Living In The Philippines: 01/09/08

[LinP3] Re: Keeping your driver's license

No one seems to believe me but it is not that difficult and no
fixers or special arrangements are required. Converting a foreign
driver's license to a Philippine license never requires a written
test. I don't know about the temporary license thing but I know that
all the Filipinos and me got permanent laminated driver's licenses
immediately the day I was at the LTO. Maybe it is different if the
laminating machine is broken or they don't have one. The LTO web
site is www.lto.gov.ph.

The latest fees are:

Learner's permit P127.80

License conversion P287.80

As previously mentioned an LTO drug test costs P130-P250 and a LTO
medical P50-P100. The time required for both together is 15 minutes
at most.

You can hire someone to stand in line for you all day for P50-P200.

This is the Philippines and you can have anything for a price but it
does show some respect to try to correlate the fixer/arrangers fee
to the services provided. For example paying an extra P500 for
knowledge of the process and to avoid standing in line doesn't seem
unreasonable but paying P7000 does. In any case it is best to not
point out to the fixer/arranger that conversion does not require a
test.

Phil R

--- In LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Spicer"
<cebu@...> wrote:
>
> Even the P3,000 is high. Cost P1,500 for my wife, who has to this
day never been behind the wheel of a car, but sounded like an easy
way to get a valid ID with her new married name on it.
>
>
> From: Mark Williams
> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:31 PM
> To: LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [LinP3] Re: Keeping your driver's license
>
> Conversion is the procedure to do all that. You dont have to pay
> the fixer that high, just make a photocopy of your drivers licence
> here in U.S., passport and drug test which you see lots of them
around
> LTO office. I think Patriot is very right on fees, 600P in LTO to
> process your licence and 50P for drug test. After we did all that,
LTO
> gave us the temporary (paper) drivers license which is already
> acceptable to drive around for both motorcycle and private vehicle.
> They told us to wait for the laminated license be claim in 5
months.
>
> That's the legal way. Then there is the Philippine way. For a
> nominal fee of P3000 to the proper individual (who spreads it
around
> on your behalf), you can magically receive a real Philippine
drivers
> license. Without written test, driving test, drug test, eye test or
> other inconveniences. Somehow these tests will be performed without
> your participation and legally certified by the cognizant
individuals.
> You will be able to pick up your license immediately. The trick is
> finding the proper individual. You need a Filipino friend for that,
> to find out whom to contact for arrangements.
>
> You will have to wait in long lines to have your photo taken, and
fill
> out a few forms. But otherwise the process takes days.
>
> I similar amount will get you a visa extension immediately. It's
the
> Philippines.....
>

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Re: [LinP3] Handling the falling dollar.

I've lived in Manila for 2 years but will soon move to the Province because of the falling dollar. We can still make it in Manila but wouldn't be able to save anything if we stay here. Our rent is now nearly half my retirement income.

bud <fvalls@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
I'm curious to know how the people now retired in the PI are handling
the falling dollar. Are you changing your lifestyle? Are you forced to
become more frugal? Were you prepared for this day? And finally, what
advice , if any, could you give to those that are planning to retire in
the future. I hope anyone affected by this situation is able to keep
their head above water.

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Re: [LinP3] peso

Benny:

Left Japan for Manila in Feb. 06. The US dollar keeps dropping. Is there no bottom? I've heard that OFW's are unhappy because their income is dropping with the dollar. There was a story going around that Auntie Gloria would establish a special exchange rate for the OFW's of 50pesos per dollar but so far that hasn't happened to my knowledge.

I'm looking now to moving to the Province. I've heard rumors that the dollar will probably fall to 38/1 very soon and to 30/1 by the end of 2008.

I hear there's a WalterMart here but have no clue about their pricing. We have a place near the SM Mall of Asia called S&R and they have lots of imported goods from the USA including washers, dryers, foods, etc. It doesn't seem any more expensive to me than local supermarkets/hypermarkets. They have quite a lot of imported stuff. It's inconvenient for us because no car so using a taxi isn't easy.
------Manila Bob

Benny Harper <bennyoki69@yahoo.com> wrote:
Bob,

When were you last in Japan? Not to be argumentative; but the Peso
will have to drop a lot lower (get stronger), in order for Japan to be
cheaper to live in. :-)

I haven't done a lot of traveling in the last couple of years, when I
moved here from Japan, and I'm sure it is still more expensive than
here. - IMHO: When I arrived here, as long as you wanted to buy lower
end products the prices weren't too bad; however, the upper end of
products were more than in Japan, Hong Kong, and the USA. In fact; I
found them to be double the price of the US, and Hong Kong (tax free
port) was not like in the old days when things were cheaper than the
USA. Now they only equal the 'best price' you can find in America. :-(

It seems the 'rich', of the Philippines, like to make much more money
on top-end items than they do on lower-end items. - I suppose they
figure that only the 'rich' can afford, so why not make double the profit.

Where is Walmart; when you need them? :-)

Benny

--- In LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com, Bob <itsbobusa@...> wrote:
>
> I'm also an OPM retiree and have suffered significant loss of buying
power due to the falling dollar. It seems to me the Philippines is
fast becomming a very expensive place to live in retirement. Sadly,
I'm looking at other countries but hope to avoid that option. Japan
may not be much more expensive than the PI if this trend continues.
I've heard news accounts that the dollar may fall to 38/1.00 soon and
maybe to 30/1 or less by the end of the year I'm looking now to
relocating from Manila to a Province. .
>
> ====Manila Bob
>
>
> Glen Collier <alykev8892@...> wrote:
> I am a retired American, OPM-type,in Cdo City,Filipina
wife, asking
> how other Americans are coping with the peso. In the last year alone,
> my income, if in pesoes,has decreased by 12k+ pesooes. I welcome your
> thoughts.
>
> Glen
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.
Try it now.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

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[LinP3] chelation therapy

where can i get this done? or some outher way to clean out my system..

From Don
List Owner:

Dr. Victor Garcia, Cebu City, 09282689394. Let me know how if works
for you. As you know this is "alernative medicine," controversal. Please mail me about how it works, if you need more information. I have researched it throughly. I have never had it done, but an considering it.

Don

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[LinP3] Re: Cebu Pacific Online

Earlier this week I just purchased 4 tickets on my check card from
the credit union.

Butuan ---> Cebu

I got email confirmation and printed web confirmation. I also see
the money gone from my checking account. I hope I have tickets!

Some where on the web site it says bring confirmation letter and ID
and you are ready.

But I also have to add that for whatever reason the transaction would
not complete with the CITI card I normally use.

--- In LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com, Jim Castle
<eltsac99@...> wrote:
>
> They didn't accept my mastercard from the UK either. I
> booked over the phone with them but no e-ticket
> arrived for 6 weeks by which time I'd already booked
> the same flight through a HK travel agent. Now double
> booked. Cebu Pacific ignoring my several e-mails
> trying to get the original booking cancelled and my
> money back. Pretty crap outfit as far as admin goes
> ..... in my opinion.
>
> Jim
>

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Re: [LinP3] Cebu Pacific Online

I booked a flight yesterday, The site turned down my UK VISA card but
accepted my UK Mastercard,hopefully they are some way to sorting this
out
--- In LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Spicer"
<cebu@...> wrote:
>
> I booked a flight online this past August with a US MasterCard.
>
>
> From: teacher5257
> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 6:11 PM
> To: LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [LinP3] Cebu Pacific Online
>
>
> I heard that Cebu Pacific does not accept U.S. credit cards online.
Has
> that changed? Also I'm wondering if they accept Philippine based
debit
> cards online? I don't want to book a ticket yet on their site if they
> don't accept Philippine bancnet (plus) debit card. Salamat!
>

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[LinP3] Handling the falling dollar.

I'm curious to know how the people now retired in the PI are handling
the falling dollar. Are you changing your lifestyle? Are you forced to
become more frugal? Were you prepared for this day? And finally, what
advice , if any, could you give to those that are planning to retire in
the future. I hope anyone affected by this situation is able to keep
their head above water.

__._,_.___

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Re: [LinP3] peso

Bob,

When were you last in Japan? Not to be argumentative; but the Peso
will have to drop a lot lower (get stronger), in order for Japan to be
cheaper to live in. :-)

I haven't done a lot of traveling in the last couple of years, when I
moved here from Japan, and I'm sure it is still more expensive than
here. - IMHO: When I arrived here, as long as you wanted to buy lower
end products the prices weren't too bad; however, the upper end of
products were more than in Japan, Hong Kong, and the USA. In fact; I
found them to be double the price of the US, and Hong Kong (tax free
port) was not like in the old days when things were cheaper than the
USA. Now they only equal the 'best price' you can find in America. :-(

It seems the 'rich', of the Philippines, like to make much more money
on top-end items than they do on lower-end items. - I suppose they
figure that only the 'rich' can afford, so why not make double the profit.

Where is Walmart; when you need them? :-)

Benny

--- In LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com, Bob <itsbobusa@...> wrote:
>
> I'm also an OPM retiree and have suffered significant loss of buying
power due to the falling dollar. It seems to me the Philippines is
fast becomming a very expensive place to live in retirement. Sadly,
I'm looking at other countries but hope to avoid that option. Japan
may not be much more expensive than the PI if this trend continues.
I've heard news accounts that the dollar may fall to 38/1.00 soon and
maybe to 30/1 or less by the end of the year I'm looking now to
relocating from Manila to a Province. .
>
> ====Manila Bob
>
>
> Glen Collier <alykev8892@...> wrote:
> I am a retired American, OPM-type,in Cdo City,Filipina
wife, asking
> how other Americans are coping with the peso. In the last year alone,
> my income, if in pesoes,has decreased by 12k+ pesooes. I welcome your
> thoughts.
>
> Glen
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.
Try it now.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

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[LinP3] Re: Cebu Pacific Online

You are so right about "pretty crap outfit as far as admin goes"They
are a 3rd world airline and always will be.They would never survive in
the real world for there admin and never on time service..I thinks its
safe to say that is well known...

--- In LivingInThePhilippines3@yahoogroups.com, Jim Castle
<eltsac99@...> wrote:
>
> They didn't accept my mastercard from the UK either. I
> booked over the phone with them but no e-ticket
> arrived for 6 weeks by which time I'd already booked
> the same flight through a HK travel agent. Now double
> booked. Cebu Pacific ignoring my several e-mails
> trying to get the original booking cancelled and my
> money back. Pretty crap outfit as far as admin goes
> ..... in my opinion.
>
> Jim
>

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[LinP3] Chat here - talk there.!

All,

For those of you who haven't yet checked out our new forum, below is an
example of the quality of posts we get. To read a digest of the posts we
are getting & some of the topics covered have a look at:

http://livinginthephilippines.com/forum/index.php?action=recent

If you like what you see check out our FAQ for some answers to getting
started at:

http://livinginthephilippines.com/forum/index.php?board=96.0

In the meantime, enjoy & hope to see you soon for a 'TALK' about
whatever interests you.

Keith.
List Guide - Living in the Philippines Community.

From 'Fish Ako':

I built my house on the beach in Negros Oriental with a lot of help. I
hired local guys within walking distance to my place. All live in the
same barangay. I had between 5-12 people working at any given time and
I acted as foreman and engineer. I paid 180 pesos per day and we worked
6 days a week. We always had a snack at the end of the day. They went
home for lunch.

Not everyone worked out for the long haul. The guys who cleared the
land didn't necessary transition to the foundation work. Some guys
showed up drunk and they were "let go" as I reduced staff. A
few quit (out of pride) after I reduced their responsibilities and pay.

I built a small house using methods that I would later use for the main
house and kitchen. This gave me chance to train the crew and find out
who could mix concrete, bend re-bar and tile. It also gave me a place
to live while we built the rest of the place. I only trusted one guy to
mix concrete and he knew the standard. By the time I built the main
house, everyone on the 6 man 1 woman crew knew their jobs and I got
custom work.

We held team competitions to see who could consolidate concrete the best
or set the forms for a column the fastest. The winners took home a
bonus. They worked fast and safe and had a great time. There was no one
milking the job as happens very often in construction in the
Philippines.

I always had a first aid kit ready and insisted on eye protection for
grinding steel. I used ladders and scaffolding that I had our welder
make custom. The workplace was as clean at the end of the day as any job
in my career. We had zero injuries in a two year period. I took care of
the guys and sponsored their sports team.

Prior to our move on site to the little house, we had a discrepancy in
the inventory. I was using a rotating shift for the night watch and
accountability suffered. I took one guy off the crew to do permanent
night watch. We made a tool board and an inventory sheet. One of the
family did turnover in the morning. I have never had another loss in
tools or inventory.

Most contractors will have a crew that build a CR and live in a
temporary shack on site. Their laundry is hanging around and it
generally looks like a mess. Safety is the last concern. Guys quit and
take stuff with them. The foreman takes a percentage from the crew.
Fight break out. That's not what I wanted. I was living on site
with my wife. My place was always peaceful, clean and quiet when the
crew left and the watchman showed up.

One of my workers went on to additional construction jobs in town and is
in high demand.

My first worker was a lady that lived next door and just showed up to
help. She has been on the payroll ever since and has had fewer issues
than any of the guys. The guys spend their money on cell phones and
karaoke. She saves her money by delaying her pay until she can buy a
goat. She lies to her relatives "I didn't get paid" so they
don't ask for support. Then she buys another goat. She sweeps the
place daily and helps around to this day.

The most talented and trusted of my crew stayed on as my maintenance
guy. He is more loyal to us than his family and I was his witness at
his wedding.
Too many foreigners in my opinion waste an opportunity to hire locals
and build their own home. Many end up frustrated by the process and
spending more money for less quality. They already develop a bad
reputation for the way they treat their workers before they even move
into the neighborhood. The make their contacts after the house is built.
It's a missed opportunity.

Most who hire an expert of any kind including contractors, agents,
engineers, electricians, and even foremen are robbed and live with
shoddy construction or worse. Some have the municipal engineer's
attention because the contractor never got the permit. Some violate
easements and end up with a suit later. They pay markups on materiel,
labor fees and consultations. They get less than the required re-bar
and little supervision. The crew list is padded. There are a hundred
other trick of the trade.

All of my money went to hard labor and good materials. I won't say
it was cheap. I didn't use a single hollowblock. I used cast in
place reinforced concrete, mahogany for exposed joinsts and other good
materials. It shows.

Construction is not rocket science. I did a little construction but I
had never laid tile or poured concrete before. I never did framing. I
studied the process and read books. When you're retired you
can't say that you didn't have time.

I treated the chance to build my house as a one in a lifetime dream. My
wife does not have a single complaint.

Ted was in Negros, now back in the states for a while.

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