brucemj
American looking for information about Philippines
Forum posts
29
Contacts
7
About me
American, Single
Lives in Cebu City, Central Visayas
Speaks Spanish
Registration: 03 January 2018
What are you missing in the Philippines? by Diksha
Hi everyone, Living in the Philippines, on the long or short run, it is completely normal to feel homesick sometimes. We would like to know what you are missing the most about your home country in the Philippines. Do you miss any aspects of ...
Hi Enzyte Bob The Tinderbox near IT Park (Cebu) makes their own tortillas. Perhaps you can ask them to make oversized ones for you. Bruce Read More
What are you missing in the Philippines? by Diksha
Hi everyone, Living in the Philippines, on the long or short run, it is completely normal to feel homesick sometimes. We would like to know what you are missing the most about your home country in the Philippines. Do you miss any aspects of ...
Hi pnwcyclist The Tinderbox near IT Park has tortillas that I feel are the right size and thickness. I find those in the stores are too thin and small. I believe they make their own onsite and have flour and sometimes wheat tortillas. I usually ... Read More
Meet up / drinks in Cebu by GoDees
Hello all I have thought it an idea worth putting out there, would anyone be interested in a meetup in say Ayala on a Friday or Saturday. Just an informal chat once a month / fortnight, time is open but most likely afternoon or early evening. ...
Thanks, Bruce. I will be returning to the US in a month for a couple of weeks but hopefullyI will be able to meet up with you and anyone else before then. Thanks again Bruce Read More
Meet up / drinks in Cebu by GoDees
Hello all I have thought it an idea worth putting out there, would anyone be interested in a meetup in say Ayala on a Friday or Saturday. Just an informal chat once a month / fortnight, time is open but most likely afternoon or early evening. ...
Hi Bruce. I really hope to meet up with you but could not this past Friday as my Fiance's son was having his year-end school award ceremony. Keep me in mind for the future for another opportunity to meet up with you. Take care Bruce Read More
A new expat here by brucemj
Hi All, My name is Bruce and I made a permanent move to Cebu last May from California. For the past 6 months have worked on getting settled in. While I am 'new' here now I did live here for a bit over 2 years from 2012 to 2014 so was ...
Hi Greystone, Lived here for over 2 years a few years ago. This move back is a permanent one to be with my GF and live here. Give me a heads-up if you are every coming to Cebu-we can meet up. Thanks for the greeting. Bruce Read More
Meet up / drinks in Cebu by GoDees
Hello all I have thought it an idea worth putting out there, would anyone be interested in a meetup in say Ayala on a Friday or Saturday. Just an informal chat once a month / fortnight, time is open but most likely afternoon or early evening. ...
Hi Bruce, Thanks for posting this. I was planning to show up today but have to hang at the condo as maintenance needs to do a repair. Will try again next week. Thanks Brucemj (from Cali) Read More
Sending and receiving packages in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in the Philippines? Is the ...
It is a Philippine company with offices and warehouses in the US and in the Philippines so they handle the packing, shipping (via cargo vessel) and delivery. http://forexcargo.us/ Read More
New Member by Charles508
Hello, My name is Charles. I'm moving to Cebu in 2 weeks. Well I'm arriving in 2 weeks. I will discover if I'm going to make a permanent move. I look forward to reading fellow expats advise. I'm a electrician and HVAC technician. My ...
Hey Bruce, Looks like this week won't work as have more medical obligations. But right now next Friday looks good for me. The SOCIAL looks really cool - looked online. Didn't know it was there. It wasn't when I lived here back in ... Read More
New Member by Charles508
Hello, My name is Charles. I'm moving to Cebu in 2 weeks. Well I'm arriving in 2 weeks. I will discover if I'm going to make a permanent move. I look forward to reading fellow expats advise. I'm a electrician and HVAC technician. My ...
Hi Bruce Thanks for the invitation. I will know more Thursday as we have to see a doctor as my GF and I (and others) have been exposed to TB from her sister. Probably have to go to the doctor's on Friday to get TB tests. Will get back to ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in the Philippines? Is the ...
Hi Fix I use a Philippine company in the US. I order from Amazon (or any other company) and have it shipped directly to the Philippine company warehouse where they box it up and deliver it to my door. They have two shipping options: air and sea. ... Read More
New Member by Charles508
Hello, My name is Charles. I'm moving to Cebu in 2 weeks. Well I'm arriving in 2 weeks. I will discover if I'm going to make a permanent move. I look forward to reading fellow expats advise. I'm a electrician and HVAC technician. My ...
Hi Bruce I really admire your name!!! Yes, I would enjoy meeting up with people. I had two buddies living here but one sold and moved and the other, very sadly, died. I live in Nivel Hills Lahug. Great to meet up with you. I am free to meet ... Read More
New Member by Charles508
Hello, My name is Charles. I'm moving to Cebu in 2 weeks. Well I'm arriving in 2 weeks. I will discover if I'm going to make a permanent move. I look forward to reading fellow expats advise. I'm a electrician and HVAC technician. My ...
Hi Charles Welcome to this site and welcome to Cebu. I made a permanent move to Cebu city about 7 months ago (also lived here for over 2 years a few years ago). I hope the Philippines work out for you. I am sure by now you have become ... Read More
Mail forwarding and scanning
HIi Smitty I use Travelingmailbox.com and have been happy with their service. They will also mail directly to me (but it can be a bit expensive so I have only done it once so far) Hope this helps Chau Bruce Read More
Meet up / drinks in Cebu by GoDees
Hello all I have thought it an idea worth putting out there, would anyone be interested in a meetup in say Ayala on a Friday or Saturday. Just an informal chat once a month / fortnight, time is open but most likely afternoon or early evening. ...
Hi Bruce It would be cool to have a group get-together whether weekly or monthly. Count me in as I am definitely interested. Relatively new to Cebu - permanently moved here 7 months ago but lived here for over 2 year a few years ago. Let me know ... Read More
40 yr old looking to apply for SRRV visa - recommend a marketer/agent? by valakos
Hi all, I'm a citizen of Australia, aged 40 looking to apply for the SRRV visa but got a few questions for someone who knows the ins and outs of this visa. Any help greatly appreciated - I've fished around the pra website and was hoping ...
Hi Valakos I live in Cebu City and got my SRRV visa by using a PRA Marketer as I wanted to ensure it was done correctly the first time and done fairly quickly (I'm not a super patient person with regards to paperwork). The Marketer was ... Read More
SRRV Paradise by Knight48
Hello my new friends, My name is Dave and I have been planning for a couple years now to relocate to the Philippines. I鈥檝e done much research, like finding a group to play hockey with! We have hockey here in the desert, Las Vegas, and also ...
Hi David, I got my SRRV visa so I might be able to assist you. But I live in Cebu so I might not be able to refer you to a PRA Marketer if you plan to live elsewhere-not sure. As for wiring money. PRA money must go to specifically PRA approved ... Read More
single men group? by OkSmitty
Hello, Like you I am a single man and I will retiring in about 20 months and am planning on living in the Philippines during the winter months (Dec-Mar). I am 60 years old and enjoy traveling, shooting people, playing chess and being around good ...
Hi Smitty Shooting people!! LOL!!!! (I enjoy pool, also-haha) GoDees Bruce is correct that where one lives depends on how much they can afford, how many services they wish to have access to and whether they enjoy being somewhat removed from the ... Read More
Cebu, Philippines - expat communities
Hi Doug Where expats live is partially based on what they can afford as living expenses (including cost of condo buy or rent) will be more in the areas foreigners tend to live. It also depends on how a person wants to live: in the center of the ... Read More
Health Insurance Question by moonunit0103
Hi, I will be traveling to PH for a 2 month stay mid January. I have Medicare with a Medicare Advantage Plan, and I checked with them to see whether I have coverage in PH. They said I did, up to $25k USD. Should this be sufficient, or should I ...
$25000 is a lot for the Philippines and given that is over a million pesos it would cover most illnesses. You can google something like 'costs of medical issues in the Philippines' to get an idea of possible costs. I believe heart bypass ... Read More
A new expat here by brucemj
Hi All, My name is Bruce and I made a permanent move to Cebu last May from California. For the past 6 months have worked on getting settled in. While I am 'new' here now I did live here for a bit over 2 years from 2012 to 2014 so was ...
Steve, Would be happy to exchange experiences with you! I am always fascinated in learning new things and about new places. I know Manila but VERY little, having only been there twice for less than a week each time. Chau, Bruce Read More
Sending and receiving packages in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in the Philippines? Is the ...
Hi Priscilla While I have limited experience in shipping/receiving things here in Cebu, I have had 6 packages I ordered online from Canada (but shipped from Singapore and Malaysia) that I successfully received via Philpost. Picked them up at Cebu ... Read More
A new expat here by brucemj
Hi All, My name is Bruce and I made a permanent move to Cebu last May from California. For the past 6 months have worked on getting settled in. While I am 'new' here now I did live here for a bit over 2 years from 2012 to 2014 so was ...
Hi Bob, Anytime you are in Cebu give me a heads-up and we can meetup. I have little experience in Manila so it would be fun to hear about Manila from someone living there. Chau Bruce Read More
A new expat here by brucemj
Hi All, My name is Bruce and I made a permanent move to Cebu last May from California. For the past 6 months have worked on getting settled in. While I am 'new' here now I did live here for a bit over 2 years from 2012 to 2014 so was ...
Hi Steve, Thanks for the welcome!! I have plenty of time to do the necessary research and I will. The advantage I have is that I am already somewhat familiar with things here having lived here for over 2 years several years ago. So the curve for ... Read More
Healthcare/Insurance Plan
HI SDleyte CIGNA would be fine but expect the cost to be at least 5000 which will cover you in all countries but the US (full disclosure- I currently have CIGNA). At the very least I believe even non-citizens can sign up for Philhealth which, ... Read More
A new expat here
Hi All, My name is Bruce and I made a permanent move to Cebu last May from California. For the past 6 months have worked on getting settled in. While I am 'new' here now I did live here for a bit over 2 years from 2012 to 2014 so was ... Read More
Real Estate Agent Referral-Cebu City by brucemj
HI All, I would appreciate any help. I am looking for a recommendation on a real estate agent for the Cebu City area. I have been looking at condo ads which include agents but it is always better to go with one that have been referred by others. ...
Thanks Kenward. I already know the condo I want to live in but it is not new so any condos for sale are on the resale market now through the developer. I rented there 2 years and never heard of or saw in-house agents. I could be wrong so it ... Read More
Real Estate Agent Referral-Cebu City by brucemj
HI All, I would appreciate any help. I am looking for a recommendation on a real estate agent for the Cebu City area. I have been looking at condo ads which include agents but it is always better to go with one that have been referred by others. ...
Hahaha. Hi Fortune. I lived in Cebu City for 2 years a few years ago. I knew of an agent I trusted who was recommended to me by a friend when I lived there but was not ready to buy. Sadly, I no longer can contact her. Take care Bruce Read More
Real Estate Agent Referral-Cebu City by brucemj
HI All, I would appreciate any help. I am looking for a recommendation on a real estate agent for the Cebu City area. I have been looking at condo ads which include agents but it is always better to go with one that have been referred by others. ...
Thanks Fred. That is a good suggestion. I really am looking for recommendations from other Expats who have used a real estate agent they trust. Take care Bruce Read More
Real Estate Agent Referral-Cebu City
HI All, I would appreciate any help. I am looking for a recommendation on a real estate agent for the Cebu City area. I have been looking at condo ads which include agents but it is always better to go with one that have been referred by others. ... Read More