Part 8 – Q&A.. Answering Questions About the Philippines

Welcome to Part 8 in a series of videos where I answer questions posed by you on a variety of issues about the Philippines.  More parts will follow in this series so be sure to subscribe for the next video.  🙂

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Reekay
www.phbachelor.com

 

Author: Reekay V.

Since 2012 I’ve been traveling through various islands of the Philippines as a full-time Expat and spent 1999 living in Vietnam.

Share with me my ongoing adventures of life in the Philippines. Hopefully you find my observations helpful in your own adventures.
— Reekay

20 comments

  1. HAVING LIVED IN THE PHILIPPINES MANY YEARS AGO BEFORE ATM MACHINES AND CELL PHONES I GUESS MY MAIN QUESTIONS WOULD BE HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR BANKING AND FINANCES TO GET THE MONEY YOU NEED MONTHLY. I ALSO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE CURRENT VISA SITUATION FOR LONG TERM STAYS OR RESIDENCY.

    1. the easiest way to stay in the PH for up to 3 years at a time, repeatedly is by simply renewing the Tourist Visa you get when you first enter the PH. after 3 years you exit and return 24 hours later, re-cycle the tourist visa again.

  2. Hi Reekay! Ever since a Filipina friend (from a dating site, no less) shined the light on the cost of living in PH, the door has swung open on the life to be had in the Philippines and I am standing on the threshold like a kid at the door of a candy store, busting a gut to get in! So many preparations! But with you and other vloggers to hold my hand, I’m gonna make it, I think. In the meantime, I have a few suggestions about your site.

    The first and most important to me is a wish that I could sort things, both here and at Youtube in a more time-linear fashion. While your old posts are certainly worth the time, I would just like to see what you have been up to recently. A second issue is that it took me forever to find a place where I could write you a message. I was attracted by my favorite Joe Walsh line of all time but I didn’t realize it would be such a forum. What should I look for when I just want to fire off a note to you?

    Some topics I have not seen you address – “The 5 Worst Things about the Philippines”. I know mosquitoes will be on that list. “How to Keep a Low Profile itP”. in spite of being taller, whiter and more cash-flush than everyone around you. “What I really miss from Home” or “Most Likely Events that Could Make You Wish You’d Stayed Home”

    As a believer in the “Constructing the Disaster Report” method of risk management, I am interested in taking a good hard look at all the things that could go wrong. Then, I imagine a report summarizing all those worst outcomes and their likelihoods. If I can live with those outcomes, then I’m clear to move forward. Can you help me with that?

    1. Things I miss about Amarillo, Texas.
      1. The plumbing – I miss having hot and cold running water to shower and shave in. Also, I have to carry my own toilet paper to the necessary room.
      2. The traffic – I live in Metro Manila and traffic here is like a cross between the Indy 500 and a demolition derby. I’m surprised that there aren’t a LOT more accidents than there are. I’ll never complain about Texas drivers again.
      3. Southern cooking – I so miss country fried steak. And fried catfish.
      4. Not bumping my head all the time – Tricycles and jeepneys are not made for guys my size.
      5. No water fountains – Understandable, considering the safety of the water here, but I do miss being able to find one of these in the stores.

  3. Hi came across your you tube channel and enjoyed it . If everything works out I plan to visit the Philippines by the end of the year 2018. I have 1 question
    Are beaches readily available anywhere in the Philippines big city…. I am retired now living in So Florida ( Hallandale Beach ) across the street from the beach and would love to stay near a beach in the Philippines ..Rick

    1. best place for beaches are the smaller islands. it’s a bit of a drive to get to a decent beach if you are in cebu city, unless you pay for a resort on mactan. but on bohol, panglao, dauin and so many other smaller locations, a nice beach is never far away. also check out siquijor.. a great place for nice beaches.

  4. Hi Reekay, in 2010 I met someone online and without doing much research before you knew it we were married. I visited 6 or 7 times in 3 years Long story short she started seeing someone and had a child with this man. Its been 4 years since I have been there and want to get the marriage annulled and am looking for advice on how to proceed, if you would be so kind.
    Thank you,

    1. the short answer to your question is that basically, you will have to pay to get the courts to annul a marriage. you’ll need a PH attorney. but get one via a referral from a satisfied expat in one of the Facebook expat groups. getting an annulment legally is almost impossible. but getting one through an attorney with connections (which cost money) is how it’s done. unless you can prove her husband is a blood relative or mentally insane. check out the FB expat groups for a good referral in the city where she lives, or the nearest metro area.

  5. how can i have money transfered from US to philippines IF i m on a tourist visa BESIDES.. western union ?

    1. the easiest, cheapest way is to open a money-management account with http://www.fidelity.com . then you can just pull it from any ATM in the PH and the atm-fees will be reimbursed.

      another way is through http://www.xoom.com , which you can pick-up the money at any major mall or any BDO bank, even if you don’t have a bank account there.

  6. Hey Reekay: I have a very real issue I would appreciate if you could address. Why do Filipina love fighting and arguing so much? Where did they learn to twist a man’s words to the opposite of what he actually said and accuse you of things you clearly never meant? And this phenomenon has carried across every Filipina I have known online and in real life. I say, “I know most Filipna are poor and need money. Walang problems. I understand your situation. You not ask for money, but I offer it freely because I think we have potential to be a happy couple.” And she (more than one) replies, “Why you say I only want your money? Why you judge all Filipina the same? I know…the foreigner is always right.” And why is their Filipna pride is EASILY offended? I hear this “why you judge me” so often it is like a meditation mantra. You read this in 50% of the profiles online, “don’t judge me until you know me.” Where did this uber-fear of judgement come from? This MYTH that Filipina are so kind and loving and patient and understanding is pure bull crap. They are (contrary to Biblical teaching) VERY quick to anger, very quick to take offense. So consistent is this feature in them that I have stopped looking at Pinays for love. I have looked long-and-hard at myself – but everyone I know…local friends including women…all say I am the most passive, forgiving, patient and kind-hearted man they know. But Filipina just can’t be supportive or empathetic. They just seem to LOVE arguing and fighting and re-configuring what a man actually says. I have watched many of your videos. I can’t be the only man with this experience. Your thoughts on this topic would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

    1. of all the filipinas i dated, i can’t think of one that was argumentative. maybe it’s just the women i choose happen to have an easy-going personality.

      but i have run into many filipinos (as a whole) who are very easily offended and for the most illogical of reasons.

  7. My previous post is not just my imagination either: even other Filipina acknowledge this issue.
    A must-read for anyone dealing with this problem (or Filipina in General). Thanks for posting!

    https://thoughtcatalog.com/sade-andria-zabala/2016/06/the-problem-with-filipinos/

    The Problem With Filipinos
    By Sade Andria Zabala, June 21st 2016
    For this Independence Day where we are still quite clearly dependent on everyone but ourselves, allow me to air our dirty laundry.

  8. Hello Mr. Reekay.
    I have been watching your videos and one particular coughs my attention.
    Would you be so kind and tell me about the lovely twins that run the juice bar in the mall you visited. I also would like to stay in touch am planing to travel to Philippines. I am a retired army officer with a decent income.

Comments are closed.