build a box 4'x 8'x 2 1/2 in height. Put in copper piping running back and forth with a inlet on one side and an outlet on the caddy corner. Paint the interior black and put lexan over the top. After the water exits the thermo water heater let it go into a holding tank that is well insolated. This should work for your needs and can be made at home and has little or no annual maintence.

I joined a list about a bunch of expats living in the Philippines and asisting us who are moving there soon. Great group. Can you tell me where that group has moved to? There are many posts that are going unanswered, but a lot of off topics going on. I think this is a great source of information. But the group has taken a turn.

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

I have tossed around the idea of getting 2 split level units instead. I agree with not cooling the whole house at night. At first I thought I could just shut a few vents, but I realized I must have good airflow, and that shutting off vents on a central A/C unit is not a good thing, or so my A/C guy told me. I am looking at a 12 SEER unit, and at 5 tons, but now I think I will maybe look at two wall units, one feeding the general home, and one feeding the bedrooms. Thank You for the info.

My P10K per month is for a house only about 1,200 sq foot. That is air all nite and 50% of the day. This is on Leyte, Tacloban City. No insulation and the windows are not double payne. I would expect at least P15K and more per month cooling a 2,600 sq foot house. Not so sure of the efficiency of going with central air. I believe large wall units would be more efficient. Why cool the whole house at nite or any time when you are only in one area usually. Not saying it would not be nice to have, but just more expensive I would think.

I was thinking of something like that and having it coming out of and going back into the tank I would have on the roof. Am wondering if plastic could be used instead of copper or would it heat too much. Is lexan like plexiglass?

What my wife said she wants, is 1 instant hot water heater that will provide water to the master bath and the washer machine only. And she said she will probaly only use it for the washer, but wants it available for a bath if wanted.

Lexan is very tough stuff. Do N O T use anything but copper!!!!!!!!!!! plastic has a poor heat transfer coefficient. Copper has the fourth best coefficient of all natural elements, and is inexpensive. Sure, you could build something more efficient, but I am thinking of installation costs.

I have a few questions to ask of those who have already made the move to paradise. I know I will love it there, as I do everytme I visited. But you all have experienced the actual move, so hopefully your information will assist people like me, to have a sucessful transfer over. 1. What is the best thing about living in the Philippines? 2. What was/is the most unexpected thing about the move or living in the Philippines? 3. Knowing what you know now, what would you have done different? 4. Or brought with you? And last? 5. What do you miss the most from your homeland?

It seems to me too many of us can't get away from our ""old world"" mind set. Warm summers, but cold winters. Here in the P.I. it's warm all year long, day and night (comparatively). I worry about air conditioning costs... but I wouldn't worry that much about heating water. In the U.S. we keep the water heater INSIDE the house... reason being those different seasons. Over here.. seems if you keep a water heater OUTSIDE... it is warm enough out there most of the time that you will only be using power to warm the water SLIGHTLY. And keeping it's temperature up during daylight hours should cost next to nothing. Also... we don't need HOT water. WARM water is comfortable for most in the shower... and does a good job of cloths washing as well.

Dear Everyone, I am thinking of taking a few days, and visiting another island. Someone suggested Dumaguete City, Negros. I am an American, I am thinking of going alone. I am wondering about the amount of English spoken, and any other information; the best way to get there, and is it worth going to. I live in the Cebu City area. I would appreciate all information.

I joined a list about a bunch of expats living in the Philippines and asisting us who are moving there soon. Great group. Can you tell me where that group has moved to? There are many posts that are going unanswered, but a lot of off topics going on. I think this is a great source of information. But the group has taken a turn.

When you get off of a pump boat, you will be on ""Cocobana Resort"" property. For P100 they will let you have your picnic on the beach. They will give you a plastic table, umbrella and 4 chairs. Every time I go to Malapascua (many many times. last time I was there on 03-03-03), I have a picnic there with my family. We bring food, drinks, snorkeling stuff.... Try it again. I have always been treated well.

In February we took a day trip driving from Carcar, south of Cebu City to Maya and caught a boat to Malapasqua Island. It was 45 minutes to get there against the wind/tide. 30 minutes to get back. We didn't go far, just walking on the beach north of where we landed. We brought our food with us. Couldn't find any Dive Shop or resort area that would allow us to share their shade to have our picnic. There were no customers in sight. But the signs and employees said their shade was for customers only. Finally found a Filipino couple living there that invited us into their area for our picnic. The power had been out for 3 days. No cold drinks except for ones kept in ice brought from Cebu Island. Eda was upset by this unfriendly attitude from the foreign owners of the businesses there. A beautiful island, a beautiful beach, but now full of cold people. The friendly Filipino attitude has left this island. Not a place we care to go back to.

If you have not read the website, to illustrate the impact it has on some, read the comment below. If you have not checked it out, consider doing so. You may learn some things you don't know, especially in the newly uploaded Culture Link, one of our most popular links. The first few paragraphs are dull but the rest is very important if you care about living here successfully.

Great site... Cebu sounds just amazing - just the right size. Having just read through you site... 'livinginthephillippines.com' my husband & I have decided to change our future. My question is about the internet services offered. Would you know in which areas high speed internet access is available. My husband has an internet business that allows him to work from anywhere, the only consideration is access to a good connection on a regular basis. I'd also like to be near those good snorkeling areas, but I would appreciate any info. you could send me.

I told her to ask the snorkling question on the list. I don't know. I told her about DSL in Cebu, such as it is.

I believe this, but the Philippines has a long way to go yet. But considering where it was ten years ago, or 20, when I first came her, I would say there is much less corruption, but still too much.

The University of San Carlos its the second best school in Cebu, they tell me, University of the Philippines, South, or what ever they call the school here, the best. But I am sure you would get an argument there from USC. The others are cheaper than these two, I believe. If it were my choice I would send my child to UP, but certainly would be happy with USC, especially their computer program, first class from the graduates I have worked with over the years. Velez has the honor of being considered the best medical school at the moment, or so the doctors tell me, even those not from Velez.

For several weeks, I have had problems with my craig_bacolod account using yahoo group chat. Never could see the chatters and sometimes it took 10 min to see someone typing. I tried 2 different computers and many different web browsers with no luck..... So, I created a new account, living_in_bacolod and all is well! I have contacted yahoo and have been corresponding with the email robot for now. Maybe in several months, I will find a resolution for the problem!

Speaking of Filipino Humour, I must agree they have a very definite sense of same. I find their physical comedy particularly well developed. The other day I saw a movie which had a Barkada of four guys living in this shanty perched precariously atop another house. Like Don's hut on stilts, everytime one would roll over the whole house would tilt, then settle. After a night on the booze they managed to roll around enough to send the house sliding off the one it was built on. Luckily a low loader truck was there and it drove off with the house on the back and the boys still sleeping. Next thing they are on EDSA and wake up. They go about their morning routine still half asleep, like urinating, washing and one even gets out and feeds the chickens, all amongst the traffic and amazed bystanders. It was all very well done and even the most jaded and/or sophisticated among us would laugh. Not a word was spoken and thus the comedy transited the language barrier. It could be watched by anyone anywhere in the world and still get the message across. I have seen several examples of this and think it is such a shame the movies are not released to a wider audience, either dubbed or with sub titles. Perry In your email address you say you are retired. If you are you should leave immediately for the Philippines. The exchange rate right now is almost 55 pesos to the dollar. Even at 50 your income was over 350,000 pesos. While I am waiting for my house to be built I am living in a small, safe two bedroom apartment (owned by the head of the police department in Valencia). Rent 1,500.00 Water 150.00 Electricity 500.00 (Fan - no airconditioning) Satellite TV 750.00 for 51 channels and 10 radio stations Trikes (Filipino taxis) cost 4 pesos. Food is cheap, cheap, cheap. Tomatoes can be as low as 3 pesos per kilo. 90 kilos of rice is under 1,000 pesos. My wifes aunt wants to work for us as a helper (cook, maid, etc). for 1,000 pesos per month. I am living in central Mindanao. There are muslims in the area (heh, there were muslims at my wedding). Walang problema (at least so far, although I feel being out the country for a month at this time is 'a good thing', as Martha would say).

I turned 45 a few days ago. My girlfriend turns 20 next week. I have brought the age difference between us on numerous occasions and have insisted that she talk it over with her mother, older sisters and older cousins before we marry. It remains an across-the-board 'Good to Go.' My mother, the old Irish aunts, and the wives of my friends are going to be absolutely scandalized. I dread the looks that are going to fall upon her as they ricochet off of me. I could pass for late 30's but am pleased to be graying nicely, but, she could pass for an HS sophmore on the cheerleading squad. I am 6 two, she five foot with sandals. Question: Is there a patron saint of odd couples? A tailsman perhaps, to protect her from the evil spirits of grizzled old battle-axe's while I am in the loo at a family function, or something? She would wilt and sob for three days if she were to get one harsh look.

MANILA With the recent enactment of the Absentee Voting Law, the approval of a bill providing dual citizenship to former Filipino nationals who have become citizens of other countries should not be far behind, an association of Filipino American businessmen said. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon has been vigorously pushing it, but congressmen have appeared lukewarm to it. Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) President Yolanda Stern said proposed dual citizenship legislation was the other half of the horse-and-carriage duo, the horse being the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (OAV) and the carriage the Citizenship Retention Bill. Since the OAV was enacted last Feb. 13, 2003, Stern said the FPACC was launching a program to lobby for the passage of the dual citizenship bill. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said the OAV will allow about 7.4 million Filipinos overseas to vote in Philippine elections. The dual citizenship bill will allow over a million of these overseas Filipinos who have been naturalized citizens of other countries to retain their Filipino citizenship. Cathy Ledesma, political affairs officer of OFWNet, said that while the Citizenship Retention measure was not tied to the OAV, it was meant as its complementary bill.OFWNet is an organization of overseas Filipinos that works for the welfare of all overseas Filipinos. Absentee voting and dual citizenship must be facilitated for the former is incomplete and lame without the latter,the FPACC website added. However, Ledesma said the dual citizenship bill is widely seen to be a more difficult law to pass (than the OAV) given that many House members object to the possibility of dual allegiance which the bill seems to be espousing. She recommended the formation of an active lobby group from the actual stakeholders themselves that will put together a database on the current contributions of former Filipino citizens to the Philippines which would constitute the strongest argument for giving back their citizenship. Stern said we claim only partial victory with the passage of the OAV.We have real reason to believe that the Philippines stands to gain by our significant numbers; that proportional representation in the 2004 Elections cannot be achieved without the passage of the Citizenship Retention bill. Thus, Stern said the FPACC has been researching on information on the advantages of Dual Citizenship as practiced by all participating nations. She added that their official recommendation to the Philippine Congress would be based on these studies. It is important that we share perceptions just as we have been doing with as many overseas Filipinos within our reach,Stern said. Stern cited provisions in the Philippine Constitution which states that those whose fathers and mothers are citizens of the Philippines are themselves Filipino citizens. She said dual citizenship already exists in various forms in the Philippines as there are many Filipinos who are concurrently citizens of other countries. Some of these dual citizens have two passports. A few have even managed to get elected to public office, Stern noted. The Philippine government itself recognized dual citizenship. Every month the Department of Justice affirms and approves an average of 100 Orders of Recognition processed and recommended by the immigration bureau. Under the Repatriation Law, Filipinos who have lost their citizenship while residing abroad and who want to get it back can do so by applying with the Special Committee on Naturalization of the Office of the Solicitor General. The main concern of Philippine legislators, that of dual allegiance, Stern said, should not be a problem since dual allegiance was different from dual citizenship. Allegiance cannot be legislated, but citizenship can. Allegiance is a problem of other countries hosting naturalized citizens who are Filipinos;it is not a problem of the Philippines Stern said. Senate President Franklin Drilon made the same argument when he sponsored Senate Bill 2130 which passed third reading last May 2002. Drilon also said 89 other countries already practice some form of dual citizenship. Even Israel and Cuba, known to be staunchly nationalistic states, allow their citizens to retain their citizenship after being naturalized elsewhere,he said. Stern said that dual citizenship makes absentee voting stronger because the combination will enfranchise a greater number of overseas Filipinos. Moreover, dual citizenship will allow 46,050 out of 60,000 surviving Filipino World War II Veterans who already reside in the Philippines to vote, to own property, and to leave a legacy in their own country and not as aliens in the land of their birth. Drilon said it is not fair to deny these veterans who have sacrificed their youth in defense of our country just because they were naturalized as US citizens to be able to avail (themselves) f the promise of economic benefits in the form of pension from the US government. Now in their twilight years, the veterans who served to protect our country and yet acquired US citizenship should be spared the inconvenience and cost of being treated as aliens in their own motherland, Drilon said. Unfortunately, the congressmen remained lukewarm on the bill. At the House of Representatives, the bill is still at the committee level under the House Justice committee headed by Representative Marcelino Libanan. Stern noted that of the total annual $8 billion in remittances of overseas Filipinos to the Philippines, 69.5 percent comes from Filipinos in the United States. Stern said this was evidence that Filipino residents in the US have stayed connected to their roots. This was further evidence that there should to be proportionate representation by way of the vote from the major population centers of overseas Filipinos, she said. It was these remittances, Drilon said, that have contributed a lot in keeping our country afloat in times of financial crisis. It is not easy for any individual to be separated from the security of ones homeland and the warmth and company of their loved ones Drilon said. He added that these Filipinos made the supreme sacrifice in migrating to other lands sharing whatever gains they may have obtained abroad. Of the 7.4 million overseas Filipinos, 1.6 million are irregulars, three million are temporary residents elsewhere, and 2.7 million are permanent residents of other countries, one million of whom were naturalized. A large percentage were naturalized without choice when their adopted countries did not allow dual citizenship. Many do now, including the United States. Japan has allowed its citizens to retain citizenship rights and all its privileges in perpetuity. If 96 countries do, why not the Philippines?The FPACC asked.

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

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

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

Asawa and I are hoping to be moved to Bohol by this comming August 03 and are wondering if any of you expats living there in the Bohol or Cebu area have children near our children's ages? We have two girls ages 10 and 12 and they are so very worried they will not have friends? The natives always seem so shy to play or even speak to our girls in English so our girls tend to feel isolated. I am sure after a while they will learn enough Cebuano to communicate then only Dad will feel isolated but I have all you guys to drink SM and converse in English with.

Any one there in the RP have or know anything about satelite internet ,and availability and speed? The area I will live in has no land line and I would like to have internet service with out going to town?

Asawa and I were talking the other day. We have two girls, one was born in the RP the other in the states. We are the parents of both. So we were wondering if I leave the RP with one of the girls can we be considered balikbayan when we re enter the RP because the girls have a Filippina mother? My one daughter's passport states she was born in the RP but carries an American passport. If this would work then I could go back to the states for a visit with one daughter at a time which would help keep my travel costs down.

Politics and religion have caused more fights than anything else in the world, since the begining of time. We should all try to live in peace with our neighbors, not matter who they are.

Sack of rice is 50kgs (2.2lbs to the kilo)...which is 110lbs in america.

Last year India changed their laws to allow 22 million to get there citizenship back. I believe the Philippines will do the same. Maybe one day we will all have a World ID card and not have to worry. Swearing allegiance to keeping the World a better place would be a good starting point point. Ok, maybe I am a little off-the-wall on that one. In the article World War vets were mentioned. I was asked a few months ago if I could help someones uncle (a Filipino). He was retired from the military and had fought in the war for the Philippines Government. They paid him a pension for years and then all of a sudden stopped paying him and told him to proove he had been in the military. He didn't know where to turn. I don't know what happened about that. Maybe it is because the Government had to cut back on expenses. That may sound weird but two of my brothers-in-law work for the Philippines Government in Mindanao and haven't been paid for three months. That is< sad. There is only so much help I can give them.

My understanding is that if anything happens to your wife then her children (you say there are some) would inherit the property). I am adopting my wifes son so as his guardian I would have control of the property until he turns 18.

Frequently Asked Questions What is Luntiang Pilipinas? Luntiang Pilipinas is a nationwide tree-growing program aimed at raising the level of consciousness of Filipinos to the value of trees - that trees are beautiful, useful and that growing trees is doable. How will Luntiang Pilipinas accomplish this? By developing Forest Parks in the urban areas. A Forest park is an area planted with at least 100 forest trees (Narra, Acacia, Mahogany, etc.) or fast growing tree species (like Eucalyptus or Gmelina, among others). These trees should be planted not more than four (4) meters apart (clustered), or along a 100-meter strip of roadway, planted on both sides, at not more than two (2) meters apart. Why grow trees in urban areas? Because of accessibility and visibility. For trees to grow, they must be tended to far at least three (3) years; otherwise, they will not survive. This is why growing trees in mountainous areas is difficult. In contrast, trees planted in urban areas are accessible and can be cared for easily. And because the thrust of Luntiang Pilipinas is to create awareness, trees planted in urban areas will promote this objective more effectively since they are visible to a greater number of people. The purpose of Luntiang Pilipinas is not, by itself, to reforest the entire country, but merely to serve as a catalyst for massive reforestation through motivation and positive action. Who will develop these forest parks? Luntiang Pilipinas with your help. Lunting Pilipinas, through its chairperson Sen. Loren Legarda- Leviste, has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DENR, PCSO, DILG, MMDA, PNCC, DECS, BIO and other goverment agencies who have committed to provide the program with technical, material and moral support. At the forefront of this project are the local government units (LGUs) who will establish a Forest Park in every city/municipal plaza; likewise, in every schoolground under the auspices of the DECS. The PNCC, on the other hand, is supporting Luntiang Pilipinas by establishing Forest parks in the 52 interchange loops and along both the North and South Diversion Road Similarly, FORA has committed to create a Forest park in all the parks of residential subdivisions in Metro Manila. Luntiang Pilipinas hopes to achieve its ultimate objective through the active participation of civic organizations (like the Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, Zonta, etc.), non-governmental organization (NGOs), people's organizations (POs), neighborhood associations, and even family units. A Forest Park, for instance, can be a unique memorial dedicated to a love one or to commemorate an important occasion. What other benefits can a forest park serve? Forest parks will act as the 'lungs' of the city-cleansing it of its polluted air, which is the primary cause of widespread respiratory diseases. They will also enhance the aesthetic value of neighborhoods, providing ideal venues for community gatherings and children's playgrounds. And many more. What assistance can Luntiang Pilipinas provide? Technical, material and moral support to those who share its vision. To date, the PCSO has allocated 500,00 tree seedlings for distribution to prospective participants of this program. Moreover, the DENR has committed to provide technical and material assistance upon request. When the tree seedlings have sufficiently grown with a survival rate of at least 80 percent, your Forest park will be provided with an official, serial numbered signboard -making it part of the projected 1,500 Forest park network nationwide. Awards will be given to the most outstanding Forest Park projects in the near future. Luntiang Pilipinas has established a model Forest Farm in Brgy. Paraiso, Calatagan, Batangas with an Agro-Forestry Training Center and other facilities which program participants can visit, to observe and enjoy. Time permitting , Senator Legarda will personally officiate in the Luntiang Pilipinas tree-planting ceremony of your city/municipality or organization. How can we get involved? Luntiang Pilipinas will give technical, material and moral support. Todate, the PCSO has allocated 500,000 seedlings for distribution to prospective participants; while the DENR has committed to provide technical assistance upon request. When the seedlings have sufficiently grown with a survival rate of at least 80%, your Forest Park will be provided with an official serially-numbered signboard making it part of the proposed 1,500 Forest Park Network nationwide. Subsequently, awards will be given to outstanding Forest Park projects. Luntiang Pilipinas has established a model Forest Farm in Paraiso, Calatagan, Batangas with an Agro-Forestry Training Center and other facilities which participants may visit and enjoy. Having found the Website and read the `fine print' it is more involved than Governor Antonio Leviste stated in his PLRA Briefing at the Waterfront Hotel towards the end of last year. I will e-mail Luntiang Pilipinas Secretariat and find out i) what happened to my Php50 since I have not received any confirmation of `contributing', ii) what can individuals (or groups of individuals) without an identified site, and living in Cebu, do in practical terms (rather than just pay Php50 for a `Green Card' that Antonio Leviste suggested) to help promote and support this worthwhile cause. How Can You Get Involved? By contacting the: Office of Sen. Loren Legarda-Leviste Philippine Senate, Room 603 GSIS Building, Pasay City Tel. Nos. 551-7776, 551-7608 Fax No. 551-7763; or the Luntiang Pilipinas Secretariat Tel. Nos. 817-5157, 892-8640 Fax No. 810-3060 Requirements: You should be part of an organization willing to undertake the development and maintenance of a Forest Park; Your organization should have already identified a project site; l Your organization should be prepared to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with LP defining the responsibilities of the parties to ensure the success of the Park project. Time permitting, Sen. Legarda will make herself available to officiate personally in the tree-planting ceremony of your organization.

Some LinP Members attend a Breifing at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu by Antonio Leviste - Chairman for the PLRA. He also introduced us to a project by his wife - Loren Legarda- Leviste: Luntiang Pilipinas, Or How to become a Green Card holder for Php50! Many of us signed up and paid the Php50 and I certainly have heard nothing more - has anyone else? I decided to look up some Websites to find out more:- It seems to be a bit more 'involved' to becoming a Green Crusader' in the Philippines than just paying the Php50 that Antonio Leviste mentioned - like needing a suitable site to plant 100 trees!