Buzzardman
English expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
72
Contacts
19
About me
English, Single
Lives in Cebu City, Central Visayas
Speaks English, Thai, French
Registration: 21 January 2017
Self-storage Cebu City
I have to return to UK in a couple of months and will be away from Cebu anywhere from 6 to 9 months. I am looking for a secure place to store my stuff while away. Nothing major literally a couple of bits of furniture and a few boxes. Have googled ... Read More
Water Outage in Metro Manila by kindawn
Obviously, there's a shortage of water right now in metro manila. Just want to ask if anyone has any experience dealing with this before? My condo in mandaluyong already doing rationing water through fire trucks, 2 buckets per day. Can't ...
You do seem to spoil you argument by suggesting that airplane contrails are purposely produced in order to cause earthquakes and tsunamis. Even a few seconds thought would show that the few grams of water vapour in a plane's contrail could lift ... Read More
Amazon Kindle in the Philippines
I use my kindle here. It is registered to my UK account Read More
Good Reading Books by Peter Clark
Not many book readers in the Philippines myself included, mostly it was Haynes car manuals, Hank Jansons, technical mags and Dennis Wheatley, but spending hours in Airports waiting for your flight got me curious about books and spending my ...
"Good Book" Depends very much on personal taste. But I agree with some of your selection, so our tastes must overlap somewhat. Pete Brassett UK Scottish Crime stories I binge read the whole series Will dig down a bit and get a list ... Read More
Problem with return trip from Philippines to Hong Kong by MikeHall
Hi, This is my first post. I’m am a retired British person currently on an extended tourist visa here in the Philippines. I have been here just over 6 months and also have a Tourist class ACR1 card. It is my intention to retire here. I have ...
I have been asked 2 or 3 times at Heathrow. Not a problem for me though as I get them to look at my visa - SRRV Read More
Exit Clearance
Maybe I'm just being stupid here. I am on a SRRV, before I used to pop back to UK or go on foreign holidays every now and again, so never considered Exit Clearance certificates. But later on this yesr I intend to go to UK for a visit and I will, ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
That makes a lot of sense Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
They just gave me the stereotyped letter as I was doing the paperwork stuff at PRA. Lots of bits of paper change hands Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
Oh another point, 25th September, well realistically 24th, is very achievable, with time to spare. The long wait is for the SRRV and passport etc to arrive. But you can use UK driving licence as an ID for flying in country and for most purposes. ... Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
Copy of a couple of emails from bank and me explaining how it is done, well was done in my case are winging their way to Sunny Fenny for you. By the way my marketer advised me against sending the money in that way, but it seemed there was no other ... Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
Hi, That sounds like the typical Catch-22 of bureaucracy. I opened my account with BDO. There is only one branch that was authorised to hold the deposit, it is in Makati not too far from PRA main office. I was not sure how to do it and so I ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Jack you have posted exactly the same comment on 3 different threads. I just went to the branch with my SRRV card, passport and copy of lease to prove address and opened an account in minutes Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
Not my experience at all, opened an account easy and quickly Read More
SRRV/SIRV bank, criminal bacground questions by luisEUCN
Hi We, a family of 4, are thinking of moving to Philippines (more exactly BGC/ Mc Kinley Hills), I can either apply for a SRRV or SIRV visa by investing a little 100k usd it appears . The documents requested don’t look too hard to come up ...
That is strange. I went to the bank with my SRRV, passport and copy of lease and within minutes had an account opened. BDO Read More
40 yr old looking to apply for SRRV visa - recommend a marketer/agent? by valakos
Hi all, I'm a citizen of Australia, aged 40 looking to apply for the SRRV visa but got a few questions for someone who knows the ins and outs of this visa. Any help greatly appreciated - I've fished around the pra website and was hoping ...
Steve, Done. I was very happy with her help. Have sent you her contact details Keith Read More
40 yr old looking to apply for SRRV visa - recommend a marketer/agent? by valakos
Hi all, I'm a citizen of Australia, aged 40 looking to apply for the SRRV visa but got a few questions for someone who knows the ins and outs of this visa. Any help greatly appreciated - I've fished around the pra website and was hoping ...
Steve, I did try to PM her details to you, but the PM would not go. It said you had disabled PMs Read More
40 yr old looking to apply for SRRV visa - recommend a marketer/agent? by valakos
Hi all, I'm a citizen of Australia, aged 40 looking to apply for the SRRV visa but got a few questions for someone who knows the ins and outs of this visa. Any help greatly appreciated - I've fished around the pra website and was hoping ...
Once you find an agent you are happy with, make contact and ask them the process and time line, I believe you have to be there for a couple of days to make the application and pay deposit then about 4 weeks is the processing time, so you could leave ... Read More
40 yr old looking to apply for SRRV visa - recommend a marketer/agent? by valakos
Hi all, I'm a citizen of Australia, aged 40 looking to apply for the SRRV visa but got a few questions for someone who knows the ins and outs of this visa. Any help greatly appreciated - I've fished around the pra website and was hoping ...
I sent you a PM with some details answering some of these points. Can I just reiterate the point made in one of the replies here. The Marketer (agent) is free of charge and will speed the process enormously. When you have your visa and srrv id card ... Read More
Areas to live Davao
My condo lease in Cebu runs out soon and I have to consider where to look next. I have long thought Davao might be a place to consider, so will be visiting to check it out. I need some information on where are the best parts in Davao and the region ... Read More
SRRV/SIRV bank, criminal bacground questions by luisEUCN
Hi We, a family of 4, are thinking of moving to Philippines (more exactly BGC/ Mc Kinley Hills), I can either apply for a SRRV or SIRV visa by investing a little 100k usd it appears . The documents requested don’t look too hard to come up ...
Your srrv deposit is held in an account which is totally separate to any personal accounts you may hold. I opened mine with BDO. On the srrv website it gives you details of the branch to use. I contacted them by email arranged for a temporary ... Read More
Traffic in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in the Philippines, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend ...
I live in Cebu IT Park. The traffic in Cebu is pretty horrific. Beginning and end of the working day, obviously are worst. Going across the bridges to Mactan Island can be a nightmare. I think living in IT Park does spoil one a bit as there is ... Read More
Pension for retired Brit expat. by Fremonte
Has any Brit retired expat living in the Philippines had any problems accessing his/her pension there.
I have my OAP and my teachers' pension paid into my UK bank, then transfer when needed Read More
Online shopping in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Shopping online can be far more convenient and offer greater choice than going into shops, be it grocery shopping or retail. Are there options for online shopping in the Philippines? Which sites or apps do you use most ...
I have used Lazada quite a bit. Don't used COD as can't guarantee I'll be about when they come. So I pay in advance, they deliver to the concierge at my condo. No great problems. BUT I do carefully check reviews of the seller before ... Read More
Paying bills in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What bills do you pay? If you are renting, are bills included in the price of rent, and is this common practice in the Philippines? How can you pay your bills (e.g. online, at provider's store, at the post office)? Which is the ...
My rent I pay by Worldremit direct to my landlord's bank account. As stated elsewhere there are good online records of the payment and both I and the landlord are notified when the payment goes in. The condo dues I pay with cash as the admin ... Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
Yes, I used the one branch of BDO that is approved for PRA deposits. I contacted them by email before doing anything at all about the application, they opened a holding account. On the day that I did all the PRA application stuff, it was a short ... Read More
PRA SRRV US $ Deposit by Guestposter8964
Will soon be on the way to Philippine and hope I will get a Retirement Visa without to much hassle as soon I get my Medical examination done. I have a couple of questions that I am not clear about, already asked PRA by e-mail but never got an ...
I contacted the BDO branch which is able to deal with PRA deposits (details on PRA site) and they gave me an account number and bank details. This was a holding account. I then got my UK bank to transfer the money in dollars to that account. On my ... Read More
Money transfers from the uk to the Philippines
I use world remit. It is sent using my UK debit card direct to my BDO account within minutes. It may not be the cheapest but they give a good exchange rate very reasonable charges compared with sending from my UK bank. I then use my BDO card for ATM ... Read More
Accessing your pension/money in UK bank while in Manila
I've also set up phone apps for my UK accounts, so much easier than having to fire up a laptop to check balances etc. and easier/more convenient. Needed to do that in UK for some reason Read More
Accessing your pension/money in UK bank while in Manila
I still have a UK address registered with my banks. My son here in UK receives and sorts mail then forwards anything important (not much). I don't really use my UK cards much as I do UK banking online and use BDO card here. I am due new UK cards ... Read More
Accessing your pension/money in UK bank while in Manila
I am in that position. My pensions are paid into UK banks. I opened an account at BDO in Cebu. (it required 2 photo IDs - passport and UK driving licence are OK) and a 2x1 photo which I got at the local Mall. Why they wanted that I don't know as ... Read More
I need a prepaid credit card I can top UK in sterling in the uk by FrankLancs
Hi, I'm Frank and as you guess I'm from England. I have a beautiful girlfriend and we are getting married next year however what I really need is a prepaid credit card I can top up hear in the UK with sterling, I look forward to hearing from ...
Is this the sort of thing you are looking for? https://www.travelex.co.uk/travel-money-card Read More
Retiring in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Why did you choose to retire in the Philippines? What are the advantages compared with your home country? What were your main considerations when deciding to move? For example, taxes, ease of transferring your pension, ...
iftikhar_peeto, you forgot to take into account the cost of being married. LOL Read More
Visa help please
Don't know the exact answer to your question, but my son - living in London and UK citizen - married a girl from US back in March. She was on a marriage visa. They are still waiting for her spouse visa to come through. Lots of paperwork and ... Read More
Feeling Old All Of A sudden by Navajo52
Well, here we are; baby-boomers trying our best to live a lifestyle (mentally a well as physically) that puts us at an age of 25 or 30 years old. Up until now I've done pretty well at ignoring the grey hair on my head and even my whiskers. ...
Old? You youngsters aged just 65 will soon realise that that old feeling soon passes. It's true that you are as old as you act Read More
Will I be safe traveling to Zamboanga by sbleakley21
Hi I will be traveling to the region of Zamboanga. I was just wondering if I will be safe as a foriegner☺ Shane
I spent a couple of weeks over Christmas in Zamboanga Sibugay. It was reasonably safe so long as I stayed in the small barangay where my friends lived, the one time I did go into town there was a very scary incident, luckily I had my friend's ... Read More
immigration consultant
It depends on how you are doing it. If you are going for the SRRV retirement visa then you can get the services of an approved agent for free. Detail from PRA Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
LOL! Perhaps we can enjoy a nice cuppa together Read More
Mistakes expats make in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Philippines? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you ...
Don't use the airport taxis. I have started using Grab Taxi Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Peter, Nothing as exciting as that. I come from a small English market town called Leighton Buzzard Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
SteveTheHeave. Thank you for wishing me good luck at getting the 10K USD. I have just received written confirmation that it has arrived in my account. 3 whole working days it took - and to think they promised me 6 working days delay. Guess it might ... Read More
Mistakes expats make in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Philippines? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you ...
Great post Dirk. Years ago I got a contract to work for the Zambian Government. No idea where I would be based. It turned out I was based deep in the bush in a tiny township. It was a real culture shock. To begin with it was hard, the local custom ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Oh few people like me? How on earth do you know what I am like? Oh great wise one? I have lived in many countries mostly 3rd world. I am not a starry eyed optimist as you seem to assume. Dont make assumptions about people you do not know and about ... Read More
How has your life changed in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to Philippines? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
It will be interesting to see how it does change. 10 days till I arrive there Read More
How has your life changed in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to Philippines? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
Mine is booked for 2 weeks time. You could say I am a little bit excited Read More
Alkaline Water by markystaley
Does anyone knows where I could buy 9.5 Alkaline Water to keep my PH level up since I drink a lot of beer. My understanding most celebrities use this water in America to prevent cancer from the acid intake and daily stress. I live in Angeles City
Or quite honestly, just use ordinary water. Your stomach has very very strong acid within it naturally as it is essential for digestion. You would need to drink a lot of "alkaline water" to have an effect on the pH of your stomach ... Read More
Retirement visa, how soon does it need to be used? by scott_see
I'm planning on getting a retirement visa, but may not be able to leave the US right away. Does anyone know if there's a time limit by which it needs to be used? Thanks, Scott
Not sure I follow some of the things said here. Cost of a visa consulting firm for retirement visa? The PRA who coordinate all the retirement visas, the people to whom you apply for a retirement visa provide visa consultants. These people are ... Read More
Indian Expat life in Philipines by payaljain
Hello All, Can anyone please advise me about Expat Life in Manila for Indian Expats. My husband has been offered a job opportunity in Manila and we wanted to do some preliminary homework before taking the decision to move base to Manila.We have 2 ...
from 5 borrowed to 6 repaid. That is interest of 1 on 5, ie one fifth. One fifth is 20%. The post said repayment within 40 days (unless I read that wrong) so 20% over 40 days. Straightforwards maths Read More
Dating in the Philippines??? by Nathan juan
I'm curious to know of others experience with dating here. My question is how is dating intercultural? I've noticed that most men and women are married and no one ever wears wedding bands to signify if they are married. So just how does ...
What a jaded, racist and sexist view of life Read More
Cost of living in the Philippines - 2017 by Priscilla
Hello, Before moving to Philippines, it is important to investigate the cost of living in the country. As we did in 2015, we give you the opportunity to share your experience and tell us more about products and services average recorded ...
Comparison of some cities PRA Facebook Post Read More
Indian Expat life in Philipines by payaljain
Hello All, Can anyone please advise me about Expat Life in Manila for Indian Expats. My husband has been offered a job opportunity in Manila and we wanted to do some preliminary homework before taking the decision to move base to Manila.We have 2 ...
I must confess, I had not heard of the 5 - 6 scheme before reading the post on here. It seems to me to be loan sharking, exploiting of the less well off and now I see it is also illegal. 20% interest over 40 days! Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Not sure what you mean there. I already pay tax in UK, but all my remitted pension will be tax free in PI. From UK government website "You usually have to pay tax on your UK income even if you’re not a UK resident. Income includes things ... Read More
Help guys I am now in Kuala lumpur by Lalynemae
Guys can somebody help me here. I am from Philippines and I am now in citin seacare pudu kuala Lumpur. I dont have any money and i want to go back to Philippines now .my 2 companion left me.pls help
As you are posting here you have access to the internet. Therefore you can use google to find the location of the embassy. Try entering Philippines embassy Kuala Lumpur in google. You will get all the details there and google maps will show you ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
I started posting on this thread because I was getting very bogged down in the intricacies of the visa process and what appeared to be Catch-22 situations. Thanks to the people who have helped and who have offered to help. I have discovered that ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Mmmm your diatribe does seem to suggest that you are very bitter and unhappy. It is also based on a number of very false assumptions. So just to put you right on one or two of them. I have visited The Philippines many many times. Usually on tourist ... Read More
Tourist Visa by Buzzardman
I am coming from UK and will be applying for a SRRV when there. The advice seems to be get a tourist visa for the time that the srrv application is going on. So I am first applying for a tourist visa to allow me to stay for 59 days. On the form FA ...
Special Residents Retiree Visa SRRV Read More
Tourist Visa by Buzzardman
I am coming from UK and will be applying for a SRRV when there. The advice seems to be get a tourist visa for the time that the srrv application is going on. So I am first applying for a tourist visa to allow me to stay for 59 days. On the form FA ...
Thank you, that is very helpful. Yes every time I have visited I have just had a visa exception stamp, but thought I read that one had to have an actual visa which is converted to a SRRV visa. A type 9a (?) visa. I am from UK Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Ahh OK. It is my intention to get into the srrv application as soon as I arrive. First day sleep off journey, next day get medical done - or started, day after get going with the application. So I could even do a sort of airbnb rental I guess. Set ... Read More
Tourist Visa
I am coming from UK and will be applying for a SRRV when there. The advice seems to be get a tourist visa for the time that the srrv application is going on. So I am first applying for a tourist visa to allow me to stay for 59 days. On the form FA ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
I am started on the process, there do seem to be one or two catch 22s at the moment. As the process continues I will be clearer about these and ask more specific questions. A lot of the info I am getting on the web seems to be contradictory though. ... Read More
Do you speak Filipino? by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Filipino is essential for a successful integration in the Philippines. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Filipino? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a ...
My intention is to move to Philippines in a few months. I shall be living in the Cebu area. I have just started learning Cebuano. I am learning with a skype teacher who is Filipino but living in USA. Finding a teacher for Bisaya was difficult as ... Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
San Armando. Thank you for your speedy reply. I will take you up on that offer and PM with a couple of specific questions later. Thanks Read More
SRRV some basic questions by Buzzardman
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ...
Thanks for your reply. It would suit me best to have it paid into my UK bank. World Remit to transfer to a BDO account in minutes often. So no problems on that, I was just worried whether I had to commit to having it paid into a PI Bank directly Read More
SRRV some basic questions
I live in UK and am looking to move out to Philippines on a SRRV. I have been googling away for information on the details of the procedures and have a couple of questions that I am not clear about. Sorry if they seem a bit simplistic, but I would ... Read More
Philippine girl travel by garyww
Is it still very difficult for a Filipina to leave the Philippines?
I think you are absolutely correct Violet23. My lady friend was very scared by it because she is a rather shy sort of person and she was worried that her trip abroad that she had got very excited about might not happen. The Immigration Officer was ... Read More
Philippine girl travel by garyww
Is it still very difficult for a Filipina to leave the Philippines?
This July I took my Philippina lady friend for a holiday to Thailand. It was her first ever trip abroad. At Manila Immigration we were taken aside, she was interviewed individually then we were interviewed together. Though she is 25 there were ... Read More