For those who have never been to the RP and have never seen a jeepney, here's a site with many photos of them. None of these photos are unusual at all. The more colorful and gaudy the better! It started out to get attention and the decorations became competitive. Some of the decorations have deeper meanings, for instance mounted statues of horses are symbols of strength and virility..

Hi all, Thanks for the info Bill, but too late for me, paid $825 RT on China Air as of last Thurs. I usually fly courier, but there was nothing available for 1/5, unless I wanted to go to HKG for $300 and then another $225+ RT to Mnl, plus 2 2 nights in HK ($110 a pop). Then I would have to explain that I was not visiting ""#12"" (from the beauty contest summer of 2000), ha ha. I started packing today, Kamaru's 2nd largest bag; after loading all of the gifts, I have only included 1 T-shirt and a pair of cargo pants for my own use so far. I still have plenty of room to add other stuff but my carry-on will not be a briefcase, something a little larger. I will stash more clothes in Davao and Luzon on this trip, so future trips will be easier. The only thing is, I can never remember what I stashed! It's not a big deal tho, cargo shorts are 3 - 500 pesoes and cargo pants are 6 - 800 pesoes, or less even. I stopped making plans today. The first 10 days will be Luzon, then Davao til 1/29, maybe longer. I'll see how it goes. If we are up for it, maybe 2 days in Cebu and a few in Boracay. I also have the option to extend, which I've done on 2 of my last 3 trips. I always overplan at first, then backoff. The National Road isn't I-95; I have also learned to talk in travel time (Mnl-Laoag is 12 hours + or -) rather than miles (278). I'm learning (slowly). I am getting excited about travelling now, but I had to get off the fence first about whether to travel in the first place. I hate flying, but I've been lucky; in 5 of the last 6 trips, either had 3 or 4 seats to myself and slept NY - Tokyo and vice versa. Last Christmas was a bear tho, Jupiter Air (courier co) did me a ""favor"" and put me ""upstairs"" in a middle seat, I wound up standing about half the trip, seats too small, too close for comfort (JAL). Hope my good luck holds out for this trip. Bill, Ligaya and I should still be in Mnl when Lorna arrives, hope to meet her. We have to hit St. Lukes, 2 consulates, the NBI and the place where you get the birth certificates and I know that's 2 days effort, if not more.

Don't know the cost but there is a jeepney ""factory"" in Zamboanga. Michael Palin (""Full Circle"" series on PBS) visited it and test drove one. I bought the tape for this episode, he tours Manila, Banaue (got socked in by fog), Baguio, Pearl Farm and Zambo. Matter of fact, think I'll go watch it now.

Hi, In answer to various questions regarding personal safety in Davao and the eastern part of Mindanao ... Davao police into drugs? I have not heard that one, although of course rumors do get around about all sorts of things. I have never come across any drugs, or drug related activities in Davao. That is not to say there are no drugs around, I am sure if you looked you could find, as you could in just about any place. The Mayor is very strict on drugs and crime, and as such it gets a lot of publicity. As I stated previously this is a very safe city both by day and night. Yesterday I was in the mountains at Mahronal with my family; this is about two hours inland from Davao. The mountain air was cool and the scenery breathtaking, next week we go again. If there were any danger we would not venture into such places. Last week I was in Mati, three hours out of Davao on the pacific coast, again no problem. I have friends who regularly travel down to GenSan and up to Surigao and Cagayan de Oro, again they have never seen any problems. Mindanao gets a bad press because of what's happening in the west of the island; this is many hours away from Davao by road. The only way to really check a place out is to visit it. If you come to Davao you will be impressed.

I finally travelled to Davao last April after 5 years thinking about visiting and 2 prior trips to the Phils. My friend Mildie and her husband told me the city was very safe, but that I should not go to Mt. Apo. I stayed at the Apo View Hotel and could see the lights from what I thought was Jackridge, where I had hosted a couple of dinners. Mildie told me it was some other restaurant and when I suggested going there, she said it wasn't safe, something about NPA on the Diversionary Road at night (up near the junkyards), so I did not go. But I felt safe walking around at night and will return to Davao in a few weeks for a 2 to 3 week visit.

Peoplesupport is one of the major call center outfits here. But they don't employ ex-pats except maybe 1-2 at the top. For reference on jobs, Peoplesupport and other top call centers are very selective in hiring: initial screening criteria are (a) degree from one of the top three Manila universities (La Salle, Ateneo, UP); (b) fluent English with ""no recognizable accent""; (c) good phone manner and customer service orientation. Then they can pick and choose amongst the eager young, motivated Filipinos lined up for the jobs. Salaries? The monthly wage ranges from P8,000 ($160) to $18,000 ($360), which is somewhat higher than an entry level bank teller or similar position -- which is about all average college graduates (even from the top schools) can aspire to. The labor market is glutted. Same in the IT sector. In my web development company, we have a number of excellent computer folks -- SQL, Flash, Java, C++, etc. -- working for about P12,000/month, excellent workers, etc. That scope of wage differential (estimated 1/6 cost of US for call center; as little as 1/10 for IT sector) gives the RP an advantage for outsourcing contracts. However, it militates against any ex-pat coming in to work at a ""normal"" job. Not only is there the issue of whether you can live on it, there's the issue of working papers and getting hired -- there would be huge resistance to hiring an ex-pat at that level. As mentioned elsewhere hereabouts, the presumption is that you have money are available for exploitation purposes. Many on this group live in the provinces, and may have a different perspective, but here in Manila I wouldn't see any viable way to come in as a foreigner and land a regular salaried job that would pay you enough to live on. I was dumb enough to come here without savings, indeed setting up shop in Makati -- but was fortunate enough to have (some say) ""high level"" consulting skills and a few connections. It was a high risk move (and I have witnessed numerous other ex-pat ""consultants"" who have tried to make it for a while before heading back stateside with their tails between their legs). Having survived almost four years now and established a certain baseline of credibility, I hope to take off in a big way in 2002. But it has been tough at times, and I don't recommend coming here without significant backup. You may eventually find a way to make money here, but nothing ever happens fast and it would be a good thing to have the patience of Job, not to mention having a stubborn streak. Good luck, but be careful and don't go out on a limb like yours truly

Hi I took that JAL courier flight also last year so I could party with some old friends of ours living in Hong Kong but those extra nights in Tokyo and HK with a maximum stay of 30 days makes it a bit too short of stay in the Philippines ( but long enough that still costs the extra U$50 for a visa waiver on the way out ) I have the same problem with remembering which clothing is where but after this past trip now I know next time i don't need to bring any clothes. I usually bring alot of books ( since I started an in house library which evolved into a book shop ), bed sheets and towels. We have gathered a collection of wall hangings, prints, and paintings now which need to be taken on my next trip to help decorate our many rooms. Have a GREAT TRIP and ENJOY LIFE in the Philippines.

Not necessarily...I have seen a few ladies who came on fiancee visas whose children were not mentioned on the original I-129F petitions, but who later petitioned and got their children in the US. They had, in effect, submitted incomplete I-129F petitions (by not reporting their children) but had not lied. One lady, who had been petitioned from Hong Kong, had been told by other Filipinas that her fiancee petition would be processed faster if children were not mentioned on the original petition.

Our family operated a jeepney once many years ago. My father acquired the jeep from the second ""subasta"" (auction) of the US army depot in Manila shortly after liberation. Operation was handed down to my older brother, thence to me and finally to our youngest brother, a spoiled brat who didn't want his hands dirtied with grease, so my widowed mother was forced to sell it away. The income from the jeepney is the source of our school allowances. You've got to know how to repair and maintain the jeepney at the least cost possible to stay competitive. You usually do the ordinary repairs yourself for if you bring it to a shop or mechanic, your cost is higher and the downtime longer. Examples of cost cutting: Tie rods - you don't throw them away the first time it wears out. You hammer the edges to make them tight again. Timing chains - when they get noisy the first time, you don't replace them. You pound it with a plastic mallet to make it tight again. Carburetor jets - you don't throw them away... you reline them with solder when the driver complains of rising fuel consumption. Of course this is before the advent of the diesel engines. But the idea is there. To someone who's not been to the Philippines, the above cost cutting measure seem to pose a danger to life and limb. But these jeepneys hardly travel at freeway speeds. Hope this helps.

Jacks Ridge, is a very nice restaurant on the top of the hill at the Shrine overlooking the city. Perfectly safe, definately NO NPA or any other criminals there. Its one of the best restaurants/bars/coffee shops in town. Also try Matina Town Square the next time your in town, its opposite Ateneo grade school and is highly recommended.

TO THE FORUM: I'd like to provide the following information for the archives. Yesterday (Dec. 29, 2001), I visited the Marriott Hotel in Cebu to inquire about a mothly rate for a room. I met with Ms. Kristine Chan, an Account Executive at the hotel. Let me preface my discussion with the following observations. The Marriott Hotel in Cebu appears to be one of the nicer hotels in the entire city. I believe it is somewhat new. It doesn't look more than three years old. The hotel is in a good location.....very close to the Ayala Mall and several businesses. In fact, Ms. Chan's business card says the hotel is in the Cebu Business Park on Cardinal Rosales Avenue. The lobby and restaurant are elegantly appointed. I did not visit the rooms, but I imagine they're quite nice. I did tour the fitness center in the basement. The fitness center (gym) is very nice and well-equipped. To be honest, the gym is the main attraction for me. It is quite clean and when compared to Annie's Fitness Center in SM Mall, it is superior in almost every respect. For non-guests, you can become a member of the gym for P2,000/month. Additionally, the gym has a special rate of P1,200/mo. if you visit the facility between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., only. Still another plan allows for 20 visits, anytime, for a fee of P2,000. I originally visited the Marriott on Dec. 26 to get a monthly quotation. At that time, the staff in the business center was unavailable, so they asked me to provide a fax number where the information could be sent. I did as they asked, but after three days, I received no fax. Ms. Chan quoted me a monthly rate of P36,000 (approx. $720 USD). This quote was for a deluxe single room with no breakfast. The deluxe room, as she explained, had a king bed. Since I've inquired about the monthly rate at a few other nice hotels, and read the current archives in this forum, I politely explained to Ms. Chan that her monthly rate was rather high and somewhat uncompetitive. Ms. Chan countered my argument by saying that the Marriott was the premier hotel in Cebu, and current residents were paying an even higher rate. I then explained to Ms. Chan that tourism in Cebu was down, and current predictions are not favorable for a drastic improvement in tourism rates in the near future. She was unphased by this argument. I then asked if the quoted rate was for foreigners, only. She said the P36,000/mo. rate applied to anyone that walked through the door. Needless to say, I left the meeting with Ms. Chan rather dismayed and discouraged. I believe the monthly rate is way out-of-line and unjustified. As I was leaving the business office, I ran into a non- Filipino who happened to overhear the meeting I had with Ms. Chan. He admitted to me that ""they just don't care if their rates are competitive."" He also admitted to me that he stayed at the Marriott earlier this year for a period of six months, and paid P2,500/night! MY CONCLUSION: Perhaps someone else can visit the hotel and get a better rate. Perhaps, if I visited the senior management at the hotel, I could improve on the very expensive monthly rate. I'm open to suggestions. I'd really like to stay there, but P36,000/mo. is totally unfair and needlessly exorbidant.

I bought a tricycle for my wifes family a couple of years ago. They live in Butuan City, Mindanao. I believe the cost, for a used one, was about P45,000. The father and two brothers all make a living off of it now since they run it 24 hours a day between the three of them. The original idea was to try to save enough money over time to eventually buy a second trike, then a third. In reality there was barely enough saved, after living expenses, to cover repairs, so that idea fell by the wayside. The people in the province (and in the city for that matter) rarely live above the subsistance level, and when they have any extra money it usually gets spent There are always relatives that will help you do that. The idea of ""teaching them to fish"" is a valid one and my experience will attest to that. The only requests for money I get now are for emergencies, and those are rare. I wish they were able to manage the situation better and build on that asset, but that's probably too much to expect. Buying a jeepney would be more complicated and certainly more epensive. I wish I could give some advice, but I'm sure there are those here that have more experience in this matter. I would encourage you to proceed, though cautiously.

OK, I've searched the archives, and I haven't been able to find an answer to my question. I've requested assistance in the past from this forum, and received excellent help and advice. Thank you, again. Now, my problem is a little more urgent and important. For those of you in Cebu, please chime in....Don, I know you will, so ""Thank You"" in advance! I need to see a doctor. This is NOT an emergency, but I've put it off too long, and I would never have done this at home. I don't want to show up at Chong Hua Hospital for a non-emergency. So, I'd prefer to just go to a clinic or call a doctor for an appointment, but that information (a clinc or a doctor) is not readily available. My symptoms follow: For the last week, I've had intermittent, and sometimes quite painful, spasms in my intestinal area. Just when I think I'm better, and the problem has gone away, I'll wake up in the middle of the night sweating and with moderate pain in my lower abdomen. Yes, I have occasional diarrhea, but a dose of Lomotil (SP?) takes care of it. However, the symptom I can't get rid of is the intermittent pain in my intestinal area. I've never had any problem like this at home, so I know it's something I need to deal with very soon. Oh, one other important piece of info......I'm normally in excellent health! So, my question is: Where does a tourist go for a non-emergency medical problem in Cebu? What clinics are available? I've gone to the telephone book, but there's not much help there, either. By the way, expense is not an issue, but I don't want to be taken for a lot of money on needless, unnecessary tests, etc., etc. Please feel free to reply to the forum, or you can call me with info at: 232-5811 to 18 (Room 315). As always, THANKS!!!!

Although I have never compared rates at the Cebu Marriott, what you say sounds about right. The Marriott doesn't really cater to vacationers or long term residents, but rather to business people. These rarely stay longer than one or two weeks, most for just a few days. Tourists would rather stay at one of the Mactan beach resorts than in the middle of Cebu City. >From their point of view, they can charge P2,500-P3,500 per night and only have the room occupied half the time. I doubt very much that you would get a reduction in the rate, even if you talk to upper management. I would suggest staying at one of the nicer ""pension houses"" close by, and using the gym facilities at the Marriott. Not as convenient, for sure, but a lot cheaper. If you like the Philippines, you will probably have a nicer experience in one of the smaller local hotels anyway. I am interested in knowing more about the gym facilities though. Will have to go by and take a look,as I am trying to find a good gym. Anyone have any suggestions?

Not being a doctor or even a permanent resident this may not have any value to you at all. However we dispense medications from the store and one of my good friends is a doctora. I had an occasion to spend 5 days in the Chung Hua 6 years ago and found them to be 60 years or more behind. Other listers have more recent experience and don't agree. Be as it may, most Filipinos don't go to doctors until they are next to death's door. When they do, they will go to a clinic or hospital and wait in line for treatment. If it will make you feel better to be seen by a doctor, by all means go to Chung Hua or Doctor's. They are professional and will take good care of you. >From your description it sounds like you are suffering from one of the most common traveler's malady. You should know that lomotil doesn't cure anything. It only treats the symptom by inhibiting normal bowel action. A doctor will more than likely write a ""prescription"" for an antibiotic. I carry lomotil with me for such occasions, but more importantly I also carry a supply of Cipro. It will kill almost anything you might have swallowed except amoebas and if that is the case then you should get to a doctor as soon as possible. It doesn't sound that serious if you have been suffering over this period of time and I hope you are feeling better soon. Good luck and good health.

TO THE FORUM: I'd like to provide the following information for the archives. Yesterday (Dec. 29, 2001), I visited the Marriott Hotel in Cebu to inquire about a mothly rate for a room. I met with Ms. Kristine Chan, an Account Executive at the hotel. Let me preface my discussion with the following observations. The Marriott Hotel in Cebu appears to be one of the nicer hotels in the entire city. I believe it is somewhat new. It doesn't look more than three years old. The hotel is in a good location.....very close to the Ayala Mall and several businesses. In fact, Ms. Chan's business card says the hotel is in the Cebu Business Park on Cardinal Rosales Avenue. The lobby and restaurant are elegantly appointed. I did not visit the rooms, but I imagine they're quite nice. I did tour the fitness center in the basement. The fitness center (gym) is very nice and well-equipped. To be honest, the gym is the main attraction for me. It is quite clean and when compared to Annie's Fitness Center in SM Mall, it is superior in almost every respect. For non-guests, you can become a member of the gym for P2,000/month. Additionally, the gym has a special rate of P1,200/mo. if you visit the facility between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., only. Still another plan allows for 20 visits, anytime, for a fee of P2,000. I originally visited the Marriott on Dec. 26 to get a monthly quotation. At that time, the staff in the business center was unavailable, so they asked me to provide a fax number where the information could be sent. I did as they asked, but after three days, I received no fax. Ms. Chan quoted me a monthly rate of P36,000 (approx. $720 USD). This quote was for a deluxe single room with no breakfast. The deluxe room, as she explained, had a king bed. Since I've inquired about the monthly rate at a few other nice hotels, and read the current archives in this forum, I politely explained to Ms. Chan that her monthly rate was rather high and somewhat uncompetitive. Ms. Chan countered my argument by saying that the Marriott was the premier hotel in Cebu, and current residents were paying an even higher rate. I then explained to Ms. Chan that tourism in Cebu was down, and current predictions are not favorable for a drastic improvement in tourism rates in the near future. She was unphased by this argument. I then asked if the quoted rate was for foreigners, only. She said the P36,000/mo. rate applied to anyone that walked through the door. Needless to say, I left the meeting with Ms. Chan rather dismayed and discouraged. I believe the monthly rate is way out-of-line and unjustified. As I was leaving the business office, I ran into a non- Filipino who happened to overhear the meeting I had with Ms. Chan. He admitted to me that ""they just don't care if their rates are competitive."" He also admitted to me that he stayed at the Marriott earlier this year for a period of six months, and paid P2,500/night! MY CONCLUSION: Perhaps someone else can visit the hotel and get a better rate. Perhaps, if I visited the senior management at the hotel, I could improve on the very expensive monthly rate. I'm open to suggestions. I'd really like to stay there, but P36,000/mo. is totally unfair and needlessly exorbidant. Take care!

I bought a tricycle for my wifes family a couple of years ago. They live in Butuan City, Mindanao. I believe the cost, for a used one, was about P45,000. The father and two brothers all make a living off of it now since they run it 24 hours a day between the three of them. The original idea was to try to save enough money over time to eventually buy a second trike, then a third. In reality there was barely enough saved, after living expenses, to cover repairs, so that idea fell by the wayside. The people in the province (and in the city for that matter) rarely live above the subsistance level, and when they have any extra money it usually gets spent There are always relatives that will help you do that. The idea of ""teaching them to fish"" is a valid one and my experience will attest to that. The only requests for money I get now are for emergencies, and those are rare. I wish they were able to manage the situation better and build on that asset, but that's probably too much to expect. Buying a jeepney would be more complicated and certainly more epensive. I wish I could give some advice, but I'm sure there are those here that have more experience in this matter. I would encourage you to proceed, though cautiously.

OK, I've searched the archives, and I haven't been able to find an answer to my question. I've requested assistance in the past from this forum, and received excellent help and advice. Thank you, again. Now, my problem is a little more urgent and important. For those of you in Cebu, please chime in....Don, I know you will, so ""Thank You"" in advance! I need to see a doctor. This is NOT an emergency, but I've put it off too long, and I would never have done this at home. I don't want to show up at Chong Hua Hospital for a non-emergency. So, I'd prefer to just go to a clinic or call a doctor for an appointment, but that information (a clinc or a doctor) is not readily available. My symptoms follow: For the last week, I've had intermittent, and sometimes quite painful, spasms in my intestinal area. Just when I think I'm better, and the problem has gone away, I'll wake up in the middle of the night sweating and with moderate pain in my lower abdomen. Yes, I have occasional diarrhea, but a dose of Lomotil (SP?) takes care of it. However, the symptom I can't get rid of is the intermittent pain in my intestinal area. I've never had any problem like this at home, so I know it's something I need to deal with very soon. Oh, one other important piece of info......I'm normally in excellent health! So, my question is: Where does a tourist go for a non-emergency medical problem in Cebu? What clinics are available? I've gone to the telephone book, but there's not much help there, either. By the way, expense is not an issue, but I don't want to be taken for a lot of money on needless, unnecessary tests, etc., etc. Please feel free to reply to the forum, or you can call me with info at: 232-5811 to 18 (Room 315). As always, THANKS!!!!

Although I have never compared rates at the Cebu Marriott, what you say sounds about right. The Marriott doesn't really cater to vacationers or long term residents, but rather to business people. These rarely stay longer than one or two weeks, most for just a few days. Tourists would rather stay at one of the Mactan beach resorts than in the middle of Cebu City. >From their point of view, they can charge P2,500-P3,500 per night and only have the room occupied half the time. I doubt very much that you would get a reduction in the rate, even if you talk to upper management. I would suggest staying at one of the nicer ""pension houses"" close by, and using the gym facilities at the Marriott. Not as convenient, for sure, but a lot cheaper. If you like the Philippines, you will probably have a nicer experience in one of the smaller local hotels anyway. I am interested in knowing more about the gym facilities though. Will have to go by and take a look,as I am trying to find a good gym. Anyone have any suggestions?

Not being a doctor or even a permanent resident this may not have any value to you at all. However we dispense medications from the store and one of my good friends is a doctora. I had an occasion to spend 5 days in the Chung Hua 6 years ago and found them to be 60 years or more behind. Other listers have more recent experience and don't agree. Be as it may, most Filipinos don't go to doctors until they are next to death's door. When they do, they will go to a clinic or hospital and wait in line for treatment. If it will make you feel better to be seen by a doctor, by all means go to Chung Hua or Doctor's. They are professional and will take good care of you. >From your description it sounds like you are suffering from one of the most common traveler's malady. You should know that lomotil doesn't cure anything. It only treats the symptom by inhibiting normal bowel action. A doctor will more than likely write a ""prescription"" for an antibiotic. I carry lomotil with me for such occasions, but more importantly I also carry a supply of Cipro. It will kill almost anything you might have swallowed except amoebas and if that is the case then you should get to a doctor as soon as possible. It doesn't sound that serious if you have been suffering over this period of time and I hope you are feeling better soon. Good luck and good health.

OK, I've searched the archives, and I haven't been able to find an answer to my question. I've requested assistance in the past from this forum, and received excellent help and advice. Thank you, again. Now, my problem is a little more urgent and important. For those of you in Cebu, please chime in....Don, I know you will, so ""Thank You"" in advance! I need to see a doctor. This is NOT an emergency, but I've put it off too long, and I would never have done this at home. I don't want to show up at Chong Hua Hospital for a non-emergency. So, I'd prefer to just go to a clinic or call a doctor for an appointment, but that information (a clinc or a doctor) is not readily available. My symptoms follow: For the last week, I've had intermittent, and sometimes quite painful, spasms in my intestinal area. Just when I think I'm better, and the problem has gone away, I'll wake up in the middle of the night sweating and with moderate pain in my lower abdomen. Yes, I have occasional diarrhea, but a dose of Lomotil (SP?) takes care of it. However, the symptom I can't get rid of is the intermittent pain in my intestinal area. I've never had any problem like this at home, so I know it's something I need to deal with very soon. Oh, one other important piece of info......I'm normally in excellent health! So, my question is: Where does a tourist go for a non-emergency medical problem in Cebu? What clinics are available? I've gone to the telephone book, but there's not much help there, either. By the way, expense is not an issue, but I don't want to be taken for a lot of money on needless, unnecessary tests, etc., etc. Please feel free to reply to the forum, or you can call me with info at: 232-5811 to 18 (Room 315). As always, THANKS!!!!

I understand that if the baby does not look mestiso then a genetic test is automatic. It can be even if it does, it the counselor officer so deems it necessary. But I am not sure about that.

A guy I know in the States who is, with his wife, trying to adopt his nieces, he says, told me the adoption laws have been relaxed. He often talks without authority. I was trying to find out if there was any truth in it. When he and his wife were here for two years the girls lived with them. But he left because he hated it here. Some of you may remember he was the guy who was on the list and reported as fact that former Fidel Ramos stole millions. After incurring the wrath of the list for speaking without a source and consultation with me, he resigned.

Thanks. It looks like I will have to just eat the initial cost. That is, if I can even get the idea to work in the first place. We will have to wait and see. Ill keep everyone informed as to any progress.

I am amazed that they even gave you that price. It's much LOWER than I would expect. A couple of months ago, I was calling up hotels for a friend, to ask for long term rates. They normally just slash 400 pesos off the rates (for more than 2 weeks stay, and not all of them have long-term rates too) and that is not much considering that in Cebu Plaza Hotel and Waterfront Hotel, they quote you about 2,400 pesos per day. 36,000 pesos for 30 days is a very good deal considering you're also staying at Marriot Hotel.

Although I have never compared rates at the Cebu Marriott, what you say sounds about right. The Marriott doesn't really cater to vacationers or long term residents, but rather to business people. These rarely stay longer than one or two weeks, most for just a few days. Tourists would rather stay at one of the Mactan beach resorts than in the middle of Cebu City. >From their point of view, they can charge P2,500-P3,500 per night and only have the room occupied half the time. I doubt very much that you would get a reduction in the rate, even if you talk to upper management. I would suggest staying at one of the nicer ""pension houses"" close by, and using the gym facilities at the Marriott. Not as convenient, for sure, but a lot cheaper. If you like the Philippines, you will probably have a nicer experience in one of the smaller local hotels anyway. I am interested in knowing more about the gym facilities though. Will have to go by and take a look,as I am trying to find a good gym. Anyone have any suggestions?

This is Clarence Henderson and Clarence is not speculating. He is a highly talented highly motivated and qualified IT consultant in this IT ""paradise."" Clarence, I might like to make this part of the Web Page. It is not you high impact entertaining writing like your Pearls of the Orient Seas, but it is unvarnished truth, from an honest guy who is in the trenches and who's advice is extremely valuable, certainly in this area. Before this list I can't tell you how many guys in the States with good computer skills contacted me and said they wanted to come here and seek their fortune, not as consultants but workers and were sure they would be successful because they had good computer skills. When I told them there were Filipinos who would work so cheap, had excellent skills, English included, they still felt they could cut make good money and get the jobs. They are totally unaware of the problems of getting any job here, regardless of the skill level they may possess. Going into business for yourself you have a change. But getting a job, no way you can come over cold and hope on board a gravy train that does not exist. The first ""Living in the Philippines"" Web Site, had a caveat at the end, ""Jobs are reserved for Filipinos here. Don't try to take a job away from them. And if you would succeed you would not like the salary."" Something like that is still on the site. How often it was and is overlooked or ignored. Thank you for your post, as always.

If you get a better rate, watch out for the resturant. The prices are so high, they will get an extra $700 US if you eat there. I stay away from those kind of places since they cater to those on expense accounts, are terribly expensive populated only by balikbayans and foreigners who have little contact with ""real"" Filipino culture. I would rather go to Florida.

I have a call in to him but he is not in at 5:40 pm. I am not sure self medication is the answer when you try it and still have symptoms. I t can be very dangerous. Antibiotics over the counter is probably the biggest health problem in the world today. Lomitol is available in the US by prescription only in the US for a good reason. I recently was talking to one of Ani's pharmacy teachers about it. Ron is right. It only cures symptoms, give relief, but can cause problems of its own. Better see a specialist for $4.00 and let him or her be sure you really need an antibiotic or something so extreme. Both Doctor's and Chong Hua are excellent hospitals with some first class doctors/as. There is a Dr. Gonzales in the office building next to Doctor's Hospital who many tell me is the best in town, a Gas-Tro-Intestine-O-Logist, is what he calls himself. Even with all the recommendations, he seems weird to me. There was nothing wrong with me, but my age, he said. He said at my age I needed a ""test."" First he took me to a small room with a TV, black and white, if you can believe that. Then shot me with a drug, good stuff, but he didn't take any. Then he stuck a very long tube with a camera in it up a place I usually don't show anybody. He looked around in there and even recorded it on TV. Finally, He told me to come back in five years so he could do it again! Boy, how some people get their jollies. And HE charged ME!

Dear All, I would like to request all our dear list members : When you reply to a message please would you consider deleting all the old unnecessary text to the end of the message before you post? That will save a great deal of page scrolling to find the new messages. Thanx.

May our desires become true For all including me and you Happy 2002 and many many more Days Weeks and Years in store For all the things we want to do Cheers

A telephone in MANY areas of the Philippines is already a jeepney or banca ride away and getting the telephone number of an immigration officer who would entertain such a snitch report is NOT so easy. Of course the baby MUST be a Mestiza and fairly easy to find in most nightlife districts, especially in Manila and Angeles City.

I don't think you would get a much better rate from the Marriott than the P36,000/mo they offered you. What really surprises me is that they offered you a monthly rate at all. It is really off the ""tourist"" track being away from the beach resorts and outdoor amenities. The only tourist attraction nearby might be the Ayala Mall, but I don't think that is much of a tourist destination. The Marriott was built at the time of the Mall and was designed to cater more to business travel. If you think P36,000 is high, you haven't been to the top of the hills apartments and condos where you can find P50,000 and up. But then I'm not one to talk. In the 20 years or so of my visits I stayed in a hotel only once, on my first visit. At the time there was only one 5 star hotel in Cebu. The Cebu Plaza charged $30/day and there was no hot water. The fanciest dinner on their restaurant menu was $4.50. Come to think of it, it was still more 20 years ago than the Marriott offered you a couple of days ago...does the Marriott offer hot water for that price?!

And I didn't mention GenSan, but it seems that it really is on its own positive development curve, with its fishing, fruits and vegetable exports. It's port should also allow for furniture production. And its education systems could allow for call centers, and even programming centers, linked to North American and even European businesses. I discovered quite by accident that SBC (Southern Bell) has a programming unit for its Midwestern operations (Illinois and Michigan) located in Makati. Whatever happens in Malacanang his very limited impact on Mindanao, as long as they don't expand protectionism. It seems that GenSan and your region really are involved in international trade and investment. And within a year or so, when the Japanese economy picks up, you will fly like a butterfly! I still envision Davao as a air stopping/connecting point (if the Philippines ever gets past Lucio Tan/PALs narrow protectionism). I could see Northwest stopping and ideally picking up/discharging passengers, on its way to Singapore and Indonesia. And as a stopping point for North/South flights going to Australia/New Zealand. (And yes I now know about the ASEAN flights and stopped flights between the south and Manado, and Sandakan)

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I'm amazed also. I've spent about 70 nights at the Marriott in the last 18 months and have a friend who spends 180 nights per year there and the lowest rate I've seen is about P2,500, even when I stayed 40 consecutive nights. I know that they have a Saturday Night Special of P1,200 (check in after 9PM, no free breakfast), but things must be tough in Cebu if they have gone that low. It is a great place to stay, I usually get RM 1008, corner room, a little larger, with a view of Ayala Mall and the Park. I would sometimes get billed for my trips to the Executive Lounge tho, cause I was not staying on the 11th floor and the attendant did not recognize me.