Although my first thought was YES when you marry a Filipina you DO ""MARRY"" her family but your friend's wife sounds like a NIGHTMARE. First the amount of U$400 is VERY UNUSUAL; U$100 or U$200 is MUCH more like it but usually the Filipina wife earns the money herself to send home to her family. That wife of your friend is a typical example of what happens when women from anywhere live in the USA and adopt the behavior common to American women there. Eddie Murphy's comic routine about his African wife, Kufufu who learned her first word in English, ""HALF"" from a neighbor woman.

I noticed an American on the Lonely Planet ""Thorn Tree"" message board with the same question as you have but makes slightly less due to his alimony payments. Check out the answers at: http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=23 Rent ca range from U$100 to U$300 for a really nice house in most areas of the Philippines except certain parts of Metro-Manila where very few people would like to retire anyway. Your main thing will be what to do with all of your free time. It's easy to drink too much or ""play"" around too much in the pHilippines if you don't create some kind of daily structure of activities you enjoy.

Actually this would depend on how you describe family. If it was for the parents then this can be expected but mind you that USD 400 is more than php 20000. My family in law would rather be starving than to ask for money. For sure this has to be discussed before marriage but be carefull when raising the question as it might insult a Filipina who is not interested in money at all.

Deffinitely! it's insulting that because you're going to marry a Filipino doesn't mean you're going to marry the Philippines. Sadly, it's the tradition or custom you have to understand. The joy of marrying into a different cultures is somehow needed to be considered beforehand. It is not a custom neither is necessary,it is not a cause for concern otherwise,rather a choice.

I agree with your statement. Still I'm very happy having married a filipina as although you marry into a whole family, the love, attention and respect they give me, coming not only from my in-laws and brothers-in-law but also from uncles, aunties, cousins, etc.etc and of which a bunch are living abroad, is overwelming. This I never can expect from a western family. My hands are always open for any money problem they may have as long as it is available at this side. May GOD bless them and the filipine

I bought my ticket on EVA for $594 tax included. That's out of SF. I think this deal went off Jan. 31st, but its worth asking about. If you'd like to know the agent i used, just e mail me. I believe you have to depart by May 31st and its open ended, meaning you can change your return date without penalty and you can stay up to 6 months. Bud Brown was the one who turned me on to this deal.

I have been reading many of your messages and archives for months now. Finally I am able to say I will be coming to Cebu in March. If there are any of you who would be willing to correspond with me regarding the location of the consulate and other general questions it would be greatly appreciated and the favor will be returned when I arrive. I realize many of you are busy but I assure you that I am a quality individual.

[Please check the ""wrap message text box when posting from Yahoo. It may work, and it may not, but give it a try, so maybe your text will not be necessary to scroll across to read your message for those who read from Yahoo. This message was manually wrapped by this moderator.] Jim, think you got a very good rate out of sfx. have flown eva in the past. no problems. enjoy Bacolod. i just called north west air. asked about a 2 fer one. they denied having such a fare. quoted me $508.00 from lax. "I bought my ticket on EVA for $594 tax included. That's out of SF. I think this deal went off Jan. 31st, but its worth asking about. If you'd like to know the agent i used, just e mail me. I believe you have to depart by May 31st and its open ended, meaning you can change your return date without penalty and you can stay up to 6 months. Bud Brown was the one who turned me on to this deal.

I just do my part 'cause I'm a family member. Nobody asked. I offered. Since I got married, the owner of my father-in-law's travel agency decided to pull the plug on the business (he owns lots of businesses). People complain about age discrimination here in the US, they don't know anything about the job market in the Philippines. We bought him a new tricycle (good thing it's a 4-stroke; I read somewhere that 2-strokes are going to get banned) and a line number. It keeps him busy. My mom-in-law is busy with her clinic. She's a real community activist, got running water into the neighborhood and had a lying-in built, which she and her friends fund by making and selling herbal remedies. A very active version of a ""stay-at-home-Mom."" My wife's brother and sister and her sister's husband all work. Her little sister goes to school. Nobody lays around, not even Grandma, who's always doing some chore or another, even though she's ancient.

MANILA, The Philippines -- Ayala Land Inc. posted better-than- expected 2002 earnings Wednesday after the company focused on new niche markets and strengthened its retail rental portfolio. The Philippine property group announced a net profit of 2.52 billion pesos ($ 46.71 million) for last year, 10% higher than the 2.287 billion pesos it recorded in 2001, following a near 5% improvement in revenue, which hit 12.23 billion pesos. Ten brokerage houses surveyed by Thomson First Call on average estimated Ayala Land's 2002 net profit would be 2.34 billion pesos. ""Leasing operations continued to be the biggest revenue source, with rentals from shopping centers and office buildings contributing 3.33 billion pesos, or 27%, to total revenue,"" the company said in a prepared statement. Ayala Land marked 2002 with the opening of extensions to its Greenbelt commercial center in the financial district of Makati. In June, it also started developing Market! Market!, a new mall near the Fort Bonifacio Global City project close to Makati. Land sales, mostly from residential estates, totaled 2.58 billion pesos, accounting for 21% of total revenue. The sales in 2002 mark a 21% increase from the year before, and were mainly due to new residential-estate projects that targeted the high-end and midlevel markets. Sales of residential units -- consisting of condominium, townhouse and single-detached units -- contributed 1.57 billion pesos, or 13%, of total revenue, amid strong demand for the company's offerings, which focused on the middle-income market. Micheline R. Millar of Dow Jones Newswires contributed to this report.

Thanks for the post, Kurt, and others. It's great to read your words. I have a brother that I wouldn't wish on any family. No he is not Filipino. Not too far from where I live there are quite a few people who maybe don't depend on family for their living, along with booze drugs, etc., but on the work of strangers. (read: Government.) My in-laws? My wife's father spent three years working in Thailand, so that his family could get ahead. His wife ran a garage and a sari-sari store. Father-in-law is now home trying to expand the business. Six and seven day workweeks are not unusual. The kids (14 and 15) go to school and then go to help take care of the store. It's too easy to generalize: ""Filipinos are like this or that."" What you do have is a country of somw 80 million individuals, among them many admirable and hardworking people. Yes, family is very important. Is that a minus?

Hi i've been to the philippines and thailand both, spending most of my time in thailand. why is it that there are so many people excited about the philippines and less so about thailand (in terms of living there). is it simply because more people speak english, or is it for some other reason? i mean, from what i can tell, thailand wins hands down as a retirement haven...look at the factors: 1) the women are, at the very least, every bit as beautiful (and as a group, less chunky than in the phils) 2) the food is 5 times better (i never found a single filipina meal dish that i liked...most i had to choke down..not so in thailand!!) 3) public transportation is ten times easier in thailand, due to the well-mapped bus system and ACed LRT system 4) what they basically tie on: accomodation cost good health care at great cost 5) the phils does win on 2 counts though

Hi not sure what gun ban your talking about. I was reading one of the local papers the other day and this columnist was talking about the ban. Only I wouldn't call it a ban since if an individual feels that his safety is threatened going out in public they are still allowed to carry a gun. So if you get stopped by the local police for carrying a gun which is very unlikely all you have to say is you feel unsafe going out in public without one. I don't know how this affects indoor venues though.

One advantage to using HSBC is that they are an international bank. Per Philippine banking law, an international bank doing business in the RP assumes full liability for all obligations to their depositors. In other words, their liability to their depositors is not limited to the Philippine Depositors Insurance of 100,000 pesos.

While this seems an advantage, and it is an advantage for depositing money in a bank with the capital such as HSBC or Citibank, it is only as good as the Bank itself. A reason for the law is protection of the depositors as the foreign bank will try to maintain the capital of its branch as low as possible. For Philippine Banks its liability is also not limited to the deposit Insurance but assumes full liability for obligations to its depositors. The disadvantage of the larger bank is that you indirectly pay for this protection, (a general statement but not always) by lower interest rates. Most of these larger banks do not need the cheap money earned from small depositors, their main interest is getting the customer to sell them other products. The other problem with keeping any money in Philippines at any bank is that interest is subject to withholding tax. Depending on your citizenship and of course how much money you have it is worth searching which are the best locations to have your deposit, and make best use of tax and confidentiality.

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

I'm planning to move to Cebu sometime this year probably around August/September and am looking for information on towns to live in Cebu. I'd appreciate any advice on places. I'm not into any sort of night life but places where I can sail,fish, snorkel, scuba diving kyaking etc. Would appreciate any advice on possible places.

Talk about the stupid ill-informed gun ban that Pres. Aquino is shoving down everyone's throat? Doesn't she know that by removing guns from law abiding citizens' hands that she is giving criminals free reign to rob, murder, and pillage even more? Look at England and Australia for the worlds two biggest flops when it comes to gun control. She surely is the victim of bad advice. > DAVAO CITY -- They follow the rules here to the letter. No, they heed Mayor Duterte's Law like kids in a kindergarten class. No smoking in public places and you see no one smoking in public places. No urinating in public places and you see no one urinating in public places. Move over, Erap. Over here, there is no kumpa-kumpare. Over here, there is no kaibi-kaibigan. Over here, there is no Kamag-anak, Inc. We love to talk about leaders being real leaders, you have Mayor Rody Duterte as the supreme epitome. Duterte leads by example. He governs without fear or favor. He has lost friends, including some of his boyhood chums. He is now despised by some of his kumpadres. Some of his own relatives have started disowning him. ""I don't care if I lose their friendship, their love,'' he told friends some nights back at the After Dark. ""I am here for the good of the people.'' After Dark, a cozy piano bar, is the mayor's favorite haunt here. Once he goes there, he croons such immortals as ""Windmills of Your Mind'' and ""McArthur's Park.'' Minus a songbook at that. ""I love it here because the pianist is good,'' he said. ""But do you know that there's a whale of a difference between a pianist and an accompanist?'' Duterte said he started smoking at the age of 14. After he had stopped smoking some years ago, the mayor, fifty-ish, said he would soon find himself ""coughing like hell'' if he stood near a smoker with a lighted cigarette. ""It's never too late to quit the habit,'' he said. ""But the real trouble with this habit is, it inflicts harm to both the smoker and the non-smoker. As a smoker, you are not only killing yourself but also the one next to you. That's unfair. Medical science has proven that second-hand smoke is more dangerous than the smoke being inhaled by the smoker.'' But the mayor has not really totally killed smoking in his turf. He has ordered establishments like hotels and restaurants to erect designated spots for smokers. ""Because I cannot stop everybody from wanting to die by smoking, I have required establishments to put up designated areas for smokers,'' he said. Oh, yes, once in a while you see some brave souls breaking Duterte's Law. But once they get caught, they face the consequences or either a jail term or an exorbitant fine, or both. Some days ago, the police arrested 338 persons smoking in public. The story was page-one stuff of a local daily. My experience though since I arrived here for the PAL Interclub golf championship is, I hear people yelling at persons trying to sneak in a smoke or two to stop it. Overall, I see many people supporting Duterte's campaign to ban the public display of smoking in his city and urinating in public places. Generally speaking, even the city's big shots obey Duterte's rules. This city is the world's biggest but the man who owns it is barely 5-foot-7, and very soft-spoken. You gotta see him to believe it. And next believe in him. ""The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page"" - St. Augustine (...and that explains partly why I love to read! -t2b)

I am just getting ready for my second trip to Cebu and my travel agent told me I have to get a visa extension before I go to Pi if I want to stay longer than 21 days.. I know americans always get visa extensions pass thier 21 days in Pi. My question is this, do Candians get thier visa extensions at the same place americans do and is it the same formalities for all nationlities? Is my travel agent right or should I just go and try to renew once I get to Cebu? I assume it would be the same for american's aussies, Canadians etc. I just don't want any trouble thier. Any qwick responses would be very much appreciated.

If you are coming in visa free make sure your return ticket is within 21 days of arrival, otherwise you may not be let in. If it is not you can obtain various tourist visas at your local Philippine Consulate, the maximum though for one entry is 59 days, anymore than that you would have to obtain an extension in Philippines.

Why not try the Living in Philippines, affiliated travel agent, Asia Travel. Clink on the link below. I have just checked they do quote flight prices from Manila to London return. I did not check though the price.

I plan on spending a couple of weeks holidaying in Cebu during March or April. Can anyone recommend a comfortable and reasonably priced hotel in Cebu. It would also be helpful if the establishmet were ""guest friendly"" Anyone know of something that fits the bill Also an anyone tell me whether there are any Scuba diving schools in Cebu. If there are could you please give me the relevant contact details

I think Monty Python's Michael Palin hit it on the nail when he compared the Philippines to a woman who spent 350 years under the strict Catholic Spanish rulers only to be liberated for 50 years in Hollywood. That was back in 1898 when the country was ceded to America by the Spaniards. Old traditions are very difficult to change and when change does happen you find conflicting messages and more often than not run into a lot of trouble. I have been reading some of the comments from this group regarding western men, their Filipina wives and their dodgy families. Maybe I've been living under a rock but I am absolutely shocked to hear these men having such tortuous experiences with their partners families. However, it is my advise to understand the background of future wives before foreigners get hitched. They have to accept that family ties are not easily broken, especially within the Filipino society. I am probably lucky that my parents are well off and they do not need monetary help. But I feel it is my duty to pitch in if they ever do. That's just the way it is. My British husband envies the close relationships between friends and families in the Philippines. Where I come from in Manila, everyone knows everyone. In my experience, women are held in high esteem. They are offered the same opportunities for education, travel and employment. But one thing's for sure, if my parents ever need my help, I'll be in Makati like a shot and my husband will surely understand.

Hi: I need some advice; I am traveling to Butuan in March and need to stopover in Manila for 12 hours prior to catching my connecting flight. Can anyone reccomend accomadations close to the airport for about $30 to $40 US a night. I would appreciate some help and thank you... Robert livinginthephilippines1@yahoogroups.com wrote:1. For more information and options (Yahoo Homepage, various links, email addresses, unsubscribe) 2. Owner's website - a wealth of information on the Philippines including romance, customs, culture, cost of living and articles are at 3. This List is to discuss Living, Retiring, Traveling and Doing Business in the Philippines, a non-commercial list, no advertisements, flames or off topic post allowed. *Complaints or concerns? Send to *Affiliates: help keep this list and website free and get goodies too*: 1. Fresh roses for your Filipina/o friends, 24-hour delivery service 2. Recommended Books on the Philippines are at 3. Accommodations in the Philppines, tours, etc. 4. International insurance broker, Medibroker, many companies and plans from which to choose. 5. Products, from the US, t-shirts, caps, teddy bears, bags, mink coats and such with the "Living in the Philippines logo" are available at . Just click on the Living in the Philppines Store link on the left hand side of the main page of the website. *Thank you for your support of the List and the website

Can anyone advise me on how to get the cheapest roundtrip flight to and from the UK? Length of stay is 6 months or more and dates are flexible. I briefly looked at Expedia and AOL and they were roughly $2000. Thanks for any advise. 1. For more information and options (Yahoo Homepage, various links, email addresses, unsubscribe) 2. Owner's website - a wealth of information on the Philippines including romance, customs, culture, cost of living and articles are at 3. This List is to discuss Living, Retiring, Traveling and Doing Business in the Philippines, a non-commercial list, no advertisements, flames or off topic post allowed. *Complaints or concerns? Send to *Affiliates: help keep this list and website free and get goodies too*: 1. Fresh roses for your Filipina/o friends, 24-hour delivery service 2. Recommended Books on the Philippines are at 3. Accommodations in the Philppines, tours, etc. ner=> 4. International insurance broker, Medibroker, many companies and plans from which to choose. 5. Products, from the US, t-shirts, caps, teddy bears, bags, mink coats and such with the ""Living in the Philippines logo"" are available at . Just click on the Living in the Philppines Store link on the left hand side of the main page of the website. *Thank you for your support of the List and the website

The laws is not put up by the mayor of Davao. In fairness, those are laws promulgated by legislation and I believe that mayor should be commended for seeing to it that the laws of the land are followed. That is the same law in Manila and other regions of the country as well. I would say that the other government officials and authorities that do not implement the law are negligent of their job. I would like to see more people like this mayor of Davao.

Because the child has a Filipino parent, that makes him a Filipino citizen by birth. There is no need to apply for a Filipino passport when you one is already a Filipino and being a person of dual citizenship, he may use his present passport to travel. There is more advantages to use his UK passport whenever he travels to other countries. When he enrolls in any school, simply indicate in the information of the child - ""Filipino"" in the citizenship. Then he has the right to enjoy every rights of a Filipino including education. If school administrators would refuse enrollment, you may get help from a lawyer. Ellsworth John Wood wrote:Paul wrote: Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:52:00 -0000 From: ""wilma_dinglasa"" Subject: children I just need a little info on children, if our child has a uk passport and enters the Philippines with us using the Balikbayan, how will it affect the childs education? Will the child be able to go to a regular school? Would we have to educate the child privately? Can the child obtain dual nationality? Or would it be easier to get permanent residency for the child? Any advice most welcome! Paul Paul, I assume your wife was Filipino at the time the child was born? If so, then the child automatically has dual nationality - UK and Filipino - and is entitled to a Filipino passport. Enquire at the Philippines Embassy in London as to what info. is needed for a Filipino passport (and, perhaps, birth certificate). Once the child has that then there will be no need to get permanent residency as s/he is a citizen. My wife is Filipino, our daughter was born in Philippines (though this is not a prerequisite) and has both UK and Filipino citizenships. Her Filipino passport was issued in San Fernando La Union and her UK passport (and birth cert) were issued by the UK Embassy in Bangkok where I was working. We use our daughter's UK passport when she visits UK (or wherever it's more eneficial) and her Filipino passport when we enter or leave Philippines. It's completely legal and dual nationality acquired by circumstance of birth is recognised by both governments. J > Oh my goodness! I just had a major flashback. I'm one of those military guys that *went native* when I was in the Philippines. I remember when newbies came over and I was assigned to show them around (big mistake) they couldn't understand half of what I said. And then I recently came across the *Lake Superior State University's 2003 List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness*. (short list at the bottom of this post) For those living in the PI, I'm wondering what words/phrases that you hear and probably use on a regular basis that you might consider misused, overused, and generally useless? I guess I'm looking for a similar list from those in the PI. And I'll sit back and hopefully get a good laugh out of some of the replies. Here's the University's list: Material breach Must See TV Untimely death Black ice On the ground Weapons of mass destruction Make no mistake about it Homeland security Extreme Now, more than ever Branding Having said that (and) That said Peel-and-eat shrimp It's a good thing As per Reverse discrimination There is no score Got game Mental mistake (name of color) in color Frozen tundra Undisclosed, secret location

Man cuts off penis to prove fidelity to estranged wife A Filipino man has cut off his penis in an attempt to prove his fidelity to his estranged wife. The man, from Malasiqui, then wrapped it in newspaper and put it through a window of her parent's house. He shouted at the woman: ""So you will not suspect I am courting another girl."" The severed three-inch penis is now with police, who have sought the help of an embalmer to preserve it in a bottle. The couple have been estranged for three years after the woman's parents persuaded her to live with them. They said the man had been incapable of looking after her and their two children, as he was unemployed. The man still hasn't been located, reports the Philippine Star.

Filipino rebel beats armed services in karaoke competition A Filipino Islamic rebel has beaten members of the country's police, army, navy and prison service to win a karaoke competition. Omar Ginta, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, won £120 in the contest in General Santos City. The yearly ""Singing for Peace"" contest was sponsored by the city's authorities. It's reported by the Philippine Star that Ginta arrived from nearby mountains wearing his combat uniform. He was selected to represent the MILF before government forces launched an all-out attack on their stronghold. The event was launched by General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon to promote camaraderie among various uniformed government and security agencies, and the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front rebels in the area.

Seems like bad advice to me as the claim of citizenship should be granted by the Philippine government in the first place. The school can rightfully refuse enrolment. To prove citizenship in any situation a passport would be very handy. It is easier to establish citizenship at the Philippine embassies abroad then in the Philippines.

Because the child has a Filipino parent, that makes him a Filipino citizen by birth. There is no need to apply for a Filipino passport when you one is already a Filipino and being a person of dual citizenship, he may use his present passport to travel. There is more advantages to use his UK passport whenever he travels to other countries. When he enrolls in any school, simply indicate in the information of the child - ""Filipino"" in the citizenship. Then he has the right to enjoy every rights of a Filipino including education.

Am I charged every time I send a TXT2Mail messages from my mobile phone? Yes, you are charged a minimal Value-Added Service fee of 2.50 pesos for every text message sent from your SMART celfone or Globe Telecom celfone. Am I charged every time I receive TXT2Mail messages on my PC? No, you are not charged for receiving TXT2Mail messages on your PC; it's absolutely FREE! How many text messages can I send from my computer to a mobile phone? How does the credit system work? Sending text messages FROM your PC is FREE! We do however, employ a credit system, that safeguard against sending too many messages from your PC, without getting a reply back. Sending to a Globe Subscriber: You have thirty (30) credits/DAY. For every message, you send to a Globe mobile phone, one (1) credit is used up. For every reply you get from a Globe mobile phone, you are replenished two (2) credits. You cannot accumulate unused credits, neither are they transferable to another day. The credit system is not a way to increase your daily credits, or a way to send unlimited text messages, it monitors the number of messages sent from your PC, as required by the Telecommunications Carriers. Every day you start with thirty (30) credits. Sending to a Smart Subscriber: You have twenty (20) credits/DAY. For every message you send to a Smart mobile phone, one (1) credit is used up. For every reply you get from a Smart mobile phone, you are replenished one (1) credit. You cannot accumulate unused credits, neither are they transferable to the next day. The credit system is not a way to increase your daily credits, or a way to send unlimited text messages, it monitors the number of messages sent from your PC, as required by the Telecommunications Carriers. Every day you start with twenty (20) credits.