I'm in the middle of gathering information relative to portions of your questions. I didn't investigate 13a successor rights, but have information that makes me think 13g (former Filipino) visas carry on to succeeding spouses/children. Taxes....don't know...still diging. On the house issue, every attorney I've consulted flips open his leather-bound copy of the RP constitution and points to the chapter/verse that says ""foreigners can't own property"". So....I'm currently negotiating with my wife to determine the squeeze for one of those 25-50-75 year leases that lets me stay on the premises if she croaks before I do. So far, we're at $100 dollars per annum, but I think she's recently decided to work in an inflation factor. May have something to do with what Mr. Nowelsky attributes to the frugality thing. The will's the deal. I suggest that we have validated wills in every country in which we have assets. Strongly written instructions (his and hers) will help to mitigate confusion. Simple things count. Get out ahead of the possible areas of misunderstanding. We have wills written in two languages, but with stipulations that the language of the land prevails at the readings. Whether RP or elsewhere, transliteration is out. Minor now, huge consequences later. My wife's my age is close to mine, and she's been a U.S. citizen wage earner for 18 years. But, I'm extremely appreciative of the efforts of those who recognize their responsibility to maintain the status quo for the younger, less experienced spouses who might otherwise be left in the lurch. I found truth/good advise in your post and hope the majority share your views.

You make a very good point. IMHO, those of us who choose to marry a woman much younger than ourselves, have a responsibility to see to it that our asawa is taken care of, after we are gone. Toward that end, I have done two things to guarantee my wife's future. First, I have helped her to become a U.S. Citizen. This will help her to make a living wage. Secondly, I have made her the beneficiary of a fairly large life insurance policy. When I'm gone, she'll get 250k, which, considering her natural Filipina frugality, should make her comfortable in her old age.

High ceilings are ALWAYS better for cooling period! With or without airconditioning it makes no difference. The cubic feet doesn't matter cuz the cubic feet you cool is the bottom 6 feet times the square footage.See, since the cooled air sinks to the bottom, what's above it does not add to the amount to be cooled and only adds as an escape for the hot air. Simply put, higher ceilings are always cooler.

While if something happened to me, my wife and children will be financially okay. Its all laid out in a Will, I was wondering what happens if my wife dies. Firstly I am here on a 13A visa because I am married to a Filipina, now what happens if she dies, do I lose the Visa? Secondly, lets say we own a house in Philippines, I do not own it but she does, as I am not allowed, what happens then if she dies, who owns the house, even though I have paid for it! I assume I could still not own it. If it goes to somebody else is there inheritance tax to pay? Is there a concept here of a Will? What is the best way to plan for all this?

if wife dies the properties goes automatically to the children. there are docs that the wife signed upon purchase of the property and it's always stated there its benefeciaries. better ask wife bout this.

Greetings to everyone. I'm a new member and have enjoyed reading livinginthephilippines as time allows. I am very interested in anyone who has knowledge of the healthcare system. With the impending war, my trip this year has been delayed. I stay with family there and also I am trying to learn Tagalog. Also, I stayed briefly in Tagaytay, but did not have opportunity to find a place called Sonia's Garden. Anyone familiar? I appreciate any information. Congratulations to the gentleman building in Bohol.

My name is Rick Zurbrick and I am thinking seriously of retiring to the Philippines. I am currently 45 (well as of the comming 4th of July) and my wife Josie is one year older. We have been married for 23 years and are growing old of grinding the axe just to keep a living. My wife is an American citizen now but is originally from the Bicol region. Tinambac Cam Sur to be exact. I was transfered out of the PI in 85 and neither of us have gone back since. My wife was planning a trip this May but with all the commotion I feel it is best put off a while. I am really trying to get a feel for how much a confortable retirement living would cost back home. As I am sure many of you are probally retired military such as myself. My net income right now is probally around $1000.00 USD per month. I am thinking of working another 5 years, if I can make it and then heading back top the Philippines. We have lived in Olongapo in the past while I was with the Military Police. Of course back then we had a pretty good life on about $500.00 per month. When we do make the move we should be able to do so with, and I'm guessing here, a nest egg of say $200,000.00 USD that should be able to generate additional income. Of course nothing is a given. I see many of you live in the Cebu area. Is there a particular reason for this? Is the economy any better than say Olongapo where we were thinking of going? The main reason we want to retire is my health, nothing terminal, just a lot of aches and pains and we also just want to get out of the rat race. Neither of us wants to work until we die. One draw back I know for me is I do not eat seafood. Imagin living on an Island and not eating seafood. We like to go to the movies out to eat, and I love computers. We are basically what I would call simple people who like to live life and relax, enjoy a good vacation every couple of years, love our three grandchildren, leaving them will be hard. I speak a lot less tagalog than I did when we lived there but would pick it back up fairly easly. It would be nice to retire in an area where there would be a number of expats as well. To be honest I quit drinking about 15 years ago and I have one fear that I will end up being so bored with nothing to do I will drink again, I was pretty bad before. I just know I need to retire soon, I can't keep this up for another 20 years, I'm already sick of it. Questions I have. How much income is needed to live comfortably but not extravegant? Is any one place better than another to retire to, Mindanao scares me? What is a typical daily routine for a retiree? Are there business opportunites there that are not really work, such as a Sari Sari, or my Brother-In-law is an electrican, mechanic and fisherman, could there be something there? Is it advisble and, if so how do you ship household goods to the Philippines, or is it cost prohibative ( we do have many things we would like to keep)my last move was with the Navy and they took care of everything? Do you still bank in the US and just use wire transfer or what? Well I truely would appreciate some feed back.I just feel that the sooner I can retire the sooner I can start living and not just being alive.

Myself, my wife and our daughter are moving to Kalibo on the first week of June. We have two cellphones here in the u.s. that we are going to take with us when we go but my wife is worried about this two cellphones, we have the same phone, same model and all but two different carriers the T phone don't have a SIMCARD{that's what we thought after opening and comparing the 2) , but the Cingular phone has a SimCArd, my wife said the cingular phone would work in the phils. Anybody knows if this phone wihtout a simcard would still work in the phils.?

So....I'm currently negotiating with my wife to determine the squeeze for one of those 25-50-75 year leases that lets me stay on the premises if she croaks before I do. So far, we're at $100 dollars per annum, but I think she's recently decided to work in an inflation factor. May have something to do with what Mr. Nowelsky attributes to the frugality thing.* As surviving spouse who would you pay the $100.00 to? I realize when a foreign government with different rules becomes involved things have away of going astray. I would think when one spouse passes all would go to the surviving spouse, and when he/she passes then all would go to the children or to whom he/she, or they had chosen. I don't understand having to negotiate where you would live should she proceed you in death. While it's very unlikely Marie would die before me. If this type of an agreement is necessary then I would be forced to live in a hotel, and eat out. Where the only decision would be what to do with her/my clothes.

My mom whats to move to the philippines. I however do not want to move to the philippines. I cannot sperate from her because i am skitophanic or mental ill and cannot be alone because i hear voice at that time and cannot work here i am only 23 thought. I do go to school and she plans to go when i am finished with school around 2004 and she always change her mind about moving or not. We cannot come back if we move from the states. what should i do?

These question are for those who have built houses in the Philippines. We've been advised to bring our own Romex wire. The question is what gauge? Is 12/3 appropriate? Also do bring our own circuit box and breakers? Or would we be better off with circuit breakers in the Philippines? Not looking for cost at these items, but safety. Wife is bringing bathroom faucets and appreciate suggestions for other

Hi Everyone. My name is Martin and I have been married to Jane (a Filipina) for 13 years. We met in Hong Kong when we were both working there (I'm ex British Army). We have been discussing the possibility of buying land/house around the Baguio City area and would like to correspond with any Ex Pats in this area who can throw some light on the pro's and con's of living around Baguio City. I am looking to retire in Philippines (sooner rather than later). We will be visiting Baguio over the XMas/New Year (2003/2004) and would love to meet up with any Filipino's and Ex Pat families.

What are you studying in school? How did you decide what you wanted to study? When you decided to go to school, who did you talk to about it? Stephany, the person you talk with before you make decisions would be a good place to start. Are you on medication? The Doctor who prescribes your medication cares about you and the life decisions you make. Maybe the Doctor would be a good person to talk to. Are you in a support group? Sometimes your friends in a support group are very helpful. Tell them how you feel about moving to the Philippines and see what they suggest. Stephany, you are obviously a strong person with your own ideas about what you want in your life. Use that strength when you are talking with those you really trust and care about and they will help you decide.

Welcome to the group!!! I am not an ex-pat from the philippines I just wish I was. Check out the information on the website and ask all the questions you want. You will receive a lot of replies and many are really good.

immigrating to the philippines question with felony conviction. If someone wanted to live or retire in the Philippines and had a felony conviction from about 18 years ago would that prevent them from immigrating there? I also have a misdemeanor for dwi from about 13 years ago. i visited the Phil 4 months ago and love it there, i haven't had any other legal problems since. Hope someone can give an answer or advice on this. Thanks

About fiance visas for those of you interested.... The fiance visa process is being turned into a 2 week affair starting in about 2 weeks. As i was just in Manila last week assisting my fiance with hers i can tell you of the changes first hand. Until this time appointments were basically first come first served. In a couple of weeks all St Luke's medical visits and Manila Us Embassy interviews will be appointment only...and believe me, they space these out into two seperate, yet consecutive, weeks. My fiance got her Visa/K-1 packet months ago and i planned to go down last week to stay with her and help her through it all. Before i left i twice called the embassy to make sure about when to show up. I was told the only restriction was that embassy interviews were only done for fiance visa's on friday (first come first served) and the St Luke's medical exam had to be done a day or so in advanced so you would have time to get the results before the interview. Well, of course while i was in the air flying to the philippines from Connecticut, my fiance gets a letter giving her appointment dates for next week spaced one week apart. I ignored the letters and went anyway, and was told there was just two weeks left of the non appointment system. So, those of you with fiances, if you can, go now to get things done or be fore warned about the delay and inconvenience of the scheduled appointments.... just thought i'd warn you all!

Dgte is a wonderful city, english is everywhere,Most of the expats meet at the Why not bar on the waterfront. If you have a motorcycle just take the hwy rd south to the tip of cebu and take the ferry accross. I did that in march only the other direction. It's a beautiful drive on good roads, be warned though You pay for the fairy ride on the dumaguete side not the cebu side (they got me for p150) cause I wasn't paying attention. Next trip I'm doing it again. Choice #2 is to take the super ferry about p500 and 4 hours on the water. Also a great trip and you see alot.

Well, if I opt for leasing land to built a house i `d be leasing it from my girl friends father so I was wondering is there a legal limit on how long a person [foreigner) can lease land because i `m sure her father will lease it to me for as long as I want.

how do i pay you since i am here in america. and do you do door to door delivery? my mom is from talisay city-cebu.

I think your right, most of it may go under the table, unless you wanted it legal, then you got 50 years with a max extention of 25 more. as long as it stays in the family 25 or 75 lease doesn't make much difference.

I tend to agree too. There does seem to be a lot of off topic subjects, but then again, we need to socialize as well as helping. Remember it pays to have friends. I do find a lot of the posts entertaining. The moderators do a good job in keeping it on track. As long as they keep the advertisers from posting and ruining it, I'll keep reading.

I'm sorry to have to agree with you. But no, I'm not volunteering to be a moderator, my Globelines phone was just restored after another 5 day outage. The moderators are probably overloaded with the sheer volume.

The tone of this list has changed in the month or so since I have not been able to log-on regularly. I see more than a few off-topic messages, even long-term threads that would not have made it past the censors two months ago. Flames too! Something's changed......I'll not comment on better or worse. Just trying to find what's happened. What did I miss? Is the list no longer moderated?

make sure you have a legal lease in your name for a specified amount of time. It has happened where a couple has broken up and the foreigner lost everything. In one case it took the family less than 24hours to take his house (new) away from him. Get your own attorney.

KM,On your question if FILIPINA lie a lot? definitely not it depends to a person we are not talking only to PILIPINOS but of all races. Lie is a lie no matter your motivations are good or bad when i was a kid my mother told me that liar will go to hell and i keep that in mind. Every individual has their dark past ( if someone not he is lucky ) being a woman who was raise by poor family and lacking many things in life the only thing we have is the dignity and and principles to live with. I myself was a victim of difficult circumstances in life no higher education and poor. But i am proud of being me because i never cheated anyone to make a living for me honesty is the best policy. My biggest fear is to look at the mirror and see my reflection as a different person. I am married to my husband but before decided to continue to correspond with him i struggle myself to tell him everything that he has to know because i wanted him to accept me as who i am. Telling him my childhood everything. And now we are living together happily. This issue couldn't base in historical perspective but it is base to a person's individuality. The more you lie the more you become a different person. You created a ghost that haunted you and only truth could set a person free that is based on the bible and that's true. Every one could play their own game but in the end they will be the loser. It's up to you if you could live with her lies, for me it is better to tell the truth and lose him rather than to lie and to keep him for i was just deceive myself. Ask yourself if you could still trust her and love her in spite of her traits. Somebody could have a multiple personality just to be somebody who she wants to be. Only yourself could find an answer to your question. A good relationship is being true to each other sharing with each other fears,weaknesses and support.

I believe you are correct. Math was never my strong point and it was late, excuses, excuses :) Anyhow that's even worse than I thought then. 11.4 cents per KWH where it's suppose to be chear and 6.62 cents per KHW here in Tulsa. Explains my high electric bills. Twice as high in price and twice as bad of service. I even had to buy my own meter when it burned out. The builder said the first one they gave us was rebuilt, not new.

Here in NJ, electric was 10.1 cents per KWH in 1990 (last time I paid a bill), which I thought quite high. Based on what I read in RP and on the boards over the past 2 years, I just round it up to 10 cents per KWH when calculating my dream retirement (or usually just $100 per month, as I will use AC to some extent). After all, at this stage, It's still a dream, no sense taxing th brain too much, LOL.

Perry is not a liberal, it's worse, he's a ;foreigner LOL, and worst, he is one who was raised in a free society, so he has no qualms about speaking his piece. I don't think Perry was bashing America , just correcting some poor American's myopic view of history. (I am, however, as American as Dad, Apple Pie and New Jersey.) That being said, this thread is probably waaaay off topic and has run it's course; what do you all say about dropping the topic and getting back to items pertinent to ;Living in the Philippines ;? I'm game.

I was thinking the same thing. I lived there 2 years before I finally broke down and bought a heater for the shower. I like my hot shower in JAN/FEB, the rest of the year hardly use it.

It seems to me too many of us can't get away from our ""old world"" mind set. Warm summers, but cold winters. Here in the P.I. it's warm all year long, day and night (comparatively). I worry about air conditioning costs... but I wouldn't worry that much about heating water.

Ya can grits in the RP & I'm sure you can make your own biscuits. I believe some said there is a Cajun restaurant in Cebu a while ago, or mabe it was Manila. We'll all miss Walmarts. Tacloban Leyte is getting an SM at last I hear from the relatives. Give Gaissano a little competion.he Philippines - maybe its all legit.. what does everyone else think? Does it even matter?

Hello everybody, this might be in the extensive archives but I couldn't find it. I'm going to Cebu soon and want to bring my camcorder. I know the battery won't last for four weeks, so I was wondering if I should buy an electrical converter here or wait till I get there. Thanks for your advise.

Hello again Group: Question to all the retired military living in Cebu, I have some bank questions, you can post on site, or email privately it does not matter. 1. Will DFAS deposit in bank in PI? 2. Is it better to keep in US and use ATM? 3. Does the VA also do direct deposit for disability payments? Those 3 just come to mind, any and all input would be appreciated, I know I need to make sure I'm on Tricare Standard, and that I can use the VA in Manila if needed (I'm sure to get some sort of disability rating both legs have been broke twice from jumps,1 gunshot wound, and open heart surgery, single by-pass) Not bad for a 22 year career huh? Thanks in advance!