someone on an earlier post talked about several internet cafe's that are also into photo processing. Although the idea doesn't sound bad. I doubt most Filippino's own or could afford digital camera's. On my trip there the only people I saw with camera's were tourists, and many of them had those small camcorders. About 15% had digital cams. However around 50% had regular or disposable cameras. Those disposables have become ever popular. I did overhear several people asking about where to buy film. I myself included. It seems you think you have plenty of film, but many people become click happy. I think maybe a shop that sells film and disposable cameras would be awesome. you could do photo processing too. My fiancee usually waits till we get to the hotel room, and downloads the days pics to our laptop. I tell you in my opinion what I think would work. If you got into photography, and took portraits. I think many Filippino familys would love a portrait of their family. You would have to be able to do it cheaply, and still make a profit. Perhaps using a nice digital cam, then enlarging it on your computer. Then print on good photo paper. You could trim it and place it in a cheap(nice looking) wall frame. I think you could make money on that concept, but you'd need to check on the price of locally made frames, and photo quality paper. If you could put the pic in the frame for $2 total, and charge $4 for each one, you'd do well. Four bucks is about a days pay for a lot of Filippinos. Some make even less. You'd make a $2 profit per Portrait. If you get the word out, you could do 15 or more a day. 5 days a week thats an extra $600 or more per month. I think once word gets out you could make more. They'd be bringing each new baby to you to Photograph. Of course, these are just my opinions, based on limited experience. I don't live there, so I don't know how the culture reacts to photos.

I think one of the keys to this situation is in your first sentence. Short of using a two by four vigorously applied to the side of the head how do you wake one to reality? Subtle hints and outright comments that "this is not acceptable" have no effect. In response to what some others have suggested, the man has no inclination to participate in the work or no applicable skills if he did. He talks loud and incessantly which in itself nearly drives me crazy, especially when we are in the van traveling to and from Pototan and I have no office to retreat to. We have been building a raised bed garden, a bamboo house for the nephew and his family, drilling a well and building a pump house, so we have quite a lot of activity going on and people involved in work. Today we start building fences (walls) and next week start construction on the house with an engineer for consulting and a full time foreman. I will be my own contractor, so will have a lot on my plate. My solution to solving the immediate problem of visits to the farm is to ban all visitors and quests and allow only work parties to the site, during the construction process. I will have monthly "visitor days" (on a Sunday) when those who would like to see the progress of work can go to the site. However, my long range paranoid fantasy is that once we get the house built and move in, the brother will move in with us. Thanks to all of you who have responded. It has all been helpful (just venting has been helpful), and I hope to hear from more of you.

Angeles City is the place for Skydiving and Ultralights too. With an ultrallight you can get your private pilots license there for about $400 or some absurdly low price there. Some foreigner built a small airport in Balibago, the part that has the bars and the former Clark Air Force Base. When I was there he had about 20 ultra lights and qualified instructors. Also when I was there a Filipino jumped and his parachute didn't open the only death I heard of in the time I was there. I was only there three or four years. I don't remember how long I was there, exactly now, I just woke up and am on my first cup of tea. There is no one doing hang gliders here in Cebu. I think the Filipinos would go nuts over that and there are enough here with money to afford that to make it work. I have never seen paragliding either. I think that would be a great idea too. Ray Bacon always mentions to bring something they don't have here. I would not recommend heating equipment, but I do believe Ray is right. Bring in something new, is a good idea, if it catches on. I feel miniature golf could be a good one too. I know some foreigners who were going to start one, three of them, two with the idea, one with money. The guys with money wanted to put it in a very popular location around Fuente, mid town. The guy with the money who had already paid for the very expensive set up balked at paying the very high rent. They fell out and the snuff is still around town, I think. A big foreigner fight. I think though the guy with money was a very inflexible guy, he was right on this one. I think Filipinos would find the place; it did not *have* to be in a high traffic area. But someone mention, I believe, there is a miniature golf course near Ayala now, now. So if they would have put it father out, with the new place in a high traffic area they might not have been able to deal with that completion. The two guys opened a Dixie Land Jazz cafe with yet, someone else's money and it went big guns until the found the were in violation of the zoning laws by not having enough parking places at Fuente because of zoning laws. You have to have one parking place for each seat or some such. Another business man in that area, said they just did not handle the police as they should. The police and the laws were flexible on this and they could have dealt with it better. I don't know if he meant a bribe, removing chairs, or what. And he did not seem to be indicating a bribe to me. I knew all parties I speak of above I knew fairly well, especially the inflexible guy with the money, someone I would not have worked with, even if he was right. He had other issues, in constant battles with everyone including his wife who I though was a very sweet person and tolerant to put up with him. If you do business with someone, and use their money be careful. They can drive you nuts. Don't take money from just any investor, my feelings, an after thought.

Yes there are plenty of travel agents who will do the paper work for you but getting an extension yourself is not the difficult. It might make a nice experience. I would suggest you try it once and if you do not like the hassle then let somebody else do the work. As for the trips you can take a local newspaper and look for city trips to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing just to name a few. Prices start at US$ 195 for 3D/2N for cities like Hong Kong. For nature and beach trips you might just as well stay in the Philippines but since there is no great wall of chine in the RP you might as well fly there and have you visa extended at the same go. Make sure you have another ticket with you when leaving Manila as you can not return to Manila without showing another other ticket out of the country. I would buy them on a credit card and then cancel the ticket when you are in Manila. No further cost involved.

My main reason for writing this post, is to get info on fun 3 day trips. I know I'll love the Philippines, but sometimes you just want to get away and see more of the world around you. Any suggestions or trip ideas are welcome. The most popular destinations for those with tourist visas is Thailand, cheap and fun. But there is a language problem. Many go further up to Chang Mai. I have received great reports on Chang Mai, cool with excellent cheap accommodations and not polluted like Bangkok, yet. Ani and I plan to go as soon as we can. Hong Kong is next. If you don't chew gum, you may enjoy Singapore. No gum chewing in Singapore. One of the great thing about the Philippines is it is so close to so many interesting places even mainland China where I would go for a short visit if I had time. I hope others who travel more that I do give you some ideas.

For only $329.00 you can visit the USA, in Micronesia. 3 days, 2 nights in Guam, where you can find US Government services, visit a National Park, and see how a tiny island with only 150K population can attract 65% of the number of tourists that visit the entire country of the Philippines each year. But I'd wait a few weeks until they've cleaned up after the last supertyphoon. The Guam Visa Waiver Program permits citizens of most Asian countries a 15-day visit, not yet to include Filipinos Many Filipinos with visas do visit Guam regularly, my wife often met actor Redford White and others when taking our boys to the beach. Filipinos can more easily visit Saipan, after getting a 'permission to board'. We know an American teacher, working on Saipan, who had his Cebuana pen-pal come to meet him there, as he was too afraid of traveling to the Philippines. http://net.saipan.com/personal/mike_newman/saipan/saipan.html And there's 7 unique countries to visit in Micronesia, see http://www.destmic.com/index.html. And you're sure to be flying Continental Airlines (the only one) and finding Filipinos almost everywhere you travel. Along the way, you could visit Truk Lagoon (Chuuk), the Rock Islands of Palau, or witness the stone money and other attractions of Yap.

Don't take this issue as anyhow defining Filipino culture, as if that could somehow be so simply described. There's a wide variety of behavior and responses, probably like most places in the world. No female member of my wife's family would let a chance go by to criticize any male members faults, real or imagined, if only as a tease. My wife's older brother gets more than his share. From his younger sister, my wife, he gets no mercy ;-) No relatives are living with us, we have to encourage them to visit as they are sensitive about imposing on us, and definitely don't want to be considered as living off of us.

FAQ on Land Ownership by Former Filipino Citizens 1. I am a natural born Filipino citizen who is now an American citizen. Can I buy or own real estate properties in the Philippines? Yes, you can own or buy real estate properties in the Philippines. Under Article XII Section 8 of the Philippine Constitution, a natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his or her Philippine citizenship can acquire land, subject to certain limitations. This includes acquisition by sale, inheritance or donation. 2. What are the limitations to land acquisitions? Batas Pambansa 185, which was enacted in March 1982, stipulates guidelines on land ownership by former Filipinos, while Section 10 of Republic Act 8179 (which amended the Foreign Investment Act of 1991) specifies conditions for land acquisition for investment purposes. The following are the pertinent limitations: BP 185 . Maximum of 1,000 sq. meters for urban land . Maximum of 1 hectare for rural land . Either of the spouses may avail of the privilege. . In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purpose, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum . If he/she already owns land for residential purposes, he or she can still acquire additional land but the total area should not exceed the maximum. . A person can acquire a maximum of two (2) lots for use as residence, which should be situated in different municipalities or cities in the Philippines. The total area of these lots should not exceed 1,000 sq. meters for urban land or 1 hectare for rural land. . A person who has already acquired urban land is disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa . The land should be used for residence. It cannot be used for any other purpose RA 8179 . Maximum of 5,000 sq. meters for urban land. . Maximum of 3 hectares for rural land . Either of the spouses may avail of the privilege. . In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purpose, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum . Either of the spouses may avail of the privilege. . In case both spouses wish to acquire lands for this purpose, the total area acquired should not exceed the maximum . A person may acquire a maximum of two (2) lots for business or commercial purposes, which should be situated in different municipalities or cities in the Philippines. The total area of these lots should not exceed 5,000 sq. meters for urban land or 3 hectares for rural land. . A person who has already acquired urban land is disqualified from acquiring rural land and vice versa . The land should be used for business or commercial activities. This includes leasing the land, but excludes buying and selling of the land. 3. In the event of my death, can the property be transferred to my husband or children or both, who are all natural born American citizens? Yes. Under Section 7, Article XII of the Philippine Constitution, foreigners can inherit land. 4. Are there limitations on hereditary succession? No. There are no limitations on hereditary succession both with respect to citizenship and size of the property. 5. What do I do to ensure that the title of the land I will purchase is clear or free from any claims of other parties? You may consult the Register of Deeds in the city or province where the title is registered and examine the registered title itself. Claims and rights of other parties upon the property will appear in the title. Note that you must examine the title that is actually filed with the Register of Deeds. The title that the owner or seller has may not show claims and rights of other parties, or the list may be incomplete.

For me, understanding RP culture frequently starts with untangling values. The leading story in the Manila Times (12/28) reflects the indignation and anger of RP congressmen and other officials regarding treatment afforded Mark Jiminez who has been extradited to the US. Jiminez, widely acknowledged as a thief in both countries has been returned to US to face charges by the FBI, IRS, and various debtors. In RP, it is believed that he helped Estrada loot the country. When taken by US marshals, he was handcuffed and ""forced"" to travel in economy class. He was accompanied by another congressman who wanted to make sure Mr. Jimenez was afforded the comforts of a Philippine Congressman. They complained about the ""tightness"" of the handcuffs. The marshals ditched the other congressman, to his displeasure. I have always had a hard time adjusting to the idea that convicted felons could also hold government office. I believe one congressman is still serving time in prison while conducting government business. I have also had problems understanding how folks alleged to have committed crimes could continue to function in high government until the allegations were resolved. For instance, Estrada's wife, obviously a benefactor and partner to Estrada during his 19 months of looting successfully ran for Senate office. It has been said that Estrada is expected to run for President in 2004. Perez, a top Secretary in the GMac administration has been accused (by Jiminez) of taking huge bribes. Perez took a month off, but Gloria welcomed him back. Sinsong, a governor, is the guy that stung Estrada and who was also by admission in collusion with Estrada for juteng (gambling) money. My comments, far from intended as bashing, reflect some puzzlement, and really scuff at the chasm in values between RP and US cultures. My wife said that she began avoiding news in RP when in college because she was embarrassed and saddened by the escapades of wealthy government members. Still, in our deeper conversations, she admits to a certain respect for honor among those members. I don't push. Is it possible to have a dialogue about values differences between our cultures on this topic without giving vent to vexation and judgment? I'd like to hear the views of others on this (to me) strange anomaly, but I'm not interested in contributing to denunciations. Thanks, if you contribute.

I do understand that there are many different people in many different cultures. It is just that sometimes I feel that we try too hard to fit in with a culture when it is best to just be ourselves. I have lived in a lot of different parts of the world and in many different cultures. I have found that it seems to work best for me to be respectful of the culture that I am in, but to also let the people around me to know that I am myself and not of their culture. I will make mistakes and will not always be liked by everyone because of that, but they mostly seem to understand that I am of a different culture and do not understand everything about them. That is just the way I am, but it seems to work for me. I do have friends in the Phillipines and some will ask for money or hint about it everytime we talk, others would never dream of asking me or even tell me of their problems, and I know they are poor. But they all know I will give them my honest opintion about how I feel about it and they seem to respect me for it. I have one friend that starts every conversation by asking me if I am ready to sent him money yet, buy then he is a bit of a ass at times. Maybe it is just the ones that I am dealing with, but again, it seems to be working for me. My comment about being too confrontational was a little tongue in cheek, but in fact I am a little that way. I do thank you for trying to explain this to me anyway. I may just be a little too old to change my ways at this stage of my life, And to be honest not real sure I want to. I seem to like me the way I am. But then that could just be a part of being a old guy that likes to think he is right most of the time, even if he is not.

I'm surprised no one replied to you concerning gun ownership. Well let me say that if you read my earlier posts, then you know guns are my forte. Yes you can own guns in the Philippines. However they are more regulated than they are in the states. You do need a permit for each gun you own. I don't know what the cost of a permit is, but I'll have my secratary look it up on Monday, and I'll relay it too you. I do know that any gun shop in the Philippines can handle the paperwork for you. However you will still need to visit the local police office, and get an approval signature. At least that's the way it was done 3 years ago. I deal mainly with weapons in the U.S. and have limited knowledge of the Filippino gun laws. I am in a position to find out though, and will do so Monday. I personally have a large gun collection myself, probably larger than most. I have about 175 guns in my personal stock. Of course most were given to me for promotional purposes. I'm leaving my collection with my father for safe keeping. Believe it or not, he has a big collection too. I'm not going to attempt to bring them in to the Philippines. I want to keep a low profile there, and that would be hard to do, when the local police chief knows you own guns. It just seems like an invitation for trouble in any third world country.

Even under the old Phil property ownership laws (still in effect), your wife will retain ownership of all property she owned before US naturalization.

I'd like to know if there is a hospital there in Cebu that does weight loss surgery? It is sometimes called an R&Y procedure. I have been considering it in the U.S. If there's a good hospital there that can perform the procedure, I'd rather have it done in Cebu. I don't want to return to the U.S. for six weeks if I don't have to.

In Metro Manila, it is easier to own a gun and get a permit if you buy your gun in a duly authorized gun dealer/store (i.e. P.B. Dionisio) where they have their own gun club. Based on personal knowledge from my very own clients, membership to a gun club will make your application, for a gun license and even a permit to carry (if you qualify) to be granted. Application for a gun license is processed at the National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police, situated at Camp Crame, Quezon City. The only authorized person to issue a gun license and license to carry is the Chief PNP, Gen. Ebdane, no other person is authorized to sign your license. So that the Chief of Police of Cebu has no power to issue license but only to facilitate the application or processing of papers of the applicant.

I too am a large person and this will be a concern of mine when I get to Cebu in February. I'd like to know of any tailor's that can handle a much larger sized fellow. The cost does not bother me, as long as the quality is good. I currently pay $900 to $1400 per suit in the U.S. now. I'd like to pay less, but I accepted long ago, that large guys pay a premium.

There is a demand for portraits but at the same time it is highly competitive market, at least in Manila, you are not bringing in anything new. Rather than get my digital photos developed developed, I prefer to use Photoshop, plus print shop to print them on A4, on an album type page. I have an Epson photo printer, but what has surprised me here is the cost of printing supplies. I use Epson Premium Glossy Photo, which in Hong Kong I use to buy 50 sheets for US$25. This is the top of the range Epson paper which is imported direct from Japan. I cannot find it here. The Epson Cartridges in Hong Kong cost US$11.50 but I bought one here last week the same cartridge cost, P875. (US$16.50) Previously I tried using a non Epson cartridge called ""inkjet"" but I noticed after about 3 months the colour started changing. Does anybody know a good one available here. Anybody going through Hong Kong should pick up supplies, don't go to the main shops but the computer centres such as at 298 Hennessy Road, in Wanchai.

After all the numerous response here on your predicament, i'm surprised that no one came up with the ""Silent Treatment"". Remember a while back, there was a thread here on asawas' silent treatment?... which almost always is a sure-fire way to get a husband's attention? Well, i think it would work too on your obnoxious brother-in-law. Round up your farm gang and household. Tell them to ostracize your brother in law. Give him the silent treatment. It'll be best if your wife will join in the effort. Some way or somehow he's bound to ask someone what's going on. When that happens, the first person he asks must be ready to give him the bad news or refer to someone you designate, if not you yourself, to level with him and tell him what the matter is.

I have read several articles recently that talked about the Philippino Peso dropping over the next few years. I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand I feel terrible for the poor Filippino people. They have it bad enough. However a part of me can't help but feel good over the fact that my American dollars will be worth even more in the islands. I mean no one wants to see a country fall into more poverty. However a lot of us are going to the Philippines, because our dollar will allow us to live better there, than in our present country. I know a lot of you are there because you are married to Filipino's. Some of you are also there, because of the beautiful scenery. However if your live in maid cost 28,000 dollars a year instead of $28 a month, you might think differently. A live in maid in the U.S. costs around 15-30 thousand dollars a YEAR. The same 3 bedroom house you pay $100,000 dollars for in the Philippines, would cost you $300,000 in the U.S. In the states you can't get a quick meal for 2-3 bucks. A meal deal here at Mcdonald's in Chicago costs $4.99 plus tax. My brother rents a 2 bedroom apartment here for $670 a month. That's not even in a great neighborhood. He could live off that much in the Philippines. Add in car note, insurance, high priced health care, etc. A 5 minute taxi ride costs $12 bucks here. I bet its cheaper there. AND to top it all off, I don't even have a beach here. My point is that it's hard for me to feel really bad about my dollar going further. I do feel guilty though.

Thanks for your views on my query, I do appreciate your thoughts. I do agree with you that the list intentions and practices lie in less weighty issues, but for myself, understanding and coping with those concerns is equally or more important than understanding the economics of pig farming. Mostly I try to constrain myself, but at times use this forum to help me formulate ideas and develop the thinking skills needed to live peacefully and comfortably in RP. Also, like the naughty anonymous bear, I find it hard at times to avoid making ovservations on odius issues..::)) I tend to forget your (and Don's) point about the relative meaningless of central government as one gains distance from Manila. That sets me to thinking about local government in the reaches of the provinces. I am wondering if they are typecast in the greed - self interest mode. My wife, Fe, bases her thinking on her life in Cavite where the barangay captains show up for ""project contributions"" where ""the barangay are your neighbors"" and you know where the money goes. She thinks local equates with minimized corruption. For Fe, corruption starts and is reinforced in upper government with tax collections and expenditures. It is in the dispersal of those taxes that do get collected (another interesting issue) in which my wife and I have a value disagreement concerning ""dignity."" For example, in the absence of local taxes, the central government funds prisons. Following the graft and corruption, the poorest prisoners get needs met through the trickle down funding available after government officials at various levels get their share. This reinforces the practice of relatives subsidizing the needs of prisoners. For Fe, this leads somewhat illogically to a relationship between dignity and money. Prison officials are accustomed to taking a share of tax levy for their personal ""use"" and find it both convenient and acceptable to take additional money from relatives of prisoners for the provision of leniency and additional comforts. This seems honorable and proper, hence, dignified. Through this convoluted reasoning, Mark Jiminez, one of the RP elite has suffered a severe loss of dignity not warranted by virtue of his position in the government, a position that was cemented by his skill at graft and coercion and its ultimate accumulation of cash. He is wanted in the US for similar crimes, but is treated in an undignified fashion in US custody (cuffs, cell, etc) because we don't always make the connection between financial status and dignity. When I asked Fe who her heros were (nobility and justice), she couldn't think of any including Rizal. I loved your reference to the smuggled vegetables - death penalty comments by GMac. Makes me wonder when to take comments by government seriously.

The best rate of return for buying pesos with dollars will be found at major department stores, such as the SM chain. Always take fresh $50 or $100 bils, not dogeared, wrinkled or stained. Smaller denominations and 'raggedy' notes will give you difficulty in exchange. Robert Warren responds: I've had better rates using my licensed and legitimate Money Changer, as opposed to major department stores. She has a TV set which is tuned to one of the Financial Channels, and it periodically shows foreign currency rates of exchange. I always try to make it a point of comparing her rate to the rate shown on the TV screen. Typically her rate is 10 centavos per dollar lower than the rate on the TV screen. For instance if the TV screen shows the rate to be P53.30 per Dollar, her rate would probably be about P53.20 per Dollar. Additionally I never have had to argue with her for a better rate , and I've never noticed her giving better rates to anyone else. Depending on my mood I may call her and have one of her motorcycle Runners deliver the money, but typically I go to her business establishment. I'll typically exchange a thousand dollars or more into Pesos, the bulk of which I will deposit into my Pesos denominated account(s), as soon as possible.

I'm not sure this is really going to be practical for you but the best advice I can give you is to open an account here in the US with a bank that may also have branches in the Phils. You may be able to access your $ from your US bank account in the Phils. For example, I am positive that you can access your cash if you have a checking account at Citibank here in the US while in the Philippines. You need a bank card and , of course, a pin #. There are at least 2 Citibank branches in Manila, one in Cebu City and one or two more locations in the Phils. The exchange rate is almost 1 to 1, but not quite. You don't need to bring much $ and don't have to mess with traveler's checks. You say you are from Indiana. I checked and I don't think there are any Citibank branches in Indiana, but many in Illinois. If you are close to the border of Illinois give this idea consideration.

Not sure if Cebu is the best place for true Hard Rock - probably Manila is better bet for that - maybe other Members can confirm this. There is a Hardrock Cafe in Makati! Places like Ratsky in Cebu have live music every night except Sunday and they bring in 2 groups from Manila and 1 local group and are open to 3am. The music is 'Hip Hop' mainly though, so might not be in your taste if you like Hard Rock. My 18 year old step-daughter is into music (Punk mainly) and she did not know where any Hard Rock groups perform' but will ask around her friends so will come back to you with an update if I get anything. In the meantime I tried a 'Google' search on [hard rock groups Cebu] This turned up Cebu Hard Rock Band 'Free Bird'Freebird - an electric band doing hard rock acts like Led Zep, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, Grand Funk, Lynyrd Skynyrd. But alas this group was disbanded in 1998, upon the untimely death of Tony de Jesus. http://www.angelfire.com/band2/freebird/index.html So I not sure if there exists any true 'Hardrock' groups in Cebu anymore?

I had an insident in a bank on RP. They would not take a $100 bill because of a small tear in it. I said that in the US I could take in a torn in half taped together bill to a bank and they would take it (did not think I was being rude, just saying it). The lady then said well we dont do that here and took my other two bills she had said were good and walked away, came back and gave me two other wrinkled (not mine) and said that they could not take these either. Tell her that these were not my bills she said that they were and I was to leave the bank. So as stated below, do not ""argue"" about the state of your bills.

Your long distance is not included in that price. I personally am going to use a phone card to call home. The card I have gives me a rate of .10 cents a minute from the Philippines to the U.S. This may be high or low, I have no idea. It seems reasonable to me I am buying $500 worth from Sams Club here in the states before i leave. When the time runs out, you just call Sams and use a credit card to put more time on it. Robert Warren Responds: Carl first let me say - Wow thanks it has been a good while since I remember reading such a good description of the cost of living. Subject Changed to better reflect this question. Old Subject: RE: [LinP1] My 2 cents on the cost of living in the Philippines But let me ask our members - can you actually use a card and get anything like 10 cents a minute when calling from the Philippines to the USA. Granted you can do it the other way around, and call from the USA to the Philippines for pretty competitive rates, but the other way around - I didn't think so, but I would be very interested if this works. I just want Carl to get some advice on this before buying $500 dollars worth of these cards. I live in the Philippines, and I have been placing calls to the USA by using services such as: . I connect to the internet, using my PC's microphone and speakers and some software. Costs vary significantly for this type of service, but lately it seems to cost me about 5 cents a minute. Quality of the call is very dependent on internet throughput. Additionally it is not unusual for my calls to be dropped unexpectedly during the call. I would be interested in calling the USA, using a card from Sam's. But can anybody confirm that such a call is possible. I wasn't aware it could be done.

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.

For Philippines calls to the states I've been using Globaltelcallback.com for years with out any problem. About 4 years I researched this and found this to be not only the cheapest for Phil. to the states but also very reliable. I haven't researched the prices with other companies lately so can't tell you it's still the cheapest out there right now but it's 22 US cents a minute billed in 6 second increments, good connection, no hidden fees, no taxes, no bla-bla-bla. They have a great itemized calling e-bill that you can show your wife how much for how long and in what direction her mouth was moving. That's less than half the price of the AT&T Sam's card. Carl, I saved you about $290. That's alot of San Miguel. It is still 3 US cents cheaper the other way.

Try the internet Yahoo Messenger. It allows you to talk with another person anywhere in the world. You need a microphone on your pc. Or if you want to see the person you are talking to - get a web cam. Works well with me. Your long distance is not included in that price. I personally am going to use a phone card to call home. The card I have gives me a rate of .10 cents a minute from the Philippines to the U.S. This may be high or low, I have no idea. It seems reasonable to me I am buying $500 worth from Sams Club here in the states before i leave. When the time runs out, you just call Sams and use a credit card to put more time on it. Robert Warren Responds: Carl first let me say - Wow thanks it has been a good while since I remember reading such a good description of the cost of living. Subject Changed to better reflect this question. Old Subject: RE: [LinP1] My 2 cents on the cost of living in the Philippines But let me ask our members - can you actually use a card and get anything like 10 cents a minute when calling from the Philippines to the USA. Granted you can do it the other way around, and call from the USA to the Philippines for pretty competitive rates, but the other way around - I didn't think so, but I would be very interested if this works. I just want Carl to get some advice on this before buying $500 dollars worth of these cards. I live in the Philippines, and I have been placing calls to the USA by using services such as: I connect to the internet, using my PC's microphone and speakers and some software. Costs vary significantly for this type of service, but lately it seems to cost me about 5 cents a minute. Quality of the call is very dependent on internet throughput. Additionally it is not unusual for my calls to be dropped unexpectedly during the call. I would be interested in calling the USA, using a card from Sam's. But can anybody confirm that such a call is possible. I wasn't aware it could be done.

So, after 10 years you understand less than when you moved to RP. Assuming that you operate from a learning curve based on experience, that says a lot. I'm not yet off the boat, but hoping to get a running start. For the last 15 years I've regularly read the metro dailies and a few from provincial capitals. That in itself reflects huge biases in my education. Barring any truth that Estrada stripped out $85 million in his 19 month presidential reign, and discounting Senator Loi's attempted trip to Hong Kong with a garbage sack filled with Pesos, and forgoing Estrada's ex-mayor son's current arrest status, it seems to me that the Estrada's are pacing right along in the Marcos footprints. If I have counted correctly, 4 Marcos progeny are governors/mayors and wealthy. (Imelda announced her candidacy for mayor of Manila earlier this year). Among other lessons, it does seem that criminal behavior, criminal indictments, stripping the poor, etc., in no way decrease the odds of reelection. Estrada announced 2 days ago that he expects to win the presidency in 2004. My money? on Estrada. Why? Loyalty of the poor. Ang, btw, was out on bail in US last week ($200,000) and is back in Vegas plying his trade. Singson (self professed accomplice in the juteng skimming) is already well ahead in the polls. Doesn't seem that any of them have lost much. I am curious though, in your ten years living in RP, has your life been greatly influenced by the politimorass in Manila, adversely or otherwise? Do you really give a damn about it? Have you found or developed coping skills for ignoring the political upheavals?

This kind of discussion seems to revolve around what could happen if a true legal challenge occurred. Fact is, with a US divorce, when a Filipino national returns to the RP and tells folks she is divorced, she is divorced. What possible threat could you fear by her US divorce not being recognized when she is in the RP? The worst thing that could happen is that she could be charged with bigamy, which would be laughed out of court if it ever reached that far. On the ""flip"" side, there are thousands of overseas Filipinos (especially in the US) who have legal spouses in the RP, but go ahead and remarry in the US (and in other countries). The only time their previous marriage presents a problem is if they are using the new marriage as a basis for changed immigrant status. I have seen situations where just such a thing occurred and came to the attention of INS. The applicant was advised to bring back proof of a divorce from his RP spouse and then continue with his petition progress (all through a US attorney, which is proof that immigration attorneys demonstrate some usefulness now and then).

I'm no attorney but I always thought that Phil. law did accept US divorce. I personaly know a yank that married a Filipina in Phil. took her to the states, they split, she stayed in the states, he came back to Phil., they divorced in a US court while he was in Phil. using FedEx for all the paperwork. He then remarried another Filipina with the Phil. courts accepting his US divorce with no bribes to anybody here plain, simple and legal. No annulment necessary. I have also heard a few years ago from a reliable source of a yank in Angeles who will divorce yanks who married here in Phil. through a US court by courier at a cost of about $500.

By Philippine law only a divorce from a foreigner is recognized. Therefore if both parties were Philippine citizens then the divorce obtained abroad would not be recognized within the Philippines. Since your wife now is a foreigner the divorce might be recognized? This has nothing to do with dual citizenship. Au contrary having only citizenship would make things easier. As for the adoption of children the problem should be that the both of you are foreigners. This complicates matters and dual citizenship would make that easier. With all due respect but I think it would be best to seek some proper legal advice here in the Philippines. You could also check with the Philippine embassy in the US to see if your marriage would be recognized when you apply for let's say a 13g visa.

After all the numerous response here on your predicament, i'm surprised that no one came up with the ""Silent Treatment"". Remember a while back, there was a thread here on asawas' silent treatment?... which almost always is a sure-fire way to get a husband's attention? Well, i think it would work too on your obnoxious brother-in-law. Round up your farm gang and household. Tell them to ostracize your brother in law. Give him the silent treatment. It'll be best if your wife will join in the effort. Some way or somehow he's bound to ask someone what's going on. When that happens, the first person he asks must be ready to give him the bad news or refer to someone you designate, if not you yourself, to level with him and tell him what the matter is.

In two years we'll be hearing of the problems incurred by those who chose to request dual status. For instance, U.S. citizens must declare foreign earnings on U.S. tax returns. Only a specified amount remains tax free. How long before some forward-thinking RP legislators cry goose/gander on that one? That's only one issue. My long range radar senses others.

I chose Cebu, because it seems a safe bet. Over the past 5 years, I've heard a lot of horror stories about Manilla. Kidnappings, political unrest, etc. I know it's not as bad as the papers make it seem, but I'm a safety minded person. Plus, I think about the unstability of the government, and politics there. If anything major were to happen in the future years to come, Manilla would be the first and primary target. At least if I lived in Cebu, I'd get some warning, and be able to jump on my sail boat, and high-tail it out of the area. Of course, I also chose Cebu, because it seems like a good location to start from. I may eventually move from there, but as a starting point, it seems as good as any. There's also the benefit, of a nice sized city, but not too big, like Manilla. The cost of living seems relatively mild, compared to Manilla. So these are my selfish reasons. One other reason I chose Cebu is the fact that everyone I talk to seems to be headed there, and even though I'm trying to leave the good old USA, I still like to see American Faces.

I want to bring my computer, can someone tell me if i need to bring my monitor also, or can i use one that i purchase while i am there. I have a hewlt packerd if it makes a difference. I know i will need a converter to change the current to a usa current, and would not with the monitor, but will there be a problem in the connection.