Dear Poor Speller from Cunaduh, if the investment capital is over US$500,000 then you don't need 60% local content, same goes for some businesses under that amount, dependant upon industry. Transportation, defence related businesses and so on are protected this way. As for the big foreign firms, many operate in special economic zones where they enjoy certain privileges not available elsewhere in the country. We all know that foreigners cannot own more than 40 percent of a buissness in the philippines. I guess marriage to a filipina is one answer. Well how do companies from Japan open up factories thier then? Thier must be a loop hole were foreign companies that are a corporation can own factories thier or invest more easily. Does anyone here know how they do it? Also the biggest diffrence between a g 7 nation and a third world nation is investment capital, and capital in general. Here in Canada we love when the American or Japanese open up a factory or buissness here, coz it means more jobs and capital. If the Philippine goverment allowed more outside investments and buissnessesn would that not create capital and jobs thier? Seems that most people from philippines would love to have a job of some sort and slowly they could progress from thier.Here in Canada we loved people coming from Hong Kong coz they had money and created jobs. One requirment we had is that they invest at least $300,000 before we would let them in to be invested toward a buissness of some sort. Many area's of Canada bommed coz of it. This seems the exact opposite to the logic the philippine goverment is taking. How will the philippines ever become an industriled nation with no capital or foreighn investments? Don't you think this law is hindering the develpoment of Philippines economically? I can see not owning large parcels of land for good reason, but owning a buissness or a few lots is maybe one reason the philippnes might have a hard time to find jobs for all it's citizens or develope more in the future. I for one would open up a buissness and spend $ thier if I could, and it would create jobs and help thier economy. Some jobs are better than none at all right? What do you all think?

I travelled over seas today, from Malapascua to Maya and it was fine. Not scared at all. If I had the money I would travel the world, never have security measures been tougher. I flew to the Philippines right after 9/11 last year and felt very safe. On my next trip in january all the poor sods flying to the states had to walk past the guards carrying their shoes! What a joke! There wasn't a male, 18-45 of Middle Eastern appearence amongst them, but two old WW2 veterans and a rather shifty looking Filipina Nun got extra attention! Like I said before, front line? you are standing in it. Get used to that and move on.

i have no doubt that you have the best intentions in helping our filipino nurses and i salute you for your honorable kindness. it is not illegal to help them come to canada and work as long as they are processed through the legal means which i think you did in bringing the more than 30 nurses to canada . on the other hand, there has been numerous cases where abuses by licensed and unlicensed agencies in the philippines becomes widespread that made the POEA more firm in applying the guidelines. reading POEA rules and regulations governing the recruitment and employment of land-based overseas workers (http://poea.gov.ph/docs/POEA%20Rules.pdf) especifically part II (licensing and regulation) rule IV (recruitment outside registered office) and rule VII (advertisement for overseas jobs) will guide you more about the recruitment business in RP.

I too wish we didn't have to go thrpugh a cattle inspection process, Bruce. It's truly a shame that our US governement won't gte at the root of the problem (the Saudis IMHO), but, that's politics and not likely to change. I will say, however, that having flown several times recently, I am very impressed by the attitude and courtesy of the new TSA secuity forces. Gone are the national guard and the maybe can/maybe can't speak English illegals and parolees our airlines had been staffing security checkpoints with. The new folks not only treat a person wiht courtesy, but they go out of their way to help.. as the TSA guy on break at SFO who took the time to show Mita and I where the smoking area was, even though he was a non-smoker. He could have as easily said 'I dunno' or 'go outside and come through security again' (after all, that would have been job security for him, diba?) But he treated us like we were the reason the airport, airlines and the TSA were there. Hope the trend continues, it certainly makes a necessary evil much more palatable.

What really frightens and angers me is my ability to be rude, crude and sarcastic to the hired help at the US airports who want to scan and prod my bod before I board their plane for a trip to RP. I think the word humiliation is apt here. If anything would put me off a trip to my ""second country"" it is the fear based, terror gripped mindset of US airport employees and the gun-toting National Guard. I'd rather see a dozen relaxed, smiling Filipino security guards holding shotguns in front of a 7-11 in Cebu anyday. Since fear and anger are really one in the same, I'll have to summon up some compassion and tolerance for those who want to help make Sure my trip is a safe one. And give myself a good dose of it as well.

If anything would put me off a trip to my second country it is the fear based, terror gripped mindset of US airport employees and the gun-toting National Guard. I'd rather see a dozen relaxed, smiling Filipino security guards holding shotguns in front of a 7-11 in Cebu anyday. Since fear and anger are really one in the same, I'll have to summon up some compassion and tolerance for those who want to help make Sure my trip is a safe one. And give myself a good dose of it as well.

My answer is definitely *no*! Once *we* give in to terror, we become the cattle. We are then led down the cattle chute, into the slaughter house. Or, worse case ... prisoners in our own homes. People tend to believe it's sooo safe living in the US. Well, the incidents in recent history has proven to us that we aren't all that safe here either, now are we? People, for some strange reason, thought ""it"" couldn't happen here. They couldn't have been more wrong. Unfortunately, this is why we (a lot of us anyway) choose not to travel inside the states, much less outside now. Me? I ain't lettin' noooobody stop me from doin' what imma gonna do. I ain't gonna let 'em stop me from livin' where imma gonna live neither. I truly look forward to my trip over to the Philippines. I have had a deep affection for it, since I was there last. I have missed something inside ever since leaving. I will get that back though ... very soon.

I'm from the UK and thinking of moving to the Philippines either for a long term ""mid life break"" or possibly permanently if I like it and things work out for me. I obviously intend to travel and spend several months in the country before deciding if I really want to move to the Philippines and if so, where to live. I am thinking of travelling in the new year or spring. Although I've never visited before, what attracts me to Philippines in particular is the low cost of living, climate and widely spoken English. I also understand that the country is pretty safe and the Philippino people are generally very friendly and hospitable. I have no real desire to live in a commercial area of a big city, but since I would be going on my own so would want to live somewhere on the coast, not too isolated, including a western expat population, within walking distance of local bars and restaurants, and preferably with cheaper rent and lower general living costs than big cities. A medium to large sized town, or near the outskirts of a city might be ideal. I will not have a job as such, but I will need reliable daily internet access from home to manage my investment income (I realise DSL is only available in certain areas of big cities, so in most towns I guess I would have to rely on dial-up internet access, or satellite if I could afford it). I would plan on living on $10,000 USD/year max including rent for a modest apartment, if that sounds realistic? Can you please suggest places I should consider visiting that might fit my requirements? Any other useful advise would also be very welcome.

Cathay has better food, movies,(your choice of movies ) different music ( also your choice ) tv screen on the back of the seat in front of you, sound by wire, not an air tube. You don't have to go outside from one terminal to another to change planes, I fly Cathay most times & love it, Flew PAL in Oct. & hated it ! If i didn't have to go to Manila i would have taken Cathay !!! PRICE---- sometimes cheaper on Cathay, sometimes NOT ! Also once you get into the domestic termanal, past all the check points in Manila there no restrooms, so if you gotta go ! then you gotta go thru the checkpoints again NO FUN !

I was thinking not WAS thinking of setting up a business in Cebu a very small one to start, employ a couple of locals and then build a business based on putting all the profits back into it and employ more locals. BUT I do want control of the business as it is my capital that is being used and I need to make sure we do not end up in a situation where ""partners"" are ripping off the workers as I understand is the case so often in the country. So what is the way around it, the business would be Internet Based and small manufacturer and distribution... any thoughts would be welcome. /p>

I did look at the posts from a few days before but I was hoping to see if anyone had a specific place in mind. I looked at the web site in the previous post, my fiance is currently doing her internship in Ormoc so she won't be in town to look for herself, but my american freind is there still for 2 more weeks he might be able to check out some places for me. This idea came about after I left Cebu, so I didn't have a chance to look myself, I figured since I will be bck in March the apartment would cost me about the same as the hotel for the 3 months as upposed to what the hotel will cost me for my one month, thanks for the replies, I'd appreciate any help the group can give. Hopefully I can be part of one of your get togethers when I am there in March.

I have searched the archives but unable to find anything about renewing a visa. I know that I had read about it before but could not find it. My filipino wifes visa expires in a couple of months. We will have to get it renewed prior to our next trip to the RP. I live in Texas. Can someone tell me how to go about getting it renewed?

What kind of a visa are you asking about, a US visa for your wife or something else. If your wife has a US visa, what kind is it? This list does not discuss US visas much, because that's not what this group is about. If you are asking about US visas, email me at: rbacon@midtown.net and I will try to answer your questions.

Ignorance is bliss"" wonderful saying that. B4 September 11th US was in freedom heaven. If it take being searched, prodded and ""endoscoped"" to get an a plane so be it. Look at the Israelis since the 70's they had good tight security. I was impressed with Manila airports security, I was searched 6 times going from the entrance to the plane, all with smiles and giggles. We are going to the US soon and I will get through LAX (when I get there) and be pleased they are doing their job. I figure what keeps the Filipina in line is the fear of ,,,,, jail. I have been told it is not the Hilton to be in there. Hey travelling today is more exciting than sitting at home being a couch potato and thinking like EEYORE (that's the donkey in Pooh bear). Just as a foot note wonder if there is statistics to show crime within the US has dropped at all since 9/11?? (Just curious) That's my bit

Thanks for the e-mail. Unfortunately as there have been problems in the Philippines all airlines have cut their number of flights. I have checked availability with Qantas, Singapore, Malaysian, Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines and have had no luck getting anything other than Business class seats. If flying business class is an option just let me know and I can start looking at prices.

just finished catching up the various threads here and read something about Angeles City...well I was there last saturday to attend a friend's wedding...same old look...lots of foreigners even during the day...never saw it during the time of the US bases though and about Pampanga questions, I'm not from there but I find it just like my home in Laguna...have many friends also from there but now living here in Metro Manila...generally peaceful and quiet but always better to take care.

Thanks for the e-mail. Unfortunately as there have been problems in the Philippines all airlines have cut their number of flights. I have checked availability with Qantas, Singapore, Malaysian, Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines and have had no luck getting anything other than Business class seats. If flying business class is an option just let me know and I can start looking at prices.

What a joke! That poor bloke is incarcerated, had his head shaved and is only eating through the kindness of your wife and a friend.Like I said before, I would never work there but I understand the lure of the money for Filipino's. None I know who have worked there have much that is good. Mar is still being detained at the ""Kings pleasure"". He is OK and being visited regularly, but he has now had his head shaven. My wife, Neng and her friend Lorna (one of the other Filipinos who live on the compound) has sent cooked food and drink to him. He would otherwise have to pay for his food whilst in prison. This is a little difficult as he is not receiving any salary from his employer because he is not at work! More information has come out about the arrest. The police were accompanied by officers from the Immigration office when making their ""sweep"". The Saudi Immigration are holding his passport at this time. As far as we can tell is going have an ""Exit Only"" visa in his passport and be deported. We anticipate that this will take place in the next day or so as Ramadan is scheduled to finish tomorrow!

You can do it but make sure you are present and keep it small, or get yourself a good accountant. I can suggest one you can call and make your own mind up about. He can handle everything and all will be legit as it really is not worth breaking the laws. They are flexible enough to be bent, providing you do it the right way. Break them and they will take great pleasure in hanging your foreign ass from a light pole on Osmena Circle. Do some research into the culture as some of our well intentioned employee relations concepts bomb here big time. I was thinking not WAS thinking of setting up a business in Cebu a very small one to start, employ a couple of locals and then build a business based on putting all the profits back into it and employ more locals. BUT I do want control of the business as it is my capital that is being used and I need to make sure we do not end up in a situation where ""partners"" are ripping off the workers as I understand is the case so often in the country. So what is the way around it, the business would be Internet Based and small manufacturer and distribution... any thoughts would be welcome..

Many LinP members are RP residents and thus more qualified to answer your question than me. But I can give you a few generalities. There is only one big city, Manila, probably too expensive for your budget. The second largest city, Cebu, has about 500,000 population, including many LinP members who generally seem to like the place. From what I know, your budget would be stretched there, but you could probably find an apartment in the general neighborhood of $300 U.S. a month. It depends on how many western niceties you are willing to give up. For instance, a continuously running room air conditioner would be an expensive extravagance. Other areas with large expat populations include Angeles City and the Olongapo/Subic area north of Manila. Both areas used to have a large U.S. military presence. Both might be as expensive, or even more expensive, than Cebu. There are probably other areas worth looking at. Perhaps other LinP members will weigh in. The list's message archive is searchable. I strongly encourage you to do some research there. There is also some stuff in the files section about cost of living. We have generally concluded that you can live adequately in most parts of the RP for $1,000 U.S. a month, and very well for $1,500. So your budget is a bit low on that scale. On the other hands, millions of Filipinos (and some expats) live on much less than $1,000 a month. But it's a spartan existence by the standards we westerners are used to. You seem prepared to visit the country and do your homework. That's a sound strategy.

I'm from the UK and thinking of moving to the Philippines either for a long term ""mid life break"" or possibly permanently if I like it and things work out for me. I obviously intend to travel and spend several months in the country before deciding if I really want to move to the Philippines and if so, where to live. I am thinking of travelling in the new year or spring. Although I've never visited before, what attracts me to Philippines in particular is the low cost of living, climate and widely spoken English. I also understand that the country is pretty safe and the Philippino people are generally very friendly and hospitable. I have no real desire to live in a commercial area of a big city, but since I would be going on my own so would want to live somewhere on the coast, not too isolated, including a western expat population, within walking distance of local bars and restaurants, and preferably with cheaper rent and lower general living costs than big cities. A medium to large sized town, or near the outskirts of a city might be ideal. I will not have a job as such, but I will need reliable daily internet access from home to manage my investment income (I realise DSL is only available in certain areas of big cities, so in most towns I guess I would have to rely on dial-up internet access, or satellite if I could afford it). I would plan on living on $10,000 USD/year max including rent for a modest apartment, if that sounds realistic? Can you please suggest places I should consider visiting that might fit my requirements? Any other useful advise would also be very welcome.

I've posted this item before with not much of an informative response . Hopefully I will receive one this time. I appreciate all the imput you can provide . . . I'm planning on retiring to Leyte next year. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana USA and the weather is very close to the PR during the summer months. . . hot and humid . Most of us in this area have central air conditioning systems which are installed when houses are built. This is more cost efficient than the window units. I'm planning on building a new house in Leyte . Does anyone have a source for central air conditioning in the PR ? I can't wait to move to the PR and to meet some of you !

Yeah thanks Perry, I thought there might have been some bargains. I spoke to Eileen tonight and she agreed nothing will keep the Pinoys from going back to the family for Christmas,,, not even terrorists. Our plan is to leave Aussie land about April,, so we will stick to the plan.

I live in Bogo in northern Cebu, close to the water and with a few amenities including dial up internet via the landline. My house is new and small but cosy and rent is P2000 a month. Electricity with aircon on when we want it but never all day every day and it is about P1000, water P100 and cable tv P350 including BBC, HBO, ESPN etc, phone easy P5000 with heavy internet use at P33 an hour. A tank of petrol is about P700 and if the car is going I can put several a month in if travelling to Cebu, otherwise a bus to Cebu is P72. Food is expensive, especially if you want western luxuries like cheese,, bacon, butter and so on. We spend about P5000 a month, maybe more as I am not sure. All up it costs us easily P25,000 a month to live a comfortable life here, say US$500.I don't drink heavily, beer is P13-15 a San Miguel, or gamble at all or visit girlie bars where you can spend P4000 easily. I do have a banca I bought for about P40,000, currently leased to a fisherman. At first it will cost more as you buy stuff and appliances and so on, but then it tapers off and gets quite affordable. I bought a new Lifan 105cc Super Tourer motorcycle for P38,000. If buying a car I would advise a rugged pick up and buy new if you can, anything second hand is usually sad as the Filipino has no concept of regular maintenance bar a few educated city folk who can afford drivers. We have a small piggery on the folks land that brings in maybe P12000 a month, our share, plus the same from the fisherman, and soon hopefully more as other ventures bear fruit. We bought a 2000sqm block of land for P75,000 and hope to palnt mango trees, should be worth P2M a year in five years. Be careful where, how and with whom you invest your money or loan it out. Jeepneys, trikes and anything mechanical will send you broke fixing it as they don't know any better on how to care for it. Family can be your worst enemy and biggest drain, but I am fortunate with mine. Pawn shops, loan sharking and so on offer good returns but you need locals to do the work and you will always be chasing the bad debts. You really need to accept the average person out of the cities does not speak English as widely as proclaimed, but learning the lingo is fun. Accept they are poor drivers and suicidal maniacs to us because they have never been properly trained to drive. Accept they will say yes so as not to offend or upset you when the answer is no. Phrase questions to give them a way out ie; don't ask for something, ask if there is something available, ie; mayroon coke rather than gusto ko coke; it saves a long wait and eventual disappointment. Accept this is a very foreign culture to ours, despite the lip service paid via English signs everywhere and the almost manic belief anything American is better. It is very very different and not what it seems. Above all else, never lose your temper or yell at people or show up their lack of education or sophistication (by western measures). FInally, remember very few of the things that happen are caused by any malicious intention whatsoever. They really are a wonderful people with a rich culture and heritage, very warm and generous and considerate in their own way. Once you understand their way you will love this place. Don't fight it, go with the flow and always remeber just because they can't speak English or you can't understand them, they are not stupid. They are resourceful and amazing in many ways, but never apply western logic or standards to them, they are not westerners, they are Filipinos. Proudly Filipino. If you want more discussion, email me off list any time. Steve, Iloilo City and environs seem to me to meet most of your requirements. You may want to add it to your itinerary

Actually, from all sources I have researched, space air conditioners may be more cost-efficient than central air conditioning, and you might want to consider that direction. For upscale homes in the US, space air conditioners have never been the norm in the US because of the variables involved with separate units for each room, etc., but in Japan the other extreme is found with new residential construction (space air conditioners). Given that electricity is such a high-cost item in the RP, the rate being almost as high as in the US, you may want to reconsider your preference for central air. /p>

Central air in a residential application would be difficult in the RP. Mostly because it's not considered the ""standard."" Here in the US, it's cost effective because of the pre=fab materials like soft ducts, plenums, cans and supply/return registers. To put central AC in the philippines, you have two choices, import residential materials in or design your system to commercial specs(square hard duct). Either way, you'll have a hard time finding a contractor to install it the way you want it. The equipment isn't much of a problem because Carrier and York have branches in the RP. Your best bet is to install the Japanese designed ductless split systems. They are much quieter and more efficient than the window shakers. Sanyo and Koppel are quality brand names available in the RP.

Sorry I requested info on visa when I meant passport. She has her Philippine passport that expires in March. We will not be going to the PI before then so have to get it renewed in the states. Need to know how.

We've made it back from the RP safe and sound yet feeling a little homesick when we touched down in SFO. Pretzel and I both have a feeling of emptiness being back in the states. We wish June was here and we're on our way back to the RP stay for good. We had a great time meeting many of the Cebu based LinP members. We especially enjoyed the company of Dave and Sha Sha even though our time with them was short. My good friend Robbie Davis and wife Maricar did a wonderful job showing us around to areas we've never seen before. Of all the trips to Cebu, I've never seen the Labangon/Pardo areas. We fell in love with the area and feel this is where we will live. Robbie took me to his Mandaue Rotory Club meeting to meet the movers and shakers of Cebu which hopefully he'll sponsor me when we arrive. While apartment searching we found many fully furnished apartments for less than 20k a month. Some below 10k. It doesn't appear being caucasion means higher prices in this particular market. In fact, we learned as a foriegner, we're much more likely to get a lower than asking price. For example, at the Aurora Towers, we looked at a 2 bedroom furnished apartment that we were quoted 22k per month. Before we were even finished looking around the property mgr said we could have it for 20k per month. About an hour after we left the building, she called us and said the owner would be willing to take 18k per month because we were foriegners. I'm pretty sure with some negotiating, we could have had it for 15k or maybe less. This seemed to be the norm for everything we looked at. My dad had a great time and at 60, was surprised how many young girls wanted to get to know him. My goal was to show him Cebu as a place to consider future retirement and that mission was accomplished. I've noticed two particular areas around Cebu that have become absolutly disgusting. When we took dad to Colon St to see the Church, he was almost mugged by four men. Fortunately, I saw what was going on and scared them off but I think he was seconds away from having his pockets emptied at knifepoint. The other area is Mactan island. Mactan used to be cleaner and safer than Cebu when I first started coming to the Phipippines. Now I liken Mactan to the plains of Africa where only the strongest animals survive. The only safe places in Mactan are inside the beautiful upscale resorts. Outside the resorts, there are thieves everywhere, tricycle drivers demanding 125p for a ride, taxi drivers claiming meters aren't used in Mactan, restaraunts tacking on ""cooking charges"" for the food they prepare and bringing extra beverages when you tell them ""no"", thugs following the foreigners around...It's really sad these two areas, with so much history, have become so bad. In closing, we had a great time and as always, our time there was too short. As I sit in front of my computer writing this my only thoughts are on returning to the RP.

Cash is good and bring the bigger bills from $20 up.... ohhh remember to keep them neat (not crumpled) since most banking institutions say that the machine cannot read the security threads of damp and crumpled ones. A lot of the malls have their own currency booths in their customers service dept so that won't be a problem...I can email you the ones located near The Pen where you will be billeted... (TIP: Banco de Oro/Shoemart has the highest exchange rate... they go just 0.03 less than the prevailing rate).

last time i carried ""am express"" i had to pay to get them had to go to three different places to cash them, and by the time i was thru it had cost me $50.00 i'm not sure what exchange you will get for pound notes, but may be best to try and get $100.00 bills US while still in the UK.

Contact your nearest RP consulate. The renewal can be done by mail, but follow their instructions to the letter. If you live within commuting distance of an RP consulate, you can probably ensure better service. Start the process immediately. One should always have a passport with at least 6 months time left when travelling.

Get new, crisp, U.S.$100 notes. They will get the best exchange rate and will be accepted everywhere. $50 and $20 U.S. dollar notes are also accepted almost everywhere, but $100 dollar bills are the preferred currency by ALL money changers. Avoid crumpled, torn, or stained notes. The money exchange booths will always ""deduct"" for them.

Anywhere in the Asia-Pacific region it is extremely rare to find central A/C in a residential home. The most cost-efficient air cons are the split-type units. They are quiet and their EER is much better than window type units. The purchase price is quite a bit higher but you save it back on your power bills.