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BUT... Is it that smart to buy a big bike now? End May, early June, rainy season coming? Yeah yeah, actually I can answer that question myself. What I need is a few guys who tell me that it is totally fine to buy a bike right now!
Hehe, just wanted to let you know that story, greetings from Burgos! Cheers!
yeah yeah, actually i can answer that question myself. what i need is a few guys who tell me that it is totally fine to buy a bike right now!
hehe, just wanted to let you know that story, greetings from burgos! cheers!eks; you are asking rhetorical questions here. you have been here long enough to already know the answer.
i ride a scooter when i visit a northern province but i ride it slowly ever since i almost ran through a rope line between a grazing carabao and its tether point which was on the other side of the road. i won't mention the times i have had small goats jump out from the side of the road.
when you add in the assorted dogs, carabao, cows, small kids and slow tricycles that are all over most roads i am very wary about riding my small scooter at much more than jogging speed.
running a large powerful bike in the philippines would be like driving a ferrari or lamborghini around manila. very nice for show but not a very efficient way to get from point a to point b. the only place to ride it with any sort of confidence would be on the nlex or the slex, but you still need to get on and off both "highways".
GoodEnough
05-24-14, 07:57
BUT... Is it that smart to buy a big bike now? End May, early June, rainy season coming? Sure, you can ride a bike on wet roads or even in rain, but it's not much fun.The question, as first raised by RK, is that you can buy it, but where can you possibly ride it in the way it was designed to be ridden? The roads suck and are clogged with traffic, the drivers are insane and if you can never get it out of third gear, what's the point? For years I had a relatively large Chinese bike here: hardly in a class with BMWs, and I think I got it to 100 once, amd that was at about 2 in the morning.
GE.
Asian Rain
05-24-14, 09:02
BUT... Is it that smart to buy a big bike now? End May, early June, rainy season coming? Sure, you can ride a bike on wet roads or even in rain, but it's not much fun.Having a bike is a lovely idea! You will not only have the full feel of the roads, but you will get to meet a wide variety of people every time you come to a red light. Beggars. Urchin children. Rag sellers. And police roadblocks love to target bike riders as they are easier to stop. A foreigner on an expensive bike will get a special priority lane.
I only know one guy who has a big bike and he uses it exclusively to get around Makati, so it is a limited convenience. Enjoy, AsianRain.
PolyOrchid
05-24-14, 15:41
BUT... Is it that smart to buy a big bike now? End May, early June, rainy season coming? Sure, you can ride a bike on wet roads or even in rain, but it's not much fun.Hell yes, EKS. Bigger bikes, prettier women and smaller tits!
The annual power crisis Olympics are more intense this year than ever before, as summarized in an announcement yesterday that the rolling brownouts are being increased to 7. 5 hours a day beginning yesterday. This may prove the final straw for me, and after almost 11 years it may in fact be time for me to move on. The power situation is making life throughout Mindanao fairly intolerable, but for me the annual crisis is also a stark metaphor for the overwhelming ineptitude of the government, the endless greed of the politicians and the general lack of any meaningful progress in any area of development. Simply stated, I've started to believe that there's simply no hope for this place. So it's not that Davao is a tough place: indeed aside from the escalating power shortages, it's probably the best major city in the country in which to live. It's the entire country that for me is rapidly becoming intolerable.
GEI feel your pain GE. I sold the big house in Dipolog some time ago & just getting the finishing touches on my 'bolt hole', a sturdy simple house on a beach under palm trees about an hour outside Dipolog. Got a phone call from the electrico today. They need to rip out & replace all the newly installed wiring. Why? Because I forgot to write in braille & big crayon letters 'use 220 v grade'. Yep the wired the whole place in 110 v & as soon as they turned on appliances to test of course it overloaded the wires... Wimper...
AV.
there are several huge bikes around dipolog. the riders swoosh through the traffic like they are invincible. personally i think they are insane. the roads are clogged with utterly psychotic pinoy drivers. imagine having multiple fractures ir a head injury this far from any competent medical care? i go pale just thinking about it.
i have a scooter which i often use instead of the car because uts so much easier to park & i blend in. its slow speed means i'm travelling a lit slower when a pinoy does a you turn or head on passing directly into my path. i don't buy new. walk around the corner from the new scooter dealer to find the seller if repo'd scooters. hundreds of near new scooters going fir half what a new one costs. if it gets stolen or driven over by a truck just shrug & get another.
av.
We all love to have a grumble about the place but can anybody name me one developing nation where things are any different? Seriously? We come to these countries because they are NOT first world countries. Despite the frustrations there are advantages to living here which we all tend to forget. It's fun to gripe though huh? .
I'm over the first world madness at my stage in life.
AV.
Thanks for the input, guys. It's an on-off situation for me. One day I think, WTH, lets go and buy since I have more than enough money in my account and I get next to Zero interest out of it. Next day I think the guys are right, forget about it.
Keep you posted!
FreebieFan
05-27-14, 02:51
Thanks for the input, guys. It's an on-off situation for me. One day I think, WTH, lets go and buy since I have more than enough money in my account and I get next to Zero interest out of it. Next day I think the guys are right, forget about it.
Keep you posted!Stay safe mate!...one accident and there may be much less joy about living there...
you need a big bike on luzon to access the north and south expressways. what is it, minimum 250 or 450 cc? anywhere else that i know of, you'd never get it up to speed.
on the other hand, a scooter, as amavida describes, is underpowered and unsafe.
i find my 125 cc the correct middle way. still easy to park, plenty of pickup entering the highway, passing or avoiding, goes up to 80 km / hr, as fast as i'd want to go on open roads with sudden obstacles. i would go one size larger, allowing my legs to stretch a bit, but i also like having the engine underneath instead of up top, leaving a well to carry shopping or other baggage between my knees.
a bike is much better than a car for cruising girls. they can see you coming and call out or wave, even call your name if you're a man about town.
the rainstorms here in the visayas are usually of short duration, half an hour or less. stop, take shelter, make new friends. outfit the bike with off-road tires.
there are several huge bikes around dipolog. the riders swoosh through the traffic like they are invincible. personally i think they are insane. the roads are clogged with utterly psychotic pinoy drivers. imagine having multiple fractures ir a head injury this far from any competent medical care? i go pale just thinking about it.
i have a scooter which i often use instead of the car because uts so much easier to park & i blend in. its slow speed means i'm travelling a lit slower when a pinoy does a you turn or head on passing directly into my path. i don't buy new. walk around the corner from the new scooter dealer to find the seller if repo'd scooters. hundreds of near new scooters going fir half what a new one costs. if it gets stolen or driven over by a truck just shrug & get another.
av.
GoodEnough
05-27-14, 23:51
if you're committed to having a bike here, it's safer, i think, to purchase something with a larger frame than those of the tiny 125 cc bikes that buzz all over like angry hornets. when i rode, i bought a 150 cc chinese made road bike that obviously wasn't very powerful, but did have a large frame that made it easier for trucks and larger suvs to see me when i was beside them. when i had the bike, i also had a pajero, and found that i often couldn't see the smaller bikes slightly behind and to the side of me, simply because they were small, and i was sitting fairly high. given the propensity of bikers here to buzz at speed between two lanes of cars with mere centimeters of clearance, i had a few close calls. a friend once told me that many of the bikers here go directly from bicycles to motorbikes, without benefit of any lessons, and drive both the same way. i believe him.
ge.
When I lived in the condo in Manila, mail was easy. Just go downstairs to the mailboxes, open mine, grab my stack and go back. Well live and learn because now I live out in the provinces in a house in a subdivision. Whatever bill that's being delivered here is delivered by a different guy. Electric bill is one guy. Cable bill is another guy. Water bill is another guy. And today was the guy standing in the middle of the street spinning around trying to get oriented with large handfull of envelopes looking like he was as drunk as as I was the night I graduated from law school trying to get oriented to find my way home all of a block and a half away. What bill could this be? I paid all of my bills last week. He was from Metobank delivering monthly statements. WTF?? So much for confidentiality. He wanted to give me a neighbor's statement to give to her because he couldn't find her house. I don't even know who she is! What if there was a credit card in there? Wham bam thank you ma'am. I guess I never realized mail delivery goes on like this until I got out of the condo.
Hey, guys, thanks again for the input about a bike. Since it was raining here a bit every morning in Makati, and a thunderstorm over in Pasig area I guess, maybe it's postponed until end of rainy season. But then I'll bother you again, hehe.
Upfront, I ride a big bike in Malaysia for 5 years, no problems, been up to Phuket with the bike, no issues. Singapore as well, but Singapore is very easy going compared with MY or TH. Is the traffic really that much wilder in PH compared to TH? From what I've seen it's not. Drove several times with a scooter from AC to Subic, no big deal.
First, I'm thinking about a midsize bike, 650 cc. Like attached.
Today I saw a roadblock of the police targeting bikes. I took 10 minutes to watch it, but the guys with a good bike, proper paper work, no alcohol could continue within a few minutes. No problems with the cops. When I arrive there, wearing helmet, the bike isn't modified illegally, license is okay, insurance is okay, even my visa is okay, what can the cops do to me? Or I am thinking too naive here?
Thanks for your consideration!
Whatever bill that's being delivered here is delivered by a different guy. Electric bill is one guy. Cable bill is another guy. Water bill is another guy.Do you really need the bills as hardcopy here? Can't you check and pay the amount online? Or Cable for example is charged directly to my credit card.
What if there was a credit card in there? Wham bam thank you ma'am.CC is useless right out of the envelope. Needs activation by calling the bank and answering some security questions, birthday, passport number, mother maiden name etc.
But I can only speak from my living experience in Malaysia, never had a residence in PI.
FreebieFan
05-30-14, 02:37
Hey, guys, thanks again for the input about a bike. Since it was raining here a bit every morning in Makati, and a thunderstorm over in Pasig area I guess, maybe it's postponed until end of rainy season. But then I'll bother you again, hehe.
First, I'm thinking about a midsize bike, 650 cc. Like attached.
Today I saw a roadblock of the police targeting bikes. I took 10 minutes to watch it, but the guys with a good bike, proper paper work, no alcohol could continue within a few minutes. No problems with the cops. When I arrive there, wearing helmet, the bike isn't modified illegally, license is okay, insurance is okay, even my visa is okay, what can the cops do to me? Or I am thinking too naive here?
Thanks for your consideration!As you will know Ex, and will well know, if cops can see an angle to extract some cash from you, they will. Regardless of having everything in order, there will always be a chancer in blue who smells the pesos in your pocket and will work his angle to extract it fro you.
Sir theres a dead mosquito on your helmet, under Philippines traffic regulation xyz 45677...
Sir you arent wearing regulation shoes for this bike.
Sir the wheels are 2 mm wider than the regulation requirements.
Sir can you show that import duty was paid for this bike if not theres a fine...
Sir just give me some money.
Sir just give me some money.Thats the point, I guess you're right.
As you will know Ex, and will well know, if cops can see an angle to extract some cash from you, they will. Regardless of having everything in order, there will always be a chancer in blue who smells the pesos in your pocket and will work his angle to extract it fro you.
{S N I P}
Sir just give me some money.Not always!
We did an illegal turn at Robinson's Galleria on ADB Ave. Policeman who pulled us over refused money, furtively pointing at the CCTV camera on a nearby pole. So the driver (a female friend), copped the more expensive traffic ticket. Unlucky! LOL!
Cheers
You need a big bike on Luzon to access the north and south expressways. What is it, minimum 250 or 450 cc?It's 400 cc.
Pip Jaeger
06-15-14, 16:58
As you will know Ex, and will well know, if cops can see an angle to extract some cash from you, they will.
Sir you arent wearing regulation shoes for this bike.
.Got hit for that one in Cebu; no heel strap on the shoes I was wearing (Crocs, heel strap was folded over the instep). When I handed him my DL he took the 500 p note I had attached to it (via a paper clip) and only gave me a "verbal warning", LOL.
I happened to mention the incident to friend there who also rides. He told me 500 p was too much and to just attach a 200 p note as you don't want to spoil them. He called it a "white guy toll", LOL. Was stopped three other times this past trip at checkpoints and each time the "toll money" was taken and I was subsequently told I was free to go (once without even asking for the paperwork for the bike which was stored under the seat).
Ekspat, I too considered a bigger bike for when I move there, like a BMW Dakar (650 cc) or even a Harley Sportster, but after doing a considerable amount of riding around Cebu I can't see the point or any real advantage of having a big bike. A 125/150/250 cc Hondakawasuki (or one of the Chinese 150's that are used for trikes) is more then adequate, but I would get a bike that is styled like a motorcycle as opposed to a scooter. I've been riding both road bikes and dirt bikes for 40+ years and I couldn't get comfortable on a scooter; I don't mean seat comfort, but handling. The center of gravity is different and the back end came out too easily when the roads were slick or when I hit a muddy patch of road. At least it was light enough that I was easily able to correct it and stay upright, but on a regular motorcycle with on / off road tires it never would have happened in the first place. IMHO, given the generally poor condition of the roads, I think a dual sport style with on / off road tires is the best option.
And one other thing, make sure it has good brakes; preferably disc at least on one axel (dual would be best). Those little drum brakes fade too quickly, especially in the mountains.
Pip Jaeger
06-23-14, 23:21
But then again it doesn't always work. Found this article a bit comical too, guess he tried to offer too little, LOL.
http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/2014/06/08/drivers-p500-bribe-backfires/
but then again it doesn't always work. found this article a bit comical too, guess he tried to offer too little, lol.
http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/2014/06/08/drivers-p500-bribe-backfires/good point. i rarely get into problems but on the rare occasions i do i tend to err on the side of generosity. a blue note plus a little apology for causing a problem has worked well. if the hesitate i leave the blue note in their view, stare hard & tell them i'm starting to dial the numbers of important people because i'm getting annoyed. that has always done the trick nicely. some may argue i am over paying but i think you need to come in hard with a first and final offer nice guy approach before switching to switching to bad guy mode.
yes this is bluff but it works if you pick your mark. yes, its possible i may step on a land mine one day hence my advice to always keep a low profile, be scrupulously respectful of local traffic laws in the first place.
always carry a copy of your driver's license. they love to confirep001e your license forcing a long time consuming & costly trip to go retrieve the bloody thing.
with the greatest respect, the article you cite was a pinoy on pinoy thing. who knows what convoluted pinoy politics was involved that day lol!
av.
I too considered a bigger bike for when I move there, like a BMW Dakar (650 cc) or even a Harley Sportster, but after doing a considerable amount of riding around Cebu I can't see the point or any real advantage of having a big bike. A 125/150/250 cc Hondakawasuki (or one of the Chinese 150's that are used for trikes) is more then adequate, but I would get a bike that is styled like a motorcycle as opposed to a scooter. I've been riding both road bikes and dirt bikes for 40+ years and I couldn't get comfortable on a scooter; I don't mean seat comfort, but handling. The center of gravity is different and the back end came out too easily when the roads were slick or when I hit a muddy patch of road. At least it was light enough that I was easily able to correct it and stay upright, but on a regular motorcycle with on / off road tires it never would have happened in the first place. IMHO, given the generally poor condition of the roads, I think a dual sport style with on / off road tires is the best option.
And one other thing, make sure it has good brakes; preferably disc at least on one axel (dual would be best). Those little drum brakes fade too quickly, especially in the mountains.You're on the right track. Around town a small bike is all you need. As a life long biker I am sensitive to bike safety & handling. The garden variety scooters that the locals ride have horrible dangerous chassis dynamics. Essentially the steering head is attached to the front of the engine casing by an S shaped piece of water pipe that flex's terribly. The rear swing arm is a very light piece of pressed steel that also flex's horribly. I hate riding these death traps. The bigger scooters have a half decent frame as do the small road bikes. Relatively stiff frame & half decent brakes is vital for your safety. Pinoy drivers are a major danger. Ignorance &/ or complete disregard for their own lives makes them wildly unpredictable. You need to drive super conservatively & defensively at ALL times.
Going too big with your bike just wastes fuel & draws attention to your self. If you're going outside the city or on long stretches of suburban highway a bike capable of keeping up with the traffic SAFELY rules out the garden variety scooters also for me. I agree a 150 or 250 is more than enough IMHO. A dual purpose bike is more comfortable & safer over wildly varying road surfaces but not really necessary unless you're going somewhere with a lot of off bitumen.
AV.
Wicked Roger
06-24-14, 08:04
But then again it doesn't always work. Found this article a bit comical too, guess he tried to offer too little, LOL.
http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/2014/06/08/drivers-p500-bribe-backfires/I saw that and had a chuckle PJ.
What do expect when the same paper also carried articles earlier this year about candidates complaining that their election opposition candidate had paid voters more than they had to get votes and win the local barangay elections. One potential candidate (Annabelle Rama) complained that the cash she gave her relatives (around PHP 1. 5 million) did not secure her a seat in Cebu even though the 'talent agent' is based in Manila. That case apparently has gone to trial over bounced cheques now. Siblings having a spat.
All comical reading over coffee in Bos. Start the day with a smile.
Welcome to the Philippines LOL.
Check out this link to The Age newspaper (in Australia).
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/carry-on-abroad-20140818-3dv6x.html
Thinking of buying a vehicle here in Philippines. (No I am not in Manila but in the provinces where traffic is semi normal).
Any pointers on how to avoid scams?
I have heard that in a private sale you ask the seller to go with you to the LTO for the transfer and not pay until the LTO says no issues on title.
What sort of fees and transfer costs would I be looking at?
Have my eye on a couple Kia Sportages, both 2012 from same dealer. These are fresh imports from South Korea. Any hidden taxes etc that I should be aware of on these? (Asking prices are 230 K and 235 K).
Any advice would be appreciated.
Happy humping.
KG.
Have my eye on a couple Kia Sportages, both 2012 from same dealer. These are fresh imports from South Korea. Any hidden taxes etc that I should be aware of on these?
Get them inspected for flood damage. Also have the engine checked thoroughly. Like Japan Korea has a rigourous vehicle inspection process. Vehicles that fail often find their way to the third world.
Check out this link to The Age newspaper (in Australia).
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/carry-on-abroad-20140818-3dv6x.htmlThanks for this article, RK. I read it with great interest as it is still my plan to retire in PI in 2022. Sydney is as expensive as most cities in California. Actually a little cheaper. California tax is absurd. Of course the geography of California is quite diverse and beautiful but the economy, politics and social life leaves much to be desired as in much of the Western world. I am looking forward to becoming an expatriate. Hopefully I will meet up with some like-minded musicians to occupy my time between writing and the never-ending supply of beautiful, sexy, young Pinays. I'm looking at property in South Cebu and Dumaguete area in November. Cheers.
Wicked Roger
09-23-14, 15:48
Any pointers on how to avoid scams?
I have heard that in a private sale you ask the seller to go with you to the LTO for the transfer and not pay until the LTO says no issues on title.
Have my eye on a couple Kia Sportages, both 2012 from same dealer. These are fresh imports from South Korea. Any hidden taxes etc that I should be aware of on these? (Asking prices are 230 K and 235 K).
Any advice would be appreciated.
Happy humping.
KG.Prices seem a tad low IMHO as I have looked at cars in the country also. As Huts said, get it thoroughly checked out. Friend in Danao bought a second hand car and has been a nightmare sin e he got 'title'. So take along a mechanic you trust and ask him to inspect and get the seller to agree that any issues he sorts out or reduce the price.
get it thoroughly checked out. Friend in Danao bought a second hand car and has been a nightmare This is no exaggeration. I've seen it again & again. Take your time & get the vehicle very thoroughly checked then budget for things that no mechanic can possibly see (they don't have X-ray vision).
Due to my business experience as a motor dealer in my home country I helped an expat couple I know to buy an immaculate late model Pajero (not my choice of vehicle), got it checked to death & still they had the vehicle stop dead on them in the middle of nowhere shortly after they bought it (someone had fited a new timing belt but 'forgot' to fit a lock nut, it fell off, lovely.).
My honda CRV cost me a lot in post purchase repairs despite a lot of eyeballing. Expect problems & budget appropriately. Alternative is to import a new vehicle in knocked down form & pay to get it reassembled to avoid the import taxes (declare it as 'parts'). Or just bite the bullet & buy new from a local distributor.
p.s. A lot of people go to Subic to buy from the secondhand importers there. Be very careful & budget for post purchase repairs regardless.
AV.
FreebieFan
09-24-14, 02:14
This is no exaggeration. I've seen it again & again. Take your time & get the vehicle very thoroughly checked then budget for things that no mechanic can possibly see (they don't have X-ray vision).
Due to my business experience as a motor dealer in my home country I helped an expat couple I know to buy an immaculate late model Pajero (not my choice of vehicle), got it checked to death & still they had the vehicle stop dead on them in the middle of nowhere shortly after they bought it (someone had fited a new timing belt but 'forgot' to fit a lock nut, it fell off, lovely.).
My honda CRV cost me a lot in post purchase repairs despite a lot of eyeballing. Expect problems & budget appropriately. Alternative is to import a new vehicle in knocked down form & pay to get it reassembled to avoid the import taxes (declare it as 'parts'). Or just bite the bullet & buy new from a local distributor.
AV.At some point its perhaps easier to buy a car "new". You generally get three years or in Hyundais case, a 5 year warranty.
You get original undersealed rust proofing, which is a necessity with all the rain, and you get relief for first 3 years from the annual LTO and exhaust test fanfare. Definately worth a thought.
Resale values for the Toyotas, Hondas etc are quite good.
At some point its perhaps easier to buy a car "new". You generally get three years or in Hyundais case, a 5 year warrantyAgreed.
AV.
Here is a rather sobering assessment of the Philippines economic status from a commentator renowned for his pessimism.
However, his assessment is backed up by data, especially regarding who appears to be buying the condo units sprouting up "everywhere".
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessecolombo/2013/11/21/heres-why-the-philippines-economic-miracle-is-really-a-bubble-in-disguise/
ConquerorVal
10-05-14, 16:39
Here is a rather sobering assessment of the Philippines economic status from a commentator renowned for his pessimism.
However, his assessment is backed up by data, especially regarding who appears to be buying the condo units sprouting up "everywhere".
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessecolombo/2013/11/21/heres-why-the-philippines-economic-miracle-is-really-a-bubble-in-disguise/Interesting article. Lot of countries, including the G8 (7?) share the same economic indicators.
John Traveller
10-06-14, 16:57
Black Thursday is coming.
Here is a rather sobering assessment of the Philippines economic status from a commentator renowned for his pessimism.
However, his assessment is backed up by data, especially regarding who appears to be buying the condo units sprouting up "everywhere".
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessecolombo/2013/11/21/heres-why-the-philippines-economic-miracle-is-really-a-bubble-in-disguise/
Asian Rain
11-22-14, 14:25
TIt's the entire country that for me is rapidly becoming intolerable.Funny trip to Land Transport Office (LTO) branch at SM Manila to renew my license. Good news and bad news: Yes sir! We can renew your license here. Yes sir! We don't have the useless drug test anymore! So far, so good. As I am just getting a this-is-going-to-be-a-breeze feeling, the guy looks at me and says "sorry, we don't have any supply of cards to print licenses, so we can only issue a paper extension and you come back in December. " Turns out the cards are imported. The'oh. Took my photo, got my "extension receipt" and made my way home. Fantastic. Enjoy the Philippines, AsianRain.
"sorry, we don't have any supply of cards to print licenses, so we can only issue a paper extension and you come back in December. " Haha. . Really, December? I was there for the same thing a few weeks ago and I was told a few months. Did they give you the main landline number, so you can load your phone and pay 8 pesos a minute to check? And I been waiting on my plates for a year and a half. Something about if you paid cash, there's a different type of plate, who knows. But the dealer told me no plate yet. Went to the local LTO and they were kind enough to live chat with the Manila office and they confirmed what the dealer said..Hmm. The LTO is tasked with licensing and registration. And they're out of stock on licenses and plates. Amazing. . Maybe we can borrow Thailand's slogan for a while.
Haha. . Really, December? I was there for the same thing a few weeks ago and I was told a few months. Did they give you the main landline number, so you can load your phone and pay 8 pesos a minute to check? And I been waiting on my plates for a year and a half. Something about if you paid cash, there's a different type of plate, who knows. But the dealer told me no plate yet. Went to the local LTO and they were kind enough to live chat with the Manila office and they confirmed what the dealer said..Hmm. The LTO is tasked with licensing and registration. And they're out of stock on licenses and plates. Amazing. . Maybe we can borrow Thailand's slogan for a while.Tp be fair it's no worse than the past. My first experience of being given a blurry inkjet printed 'temporary' license while I waited interminably for the official one was back in 2005.
AV.
Haha. . Really, December? I was there for the same thing a few weeks ago and I was told a few months. Did they give you the main landline number, so you can load your phone and pay 8 pesos a minute to check? And I been waiting on my plates for a year and a half. Something about if you paid cash, there's a different type of plate, who knows. But the dealer told me no plate yet. Went to the local LTO and they were kind enough to live chat with the Manila office and they confirmed what the dealer said..Hmm. The LTO is tasked with licensing and registration. And they're out of stock on licenses and plates. Amazing. . Maybe we can borrow Thailand's slogan for a while.If I remembered correctly, the paper and plate suppliers quit providing because they had not been getting paid. Seems like a couple different government agencies were pointing fingers at each other as to whose budget it was suppose to be coming out of. Mean while neither agenciy has the funds to pay. Leaves you to wonder if some government official pocketed the money! Correct me if I heard wrong.
.... The LTO is tasked with licensing and registration. And they're out of stock on licenses and plates. Amazing. . Maybe we can borrow Thailand's slogan for a while.I'm waiting for my vehicle regestration to come through. The story I got was that they had run out of letter number combinations. (Remember the plate is issued for the life of the vehilce and not normally reused and they have been using the number system currently in place for at least 20 years or so.).
All you get now is a temporary number, you have to make your own plate and use that until the re-start issuing new plates again.
An example of how to lose your life savings in a SEA country. Yes it's Thailand in this case but applies to Philippines just as well.
http://m.smh.com.au/world/eviction-threat-for-australians-who-put-life-savings-into-thai-dream-homes-20141126-11u7a1.html
AV.
GoodEnough
11-26-14, 23:36
I'm waiting for my vehicle regestration to come through. The story I got was that they had run out of letter number combinations. (Remember the plate is issued for the life of the vehilce and not normally reused and they have been using the number system currently in place for at least 20 years or so.).
All you get now is a temporary number, you have to make your own plate and use that until the re-start issuing new plates again.Let's not forget that, in addition to plates and licenses, LTO has also been out of renewal stickers for the plates for at least two years. It's beyond amazing.
GE.
An example of how to lose your life savings in a SEA country. Yes it's Thailand in this case but applies to Philippines just as well.
http://m.smh.com.au/world/eviction-threat-for-australians-who-put-life-savings-into-thai-dream-homes-20141126-11u7a1.html
AV.Same thing applies to Western countries. ALWAYS get the builder / developer / contractors / materialman to release their lien on the property you are buying.
There is a great Ted talk on population and development- Hans Rosling: Religions and Babies. Check it out. Dude is a demographic specialist. Very interesting. Goes into development, population, and peak population.
I reposted this from the Bk thread, because GS reminded me about this brilliant TED talk by Hans Rosling.
He is the designer of the great stat manipulating program called "Gapminder".
Here is the link: http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_religions_and_babies.
Makes an interesting link between religion and economics and birthrate.
I'd say I'm reasonably cautious, but am still getting the runs from time to time.
* Always have used tap water to brush my teeth.
* Usually drink service water at restaurants.
* Haven't eaten any street food.
* Just starting to buy groceries recently, but go to brand name Supermarket.
* Eat out at restaurants a lot, but semi-nice ones.
Just looking for other opinions and seeing how long I have suck it up and just deal with it. (I've read that it took someone about a year to assimilate.).
Disregard. I replied to a necro post.
FreebieFan
07-15-15, 01:50
An example of how to lose your life savings in a SEA country. Yes it's Thailand in this case but applies to Philippines just as well.
http://m.smh.com.au/world/eviction-threat-for-australians-who-put-life-savings-into-thai-dream-homes-20141126-11u7a1.html
AV.And in Stickmans most recent weekly posting, theres an article about a lady in Bali who is about to lose everything, as all landed property in Indonesia must be owned by Indonesians, and so many non Indonesians use a proxy owner. Now they are being found out. Oops.
Dark Knight1
08-08-15, 15:52
And in Stickmans most recent weekly posting, theres an article about a lady in Bali who is about to lose everything, as all landed property in Indonesia must be owned by Indonesians, and so many non Indonesians use a proxy owner. Now they are being found out. Oops.Would recommend never to buy anything in developing nations but to each his own. Seen to many foreigners in Philippines get ripped off with bad land deals and buying useless condos they couldn't sell after they moved on.
Would recommend never to buy anything in developing nations but to each his own. Seen to many foreigners in Philippines get ripped off with bad land deals and buying useless condos they couldn't sell after they moved on.According to you the foreigners get fucked over by 80% girls riddled with STD's and their greedy families. Now they make bad land deals and buy unsalable useless condos.
WTH!
Chocha Monger
08-19-15, 02:07
An American organic farmer and his wife were bludgeoned and thrown to their deaths in a deep well by their 4 Filipino workers. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/127465/4-workers-charged-for-killing-american-wife-in-negros-occidental.
Dark Knight1
08-22-15, 04:29
An American organic farmer and his wife were bludgeoned and thrown to their deaths in a deep well by their 4 Filipino workers. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/127465/4-workers-charged-for-killing-american-wife-in-negros-occidental.Thanks for the post Chocha. Violence against foreigners is commonplace in the Philippines and crimes such as these happen ever so often. These type of crimes underscore the Filipino typical hatred for foreigners and the Filipino mentality in general. Case in point;.
Hatred for foreigners:
Filipinos will work for a Filipino for years without lifting a hand towards them no matter how abusive the employer is. When a Filipino is employed by foreigner there is always a slight level of resentment as you should not be allowed to tell them what to do. The resentment is there but very subtle. Only those keen in the ways of the people can sense it. Sometime this resentment results in murder. Even being a kind boss can get you murdered in case of some of these articles.
Filipino Mentality:
Filipinos have the mind frame not to think too far ahead or think of consequences of their actions. They enjoy "Killing The Goose" so to speak. When they have an foolish benevolent benefactor they will always look for ways to scam, rip or even murder off the benefactor to gain more than what they are already gaining thus losing the benefactor or Killing The Golden Goose.
Now this behavior is not to be draped upon all Filipinos. The Philippines has a class system similar to the India caste system has.
In this class system the rich and celebrates reside at the top. The professionals, such as lawyers and doctors just under them. Third is the overseas workers or OFWs. At the lowly bottom are the mall workers, call center workers, fast food employees, maids, security guards, farmers, taxi drivers, the trike drivers, bar girls and bar associates. (This is the class foreigners have the most contact with.) The lower rungs are where most of the murderers come from. In my opinion it is more of a primal situation than economic due to a lack of social nurturing because of low educational achievement, low family foundations and expectations.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...s-6169287.html
http://www.smh.com.au/world/man-shot...407-2hevs.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...he-philippines
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...s-6169287.html
http://www.smh.com.au/world/man-shot...407-2hevs.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...he-philippinesAll your links are broken. Best you check links after posting; this site is quite flakey with URLs, such as adding spaces in the address and inserting the close URL tag in the address rather than at the end.
All your links are broken. Best you check links after posting; this site is quite flakey with URLs, such as adding spaces in the address and inserting the close URL tag in the address rather than at the end.The post is riddled with STD induced mindset and research. No actual experiences to cite.
Dark Knight1
10-20-15, 15:34
Foreigners come to Philippines with dreams of profiting off the cheap labor in the country and starting a business and either making enough to sustain their mongering habits or becoming wealthy.
Again with any activity in the Philippines a tight rope must be walked at all cost. Mistakes must not be made. The natives are sharks and nave foreigners are salmon.
The natives are already resentful and jealous, you opening a business and thriving is a pill that native rivals cannot for most part swallow. A bribe to the BI upper echelons to put you out of business will be made or an anonymous message will be sent to them to investigate you for any illegal actives. If they don't find anything unscrupulous about your business, illegal activities will be fabricated.
Things will be planted, work permits will disappear. This is a county where the patients run the the asylum.
http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/70622/american-charged-for-operating-business-without-permit
Chocha Monger
10-21-15, 05:05
There are also risks involved in hiring Filipinos to work abroad as they may become disgruntled and cry [CodeWord909] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord909) on the employer to gain immigration and monetary benefits. Also, direct hiring Filipinos to work abroad is automatically considered [CodeWord909] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord909) as the agencies and authorities must have their recruitment, placement, medical examination, and seminar fees, etc. However, using a registered agency is no guarantee that the Filipino employees will not go TNT abroad and scream employer abuse once host nation immigration officials detain them for a deportation hearing. The cheap skilled labor concept looks appealing on paper but in reality it is fraught with risks since just the allegation of imported slave labor in most developed countries is enough to ruin a small to medium sized business.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=the-perils-of-hiring-filipino-workers-for-us-employment&id=114113
Foreigners come to Philippines with dreams of profiting off the cheap labor in the country and starting a business and either making enough to sustain their mongering habits or becoming wealthy.
Again with any activity in the Philippines a tight rope must be walked at all cost. Mistakes must not be made. The natives are sharks and nave foreigners are salmon.
The natives are already resentful and jealous, you opening a business and thriving is a pill that native rivals cannot for most part swallow. A bribe to the BI upper echelons to put you out of business will be made or an anonymous message will be sent to them to investigate you for any illegal actives. If they don't find anything unscrupulous about your business, illegal activities will be fabricated.
Things will be planted, work permits will disappear. This is a county where the patients run the the asylum.
http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/70622/american-charged-for-operating-business-without-permitA bit of catastrophising in your comment. Mr Gentry, the fella charged, decided to flout the law by failing to obtain the correct work / investor visa, register with the SEC, get his barangay clearance and municipal business permit, register his business with BIR, and complete the many other time-consuming steps. Yes, the Philippines is not the easiest place to set up shop - it's #161. Yet, his competitors, be they locals or legit foreign investors, did so. Should he gain an unfair competitive advantage by ignoring the requirements? If a foreigner behaved similarly in my country I'd report the person. Of course I advocate streamlining the process.
Regarding the BPO Mr Gentry started, this class of business enjoys preferences compared to others, such as retail. "An export enterprise is defined as a business who exports at least 60% of its output or derive a minimum of 70% of their revenue from overseas and be paid in foreign currency. Export Business Enterprises may be 100% fully foreign owned and may file with the SEC for an exemption of the paid-up capital requirement of USD 200,000. KPO, BPO, Back Office, IT, Web Development and call centers are all considered Philippines Export Enterprises."
Keep in mind the government also provides incentives such as tax holiday to entice foreign investments.
It is debatable "you opening a business and thriving is a pill that native rivals cannot for most part swallow. " Convergys, which is one of the top BPOs in the Philippines, is US owned and headquartered. There are also many Indian-owned BPOs.
Doing business anywhere is tough, doing it as a foreigner often is tougher, and doing so whilst willfully flouting the law is stupid.
Dark Knight1
10-21-15, 15:06
A bit of catastrophising in your comment. Mr Gentry, the fella charged, decided to flout the law by failing to obtain the correct work / investor visa, register with the SEC, get his barangay clearance and municipal business permit, register his business with BIR, and complete the many other time-consuming steps. Yes, the Philippines is not the easiest place to set up shop - it's #161. Yet, his competitors, be they locals or legit foreign investors, did so. Should he gain an unfair competitive advantage by ignoring the requirements? If a foreigner behaved similarly in my country I'd report the person. Of course I advocate streamlining the process.
Doing business anywhere is tough, doing it as a foreigner often is tougher, and doing so whilst willfully flouting the law is stupid.I am well aware of foreign owned businesses thriving unfettered in PI. Small business such as "Skinny Mikes" (sports bar in Fort Bonifacio owned by a young American) and "Agave" (a Canadian owned Mexican food restaurant also located in Fort Bonifacio.) Again what I said is that "mistakes must not be made". Documents must be in accordance with the law. The right palms must be greased.
Mr. Gentry was in violation of the local laws but how many were in accordance and had a rival pay a bribe to make it otherwise or faced harassment from local officials for not greasing palms?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/an-australian-man-detained-in-philippines/4401840
Dark Knight1
10-21-15, 15:23
The cheap skilled labor concept looks appealing on paper but in reality it is fraught with risks since just the allegation of imported slave labor in most developed countries is enough to ruin a small to medium sized business.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=the-perils-of-hiring-filipino-workers-for-us-employment&id=114113Excellent article Chocha Monger. It just reiterates what I was saying about the propensity for the people in this country to "Kill the Golden Goose".
However, using a registered agency is no guarantee that the Filipino employees will not go TNT abroad and scream employer abuse once host nation immigration officials detain them for a deportation hearing. The cheap skilled labor concept looks appealing on paper but in reality it is fraught with risks since just the allegation of imported slave labor in most developed countries is enough to ruin a small to medium sized business.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=the-perils-of-hiring-filipino-workers-for-us-employment&id=114113I have to wonder what the US gov't is thinking by issuing food-service-worker visas to foreigners. I can understand the need for technology, medical and other highly skilled professions where there are shortages, but bakers at L'Amande and burger flippers at Jollibee? But perhaps I've misunderstood the current state of the American economy and the US is at full employment. I'm sure there are workers who falsely allege abuse to expedite their permanent resident applications and thus bring over their relatives, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn foreign investors are abusing the visa process by bringing these low-skilled workers to the States.
Again what I said is that "mistakes must not be made". Documents must be in accordance with the law. The right palms must be greased.May a person make a few mistakes and overcome his errors by greasing the palms too? Or is that out of the question?
I've paid bribes in several countries but not here, but I have no intention of opening a business. I am prepared to pay a bride if the need arises; I consider it a possibility of living here. But so far *knock wood* things have gone very smoothly. I have few friends and acquaintances who experienced problems because they assumed a lot things and thought they could wing it. Not the savviest of business plans.
Mr. Gentry was in violation of the local laws but how many were in accordance and had a rival pay a bribe to make it otherwise or faced harassment from local officials for not greasing palms?I don't have that answer. Do you?
We can endlessly speculate and even catastrophise. With the exception of Singapore and Scandinavia, countries have corruption. The Philippines has a lot of it. We all know this. A person intending to relocate here and open a business must research thoroughly and ought to hire experts for advice. But of course we all know too well the stories of the fellas who visit Thailand or the Philippines, fall for a girl, use their negligible life's savings of $25k-$50k to open a bar, and go bankrupt soon after. BTW, there's good money in the bar supply business selling and later buying back at a large discount all the equipment and fixtures. The supply of ill-informed suckers is endless.
Your article about Mr Jovica better illustrates your point because he actually secured a quota visa (a type of immigrant visa); Gentry opened his business as a tourist. It appears Jovica undertook many legitimate steps, but his undoing was his business partner's claims alleging Jovica's visa was fake. BTW, his business partner is also an Australian citizen. Jovica claims his partner bribed BI. True? Who knows. If not, he won't be the first guy who ever falsely claimed a conspiracy. Jovica was still a bit thick because he expected the Australian gov't to intervene on his behalf. When a private citizen runs into legal problems in the host country embassies will do little more than give the person a list of lawyers and check occasionally on the health and conditions of incarceration.
The biggest mistake a foreigner can make is to assume that this place is a rule-of-law country. It can be in some cases. Mostly it's a rule-by-law country.
Popular internet booking site rolled out a "Price Tips" feature earlier this year, and I found it useful for estimating price points for certain rental properties. Guys looking at property in Manila, Angeles City, and Subic may find it useful.
From AirBnB:
Price Tips uses mathematical models to determine what the best price is for a specific listing is for each day.
Pricing and availability tips are automated and based on your listing's features, location, amenities, booking history, availability, and seasonal supply and demand in your area.A quick look in my area showed that where landlords are asking $800-900, AirBnB is suggesting $650/ month. So I will bear down harder when I negotiate. A couple of years ago, when I rented a condo in Malaysia, I found the landlord quick to jump on my offer that was 40% less than their price. I should have offered 50% less!
Here however, locals seem very stubborn about what they want. I believe they hope the US Navy will sail in any day now and overpay for everything. I see many unleased properties, seems like they have been empty for months.
The AirBnB price jived with what local expats have been telling me as well. Maybe I look too much like I'm "just off the boat"? I may start wearing a wife-beater and Philippino-flops when I look at places.
YES I KNOW there are many properties much cheaper everywhere<<.
To see the Price Tips, you will need an AirBnB account, I believe that required you registering a card. Then you can make a listing. Pick a street in the area you are curious about. Don't use the exact address. Verify your phone number, fill in some details, and it gives you the pricing. I set my listing to "unlisted".
Fastpiston
01-13-16, 14:53
Let's not forget that, in addition to plates and licenses, LTO has also been out of renewal stickers for the plates for at least two years. It's beyond amazing.
GE.Now let me think through this. There must be scam buried in this somewhere! I would bet my life on this! I would suspect it is the fella who dreamed up this cockeyed idea.
I'm going to be living in Manila (or maybe Angeles) for around 3 months and currently trying to work out a place to rent.
Where would be good places (websites etc) to look? How much should I expect to pay per month?(Reasonable distance to action would be good, but also not too close that it is super noisy. Internet is a must for work. No need of luxury but also not a complete hole). What neighborhoods should I look at?
I'm going to be living in Manila (or maybe Angeles) for around 3 months and currently trying to work out a place to rent.
Where would be good places (websites etc) to look? How much should I expect to pay per month?(Reasonable distance to action would be good, but also not too close that it is super noisy. Internet is a must for work. No need of luxury but also not a complete hole). What neighborhoods should I look at?For starters https://www.olx.ph/ (used to be called Sulit) and Craigslist. Do not send money from overseas and don't sign a contract site unseen. This means stay at a hotel or airbnb place for a few days to visually check out the places and the areas. You'll find some landlords on airbnb offer longterm deals, but still those are over priced for long stays.
In Manila you have three main action areas. LA Cafe is in Ermita. EDSA Entertainment is in the city of Pasay's Baclaran district. Burgos Street is in Makati. Using google maps you can determine which barangays are nearby and major streets / intersections which may be noisy. Of these three areas two, Ermita and Baclaran, are prone to street crime. You can google these for more info about this subject.
A furnished condo, which gives security at a good price, will be from p20k to p40k inclusive of association fee, cable TV and internet. Make certain internet is included by asking for the details. I find a 1 bedroom preferable to a studio. I think 35 sqm is the minimum size to be considered comfortable. Water is very cheap but electricity is pricey. If you run the AC constantly expect to pay p6k+. If you get a 1 BR place try to get one that has 2 ACs, one for the BR and the other for the LR. You'll save a bit of money on electricity by not running one all the time to cool the entire place.
You can find cheaper alternatives by choosing an apartment, but with this comes less security and fewer amenities such a pool and gym. I wouldn't advise this but it can be done.
Do not expect high QOS from your internet provider, especially if you live in an older building in a run down area.
Here are some conversations about renting - scroll up and down.
http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1001-General-Info&p=1695781#post1695781
http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1001-General-Info&p=1692890#post1692890
http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1001-General-Info&p=1692884#post1692884
BrainDrain
01-27-16, 07:25
Just wondering if anyone has identified a good bank account for a 20 year old student pinay that has at most P3000 at any one time.
She has been robbed / petty theft twice over the last year. (doesn't ask me for money and I haven't provided for her).
I'm wondering if there is a suitable low fee card account that she can save her money into?
Suggestions appreciated.
BD.
Just wondering if anyone has identified a good bank account for a 20 year old student pinay that has at most P3000 at any one time.
She has been robbed / petty theft twice over the last year. (doesn't ask me for money and I haven't provided for her).
I'm wondering if there is a suitable low fee card account that she can save her money into?
Suggestions appreciated.
BD.I believe with proper ID requirements and a minimum opening deposit she can open an account at BDO or BPI and obtain a debit card. With a debit card she can withdraw cash at ATM machine. I believe the account can be free.
I believe with proper ID requirements and a minimum opening deposit she can open an account at BDO or BPI and obtain a debit card. With a debit card she can withdraw cash at ATM machine. I believe the account can be free.To my knowledge all banks have a minimum mandatory amount that must be left in the account. If the account runs under this amount they charge a fee of 200 PHP monthly. This minimum amount differs from 5 K to 15 K. At BDO it is at 10 K as of now.
BrainDrain
01-27-16, 08:07
I believe with proper ID requirements and a minimum opening deposit she can open an account at BDO or BPI and obtain a debit card. With a debit card she can withdraw cash at ATM machine. I believe the account can be free.That's good news. I'm amazed that with the amount of theft that they don't all have accounts.
It's interesting to hear how the talk about the accounts which require P2000 minimum deposit 'costs' P2000 to open, implying that the money is no longer theirs.
This page is an example is the minimum.
https://www.bpiexpressonline.com/p/1/326/deposit-rates-savings-and-checking
Thanks Dg8787.
I'm going to be living in Manila (or maybe Angeles) for around 3 months and currently trying to work out a place to rent.
Where would be good places (websites etc) to look? How much should I expect to pay per month?(Reasonable distance to action would be good, but also not too close that it is super noisy. Internet is a must for work. No need of luxury but also not a complete hole). What neighborhoods should I look at?Hi there, I own some studios in Birch Tower in Malate / Manila; I can recommend that location and building. Very close to Robinson's shopping mall and all the night action is around. With pool and gym. It is safe but girl friendly. The running rate for a studio is 25 K PHP incl. TV and Internet.
Just wondering if anyone has identified a good bank account for a 20 year old student pinay that has at most P3000 at any one time.
She has been robbed / petty theft twice over the last year. (doesn't ask me for money and I haven't provided for her).
I'm wondering if there is a suitable low fee card account that she can save her money into?
Suggestions appreciated.
BD.Maybank has a low amount required to open an account (p500 or p1000 if I recall correctly), but being a Malaysian bank it doesn't have the same geographic coverage as the locals. If she lives or studies near one it's a good option. The value savings account has a p500 minimum balance.
One thing I've come to understand is how few the number of Filipinos who have bank accounts. The poor rely on wire transfers.
Opening an account requires two forms of ID (which many Filipinos don't have), a barangay clearance, a letter of recommendation from President Aquino, and Pope Francisco has to accompany the depositor when the account is first opened. Two of those may no longer be required.
Ms Account
01-30-16, 13:32
As I have mentioned in a post last year I have taken 2016 off work and although I won't spend 100% of my time in Philippines I certainly plan to spend 50% of each month there. I have been debating which city to focus my time and secondly whether to rent in my nominated focus city. I have RTFF and the only posts relevant were back on page 34 of this thread with multiple comments responding to the following but in some ways this post is just formalising my thoughts to come to a conclusion:
Where would you choose to live? Makati? Or Quezon? A beach house in Palawan? Iloilo? Maybe Cebu? Angeles? (For me no way, AC is out of question.) Or maybe let's say somewhere between AC and Manila, as Malolos for example? Smaller City with a quarter of a million poeple. Located between AC and Manila, should have all what's necessary, even has a University and from the location you might be in either AC or Manila relatively quick and you have two airports nearby. Important for me, I might commute between Malaysia and PI for a while.Thoughts any? Cheers!My history is reasonable experience both in P4 P and non P4 P in Manila, Cebu and Davao but never been to AC.
My drivers are:
(1) cosmopolitan with good choices of restaurants and bars (non P4 P).
(2) strong base of non P4 P profiles on the "dating" websites and not so small a city that girls are withdrawn because of transparency issues.
(3) reasonable P4 P scene as backup when the non P4 P fails.
(4) affordable but modern and comfortable hotels or apartments rentals.
(5) minimised travel. I do enough of that for work and Philippines domestic travel is a not a pleasant experience (recounting Good Enough's experiences).
Based upon the above drivers, I think it is unlikely a provincial city outside of the above 4 will do the trick. However I sort of interpret Westcoast's strategy to be a continual wanderer both of major cities and provincial cities. My only concern with that is it breaks driver 5. So my review of each city compared to those drivers.
Manila= Satisfies 1,2,3,5 easily. Maybe Manila hotels are more expensive but from preliminary review, apartments are better value in Manila than they are in Cebu for example (but that is an amateur first cut opinion).
Cebu= Satisfies 1,2,5 reasonably well. You would remember from previous Cebu posts that I think 3 - the P4 P scene is not good in Cebu. Although hotels are cheaper in Cebu than Manila, I don't think apartments are good value in key areas I like around Ayala. Given the number of apartment blocks they are building in Cebu (in particular around Ayala) around 2017 Cebu will be great value for renting apartments.
Davao= Reasonable in 1 with some good expat restaurants. 2 is still not bad. Still a big population city. Bit remote to travel to for driver 5. 3 is terrible. 4 - High end hotels are not that cheap and don't know apartments.
AC. Never been there so open to views on drivers 1-5.
My head says my best option is focus my efforts in Manila. But I have spent a lot of dating website work in Cebu and my contact database has more entries from Cebu than other cities. Any views to sway me either way would be appreciated remembering that it is only a 1 year focus.
PirateMorgan
01-30-16, 13:49
Your question gives me a hard on. I have lived in Costa Rica, Sosua, Medellin, Mexico and Cebu. I am leaving Cebu in 48 hours after living here 6 months. All theses places are good places except Cebu. It is a garbage dump, the rents are higher than any place I have ever lived (not less than $800 near Ayala for nothing), I think higher than Manila (opinion). EVERY place in the Philippines has tons of girls but here the only place to meet them is at a mall. Everything is the mall. There is nothing in Cebu save diving. Not located right here though. Cebu is a wasteland. No reason to be here. Again. There are girls under every rock in this country. They will fuck as soon as talk to you. Cebu does not make the Philippine experience any better.
I will be in Chiang Mai starting Tuesday. It will be better than this dump. And it actually stinks in many places.
Pura Vida.
Ms Account
01-30-16, 14:16
I am leaving Cebu in 48 hours after living here 6 months. All theses places are good places except Cebu. It is a garbage dump, the rents are higher than any place I have ever lived (not less than $800 near Ayala for nothing), I think higher than Manila (opinion). .Thanks PM for the feedback. I don't care too much about recreational things like diving etc. But you are just confirming my views on the apartment rentals. I am seeing minimum 35 K up to 50 K for a 1 bed around Ayala like Grand Cenia or Avalon. At that price I would just stick with hotels. But I look at my contact database and are reluctant to discard the effort I already have invested in Cebu and try and recreate it in Manila.
I am leaving Cebu in 48 hours after living here 6 months. All theses places are good places except Cebu. It is a garbage dump, the rents are higher than any place I have ever lived (not less than $800 near Ayala for nothing), I think higher than Manila (opinion). EVERY place in the Philippines has tons of girls but here the only place to meet them is at a mall. Everything is the mall. There is nothing in Cebu save diving. Not located right here though. Cebu is a wasteland. No reason to be here. Again. There are girls under every rock in this country. They will fuck as soon as talk to you. Cebu does not make the Philippine experience any better.
I will be in Chiang Mai starting Tuesday. It will be better than this dump. And it actually stinks in many places.
Pura Vida.Hi PM, just wondering if you stayed in South Cebu at all. I'm not a diver but find South Cebu quite nice. Conversely, Cebu City is a smaller version of Manila as you you pointed out but ah the girls! Have fun in Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong (first full moon in Novemeber if you are there then) is amazing. Pura Vida.
Cebu is where I would go, and it's where I usually go. The bar scene is dismal (but doable). The online girlfriends are to die for.
It's a great location for island hopping too. My last trip I went to Leyte, and the trip before that Tag / Panglao - by boat. X.
Thanks PM for the feedback. I don't care too much about recreational things like diving etc. But you are just confirming my views on the apartment rentals. I am seeing minimum 35 K up to 50 K for a 1 bed around Ayala like Grand Cenia or Avalon. At that price I would just stick with hotels. But I look at my contact database and are reluctant to discard the effort I already have invested in Cebu and try and recreate it in Manila.
Chocha Monger
02-25-16, 10:36
Ever wonder what happens when a foreigner runs out of money in the Philippines? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvwLgYWSZQ&feature=youtu.be.
Dark Knight1
02-27-16, 21:40
Ever wonder what happens when a foreigner runs out of money in the Philippines? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvwLgYWSZQ&feature=youtu.be.Dude,
Is a walking wreck. I fear this is the fate of most long term mongers.
Chocha Monger
02-29-16, 07:20
Dude,
Is a walking wreck. I fear this is the fate of most long term mongers.Long-term mongering is an unsustainable career for a number of reasons. However, the most common and significant one is the pissing away of vital retirement funds. Consider that a short mongering jaunt from North America to the Philippines costs about $5,000 USD. If a monger takes two such expeditions annually that is $10,000 USD expended on mongering. It does not seem like much money until you consider alternative investments for that money. For example, in 2008, $10,000 used to buy GM stock at $2.92 per share would have been worth over $133,000 less than 8 years later; $10,000 used to buy Starbucks stock at $8 per share would be worth $100,000 now; and $10,000 used to buy Priceline stock at $50 per share would be worth almost $200,000 today.
However, that $10,000 spent on mongering provides no financial returns and may even incur additional liabilities beyond the budgeted amount. So, it is not recommended as a long-term career track unless most of the costs are being picked up by a corporate expense account and externalized.
Most mongers compare the cost of mongering versus the cost of marriage. However, even if the returns on their stock investment were split in a divorce with the wife taking 50 70 percent, they would still be ahead of the game strictly in numbers compared to if they had spent the 10 K on mongering. On the other hand, if the wife gets perpetual alimony and child support until any children graduate from college the monger would be worse off than if he had spent the money mongering. Then again guys are not limited to choosing between long-term monger and marriage. There is long-term abstinence with sporadic mongering and long-term girlfriends with no mongering just to name a couple alternatives to long-term mongering with ultimate ruin and despair.
Anyway, one would hope that most mongers have the presence of mind to pay themselves first before financing costly mongering expeditions to far off lands.
Soapy Smith
03-03-16, 07:02
Ever wonder what happens when a foreigner runs out of money in the Philippines? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvwLgYWSZQ&feature=youtu.be.There are several other youtube videos related to this guy, but nothing in those I have seen establish that he was a monger.
He looks very much like a guy who approached me in SM North in Quezon City some time in August 2014, which would have been about three months before these videos were posted. He saw me coming from a distance, noticed I was a Westerner, and made a beeline to intercept me and tell me he needed money for rent for a nearby apartment. I think I gave him a few hundred pesos, because he seemed desperate and I could spare it. I knew at the time that his story might have very little in common with the truth.
Running out of money is one possible explanation, but it's possible there's more going on here than merely being stranded. I have known a couple of Americans in the Philippines who ended up there, not from mongering, but because their entire lives were essentially a long, drawn-out downward spiral. So they had bounced around other countries, surviving on jobs that drew on their English language skills, and near the end of the spiral they'd ended up in the Philippines with "nothin' left to lose."
So I would venture that this is a picture of untreated mental illness rather than a miscalculation of the cost of mongering.
Running out of money is one possible explanation, but it's possible there's more going on here than merely being stranded. I have known a couple of Americans in the Philippines who ended up there, not from mongering, but because their entire lives were essentially a long, drawn-out downward spiral. So they had bounced around other countries, surviving on jobs that drew on their English language skills, and near the end of the spiral they'd ended up in the Philippines with "nothin' left to lose."
So I would venture that this is a picture of untreated mental illness rather than a miscalculation of the cost of mongering.Rings true to me. A very wealthy friend of mine living in Phuket part time allowed a down-on-his-luck bloke to live in his condo. The fella was once worth a lot on paper, owning a valuable yet undiversified IT-stock portfolio before the 2001 dot com collapse. Instead of selling when the market soured - and still making money - he decided to average down and lost it all. After living at my mate's place for about 2 years and compounding his problems by overstaying his tourist visa, he killed himself. My friend had to sort that mess, too.
Ever wonder what happens when a foreigner runs out of money in the Philippines? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvwLgYWSZQ&feature=youtu.be.Self-serving creep. Next stop: taglit-birthright.
MrWoolyBooly
03-09-16, 20:19
He looks very much like a guy who approached me in SM North in Quezon City some time in August 2014, which would have been about three months before these videos were posted. He saw me coming from a distance, noticed I was a Westerner, and made a beeline to intercept me and tell me he needed money for rent for a nearby apartment. I met the same guy, same mall near the Cinnabon, roughly the same time while walking toward the exit from a movie date. Those who can share their resources with others answer to their own consciences. There are more than enough responsible, hard-working people in the world (lots in the Philippines) in even worse straits than this guy. He sure looks like he gets a lot more calories to eat than the average Pinoy. One wonders how a middle aged American guy could live his life in such a way that nobody family or friends is willing to spot him a few hundred bucks to get back to the US. I hope the BOI makes the airline that brought him ship him back like the immigration folks in the US do to overstayers.
A different, scrawnier American guy approached same floor same area same mall maybe a year earlier. He had some tale about having just been released from a Filipino jail, somehow betrayed by his Pinay wife, don't remember all the details. Foolishness is everywhere. Some gamble too much, some drink too much, some love the ladies too much, and some are just dumb*es.
I know the Philippines for 12 years and spent about in total 3.5 years in the Philippines.
The fist 10 years about 1 month a year more as holiday.
The Pinay seemed making all my dreams come true but every time I came back I could not contact most girls again because they all loose their cellphones.
I had bad experiences with barfining (girls want to eat / go out at foreigner places and don't stay the full longtime because the money is already payed).
The most fun I had was with streetwalkers, they are so good when you give them respect (but watch out; nicest girls on street or ladyboys).
The last 2 years I was about 50% of the time in the Philippines because I wanted to live in the Philippines and get a wife there.
First I tried again streetwalkers again.
But staying longer time in Angeles and Davao I noticed street girls find all kind of excuses for NOT staying days and days with me.
The reason to leave is not there sick mama but they need to go to other customers because they are addicted to the hunt and the little extra money.
A streetwalker in Davao called Marry Lham* (19 yo) did that to me, promised to travel around with me but really needed 30.000 P (700 USD) per month for her parent who had 12 kids.
I payed Marry only 650ST, every time she needed to smoke outside.
After a time she said to me she needed to work on the street because she needed extra money and she liked the hunt (excitement).
In the meantime Marry from Davao met "Javier", a Spanish guy, who made over already money each month even before he met Marry.
Spanish guys have in average less income then Dutch (he can't pay 700 USD) and Marry told me she would stay surely whole night with Javier.
So she broke my heart.
Same with streetwalker Angeles with Lyka (19 yo).
Then DIA girls, most only like to chat and find all kind of excuses (I have to work, or now I sit in a other city make 3000 p over) to not meet.
Most DIA girls lie about their weight and put filtered pictures on DIA.
I met DIA girl barbie Ash from Manila in Angeles.
Whole the time she was sitting with me she was chatting wit "mama" but the big smiles she had forced me to watch to her cellphone.
She was chatting whole the time other foreigners (ha that's why she was all the time active on DIA.
When I asked to stop with all that chatting and pay attention on me she got angry because I was "Jealous".
Clearly she just wants just stupid tourists for short stories.
I gave up hope now to find a Pinay girlfriend.
50% ask money in advance, 15% show up, and the one who show up are not so nice as expected and are nowhere capable to make decent conversations (give also input when talking).
I start to believe that Philippines is only for people who cannot get a wife in their own country. Something my ex Dutch ex wife told me 5 years ago.
Or for everybody who just wants to have fun for one day (most Pinay just think about today and forgot you tomorrow already for a new dream of the day).
So take care fellows. And wear always condoms because you really think you are the one if they jump the fist day with you in bed?
Asian Rain
06-13-16, 18:05
Ever wonder what happens when a foreigner runs out of money in the Philippines? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cvwLgYWSZQ&feature=youtu.be.Happens MUCH more often than you would think, mainly due to the fact that men retire here (or pretty much anyplace else in SE Asia) thinking that things will just be okay forever. Some don't have any real income-generating wealth or cash savings. Some don't maintain insurance. Some let themselves get caught up with addictions ranging from women to liquor to drugs (or better yet, a combination of those). Some let themselves get scammed (anybody who calls you "friend" in the Philippines ISN'T YOUR FRIEND). Some don't have any sense of the real financial requirements to live long-term in a foreign country or have common sense to understand that prices go up over time.
I hear a lot of guys talking about retiring to Asia. One wannabe uses nearly every other post to bore us with his never-ending countdown to Life in Dumaguete. Teacher's pension and Social Security in 2024 after Hillary's (or Donald's, it doesn't fucking matter as the US pension systems are going to be worthless no matter what character rules) second term ends? Don't count on it. Over my time on this forum I have queried quite a few of the in-country regulars about their setup. The ones who seem to be getting along seem to have a few common threads. Not dependent solely on retirement income. Wealth that does not start dwindling from Day One. Insured. Keep the women and the locals at arms length. Reasonably sober. No need for local employment. Understand that the financial plan does not start after you arrive at NAIA. Any builds?
Always good to have these reminders about the pitfalls. You can stay in whatever Western Hell you happen to be in now and still meet the same fate. However, if you are going to take the plunge to retire here, I really encourage a lot of calculus and consultation. Enjoy, AsianRain.
Asia Rain: I don't understand why you didn't look beyond the streets, clubs and DIA for employed, professional Pinays (nurse, doctor, schoolteacher, etc) if you are serious about finding a wife there. There are many successful happy foreigner-pinay marriages. As for getting a wife in one's own country you'd have to be a mental case or the needle in the haystack to marry an American woman. After 45 years of observation I've concluded they're all menopausal psychotics and selfishly impossible to please.
QUOTE=Retgilpo;1893372 I start to believe that Philippines is only for people who cannot get a wife in their own country. Something my ex Dutch ex wife told me 5 years ago. / QUOTE.
I know the Philippines for 12 years and spent about in total 3.5 years in the Philippines.
I start to believe that Philippines is only for people who cannot get a wife in their own country. Something my ex Dutch ex wife told me 5 years ago.
Or for everybody who just wants to have fun for one day (most Pinay just think about today and forgot you tomorrow already for a new dream of the day).
So take care fellows. And wear always condoms because you really think you are the one if they jump the fist day with you in bed?Dude,
You broke every rule in the book and can't believe why people took advantage?
Also, if you want a girlfriend or wife, don't go looking for them in bars.
Dude,
You broke every rule in the book and can't believe why people took advantage?
Also, if you want a girlfriend or wife, don't go looking for them in bars.One shot one kill. An excellent first post. Well done. If only most of the other newbs were as sensible.
BrainDrain
07-20-16, 04:56
for employed, professional Pinays (nurse, doctor, schoolteacher, etc) if you are serious about finding a wife there. There are many successful happy foreigner-pinay marriages..AGree with this sentiment entirely. The bargirl / freelancer population is a small % of the total filipina population. The bg do frequent the places that are easiest to go though.
Get away from the bar, meet decent girls and the Philippines is a different world.
BD.
I know the Philippines for 12 years and spent about in total 3.5 years in the Philippines.
The fist 10 years about 1 month a year more as holiday.
I gave up hope now to find a Pinay girlfriend.
50% ask money in advance, 15% show up, and the one who show up are not so nice as expected and are nowhere capable to make decent conversations (give also input when talking).
I start to believe that Philippines is only for people who cannot get a wife in their own country. Something my ex Dutch ex wife told me 5 years ago.
Or for everybody who just wants to have fun for one day (most Pinay just think about today and forgot you tomorrow already for a new dream of the day).
So take care fellows. And wear always condoms because you really think you are the one if they jump the fist day with you in bed?Hmm, not sure of age or your looks, but try finding / dating someone that has a job.
I've looked around, but the stores that I've seen only carry brands that are 25% DEET. Fucking mosquitos love me and I'm not even in provinces / near water.
Any specialty stores that I am missing or should I just "attempt" to get it shipped here?
http://www.bushman-repellent.com/index.html
The bargirl / freelancer population is a small % of the total filipina population.
Get away from the bar, meet decent girls and the Philippines is a different world. BD is absolutely correct, but keep this piece of advice before you at all times.
Should you legalize your relationship through marriage, never forget that you marry not only the girl but the family as well.
When tragedy strikes (genuine serious illnesses, death etc), it is expected that those family members who can afford it will be expected to contribute, no matter what sort of pre-nuptial agreements you might make. Foreigners are usually expected to be first in line.
Be sure you understand that clearly before you commit.
Soapy Smith
07-30-16, 07:44
Should you legalize your relationship through marriage, never forget that you marry not only the girl but the family as well.
When tragedy strikes (genuine serious illnesses, death etc), it is expected that those family members who can afford it will be expected to contribute, no matter what sort of pre-nuptial agreements you might make. Foreigners are usually expected to be first in line.
I sense that this expectation may sometimes arise before the relationship is legalized.
Not living up to this expectation puts the woman in a very difficult situation between you and the family.
Not living up to this expectation puts the woman in a very difficult situation between you and the family.The foreigner is in a "lose-lose" situation" either way according to his own evaluation (unless he has a lot of capital).
He will feel that he is either a sucker (when he gives in) or a bastard (when he refuses to do anything).
Bastards usually (but not always) find the relationship is finished.
I know the Philippines for 12 years and spent about in total 3.5 years in the Philippines.
The fist 10 years about 1 month a year more as holiday.
I gave up hope to find a wife
There's lots of plain churchy girls with big families who will hook up & stay with you.
Begin you new life paying for all of her family's many needs. Accept it.
There's better educated women looking for something also but be careful.
For the life of me I don't know why you must possess one woman.
Settle in & set yourself up as a bachelor. Plenty of companions will come your way.
Sponsor pretty young college girls. My god that should keep your carnal needs fulfilled.
If you really must marry, settle in to the community, make connections.
You will be introduced to lovely women for partnering when people get to believe you're OK.
Thats how it is all over Asia.
Swear off the hookers for a while.
AV.
WestCoast1
08-02-16, 05:26
Swear off the hookers for a while.
AV.Pretty harsh.
Haha what next: booze?
GoodEnough
08-02-16, 09:00
The foreigner is in a "lose-lose" situation" either way according to his own evaluation (unless he has a lot of capital).
He will feel that he is either a sucker (when he gives in) or a bastard (when he refuses to do anything).
Bastards usually (but not always) find the relationship is finished.Most of the time RK, but not always. Though the family ties and obligations are generally strong, some are weaker than others. It is possible to find middle and upper middle class ladies who don't have the overwhelming sense of familial duty that characterizes many women and thus is is possible to meet and have relationships that aren't particularly influenced by family. In my case, for example, my asawa feels little or no obligation and has no proble, telling her family "no. ".
GE.
Most of the time RK, but not always. Though the family ties and obligations are generally strong, some are weaker than others. It is possible to find middle and upper middle class ladies who don't have the overwhelming sense of familial duty that characterizes many women and thus is is possible to meet and have relationships that aren't particularly influenced by family. In my case, for example, my asawa feels little or no obligation and has no proble, telling her family "no. ".Your situation is obviously unusual GE but you did corroborate my point by saying "most of the time".
Does she have any little sisters, GE? Hope to see you this time in September
Most of the time RK, but not always. Though the family ties and obligations are generally strong, some are weaker than others. It is possible to find middle and upper middle class ladies who don't have the overwhelming sense of familial duty that characterizes many women and thus is is possible to meet and have relationships that aren't particularly influenced by family. In my case, for example, my asawa feels little or no obligation and has no proble, telling her family "no. ".
GE..
Pretty harsh.
Haha what next: booze?Well, I did say 'for a while' ;)
GoodEnough
08-03-16, 07:55
Does she have any little sisters, GE? Hope to see you this time in September
.She does indeed the. See. But they're all spoken for. Look forward to seeing you next month, and sorry that my mailbox was full. It's not full anymore.
GE.
So I'm back at my beachside house outside Dipolog for some battery recharging. Busy organising some repainting, tiling & fencing. Next door neighbor drops over for a chat & remind me I don't have wife for the thousandth time he he. Brings an eminently doable 17 yr old cousin with her in case I weaken. I don't. My villa is my chill out zone where I can do some fishing & meditate. Tells me she has good internet now courtesy LTE wifi in house. This gets my attention because in all these years I've never had decent phone signal let alone LTE data at my villa. I was very sceptical & tried to put her off but she kept insisting 'signal very good kuya, you get! Too tired to make the 1 hour drive along the beautiful section of coast line back to Dipolog I decide to send my housekeeper into town. A little treat for her. Of course she has to bring her daughter to 'help'. Before they set off I show them the Globe web page detailing the GoSurf 999 on LTE deal. Real simple. Fortified with bayad, food money & a repeat of what they are to do, off they go. In Clark I would use my contacts to get something like this done but my Dipolog contacts at the Dipolog Globe are long since buntis or otherwise departed. A couple of hours later my away team check in with me notifiying their arrival at Lee plaza & seeking further orders. Mildly irritated I repeat my request they go to the Globe concession & get the Wifi previously discussed. 20 minutes later they're back on the line informing me they are 'in the Globe'. It takes 60 seconds to accomplish this great journey from the front door to Globe but I resist complicating their task by asking what on earth they have been doing. A series of questions from the away team about Smart starts to get me more than mildly irritated. I had already rung PLDT to check if there is any LTE or indeed 4 g service at my location, negative. I politely endure the crosstalk between the two of them on the merits of Smart / PLDT and eventually have to play the poriner & remind them there is no service & would they please go to the Globe concession to get what I instructed them too. Sige Po. They hang up. I go back to drinking a cold beer & listening to the waves on the beach. 20 minutes later my phone interrupts my reverie. It's the away team again, terribly confused about what exactly I want. I tell them again the Globe LTE GoSurf 999 post paid. Six words. Not difficult. Another 20 minutes or so later the away team check in to report all kinds of Globe plans I have never heard of. I let them get it off their chests then stop them. I ask where are you? In the Globe kuya. I ask is the sales lady there? Oo. May I speak with her? O Po. A very respectful young female comes on line. I tell her what I want. She gets it immediately & asks if it's OK to email me the bill once a month. I agree. Job done. Took 90 seconds. I get the away team back on line & tell them to go eat now to replenish all the glucose burned up by this mission. I go back to back to my beer. Postscript: the signal is shit but it works.
AV.
GoodEnough
08-12-16, 09:08
To continue in the AV vein, I stopped by Sky Cable over the weekend to pay my bill. Since Sky accepts no credit cards, and there's no easy way to pay, I usually wait until I've accumulated about three month's worth and then go settle it, since paying requires getting a number and then waiting in not one but two separate lines in a small, crowded room. In my case the difficulty is compounded by the fact that I have two accounts--one for cable and one for Internet--and it can take a while for the cashier to laboriously add the total due for each account together to derive a single sum. While engaged in this lugubrious task I noticed that Sky was offering a new 50 Mbps service so I immediately asked to be upgraded which I was. Now I've been a client of Sky long enough to know that 50 Mbps doesn't actually mean 50 but "up to" 50 with a guarantee of 40% of the high number, or a minimum of 20 Mbps.
Sure enough, on returning home I found that I was getting a steady 30-32, which for this place is almost blindingly quick. By this morning however, the service had deteriorated to about 4. I know that calling Customer Service is as useless as pissing up a rope, but fortunately I do know one of the VPs there and so called him. He assured me there were no problems with the network and dispatched a technician to my house. The tech decided what I really needed was a new modem which he promptly installed, after which my speed dropped to zero. Some frantic calls on his part back to his office indicated that in fact, the problem was not the modem but a disconnect between the Sky system in Manila and Davao; a fact that had evidently escaped notice until I complained. I then insisted that he re-install the old modem since the new one would not function with my remote router. So, about 90 minutes gone, modem uninstalled then re-installed and all for naught. Now I'm being told that the syste, might be fixed sometime today.
And so it goes, and so it goes.
GE.
To continue in the AV vein, I stopped by Sky Cable over the weekend to pay my bill. Since Sky accepts no credit cards, and there's no easy way to pay,
Yes there is GE.
I have been paying my SkyCable, PLDT and Meralco (electric) bills by direct debit through my bank (HSBC) for the past 10 years at least.
Very simple to set up.
No way will I venture into any service places like that. Even the Bayad desks in SM and Robinson's always have crazy lines.
Maria Ozawa is applying for a work visa here.
Are things that tough in Nippon?
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/201536/maria-ozawa-enraged-over-immigration-worker-revealing-her-details#st_refDomain=&st_refQuery=.
Chocha Monger
09-24-16, 08:47
Foreign investors pull money from the Philippines.
Tuesday, 20 Sep 2016.
6:58 AM ET.
00:33.
The honeymoon period of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte appears to be over.
Foreign investors are pulling money out of the country's stock market rapidly, riled by a series of remarks made by the acid-tongued Duterte against key ally USA And China that have cast doubts over the future of the country's foreign policies as well as his handling of the economy.
Official data from the Philippine stock exchange showed the net foreign transactions on the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index fell every week between August 15 and September 16.
The Philippine peso dropped 3. 37 per cent against the dollar during this period, while the benchmark index has been the worst performer in the region over a one-month period.
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/19/duterte-news-philippine-presidents-intemperate-remarks-shaking-foreign-investor-confidence-in-the-country.html
The Philippine peso dropped 3. 37 per cent against the dollar during this period. . . Yippee! Well, a small one. Let's see it drop to 65 or 70:1.
These fluctuations are a mixed bag. Petrol and imported liquor will be more expensive, and other things will be less expensive.
Yippee! Well, a small one. Let's see it drop to 65 or 70:1.
These fluctuations are a mixed bag. Petrol and imported liquor will be more expensive, and other things will be less expensive.Months ago there had been predictions the rate would go to 50:1 by the end of the year due to world market financial conditions. I highly doubt this has much to due with President Dutere.
As far as foreign investments, bigger money has been pledged for infrastructures and manufacturing plants, far more than the pittance of scared money that is going out of the country.
48:1 will be more attractive to foreign investors.
GoodEnough
09-26-16, 23:55
Months ago there had been predictions the rate would go to 50:1 by the end of the year due to world market financial conditions. I highly doubt this has much to due with President Dutere.
As far as foreign investments, bigger money has been pledged for infrastructures and manufacturing plants, far more than the pittance of scared money that is going out of the country.
48:1 will be more attractive to foreign investors.I don't think the exchange rate has a lot to do with investment potential. When I first arrived here, the dollar: peso rate was well over 50, and this country was still at the bottom of the ASEAN barrel for FDI. The reasons have more to do with investment restrictions favoring local companies, the poor quality of the infrastructure and the pernicious corruption. Nothing has changed much to alter these factors and the country remains mired at the bottom in terms of attracting significant foreign investment.
It's true there have been feelers from Korea and Japan about building major infrastructure projects, but to date, as far as I know, no agreements have been brokered and no plans have been announced. The Philippines enjoys an excellent credit rating, and would have little trouble borrowing sufficient funds to cover the costs of major projects, yet to my knowledge, nothing has been done in this area either.
GE.
Months ago there had been predictions the rate would go to 50:1 by the end of the year due to world market financial conditions. I highly doubt this has much to due with President Dutere.
As far as foreign investments, bigger money has been pledged for infrastructures and manufacturing plants, far more than the pittance of scared money that is going out of the country.
48:1 will be more attractive to foreign investors.Why would you want to invest in PH where you are a minority JV partner? China can get away with it because they have a decent per capita + 1 billion people. In PH, it's just to protect the oligarchy families' wealth.
Hedge your stock portfolio if the Trump train heads to the White House.
A pittance can make the PHP swing pretty fast:
CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/19/duterte-news-philippine-presidents-intemperate-remarks-shaking-foreign-investor-confidence-in-the-country.html.
WSJ: http://www.wsj.com/articles/philippine-peso-falls-to-7-year-low-on-concerns-about-duterte-1474873672.
Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-26/philippine-peso-slides-to-2009-low-as-duterte-unnerves-investors.
I don't think the exchange rate has a lot to do with investment potential. When I first arrived here, the dollar: peso rate was well over 50, and this country was still at the bottom of the ASEAN barrel for FDI. The reasons have more to do with investment restrictions favoring local companies, the poor quality of the infrastructure and the pernicious corruption. Nothing has changed much to alter these factors and the country remains mired at the bottom in terms of attracting significant foreign investment.Also, I have read about the surprising high electric rates make factories very cost ineffective.
http://www.manilatimes.net/high-electricity-costs-root-of-our-backwardness/66574/
To continue in the AV vein, I stopped by Sky Cable over the weekend to pay my bill. Since Sky accepts no credit cards, and there's no easy way to pay, I usually wait until I've accumulated about three month's worth and then go settle it, since paying requires getting a number and then waiting in not one but two separate lines in a small, crowded room. Hated the internet with Skycable. Switched to PLDT, but lately it's been a little spotty too.
BTW, I think you can go into any bank and pay your bill. PLDT takes credit cards, but Cignal Cable requires me to send a form to setup the auto-payments via credit card. I just go to a random bank and pay the bill.
Why would you want to invest in PH where you are a minority JV partner? China can get away with it because they have a decent per capita + 1 billion people. In PH, it's just to protect the oligarchy families' wealth.
Hedge your stock portfolio if the Trump train heads to the White House.
A pittance can make the PHP swing pretty fast:
CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/19/duterte-news-philippine-presidents-intemperate-remarks-shaking-foreign-investor-confidence-in-the-country.html.
WSJ: http://www.wsj.com/articles/philippine-peso-falls-to-7-year-low-on-concerns-about-duterte-1474873672.
Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-26/philippine-peso-slides-to-2009-low-as-duterte-unnerves-investors.Of course I would invest in Philippines. It makes more than cents if I can produce products for pesos and sell it for dollars.
Shining Wit
09-27-16, 14:22
Of course I would invest in Philippines. It makes more than cents if I can produce products for pesos and sell it for dollars.If it costs 60 p to produce, and you can only sell for US $ 1 (currently 48 p) would you still invest?
If it costs 60 p to produce, and you can only sell for US $ 1 (currently 48 p) would you still invest?Are you asking if it cost 60 pesos to produce a widget and then I would only be able to sell it for 48 pesos, would I still invest?
My statement was if I could produce it for 48 pesos and sell it for "dollars" I would invest. Dollars mean plural. $2 or more.
Shining wit, I would have to answer no to your question as I understand it, I would be selling it for less than production cost. That is a big no no in Business 101.1.
You're not imaging it fellows.
Reports show none of the ISP's in the Philippines serve their advertised speeds. Furthermore you're paying three times more than average for the privelege.
http://technology.inquirer.net/49120/philippine-internet-speed-slowest-improvement-southeast-asia-akamai-report
You're not imaging it fellows.
Reports show none of the ISP's in the Philippines serve their advertised speeds. Furthermore you're paying three times more than average for the privelege.
http://technology.inquirer.net/49120/philippine-internet-speed-slowest-improvement-southeast-asia-akamai-reportHaha, I don't need an article to tell me that.
Of course I would invest in Philippines. It makes more than cents if I can produce products for pesos and sell it for dollars.You would have no idea how much it would cost. You would be a minority partner at the whim of your local partner. It would have to snow in Manila before I would invest money here (only possibly buy real estate).
GoodEnough
10-10-16, 12:52
You're not imaging it fellows.
Reports show none of the ISP's in the Philippines serve their advertised speeds. Furthermore you're paying three times more than average for the privelege.
http://technology.inquirer.net/49120/philippine-internet-speed-slowest-improvement-southeast-asia-akamai-reportThe unreliability and slow speed of Internet connectivity here has been well known for some time, and the simple fact is that, as with physical infrastructure, no one in a position to do anything about it cares. Telstra, which might have broken the current duopoly, was essentially thwarted from investing by PLDT and Globe, which didn't want any threats to their markets. The inadequacy of Internet connectivity is rivaled, in my opinion, only by the decrepitude of cell phone service, where dropped calls, jumbled and incomprehensible voice communications and difficulty in connecting at all are the rule and not an exception. The country was also adjudged a couple of years ago as having the slowest LTE speed in the world, and the fact is that LTE is available only intermittently in selected locales.
GE.
Surprising claims on mobile data speeds. Perhaps that's why I have been using my LTE more lately?
"Philippine Internet is improving but still the slowest in the world".
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-10/business/philippine-internet-is-improving-but-still-the-slowest-in-the-world/170557?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletter
Surprising claims on mobile data speeds. Perhaps that's why I have been using my LTE more lately?
"Philippine Internet is improving but still the slowest in the world".
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-10/business/philippine-internet-is-improving-but-still-the-slowest-in-the-world/170557?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletterI live in the nicest part of Manila (and the Philippines) and LTE never works properly. I stopped paying for it and just downgraded to 3 G (buying block data).
I live in the nicest part of Manila (and the Philippines) and LTE never works properly. I stopped paying for it and just downgraded to 3 G (buying block data).For as long as I can remember mobile data has been very spotty and erratic in Manila. QC not too bad. In Olongapo, consistently poor, at my condo in Clark highly variable, in Dipolog variable but acceptable. Currently having a break at my place on the coast about an hour from Dipolog it's frankly miraculous that I can get LTE so far out in the boonies! What lunatic thought carabaos need LTE? When it's good I can do video calls, other times it's 2 G LOL!
Asian Rain
10-12-16, 01:36
"Philippine Internet is improving but still the slowest in the world".
https://209.188.21.24/articles/2016-10-10/business/philippine-internet-is-improving-but-still-the-slowest-in-the-world/170557?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletterNo effective competition or regulation equates to poor product and service. I had unli LTE on my phone as a corporate subscriber and would sit in Greenbelt in sight of the PDLT corporate HQ and not even be able to get a signal upon occasion. Now that I am in Bangkok I can really feel the difference on my mobile data performance, 3 G here being miles better than supposed 4 G was in Manila. As long as Globe and Smart work the way they work without competition or regulation (the loads of "up to" fine print at the back of their ads says it all). Still, I could surf the porn that I needed to surf when I was in Manila, so I never really suffered. Only way to get true speed is to subscribe to fiber connections, which are high-priced and under-subscribed, but that only helps with terrestrial connectivity. Enjoy the Philippines, AsianRain.
You would have no idea how much it would cost. You would be a minority partner at the whim of your local partner. It would have to snow in Manila before I would invest money here (only possibly buy real estate).Why would I not have an idea? Ways around from being at the whim of some local partner. I would not buy investment real estate here.
GoodEnough
10-12-16, 02:01
For as long as I can remember mobile data has been very spotty and erratic in Manila. QC not too bad. In Olongapo, consistently poor, at my condo in Clark highly variable, in Dipolog variable but acceptable. Currently having a break at my place on the coast about an hour from Dipolog it's frankly miraculous that I can get LTE so far out in the boonies! What lunatic thought carabaos need LTE? When it's good I can do video calls, other times it's 2 G LOL!This may be the only place left outside of Africa where 2 G even exists. The IT sitiuation will never improve so long as the duopoly continues to exist. I tried to explain last night to a Filipino why Duterte's "considering" allowing a third competitor into the marketplace is not an exemplar or free market capticalism. He didn't get it. I do not purport to be any sort of IT expert, but I'm told by some who are that without significant investment in additional gateways and access to additional international backbones this place will continue as an Internet backwater no matter how many towers Globe and Smart construct. Evidently there's no Internet backbone anywhere in Mindanao, and all traffic is routed through Manila or Cebu.
GE.
For as long as I can remember mobile data has been very spotty and erratic in Manila. QC not too bad. In Olongapo, consistently poor, at my condo in Clark highly variable, in Dipolog variable but acceptable. Currently having a break at my place on the coast about an hour from Dipolog it's frankly miraculous that I can get LTE so far out in the boonies! What lunatic thought carabaos need LTE? When it's good I can do video calls, other times it's 2 G LOL!Well, they don't have wifi hotspots here, so I use my phone to tether my computer a lot when I am outside my apartment. My guess is they have "some" LTE infrastructure, it's not enough for the demand. Basically a scheme to get more money.
Why would I not have an idea? Ways around from being at the whim of some local partner. I would not buy investment real estate here.I'm assuming you are talking about "shadow" corporate partners? Yes, agree on the real estate if it's an investment, but if I decide to live here permanently. I'm not sure if I want to rent forever.
Well, they don't have wifi hotspots here, so I use my phone to tether my computer a lot when I am outside my apartment. My guess is they have "some" LTE infrastructure, it's not enough for the demand. Basically a scheme to get more money.I just had an interesting experience with my PLDT internet connection in my condo in Ortigas.
I have trialled all of the various companies. Globe, Sky, PLDT / Smart; and ended up with PLDT which I have been with for around 8 years now.
Good service; as fast as anywhere else; and reliable.
In the past 3 days my connection has started periodically dropping out for an unknown reason. It's never done it before.
I called up PLDT and eventually got through to a real person who apologised profusely and told me that the technicians had "boosted" my speed, and it should be OK now.
I returned to my laptop and wifi devices etc and discovered my speed had virtually doubled.
WTF.
No more drop-outs.
I am not very techno-savvy but I can only assume that they "reserve" higher speeds for those who complain, and consign lower speeds to the submissive locals who tolerate anything.
Weird stuff.
I'm assuming you are talking about "shadow" corporate partners? Yes, agree on the real estate if it's an investment, but if I decide to live here permanently. I'm not sure if I want to rent forever.Please don't assume. I myself like the flexibility of renting.
FreebieFan
10-12-16, 06:46
This may be the only place left outside of Africa where 2 G even exists. The IT sitiuation will never improve so long as the duopoly continues to exist. I tried to explain last night to a Filipino why Duterte's "considering" allowing a third competitor into the marketplace is not an exemplar or free market capticalism. He didn't get it. I do not purport to be any sort of IT expert, but I'm told by some who are that without significant investment in additional gateways and access to additional international backbones this place will continue as an Internet backwater no matter how many towers Globe and Smart construct. Evidently there's no Internet backbone anywhere in Mindanao, and all traffic is routed through Manila or Cebu.
GE.http://business.inquirer.net/216411/full-text-interview-with-globe-president-and-ceo-ernest-cu
Long article, which I skimmed thorugh basically saying what a great company Globe is etcetc. He does talk at length about the possible 3rd entrant and the infrastructure required to establish a 3 trd telco company. Sound daunting enough to put of most potential entrants, which is probably / possibly exactly the way that the Globe and Smart duopoly like it.
For all D30's talk and threats of a 3rd entrant from China not sure the Chinese would be willing to pay the entrance fee. Or suffer the endless legal cases, TRO's etc.
Plus of course China has a duopoly, that are both government owned. Can't have private companies handling things like communications. Better to be government owned then they can snoop on everyone all the time.
It used to be in China that there was just one company but then the chinese started saying they needed competition like in other countries. So they span off a portion of the first company, renamed it and thus, there was competition. With both still being owned by the chinese government.
I just had an interesting experience with my PLDT internet connection in my condo in Ortigas.
I have trialled all of the various companies. Globe, Sky, PLDT / Smart; and ended up with PLDT which I have been with for around 8 years now.
Good service; as fast as anywhere else; and reliable.
In the past 3 days my connection has started periodically dropping out for an unknown reason. It's never done it before.
I called up PLDT and eventually got through to a real person who apologised profusely and told me that the technicians had "boosted" my speed, and it should be OK now.
I returned to my laptop and wifi devices etc and discovered my speed had virtually doubled.
WTF.
No more drop-outs.
I am not very techno-savvy but I can only assume that they "reserve" higher speeds for those who complain, and consign lower speeds to the submissive locals who tolerate anything.
Weird stuff.I had Skycable for Wifi and it was a disaster. Sometimes, my speed dropped to less that 1 Mbps, but it was at night and there wasn't anyone to call. After I moved to a different place, I switched to PLDT and it's much better. (recently, I've had to reset my modem at times though.).
GoodEnough
10-12-16, 09:13
I had Skycable for Wifi and it was a disaster. Sometimes, my speed dropped to less that 1 Mbps, but it was at night and there wasn't anyone to call. After I moved to a different place, I switched to PLDT and it's much better. (recently, I've had to reset my modem at times though.).My guess is that it depends where you live. Like RK, I've tried them all and Skycable is the best to date. I've got it "up to" 50 Mbps service, consistently get between 24 and 45 and despite a couple of interruptions, the service has been surprisingly reliable. Like others, I have to reboot the modem occasionally, which is annoying but hardly a major problem. Of course the price I pay is at least double what I'd pay in the US for 100 Mbps service.
GE.
I had Skycable for Wifi and it was a disaster. Sometimes, my speed dropped to less that 1 Mbps, but it was at night and there wasn't anyone to call. After I moved to a different place, I switched to PLDT and it's much better. (recently, I've had to reset my modem at times though.).Not sure why you quoted my post and then discussed your problems with Sky. It was a bit of a non sequitur.
My point was that it seems the telcos are able to manipulate the speeds of delivery somewhat arbitrarily.
When I complained about my PLDT dropping out, I was told by the responder, after a short delay, that the PLDT technicians had boosted my speed from the center.
Now I have much greater speed than ever before. Go figure.
One of the world's greatest cities, and incidentally the home of my son and grandchildren, so I take your point. However, though I love the city, I've got no desire to go back there to live. Sporadic visits are fine with me. Besides RK, as you know, I do have some other people to consider here. Transferred from the Philippines Politics thread (for obvious reasons).
I am in the same situation GE, and having my own condo in a relatively benign and trouble-free area like Ortigas means I can sit back and enjoy the choice I made 20 years ago to remain here while ever I have additional responsibilities.
However, I must say that after having just returned from 14 days holidaying in my home country of Australia, I can admit that I enjoyed every minute of it and if I was single and fancy-free, I think I could live back there again, but not with a partner or any other encumbrances.
So, apart from the Phils, I have been lucky to work periodically in each of the following places in the past 10 years, so my opinion is as follows (mongering is NOT one of my criteria):
All of my options would be in SE Asia or Asia anyway.
My 2nd choice would probably be Vientiane, Lao PDR where I have spent around 5 months on short intermittent visits in the past 18 months.
Thailand, previously a highly-desirable destination, is now on reserve until we see what happens with the passing of the highly-revered King. Vietnam is an option, but language and too many motorbikes makes me tentative. Cambodia is much too under-developed for me right now. HK and Singapore are just big world cities and they make Sydney look more attractive. Malaysia and Indonesia don't make my short list.
Mongolia is a great opportunity, but the extremes of weather (I hate anything below 20 degreesC) rules it out too.
Final decision? I am happy to stay here in Manila in my comfortable condo, with a foreign salary and proximity to many other places for easy R & R.
GoodEnough
10-15-16, 12:07
Transferred from the Philippines Politics thread (for obvious reasons).
I am in the same situation GE, and having my own condo in a relatively benign and trouble-free area like Ortigas means I can sit back and enjoy the choice I made 20 years ago to remain here while ever I have additional responsibilities.
However, I must say that after having just returned from 14 days holidaying in my home country of Australia, I can admit that I enjoyed every minute of it and if I was single and fancy-free, I think I could live back there again, but not with a partner or any other encumbrances.
So, apart from the Phils, I have been lucky to work periodically in each of the following places in the past 10 years, so my opinion is as follows (mongering is NOT one of my criteria):
All of my options would be in SE Asia or Asia anyway.
My 2nd choice would probably be Vientiane, Lao PDR where I have spent around 5 months on short intermittent visits in the past 18 months.
Thailand, previously a highly-desirable destination, is now on reserve until we see what happens with the passing of the highly-revered King. Vietnam is an option, but language and too many motorbikes makes me tentative. Cambodia is much too under-developed for me right now. HK and Singapore are just big world cities and they make Sydney look more attractive. Malaysia and Indonesia don't make my short list.
Mongolia is a great opportunity, but the extremes of weather (I hate anything below 20 degreesC) rules it out too.
Final decision? I am happy to stay here in Manila in my comfortable condo, with a foreign salary and proximity to many other places for easy R & R.Thoughtful as always RK. I've not been to Vientiane in years, so I've no idea what it's like now. I agree about Thailand. It would have been a top choice but now it's a wait and see. Phnom Penh is high on the list, but I would worry about the absence of decent medical care (and I do here). I enjoy Vietnam, and it remains a possibility. Malaysian and Indonesia are both countries I've enjoyed in the past, but wouldn't be on any short list of mine either.
I've made a commitment to myself to get out of here every 3 months. At least one of those trips will be to the States, but for the rest, I'll probably stay within SE Asia.
GE.
Thoughtful as always RK. I've not been to Vientiane in years, so I've no idea what it's like now. I agree about Thailand. It would have been a top choice but now it's a wait and see. Phnom Penh is high on the list, but I would worry about the absence of decent medical care (and I do here). I enjoy Vietnam, and it remains a possibility. Malaysian and Indonesia are both countries I've enjoyed in the past, but wouldn't be on any short list of mine either.
I've made a commitment to myself to get out of here every 3 months. At least one of those trips will be to the States, but for the rest, I'll probably stay within SE Asia. I believe we have similar thoughts and "tastes" GE.
Rather topically, the US based Thrillist lists 12 countries for US citizens to consider "just in case" (I assume in case of a poor election result?) Philippines doesn't get a mention.
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-countries-for-american-expats
Rather topically, the US based Thrillist lists 12 countries for US citizens to consider "just in case" (I assume in case of a poor election result?) Philippines doesn't get a mention.
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-countries-for-american-expatsI find that to be good news. When places are discovered (or Columbused) inevitably they change, often for the worse. The initial changes, such as better amenities, are OK, but when it becomes overheated then you end up with Pattaya. I've visited several times, but I could never live there.
I celebrate those who stay in their homelands and simply send money to their girls here. You are my heroes, gents. Have an attaboy.
I find that to be good news. When places are discovered (or Columbused) inevitably they change, often for the worse. The initial changes, such as better amenities, are OK, but when it becomes overheated then you end up with Pattaya. I've visited several times, but I could never live there.
I celebrate those who stay in their homelands and simply send money to their girls here. You are my heroes, gents. Have an attaboy.Agree on all counts Huts.
I met a woman last week who was doing well on an overseas remittance from a guy who has been planning to visit for 10 months and thinks he is paying a holding fee so she will remember him hehehe.
She remembers him but has no problems forgetting him whilst ever she is with me (and probably others).
GoodEnough
10-17-16, 07:03
On another topic, I don't know if you guys have seen this article about the administration's plan to help clear the infrastructure deficit: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/826011/admin-to-spend-p8-trillion-for-infrastructure.
Those of us to live here know that the trash bins of Manila are full of the paper on which UN implemented plans have been touted. On the other hand, perhaps there's some reason to hope that at least some of these will turn into reality. I've noticed that some people I know only through Facebook have started to fixate on the Davao-CDO railroad, and appear to accept that it's all going to happen. Who knows?
GE.
GoodEnough
10-19-16, 14:13
I don't know if the video clip of the police van driving into the crowd of students protesting at the US Embassy in Manila has received wide circulation. For those who are unaware of it, here's the link to the video: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Ffeature%3Dplayer_embedded%26v%3DJh6ylIQbIKY&h=bAQEKAi9T.
I get that students the world over are forever protesting against perceived inequities and it's part of the universal right of passage. However, I hope this doesn't mark the beginning of an escalating anti-Americanism. If it does, I'm going to start claiming I'm Canadian, or perhaps French.
GE.
FreebieFan
10-20-16, 01:42
I don't know if the video clip of the police van driving into the crowd of students protesting at the US Embassy in Manila has received wide circulation. For those who are unaware of it, here's the link to the video: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Ffeature%3Dplayer_embedded%26v%3DJh6ylIQbIKY&h=bAQEKAi9T.
I get that students the world over are forever protesting against perceived inequities and it's part of the universal right of passage. However, I hope this doesn't mark the beginning of an escalating anti-Americanism. If it does, I'm going to start claiming I'm Canadian, or perhaps French.
GE.The said video, was on BBC, DAily Telegraph, Daily Mail, South China morning post, Guardian, Al jazeera and MSNs own news channel. It gained VERY wide coverage.
The said video, was on BBC, DAily Telegraph, Daily Mail, South China morning post, Guardian, Al jazeera and MSNs own news channel. It gained VERY wide coverage.This morning. Australia is also aware of this.
FreebieFan
10-20-16, 02:56
I don't know if the video clip of the police van driving into the crowd of students protesting at the US Embassy in Manila has received wide circulation. For those who are unaware of it, here's the link to the video: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Ffeature%3Dplayer_embedded%26v%3DJh6ylIQbIKY&h=bAQEKAi9T.
I get that students the world over are forever protesting against perceived inequities and it's part of the universal right of passage. However, I hope this doesn't mark the beginning of an escalating anti-Americanism. If it does, I'm going to start claiming I'm Canadian, or perhaps French.
GE.http://trendtitan.com/life/duterte-denied-us-visa-past-bakit-hindi-natin-tablahin/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/philippines-prez-duterte-says-goodbye-to-us-ties-in-beijing/story-5EmAMQBD9ROLq53QRJgfDL.html
Maybe because he was once denied a US visa, people can now expect more demos against the US Embassy. He certainly has a bee in his bonnet against the US.
http://trendtitan.com/life/duterte-denied-us-visa-past-bakit-hindi-natin-tablahin/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/philippines-prez-duterte-says-goodbye-to-us-ties-in-beijing/story-5EmAMQBD9ROLq53QRJgfDL.html
Maybe because he was once denied a US visa, people can now expect more demos against the US Embassy. He certainly has a bee in his bonnet against the US.LOL! Wouldn't surprise me. So standing back and looking at the bigger picture, Duterte rides into power on a wave of nationalistic populism and appears to be keen on milking it for all it's worth.
As any of us know who watch the news here or have spent time living in Manila, student protests are nothing new. Not unusual to see a few heads getting cracked by Manila's finest. I don't ever recall seeing police driving over people with vehicles before. Since a free for all was declared on murder I guess it is not unexpected the AFP & PNP are becoming desensitized?
Small scale anti American themed protests have been seen before, the question is will Duterte encourage & exploit?
Not just Americans should be concerned, all foreigners could be swept up in nationalistic fervor.
GoodEnough
10-20-16, 06:00
http://trendtitan.com/life/duterte-denied-us-visa-past-bakit-hindi-natin-tablahin/
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/philippines-prez-duterte-says-goodbye-to-us-ties-in-beijing/story-5EmAMQBD9ROLq53QRJgfDL.html
Maybe because he was once denied a US visa, people can now expect more demos against the US Embassy. He certainly has a bee in his bonnet against the US.I think the bulk of his negativity toward the US stems from a documented incident that occurred in Davao maybe 14-15 years ago, when a US citizen bombed a hotel in Davao (by mistake) and was spirited out of the country by US and Philippine security forces. This infuriated Duterte and he never lost an opportunity when he was the Mayor of Davao, to make sure the US remembered it.
GE.
I think the bulk of his negativity toward the US stems from a documented incident that occurred in Davao maybe 14-15 years ago, when a US citizen bombed a hotel in Davao (by mistake) and was spirited out of the country by US and Philippine security forces. This infuriated Duterte and he never lost an opportunity when he was the Mayor of Davao, to make sure the US remembered it.
GE.This would be the 2002 bombing in the safest city in the Philippines?
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/09/09/history-bombings-davao-city-495547
That's one small step for bureaucracy? Wonder how fubar this will actually be?
http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2016/10/29/travel-tax-payment-now-made-hassle-free/
CallSign Papa
10-29-16, 09:53
This would be the 2002 bombing in the safest city in the Philippines?
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/09/09/history-bombings-davao-city-495547Here's a more in-depth article on it. An interesting read:
http://www.atimes.com/article/meiring-murder-subversion-and-treason-dutertes-beef-with-us/
That's one small step for bureaucracy? Wonder how fubar this will actually be?
http://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2016/10/29/travel-tax-payment-now-made-hassle-free/This is a classic example of a cadet journalist breathlessly seizing on an old press release and reporting it as though it's new.
I have been paying my Travel Tax on line for around 6 months. I went back and checked my log. They keep a record of all payments online too.
It's a great innovation. The payment of the exit clearance fee for us permanent residents is also swift and painless too, but it's not online of course.
This is a classic example of a cadet journalist breathlessly seizing on an old press release and reporting it as though it's new.
I have been paying my Travel Tax on line for around 6 months. I went back and checked my log. They keep a record of all payments online too.
It's a great innovation. The payment of the exit clearance fee for us permanent residents is also swift and painless too, but it's not online of course.I didn't know about this. Will be in future. Thanks RK.
I will send by my company to Manila to work for some weeks, and will travel to there often. Company will help me to rent a room, apartment. I am not sure. As I know my guys there prefer to rent by their own.
So I would like to know the information about rent an apartment there. Anything, any advice will be help thanks.
And I would like to hire a maid, to look after the house, and would like to be with me in bed when need.
I prefer girl (not 26 yr), dark skin, short (not 150 cm,) , slim (not 45 kg), and not too lazy, could travel with me.
I am 45 yr old, single, and maybe busy working whole day long (more than 10 hrs / day). I am a Chinese.
Any advice. Cost, how to find quickly, any experience. Anything would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I will send by my company to Manila to work for some weeks, and will travel to there often. Company will help me to rent a room, apartment. I am not sure. As I know my guys there prefer to rent by their own.
So I would like to know the information about rent an apartment there. Anything, any advice will be help thanks.
And I would like to hire a maid, to look after the house, and would like to be with me in bed when need.
I prefer girl (not 26 yr), dark skin, short (not 150 cm,) , slim (not 45 kg), and not too lazy, could travel with me.
I am 45 yr old, single, and maybe busy working whole day long (more than 10 hrs / day). I am a Chinese.
Any advice. Cost, how to find quickly, any experience. Anything would be appreciated.
Thanks.It depends on how often you visit and the duration.
Your best bet is a furnished condo. Pay attention to security. Are the guards checking people? Must visitors sign in at the reception desk? Or are the guards inattentive and dozing? We tend to think about entrance, but exit is important too. If you have a live-in maid and you're out of the country she may decide to empty your condo. Good management and security will prevent this.
I found my first place on craigslist, but there are plenty of agents. Whilst overseas I found adverts for several furnished places, emailed the owners, and scheduled visits for after my arrival. Do not enter any rental agreement until after you've met the owner, visited the flat for inspection, and determined what type of rush-hour commute you'll have. Stay at a hotel or an airbnb rental during this stage. Plan on 3-5 days to do these visits. Rent a flat near your office. Ideally a short walk / taxi / jeep commute. Don't rely on looking at google maps sole to determine this; physically perform this commute during the typical commute times. If you will work from home choose an area that has suitable amenities such a large grocer, restaurants, cinemas, etc. If you intend to have women visit you the condo / meeting point ought to be easy to travel to and find, so being near major roads and light rail is a good idea.
Maids I don't use daily. Why? Privacy and discretion. If you want to meet a lot of women you don't need a maid telling them about your lifestyle, and if you're fucking the maid then this is bound to cause trouble. Re the travel requirement, do you want someone to be a mix of maid and personal assistant (PA)? Presumably this PA needs to have skills beyond menial ones, and educated people often don't want to perform menial tasks they consider beneath their perceived talents. This being the Philippines most types of personal services will be promised. Well performed is a wild card.
For size, get at least a 1 BR condo (not a studio) so you have separate realms; you may need more space if you have a live-in maid, or she can live under the dining table. I think at a minimum 35 sqm is required for 1 person so you don't feel claustrophobic; for me about 50 sqm minimum is the best size because nothing feels cramped. You don't mention where in metro Manila you will work. In Makati you can find decent, affordable condos from p25000 to p40000 per month. Certainly you may pay more for location, amenities, furnishings, and prestige. BGC will be more expensive. Make sure internet service and cable TV are included. You want the electricity to be operating so you don't have the hassle of getting it connected. Make sure the landlord has paid the bills so you don't have an overdue balance that may result in disconnection. Condos have association fees, so you'll have to negotiate who pays this with the owner. Keep in mind if the owner fails to pay fees it's the unit and the occupant who will suffer. Appliances such as A/C, TV, and refrigerator should be newer and check their working condition. If something breaks then you have hassle of contacting the owner (who is often out of town for some reason) to arrange repair / replacement, and it sucks being without A/C for 3 days. The living room and the bedroom should have have their own A/C unit. Make sure the windows open.
Electricity is expensive, so keep this in mind when running A/C. You'll need an in-unit laundry machine unless you want to keep sending clothes to the laundry shop, which can be a bit of hassle. Most rentals have electric hobs, which I hate because they're slow to heat, poor temperature control, and electricity is expensive. If possible try to get a gas one, but these are uncommon for Filipinos. Make sure the hob has at least two burners / heating elements. You'll want a vent over the hob.
It's nice to live in a building with a pool, gym, laundry shop, convenience store, and bank / ATM.
If you're a picky eater check websites that cater to your particular ethnic community. Where I once lived had many Indian residents, and they had a daily meal service deliver food prepared to their expectation. I'm not Indian but I like the cuisine, so I too subscribed to this service for a while until I became tired of eating Indian every day. If you're in a building or area with many Chinese it'll be easier to obtain the products and services that appeal to you. One of my neighbours was running a Chinese canteen in his unit (violating condo association by-laws) for outsiders, and they'd show up twice a day for their lunch and supper. You may be able to find such a service.
It depends on how often you visit and the duration.
Your best bet is a furnished condo. Pay attention to security. Are the guards checking people? Must visitors sign in at the reception desk? Or are the guards inattentive and dozing? We tend to think about entrance, but exit is important too. If you have a live-in maid and you're out of the country she may decide to empty your condo. Good management and security will prevent this.
I found my first place on craigslist, but there are plenty of agents. Whilst overseas I found adverts for several furnished places, emailed the owners, and scheduled visits for after my arrival. Do not enter any rental agreement until after you've met the owner, visited the flat for inspection, and determined what type of rush-hour commute you'll have. Stay at a hotel or an airbnb rental during this stage. Plan on 3-5 days to do these visits. Rent a flat near your office. Ideally a short walk / taxi / jeep commute. Don't rely on looking at google maps sole to determine this; physically perform this commute during the typical commute times. If you will work from home choose an area that has suitable amenities such a large grocer, restaurants, cinemas, etc. If you intend to have women visit you the condo / meeting point ought to be easy to travel to and find, so being near major roads and light rail is a good idea..Thanks, it is very useful, maybe not a maid, I found some girls in dateinasia, they said would like to be with me, but not sure it will be true what they said.
It depends on how often you visit and the duration.
Your best bet is a furnished condo. Pay attention to security. Are the guards checking people? Must visitors sign in at the reception desk? Or are the guards inattentive and dozing? We tend to think about entrance, but exit is important too. If you have a live-in maid and you're out of the country she may decide to empty your condo. Good management and security will prevent this.
I found my first place on craigslist, but there are plenty of agents. Whilst overseas I found adverts for several furnished places, emailed the owners, and scheduled visits for after my arrival. Do not enter any rental agreement until after you've met the owner, visited the flat for inspection, and determined what type of rush-hour commute you'll have. Stay at a hotel or an airbnb rental during this stage. Plan on 3-5 days to do these visits. Rent a flat near your office. Ideally a short walk / taxi / jeep commute. Don't rely on looking at google maps sole to determine this; physically perform this commute during the typical commute times. If you will work from home choose an area that has suitable amenities such a large grocer, restaurants, cinemas, etc. If you intend to have women visit you the condo / meeting point ought to be easy to travel to and find, so being near major roads and light rail is a good idea..Have consulted my team guys about the furnished condo. They give the same advice on security. Thanks for the kind details. Do help a lot.
As for the maid, I think my original idea is not good. But a temp GF maybe a good choice. I will be there for some weeks, then back for a week in Beijing.
I really get hot when be with a short, slim, dark skin Filipino. Am I weird? Most guys of our company do not like work there, I am on the other side, hehe. Hope to have some same taste friend here.
Haha. Though I am not so good at English.
I do not like the working girl very much, because thinking about overused, and pretend. Prefer some regular girls. Not only fuck hole, but can out for dinner, film. And something fun.
P.S. I am a badminton lover, play 1-2 times / per week. Any one know that place with formal playground, and could find players with same level there?
BrainDrain
11-20-16, 12:14
I do not like the working girl very much, because thinking about overused, and pretend. Prefer some regular girls. Not only fuck hole, but can out for dinner, film. And something fun.
P.S. I am a badminton lover, play 1-2 times / per week. Any one know that place with formal playground, and could find players with same level there?In which City will you be based? I have in mind the perfect girl for you. Please PM me for details of your city.
I really get hot when be with a short, slim, dark skin Filipino. Am I weird? Most guys of our company do not like work there, I am on the other side, hehe. Hope to have some same taste friend here.
Haha. Though I am not so good at English.
I do not like the working girl very much, because thinking about overused, and pretend. Prefer some regular girls. Not only fuck hole, but can out for dinner, film. And something fun.I think how you define dark will influence this outcome. I know many East Asians consider someone dark who many of us westerners wouldn't consider dark at all. In the Philippines you'll find all the shades.
You may like what the Filipinos sarcastically call the 'exotic beauty' - short, very dark, flat nose, and may have wild hair. How can I put this politely? The big city isn't kind to them; actually much of the Philippines isn't kind to them. Employers hire the girls with fair complexions, and even the job adverts state this explicitly plus height requirements. This is not to say these girls don't exist, but you're unlikely to find them working in a shopping mall, nice restaurant, etc. They find work as domestics, factory labourers, sari sari shop clerks, etc. Many come from a cycle of deprivation; their parents were menial workers who didn't have the money for school fees and supplies so their daughters often end up working as maids at a young age. And so it goes, generation after generation.
A few years ago I was dating a genuinely dark girl; though she wan't Aeta, she wasn't simply suntanned either. Much darker than the girls who call themselves morena. Living in the provinces she started working as a maid at 8 years old. Through her own intelligence and determination plus a lot of luck a school teacher took her in, supported her, and she was able to complete high school. She moved to Manila and with a partner opened a small clothing stall in a Quezon City market. A tough life, but she was living it on her own terms and had optimism about the future.
This is not to say all dusky girls are from deprived backgrounds and without education. A weird thing happens though. When many Filipinos see a dark girl who appears independent and materially prosperous many of them assume she has a foreign boyfriend, husband, or sponsor. Even when they've made their own accomplishments others see them as utterly dependent. The maid who found a pot of gold. Sadly, some of them become radicalised, viewing attention from westerners as neocolonialism. Once they view life though this lens then everything is an -ism. It gets tiresome associating with this type of people.
P.S. I am a badminton lover, play 1-2 times / per week. Any one know that place with formal playground, and could find players with same level there?Metro Manila is large and tough to commute. You don't want to travel 10 km to play badminton. You'll want to locate a court near your home or work to minimise travel. Once you decide where you'll live then you can start checking on that. If you google badminton and the name of the area where you'll live you should find places.
FreebieFan
11-22-16, 09:57
I will send by my company to Manila to work for some weeks, and will travel to there often. Company will help me to rent a room, apartment. I am not sure. As I know my guys there prefer to rent by their own.
So I would like to know the information about rent an apartment there. Anything, any advice will be help thanks.
And I would like to hire a maid, to look after the house, and would like to be with me in bed when need.
I prefer girl (not 26 yr), dark skin, short (not 150 cm,) , slim (not 45 kg), and not too lazy, could travel with me.
I am 45 yr old, single, and maybe busy working whole day long (more than 10 hrs / day). I am a Chinese.
Any advice. Cost, how to find quickly, any experience. Anything would be appreciated.
Thanks.Sir, not a good idea to have a maid as a GF, or a GF as a maid. These are two different roles and definitely not good to combine them. Get a GF and get a maid and make sure they know which is which. The maid cooks and cleans, and the girl is there for enjoyment. Do not mix them up. That will create problems, trouble, and drama. And Filipinas love drama, and are quite happy to make trouble and problems for you if they think you have used them.
I think how you define dark will influence this outcome. I know many East Asians consider someone dark who many of us westerners wouldn't consider dark at all. In the Philippines you'll find all the shades.
You may like what the Filipinos sarcastically call the 'exotic beauty' - short, very dark, flat nose, and may have wild hair. How can I put this politely? The big city isn't kind to them; actually much of the Philippines isn't kind to them. Employers hire the girls with fair complexions, and even the job adverts state this explicitly plus height requirements. This is not to say these girls don't exist, but you're unlikely to find them working in a shopping mall, nice restaurant, etc. They find work as domestics, factory labourers, sari sari shop clerks, etc. Many come from a cycle of deprivation; their parents were menial workers who didn't have the money for school fees and supplies so their daughters often end up working as maids at a young age. And so it goes, generation after generation.
A few years ago I was dating a genuinely dark girl; though she wan't Aeta, she wasn't simply suntanned either. Much darker than the girls who call themselves morena..Hi Hut,
You always help me with a really good point of view, to let me know what will happen there I like dark girl from PHi, because I met one in Hong Kong years ago. Really good experience I ever had. Nice hole, and easy to handle. Yeah, an 'exotic beauty' LOL. I do not care about whether rich or poor she is, whether educated or not she is. Though I am a doctor degree holder, though I earn a little bit more than normal Filipino worker. But I respect all kind people who enjoy life.
Thanks for tell me your date with that girl, really help. Just wonder what you mean above: you said people become radicalized. And tiresome associating with this type of people. You mean the dark skin short girl is radicalized? They are not easy to be with? I do not like -ism people.
Sorry, for my English is not so good to understand, I am a local Chinese from Mainland.
My team guys who have been to PHI told me that Chines are not welcomed there by locals, they high price with service, like taxi, tipcycle. Dive center. Airbnb even refuse Chinese. That is also what I worry about.
Thank again for the advice about badminton court. Hope I can use WeChat find nearby same interest as I do here in China.
Just wonder what you mean above: you said people become radicalized. And tiresome associating with this type of people. You mean the dark skin short girl is radicalized? They are not easy to be with? I do not like -ism people.
Sorry that my writing was unclear. No, the girl I dated wasn't radicalised. There are some women and men (almost always graduates of the University of the Philippines for some reason) who view foreigner-Filipina relationships through a political lens and declare it's neocolonialism. They see everything as some kind of oppression. Can't eat at this restaurant or see that film. It becomes tiresome doing things with these type of people because everything must be assessed through the political lens. You know the Cultural Revolution China had in the 60's? To the radicals today that's like the ideal society; the students running wild denouncing everyone, smashing everything, and conducting re-education to end thought crimes.
My team guys who have been to PHI told me that Chines are not welcomed there by locals, they high price with service, like taxi, tipcycle. Dive center. Airbnb even refuse Chinese. That is also what I worry about.Two things about being welcomed. Some Filipinos resent Chinese-Filipino domination of the economy, and this resentment of outsiders is not unique to the Philippines. The other issue is the dispute over the South China Sea, which the Filipinos call the West Philippine Sea. Every Filipino I know thinks the territory is theirs and they feel their country is being bullied. Duterte has a new way of looking at this problem, but presently I think he hasn't convinced many of his countrymen. Their feelings are similar to those felt by the Chinese about the Senkaku Islands, which the Chinese call the Diaoyutai Islands.
Some Filipinos will attempt to overcharge any foreigner, be they Chinese, British, or other nationality. Of course they may even try to take advantage of Filipinos too. I don't know about any specific problems with Airbnb, but I am unsurprised that some owners may refuse to rent their condos to others for a variety of reasons including race and ethnicity. The good thing is airbnb has hundreds if not thousands of properties. I don't know what it's like being Chinese, but I've been a minority for most of my life and I'd say the Filipinos have treated me very well with hospitality and good cheer. The very few bad experiences I've had were due to individuals and not the entire country. If you believe yourself under threat of being taken advantage of and view everyone suspiciously I think this may make for an unpleasant stay. Be sensible and not paranoid.
Sorry that my writing was unclear. No, the girl I dated wasn't radicalised. There are some women and men (almost always graduates of the University of the Philippines for some reason) who view foreigner-Filipina relationships through a political lens and declare it's neocolonialism. They see everything as some kind of oppression. Can't eat at this restaurant or see that film. It becomes tiresome doing things with these type of people because everything must be assessed through the political lens. You know the Cultural Revolution China had in the 60's? To the radicals today that's like the ideal society; the students running wild denouncing everyone, smashing everything, and conducting re-education to end thought crimes.
Two things about being welcomed. Some Filipinos resent Chinese-Filipino domination of the economy, and this resentment of outsiders is not unique to the Philippines. The other issue is the dispute over the South China Sea, which the Filipinos call the West Philippine Sea. Every Filipino I know thinks the territory is theirs and they feel their country is being bullied. Duterte has a new way of looking at this problem, but presently I think he hasn't convinced many of his countrymen..Thanks for the advice. Now I understand. I do not care about the so-called 'graduate', as they are not in my shopping-cart of happy hunting. You give me a nice Pic of the time I will spend there, I think it will be nice, and lucky. Haha.
Be sensible and not paranoid. LOL. On the way to happy.
GoodEnough
11-25-16, 09:08
It's tempting, but usually unhelpful and wildly inaccurate to categorize the behaviors of people; in this case UP graduates. I've worked fairly extensively with UP faculty and with graduates of the university for years, and I've never found the neocolonial resentment, or underlying racism cited in the post below. It's been my experience here that people's attitudes and perceptions are governed by myriad factors including education, geographical location, socio-economic status and exposure (or lack thereof) to "others" outside of their tribal and / or ethnic or religious groups.
Though I've worked with highly intelligent Filipinos throughout the country, I've found the largest number of sophisticated, well-informed professionals in and around the Makati / BGC area, with many, if not most, having graduated from UP Diliman, Ateneo, and De La Salle. Graduates of these institutions also appear to dominate the companies with which I've worked since I've been here. Of course this is just my impression and in no way a scientific sampling and I could well be wrong.
Just as parents' educational level is the strongest predictor in the West of the attainment level of their children, so I'm sure the same is true here.
As to the acceptance or rejection of racial and / or ethnic groups--Caucasians, Koreans, East Asians, etc. --I find, like Huts, that there's little in the way of systematic bias. Some individuals, it's true, prefer one or the other, but in general, I've found most Filipinos highly tolerant of differences and quite accepting; much more so than my American countrymen and women.
GE.
It's tempting, but usually unhelpful and wildly inaccurate to categorize the behaviors of people; in this case UP graduates. I've worked fairly extensively with UP faculty and with graduates of the university for years, and I've never found the neocolonial resentment, or underlying racism cited in the post below. It's been my experience here that people's attitudes and perceptions are governed by myriad factors including education, geographical location, socio-economic status and exposure (or lack thereof) to "others" outside of their tribal and / or ethnic or religious groups.
Your point is well taken. The radicals I mentioned are not the norm, but they do exist. The neocolonial resentment here is certainly far from that found in the subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. In my defence, I said some men and women hold these ideas. #Notallfilipinos. Of this small group of people most I've met have been UP graduates radicalised by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), certainly more so than DLSU, UST, and Ateneo which tend to enroll wealthier more pro-establishment students than UP. How influential KM is I don't know, and of course uni students are attracted to radical ideas of all kinds. I reckon some I've met of the radical feminist streak are parroting memes they've read on tumblr and wastebook.
Rather than me try to (mis) speak for them this article presents the over arching theme I've encountered with the females of the brown and proud crowd: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/colonialism-filipino-americans/. (Note: there was a better article a friend sent a while ago but I can't find it. If I do I'll post it, but I presume the ideas raised are ones you've come across.)
here it is:
http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/be-proud-tight-asian-pssy/?utm_source=xojane.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_module
GoodEnough
11-25-16, 10:31
Your point is well taken. The radicals I mentioned are not the norm, but they do exist. The neocolonial resentment here is certainly far from that found in the subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. In my defence, I said some men and women hold these ideas. #Notallfilipinos. Of this small group of people most I've met have been UP graduates radicalised by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), certainly more so than DLSU, UST, and Ateneo which tend to enroll wealthier more pro-establishment students than UP. How influential KM is I don't know, and of course uni students are attracted to radical ideas of all kinds. I reckon some I've met of the radical feminist streak are parroting memes they've read on tumblr and wastebook.
Rather than me try to (mis) speak for them this article presents the over arching theme I've encountered with the females of the brown and proud crowd: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/colonialism-filipino-americans/.Thank you Huts for including the link. I've read the article which, in my view was nothing more or less than a typical undergraduate polemic, offering superficial generalizations and remediation measures. Still, it's interesting that with about 4 million Filipinos in the US at any given time, they're not typically included as representatives of pan-Asian concerns in the country; assuming what the author said is in fact true. I think the "problem," if there is one, is that Filipinos arriving in the US already speak the language, and have assimilated so much US culture while still in the Philippines that they likely have an easier time integrating into US culture, and thus don't have as strong a need to fall back on the comfort of their own. But that's of course a guess.
I do not find it at all unusual, much less pejorative, that Filipinos raised in the US cannot speak Tagalog. The same is often true of children of immigrant parents from a large range of countries; these kids want to fit in, want to be considered by their peers as Americans, and thus insist on speaking English. Most of the Jewish kids I knew in the States, for example, were offspring of Russian immigrant grandparents, and they never learned (nor desired) to speak Yiddish or Russian. One of my son's closest friends growing up was the son of Korean immigrants, yet his English was indistinguishable from that of his peers and as far as I know, he didn't speak Korean. So I look at the "failure" to learn Tagalog, or Yiddish or Russian or Korean or whatever, not so much as a rejection of roots, but as an embrace of the American culture.
As to the skin color argument, I've got no particular point of view, as for me it's always been irrelevant to anything, as it appears to be for most of my Filipino friends here. Yes, white Americans spend billions a year trying to look darker, while "browner" people seem to spend billions trying to look whiter. I've always just thought of it as ironic, but never really tried to understand the reasons. African women spend billions a years trying to straighten their hair; Western women spend billions trying for temporary curls. My conclusion is that no one is ever happy, but I do not attribute that to colonialism as much as I do to human idiosyncrasy.
Interesting as well to me that Thai women seem to be as obsessed with the skin color continuum as Filipinas, and yet Thailand has never been colonized.
GE.
Here's one I was looking for: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/be-proud-tight-asian-pssy/?utm_source=xojane.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_module.
The next time you hear a male acquaintance say they prefer Asian women sexually, know that this preference may be an outgrowth of wartime, that they may want Asian women because, at some point in history, their grandfathers or great-great-grandfathers raped or sexually exploited Asian women and enjoyed it enough to spread the word.
Lest we forget, the exotification of my pussy began when the first imperialist r@pists arrived in Asia.
Here's one I was looking for: http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/07/be-proud-tight-asian-pssy/?utm_source=xojane.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_module.Thanks Hut, really interesting. I also wonder,why so many TS in PHI.
So let us leave the discuss of Racist, politics outside, and back to pussy, haha.
I think guys here must have experience many kind of pussy already. Tight Asian Pussy is just something imagined by some [CodeWord906] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord906) boys. Hehe.
I have been with Caucasian, Asian, black, though most are Chinese. But not all Asian are tight pussy, Caucasian sometimes more tight than Chinese, or the black. But the most tightest pussy I experienced is from dark skinned short slim Filipina. Warm, tight and with more water.
That make me little bit worried about my sex preference. Wired? Any one here have the same? Maybe I need to see a psychologist. Any way need to follow my heart.
Thanks, Hut and GE, FreebieFan, BrainDrain so many good advice, and interesting information.
Soapy Smith
12-24-16, 10:22
A few days ago I took my Pinay squeeze to a restaurant in Greenbelt 2 that one of our forum's regulars had recommended.
She pointed out to me that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket.
It seemed a little strange. When the busboy brought our water and utensils, we observed that he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket.
Then I looked around and saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets. When the waiter came back to serve our soup I inquired, 'Why the spoon'?
'Well, he explained, the restaurant's owner hired some management experts from the Asian Institute of Management to revamp all of our processes. After several months of analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. It represents a drop frequency of approximately three spoons per table per hour. If our personnel are better prepared, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 man-hours per shift.'
As luck would have it, I dropped my spoon and he replaced it with his spare. 'I'll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now.' I was impressed.
I also noticed that there was a string hanging out of the waiter's fly.
Looking around, I saw that all of the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. So, before he walked off, I asked the waiter, 'Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there'?
'Oh, certainly'! Then he leaned in close and faintly whispered, presumably so my squeeze wouldn't hear, 'Not everyone is so observant. The management experts from AIM also learned that we can save time in the restroom. By tying this string to the tip of our you-know-what, we can pull it out without touching it and eliminate the need to wash our hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39%.'
I asked quietly, 'After you get it out, how do you put it back'?
'Well,' he whispered, 'I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon.'
WestCoast1
12-24-16, 11:50
I asked quietly, 'After you get it out, how do you put it back'?
'Well,' he whispered, 'I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon.'Maestro! Killin' me!
'Well,' he whispered, 'I don't know about the others, but I use the spoon.'Great one, mate!
Was there in May. June. This is a late report, thanks for so many kind comments you guys give me here.
1 house renting: from airbnd, I found a condom, 1 bedroom, with a small kitchen, a bathroom, small desk. Queen size bed (that is cool) . Free access swim pool with guest. It is in the 44th floor and a safe case. 1st night 25 usd. I was so satisfied with it, so I asked a 3 week, host by a Italian guy, very nice, 3 weeks, give me a discount for 200 usd. Amazing prize. It is near Robinson. He introduce me a nice BBQ in the top of Robinson, very nice, and delicious. That becoming my date place to meet girls. Near my place, and easy to get her to my room. LOL I meet 7 girls totally, and all agree to back to my room.
2. finding girls in advance. Using DIA. I chat with girls there 2 month in advance. Filter with girl 18-24, <4'11, <45 kg, without kids. Manila. And about 20 left in the list, chat in skype, (if she said no skype, ask her install, if not, give up. Talk about sex, if she not interested, give up. If not looks good, give up. If hesitate to meet in person, give up. Tip: at first, tell her I will stay there 3 weeks, and suggest to meet, and show her the gift of chocolate, and a phone, if phone, give up. Then talking about her education, class some detail, you could easily get out the liar. Though I do not care college or high school, but lie is a bad sign. . OK it will be boring to talking about the details to select girls. Diff guy have diff taste) and I think 20 in the list is a reasonable number. Recommend DIA, a nice site.
3. be there, I give me 3 days to do the filter (3 days off without working.) when arrive the condom. My workmate help me from the airport, so no any trouble, and get a sim card from my company. Then begin to call the girls.
1st-2nd day: call the top 3 in my list. Meet 1 in night, and 1 next noon, I next night. All comes. Bbq with decent talk. Invite home. A drink with mojito I made in my room (buy them. Wis-key, ram tequila. Soda. When I arrived passing by the mall) with candles. A gift. Hug. Kiss then next. All are nice body. 1st one (will call her Ms, A) is a shy type, the 3rd (will call her Ms. B) one is open mind, nice sucker- tax fee (200 peso, put in her bag say taxi without other words) , make her home. And told I will busy in next 5 days working. No one ask money. The second one I did not want to meet again, so when made her out the building put 2000 peso in her jean pocket, say buy some gifts to your mom she keep on text me after for days, but I say sorry, I do not think we are fit. I think better tell the truth rather than cheat because she is little bit light skin, do not want me to touch her asshole and not willing to suck, just a rush oral. Though a nice face and easy to get wet.
3rd day: call 6 girls, 3 can not come, 1 did not appear. Deleted from the list. One for morning, the one call after the one did not appear for the night. Morning girl is OK, but not looks so good as the looks in cam, so 2000 peso in her bag maybe she know my feeling, stop text me after 3 days without reply. The night one is a nice girl tight pussy, willing to learning to be a nice sucker. So ask her (will call her Ms. C) back next night.
4th day stop calling others little bit tired t deal with girls. And I need to focus on my job. And night with Ms. See. She works in a Korean company as a accountant staff and back in my room after work.
5th day. Ms. C time, after she leave in 6th day morning, to working, 5000 peso found in her bag. And get a sweet call from her 1 HR after her leave with thanks.
6th day. Bring Ms. C to BBQ and call Ms. A to there in advance. A and see and me had chat in a skype group before. So when we meet there with a surprise, and decent talk when eating, and enjoy nice food there. Little bit annoying when they chat in Tagalog, so I said English please. -Take them to my room and enjoy drinks, then. You know what happened next. Really good experience.
7th day morning see to work, A left she do not have a job at that time a new graduate girl. So 6000 peso in her pocket, and leave a key with her and told her buy some food back. Night: I am the cooker, Chinese food, and tequila.
With them next 3 days. And see back home for one day when she is the day off of her work. .
(to be continued).
If interested. Will be talk about Ms. B, D, E. F.
Chocha Monger
12-28-17, 11:49
The husband of murder victim Joan Ryther was conned out of $250,000 by her family when he flew to the Philippines to see them after her death.
The grieving husband has told how he left Joan's home country fearing for his safety after her brother fired a gun in the air during an argument.
A devastated Cory Ryther took $16,000 in community donations when he accompanied his wife's body home to her family in Baroy.
He planned to use the donations to help her impoverished relatives but instead they fleeced him out of everything he had, using the money to build houses and set up a pig farm.
"Pretty much from the minute I landed till I left, it was just lies,' Mr Ryther told The Sunday Mail.
"I only wanted to do the right thing. All these people wanted from me, or most of them, was money. '.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/husband-of-murder-victim-joan-ryther-conned-by-her-filipino-family/news-story/7d75bbce21d168dc8ae0b916bdef7a4c
.....
As to the skin color argument, I've got no particular point of view, as for me it's always been irrelevant to anything, as it appears to be for most of my Filipino friends here. Yes, white Americans spend billions a year trying to look darker, while "browner" people seem to spend billions trying to look whiter. I've always just thought of it as ironic, but never really tried to understand the reasons. African women spend billions a years trying to straighten their hair; Western women spend billions trying for temporary curls. My conclusion is that no one is ever happy, but I do not attribute that to colonialism as much as I do to human idiosyncrasy.
.....I read an article that explained why beards and facial hair for men came in and out of fashion. It was the rareness or uniqueness that mattered. When facial hair was rare and out of fashion, guys would attract attention (and girls) by being unique and growing a beard.
Other guys would notice and grow facial hair until it became the norm and some guy would shave and get lucky because he was then the unique one and the pendulum would swing the other way. Rinse and repeat.
Skin colour the same, just that how much pigmentation you have in your skin is a little harder to change than facial hair. That is partly why we westerners are attracted to Asian women and they to us. It also explains why after a while here we start to find white or African women better looking.
I read an article that explained why beards and facial hair for men came in and out of fashion. It was the rareness or uniqueness that mattered. When facial hair was rare and out of fashion, guys would attract attention (and girls) by being unique and growing a beard.I guess this works in our favor here in RP. If a tall white skin foreigner is a rarity, then "it" become an object to be collected.
The husband of murder victim Joan Ryther was conned out of $250,000 by her family when he flew to the Philippines to see them after her death.
The grieving husband has told how he left Joan's home country fearing for his safety after her brother fired a gun in the air during an argument.
A devastated Cory Ryther took $16,000 in community donations when he accompanied his wife's body home to her family in Baroy.
He planned to use the donations to help her impoverished relatives but instead they fleeced him out of everything he had, using the money to build houses and set up a pig farm.
"Pretty much from the minute I landed till I left, it was just lies,' Mr Ryther told The Sunday Mail.
"I only wanted to do the right thing. All these people wanted from me, or most of them, was money. '.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/husband-of-murder-victim-joan-ryther-conned-by-her-filipino-family/news-story/7d75bbce21d168dc8ae0b916bdef7a4cHe was no victim. Stupid people and their money will soon part.
Nothing new here but a few good reminders from the "Expatch" Newsletter. Note the headings were removed when I copied it.
Common Mistakes made by Foreigners in the Philippines.
(copied from Expatch, Philippines).
Relocating to a "tropical paradise" like the Philippines sounds fun and would add thrill to your life but it's unlikely to happen. These misconceptions about an easy life in the Philippines have left foreigners dazed and confused once they settle in and find out that their expectations don't match with reality. So to help out anyone planning to move here, here's a list of the common mistakes made by foreigners when they move here.
Remember to do a LOT of RESEARCH before flying out.
1. Thinking that you will find a job here. You need to survive in the Philippines, but more likely, it will not be by working for someone else. Yes, some expats manage it. But the vast majority of people who move here will not find employment standards much to their liking.
2. Thinking that you can buy land or work around the land laws: The obsession expats have with buying land is truly confusing. Given the legal climate and prohibitions on foreign ownership, one cannot understand why people would even consider doing so without living here for a year or two first. Yet there are dozens of sites on the net giving "ways" to own land, will land, form corporations to control land, and so on. This is perhaps the biggest and most financially damaging mistake that expats can make.
3. Jumping in and falling in love too soon. Can you REALLY know someone by chatting on the Internet? There are dozens of web sites filled with stories of people getting scammed. Most of the guys who got burned thought the same thing. It can, and does, happen frequently.
4. Thinking about the same old business ideas. How many people have invested in sari sari stores? In jeepneys? Thinking they know the market better than the Filipinos themselves? Thousands. How many have earned a living? Very, very few. How many people even bother to learn the rules of business here?
5. Thinking things will be "different", but "no big deal". Not so fast. While here on vacation, the cultural differences are very subtle. Things tend to take on more importance when you experience it on a daily basis.
6. Underestimating the cost of living. There are so many books on the net about living like a king on only $500 per month that it is easy to get the perception that the Philippines is cheap. That belief is easily compounded on vacation or visits where things like hotels are cheaper compared to first world countries. Stories of cheap rent abound. However, many things are more expensive here, and attempting to live a western lifestyle can get expensive very quickly. Overall, the cost of living is generally cheaper, but the Philippines is not the cheap bargain that some make it out to be.
7. Realistic expectations. This is perhaps the toughest to nail down. The question itself indicates a fundamental lack of the realization that the Philippines is a developing nation, with 40% of the population living below the Asian poverty line of $2 per day. Yes, schools are here, but the demand and ability of most people to pay the tuition is not here. The Philippines is not Switzerland, Holland, Singapore, Hong Kong or any other developed nation with a large, wealthy expat or diplomatic community with small children.
8. Over-thinking the visa. Visas are important and necessary. However, the visa process in the Philippines has perhaps more options and flexibility than most other countries. Again, it is so easy to live here on a tourist visa and convert, there really is no reason why anyone (from most countries) should stress over it.
9. Worrying about exchange rates. You can't control them. If you are not able to absorb currency fluctuations, then you cannot afford to live here. Exchange rates are also cyclical. They can just as easily become beneficial.
10. Not learning about the culture. Everyone here has encountered cultural ignorance. Read and learn as much about the culture and language as possible. Get out and about. Don't believe that you are a wealthy target everywhere you walk.
Leave the walled, guarded compound once in a while.
Chocha Monger
06-10-18, 02:34
The train just ran over pensioner mongers and those on limited budgets living as expats in the Philippines. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law triggered soaring commodity prices due to inflation, which Filipino businesses are using as an excuse to gouge customers. Expat mongers who once promised that a foreigner could 'live like a king on 500 or 1,000 USD per month' are going to find that living at all on that amount of money is impossible, unless it is in a bamboo shack in the jungle.
Average inflation over the first five months of 2018 was 4. 1%. Economists blame it on higher global oil prices, TRAIN Law tax hikes on fuel and other goods and services, the weaker peso, and higher rice prices.
TRAIN imposed an excise tax of P6 per liter on diesel, cooking gas, kerosene and bunker fuel, which is used to generate electricity. The levy is spread over three years starting this year. The 2018 increase varies on the product. In the case of diesel, it is P2. 50 per liter.
In addition to the levy, the law imposed a 12-percent value added tax based on the excise tax. Therefore, the total impost on diesel starting in January was nearly P3 per liter. In the case of other oil products, TRAIN increased previous excise taxes to P10 per liter. The adjustment was also spread over three years. In the case of gasoline, the tax went up from P4. 35 per liter to P7 starting this year.
Of course, Filipinos selling anything are now raising prices and blaming the TRAIN. For example, a taxi route outside the city limits that used to cost P240 is now P400, and garbage collection went from P130 to P360. Apply similar increases across the board for all goods and services, and those living on the economic edge go off the cliff. What are government officials doing to address the problem? Well, they promised to investigate. In the meanwhile, they recommend that Filipinos tell OFW relatives to increase the size of the remittances wired back to the Philippines by 20%. There, problem solved! LOL!
Expat mongers who cannot absorb a 20 to 30% increase in spending better call home for an increase in pension or book a ticket home before airfares jump 50 to 60%. Some will have to make hard decisions like deciding to stop supporting the girlfriend / wife's family, and telling them to get a job. Others are going to have to cut back on the rooting budget, and offload some girlfriends. Expect a lot of grumbling at the expat bars, and maybe a few suicides, once TRAIN hits happy hour booze prices.
This comes at a time when the Philippines is campaigning hard for increased tourism. It is hard to see how the tourism campaign would succeed with beaches closed at tourist hotspots because the contamination levels are on par with that of a cesspool, and the TRAIN law driving up prices of the unreliable transportation, poor quality food, and overpriced hotel services. Maybe, this is the secret plan to win over tourists from Thailand. LOL!
In any case, love and ficky ficky is going to start costing mongers much more. Those on a meager pension may have to forego the love, and settle for ficky ficky only. LOL! Do not expect prices to fall in tandem with any weakening in your home currency against the peso, as Filipinos do not believe in lowering prices once they raise them.
6. Underestimating the cost of living. There are so many books on the net about living like a king on only $500 per month that it is easy to get the perception that the Philippines is cheap. That belief is easily compounded on vacation or visits where things like hotels are cheaper compared to first world countries. Stories of cheap rent abound. However, many things are more expensive here, and attempting to live a western lifestyle can get expensive very quickly. Overall, the cost of living is generally cheaper, but the Philippines is not the cheap bargain that some make it out to be.This is a good statement. It is possible to live here on less than $500 per month, live and eat like some locals. It's not a retirement plan to live like that.
I saw someone wrote "Philippines is a cheap place to live for Filipinos. " That's why many OFW will return home, it's a cheap and comfortable place to live for them.
Managing our expectation and what we want to be doing in our retirement is the key (for me).
PinaLove,
So, it's probably more like 1500/ month USD on the low end, yes? I realize there are many variables.
Chocha Monger
06-14-18, 20:46
This is a good statement. It is possible to live here on less than $500 per month, live and eat like some locals. It's not a retirement plan to live like that.
I saw someone wrote "Philippines is a cheap place to live for Filipinos. " That's why many OFW will return home, it's a cheap and comfortable place to live for them.
Managing our expectation and what we want to be doing in our retirement is the key (for me).On $500 per month, a monger will live like the king of the squatter camp with the biggest shack in Tondo. Instead of cardboard walls and plastic sheet roofing, his shack will have high-end ply-board walls and a fancy tin roof. With his income, the monger may even have his own latrine, sparing him time spent in the fall-in line waiting for the community latrine. Showers are outdoors with a bucket and dipper, great for showing off his potbelly and back boobs as evidence that he eats well. He will eat rice 3 x per day with dried fish and a bit of shrimp paste. Perhaps, he will have some veggies to go with that. On weekends, he can breakfast on cornmeal porridge with cocoa powder.
Options for ficky ficky in the squatter camp for the expat king range from P200 to P500 roots with malnourished neighbors in desperate need of rice. The price does not include the cost of frequent visits the local STD clinic to get the burning and itching sorted out.
Given the latest price hikes on necessities and the rate of inflation, mongers should not plan to retire here with anything less than $3,000 per month guaranteed income. That amount goes up if the monger takes on a wife / live-in girlfriend, has kids, or supports the in-laws. Anything less than that, prepare to live at a standard of living that is below that of most trailer park residents in the West.
This is probably a dumb question for most but here goes. How exactly do I get a tourist VISA? I keep seeing it referred to but since I'm travelling soon guess I better get up to speed on what I need. FT.
This is probably a dumb question for most but here goes. How exactly do I get a tourist VISA? I keep seeing it referred to but since I'm travelling soon guess I better get up to speed on what I need. FT.Depends on your nationality. If you're a citizen of one of many countries you will be granted visa on arrival for a period of 7 to 59 days - the great majority are granted 30 days. If your nationality is not on the list, then you need to visit a Philippine embassy or consulate and apply for a tourist visa.
Under Executive Order 408 dated 9 November 2014, as amended, nationals of the following countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days provided that they are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay in the Philippines, and possess return or outward bound tickets to their country of origin or next country of destination.
http://thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph/no-visa-entry-for-30-day-stay-under-e-o-408
GoodEnough
06-22-18, 08:35
Depends on your nationality. If you're a citizen of one of many countries you will be granted visa on arrival for a period of 7 to 59 days - the great majority are granted 30 days. If your nationality is not on the list, then you need to visit a Philippine embassy or consulate and apply for a tourist visa.
Under Executive Order 408 dated 9 November 2014, as amended, nationals of the following countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days provided that they are holders of a passport valid at least six (6) months beyond the period of stay in the Philippines, and possess return or outward bound tickets to their country of origin or next country of destination.
http://thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph/no-visa-entry-for-30-day-stay-under-e-o-408Huts, you might have been better off teaching the guy how to use Google. Give a man a fish, etc.
GE.
PinaLove,
So, it's probably more like 1500/ month USD on the low end, yes? I realize there are many variables.That would be very low end living. That is roughly 60 k p a month.
A 23 to 25 sq m apartment in Makati would run you 25 to 30 kp a month all in. Outside of Makati that would be low 20's per month. This would be just about the minimum any western would feel comfortable living in. You can get a Philippine bed spacer for 4 to 6 k but that is shared CR, shared if existent kitchen, no aircon no privacy because it is a dorm like room with bunk beds. A quick look of the rental sites has places over 200 k p a month for luxury so there is a wide range.
https://rentpad.com.ph/places/metro-manila/31431d0898
Food will run a westerner at least 500 to 1000 a day. A local can eat for about 200 but that is a lot of rice and not much protein.
So at let's say 25 k p for a nice place plus another 20 k p for food and all you have left for everything else is 15 k p or about 500 p a day. Go to a movie and you have blown your spending for the day, take a date and that is 2 days gone, buy popcorn 3 days, 4 days if you have a soft drink with it.
Not mentioning clothes, transportation bar fines and all the other expenses. I just had a dental bridge replaced and it was over $US 3,000 all in. Replaced my glasses and it was $800. (progressive lenses, astigmatism, photo gray coated, ultra light weight and rimless frames, the basic top end specs out there).
I'd say in Manila you do need around the $US 3,000 a month to live a nice but not extravant lifestyle, have no significant cash worries plus have something in reserve for the extras like dental work, and buying your health insurance, trips home etc.
In Cebu or Davao it would be a little less but not much, In a province you could be much less but then your entertainment and lifestyle options are somewhat limited.
Yes lots of locals live on $500 a month but they are sharing beds (and not in a fun way either) eating poorly and not doing a lot other than surviving.
PedroMorales
06-22-18, 14:14
I met an English guy there, 70's, who want to rescue (his word) a woman. He does not like older women and he has already been married to a Thai lady who go the house from him and the baby they made. Like many of the others who stayed where I stayed, he cooked his own food and many of them had a live in hooker to do that. On a side note, is there something wrong with the hyena laugh so many of these woman have?
Let's cut to the chase. A room was about 20-30,000 PHP a month, with primitive shared cooking and other facilities available. Such a room would suit some folk but not me, with TVs blaring, hyena laugh hookers floating about and so on. Others are happy with that, walking around Angeles with a pool cue under your oxter and a paid hole with you.
Leaving aside the non stop rain, the terrible footpaths and so, assuming you are not trying to save a bar girl (fool's errand), you are looking at a cheap retirement option where you have to join a pool playing set or whatever.
There are quite a few retired US and Australian army veterans there and most of them have a lifestyle that suits them. The best deal seems to be to get a middle aged woman with good blow job and cooking skills, have a baby with them to do the school run with, don't get caught two timing on her, don't try to save any provider and count on $1,000 minimum to stop yourself going nuts.
The big variables are routine and women. Hanging around Angeles drinking yourself to death makes no sense and women, bar girls perhaps in particular, won't buy the deal for grand the to save them.
Angeles is a cut price Disneyland for old folk. Bonk Goofy and Minnie Mouse if you like but don't fall in love with her if she craps across the floor. There is no doubt that living in the Phils works for many but the failures, the grand pas who want to save their ladies will slink off and not be heard of.
Depends on your nationality. If you're a citizen of one of many countries you will be granted visa on arrival for a period of 7 to 59 days - the great majority are granted 30 days. If your nationality is not on the list, then you need to visit a Philippine embassy or consulate and apply for a tourist visa.
http://thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph/no-visa-entry-for-30-day-stay-under-e-o-408Hutsori,
Thanks for the information. I knew the real experts here would be helpful.
FT.
That would be very low end living. That is roughly 60 k p a month.
A 23 to 25 sq m apartment in Makati would run you 25 to 30 kp a month all in. I think we ought to differentiate between low-end Filipino and low-end expat.
Back in 2013 I posted my monthly expenses when the FX rate was about p45:$1. Now it's a more favourable rate, but for simplicity let's consider it p50. That $1500 DCups mentioned is p75,000.
Rent: p25,000 (this includes association fee, cable, and Internet. It's a 32sqm one-bedroom condo with common swimming pool, gym, etc.)
Electricity: p5000 (I run the A/C a lot)
Water: p400.
Load for phone: p250 (Smart's mega250 plan for 30-day unlimited SMS and 180 minutes of voice)
Drinking water: p1000 (I'm very stupid here, buying the 1l bottle rather than the 5-gallon jug)
Laundry: p1000 (I have a machine in my unit so I do my own, but I detest ironing)
Grocery: p14,000 (there's a bit of imported food here)
Films: p2500.
Dining out: p12,000 (ex. two pulled pork BBQ sandwiches and 2 orders of Buffalo wings was p1000 the other night)
Weekend drinking out: p12,000 (Most often I buy bottles of imported spirits, and it runs from p650 to p3000 depending on the venue)
Drinking at home: p5000 (wine, beer, etc.)
Transportation: p2500 (During the day and early evening I use jeep, bus, and rail. A taxi fare at night averages p100)
Coffee shop: p2000 (I'm a tea drinker but once or twice a week I find myself in a coffee shop)
Visa: p2000 (this is a monthly average, obviously I'm not paying for a visa every month)
Golf: p25,000.
Squash: p2000
Misc.: p5000Total, using p50:$1 is p116,650 ($2,330), of which p27,000 are completely unnecessary, so 89,650 ($1793), and much of that can be economised.
My rent is higher now because I moved to a larger condo. The electricity is more. Most of my other expenses are roughly the same. None of this is low-end living, though I suppose I do low-end drinking from time to time, and certainly is better than middle-class Filipino standard, but compared to a foreigner on an expat package or a wealthy retiree w / a 3 BR condo and all the perks I look down market.
You'll notice one missing cost: poosy. Go to Burgos every night and it'll add up quickly. Use the dating sites, find girls who aren't pay for play, and your costs drop. Obviously one's ability to do well or not on the dating sites varies.
Could I get by on p75,000 per month? Yes, but I wouldn't want too. For Manila, I think a minimum of p100,000 ($2000) per month, which allows some flexibility, is required, but anyone looking at my budget surely can find ways to cut it significantly. And others will think: "There's no way I could enjoy my life on that budget."
Anyway, for comparison sake post your average monthly budget, if you want.
Thanks, Huts. Only 5000 P for "other"? (pussy? <wink ). In any case no Manila or Luzon (or golf or squash) for me. South Cebu or Dumaguete area. Valencia west of Duma is nice (lots of expats) or maybe Sibulan. I will also likely travel to Indo, Cambo, Thailand and maybe other SEA areas once in awhile. My retirement income should be around 3 K USD so I should be ok in PI. But way too low to stay in California to live in comfort. Target: 2022. Cheers, mate.
Chocha Monger
06-28-18, 16:14
I met an English guy there, 70's, who want to rescue (his word) a woman. He does not like older women and he has already been married to a Thai lady who go the house from him and the baby they made. Like many of the others who stayed where I stayed, he cooked his own food and many of them had a live in hooker to do that. On a side note, is there something wrong with the hyena laugh so many of these woman have? No. The hyena laugh is a common trait among the exotic fuck hobbits of the Philippine shire. Natives call the high-pitched hyena laughter 'tawag boto' or cock calling. It is a way to attract attention when the tarts feel 'malibug' (horny) and 'malandi' (flirtacious). The natives consider such behavior inappropriate for women among the upper class. The hyena laugh tells everyone the social status of the English fella's fallen woman, and notifies other mongers rooming nearby that she is open for business when her savior is out at the pool hall and drunk as a skunk. The Englishman is the one in need of rescue; he just does not know it yet. LOL!
Let's cut to the chase. A room was about 20-30,000 PHP a month, with primitive shared cooking and other facilities available. Such a room would suit some folk but not me, with TVs blaring, hyena laugh hookers floating about and so on. Others are happy with that, walking around Angeles with a pool cue under your oxter and a paid hole with you. You just described Heaven on Earth for expat mongers in the Philippines. It does not get better than that as far as they are concerned. It is not as if they have anything better to look forward to back in their homelands. For a 70-year-old, a paid hole in Angeles City is better than no hole at home. LOL!
Leaving aside the non stop rain, the terrible footpaths and so, assuming you are not trying to save a bar girl (fool's errand), you are looking at a cheap retirement option where you have to join a pool playing set or whatever.
There are quite a few retired US and Australian army veterans there and most of them have a lifestyle that suits them. The best deal seems to be to get a middle aged woman with good blow job and cooking skills, have a baby with them to do the school run with, don't get caught two timing on her, don't try to save any provider and count on $1,000 minimum to stop yourself going nuts..Yes. Trying to save 'fallen angels' is the first step on a journey to tragedy. However, grandpas love a challenge and each one hopes to become the first to reform a paid hole into a respectable homemaker and win the Nobel Prize. After a life of violence spent in austere environments, the retired old soldiers are happy to live out their rest of their years having their cocks sucked, eating hot meals, and yelling at their little crumb snatcher after stumbling home from happy hour. Living the Philippine dream! Oh yeah!
Splitting this one up due to length.
To build a budget we first need to agree on what lifestyle we are talking about. I suggest as our generic base budget we take a expat lifestyle with a small apartment, aircon, gym, pool included, with cable, internet and utilities. For food we assume mostly cook meals in with only a few restaurant, more of the fast food variety.
As the biggest variable for expats here will be entertainment be it golf, pussy or nights out, we can leave that off for now.
Accomidation: Assume a typical SM type of apartment, you can get lots of SM developments with a one bedroom, furnished, balcony for between 17,000 and 25,000 depending on inclusions, location and duration.
Let's pick outside of Makati on a one year lease.
https://rentpad.com.ph/listing/f9b1ad681&cl=1
https://rentpad.com.ph/listing/c31dffcd83&cl=1
https://rentpad.com.ph/listing/768211bd7&cl=1
There are three units and rent on a one year lease is between 16,000 and 19,000 a month. They all have a 2 month security deposit and I always consider security deposits as gone but for this exercise will consider one month deposit as not refundable. Landlords will always come up with an excuse not to pay it all back.
Let's pick 18,000 per month plus another 1500 for the lost security deposit for '19,500 a month.
Internet will be 1300 to 1800 depending on plan so let's pick 1500. There will be a one time hook up of 2500 or 4500 depending on the modem you get if you want to not be locked in for 2 years. (These are Globe prices, I just connected at my new place.).
Water will be about 400 or 500 a month. I haven't had a bill yet so cannot say for sure. Electricity will vary depending on how much you run the aircon but let's say 2500. Don't have cable so don't know the cost but let's pick 500 a month for a basic package.
Cleaner, I do most of my own cleaning but call in someone every couple weeks for a heavy clean at 500 a time, so 1,000 a month. I have in unit laundry so no additional costs for that.
Monthly cost will be 18,000 rent+1500 lost deposit+1500 internet+2500 electricity+500 cable + 1,000 cleaning =25,000 a month. That gives a roof over our heads, lights, water, aircon and cable and internet.
Food: Let's assume mostly cook in with only a couple quick meals out a week. (Nice dining we will cover under entertainment later since this can really vary with personal preferences.).
My experience is that I am spending between 750 and 1000 every day or every other day at the local market. This buys me a mostly western diet, not a lot of rice but also not a lot of beef. Meat is mostly chicken and pork some seafood with fresh veggies and fruits. I don't drink much but there is a beer or two a week included in that too. Let's call it 3,000 a week for food, that allows a meal or two at a fast food type of place, a Shaky's or a Dominino's pizza. Type of place.
Transportation: I use MRT a lot or when off the MRT routes or in rush hours I'll use Grab. Just based on my Grab usage I have been running about 2,000 a month, so let's use that.
Cell phone: I like to be always connected so I but the Supersurf plan which is unlimited surfing for 1000 a month. (4 G capped about 800 meg a day but I only go over that a couple times a month.) By putting 1000 on at a time I get a couple hundred text messages a month so never have to pay for text. I seldom make voice calls out so will just use 1000 a month for cell phone.
Walking around money: Just the small stuff let's say 1000 a week. That would be a basic coffee or a snack at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf every couple of days, change for beggers etc and not much more.
Anjual and one time costs.
There will be a number of non reoccurring costs every year.
Internet hook up I paid 4500.
Health insurance. This will really vary depending on age, health and what you get. I'm over 60 with a basic coverage plan. I have a high deductible and co pay but a high top end payout. It will only kick in with a serious medical issue but at least if I get really sick or injured, I'll not be bankrupted over it. The small stuff I just self-insure. My premium is just under $US 3,000 a year but let's pick $2000 or 100,000 p a year for a plan.
Non insured health costs. This is the small stuff that you are self-insuring for. I have been to a doctor here twice and with tests, medicine costs were about 1,000 each time. Let's include 3 visits a year.
Clothes: We will need to replace worn out or stained items of clothing. You can get a basic tee shirt for 100 or 200 p a polo shirt for 400 to 700 p Jeans will be 1500 to 2000. I bought a pair of sandals not flip flops) for 1500 and a pair of Nike trainers for 3500. I am pretty brutal when item of clothing starts to wear or fray so I most likely go through more than an average guy might. I'm allowing 10,000 a year for replacements.
Individual choices.
Here is where we will really get the variations. These will vary significantly with the individual and his choices so there is really no right or wrong here.
Pussy: Normal costs are 1500 to 2000 for a girl from a dating site. I use these with a nice massage with a HJ once in a while. To get a daily pop, I'll budget 10,000 a week since that includes some sleepovers and I get the morning wood taken care of and am good until the next day. If you go the bar girl route this can be significantly more. If you have a live in GF who doesn't take money for her family it can be a lot less. If you want two pops a day or two a week, or you have a regular GF vs. Different ones every night your costs can be significantly different. This is just my experience.
Pussy entertainment: You need to take her to an occasional movie or really nice meal. I'll allow 2,000 a week. This amount will give you a meal at a casual restaurant plus movie tickets for two.
Non Pussy entertainment: This is stuff you would do yourself or a night out with the guys. I like to read and I'm a news junkie so have a few subscriptions. I have local guy friends from working with them when they were OFW's and we get together about every 6 weeks and have some beers and tell lies about what happened in Afghanistan. I'm allowing 5,000 a month for this.
In country travel. No use being here and not seeing a beach occasionally. Even Puerto Galera is going to be 2,000 a night, additional for meals, about 1,500 each in extra transport. A car rental for a week can be 15,000 or more. A different island will be even more. Take a girl and you can easily spend 25,000 on a short get away so I'll budget that monthly.
Extra Medical: I have a cholesterol issue and take daily medicine for that. It is 53 p a day or about 20,000 a year. I also use Cialis. I buy the real stuff from a Drug Store at just over 200 a pop or 70,000 a year.
I have replaced my glasses at just over 30,000 and had some serious dental work at over 150,000. Now this will not be an annual cost but I'll include 20,000 a year for this sort of thing.
Total extra medical is 110,000 a year.
Home costs: I have adult kids and one grandchild back home. I send cash at Christmas and birthdays for about 100,000 p a year plus want to go home every year. A trip home will be about 150000 in airfare plus hotels etc for about 300,000 a year.
Sorry guys this came from a excel table and didn't paste well.
Item Cost Time Annual.
Rent 25,000 monthly 300,000.
Food 3,000 weekly 156,000.
Transportation 2,000 monthly 24,000.
Cell Phone 1,000 monthly 12,000.
Walking around 1,000 weekly 52,000.
Medical Insurance 100,000 Annual 100,000.
Non insured medical 1,000 3 times a year 3,000.
Clothes 10,000 Annual 10,000.
Sub total 657,000.
Individual choices
Pussy 10,000 weekly 520,000
Pussy Entertainment 2,000 weekly 104,000
Non pussy entertainment 5,000 monthly 60,000
In Country Travel 25,000 monthly 300,000
Medical 110,000 Annual 110,000
Home costs 300,000 Annual 300,000
Sub Total 1,394,000
Total 2,051,000
Total 2,111,000.
I have tracked my total spending since I got here and prorating to a full year my expenses so far are just a little under this but I have not included my annual flight home yet. I expect I'll be a little over this amount but I didn't include in the budget for nearly as much as I actually spent on extra medical costs since it was a once of and should not be repeated for several years.
The biggest amount is as we can see in the individual options. You could life here and just sit in your apartment all the time on about 600 k a year. To go out and have more fun in the Philippines can easily cost you twice that amount.
Remember this budget is based on living in Manila. If you go to Cebu or Davao costs could easily drop 10 to 20 %. (see the cost of living indexes on Numbero). Go to a province and live a more local lifestyle and I am sure that you could live much less than this indicates.
I have also found that as I stay here my costs drop slightly. I found a local market and while I'm not brave enough yet to buy meat or seafood there, fruits and veggies are much less than at the Hypermart. I also bought a slow cooker and a bunch of plastic freezer containers and I will make a big pot of stew or something and freeze several meals to eat later.
Opps, missed including my visa costs. I am here on an SRRV so pay $US360 a year or about 18,000 p for that.
Brings my total to 2,129,000 a year.
Adding in some one of costs (slow cooker 4000p Extra set up costs for my apartment like coffee maker, some shelves and better dishes was around 15,000) All in some miscellany and contingencies and I am thinking a budget somewhere in the 2,300,000 to 2,500,000 for my lifestyle. It is not excessive nor overly extravagant but I am comfortable and enjoy myself. I don't want to count every peso and worry about having enough to do what I want.
I could get a longer term lease in a house in a province with a live in GF and let her do all the cooking, cleaning and shopping and most likely knock a million p off that total and live very nicely. No pussy costs, entertainment would be the beach much less transportation costs. Shopping and eating like a local, paying local prices and two can eat for less than I pay for myself in Manila. Rent would be much lower and not nearly as much in country travel.
BaddHabbit
06-29-18, 06:59
Opps, missed including my visa costs. I am here on an SRRV so pay $US360 a year or about 18,000 p for that.
Brings my total to 2,129,000 a year.
Adding in some one of costs (slow cooker 4000p Extra set up costs for my apartment like coffee maker, some shelves and better dishes was around 15,000) All in some miscellany and contingencies and I am thinking a budget somewhere in the 2,300,000 to 2,500,000 for my lifestyle. It is not excessive nor overly extravagant but I am comfortable and enjoy myself. I don't want to count every peso and worry about having enough to do what I want.
I could get a longer term lease in a house in a province with a live in GF and let her do all the cooking, cleaning and shopping and most likely knock a million p off that total and live very nicely. No pussy costs, entertainment would be the beach much less transportation costs. Shopping and eating like a local, paying local prices and two can eat for less than I pay for myself in Manila. Rent would be much lower and not nearly as much in country travel.Hey mate, fantastic info, thanks! (I am thinking about the idea of spending 3-6 months there in the next year or two, then a few months in Thailand, then Latin America, etc, etc.) One thing I noticed though is that you have included the 1 month lost rent deposit as a monthly cost when it is of course a one-off cost. That will save you 18,000 php. Yes, I know I would pay a bit more on many things, but especially rent, with a shorter period.
Hey mate, fantastic info, thanks! (I am thinking about the idea of spending 3-6 months there in the next year or two, then a few months in Thailand, then Latin America, etc, etc.) One thing I noticed though is that you have included the 1 month lost rent deposit as a monthly cost when it is of course a one-off cost. That will save you 18,000 php. Yes, I know I would pay a bit more on many things, but especially rent, with a shorter period.The lost deposit was 18,000 divided by 12 for a monthly cost of 1,500 then added back into the monthly rent total. I simply spreed the lost deposit out over the 12 months.
You can expect to pay about 2,000 to 3,000 more for a shorter than a one year lease. The unit I am in would have been 2,000 more a month for 6 to 12 month term. (It is not one of the examples I gave but looks like that inside.) Leases less than 6 months are more difficult to find as these are on Airbnb. On Airbnb you can get a month to month rent but that will cost even more per month but gives you the option to change places and would eliminate the lost deposit. For 3 months I'd recommend that you take a look at that option especially if you have not spent a lot of time here. Takes places in different areas of the city and explorer a little more. Start off in Makati, consider Jazz residence as it is only about a 10 minute walk from Burgos Street and near Greenbelt and Glorietta. Then move out to QC and you can be near some good massage places and you could try around Robinson's Manila which is adjacent to one of the red light districts. Also think about near MoA which is by ESDA red light area.
As I also mentioned, my costs are always getting a little lower as I gain experience here and find some local places to shop. For a short times this will be difficult for you. I bought a slow cooker and bake meals in advance, this will not be cost effective for you so you will be eating restaurant foods more often etc. My pussy costs are also getting better as I gain a stable of more or less regulars and am more than willing to walk away from any girl with GPS (Golden Pussy Syndrome). I am also getting more reliable pussy and no where as many no shows as I had when I first landed.
BaddHabbit
07-07-18, 12:25
Fantastic info, thanks very much!
The lost deposit was 18,000 divided by 12 for a monthly cost of 1,500 then added back into the monthly rent total. I simply spreed the lost deposit out over the 12 months.
You can expect to pay about 2,000 to 3,000 more for a shorter than a one year lease. The unit I am in would have been 2,000 more a month for 6 to 12 month term. (It is not one of the examples I gave but looks like that inside.) Leases less than 6 months are more difficult to find as these are on Airbnb. On Airbnb you can get a month to month rent but that will cost even more per month but gives you the option to change places and would eliminate the lost deposit. For 3 months I'd recommend that you take a look at that option especially if you have not spent a lot of time here. Takes places in different areas of the city and explorer a little more. Start off in Makati, consider Jazz residence as it is only about a 10 minute walk from Burgos Street and near Greenbelt and Glorietta. Then move out to QC and you can be near some good massage places and you could try around Robinson's Manila which is adjacent to one of the red light districts. Also think about near MoA which is by ESDA red light area.
As I also mentioned, my costs are always getting a little lower as I gain experience here and find some local places to shop. For a short times this will be difficult for you. I bought a slow cooker and bake meals in advance, this will not be cost effective for you so you will be eating restaurant foods more often etc. My pussy costs are also getting better as I gain a stable of more or less regulars and am more than willing to walk away from any girl with GPS (Golden Pussy Syndrome). I am also getting more reliable pussy and no where as many no shows as I had when I first landed.
Albert9989
07-07-18, 13:02
The lost deposit was 18,000 divided by 12 for a monthly cost of 1,500 then added back into the monthly rent total. I simply spreed the lost deposit out over the 12 months...I agree, fantastic info here.
If those who have experience in other countries could try to share their views compared to this one. A dream.
Yes, yes, I know, you will tell me go on the ground and try by your own.
May be you will be right.
Sorry guys this came from a excel table and didn't paste well.
Item Cost Time Annual.Thank you for this, KG. I have been reading many of your posts and find them insightful. I will probably retire in Dumaguete area in 2022-3. Cheers.
GoodEnough
10-04-18, 23:45
Sorry guys this came from a excel table and didn't paste well.
Item Cost Time Annual.
Rent 25,000 monthly 300,000.
Food 3,000 weekly 156,000.
Transportation 2,000 monthly 24,000.
Cell Phone 1,000 monthly 12,000.
Walking around 1,000 weekly 52,000.
Medical Insurance 100,000 Annual 100,000.
Non insured medical 1,000 3 times a year 3,000.
Clothes 10,000 Annual 10,000.
Sub total 657,000.
Individual choices
Pussy 10,000 weekly 520,000
Pussy Entertainment 2,000 weekly 104,000
Non pussy entertainment 5,000 monthly 60,000
In Country Travel 25,000 monthly 300,000
Medical 110,000 Annual 110,000
Home costs 300,000 Annual 300,000
Sub Total 1,394,000
Total 2,051,000
Total 2,111,000.
I have tracked my total spending since I got here and prorating to a full year my expenses so far are just a little under this but I have not included my annual flight home yet. I expect I'll be a little over this amount but I didn't include in the budget for nearly as much as I actually spent on extra medical costs since it was a once of and should not be repeated for several years.
The biggest amount is as we can see in the individual options. You could life here and just sit in your apartment all the time on about 600 k a year. To go out and have more fun in the Philippines can easily cost you twice that amount.
Remember this budget is based on living in Manila. If you go to Cebu or Davao costs could easily drop 10 to 20 %. (see the cost of living indexes on Numbero). Go to a province and live a more local lifestyle and I am sure that you could live much less than this indicates.
I have also found that as I stay here my costs drop slightly. I found a local market and while I'm not brave enough yet to buy meat or seafood there, fruits and veggies are much less than at the Hypermart. I also bought a slow cooker and a bunch of plastic freezer containers and I will make a big pot of stew or something and freeze several meals to eat later.A great summary and a great service for guys thinking of taking the plunge. In Davao, where I live, the apartment costs would be about the same for a newish condo, though you could likely rent a quite acceptable house for about Php15,000. Also, food costs for the local fruits and veggies would likely be significantly lower, though restaurant costs would not vary significantly, nor would the costs of local entertainment.
The one thing that's not taken into account is the inflation rate, which I notice has recently climbed to above 6%. Of course this is somewhat offset by the weakening of the peso against the dollar and the Euro, but not completely. I rarely take taxis here, for example as I prefer to drive my own car, and the gas prices are now more than Php52 per liter, and those costs can really mount up.
KG's point about costs dropping as you become ever more acclimated to the surroundings, and thus more familiar with how and when to shop for necessities and needed services. Other expats who have lived in the place you've chosen can be an enormous help in such cases, The cost of P4 P company is about the same in Davao as it is in Manila, but again, long-term stayers have a much easier time roping in the non or semi-pros which is not very difficult though the numbers are smaller. Davao might offer a broader range of choice of reasonably close but outlying more rural areas, where cost of living would drop significantly.
GE.
A great summary and a great service for guys thinking of taking the plunge. In Davao, where I live, the apartment costs would be about the same for a newish condo, though you could likely rent a quite acceptable house for about Php15,000. Also, food costs for the local fruits and veggies would likely be significantly lower, though restaurant costs would not vary significantly, nor would the costs of local entertainment.
.....According to numbero, the cost of living index in Manila is 37.27.
In Cebu it is 36.59.
Davao it is 32.85.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Philippines
In other words, Cebu is marginally cheaper than Manila while Davao is about 15 to 20% less.
This is generally supported by some comments here and on other non-monger expat boards that I frequent.
Everywhere the cost of living will decline as you get better knowledge about the local markets. This applies to the food, transportation, living markets as well as the pussy market.
GoodEnough
10-05-18, 09:12
According to numbero, the cost of living index in Manila is 37.27.
In Cebu it is 36.59.
Davao it is 32.85.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Philippines
In other words, Cebu is marginally cheaper than Manila while Davao is about 15 to 20% less.
This is generally supported by some comments here and on other non-monger expat boards that I frequent.
Everywhere the cost of living will decline as you get better knowledge about the local markets. This applies to the food, transportation, living markets as well as the pussy market.The price of land in Davao is skyrocketing, which of course drives up the housing costs. Though as I said, for about Php10,000 a month here, you can rent a small, clean house. I'm guessing the 20% figure for most other things is probably correct though the prices of imported goods are the same as in Manila or slightly higher, since the cost of bringing them from the distribution point in Manila to Davao must be reflected in the price.
GE.
PedroMorales
10-17-18, 22:06
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZGFygmQ6g
This is one smart Yank. Philippines and one video worth watching for a tour of his mansion, which costs $28 p / m. You could learn some shtt from this dude. He is the man. He treats his squaw mean and keeps her keen. No 5 star shttt for her. He keeps it real.
This is the benchmark you need, not some sahib who imports scented toilet paper.
Chocha Monger
10-22-18, 01:03
From time to time mongers often post about their good works giving handouts to poor lazy Filipinos in spite of warnings that doing so is illegal. Well, an 80-year-old Brit married to a young Pinay managed to get himself on the path to deportation. Apparently, someone at the Department of Social Welfare took exception to his charitable deeds and reported him to the authorities for doing unauthorized charity work while on a tourist visa. The NBI slapped him with a letter informing him that he is under investigation for his charitable crimes to establish grounds for his deportation. Hence, he is about to lose his sweet jungle poon and his chicken ranch in the mountains of Bohol over giving handouts to lazy Filipinos.
The poor old fella should have followed that law. The only thing old foreigners are allowed to donate freely to poor Filipinas is their sperm. Donating anything else is charity work, and is punishable by deportation for working illegally on a tourist visa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDC5PlrAT3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZGFygmQ6g
This is one smart Yank. Philippines and one video worth watching for a tour of his mansion, which costs $28 p / m. You could learn some shtt from this dude. He is the man. He treats his squaw mean and keeps her keen. No 5 star shttt for her. He keeps it real.
This is the benchmark you need, not some sahib who imports scented toilet paper.Too funny, Pedro. Helluva way to live. Kill that fucking rooster.
If any of you gents live in or near Dumaguete or Valencia (west of Dumaguete) kindly PM me. I am seriously planning retirement there. Thanks.
Chocha Monger
11-03-18, 20:54
Nobody will dispute the stories from such highly respected and informative websites CM about hard-core SoKor mongers, but I think you deftly avoided the more general question that most guys, and ESPECIALLY those of us who work and live in this culture, do not wish to publicize our peccadillos either in print or by example.
In my case, it is not wise for me to even visit Burgos Street to sample the haute cuisine at Filling Station lest I will be labelled as a "dirty, rotten scoundrel" (if seen) even if I don't go to a bar.
My mongering is very much low key, out of sight, under the table stuff. I know some guys are very up-front with no reservations (with a nod to Anthony B).Yes. Those of you who choose to "live and work in this culture", especially those who work as teachers and NGO workers subject yourselves to the moral standards that Filipinos hold you. One can hardly blame the Filipinos for expecting people who present themselves as moral authorities to live up to their public image.
However, most mongers do not need to skulk around in Manila when they are there to sample the local hot rental pussy. Indeed, most would say that living in the heavily polluted foul air and suffering the horrible traffic of Manila is pointless if they must creep around in the shadows mongering in fear. As for most, the whole point of putting up with living in a failing state is to have free access to the cheap retail pussy on tap.
Expat mongers married to a Filipina risk adultery charges and 7 years in the slammer for fucking around on their jealous controlling Pinay wives. That does not apply to mongers with no ties to the country like wives and real estate.
.....
Expat mongers married to a Filipina risk adultery charges and 7 years in the slammer for fucking around on their jealous controlling Pinay wives. That does not apply to mongers with no ties to the country like wives and real estate.Sorry but you have the laws here wrong.
Adultery is when the woman is married. It doesn't matter of the an is marred or not but if she has a husband then it is adultery. The standard of proof is low and it is the husband that has to bring the charges, he cannot do that if he has given his consent for the acts.
If the man is married then its concubinage.
http://www.internationalfamilylawfirm.com/2016/11/philippines-laws-on-adultery.html
What if I am here in the Philippines and I want to make a complaint because my husband is having an illicit affair in Dubai and they even have a baby there. Can I inform the authorities there thru online? I want them deported back here.[Deleted by Admin]
EDITOR'S NOTE: This report was deleted because the content of the report was pointless, unproductive drama. Please read the Forum FAQ and the Forum's Posting Guidelines for more information. Thank You!
What if I am here in the Philippines and I want to make a complaint because my husband is having an illicit affair in Dubai and they even have a baby there. Can I inform the authorities there thru online? I want them deported back here.
"[Deleted by Admin]"
EDITOR'S NOTE: This report was deleted because the content of the report was pointless, unproductive drama. Please read the Forum FAQ and the Forum's Posting Guidelines for more information. Thank You!
LOL Bring back the drama! Bring back the drama!
Instead of removing it, this should be made a report of distinction, so people new to pinays know what to expect.
SEAtraveller
12-12-19, 10:59
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZGFygmQ6g
This is one smart Yank. Philippines and one video worth watching for a tour of his mansion, which costs $28 p / m. You could learn some shtt from this dude. He is the man. He treats his squaw mean and keeps her keen. No 5 star shttt for her. He keeps it real.
This is the benchmark you need, not some sahib who imports scented toilet paper.That video was hilarious! Didn't realize he had a harem until you watch the other uploads of his.
Was wife #1 a bar girl?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZGFygmQ6g
This is one smart Yank.Its just simply a pisspoor guy, who calls his shithole a beach condo. LOL.
I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.
There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.
I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.
Please share your thoughts.
Pilot Pete
03-07-20, 05:37
I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.
There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.
I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.
Please share your thoughts.The universal truth is that living space is an expense. The oft quoted saying "rent is throwing your money away" is just ridiculous. It cost money for living space, food, clothes etc. One way to consider your question is to ask yourself; Would I buy this as an investment if I wasn't going to live here?
I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.
There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.
I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.
Please share your thoughts.Do lot's of research on the particular unit before buying and read every detail of the contract. Lawyers are cheap in the Philippines so definitely consult with one before proceeding. One advantage of renting is the ability to just up and move, lot's to see and do in the PH. On the other hand having a base that is yours is also an advantage so whatever works for you is all that is important. At the current exchange my monthly rent is $254 USD for a good sized 2 BR house.
I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.
There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.
I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.
Please share your thoughts.Living in Asia is TOTALLY different to visiting, even if visiting frequently over many years.
I'd recommend renting for at least 2 years before buying so that you can choose wisely what and where you want to buy.
Personally, I would rent forever to maintain flexibility but if you do decide to buy vs rent allow for the below:
30% changes in FX rates.
30% increase in living costs.
Becoming disatified with where you bought and you now want to move to another province.
Becoming dissatisfied with PI and you now want to return home.
Significant acute or chronic illness.
Visa regs change making Residence approval more difficult to get or more expensive.
Ms Right goes psycho.
All of the above have happened to many residents and become serious problems for them.
All the best, G.
PS. Obviously, any money you bring into country should be considered gone.
I m retired in my 50's, been mongering in philipines for few years and am planning retirement in Cebu city.
There are much condo projects about 150-180 k p per sq m w interest free installments of up to 48 months on preselling units.
I'm more inclined to purchase than rental since you own the place and can sell it but rental money are non returnable.
Please share your thoughts.I'm clearly on the rental side just to be more flexible and most of my money stays outside of the Philippines.
Also just with buying a condo it isn't over, it continues with monthly payments for building insurance, tax, maintenance, security and all that.
I'm clearly on the rental side just to be more flexible and most of my money stays outside of the Philippines.
Also just with buying a condo it isn't over, it continues with monthly payments for building insurance, tax, maintenance, security and all that.I m looking at a studio 22 sq m costs about 3 mil w a pool in the city near ammenities, building management fee about 2 k a month. Property tax yet to find out.
Living in Asia is TOTALLY different to visiting, even if visiting frequently over many years.
I'd recommend renting for at least 2 years before buying so that you can choose wisely what and where you want to buy.
Personally, I would rent forever to maintain flexibility but if you do decide to buy vs rent allow for the below:
30% changes in FX rates.
30% increase in living costs.
Becoming disatified with where you bought and you now want to move to another province.
Becoming dissatisfied with PI and you now want to return home.
Significant acute or chronic illness.
Visa regs change making Residence approval more difficult to get or more expensive.
Ms Right goes psycho.
All of the above have happened to many residents and become serious problems for them.
All the best, G.
PS. Obviously, any money you bring into country should be considered gone.
Most of the problems you wrote affect both renting n purchase
Thks G. i hv live in philipines hotels for few years ,travel mainly w jeepneys, so m quite familiar w the city.
I could always sell so not an issue that's why it needs to be in a good location for ease of letting go.More worried about Ms right goes psycho. Haha.
Do lot's of research on the particular unit before buying and read every detail of the contract. Lawyers are cheap in the Philippines so definitely consult with one before proceeding. One advantage of renting is the ability to just up and move, lot's to see and do in the PH. On the other hand having a base that is yours is also an advantage so whatever works for you is all that is important. At the current exchange my monthly rent is $254 USD for a good sized 2 BR house.Agreed on the up and go flexiibility of renting being the main Advantage of renting.
Yes I want to have a base, location and convenience for ammenities, transport, grocery, shopping is important.
I m looking at a pool studio condo just enough for 2 person stay in a good location in the city.
Your rental of 250 usd is really cheap for a 2 bedroom.
But I don't think it's can be had for a condo in the city center.
The universal truth is that living space is an expense. The oft quoted saying "rent is throwing your money away" is just ridiculous. It cost money for living space, food, clothes etc. One way to consider your question is to ask yourself; Would I buy this as an investment if I wasn't going to live here?
Investment related I have done a rough calculation, 3 million total costs include furnishing and appliances and if I were to rent the Unit out for 20 k a month net profit non stop, 15 years I would have recoup my investment.
A similar airbnb unit rate is about 1. 5 k a night in the area.
But that's secondary. I m buying for staying long term.
Of course I factor out the bank interest I could have earned but that I think is negligible.
Besides the condo price which is still relatively not overly speculated in my opinion compared w other SEA countries, my monthly expenses for the house will be 2k management fee , utilities bill abt 3k n property tax yet to be determined.
I get to live in a good location condo w pool n ammenities nearby.
That really attract me to purchase over renting.
It's abt individual perspective i guess.
Thank you all for your views.
15 years I would have recoup my investment.
Today, go and look at a Manila condo that is 15 years old. You will see a major depreciation in the quality of that uni and a corresponding decrease in the resale price.
If you are serious to buy, buy a unit that is a few years old already.
Mr Enternational
03-16-20, 08:15
Living in Asia is TOTALLY different to visiting, even if visiting frequently over many years.
I'd recommend renting for at least 2 years before buying so that you can choose wisely what and where you want to buy.
Personally, I would rent forever to maintain flexibilityExactly. A retired mf has no business buying shit. That is a young person' s game. When you are retired you are supposed to be free and flexible, not bogged down. And you have to remember that you may like the view of the place, then along comes another building next door blocking your view out.
Actually happened to my apartment in Thailand where the owner built another building. Used to be I could go out and fuck on the balcony and just generally enjoy the night sky. When he built that other building it stays lit up all night. I had to black my windows out to keep the light out at night. If I had bought, I would be pissed. I still live there and can move out at any time though.
A buddy of mine that is retired bought a condo in Pattaya. Well a Russian disco that would blast music all night moved in next door and he could not get any sleep. Luckily he was able to unload it on another sucker.
Just like this Corona stuff is going down now. If something more serious happened where I had to get out of here tomorrow and not look back, then I could do that. I am not going to cry over a TV, some clothes, and a motorbike. If I had X amount invested in some property then I would definitely cry if I had to leave it behind.
And like PP said, those shits get run down quick in these tropics. Dare I mention the elevator situation in those Manila condos. You better live on the 2nd floor so you can take the stairs.
Today, go and look at a Manila condo that is 15 years old. You will see a major depreciation in the quality of that uni and a corresponding decrease in the resale price.
If you are serious to buy, buy a unit that is a few years old already.I meant the investment amt could be returned in about 15 years non stop renting out.
Definitely buying newly completed units.
Now w the virus effects, many projects are giving discounts.
Exactly. A retired mf has no business buying shit. That is a young person' s game. When you are retired you are supposed to be free and flexible, not bogged down. And you have to remember that you may like the view of the place, then along comes another building next door blocking your view out.
Actually happened to my apartment in Thailand where the owner built another building. Used to be I could go out and fuck on the balcony and just generally enjoy the night sky. When he built that other building it stays lit up all night. I had to black my windows out to keep the light out at night. If I had bought, I would be pissed. I still live there and can move out at any time though.
A buddy of mine that is retired bought a condo in Pattaya. Well a Russian disco that would blast music all night moved in next door and he could not get any sleep. Luckily he was able to unload it on another sucker.
Just like this Corona stuff is going down now. If something more serious happened where I had to get out of here tomorrow and not look back, then I could do that. I am not going to cry over a TV, some clothes, and a motorbike. If I had X amount invested in some property then I would definitely cry if I had to leave it behind.
And like PP said, those shits get run down quick in these tropics. Dare I mention the elevator situation in those Manila condos. You better live on the 2nd floor so you can take the stairs.I have stayed many years in hotels in the philipines and decided to based there after serious consideration.
Being an Asian who travels mainly in Asia is why the flexibility to leave is not a big issue for me.
View blockage by new building, noise by disco music are things that could Happened in your hometown house too.
I m sure coronavirus is also in 100 over countries now.
Most of these condo developers are pino / Chinese partnership, so building quality is definitely better than those built 15 years ago.
Now I m just considering whether to buy a presell which can arrange up to 48 installments or a move in ready Unit which have to pay in full within a month.
Exactly. A retired mf has no business buying shit. That is a young person' s game. When you are retired you are supposed to be free and flexible, not bogged down. And you have to remember that you may like the view of the place, then along comes another building next door blocking your view out.
Actually happened to my apartment in Thailand where the owner built another building. Used to be I could go out and fuck on the balcony and just generally enjoy the night sky. When he built that other building it stays lit up all night. I had to black my windows out to keep the light out at night. If I had bought, I would be pissed. I still live there and can move out at any time though.
A buddy of mine that is retired bought a condo in Pattaya. Well a Russian disco that would blast music all night moved in next door and he could not get any sleep. Luckily he was able to unload it on another sucker.
Just like this Corona stuff is going down now. If something more serious happened where I had to get out of here tomorrow and not look back, then I could do that. I am not going to cry over a TV, some clothes, and a motorbike. If I had X amount invested in some property then I would definitely cry if I had to leave it behind.
And like PP said, those shits get run down quick in these tropics. Dare I mention the elevator situation in those Manila condos. You better live on the 2nd floor so you can take the stairs.Seems to me that is up to the retired persons wishes and desires. I agree with you but many people won't. Real Estate is like never ending rent but some people have a stronger sense of security knowing that they own their domicile or in the case of the PH they own a lease that will someday revert their purchase back to the government. To each his own but the Philippine government has yet to come up with any type of foreign owned real estate program that will attract sound investors.
Seems to me that is up to the retired persons wishes and desires. I agree with you but many people won't. Real Estate is like never ending rent but some people have a stronger sense of security knowing that they own their domicile or in the case of the PH they own a lease that will someday revert their purchase back to the government. To each his own but the Philippine government has yet to come up with any type of foreign owned real estate program that will attract sound investors.If a person is staying long term in a particular philipines city, I feel its definitely better to buy than rent as long the price is not overly speculated and my guideline is ROI through rental must be less than 20 years.
I plan to have that as my base and make a short 2 week trip out to other countries maybe once in 2-3 months.
Philipines condos are freehold and not leasehold.
For purely investment wise, there are monthly fees and other taxes which are not cheap, so I would not consider that.
All I can say is individual needs and perspective are different, so to each his own.
My purchase is confirmed anyway and looking forward to move in a few weeks from now.
Elmer Fuddness
09-15-22, 18:57
For those of you that have moved to PI and have valuable electronics, how have you dealt with this problem outside of just rinky dink stepdown transformers and underpowering equipment designed for 120 v 60 hz? Is it possible to get 120 v power at 60 hz? Maybe in the industrial districts?
For those of you that have moved to PI and have valuable electronics, how have you dealt with this problem outside of just rinky dink stepdown transformers and underpowering equipment designed for 120 v 60 hz? Is it possible to get 120 v power at 60 hz? Maybe in the industrial districts?Several houses have 110 volt power but not all. Otherwise stepdown transformers are the only way I know of unless you have an electrician wire the house with a single 110 feed.
GoodEnough
09-16-22, 16:19
Several houses have 110 volt power but not all. Otherwise stepdown transformers are the only way I know of unless you have an electrician wire the house with a single 110 feed.I think most of us who have lived here for a while have 220 V appliances and electronics so it's no issue.
GE.
BroScientist
12-28-22, 02:24
Several houses have 110 volt power but not all. Otherwise stepdown transformers are the only way I know of unless you have an electrician wire the house with a single 110 feed.Any device that has 110 v 60 hz motors will have their life cut short if used with step down transformers, (110 v with 50 hz). The devices that transfort 60 hz to 50 hz are very expensive and you are better off buying new.
Things that run on battery are much easier, its just a case of converting AC to DC. And DC has no hz problems.
Any device that has 110 v 60 hz motors will have their life cut short if used with step down transformers, (110 v with 50 hz). The devices that transfort 60 hz to 50 hz are very expensive and you are better off buying new.
Things that run on battery are much easier, its just a case of converting AC to DC. And DC has no hz problems.Philippines is 220/60 HZ not 50 HZ like Europe.
This post might help kick this thread back into life. I know a lot of expats / retirees live there, so the post is more exploratory than definitive.
1. Too hot. Stops you doing anything, bar getting into a rut.
2. Motorbike noises,. Dog shit and stray dogs. The bikes should be muffled and their owners fined. The dogs should be shot and eaten.
3. Awful infrastructure and transport networks. I have seen war zones in better shape.
4. Pollution.
5. Target on your back. Lots of petty thieves prey on not just the locals but rich Johnny Foreigner too.
6. End of the line. Go there and you have burned your bridges. Ain't no going back.
7. Poverty, which makes everything from a good diet to good women problematic. Adult Pinays even show up to hit their Yankee relatives for a hand out.
8. Can't blend in as you are the sore thumb that sticks out.
9. There are more but I find, like Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now (filmed in the Phils), when I am there, I want to be here and when I am here, I want to be there.
This post might help kick this thread back into life. I know a lot of expats / retirees live there, so the post is more exploratory than definitive.
1. Too hot. Stops you doing anything, bar getting into a rut.
2. Motorbike noises,. Dog shit and stray dogs. The bikes should be muffled and their owners fined. The dogs should be shot and eaten.
3. Awful infrastructure and transport networks. I have seen war zones in better shape.
4. Pollution.
5. Target on your back. Lots of petty thieves prey on not just the locals but rich Johnny Foreigner too.
6. End of the line. Go there and you have burned your bridges. Ain't no going back.
7. Poverty, which makes everything from a good diet to good women problematic. Adult Pinays even show up to hit their Yankee relatives for a hand out.
8. Can't blend in as you are the sore thumb that sticks out.
9. There are more but I find, like Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now (filmed in the Phils), when I am there, I want to be here and when I am here, I want to be there.My reply. You're right, but. . .
1. It beats the cold and snow hands down. If it was cooler, the girls would have to cover up more, and that's not a good thing.
2. It is preferable than the homeless camped out in the store fronts every night (and half of the day) where I live.
3. Being stuck in a jeepney with a cutie snuggling up to you isn't the worst thing in the world, either.
4. You got me there. Microplastics and the little sachets of everything tend to fly off everywhere.
5. (Knock on wood) I have never experienced that before in all of my time there. But I stay with my wife or partner if I am outside.
6. I don't understand that. But if you like it there, why go back? I would to see my kids, but that's about it.
7. It's great to grow your own food. This is why the province is better than the city. As far as women, I find the women there are much better. Maybe I'm biased. I married one and another is my long-term mistress.
8. This has its advantages, too. I like who I am, so I don't mind sticking out.
9. I find myself missing food from back home sometimes, along with slightly cooler nights, but that is about it.
There are a few things that you left off your "annoying" list:
1) "Fall in line. " Appointments for necessary things (like doctor appointments) are rarely made. You just show up as early as you care to and wait to be seen. I went with my wife to see her doctor. We arrived at 7:30 am and she got seen at 2 pm.
2) "Sorry sir, but. . . " Fill in the blanks. Something that should happen isn't going to happen, and usually for no good reason.
3) It is almost impossible to customize food in a restaurant. Ordering a burger without mayo takes a presidential declaration. And, even when you have the presidential declaration in hand and present it to them and order without mayonnaise, it will still come with mayonnaise. And when you tell the server it has mayonnaise, they just say "sorry sir," then walk off.
4) Android is king. I use an iPhone for work, but iPhones are not common here. It makes everything form App Store to sharing pictures with your friends hard.
I'm sure I could think up of a few others. But none of these are deal breakers. The bigger dealbreaker is the insanely high cost of living in the US where I live (and I refuse to live in the cold) and the attitude of most people in the US. The happiest time of my life was three weeks in Mindanao living in a bamboo shack, and my girl made sure I had everything I needed. And, you know, it really isn't that much.
The happiest time of my life was three weeks in Mindanao living in a bamboo shack, and my girl made sure I had everything I needed. And, you know, it really isn't that much.Thanks for your thoughts, which is food for more thought.
1. I think the waiting in line can be worked round. I went to a good dentist on a first come, first served basis but twice gave up after a 90 minute wait. I don't know what the game is there.
2. Weather: That is a big one for me. I can't be sweating like a pig all day and nightand I dislike air con. I also like to achweive goals every single day (orcouple of days) nd I can't do that if I am sizzling and sweating. I feell a lot of guys in places like Pattaya and Angeles are just killing time people watching in the am and doing hookers at night. Much of that, almost all of it is a waste of time. The saner ones seem to have little businesses but I don; t feelvlike startign a business there to get or lose a small fortune.
3. Home logistics. I would not like to get a stroke in the middle of nowhere. When you are gone, you are gone as you are no longer in touch with the little things from where you come. The big things, Trump etc arejust headlines and mean nothing.
4. Losers: There are quite a lot of videos on youtube of guys running out of luck / road in the Philippines for one reason or aonther. I have seen guys myself and I would not like it to be me. IO know others who are just drinking and smoking their lives away.
5. Shang ri la: Your mountain hut seems nice but it makes you so vulnerable to midgets (swarms of them) and morally challenged thieves.
6. In all the many times I have been in SE Asia, the P4 P women quickly get boring. They are just like cheap beer, ok in small doses.
7. Hot and cold: Europe is being destroyed by mass invasions, drugs and so on. I tihnk it is deliberate but it is a major reason to consider upping sticks, rather than pay for them with taxes. But the Philippines can be chaotic. Make no mistake, Europe is going the same way.
8. I gues I wil prevaricate some more,. If I sold up, I would have enough to cover me in the Philippines until I was about 189 years old.
Mr Enternational
02-24-25, 22:46
I feell a lot of guys in places like Pattaya and Angeles are just killing time people watching in the am and doing hookers at night. Much of that, almost all of it is a waste of time. The saner ones seem to have little businesses but I don; t feelvlike startign a business there to get or lose a small fortune.LOL. Why do you think that? Because that is what people on holiday do? Living in Pattaya, me and my friends actually have daily routines. None of it involves killing time people watching. Usually when I have a hooker then it is from about 10 pm to 8 am or so if my girlfriend does not stay over. I do not have time during the day to worry about women. Funny thing is that when I wake up to get ready to go out and start my day, the chick that stayed with me always asks where I am going, as if I am supposed to stay inside with nothing to do all day.
How do all those guys who retired years ago to the Phils on modest pensions fare? Years ago, I used to meet retired Ossie soldiers hitting the pubs for the happy hour. When they get older, weaker and less independent, they must make easy pickings for small time criminals. I have seen quite a few videos by "expats" down on their luck but there must be a strong cohort of old folk up the creek without a paddle. This would apply a lot to mongers, who just knock about with hookers, who are not known for their long term loyality. There must be lots of guys who sold up, haled anchor, went to the Philipinnes, had a great time and then lost it all and were truly stuffed.
How do all those guys who retired years ago to the Phils on modest pensions fare? Years ago, I used to meet retired Ossie soldiers hitting the pubs for the happy hour. When they get older, weaker and less independent, they must make easy pickings for small time criminals. I have seen quite a few videos by "expats" down on their luck but there must be a strong cohort of old folk up the creek without a paddle. This would apply a lot to mongers, who just knock about with hookers, who are not known for their long term loyality. There must be lots of guys who sold up, haled anchor, went to the Philipinnes, had a great time and then lost it all and were truly stuffed.Happens anywhere if you haven't planned for your future. At least in PH their money and pleasure lasted a little longer.
Mr Enternational
04-23-25, 23:32
How do all those guys who retired years ago to the Phils on modest pensions fare? Years ago, I used to meet retired Ossie soldiers hitting the pubs for the happy hour. When they get older, weaker and less independent, they must make easy pickings for small time criminals. I have seen quite a few videos by "expats" down on their luck but there must be a strong cohort of old folk up the creek without a paddle. This would apply a lot to mongers, who just knock about with hookers, who are not known for their long term loyality. There must be lots of guys who sold up, haled anchor, went to the Philipinnes, had a great time and then lost it all and were truly stuffed.Truth of the matter is the older you get, the less shit you need and want. My rent in Thailand is $125/ month. I have way more than enough cash that I could pay it for the next 30 years tomorrow. What are these supposed small time criminals supposed to want? If they can not get into a person's bank account or pension account, they are going to steal old beer bottles? Or a TV? You lie in the bed that you make for yourself. You chose how to make it and you choose how to spend it.
There must be lots of guys who sold up, hauled anchor, went to the Philipinnes, had a great time and then lost it all and were truly stuffed.Maybe there are some living around AC, but in my circle in Manila and other parts of the PI, all my expat friends are very happy and doing well.
Go to Handlebar near Burgos St in Makati any Friday night and see many successful expats spending up big as they watch the AFL footy.
I did exactly as you said. Sold up, hauled anchor 28 years ago (though I am not a nautical guy), bought a large, comfortable condo close to a large modern hospital, travel frequently and am doing very well thank you.
I don't think there are many guys who have "lost it all and are truly stuffed". They certainly won't be on ISG telling us about it if they are LOL.
Maybe there are some living around AC, but in my circle in Manila and other parts of the PI, all my expat friends are very happy and doing well.
I did exactly as you said. Sold up, hauled anchor 28 years ago (though I am not a nautical guy), bought a large, comfortable condo close to a large modern hospital, travel frequently and am doing very well thank you. I don't think there are many guys who have "lost it all and are truly stuffed". They certainly won't be on ISG telling us about it if they are LOL.I had a friend named John who lived in Manggit, Cebu, other side of the island from Cebu City. He was a US Army veteran who gave motivational speeches for real estate seminars. He retired and bought a house, had a steady retirement check from 20 years in the military. He married and his wife's family practically lived in the house; slept on the floor with mats, ate meals there, and John had 2 small Saari Saari stores. If you live in the Phlippines you know what a Saari Saari store is.
He sat in the back of the store every day and drank beer from sunup until closing time. Had a local girl work up front for very little pay. At about age 60 he fell off the back of a motorcycle, eventually I was told he died from an ankle injury he sustained from the motorcycle fall. He probably really died from alcoholism, the last few years his eyes were glassy and he moved stiffly.
The last time I came back to visit John his wife was alone and told me he had died. With no means of support his Filipina wife now had no idea how she would support herself and asked me to marry her. Marriage to an older woman, age 40 with 2 kids, was not my goal. I said sorry, I could not do that and quickly got the heck out of there. I would say that John probably lost it all due to his alcoholism. Sad.
I don't think there are many guys who have "lost it all and are truly stuffed". They certainly won't be on ISG telling us about it if they are LOL.There are some on youtube and, for many. SE Asia is the last stop saloon.
There is a guiy sleeps out in Walking St, head gone on him. I saw another dude with a big sign begging on Macarthur from passing traffic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BICeFFHAlH8&pp=ygUQcGhpbGlwaW5lcyBicm9rZQ%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoWOXH5inO0
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