You are corresponding with 2 Mikes. You do raise an interesting point that I hadn't considered- a divorce from a foreigner is recognized,""... in the Philippines, though RP law makes no provision for divorce, only annulment. One would reason therefore that when a Filipina who has married a foreigner say in the Philippines- travels to the US, then obtains a US divorce, she may then claim to be not married when she returns to the Philippines. Actually I have consulted 3 Philippine attorneys, Paul. Got 3 varying opinions. My Filipina wife became a naturalized US citizen. Her young Filipino sons became citizens ipso facto. All qualify (by report from the Philippine Embassy in SF) for 13A visas. All of this is fine. We want to adopt the boys. The attorneys we have consulted agree on one point, that the boys cannot be adopted until the marraige between their Filipino mother and father has been annulled through a Philippine civil court. When the marriage has been officially truncated, given that the kids live with us in the US, obtaining agreement by the father for adoption appears not to be a problem. The father who has never paid a centavo in support is resisting annulment proceedings. He doesn't want to be identified as psychologically impaired and he is seeking to hold us up (but we may have to go that route). It occured to me that the new citizenship law may have some broader applications. It may, for example, recognize some foreign civil proceedings that pertain to the person holding dual citizenship. I dunno, just know that I want to have the cleanest skirts possible when I commit to permanent life in RP.

Has anybody tried Traditional Thai Massage? I was driving around the Fuente Osmena Circle in Cebu City a couple of days ago, and noticed a place that did Traditional Thai Massage. Their rates where posted out front - something like P300 for 2 hours, which seemed reasonable to me. From the little I've read on the internet - Thai massage is different than a traditional western massage. ""Some massage procedures are not very relaxing, even painful at times. Certain types of massage can be more invigorating and stimulating than relaxing."" I also saw pictures of Thai Massage pulling and really stretching certain parts of the body. If you have tried this type of massage - do you have any comments or recommendations?

This story has been told many times, but it brings tears to your eyes every time you hear it. The movie, Anak, presents a fascinating view of the Hong Kong OCWs' family sacrifices. WHAT ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU READ IT? i guess most of us on this list are aware of the willingness of the Filipinos to sacrifice, but this is the first time i have read such an article about it. i have to admit that i was blubbering like a baby, but of course, i was in my office alone. i can't even share it with my wife without the same reaction, so i just print it out for her to read. How can anyone concentrate on the faults of the Filipinos when they demonstrate this kind of Human Spirit and Sacrifice. This is exactly what i mean when i say that the ""Filipino is so rich in many ways""

My brother-in-law Boy Parreno is coming to Sama for his nephews wedding. Security is no problem to him as long as the beer flows his nephew is in the military. He is from Lancaster PA anyone want any shoo-fly pie Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Harry & Sally Mong and Family

I think it depends where you live in the US and where you are going to stay in the Philippines. Compared with the dull place I live in Belgium, Manila is a war zone :) During the day safety in the Philippines is not much of a problem but during the night you better stay at home. 1999, my wife went to Ormoc alone and invited some friends to the restaurant. When they left it was already dark and they were driving a multi cab. They were very lucky. The trike that followed them was ambushed by armed robbers. They were stripped of everything they had. The driver even lost his trike.

I don't think she is being overprotective or overly jealous. I think she is being smart. It takes a little while to learn how to operate safely in the Philippines; it may be learning how to protect ones self from common street crime or how to avoid the risk of terrorist threat. For the average visitor to the Philippines, I feel the risk is limited to street crime, but there is always the issue of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. No need to get hysterical over what could happen. I think he needs to respect his fiancée's request, and then illustrate that he knows how to keep his head up and avoid any potential situations. Plus, he will always have a Filipino close at hand who can help him with the language or culture issues that may arise. It isn't a matter of machismo or the fact that he may be irresistible to the opposite sex; it is a matter of being safe and learning a new culture. She cares for him and is trying to look out for his best interests. Here is an interesting thought, would it be an issue of discussion if the table was reversed and it was a non-Filipino woman coming to visit? Would a second thought be given to having her escorted when she left the compound? HMMMM? I am not a feminist, by any means, and I have a halfway decent head on my shoulders. I don't find it odd to go out in the company of my driver; being new here is incredible overwhelming at times.

I'm not a sexist either, but don't you think that a woman out alone at night (or day for that matter) would be more likely to be seen as a potential victim by a criminal than a man? Lets face it, rightly or wrongly, women are thought to be weaker and more vulnerable, particularly in this Filipino society.

Don't be alarmed by your host's need to accompany you. It's a requirement to take good care of guests, especially rich foreign guests! They will most likely go far beyond reason to try to entertain you and keep you happy. So lay back and enjoy the experience. Safety in the RP is like safety at home. Be aware of your surroundings, trust your companion's judgements and don't do anything stupid. Become accustomed to cold water bathing and eating green mangos, longanisa, rice and balute! You are about to have the adventure of a lifetime, so keep your mind open and enjoy! About your knife. I have no idea what a Rex Applegate knife is, but if you take a knife you'll have to pack it in your check-in luggage. I carry a Swiss Army pocket knife myself and find it useful. If you think you need it for defense, then you are making your first mistake! Anything you might carry will be outmatched. So forget about that kind of nonsense and concentrate on having a good time and have a happy trip.

Oh, absolutely, women are seen as more vulnerable here. Just throwing some gas on the fire. Felt like stirring up some conversation. My husband would have a coronary if I just hit the streets without giving him a heads up on where I was going. A woman is considered an easier target and typically is. I know if I were affected by street crime, especially if I had my children with me, I would be devastated. I am from middle-sized town, Middle America. It is an adjustment just learning how to be city smart. I do appreciate the extra care offered to women in this culture

What a great way to express ourselves and learn. The value of this list is ongoing. Ron, surely you jest again. Green mangos, longanisa, and balute?? If this is required for a full adjustment to Filipino culture, I guess I had better stay home. (-: How about jumping salad, chocolate meat, lechon, pigs feet, etc? As for me, I don't partake, and the quite understanding and kind people of the Philippines don't lay that demand on me, and never have. Thank God!! One more reason for loving the Filipinos, and I do!! I resolve to never feel like I am as important as they treat me. As for jealousy, well, I consider it an abberation, unless someone has cheated, lied, or given a reason for it. I believe in honest and open relationships. Trust is a must or life's a bust. The truth will set you free. Without truth, we cannot make intelligent decisions. Real love is unconditional. I'm not a Bible thumper, but even the Bible list's jealousy as a sin. I only insert this info in case someone out there may not already know this and may need an authority higher than me. (-: But, whada wino?

You are lucky indeed. I had one Filipina wife like yours. I another one who would not let me go out alone, but only because she thought I might spend money on something or someone other than her. She had no love for me or for herself. There are all kinds. The one I have now is like yours, in that she loves me very much and herself too. But she trusts my judgment, knows I know the ropes, use commons sense, is not possessive and need my freedom. She still worries, but I make the decisions and she respects that. I respect her and her decisions too. There is compete mutual trust. That has not always been the case. I feel blessed. Karika's post makes a lot of sense. But I think few realize how sought after an old broken down foreigner is some decent and attractive but often poor, young Filipinas here. There is cause to be worried about your man straying, if you are Filipina, even a beautiful one. There is hot and heavy competition for foreign men here. And sometimes a man will stray when a young Filipina beauty comes his way and asks about his availability. Not me, of course, never!

I could not agree with you more Emily would get very upset when I left the house all by myself. She still does not really like me going off by myself since she loves me so much You are lucky indeed. I had one Filipina wife like yours. And I had another one who would not let me go out alone, but only because she thought I might spend money on something or someone other than her. She had no love for me or for herself. There are all kinds. The one I have now is like yours, in that she loves me very much and herself too. But she trusts my judgment, knows I know a few of the ropes, and use commons sense most of the time. She is not possessive and understands I need my freedom. She has trust in me as I do in her, her judgment and her honesty. She still worries, but I make my own decisions and she respects that. I respect her and her decisions too. There is compete mutual trust. That has not always been the case in my relationships. I feel blessed, like you, Nathan. May others be as lucky as we are. Karika's post makes a lot of sense. But I think too few realize how sought after an old broken down foreigner is some decent and attractive, but often poor, heartbroken and need, young Filipinas here. Support and maturity is attractive as good looks to someone who has already had a bad experience with handsome Juan. There is cause to be worried about your man straying, if you are Filipina, even a beautiful one. There is hot and heavy competition for foreign men here. And sometimes a man will stray when a young Filipina beauty comes his way and asks about his availability. But if he is happy at home, he comes home to mama and forgets the momentary lapse, even swearing to never do it again. Or so I have been told. I never experienced it myself, of course!

Make sure your hosts know about what you want to do. They will make it happen. The Philippines is amazingly hospitable. You should be prepared to pick up the tab - but often they won't let you do it, so you might be thinking of gifts to bring. Don't ask what you are eating, before you eat it. The balut, the green mango, the tuba, the dugodugo can all be tasty and fun to eat or drink, if you try it first. You might learn about many new foods and dishes. You will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of FRESH fruits that not only look like fruits, but taste wonderful. Where you are going, and nearly all of the Philippines is SAFE. Kids will be curious about you. Go to observe, listen, have fun, and get to know your fiancée better. You will find lots to do, if you are curious, and everyone will want to entertain you - enjoy. If you are really concerned about what to do - pick up a Lonely Planet book on the Philippines. If you are really interested in understanding what is occurring around you, pick up a Culture Shock Philippines book. You should be able to order both off of my website. Low fares to the Philippines, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, Central & South America. For reservations & a quote E-mail me travelers passport names, ages, dates of travel, city begin in, city going to, & a home phone number. Follow it up with a phone call. Call & visit our website for cruise & tour specials.

Yep, I think Common Sense is my weapon of choice, also. All and All, I do feel safe here and try not to live in a overly protected bubble. I think Jim should respect his sweeties wish, whatever the motivation, and only she knows. It will be like having a letter of introduction wherever he goes. The people in Manila have been very kind to us. I rarely notice when I am almost mashed by a jeepney. I have stopped noticing being observed by the people in a crowd. I find that the Filipino's love my evil, blond headed littlest boy. I suspect the fact that he is a total imp helps. Children really break any ice. I haven't had any problem with Filipinas being attracted to me. My husband finds it amusing when his is approached (that is his story and I am letting him stick to it.) Here is a possible job idea. Many of the Philippine media production companies are looking for voice talent. They are interested in non-accented American dialect. It is one of those things, your voice is right or it isn' t, it is interesting, short term work.

Thanks Karika, we are often asked by our budget traveler guests about any kind of temporary work available in Manila like movie extras etc.so I have saved your message so I can share it with our futureTownhouse Hotel and Boracay Resort guests. When I first came here I know they were seeking foreigners for this voice work and for movie extras. They were paying about 100 per day and lunch, but the peso was 9 to one, believe. Most of the day was spend on set waiting for something to happen. Movies are movies and extras are expected to grin and bear it even in the States, of course. Guys complained that most of the time was spend standing or sitting on the ground: no chairs, little water and occasional beer when they threatened to walk off. And the pay is not so good even in the developed countries even when you belong to the right unions for ""glamour"" work. I had a couple of offers and could have used the money. But it was so little and the days were so long I passed. Just the bus ride to the set was enough to turn me dissuade me, about two hours. . Now that there are few travelers here, there may be more demand. But the movies here have never been very profitable or known for big pay, since they have to compete with Hollywood blockbusters, usually ripped off. Radios and TV get by, but they too have a hard time. They pay less. It may be fun work, if you don't mind Filipino time, showing up for work and being the only one there, and can accept the low pay if you are lucky enough to get paid at all, and enjoy rice, fish and kang kong smothered in soy sauce for lunch. But there are many older male foreigners here, broke, but who don't want to go home and will except any job. When I was here first most were doing it for beer money. Those least in demand, are men my age. I had an Australian male friend, about 50, always broke, living off a Filipina mamasan in a del Pilar street bar. She got him in a movie so he could make a few pesos. He did not speak Tagalog and the movie was 95 percent Tagalog. He played a small part and said very little. What he said and did seemed innocent enough to him. His dialogue was in English. From what he could figure out, he understood he was the kind father of a little Filipina mestisa girl, a child about eleven. He held her hand walking down the street in Manila, mostly on Mabini in Ermita. And he took her to several places there, a drug store, a movie and shopping while the cameras ran. They took pictures of him picking her up in a taxi several times. And then he took her to a set built in the province for more filming. He sang to her, bounced her on his knee in a fatherly way and put her to bed. Later, when the movie screened, he found he had played the part of a pedophile in a fairly popular movie. He had signed all the releases and had no recourse. His foreign friends delighted in his gullibility. With the locals he was constantly in trouble for existing. They all glared at him. He was occasionally threatened, though he had done nothing wrong except failing to be selective about his part, not uncommon for a novice actor. It was a hard way to make easy money. It almost drove him out of the country. Last I heard he was importing ham, a good change from his acting career, safer and more profitable. Teenagers are in the highest demand, blonds in particular, or they were at that time. There are very few here. And the ones who are don't usually need to work because their fathers have decent jobs with international companies. It is hot under the lights and hot under the sun. US movies take a long time to film. Filipino movies, an eternity. There is some demand for young Caucasian children too, I hear, for baby food commercials and such. I guess most of us are too old for that gig. Blond women are in demand for movies. And the Filipino men worship them, especially fat foreign blonds, well fed and prosperous looking.

There is a very good MBA program at the Ateneo Graduate School called Regis. It's accredited in the US also since it's affiliated with an educational institution based in Vermont I believe. Just visit the Graduate School website for details. Another good MBA program is at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City. Agriculture and fisheries related masters are available in other UP campuses. Semesters usually start in June and November. Some schools follow a trimester schedule. Decide on what course you want to take first and see what school's offer them. Then if you think you would like the school's location to become homebase for the duration of your studies. You can then start working on the entrance requirements. These usually include your transcript of records, 2 recommendations and an interview (and sometimes an exam). All universitites will ask for a permit to study in the Philippines, so you will have to work on that too. Some universities charge a different tuition rate for foreigners.

I know you, Joy, have PLDT, DSL. How do you rate it against others. So many are telling me it is still woefully slow, even after the upgrade. Would it be better to have Mozcom instead for speed though the monthly cost if you used it unlimited would be much more? Does anyone have any recommendations. I can recommend straying away from sky. They will not forward your mail when you leave, not for a day and not even if you pay. What kind of business is that? Or is that normal. So many get you in on loss leaders, then once you establish the address the prices go sky high. I hear the Rebel cards are good, too, when on promo and they almost always are.

I'm sponsoring a couple of students in Davao and Cebu, the one in Cebu goes to school in Danao City, pays P14,000 a year. In Davao (if you pay up front, P4,000 at MSU and P8,000 (forgot school's name) per semester. U of San Carlos in Cebu is probably the top of the ""pecking order"" for Cebu Universities; after that, the schools mentioned in a previous post (in Manila) would be the next step up.. It's interesting, but a friend in San Carlos City (Negros) went to elementary (I think), HS and college, all in the same complex, different from what we are accustomed to here.

Maybe frequency does dull the senses! As far as airport transportation is concerned, I've never had a particular problem. Passage through customs does vary a great deal. My worst trip through an airport occurred at Heathrow while transferring from American Airlines to Air Lingus a couple of hours after several horses and guards had been killed by a bomb in London somewhere. The police had my son and I spread-eagled against a wall when all I asked were directions. They went through all our luggage and pockets leaving everything in a heap on the floor! Being Irish it wasn't anything unexpected... Still, I've never had a particular problem in Manila, though I suppose there's always a first time. I have heard of foreigners getting ripped off by taxi hustlers at airports in both Cebu and Manila especially during the Marcos regime, though it's never been my experience. That kind of con game can't be played as easily any longer since the rules changed during the Aquino administration. It used to be that the taxi hustlers would be allowed in to solicit arriving foreigners as they removed their luggage from the carousels. They'd be rushed outside past the taxi stands to a private car in a lot or on the street where they'd get a shakedown, usually arriving where they needed to go after being relieved of as much of their cash as deemed possible. I think most seasoned travelers have been aware of these kinds of hustles and avoid them and I don' t think you see it around the RP any longer.

We visited Sagada a few years back, and ended up staying for almost a month. Initially, it was hard to believe that we were still in the Philippines. No trash, no beggars, almost no traffic, and friendly locals speaking better English than we did. Great coffee shops and bars, and a 9 PM curfew. And definitely inexpensive. To top it off, on the night before we left, the owners of our guesthouse gave a dinner for us, and baked a cake with our name on it. That was a Philippine experience we've yet to match.

Moalboal is about a P1200 taxi ride from Cebu City though I got one for P800 last time. But there is a very good van ride for P85. That is how I got back. Montrose has places from P1,200 aircon to 600 non aircon. At this time of year you don't need aircon. Mary Place is a good place to hang out. And there is another place where you can see the water but I can't remember the name. It is more popular. The thing there is scuba and not much else. The internet cafe is very expensive, as I recall, something like $5.00 US per hour or more and there is only one place. It is very beautiful and there are some hiking trips you can take. There is night life around near by, I was told but did not look for it. If you type in Moalboal in your browser you should find a lot more on accommodations, reasonable. The food is pretty good most places, but not outstanding I assure you.

I'm looking for beautiful, sedate locations in the Philippines that would be make a good writers' hideaway; where someone could get a 3-6 month rental fairly inexpensively, and have interaction with a community (or not) as one pleases. You know, sometimes you want to hang-out with people and sometimes you want solitude to do you work. Anyone know what the apartment and/or long-term bungalow rental scene would be like in these places? Roughly how much should I pay for a small, basic clean place? Are there expat communities in these places? Not that this is of great importance; but it might be nice every so often to be able to speak with expats if I were to live in a foreign country for more than a month or so. I don't see the point of living in a foreign country and not wanting to interact fully with the local people. I'd like to steer clear of Mindano or anywhere else considered dangerous. But then isn't Abu Sayaf threatening to harm tourists throughout the Philippines? What type of people were abducted from Palawan Island? Rich business people, missionaries, or regular Joe tourists? I didn't realize the abductees (20 of them?!?) were taken from Palawan. I thought it was somewhere in Mindano. How real is the risk of other abductions in other places frequented by travelers? I'd also like to steer clear of tacky tourist build-up. Ubud is getting worse, but it's still wonderful just a short distance out of town. Me, I love walking all around. Great exercise, contemplative, etc. So long as I'm within a 30 minutes' walk of a village center, that's fine. Also looking for Ubud-like places in Thailand and Malaysia; though I hear there's nothing quite like Ubud anywhere on earth. The Philippines seems like it has the greatest potential to have Ubud- like places out of the three. Where in the Philippines would you go if you were a writer looking for a writing retreat?

Shabu is called ""Meth"" in the States and the old slang term was ""Speed"" but another is ""Ice"" ; it's an EVERGROWING PROBLEM the Philippines and you should be aware of its users' symptoms so you can stay clear of them. Talking fast or in an illogical way, chewing their teeth, staying up for 2 or 3 nights at a time and aggressive behavior are a few of the signs. The most dangerous situation arises when they haven't slept of 3 days and they hullucinate which is when they turn violent and imagine seeing you as some large threatening insect or something. It's not likely to go away because the profit margin on making it is about 20+ times the investment in a small laboratory and a few ingredients. The Motorcycle gangs in the States have been making similiar drugs at home in their bathtubs since the 60s. Also the Mexican mafia in the States have established labs and distribution all over; my home state of Iowa has a major problem with shabu or Meth. Anytime you notice a violent murder reported with 15 or 20 stab wounds in the victim, it's SHABU.

Has anybody spent any time in Moalboal I have been looking at varrious websites It looks like a great place and not to far from Cebu City? whats the best way to get there? is it a safe place and traveling to it, is that a safe road? how about accomodation can you recomend and is there any internet cafes there?

I haven't spent any time in Moalboal, but it seems to be one of the favorites of divers and snorkelers. It's 3 hours from the airport by taxi. You would pass through CarCar heading through Barili and south to Moalboal. A taxi should run about P1,200+ and some resorts will arrange transportation for you. You can take a taxi from the airport to the south terminal in Cebu City (P200), then bus to Moalboal (I think it's about P50). From there you can take a tricycle to any of the resorts. Happy trip!

The chances that you get attacked are not high. But if you do, and you successfully defend yourself, most criminals are not stupid enough to run to the police..chances are, they are known criminals anyway. I'll take my chances and beat the offender into submission ha ha

As Ron reports, Shabu in the Philippines is comparable to methamphetamine in the US (""crank""). In the US, this commodity is referred to as the ""poor man's cocaine,"" because it is a stimulant but much cheaper to produce than what imported cocaine products cost. Although I had been seeing reports since 1990 about Shabu in the Philippines, often involving Korean and Chinese criminal types (and more recently, Australians and other foreigners), I've had the impression that it's not as common as on the US west coast (where every community has conspicuous users). When I was last in Pangasinan in 1999, my brother-in-law, involved in local politics, told me that any arrests for minor possession was made a big deal in the media because it was good publicity for law enforcement.

I got this email from a Filipina friend some days ago about the use of shabu. Is it really true there are so many shabu users now in the PI, even in the provinces? Does somebody know what is shabu in english? Is this type of drug also sold in the west? ""dont u have the problem of drugs there? here in our country n even in our city,shabu is so rampant even sons of rich n poor r mostly users...bec its so accessible now,,u can buy 1 sachet of shabu for 100pesos so thats explain why many are hooked on them...""

Yes, there's no problem bringing the stuff in, but if you walk around armed with tasers, pepper spray etc., and you get into a problem where you have to use it, you will not be treated in a very understanding manner by the PNP. You may very well end up in the same ""hotel"" as your attacker. So if you have a weapon, and you use it, toss it before the police arrives or run in a different direction... As mentioned here so many times before, a foreigner does not get away with as much as the local citizen. I have friends in higher echelons of the Philippine police, and even they always admit to me the problem with corruption and bias against foreign visitors, which means that all of a sudden you may end up in the slammer and your attacker goes free if you injure him with your non-lethal weapons. Just some random observations...

I have flown to the Philippines twice now and the times vary a great deal. I believe that it has to do with the time of year and where the jet stream is. My first trip took approximately 13 hours with a quick stopover in Hawaii, and about 14 hours back. The second trip took 18 hours there direct non stop and 14 hours back. Also as a side line if you are bringing your wife, girlfriend or fiancee back with you I might suggest that you return through San Francisco. I brought my wife through there and had no problems(she was my fiancee at the time). I had a few problems returning myself on the second trip going through Los Angeles(they were overly conscientious and I was questioned 4 times going through customs, and this was pre september 11th). I also feel that San Francisco is a much nicer airport and is layed out a lot easier for travelers.

My Grandfather used to say, ""God makes men tall and God makes men small, but Smith & Wesson equalizes them all."" This is a great bar-room joke, but if taken seriously only reflects your ignorance. The smartest self-defense weapon you can carry anywhere is between your ears. If your travel books recommend something else and you believe them, then if your brains were powder you wouldn't have enough to blow your nose. No matter what kind of implement you choose to carry, it's not going to impress everybody, especially the bad guys who could very well outmatch it. One can never achieve more than the highest level of their lowest expectations. If you expect trouble your are going to get it. Your attitude and your awareness are your best defenses. When you are traveling it is not a western movie and you don't get points for acting like John Wayne. Carry a friendly attitude and always be aware of your surroundings. Don't allow yourself to be placed in compromising situations. Go with the flow, melt into the scenery and smile always. Bottom line, expect to enjoy your trip and then go for it!

A listmember quotes a statute as requiring resident aliens to pay tax on income from all sources, including income from outside the Philippines. Unlike the US's conveniently vague Title 26, it specifically lists compensation (wages) as eligible ""income."" I have lived here nearly four years on an immigrant visa. I am very actively earning my living, but entirely from sources outside the Philippines. I am duly registered with the Bureau of Immigration, and I re-register every year within the statutory period. I have a local bank account in dollars. In short, the RP government knows where to find me. Not once have I been contacted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to file a tax return. I do not know of any expatriate of any nationality who is being required to pay RP personal income tax on foreign income. The only expat I know who has any dealings with the BIR also has a thriving LOCAL Mr. Donut franchise! So - not to say I doubt the accuracy of the quotation - but I can say with great certainty that practice does not follow what that quotation appears to say. If you're worried about being double-taxed because you have a US tax liability, remember that you can deduct foreign tax payments, if any, from your US taxes. Frankly, I don't think the problem will ever come up, however.

if I have to pay taxes in the PI on my social security and other income that I don't have to pay taxes on in the USA, I'm not going to live in the PI for sure. Don't worry, Niles. You don't have to pay. The income they are talking about is income made here. I have been on SS for three years and do not pay the Philippine government any taxes on it nor does any US citizen I know. We would all leave, maybe only to come back. And my pension is taxed in the States but not here. Money I make on investments in the States is not taxed here. ""all sources"" means all sources in the Philippines, I feel quite sure. The tax paid on money from made from ""foreign counties"" means income made by Filipino Citizens working in foreign countries, not foreigners living here. Any income I or any foreigner may make here from business, work, investments, even bank accounts here, is taxed by the Philippine government. If I make over 70,000 USD here I may owe some US tax on that too. I am not sure of that figure, but it in that neighborhood, far from my neighborhood. I pay for my visa, but little since it is a 13A I paid a lot for initially. If you are a tourist of course you pay not taxes. A permanent resident visa is still a visa, an invitation. If you are on a visa you are exempt from all taxes but VAT. Some believe you should also be exempt from vat if you are on any kind of visa as in some countries. Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax initiated by the Ramos administration since so few Filipino citizens paid any income tax at all, but there was some under the table taxation going on, so I understand, that the government never saw. VAT is on some items and services. That tax is what makes the government run, I believe, though some people say it does not run. If I am wrong, someone who knows please advise me so I can get on the plane and get out of here before I am arrested.

This will be my 4th trip in about 18 months. I very nearly hate flying, also am a smoker. I will get on the plane at JFK at 9 PM EST tomorrow (with patches on place and Mint Nicorettes) and arrive in Mnl at 11 AM Monday, Mnl Time, I believe a total elapsed time of 25 hours. We refuel (and smoke?) in Anchorage, 1:55 layover and we change planes (smoke!) in Taipei, about a 1:30 layover. I will do my best to get 3 (maybe 4) seats to myself, way in back and if successful will sleep the whole way, except for the smoke breaks. This has happened 5 of the last 6 trips across the Pacific. If you fly on Northwest (747-400), request seat 53 A, B or C; this is on the right of the plane, just across from the last galley. Shortly after takeoff (as soon as the stews can walk, and if they have room, one will offer you a ""deal"", which on my first 4 trips was an entire center row to myself. The 4th time this happened, the guy with me (I did not know him) did not know what was going on and I was able to get the last center row, with no side rows. I told the attendant to wake me 1 hou! r from NYC. If I do not succeed tomorrow, on a China Air Airbus, well I'll just reminisce about trips 1,2,3,4 and 6, but not trip 5, which I wrote about in a past post. Oh, if you do fly NWA, under no circumstances accept the ""Eggs with Shrimps"" outbound from Tokyo. Never! It was great going down, but as some 200 of my fellow passengers would attest, horrible in the other direction. It was a long 7 hours to Bangkok. I bring snacks now to make the trip and play it by ear on airline food. The 14 hours to Tokyo is loooong. The good news is that if they ""pick up time"", I believe that they can land early in most Asian cities, not cruise around over the US if early, waiting to land in their ""slot"". The return trip is not so bad, considering that each hour brings us 500 miles closer to ""reality"", until we can afford to escape it again and visit our friends in the Phils. I can't believe that I am able to go back; I've been out of work since March (except for 20 days in Dec consulting at ATT), my savings are shot and my 401K is really a 100.25K (literally). But a week ago Thursday, I decided Ligaya needed help with her paperwork (she probably does), my ex-wife bought the story (we share custody of a 17 YO going on 13 YO son) and I convinced myself that all would be back to normal jobwise by April (I think I have a 1 year contract at ATT waiting for me in March) or I'd be in Federal Court, along with Enron, Bradlees and AMES, except those guys did not get to make the trip to the Phils. I also told myself that I would stay in $20 hotels, take boat or bus rather than fly and live on $30 a day, after hotels. OK, I know the only one I am BS'ing here is me, I still believe the story (I even convinced myself that the purchase of only 1 cell phone is not an excess, just professional curiosity-something about P2,750 cellphones. Ligaya has my ""old"" one f! rom Dec 00, a Panasonic ""speakerphone"" model, one that I can actually hear on, so I do not really need a new one, except maybe Ligaya and I get separated at SM or Ayala and I can then text her). I know the feeling about being on the board and hearing of someone's plans to go or updates from people already there and waiting to depart at some future date (or in my case, figuring it would be years before I visited again). It is enjoyable, but it's not the same as being there. If you are waiting to go, savor the days, because the time will go by quickly once you are there. I haven't even left yet and I'm already thinking of extending. Oh well, time to repack.

says no!! ""You do not have to pay taxes here on your pension or other income unless it is earned here."" But it other legal material that I find on the net http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/howtoinvest/taxation.htm) it says: "" Individual income tax - Both a citizen and a resident alien are taxed on income from all sources at progressive rates ranging from 1% - 35% of net taxable income...."" PART XIV TAXATION LAW ON FOREIGN INVESTMENTS ,,,,,,, ""Foreign individuals: [1] Individual resident foreigners - Their income: [a] derived from all sources in the Philippines and in foreign countries taxed from 1-35% on gross compensation income [arising from an employer-employee relationship]; and net on non-compensation [business and other] income. [b] twenty percent [20%] on royalties, prizes, winnings [final tax]. [c] twenty percent [20%] on interest on bank deposit, and on substitute arrangements [final tax]. ""