General Info

[QUOTE=Aml3740;2980097]I bought a phone in the Philippines a couple of years ago. It was mid-range, at about 6. 5 k. Bought a globe sim, and it worked great. I just did the pre-paid load, as it is good enough and I have wifi most places I stay.

My problem was that it would not load or work when I came back to the US. My gcash, Lazada, Globe One app would all stop working because I needed a OTP, and I could t receive it.

That phone was dual sim, and I thought I would get a pre-paid sim and use it here, but, even though the IMEI number check said it would be compatible with the network, it wouldn't work. Come to find out, the phone was not compatible with the US cellular bands.

I wanted a working phone as well when I came went back to the Philippines. So, what I did is buy a cheap used iPhone SE 3rd generation for about $150. It has space for a physical sim and is also eSIM compatible. I loaded it and it worked fine. I get OTP texts just fine now in the US for my Philippines needs, and even weather alerts, etc.

If you get a compatible phone with eSIM, just download the Globe One app. You can load it from gcash, register it, and good to go. Gcash makes things convenient. For whatever reason, if I have load balance for Globe, it won't let me convert load balance to buy a promo. It's stupid hehehe.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Yes I have a phone that works in all the (non US) countries that I visit whenever I install a local SIM. It's not that old but it doesn't accept a eSIM. Not sure why and it's not worth me changing phones over. Resetting all the new settings, apps etc to what I want would take longer than getting a SIM at the airport upon arrival. This time I'll actually keep it so that it can be topped up online. I might even do a test 50 p top up before leaving.

It would have been good to arrive ready to go but it's not a deal breaker.

Thanks again. G.

P.S. I often loose access to OTPs etc when swapping international networks. No idea why but if I still have wifi, then I will receive the SMS even if there is no roaming Telco data connection. Now I just make sure to do all that type of stuff in a hotel room with a good connection.

G.

[QUOTE=NoobMonger0;2980124]Hey guys,

I've been wondering, do you use your real photos when hunting for freelancers in Tinder, Pinalove etc?

Or do you use some fake photos and try to stay discreet?

I'm asking because my trip is in a few days and I'm not sure what to do about this.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]You need to include "a" photo or your profile will be prioritised last when shown to girls. Any girls that you do message will be unlikely to reply as no pic screams psycho or scammer.

Whether the photo is you or not depends on your security requirements. Do you care of family (wife? Sees you online. Some guys don't want any traceability at all. Remember that photos can be reversed searched so it's a good idea to use a clean photo that cannot be connected to your work, Facebook account etc.

Girls are getting more savvy now too. I've met plenty that would not chat with an unverified subscriber. This brings up it's own issues. How trusting are you to send these apps copies of your formal government ID to get the 'verified' tag?

As you can see it's a trade off. The most secure will see you get no / few matches or chats. Being Mr Popular entails sharing info that many guys are not happy to have broadcast everywhere.

Personally, I don't post actual pics on apps but I'm happy to live video chat with girls that I'm actually interested in.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=YoungSnape;2980053]Hello Friends! Asking this question while the topic maybe fresh in people's minds -.

Asia experts: How does Philippines scene look around Christmas and NYE? Is it fair to assume that being on the religious side. Most girls would take vacation around this time to be with Family and Friends and it would be slim pickings this time of the year? How does it compare to the rest of Asia (say Thailand / Japan / Vietnam) over the same time period?[/QUOTE]DESERTED. Absolutely no human activity can be detected.

FB reel from John Dang regarding the number of unoccupied condo units in Manila (70,000+), how long it will take you to grow a unit's market value, and outlying provinces to consider for the future.

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/reel/633792189114642[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2980666]FB reel from John Dang regarding the number of unoccupied condo units in Manila (70,000+), how long it will take you to grow a unit's market value, and outlying provinces to consider for the future.

[URL]https://www.facebook.com/reel/633792189114642[/URL][/QUOTE]That is a shot in the dark. The Philippines is not a steady place and nor is the apartment market, too much of which depends on starry eyed and horny elderly expats. The Philippines is a tragedy and sinking serious money in it would make it our tragedy. Nice women outside of the hooker sperm buckets but a fool and his money.

What's up OG vets, anyone traveled to Philippines lately?

I am planning a trip this coming spring and I am UNVACCINATED.

Do I still need a PCR / Antigen negative test 24 hours prior to the trip? Or just do the etravel thing?

Looking to hear your experience. Is this still an entry requirements?

[QUOTE=ElSexoChino7;2980854]What's up OG vets, anyone traveled to Philippines lately?

I am planning a trip this coming spring and I am UNVACCINATED.

Do I still need a PCR / Antigen negative test 24 hours prior to the trip? Or just do the etravel thing?

Looking to hear your experience. Is this still an entry requirements?[/QUOTE]No need for any test and vaccine.

Just go online and get a eVisa for 30 days and you can extend this for another 29 days.

But if you stay longer than 30 days you will need a throw away ticket as airline will want to see this.

[QUOTE=ElSexoChino7;2980854]What's up OG vets, anyone traveled to Philippines lately?

I am planning a trip this coming spring and I am UNVACCINATED.

Do I still need a PCR / Antigen negative test 24 hours prior to the trip? Or just do the etravel thing?

Looking to hear your experience. Is this still an entry requirements?[/QUOTE]They do not ask vaccination status on eTravel, and that is the only entry paperwork to enter the country. For entry, I think you are fine if you are unvaccinated. Now, most places do not ask for a vaccination card anymore, but it's the Philippines, and places can do almost whatever they want. I haven't been asked for my card in over a year. Some places, such as hospitals and doctors offices, do still as you to wear a mask, however.

[QUOTE=ElSexoChino7;2980854]What's up OG vets, anyone traveled to Philippines lately?

I am planning a trip this coming spring and I am UNVACCINATED.

Do I still need a PCR / Antigen negative test 24 hours prior to the trip? Or just do the etravel thing?

Looking to hear your experience. Is this still an entry requirements?[/QUOTE][URL]https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions[/URL]

My experience is I needed an evisa. For Covid etc requirements, check he above authoritative site, amongst others.

[QUOTE=Jarango;2980716]That is a shot in the dark. The Philippines is not a steady place and nor is the apartment market, too much of which depends on starry eyed and horny elderly expats. The Philippines is a tragedy and sinking serious money in it would make it our tragedy. Nice women outside of the hooker sperm buckets but a fool and his money.[/QUOTE]You don't beat around the Bush. LOL!

If I were to live in Metro Manila, your recommendation is Rent the Condo.
Never purchase. Correct?

Thanks,
~BKK

[QUOTE=BKKguru;2980906]You don't beat around the Bush. LOL!

If I were to live in Metro Manila, your recommendation is Rent the Condo.
Never purchase. Correct?[/QUOTE]It comes down to personal preferences but, to me, the Philippines is an inherently economically unstable country. The SE Asian expat market is a bubble and, unless one stays in one's lane, it is hard to blend in; one is a target or oddity of one sort or another.

In my recent visit, I noticed rents go up 10% or so a year, irrespective of how the overall market is doing. That, to me, is a bubble, as it makes no economic sense.

When one buys a place, one rents it or lives in it (rents to oneself). I don't like to be a landlord in the Philippines and I don't like to be like one of those Japanese soldiers stuck there after the War.

That said, there are plenty of Europeans claiming they are doing well in Angeles. But sitting around a bad or cafe all day every day with nothing but my jocks on doesn't really hit the sweet spot for me.

The three rules of property are location, location, location, with a bad location in a good location being better than a good location in a bad location. I guess if I had to go for anywhere in the Philippines, it would be a surf type place (Bali is better). Though some like university towns, I would not like to be renting bedspaces to impoverished students.

I have a lady friend there who would like to have a sari sari store in the Visayas. A nice lady but, with hold ups, assholes and 10% rent increases, I don't want to make it my Vietnam.

I get it that the Philippines is cheap. But you can buy houses in Detroit for a $1, which is a good deal if you are ex Korean Special Forces.

As regards buying a Condo in Manila, I would opt for settled, upper class (over priced) areas and be prepared to take a major hit on it.

These are just my ideas, as I freeze here and the lure of Pinay muff whispers sell up and move to Borocay in my ear.

EDIT: You can check out relevant indices here but, as all property is local (Chicago ain't Detroit or LA) I am unsure how helpful they are in an odd ball market like SEAsia https://www.google.com/search?q=philippines+proiperty+index&rlz=1C1GCEA_enIE1106IE1106&oq=philippines+proiperty+index&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCggCEAAYCBgNGB4yCggDEAAYCBgNGB4yDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgFEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgGEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggHEAAYgAQYogQyCggIEAAYgAQYogQyCggJEAAYgAQYogTSAQg1Mjc5ajBqNKgCALACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2978804]Come to think of it, I don't think I've eTravel-ed or eGov'd on the outbound since 2022. Anyone else?[/QUOTE]Well there is this sign when leaving out.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2980943]Well there is this sign when leaving out.[/QUOTE]Its for outbound pinoy (possibly especially for OFW going to work).

[QUOTE=Jarango;2980885][URL]https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions[/URL]

My experience is I needed an evisa. For Covid etc requirements, check he above authoritative site, amongst others.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Aml3740;2980884]They do not ask vaccination status on eTravel, and that is the only entry paperwork to enter the country. For entry, I think you are fine if you are unvaccinated. Now, most places do not ask for a vaccination card anymore, but it's the Philippines, and places can do almost whatever they want. I haven't been asked for my card in over a year. Some places, such as hospitals and doctors offices, do still as you to wear a mask, however.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=HappyPlayer;2980856]No need for any test and vaccine.

Just go online and get a eVisa for 30 days and you can extend this for another 29 days.

But if you stay longer than 30 days you will need a throw away ticket as airline will want to see this.[/QUOTE]Appreciate for all the feedback, I forgot to mention I am a US citizen and will be visiting my family for a few days and won't have time to monger in Manila but, I'll be flying from there to Bangkok to do all my mongering LOL.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2980943]Well there is this sign when leaving out.[/QUOTE]That is for all Filipinos leaving the Philippines for international travel.

Foreigners don't need to file.