Anyone know of a way to get to the PI on a ship? It doesnt even have to be a nice ship. Dont some cargo ships carry a few passengers? I am just thinking if the time ever comes to move over, I would love to go over on a ship...even if it is like the old Bogart movie type ships. Surely be able to take more stuff with me.

By cargo ship, is a nice way to travel, I don't know if the old rusty steamers are that nice though... When I moved to the states from Finland in the mid seventies (the dark ages). I did it on a cargo ship. It was made possible through some inside contacts at the shipping line. I had to travel as a member of the crew, special assistant to the chief cook or something like that, to avoid passenger surcharges for the ship at the ports we visited. But I lived for three weeks in the owner's quarters, like a one bedroom luxury suite, ate like a king at the captain's table, put on 15 pounds of weight (fat), it was a trip I will always remember. You may want to check directly with some of the shipping companies traveling between US and Asia. Also check with the foreign companies, their rules are often more relaxed that the US owned ones. That does sound like one for the books, Pete. What a trip that must have been! I have a thought, maybe worthless, but something that crossed my mind. I believe men over 50 or more are very much in demand for recreational ship cruises that are populated by wealthy widows who primarily for ballroom dance partners since there are no hubbys to dance with. I think besides being able to dance a little, you have to be breathing, in and out. Jack Lemon and Walter Mathieu starred in movie with this as the setting. I wonder if you could get an ""around the world trip"" and terminate it at the first Asian stop, or Manila. Most of these go out of Florida and NYC I believe. But I am sure LA and maybe some others have their share.

Leases are marginally enforceable in the US if the tenant has no minimal assets. In the Philippines, financial obligations have a bigger importance and people can get in trouble for not meeting legal financial obligations. Foreigners, in my opinion, are fair game. You really haven't given very specific information, however, about the lease. Is it for an apartment or house, or business? Normally, a lease does not give the tenant any right to sell the property. In the US, a land-sale contract might, but they are questionable docs here. A lease with option to buy is just that, a lease.

Sorry if the question was unclear. I was referencing a situation where you would have a lease from the owner of the property on paper!!! Your wife or husband! I am being told this is common practice to protect your interest as a foreigner. Sorry if I offend anyone but like I said this was suppose to be a fairly common practice. Your question isn't specific, but I'll try assuming that your question is that the lease you are speaking of was signed by a Philippine citizen you are married to or living with and your relationship hypothetically goes south, what is your standing on the lease? In this case, none. You as a foreigner have a right to enter into a lease agreement yourself and if you have, your relationship is irrelevant. The situation would become murky if you both have entered into a lease jointly, but chances are that you would still be out. You as a foreigner have no rights of ownership to property, so you have no rights in it's sale. I hope I've answered your question...

I understand what you are saying, Earnest, I believe. For instance if you buy a house and lot here it really belongs to your wife. So maybe you feel you can lease it from her for 50 years. If you have a problem with her you want to know if you can sell the lease, I believe. That sounds logical. But one of the elements of a contract is ""consideration."" To make a good lease contract with her you would have to pay her for the lease. A token payment of a few pesos would probably not hold up in court. The courts would immediately see it as a way to circumvent the law of non ownership of property by foreigners. Not being a Filipino citizen you may not get the kind of court decision you would like from the judge. But you can bet the attorney representing you, probably the one who drew up the invalid lease contract for you would assure you that you would win, if you paid him up front. You maybe may be asked to pay the judge too. But don't count on prevailing. My bet would be the wife gets the house anyway, no mater how many hoops you jump through. I do believe if you leased the property from the owner and paid fair market value for a 50 year lease you could resell that lease certainly if there was a provision to do that in the lease or maybe even an absence of a prohibition. Since the owner of the property would be the maker of the contract the contract his lack of including a prohibition would be construed as permission to sell the lease, I believe. This is legal advice from a layman, worth what you paid for it. Maybe someone sees it differently and with better authority than just a guess. as mine is.

YOU MAY BE MARRIED TO A FILIPINA IF...(written by an American guy who loves his Filipina wife in spite ofthe numerous ""irregularities"")* Your refrigerator is always full but you cannot find any food that you recognize * Instead of a dowry, you got the whole bill for thewedding and honeymoon* Most of the decorations in your house are made of wicker* You are expected to be able to read her mind just by watching hereyebrows move up and down and which way her lips are pointed* All her relatives think your name is Joe* The instant you are married you have 3000 new close relatives thatyou can't tell apart* Your house isn't really on fire, but there is a very charred fishright on top of the stove burner* All the desserts are sticky and all the snacks are salty...* She eats her fruit with giant salt crystals and her fried chickenwith ketchup* Even the ketchup tastes weird... very weird* You throw a party and everyone is fighting to chop the leathery skinoff a dead pig* All your kids have 4-5 middle names* Your in-laws take 10 years to acknowledge your existence and to callyou by something other than ""that white guy""* You try to call her up on the phone and someone tells you ""for awhile"" and you want to know ""for a while, what??""* You are trying to go to sleep and she keeps asking for thecomFORT'r, and you ain't got a clue what she's talking about* Your first Christmas present is some funny looking baggy see-thrushirt made out of leftover lace doilies* Your phone bills are all international and average 3 hours per call* She sweeps with something that witches usually fly around on* Her idea of classy, expensive champagne is Asti Spumante* The rice cooker is on 24 hours a day and uses up 50% of yourelectric and food budget* On your first trip to the Philippines, you have 18 giant boxes thatweigh 1000 pounds each and your ""carry on"" luggage requires a smallforklift truck * The same luggage is over filled with things that cost an average of15 cents each like old magazines and M&Ms -- the worst part is whenyou get off the plane, the same stuff you've been hauling around halfway around the world is available in every store in the airport forhalf the price!* All her pajamas look like they were worn by the Dalai Lama untilthey got too faded* The first time she's pregnant you have to go out at 4:00 in themorning looking for some weird type of greasy sausages* You buy a new _500 freezer so she can store 200 pounds of SPAM thatwas on sale* Everything in your house was bought on sale, even if you don't needit ..as long as it was a ""bargain"" is all that matters* She gets really excited by sucking the fat out of pig knees* Your daughter gets her ears pierced when she's 2 minutes old butyour sons are not circumcised until they turn 21* All your postage bills instantly double* You hire a Ya-Ya because your wife thinks you clean mirrors withsoap and a sponge and the Ya-Ya seems cheaper than a divorce* The only ""white meat"" she likes is You, and that's if you're lucky* Her favorite sauce is called ""patis,"" Americans call it turpentine* She actually thinks that bowling and golf and billiards are realsports and are more important than baseball and football* You were married 5 years before she explained to you that ""ARAY!""doesn't mean ""ooh, baby!""* She prefers bistek to beef steak* Her idea of new upholstery is rinsing the bagoong stains out of theslip covers * She can eat and talk at the same time, in fact that's her specialty!* She thinks that the American National Anthem is The Macarena* Her favorite meal is leftovers, her favorite fancy dessert is Jellomold and for something REALLY romantic, she'll offer you a halo-halowith 2 straws * You still don't know what's the difference between manong and manok* She and the kids are always saying ""Daddy made utot"" and you stilldon't know what it means but they think it's pretty funny* Other than eyebrow raising and lip puckering, her next mostexpressive form of communication is grunts and pssst's* She goes to the movies just for the AC* Her homeland has more Megamalls than islands* Before every holiday and visit, her sisters fax you a 10 page""bilins"" list which says ""suggestion only""* Your kitchen table has a merry-go-round in the middle* Her race is the only one known to be bigger cheapskates than theJews* All the vegetables she buys at the Filipino store look like theywere grown at Chernobyl* Your in-law's first visit last 6 years* Her friends are named Chinky, Girlie, Boy and Bimbo and you are notallowed to smirk* Her home economics course only taught shopping, eating and siesta;cooking, cleaning and sewing were not electives* Her idea of edifying reading is gossip magazines* All your place settings has the silverware backwards and there areno knives* She washes her hair with a bucket and her car with a broom* Her favorite book (she has 3 copies) is ""1001 New Recipes for PigParts You Were Gunna Throw Out""* You are the only family in a 200 mile radius with 2 Betamaxes, 3televisions * She's done her best job planning a surprise party for you if shemanages not to tell you about it until a week or two before* She ""cleans"" her closet by throwing all the crap into your closet* AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST: You are pretty proud of yourself becauseyou think you snagged up for yourself some unique, rare, tropicalgoddess type until you go to the Philippines and can't tell her apartfrom anyone else in the whole country (unless she's taller than 5'1"",then it's a bit easier)* SPECIAL ENCORE: IT WAS YOUR WIFE'S IDEA FOR YOU TO WRITETHIS CAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY...

You do what you think best, but if such a proposal were placed in front of me I'd be running away from it as quickly as possible!!! No foreigner has control of any property in the RP! It just isn't so. If you wish to ""buy property"" through your wife's name that is one thing, but you must make very certain that the property title is free and the seller is in a position to sell it to your wife. No kind of ""lease"" or contract is going to give a foreigner that right. You may be paying a lot of money for a worthless piece of paper. There are other nuances to property acquisition. For instance, you may not own property, but you can certainly own the bricks and mortar that have been placed upon it. The legal property owner still retains the right to remove your bricks and mortar if he gives you proper compensation, but you may not have any say in the matter. If you wish to cause the owner some headache with a law suit, you may find yourself deported with no say at all. Good luck to you!

If you think it is only foreigners who have a hard time dealing with real property in the PI, consider this... I know a wealthy Filipino in N.E. Mindanao who had me over for dinner at his very lovely home in Dipolog and he told me that 1/4 of his land has been in an ownership dispute and in the courts for 30+ years! He is obviously very intelligent, but is frustrated that despite his clear proof and legitimate docs, he cannot sell it until the challenger has used up all the remedies. Wow.. and I thought things got tied up here in the U.S.! 30 years?? No, until they change the laws, any land you buy in RP is a donation to the 60% owner(s). Resolve to give your wife a big present and then be careful not to p!ss her off! Remember.. a little selos (real or imagined) could be enough not only to lose your wife, but your living quarters! It is not unusual for a mother-in-law to easily turn her poor daughter against her husband for suspicion of infidelity.. hey, Filipinas don't have recourse against a naturized husband, but foreign husbands are an easy target in terms of their visa and real estate ""ownership."" That's why I say.. if you are wealthy enough to donate funds to your wife and HER beneficiaries, by all means, go for it - you can't 'take it with you' anyway. But if you are risking your life savings or lifeline, then you are either more courageous (or crazier) than I am!

I don't want to say anything that will mislead some poor soul about to be separated from his money because of his innocence! The options for foreign ownership's of business or condominiums should not be confused with ownership of property. I'm hazy about beneficiaries of inheritances, but as far as I know there is still no provision for foreign ownership of property regardless. You may own up to 60% of a business (certain kinds) and you may own a condominium unit if 60% or more of the units are owned by citizens (you still have no right to the property it sits on). The laws preventing foreign ownership of land have been in discussion in the senate and legislature for a long time and I think that if changes are made that they will first broaden or eliminate the restrictions of property acquisition placed on returning Filipinos. These restrictions were originally enacted when property acquisition was not allowed to any returning Filipino who had become the citizen of a foreign government. There have been some strong arguments for relaxing this foreign ban of property ownership, to favor and encourage foreign investment for instance, but the forces of isolation are still very strong and that change is not in the foreseeable future IMHO.

You know what? As an alien in such an environment, I don't see the risk going down enough even as a 100% owner in a business venture or real estate. 60% majority ownership is about as valuable as 40% if you have been deported due to being stripped of your visa due to an unscrupulous opportunist or estranged spouse. No, until there is more protection of foreigners, I believe you need to roll the proverbial dice and hope your character judgement of your PI partners (whether business or marital) is dead on target. Not trying to bash the PI, but it is one country that is possibly commiting continued financial self-destruction by subscribing to isolationism. I know it's important for a country to be independent, especially a country like th PI that has been so ravaged by colonialism, but ironically it is the former 'agressors' who may hold the keys to building a better PI. (soapbox off)

Best place in Davao for laptops is YeePeeCom phone 222-9380 and ask for the owner Jay. I have delt with him for years and I am sure he will give you a good deal. Never travel on the ferries, but I hear from others that its ok, specially if you get one of the better cabins. When in Davao drop into Red Knight Gardens in Guadalupe Village Lanang, next to the Grand Regent hotel.

I'm planning to take a trip to Busuanga Island in Northern Plawan this spring. All I really know about the place is what I've seen on the internet. It's in the Calamian group of Islands about half way between the main island of Palawan and Mindoro. Has anyone ever been there, or know anything about the place?? Thanks, Kevin Never heard of Colon in that area but there is a Coron town which is the main town on the island of Busuanga in the Calamianes islands group north of Palawan and very close to Coron town there is also a Coron Island: CORON TOWN is located on Coron Bay on the South East Coast of BUSUANGA Island. Busuanga is the principle island in the Calamianes Group of Islands in Northern Palawan and is located some 150 nautical miles (200 kilometers) North and East of Puerto Princessa Palawan and 150 Nautical miles (200 kilometers) South and West of Manila. There are three main islands in the Calamianes Group: BUSUANGA ISLAND(to the North), CULION ISLAND(to the South) and CORON ISLAND (to the East). CORON TOWN is the commercial, business, and transportation center for the Calamianes Group.Population: 30,000. CORON ISLAND: Coron Island is basically uninhabitted and is reserved for the Tagbuanas (a cultural minority). Other towns on Busuanga island: CONCEPSION: A small town located on the West Coast of Busuanga Island. Connected to Coron Town by road. SALVACION: Second larhgest town on Busuanga Island. Located on the central West Coast. Connected to Coron Town by road. You can go from Manila to Busuanga Island: By plane: From Manila or from Puerto Princesa or from El-Nido: schedule and rates here: http://www.flyseair.com/index.cfm?handler=SchedulesAndFares or here: http://www.asianspirit.com/FlytMain.htm or here: All airlines fly into the Busuanga ""airport"" which is approximately 28 kilometers from Coron town. Open-type jeepney transfer to Coron Town is provided. The ride takes 45-60 minutes and the fare is 150 pesos (USD 3.00) By ferry: Ferry name: Our Lady of Medjugorjie From Manila to Coron: leaves Manila every Friday at 1600 from pier 4, arrives in Coron Saturday at 0600 From Coron to Manila: Leaves Coron Sunday 2300 arrives in Manila Monday 1300 at pier 14 Price: depending on the type of room: from cheapest - 800 , all the way to the most expensive - 4000 More info here: http://www.wgasuperferry.com/passage/sfhome.htm

The banks should be able to easily perform a wire transfer. No checks should be needed. I have wired funds from the US to a Philippine bank and it worked fine.

Philippine banks can issue either a Managers check or Cashier check Don't know the difference between them, but you pay a fee of around P??? then take the check to where you want to deposit the money. Clearance time is about three days. External of the Philippines use the Telegraphic Transfer (Remittance) facility. Fees vary a lot between banks so check with the receiving bank how much they charge. I recommend from overseas the UCPB here in the Philippines, they are always quick, just three working days, and the charge is about P150.

I am from the U.K. but now live in Cagayan de Oro. I have a savings account in PNB LONDON and the same in CAGAYAN DE ORO with an ATM CARD. Withdrawal is up to 20 thousand pesos per day. My U.K. Pension is paid into the London account then transferred to Cagayan de Oro. This normally takes 5 working days and the cost is about 350 pesos. In an emergency the London branch can do the transfer by computer straight into my ATM card and I received the cash within TWO HOURS!!! We have a foreigners club in Cagayan de Oro which meets every Wed morning at Over the Top in Burgos street and any of you are always welcome. Stewart Warden.

anyone know how to send a self-addressed STAMPED envelope to the UK? is there some sort of international reply coupon ? Don sugested buying some english stamps downtown!. Answers quickly, or i'll have to send two english pound coins, and you know how much Those weigh!

You say that you can bring more than $10,000 into the PI, ""if you report it"". Are there any fees that have to be paid if you bring in more than 10K, or is it just a formality???? Thanks, Kevin There are several options available to you. There is no need to carry large sums of cash into the RP unless you really want to. And to US citizens; yes, you can carry sums in excess of $10,000 if you report it! I don't know about being able to open a RP bank account from the UK. It can be done in the US because we have several banks here with branches in the RP (and visa versa). I know that you can obtain American Express traveler's checks in the UK and I'd recommend that as one option for you. They can be easily cashed for good exchange rates at the American Express travel office on the 2nd floor of the Ayala Mall, across from Ginko's. If traveler's checks are a problem for you and you can't open an account in a Philippine bank from where you are, you can still open an account when you arrive with the cash you are carrying. If none of these options are convenient, you might also try carrying an ATM card. You will be limited to your bank's daily withdrawal limit and sometimes you may have difficulty finding a machine that works with your card, but this has also become a popular method. Happy trip!

You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. But if it's more than $10,000, you'll need to report it to Customs. Ask the Customs officer for the Currency Reporting Form (CF 4790) (PDF). The penalties for not complying can be quite severe. ""Money"" means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coin currently in circulation, currency, traveler's checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

So you are saying there are no penalties, it's just a matter of letting the authorities know how much money you are bringing into the country?? If this is the case, then you a person would be foolish not to declare more than 10K, with the penilties you mention. Kevin You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. But if it's more than $10,000, you'll need to report it to Customs. Ask the Customs officer for the Currency Reporting Form (CF 4790) (PDF). The penalties for not complying can be quite severe. Money"" means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coin currently in circulation, currency, traveler's checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

None of us would prefer to return to Estatos Unitos, but having US-based credit cards sure helps when shopping on the Internet. December 9, 2001 Ex-Expatriates' Bumpy Returns By HOLLY HUBBARD PRESTON AMERICAN expatriates may need to remember the adage ""Out of sight, out of mind."" Without careful planning, investors who step out of the United States financial machine could find themselves shut out of the system when they move back home. It is a very good idea to keep your credit cards at least one, when you live here. It is hard to get them when you return as the article says. And if you are retired on a pension or other wise judgment proof, nobody wants to give you one. If you have one and don't use it, your limit goes down radically too. I have an American Express I still keep and pay a lot each year for but rarely use. When I was in the States my credit limit was very high because I used it. Now it is down to $2,500. I asked them if they could raise if back up just a bit. They said only if my activity warranted it.

We have been in Manila almost two months now. Our feet are on the ground and we are settling in. Our first impressions were very pleasant because we were staying in the Makati district. After two months our impressions are still pleasant and amusing. We spent two weeks in a lovely hotel until our house was ready and our furniture delivered. That certainly was a break from the real world. We are now neighbors of Clarence Henderson in San Lorenzo village. He and I are meeting for coffee Friday morning. It is in a nice village and we have a great house but do not have a yard. The style is different from an American house, much larger than we would have normally. No complains just an observation. All of my bathrooms work! I do find the daily tasks of errands and shopping quite exhausting. The energy of the city, the crowds of people, and the traffic really wear me down. I am starting to learn to use my helper more efficiently. I have been doing many of my own errands and shopping so I know what is available. Also, I am doing the last minute Christmas shopping. For help, I have an all around maid and a driver. My helpers work Monday through Friday; the maid lives off-site per her request and the driver stays at the house during the week and with his family weekends. Both will work after-hours and on weekends as needed. I have used the maid to baby-sit several Saturdays. Both are on a ""will see"" trial until the end of the month and are both working out well. I am paying them an outrageous amount according to what I have read in the group. But the salary is all-inclusive and they do not get any allowances. I did learn that it is better to negotiate a smaller salary and many allowances. Even though the bottom line is the same, it appears you are giving more. The maid had worked for the Americans who lived in the house prior to us. She knows the routine and I let her run the general housekeeping and laundry, as she desires. I have only occasionally had to offer suggestions or make changes. I am cooking because it is something that I enjoy I do have the maid do the prep work and I leave all the dishes for her in the morning. The maid is restricted from picking up toys in the boys' rooms. They are responsible for their own messes. Yes, I do walk the dog rain or shine. She is a spoiled brat and doesn't like to listen to anyone except me. She thinks the wild cats are the best thing and chases everyone of them off of our lanai. We are living in Makati and are finding it very civilized except for the traffic. Traffic is a bit of a problem and has been the biggest adjustment. Everyone claims it will be better after the holidays. I was really relieved when my car arrived from the states and I could stop relying on taxis. I did find that taxis were a good way to get around and learn the city. I have been too nervous to try a jeepney or bus. I am from small town America. I rode in my first Taxi here. I do drive myself on occasion and feel I do fairly well. Though we did hire a driver just to avoid the hassle of parking. The boys seem to be adjusting very well. The oldest is in second grade and except for the 6:15 am bus pick up is enjoying school and making friends. He is one of three Americans in his class so is making a great variety of friends. He has also made some friends in the neighborhood. Though the neighborhood isn't very supportive of outside play. My youngest is having a harder time adjusting. He is really missing his friends in the states. We just started a preschool program and he seems to enjoy it. I think he will begin to meet some children now that he is in school. Though he needs another activity with just five-year-old boys. My oldest loves the adventure of seeing new things and trying new foods. The youngest is happier closer to home. Sweetie (my poor abused husband Don) is working incredibly long hours. So his adapting is on hold until work is less hectic. He is driving to and from work with an occasional lunch out of the office. He has had a couple of trips out of the city and is dying to go out for pleasure. I am learning where to go for - corn tortilla! I found a source in Quezon City, just today. I am very excited. I am still trying to find someone to take me to the fabric market and China town. All and all I am really enjoying life in Manila. I am embracing being a princess and am looking for a tiara. Though, as expected, clothes off the rack are hard to find and shoes almost impossible, I found a good seamstress. I am starting to get past the fact that I would not draw any more attention if I was in a Xena outfit. The people have been truly gracious and kind. Being a princess aside, the amount of poverty is heart breaking. I received some very good advice from a friend stationed in Jakarta. She told me that because of my hired helpers I would have the gift of time. I can use that time for my own pleasure or I can use it to make a huge contribution to the quality of life for people who have less than I have been graced with. There are many groups in Manila that can always use some extra support. That is my report from Manila. We are ready for company. I have received several invitations to visit from people on the list who live in Manila. I am going to take them up on those offers after the holidays. So watch out here I come.

Thanks for all your messages about wiring monnies to the Phil can anyone tell me what the current interest rate is for monnies held in a Philippines bank Don't forget HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp). They have many branches in the US and some in the Philippines -- certainly Manila and I think I saw one in Cebu but maybe not the smaller cities.

In my opinion, bringing a large amount of cash into the country that has to be declared is not a good idea. I did this once and the declaration process consisted of me having to produce the money to be counted out in the open - just standing at a counter with all kinds of people hanging around who could see how much I was carrying and ogling at it. Counting out the money while trying not to display it too much and at the same time attempting to keep a wary eye on my baggage was nigh on impossible. All very risky and altogether a foolish business. You would be lucky to get to your hotel or wherever without being robbed. Use a bank instead. So you are saying there are no penilties, it's just a matter of letting the authorities know how much money you are bringing into the country?? If this is the case, then you a person would be foolish not to declare more than 10K, with the penilties you mention. Kevin From US Customs regarding money you are ""allowed"" to remove from the country: you ou may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. But if it's more than $10,000, you'll need to report it to Customs. Ask the Customs officer for the Currency Reporting Form (CF 4790) (PDF). The penalties for not complying can be quite severe. Money"" means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coin currently in circulation, currency, traveler's checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

As I understand it, the reason you should declare anything over US$10k, is that you can't take more than that out unless you registered bringing it in. It's just a matter of recording that your brought this money into the country so you're entitled to take it out, if stopped by customs when you leave. As regards opening an RP bank account from UK I opened one with HSBC through their overseas department in the UK with a referral (letter of introduction) from Nat West with whom I hold my main UK account. By the way, for any of you UK citizens resident in Philippines and drawing on a UK pension, per the UK-Philippines Tax Treaty rules you might be aware (or might not) that this treaty states that you are resident where you have a permanent home available to you (if it's both then there are more rules) and only the country of residence can tax your pension. In Philippines there is no tax on pensions.

In my limited experience I've found that in hiring help all is negotiable. I've also learned that for me, it is best to try to pay local rates. Drivers and construction workers get from P3,800 to P5,000 per month. I've had only one occasion to hire household help in Cebu City and all the rest of the time in the province. The common practice seems to be that live in or out, helpers get fed if they are on the premises during a mealtime. For household help I've paid as little as P800 and as much as P1,600 per month. Live-ins get paid a little less perhaps, but their pay depends mostly upon their experience and expected duties and responsibilities. In a couple of cases I've covered their children's extra school expenses and always they and their immediate family's medical and dental. They are expected to work 6 days a week and if they are live-in they get one day off a week (overnight is okay). They can always negotiate for special time off and I might even help them with travel expenses if they have an away emergency. They get holiday bonuses and sometimes a 10% bonus if they've done good work and just for the heck of it. I think the ""extras"" make all the difference in enthusiasm, loyalty and moral.

I have no doubt that I am overpaying by Philippine standards. Though I appear to be inline with other Americans who are working with my husband. I am paying the maid and driver each P7000. So I don't feel to badly about asking for a couple Saturdays now and again. The maid takes lunch at the house and I have been slipping the driver money for lunch when we are out and about over lunch time. They seem to be happy. Though, I am not particulary astute at reading the Filipino psche. I am having a pretty steep learn curve on being assertive and instructing the help on what I would like done. They are both willing to do what I ask. I just need to get over feeling uncomfortable giving instruction. The joys of being from middle America. I will just have to quite polishing my tiara myself and ask for help. The cats occasionally sit on top of the wall and tease the dog. They always escape through the gate. Karika Bridgers - learning the ropes In my limited experience I've found that in hiring help all is negotiable. I've also learned that for me, it is best to try to pay local rates. Drivers and construction workers get from P3,800 to P5,000 per month. I've had only one occasion to hire household help in Cebu City and all the rest of the time in the province. The common practice seems to be that live in or out, helpers get fed if they are on the premises during a mealtime. For household help I've paid as little as P800 and as much as P1,600 per month. Live-ins get paid a little less perhaps, but their pay depends mostly upon their experience and expected duties and responsibilities. In a couple of cases I've covered their children's extra school expenses and always they and their immediate family's medical and dental. They are expected to work 6 days a week and if they are live-in they get one day off a week (overnight is okay). They can always negotiate for special time off and I might even help them with travel expenses if they have an away emergency. They get holiday bonuses and sometimes a 10% bonus if they've done good work and just for the heck of it. I think the ""extras"" make all the difference in enthusiasm, loyalty and moral. As with everything in the RP, your mileage may vary! Subject: Re: About Visa Just to add a little bit to the good visa information already provided by the other Ron, I usually extend my visas for 2 months at a time and so do most of my friends (not only 1 month). This will save you about P500 each time (the so called ""fast lane"" fee, which is collected per visit to the immigration office).

It seems that the process changes almost every year! the first extension used to cost something like P60 when I first began making extensions many years ago, then it went up to P510 and now it's P1,620 (I think). and the expedite fee has risen from P20 to P500. I used to get as many 1 month extensions I needed in one visit and last year they made me come back once a month. Now you say that you can get 2 months at a time? That's much better! The Bureau of Immigration in Cebu has been moved to Mandaue and it seems to take a little longer, longer lines anyway. When they were in the Customs house it seemed that there were very few people, and even less when they moved to the 4th floor of the bank building behind the city hall. They know me by name now, but they are also isolated behind glass. I understand that you can get a travel agent to do it for you too, but I've only done it myself. I'm planning my next visit for March for 2 months minimum, as usual... I'm engaged in an expansion of the store and can't wait to see the results of my over-the-phone design. I know that I'm not going to recognize it! We desperately needed the storage room and I'm adding a room for living space and CR as well. We already have a dirty kitchen, but it will be incorporated into the expansion. Any list members are more than welcome to visit once I get there, but we have no phone service in Mohon and I'll need an advance warning (at least my neighbors will need warning! As an aside, the store is serving our community in ways that I had never intended or thought of when I built it. It serves as a community center now and is the focal point for all of Mohon. From the beginning I've used it to channel funds into various programs I've enjoyed being involved with in the community, mostly scholarships. We sponsor community basketball and volleyball teams and tournaments to keep young people busy. One of the traditions we started when the store opened was to give a small Christmas gift to our regular customers. They amount to about 150 families this year. Since I wasn't going to be there, my manager suggested that we not do it this year because our business is down a little. We have packaged 1/2 kilo of unbroken rice, a can of corned beef, a can of Vienna sausages along with a few candies and soap. I gave her a budget to go ahead with it and as soon as the word was out our business jumped by 20% (Folks wanting to be counted among our ""favored"" customers)! Total budget for this project, P4,000 (about $78). One of the best investments one could ever make IMHO!

I know the question about visa always comes back! But maybe I am stupid but I did'nt yet find what I'm looking for! I'm a french women planning to go to Philippines at the begining of next year. I've founded a caritative french-filipina organization for helping needy children. My problem is : how to get a longstay visa? Here, in France it is only possible to get one just for 59 days...and after? I ask myself if it would be possible to arrive in Phils without visa - just get a 21 days one on the arrival - and pay later when I leave the fees for an overstay (a long one!) Do you think it is possible ? And how could be the charge for that? I have read somewhere that, now, there is no more need to have a return ticket when you arrive in Phils? Is it right? Thanx a lot for repplies

You can get a 59 day visa before you go from any Philippine embassy or consulate for a fee. You can get the standard 21 day visa at the airport when you arrive. I've been traveling into the Philippines every year for nearly 20 years and have never been asked to see a return ticket, but once when I did get the 59 day visa from a consulate they wanted to see a copy of my return ticket. After you arrive and before your visa runs out, apply for an extension. If you are on the 21 day visa your first extension will be for 38 days making 59 total. Before your 59 days runs out you may apply for extensions, one month at a time, for up to a year total. You must then leave. Take an overnighter to Singapore or Hong Kong. When you return you start all over again. If you overstay you will be charged what the extensions would have cost you plus P500 or more. We've heard of Immigration Officers trying to charge P500 per day of overstay. Departing visitors don't have many choices and are vulnerable. I'd recommend that you get your extensions on time. Happy trip!

I know the question about visa always comes back! But maybe I am stupid but I did'nt yet find what I'm looking for! I'm a french women planning to go to Philippines at the begining of next year. I've founded a caritative french-filipina organization for helping needy children. My problem is : how to get a longstay visa? Here, in France it is only possible to get one just for 59 days...and after? I ask myself if it would be possible to arrive in Phils without visa - just get a 21 days one on the arrival - and pay later when I leave the fees for an overstay (a long one!) Do you think it is possible ? And how could be the charge for that? I have read somewhere that, now, there is no more need to have a return ticket when you arrive in Phils? Is it right? Thanx a lot for repplies

Answering to your question : I plan to go to Palawan - South Palawan. I got in touch thru internet with a filipina family in Puerto Princesa. That's why I've decided to begin by Palawan. But before I want to make a ""tour"" around RP for few months, first to have some holidays, then to learn about the filipino way of life...after that I'll decide where to stay! I know well SEA but not Philippines... so it will be a discover and I'm sure it will be great! Be sure that I won't hesitate to give you news from me and my little organisation! P.S. my charity organisation is called ""Nouveau Départ - Bagong Alis"" (New departure or Fresh Start in English)

Just to add a little bit to the good visa information already provided by the other Ron, I usually extend my visas for 2 months at a time and so do most of my friends (not only 1 month). This will save you about P500 each time (the so called ""fast lane"" fee, which is collected per visit to the immigration office).

For Christmas someone gave me a $300 gift certificate at a store that only sells high performance jackets. So I am going to buy a jacket. I want it to be the only jacket I take with me to the Philippines. If you know what the weather is like there, I would like to ask for your advice on which type to buy. It seems I have a choice between a jacket that is more water proof and less breathable; or less water proof and more breathable. If I buy one that is more water proof it will be made out of a material called Gortex, if it is a jacket that is more breathable it will be made out of a material that is 400 times more breathable then Gortex and only half as water proof. Either way it will be what they call a shell, which means it is a thin, lightweight jacket that is completely wind proof. If I need it to be warmer I would just put layers of clothes underneath. Taking into consideration that this will be my only jacket for all seasons of the year, should I be more concerned with getting a jacket that is breathable and therefore not as hot; or a jacket that is completely water proof, less breathable and therefore hotter because my body heat and body moisture cannot escape as well?