When Medicare Can't Guarantee An M.D. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 12, 2003 (CBS/AP) ""It frankly breaks my heart to turn somebody away for economic reasons."" Dr. Mitch Miller (CBS) When Army veteran Joe Barry retired to Virginia Beach, the last problem he thought he'd have, was finding a doctor. He called six different physicians, and, as CBS News Correspondent Wyatt Andrews reports, each one told him they no longer were taking new Medicare patients. One receptionist even told him if he needed help, to call Congress. Barry says he was told, ""You should bring it to the attention of your congressman cause it's something the government has to fix."" Dr. Mitch Miller is one of the physicians who turned Barry down. He says for years Medicare has paid physicians less than what it costs for patient care. For example, Miller receives $44 for a Medicare patient visit that costs him more than $50. He's not kicking any patients out, he says. He just can't afford any more. ""It frankly breaks my heart to turn somebody away for economic reasons,"" says Miller. Dr. Alvin Ciccone of Norfolk, one of the top family physicians in the country, says Medicare doesn't recognize how time consuming elderly patients have become. He too is declining new patients. ""I feel horrible,"" Ciccone says, about having to turn down the most vulnerable patients out there. ""I feel horrible, but I can't make it at two patients an hour."" According to a recent survey by the American Medical Association, almost half of the nation's doctors say they plan to limit the number of new Medicare patients they will take this year. However, in some communities, that understates the problem. At the Norfolk senior center counselor Bobby Jarrell has to spend part of every day helping the elderly find doctors. Jarrell estimates that about 95 percent of physicians in the area are not accepting new Medicare patients. Congress knows that after years of budget cuts, Medicare is losing doctors. Recently, it gave physicians a raise of 1.6 percent - between 80 and 90 cents. ""Now, come on,"" Ciccone says with a grimace. Almost 90 percent of all American doctors still participate in Medicare but the number is dropping. For Barry and other seniors, Medicare might promise health care, but what it can't guarantee is a doctor.

RESOLUTION PETITIONING the UNITED STATES CONGRESS and the CONGRESS of the REPUBLIC of the PHILIPPINES TO EFFECTUATE MEASURES TO ALLOW QUALIFIED U.S. CITIZENS TO UTILIZE THEIR U.S. MEDICARE ENTITLEMENTS/BENEFITS IN THE PHILIPPINES. WHEREAS, U.S. citizens including those of Filipino heritage are not now able to utilize their U.S. Medicare entitlements whenever they are in the Philippines whether on short visits or on a long-term basis such as rest & recuperation, long-term care for illnesses or on temporary or permanent retirement in the Philippines, and WHEREAS, these same U.S. citizens are being prevented from exercising their basic right to adequate health care at the time of their greatest need due solely to a change in their geographical location, and WHEREAS, these same U.S. citizens have fully earned their U.S. Medicare entitlements, fully paid for by the sweat of their brows through years of hard and honest labor, and WHEREAS, we have a golden opportunity to create a win- win situation for all concerned, to wit: Health care is an expensive commodity in the U.S. and its cost is continually rising especially in the elderly sector. The Philippines is a well-known next exporter of western- oriented health care personnel to the U.S. and the rest of the developed nations for decades. If Medicare dollars can be utilized to deliver quality health care in the Philippines at a lower cost, then the U.S. wins in massive cost-savings in U.S. Medicare expenditures. Likewise, the Philippines wins by gaining a new, dollar- earning industry which will have a positive impact on the quality of health care in the Philippines due to the inevitable technology transfer and knowledge infusion that accompanies same. This will represent accelerated globalization at its best in this new millennium, and WHEREAS, the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines have a shared history as well as a special, close relationship for more than a hundred years whereby each nation has shown that they can absorb people, goods, services and ideologies from each other without difficulties, and WHEREAS, this sharing of health resources which will be beneficial to both countries and its people is the highest expression of mutual trust, confidence, respect and caring that transcends mere commerce, and is thus universally considered to constitute a solid foundation for a covenant or a treaty between two friends and allies, and WHEREAS, existing precedents would mitigate possible objections to this grand, humanitarian proposal such as the treaties between U.S.A. and Canada as well as between U.S.A. and Mexico; likewise, the latest law that allows Filipino veterans of World War II recruited by the U.S. Army who recently obtained their long-delayed U.S. citizenship and some benefits, to retain 75% of their Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.) benefits when they return to the Philippines. In the private sector, most U.S. health insurance companies and H.M.O.s find no problem in reimbursing health care expenditures incurred in the Philippines. For so many years, the track record in this area is quite enviable, and WHEREAS, providing equity and equality in access to U.S. Medicare benefits for qualified U.S. citizens who elect to visit or retire in the Philippines is the right thing to do, is the moral thing to do, is representative of the American sense of fair play, and, is reflective of the highest principles of a Christian and a democratic nation. SO THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED that this organization respectfully peition the respective CONGRESSES of the Unites States of America and the Republic of the Philippines to initiate positive measures to allow qualified U.S. citizens to avail of their U.S. Medicare entitlements when they visit or retire in the Philippines, and, be it further RESOLVED that copies of this peition be forwarded in a timely manner to the appropriate officials of both countries via the customary and appropriate channels.

Thanks for this Medicare article. I believe that part of the solution to this Medicare problem is staring us in the face. For a couple of years now, I've been on a personal crusade to enable qualified U.S. citizens (which includes thousands of our kababayans) to utilize Medicare entitlements and reimbursement for services rendered in the Philippines. If US Medicare approves, a 30% savings is almost guaranteed while the Phil. gains a new billion dollar industry as well as significant improvement in quality of medical care in the Phil. through technology transfer. It's a surefire win-win situation. More Fil-Ams will surely retire in the Phil. as well as expats with previous Phil. connections. The Phil. experience can serve as a model for other countries as well. Health care for US citizens will be truly globalized. I need all the help I can get to realize this dream. If you're interested Dr. Paraiso, let's talk more about it.

May I ask for your assistance on this personal crusade of mine? Palagay ko ay pakikinabangan nating lahat ito, especially our FilAm vets. This will encourage them to retire back home in a ""best of two worlds"" situation and not be prey to the predators and criminal elements in other places. Pagusapan po natin kung interesado kayo. Lubos na umaasa sa inyong interes at pagtulong.

I haven't been in the country as long as you. But I find your comment ""here we go again"" saying a lot. I have noticed in 7 months of being here in the country that the average Filipino blames the elite of this country for the countries problems and the elite of the country seem to blame the evil foreigner for the countries problems. Go figure.

Hi everyone. Its me again. I don't mean to butt in[yes i do], but its not the filipina or any other people from any other country in particular, that is different in regards to saving and frugality of this nature. It is WE... Americans who are the most wasteful people and biggest polluters in the world. WE... are different. And not in a good way in this regard.

Did not read the whole story but - here we go again, have a dig at the foreigners when things aren't running well. What about probing the Filipino banks where possibly various cronies of powerful people hold sway and have become very rich? Is it being done, I wonder . .

ALMOST every evening for the past year, in a so far futile attempt to lose weight, I've gone for a brisk evening walk around the subdivisions of Buhangin. Yes, it could be a very pleasant walk indeed if only I didn't invariably attract a chorus of shouts and jeers. The kindest is "Hey Joe," the more usual "-off Joe" or "-you Joe." I've yet to hear a straightforward "Good Evening." It might be thought that after twelve months of marching around the same subdivisions-middle class with a wealth of flashy houses and RUVs-that the locals would have become accustomed to the sight of me. Not a chance; it's still great fun to shout at a passing pedestrian even though he be a complete stranger. The worst offenders are the students of what was formerly called the Davao Merchant Marine Academy at the top of the long hill that leads to Tigatto. Now, these are not kids, these are young men in their late teens or early twenties who are studying to be officers in the merchant marine. Once they have obtained their certificates they will sail off to the far corners of the world; each one a representative, an unofficial ambassador to the Philippines. When they dock at Liverpool or Los Angeles are they going to disembark to start shouting "Hey Joe" to the tough wharfies? I think not. Of course it's not only me who suffers this indignity but anyone with a Caucasian appearance whether he be American or Serbo-Croat. And it's not only the spotty adolescents and kids who shout; it's adults too who bawl from passing jeepneys, trucks and coaches and who should know better. So what are the reasons behind these insulting displays of ignorance? Professionals in the teaching trade point out that social standards are on the decline, that parents no longer set an example nor do they discipline their children for fear of a do-gooder jumping up to cry child-beater or worse. Or perhaps it's just because these mouthy morons have a serious inferiority complex. Not only do they need to be noticed, they need to be seen to be noticed because they are never, never alone when they shout. Meanwhile I'll keep on taking exercise and keep on pretending not to notice the jeers and shouts but it's like a toothache. Always there. Nagging. Annoying.

I am a filipina and married to an american and i've been here in america bout a year and half. so does your wife knows bout your criticizing her? ooppsss......sorry for the word. but for you to know bout a little on our culture: it's either 1. being frugal by nature as we are more or less influenced from the chinese people. we like to keep things and save it for future use, no question. 2. we don't have much particularly money matters. that's why it's a waste to just trash them. don't you think it's nice to have a wife like her? just let her be. by the way, from where is your wife? from,talisay, cebu city girl.

I love the way my wife tries really hard to save money for the family, but sometimes she goes a little overboard. I came home for lunch yesterday, but I didn't completely finish my dinner. I ended up getting a scolding about all the starving children in Manila. I hadn't heard this story since I was 8 years old, and back then it was the starving children in China. Last night, she asked me where we should put the dish washer soap and I told her under the kitchen sink. But then she tells me there is no room to put anything else under the sink. So I look and find that it is completely full of plastic bags from the grocery and convenience stores. For the past 3 weeks she has been diligently washing and saving every plastic bag that comes into the house. Additionally, I found out that she's already started storing more bags in yet another cabinet. I didn't realize I had married a Filipina chipmunk. So, this morning I open the refridgerator and I find a glass filled with a clear liquid with a brownish tint. I asked Mavel what she was trying to make. Well, after some shy looks and little giggles, I finally found out that she had a glass of coke the previous evening, but there was still ice in the glass so she decided to save them for the next day. I just kissed her and thanked her for trying to save money for the family. :) There's no point to this post ... I just thought I'd pass along some humorous goings-on at home while she gets used to living in America.

Just some inputs on your discussions about land prices: Sellers, anywhere in the world, including the Philippines would always want more for their property, except when they would really want to dispose of it for whatever reason other than money. Some has problems of ownership or tax. In the Philippines, you can add squatters as a major cause for some owners to get rid of their properties at cheaper price. The wise buyer, if he knows how to deal with them can get it at a give away price. Land prices also depends on your location. Residential lots cost cheaper than commercial lots, like if its along a major thoroughfare, or its located downtown and near commercial establishments. Residential lots also depends on the category of the subdivision. Capital Gains Tax is a must. Usually brokers or agents gets 5% of the selling price. Please make sure you are dealing with a duly licensed ones.

Naturally plastic bags can be reused even if it was only to use as garbage bag. Makes sense and why waste money on buying new bags. It is better for the environment anyways. I do not think a Filipina can we too frugal. Sometimes I wonder why the money that I earn is not being spent. There are months passing by without using a single peso. If your wife is like that then you can not thank her enough

reminds me of my mother and others who were old enough to know--and who lived thru the great depression in USA, My Filipina wife and other Filipina friends do the same, a lot of us including myself have no idea what it is to have absolutely nothing,

Oh, my wife is the same in some ways... When I visited the RP to meet her, there was no ""paper"" in the stalls... etc... when she was here she would save napkins and other things from resturants and stores. We dont save so many plastic as before, but still she scolds me for not folding them correctly to save space. Really, it is proper care of resources that we have for granted for so long. I find it all a loving and proper response to life. So now I use less, take showers with the bucket (city water and all), and try to live simply. It is like a ""culture shock"" that you learn to make your own. Still, too much is too much in all frugal things. Taking the bags back to the super market to recycle is also good. another guy who loves the tradition.

I love the way my wife tries really hard to save money for the family, but sometimes she goes a little overboard. I came home for lunch yesterday, but I didn't completely finish my dinner. I ended up getting a scolding about all the starving children in Manila. I hadn't heard this story since I was 8 years old, and back then it was the starving children in China. Last night, she asked me where we should put the dish washer soap and I told her under the kitchen sink. But then she tells me there is no room to put anything else under the sink. So I look and find that it is completely full of plastic bags from the grocery and convenience stores. For the past 3 weeks she has been diligently washing and saving every plastic bag that comes into the house. Additionally, I found out that she's already started storing more bags in yet another cabinet. I didn't realize I had married a Filipina chipmunk. So, this morning I open the refridgerator and I find a glass filled with a clear liquid with a brownish tint. I asked Mavel what she was trying to make. Well, after some shy looks and little giggles, I finally found out that she had a glass of coke the previous evening, but there was still ice in the glass so she decided to save them for the next day. I just kissed her and thanked her for trying to save money for the family. :) There's no point to this post ... I just thought I'd pass along some humorous goings-on at home while she gets used to living in America.

hi...i'm 9yrs. happily married to a down to earth filipina 16yrs younger than i (only)who came from a real poor family even by fililipo standards.the in-laws have never asked for even one peso.i never gave cash at first as not wanting to start off on the wrong foot,and opted to do home reno's instead ie. running water,electricity and cemented the mud floor of their shack.once back in the west we began sending $100-usd. each month as most filipinos want to help-out their family of course.unfortunatly this made my father-in-law feel useless...all we did was put him on welfare... he lazed around the house, would get real drunk and eventually got a stroke and died at 54....he was built like charles atlas too... it was a real shame.what he needed was about 100,000-pesos to buy a fishing boat but i was too cheap to come up with the money.i sure he would have paid me back fish by fish...anyways,now they're in worse shape then ever and send more money now....while trying to save to get my butt back to pi....good grief...any suggestions on how to help out with-out making them feel they have utang naloob?

I just joined the group as a part of my planning for retirement in CEBU. I visited Cebu two years ago with a friend and found the experience to be eye opening. I would appreciate contact from any recent retiree who might consider acting as a mentor. Dear tmenta, Welcome to living in the Philippines. On this List you will find many who can help you. And we have archives full of information you can access, an opinionated web page at www.livinginthephilippines.com, and many, maybe 500 or so active members, about a hundred who post, who will answer your questions. I am a long time retiree, but was a recent one once. You will have to go through a lot of adjustments, if your job was you life. If you had many outside interests, you will have a much easier time of it. Maybe if you told us a little more about yourself and what you are looking for in Cebu, what you are interested in, I feel you may get a lot of answers. Being specific really helps. We use to get post, ""Tell me about the Philippines."" That is a tall order. What do you know and what do you need to know would help us help you. We don't even know if you have ever been to Cebu before. Again welcome to the List!

In South Cebu I saw houses going up in smoke,200 people injured and some killed from mid nov to new years day and on that very rainy day at 4 in the morning I saw a little old man bent double emerge from a straw hovel and proceeded in the task of lighting a rocket all by himself,a boy planted himself outside of our hotel and proceeded to set off fireworks for a month.On boxing day the paper was knee deep in places.Ask any girl where she works .shell probably say the firework factory.PARDON I DIDNT HEAR WHAT YOU SAID

This reminds me of somebody trying to sell me financial advice for retirement a few years ago, after our initial meeting she came back and said, you need to plan carefully and while Philippines is cheap now it has an 8% inflation rate. I immediately told her that thank you for your advice but the peso had depreciated 20% that year against the dollar! Anybody who understands economics will know there is a link between, inflation and exchange rate. Here are some statistics, at the end of 2002, the purchasing power of the peso compared to 1994 is .59. The average peso to dollar rate in 1994 was 27.7245, at the end of 2002 it was 53.5195. What does it mean in simple English, what one peso would buy you in 1994, you would only now get .59 worth of goods. But in 1994 1 dollar would give you 27.7245 pesos, but as at December 2002 you would get 53.5915 pesos. Comparing this to what it would buy you at end of 2002, The purchasing power of $1 is 53.5915 times .59 i.e. 31.62 , where back in 1994 it was 27.245, hence holding the dollar has beaten inflation. On a shorter term view, at 31 December 1998 the peso was 39.0733 to the dollar and the purchasing power of the peso .73 compared to 1994. The purchasing power of $1 at end of 1998 compared to 1994 was 39.0733 times .73 equals 28.52, to-day it is 31.62 again holding the dollar has beaten inflation. Past statistics does not necessarily mean it will stay that way going forward.

My comment relates to Sub Divisions in Metro Manila and its surroundings as I have no experience in other areas. Land in a sub division is not cheap, not only does it vary per sub division in the same area but the location of the land within the sub division. To give you an example in Alabang there are a number of sub divisions at the top end is Ayala Alabang at 19 to 22,000 per sq metre, but there are other good quality sub divisions close by with prices costing from about 8,000 upwards. So is it worth it, most of this land if it is a high end SD is very saleable and much easier if there is no house on it. It does give security, to get to my house you have to pass through 3 gates, and security guards are driving around all the time. It is safe and pleasant to walk around. Not only does it give nice homes it gives a nice environment, peaceful with limited traffic, extensively planted. A large SD with a number of gates gives good access to various main roads cutting out the Manila traffic. On top of that you get club facilities, services (not always piped water though) etc. Depending on the SD the homes must be a certain style, minimum size etc. Another side regarding the SD, Developers do give interest free installments, this is just a marketing con, as they give big discounts for cash. From personal observation think carefully before buying the model house, the ones I have seen are overpriced, expensive to make changes to and do you want a house the same as everybody else? My latest thinking is why even buy a plot and build a house, buying an older house works out significantly cheaper and there are many for sale. So my latest thinking is, I have a 1000 sq mts. of land on a high end sub division built by a well known developer, just outside Manila I bought a few years ago, sell it and buy a house. Yesterday I showed it to the Broker, as all the lots had been sold, there was good facilities and next to mine is a very big house owned by an American, and is it is a well know SD they said it will be easy to sell (we shall see but I am in no rush). Now if I was not on a good SD with a squatter area next to me, it may be cheaper but could I sell it!

I have been thinking of purchasing land in a up-scale sub-division for a few reasons: 1. Security 2. Title to property 3. Facilities (recreation as well as water and electricty) 4. Very nice homes in the area. The negative is the price; a lot in Monteritz is about 1.18 million pesos (300 sq meters). I have looked in the Davao area at Monteritz Classic Estates. Also I have talked to one sub-divison near Cebu (Corona del Mar). The latter is having problems and I have backed away from it. My question is although the facilities are first class and the homes around them are quite nice. Do you think that the sub-divisions are worth the money and are they any safer and less risky than just purchasing some land.

THREE foreign banks are being investigated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for allegedly engaging in illegal currency speculation involving 640 million dollars that led to the sharp drop of the peso against the dollar, an Inquirer source said Thursday. Bank of America, HSBC Corp., and Standard Chartered Bank either put the funds in hidden accounts or did not properly document the transactions, the source said. Besides the BSP probe, the Bureau of Internal Revenue is looking into the tax liabilities of 27 traders from money changing companies. ""The Monetary Board instructed the BSP to heighten its vigilance in monitoring the foreign exchange position of banks, keeping an eye on possible temporary parking by banks of their foreign exchange assets in other accounts to circumvent foreign exchange rules,"" BSP deputy governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a statement. ""The Monetary Board views this as a serious violation that is inimical to the national interest particularly at this time,"" he said. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself warned speculators Wednesday when the peso breached the 55-to-the-dollar level against the dollar that their tax returns and activities were being monitored. To further curb speculation, the Monetary Board reduced by half to five million dollars the ceiling for banks in accumulating dollars for their own account. The maturity of forward currency contracts was also shortened to no more than six months. The strong government signals to crack down on speculators helped the peso bounce back to 54 to the dollar Thursday yesterday, closing at 54.95 to the dollar from 55.099 to the greenback Wednesday. From 55.16 to the dollar during the morning trade, the peso rose to 54.93 to the dollar before closing two centavos lower. Officials of HSBC and Standard Chartered denied their banks were guilty of speculation and of violating any central bank regulation. ""We try in every single case to be compliant with the BSP requirements,"" HSBC treasurer John McGowan said. Standard Chartered Bank spokesperson Zenaida Iglesias said, ""We are in compliance with the BSP documentary requirements."" A senator said currency speculation by foreign banks was behind the peso's sharp drop against the dollar although two congressmen claimed that the war in Mindanao was making the peso weak. ""I believe that the chief factor for the peso slide is speculation,"" Senator Manuel Villar said. ""I'm almost sure although I have no evidence yet. These may be foreign banks."" Villar, chairman of the Senate committees on finance and on foreign relations, pointed out that currency speculation was a form of economic sabotage. The weakening peso is expected to raise the prices of fuel and the cost of utilities with automatic currency exchange rate adjustment like electricity and phone service, and increase the country's debt service payments.

I recently signed up to use FilAm Phone Club. Calls from the U.S. to R.P. are 17.9 cents per minute and are billed at six second intervals. I've received the first two monthly invoices and found no extraneous charges AT ALL. In other words, you pay a flat rate - period. I haven't used a stop watch to verify the accuracy of the time for which I was charged. One day I may get around to doing that jjust to make sure I'm getting what I think I'm getting. If interested you can check them out at:

hello everyone, this is the first time i've posted. I just wanted to respond to this post. In Philadelphia, Pa. I buy prepaid phone cards to call my girlfriend in the Philippines. It cost $10.00 for 87 minutes from here.This time can be purchased from Delta Phone Cards, over the phone by calling Delta at 215-351-9383. Ask for the ""Hello Asia"" card. They will bill your credit/debit card and give you the toll free access phone number and a personal PIN.

I just got back from the bank, PNB. This mornings rate was posted at 54.80. So I get my money and go to the money changer and Rosita's a block or two away. He says 54.80. He was on the phone getting the latest rate when I arrived. He said if you arrived ten minutes earlier I would have given you 54.95. He said yesterday he was giving 55.20 in the morning, 55.10 in the afternoon and 55.00 when he closed in the evening. . He said, ""Where were you yesterday?"" He opened at 55.90. I believe him. And I believe I have all that straight but don't count on it. I noted the bank teller, the one who handles the dollars at PNB (at least the one who does today, it changes) was telling a lady how long it would take her check to clear. He counted the days using his fingers, one by one, the same calculator I use. It is comforting to know there are other math wizards like me, wise in the way of slippery numbers., hard to grasp. Maybe someone who has time can go to www.inq7.net and post the link to the article or the article on the front page. It says that the Central Bank has three foreign banks under investigation for hoarding $640 Million, maybe one reason for the peso weakness. (The later my comment, not theirs. I have not read the whole article yet.) Bank of 'America, HSBC, Standard Chartered, are mentioned. Got to run and spend some money. It does burn the pockets!

Hi to All, I have a number of pension /savings plans with Phil-Am (Peso denominated), all of which are up to date except for one (1) which is likely to lapse next week due to shortage of funds. If continued the return is expected to keep ahead of depreciation of the Peso vs US$ This plan is fully transferrable so I'm looking for someone to take over this investment. Pls email me privately for more details if you are interested.

In Hong Kong the consulate gave me a letter to take to a specific police station. The police wrote back to the Consulate not me. It took about 4 weeks after visiting the police station and being finger printed etc. To Maria and all who may need it. This website gives the addressses and phone numbers for obtaining police clearances in all States. It is maintained, oddly, by the Canadian Government. Also, the State Police in Connecticut, where I live, has instructions on its website. This may be true of other States. The procedure and form may vary. The Connecticut State Police call it a Certificate of Good Conduct. It may be best to call and ask.

A recent survey of 145 U.S. companies by consultant Forrester Research found that 88 percent of the firms that look overseas for services claimed to get better value for their money offshore than from U.S. providers, while 71 percent said offshore workers did better work. That's news that can't stay quiet for long, and companies like Microsoft (MSFT: Research, Estimates), Intel (INTC: Research, Estimates) and CNN/Money parent company AOL Time Warner (AOL: Research, Estimates) already are responding. ""Over the next 15 years, 3.3 million U.S. service industry jobs and $136 billion in wages will move offshore to countries like India, Russia, China and the Philippines,"" Forrester analyst John McCarthy predicted in a report last year. ""The IT industry will lead the initial overseas exodus.""

Whilst the peso is certainly weak at the moment, it is trading against a weakened dollar also (due to impending war), think what the situatin could be?. I will not be changing any dollars at the moment. All soft currencies have had a hard ten years and probably set to get even harder. The most difficult thing is to pick hard currency exchange rates. Also as far as land prices are concerned they certainly do seem to be increasing and it seems like maybe you should rush into a buy, but you must consider the exchange rates. The weakening pesos against land increases may be more significant. You need to look at what your dollars will buy today against what they would have bought a couple of years ago. And if you feel like speculating try to guess what they will buy in a couple of years time. When I first travelled here a few years ago I was Getting around Peso 72 to the pound, I recently bought a house at peso 88 to the pound, thats around a 22% saving. And the houses I was looking at where around the same price as when I fisrt arrived. Maybe some people were even more deperate sell. It seems everyone who was selling was heading for the USA (or dreaming of). You have got to do a lot of looking to find a fair deal.

I am applying for a visa as spouse of a Philippine Citizen. One of the things they ask for is aPolice Clearance. When I asked at the Philippine Embassy, the lady said there was no form, just get a note from local police. Not sure of the format. Anybody know exactly what they want?

I have been thinking of purchasing land in a up-scale sub-division for a few reasons: 1. Security 2. Title to property 3. Facilities (recreation as well as water and electricty) 4. Very nice homes in the area. The negative is the price; a lot in Monteritz is about 1.18 million pesos (300 sq meters). I have looked in the Davao area at Monteritz Classic Estates. Also I have talked to one sub-divison near Cebu (Corona del Mar). The latter is having problems and I have backed away from it. My question is although the facilities are first class and the homes around them are quite nice. Do you think that the sub-divisions are worth the money and are they any safer and less risky than just purchasing some land.

I suppose all this talk of age is a western way of thought. I went to and looked until I found a nice girl. Catholic, kind, and poor. Well, she is not from RP standards, more like middle class. But even though we are 10 yrs apart, she is more mature, stable, and wise than I. Over the long run, she is richer than I, kinder, and more Catholic. Wow, just to have found such beauty and it comes with a price that I accept fuller love. Are you kidding? It is hard to understand that I must always receive more and more love and kindness. I definately will reitre to the RP and live a blessed life surrounded by the best people on earth. Today, we will pay off ""mama's"" mortgage. I guess I do have a little to give, but I know that I will be overloaded again.... she will send presents and I will feel like a heel.. having to accept gifts again. The filipino's dont understand that it is us americans that have been given the gift. Still, my wife is ""carded"" everywhere while I have gray starting to show... She looks like a little girl, and I a middle aged man (she is 30, I am 40), but none of that matters, cuz she loves me and I am amazed.

The $5.00 Asia phone card gave us 10 minutes. We called the ""Customer Service Department"" and waited, waited, waited. Finally, we were ""reimbursed"" 20 minutes. It didn't work. It was another 10 minutes and the card just cut off. We have used other phone cards; most of them are just as unsatisfcatory as the Asia Card. One need be careful about all these prepaid phone cards. They may look different, because of the colorful designs. Look carefully, several may be from the same company. The only two phone cards that are more reliable are the Pinoy card and the Quality card. I would suggest that you use the Quality card, if not then the Pinoy card. Do not buy the $10 card if you can help it. Get two $5.00 cards. Make one phone call on one card, non-stop until all the minutes are up. Otherwise, you will be surprised and undoubtedly frustrated after one phone call, that you have fewer minutes left than expected. DO NOT BE FRUSTRATED to the point of using your home phone to call the Philippines direct without a prepaid phone card. We learned a good lesson from Verizon. One 38 minute phone call to a distressed relative who hd just her husband cost us $118.47, which figured to be over 3 USD per minute. Reasons, we asked Verizon, were that Verizon had to pay several layers of companies to get the phone call connected, and that there was something to do with some satellite to effectuate the connection in the Philippines, etc. etc. One other thing to note is that calling a cell phone costs more than calling a land line phone. Another thing to avoid is buying the prepaid phone cards from MCI or AT&T at Costco or Sam's Club. They are not the same as the prepaid phone cards you can buy from Filipino grocery stores. Those MCI or AT&T phone cards charge the premium rates, more like 65 cents per minute to a cell phone and not that much better to a landline phone.