I am no expert on Buddhism in the Philippines. I do know that there are Buddhist Temples here in Cebu and my guess is that those of this particular faith are more than likely Chinese and or Philipino's of Chinese decent. Now as far as finding a lady with strong links to this faith who also is unmarried without children who doesn't want any children in the future is probable asking for quite a bit in my opinion but I would think not impossible, here in the Philippines there is alot of social pressure on women of any faith to have children.

The answer to your last question is diffucult, unless you are a stateside hire. Unemployment is so high here with many qualified and many over qualified individuals who are willing to work for what we would consider peanuts. There is absolutely no good reason to hire a foreinger when there are many locals available to fill any position not to mention it is illegal I believe to hire a foreinger over a Philipino unless there is absolutley no one in country qualified. If I'm mistaken on this last point I'm sure others on the board will correct me.

An irony here. my hometown is just a 20 minute ride from pagsanjan and yet i've never been to the falls...maybe because I enjoyed free boat rides when i was a child... Cost you P650/person local or tourist...no discrimination. take a jeepney from Sta Cruz bound for Siniloan, Lumban or Paete (my hometown) as you know...the fare is cheap...no taxis on that part of the world and don't go after around 8 or 9 pm from Sta Cruz or else you'll have problems riding a tricycle (if you can fit in :) easy to navigate if you have a car though, there are only two roads diverging (always)...one leads to the poblacion (town proper) and the other highway...either way, you won't get lost. the boat ride called ""shooting the rapids"" is exciting going against the flow on a banca and avoiding huge rocks plus the swim and the sight of the falls itself. close also to that area is Lake Caliraya, a man-made lake on a mountain top, where wind surfers and anglers converge...been there twice last december...upscale resorts present also as well the Japanese garden.

I've toured most of laguna already and lots of reasons for me to go back...it's my home! further on my list are: villa escudero, hidden valley, rizal shrine, underground cemetery (majayjay?), IRRI, centuries old churches, the wood carvings and artistry of Paete, seven lakes of San Pablo City (home of the coconut festival), Exotikk Restaurant, barongs of Lumban, Twin Falls of Kalayaan, Mt Makiling/Banahaw (spelunking, anyone?), mountain trail of Famy (for neophyte mountaineers), buco pie, kesong puti and other delis.

I agree with Mita on everything in her post. There were many customs I found strange when I first visited the Philippines and the use of professional titles was one of them. Now I not only consider it normal, I consider it useful because you can immediately identify a potential source of help.

My wife is from Canlubang, I agree with what you are saying there is a lot Laguna has to offer, often missed by tourists who go through on the way to Batangas & Puerto Galera or fly out to other Islands. Add to what you are saying is ""Enchanted Kingdom"" something that came up a few months ago and also very close to Tagaytay (not actually in Laguna). It also has easy access from Manila on one of the Countries best roads ""The Southern Expressway"". On the non tourist side it also a place that attracts many people from other provinces to come to work there, as it the home of many industries and factories, including many Foreign companies who have set up in Philippines, such as Nestle, Bayer, Ciba, Panasonic, Nissan to name just a few. Furthermore, it is home to Brent School one of the top International Schools. Getting back to Los Banos and its surrounding area, given that Spas have become one of the ""in things"" over recent years I am surprised it is not more visited by tourists, as this is a natural spa from the surrounding volcano, not one of these man made ones. May be Filipinas are keeping this secret to themselves. My wife has told me as a child her whole family would regularly go to these springs for health purposes.

An irony here. my hometown is just a 20 minute ride from pagsanjan and yet i've never been to the falls...maybe because I enjoyed free boat rides when i was a child... Cost you P650/person local or tourist...no discrimination. take a jeepney from Sta Cruz bound for Siniloan, Lumban or Paete (my hometown) as you know...the fare is cheap...no taxis on that part of the world and don't go after around 8 or 9 pm from Sta Cruz or else you'll have problems riding a tricycle (if you can fit in :) easy to navigate if you have a car though, there are only two roads diverging (always)...one leads to the poblacion (town proper) and the other highway...either way, you won't get lost. the boat ride called ""shooting the rapids"" is exciting going against the flow on a banca and avoiding huge rocks plus the swim and the sight of the falls itself. close also to that area is Lake Caliraya, a man-made lake on a mountain top, where wind surfers and anglers converge...been there twice last december...upscale resorts present also as well the Japanese garden. I've toured most of laguna already and lots of reasons for me to go back...it's my home!

I came across this site by communicating with other ex-pats in Olongapo and Angeles. I read the site from the ex-pats located in Olongapo as well. I am giving serious thought to relocating to the PI. I am 51 years old. I am Black. I am not a retired service man, I have a degree in Social Work. I have recently divorced a pilipina (married in Manila April 1994)due to problems with her 22 year old son that involved violence against me in 2001 - and divorcing her was the only option left as she would not accept the fact that he knew what he was doing in provoking me over the course of our marriage. These are the points I hope to get a response on: (1)I am looking for a new wife who has no children, and is not looking to have any. I am a SGI Buddhist and desire to have a wife who has strong links to that faith. I found out that my wife has had a very bad time with her son's father who never married her. Now I know why he didn't. She could never separate her anger against him when it came to explaining why her son hated me so much. I have vowed never to marry another Pilipina or any woman, with children from others again. As much as I loved her I felt my life was more important than tending to the needs of a boy who was bent on injuring me. I wish her luck in her future tending to his needs. (2)If I do come to the PI the source of income I will have is the VA compensation I get for my service connected injuries. Will I still have access to this if I do relocate? (3)I am also on Social Security disability - however, if I do relocated to the PI I may lose that coverage. Can I get info from any ex-pat who is on a government pension who can let me know if I can keep my federal disability coverage if I relocated to live in the PI? (4) How difficult is it to obtain employment in the PI with an American degree in Social Work? Please respond as soon as you can. Thank you very much.

There is no minimum time that you have to be out of the country. But shopping in Hong Kong is tiresome so I would at least sleep there for one night ;-) Hello everyone. I just met a man recently (American) who was born in Manila. His American parents were teachers there. He said he was fifteen years old when the Japanese attacked and he and his family were put in the Los Banos Internment Camp (1945). When I told him I was going to the P.I. in May, he asked if I could visit the place where the Internment Camp was. He said he was pretty sure it was on the Univ. of the Philippines Campus, Los Banos, Laguna Provence. Does anyone on the forum know about this or have any experience with this area? Although I was planning to stay my four weeks in the Cebu area, I would like to stop by there, even for his sake, on my way back to Manila.

CEBU - An American tourist was knifed and wounded by a German man in the central Philippines in a bar brawl over the raging issue of Iraq, police said Monday. Police detained Frank Oesterle after he stabbed American John Flynn with a Swiss knife on Friday, Superintendent Maximo Calimlim, the provincial police chief in Cebu City said. The 41 year-old American is confined at a Cebu hospital with multiple stab wounds, but his life is not thought to be in danger. Calimlim said Flynn and Oesterle, a 37 year-old economist from Munich, met at a bar in the beach resort of Moalboal near here and started arguing their countries' respective positions over UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Oesterle, interviewed by a local radio station inside his jail cell, said he had told the American that he was against a threatened US-led attack on Baghdad because ""many people will die if the US makes good its threat."" He said he regretted what happened, admitting both men were drunk when they started the argument. Oesterle said a fistfight followed. The last thing he remembered was he was down on the floor with Flynn sitting on top of him. ""When you're on a holiday, you better speak about nice food, beautiful women and white beaches,"" said the German, who said he would ask the American to forgive him. He would also urge police not to press charges.

In the interest of fairness, I am going to ask that you refrain from posting the Tag line of I presume your company below your name. I am sure if you have read the postings you will be aware of the 'fuss' over Don asking Atty Tess to stop using a 'Tag line' below her name. It is unfair to single her out, when you are equally in violation of Don's Rule on this. I hope you will understand and respond in an a mature adult manner and simply avoid using this for posting to the Yahoo Group LinP. If you do not agree with this please send a message to the LinP Moderators at LinP using the address

We dont currently have an archive of Hash Trash on the Cebu Hash House Harrier Web site (It is something I am considering, along with a Photo Gallery. I need to tech myself more on how to use HTML 'Frames' as a window to another website where I can more conveniently FTP large numbers of photos and files rather than individually selected and 5 file limit for upload method of current website).

My impression is they don't care as long as you bring in the right amount of money or got a decent pension you going to spend there. Appart from that there are quite a few other ways to work things out. Immigration Cebu accept bribes and will do you a good ""discount"" even. Don't think that developed country standards or rules apply there. Most people are on some sort of con or other. ""wilma_dinglasa "" wrote:I need some information on permanent resident status, I am married to a Filipina lady and I know I can apply for such status, but I do have a minor criminal record, all offences now regarded as spent in my country. I get different responses from people at the immigration bureau, one said as long as my crimes did not involve moral turpitude then I could apply, the other said I could not apply if I had convictions. Any information please?

Hi John Beel's email is: jnbeel55@lvcm.com . I'm carbon copying him, and your direct email as well. I was able to find that easily by looking at the original email that John sent out, in the properties of email shown in the ""From"" area. Some other alternate methods include going into the Yahoo website, and finding John's original message. I did a Search, and found it easily. It is at url: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/livinginthephilippines1/message/27071 Again John's email address is clearly visible. If you click on it - Yahoo will even let you send him an email. Sometimes email accounts have been obscured by Yahoo. Usually if you go to the Web site, and click on them, if they have an underline - it will let you send an email, although Yahoo may once again hide the email address. If it comes up, or would be useful - I'm pretty sure someone can give you a good explanation of this process. this.

There is a groups of members who discuss Leyte, Samar and Biliran at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/leytesamarbiliran/ . Many are members of the LinP group so, they must be a bunch of good folks. If you have a special interest in these provinces, you this group may helpful to you. I celebrated my 60th birthday in Biliran, an comparatively new province carved out of the top of Leyte, on a beautiful little island called Maripepe. As I understand, Mari and PePe were the Romeo and Juliet of the Philippines. The local fiesta was going on at the same time. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. In the Philippines, Birthdays and Valentine's Day are very special days in the Philppines. If you have Filipina/o friends, please don't forget them on these days. If two Filipinos are sworn enemies, on one or the others birthdays, all is forgiven, though the next day they may kill each other. I have learned this from my observations and conversations. Tell me, Filipino members, are my perceptions distorted?. In any event don't do check out this group is you have a interest in these areas. I will be putting a link to them on the resource page of www.livinginthephilippines.com .

I recently joined this list. Along with reading the posts, I've spent some time poring over archives looking for information. First, I would like to offer a heartfelt ""thank you"" to Don Herrington for maintaining his website and this list. Also to the moderators for their efforts, and to all the members who contribute. My wife Melay and I had planned on living here in the States. In the last months, we discussed returning to Cebu. After much research and soul-searching, it boiled down to this: We could purchase a business here, invest half of what we own, assume some debt, and work our tails off for the next five or ten years; or for a smaller investment we could live a lot easier, no debt, no major cares, and still have a fall-back position, just in case. The decision is made: Cebu, here we come! To the subject: For those going to the same process, the New York Consulate maintains a very nice website, with information and downloadable PDF forms:

This was explained to me by a 52 year old lady who is married to a friend of mine here in the states, She is from the Philippines, and he is active military. He met her many years ago while stationed in the Philippines. I was told that it is customary for men who marry Filippina's to support their family. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My friend has sent money to her family for over 20 years. Every month they get $400. He told me privately that he grew tired of making the payments, but when he brought it up, his wife refused to talk to him, and when he pressed the issue, she calmly informed him that half of everything he had was hers, and threatened divorce. I might add she has never worked a day in her life according to my friend. She did raise 1 child, and that child has gone on to run a small printing shop. Is this truly common? My friend said his generous amount of $400 a month he sends, allows her family to live well. He said a few of her family doesn't work, and hasn't worked since the payments began. I was taken aback. I thought the Filippino people were very hardworking, and not like this. Maybe this is an isolated incident. I would not want to support anyone elses family. I don't mind the occasional help, but not monthly and 4 life. Is this truly expected? Or is my friend a little off track?

Some wealthy foreigners do, some poor ones do what they can. Some wealthy foreiging don'g and some poor foregines don't, and have happy marriages. Nothing in your life is mandatory. The poor do expect help from the rich and would help thier relitives if they were rich and had poor ones, but there are exceptions here too. Better have an understanding before you are married. This is not something to discuss after the fact. In my opinion only.

Yes, you marry and become a part of the family, much like it was here in the states in the fifties. Your involvement is up to you, and before you marry you should talk of this. My first wife was from Manila. The first thing she did was find a job, then she asked me if it was OK to send her mother a little money. At the time she was working 2 part time jobs and bringing home about $300 to $400 a month. She sent her mother $50 a month to help her, I didn't think this was a lot and we sent this every month and a little extera from time to time. Now my second wife is from Cagayan De Oro, and ether then gifts to her family she wouldn't ask for money except maybe an emergency. Her father is retired from the army and a proud man. >From what I've seen, this is more the rule then what you have been told. As you get to know the Pilipino people you'll find a wide verity. Strong family ties and the want to help each other. Some strange (at least to some) beliefs, and some of the nicest people I've found anywhere in the world. You have to think of how much you can help if needed and set your mind. Some think all Americans are rich, and some know the truth. Some will take what you give and ask for more and some will ask for nothing.

There are several in Angeles City. One fabulous gentleman owns a Cajun Restrant there..I also saw female African American there,in the markets...the best part is there is not the predjudice,there, Philippinos generally accept you as an individual,to quote some one else on this site generally speaking if you are nice,respectful so are they.

I just looked at the Philippine Airlines website to find out the price of tickets to the Philippines. They have a deal right now where you buy one ticket and get another round trip ticket free. I don't work for the airlines, and I am not affiliated with them in any way. I am just relaying this info to the list, because I feel it is a huge benefit. They are offering the same deal flying in or out of the Philippines. You have to fly to San Francisco or Los Angeles, and thats the only exception. There are a couple restrictions on dates, but I can live with that. If the moderator feels this is an advertisement, then I apologize. I just thought it would help people who want to move or see family.

I just looked at the website, and it seems this is their usual deal. This has always been available, but you must fly business or first class. the cheapest seat from LA or SF is about $1,850 (925 per person). Better deals are available, unless you want or need the class upgrade. [The link to the website has been removed by a moderator to conform with the tightened list rules re. commercial links. Use a search engine such as Google to locate the website.]Thank you for your understanding :) I just looked at the Philippine Airlines website to find out the price of tickets to the Philippines. They have a deal right now where you buy one ticket and get another round trip ticket free. I don't work for the airlines, and I am not affiliated with them in any way. I am just relaying this info to the list, because I feel it is a huge benefit. They are offering the same deal flying in or out of the Philippines. You have to fly to San Francisco or Los Angeles, and thats the only exception. There are a couple restrictions on dates, but I can live with that. If the moderator feels this is an advertisement, then I apologize. I just thought it would help people who want to move or see family.

The other day I was in the Rural Health office looking at the reproduction posters on the wall (does that mean copies of the original or the subject matter?) Anyway, they have this map of the Bogo district with wells and stuff marked on it. One was marked ""Hot Springs"". Instantly I had visions of a rock girdled pool of warm, salving water. So with a second look at the map I hopped onto the Hog with asawa and daughter and off we roared in search of a possible new tourist attraction for the Bogo area. We rode off into the hills and came across a Congressman pressing the flesh on his way to open the 5 Cock Derby Bogo is hosting. (Sabong, cock fighting) Once clear of him and after riding through long lines of school kids thronging the road's verge, we took a guess the dirt road to our right was the one we needed. A few hundred meters down a rough track through the sugar cane and we came upon IT! EUREKA! The Hot Springs! Imaging a blue plastic pipe, taped to a rusty metal one jutting from the ground and flowing into a concrete bath; surround the ""spring"" with half a dozen crones hammering the weekly wash and you have our latest tourist attraction. I tested the temperature of the water and the words tepid and luke warm came immediately to mind. Let down was another pair, but we nevertheless had tracked down the source of our curiosity, filled in a few hours and so off to Jollibee we went.

I have already emailed the other Moderators asking for a clarification and review of the Moderators notice and action. I also sent a short email to evanguilders - indicating that I was asking for a review and clarification. I am currently of the opinion that posting web urls and such of web sites is acceptable. The Moderators and the LinP group in the past have had trouble with individuals posting urls to their own web sites, and business - which is a violation of one of the Rules which states in part: ""This is not a place to promote yourself or your business, or that of your business associates."" However posting an airline url has not been an issue or subject to any abuses that I'm aware of. However, I am still waiting for feedback and review with the other Moderators and Don H. The following is not yet an official policy or rule. I do however ask that all future communications regarding Moderator activities or decisions be directed to the Moderators. *Contacting the Moderators* There are a number of circumstances when you should send an email directly to email account ModLinP@yahoogroups.com , and *not* as a posting to the full LinP Group. Your email will be distributed to the Moderators and Don H, but not to the full LinP Group. Send an email directly to the Moderators - 1) If you wish to respond to a Moderator's Action or Ruling. Moderator actions and rulings are not to be discussed on the LinP group itself. 2) If you need help with your Membership, such as an email problem, or wish to explain your resignation. 3) If you wish to bring a situation to the attention of the Moderators, such as potential Rule violations, off topic post, commercial spam and such. 4) If you have a question, suggestion, or comment regarding the LinP group, or its rules and policies.

Soka Gakkai has six other culture centers throughout the Philippines (1) Manila Culture Center in Escolta, Manila (2) Cebu Culture Center (3) Davao Culture Center (4) Cagayan Culture Center (5) Youth Culture Center in Silang, Cavite (6) Grand Culture Center in Tagaytay City Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc. 2/F, 700 Aurora Blvd., Corner Gilmore Ave. New Manila, Quezon City, Phillippines Tel/Fax: (632) 7215517 Email: universal@netasia.net Van Phat Temple Contact: Ms. Le Thi Khoe PO Box 100- 5300 Palawan, Phillippines Tradition: Mahayana, Vietnamese World Fellowship of Buddhists Philippines Regional Centre 1176 Nara Street, Manila, Philippines Nothing in Olongapo or Angeles,

You are very lucky are new in the game. I to have been married to a philipina for 8 years and have been around my extended family and several other near by families. Since you married the bread winner what do you think of the brothers that don't work and the panhandling that goes on when ever you are there. But don't get me wrong I love mine. and that system works for them. But of the several guys that got married when I did, I am the only one left married . Some told me they couldn't take it any more.

I think that you'll find that when tanks are used, folks make every effort to elevate them. If yours is under the house you'll have to pump your water from it. If your tank is above the house, all you need is gravity feed. You may say what the difference, pump into the tank or pump into the house. If you use an electric pump, a brownout also means no water if the tank is below the house. One of the advantages of stilting a house in the first place is to allow free ventilation of air under it and if you fill that space your house will become warmer and warmer. Most elevated houses in our neighborhood are at least 2 meters above the ground. Even though some folks use the space to store small items or to keep their manok, they try to keep the spaces open.

According to my internet currency chart, the Peso today dropped to 54 to the dollar. This is the weakest I have seen the Peso, despite the weak dollar. Recent discussions predicting the Peso's continuing fall appear to be correct, at least for the time being.

Glad to see Steve, new on his arrival to Cebu as a visitor is busy recruiting new members, to say nothing about sorting out your computer. There seems to be a shortage of people who can sort out computers and such. Luckily for Steve I was able to get his PC up and working which he uses for hs Tabunok business by fitting new Motherboard. Maybe Steve will intoduce you to us by getting to come along to one of our 'Get Togethers' at Ratsky (two to choose from this month - 16 and 23rd February).