Post: #1251

Ah, shit, it's only 16 months? Thought it was 18.

After that initial period, you can just leave and come back to restart, right?

Post: #1252

Honorable Secretary of Justice (SOJ) Leila M. de Lima approved Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 on 23 December 2013 which was recommended by Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison. Said issuance provides for the policies and guidelines on the extension and updating of temporary visitor’s visa (TVV).

Allowable Extensions

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.

Its 36 months as of 2014.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php/...-secretary

Post: #1253

Posting this here also since it applies to all the Philippines.

I have opened an account with BPI here in Panglao.

The benefits of having an account here is a back up if you cant access your account overseas for a variety of reasons, card stops working, etc.
If you are living here long term, then you can deposit money, withdraw money anytime you want instantly.
Deposit money into local accounts of other people same day.
Resolve issues with your account instantly by walking into a branch, instead of calling overseas to your home bank and hoping the problem gets resolved.
You have a local card to use. You don't have to pay conversion fees, ATM fees. international withdraw fees, etc..
Pay bills, etc

The documents that I needed to open an account.

Fill out the application.

Provide

Proof of address. Can be a lease document from my apartment complex proving that I lived here, or cellphone bill, or utility bill, etc.

Your current bank account bank statement with the date you opened it with sufficient funds. You can print this off from your online access to your account back home.

ACR-I card and current stamp in your passport from Immigration- This provides proof you are staying in the country legally. The ACR-I card, lets the bank know your identity. Its a second form of identification that is easily verifiable by the bank manager. If I remember correctly, banks in the United States ask for 2 forms of identification. Drivers license and SS Card for example.

Proof of Income: This can be settled by providing your bank statement.

Last but not least the initial deposit by transferring from your overseas account or having the money in hand. Amount varies depending on what type oaf account you are opening.

Dollar Savings
Euro Savings
Sterling Savings
Japanese Yen Savings
Peso Savings etc.

They will ask you a couple of questions

What are you using the account for?

How will you deposit money into the account?

Do you plan to deposit money from multiple sources?

The last part is for US citizens
You have to fill out extra forms so they can notify the IRS you have an account here. Good old FATCA Wink

If you are not a US citizen the last requirement doesn't apply.

In all it took me 1 1/2 hour to open my account. I received my ATM card on the spot and they also set me up for my online access. They also have a feature where you can add international accounts so you can transfer easily instead of filling out the information every time to transfer money.

If you have a Wells Fargo account in the United States, they have a agreement with BPI here in the Philippines. You can transfer money between the accounts for minimal fees.

Post: #1254

(03-04-2015 12:47 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Ah, shit, it's only 16 months? Thought it was 18.

After that initial period, you can just leave and come back to restart, right?

It's 24 in that chart I posted, but according to Calwinston's post it's now 36.

Post: #1255

(03-04-2015 04:25 AM)calwinston Wrote:  You have a local card to use. You don't have to pay conversion fees, ATM fees. international withdraw fees, etc..
Pay bills, etc

Two things.

1. Charles Schwab (US online-based bank) doesn't charge any of that either. You will be charged an ATM fee initially, but it will be reimbursed at the end of every month.

Also, there was one instance where an ATM here didn't give me my money, and Schwab immediately added a credit to my (bank) account (withdrawable in cash) for the same amount until it was sorted out.

Really can't say enough good things about Charles Schwab, and I usually hate banks.

2. I believe BPI has issues with Paypal and other electronic transfers (Elance), etc., as do most Philippines banks.

I plan on getting a local bank account also just for that extra flexibility, but I'll probably go with BDO for that reason. They are more up-to-speed on the online banking side of things and accept Paypal and the like with no problem.

(03-04-2015 04:32 AM)YardDog Wrote:  

(03-04-2015 12:47 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Ah, shit, it's only 16 months? Thought it was 18.

After that initial period, you can just leave and come back to restart, right?

It's 24 in that chart I posted, but according to Calwinston's post it's now 36.

Ah, ok. The "motion for reconsideration" after 16 months threw me off, I figured it was some kind of red tape bullshit. That's actually bad news since I don't have an excuse to leave anymore

Post: #1256

(03-04-2015 06:09 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Two things.

1. Charles Schwab (US online-based bank) doesn't charge any of that either. You will be charged an ATM fee initially, but it will be reimbursed at the end of every month.

Also, there was one instance where an ATM here didn't give me my money, and Schwab immediately added a credit to my (bank) account (withdrawable in cash) for the same amount until it was sorted out.

Really can't say enough good things about Charles Schwab, and I usually hate banks.

2. I believe BPI has issues with Paypal and other electronic transfers (Elance), etc., as do most Philippines banks.

I plan on getting a local bank account also just for that extra flexibility, but I'll probably go with BDO for that reason. They are more up-to-speed on the online banking side of things and accept Paypal and the like with no problem.

I had the same problem at a BDO ATM not giving me cash and BDO took the money off my American Express. I first complained to BDO and they told me it will take 7 days to reverse the charge. Then I called American Express and they deposited the money back in the next day.

American Express also doesn't charge me any fees. I am just talking about most banks charge a fee. As one person stated he is being charged 200 pesos per transaction.

I guess I am old school, since I like face to face interaction with a representative, more than talking to someone over the phone.

Never heard of the problems with Paypal. I need to check that out. Thanks for informing about that.

Post: #1257

(03-04-2015 07:29 AM)calwinston Wrote:  I had the same problem at a BDO ATM not giving me cash and BDO took the money off my American Express. I first complained to BDO and they told me it will take 7 days to reverse the charge. Then I called American Express and they deposited the money back in the next day.

American Express also doesn't charge me any fees. I am just talking about most banks charge a fee. As one person stated he is being charged 200 pesos per transaction.

Yeah, Charles Schwab is a bank. That's why I mentioned them, in case someone just wants to avoid fees without signing up for a Phil bank. You can withdraw from any ATM in the entire world and Schwab will always reimburse your fees at the end of the month. They also don't have overdraft fees.

Quote:I guess I am old school, since I like face to face interaction with a representative, more than talking to someone over the phone.

I'd rather talk to an American (Schwab doesn't outsource) on the phone than a Filipina in person (for banking issues) Customer service is just god awful here and their English breaks down when it comes to more complicated issues. Though there are some cuties working in the banks, it's also not worth waiting in the often 30 minutes or longer lines for me personally.

Quote:Never heard of the problems with Paypal. I need to check that out. Thanks for informing about that.

Yeah, I had a VA who used BPI and at one point she had months worth of payments piled up in her Paypal/Elance because she couldn't transfer them. I eventually just started physically depositing the money in her account so he could access it.

Post: #1258

+1 for Schwab.

I have only great things to say about them. When I needed to withdraw 160,000 pesos to buy my motorcycle I just called up Schwab and asked them to increase my withdraw limit for 24 hours. They said no problem and I was able to withdraw all the money I needed from the ATM (8 withdraws at 20,000 pesos each) 2 minutes after the call. No atm fees. Amazing.

I can not recommend them enough.

Post: #1259

(03-04-2015 09:59 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  +1 for Schwab.

I have only great things to say about them. When I needed to withdraw 160,000 pesos to buy my motorcycle I just called up Schwab and asked them to increase my withdraw limit for 24 hours. They said no problem and I was able to withdraw all the money I needed from the ATM (8 withdraws at 20,000 pesos each) 2 minutes after the call. No atm fees. Amazing.

I can not recommend them enough.

There are a few other good banks that will reimburse atm fees. Tdbank is one.

Personally I think everyone should have two checking accounts and two credit cards in case you lose a card. Leave one of each in your place in case of a fuck up.

Post: #1260

(03-04-2015 12:38 PM)bigbait Wrote:  

(03-04-2015 09:59 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  +1 for Schwab.

I have only great things to say about them. When I needed to withdraw 160,000 pesos to buy my motorcycle I just called up Schwab and asked them to increase my withdraw limit for 24 hours. They said no problem and I was able to withdraw all the money I needed from the ATM (8 withdraws at 20,000 pesos each) 2 minutes after the call. No atm fees. Amazing.

I can not recommend them enough.

There are a few other good banks that will reimburse atm fees. Tdbank is one.

Personally I think everyone should have two checking accounts and two credit cards in case you lose a card. Leave one of each in your place in case of a fuck up.

Yes good idea-- I overdrew my Schwab account ( not totally overdrew, just the bank part, they then auto-pull from your investment account with no charge. )

I did it a couple times and Visa locked the card, one call to Schwab and while-I-waited they unlocked it and asked to me to go to an ATM and check that it had worked.

A-1 Service: lucky you ( used to ) live in America.

I always ask the girl because I use another broker for stocks "Are they going to stop reimbursing ATM fees? Cause they're not making any money off me!"

They basically pay at least 20-30 dollars a month in my ATM fees, and I avoid Wells Fargo "Overseas ATM" charge as well.

They laugh and say they haven't heard anything about that.

Post: #1261

(03-04-2015 04:23 AM)calwinston Wrote:  Honorable Secretary of Justice (SOJ) Leila M. de Lima approved Immigration Memorandum .......
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.

Its 36 months as of 2014.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php/...-secretary

I think they are being smart, they just love us here for the most part. When most guards, clerks you meet are making about one dollar an hour, every expat leering his way across the Philippines probably indirectly employs at least 5 or more people.

Also every girl that leaves married to an expat probably sends back six figures minimum over her expatriation from here.

Then they just diligently go about creating more amiable, slim young girls ( over 18 of course) to lure us here. A lovely system.

Post: #1262

(03-04-2015 08:50 AM)Enigma Wrote:  Yeah, Charles Schwab is a bank. That's why I mentioned them, in case someone just wants to avoid fees without signing up for a Phil bank. You can withdraw from any ATM in the entire world and Schwab will always reimburse your fees at the end of the month. They also don't have overdraft fees.

Yeah, what Enigma said. Charles Schwab is definitely a win. All you need is to open one of their "High Yield Investor Checking Accounts" with the only requirement being that you must pair it up with a Brokerage Account. I put $20 in the Brokerage account and haven't touched it since. Then, right before traveling... like I will be for the Phils soon, I'll take about $1000 cash with me and toss the better chunk of my funds in the CS Checking Account for easy withdrawal. That way, I won't have to risk getting around so loaded. I just carry the CS ATM card and withdraw away at competitive market exchange rates. ATM fees are all reimburse at the end of the month.

(03-05-2015 09:26 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  I think they are being smart, they just love us here for the most part. When most guards, clerks you meet are making about one dollar an hour, every expat leering his way across the Philippines probably indirectly employs at least 5 or more people.

Also every girl that leaves married to an expat probably sends back six figures minimum over her expatriation from here.

Then they just diligently go about creating more amiable, slim young girls ( over 18 of course) to lure us here. A lovely system.

Hahaha, ah yes! Our best export: the lovely Filipina.

Post: #1263

(02-22-2015 10:49 AM)YardDog Wrote:  Yes good idea-- I overdrew my Schwab account ( not totally overdrew, just the bank part, they then auto-pull from your investment account with no charge. )

Even if you don't have any money in your brokerage account, you still won't incur any fees for overdrafting your checking. I did this on accident once and the chick basically said they'll never charge you anything, they'll just send you a notice after 30 days or so to remind you that you're in the negative.

They literally do everything right. I've even read online that they'll overnight a new card internationally if you lose the old one.

Really refreshing to deal with a bank that's not cutting every corner while simultaneously scamming away your every dollar just to pad their already astronomical profit margins.

Post: #1264

(03-04-2015 04:23 AM)calwinston Wrote:  Honorable Secretary of Justice (SOJ) Leila M. de Lima approved Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 on 23 December 2013 which was recommended by Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison. Said issuance provides for the policies and guidelines on the extension and updating of temporary visitor’s visa (TVV).

Allowable Extensions

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.

Its 36 months as of 2014.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php/...-secretary

Let me get this straight. We had been lead to believe all this time that it was 18 months and only now the whole RVF community finds out it is twice that? Not a single person made mention about it before? I only saw the thing about 18 months up till now when I saw this.

Had it not been for this site, I would have never ever even found out about this. I would have been leaving before this Christmas to do a visa run! But now thanks to this site, I know and I wont be going anywhere this year or next year! Not till middle of the following year do I have to actually leave and come right back. I will be smashing a new chick every day in Manila for all of this year, all of next year and half of the following year before a quick break to turn around in Indonesia and back at it again in Manila for equally impressive amount of time! This is saving me a bit of hastle by letting me sit on my butt in Manila for 3 years and have nowhere I need to go far for 3 year increments.
this is great news! Thanks RVF for not letting me miss out! lol

Post: #1265

Anyones thoughts on whether it is normal for the following girl to be hard to game for same date bang? I was wondering if it was because of weak game or it really is normal for a girl of this kind to be hard to bang on the first date even being right in Manila where supposedly same day is normal.

1. She is so religious that her facebook cover image is about jesus. and she carries around the bible.
2. She does a lot of charity work
3. She appears to be in a higher social circle because her friend is a
milloinaire, also being part of the higher rank of philippines people with stock and those kinds of things.
4. She herself also has involvement in the stock market.
5. Has no interest to continue using filipino cupid and tells me she wants to close it cuz she has such little tolerance for the less serious and numerous guys chatting that she does not even want to meet anyone from online anymore. So her account will be gone now due to negative view of this online dating.

When I first noticed she might be a super hard one, almost impossible one, things seemed to start making sense when all those above personal details emerged about her personal life. A highly religious person that has a social circle in higher ranks on top of that seem to me as a double whammy against easiness of lay. I know I am not into religion one bit, but to try to confirm if she really was just too conservative, I started asking a lot of questions about her Jesus interest things like s if I was interested in it.

Is it normal for a person with normal game level to fail to get same date or even second date bang with a girl with the above description?

When I already started realizing she was not going to be bed material, I actually started 'screening' her for lots more personal info like what she does, and career and things so I can learn what attributes can coincide with hard to bang conservative ones and use it for future broad screening and be careful to filter out others that come up similar again.

Post: #1266

(03-07-2015 01:19 AM)cmrectro Wrote:  1. She is so religious that her facebook cover image is about jesus. and she carries around the bible.
2. She does a lot of charity work
3. She appears to be in a higher social circle because her friend is a
milloinaire, also being part of the higher rank of philippines people with stock and those kinds of things.
4. She herself also has involvement in the stock market.
5. Has no interest to continue using filipino cupid and tells me she wants to close it cuz she has such little tolerance for the less serious and numerous guys chatting that she does not even want to meet anyone from online anymore. So her account will be gone now due to negative view of this online dating.

When I had a foursome, it was with two volunteers and one pro. The professional always wears a cross and was devoutly religious.

I have yet to bang a piñay girl who claims to be non-religious. It could just be the type I attract.

Post: #1267

(03-07-2015 01:40 AM)Dagnasty Wrote:  

(03-07-2015 01:19 AM)cmrectro Wrote:  1. She is so religious that her facebook cover image is about jesus. and she carries around the bible.
2. She does a lot of charity work
3. She appears to be in a higher social circle because her friend is a
milloinaire, also being part of the higher rank of philippines people with stock and those kinds of things.
4. She herself also has involvement in the stock market.
5. Has no interest to continue using filipino cupid and tells me she wants to close it cuz she has such little tolerance for the less serious and numerous guys chatting that she does not even want to meet anyone from online anymore. So her account will be gone now due to negative view of this online dating.

When I had a foursome, it was with two volunteers and one pro. The professional always wears a cross and was devoutly religious.

I have yet to bang a piñay girl who claims to be non-religious. It could just be the type I attract.

Ok I read in the forums somewhere about a girl being 'very catholic' or something like that or in other words too religious and apparently it had an impact. Everyone seems to be part of a religion here, but some are much more so than others. Not many will deny the religion form here, but few will probably be as heavily into it like this one was. I have not seen a single other one yet like this one in level of religiousness. I have seen other girls and they were all probably catholic, but don't invade their Facebook or their phones with that religious mess and were also easy to bed. Also, maybe being in the higher social circle and economic status had an effect. I think all these things, even minor by themselves added up to make more conservative. Being in higher socio-economic status coupled with intense interest in the religion might just made a big impact on easiness.

She would have been a Pituca had this been Peru. Pitucas as they are called in Peru are supposed to be hard so I think the 'pituca factor' in its version here might have coupled with a bit of higher than average religious focus might be what made this one quite different. I know women from this country in more conservative regions that went to church too, only to come and want to bang when they have free time lol. they keep religion on Sunday and not carry it around all day every day and smother their facebook with it. I think that could be the difference.

I think it is easy to confirm that girls that have conservative photos and dominate their facebook with Jesus more than themselves will mor eoften than not show conservativeness. This girl today would not even go with me to the internet cafe to delete her fc profile, never mind ask her to go into my condo (of course I did not even bother to ask)

I think if she had average religious interest and not extremely religious, did not have high ranking social circle and not in high economic status, she would have been easy like most everyone else seems to be, more than happy to go and hang out with a gringo in his condo. But nope! not the pitucas!

Post: #1268

I think youre spot on, yes all the girls are catholic and go to church (more of a community thing i think) but plastering bible quotes on facebook is a red flag. The only girl that didnt want to see me again was seemed to love jesus more than the rest of the girls. Virgins are basically impossible to spot here and if you ask girls will lie both ways, yes and no. I'd be prepared to go on multiple dates but at the same time theres a decent chance she will sleep with you even if shes conservative, thats just how it is here .

2. Dont think this matters.
3. These girls only seem interested in white dick, western european only, being tall is a big deal too (could save you if you're tall but not white). Be prepared for her friends to "drop in" to show of her new fashion accessory.
4. So?
5. This doesnt matter either. So many losers on these sites just take a look on DIA,dont need an account. This is a good sign if you want to spend time on her.

Post: #1269

(03-07-2015 03:13 AM)nick_ Wrote:  I think youre spot on, yes all the girls are catholic and go to church (more of a community thing i think) but plastering bible quotes on facebook is a red flag. The only girl that didnt want to see me again was seemed to love jesus more than the rest of the girls. Virgins are basically impossible to spot here and if you ask girls will lie both ways, yes and no. I'd be prepared to go on multiple dates but at the same time theres a decent chance she will sleep with you even if shes conservative, thats just how it is here .

2. Dont think this matters.
3. These girls only seem interested in white dick, western european only, being tall is a big deal too (could save you if you're tall but not white). Be prepared for her friends to "drop in" to show of her new fashion accessory.
4. So?
5. This doesnt matter either. So many losers on these sites just take a look on DIA,dont need an account. This is a good sign if you want to spend time on her.

Ok. The "so" part at number 4, I just put because people said how pitucas in Peru are supposed to be difficult. I know this is Philippines, but I thought anyone similar to pituca in Peru could be just as much harder here. They will require a lot more game apparently than say an office employee or jollibee employee or a sales girl at a store which will go right home with you in Manila. I am told that the pituca-like ones require more skill to get and more experienced people can get it to work out.

Post: #1270

(03-07-2015 03:13 AM)nick_ Wrote:  I think youre spot on, yes all the girls are catholic and go to church (more of a community thing i think) but plastering bible quotes on facebook is a red flag. The only girl that didnt want to see me again was seemed to love jesus more than the rest of the girls. Virgins are basically impossible to spot here and if you ask girls will lie both ways, yes and no. I'd be prepared to go on multiple dates but at the same time theres a decent chance she will sleep with you even if shes conservative, thats just how it is here .

2. Dont think this matters.
3. These girls only seem interested in white dick, western european only, being tall is a big deal too (could save you if you're tall but not white). Be prepared for her friends to "drop in" to show of her new fashion accessory.
4. So?
5. This doesnt matter either. So many losers on these sites just take a look on DIA,dont need an account. This is a good sign if you want to spend time on her.

speaking of DIA. I keep trying to sign up for an account at different net cafes and stuff and every time I try to go ahead with the nw account it says ACCOUNT CLOSED. WTF? how can't I make a new account? Do they have some magic powers to detect the fingerprints of whoever is using the computer to sign up? I don't get it. I can go to any new computer in the Philippines and can't sign up for DIA. Someone reported in a thread that ALL their meets lead to 1st date bangs on DIA. Does it matter that I cant access DIA and only use fc? Can I still get the same or better results from fc?

Post: #1271

Hey anyone have any estimate as to what might be a possible peak age for responses in filipino cupid? I am 31, but my profile is stuck at age 26 by mistake and I don't seem to be getting as much interests as people say they would get. Is mid 20s considered too young to get heaps of interests sent? What age do you start to see the most interests sent or around what age you think you reach peak interest?

Post: #1272

(03-07-2015 01:19 AM)cmrectro Wrote:  Anyones thoughts on whether it is normal for the following girl to be hard to game for same date bang? I was wondering if it was because of weak game or it really is normal for a girl of this kind to be hard to bang on the first date even being right in Manila where supposedly same day is normal.

1. She is so religious that her facebook cover image is about jesus. and she carries around the bible.
2. She does a lot of charity work
3. She appears to be in a higher social circle because her friend is a
milloinaire, also being part of the higher rank of philippines people with stock and those kinds of things.
4. She herself also has involvement in the stock market.
5. Has no interest to continue using filipino cupid and tells me she wants to close it cuz she has such little tolerance for the less serious and numerous guys chatting that she does not even want to meet anyone from online anymore. So her account will be gone now due to negative view of this online dating.

When I first noticed she might be a super hard one, almost impossible one, things seemed to start making sense when all those above personal details emerged about her personal life. A highly religious person that has a social circle in higher ranks on top of that seem to me as a double whammy against easiness of lay. I know I am not into religion one bit, but to try to confirm if she really was just too conservative, I started asking a lot of questions about her Jesus interest things like s if I was interested in it.

Is it normal for a person with normal game level to fail to get same date or even second date bang with a girl with the above description?

When I already started realizing she was not going to be bed material, I actually started 'screening' her for lots more personal info like what she does, and career and things so I can learn what attributes can coincide with hard to bang conservative ones and use it for future broad screening and be careful to filter out others that come up similar again.

Rule #1:

Never assume. Never pre-judge.

I met a Filipina in Manila once for coffee at Robinson's. She looked conservative and give a big spiel about what a good girl she is and how she's against casual sex.

I kinda just went "okay", and thought I was wasting my time with her.

Then she suggests we go back to my apartment, and a short time later she's moaning and groaning so loud I couldn't even hear the rosters outside.

Moral of the story: Never assume. Never pre-judge.

Just be as cool, calm and easy going as you can be.

That's the only thing you need to get laid in Phil if you want to bang from the pool of Filipinas who easily sex foreigners.

Aggressive so-called "alpha" behavior would probably scare away most of them.

Post: #1273

Anyone know how legit this website is? Is it a good reference for general rent prices? http://www.olx.ph/index.php/classifieds+...t+for+rent

Post: #1274

(12-02-2014 12:22 AM)Chaos Wrote:  Has anyone here checked out Sirigao? ( or how it's spelled)

I spent a little more than a week on Siargao last month and I have to agree with YardDog – it is also my favorite spot in the Philippines. I was hesitating whether I should post it here or not, because Siargao is still a hidden gem in the Philippines. However, since most of the users here are mainly interested in locations with lots of beautiful pinays, I guess the majority of the people reading these lines won’t show up there anyways. So here we go.

Siargao is a not so small island north of Mindanao in the province Surigao del Norte. There is only one daily flight to Siargao Island, leaving from Cebu around noon. You can also reach the island by boat from Surigao City. The island itself is a true paradise. It is as green as it gets and the only tourists there are surfers. Most Filipinos I have talked with don’t even know Siargao.

Life is really relaxed on Siargao. The biggest towns are Del Carmen (close to the airport), Dapa (where the harbor is) and General Luna (the place where all the tourists are staying). There are only a few ATM’s on the island, all of them (I think) in Dapa and Del Carmen. So make sure to bring enough Pesos or you might have to do a 60 minute trip from General Luna to Dapa to get some cash. Transport from the airport to General Luna is 300 Pesos in a minivan. When it comes to SIM cards, SMART is the preferred option for Siargao. I used Globe and barely had any reception.

A typical day on Siargao looks like this: Wake up (early) and do some surfing, have breakfast and lunch, relax a few hours, surf again in the afternoon, smoke some weed in the evening (there is almost no police on the island. Everyone is smoking weed and it is super easy to get. The most relaxed place I have seen so far in the Philippines) and then chill out in a bar. Against my first assumption, Siargao is not just for experienced surfers. It is also good for beginners. Just ask where the beginner spots are. One surf lesson is around 700 Pesos, including the board. I would recommend getting one lesson and then just rent your board and learn it on your own. If you consider all the other factors like food, lifestyle, prices, things you can do and the people there, I would say Siargao is the best place in Asia to learn surfing.

Life is cheap on Siargao – you can get great food in the restaurant for less than 150 Pesos and rent a motorbike and a surfboard for 350 pesos each a day. Accomodation is also cheap and available in all price ranges. I stayed at the only hostel on the island (250 Pesos per night) and what we used to do was buying the biggest fish at the local market (around 7kg for 840 Pesos – good for more than 15 people) or other seafood (crabs, squid, etc.), give it to the girls in the kitchen next door to prepare it, put the fish on the grill, cook some side dishes and then have an amazing barbecue dinner with some fruits as dessert for less than 100 Pesos each.

If you are not interested in surfing, there are still plenty of other things you can do. You can go island hopping (renting a boat for up to 12 people costs only 1500 Pesos a day!) to the neighboring islands Guyam, Dako (bring food with you, e.g. fish or seafood from the market and have it cooked for you on Dako) and Naked island. You can drive with your motorbike through stunning landscapes to the Magpupungko Rock Pool (ask before what the best time to go there is – during high tide the pool loses its magic). Or you can do a daytour to the amazing Sugba Lagoon, which is probably the coolest thing you can do on the island. You are driving for 30 minutes with a boat through mangroves and eventually end up in a huge lagoon with a small cottage in the middle where you can enjoy barbecue, beers and weed. Who needs El Nido when you can have this lagoon all for yourself. Another thing you can do on Siargao is the drunken carabao riding, where you ride up a mountain on a water buffalo – completely drunk because all drinks are included in the price.

There are also a lot of local girls on the island – most of them working in resorts. They aren’t the best looking but there are a lot of 6s and 7s on the island wiling to hook up with tourists. Every Tuesday and Friday the only real place where you can dance is open. It is called Tattoo Jungle Disco and is actually pretty shitty. But since this is the only place where you can dance and hook up with girls, it is always pretty packed. Everytime I went there I saw a dozen local girls leaving with foreigners – so yes, it is also possible to have a few bangs during your stay on Siargao. However, girls are obviously not the main reason to go to Siargao. They are just a nice side-effect. Surfing and having a great time with cool people – that’s why one should visit Siargao.

Some impressions:


Rock Pool


Sugba Lagoon


Sugba Lagoon


Sugba Lagoon viewed from the airplane. The red arrow shows the small cottage in the middle of the lagoon


Dako Island

Post: #1275

(03-07-2015 03:54 PM)aeroektar Wrote:  Anyone know how legit this website is? Is it a good reference for general rent prices? http://www.olx.ph/index.php/classifieds+...t+for+rent

It's legit and probably the most popular classified ad site in the Phils (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

For pricing it's a good baseline, but remember that everything here is negotiable. Always try and make a deal.