General Info

[QUOTE=Goferring;2935557]Something that a first time visitor should be aware of is that the Philippines doesn't have many direct flights between tourist centres. Most use a hub and spoke model passing though Manila, Cebu or Angeles. In practice, this means that a trip between two cities that are close on a map can be an all day affair of flights and connections. Hence, a planned 3 or 4 day visit can become only 24/36 hours of free time in town.

Previously I planned on visiting numerous places per visit. Now I've cut that number right down or I allow a lot more time.

Enjoy, G.[/QUOTE]The best way, is not to make detailed plans and bookings in advance, just figure it out when you're there. The prices are about the same for airfare and hotels if you book 1 month or 3 days in advance, unless there is a major holyday around the corner.

Another post from Filipina Pea:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noh7gtJGpZ8[/URL]

The vid is about pinay fears, and deals with multiple issues. Here is an excerpt:

"A cultural situation. You have to understand what it means to grow up as a filipina. [B]With your friends, family, parents and the church all telling you that your primary goal is to marry and reproduce, the mantra of: "Married With Children / Married with Children" is enough to give Al Bundy a migraine. But its pounded into our heads since birth, and becomes a bedrock of a filipina's identity.[/B] It also explains why so many of us filipinas have quite a past when you meet us, even at a young age. What is difficult for some foreigners to understand is that despite how slow everything else is here, the lifecycle of the filipina is sped up to such a degree, that if we reach the age of 30 without having a husband and at least one child, we're considered past our expiration date by society. We even get labeled as 'left-overs' if we find ourselves in that position.

SNIP.

You imagine that filipina you've been chatting with has been spending her time kneeling in church, but when you meet her it becomes obvious that she's been kneeling in other places as well".

Wondering. Is this the reason that many of us return to Pinay, even as they are less physically attractive than Indo or Thai ladies? Many of my long-time regulars are sex fiends, effing with wild abandon. Some are just very sexual, but many have admitted over the years, thru pillow talk, that they were trying hard to get preggers at the time. Also is this the reason so many pinay prefer not to engage with birth control?

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2935710]Another post from Filipina Pea:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noh7gtJGpZ8[/URL]

The vid is about pinay fears, and deals with multiple issues. Here is an excerpt:

"A cultural situation. You have to understand what it means to grow up as a filipina. [B]With your friends, family, parents and the church all telling you that your primary goal is to marry and reproduce, the mantra of: "Married With Children / Married with Children" is enough to give Al Bundy a migraine. But its pounded into our heads since birth, and becomes a bedrock of a filipina's identity.[/B] It also explains why so many of us filipinas have quite a past when you meet us, even at a young age. What is difficult for some foreigners to understand is that despite how slow everything else is here, the lifecycle of the filipina is sped up to such a degree, that if we reach the age of 30 without having a husband and at least one child, we're considered past our expiration date by society. We even get labeled as 'left-overs' if we find ourselves in that position.

SNIP.

You imagine that filipina you've been chatting with has been spending her time kneeling in church, but when you meet her it becomes obvious that she's been kneeling in other places as well".

Wondering. Is this the reason that many of us return to Pinay, even as they are less physically attractive than Indo or Thai ladies? Many of my long-time regulars are sex fiends, effing with wild abandon. Some are just very sexual, but many have admitted over the years, thru pillow talk, that they were trying hard to get preggers at the time. Also is this the reason so many pinay prefer not to engage with birth control?[/QUOTE]I think, while it has a lot of truth to it, I think it oversimplifies the issues. In western countries, wealthier families send their girls to college. Most of them finish before having children. It is the same in the Philippines. In both places, it is the impoverished that, in general, are more promiscuous and pop out kids at younger ages. It is either a ticket out of where they are or something to do that gives life meaning.

I also think that religion and upbringing do play a large role. Babies are blessings. If a Filipina can see a future with yiu, they will almost always want a baby. It's happened to me twice with non-pros. And it is something we wanted.

I have been with other Filipinas (pros and semi-pros), and condom use is almost non-existent. One escort absolutely required it. The other wanted one, but when I didn't have one, wanted me to creampie her. A freelancer hated condoms and wanted me to creampie her every time (but I used condoms anyway all but one time hahaha). She was on pills. I asked her why she wanted that, and she said she just loves how it feels when a man puts a lot of cum inside (and I usually have high volume). She hopped on before I could put on a condom one time and tried to take it off two other times while we were fucking.

[QUOTE=Cjetset;2935639] Look at some of these big projects in China that are empty. That may eventually happen in PH and in some places already feels a bit that way. While I live in a house about 30 minutes north of Cebu City I'm currently using one of my partners condos this week and I can honestly say I think this building is only about 20 percent occupied at most.[/QUOTE]Hi CJ,

Great info. In my home town at the Gold Coast in Australia there has been multiple building issues with Chinese developers. It took them years to build a major development and now it's finally completed, they won't sell apartments until a certain section has sold. They must be paying a fortune on council rates and taxes on their unoccupied real estate. Another developer has been sitting on a huge vacant lot on our foreshore which is just plain ugly for a major, beach / tourist destination.

My question is, from a Phills perspective, how do do foreigners go about buying real estate in The Philippines? Not that I want to right now, but I always assumed it was like many other Asian countries where a foreigner could only 'own' 49% or less in a property or land. If that's the case, I've heard a lot of stories of people losing everything having a majority owner involved. A girl I went to school with ended up fairly wealthy and did a property deal in Bali and lost everything. She's now 55 and living with Mum / Mom because she didn't have equal ownership.

Regards,

Phil.

[QUOTE=Aml3740;2935716]I have been with other Filipinas (pros and semi-pros), and condom use is almost non-existent. One escort absolutely required it. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Aml3740;2935716]The other wanted one, but when I didn't have one, wanted me to creampie her. [/QUOTE]F*ck! Hahahaha. No hypocrisy there!

[QUOTE=Aml3740;2935716]A freelancer hated condoms and wanted me to creampie her every time (but I used condoms anyway all but one time hahaha). She was on pills. I asked her why she wanted that, and she said she just loves how it feels when a man puts a lot of cum inside (and I usually have high volume). She hopped on before I could put on a condom one time and tried to take it off two other times while we were fucking.[/QUOTE]This should be on any Phils monger's required reading list. Quite indicative of many filipinas desire for CIP, or at least their willingness to let the guy decide*.

* The video posted was in regard to pinay fears and insecurities. One reason they often say "Its up to you" (bahala ka) regarding almost everything you ask her about, is submissiveness. Just as she would have trouble being involved in deciding where to go out to dinner tonight, she would be just as shy to tell you her desire for a condom or not. Keeping her mouth shut avoids controversy, but it risks here putting herself into a dangerous situation (pregnancy, disease). A risk her culture tells her to take in order to keep the peace now.

[QUOTE=PhilJoy;2935757]

My question is, from a Phills perspective, how do do foreigners go about buying real estate in The Philippines? Not that I want to right now, but I always assumed it was like many other Asian countries where a foreigner could only 'own' 49% or less in a property or land. If that's the case, I've heard a lot of stories of people losing everything having a majority owner involved.[/QUOTE]A few options:

1/. Send a bucket of money to your GF / wife and she buys / builds what you want in her name and formal ownership.

2/. Pay a lawyer or similar to be a nominee owner and sign contracts / mortgages to retain control.

3/. Build a structure on leasehold land.

4/. Own and control a company which buys the asset.

5/. Buy a condo.

6/. Decide it's all too hard and just rent what you want.

1 thru 3 are full of horror stories where a partner disappears with the cash or kicks the guy out 8. 7 seconds after the building is completed. 4&5 have their own headaches. 6 is so much easier.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2935798]A few options:

1/. Send a bucket of money to your GF / wife and she buys / builds what you want in her name and formal ownership.

2/. Pay a lawyer or similar to be a nominee owner and sign contracts / mortgages to retain control.

3/. Build a structure on leasehold land.

4/. Own and control a company which buys the asset.

5/. Buy a condo.

6/. Decide it's all too hard and just rent what you want.

1 thru 3 are full of horror stories where a partner disappears with the cash or kicks the guy out 8. 7 seconds after the building is completed. 4&5 have their own headaches. 6 is so much easier..[/QUOTE]Thanks G, I assumed that option 6 would be the way to go. As mentioned previously, I have no interest for the above reasons you mention.

I know a Canadian guy who owns a great little eight room hotel on Bantayan Island on the northern tip of Cebu. One of the best places I've stayed in The Phills. Now, the guy's really cashed up and this is basically his winter escape. But the stories he's told me of dealing with dodgy local authorities are mind blowing, but expected.

My idea of owning a hand / blow job bar way back when I first visited The Phills just won't happen. Too much research over time has made it obvious buying property or looking at business interests in The Phills is really risky. And then there's the 'corruption' issue to deal with. Phil.

First item, another recent Cebu Pacific promo. P1 flights out of Davao. See pic #1.

Second item, YT vlogger "Life Beyond the Sea", with a tale of being interrogated at his local BI office recently in order to get his visa extension. See pics.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqC1yMmDEMw[/URL]

During the extension, among other things he was asked: "Where do you live?" he had to draw a map on the application form. "I see you are married. Why haven't you applied for your 13 a visa (permanent resident / spousal)?" Normally I'd find those things intrusive. However there is a BI directive starting this year to interrogate (see pic #2).

In addition, at 7:30 in the vid, the vlogger explains that the BI no longer issues a stamp in your PP, but simply hands you a receipt, which they clip inside your PP. I think this is old hat operating procedure, in place for at least 5 years, that we are all aware of. He makes a good point: You should make sure that you don't lose that receipt, as its your proof of extension.

Also, after 1 year of in-country extensions, you might have to explain to the BI extension officer why you have *not* left the country (see last 2 pics).

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2936101]
Second item, YT vlogger "Life Beyond the Sea", with a tale of being interrogated at his local BI office recently in order to get his visa extension. See pics...

Also, after 1 year of in-country extensions, you might have to explain to the BI extension officer why you have *not* left the country (see last 2 pics).[/QUOTE]Wow. The one huge advantage of the Philippines has always been the ease of long term stays. If that ceases or becomes a PITA, then expect a mass exodus and it to become far less attractive for new guys looking to move overseas.

G.

[QUOTE=PhilJoy;2935954]

I know a Canadian guy who owns a great little eight room hotel on Bantayan Island on the northern tip of Cebu. One of the best places I've stayed in The Phills. Now, the guy's really cashed up and this is basically his winter escape. But the stories he's told me of dealing with dodgy local authorities are mind blowing, but expected.

My idea of owning a hand / blow job bar way back when I first visited The Phills just won't happen. Too much research over time has made it obvious buying property or looking at business interests in The Phills is really risky. And then there's the 'corruption' issue to deal with. Phil.[/QUOTE]It's not all doom and gloom. There certainly are guys who have successfully bought houses and / or businesses. As you've pointed out, the success factors seem to be having a healthy cashflow to work out any issues, a reasonably smart head in their shoulders and experience in country. Just arriving with the intention of buying an asset right away, sitting back and living happily ever after rarely succeeds long term. Make that business a bar and the odds drop considerably.

G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2936151]Wow. The one huge advantage of the Philippines has always been the ease of long term stays. If that ceases or becomes a PITA, then expect a mass exodus and it to become far less attractive for new guys looking to move overseas.[/QUOTE]Not so fast.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ41J3XPgmE[/URL]

Filipina Pea from this morning. Continued discussion of tourist visa extension applications. She interviews a BI guy. Applicant interview required (finding out if you are involved in a biz, apparently), your address / location required (possibly you draw a map of your home location). Might be smart to bring a copy of your rental / lease contract (10:10 in the vid). Telling the BI officer extension officer that you are just here to watch the sunsets might not be enough (8:20 in the vid).

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2936101]Second item, YT vlogger "Life Beyond the Sea", with a tale of being interrogated at his local BI office recently in order to get his visa extension. See pics.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqC1yMmDEMw[/URL]

During the extension, among other things he was asked: "Where do you live?" he had to draw a map on the application form. "I see you are married. Why haven't you applied for your 13 a visa (permanent resident / spousal)?" Normally I'd find those things intrusive. However there is a BI directive starting this year to interrogate (see pic #2).

Also, after 1 year of in-country extensions, you might have to explain to the BI extension officer why you have *not* left the country (see last 2 pics).[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2936151]Wow. The one huge advantage of the Philippines has always been the ease of long term stays. If that ceases or becomes a PITA, then expect a mass exodus and it to become far less attractive for new guys looking to move overseas.[/QUOTE]Speaking of. Right away, a few days ago when I saw several of these YT vloggers discussing the new 'interview' process, something dawned on me: The BI will be pushing all 'long-term tourists' (my slang for touristos who stay forever by extending up to 3 years, departing the country for a few days, then return to start another 3-year schtick) to either become a permanent resident (13-a or SRRV) -- or get out.

While I don't disagree with this idea from the host country, it would be better to announce this kind of thing in advance. It might have been smarter for them to reduce the 3-year stay to 1 year, then force the guy to become a permanent resident. Thinking about it from the host country's standpoint, allowing tourists to stay (virtually) forever might not be that smart. Instead of having such a consistent policy, it will now bear upon the applicant (after 1 year of extensions) to justify his existence in the country. That might be difficult to do, as there is no clear-cut policy to define such reasons for you to stay. Lazy tourist who just likes to stay here because its cheap? You are at the mercy of whichever officer in Intramuros reads your reasons this day. Have a live-in GF / partner here, but haven't married her? Same. Have a business here, but no license? All the more reason to throw you out. Been island hopping for a year, burning thru the poon? No solid residence would be an indication of a need to run from Immigration; goodbye. What happens if the interviewer asks you for proof of income? Can you do that? And if you can, but the income is less than required for an SRRV minimum ($800 USD / month I think), why would they give you an extension? AND SO ON.

Related YT vlogger video yesterday, Rob's Coffee Shop. Never seen the chap before, but he discusses just this topic, including vloggers (6:20 in the vid). It would appear that the government has finally linked all its computers together, and you can do the first year's extensions online. And apparently even vloggers have to get a work visa, and if they monetize more than $1000 USD, they must pay taxes here. If you go back to the Filipina Pea vid where she interviews the BI guy, she literally asks if such tourists can stay just because they like the sunsets here, and the BI guy says: "I would ask: Apart from that, what else are you doing here?

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-9Hh_ZzNIw[/URL]

How would a Philippine Air flight in business class compare to a United Airlines Polaris business class flight coming from SF?

Would everything be pretty much comparable esp. A comfy lie-flat seat, a newish jet, good & varied food & drink or should I stick.

With the US carrier? I can save $300 flying Phil. Air but is it worth it?

[QUOTE=Shemp;2937919]How would a Philippine Air flight in business class compare to a United Airlines Polaris business class flight coming from SF?

Would everything be pretty much comparable esp. A comfy lie-flat seat, a newish jet, good & varied food & drink or should I stick.

With the US carrier? I can save $300 flying Phil. Air but is it worth it?[/QUOTE]I have flown Business class on Both airlines from LAX in the past 12 months. The PAL plane did not have the updated Bus class seating. (not lay flat) It was OK but not as good as United's true lay flat and I slept 5 or 6 hours. I have heard a rumor that PAL has been updating their Bus class so you might get a good one. You could try contacting a PAL office in LA or SF and maybe find out what they are flying now. (FYI, PAL customer service is awful). In my opinion the food was a little better on United. My favorite Business carrier between the three is Starlux thru Taiwan but it's hard to beat the nonstop flight. Last thought, If you care about Air miles the United Star Alliance program is much better than PAL's.

I always take PAL LAX to Manila direct, in the back with the peasants. Seems nice enough for me. Pro tip. I take the nighttime flight, get the window seat, lean my seat back, smash my pillow up against the window, put in ear plugs, take 2 ambien, and time travel 7 hours into the future. Don't even have to pay extra.

[QUOTE=Shemp;2937919]How would a Philippine Air flight in business class compare to a United Airlines Polaris business class flight coming from SF?

Would everything be pretty much comparable esp. A comfy lie-flat seat, a newish jet, good & varied food & drink or should I stick.

With the US carrier? I can save $300 flying Phil. Air but is it worth it?[/QUOTE]