
sandArmando
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
40
Contacts
4
About me
American
Lives in san Fernando
Registration: 03 May 2015
Starlink Internet vs local internet by aklokow
Hi AllJust wanted to know if anyone is using Starlink? We decided to get Starlink when they had this special in the philippines of initail price to be 10K less until August. So we got our today, the monthly fee compare to our existing internet is ...
@aklokow hi, yes using Starlink. I'm actually glad to read your comments. I gave up on the Fiber connection a while ago for the same problems you mentioned. I've been using Starlink since they started their promo and after I got an unobstructed view ... Read More
Foreigner COVID-19 Vaccinations by onefogarty
Hi everyone, hope you鈥檙e all happy, healthy, and well :) After much procrastination and resistance, I have decided to surrender to the fact that I simply must get the jab/s in order to have any kind of mobility or freedom here or abroad. That ...
@onefogarty聽I just watched Dr.Beens latest video looking at the latest numbers.Spoiler, the less shots the better. Read More
Covid Masks by PalawOne
Have to say, it's often smart to wear a Covid mask.Especially if you are an expat, and in the Philippines.Why? Three reasons ...1. It's the law in the Philippines. Quote: "All persons shall wear well-fitted face masks .. especially in public areas ...
@Enzyte Bob聽yes, passed through barely vacinated South Africa with few serious illnesses and deaths but is a serious problem in countries聽 that have a high % of vaccinations.聽 Just look at the numbers. Read More
What is your Electric Bill like ? by frankanderson
Just wondering, I am starting to suspect Condo's pay a lot more for electricity than a house. My missus inform me that its possible that condo tenants pay commercial prices, similar to stores and businesses. If that's right, that's ...
@Timo62聽I got my smart plugs from Lazada. You need to order the high current version if your controlling an air conditioner.聽 Note the plug type, i could find no adapter for that type receptacle locally so ordered that from lazada ... Read More
What is your Electric Bill like ? by frankanderson
Just wondering, I am starting to suspect Condo's pay a lot more for electricity than a house. My missus inform me that its possible that condo tenants pay commercial prices, similar to stores and businesses. If that's right, that's ...
Im using window style units in each bedroom. The problem was since they dont work well thermostatically( you get to cold or hot while tring to sleep). Anyway, just installed a smart plug that you program from your phone and allows them to circulate ... Read More
Covid Masks by PalawOne
Have to say, it's often smart to wear a Covid mask.Especially if you are an expat, and in the Philippines.Why? Three reasons ...1. It's the law in the Philippines. Quote: "All persons shall wear well-fitted face masks .. especially in public areas ...
@PalawOne聽Very scientific, a guy answered a questioned and confirmed your bias. No science to back up what you believe and improperly using PPE is the norm now. Just keep getting those boosters.聽 Read More
Covid Masks
@Wellsfry聽Correct. besides raising personal CO2 levels by restricting breathing,and having long term phycological effects on children, micro plastics have for the first time been found deep in the lung tissues. Plus they do nothing to keep the ... Read More
How did you find housing - renting a house? by SHarvey
How difficult was it to find a house to rent? Did you know someone who helped you or did you answer an ad? How long did it take to find a rented home?
answered an ad, before that I used a real estate agent. Almost everyone was negotiable on the price.... Also, if your dealing with someone who has legal authority to act for the owner... Pass and deal only with the owner. Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to the Philippines? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in the Philippines, would you heartily say "let聮s do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do ...
Yes, It compares to the other places I've lived favorably. Also if you are someplace in the Philippines you dont like just move....things can be very different in a different location. If you dont like the people compare them ... Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
I agree 100% Once I used the wonky online site to start the process I was stuck with the person the PRA assigned. A marketer was giving me advice and that is the only thing that kept me from giving up. I tried to be switched to the marketer via a ... Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
These are not definitive answers to any of your questions, just personal experience. Before creating the account that is the deposit account the bank needed to recieve permission from the PRA. Before sending the permission to the bank the PRA needs ... Read More
hoping to relocate
I cant tell you anything about financing, I will just say that if your flexible on where you live in Pampanga the prices vary dramatically. You can live slightly away from the "main attractions" and there are some good deals. Read More
Dental care
I have found the Dental care to be very good. My latest Dentist has the most modern equipment (as he had just opened a new office) and seems to be well educated and skillful. The prices are very reasonable, even compared to Thailand. ( I had a crown ... Read More
Sending Money/Girlfriend Allowance by Kimo Kiting
Hello, I am new to the forum and this is my first post. I would like to thank all of the active members who have provided a wealth of information in pasts discussions. I hope to get to know many of you who are currently living in the Visayas. ...
if she were working as a yaya or housekeeper she would get max of 6000 a month. If she kicks in 1500 where she stays that would be happily accepted (im guessing). So the numbers you mentioned are more than generous. Read More
Medical Insurance for retiree
Health Maintenance organization. You pay monthly until you pay a certain amount, then your covered for 10 years and its transferable to others. Its beneficial as it gives you access to doctors labs etc. Without being ripped off because you are a ... Read More
Medical Insurance for retiree
If you are under 65 Pacific Cross its reasonable in price and has lots of options. As you start getting older you might want to have some cash set aside to cover Emergency situations, then get back to Canada for anything major. Also if your starting ... Read More
Alkaline Water by markystaley
Does anyone knows where I could buy 9.5 Alkaline Water to keep my PH level up since I drink a lot of beer. My understanding most celebrities use this water in America to prevent cancer from the acid intake and daily stress. I live in Angeles City
PS: in the study they consumed a quart a day. And the part about reflux and inflammation are only my own observations. Read More
Alkaline Water by markystaley
Does anyone knows where I could buy 9.5 Alkaline Water to keep my PH level up since I drink a lot of beer. My understanding most celebrities use this water in America to prevent cancer from the acid intake and daily stress. I live in Angeles City
Or your can watch the YouTube video, Alkaline water: A scam? They review the claims that sellers arn't legally allowed to make about alkaline water then report on the recent study "Reduction in cardiovascular risk by sodium bicarbonated ... Read More
Alkaline Water by markystaley
Does anyone knows where I could buy 9.5 Alkaline Water to keep my PH level up since I drink a lot of beer. My understanding most celebrities use this water in America to prevent cancer from the acid intake and daily stress. I live in Angeles City
Yes, go buy some baking soda and add a 1/4 teaspoon to a glass of water. For exact details look it up on nutritionfacts.org And save yourself some money ;) or watch the video on YouTube by searching is the nutrition facts videos. Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Hi, I have a lot of experience with this VISA. First thing I can tell you is under no circumstances use the online SRRV aplication... Where you recieve a SRRV #. You might get assigned to a totally incompetent associate who will make your life ... Read More
Move to Philippines? Cost? by glennrussellm1
I'm thinking of moving to the Philippines by the end of 2017. I have a military pension. I am 54. Is the political situation overblown? Or is it really that bad? If it worsens - I may go to Spain... I was stationed at Clark in the 1980s and ...
I think if you dont read the rhetoric, there is no situation. I don't spend time in Manila,but the people im around in Luzon seem even more friendly to me (as an obvious American). I've lived in other countries that had governments that ... Read More
Peso falls to seven year low on Duterte concerns. by TeeJay4103
A good article regarding the new president's policies and their effect on the peso value. The dollar exchange rate may help expats, but does it really? [b]Peso falls to seven-year low, stocks down again ...
I didnt read a gleeful word in any one of the replies. I've always tried to buy a little extra when the exchange rate is setting a new high.... I think perhaps you were Trolling. If so, how could you exploit such things to get your jollies? ... Read More
Peso falls to seven year low on Duterte concerns. by TeeJay4103
A good article regarding the new president's policies and their effect on the peso value. The dollar exchange rate may help expats, but does it really? [b]Peso falls to seven-year low, stocks down again ...
Thanks for the share, Interesting article. It reminds me that every single day financial reporters quickly ascertain the reason the markets rose or fell in the USA. It certainly gives people a feeling of control. There are usually plenty of reasons ... Read More
How safe is it NOW in the Philippines? by FCStraight
With all the bad news (killings, terrorism, etc) I have been hearing and watching what seems to be common nowadays, but is really safe now to visit the Philippines? Or the news is simply focusing on those troubled areas to make news more ...
I want to stay away from politics but I can tell you that I just went to renew my Drivers license and was given a paper that told me how many minutes it should take from the first point (finished in less than an hour) At each window it had a note ... Read More
How safe is it NOW in the Philippines? by FCStraight
With all the bad news (killings, terrorism, etc) I have been hearing and watching what seems to be common nowadays, but is really safe now to visit the Philippines? Or the news is simply focusing on those troubled areas to make news more ...
Hi, I have been here over three years and It seems safe to me. The only crime I've had to deal with was some attempted medical fraud between the hospital I used and my own HMO. Once I left my money in an ATM because I thought the transaction ... Read More
International drivers license.
I just got one a few days ago so this information is up to date. Just go to any office of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP). It cost 1000 pesos. You need your current drivers licence. They made the photo there. The document was ready the ... Read More
Live in Philippines - can a foreigner become an owner? by Fabien Occhipinti
Hello i want to know if a foreigner in pinas can become an owner ?
Very informative post. Legally Circumventing the spirit of property laws only becomes a problem when somebody with clout or power decides they want your land. Then life gets interesting. ;) Read More
Live in Philippines - can a foreigner become an owner? by Fabien Occhipinti
Hello i want to know if a foreigner in pinas can become an owner ?
Again, I wouldn't advise anyone to take that action for the reason stated here. I know you are intelligent and like to write, but please read also. This has nothing to do with Puerto Rico, that statement was answering the statement about it ... Read More
Live in Philippines - can a foreigner become an owner? by Fabien Occhipinti
Hello i want to know if a foreigner in pinas can become an owner ?
And it depends on what your losing by renouncing your citizenship... Maybe your gaining, depends on the country I suppose. But in case your not giving up citizenship in a place that's worse than the Philippines.....There are probably several ... Read More
Live in Philippines - can a foreigner become an owner? by Fabien Occhipinti
Hello i want to know if a foreigner in pinas can become an owner ?
I think we can agree it's a dumb idea just to become an owner of property. Also, It's probably a good idea to visit a psychiatrist a couple of times before you renounce, then when you change your mind (or someone sues you for your property) ... Read More
Live in Philippines - can a foreigner become an owner? by Fabien Occhipinti
Hello i want to know if a foreigner in pinas can become an owner ?
Not misinformation at all... I did read it.:-) "you can do anything you want. The problem is getting the Department of State to recognize it. There was a Puerto Rican nationalist that causes all sorts of legal problems by renouncing his US ... Read More
Live in Philippines - can a foreigner become an owner? by Fabien Occhipinti
Hello i want to know if a foreigner in pinas can become an owner ?
I've read swearing allegiance to a new country and renouncing your US citizenship may have no effect on your US citizenship... As far as the US is concerned. It's like getting married in a foreign country you can be serious as a heart ... Read More
Healthcare in the Philippines by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in the Philippines ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in the Philippines? Thanks in advance ...
Hi, You can certainly be overcharged if you have private insurance. If you run into greedy or dishonest service anywhere your going to have to fight it, having insurance makes it an easier fight. If you have an HMO such as Caritas and need ... Read More
Healthcare in the Philippines by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in the Philippines ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in the Philippines? Thanks in advance ...
I know most people live that way, and it really is A personal choice. One surgeon told me a colleague of his warned a father of a child that needed surgery that nobody in the area could do the surgery except himself, then charged 500 percent more ... Read More
Healthcare in the Philippines by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in the Philippines ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in the Philippines? Thanks in advance ...
Great information. A representative for my insurance company (local to where I was injured) conspired with a person in the billing department to add the equivalent of all the insurance company would be paying to my bill, added to the professional ... Read More
Thinking of moving to Baguio by CharlesHarman
Can anyone fill me in on daily life in Baguio? I'm thinking of moving there this April. Mostly to remove ourselves from a undesirable family situation near us. 1. What is it like living there? 2. How are the people towards foreigners? 3. What is the ...
Hi, My wife and I also anticipate moving to Baguio within the year. The thing I would like help with is finding a home, townhouse rental. Most of the advertisements I read online are for transient homes. Can anyone give me a good contact in ... Read More