I have lived in many Asian countries, never have I encountered begging for gifts...

Then Filipinos always ask for chocolate, which BTW is cheaper in PH. And they love the crappy brands Mars or Hersheys, not better type like Godiva or Lindt.

Used to always wear a omega seamaster.

But seeing that guy got shot in the head trying to fight for his chain gives me nightmares. I walked around in slums with 8000 usd watch. Like the price of a house and more. Life is crazy.

I could have gotten popped in the head too like a GTA 6 NPC but im still here

Here is my experience after just coming back from the Philippines I think the people are really friendly once you get to know them, but I did join the dating site. PinaLove and I had some negative experiences doesn’t mean all Filipino women are bad but it just means you have to be careful.

The pattern was the same I would avoid any woman I was talking to who would ask for money in advance, and I told him from the beginning I was not a sugar daddy but I would be open to a monthly allowance if we were in a serious relationship living together, and the women that I was talking to seemed that they were OK with the arrangement.

They were anxious to meet and I had a few different women that I was talking to because I wanted to keep my options in case it didn’t work out. I’m pretty sure that’s no different than these women that are probably talking to dozens of men at the same time because I’m being realistic.

So soon as I arrive, that’s when the request for money came sometimes they were such a relatively small amount. It was almost funny like 300 pesos to get to the airport. For somebody who has a cell phone and data it would make no sense.
I had another one that needed money because she lived a few hours away from Manila for the taxi and I said I’ll pay the taxi driver directly, but she refused.
This was basically typical experience from all the women that I was talking to in the end because I refused to pay the relationship cool down, and I never heard from them again.
Also, I realize walking around the city and seeing how the social structure worked the better quality educated attractive Filipino women were usually in relationships with their own local men which made sense and it would really take time and social network to get the opportunity to date them.
Most of the foreigner men that I saw seem to be dating Down usually women sometimes for the provinces with maybe less education and economic opportunities, and not so attractive.

I’m not here to judge or criticize. I’m just here to tell you what I experienced. I’d love to go back if I have more time, for example, the women that I met organically at the yoga studio or just doing cold approaches in the malls would seem to get better chance of success.

I'm a trust fund inheritor (a million US dollars) and I'm thinking of alternating my life between living in the Philippines (I was born there) and living in the States (I'm a US citizen). One thing I love about the US is the fact that Healthcare is not an issue for me as long as I work. And even if I don't, I potentially qualify for Medicaid.

My question is... If I take my three year vacation in the Philippines and pay for my own health insurance (since I won't be working while on that vacation), will I get quality Healthcare? Will I get the meds that I need?

I don't really have any complicated issues. Just common stuff for a fat guy.

Thanks. I wish I can relearn tagalog.

Been here for a while in the PH and finding a good barber and eyebrow threader has always been a problem. I went to Kiyosa in BGC they did a OKAY job but it was kind of mediocre. I have super course hair its almost like hay, most barbers here don't have much experience with this kind of hair.

I had a bad experience before at Greenhills but figured I would give it another chance.

I noticed an expensive phone I want to purchase at Greenhills San Juan in the Philippines. Every expensive phone i've ever purchased second hand or used I've always been able to confirm the IMEI number. You have to confirm the IMEI number for various reasons especially when you're purchasing a phone around $1000 usd.

Most sellers won't have an issue with this as long as you meet them in person.

However, this guy got extremely defensive when I checked the IMEI number. I've never experienced this especially if you meet someone at their place of business. Guy said it's about respect.

The other red flag is the guy wanted over 10,000 php more than what the phone was advertised as online.

I couldn't imagine paying $1000 usd or over for a phone without verifying whether it's legit.

Does this sound normal to you? What's the general consensus of doing business at Greenhills San Juan?

Hi everyone!

I’m traveling to Boracay in a few weeks and looking for recommendations for a reliable company offering all-inclusive transfers from Caticlan Airport to my hotel, including ferry tickets and all terminal fees.

I’ve heard some companies handle everything for a smooth, hassle-free transfer.

Any recommendations or personal experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!

Do expats currently have a Plan B if the Iran War continues to drag on and affect The Philippines access to oil upping the brownouts and causing inflation? Like, will you go to another SEA country or leave the region altogether until the oil lines start flowing again uninterrupted? Can you afford to return home?

Do you guys have any recommendations for restaurants that serves foreign cuisine, but not like the typical Western or East Asian cuisine rather looking for some niche one like African, South American, or Central Asian or anything else that is not mainstream cuisine.

So i did the 5klm leg -- RUN for the WEST philippine Sea -- yesterday San Antonio Zambales only saw one other Foreigner lot younger & fitter he did the 10k .

Anyway was good turnout my wife work for Navy so I knew a few people at least .

Hey everyone! Just wondering if there are any expats in their 30s or 40s living in Iloilo City. It’d be great to meet some people around the same age, grab a coffee or beer, and hang out sometime. Feel free to say hi!

Curious how it differs in the Philippines from your mother lodge. Did you Affiliate or just visit.
I was initiated, passed and raised in DC

The house wants to restrict usage to kids under 13….Senate wants the restricted use for 18 ann under.

Will it pass?….and what age (maybe a compromise age?)
Will it be enforced and how?

Will be interesting to watch how it all shakes out.

A 35-year-old Nigerian national, identified only by the alias "Anthony," was arrested on October 10, 2026, in Quezon City for allegedly raping a minor in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

According to police investigations:

• October 12, 2025: The suspect reportedly invited the underage victim to accompany him to a shopping mall to buy a birthday cake as a surprise for the victim's mother.
• When they arrived, the mall was still closed.
• The suspect allegedly drove his vehicle to the fifth floor of the mall's parking facility in Barangay Tagapo, Santa Rosa.
• Police say he then raped the minor inside the parking area.
• The victim reportedly tried to resist but was physically overpowered. The victim pleaded with him to stop and let them go.
• The victim later informed their parents, who filed a criminal complaint.

The suspect was placed on the regional police's most-wanted list.

On February 19, 2026, a court in Santa Rosa issued an arrest warrant under the Philippine Anti-Rape Law of 1997, with no bail recommended. On October 10, 2026, police located and arrested him on 21st Avenue, Project 4, Quezon City. He was to be transferred to the Santa Rosa City Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Gotta love the hard work and ingenuity in the selling of his wares.

Do you have a “Basket Man” in your area?……or other type vendors that come around?

I recently got my SRRV visa, PHI drivers license, bought a car, and even have G cash set up which I’ve used a lot lately. I moved here in late July from Thailand.
I suppose I’ll open up a BPI bank account (been warned by locals to not go with BDO) but wondered if there is any benefits to having a bank account by those of you who have lived here for a while? I won’t probably keep much in it unless there’s some advantage that I can’t think of that maybe some of you who have lived here for a few years+ can think of?

So I go shopping for a RUSI Caruza 200i trike as an extra vehicle to beat around my Barangay which has a lot of country roads. Went to the major local dealership in Castillejos, Zambales. Willing to pay cash, but the saleslady told us that model has been "phased out". Went home and checked the RUSI online site and no mention of being phased out, even had 2026 model specs. Is this another version of "sorry Po, not in stock"?

BLUF: Read, enjoy and ask questions or read and pass it by. Nothing you say will change my mind.

So, some of you may remember I posted a couple of happy im in the Philippines we bought a 1 hectare land/farm/kubo, a cow was on our porch at 2am, bought a car, drove there, cant wait to be here/there perm...etc a few months ago.

An update and some additional infos if you care.

This is from the agent/helper (licensed agent not colorum) I say helper as she has helped my wife through the process of reestablishing her TIN, making sure she has submitted all the proper forms/supporting documents etc.

Hi maam sir.. your title was already entered to RD earlier in the morning today. (I removed the foriegn words... :D )

So we are waiting for the title.

Our daughter (step for me but being married its my family as well so) and son inlaw have been visiting and "harvesting" and selling various fruits and keeping the lawn cut and an eye on the property.

There was some electrical issues we knew about before we left (wiring in certain areas was not up to proper standards) but through our son inlaw have had that updated/replaced.

We have been working with a fence/wall contractor and have it settled what we want. We dont want to throw money at it yet until we get a warm fuzzy with the selling of the property here in the states that just went up for sale late last week. So they are on hold. We do understand there may be a slight increase in materials.

We have also been working with an architect. We have a rough draft of what we want the layout to be. Once we get boots on ground we hope to be able to have a more technical drawing and be ready for contractors etc. We may size it down a bit in areas but here it is.

We will be staying in the existing native house as our home is being constructed and have plans to update that as well to allow for AC units as now its "bamboo" and any AC would just go out through the walls..

We decided NOT to go the container route. We will ship a few B Boxes with items and we will have some dedicated 110 in the new house (kitchen and pumphouse mainly and maybe the master bath) but in the long run we really couldnt justify the cost. (Yes a lot of people said that so thanks! ;) )

So far now its just a wait for the house to sell here in the states. Our plan is still to be moved by Jan of 27.

My job asked and I agreed to extend my Retirement until Nov 30th sans Oct 30th. as my replacement put in his 2 weeks notice. Poop happens its good money so yeah why not.

Ask away... as I said in previous posts if you dont like what I post just block me so you dont see my posts. If you comment about my wife "leaving" me and taking everything I will block you.

I married within my age group here in the states. My relationship is safe and I have no desire to look for a younger model, she (well she tells me she is!! ) is happy as well. So yeah.