girl he had seen a couple of times. then the last time. as soon as she got her clothes off. knock knock knock. thats right. whos at the door but mr le and some woman claiming to be her aunt and saying she's ****. they took him to jail. he spent the night then they took him to the atm. then the bank. for a total cost of 8k usd. embassy hell. if they pick you up. you can forget any help and both these guys were expats living there. they thought they knew all there was to know about so called laying low. well its like the sharks in the sea and you're the tuna. yeah you can swin around and maybe nothing will happen. but. you be in the wrong place at the right time. you can kiss you ass goodbye if you don't have the payoff. and jail/prison is no joke there. other expat i know there had to keep taking up collections to keep my one buddy fed for that year.

so you just keep on thinking because you're a foreigner that will save your ass you have another thingcoming. and first of all. they take your cell phone when they pick you up. so how do you get in touch with the embassy and they don't have any authority in a foreign country. if you are accused of a crime. justice just has to take its course. they will tell you. maybe they might recommend a good lawyer. thats about the extent of their help.

[FreebieFan]

Gotta say all the reports of violence is giving me second thoughts about moving to the PI. I have about 2 yrs of experience in short-term stays. Living there for 20+ years as I plan, seems a long time to worry about shit.

Actually my fav country in Asia is Malaysia, but I wrote it off as a retirement place as I just assumed it was too expensive. Now I am looking at it again. May not be as expensive as all that. And I find they have an incentive program called Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) for retirees. If you are over 50 and can show about USD 2,900 in monthly income, you can qualify. The visa lasts years and is renewable and so far I haven't heard about any big fees for that. I am liking that right away.

Ok and here is the PI connection (why I post it here). They have various incentives, such as tax-free purchases of a car. But they ALSO: Hmmm? You thinking what I am thinking? ...shoot if I could import a maid to the US I wouldn't have had to get married!I would come and live here first for a while before looking at it as a permanent place. As I noted in our PMs, theres an abundance of puss in Phils whereas at first glance theres a serious lack of it here. Second glance and the benefit of some investment of time and theres lot of puss. Depends whether you have the time, or can muster the effort and motivation.

If acountry had the population and the traffic of Malaysia and the readily available puss of Philippines, it would be a Utopia.

[Red Kilt]

But I have not heard of lots of foreigners are locked up because of these scams. .....................
Many of these scam people definitely do not want police involved. They know once Police are involved they become targets because they live locally. Yes, they can threaten. In case that happens few pesos will definitely sove the problem.

Of course you rarely hear of foreigners being locked up because they pay up as soon as the aggrieved party yells.
It is sometimes just a few thousand pesos.

Police are rarely involved becos the foreigner is shit scared of his name being tarnished, and the VERY LAST thing he wants is for the Embassy to be notified.

Both Amavida and Good Enough make excellent and very valuable points. If you live here like we do, you learn to be very circumspect and you pick your fun VERY carefully. We have the luxury of having the time to do this - those of you who fly in for 2 weeks hit-and-run have to take the risks.

Most get away with it. DIA is not loaded with scammers. You just have to ask very tough questions to ensure your safety. Our key point is to be careful, never be naive, and think always with the big head.

[Red Kilt]

Hi RK, I have a date with a DIA girl In Dumaguete, and a CB girl in Manila and two in Cebu. They claim to be 22, 18, 19 and 20, respectively. Should I ask to see their ID or can I trust what they are telling me ? Thanks.

Nahhh you can trust filipinas. They always tell the absolute truth. They are all good Catholic girls and they never tell lies.

On the other hand ..... LOL. Even IDs don't necessarily help as most are fake.

My solution is to go for the ones who are obviously old enough hehehe. Nothing can be assured in the Phils, The land of assumptions.

[Hefner In Davao]

I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?

Consider the following scenario:

Harry Expat rents a big house somewhere in Mindanao (Davao City or CDO) and maintains a staff of 3-7 live-in girlfriends plus several part-timers to take care of his every sexual whim and fantasy. These girls would preferably be bisexual three-holers, and like group activities and sex toys. They would have all passed STD checks, so it is definitely bareback time. Basically, the goal is to live a porn star lifestyle, but without the cameras.

This is a hypothetical situation, but for purposes of this post, let’s assume Harry has a hypothetical budget of $9000 USD per month to cover everything from rent, living expenses, salaries, payments, etc. Consider this general breakdown:

• $3000 USD per month on direct payments to girls, plus
• $3000 USD per month for rent on a huge house (with pool), plus
• $3000 USD per month to cover food, liquor, utilities, a couple of maids, a driver, a couple of mama sans to manage the girls, pimps, taking the girls out, recruiting expenses, cars, gas, etc.

The house would be a fairly nice place to live, and the girls would likely get their own room or share a room. Thus, their pay would be room and board plus a salary of $200-$500 per month. The girls need to be on site and ready 24 hours a day, 20 days a month.

1) Is this doable? Any overall comments?

2) Is Harry Expat asking for trouble with the law, even if he makes darn sure the girls are over 18? Suppose he fires a girl and she runs to the cops?

3) What about nosy neighbors? Would a gated property in a gated community in the suburbs of Davao City or CDO provide enough privacy?

4) If Harry Expat wants to get rid of a live-in, will it be easy to kick her out?

5) What do you guys think about the pay? The hotter the girl, the more she makes. If they are Makati quality mega hotties, they get top dollar - $500 per month plus room and board.

6) Considering access to quality girls, privacy, cost of real estate, would you recommend CDO, Davao City, or someplace else?

7) I imagine this can be done for much, much less…..Maybe even as low as $3000-$4000 a month.

I would especially like to hear what GoodEnough thinks....

[FreebieFan]

I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?

Harry Expat rents a big house somewhere in Mindanao (Davao City or CDO) and maintains a staff of 3-7 live-in girlfriends plus several part-timers to take care of his every sexual whim and fantasy. These girls would preferably be bisexual three-holers, and like group activities and sex toys. They would have all passed STD checks, so it is definitely bareback time. Basically, the goal is to live a porn star lifestyle, but without the cameras.

1) Is this doable? Any overall comments?

2) Is Harry Expat asking for trouble with the law, even if he makes darn sure the girls are over 18? Suppose he fires a girl and she runs to the cops?

3) What about nosy neighbors? Would a gated property in a gated community in the suburbs of Davao City or CDO provide enough privacy?

4) If Harry Expat wants to get rid of a live-in, will it be easy to kick her out?

5) What do you guys think about the pay? The hotter the girl, the more she makes. If they are Makati quality mega hotties, they get top dollar. $500 per month plus room and board.

6) Considering access to quality girls, privacy, cost of real estate, would you recommend CDO, Davao City, or someplace else?

7) I imagine this can be done for much, much less. Maybe even as low as $3000-$4000 a month.

I would especially like to hear what GoodEnough thinks.Its a fantastic idea, but in response to Number 2. You wil be in touble withh the law quicker than a BJ bar girl can swallow.

Every man and their dog will be onto you if they know you have highly disposable cheese.

But the girls. Will very quickly involve the police for "lascivious behavior violations, violating the rights of a Filipina (they will charge kidnap), crimes against the Public Morals, offences against decency, including grave scandal, and immoral doctrines.

These are all published laws on the Philppines Statute and the police will think its Christmas and lotto winning time if they can get you on any/all or some of these charges.

Its a great idea but sadly, its destined to remain a dream I think.

[Ekspat]

Welcome to "Living in the Philippines......"
Today in the morning I saw a documentary about the
massacre of 23rd November '09 on History channel.
So horrible. :(

Seems the bus tragedy in Manila was kindergarten compared with this.

Cheers!

[GoodEnough]

What does Goodenough think? He thinks, on the off chance that you're serious, that he would like to be your first house guest, and I could drive the welcome wagon.

I assume that you meant this as a sort of whimsical post not to be taken seriously. However, since you did ask:

1. Your budget is probably $2,000 or so too high.
2. If you try this in a gated community you have a good chance of being lynched. It would take the chismiss vine about 30 seconds to pick up on what you were doing and maybe a day to have you deported unpleasantly. These are enclaves of at least outwardly conservative, upper middle class Filipinos who know everything going on in their communities.
3. At least one of the girls would see an opportunity to make some major money by threatening to turn you into the cops, who would look on you as the answer to every financial prayer ever uttered.
4. You might get away with this for a while in a semi-rural area, but never in Davao or CDO.
5. It would take the guards in a gated community about 20 seconds to realize what was going on and either report you or shake you down.
6. You would be the chief topic of gossip of every expat in town, and word of your community of eroticism would eventually reach an outraged, self-appointed moral arbiter who would turn you into the cops pr an NGO alleging you are trafficking in persons and you could read about yourself in the New York Times.

Take your pick, but any way you cut it, it's a dangerous idea. Though I'm sure you knew that already.

GE

[GoodEnough]

Welcome to "Living in the Philippines......"
Today in the morning I saw a documentary about the
massacre of 23rd November '09 on History channel.
So horrible. :(

Seems the bus tragedy in Manila was kindergarten compared with this.

Cheers!
I watched it on the History Channel as well. It makes the country look like something out of Kafka. There was little in the way of new information for me, but the graphic photos illustrated far better than mere words, how outrageously grotesque the whole thing was.

GE

[Hefner In Davao]

I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?

Consider the following scenario:

Harry Expat rents a big house somewhere in Mindanao (Davao City or CDO) and maintains a staff of 3-7 live-in girlfriends plus several part-timers to take care of his every sexual whim and fantasy. These girls would preferably be bisexual three-holers, and like group activities and sex toys. They would have all passed STD checks, so it is definitely bareback time. Basically, the goal is to live a porn star lifestyle, but without the cameras.

This is a hypothetical situation, but for purposes of this post, let’s assume Harry has a hypothetical budget of $9000 USD per month to cover everything from rent, living expenses, salaries, payments, etc. Consider this general breakdown:

• $3000 USD per month on direct payments to girls, plus
• $3000 USD per month for rent on a huge house (with pool), plus
• $3000 USD per month to cover food, liquor, utilities, a couple of maids, a driver, a couple of mama sans to manage the girls, pimps, taking the girls out, recruiting expenses, cars, gas, etc.

The house would be a fairly nice place to live, and the girls would likely get their own room or share a room. Thus, their pay would be room and board plus a salary of $200-$500 per month. The girls need to be on site and ready 24 hours a day, 20 days a month.

1) Is this doable? Any overall comments?

2) Is Harry Expat asking for trouble with the law, even if he makes darn sure the girls are over 18? Suppose he fires a girl and she runs to the cops?

3) What about nosy neighbors? Would a gated property in a gated community in the suburbs of Davao City or CDO provide enough privacy?

4) If Harry Expat wants to get rid of a live-in, will it be easy to kick her out?

5) What do you guys think about the pay? The hotter the girl, the more she makes. If they are Makati quality mega hotties, they get top dollar - $500 per month plus room and board.

6) Considering access to quality girls, privacy, cost of real estate, would you recommend CDO, Davao City, or someplace else?

7) I imagine this can be done for much, much less…..Maybe even as low as $3000-$4000 a month.

I would especially like to hear what GoodEnough thinks....Would it work in Thailand, or anywhere?

[WestCoast1]

Would it work in Thailand, or anywhere?Tried to PM you, but can't.

[WestCoast1]

Would it work in Thailand, or anywhere?Tried to PM you Hef, but can't.

[FreebieFan]

It'S just a small amount compared to the moral values that we are going to lose, " Castro said. "Apparently for that measly sum of money in the name of fighting poverty, here we are again, selling out the Filipino soul. It's just sad. "

" In a phone interview, Castro said the Church "would rather focus directly on the people to give them the needed values formation so that whatever the government does, their moral values and thinking will remain intact. "

So here we are. The Phils government receives a huge piece of financial aid, the President says he wants to help people make better choices by making them better informed, and the Head in the Sand God Believers are on his case.

And when the population hits 150 million (as it will) and there is no more space for roads hospitals and schools, quality of life declines to zero, poverty traps more than 50%, what would the Church then say.

Pray and things will get better probably is about their only available response.

Moral values? Hmm. Are there any in the first place?

[Tomasb]

Might work...but in Utah/



I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?

Consider the following scenario:

Harry Expat rents a big house somewhere in Mindanao (Davao City or CDO) and maintains a staff of 3-7 live-in girlfriends plus several part-timers to take care of his every sexual whim and fantasy. These girls would preferably be bisexual three-holers, and like group activities and sex toys. They would have all passed STD checks, so it is definitely bareback time. Basically, the goal is to live a porn star lifestyle, but without the cameras.

This is a hypothetical situation, but for purposes of this post, let’s assume Harry has a hypothetical budget of $9000 USD per month to cover everything from rent, living expenses, salaries, payments, etc. Consider this general breakdown:

• $3000 USD per month on direct payments to girls, plus
• $3000 USD per month for rent on a huge house (with pool), plus
• $3000 USD per month to cover food, liquor, utilities, a couple of maids, a driver, a couple of mama sans to manage the girls, pimps, taking the girls out, recruiting expenses, cars, gas, etc.

The house would be a fairly nice place to live, and the girls would likely get their own room or share a room. Thus, their pay would be room and board plus a salary of $200-$500 per month. The girls need to be on site and ready 24 hours a day, 20 days a month.

1) Is this doable? Any overall comments?

2) Is Harry Expat asking for trouble with the law, even if he makes darn sure the girls are over 18? Suppose he fires a girl and she runs to the cops?

3) What about nosy neighbors? Would a gated property in a gated community in the suburbs of Davao City or CDO provide enough privacy?

4) If Harry Expat wants to get rid of a live-in, will it be easy to kick her out?

5) What do you guys think about the pay? The hotter the girl, the more she makes. If they are Makati quality mega hotties, they get top dollar - $500 per month plus room and board.

6) Considering access to quality girls, privacy, cost of real estate, would you recommend CDO, Davao City, or someplace else?

7) I imagine this can be done for much, much less…..Maybe even as low as $3000-$4000 a month.

I would especially like to hear what GoodEnough thinks....

[Starchild2012]

I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?



The problem here is only location. You can do it in Manila. Yeah. There is a misconception that more you move to a province the more you won't be noticed.

On the contrary, you will most likely end up as GoodEnough described. If you do your act in Manila....no one cares what goes on around you. People are too busy in Manila and its a city of more than 10 million. You can easily live your Hefner dream in a sea of humanity.

7 may be too much..start with 2 and then slowly take the number to 3-4. Upto 4 would not be an issue..with 7 girls..half of them would be cheating behind you and would have 70 more issues to deal with family wise etc etc.

There is a cityland condo in Manila where 500 familes live side by side..pretty good western standard place...i have see 10 people live in one place...most will believe you all are living together to save money. However, change the place every six months to keep a low profile..after 5-6 months..people are bound to notice your lifestyle heehhe :)

i agree with other members, if you are new to PH...it would be difficult and could be dangerous too....you need to understand the filipino way etc etc..atleast spend couple of years with one girl and see if you really want all the trouble with 7 in PH :)

[GoodEnough]

I received a PM yesterday from a forum member suggesting that the so - called Hefner may be the former Hug Monster reborn into a new, equally implausible incarnation. I of course don't know if this is true, but I did notice, even before I got the PM, a certain similarity in the positing of fairly implausible situations. Thecrest of you guys might want to consider this before responding with any seriousness to his posts about fantasy land.

GE

[Wicked Roger]

I received a PM yesterday from a forum member suggesting that the so - called Hefner may be the former Hug Monster reborn into a new, equally implausible incarnation. I of course don't know if this is true, but I did notice, even before I got the PM, a certain similarity in the positing of fairly implausible situations. Thecrest of you guys might want to consider this before responding with any seriousness to his posts about fantasy land.

GE
Would agree GE reading the posts that there is some similarity. Maybe Jackson with all his fancy software can us more before we start posting stuff to please a potential serial idiot/antagonsiot/one handed typist...you know what I mean

And HM has gone quiet very rapidly after rally pissing off people on the other forum

Jackson??

[Hefner In Davao]

Would agree GE reading the posts that there is some similarity. Maybe Jackson with all his fancy software can us more before we start posting stuff to please a potential serial idiot/antagonsiot/one handed typist...you know what I mean

And HM has gone quiet very rapidly after rally pissing off people on the other forum

Jackson??Hi guys,

I assure you that I have not previously posted under a new name. I have been keeping up with these boards for about 4 years now, just never posted. I've been to the Philippines 5 times, including 1 visit to Davao City. I wanted to visit Davao mainly because of Dragonslayer's board. I am planning a trip to CDO soon to check it out, again because of the writings of GE, DS, et al.

My primary motivation for keeping live-ins is protection from STDs. I am not a big fan of condoms, but I use them because I have to and you are taking your life in your hands if you do not. I was exploring alternatives to using condoms and concluded that it may be wise to limit my activities to just a few girls (3-7), have them tested regularly, and keep my eye on them most of the day. Yes, I realize they will be off fucking their Filipino boyfriend the minute my back is turned.

I didnt realize my thinking was so far-fetched. Is is just in need of a little tweaking, or is it really that wacky? Perhaps I limit it to just 4 girls, and pick Manila instead of Davao. Perhaps I choose more modest accommodations rather than a big place in a gated community that will attract attention. What I was looking for from the board is guidance on how to turn an implausible idea into a plausible one.

I have no idea who Hug Monster is, nor am I trying to pick a fight...

Surely I'm not the only guy on this board who is sitting here in CubeVille back in the USA dreaming of the day I can retire to the Philiippines and spend the rest of my life having orgies with 21 year old hotties.

In reality, this is an exercise in retirement planning ten years from now. In order to understand how much income I will need, I need to understand what I would like for my retirement lifestyle to be like. I am hearing that $9k a month USD is way too much and will likely get me busted for being too flashy. However, $5k a month USD would be more than enough to live on and have as much hot booty as I handle. Am I incorrect in that assumption?

I also wonder if Thailand is the better place for this? I hear the environment is far, far less corrupt, the commercial Sex trade is more organized, but it is more expensive.

I am not trying to pick a fight, I am simply trying to seek guidance and advice from people more exerienced on this subject that myself.

And by the way guys, I look exactly like Hugh Hefner, even have the voice and mannerisms down pat.

[Jambo]

a staff of 3-7 live-in girlfriends plus several part-timeres.You're gonna need a bigger boat!

[Simian]

What does Goodenough think? He thinks, on the off chance that you're serious, that he would like to be your first house guest, and I could drive the welcome wagon.

I assume that you meant this as a sort of whimsical post not to be taken seriously. However, since you did ask:

1. Your budget is probably $2,000 or so too high.
2. If you try this in a gated community you have a good chance of being lynched. It would take the chismiss vine about 30 seconds to pick up on what you were doing and maybe a day to have you deported unpleasantly. These are enclaves of at least outwardly conservative, upper middle class Filipinos who know everything going on in their communities.
3. At least one of the girls would see an opportunity to make some major money by threatening to turn you into the cops, who would look on you as the answer to every financial prayer ever uttered.
4. You might get away with this for a while in a semi-rural area, but never in Davao or CDO.
5. It would take the guards in a gated community about 20 seconds to realize what was going on and either report you or shake you down.
6. You would be the chief topic of gossip of every expat in town, and word of your community of eroticism would eventually reach an outraged, self-appointed moral arbiter who would turn you into the cops pr an NGO alleging you are trafficking in persons and you could read about yourself in the New York Times.

Take your pick, but any way you cut it, it's a dangerous idea. Though I'm sure you knew that already.

GE

Here is an idea - start your own religious order. Everyone who goes outside the walled house is wearing a clerical garb. Inside it is a different story. And you are the high priest. Of course you will need a name for your order - you could call it "The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence."

[GoodEnough]

Hef, I didn't mean to start a confrontation either, and I accept that you're not the reborn Hug Monster. That said, I still don't believe your idea is feasible here.

Despite all of the (accurate) posts on the ready availability of nubile, willing sex partners, discretion--especially for foreigners--is a key to long-term survival and happiness here. You can do almost anything you like, so long as you do not call attention to yourself. However, your harem of the willing would be impossible to conceal for long.

It's also impossible to forecast how much monthly income is sufficient. That depends on what lifestyle you wish to live, and where you wish to live it. Here in Davao, you could live very well on $5,000 a month; with a nice house in a gated area, eating where you please, and entertaining a stream of younger companions. In CDO you coule live even better, and in a smaller, more remote place you could probably live like a king. In Manila you could life less well, but still a solid, middle class life. I'm not familiar with Angeles, or the surrounding territory but presumably the same would hold.

I've worked in Thailand as well, and I love the country. However, I don't know Thai culture well enough to predict how the implementation of your idea would be received there.

GE

[ThatGuy865]

Hef

I think your #1 problem would be jealousy. I don't think you would be able to attract the educated middle to upper middle income woman into such a situation. They would want to have their families over and there would be no way they would be able to explain the relationship.

Therefore you would mainly be dealing with the lower income less educated filippina who deals with everything on an emotional level. I know a guy who had 2 girls sharing his house with him. He got them mad. He went out and when he came home. The girls were gone and every thing he owned was too.

I would say the number one reason you hear of foreigners getting killed in the PI has to do with jealousy. Whether by a jealous lover or boyfriend. I have heard of situations where the neighbors got jealous of a foreigner because of his status/percieved luxuries and making false accusations to the police. Who will then scam you.

One jealous women would be all it takes and you would be in a world of hurt. And 3 or 4 emotional young women. If they are in their 20s in the PI then their emotional/rational levels will be about 15 or 16 western. If that. Besides they would drain you dry of money. The constant nagging for money for the families... Id give you 2 weeks before youd want to throw at least 2 out. Then they would run tell people about your scheme. Youd have to move to be safe.

The thought is way more alluring than the reality. JMHO

[Starchild2012]

Hi guys,

I assure you that I have not previously posted under a new name. I have been keeping up with these boards for about 4 years now, just never posted. I've been to the Philippines 5 times, including 1 visit to Davao City. I wanted to visit Davao mainly because of Dragonslayer's board. I am planning a trip to CDO soon to check it out, again because of the writings of GE, DS, et al.



We all have dreams to living like Hef. As GoodEnough has mentioned, you would need a practical approach.

Further on Hefner, he is not what he is projected to be. You would be surprised to know he is the cousin of Bush, obama, tom hanks, brad pitt, dick cheny, lincoln, madonna etc etc....if you do further research he is as scum as his relatives in power.:)

He is allowed to carry on his ways.. because people in power wants it to be that way..if you and me do the same..we would be put behind bars.

He is a member of cabal that rules America...its not a conspiracy...these same families end up in power every time

Check this video to know more about his relations...every scum in America is related to him :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ldZS9PL9KE&feature=PlayList&p=AC57D8AA124E3D9B&index=0&playnext=1

An article on relation with bush

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/politics/main604163.shtml

This Mafia family is what we see everyday as our heroes..if we dig deeper they are all related and trying to screw us over. :)

Good Luck...i hope your dreams come true but not in Hefner ways but like normal guys in this forum which is much safer and practical :)

[Cbea20]

We all have hot sex fantasies. Most of us have the sense not to try to act them out, the unrealistic ones. The Mormons have tried out yours. Picturing it realistically, I see a dysfunctional but not atypical filipino family. The girls, like a bunch of sisters and cousins, spend much of their time fighting over the TV channel or cell phone. They steal from each other. Happy or sad, they are 24/7 chattering in their native language, driving you crazy. The pop music never ceases. My own situation, on the outskirts of a small city, is a roster of girls who come visit. They know generally about the others, and the possibility of replacement by someone new; and so they compete to provide good company and good service.


I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?

The house would be a fairly nice place to live, and the girls would likely get their own room or share a room. Thus, their pay would be room and board plus a salary of $200-$500 per month. The girls need to be on site and ready 24 hours a day, 20 days a month.

1) Is this doable? Any overall comments

[Amavida]

I'm thinking along much the same lines. I am still working here, but I am thinking about where to go when I finally decide to slow down. I don't think I want to return to the US, and probably will not return to France long-term. I have thought about Thailand and even considered Cambodia, but the lack of adequate medical care in the latter concerns me. Bali remains a possibility, as I have a friend there who thinks it may be the ideal retirement destination.

I am lucky enough to live in a large, gated community here and don't interact very much with the neighbors. It's a very private place and I live a very "normal" life, so I don't attract much attention, and no one takes any particular interest in me.

My reason for looking elsewhere is that I am simply bored with the country on the one hand, and on the other find that it's utter hopelessness has gotten to me.

GE
Yep GE, I'm looking at Indon also after toying with the idea of Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand.
Fully agree with your sentiments about hopelessness, Sadly I'm not optimistic about the medium to long term here either, on the contrary, I feel this place is heading for a big crash in the future.
I can't conceive of wanting to resettle in my home country, living & traveling abroad has changed me. My stay at home friends & family can't understand.

AV

[Amavida]

I wanted to ask the group about the feasibility of maintaining a Harem in the Philippines. Is it realistic to be able to live in a place like Mindanao with 3-7 live-in girlfriends? I would imagine that many retired expats are doing this successfully with 3 or more live-ins. Good idea or bad idea?
I personally know some expats who do this down in Dipolog (not me).
Get the picture of a playboy mansion filled with nubile attractive girls out of your head.
One guy I know is a fat bald ugly old man, his 'wives' are plain as dirt dumpy little farm girls. The guy houses them in a nice enough place in an obscure part of town. The 3 girls are all pregnant to him.
His arrangement is known & regarded as a scandal. The only reason the girls family's tolerate it is because he is rich enough to bank roll all their needs.. and they have plenty...

Pretty girls here WILL NOT enter into this.
Keep it a fantasy or move to Utah.

AV

[Paul C]

I'm thinking along much the same lines. I am still working here, but I am thinking about where to go when I finally decide to slow down. I don't think I want to return to the US, and probably will not return to France long-term. I have thought about Thailand and even considered Cambodia, but the lack of adequate medical care in the latter concerns me. Bali remains a possibility, as I have a friend there who thinks it may be the ideal retirement destination.

I am lucky enough to live in a large, gated community here and don't interact very much with the neighbors. It's a very private place and I live a very "normal" life, so I don't attract much attention, and no one takes any particular interest in me.

My reason for looking elsewhere is that I am simply bored with the country on the one hand, and on the other find that it's utter hopelessness has gotten to me.

GEThis is a very interesting topic. I've had this on the back of my mind and I honestly have no idea where I'd move if I ever wanted to (or were forced to) leave the Philippines.

I love Seoul but the weather there sucks (brutally cold winters, wet/muggy monsoon season in the summer). I guess Bangkok would be next on my list, although the visa situation isn't favorable for long-term residence and Thai is by no means an easy language. Same goes for Hong Kong and Cantonese, and also to an extent, mainland China/Taiwan and Mandarin.

I'm actually glad I don't have to think too much about this yet. I've only lived in Manila for two years and I don't see myself getting bored of it any time soon.

[Hefner In Davao]

We all have hot sex fantasies. Most of us have the sense not to try to act them out, the unrealistic ones. The Mormons have tried out yours. Picturing it realistically, I see a dysfunctional but not atypical filipino family. The girls, like a bunch of sisters and cousins, spend much of their time fighting over the TV channel or cell phone. They steal from each other. Happy or sad, they are 24/7 chattering in their native language, driving you crazy. The pop music never ceases. My own situation, on the outskirts of a small city, is a roster of girls who come visit. They know generally about the others, and the possibility of replacement by someone new; and so they compete to provide good company and good service.Yes, this was actually my biggest worry moreso than the cops. Having a bunch of overly emotional, immature women chattering 24/7 in their native language sitting around texting all day would drive me crazy. I can also see them getting really lazy really quickly.

So, I agree. Its not realistic under the scenario that I presented.

[Hefner In Davao]

Hef

I think your #1 problem would be jealousy. I don't think you would be able to attract the educated middle to upper middle income woman into such a situation. They would want to have their families over and there would be no way they would be able to explain the relationship.

Therefore you would mainly be dealing with the lower income less educated filippina who deals with everything on an emotional level. I know a guy who had 2 girls sharing his house with him. He got them mad. He went out and when he came home. The girls were gone and every thing he owned was too.

I would say the number one reason you hear of foreigners getting killed in the PI has to do with jealousy. Whether by a jealous lover or boyfriend. I have heard of situations where the neighbors got jealous of a foreigner because of his status/percieved luxuries and making false accusations to the police. Who will then scam you.

One jealous women would be all it takes and you would be in a world of hurt. And 3 or 4 emotional young women. If they are in their 20s in the PI then their emotional/rational levels will be about 15 or 16 western. If that. Besides they would drain you dry of money. The constant nagging for money for the families. Id give you 2 weeks before youd want to throw at least 2 out. Then they would run tell people about your scheme. Youd have to move to be safe.

The thought is way more alluring than the reality. JMHOAgreed. The girls are the main point of concern, moreso than the cops. Although the cops make it equally unfeasible.

[ThatGuy865]

I personally know some expats who do this down in Dipolog (not me).
Get the picture of a playboy mansion filled with nubile attractive girls out of your head.
One guy I know is a fat bald ugly old man, his 'wives' are plain as dirt dumpy little farm girls. The guy houses them in a nice enough place in an obscure part of town. The 3 girls are all pregnant to him.
His arrangement is known & regarded as a scandal. The only reason the girls family's tolerate it is because he is rich enough to bank roll all their needs.. and they have plenty...

Pretty girls here WILL NOT enter into this.
Keep it a fantasy or move to Utah.

AVI think even if you start off with women who are in shape. They will quickly become fat. The philippine diet is really not good nor is their knowledge of healthy eating. Most are slim due to the amount of work they have to do and the little they have to eat.

In his environment they would not have to work. Food would be abundant. Therefore after just sitting around watching TV all day you would have a fat harem. And once you tried to replace them all hell would break loose. Their families would want retribution because their reputations would be damaged. Plus the funds would stop making them wanting some type of revenge. Whether it be thru LE. I. E. Some sort of scam. Or the family themselves seeking revenge thru a beat down.

Also I don't think even in situations where this happens that its as peachy cream as ones mind might think it is. I doubt there would be all night orgies after the first week had passed and it becomes passe' and they reality of dealing with 3 or 4 women on the rag. I think quickly youd realize how mundane and hard the reality of the situation it truely is.

[Finrod]

Does Hef have a subconscious death wish? I think so... Despite all his alleged visits, he seems to know much less about the way things work/people are in the Phils than most of us do. The naivete expressed in his questions really gives him away.

Hef would best be served staying in AC or Pattaya where he can fill up his cell phone contacts and never go without a different girl for days at a time if variety is that important to him. Not to mention he will be safer practicing that lifestyle in AC/Pattaya than he would trying it in the provinces or in CDO/Davao.

[GoodEnough]

Yep GE, I'm looking at Indon also after toying with the idea of Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand.
Fully agree with your sentiments about hopelessness, Sadly I'm not optimistic about the medium to long term here either, on the contrary, I feel this place is heading for a big crash in the future.
I can't conceive of wanting to resettle in my home country, living & traveling abroad has changed me. My stay at home friends & family can't understand.

AV
I have lived outside for so long, that I don't think I could readjust. I do work with a couple of guys who have live here for almost 20 years, and who remain unaffected by the general craziness of the country. Their perspective is that they live very well, and they've cacooned themselves, with lifestyle and the friends they have. I too have a great life here and live far better in terms of material comforts than I did in the US and France. But somehow I cannot wall myself off from the larger reality of the country they way these guys can. I wish I could.

GE

[FreebieFan]

Yes, this was actually my biggest worry moreso than the cops. Having a bunch of overly emotional, immature women chattering 24/7 in their native language sitting around texting all day would drive me crazy. I can also see them getting really lazy really quickly.

So, I agree. Its not realistic under the scenario that I presented.Give them a big TV and an unlimited ref full of sweetened crap and very soon you will paying them to leave.

LOL

[Hefner In Davao]

Does Hef have a subconscious death wish? I think so... Despite all his alleged visits, he seems to know much less about the way things work/people are in the Phils than most of us do. The naivete expressed in his questions really gives him away.

Hef would best be served staying in AC or Pattaya where he can fill up his cell phone contacts and never go without a different girl for days at a time if variety is that important to him. Not to mention he will be safer practicing that lifestyle in AC/Pattaya than he would trying it in the provinces or in CDO/Davao.If you read my post, you would clearly see a degree of skepticism that this would work at all.

[Wicked Roger]

I have lived outside for so long, that I don't think I could readjust. I do work with a couple of guys who have live here for almost 20 years, and who remain unaffected by the general craziness of the country. Their perspective is that they live very well, and they've cacooned themselves, with lifestyle and the friends they have. I too have a great life here and live far better in terms of material comforts than I did in the US and France. But somehow I cannot wall myself off from the larger reality of the country they way these guys can. I wish I could.

GE
GE

You have more of moral conciuos and care IMHO so you see it differently as I do. Am not sure I could live in PI full time despite liking parts of it. As we have discussed, I like some 'organised chaos' and PI is this is some ways more so than other parts of Asia but the real culture is missing and I would miss that like crazy. It is OK to have some material benefits but without some culture I can get bored..look at where I live now :)

[GoodEnough]

Tonight, I had dinner at Spirale in Damosa. It, and it's sister restaurant Buena Terra on Torres St. are owned by a lovely, intelligent and gracious Spanish/Filipina and her equally gracious husband. Much of the food she sells or uses in the restaurant is imported from Spain.

When I saw her this evening I mentioned my surprise that she had not had any chorizo available for at least a month, and perhaps longer and I asked her why. This precipitated a torrent of explanation about the new government and the new, cumbersome "laws" it had enacted. She told me that goods from Western Europe and Australia are piled in customs warehouses and aren't being released prior to the completion of a newly-imposed, arduous process. When I pointed out that the new regs were obviously designed to create new, and better opportunities to extort bribes, she smiled ruefully and agreed. So much for the new, "clean" administration.

I then asked about her husband who, it seems, had to return to his ancestral island to try to stop the mayor from his home town from stealing his land. Though the land has been in his family for generations, it seems the mayor--who, she said, rules the town like a king--has decided he wants it.

These are nice, smart youngish people who could go overseas whenever they like. Instead, they devoted substantial energy and capital to try to start something here: something that would create local jobs. Instead, the kleptocrats running the so-called government, seeing ever more opportunities to steal, thwart them at every turn. Did I mention that she had also been visited recently by the BIR who told her that her spanking new cash registers are the "wrong kind," and are threatening to, make her replace them unless...guess what?

New administration I guess equals new groups of thieves anxious to get their snouts into the money trough.

Hopeless.

GE

[Amavida]

I think even if you start off with women who are in shape. They will quickly become fat. The philippine diet is really not good nor is their knowledge of healthy eating. Most are slim due to the amount of work they have to do and the little they have to eat.

In his environment they would not have to work. Food would be abundant. Therefore after just sitting around watching TV all day you would have a fat harem. And once you tried to replace them all hell would break loose. Their families would want retribution because their reputations would be damaged. Plus the funds would stop making them wanting some type of revenge. Whether it be thru LE. I. E. Some sort of scam. Or the family themselves seeking revenge thru a beat down.

Also I don't think even in situations where this happens that its as peachy cream as ones mind might think it is. I doubt there would be all night orgies after the first week had passed and it becomes passe' and they reality of dealing with 3 or 4 women on the rag. I think quickly youd realize how mundane and hard the reality of the situation it truely is.
Agreed.
I watched a good documentary on polygamist families in utah. A lot of jealousy amongst the women.
Let's not forget, polygamy is ILLEGAL in PI. Talk about painting a target on your back.... (rolls eyes)

AV

[Amavida]

Tonight, I had dinner at Spirale in Damosa. It, and it's sister restaurant Buena Terra on Torres St. are owned by a lovely, intelligent and gracious Spanish/Filipina and her equally gracious husband. Much of the food she sells or uses in the restaurant is imported from Spain.

When I saw her this evening I mentioned my surprise that she had not had any chorizo available for at least a month, and perhaps longer and I asked her why. This precipitated a torrent of explanation about the new government and the new, cumbersome "laws" it had enacted. She told me that goods from Western Europe and Australia are piled in customs warehouses and aren't being released prior to the completion of a newly-imposed, arduous process. When I pointed out that the new regs were obviously designed to create new, and better opportunities to extort bribes, she smiled ruefully and agreed. So much for the new, "clean" administration.

I then asked about her husband who, it seems, had to return to his ancestral island to try to stop the mayor from his home town from stealing his land. Though the land has been in his family for generations, it seems the mayor--who, she said, rules the town like a king--has decided he wants it.

These are nice, smart youngish people who could go overseas whenever they like. Instead, they devoted substantial energy and capital to try to start something here: something that would create local jobs. Instead, the kleptocrats running the so-called government, seeing ever more opportunities to steal, thwart them at every turn. Did I mention that she had also been visited recently by the BIR who told her that her spanking new cash registers are the "wrong kind," and are threatening to, make her replace them unless...guess what?

New administration I guess equals new groups of thieves anxious to get their snouts into the money trough.

Hopeless.

GE
GE, as a business person i run into this all the time here. Recently i installed a bunch of fire extinguishers to obtain the necessary fire department permit for a new premises. I made sure to get the correct type & like all business people i found a supplier with the best price.
The permit was refused, i was informed i would have to repurchase all extinguishers from a designated supplier who just happened to be the brother of the mayor... the price of course is triple the normal list price...
My bank manager is furious about having the same extortion put to her.
She asked me to marry her & both run away to another country hehe, can't say i blame her...

AV

[Streetlooker]

The harem you most want is there already. Its the Whole TOWN. Its all of the bars filled with girls all willing to please you with there talents and charm and warm hearts. Each bar has lots of girls and you have a place you can take them 1-2-3 or moreat a time all you have to do is fork over the cash and take control. think about it you find a nice girl you like EWR her and she stays as long has you want till you are tired of her then you send her back into your harem and pick out another from it. IF the KING ( Thats you) wants to be alone They leave you alone. If the King wants 3-4 girls sleeping with him that night He simply goes to one of the bars and picks them out. Never let them become pests which IMO they do when you become to close to them

[TurdyCurdyOne]

Any kind soul here offer me some tips on what scams and other pitfalls to avoid when renting an apartment or house in the P.I. I will look for a furnished place first, barring that unfurnished.

I have read some of the ridiculous contracts on some of these places which would not be allowed in the U.S., one demanding payment for 12 months in the form of postdated checks, hhahahahahaha.

What other scams and tricks are played on foreigners who rent there?

[GoodEnough]

Any kind soul here offer me some tips on what scams and other pitfalls to avoid when renting an apartment or house in the P.I. I will look for a furnished place first, barring that unfurnished.

I have read some of the ridiculous contracts on some of these places which would not be allowed in the U.S., one demanding payment for 12 months in the form of postdated checks, hhahahahahaha.

What other scams and tricks are played on foreigners who rent there?
Though this may be tough to believe for those who don't live here, post dated checks are an accepted business practice in this country. One reason is that here are no credit databases, so there's no way to check credit history, and thus no way to assure the validity of clients' promising to pay. The typical lease requirement in Davao is first and last month's rent plus a security deposit equivalent to two or three month's rent.

[GoodEnough]

GE, as a business person i run into this all the time here. Recently i installed a bunch of fire extinguishers to obtain the necessary fire department permit for a new premises. I made sure to get the correct type & like all business people i found a supplier with the best price.
The permit was refused, i was informed i would have to repurchase all extinguishers from a designated supplier who just happened to be the brother of the mayor... the price of course is triple the normal list price...
My bank manager is furious about having the same extortion put to her.
She asked me to marry her & both run away to another country hehe, can't say i blame her...

AV
Tough to work up any optimism for the future of the country isn't it?

[Kngdf5]

One option is to maintain a harem where it is legal and normal. You can have up to 4 women in Muslim countries, like Indonesia. But you must marry them. They'll want children.

[Hefner In Davao]

The harem you most want is there already. Its the Whole TOWN. Its all of the bars filled with girls all willing to please you with there talents and charm and warm hearts. Each bar has lots of girls and you have a place you can take them 1-2-3 or moreat a time all you have to do is fork over the cash and take control. think about it you find a nice girl you like EWR her and she stays as long has you want till you are tired of her then you send her back into your harem and pick out another from it. IF the KING ( Thats you) wants to be alone They leave you alone. If the King wants 3-4 girls sleeping with him that night He simply goes to one of the bars and picks them out. Never let them become pests which IMO they do when you become to close to themThanks for the response. I've taken out several girls at a time from LAC on several occasions, and its just not quite what I'm looking for. My personal best is three from a bar on P. Burgos, but in retrospect, I would have preferred to have taken those girls individually. Its just kinda tough to manage them, its a little clumsy, etc. I am not all that experienced in managing orgies you C. Although I hope to change that someday.

Looks like WR has the orgy thing under control. Maybe I should ask him. LOL

My first threesome was pretty awesome though.

[Hefner In Davao]

Any kind soul here offer me some tips on what scams and other pitfalls to avoid when renting an apartment or house in the P.I. I will look for a furnished place first, barring that unfurnished.

I have read some of the ridiculous contracts on some of these places which would not be allowed in the U.S., one demanding payment for 12 months in the form of postdated checks, hhahahahahaha.

What other scams and tricks are played on foreigners who rent there?A good friend of mine has two units rented out in Quezon City and she asks two months security deposit, one month in advance, and then 11 post dated checks for a one year lease. HTH

[LoveAsianWhores]

Though this may be tough to believe for those who don't live here, post dated checks are an accepted business practice in this country. One reason is that here are no credit databases, so there's no way to check credit history, and thus no way to assure the validity of clients' promising to pay. The typical lease requirement in Davao is first and last month's rent plus a security deposit equivalent to two or three month's rent.You are right that they are an accepted business practice, however, they should be avoided at costs. As opposed the laws in most (if not all) western countries, bouncing a post dated check is fraud in the Philippines and can result in criminal prosecution. All the landlord has to do is take your bounced check to the local prosecuter, and you are in for a serious, and expensive, nightmare. So, if you lose your job and can't make your rent and you move out, you can be prosecuted for bouncing a check (I. E. You have to pay a bribe to the prosecuter and/or landlord). In my apartment renting experiance, I found it common for landlords to require a years rent up front, which you often have to do to rent nicer units in Makati, but there is no way I would give post dated checks to some landlord. Ayala Land or a major bank, maybe, but never to an individual or small company. Just too risky.

[LoveAsianWhores]

i doubt very much this would cause a problem about adultery. however if the girl claims [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) or sexual misconduct in the room it is a different matter. yes, there are lots of scams out there. but i have not heard of lots of foreigners are locked up because of these scams.

in spite of all the publicity of how corrupt phi police are, there are some rules they need to follow if the foreigners are arrested. once the embassy gets involved they need to show proof, evidence etc. they certainly do not want bad rapport with foreign embassies.

theoretically any girl you take to the room including bargirls, freelancers can put you into legal trouble with police. does it happen? no. have any girl taken from the bars gotten the person who barfined her into trouble? no.

i have met few dia girls and had sex with them including some virgins. none gave me any problems or demands. i met one girl in manila on dia and within a day she came to my room and we had sex. she ended up staying with me for few days. does it mean it is a scam and i should avoid? no. all mongering activities come with inherent risks. mongering happens all over the world. even in china, vietnam, laos to name a few foreigners are not allowed to have female companions in the room unless they are married. how many people are arrested over this?

i would advice normal caution whenever you try dia girls or freelancers say from manila bay cafe or anywhere. just be extra nice to all girls and do not force any girl to have sex. when she says no, it means no anywhere even if you spent lot of money or paid barfine.

many of these scam people definitely do not want police involved. they know once police are involved they become targets because they live locally. yes, they can threaten. in case that happens few pesos will definitely sove the problem.

[quote=thatguy865]you are so mistaken. i have 2 friends both who were thrown in jail. one spent 1 year in their jail. a cherry girl went back to the bar and claimed [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) and he was thrown in jail. he refused to pay the high bribe money. about 10k usd. i don't know whether he just didn't have it or what. but he didn't pay it. and he spent a year in prison there. before they let him out. i don't know if the charges were dropped or what cause as soon as he was let out he jump on the 1st plane out of there. and no one has heard from him sice. the second one got caught up with the **** scam. a girl he had seen a couple of times. then the last time. as soon as she got her clothes off. knock knock knock. thats right. whos at the door but mr le and some woman claiming to be her aunt and saying she's ****. they took him to jail. he spent the night then they took him to the atm. then the bank. for a total cost of 8k usd. embassy hell. if they pick you up. you can forget any help and both these guys were expats living there. they thought they knew all there was to know about so called laying low. well its like the sharks in the sea and you're the tuna. yeah you can swin around and maybe nothing will happen. but. you be in the wrong place at the right time. you can kiss you ass goodbye if you don't have the payoff. and jail/prison is no joke there. other expat i know there had to keep taking up collections to keep my one buddy fed for that year.

so you just keep on thinking because you're a foreigner that will save your ass you have another thingcoming. and first of all. they take your cell phone when they pick you up. so how do you get in touch with the embassy and they don't have any authority in a foreign country. if you are accused of a crime. justice just has to take its course. they will tell you. maybe they might recommend a good lawyer. thats about the extent of their help.above you have two extreme, but opposite views on the subject. the reality is somewhere in between. i have lived here for 6 years and have had quite a few girls over the years. if you cosider i have averaged about 2 new girls a week for the past 6 years, it comes to quite a number. and i have taken girls from the grimiest local bars, the best bars of makati and alabang, and everything in between. and while i stay away from anyone ****, i don't check id, so who knows. and of that large number of girls, i have had only one problem; a girl from angeles who cried [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123), and we didn't even have sex! the end result from that one was 20, 000p, about 450 usd, not too bad in my book. of course, i may have just been lucky, but those are my stats. now i can absolutely guarantee that if i tried half the stuff i do here back in the usa, for a period of six years, i'd be locked up or dead before the end of the end of the first year, and thats a fact. where i come from, no bribe will get you off when a girl cries [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123), or the girl turns out to be ****. remember, the police in the usa regularly setup citizens with **** scams, the only difference is that they are motivated to get you put away in jail for many years, and not to get some money out of you. let's not criticize the corruption in this country as it relates to sex, but rather thank the lord!

of course there are risks and you can get burned, but the fact remains that this is still the safest part of the world to partake in this type of activity.

[FreebieFan]

One option is to maintain a harem where it is legal and normal. You can have up to 4 women in Muslim countries, like Indonesia. But you must marry them. They'll want children.But dont forget the temporary marriage which is a very practical way of being wit a girl ( or two ) and legally being able to shag her in a way that is totally legal in terms of Sharia law etc.

[Sammon]

[quote=sammon] and while i stay away from anyone ****, i don't check id, so who knows. and of that large number of girls, i have had only one problem; a girl from angeles who cried [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123), and we didn't even have sex! the end result from that one was 20, 000p, about 450 usd, not too bad in my book. of course, i may have just been lucky, but those are my stats.
just for the benefit of all the mongers, the incident you wrote about in ac
is the girl barfined from the bar?
or non-bar girl freelancer?
was she ****?
why did you pay any money if you did not have sex with her?
who did you pay money to? police or her?
i am not trying to probe in your situation but any or all above info will be of help to us mongers who frquent ac.

[Econo Tech]

One option is to maintain a harem where it is legal and normal. You can have up to 4 women in Muslim countries, like Indonesia. But you must marry them. They'll want children.You forgot the killer in the deal You have to CONVERT! If you avoid the conversion (like exceptions in Singapore) you can never travel to any muslim / or even semi muslim countries (not sure if the word is right). Like in Indonesia or Malaysia, if a non-muslim is caught in close proximity with a muslim. You are done.

I haven't even started about the Middle East Yet! 11

And conversion is ONE WAY TRAFFIC. No offense to muslims.

[Amavida]

Tough to work up any optimism for the future of the country isn't it?
Yep.
I had an industrial security agency in Manila which I quite enjoyed building up. Six months ago I managed to secure a contract with Chowking. Started getting very concerning veiled warnings from competitors. Okay i'm concerned but not paniced & don't mention them to anyone. Next people in PADPAO & SAGSD etc strart warning me that my safety is at grave risk. I'm not stupid, I could see the warnings were going to be acted on so i pulled out of the business.
I've played with a few retail business which were fun but futile due to the tiny margins.
Agricultural business have been & still are the easiest and safest. Rice, mangoes, coconut, hogs & aquaculture.

AV

[GoodEnough]

You've got bigger balls than I do. I would never, but never consider investing a dime here since I honestly believe, that of the 54 countries or so in which I've worked/visited/lived, this is the most morally bankrupt of them all, and the most corrupt. Conversely, if you've got no vested interests, it can be a great place to live and you can sustain a terrific lifestyle if you're not dependent on locally-generated business. I guess it's one of the more comical ironies of the country.

I'll be in Manila tomorrow and Monday. Drop me a PM if you want to get together for a beer or three and commiserate.

GE

[Paul C]

Who here speaks Tagalog fluently?

It seems like there aren't nearly as many foreigners fluent in Tagalog (maybe a a couple hundred in the world) compared to other Asian languages due to everyone speaking English here. I've been trying to find people who can give me tips but almost every foreigner I've met who has made this claim unfortunately had worse Tagalog than mine (intermediate level).

[LoveAsianWhores]

[quote=loveasian*****s]
just for the benefit of all the mongers, the incident you wrote about in ac
is the girl barfined from the bar?
or non-bar girl freelancer?
was she ****?
why did you pay any money if you did not have sex with her?
who did you pay money to? police or her?
i am not trying to probe in your situation but any or all above info will be of help to us mongers who frquent ac.i gave a detailed account of the episode back when it happened. you can read about it here: http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?p=959674#post959674

just for the record, i still go to the bar in question, and i have had maybe 4 barfines from the same bar since it happened. i've put the episode behind me and moved on. i won't mention the bar because it really is not relevent. it could happen in any bar. statistically, something will happen if you have enough barfines, but by that time, you should have enough experiance to handle it.

[Amavida]

Happens every day here...

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=620047&publicationSubCategoryId=67

Take note guys.

AV

[Amavida]

http://www.philstar.com/article.aspx?articleid=620048&publicationsubcategoryid=67

doncha just love the way they fully identify the poor barstard including his full address details but of course the innocent little angel complainant is totally anonymous.

i don't condone [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) but i see the totally biased & hypocritical way it is handled here every day here.

take note guy's!

av

[FreebieFan]

[QUOTE=Sammon]I gave a detailed account of the episode back when it happened. You can read about it here: http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?p=959674#post959674

Just for the record, I still go to the bar in question, and I have had maybe 4 barfines from the same bar since it happened. I've put the episode behind me and moved on. I won't mention the bar because it really is not relevent. It could happen in any bar. Statistically, something WILL happen if you have enough barfines, but by that time, you should have enough experiance to handle it.I remember reading your report when you first posted. I guess one question as you have been returning to the bar would be "is the girl still working there?" Presumably not.

[GoodEnough]

http://www.philstar.com/article.aspx?articleid=620048&publicationsubcategoryid=67

doncha just love the way they fully identify the poor barstard including his full address details but of course the innocent little angel complainant is totally anonymous.

i don't condone [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) but i see the totally biased & hypocritical way it is handled here every day here.

take note guy's!

av
and i think the situation is worsening. perhaps it's a factor of increasing desperation. i certainly don't condone [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123), but this might be just another scam.

[Sammon]

[QUOTE=Sammon]I gave a detailed account of the episode back when it happened. You can read about it here: http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?p=959674#post959674

Just for the record, I still go to the bar in question, and I have had maybe 4 barfines from the same bar since it happened. I've put the episode behind me and moved on. I won't mention the bar because it really is not relevent. It could happen in any bar. Statistically, something WILL happen if you have enough barfines, but by that time, you should have enough experiance to handle it.
Thanks, I read it with interest a while ago. I thought it happened recently. This experience is very strange. I have on many occassions have barfined
" Virgins " and never had a problem. Some gave me full sex, some only BJ,
some partial insertion only etc. Only reason I like to barfine them is once i am sexually satisfied and tired from other girls, it is nice to have just a pretty date. I go dancing with them, barhopping, dinner etc. When in the room I never push them. Some sleep with their clothes on, others lie naked. Any sexual contact only happens if they initiate.
Ofcourse anything can happen even if the bases are covered.
In your situation it looks like the mamasan and the police were definitely getting some money.

[LoveAsianWhores]

thanks, i read it with interest a while ago. i thought it happened recently. this experience is very strange. i have on many occassions have barfined

" virgins " and never had a problem. some gave me full sex, some only bj,

some partial insertion only etc. only reason i like to barfine them is once i am sexually satisfied and tired from other girls, it is nice to have just a pretty date. i go dancing with them, barhopping, dinner etc. when in the room i never push them. some sleep with their clothes on, others lie naked. any sexual contact only happens if they initiate.

ofcourse anything can happen even if the bases are covered.

in your situation it looks like the mamasan and the police were definitely getting some money.i didn't quite understand your post, as this had nothing to do with barfining a virgin, or even a cherry girl. but in re-reading my post, i did mention virgin a couple of times early on, but that was only due to the fact i was writing the post after everything happened, and then she later claimed at the police station that she was a virgin. i was trying to put things in perspective. but to be clear, the whole virgin thing only came up at the police station, and if i remember correctly, even then it was after not immediately a claim in the case (i actually skipped the whole police station experiance, as it would be a long post to cover that, and i couldn't be bothered). this was always a regular barfine, and when we got to the room, we called a room boy for a condom. there was nothing unusual about anything until we were just about to have sex, and she then she said stop (which i did immediately, before we initiated intercourse).the whole thing is very unusual, but from a regular barfine perspective, and not a cherry girl one. as it happens, i also often barfine cherry girls for the same reason as you, and have never had any problems, but this has nothing to do with that. now in hindsight, she may have been working as a cherry girl and "neglected" to tell me, as it would explain a couple of things. but at the end of the day, it would not be good for future barfines from this bar to bring up the experiance with the mamason to find out if she was working as a cherry girl or not. she had ruined my night and cost me 20, 000 pesos, and there was no need to ruin my reputation at one of my favorite bars in angeles. i have no problem defending myself "anonymously" online, but i really don't want to walk into a bar and have all the girls think "that was the guy who soandso said he raped her". guilty or not, the mere accusation is a no-win situation.

[Johnred]

Does anybody own or operate a call center business? If so, I would love to visit with you as I am thinking about opening something which is similar, but not in competition to a call center. If you would like to get together & chat about it, I will buy the beers. There could be some synergy & sharing opportunities between the two businesses.

[LoveAsianWhores]

Just a warning to those that have cars, or are thinking of buying a car.

I recently took my bmw to an authorized BMW dealer for service. I took it in with 74, 000 KM, and picked it up with 132, 000 KM. My service manager had switched a part of my car with a higher milage car to bring down the milage on the other car. He was fired, but I had to threaten to go to the police to get my part back. But the crazy thing is, did they think I wouldn't notice?

I took my ford focus in for service at the local Ford dealer in Subic. I was told that an oil change was required every 5, 000 km, at a cost of 11, 000 pesos (thats right, a $255 oil change every 3, 000 miles for a ford focus). They told me that if I didn't do it at an authorized dealer (not true, but anyway), my warranty would be void. And the required Philippines service schedule is just a photo coppied pamphlet which is completely different from ford requirements elsewhere in the world. It is designed to maximize their income and minimize their warranty responsibilities.

I don't own a Mercedes, but read this in the paper the other day. Cats, the only company authorized by Mercedes to import cars in this country, was selling some diesal cars that require Euro 4 diesal fuel. They entered into a 6 month contract with a company to import it, but now the contract has ended and the fuel is no longer available. They then told all their customers that their warranty would not be honored if they didn't use Euro 4 fuel, knowing full well that the fuel is not available.

So, when buying or getting your car serviced, be very carefull. You may think you are dealing a reputable company like Mercedes, Ford or BMW, but in reality, you are just dealing with a typical Philippine company that happens to be authorized by the car manuactuer.

[Danibbler]

To be fair, the first two instances can happen anywhere in the world. Switching out an odometer is nothing new and you will find manufacturers of all stripes saying that if you don't use a particular part or their own authorized dealers that any problems arising thereof will be out of your own pocket.

As for the last, the Euro IV fuel, there are only about two hundred such vehicles that need that fuel in the Philippines.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20101019-298647/Waiting-for-Euro-IV-fuel

Frankly, I don't know what it says about a buyer who chooses a car with only six months' worth of fuel to be had.


Just a warning to those that have cars, or are thinking of buying a car.

I recently took my bmw to an authorized BMW dealer for service. I took it in with 74, 000 KM, and picked it up with 132, 000 KM. My service manager had switched a part of my car with a higher milage car to bring down the milage on the other car. He was fired, but I had to threaten to go to the police to get my part back. But the crazy thing is, did they think I wouldn't notice?

I took my ford focus in for service at the local Ford dealer in Subic. I was told that an oil change was required every 5, 000 km, at a cost of 11, 000 pesos (thats right, a $255 oil change every 3, 000 miles for a ford focus). They told me that if I didn't do it at an authorized dealer (not true, but anyway), my warranty would be void. And the required Philippines service schedule is just a photo coppied pamphlet which is completely different from ford requirements elsewhere in the world. It is designed to maximize their income and minimize their warranty responsibilities.

I don't own a Mercedes, but read this in the paper the other day. Cats, the only company authorized by Mercedes to import cars in this country, was selling some diesal cars that require Euro 4 diesal fuel. They entered into a 6 month contract with a company to import it, but now the contract has ended and the fuel is no longer available. They then told all their customers that their warranty would not be honored if they didn't use Euro 4 fuel, knowing full well that the fuel is not available.

So, when buying or getting your car serviced, be very carefull. You may think you are dealing a reputable company like Mercedes, Ford or BMW, but in reality, you are just dealing with a typical Philippine company that happens to be authorized by the car manuactuer.

[Thaifun]

Just a warning to those that have cars, or are thinking of buying a car.

I recently took my bmw to an authorized BMW dealer for service. I took it in with 74, 000 KM, and picked it up with 132, 000 KM. My service manager had switched a part of my car with a higher milage car to bring down the milage on the other car. He was fired, but I had to threaten to go to the police to get my part back. But the crazy thing is, did they think I wouldn't notice?

I took my ford focus in for service at the local Ford dealer in Subic. I was told that an oil change was required every 5, 000 km, at a cost of 11, 000 pesos (thats right, a $255 oil change every 3, 000 miles for a ford focus). They told me that if I didn't do it at an authorized dealer (not true, but anyway), my warranty would be void. And the required Philippines service schedule is just a photo coppied pamphlet which is completely different from ford requirements elsewhere in the world. It is designed to maximize their income and minimize their warranty responsibilities.

I don't own a Mercedes, but read this in the paper the other day. Cats, the only company authorized by Mercedes to import cars in this country, was selling some diesal cars that require Euro 4 diesal fuel. They entered into a 6 month contract with a company to import it, but now the contract has ended and the fuel is no longer available. They then told all their customers that their warranty would not be honored if they didn't use Euro 4 fuel, knowing full well that the fuel is not available.

So, when buying or getting your car serviced, be very carefull. You may think you are dealing a reputable company like Mercedes, Ford or BMW, but in reality, you are just dealing with a typical Philippine company that happens to be authorized by the car manuactuer.

I think it would be a nice move to share your experience with the company's customer service in Germany and also with Ford. They surely have little idea what is going on and a reply from Ford HQ might come in handy for use at a future date.
Dealerships cannot make up their rules along the way. They hope to keep their little dirty deals under the radar screen of the brand owner. Some scanned original docs such as invoices etc will raise the level of interest your mail will be received by.
Once you have the name of the department chief from Detroit or Munich, use it at your next visit to the place when talking to the manager. You might find yourself in the VIP lane.
If someone tries to fuck with you, return the favor in an intelligent way. Being polite can be so damaging. :)

[LoveAsianWhores]

To be fair, the first two instances can happen anywhere in the world. Switching out an odometer is nothing new and you will find manufacturers of all stripes saying that if you don't use a particular part or their own authorized dealers that any problems arising thereof will be out of your own pocket.I will have to disagree with you on this. I took my car to an authorized BMW dealer/service center. No way would this happen at a US BMW dealer. This is an electronic part with the VIN number encoded, so even if a US dealer was dishonest, no American dealer would a) think they could get away with it and b) think that I would not notice. Car dealers the world over are dishonest, but only in the Phillippines are they so stupid. In fairness, this does appear to be something that the service advisor did, but using the same logic, no BMW service manager in the USA would do such a stupid thing.

And as for Ford Group Philippines, I could go on and on about what disgusting scumbags they are. How about the fact I found out they used the wrong oil for my 5, 000KM service, which was covered under warranty. It is a turbo diesal and the car manual (not the silly service pamphlet put out by Ford Philippines) has in bold print, several times, that the car required a very specific type of oil. When I confronted the service manager about this he told me "yes, it is the wrong oil for the car, but it is all Ford Group Philippines will pay for". Sorry, but I can guarantee you that no Ford dealer in the USA would ever do this, let alone admit to it.

[LoveAsianWhores]

I think it would be a nice move to share your experience with the company's customer service in Germany and also with Ford. They surely have little idea what is going on and a reply from Ford HQ might come in handy for use at a future date.

Dealerships cannot make up their rules along the way. They hope to keep their little dirty deals under the radar screen of the brand owner. Some scanned original docs such as invoices etc will raise the level of interest your mail will be received by.

Once you have the name of the department chief from Detroit or Munich, use it at your next visit to the place when talking to the manager. You might find yourself in the VIP lane.

If someone tries to fuck with you, return the favor in an intelligent way. Being polite can be so damaging.My BMW is for sale, and as for Ford, I am way ahead of you. I have already written a letter and I am just waiting for the day when they foolishly decline a warranty claim. Ford Philippines has pissed me off more than any other company I can think of, and I will rip those guys a new asshole if they choose to pick a fight with me.

Just one last note. I don't want to rip Ford cars, just Ford Group Philippines. As it happens, the Ford Focus diesal is the finest car I have ever owned. 53 miles a gallon, really fast, and very well made. It is quite stripped for the Philippines market (lots of plastic covers where things should be, but are not), but then again, fewer things to go wrong.

[Danibbler]

I will have to disagree with you on this. I took my car to an authorized BMW dealer/service center. No way would this happen at a US BMW dealer. This is an electronic part with the VIN number encoded, so even if a US dealer was dishonest, no American dealer would a) think they could get away with it and b) think that I would not notice. Car dealers the world over are dishonest, but only in the Phillippines are they so stupid. In fairness, this does appear to be something that the service advisor did, but using the same logic, no BMW service manager in the USA would do such a stupid thing.

And as for Ford Group Philippines, I could go on and on about what disgusting scumbags they are. How about the fact I found out they used the wrong oil for my 5, 000KM service, which was covered under warranty. It is a turbo diesal and the car manual (not the silly service pamphlet put out by Ford Philippines) has in bold print, several times, that the car required a very specific type of oil. When I confronted the service manager about this he told me "yes, it is the wrong oil for the car, but it is all Ford Group Philippines will pay for". Sorry, but I can guarantee you that no Ford dealer in the USA would ever do this, let alone admit to it.Again, turning back the odometer or switching it out is pretty common around the world. In the US there are hundreds of thousands of vehicles sold with tampered odometers. Your BMW dealer a) pushed the envelope too far and b) didn't have the right software.

As for the Ford Group Philippines, again, poor and stupid auto shops abound everywhere. Go ahead and peruse some online Ford user groups and see what they say.

[Paul C]

Question for the guys living here:

What do you do all day?

[Fast Buck Artist]

There is a video making noise in youtube of a korean comedy show where the korean actress imitates 3 accents.. american, british and filipino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWr0NdapqRY

The video itself is blah.. but whats interesting is 2000 comments underneath of pinoys huffing and puffing and feeling "outraged" .. how they dare make fun of our accent!! note I dont see a single brit or american complaining that their accent was made fun of...

Why am I bringing this up? I am just amazed at the massive inferiority complex that plagues this country and the defensiveness of the locals whenever an "outsider of the tribe" dares to voice an opinion.

[FreebieFan]

There is a video making noise in youtube of a korean comedy show where the korean actress imitates 3 accents.. american, british and filipino

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWr0NdapqRY

The video itself is blah.. but whats interesting is 2000 comments underneath of pinoys huffing and puffing and feeling "outraged" .. how they dare make fun of our accent!! note I dont see a single brit or american complaining that their accent was made fun of...

Why am I bringing this up? I am just amazed at the massive inferiority complex that plagues this country and the defensiveness of the locals whenever an "outsider of the tribe" dares to voice an opinion.If you were a Pinay and every country you visited treated you as though you were a bargirl despite being highly educated you may have a little huff too.

[Cunning Stunt]

Question for the guys living here:

What do you do all day?

Answer silly questions on sex forums;).

What do you do all day?

[Jambo]

What do you do all day?
Well exactly. It's why I am about to bag the idea of keeping a home in the PI, and am looking to another Asian country.

I can't seem to find the right combination of: cheap golf, decent internet, clean air, Stable freakin' power, low living costs, not too far from the national airport, and decent views.. in the PI.

Shoot I can import the poontang

[BillB]

The video itself is blah. But whats interesting is 2000 comments underneath of pinoys huffing and puffing and feeling "outraged". How they dare make fun of our accent! Note I don't see a single brit or american complaining that their accent was made fun of.

Probably because The British, and American accent where pretty good Imitation of people whose first language is English. The Filipino accent was exagerated, with hand expressions making fun of the way the Filipinos speak English, their second or in some cases their third language.

[Questor55]

There is a video making noise in youtube of a korean comedy show where the korean actress imitates 3 accents.. american, british and filipino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWr0NdapqRY

The video itself is blah.. but whats interesting is 2000 comments underneath of pinoys huffing and puffing and feeling "outraged" .. how they dare make fun of our accent!! note I dont see a single brit or american complaining that their accent was made fun of...

Why am I bringing this up? I am just amazed at the massive inferiority complex that plagues this country and the defensiveness of the locals whenever an "outsider of the tribe" dares to voice an opinion.I watched the video. Give her a 5 for the American and no more than a 2

For the British and Filipino ones. The laughs and applause are coming from an audience of ignorance. The howls of outrage from NON-native

English speakers. Many European English speakers would be equally sensitive if made fun of in this manner.

BTW. The accents of many Philippine call centre employees are excellent

As they speak effortlessly, using American accents. Whenever I call for tech help, I always hope it's Not going to be answered in Delhi.

(I hate being constantly scolded. Hehe)

[Starchild2012]

There is a video making noise in youtube of a korean comedy show where the korean actress imitates 3 accents.. american, british and filipino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWr0NdapqRY



The link is not working now...can you post another link or some keywords to search...youtube is showing this message

This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by KBSi.

[Jambo]

BTW. The accents of many Philippine call centre employees are excellent
haha its a bit racist. I was expecting it to be a LOT racist. Like she could have said the standard:

"Oh you so beeeeg!"

I don't like how common girls talk in the PI either. Its just like how they txt. "Gud day".

I encourage my GFs to use a higher, more pleasing to the ear, tone of voice.

[Cunning Stunt]

I don't like how common girls talk in the PI either. Its just like how they txt. "Gud day".

To be fair that is just text talk. All Filipinos love to abbreviate in any case and live here long enough and you eventually start using commonly used textese oneself. Gd AM for Good Morning used to annoy the hell out of me but I frequently use it these days to preface messages. Same as b4 for before.

I find that I send far more text messages here in a day than I would in a month anywhere else and the shorter the better.

[Jambo]

To be fair that is just text talk.
No I mean that is how it sounds to me when they talk. Give them a word that starts with "G", for example, and they make themselves sound like...not nice.

Of course well educated Philippinas do sound intelligent.

[Amavida]

Well exactly. It's why I am about to bag the idea of keeping a home in the PI, and am looking to another Asian country.

I can't seem to find the right combination of: cheap golf, decent internet, clean air, Stable freakin' power, low living costs, not too far from the national airport, and decent views.. in the PI.

Shoot I can import the poontang
Let me know when you find out because I'm packing up & leaving here.
...New Zealand seems nice & there are seemingly whole provinces of China living there... ;)

AV

[GoodEnough]

I am just amazed at the massive inferiority complex that plagues this country and the defensiveness of the locals whenever an "outsider of the tribe" dares to voice an opinion.
I think some Filipinos, and virtually all national politicians are incredulous that the country is considered totally irrelevant by the rest of the world. The current sources of indignation are the recent travel advisories published by five developed countries, all of which warn their citizens of the possibility of terrorist attacks in various areas of the country, including Manila. Of course the first response from the geniuses who run the place was total denial, following by whining about why their "allies" had not shared any information with them. I imagine that sharing sensitive intelligence with Filipino politicians would be equivalent to posting it on the Internet, regarding the likelihood of retaining secrecy.

GE

[WestCoast1]

I imagine that sharing sensitive intelligence with Filipino politicians would be equivalent to posting it on the Internet, regarding the likelihood of retaining secrecy.

GE
Given the recently "televised-to-the-bad-guy" (not to mention the entire world) bus/SWAT fiasco... yes, concur.

[Freezone]

BTW. The accents of many Philippine call centre employees are excellentMy favorite is when she say (in a soft way) "Thank you sir"

[Freezone]

May someday plan to semi-retire here. Spend half the time in the US and the other half in Cebu or Angeles.

I know that I will have to report and pay all my usual US taxes, such as Social Security income, pension income, investment income, withdrawal from regular IRA etc.

Now here is the scenerio:

1) Do I have to report all of the above mentioned and which of the above will also be taxed (again) in the Philippines

2) If I stay as a full time retiree, will that make a difference in which of the above taxes I still have to pay to the philipiine gov't?. or is it all tax free in PI.

3) If I went crazy and gave up my US citizenship, I no longer have to pay any of the above to the IRS but I'm assuming now I have to pay the Philippine gov't instead. Also, giving up US citizenship means having a harder time to enter back to US to visit family and of course, no more Social Security.

Any answers to the above.

Thanks,

FZ

[Gallantnitez]

May someday plan to semi-retire here. Spend half the time in the US and the other half in Cebu or Angeles.

FZFZ,

How will you get a visa to stay here if you surrender your US citizenship?

As a US citizen we have such ez entry to Philippines and so many other countries, we don't even need a visa. Our passports are good for 21 days and much longer with the simple extension. Flights to Taiwan or Hong Kong to renew your passport stamp are about $150 most times of the year and with all the extensions you wont even need to do that very often. By contrast, purchasing a retirement visa, I understand, is a considerable investment.

As a full time tourist the Philippines tax issue doesn't bother me. I merely take money via atm from my US bank account. The exchange rate and fees might not be that great but it beats having the Philippine authorities snooping into my finances.

Perhaps there are other ways to hide your retirement income... an "income" earned in another country is not liable to US taxes (foreign earned income exclusion) You would still file taxes, you just would owe less... but I'm hardly one to guess at this. The IRS can snoop into so many things, I doubt your money would be hidden from them in any foreign bank and they will always want a piece... A real tax attorney or accountant would know... not me.

To qualify my statements, I am still new to this game. I have been a reader and gleaner of this sites bits of wisdom, but my own experience here in the Philippines only began 2 weeks ago and I have only applied for one tourist visa extension. I live in Pompanga so have easy access to both a Bureau of Immigration for monthly visa extension, and to Clark airport in case I choose to take a quick and cheap flight to Taiwan or Hong Kong. Residents of other areas may find the bureaucratic requirement more daunting. I intend to marry my Filipina eventually and then I will request a Balikbayan passport stamp (good for 1 year). Until then I will try to give regular reports on the visa processes and hurdles.

[FreebieFan]

FZ,

How will you get a visa to stay here if you surrender your US citizenship?You dont have to surrender anything.

[Red Kilt]

......................I live in Pompanga so have easy access to both a Bureau of Immigration for monthly visa extension, and to Clark airport in case I choose to take a quick and cheap flight to Taiwan or Hong Kong. Residents of other areas may find the bureaucratic requirement more daunting. I intend to marry my Filipina eventually and then I will request a Balikbayan passport stamp (good for 1 year). Until then I will try to give regular reports on the visa processes and hurdles.

You don't need monthly extensions G.
You get a 21-day visa when you arrive, and then when you extend you get a 38-day extension to take you up to 59 days.
After that you need to apply for an ACR (Alien Certificate of Registration) card if you want to extend further.
Or, as you said, you leave the country and return and do the whole 21 + 38 day thing over again.
Once you are married, you then apply for a Spouse Visa which is a permanent visa. You don't need to renew it every year - you just need to do the mandatory foreigner report between Jan - March and pay 310 pesos.
Balikbayan Visas have lots of clauses attached to them.
Better to get the spouse visa.

[WestCoast1]

My favorite is when she say (in a soft way) "Thank you sir"
That's... "Thank you sirrRRRRRR." The hold the R. Or... "Thank you maaaaam." Once one call center lady made a simple mistake on the phone, and said to me, "Oh sorry po. I mean sir!" Hahaha. I have yet to get a filipino call center agent who sounded american or brit. Questor I'll PM you about it. I tried PMing you FZ but it says you can't receive PM's.

[Billy Sardell]

Well exactly. It's why I am about to bag the idea of keeping a home in the PI, and am looking to another Asian country.

I can't seem to find the right combination of: cheap golf, decent internet, clean air, Stable freakin' power, low living costs, not too far from the national airport, and decent views.. in the PI.

Shoot I can import the poontangJambo,

I am in the same boat as you. I have a nice filipina ex-bargirl living with me now that I got a passport for and I am thinking of taking her with me somewhere else for a change. This place is starting to get on my nerves. I'm thinking Thailand but I have heard the golf is more expensive there but better value. Where do you play in the PI? The best place so far in terms of quality for me was Mimosa but I had to be invited by a member and a round cost me $50. Some better value for the dollar at local munis in the area but when you are in the rough, it is really really rough. Also I am sick of paying more than $40 a month for a "broadband" connection that rarely gets me more than 800kps. Don't get me started on the f$%king brownouts! And the food sucks over here! Ok, I'll stop playing my violin now

[Jambo]

Where do you play in the PI?
Actually I have only played in the PI in Zamboanga, the course there has a couple of holes with views of the ocean. Local kids will fish your balls out of the pond and sell them back to you. Don't think I want to live there haha.

I was/still am thinking to try Subic Bay, but when the course there was open, I believe it was over $35/round, and if they get it opened again, I would think it will still be expensive.

If I don't get out and exercise, I will turn into a burned out alcoholic. Anyway, don't want to listen to my GFs music all day!

Malaysia has many golf courses, a legacy of the Brits I suppose, and I am seeing regular fees in the areas away from Kuala Lumpur at $25/round, maybe less with specials or memberships.

I have not been there longer than a week at a time. I understand ASEAN citizens can arrive w/o a visa, and can get a visa and stay as long as 5 months if they are not working.

[FreebieFan]

Actually I have only played in the PI in Zamboanga, the course there has a couple of holes with views of the ocean. Local kids will fish your balls out of the pond and sell them back to you. Don't think I want to live there haha.

I was/still am thinking to try Subic Bay, but when the course there was open, I believe it was over $35/round, and if they get it opened again, I would think it will still be expensive.

If I don't get out and exercise, I will turn into a burned out alcoholic. Anyway, don't want to listen to my GFs music all day!

Malaysia has many golf courses, a legacy of the Brits I suppose, and I am seeing regular fees in the areas away from Kuala Lumpur at $25/round, maybe less with specials or memberships.

I have not been there longer than a week at a time. I understand ASEAN citizens can arrive w/o a visa, and can get a visa and stay as long as 5 months if they are not working.Malaysia is ok but its quiet. You have to go and hunt out the fun because its very hidden and not in your face 24/7 as in Phils. The ideal is to spend half the year in Malaysia and half the year in Phils. Thats kind of how my retirement plans are shaping up at the moment.

[Freezone]

That's... "Thank you sirrRRRRRR." The hold the R. Or... "Thank you maaaaam." Once one call center lady made a simple mistake on the phone, and said to me, "Oh sorry po. I mean sir!" Hahaha. I have yet to get a filipino call center agent who sounded american or brit. Questor I'll PM you about it. I tried PMing you FZ but it says you can't receive PM's.Sorry, not yet but soon.

[Questor55]

That's... "Thank you sirrRRRRRR." The hold the R. Or... "Thank you maaaaam." Once one call center lady made a simple mistake on the phone, and said to me, "Oh sorry po. I mean sir!" Hahaha. I have yet to get a filipino call center agent who sounded american or brit. Questor I'll PM you about it. I tried PMing you FZ but it says you can't receive PM's.I find the 'Techies' I've contacted, who are usually male, are the ones who are most likely to sound American. Women have that more subservient, Japanese thing going on. I am hesitant to call girls here, as I find it extremely difficult to understand them, not withstanding the crowing chickens in the background and their shock/shyness at receiving a call.

[Amavida]

Malaysia is ok but its quiet. You have to go and hunt out the fun because its very hidden and not in your face 24/7 as in Phils. The ideal is to spend half the year in Malaysia and half the year in Phils. Thats kind of how my retirement plans are shaping up at the moment.For me, after six years in PI, Malaysia is an oasis. Clean, safe, prosperous & cheap. As an aussie I find the past brit influence a relief. Finally I can drive again on MY side of the road with out risk of constant death/maiming/extortion!
There is plenty of nice/cheap pussy to be had. I enjoy the hunt.

[LoveAsianWhores]

May someday plan to semi-retire here. Spend half the time in the US and the other half in Cebu or Angeles.

I know that I will have to report and pay all my usual US taxes, such as Social Security income, pension income, investment income, withdrawal from regular IRA etc.

Now here is the scenerio:

1) Do I have to report all of the above mentioned and which of the above will also be taxed (again) in the Philippines

2) If I stay as a full time retiree, will that make a difference in which of the above taxes I still have to pay to the philipiine gov't?. or is it all tax free in PI.

3) If I went crazy and gave up my US citizenship, I no longer have to pay any of the above to the IRS but I'm assuming now I have to pay the Philippine gov't instead. Also, giving up US citizenship means having a harder time to enter back to US to visit family and of course, no more Social Security.

Any answers to the above.

Thanks,

FZ1. As an expat, the first $85k a year you earn is income tax free. There is a social security tax that is not exempt, but I am not sure how much that is (but I think it is a small amount). If you earn over $85k a year, there are still numberous ways to avoid paying any tax on it, except if you work for a US company, receive IRA disbursements or receive income from US based investments.

2. As a non-philippine citizen, all income earned from souces outside the Philippines are tax free. You only have to worry about philippine income tax (in theory, because hardly anyone pays it) if you earn income from Philippine customers. If you set up a business in the Philippines that does not invove philippine customers (like an internet or export business), you owe no income tax.

3. The only people who do that are multi-millionaires. It makes no sense for the rest of us.

Also, make sure you have no US mailing addresses for tax forms (1099's, etc), otherwise you will be hassled by the states. For example, if you have a merril lynch brokerage account, you have to make up an address in a state like Nevada that has not income tax, because their system does not support foreign addresses. Just make sure you notify them that the address is made up to avoid potential problems down the line.

[Cunning Stunt]

For me, after six years in PI, Malaysia is an oasis. Clean, safe, prosperous & cheap.

Agree - Malaysia has always been one of my favourite SE Asian countries. However cannot say that I'm too fond of KL with its ridiculous airport, halfway to Singapore:D. But there is a air of sanity and civilisation about Malaysia which is noticeably absent in other countries in the region. Must be the British influence:p.

The food is particularly delicious. You have such ethnic diversity that within a relatively small area, you can find authentic and supurb restaurants of Malay, Indian, Nonya and Chinese cuisines. Penang and Melaka are great foodie destinations.

[FreebieFan]

For me, after six years in PI, Malaysia is an oasis. Clean, safe, prosperous & cheap. As an aussie I find the past brit influence a relief. Finally I can drive again on MY side of the road with out risk of constant death/maiming/extortion!

There is plenty of nice/cheap pussy to be had. I enjoy the hunt.I found living there a tad boring (and I was there 5 years plus). Lots of pussy but more work involved. I enjoyed my weekends in manila as I could pull most anyone I looked at,.

When I left Malaysia I had two Filipinas that I would alternate with and an Indian for variety (I was going to say spice but you might think I ate her LOL)

[Freezone]

Also, make sure you have no US mailing addresses for tax forms (1099's, etc), otherwise you will be hassled by the states. For example, if you have a merril lynch brokerage account, you have to make up an address in a state like Nevada that has not income tax, because their system does not support foreign addresses. Just make sure you notify them that the address is made up to avoid potential problems down the line.Thanks for the reply, always great to have an ex-pat here.

Just hope the IRS is not secretly reading this forum--ha ha

FZ

[LoveAsianWhores]

How do TV prices drop 30%, for almost every brand, in two weeks? There must have been some serious collusion amoung the Philippines distributors, thats how. TV prices in the USA were always so much cheaper, that you had to bring them in to the country as baggage to get a decent price on a TV. Just two weeks ago, I was shopping for a 32" TV. Except for the crappy Samsungs, they were 30,000-35,000 pesos. I was shopping again today, and you can get any brand for 20,000 to 25,000 pesos. Tempting to buy one, but TV prices NEVER go up, so I think I will wait a couple of more weeks.

[Danibbler]

No collusion, LCd manufacturers have massively overbuilt in the past two years. One of them, think it's Samsung, has their newest factory at half-capacity at the moment. Prices are crazy cheap in North America now, even on the larger sizes.


How do TV prices drop 30%, for almost every brand, in two weeks? There must have been some serious collusion amoung the Philippines distributors, thats how. TV prices in the USA were always so much cheaper, that you had to bring them in to the country as baggage to get a decent price on a TV. Just two weeks ago, I was shopping for a 32" TV. Except for the crappy Samsungs, they were 30,000-35,000 pesos. I was shopping again today, and you can get any brand for 20,000 to 25,000 pesos. Tempting to buy one, but TV prices NEVER go up, so I think I will wait a couple of more weeks.

[ThatGuy865]

How do TV prices drop 30%, for almost every brand, in two weeks? There must have been some serious collusion amoung the Philippines distributors, thats how. TV prices in the USA were always so much cheaper, that you had to bring them in to the country as baggage to get a decent price on a TV. Just two weeks ago, I was shopping for a 32" TV. Except for the crappy Samsungs, they were 30,000-35,000 pesos. I was shopping again today, and you can get any brand for 20,000 to 25,000 pesos. Tempting to buy one, but TV prices NEVER go up, so I think I will wait a couple of more weeks.Another reason is 3D TV is lauching. So LCD TV's prices will continue to drop just like Plasma TV's did when LCD became available. They have announce 3D TV's which do not require wearing glasses due to come out soon.

[Wander Luster]

Other message boards on the Web of Expats in Philippiness seem 95% people retired. I think the crowd here is younger and maybe a bit more educated.

Anyone ever tried a poll for age in this thread or others in the PH? I want to move back to Cebu to work part of the year, and in the past I've found this site is a great way to meet not just woman, but like minded guys that might wind up being friends.

Anyone want to wager a guess about age of those living much of the year in Ph and posting on here? What I'm really interested in is Cebu.

Cheers,

WL

[Fast Buck Artist]

Hi Guys, I'd like to ask some advice on the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines.

I am having a hard time finding a method of getting dollars from outside wired to pesos in Philippines without getting completely ripped off in the process.

The whole country's financial system seems to be built on milking overseas Filipino workers who are sending remittances to their families back home.

So far I have been using bank wire transfer to a checking philippine bank account, but they have onerous fees and make a mint on currency conversion. Today for example they are buying AUD for 42. 92 and selling it for 44. 57 what the fu (k, thats a 4% gap!

Any bright ideas how to avoid the ripoff?

[Tally Wacker]

Hi Guys, I'd like to ask some advice on the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines.

I am having a hard time finding a method of getting dollars from outside wired to pesos in Philippines without getting completely ripped off in the process.

The whole country's financial system seems to be built on milking overseas Filipino workers who are sending remittances to their families back home.

So far I have been using bank wire transfer to a checking philippine bank account, but they have onerous fees and make a mint on currency conversion. Today for example they are buying AUD for 42. 92 and selling it for 44. 57 what the fu (k, thats a 4% gap!

Any bright ideas how to avoid the ripoff? Xoom.com

Westernunion.com

Paypal.com

[GreenBud]

Hi Guys, I'd like to ask some advice on the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines.

I am having a hard time finding a method of getting dollars from outside wired to pesos in Philippines without getting completely ripped off in the process.

The whole country's financial system seems to be built on milking overseas Filipino workers who are sending remittances to their families back home.

So far I have been using bank wire transfer to a checking philippine bank account, but they have onerous fees and make a mint on currency conversion. Today for example they are buying AUD for 42. 92 and selling it for 44. 57 what the fu (k, thats a 4% gap!

Any bright ideas how to avoid the ripoff? If you're supporting a girl, and if you're from the US, I would get a Charles Schwab Bank ATM card, and give it to her. Then you can fund that Charles Schwab account thru your normal bank account.

The Charles Schwab account will not charge you a foreign transaction charge, and it will also refund you the 150 pesos ATM fee. Plus you get the good rate between the buy and sell spread.

Not sure if you can open up a Charles Schwab account in other countries. If you're from Australia, maybe you can find an equivalent bank.

[Pompolino]

Hi Guys, I'd like to ask some advice on the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines.

I am having a hard time finding a method of getting dollars from outside wired to pesos in Philippines without getting completely ripped off in the process.

The whole country's financial system seems to be built on milking overseas Filipino workers who are sending remittances to their families back home.

So far I have been using bank wire transfer to a checking philippine bank account, but they have onerous fees and make a mint on currency conversion. Today for example they are buying AUD for 42. 92 and selling it for 44. 57 what the fu (k, thats a 4% gap!

Any bright ideas how to avoid the ripoff? Hi FBA,

I was put onto Jalandoni & Co by a pinay here in Sydney and have been happy ever since. They give good exchange rates and charge $9. 00 for the transaction. My gf banks with BDO so the money is in her account in 2 hours I have sent money elsewhere and for other banks it takes longer. I ring tell then how much I'm sending in pesos they tell me how much to transfer which I do and send a copy of receipt they then action the transfer into her account. PM me if you need more details but they are located in Vaucluse if you want to visit them and you can google for other details. They cater mainly the the Phil community here. I have been using them for about 2 years without hitch.

P

[Fast Buck Artist]

Plus you get the good rate between the buy and sell spread.The transaction fee waiver looks good.

What kind of buy-sell gap does Schwab offer you on USD / PHP conversions?


I was put onto Jalandoni & Co by a pinay here in Sydney and have been happy ever since. They give good exchange rates and charge $9. 00 for the transaction.Thanks Pompolino, what rate of AUD / PHP conversion are they offering you? I tried to look them up they don't seem to have a website but have an address in NSW.

[Pompolino]

The transaction fee waiver looks good.

What kind of buy-sell gap does Schwab offer you on USD / PHP conversions?

Thanks Pompolino, what rate of AUD / PHP conversion are they offering you? I tried to look them up they don't seem to have a website but have an address in NSW. FBA,

When you call them in the morning after 8am EST the recorded message gives you their rate which changes daily based on the overnight market rate. The rate is held all day. If you wish to transact business and talk to them you simply hang on and they answer the call. I have always found the rate a) better than offered by Western Union be) quite comprable with the rates published in the press as the official exchange rates.

P.

[Cyber Whip]

Xoom. Com.

Westernunion. Com.

Paypal. ComI know in the US using western union online, there is an option to send the money in the foreign currency. Then the girl can exchange the foreign currency locally at a decent rate. There is a $15 USD wire fee. Don't know if that works in Aus.

The cheapest / easiest way is to setup a bank account in your country and get debit card, then give the debit (visa / MC) card to the girl. When you put mony in the account, send her a text and tell her the amount to withdraw at the ATM. That is most likely THE cheapest method, assuming you pick a bank with good exchange rate and policy.

[GreenBud]

What kind of buy-sell gap does Schwab offer you on USD / PHP conversions? On the conversion from PHP to USD, Schwab will give you the same rate as Visa gives you. I don't think you can do better anywhere else.

[Pompolino]

Thanks Pompolino, what rate of AUD / PHP conversion are they offering you? I tried to look them up they don't seem to have a website but have an address in NSW.FBA,

No they don't have a web site but details are:

JALANDONI & CO.

30 Vaucluse Road, Vaucluse, NSW 2030.

P: 02 93888886

Today's rate 15th February is 43. 60. Also as advised they charge AUD 9 fee. I have always sent over 15, 000p so don't know if less for smaller amounts. They have an accreditation with BDO as a money exchanger for Australia and hence the 2 hour service with that bank but as I said previously I have sent to other banks using them and it has taken longer. Western Union have higher fees and lower rate and have stopped using them.

P.

[Fast Buck Artist]

FBA,

No they don't have a web site but details are:

JALANDONI & CO.

Today's rate 15th February is 43. 60. Thats a very good rate. Thanks, I should start using them for AUD remittances.

BDO's offer for today is 42. 62 buy 44. 25 sell

[Jay Will]

If you were a Pinay and every country you visited treated you as though you were a bargirl despite being highly educated you may have a little huff too.Also the fact that it was a Korean show. Koreans own many businesses in the RPI and from what I hear from the locals, they don't treat their employees that well. Just a thought.

[Hairy Wonder]

Also the fact that it was a Korean show. Koreans own many businesses in the RPI and from what I hear from the locals, they don't treat their employees that well. Just a thought.I was married to a Korean for over 20 years. Thank God that is over! Whether we were in the US or Korea, she vehemently refused to work for another Korean, because she knew that she would be used, abused and mistreated. She gave in on this one time, and tried to work at a Korean owned Chinese buffet. She quickly realized her mistake when they wanted her to train for a solid week without pay, then was told she would be required to arrive at work 1 hour prior to her work time to setup the buffet line, also without pay.

If the Koreans are willing to mistreat their own this way, what is to keep them from mistreating citizens of any other country. Most Koreans have an attitude that they are somehow better than everyone else in the world.

If you ever talk with a Filipina that has worked in Korea, ask her about the treatment from her employer. I'm pretty sure she will not paint a very pretty picture.

HW

[Red Kilt]

Good to know, RK. I will keep this info when I go on sabbatical there from the university.

How have you been? Seen any big knockers lately? Haha been working too hard mate.

Phils is not "big knocker" country but every now and then one gets an eye-full and a mouth-full.

Dropped by Hi Heels in Burgos tonight and had a D Cups on my lap suffocating me. Pity the rest of her was very average.

Hope we catch up when your sabbatical rolls around?

[TurdyCurdyOne]

After spending years on chat, mostly with DIA girls, I feel like I have been searching for Fool's Gold. I guess because I am looking for a partner, not just stringfree sex. The women fall into two categories mostly:

A) intelligent and capable of making a good wife, but selfish and indepedent, not devoted (aka westernized) ; be) devoted, sweet, big heart, but incapable of much beyone cooking, cleaning, sex.

Has anyone here actually married a woman they met online? Or known someone who has? What was the result?

Maybe I should be checking with agencies that supposedly check on women they list, but I wonder what that "checking" actually is and if you're paying for nothing. Also women at places like Cherry Blossom are being courted by several men at once. I can get that here in the USA, don't need to pay for that.

Also, from what I have read here, seems to me cheaper to do the searching before arriving rather than to waste time and money screening after you get there, at least for those of us who want more than a fast lay.

Agree? Disagree? Think I'm full of it? I'd like to hear what you have to say.

[Jambo]

Has anyone here actually married a woman they met online?.Lots of guys have. I married a hottie much younger than I and got burned in less than 6 months.

I have known people who were reasonable, met and married girls closer to their station (ok ie not so pretty) , and did well.

One relative I know, his Philippine wife stayed with him even as he wasted away for 2 years with Parkinson's. And he left her with shit. He was a university prof. But she had citizenship.

[Chocha Monger]

After spending years on chat, mostly with DIA girls, I feel like I have been searching for Fool's Gold. I guess because I am looking for a partner, not just stringfree sex. The women fall into two categories mostly:

A) intelligent and capable of making a good wife, but selfish and indepedent, not devoted (aka westernized) ; be) devoted, sweet, big heart, but incapable of much beyone cooking, cleaning, sex.

Has anyone here actually married a woman they met online? Or known someone who has? What was the result?

Maybe I should be checking with agencies that supposedly check on women they list, but I wonder what that "checking" actually is and if you're paying for nothing. Also women at places like Cherry Blossom are being courted by several men at once. I can get that here in the USA, don't need to pay for that.

Also, from what I have read here, seems to me cheaper to do the searching before arriving rather than to waste time and money screening after you get there, at least for those of us who want more than a fast lay.

Agree? Disagree? Think I'm full of it? I'd like to hear what you have to say. Funny how this square shit about finding 'the one' keeps popping up on monger forums. Ever heard the saying that pimps perspire and hoes expire? Hoes are unpredictable, emotional, conniving and selfish. Risking your happiness on one ho is just plain foolish. The only way that a woman would respect you is if she knows that you have other options. This means you always have to be chasing the next ho. You've got to have a replacement ho and a replacement ho for your replacement ho. If you fuck up and catch feelings for one ho you'll be devastated when she leaves your ass. One thing is sure. Hoes come and hoes go. You better keep up with the pace or fall out of the race. You wouldn't put your life savings in one stock. Why would you do it with a woman? Chase hoes like you're ho-less. When the ones that you've got know that they can be easily replaced they'll respect you a lot more. Never settle for one ho. One ho is too close to no ho. You have to stay deep in the pussy. The only way to do that is to stay down and work at keeping hoes you're going to fuck with lined up. I remember when Jambo's fine young ho ran off and left his ass. He was all fucked up over that shit. Don't let it happen you.

[Jambo]

I remember when Jambo's fine young ho ran off and left his ass. He was all fucked up over that shit. Don't let it happen you.Officially I kicked her out when I found out the "ho" was preparing to hook up with other men while we traveled! Also she got some American dimwhit to send her (to her mom in the PI) $ to help her get a Tourist Visa to the US! Even as she had a K1 visa with me.

Anyway. Hey we know there are tons on Philippine girls married to western guys. I suspect divorce rate overall is lower than with western-western marriages.

Turdycurdyone, I suggest (as if I should be giving out marriage advise!) try to hook up with the local Philippines association in your town. There prob is one. They have a lot of cook-outs in the summer. A board like Visajourney com or theworldoffilipinas might be able to hook you up.

What are the odds that a philippine girl living in the US now knows of an unmarried relative back home?

Still, if you sponsor a girl and bring her here. You'll have a ring in your nose the rest of your life.

I found out I don't have to live in the US to earn money. And my children are not here anyway, so I am packing my bags this year and heading to SE Asia. If I get married again it may be when I start to drool.

[Bob Bowie]

Well is looks like the Philipines is a out to be hit with another tragedy.

Hope all are safe there

[Freezone]

A) intelligent and capable of making a good wife, but selfish and indepedent, not devoted (aka westernized) ; be) devoted, sweet, big heart, but incapable of much beyone cooking, cleaning, sex.

Has anyone here actually married a woman they met online? Or known someone who has? What was the result?

Well, to generalize and not only for PI. I've had friends and friend of friends who dated online girls and quickly fell in love.

Results of 3 such dates that resulted in marriages.

1) Married a China educated girl for 3 years now. Both still married but not what I call "happy".

2) Married a Viet girl. She was gone soon after making it pass the citizenship waiting period.

3) Married a Pinoy, she was caught cheating on him even as their marriage seemed happy. He dumped her before the citizenship requirements were up.

So, not to say all marriages or long term relations end up in the shits but as all will tell you the odds are against it.

Hell, I married my home town honey and still ended up divorcing her.

BTW: what wrong with devoted, sweet and can cook, clean and have sex. I've been looking for just that someone all my life.

Cheers and beers.

FZ

[Freezone]

If I decide to live someday in PI upon my retirement, how do I minimize or eliminate all the fees and thereby loss of my currency when I receive my pension or Social Security checks or bank / brokerage checks from my investments in US dollars every month and need to switch it to pesos?

[GoodEnough]

If I decide to live someday in PI upon my retirement, how do I minimize or eliminate all the fees and thereby loss of my currency when I receive my pension or Social Security checks or bank / brokerage checks from my investments in US dollars every month and need to switch it to pesos?You cannot, of course, eliminate the possibility of exchange rate losses. You can however, minimize the risks slightly by keeping all your funds in the US or some other hard currency country, and then transferring what you need here when the rates are favorable. There are some banks in the US-mine included-that will, so long as you maintain a reasonable balance, reimburse you each month for the ATM transaction fees, so obviously you incur no loss on that end. I find that the rate I get using an ATM is only slightly less than the bank rate. In the long run however, there's no way to protect yourself against the devaluation of your home currency. When I started living here the dollar / peso rate was about 54 and now it's around 44.

GE

[TurdyCurdyOne]

Thanks to all the repliers, this board is often very educational.

I guess I am still trying to look through the Phil. With rose colored glasses.

It's kinda sad that true love is so hard or maybe impossible to find.

There is an old play called Everyman, written by some ancient Greek writer as I recall?

It is a story of the death of Everyman, as how everything and everybody leaves him in the end (death). Very existential. Everyman really is an island and in the end, you are alone to fend for yourself and be by yourself. The reality of life and not just in the Phil.


Funny how this square shit about finding 'the one' keeps popping up on monger forums. Ever heard the saying that pimps perspire and hoes expire? Hoes are unpredictable, emotional, conniving and selfish. Risking your happiness on one ho is just plain foolish. The only way that a woman would respect you is if she knows that you have other options. This means you always have to be chasing the next ho. You've got to have a replacement ho and a replacement ho for your replacement ho. If you fuck up and catch feelings for one ho you'll be devastated when she leaves your ass. One thing is sure. Hoes come and hoes go. You better keep up with the pace or fall out of the race. You wouldn't put your life savings in one stock. Why would you do it with a woman? Chase hoes like you're ho-less. When the ones that you've got know that they can be easily replaced they'll respect you a lot more. Never settle for one ho. One ho is too close to no ho. You have to stay deep in the pussy. The only way to do that is to stay down and work at keeping hoes you're going to fuck with lined up. I remember when Jambo's fine young ho ran off and left his ass. He was all fucked up over that shit. Don't let it happen you.

[Nolz7]

If I decide to live someday in PI upon my retirement, how do I minimize or eliminate all the fees and thereby loss of my currency when I receive my pension or Social Security checks or bank / brokerage checks from my investments in US dollars every month and need to switch it to pesos?I believe that as long as the Philippine government stays corrupt and most people stay on poverty level, the exchange rate will be the same. That is, of course, if the US won't fuck up the economy.

[TurdyCurdyOne]

<snip for brevity

BTW: what wrong with devoted, sweet and can cook, clean and have sex. I've been looking for just that someone all my life.

Cheers and beers.

FZThanks for your reply and info. To answer your question, say you are getting old and want to live in Phil. You get sick or someone runs a con on you and you wind up in the can. Who can you trust to help you? Not a babe who can only cook and clean and does not have the intelligence or drive to do anything else. If you are going to marry to get better visa and Phil medical insurance, it pays to have a wife who can actually do something besides cook, clean and have sex. Those things are cheaply and easily gotten in Phil. And to the other guy who says just keep a stable waiting, how loyal and helpful are those babes going to be unless you pay them? Even with alot of money you still need good friends in the Phil.

[Chocha Monger]

Thanks for your reply and info. To answer your question, say you are getting old and want to live in Phil. You get sick or someone runs a con on you and you wind up in the can. Who can you trust to help you? Not a babe who can only cook and clean and does not have the intelligence or drive to do anything else. If you are going to marry to get better visa and Phil medical insurance, it pays to have a wife who can actually do something besides cook, clean and have sex. Those things are cheaply and easily gotten in Phil. And to the other guy who says just keep a stable waiting, how loyal and helpful are those babes going to be unless you pay them? Even with alot of money you still need good friends in the Phil.Get a good lawyer on retainer if you think that you'll end up on the wrong end of a con. Have someone you can trust back in your home country to get you out of the Philippines if necessary. That person will pay the fees that all foreigners must pay to get justice in the local courts. Most of all avoid situations where you might end up getting conned. For example, don't fuck anyone you shouldn't be fucking. Stay out of questionable business ventures. If you're old and have money this shouldn't be hard to do. Get medical evacuation insurance. Caregivers are very affordable in the Philippines. Arrange for one in case you get sick. As an old foreigner the locals are going to be primarily interested in you for your money regardless of who you marry. Trust and loyalty will last as long as you have control of enough money to buy it. If you're hoping to become part of a family and have local friends who will take care of you out of pure altruism then you'll sour on the Philippines really fast.

[TurdyCurdyOne]

I think it's alot easier to find a cook and sex partner there than it is to find an honest lawyer who won't steal from you, or even a reliable honest Medivac policy. They don't wait for you to negotiate with your foreign agent if your a victim of a cop scam or some other legal scam problem. They make sure they get their money immediately on the spot, or they steal it from you. Any bribes to the courts probably have to go through your middle man crooked lawyer who takes his cut. Not that naive, as you imply, that I am thinking I will be accepted as family, but not so stupid either that I think that women mostly there for the money are going to look out for my best interests or that susie cook / concubine has the wherewithall to help me if I become incapacitated. If you're happy with a sweet cook and sex partner fine and good. I expect more than that from a woman I choose as a partner. I would guess that most mongers also eventually want more than just paid for sex partners if they are going to live in the Phil. You can't buy loyalty, devotion, real friendship or intelligence. Those are rare commodities and not frequently found, my guess, in circles most mongers hang out. Many mongers are secretly wanting this, especially as they get on in years, but like a shipwrecked sailor they are more often than not surrounded by salt water that they cannot drink. But perhaps you are right, I am expecting too much from the Phil. If I am, that's very sad and maybe explains why that Country has not progressed much despite so much outside help.


Get a good lawyer on retainer if you think that you'll end up on the wrong end of a con. Have someone you can trust back in your home country to get you out of the Philippines if necessary. That person will pay the fees that all foreigners must pay to get justice in the local courts. Most of all avoid situations where you might end up getting conned. For example, don't fuck anyone you shouldn't be fucking. Stay out of questionable business ventures. If you're old and have money this shouldn't be hard to do. Get medical evacuation insurance. Caregivers are very affordable in the Philippines. Arrange for one in case you get sick. As an old foreigner the locals are going to be primarily interested in you for your money regardless of who you marry. Trust and loyalty will last as long as you have control of enough money to buy it. If you're hoping to become part of a family and have local friends who will take care of you out of pure altruism then you'll sour on the Philippines really fast.

[Fast Buck Artist]

I lived in the Philippines for more than a year and can offer some advice:

- Find a good lawyer you can contact Before you get in trouble with the law, they do exist here like in any other country.

- You don't need medical insurance here, healthcare is very cheap in Philippines, quality of care is very high in private hospitals but horrible in public hospitals, so note the phone number and location of nearest private hospital for emergencies.

- Looking for a spouse, I think filipinocupid offers the best selection to someone looking for a wife. Its a pay site but not expensive. Don't tell them you are going to bring them to USA and don't tell them how much money you have, keep it modest and you'll avoid the predators. Keep a positive attitude and be confident about your future life, women like that. Give a chance to the ones who are 30+ and not good looking. Attractive young women have lots of options and you are just one of the many options.


I think it's alot easier to find a cook and sex partner there than it is to find an honest lawyer who won't steal from you, or even a reliable honest Medivac policy. They don't wait for you to negotiate with your foreign agent if your a victim of a cop scam or some other legal scam problem. They make sure they get their money immediately on the spot, or they steal it from you. Any bribes to the courts probably have to go through your middle man crooked lawyer who takes his cut. Not that naive, as you imply, that I am thinking I will be accepted as family, but not so stupid either that I think that women mostly there for the money are going to look out for my best interests or that susie cook / concubine has the wherewithall to help me if I become incapacitated. If you're happy with a sweet cook and sex partner fine and good. I expect more than that from a woman I choose as a partner. I would guess that most mongers also eventually want more than just paid for sex partners if they are going to live in the Phil. You can't buy loyalty, devotion, real friendship or intelligence. Those are rare commodities and not frequently found, my guess, in circles most mongers hang out. Many mongers are secretly wanting this, especially as they get on in years, but like a shipwrecked sailor they are more often than not surrounded by salt water that they cannot drink. But perhaps you are right, I am expecting too much from the Phil. If I am, that's very sad and maybe explains why that Country has not progressed much despite so much outside help.

[TurdyCurdyOne]

Thanks for the reply. I haven't used a lawyer in the Phil. But I have used them in the USA. Lawyers in the USA are mostly predators-very difficult to find an honest one who won't cheat or lie to you. I imagine the same is true in the Phil, even more so, since you're a foreigner without standing.

Let me ask you have you ever used a lawyer in a jam there? What was the outcome?

I have no idea on how you would find a "good one". Easier said than done.

Private medical is not that cheap in Phil. For example, if you go on dialysis in the Phil, you need to have around $50 3 times a week. That's not cheap.

And the quality of the care may leave something to be desired, not to mention that you are unable to sue them for their mistakes. I am not on dialysis, but that is just one example. It's cheaPER, but still not that cheap. And don't forget to add your bi-monthly and yearly visa fees (really the Phil reminds me of the panhandler on the corner who spots an easy mark; they KNOW they've got the P*sy and they ARE going to charge you for it)

Phil Health is probably the best option, but that requires that you marry I am pretty sure.

I agree with you on finding the older ones that are not so pretty. I don't even chat with the young pretty ones, it's a waste of time mostly.


I lived in the Philippines for more than a year and can offer some advice:

- Find a good lawyer you can contact Before you get in trouble with the law, they do exist here like in any other country.

- You don't need medical insurance here, healthcare is very cheap in Philippines, quality of care is very high in private hospitals but horrible in public hospitals, so note the phone number and location of nearest private hospital for emergencies.

- Looking for a spouse, I think filipinocupid offers the best selection to someone looking for a wife. Its a pay site but not expensive. Don't tell them you are going to bring them to USA and don't tell them how much money you have, keep it modest and you'll avoid the predators. Keep a positive attitude and be confident about your future life, women like that. Give a chance to the ones who are 30+ and not good looking. Attractive young women have lots of options and you are just one of the many options.

[Chocha Monger]

Thanks for the reply. I haven't used a lawyer in the Phil. But I have used them in the USA. Lawyers in the USA are mostly predators-very difficult to find an honest one who won't cheat or lie to you. I imagine the same is true in the Phil, even more so, since you're a foreigner without standing.

Let me ask you have you ever used a lawyer in a jam there? What was the outcome?

I have no idea on how you would find a "good one". Easier said than done.

Private medical is not that cheap in Phil. For example, if you go on dialysis in the Phil, you need to have around $50 3 times a week. That's not cheap.

And the quality of the care may leave something to be desired, not to mention that you are unable to sue them for their mistakes. I am not on dialysis, but that is just one example. It's cheaPER, but still not that cheap. And don't forget to add your bi-monthly and yearly visa fees (really the Phil reminds me of the panhandler on the corner who spots an easy mark; they KNOW they've got the P*sy and they ARE going to charge you for it)

Phil Health is probably the best option, but that requires that you marry I am pretty sure.

I agree with you on finding the older ones that are not so pretty. I don't even chat with the young pretty ones, it's a waste of time mostly. Pinoy:[to the monger] All right, I'm going to give you a choice. You can either have your money and the cheap young pussy or you can walk out of here. You can't have both. What do you want?

Monger:I just want to get out of here.

Pinoy:And don't forget to tell your friends what happens if they fuck up around here. You understand?

Monger:I'm sorry. I made a bad mistake.

Pinoy:You're fuckin' right you made a bad mistake. 'Cause if you come back here, if we catch either one of ya, we're going to break your fuckin' heads and you won't walk out of here. You see that fuckin' saw? We're going to use it. We don't fuck around in this place. You got it? Get out of here.

Monger:[relieved] Thank you.

[GoodEnough]

I must have come in during the middle of the movie because this dialogue makes no sense to me at all. Are you talking about the Philippines? Because if you are you're describing a country that doesn't appear to resemble where I've lived for the past seven years. I work with guys who have lived here for 20 years and have never needed a lawyer, never gotten into any jams, never been threatened and never had to rely on any "connections," which they have in abundance, to resolve any problem. Much the same goes for me, which is perhaps why I have no idea what the hell you're talking about.

If you keep your head down, avoid calling attention to yourself, and behave with reasonable civility and respect for others, the fact is that you can lead a great life here despite the general anarchy of the place.

GE

[TurdyCurdyOne]

I do not know what circles you hang out in there. There is AMPLE evidence from reports on the web and it is common knowledge that foreigners have NO STATUS in the R. P. And are frequently the victims of scams. In fact, it is common knowledge that the Philippines is considered the "scam country of the world" mostly pertaining to Manila, but any large city. It is also common knowledge that the courts there are extremely slow, even for natives and CORRUPT. In fact United Nations studies frequently lists the RP as one of the most corrupt countries on Earth. Can you live a peaceful, uneventful life there. Of course.

But if you DO [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) off the wrong Filipino, get into a business conflict, or are not too smart and fall victim to a scam, you WILL get burned quite seriously. Many detailed reports of this online. You WILL of course be treated well as long as your tourist dollars keep flowing. Just as Filipinos frequently turn on the same leaders they zealously elected in the past often VIOLENTLY, so too will they turn on YOU if you become as impoverished as they are or you start making money there and maybe are competing with locals. Stay a nice tourist boy with the money flowing one way-from your pocket-to filipinos and you will have little problems, unless your a drunk or troublemaker. Otherwise you are at a serious risk for being targeted by some Filipino who does not like you. You have no defense, other than to pay them off and leave the Country-unless you make powerful FIlipino friends you can call on. I don't know what you've been doing for the years you claim to have lived there, but you must not be involved in business or anything that would bring you into conflict with the natives. Because if you did, you'd have an entirely different view of just how you fit in (NOT) , in the average FIlipino's mind. Anyone can survive in most any place if your paying people off with a steady flow of cash and are careful never to step on anyone's toes. You can even do that in PRISON. But that does not make PRISON a safe place to be. The very fact that foreigners cannot legally own land, most businesses and are required to pay high bi-monthly visa fees just to REMAIN in the country should tell you something about how Filipinos regard foreigners.


I must have come in during the middle of the movie because this dialogue makes no sense to me at all. Are you talking about the Philippines? Because if you are you're describing a country that doesn't appear to resemble where I've lived for the past seven years. I work with guys who have lived here for 20 years and have never needed a lawyer, never gotten into any jams, never been threatened and never had to rely on any "connections," which they have in abundance, to resolve any problem. Much the same goes for me, which is perhaps why I have no idea what the hell you're talking about.

If you keep your head down, avoid calling attention to yourself, and behave with reasonable civility and respect for others, the fact is that you can lead a great life here despite the general anarchy of the place.

GE

[Ezinho]

First of all, does anyone know what the hell Chocha Monger's post is about? Is it a reference to something previously mentioned on here? I have no idea what that guy is trying to say.

Turdycurdyone: You seem very paranoid. Have you actually spent time in the Philippines, or are you just going off what you're read on the internet?

Anyway, I would encourage everyone on here to google the phrase "PT lifestyle". I'm not going to go over this concept here on the ISG, but it includes the idea of "planting flags" in different countries, so to speak. One flag is for citizenship, another for business, and so on. I belive there are five or six flags in total.

My point is, the Philippines is your "playground" flag. It's where you go to lounge around, drink beer, and fuck pretty filipinas. That's all. You should not be opening any kind of "brick and mortar" business in the Philippines; I don't care who you are. You should not be looking for work in the Phils. If you need a job to support yourself in a fourth world country, maybe you're not ready to live in the Philippines.

You can't own land in the Philippines? So what? Why would you WANT to own land there? You want to be a farmer or something?

Avoid pissing off Filipino men by AVOIDING Filipino men alltogether. There's no reason to be talking with them anyways.

The visa renewals are a pain, but name me one country that allows you to stay as a tourist for 6-12 months without applying for an extension or paying a fee. That's just part of being a PT (permanent tourist).

Again, feel free to google "PT lifestyle and five flags". The way I see it, the Philippines is one of the best countries to plant a flag and make it your "playground".

[Chocha Monger]

Avoid pissing off Filipino men by AVOIDING Filipino men alltogether. There's no reason to be talking with them anyways.Great advice from a guy who got his head bashed in and a mud hole stomped in his ass by a bunch of Filipino street urchins in Angeles City.

[Screaming Beaver]

First of all, does anyone know what the hell Chocha Monger's post is about? Is it a reference to something previously mentioned on here? I have no idea what that guy is trying to say.Go back and read it again. I think Chocha Monger's posts make more sense than 99% of the other author's who post here. Maybe he's too brutally honest for some of you.

[Slippery]

I.

[QUOTE=Turdycurdyone; 1134149]I do not know what circles you hang out in there. There is AMPLE evidence from reports on the web and it is common knowledge that foreigners have NO STATUS in the R. P. And are frequently the victims of scams. In fact, it is common knowledge that the Philippines is considered the "scam country of the world" mostly pertaining to Manila, but any large city. It is also common knowledge that the courts there are extremely slow, even for natives and CORRUPT. In fact United Nations studies frequently lists the RP as one of the most corrupt countries on Earth. Can you live a peaceful, uneventful life there. Of course.

But if you DO [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) off the wrong Filipino, get into a business conflict, or are not too smart and fall victim to a scam, you WILL get burned quite seriously. Many detailed reports of this online. You WILL of course be treated well as long as your tourist dollars keep flowing. Just as Filipinos frequently turn on the same leaders they zealously elected in the past often VIOLENTLY, so too will they turn on YOU if you become as impoverished as they are or you start making money there and maybe are competing with locals. Stay a nice tourist boy with the money flowing one way-from your pocket-to filipinos and you will have little problems, unless your a drunk or troublemaker. Otherwise you are at a serious risk for being targeted by some Filipino who does not like you. You have no defense, other than to pay them off and leave the Country-unless you make powerful FIlipino friends you can call on. I don't know what you've been doing for the years you claim to have lived there, but you must not be involved in business or anything that would bring you into conflict with the natives. Because if you did, you'd have an entirely different view of just how you fit in (NOT) , in the average FIlipino's mind. Anyone can survive in most any place if your paying people off with a steady flow of cash and are careful never to step on anyone's toes. You can even do that in PRISON. But that does not make PRISON a safe place to be. The very fact that foreigners cannot legally own land, most businesses and are required to pay high bi-monthly visa fees just to REMAIN in the country should tell you something about how Filipinos regard foreigners. [/QUO

[Red Kilt]

I do not know what circles you hang out in there. There is AMPLE evidence from reports on the web and it is common knowledge that foreigners have NO STATUS in the R. P. And are frequently the victims of scams. . . . . . . SNIP. . . . .I have to comment on the basic error in the first sentence of your post Turdy CO, (quoted above) and you exacerbate it by using CAPs to shout at us readers. I agree with the comments by GE who basically said he didn't understand what you were saying.

I have lived here almost 14 years. I have considerable status both in my work and certainly in my condo, and I have never been scammed, abused or needed a lawyer except for the logistics of buying my condo. I can get things done and buy what I need at market price without having to grease any palms.

If you have had such a miserable time then I am sorry for you because it has colored your opinion of what, for me, is a very comfortable place to live and work. I hope everybody doesn't assume your opinion and experience is as widespread as you make it out to be. The statistics on the number of foreigners who actually live here (and pay their 310 peso annual report fee) shows that there is also ample evidence that many of us think it is a great place to live.

[Cunning Stunt]

Odd that it is the tourists such as CM, Slippery and Jack Shit (erm... I mean SB) who tell us how dangerous the place is, whereas the residents such as GE and RK, living here for a combined total of over 20 years, report no problems.

I've lived here for over 12 years and, apart from a couple of small bribes to traffic enforcers when I took my car out on a colour coded day, I also have encountered no problems. Amongst my circle of expat friends, some living here for much longer than me, I cannot recall been told any real horror stories.

As long as you mind your own business and keep your nose clean, The Philippines is no more unsafe than any other third world destination in the area and a damn sight safer than many places in South and Central America. I definitely feel safer on the streets here than I would in London or in many cities in the states.

[PolyOrchid]

I definitely feel safer on the streets here than I would in London or in many cities in the states.Hear, hear! Whenever any of my US buddies ask me the most dangerous thing about coming to the Phillines, I reply "spending the overnight in Chicago, waiting for the flight".

Truly, I concur, CS, with your assessment of relative dangers in world cities. I've never felt as endangered in any city in Asia as I have in Chicago, Philly, or certain parts of Dallas.

And, an additional advantage here in Asia: the coppers are much less intimidating and a lot more amenable to a little grease if the situation calls for it.

[TurdyCurdyOne]

First of all, does anyone know what the hell Chocha Monger's post is about? Is it a reference to something previously mentioned on here? I have no idea what that guy is trying to say.

Turdycurdyone: You seem very paranoid. Have you actually spent time in the Philippines, or are you just going off what you're read on the internet?

Anyway, I would encourage everyone on here to google the phrase "PT lifestyle". I'm not going to go over this concept here on the ISG, but it includes the idea of "planting flags" in different countries, so to speak. One flag is for citizenship, another for business, and so on. I belive there are five or six flags in total.

My point is, the Philippines is your "playground" flag. It's where you go to lounge around, drink beer, and fuck pretty filipinas. That's all. You should not be opening any kind of "brick and mortar" business in the Philippines; I don't care who you are. You should not be looking for work in the Phils. If you need a job to support yourself in a fourth world country, maybe you're not ready to live in the Philippines.

You can't own land in the Philippines? So what? Why would you WANT to own land there? You want to be a farmer or something?

Avoid pissing off Filipino men by AVOIDING Filipino men alltogether. There's no reason to be talking with them anyways.

The visa renewals are a pain, but name me one country that allows you to stay as a tourist for 6-12 months without applying for an extension or paying a fee. That's just part of being a PT (permanent tourist).

Again, feel free to google "PT lifestyle and five flags". The way I see it, the Philippines is one of the best countries to plant a flag and make it your "playground". You did not read the thread so your comments are not relevant to what I have said so far.

[TurdyCurdyOne]

I have to comment on the basic error in the first sentence of your post Turdy CO, (quoted above) and you exacerbate it by using CAPs to shout at us readers. I agree with the comments by GE who basically said he didn't understand what you were saying.

*The caps are for emphasis. If your hearing shouting I suggest you see a psychiatrist.

I have lived here almost 14 years. I have considerable status both in my work and certainly in my condo, and I have never been scammed, abused or needed a lawyer except for the logistics of buying my condo. I can get things done and buy what I need at market price without having to grease any palms.

*What status? Are you married to a Filipina? What is your work that you *claim*

You have status? Unless you're working for a foreign owned company at foreign wages, your wages stink and you have no status. If you work for a foreign corp. You only have status as long as the corp. Helps you and is not itself in trouble with the Phil gov. You don't own the land under you condo and you pay fees to the condo management. I know of 3 guys in Cebu right now who are desperate to unload their condos and no takers. Condo ownership in Phil does not incur status.

If you have had such a miserable time then I am sorry for you because it has colored your opinion of what, for me, is a very comfortable place to live and work. I hope everybody doesn't assume your opinion and experience is as widespread as you make it out to be. The statistics on the number of foreigners who actually live here (and pay their 310 peso annual report fee) shows that there is also ample evidence that many of us think it is a great place to live. Visa fees for most tourists last time I checked were around $40-$60 USD every two months, plus the 18 month leave the Country provision costs. That's alot more than the 310 peso fee your quoting. Are you purposely trying to mislead people?

* Many of these responders have vested interest in getting people to the Phil.

Wait until they have a problem or are facing the corrupt judicial / gov there.

They will change their tunes quickly. There is no due process for foreigners in the Phil. My Filipina friends, of which I have many, whom I have known for years even complain with detailed stores of the bad the courts there and the fundamental injustice of their Country.

Why you think these young, good looking Filipinas are so desperate to marry an old fat balding foreigner? It's not for his sex appeal I can assure you. They want OUT and they don't care much about how they accomplish that.

One of the reasons the Phil has such a hard time attracting foreign business is that once the business gets very successful and they are making more money than they are paying bribes for, they will often take the business to court and usurp the business under laws that make foreign ownership of a business ILLEGAL in the phil. This has happened many times including with a well known large hotel chain that was foreign owned. I had a good friend there that got so tired of paying bribes to get the simplest things done that he moved his successful factory to Bali from Manila and is much happier now.

As one other poster stated the Phil is a playground but not a very good place to live, especially as a foreigner who has no legal rights there. Go ahead an flame me, I know the score about the Phil and it is not pretty.

Ok I am going to stop replying to these delusional comments from unknown people who are making all kinds of unsubstanciated claims about how happy they are living in the Phil. There is way too much evidence to the contrary.

[TurdyCurdyOne]

odd that it is the tourists such as cm, slippery and jack shit (erm. i mean sb) who tell us how dangerous the place is, whereas the residents such as ge and rk, living here for a combined total of over 20 years, report no problems.

*ok here comes the flames "jack shit" eh? isn't that against board tos?

i don't care i believe in free speech regardless, but i have seen the

moderator of this board censor people for similar.

* as far as those living there for years and years, of course there is no way to verify that, nor is there any way to determine whether or not they might have a financial or similar vested interest in getting people to the phil (such as a bar owner for example or someone earning money from tourism). in other forums about living in the phil. posters are frequently censored and have their posts deleted precisely because they have criticized the phil and stepped on the toes of someone making money from tourism. same idea applies here.

i've lived here for over 12 years and, apart from a couple of small bribes to traffic enforcers when i took my car out on a colour coded day, i also have encountered no problems. amongst my circle of expat friends, some living here for much longer than me, i cannot recall been told any real horror stories.

*there are so many credible reports on the web, impossible not to find them.

last one i saw was about a guy jailed without due process on false charges. almost died in prison and only with the help of an outside friend was he able to clear himself. brit as i recall. truth is the phil is a risky place for any foreigner who is not playing a stricly tourist role while in the country temporarily and even then he / she is subject to alot of scamming, overpricing, etc. google is your friend, just google it, many incidents all over the web.

as long as you mind your own business and keep your nose clean, the philippines is no more unsafe than any other third world destination in the area and a damn sight safer than many places in south and central america. i definitely feel safer on the streets here than i would in london or in many cities in the states. * by "mind your own business" and "keep your nose clean" means not engaging in.

any business or trying to make money, and just living as a guest tourist, then you're right in most cases. however, if i go there, i want to live there not just be a second rate tourist visitor dependent on the good graces of my hosts. if you're talking about physical violence, yes, you're right the phil is probably safer overall than central and s. america. of course central and s. american does not have as many problems with terrorist bombings and kidnappings that the phil does. just read a report of an american shot 5 times (dead) with a pistol by a muslim in a jeepney in iligan. he had 5 grand on him that was untouched.

several cities and regions in the phil are not safe for any white man, and some, as with the mass murders near davao, not even safe for natives. was talking to

a filipina in gen santos about the bombings there and she said don't worry it's safe here. next week she was nearly killed by a bomb 100 meters away at a shopping center there.

[FreebieFan]

I remember somewhere back in these marvelous threads Cunning posted a story about a girl who was inexperieinced despite being in late 20s I think.

I live in Taipei (but the ISG board there is all about KTVs etc) and anyways I deal in Filipinas so am posting mine here. Chatting to one Filipina lady working here in Taipei recently who tells me she's 31. Nice pic. Then after a few chat lets on she has this big secrets. And yes ladies and gents. She's 31 and a virgin. Has promised herself she will lose it before her 32 birthday.

So of course I'm bigging myself up as a potential cherry buster. Will be funny to see where it goes. But amazing. Says she's never even given a blow.

[Brymor]

I have been a frequent visitor to the Philippines over the last 7 or 8 years as a tourist. I usually go a minimum of two to three times year and I predominantly stay in Cebu and the North of Mindanao. I personally know a number of expats who have lived in both locations for a number of years and I am quite sure your comments would raise a few eyebrows. Some of them have their own businesses that do not rely on any form of tourism and they would always take a positive view of visiting or living in the Philippines.

There are horror stories of course, I could cite some pretty sorry cases in my own country but they are not the norm they are the exception and I am not talking about corruption here, I think we all accept that is part of the culture in RP. I think that if you engage in any sort of illegal activity then you will always be a potential target for some unpleasant attention from the authorities or whoever else you have pissed off.

You could search the internet for horror stories in any country and if thats all you read of course it is going to negatively affect the way you view your safety, security and well being.

I agree with you that opening a business in the Philippines is a minefield fraught with potential problems and I know a couple of guys who have had their fingers burnt. But from what I know and have learned myself, I would be quite happy living (and working) in the Philippines if I could find something productive to do with my time there, other than just having sex day in and day out with a stream of different girls

[Slippery]

Post #1451 wasn't my post. I dunno what happened there although my name appears next to it. Looks like I was trying to quote and somehow got hung up. Just clearing the record.

[Growtek]

I have lived here almost 14 years. I have considerable status both in my work and certainly in my condo, and I have never been scammed, abused or needed a lawyer except for the logistics of buying my condo. I can get things done and buy what I need at market price without having to grease any palms.

If you have had such a miserable time then I am sorry for you because it has colored your opinion of what, for me, is a very comfortable place to live and work. I hope everybody doesn't assume your opinion and experience is as widespread as you make it out to be. The statistics on the number of foreigners who actually live here (and pay their 310 peso annual report fee) shows that there is also ample evidence that many of us think it is a great place to live. Thanks for the comment. This has been an interesting read.

I agree with you. I've never lived in the in the Philippines but in my travels seems likes there's a few different types of ex-pats.

There are good guys who get screwed but for the most part the guys who can never find trust are those out for themselves in the first place.

Altruism exists and it's a currency for friendship money never will. Not everyone can recognize it and there's black hearts on both sides of the fence but I've made lasting friendships as a volunteer. People aren't so different overseas, they can see the difference.

It seems some ex-pats gravitate toward "foreigner ghettos" (like Wash Square, BKK) while other integrate themselves in regular working neighborhoods. Guess who's more likely to meet the schemers and scammers? Who's to blame for that?

Last is my beef but if you're going to live somewhere learn more than "beer","no" and "how much".

[Sammon]

Phi is one of the many poor third world countries for cheap living on american Money. Many expats who live there are quite happy it seems. Ofcourse living anywhere has its own problems. Naturally the local people envy you because you have a better lifestyle and you have young pretty girl as a wife, car etc. Ofcourse you become a target for scheming locals, corrupt law enforcement officials, local cheats etc. Everybody want a slice of your percieved wealth. I am sure it will be more pronounced in the provinces rather than cities.

My suggestion is lay low and do not flash your wealth. On the other hand if you do not flash how are you going to get a pretty young thing? All girls look for security and a decent living without worries. Besides she wants to make it clear to her whole extended family that she bagged a rich guy.

[Red Kilt]

Visa fees for most tourists last time I checked were around $40-$60 USD every two months, plus the 18 month leave the Country provision costs. That's alot more than the 310 peso fee your quoting. Are you purposely trying to mislead people?Read what I said. I have a permanent visa. That means I don't pay ANYTHING every 2 months.

For those who live here, it is mandatory to report to BoI between Jan 1 and March 1 every year to show your ACR and pay a modest fee. It costs 310 pesos to file this report at a special window in BoI.

The newspapers yesterday mentioned how many foreigners had reported to BoI. At 310 pesos it was a nice money spinner for the government.

I am well aware that some guys pay a shitload of money every 2 months. For those of us on Permanent Visas, we don't pay anything (except 310 pesos). Per year.

I have absolutely no vested interest in recruiting anybody to live in the Philippines. People can make their own mind up about that. I was giving an alternative view to you.

You think the place is a shit hole full of corruption. I think it is paradise. That's all.

[Boricua]

This is off the current topic. Sorry about that! I was just awarded my SS Disability and my VA disability (40%). Total monthly income will be $2147. 00 USD. I am taking a serious look at living in either Angeles City, Subic Bay or Olongapo. For those of you currently living in the PI, I would like to know if you believe this would be sufficient monthly income?

[Wicked Roger]

Visa fees for most tourists last time I checked were around $40-$60 USD every two months, plus the 18 month leave the Country provision costs. That's alot more than the 310 peso fee your quoting. Are you purposely trying to mislead people?

* Many of these responders have vested interest in getting people to the Phil.

Wait until they have a problem or are facing the corrupt judicial / gov there.

They will change their tunes quickly. There is no due process for foreigners in the Phil. My Filipina friends, of which I have many, whom I have known for years even complain with detailed stores of the bad the courts there and the fundamental injustice of their Country.

Why you think these young, good looking Filipinas are so desperate to marry an old fat balding foreigner? It's not for his sex appeal I can assure you. They want OUT and they don't care much about how they accomplish that.

One of the reasons the Phil has such a hard time attracting foreign business is that once the business gets very successful and they are making more money than they are paying bribes for, they will often take the business to court and usurp the business under laws that make foreign ownership of a business ILLEGAL in the phil. This has happened many times including with a well known large hotel chain that was foreign owned. I had a good friend there that got so tired of paying bribes to get the simplest things done that he moved his successful factory to Bali from Manila and is much happier now.

As one other poster stated the Phil is a playground but not a very good place to live, especially as a foreigner who has no legal rights there. Go ahead an flame me, I know the score about the Phil and it is not pretty.

Ok I am going to stop replying to these delusional comments from unknown people who are making all kinds of unsubstanciated claims about how happy they are living in the Phil. There is way too much evidence to the contrary. TC.

If are really uncomfortable with PI don't come to the country and take yourself somewhere else, very simple.

I know many of the posters who live in PI, all seem very happy and have little or no issues with the country, so what RK, GE and CS and others say should be respected and considered, not called delusional from "unknown people" (I know them, meet them, have dinner with them and at times holiday with them)

If you managed to open your obviously blinked mind and eyes (and put your brain into gear at the same time as opening your mouth / typing the FR) you will find a country full of contrasts etc. In the west countries such as USA have equal poverty, violence (likely more) , lots of gun crime and degradation as PI but I don't see anyone here saying living there is hell.

Each person has a different definition of happiness and for me living in the USA (even though I have family there) would be sheer hell but living in PI would be fine. For me (but obviously not you).

So TC, best steer clear of PI and let those with a more mature and wordly / balanced outlook on life enjoy the pinays as you clearly would not enjoy them.

Just my tuppence worth for the day LOL

[Vageterian]

After being in several south east asian countries. I don't find anything wrong with the Philippines. Sure there is corruption and it is by no means a perfect place. But what goes a long way when visiting or living is respect. Do not come here with preconcieved ideas but just go with the flow. Living in Indonesia and phils part time I now realise how up tight westerners are and how uptight I was before I came. Don't shoot your mouth off, behave yourself, keep a low profile and enjoy the tender young pinay. There is a 1 in a hundred chance any shit will go down if you follow the rules, treat the Filipino people with some respect and dignity and watch alot of doors open. It was on reading the advice of WR and cunning and some of the other gentlemen I decided to come here in the first place. Thanks boys

[Freezone]

I can concur that PI is a dangerous place. It was the only place I've ever been to that I fell off my bar stool trying to lean over and look up the small dress of my bar maid. Needless to say, banged my head and had a headache for the rest of the night, although not 100% sure if the headache was from too many beers or the head banging? Oh well, guess I'll have to go back to AC to find out.

Cheers and beers.

FZ

[DriveAllNight]

Damn right the RP is dangerous, especially for women. Concussions from headboards, sprained ankles pulling a runner, papercuts from Western Union receipts, etc.

To say nothing of those ISG members who terrorize Filipinas with rubber toys they tote around in their "bag of tricks," LOL.

[Cunning Stunt]

I remember somewhere back in these marvelous threads Cunning posted a story about a girl who was inexperieinced despite being in late 20s I think.

I live in Taipei (but the ISG board there is all about KTVs etc) and anyways I deal in Filipinas so am posting mine here. Chatting to one Filipina lady working here in Taipei recently who tells me she's 31. Nice pic. Then after a few chat lets on she has this big secrets. And yes ladies and gents. She's 31 and a virgin. Has promised herself she will lose it before her 32 birthday.

So of course I'm bigging myself up as a potential cherry buster. Will be funny to see where it goes. But amazing. Says she's never even given a blow. Hope that you have better luck than I did, mate. All mine would allow was some heavy petting and a bit of light pencil sharpening:). She wanted shagging but something long engrained in her psyche wouldn't allow it.

She also gave a BJ as if my nuts were made from 5 ounces of primed semtex.

Her hand job was fairly proficient but we all know we could do the job better:D.

[FreebieFan]

Damn right the RP is dangerous, especially for women. Concussions from headboards, sprained ankles pulling a runner, papercuts from Western Union receipts, etc.

To say nothing of those ISG members who terrorize Filipinas with rubber toys they tote around in their "bag of tricks," LOL.Not to mention the odd attack by a pussy bound cucumber. LOL.

[FreebieFan]

Hope that you have better luck than I did, mate. All mine would allow was some heavy petting and a bit of light pencil sharpening. She wanted shagging but something long engrained in her psyche wouldn't allow it.

She also gave a BJ as if my nuts were made from 5 ounces of primed semtex.

Her hand job was fairly proficient but we all know we could do the job better.For the want of a challenge we will let this one simmer with a few hot messages now and again. Till she's running out of time. Then see whats going on. I do recognise that it might not be easy in all aspects. But a man surely likes a challenge. Not forgetting the " boldly go where no man has gone before " aspect. LOL

[Mayntain]

[QUOTE=Boricua; 1134531]This is off the current topic. Sorry about that! I was just awarded my SS Disability and my VA disability (40%). Total monthly income will be $2147. 00 USD. I am taking a serious look at living in either Angeles City, Subic Bay or Olongapo. For those of you currently living in the PI, I would like to know if you believe this would be sufficient monthly income? [/QUOI.

In one word YES. $2147. 00 is enough to have a good time living in. A. C. Just don't ring the bell in the bar every fucking night and you will be just fine there!

[Boricua]

Thanks for response. I plan to make a 4 week trip to AC, Olongapo and Subic Bay beginning June 2nd. In addition to mongering, I plan to check out 1-2 bedroom apartments so I can make an educated decision. $2147. 00 is a guaranteed income. Since I am service connected, I should be able to use the VA in Manila or other VA approved clinics. I hear you when you refer to the bell ringing thing. I've made a couple of trips to AC and Manila and have never had the urge to bell ring. I'm looking forward to my trip and would love to meet with anyone thinking of being in AC during that time.




[QUOTE=Boricua; 1134531]This is off the current topic. Sorry about that! I was just awarded my SS Disability and my VA disability (40%). Total monthly income will be $2147. 00 USD. I am taking a serious look at living in either Angeles City, Subic Bay or Olongapo. For those of you currently living in the PI, I would like to know if you believe this would be sufficient monthly income? [/QUOI.

In one word YES. $2147. 00 is enough to have a good time living in. A. C. Just don't ring the bell in the bar every fucking night and you will be just fine there!

[Brymor]

[QUOTE=Boricua; 1134531]This is off the current topic. Sorry about that! I was just awarded my SS Disability and my VA disability (40%). Total monthly income will be $2147. 00 USD. I am taking a serious look at living in either Angeles City, Subic Bay or Olongapo. For those of you currently living in the PI, I would like to know if you believe this would be sufficient monthly income?I think it all depends how you want to live when you get to the Philippines. If you want western standards of comfort and living (cable TV, air con, internet, reliable hot water, decent bathroom and a well furnished house or apartment) it will all eat into your allowances. Plus the other thing is that if you do not have a job or other means of occupying your time, you may end up like many other expats, sitting in a bar all day developing chirrohois of the liver, simply because you have nothing else to do with your time.

You would need to find yourself a regular gf (should be very easy) but comes with its own hidden costs, but most will cook, clean and do your laundry together with the other benefits of having a live in girl friend. If you don't and you have to take bar girls on a regular basis this will again eat into your money very quickly.

If you are happy living like one of the locals and home comforts are not important to you, then of course your money will be more than enough, though personally I could never live like this. Good luck and please let us know how it all pans out.

[Brymor]

Further to my preceding field report after I posted it I was not able to edit it. I should add that I do not live in the Philippines and when I was staying in Cebu last year I carefully costed out the financial issues regarding renting a nice apartment, private health care, the cost of mongering now and again, having a permanent live in gf, travelling back to Europe once or twice a year, running a vehicle etc etc. My pension is quite a bit more than the figures you mentioned and I was still worried whether my money would be enough to live off in the kind of lifestyle that I would want. That said I guess it depends where you live, in my experience the cost of renting real estate varies wildy from one extreme to the other, depending on the location you choose to settle down in.

[Member #4351]

OK Mortman, how much did your estimate run per month?

[Brymor]

OK Mortman, how much did your estimate run per month?My estimates were based on living in Cebu City where costs tend to be higher than provincial towns and my own personal preferences. Whilst I am happy to use taxis every time I visit, if I lived in the Philippines I would want a vehicle and that would involve a large capital outlay. The apartments and Condos I looked at in Cebu City were around 30, 000 pesos per month and houses more. From what I have been told power is expensive and if you are running air con often these costs will mount up each month for electricity. Health insurance is another big cost for me. Two flights back to Europe each year would cost me around $3000 more or less depending on the time of year, airline etc.

I would like to hear comments from other members who actually live in the Philippines and who enjoy a reasonably high standard of living, comparable to Western standards. These guys are the ones who will be the most knowledgable and they will have the most accurate and up to date information. I am really interested to know what level of income is needed to have this kind of lifestyle in one of the major urban areas such as Cebu City. If my sums are wrong (I mean if I have overestimated the costs) then I may reconsider moving out there!

[GoodEnough]

As has been reiterated time and again herein, what you "need" depends in large measure on how you want to live. I live in a large house in a gated,"exclusive" community and I have two cars, two helpers and the usual array of amenities. Most of my expat friends here live the same way and my costs are about $5, 000 a month including house rental. I know others who spend about $1, 000 more and some guys who live on less than $2, 000 a month.

In the Philippines, as elsewhere, you get what you pay for. If you want to eat Western style, with imported beef, cheeses, wines, etc. you will have to expect to pay a lot more per month for food than those eating primarily local beef and chicken with no imported alcohol. If you plan to dine out once or twice a week at decent restaurants, this will add to your costs. If you're content with local eateries, then your costs will be significantly lower. Succinctly, there are lifestyles here to fit every budget.

Then too, the city in which you live makes a difference. I live in Davao, which is likely 10-20% less expensive than Cebu, which is, in turn probably 10-20% less expensive than the exclusive areas of Metro Manila. I could probably spend lots less if I lived in CDO or Dumaguete. Geographical location then is another critical factor to consider together with lifestyle.

Then there are your extracurricular activities to consider. If it's important that you're "out there" chasing punani every night, it's going to add big time to your costs wherever you are. If you're a more sedentary type and less sexually demanding, costs will be proportionately lower.

The "how much does it cost to live here?" question is largely rhetorical. The fact is, it can cost, within reason, whatever you need or want it to cost, and the cost per month always involves a series of trade offs that differ for each of us.

GE

[GoodEnough]

I should have added to my last post that the cash outlay for vehicles here does not necessarily have to be excessive. You can purchase quite serviceable used cars, in decent condition for about $3, 000 or even less and you can find mechanics here who can keep cars running almost forever. Of course fuel costs are high, but not much higher than in the US and still lower than in much of Europe.

My wife just reminded me that her sister and her boyfriend rent a house in a decent subdivision here for about $80 a month. I've not seen it, but she says it's not bad at all and quite safe.
GE

[Brymor]

I should have added to my last post that the cash outlay for vehicles here does not necessarily have to be excessive. You can purchase quite serviceable used cars, in decent condition for about $3, 000 or even less and you can find mechanics here who can keep cars running almost forever. Of course fuel costs are high, but not much higher than in the US and still lower than in much of Europe.

My wife just reminded me that her sister and her boyfriend rent a house in a decent subdivision here for about $80 a month. I've not seen it, but she says it's not bad at all and quite safe.

GEGE Very informative thanks and I do understand what a subjective issue this is and how we all have different requirements. The comment about fuel costs brought a smile to my face, since it costs me over £90 to fill my car with fuel in the UK (around $135) anything else seems very cheap to me. I don't need a massive house or two cars, but I do want a certain level of comfort that I would enjoy at home, after all there should be additional benefits of moving to the RP other than just the availability of pussy. I like good dining but good home cooking is equally important and the fine wine I can live without, at least most of the time. I still find it difficult to estimate what the true costs will be, I should stop procrastinating and take the plunge to find out for myself. The very worst that can happen is that it doesn't work out and I come home

[Boricua]

I stated previously that I have a min monthly guaranteed income of $2, 147. 00. I have service connected disability with the Veterans Admin. Which means that I can use the VA Clinic in Manila or any other VA approved clinic in the PI. I don't drink and I don't smoke, so that is not an expense which I have to take into account. Being single, I can rent a decent apartment. I was born and raised in NYC and have no desire to live in a major city such as Manila or Cebu. Just outside any metro area would be fine with me. There is a website where you can go in order to do a cost comparison http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp You can compare major western cities to some cities such as Olongapo and Manila. I have calculated that living in Olongapo for example would be about 36% less than living in Houston.


GE Very informative thanks and I do understand what a subjective issue this is and how we all have different requirements. The comment about fuel costs brought a smile to my face, since it costs me over £90 to fill my car with fuel in the UK (around $135) anything else seems very cheap to me. I don't need a massive house or two cars, but I do want a certain level of comfort that I would enjoy at home, after all there should be additional benefits of moving to the RP other than just the availability of pussy. I like good dining but good home cooking is equally important and the fine wine I can live without, at least most of the time. I still find it difficult to estimate what the true costs will be, I should stop procrastinating and take the plunge to find out for myself. The very worst that can happen is that it doesn't work out and I come home

[Sammon]

I stated previously that I have a min monthly guaranteed income of $2, 147. 00. I have service connected disability with the Veterans Admin. Which means that I can use the VA Clinic in Manila or any other VA approved clinic in the PI. I don't drink and I don't smoke, so that is not an expense which I have to take into account. Being single, I can rent a decent apartment. I was born and raised in NYC and have no desire to live in a major city such as Manila or Cebu. Just outside any metro area would be fine with me. There is a website where you can go in order to do a cost comparison.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp

You can compare major western cities to some cities such as Olongapo and Manila. I have calculated that living in Olongapo for example would be about 36% less than living in Houston. I had a friend who lived in AC for $1400 per month. He had AC, Internet and one bedroom apt. He had bought a motorbike and he used for transportation. He had girls living with him one at a time. I guess he likes to change girls often. There are many Phi girls willing to live with you and cook and take care of the house. In return they will be very happy if you buy her clothes, food and incidental money.

Security is a concern if you live in cheap apartment. Secured compounds are a good idea. They maybe little more expensive. Since you do not drink there will not be a bartab to worry about. But it maybe a problem if you go to bars and also trying to barfine girls. They may think you are a cheap charlie.

Best thing to do is go to places where you like to retire and check out apartments, talk to local expats and decide.

Better to have a live in girl. It really cuts down on spending money to get a girl. The downside is supporting the girl and dealing with her aspiration of having a family and stability in her life. Your allowance is not enough to support a family unless the girl works.

[Jambo]

Here are some sites with data on living costs in various places. Sometimes the data may be suspect because there were not enough reporters, or it did not account for increases.

http://www.numbeo.com/common/

http://www.pintprice.com/index.php

<- the cost of a pint of beer, worldwide.

Also, the PIatNight forum has several members, from a variety of areas, who have taken the time to itemize their expenses. I suggest search there for "living expenses" or "cost of living", or search for "electricity". Besides daily living costs, or course consider the visa costs, and air travel.

[Boricua]

Good info everyone. I am sure that additional cost for secured compound would not break the bank. The times that I have gone to bars, be they in fields or perimeter I have always asked for water or mango juice. When I have decided to barfine a lady, buying one or two ladies drinks has never been a problem for me. The ladies seem to really like the fact that I do not drink or smoke. One lady once told me that she liked it because I did not smell. I am looking forward to running into some expats in AC and Olongapo so that I can compare notes and get their input. Thanks all for your help.


I had a friend who lived in AC for $1400 per month. He had AC, Internet and one bedroom apt. He had bought a motorbike and he used for transportation. He had girls living with him one at a time. I guess he likes to change girls often. There are many Phi girls willing to live with you and cook and take care of the house. In return they will be very happy if you buy her clothes, food and incidental money.

Security is a concern if you live in cheap apartment. Secured compounds are a good idea. They maybe little more expensive. Since you do not drink there will not be a bartab to worry about. But it maybe a problem if you go to bars and also trying to barfine girls. They may think you are a cheap charlie.

Best thing to do is go to places where you like to retire and check out apartments, talk to local expats and decide.

Better to have a live in girl. It really cuts down on spending money to get a girl. The downside is supporting the girl and dealing with her aspiration of having a family and stability in her life. Your allowance is not enough to support a family unless the girl works.

[GoodEnough]

Maybe the most rational thing to do, if you've still got questions about where to live and what it's going to cost you to live is to identify a couple of cities that are high on your list of possibilities. Spend a month in each, renting an apartment on a short-term lease, and get to know each city a bit. A month would give you enough time, I think, to get to know some expats and to develop a feel for the city. Here in Davao you could rent a decent apartment Red Knight Gardens for maybe $250 for the month and I'm sure there are equivalent alternatives in other cities. Boricua, the answer to your question, as others have implied is that you can certainly live in the Philippines for less than your monthly income. The question is where you want to live. I should have added to the posts I made yesterday that the cost of attractive furniture here is not high, and you could probably furnish a one bedroom apartment, with plasma TV for less than $1, 500. The one-time investment in furniture is probably worth it since the cost of an unfurnished apartment will be cheaper.

GE

[Boricua]

So far I have narrowed it down to AC and Olongapo. I'm going to spend about 4-5 weeks on my next trip and will spend some time in both cities. I've been to Davao several times, however, I don't think there are any VA approved facilities there. I'm trying to keep an open mind. BTW, having been married to a filipina for 7 years I am very famility with shipping to the PI via Balikbayan. I spoke to the Balikbayan shipping company and they told me it would be no problem sending stuff to the PI for me. Of course I'll have to have all my ducks in a row before I start to send stuff there. Cheers.


Maybe the most rational thing to do, if you've still got questions about where to live and what it's going to cost you to live is to identify a couple of cities that are high on your list of possibilities. Spend a month in each, renting an apartment on a short-term lease, and get to know each city a bit. A month would give you enough time, I think, to get to know some expats and to develop a feel for the city. Here in Davao you could rent a decent apartment Red Knight Gardens for maybe $250 for the month and I'm sure there are equivalent alternatives in other cities. Boricua, the answer to your question, as others have implied is that you can certainly live in the Philippines for less than your monthly income. The question is where you want to live. I should have added to the posts I made yesterday that the cost of attractive furniture here is not high, and you could probably furnish a one bedroom apartment, with plasma TV for less than $1, 500. The one-time investment in furniture is probably worth it since the cost of an unfurnished apartment will be cheaper.

GE

[Red Kilt]

. . . . . . . . The ladies seem to really like the fact that I do not drink or smoke. One lady once told me that she liked it because I did not smell. . . . . . . . . .I prefer to hear a girl say the more positive thing that I smell good rather than the default negative opinion that I don't smell lol.

I guess that tells us that many guys who hit the bars do, in fact, smell bad and that's why such an opinion is given.

Re girls liking that you don't drink: I would surmise that a huge percentage would have come from a home environment where drunken behavior by fathers, brothers and other barangay males (and possibly some women too) has given them bad memories and experiences so they will anticipate that they will not have to deal with that sort of fall-out from you if you should bf them.

[Sharka]

I had a friend who lived in AC for $1400 per month. He had AC, Internet and one bedroom apt. He had bought a motorbike and he used for transportation. He had girls living with him one at a time. I guess he likes to change girls often. There are many Phi girls willing to live with you and cook and take care of the house. In return they will be very happy if you buy her clothes, food and incidental money.

Security is a concern if you live in cheap apartment. Secured compounds are a good idea. They maybe little more expensive. Ok, having read some of the discussion. Here is my question of the day. For a good balance. Which locations would be best for one (such as myself) that seeks a balance between places that have good chances of finding a nice decent looking filipina willing to live / care for you (as stated above) and also have a decent active night life for mongering as not to be bored while waiting and trying to find the right filipina to live with.

For example, AC will not fit the bill as I've been there many times and all the ladies I've encounter there (regular girls or bar girls) seem to be of similar minds. They will take care of you based on ability to pay and nothing else, not the type of relationship I have in mind.

Also, when you said secure compounds, what would the avg. monthly rent be in such places ? Does your friend living in AC at $1400/mt live in a secure place?

[Edward M]

Does anyone have personal or second-hand experience with something serious like a heart attack, stroke, or cancer in the Philippines? How was the care and what were the costs? Is there any reasonable way to have health insurance take care of things? This question is specifically geared towards an expat that is a long-term resident and NOT ex-military so no access to the VA hospital.

[Rick Rock]

I've been reading and talking to people in the know for a while and I see that a maid will run you between 50-100 US$ a month. What I haven't been able to find out (by searching; don't want to ask Filipino people) is what the possibility is of getting a maid that will also take care of you sexually when you need it (occasional-regular HJ, BJ or FS). Any idea? I'm sure I'm not the first one to think about this.

Perhaps it would require additional pay or a different kind of search? Are maids usually young and sexy or old and worn out?

In case anyone plans to tell me to simply find a live in Filipina girlfriend, I'm married. The wife would be fine with me getting serviced by the maid.

Thanks

[Cunning Stunt]

I've been reading and talking to people in the know for a while and I see that a maid will run you between 50-100 US$ a month. What I haven't been able to find out (by searching; don't want to ask Filipino people) is what the possibility is of getting a maid that will also take care of you sexually when you need it (occasional-regular HJ, BJ or FS). Any idea? I'm sure I'm not the first one to think about this.

Perhaps it would require additional pay or a different kind of search? Are maids usually young and sexy or old and worn out?

In case anyone plans to tell me to simply find a live in Filipina girlfriend, I'm married. The wife would be fine with me getting serviced by the maid.

ThanksHahaha. Would you have her dress up in a frilly little apron and short skirt and get her a feather duster? Oh and insist that she wears no knickers and get her a step ladder so that she can dust the ceiling daily while you stand behind her to hold the ladder.... LOL.

I've had numerous DIA girls offer to be my personal maid (with extras) but because my less understanding strife does not accompany me whilst I am in The Philippines, she insists on choosing the maid! I wonder why? The last one she chose, looked like a horse and had hands like spades. Kept the house spotless though and cooked a pretty mean adobo.

You should have no problem filling your requirement. Just stick a profile up on DIA outlining your requirement and what you will be expecting. But insist that the girl will be required to do some real housework outside the fun agenda, otherwise you will end up maiding for her! I assure you that you will be snowed under with applications.

Hope your fantasy comes to fruition. You must have a very understanding partner.

[Red Kilt]

i've been reading and talking to people in the know for a while and i see that a maid will run you between 50-100 us$ a month. what i haven't been able to find out (by searching; don't want to ask filipino people) is what the possibility is of getting a maid that will also take care of you sexually when you need it (occasional-regular hj, bj or fs). any idea? i'm sure i'm not the first one to think about this.

perhaps it would require additional pay or a different kind of search? are maids usually young and sexy or old and worn out?

in case anyone plans to tell me to simply find a live in filipina girlfriend, i'm married. the wife would be fine with me getting serviced by the maid.

thanksnot a good idea rick. take it from someone who has lived here for 14 years.

as soon as you step over that boundary, your maid ceases to be a maid and the employer / employee role changes entirely.

an agency official once told me that you open your self up to all manner of accusations of [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123), molestation etc as soon as you play with your maid. remember that at some stage you will have to "discipline" her for something (being lazy, spilling bleach on your best trousers etc etc or even fire her). if she is "more than a maid" she will either ignore you or seek some form of revenge.

there are so many potential murky scenarios here that you should leave well alone. there are so many willing alternatives around that i can't see any good reason for going down this track.

much better to choose an older, more mature, spinster who is good at her job than find a sexy young thing for a maid who will probably spend a lot of time flirting with and banging the janitors, drivers, security guards etc as well as you (if you live or plan to live in a condo as i do).

[GoodEnough]

As my friend RK has so accurately pointed out, this is a terrible idea. Though hiring someone to perform the extra duties is entirely feasible, you're opening yourself up to a host of potential legal problems that are simply not worth the risk. I have two reasonably young, attractive helpers and I keep my distance at all times because of the reasons that RK has stated and based on my experience of almost 8 years of living here.

GE

[LoveAsianWhores]

Hahaha. Would you have her dress up in a frilly little apron and short skirt and get her a feather duster? Oh and insist that she wears no knickers and get her a step ladder so that she can dust the ceiling daily while you stand behind her to hold the ladder. LOL.

I've had numerous DIA girls offer to be my personal maid (with extras) but because my less understanding strife does not accompany me whilst I am in The Philippines, she insists on choosing the maid! I wonder why? The last one she chose, looked like a horse and had hands like spades. Kept the house spotless though and cooked a pretty mean adobo.

You should have no problem filling your requirement. Just stick a profile up on DIA outlining your requirement and what you will be expecting. But insist that the girl will be required to do some real housework outside the fun agenda, otherwise you will end up maiding for her! I assure you that you will be snowed under with applications.

Hope your fantasy comes to fruition. You must have a very understanding partner. Ok, so I keep seeing posts referencing DIA girls. I thought it was girls that like Dick In the Ass, but that doesn't seem to fit the context of some of the posts. Now it seams like some sort of internet dating site? Can somebody fill me in?

[Frenchmen]

What kind of opportunities are in the PH for westerners to work maybe business?

I have extended experience in sales / marketing and I have the nomadic virus deep inside me, currently I am in Canada but already feel the "itch" to try a new location.

[Frenzy3]

You pay a maid 4000 you can get a girl for sex 8000 why ask her to clean the house? She will sex you less as she is tyred. LOL

[Radical Guy]

As my friend RK has so accurately pointed out, this is a terrible idea. Though hiring someone to perform the extra duties is entirely feasible, you're opening yourself up to a host of potential legal problems that are simply not worth the risk. I have two reasonably young, attractive helpers and I keep my distance at all times because of the reasons that RK has stated and based on my experience of almost 8 years of living here.

GEWhen I retire, I hope to retire in Davao. When I do, my maids will be efficient, but ugly as sin-just to avoid the temptation. LOL.

RG

[FreebieFan]

Hahaha. Would you have her dress up in a frilly little apron and short skirt and get her a feather duster? Oh and insist that she wears no knickers and get her a step ladder so that she can dust the ceiling daily while you stand behind her to hold the ladder. LOL.

I've had numerous DIA girls offer to be my personal maid (with extras) but because my less understanding strife does not accompany me whilst I am in The Philippines, she insists on choosing the maid! I wonder why? The last one she chose, looked like a horse and had hands like spades. Kept the house spotless though and cooked a pretty mean adobo.

You should have no problem filling your requirement. Just stick a profile up on DIA outlining your requirement and what you will be expecting. But insist that the girl will be required to do some real housework outside the fun agenda, otherwise you will end up maiding for her! I assure you that you will be snowed under with applications.When I lived in Phils my wife hired two 18 year old maids fresh off the boat They didn't know much English so little could go on by way of communication, and I wouldn't have dreamed of shitting on my own doorstep. Over the course of my 6 years there was interesting seeing how these maids could dress up quite nice on a Sunday. Anyways at the end of the 6 years one maid was rendered pregnant by some layabout of a pool cleaner (such a normal occurrence) , and the other chose the single devoted servant route. So much so that she's still ironing my shirts and bringing me a cold beer when required 3 countries later. She's a little fatter these days LOL but a hell of a lot richer than before. Let the maid be the maid and let someone else attend to your cock is my best best advice! A good long term maid is worth way more in the long run than a quick fuck! Cleanliness over sexiness Sir!

[Member #4351]

This has come up in the Peru forum as well. I think that in the Philippines, like Peru, its much easier to find someone for sex than to find a good maid. Never ruin a good maid by having sex with her.

[Rick Rock]

Interesting. Thanks for the replies. I half expected that I may get advice like that. Would it be any better or more feasible to have a maid and then hire a separate live-in (or daily visiting) girl just for the sexual services?


I have two reasonably young, attractive helpers and I keep my distance at all times

That's got to be difficult. Especially if they are live-in. I have to imagine you see them in their knickers or other sexy wears occasionally.

[Hairy Wonder]

What kind of opportunities are in the PH for westerners to work maybe business?

I have extended experience in sales / marketing and I have the nomadic virus deep inside me, currently I am in Canada but already feel the "itch" to try a new location. I have asked this question before, and was answered basically with a statement of "Why would you want to come here to work?" The advice given makes sense. There are very few opportunities in the Philippines to earn a western style income. Although I understand this, I would still love to find something that would allow me to live there and have a decent income at the same time. I might be eligible to retire from my current job within 5 years. But I don't think the income from that alone would be enough to support living and mongering there.

[Finrod]

What kind of opportunities are in the PH for westerners to work maybe business?

I have extended experience in sales / marketing and I have the nomadic virus deep inside me, currently I am in Canada but already feel the "itch" to try a new location. Most common quote I've heard is "the way to make a small fortune in the Phils is to start with a large one". That said, this topic has been discussed quite a bit before so rather than rehash the discussion, you could search the reports in this thread going back a few years. If you're serious about your due diligence, it will be worth your time to do that. And if you still want to try it, well it's your time and money.

[Member #4491]

i've been reading and talking to people in the know for a while and i see that a maid will run you between 50-100 us$ a month. what i haven't been able to find out (by searching; don't want to ask filipino people) is what the possibility is of getting a maid.

thanksi also keep a distance to my staff, but have a friend who maids for a chinese man. he is impotent but regularly "fucks" her in the pussy and pokes her ass with his fingers. a real romantic.

she does not like it but needs the money for her baby that was abandoned by her american ex bf. and as many older chinese guys, he is pretty intimidating to her, so she just accepts his needs and squeeze her but cheeks together hard when he points his finger to that region.

i have girls freelancing for me with various tasks, and i fuck these sometimes, but would never do that to a regular employee since it would mess up the work relation. i do however think it could work fine is some instances. there is always a risk she will cry [CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123) once you fire her, but as with everything else relating to any type of relations, this can of course be handled and prevented. it is just peoples management. a matter of wanting this setup bad enough and to configure it wisely. the fact that i do not choose to fuck my permanent staff, does not mean someone else would not enjoy it or pull it off. i am sure you are moderately interested in advice that primarily serves to motivate my own decisions, rather than to support the realization of your excellent fantasy / desire. i have a couple of friends who successfully did this in various parts of the world, and always handled it. my first gf ever in phil eventually married a german and they hired a maid that used to have 3-somes with them. the wife was more upset than the maid, but he had some catch on her so she just accepted it. and eventually ended up owning a huge house at some beach in cebu. so maybe it was worth eating all the clam in the end.

given your statement that your mrs would approve i think you can easily arrange a nice little agreement, that keeps you happy and provides the maid a decently paid job and a house to live in. single mums with no big and / or powerful / connected family would be my recruitment basis. to state the obvious; choose someone that seems to like you, and get to know her first. but don't you think you will get bored? wife is wife, but to have one single mistress / provider next to wifey when you live in punani-heaven, seems like an unnecessary limitation of your true happiness. .

good luck and do tell us how this develops.

/b

[Freezone]

Thinking of retirement in PI and also plan to perhaps hire a good maid that can cook (I'm a lousy cook) and also do the usual chores.

Basic questions:

1) What are the salary ranges they are receiving. I'm not thinking of retirement in the outer provinces (where its the least expensive) or Manila (the most expensive) but more like in places in Cebu (or near Cebu) , or AC and Subic.

2) Where is the best places to look for a good maid. Is there an agency that you guys use or search the internet (maybe even DIA)

3) Does having a maid require having to get a much bigger apartment of at least 2 bedrooms or is it best to have her come and go when she is done for the day?

4) Any problems of having maids steal from you when you are not there?

5) Does her looks and age matter when you hire a maid?

Thanks.

FZ

[Rick Rock]

Thanks for the info Barba. It's appreciated.


Given your statement that your Mrs would approve I think you can easily arrange a nice little agreement, that keeps you happy and provides the maid a decently paid job and a house to live in. Single mums with no big and / or powerful / connected family would be my recruitment basis. To state the obvious; choose someone that seems to like you, and get to know her first. But don't you think you will get bored? Wife is wife, but to have one single mistress / provider next to wifey when you live in punani-heaven, seems like an unnecessary limitation of your true happiness. .Well I wouldn't limit myself to those two, but it would be nice to have someone available for release whenever I need it (eg. A morning blowjob, after handjob instead of jerking off myself, etc). I'm quite sure I'd still be looking for other action too.

[Rendorseg]

Well stated David 33.

In fact when I used to live in Thailand if I wanted a great massage I always picked the old lady with massive hands.

Likewise our maid here in Philippines is superb, trustworthy, diligent and faithful. As a rule such adjectives aren't used in the same sentence in describing a short time boom boom chick. It'd be hard to train and even find a servant like her- wouldn't want to ruin that. But, hell, different strokes for different folks.

Rendorseg.


This has come up in the Peru forum as well. I think that in the Philippines, like Peru, its much easier to find someone for sex than to find a good maid. Never ruin a good maid by having sex with her.

[Irony Monger]

Well I wouldn't limit myself to those two, but it would be nice to have someone available for release whenever I need it (eg. A morning blowjob, after handjob instead of jerking off myself, etc). I'm quite sure I'd still be looking for other action too.Better to just live a few minutes from a P4P bar or massage place, or find a freelancer that you can call up when you need a quick release. No commitment, no confusion about what you are paying for, etc. Safer all around, plus you get variety whenever you want it.

[GregLondon]

Ok, having read some of the discussion. Here is my question of the day. For a good balance. Which locations would be best for one (such as myself) that seeks a balance between places that have good chances of finding a nice decent looking filipina willing to live / care for you (as stated above) and also have a decent active night life for mongering as not to be bored while waiting and trying to find the right filipina to live with.

For example, AC will not fit the bill as I've been there many times and all the ladies I've encounter there (regular girls or bar girls) seem to be of similar minds. They will take care of you based on ability to pay and nothing else, not the type of relationship I have in mind.

Also, when you said secure compounds, what would the avg. Monthly rent be in such places? Does your friend living in AC at $1400 / mt live in a secure place? You could rent a 2 bed apartment or house in a compound in somewhere like Mactan (near Cebu airport) , Tailisay (2 hours south of Cebu) or CDO in Mindanao for say 15, 000 P a month. It would be easy to find a live in GF in these places. Not much in terms of nightlife in the immediate vacinity but there would be loads of DIA / CB prospects for you to keep busy with

[Sammon]

You could rent a 2 bed apartment or house in a compound in somewhere like Mactan (near Cebu airport) , Tailisay (2 hours south of Cebu) or CDO in Mindanao for say 15, 000 P a month. It would be easy to find a live in GF in these places. Not much in terms of nightlife in the immediate vacinity but there would be loads of DIA / CB prospects for you to keep busy withFurther away from the main cities you go can find cheap apartments. Problem will be boredom, sometimes security and poor infrastructure.

AC is best because you can meet other foreigners and have a like minded mongers circle of friends. Ac costs more money to live. The girls in AC have seen money thrown their way more often so they will not be happy with small money or gifts.

Poor girls from the provinces can be had as live in GF cheap. But it comes with its own problems like demands for money from her relatives, interference from them in your life as well. If you handle it right there are many poor girls looking for a decent secured life with a western guy. Age difference is of no importance.