marioph
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
24
About me
American
Lives in Mandaue City, Central Visayas
Registration: 10 February 2021
Where to buy bulk ingredients for restaurant?
For those who run a restaurant, where do you buy bulk ingredients from? Things like food wrappers, disposable gloves, condiments, seasonings, etc.Any specific stores from Lazada/Shopee? The review systems there are worthless. Read More
Things Other Foreigners Do That Made You Cringe or Shake Your Head by kristopherryanwatson
This is meant to be kept light and in good humor.Just wondering, if ever, any of you gentleman have seen anything any Other Foreigner do that just makes you roll your eyes, cringe, or just shake your head.I'll go first...Back a few years ago when I ...
Mostly the older guys. They live in the past, were prior military and they'll get together and gawk and make comments on women that pass them. They're usually in the food courts or coffee shops here in Cebu.I remember one incident where are young ... Read More
Shopee or Lazada? by Enzyte Bob
With the lock down and both my Wife & I are seniors, so we have not been out of the house since mid March. I'm doing a lot more shopping online especially Shopee & Lazada. Just my recent experience over the last week. I ordered 5 ...
@Moon Dog Good advice on avoiding contact sharing. I've received many spam text messages after joining Lazada and/or Shopee. Annoying as hell. Read More
Shopee or Lazada? by Enzyte Bob
With the lock down and both my Wife & I are seniors, so we have not been out of the house since mid March. I'm doing a lot more shopping online especially Shopee & Lazada. Just my recent experience over the last week. I ordered 5 ...
They're about the same. Many of the same shops.Beware of reviews. MOST Filipinos buy on price alone, so the cheapest items will get the most stars. Filipinos don't like to write anything negative so they probably just rate it 5 stars.Most of the ... Read More
Maintaining a long distance relationship as an expat in the Philippines by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Moving to the Philippines without your significant other can be quite difficult, especially since your partner is an undeniable source of support. This kind of move may require some adjustments from both parties in order to make ...
@Daytripper The cigarette companies, fast food and soft drinks corporations don't have to worry about regulations here. Most people reach for Sprite or Coke when having get togethers. People don't get body shamed here if they are overweight. ... Read More
No Free Lunch by Enzyte Bob
No free lunch but a [b]FREE[/b] haircut (men) at Landers. Just show your receipt at the Barber Shop inside Landers for the [b]FREE[/b] haircut, the receipt doesn't have to be current. The only drawback my stepson was number 19 in line and had ...
Haircut from the local shops should be around P50. Most pinoys get basic tapered haircuts like in the miiltary. I always leave P100 considering I used to pay almost $20 for the same haircut in the USA. They remember and treat me better when I ... Read More
Beverage of Choice vs Cost by Enzyte Bob
Yesterday we shopped at Lander's. I usually don't pay attention to the price, I buy what I want. Beverages: 3 lbs of Columbia Dark Roast Ground Coffee 1199.75 php, but 1 Liter of Absolut Vodka only 799.75 php. [b]Guess I'll drink Bloody ...
I used to clean everything with paper towels in the USA, now I just let my girlfriend's relatives clean the house. They use the cheap cloths sold by Badjaos. I buy cheap napkins for meals. I used to buy USA products at Lander's, but it was ... Read More
Too many shots to the head? by Enzyte Bob
Manny Pacquiano plans to run for president in 2022.
I hope, for the country, Pacquiao doesn't win. Pacquiao can go a long way on his fame alone but he's not what the country needs. He's an idiot who avoided taxes, was only a part time politician (focusing more on boxing, and his other ... Read More
Need phone communication from Philippines to USA. by tpiro
I want but actually need to have phone communication from Philippines (Cebu Area) to my disabled brother in the States... what are some of my options for this? I currently have a FB Portal device that may or may not work from the Philippines to ...
If it's one way, Philippines to USA, then Viber has $1.99/mo unlimited plan that lets you call any number in the USA. I believe it's over VOIP so you need to have wifi or cellular data. viber used to have a local number plan that lets your ... Read More
Remitly vs Xoom: Which one is better? by Inthisfate
Which one do you use for sending money from the US to PH, is it Remitly or Xoom? What do you think of Wise transfer? Please enlighten me on which one is the best option. My employer is from the US and he was complaining about the fees taken by ...
We're buying property so I usually max out Wise (most that can be sent at one time is P480K) Aug 19: Sent $9,580 Fee $66.68 Exchange rate 50.42 I don't know how well Wise compares at smaller amounts but when I researched for the amount I ... Read More
Remitly vs Xoom: Which one is better? by Inthisfate
Which one do you use for sending money from the US to PH, is it Remitly or Xoom? What do you think of Wise transfer? Please enlighten me on which one is the best option. My employer is from the US and he was complaining about the fees taken by ...
Indeed, Paypal sucks. I use Wise. The fees are usually less than Remitly and Xoom and the exchange rates are usually a few points better. I send money frequently to my GF's BPI account. DO NOT use a dollar account at your bank as that is ... Read More
Relocating to the Philippines by Parvaze
Hi all - Just a quick introduction. My name is Parvaze, I was born and grew up in Scotland and been living in Southern California, USA for the past 30 years. I'm looking to move to the Philippines by the end of 2022 so currently gathering ...
@tpiro Viber is an app you can install on your phone and laptop. Read More
Relocating to the Philippines by Parvaze
Hi all - Just a quick introduction. My name is Parvaze, I was born and grew up in Scotland and been living in Southern California, USA for the past 30 years. I'm looking to move to the Philippines by the end of 2022 so currently gathering ...
EXTRA TIP: I hope this is against the rules. I recommend Viber for VOIP. The unlimited calls to the USA for $[link under review] is a steal. The phone access is handy when you need to call non 800 numbers like your bank, airline customer support ... Read More
Relocating to the Philippines by Parvaze
Hi all - Just a quick introduction. My name is Parvaze, I was born and grew up in Scotland and been living in Southern California, USA for the past 30 years. I'm looking to move to the Philippines by the end of 2022 so currently gathering ...
@tpiro I meant to type $60 USD/month for 100mpbs plan. I'm not sure it's worth it as I rarely get that speed. I got some clarification on the "dish" from my relatives in the province. The dish is for Cignal TV. They attached a ... Read More
Relocating to the Philippines by Parvaze
Hi all - Just a quick introduction. My name is Parvaze, I was born and grew up in Scotland and been living in Southern California, USA for the past 30 years. I'm looking to move to the Philippines by the end of 2022 so currently gathering ...
I'm a software engineer. PLDT fiber is available in major cities and suburbs. I opt for 100mpbs for about $80/month. I RARELY see that download speed. For some reason, upload speed is pretty good (opposite of the USA). Speeds are good enough ... Read More
Temporary Storage? by sinsinbad
Whenever travel resumes, I plan to travel to the PI to live full time. I will be bringing two suitcases up to 50 lbs each, which I am allowed to do, but when I arrive, I plan to spend a month or more travelling around the PI to decide where I would ...
saving hotel room costs too :)You can always get your own modified multicab & live/drive anywhere you desire. https://youtube.com/watch?v=feIakkHNgTM&feature=share :idontagree:Those multicabs are a rip off. Their basically salvaged ... Read More
New Member by CanoJim
Hello, I am Jim I am 56, I just found this site, and I have been living in the Philippines for over a year and a half. My wife and I recently celebrated our first anniversary. We chatted for a year and a half before I came to actually meet her. ...
I'm 54 and been here about 2 years. Don't assume filipinos will like American food. I had a balikbayan box sent with a variety of spaghetti sauce, mac 'n cheese, hamburger helper, etc. They didn't like the spaghetti sauce (I find ... Read More
TransferWise by Enzyte Bob
I've been using TransferWise for two years now, matter of fact I've had 51 transfers with them . I know some of you other Expats use TransferWise. Usually the money comes within a couple hours, now I checked on my recent transfer and they ...
It's called cryptocurrency, but in its current form (Bitcoin), has become too expensive for micro transactions. This is why so many are investing in alt coins that promise to do instantaneous/borderless transactions. 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 ...
The f'ing church controls marriages. So yes, most women are separated not divorced because they can't afford the church fees to get an annulment. Church is supposed to help the people but they help themselves. Don't get me started on the ... Read More
TransferWise by Enzyte Bob
I've been using TransferWise for two years now, matter of fact I've had 51 transfers with them . I know some of you other Expats use TransferWise. Usually the money comes within a couple hours, now I checked on my recent transfer and they ...
+1 for Wise. It's well known not some new startup so you can be assured it knows how to deal with the banks here. They have good conversion rates and are timely. It took a while for me to get verified. Should have been simpler, or I need to buy ... Read More
Cost of Living in the Philippines in 2020 by Loïc
Hi everyone, Every year, we invite expats who are living in the Philippines to share their experience and tell us more about the average price of products and services in their town, city or area, so that we can help future expats planning to ...
When I first moved here, I lived in a high end condo inside of IT Park, Cebu City. Believe you me, it costs more to live in that area than in the states. Fast food is more expensive. Coffee is starbucks price everywhere. The only saving grace is ... Read More