Kampkos104
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
53
About me
American
Lives in Claveria, Northern Mindanao
Registration: 03 April 2023
New Member moving to the Philippines by swt90alum
Hello Everyone,My name is Dave, I'm 58, originally from Texas, but I currently live in Fort Myers, Florida. I am retired from The U.S. Air force. My career field was Space Operations (satellites). I am engaged to a Filipina (Juvy) but she has ...
@swt90alum Hi Dave,I'm living in Mindanao, close to Cayagayan de Oro. I'm the only "foriegner" in the village, but I heard there are a couple more within a 10 mile radius. She has no family here, except her only son, who's attending USTP. Any ... Read More
New Member moving to the Philippines by swt90alum
Hello Everyone,My name is Dave, I'm 58, originally from Texas, but I currently live in Fort Myers, Florida. I am retired from The U.S. Air force. My career field was Space Operations (satellites). I am engaged to a Filipina (Juvy) but she has ...
@swt90alum Hi Dave, welcome to paradise/ purgatory/ Hell. Phillipines can truly be what you make it. I have 4 acres in a mountaines areas. Stays cooler than sea level. We grow many different fruits for personal consumption, (careful not to offset ... Read More
Welcome Canada to the USA 51st State lol by danfinn
Donald Trump has said it would be "a great idea" for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, as the president-elect continued needling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in what started as a tariff dispute.Trump recently said he would place a 25 ...
@Kampkos104 "To" not too. Read More
Welcome Canada to the USA 51st State lol by danfinn
Donald Trump has said it would be "a great idea" for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state, as the president-elect continued needling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in what started as a tariff dispute.Trump recently said he would place a 25 ...
I love the Danish remark too Trump about purchasing Greenland, "Why don't you sell United States to Denmark and seek sanctuary in Russia or North Korea?"RegardsKeith Read More
Relocating to the Philippines from America by airforvet
I am a Veteran and plan on moving to the Philippines in January. I am single and trying to decide if Manilla or Cebu would be best. I am looking to live in a modern high rise building. Can someone lend some insight? Is there a particular high rise ...
I am a Veteran and plan on moving to the Philippines in January. I am single and trying to decide if Manilla or Cebu would be best. I am looking to live in a modern high rise building. Can someone lend some insight? Is there a particular high rise ... Read More
Consequences of Trump as US President. by FindlayMacD
There are so many Americans here in Philippines and I think that the majority of them vote Republican and therefore vote for (or support) Trump, but how many of them, (And I'm talking about the ones who live here in the Philippines permanently) have ...
Maga by any other name would smell as sweet. 74 Million Trump voters won't be feeling your anguish. LEGA. . . . Lotus eater great again? - @Enzyte Bob I believe, if there's real pain, we will all feel it. Unless your rich or blinded by devotion. ... Read More
Consequences of Trump as US President. by FindlayMacD
There are so many Americans here in Philippines and I think that the majority of them vote Republican and therefore vote for (or support) Trump, but how many of them, (And I'm talking about the ones who live here in the Philippines permanently) have ...
I believe a major view that is being overlooked is his new cabinet. All of his current nominations, let me repeat this, ALL of his cabinet nominations are strictly through nepotism. Not the best or brightest, but who bows to him, who did him huge ... Read More
US expats, your opinions about the upcoming presidential elections? by Ameerah Arjanee
Hi everyone. I鈥檓 a content writer for Expat Magazine, and we are planning on writing an article about what American expats abroad (and non-American expats living in the US) think about the upcoming presidential elections. How do you think the ...
@Enzyte Bob Move to the Phillipines. 馃槀 Read More
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 Would like to know how well the internet works? Do you have more range, wifi calling?RegardsKeith Read More
Using your own US Phone number? by chughes6302
Before arriving in Davao two weeks ago, I researched using my existing (at the time) US AT&T phone number. I believed all I needed to do was to "Port" the number to my new Philippine carrier (Smart) and I would be OK. Nothing but OK... Because I ...
I use Ooma Telo, v.o.i.p.It was purchased while living in the states and I transported my landline number to the unit. I brought it to the Philippines and plugged it into my router. I can make and receive calls with my stateside number.You purchase ... Read More
Using your own US Phone number? by chughes6302
Before arriving in Davao two weeks ago, I researched using my existing (at the time) US AT&T phone number. I believed all I needed to do was to "Port" the number to my new Philippine carrier (Smart) and I would be OK. Nothing but OK... Because I ...
I live in a remote area of Mindanao, I have T-Mobile for $70 a month unlimited. I pay $.25 (cents) a minute for phone calls. Free if you use WhatsApp or FB messenger. I get great reception in many places and my phone bill is rarely over ... Read More
Water tank size? by gwaps
I will get water tank and tower installed next year in cebu . Wondered what size to get on home 1200 sqare foot?( We have two bathrooms .)聽 Thanks :)
The Barangy water system broke down a couple of years ago. We purchased (2) 2,000 liter tanks, 1 collects the rain water from the roof, the other is on a small tower, about 2 meters above ground. From the rain gutter, covered the gutters with ... Read More
What is the price of land for a foreigner ? by michelsergent2008
Hello My name is Michel. I am a cook and I would like to live and work in Palawan.On internet, I found 1) the amount of rent of housing located on this island.2) the amount of real estate located on this island.But, on the internet, I was unable to ...
@micky1boyVery good advice, searched many properties that claimed clean title, only to find out it was only deeded. Even after we made our purchase, and was having the land resurveyed, the I.P. Chief with a major number of tribal members showed up ... Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
@danfinnI apologize. Regards Keith Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
聽 聽 聽 聽 @danfinnI would like to add, where they are fleeting to may be dangerous, but pales in comparison in where they are fleeting from. Regards Keith 聽 聽 聽 聽 -@Kampkos104Everywhere I lived in the USA there ... Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
@danfinnI would like to add, where they are fleeting to may be dangerous, but pales in comparison in where they are fleeting from. Regards Keith Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
Kampkos104 said. . . . Now for the "gate crashers". Most robberies or abductions are based on the possibility of financial gain. The immigrants that are crossing the southern US border, have little to nothing to lose.聽 I ... Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
@Whether you personally believe US travel is dangerous is not relevant here but if it is true, I sure wish it were more highly publicized given the millions of illegal gate crashers on our Southern Border who apparentky are unaware of the dangers ... Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
聽 聽 @danfinnWhat,聽 no Mindanao visits?聽 聽 聽 聽 -@Kampkos104 Just a guess, perhaps the AI picked up on the US State Dept. Warning on travel to Mindanao. -@danfinnI believe that the warning is somewhat ... Read More
November for the first time by stebaines
Hi all,I travel to the Philippines for the first time in November.聽 I'm in the country for a month and fly in to Manila. Could anyone suggest an itinerary for me? I want to see some of the country but don't want to be running about all the ...
@danfinnWhat, no Mindanao visits? Read More
SRRV passport by piattepye
Just turned all the paperwork in and they took my passport and were to email me paperwork to show for immigration why I didn't have it, in my email that night well still waiting and tomorrow is a holiday so I was to fly out also after I finished, ...
I got my SRRV about 5 months ago. I don't remember applying for anything special. Maria Rose and Thelma took care of everything in Makati. Even got my drivers license on the same day I took the oath. I've been out of the country and back without ... Read More
Why I dont like Gcash by Filamretire
My wife was asking for a gcash account. Not that I dont trust her, but Gcash is registered to a phone number ie an app with security code. You can deposit to gcash many places using cash and send money to anyone. The problem is I have no way of ...
So I'm totally confused. Tried to sign up for G-cash, I was informed they are not accepting any nationals from outside the Philippines.RegardsKeith Read More
Horseradish? by petefredbob
Does anyone have a good Filipino translation for horseradish? Google translate gave me Malunggay but when I asked my neighbor if she knew it she said she knew what malunggay was but that it was not hot or spicy. As well, if you do know it do you ...
@Enzyte Bob7 Oz of vodka per drink. That explains 1 drink a day. Read More
American football
Just out of curiosity, does anybody know a way to even listen to live games?RegardsKeith Read More
Question about food and water by JustCallMeJoe
OK, I know that I can't drink water from the tap and that even with other water my stomach probably can't handle water that a local's stomach can handle. But, a few questions for those of you living in the Philippines a long time: If the water is ...
I fill the 5 gallon jug on our water cooler/heater with two jugs of Nature's Spring distilled water which costs P95 per 10 liter jug. That water is used for drinking and coffee. We use municipal or well water for everything else. The only water I've ... Read More
Buying raw land by Kampkos104
I've read a few posts about land purchasing.聽Don't know if this topic is new, but here goes.聽My future and I have purchased 1.6 hectares close to Claveria.聽It was clean titled with current paid taxes.聽We hired a Geodetic Engineer ...
Check out . . . . .聽Indigenous People of Claveria on Facebook. (2.6k members)Also do a Google search of A guide to the indigenous tribes of the Philippines. -@Enzyte BobThanks, good advice. Read More
Buying raw land by Kampkos104
I've read a few posts about land purchasing.聽Don't know if this topic is new, but here goes.聽My future and I have purchased 1.6 hectares close to Claveria.聽It was clean titled with current paid taxes.聽We hired a Geodetic Engineer ...
@pnwcyclist apparently, there are some laws or land lots that do not just show up. We (she) is the rightful owner, just surprised. I want to bring to light the possibility, even when you fully research, there's another surprise possible. Read More
Buying raw land by Kampkos104
I've read a few posts about land purchasing.聽Don't know if this topic is new, but here goes.聽My future and I have purchased 1.6 hectares close to Claveria.聽It was clean titled with current paid taxes.聽We hired a Geodetic Engineer ...
@pnwcyclist haven't built yet. Still a work in progress. She is reality wise (owns 2 residential and 1 commercial property) and didn't know that a clean titled land could still fall under indigenous law. We have had a real-estate lawyer the whole ... Read More
Buying raw land
I've read a few posts about land purchasing.聽Don't know if this topic is new, but here goes.聽My future and I have purchased 1.6 hectares close to Claveria.聽It was clean titled with current paid taxes.聽We hired a Geodetic Engineer ... Read More
Cheating In The Philippines by Cherryann01
I saw a new video by Gio on You Tube yesterday about a British man with a Filipino wife who has been caught and arrested for cheating on his wife. Apparently his wife found out about the guys mistress and reported them to the authorities and they ...
@bigpearl Cheers Steve... Read More
US Companies with work positions in Philippines by latino123
Hello, I have been looking companies in the US that have operations in Philippines. However, when I run searches in their career pages specifying Philippines, the jobs are for the people in PH. I am looking for some sort of position with travel ...
@ronaldhunter1971 this might be a stretch, it's rumored U.S. will be building 4 military bases in the PI. I don't know where to start, but every base I went to had civilian workers. Just a thought. RegardsKeith Read More
Learning new language by Zyrena
Zyrena: evening every one on Expat... On the supplied Expat language list there is no Philippine language... I am interested in Learning and Speaking Philippine Visayan language respectfully
@NN3M/DU3 My future wife is from Central Luzon, Nueva Ecija. Read More
Learning new language by Zyrena
Zyrena: evening every one on Expat... On the supplied Expat language list there is no Philippine language... I am interested in Learning and Speaking Philippine Visayan language respectfully
I will be moving to Northern Mindanao (Claveria, Hinaplanan) early next year. My Girlfriend speaks Tagalog and English, she understands most of the local dialects. My questions are,1). Has anybody tried to learn Tagalog with Rosetta Stone?2). With ... Read More
WISE transfer service by Filamretire
Noticed quite a few fans of Wise on here. I just got an account after issues with 2 factor authentication from banks requiring a US cell number. Got the first deposit done by routing number and waiting 3 days. My question is to transfer money do I ...
ERL369 said . . . . .I used bank to bank wire transfer. Any amount is about $50.00 . ****You are paying way to much, I transfer money as need, many times the total fee is less than $5. Suppose you want to transfer ... Read More
Safety in Philippines by ukdan
Hi everybody- new here. Dan from London. I have a question about safety in Php.I met this fantastic woman from Lucena online and want to visit her at the end of this month. I was thinking of taking a bus or Taxi to a resort close to Lucena where we ...
@Enzyte Bob More like Barney Fife, only allowed one bullet in his shirt pocket after almost shooting his foot off.-@Moon DogThere once was a deputy named FifeWho had a gun and a knifeHis gun was dustyHis knife was rustyAnd he never caught a crook in ... Read More
Buying a Condo by Tariq1983
So I have been living in the Philippines roughly 3 months and I have to say I have found the place I want to settle. 聽I love the hot weather friendly people beautiful women beaches mountains etc. my next step is to start looking into buying a ...
I know this subject has been beat into the ground, but about buying property and staying protected. Can a foreigner be designated as "Special Power of Attorney" over property?RegardsKeith -@Kampkos104Interesting question, perhaps consult your ... Read More
Shipping Lithium batteries? by Kampkos104
I want to be bring my battery operated tools to the Philippines. I have been told they cannot be shipped via Balikbayan boxes. Anybody have any success or problems with the 220/50hz vs 120/60hz cycle for charging?Regards Keith
Welcome to the forum Keith.I have shipped a container with all manner of things from furniture to power tools, no problems. I have shipped 4 or 5 Balakbayan boxes since, over the last 4 years and no problems even with 5 Lithium batteries for my ... Read More
Shipping Lithium batteries? by Kampkos104
I want to be bring my battery operated tools to the Philippines. I have been told they cannot be shipped via Balikbayan boxes. Anybody have any success or problems with the 220/50hz vs 120/60hz cycle for charging?Regards Keith
@Kampkos104We shipped over 60 boxes by LBC, 10 or 12 boxes at a time. The guy who picked them up was a Filipino and he said to list each box as clothes and canned goods. Some of the boxes contained desktop computers, iPads and at least one one ... Read More
Buying a Condo by Tariq1983
So I have been living in the Philippines roughly 3 months and I have to say I have found the place I want to settle. 聽I love the hot weather friendly people beautiful women beaches mountains etc. my next step is to start looking into buying a ...
I know this subject has been beat into the ground, but about buying property and staying protected. Can a foreigner be designated as "Special Power of Attorney" over property?RegardsKeith -@Kampkos104Interesting question, perhaps consult your ... Read More
Buying a Condo by Tariq1983
So I have been living in the Philippines roughly 3 months and I have to say I have found the place I want to settle. 聽I love the hot weather friendly people beautiful women beaches mountains etc. my next step is to start looking into buying a ...
I know this subject has been beat into the ground, but about buying property and staying protected. Can a foreigner be designated as "Special Power of Attorney" over property?RegardsKeith Read More
Shipping Lithium batteries? by Kampkos104
I want to be bring my battery operated tools to the Philippines. I have been told they cannot be shipped via Balikbayan boxes. Anybody have any success or problems with the 220/50hz vs 120/60hz cycle for charging?Regards Keith
I shipped my Dewalt lithium batteries in a Balikbayan box with no issues. The lithium batteries bit the dust after some hard usage and I could find 18 volt lithium batteries so I ordered NiCad replacements and they are fine since all the ... Read More
Shipping Lithium batteries?
I want to be bring my battery operated tools to the Philippines. I have been told they cannot be shipped via Balikbayan boxes. Anybody have any success or problems with the 220/50hz vs 120/60hz cycle for charging?Regards Keith Read More
Filipina asking by Gezzar
Am I meeting/appealing to the wrong Filipinas? They seem to have their mind set on me buying them a motorcycle or car or house or jewelery.
Am I meeting/appealing to the wrong Filipinas? They seem to have their mind set on me buying them a motorcycle or car or house or jewelery. -@GezzarI met my gf/fiance on line. I mentioned in my bio, looking for a woman who wants me, not needs me. ... Read More
Sending Money from U.S. by Kampkos104
Hello expats, I am trying to co-buy a small farm, 1.6 hectares. I'm having an issue with sending the money, my bank does not do international transfers.Best regardsKeith
Kampkos said . . . Hello expats, I am trying to co-buy a small farm, 1.6 hectares. I'm having an issue with sending the money, my bank does not do international transfers.Best regardsKeith ****Money transfers ... Read More
Sending Money from U.S.
Hello expats, I am trying to co-buy a small farm, 1.6 hectares. I'm having an issue with sending the money, my bank does not do international transfers.Best regardsKeith Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
Where did you meet your future bride? online?Sounds like a Cherry Blossoms kind of guy 馃ぃ -@Lotus EaterI don't think a lady who could actually afford an annulment on her own would need to try to hook up with some foreign guy online. ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
@Enzyte Bob Thanks for the response. She has her own money and is paying for her own annulment. If you could address the tax issue, that could be helpful.regardsKeith -@Kampkos104***Where did you ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
@Kampkos104 I sent a lot of tools here and never paid any tax. My wife would be packing balikbayan boxes and I would be out in my workshop deciding what I wanted to bring. Some of my tools would not fit in a single box so we joined two boxes ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
@Kampkos104 We shipped a full container load of household furniture, appliances etc., typical residential contents and when it arrived in Cebu it was inspected by Customs. Following the general advice of trying to put the most expensive things in ... Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
@Aeta Tribe I have heard that from a few people. It's difficult to say goodbye to everything. I guess I'll ship using LBC. Thanks for the response. Keith Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
@bigpearl Thanks for the reply, though we're not exactly comparing Mango to Mango, there is worth in your reply. I appreciate your response.Cheers mate.Keith Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
@Enzyte Bob Thanks for the response. She has her own money and is paying for her own annulment. If you could address the tax issue, that could be helpful.regardsKeith Read More
How to ship belongings from US to Philippines? by robhankins
I am contemplating retirement in the Phils. I am married to a filipina. Does anyone know how best (cheapest) to send personal belongings to the Phils?
I have read most, if not all posts. Very informative, but my question is about not the cost of shipping, but taxes. My girlfriend and I are NOT married, pending annulment. I will be buying a lot (Leasing) until we marry.What kind of taxes could I ... Read More