Anything American, from people to beef to cotton to actions and ideas, is viewed as god like in the Philippines.

For Duterte to even change the public opinion of the USA from god like to neutral is way too drastic for me to imagine ever happening, let alone making the opinion negative.

(10-07-2016 02:03 AM)John_Galt Wrote:  Onto,

You're living in the Philippines, right? Have you noticed a difference in the way you're viewed/treated, particularly by the men? (The ones who would harm you, if that were going to happen).

Maybe it's just me, but take for instance our "tensions" with Russia. I just don't feel like the average American would treat a Russian badly if he met one on the street. Am I wrong? Am I missing something?

I read the entire thread, and I seem to recall you've been there for some time. You obviously wouldn't up and leave for no reason. You believe that people will start attacking Americans because of the negative statements the president has made? I guess we could compare it to Hillary and her "deplorable" insults, Trump supporters are attacked regularly, but then again, many of those are paid by Soros etc.

I ask because I've actually been researching ticket prices, I was planning on spending 3 months in Cebu (jan-march). Do you think I should reconsider?

I have only been living here for about 6 weeks and before that was 2 years ago and that was only for two months. I'm not an expert on the Phils at all.

I'm in Makati and people here are just not as friendly as they are in other cities, but still friendly for the most part. It was like that two years ago and still is.

I "have" noticed that when I go out to dinner with a Pinay my order comes out at least 20 mins later than it should and not hot. Just yesterday, we are the first ones at the restaurant, first to order, afterwards 5 other Filipino couples come in. They all end up getting their food served long before me, even my date got hers on time. I almost walked out, and if it were America I would've complained.

I would like to think it was just an honest mistake, but it's happened consistently but to varying degrees. Some of the security guards are very nice and genuinely friendly, others make you feel like an unwanted guest, but that's Makati. There is a doorman/security guard in my building who was very friendly to me when I first arrived, but is now quite cold to me. I think it has more to do with the girls he sees me bringing back.

I've never been to Cebu, but in Davao the people are much nicer overall (two years ago). In Dumaguete the people were much nicer than Manila also.

I don't think you'll ever get attacked by a Filipino during your trip unless you treat a Pinay badly or mess around with one that's married, or end up in a very bad neighborhood.

I don't think you need to change your travel plans, but I also don't think Duterte's nationalism approach is going to be good for foreigner's and particularly American's in the future. Being from America used to be considered the most DHV country to a Filipino, but I get the sense when I say where I'm from now the reaction is very different.

This allegiance salute of Duterte's, with the hand, reminds me of someone. Trying to figure out where I've seen that before?

(10-07-2016 03:59 AM)Onto Wrote:  This allegiance salute of Duterte's, with the hand, reminds me of someone. Trying to figure out where I've seen that before?

Duterte confirmed as evil! He's another Trump!

^
I've been thinking the same thing, but when members who actually live in the Philippines are telling me their reservations about him, I have second thoughts.

Onto, I've noticed the same thing. Often times my orders take forever while everyone else gets their food fast. This only happens when I go in, never in the drive thru.

A girl I'm seeing says all of her friends think American guys are "fuckboys", and want a Korean bf.

I was almost attacked in a parking lot by a pretty jacked Filipino. I was with three girls.

Beyond that, I haven't really noticed any change in attitude from the locals. Most are friendly. I've met many Filipinos who don't like Du30 or share his views, so...

Is the universe trying to tell me something when 3 different rotation girls who live fairly far apart take a pic in front of the same christmas piece (nutcracker) and send the pic to me in the same week.

Has anyone climbed Mount Pulag? If so, how was it and how long does it take?

I was recently in Cebu and most people are quite nice -- nicer than Americans-- but some guys , maybe 3%, glare with some hostility.

I am very paranoid by nature, don't want to find out where limits are when locals are hostile. I like to be long gone before things get dicey at all.

Even I didn't feel the need to get out with any degree of quickness, but I started to form a guesstimate of wanting to be out in 3-4 months which I did. I didn't bring home tons of chicks, I tipped everyone in the apartment complex so there was little chance of creating local enemies.

I don't think there's appreciable risk right now but with a guy like you-know-who in charge things can spin unexpectedly.

I had considered getting a condo here, but never would now.

(10-08-2016 01:49 AM)El Chinito loco Wrote:  Is the universe trying to tell me something when 3 different rotation girls who live fairly far apart take a pic in front of the same christmas piece (nutcracker) and send the pic to me in the same week.

Yes, they are the three wise men sending a gift to their savior.

I'm in the Philippines right now. The amount of love for Duterte in Davao is near cult level. Campaign stickers, banners, homemade signs, are still everywhere. Very reminiscent of Obama in 2008 times 5. I'll be out of here in 2 weeks thankfully as things seem a lot more weirder than before.

I was in a car when they had a random drug checkpoint of all the vehicles. It is the stupidest thing I ever seen. It appears to be for show only and not to actually nab anyone. They stop a car, ask to look in the purses and bags and then look at the floor boards to see if there are any drug packages. No drug dogs or detailed searches. What about if drugs are hidden in the seats? the doors? or glove compartment? It appears to be a show only.

The whole drug thing appears to be a wild goose chase. Government corruption, nepotism, Muslim terrorist groups, a handful of corporations controlling everything, slums, etc.. are all issues that have a worse impact on the average Filipino's life.

Anyone ever bought a car here and shipped it to the US under the 25 year rule?

I picked up a used JDM sports car for just under 10k, in amazing condition, and that year/make/model/condition goes for at least 20k on Ebay. Seen Skylines for 10k when they go for 20-30k back home.

So -- possible business opportunity? Or too much of a hassle with customs, even with the 25 year rule?

^

Can you explain this "25 year rule"?

And what about shipping? Isn't renting a barge a huge cost?

(10-08-2016 09:56 PM)username Wrote:  I'm in the Philippines right now. The amount of love for Duterte in Davao is near cult level. Campaign stickers, banners, homemade signs, are still everywhere. Very reminiscent of Obama in 2008 times 5. I'll be out of here in 2 weeks thankfully as things seem a lot more weirder than before.

I was in a car when they had a random drug checkpoint of all the vehicles. It is the stupidest thing I ever seen. It appears to be for show only and not to actually nab anyone. They stop a car, ask to look in the purses and bags and then look at the floor boards to see if there are any drug packages. No drug dogs or detailed searches. What about if drugs are hidden in the seats? the doors? or glove compartment? It appears to be a show only.

The whole drug thing appears to be a wild goose chase. Government corruption, nepotism, Muslim terrorist groups, a handful of corporations controlling everything, slums, etc.. are all issues that have a worse impact on the average Filipino's life.

This whole drug thing is indeed a hoax. It is an alibi to prepare for martial law. No kidding, im serious. The drug thing is an alibi to do a bunch of crap and I dont know what other nonsense they want to do, but Martial law is only part of it. Duterte is really fucking things up.

(10-08-2016 10:51 PM)John_Galt Wrote:  ^

Can you explain this "25 year rule"?

And what about shipping? Isn't renting a barge a huge cost?

Cars over 25 years old do not have to comply with a huge number of American safety regulations to be imported. As far as shipping, a common method is to load it into a container (properly secured of course) and ship it that way. I don't know the costs, but when transported with thousands of other containers, there is an economy of scale.

(10-09-2016 01:10 PM)chicane Wrote:  

(10-08-2016 10:51 PM)John_Galt Wrote:  ^

Can you explain this "25 year rule"?

And what about shipping? Isn't renting a barge a huge cost?

Cars over 25 years old do not have to comply with a huge number of American safety regulations to be imported. As far as shipping, a common method is to load it into a container (properly secured of course) and ship it that way. I don't know the costs, but when transported with thousands of other containers, there is an economy of scale.

Was gonna post this. Thanks. It's hard to find info on how much this costs. A few websites quoted 2-3k for a medium sized car but they weren't in the Philipines. Not sure how much customs would cost.

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/10/13...id=9newsfb

Quote:Mr Berg was then taken to a backstreet near the hotel and arrested for allegedly trying to sell drugs to an undercover police officer.

With his head still spinning from the surreal course of events, things grew even more bizarre when TV news crews showed up.

The police then produced two bags with 50 ecstasy pills and a large amount of cash they claimed they found on Mr Berg and another foreigner arrested with him.

Mr Berg said it was a "complete set-up".

As he awaited trial he watched newly elected Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wage his war on drugs with TV news bulletins full of reports of the execution-style murders of accused drug dealers.

"It was the worst time to be accused of such charges," Mr Berg said.

"Obviously I thought that, regardless of my innocence, I wouldn't be freed."

The Australian thought the only chance of proving his innocence would be to obtain the CCTV footage from the hotel's security cameras to prove he was abducted from his hotel room and was not caught selling drugs on the street.

"I told Marvie the first day that she came to the police barracks, 'You need to get that CCTV footage because this is all lies, it's the only thing that's going to prove my innocence'," he said.

The footage was subpoenaed and presented to the court.

It confirmed Mr Berg's story and destroyed the credibility of the police, leading to his acquittal on September 15.

Mr Berg and Marvie are currently back in Australia.

He said he does not know why he was accused of being a drug dealer but suspects he was set-up by an ex-partner of his girlfriend.

Be careful out there guys. You never know who you may be pissing off when you get with the wrong girl.

I thought Duterte was supposed to be getting rid of the corruption. I wonder if there will be any consequences for these police officers caught blatantly framing someone.

(10-12-2016 09:21 PM)Savage Wrote:  http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/10/13...id=9newsfb

Quote:Mr Berg was then taken to a backstreet near the hotel and arrested for allegedly trying to sell drugs to an undercover police officer.

With his head still spinning from the surreal course of events, things grew even more bizarre when TV news crews showed up.

The police then produced two bags with 50 ecstasy pills and a large amount of cash they claimed they found on Mr Berg and another foreigner arrested with him.

Mr Berg said it was a "complete set-up".

As he awaited trial he watched newly elected Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wage his war on drugs with TV news bulletins full of reports of the execution-style murders of accused drug dealers.

"It was the worst time to be accused of such charges," Mr Berg said.

"Obviously I thought that, regardless of my innocence, I wouldn't be freed."

The Australian thought the only chance of proving his innocence would be to obtain the CCTV footage from the hotel's security cameras to prove he was abducted from his hotel room and was not caught selling drugs on the street.

"I told Marvie the first day that she came to the police barracks, 'You need to get that CCTV footage because this is all lies, it's the only thing that's going to prove my innocence'," he said.

The footage was subpoenaed and presented to the court.

It confirmed Mr Berg's story and destroyed the credibility of the police, leading to his acquittal on September 15.

Mr Berg and Marvie are currently back in Australia.

He said he does not know why he was accused of being a drug dealer but suspects he was set-up by an ex-partner of his girlfriend.

Be careful out there guys. You never know who you may be pissing off when you get with the wrong girl.

I thought Duterte was supposed to be getting rid of the corruption. I wonder if there will be any consequences for these police officers caught blatantly framing someone.

I haven't heard anything about him being acquitted. Must be a news blackout about it here in the Philippines. Even though they dragged this guys good name through the mud.

Then I looked through all the websites(Philippines) and its a small snippet with the police saying he was released on a technicality. Well that's some bullshit excuse. Plus they say they have pending charges against him, but he is allowed to go back to Australia.

Plus whats up with this shitty, reporting getting their information from the Daily Mail. Maybe why not go to the court and ask for a copy of the judgement or ask his lawyer for comment, instead of just asking the corrupt police for a statement.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/584...ity-police

Quote:Police on Tuesday said that Australian national Damian Berg, arrested for allegedly selling ecstasy, was ordered released by a local court due to technicality.

Superintendent Enric Rigor, legal officer of the Philippine National Police's Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, said that while they respect the court's decision they are morally convinced that Berg was involved in the illegal drug trade.

Rigor also said that Berg has also tested positive for drug use and is facing a another complaint for this.

A report by Daily Mail, however, said that Berg has already returned to Australia following his release from detention.

Police said Berg and Canadian Jeremy Eaton were arrested last June while in the act of selling P250,000 worth of ecstasy pills.

Police alleged that 170 high-grade ecstasy pills called the "cookie monster" were seized from the two foreigners. —ALG, GMA News

Well gentleman, I've taken the plunge. I just purchased a one-way ticket to Cebu City. I leave on January 15th and return ????

I plan on staying about 3 months, but it could be longer or shorter. If I enjoy living there, I hope to move there semi-permanently.

(10-13-2016 12:22 AM)John_Galt Wrote:  Well gentleman, I've taken the plunge. I just purchased a one-way ticket to Cebu City. I leave on January 15th and return ????

I plan on staying about 3 months, but it could be longer or shorter. If I enjoy living there, I hope to move there semi-permanently.

Congrats on taking the plunge. If you know you're staying for more than 30 days I suggest you ask for a visa extension on arrival. This is how I did it.

When I approached the immigration counter (where you hand them your passport to be stamped) I didn't give them the passport. Instead I held it in my hand and asked him if I could have a visa extension for 59 days. He replied with something to the same affect that I couldn't quite understand and I just said, "Yes"

At that point he signaled for someone at the BI office (located to the right of all those immigration booths) to come over. Sweet girl that asked me to follow her in the BI office. She said she would need 3,000 pesos for the visa extension, and had me fill out some paperwork.

I didn't have 3,000 pesos so she escorted me downstairs to the ATM machine. She asked me to leave my carry-on luggage in the BI office waiting area. I was nervous to do so, but my gut felt it would be ok.

After getting the money, she helped me get a Globe card and also find where my luggage carousal was. My luggage wasn't out yet so she asked me to give her the 3,000 pesos and she would go back upstairs to complete the processing. I was apprehensive, but she was an official BI officer and very sweet so I gave her the money and I waited for my luggage.

Once I got my luggage, I took the elevator back upstairs (behind the escalators) and went back to the BI office. A gate officer looked at me curiously as I was trying to go in through the out door, but I just explained and she waived me through.

Upon walking into the BI lounge I saw my carry-on items safely in the spot I left them and 10 mins later the girl came out with my passport stamped with an exit date for 59 days later and gave me 200 pesos in change. The extension fee was P2,800 and is written on your passport. If you use a pickup service in Manila to do that I believe it's 4,500 pesos or possibly more and you're without your passport for a day.

Saves you time, money and not having to worry about being in Manila, Cebu, or Davao at a certain time in your trip to get your visa renewed for that extra month.

Thanks Onto.

Do you think you'll still be in the Philippines come January?

One thing you have to be quite careful about in the Philippines/SE Asia is parasites

Unfortunately the hygiene can be very backwards, and it applies especially to eating out, check out the following article
http://allonhealth.com/intestinal-parasi...ndlers.htm

One thing that helped me in Cambodia when i felt constantly hungry and that something wasnt right, was doing a juice fast, combined with drinking MMS protocol 1000 and doing an enema, the result after 2 or 3 days was a nasty 10 inch long worm! nasty!

Next time i go im going to bring a decent stick blender (its hard to get decent appliances there) and do lots of smoothies, and make food at home.

Other than that, I recommend checking out Davao vs Cebu or Manila, but Manila is good to meet lots of girls, as i dont think many expats want to live there, whereas Davao is far more liveable and not such a filthy concrete jungle

Did well with DIA and online dating, push to the meet, have some food, go to karaoke, and bang straight into the bed

(10-13-2016 04:09 AM)John_Galt Wrote:  Thanks Onto.

Do you think you'll still be in the Philippines come January?

Maybe, but that's a long ways away from now and I'll be exploring other parts of Asia between now and then. Definitely pm me when you arrive though.

(10-13-2016 04:28 AM)GetRichOrdie Wrote:  One thing you have to be quite careful about in the Philippines/SE Asia is parasites

Unfortunately the hygiene can be very backwards, and it applies especially to eating out

This is true. Their food handling here in the Philippines is a disaster. On several occasions I've thwarted potential sickness from food.

One case I was at a house and they unplugged their refrigerator at night to save 15 or 20 pesos of electricity. Unfortunately some of the food goes bad when the temperature rises above a certain point. I was about to eat some delicious meat I cooked the previous night but it had a bad odor. I asked what happened and they said nothing but then I noticed the fridge light wasn't working and then found that they unplugged it.

On another occasion they prepared some really damn good food but left it sitting out 16 hours (between when they cooked it and when they tried it serve it again) and I politely declined eat it.

Also I never drink water, fountain sodas (ones where tap water and sugar are mixed to make the soda), ice teas, or any other drink that is not heated. That killed my stomach about 4 or 5 times before I figured out it was the cause of my diarrhea. Can sodas, bottled sodas, and bottle water are all fine.

Wow I have the worst luck. Was going to do some traveling for the first time this year to SE Asia and this POS Duterte takes over as president. Now the King of Thailand dies and who knows what will become of that country. This is bad!

(10-15-2016 07:15 PM)DOW JONES Wrote:  Wow I have the worst luck. Was going to do some traveling for the first time this year to SE Asia and this POS Duterte takes over as president. Now the King of Thailand dies and who knows what will become of that country. This is bad!

Dow Jones:

This will be my first major international trip as well. I debated for months leaving the country. But I always thought about all the "what ifs" and negative things about living somewhere than the USA.

Ultimately, I decided that there are times in life where you need to just dive into the pool head first. Yes, the water will be freezing cold and uncomfortable for a little bit, but after a few minutes, you'll get used to it and be having fun, and ultimately glad you're swimming in the pool.

If you stand outside of it, dip your toe in, and think about whether or not to get in, there's a good chance you'll talk yourself out of it.

Ultimately, the only way to know whether it's a good decision for you or not is to do it. There will ALWAYS be reasons NOT to step on the plane. I promise you. But remember: In todays world, things change fast. I remember just 10 years ago how much easier it was to game women, how much more friendly and enjoyable AMERICAN girls were compared to today. Now, it wasn't pussy paradise, but it was better than now.

If you wait until the perfect opportunity to visit your destination arrives, odds are by the time you go, the place will have lost a lot of the charm that attracted you in the first place.

It's my humble opinion that you shouldn't let EXTERNAL circumstances influence your life too much. If it's the right time for you to go, then GO! Don't wait, experience life now.

Of course, in 3 months I may be forced to eat crow. It remains to be seen. We'll see what happens.