Download Your FREE Guide to Moving to BGC, Philippines: dedicated-inventor-8723.ck.page/50a886fbc8 These are just a few of the daily issues that expats face in the Philippines. Did I leave anything out? Let me know down below.
Another informative video. I like to add a few more; burning trash seven days a week outside the city; smaller hospitals do not have a physician on duty (they need to be called in), but still may not be available, and locals cutting in line in front of you. You could be standing in line at a restaurant, waiting for the cashier, and someone ‘squeezes’ in front of you.
@@ss65malibu53: The funny thing is when Filipinos (fresh out of the boat) come to the States, they don't do that. I don't blame them; they would get their ass kicked big time.
Burning anything is prohibited now, even dried leaves, but people do it anyway. I absolutely hate it when people burn plastic and then it permeates your house. 😖 Other people feel they have no choice though, because garbage collection is a problem in some places. When it comes to cutting in line, an older lady once cut in front of me and I pointed it out. She got angry and raised her voice, "Okay, fine. Whatever!" 😅
Yep, hundred percent agree with you. You should read my rant. I had two newborn babies and they were burning tires, next-door and garbage. My girl wouldn’t do nothing about it. I had to tell them it’s not acceptable. We had to close our windows and doors all day and the smell of burning oil still came through smart Filipinos know that all this bullshit is not right, but they’re scared to say something about it for some reason or change it These people need to evolve. There’s a big difference between upper class and lower class Filipinos. Some of the villagers are so stuck in living in these conditions. They don’t even make an effort to make their lives better if you want nice things you take care of things.
My first time in the Philippines I got industrial strength diarrhea from (ironically) a really nice, expensive restaurant (all the street food I had was fine) 🤷🏾 can happen anywhere, I guess. But I was wandering around Makati at 4 am looking for a 24 hr. convenience store. My stomach and my bootyhole were killing me. Two things surprised me: convenience stores carry no medicine 😭 and the amount of kids in the streets at 4 am.
Here's how to deal with bureaucracy. When you are planning to do something like paperworks, give it a full day and don't think about doing anything else. That's how you avoid stress.
When I visited Manila for the first time I ended up with a viral infection the day I was supposed to leave. It extended my stay for a week and it was a potent virus but I ended up OK. My wife and I are considering moving to Manila and work online as we’re healthcare providers and can do telehealth. These videos are helpful. She grew up in Quezon City and has nothing but good things to say so it’s good to see pros and cons.
Finally a realistic person on TH-cam when it comes to budget in BGC. I agree with your budget estimate for living in BGC. Depending on your lifestyle, $4000 per month seems like a minimum to me. I like eating western foods, enjoy nightlife several nights per week, and rent a luxury condo. I’m searching for BGC condos now, and I’m seeing $2000 per month for a luxury fully furnished two-bedroom. Pizza? I’m Italian-American and from New York, so this is a problem. Here are some suggestions: Sbarro’s in the Glorietta Mall, Mamma Mia’s in the Uptown Mall BGC, and Amici’s in the Ayala Triangle Gardens. All not bad for the Philippines.
I hear that Sbarro's not as good as it used to be. Tried Amici, I wasn't a fan. Mamma Mia and Toni & Sergio, I think are from the same company, both good. There seems to be a lot of Neapolitan style pizza places these days. Gino's is also supposedly good and Motorino's, but dang, what I really miss is American style pizza. The type you would get from local pizza joint with really good pepperoni and Italian sausage.
I liked the fact that you are warning ⚠️ every one, but this is a realistic taste of a different culture, and if you accept the Phillipines as your home. You should accept all things that come with it..the good still out weighs the bad any day for me..
Absolutely Ryan. It's always good to cover both sides of the coin, but at the end of the day, life in this country is worth dealing with the downsides.
@@TheSavvyExpat hey I'm finally here , I got in on the 15th, in Manila, but in quarantine for 5 days , can't want to get out to spend time with my fiance. Hope I will see you around someday....everything was so smooth at the airport people were so helpful and friendly WOW !!! ... that experience alone made it worth coming here..
@@ryanramsa7093 Glad to hear that Ryan. I remember just a few months ago you emailed me talking about your plans. Now that it's finally happening, wishing you all the best!
The Filipinos drink mineral water. It is actually better for you than distilled water but you need to get used to it. I'm impressed you make homemade pizza from scratch. I also recommend wearing noise cancelling headphones and running white noise speakers at home. To be honest, I probably wouldn't move here unless I could afford a private hospital. Great list.
Great point. I think the stomach aches are mostly due to adjusting to mineral water, but once you get used to it it's so much better. Thanks for watching Martin.
Great video, as always. One of the first things I did after arriving here was get air con at my fiancées house. I have experienced pretty much everything you talked about and more, like no TP 🧻 in public restrooms (CR) and showers that are a small bucket inside a larger one 🪣 I like Filipino food, although the oily meats are hard on my stomach. All in all, knowing what to expect really helps a lot and your videos are excellent! Thank you very much Savvy Expat, you have made my transition much easier. Really appreciate you 😀 Salamat
Never had an issue with stomach problems and the cuisine there, or heard about. That one was a first to hear for me. The rest of it was spot on from everything I've seen. Thank you again!
I was a victim of stomach issues my first few days in the Philippines. We were in Manila mid December and there was a Christmas parade around the MOA area that was jam packed with people. I had to walk back to our hotel room a few times because the wait times for the bathroom were insane and I'm sure it was quite dirty. Stomach problems are a real thing over there.
@@jasoncatron1039 Depends on what one eats. Even the locals that I know have been victim to poorly prepared street food due to cross contamination/bacteria. Also avoid a dish called Dinuguan. It has parts of the pig that western folks do not eat like the lung and kidney. Any time I leave the USA I take Imodium due to this issue, because you never know what may be in the food.
I was thinking of going back to the PI again, haven't been there since 78 but after watching this video and many others my conclusion is that it's more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for your honesty you have saved me many headaches
wow ! Great video ... yeah , different food, different digestion ! I lived in Taipei for a year, 30 years ago, but I think I could swing most places of Philippines . 🙂
First thing I do is stop at the grocery and pick up a couple packs of little bottles of Yakult probiotic drink to keep my system in shape. Probably buy and take some imodium with you. Really never had an issue finding western products in the larger grocery stores. Thanks for the video!
Nah, buy Hidrasec,or Flotera tablets.They are better and in capsule form and more handy. Buy Oral rehydration solution in sachet form, just mix content of 2 sachet in 500mL of water,drink it every loose bowel movement to replace looses. But if you have access to a hospital/laboratory,have your stool sample checked for intestinal amoebiasis, because treatment is different. Stool exam is just cheap.
Just visited the Philippines last month, Luzon & Mindanao. I agree with most of your list. The #1 issue for me was the dirty public CRs (bathrooms) and the lack of toilet paper. Even after using sprayer/bucket to clean your bottom, your still wet when its time to pull up underwear/pants 😡. #2 lack of paper towels to dry your hands after washing up & hand dryers not working. We carried our toilet paper every time we left the house. The food and water issues I adjusted to ok. Married to Filipina for 30 yrs and even she complained about the traffic & public CRs. Last visited in 1989/1990 & traffic was never this bad 😱. Stayed in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for our last week and it was great, but a lot more expensive than the province which is to be expected.
Hey, Evan... Two notes, one on availability of tech and the other on where to live affordably. TECH: Comparing prices on Apple products in Canada and in the Philippines, the phones are cheaper in Canada, but the MacBooks are cheaper in the Philippines. When comparing, remember to add federal and provincial sales taxes to the Canadian quote. Taxes are included in the Philippine quote. Also, don't look at Apple Philippines. You can get a 5% discount from one of their official retailers. The Philippine advantage on MacBooks might win over other countries too. But maybe not the US (I haven't checked). For reasons unknown, Apple base prices are higher in Canada (and probably the UK, EU, AU and other countries too). AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION: Everybody talks about BGC and Makati, the most expensive real estate in the country. Then Cebu City, Tagaytay, Dumaguete or the deep provinces. But nobody talks about other districts in Metro Manila. Not all are desirable, of course, but you can get cheap and still be within easy distance of good retail and restaurants. I live in Bulacan, right on the edge of MM. It's 40 minutes on an A/C bus to SM Fairview, Ayala Terraces and a big Robinson's mall... all across the street from each other. About 2 hours into Makati, but that's a rare need. If there's a downside (for some expats), it's the lack of... expats. I haven't seen another one in my city since before the pandemic, although my wife spotted two in our little regional mall last Thursday.
Never drink water in the Philippines unless it's sealed bottled/mineral water or you know it's filtered. As for food, never eat at carenderias (although there are clean ones, but you have to be really careful) or street food. If you do any of these, you're likely to get diarrhea (or worse, hepatitis). Moreover, don't drink anything with ice because the water used for the ice might be questionable, unless it's from a reputable cafe or restaurant. I've had the worst diarrhea eating from a famous barbecue place in Tagbilaran, Bohol and when I drank some water in Romantic Baboy in BGC (Korean BBQ place). I seriously thought it would never end. I strongly relate with the food part-- they're either unavailable, taste different or are just too expensive. Whenever I'm in the Philippines, I make almost every food I miss, from scratch--pizzas, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, apple pies, Italian sausage, bahn mi, etc. (I can't make brie or goat cheese though 😢). Maybe you should make a separate vlog for pizza. 😄 The traffic and pollution stresses me out and actually makes me nauseous. I admire anyone who can tolerate those long jeepney and bus rides. Oh yeah, lizards, mice and rats are a common sight in city dwellings too, as well as tokey geckos, frogs, monitor lizards, sand lizards and snakes, in the provinces.
@@TT-by7tv Cobras, yes, but also the harmless ones. There was a report last year about a King Cobra in Batangas found in someone's home. And just last week, a 15-feet snake, weighing 35 kg, in Batangas City, up someone's ceiling. They're found in more areas than others though.
Stomach ache? For me it was much worse than that. My first trip back in 2018 was fine until Day 7. That’s when I woke up with a fever, diarrhea, body aches, cramps. I have no idea what it was. Possibly food poisoning and/or stomach flu? Anyway, I panicked and left after only 12 days. When I got back home, my doctor said that I probably had a bad reaction to new “germs” that my immune system wasn’t exposed to before. My last two trips were fine. Maybe I’m getting used to those “germs”.
When I'm visiting the Philippines and I'm looking to put ice cubes in my drinks I buy Natures Spring ice cubes from the store! Having been through the whole food/stomach initiation I now take each day something called Mastic Gum! This essentially is the bark of the Chios tree which is typically found in Greece. The Bark is converted into powder form and put into capsules for easy intake. Never had any stomoach isuses since!
The Filipino I know told me to carry a brandy made PI. if I felt stomach issues drink it asap. I didn't have any issues in my first 3 weeks. Then one day my stomach started turning. From previous sickness this felt like I was going to lose a day at least. 2 ounces of brandy stopped it in an hour. I was not even hopeful, but it worked and I always carry it.
I made the mistake of drinking instant coffee from a 7/11 and paid dearly for about 6 hours. Learned my lesson my first trip there! 🤢 Don't do it! Loud motorbikes, bus horns and the roosters are the sounds that I have trouble getting used to. Another thing to mention is the smells. The sewer (infrastructure) is often right below the concrete slabs that make up the sidewalks. Probably why wearing a mask during the pandemic was never a problem for me. As you said, it's all part of the package and for me the good far outweighs the bad. You get used to it.
I have a small four cup coffee maker in our island province of Marindugue. I make coffee with local water. Otherwise we cook and drink filtered water. We use about 20 liters of water to cook with every day. I brush my teeth with filtered water and my water pick also uses filtered water. Thanks for your comment.
That's funny. I just shipping over a small 220v coffee maker, coffee and creamer. I also shipped some of my motorcycle riding gear so at least I'll be well protected getting smashed by a big truck while riding.😆 I also added instant coffee and travel sized supplies for making my own coffee.👍
You said it like it is… the hard truths and downsides of Philippine life. It’s good to be aware so that culture shock is lessened but not avoided. Thanks, Evan. Good presentation, as always!
If I ever get to the Philippines, I'm heading to a bigger, modern city (BGC?). Presently, I would have no problem paying $1200/month for an apartment. Most likely, anything you want or need will be within walking distance. I would plan on a two bedroom apartment and hire a housekeeper to buy my shopping, pay my bills and do the daily housekeeping. She could live in my extra bedroom, I'd compensate her nicely and giver her the weekend off, so if needed, she could go back and visit her family.
On my first visit I assumed my friends mother had water delivery for her cooler. I didn't realize she re-filled it with tap water. Hard lesson. Also my friend who grew up as a child in the Philippines, and spent the rest of time in the U.S., the roosters drive him nuts when he visits.
About dryers! If you live in Cebu you can put your jeans out side at 12pm and it will be dry in 20 minutes. That’s faster than most dryers as usually I wait 45 minutes. When it’s 98 degrees outside that’s not surprising. That’s how hot it gets regular day is 93-95 degrees! 😅
Since the lockdowns started in the USA, I've done the same thing. Learned to bake bread, make pizza and dough and to replicate the foods I like in restaurants. I have saved a ton of money doing that and learned a lot.
Thank you so much for sharing! Full support already... Good luck and wish you all the best. Be safe, stay safe, and keep wearing your face mask! Best regards/Ned👍👍
Tuli: Gas is up over 78 cents a gallon in the last 10 days in the USA. The slow government progress is not new for me. The government progress in America is not all that fast either. SS take six hours. I also had stomach ache. I have learned to NOT use ice in my drinks. I also make sure my food in well cooked. I do miss certain foods. Hand washing dishes is common. Hot water us not that common. I am positive that my Filipina wife makes sure we do not get scammed. In cabs, no meter than l get out right then, l do not argue with cab drivers. No A/C in cabs, l get out as well. My route is usually a route that l know. I was scammed once and l have made great progress against scanning since then. The sounds of roosters does not hurt my ears. My dog makes a lot of noise. Who would l be to complain? I do miss a lawn but l can so without the the extra work. I do hate the trash. You are right, poverty and trash are common. I do hate the traffic as well. The infrastructure is okay for me. I do not miss the snow. I do not care for the heat and humidity. I do not care for the insects. I have to be very careful when l drive. BUT, l do like taking a jeepney in the province or a cab in the city. Let the cabbies get in the wrecks. Excellent video. Again thank you for sharing such straight forward facts and opinions. Tuli, you are very wise for you youth. I really enjoy your channel. I see 10,000 subscribers soon. Stay well and be blessed.
😎👍 🇺🇸 I got a stomach ache for the first few days too. I hadn't eaten any local foods before hand. I think it was stress and lack of fluids. Took 3 days to clear up. My situation was extremely stressful so I'm sure that's all it was . Adding the complete change in weather didn't help. 👍
I visited the Philippines 5 times, and my inlaws live in the province. I always get sick for about 12-18 hours, then I get feeling great again. I always have a problem that occurs more than just the usual stomach ache. I just know it's the way it is as a foreigner. :)
My daughter finally could visit her motherland with her fiance. The very first day in the Province she caught very heavy amoebiasis. That happened to my baby son 30 years back. So I strongly suggest that you see a doctor if you feel something is terribly wrong. The heaviest case of stomach problems I ever had and that lasted for several days was not in the Philippines but in clean and proper Singapore. In fact it stopped exactl at the moment I reached Indonesia. The problem is when you are extremely thirsty in the deepest Province. The "clean" water they drink on a daily basis can cause a huge problem to us Westerners.
I’m from Canada but if I go to a different province I have to get use to the water and food which takes a couple of days so if ur not born there it takes times because soil and everything is different so just wait it out 🇨🇦👍
love your mag video's. I live in the province. And am 68 and the city life is not my cup of tea. I usually go to makati when I get tired of Province you mention BCG. where are some nice please to go to in BCG.You are wiser than your years.
As I local I find this video fair. Forewarned is for armed . It should give a foreigner a better experience because their expectation was managed. On food Italian food from Italy are available in BGC. American Italian food I am not so sure. I thought the Pizza hut and similar establishments are American Italian food but I guess they have adjusted it to suit the taste of the locals, like what McDonald's did.
Its best to have good probiotics (usually yakult unless your lactose intolerant you must not take it) when eating in filipino food it will help. I encounter a lot and is always prescribed with Erceflora (I think its prescribed by doctors).
Another good video, Evan. BGC is way out of the possibility for a lot of expats. That kind of budget is only in their dreams. They are lucky if they can manage half of that. Thus they stick to the provinces, smaller towns and lesser cities. I like American pizza also and I'm going to need to build a pizza oven when I get there so I can make REAL pizza when I feel like pizza. And of course it can be used to bake bread and cook other things as well. I'm really leaning toward Iloilo as they seem to have everything the larger cities have but a little slower pace and more relaxed, I think. And it costs less so my money will go further, regardless of my budget.
In Hawaii I'm already with the bugs, sore stomachs, the little scams and the infrastructure. I should just blend right in! LOL and also the poverty too I'm afraid.
Hey, nice content. I will try to go to the Philippines until next year, and even apply for a job there. I wanted to know about the rental situation. How are the contracts? What’s the obligation? What’s common practices? Can you do a video on that? Salamat po.
@@TheSavvyExpat true u can drink like an elephant won't even touch 50p daily . Of course not d mineral water sold at d supermarket . Just from water station . Clean n hygiene
As a foreigner money is the number 1 issue here, unlike the USA, people in the Philippines always ask you for money, loans in which they never repay, scammers are rampant, food is also a problem, food at the restaurants are not fresh, they mix old and fresh food.
Wow, those shots of the poverty and trash really shocked me. My heart goes out to those people. I couldn't visit or live with the ridiculous noise of the roosters, barking dogs, and karaoke. Or the traffic congestion and air pollution. But am I correct that there is basically non of that in upscale BGC? 🤞
@@jocelynjack I appreciate your candor, Jocelyn. I am going to live in BGC (I'm American) starting later this year. What if I meet a Filipina online, from Cebu, before I arrive... do you think if I visited her there in Cebu and we liked each other that she would move to up to BGC so we could date (if I supported her)?
@@jocelynjack I appreciate your candor, Jocelyn. Thank you. I am going to live in BGC (I am American) starting later this year. What if I met a girl online, from say Cebu, before I arrive in BGC... do you think if I visited her once I am in the Philippines, and we liked each other, that she would agree to move up to BCG so we could date (if I supported her)?
@@jocelynjack Thank you, thank you! I loved your reply. Full of great insight, and some humor too! 😆😂🤣. You rock! 😎. Your husband is a very lucky man. 👏
@@jocelynjack Thank you, thank you! I loved your reply. It was full of great insight and some humor too! 😆😂🤣 You rock! 😎. Your husband is a lucky guy. 👏
Is trash pick up an issue for expats? Back in the U.S. and other more developed countries it's a given that city, county and state governmnent have systems for refuge collection. Most of the videos we've seen, albeit outside of the top major cities, seem to reflect a significant amount of litter on streets and roadways thoughout the Philippines. How does the govenment address waste disposal?
None of these issues really affects/bothers me, except the littering. People have tried to scam me, although very rarely, but what my wife does is send me to a vendor and see how much I am charged. If she thinks it is reasonable we shall buy the goods. If she thinks I am being scammed we move on to the next one - who will get repeat custom if she thinks the price is fair.
Hi 👋! Awesome info my Friend. Im like you! But still living in the Bay Area. San Francisco. Im gonna retire in the Phillipines this year. I just became a U.S citizen on March 18th. The reason i became a Citizen is just in case i need to come back to the U.S i can. Can you make a video on how a Balikbayan can permanently stay in the Phillipines and what we need to do, besides staying for 36 months, leaving and coming right back.
Some of your observations regarding issues like WATER and FOOD are just a NORMAL thing for a foreigner who came to a NEW country, whether the country is a First world or Third world, when I came to Abu Dhabi, UAE, 20 years ago the FIRST issue that was my CONCERNED is water, and UNTIL now, TAP water in the UAE is not advisable for Human Consumption because it is coming from DESALINATION, some people say you can DRINK it but with a RISK, until today I am NOT drinking water from the TAP, I still buy my water from the grocery, and the Food issues, It takes me a year to ADJUST to eating Arabic, Pakistani and Indian food, well it just your PREFERENCE to eat foreign food or STICK to your own food, it depends on the person, but EATING foreign food is delicious, it WIDENS your perspective in life, and learned to APPRECIATE other culture. Regarding Government bureaucracy, it is also COMMON here in the UAE, but to mention that bureaucracy in the Philippines is a LITTLE bit hard is an understatement, even here in the UAE, our National ID, Visa renewal and Labor Renewal TAKES time, at least 3 weeks to a month, maybe because of the backlog because many EXPATS are also Renewing their papers, but COMPARING the Philippines to other countries, I think the Philippines is much BETTER score than Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia...about the NOISE, in the Middle East a lot of NOISE, SHOUTING, WHISTLING and talking LAUD is very common.
Don't start a business in the Philippines you're putting a bulls eye on your back, why do you want to open a business in the Philippines when people don't have money, it is a 3rd world poverty stricken country, and if you do open a business the local government, police chief will pay a visit and demand money, you got be more than stupid to put your money in jeopardy, I wouldn't do it.
The annoying unnecessary red tape and paperwork when dealing with officials described is similar to our city and county Honolulu government . Such a pain in the ass and don’t care of wasting your time.
Pizza here has way to sweet of sauce and the crust is thick and doughy. Most has fake cheese and......🤬 Pineapple. Spaghetti is also a joke sweet sauce with hotdogs for meat 🤮
I'd like to point out that The Philippines is NOT a 3rd world country. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd world categories explain what type of government a country has, and has very little to do with economics, or the financial prosperity (wealth) of a nation. Many people (especially younger Westerners) make this inaccurate comparison. 1st world countries have democratically elected government officials like the U.S. The Philippines, and many European countries. 2nd world countries are strictly Communist, such as China, the former Soviet Union, Venezuela, and Cuba. 3rd world countries are classified as "other". These nations are ruled by royalty or some sort of dictator. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Saudi Arabia is technically a 3rd world country, ruled by a king. Even though the Philippine Peso is worth .018 USD (less than 2 cents), it is definitely a 1st world country with an elected president. Economically speaking, The Philippines is a "developing" nation. The GDP, the monetary exchange rate, natural resources, and domestic/international businesses have a heavy influence on infrastructure, medical care availability, etc. These things can be improved over time. Also, it doesn't matter what country you live in, or where you're from, there are always going to be wealthy areas, and places stricken with poverty, all within the same country.
I like that you speak of all the bad things. It’s crazy people as mentality with trash. Another hard thing is going on a road trip. There is literally no public parks to pull over. No rest stops just an open lot somewhere that has garbage everywhere. And getting food on the road is terrible living close to a save more and cooking at home is the best. I’ve been to pizza places that have no pizza Mexican places that don’t serve Mexican food. The things you want on the menu are most likely not available shit I’ve even been to places that are out of rice. That’s literally all that’s on your menu. But the motorbike trips are so much fun if you can find food. And Philipina’s obsession with having a gate on their home they can’t even pull off the highway fast as it takes them time to open the gate. Also, Filipinos are the best drivers in the world, but also the most terrible , they stomp on the brakes for absolutely no reason .trikes enter the highway without looking. Sure they are fine with the way. Things are but for you to have your barking dog bark for four hours straight is just irresponsible and low class. Oh, and also this CBGBD neighbourhood you’re talking about. There are literally no good neighbourhoods in manila. Just remember one in the Philippines, lower your expectations and you will be happy. It has a lot of special things but so much bullshit. Oh, and by the way as well a lot of the workers here are absolutely incompetent at their jobs. Pharmacies saying oh it’ll take two weeks to get this. I can find it across the street at your same pharmacy. I’ve bought in a motorcycle brand new cash and they don’t even top up the oil that one cost me a motorcycle and if you tell them, what you expect from their service or ask them if they agree with you most likely they don’t understand you they are just agreeing. Use Lazada order what ever you want on the Internet you’ll get it. And iPhones are the same price they’re not more here they’re the same everywhere in the world.
cock fight some are addicted to it a form of gambling. very common in Ph that your neighbor would have a rooster. the rooster will wake you up in the Ph like your alarm clock 😅.
Eewww...tha poverty is gross!!!! But I wonder why properties are literally Million Dollar Listing! No wonder these are common sights in the Philippines! Really gross!!!
I don't know how familiar you are with the big three cities in the Philippines, Manila, Cebu, and Davao, but I would love to see a video walking through the process of an American coming to spend a month in the Philippines in one of those cities. you would cover, in the video, finding an Airbnb and going over the advantages and disadvantages of its location versus the city, for example noise and traffic versus being too far away, and you would also explain how to get a trike or taxi or jeepney, and talk about the prices that we should expect to pay from specific spots to other specific spots. for example, you would choose your theoretical Airbnb and then show how to leave the airport and hail a taxi or jeepney and take it to your Airbnb and what the cost should be. then you could discuss where to find restaurant food versus Street vendors food, how to shop in the market, how to shop in the grocery store, the expected cost of getting a trike or jeepney or taxi from your Airbnb to the grocery store, and things of that nature. basically, imagine yourself being a first-time traveler to the philippines, with no boots on the ground, no family, and no local contacts. normally that type of person would be an easy mark for all the scams, so your video could show us how to do the day-to-day things that we would want to do and basically how much these things should cost so that we don't end up getting scammed. literally putting together an instruction manual with a blow by blow, step by step, version of how to get through your first several days in the country would end up netting you a million views, because nobody's ever really done that before. as a traveler who's going to be doing exactly what I described in about 6 months, I will be happy to work with you on the contents that you should cover, because it's all things that I'm going to want to know before I get there.
I would skip the street food entirely, unless you have a strong stomach and wouldn't mind having diarrhea for days. But here's my father's tip--only eat the ones that you see has been freshly cooked in clear, hot cooking oil (like a fresh first batch of turon/sweet banana egg roll or banana cue/banana skewers with caramelized sugar).
Filipinos think we're rich just because we make more money. They just need a little bit of a culture shock and live in the u.s. for a few weeks to see how expensive things are here. Lol many economists are saying gas prices here will get up to $10/gallon soon
You may just be getting scammed out of a $1, no big deal, but when this vendor does it, that vendor does it, the next one does it, and so on, that little $1 adds up to a whole lot of wasted money. Americans love to feel they are getting the best value for their money, if this vendor adds on the skin tax and ends up making their price even 10 cents higher than the next vendor, you're not going to go to the more expensive any more, you'll go to the cheaper one, is that $1 now REALLY worth losing out on the hundreds, thousands, millions of pesos that American would have spent there over the rest of their lives there. Americans will drive an hour just to go to a store where an item is cheaper, rather than going to a store they could have walked to, all the while they're spending more money because of the gas they used, but that's not important, they got their item a few dollars cheaper.
@@johnclark7973 Why so defensive? You hangry? Maybe get a Snickers, and while eating it look up the words sarcasm and generalize. Generalizing is a way of using a blanket statement to include a wide area or large group that believe the statement, while excluding those that don't, those that know what generalizing is know that if it isn't what they think than it automatically excludes them from it and they can ignore it or give their own opinion. If you believe in getting the best value for your money, then yes the generalized statement includes you. Yes you can speak for more people than yourself and people you know with a generalized statement, anyone in the world that believes the statement, it is speaking for them too, they can still voice their own opinion if they don't agree with the full statement or want to add more to it, just as those being excluded from it can. It's not taking away their right to speak or be their own person. You obviously have your own voice and thoughts because you commented and could and should have voiced your own opinion on what's wrong or right with the statement, but you instead chose to write that.
since you have lived in the usa, you are familiar with the concept of Cheap Chinese Crap. everybody knows to avoid it, because it is such low quality. so I was amazed, upon moving to panama, that the cheap Chinese crap that's available in the USA is mid-level Chinese crap by third world country standards. in places like Panama and in the philippines, there is even *cheaper* Chinese crap than the stuff available in the usa.
dude, you've got a million videos about the same thing lololo when are you gonna copy the copycatters and start reading letters from others? hehe u say 3K for foreigners but other vloggers say 2K for manilla to live comfortably lol but i think they outside BGC. cheers. do a video about how they react to you and yr tagolog yo
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These are just a few of the daily issues that expats face in the Philippines. Did I leave anything out? Let me know down below.
Another informative video. I like to add a few more; burning trash seven days a week outside the city; smaller hospitals do not have a physician on duty (they need to be called in), but still may not be available, and locals cutting in line in front of you. You could be standing in line at a restaurant, waiting for the cashier, and someone ‘squeezes’ in front of you.
@@ss65malibu53: The funny thing is when Filipinos (fresh out of the boat) come to the States, they don't do that. I don't blame them; they would get their ass kicked big time.
Burning anything is prohibited now, even dried leaves, but people do it anyway. I absolutely hate it when people burn plastic and then it permeates your house. 😖 Other people feel they have no choice though, because garbage collection is a problem in some places.
When it comes to cutting in line, an older lady once cut in front of me and I pointed it out. She got angry and raised her voice, "Okay, fine. Whatever!" 😅
Yep, hundred percent agree with you. You should read my rant.
I had two newborn babies and they were burning tires, next-door and garbage. My girl wouldn’t do nothing about it. I had to tell them it’s not acceptable. We had to close our windows and doors all day and the smell of burning oil still came through smart Filipinos know that all this bullshit is not right, but they’re scared to say something about it for some reason or change it
These people need to evolve. There’s a big difference between upper class and lower class Filipinos. Some of the villagers are so stuck in living in these conditions. They don’t even make an effort to make their lives better if you want nice things you take care of things.
My first time in the Philippines I got industrial strength diarrhea from (ironically) a really nice, expensive restaurant (all the street food I had was fine) 🤷🏾 can happen anywhere, I guess. But I was wandering around Makati at 4 am looking for a 24 hr. convenience store. My stomach and my bootyhole were killing me. Two things surprised me: convenience stores carry no medicine 😭 and the amount of kids in the streets at 4 am.
Here's how to deal with bureaucracy. When you are planning to do something like paperworks, give it a full day and don't think about doing anything else. That's how you avoid stress.
When I visited Manila for the first time I ended up with a viral infection the day I was supposed to leave. It extended my stay for a week and it was a potent virus but I ended up OK. My wife and I are considering moving to Manila and work online as we’re healthcare providers and can do telehealth. These videos are helpful. She grew up in Quezon City and has nothing but good things to say so it’s good to see pros and cons.
Finally a realistic person on TH-cam when it comes to budget in BGC.
I agree with your budget estimate for living in BGC. Depending on your lifestyle, $4000 per month seems like a minimum to me. I like eating western foods, enjoy nightlife several nights per week, and rent a luxury condo. I’m searching for BGC condos now, and I’m seeing $2000 per month for a luxury fully furnished two-bedroom.
Pizza? I’m Italian-American and from New York, so this is a problem. Here are some suggestions: Sbarro’s in the Glorietta Mall, Mamma Mia’s in the Uptown Mall BGC, and Amici’s in the Ayala Triangle Gardens. All not bad for the Philippines.
I hear that Sbarro's not as good as it used to be. Tried Amici, I wasn't a fan. Mamma Mia and Toni & Sergio, I think are from the same company, both good. There seems to be a lot of Neapolitan style pizza places these days. Gino's is also supposedly good and Motorino's, but dang, what I really miss is American style pizza. The type you would get from local pizza joint with really good pepperoni and Italian sausage.
Was never a fan of the sbarros but motorino was good. Check it out. And yes $4k should be the minimum coming here. 3k is pushing it.
@@TheSavvyExpat I forgot about Motorino. Good call. They are pretty good too.
I liked the fact that you are warning ⚠️ every one, but this is a realistic taste of a different culture, and if you accept the Phillipines as your home. You should accept all things that come with it..the good still out weighs the bad any day for me..
Absolutely Ryan. It's always good to cover both sides of the coin, but at the end of the day, life in this country is worth dealing with the downsides.
@@TheSavvyExpat hey I'm finally here , I got in on the 15th, in Manila, but in quarantine for 5 days , can't want to get out to spend time with my fiance. Hope I will see you around someday....everything was so smooth at the airport people were so helpful and friendly WOW !!! ... that experience alone made it worth coming here..
@@ryanramsa7093 Glad to hear that Ryan. I remember just a few months ago you emailed me talking about your plans. Now that it's finally happening, wishing you all the best!
@@TheSavvyExpat thanks bro appreciate it
Another informative video, it's amazing you are able to keep coming up with new topics to tell us about week after week :)
Thanks Ken!
The Filipinos drink mineral water. It is actually better for you than distilled water but you need to get used to it. I'm impressed you make homemade pizza from scratch. I also recommend wearing noise cancelling headphones and running white noise speakers at home. To be honest, I probably wouldn't move here unless I could afford a private hospital. Great list.
Great point. I think the stomach aches are mostly due to adjusting to mineral water, but once you get used to it it's so much better. Thanks for watching Martin.
Wrong! Filipino drink deionized water. its the opposite of mineral water. Water station uaes reverse osmosis filtration system.
@@hertzblasterx I learned something new.
Great video, as always. One of the first things I did after arriving here was get air con at my fiancées house.
I have experienced pretty much everything you talked about and more, like no TP 🧻 in public restrooms (CR) and showers that are a small bucket inside a larger one 🪣
I like Filipino food, although the oily meats are hard on my stomach.
All in all, knowing what to expect really helps a lot and your videos are excellent!
Thank you very much Savvy Expat, you have made my transition much easier. Really appreciate you 😀 Salamat
Never had an issue with stomach problems and the cuisine there, or heard about. That one was a first to hear for me. The rest of it was spot on from everything I've seen. Thank you again!
I was a victim of stomach issues my first few days in the Philippines. We were in Manila mid December and there was a Christmas parade around the MOA area that was jam packed with people. I had to walk back to our hotel room a few times because the wait times for the bathroom were insane and I'm sure it was quite dirty. Stomach problems are a real thing over there.
@@jasoncatron1039 Depends on what one eats. Even the locals that I know have been victim to poorly prepared street food due to cross contamination/bacteria. Also avoid a dish called Dinuguan. It has parts of the pig that western folks do not eat like the lung and kidney. Any time I leave the USA I take Imodium due to this issue, because you never know what may be in the food.
I was thinking of going back to the PI again, haven't been there since 78 but after watching this video and many others my conclusion is that it's more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for your honesty you have saved me many headaches
wow ! Great video ... yeah , different food, different digestion ! I lived in Taipei for a year, 30 years ago, but I think I could swing most places of Philippines . 🙂
First thing I do is stop at the grocery and pick up a couple packs of little bottles of Yakult probiotic drink to keep my system in shape. Probably buy and take some imodium with you. Really never had an issue finding western products in the larger grocery stores. Thanks for the video!
Nah, buy Hidrasec,or Flotera tablets.They are better and in capsule form and more handy. Buy Oral rehydration solution in sachet form, just mix content of 2 sachet in 500mL of water,drink it every loose bowel movement to replace looses. But if you have access to a hospital/laboratory,have your stool sample checked for intestinal amoebiasis, because treatment is different. Stool exam is just cheap.
Just visited the Philippines last month, Luzon & Mindanao. I agree with most of your list. The #1 issue for me was the dirty public CRs (bathrooms) and the lack of toilet paper. Even after using sprayer/bucket to clean your bottom, your still wet when its time to pull up underwear/pants 😡. #2 lack of paper towels to dry your hands after washing up & hand dryers not working. We carried our toilet paper every time we left the house. The food and water issues I adjusted to ok. Married to Filipina for 30 yrs and even she complained about the traffic & public CRs. Last visited in 1989/1990 & traffic was never this bad 😱. Stayed in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) for our last week and it was great, but a lot more expensive than the province which is to be expected.
The reason there is no toilet paper in the rest rooms is because Filipinos will take it with them when they exit the bathroom.
Hey, Evan... Two notes, one on availability of tech and the other on where to live affordably.
TECH: Comparing prices on Apple products in Canada and in the Philippines, the phones are cheaper in Canada, but the MacBooks are cheaper in the Philippines. When comparing, remember to add federal and provincial sales taxes to the Canadian quote. Taxes are included in the Philippine quote. Also, don't look at Apple Philippines. You can get a 5% discount from one of their official retailers. The Philippine advantage on MacBooks might win over other countries too. But maybe not the US (I haven't checked). For reasons unknown, Apple base prices are higher in Canada (and probably the UK, EU, AU and other countries too).
AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION: Everybody talks about BGC and Makati, the most expensive real estate in the country. Then Cebu City, Tagaytay, Dumaguete or the deep provinces. But nobody talks about other districts in Metro Manila. Not all are desirable, of course, but you can get cheap and still be within easy distance of good retail and restaurants. I live in Bulacan, right on the edge of MM. It's 40 minutes on an A/C bus to SM Fairview, Ayala Terraces and a big Robinson's mall... all across the street from each other. About 2 hours into Makati, but that's a rare need. If there's a downside (for some expats), it's the lack of... expats. I haven't seen another one in my city since before the pandemic, although my wife spotted two in our little regional mall last Thursday.
Around Olongapo I know many foreign men but I’m a European woman and I miss having girl friends with a similar background.
Never drink water in the Philippines unless it's sealed bottled/mineral water or you know it's filtered. As for food, never eat at carenderias (although there are clean ones, but you have to be really careful) or street food. If you do any of these, you're likely to get diarrhea (or worse, hepatitis). Moreover, don't drink anything with ice because the water used for the ice might be questionable, unless it's from a reputable cafe or restaurant.
I've had the worst diarrhea eating from a famous barbecue place in Tagbilaran, Bohol and when I drank some water in Romantic Baboy in BGC (Korean BBQ place). I seriously thought it would never end.
I strongly relate with the food part-- they're either unavailable, taste different or are just too expensive. Whenever I'm in the Philippines, I make almost every food I miss, from scratch--pizzas, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, apple pies, Italian sausage, bahn mi, etc. (I can't make brie or goat cheese though 😢).
Maybe you should make a separate vlog for pizza. 😄
The traffic and pollution stresses me out and actually makes me nauseous. I admire anyone who can tolerate those long jeepney and bus rides.
Oh yeah, lizards, mice and rats are a common sight in city dwellings too, as well as tokey geckos, frogs, monitor lizards, sand lizards and snakes, in the provinces.
What kind of snakes? Cobra?
@@TT-by7tv Cobras, yes, but also the harmless ones. There was a report last year about a King Cobra in Batangas found in someone's home. And just last week, a 15-feet snake, weighing 35 kg, in Batangas City, up someone's ceiling. They're found in more areas than others though.
@@ss65malibu53 True. Don't buy from the streets. I'd say fruit is safe, as long as you wash and peel it yourself.
True alot of duplication , unnecessarily
💯 % fact on the stomach issues, mine was from the water and not the food though.
Solid, sobering and valuable information. Thank you!
Stomach ache? For me it was much worse than that. My first trip back in 2018 was fine until Day 7. That’s when I woke up with a fever, diarrhea, body aches, cramps. I have no idea what it was. Possibly food poisoning and/or stomach flu? Anyway, I panicked and left after only 12 days.
When I got back home, my doctor said that I probably had a bad reaction to new “germs” that my immune system wasn’t exposed to before. My last two trips were fine. Maybe I’m getting used to those “germs”.
Too bad Fauci doesn't understand about natural immunity!
Having survived Jakarta for 4 years, it's all the same. No ICE bad bad. No street food bad! Tummy ache can be 3-5 days of non stop pooping.
When I'm visiting the Philippines and I'm looking to put ice cubes in my drinks I buy Natures Spring ice cubes from the store!
Having been through the whole food/stomach initiation I now take each day something called Mastic Gum! This essentially is the bark of the Chios tree which is typically found in Greece. The Bark is converted into powder form and put into capsules for easy intake. Never had any stomoach isuses since!
The Filipino I know told me to carry a brandy made PI.
if I felt stomach issues drink it asap. I didn't have any issues in my first 3 weeks. Then one day my stomach started turning. From previous sickness this felt like I was going to lose a day at least.
2 ounces of brandy stopped it in an hour.
I was not even hopeful, but it worked and I always carry it.
Wow! Your guide is amazing, well designed, and took a lot of time for you to make. Thank you! (Very helpful)
I made the mistake of drinking instant coffee from a 7/11 and paid dearly for about 6 hours. Learned my lesson my first trip there! 🤢 Don't do it!
Loud motorbikes, bus horns and the roosters are the sounds that I have trouble getting used to. Another thing to mention is the smells. The sewer (infrastructure) is often right below the concrete slabs that make up the sidewalks. Probably why wearing a mask during the pandemic was never a problem for me. As you said, it's all part of the package and for me the good far outweighs the bad. You get used to it.
I have a small four cup coffee maker in our island province of Marindugue. I make coffee with local water. Otherwise we cook and drink filtered water. We use about 20 liters of water to cook with every day. I brush my teeth with filtered water and my water pick also uses filtered water.
Thanks for your comment.
@@ss65malibu53 Not like the US where 7/11 sells coffee by the bucket!
That's funny.
I just shipping over a small 220v coffee maker, coffee and creamer.
I also shipped some of my motorcycle riding gear so at least I'll be well protected getting smashed by a big truck while riding.😆
I also added instant coffee and travel sized supplies for making my own coffee.👍
Just subscribed. Your videos are Outstanding!!!
You said it like it is… the hard truths and downsides of Philippine life. It’s good to be aware so that culture shock is lessened but not avoided. Thanks, Evan. Good presentation, as always!
Good video and great info. Keep up the good work.
If I ever get to the Philippines, I'm heading to a bigger, modern city (BGC?). Presently, I would have no problem paying $1200/month for an apartment. Most likely, anything you want or need will be within walking distance. I would plan on a two bedroom apartment and hire a housekeeper to buy my shopping, pay my bills and do the daily housekeeping. She could live in my extra bedroom, I'd compensate her nicely and giver her the weekend off, so if needed, she could go back and visit her family.
On my first visit I assumed my friends mother had water delivery for her cooler. I didn't realize she re-filled it with tap water. Hard lesson. Also my friend who grew up as a child in the Philippines, and spent the rest of time in the U.S., the roosters drive him nuts when he visits.
Thanks for the great info. I never really thought about the bug situation.
You got it Jericho
About dryers! If you live in Cebu you can put your jeans out side at 12pm and it will be dry in 20 minutes. That’s faster than most dryers as usually I wait 45 minutes. When it’s 98 degrees outside that’s not surprising. That’s how hot it gets regular day is 93-95 degrees! 😅
Dude I just subscribed..great content...
Since the lockdowns started in the USA, I've done the same thing. Learned to bake bread, make pizza and dough and to replicate the foods I like in restaurants. I have saved a ton of money doing that and learned a lot.
Thank you so much for sharing! Full support already... Good luck and wish you all the best. Be safe, stay safe,
and keep wearing your face mask! Best regards/Ned👍👍
You seem to have a natural talent for this style of reporting. Were you a journalist in the states?
Nope! Thanks for compliment though.
Great information, you’re spot on with you first hand experience!
Trust me, your food is much spicier though delicious.
For older people, this has a lot to do with their indigestion. 😎💕
Spot on. Stomach ache. No ice unless filtered. And definitely no street food. I got sick eating fruits at the Shangri-la.
Tuli:
Gas is up over 78 cents a gallon in the last 10 days in the USA. The slow government progress is not new for me. The government progress in America is not all that fast either. SS take six hours. I also had stomach ache. I have learned to NOT use ice in my drinks. I also make sure my food in well cooked. I do miss certain foods. Hand washing dishes is common. Hot water us not that common. I am positive that my Filipina wife makes sure we do not get scammed.
In cabs, no meter than l get out right then, l do not argue with cab drivers. No A/C in cabs, l get out as well. My route is usually a route that l know. I was scammed once and l have made great progress against scanning since then. The sounds of roosters does not hurt my ears. My dog makes a lot of noise. Who would l be to complain? I do miss a lawn but l can so without the the extra work. I do hate the trash. You are right, poverty and trash are common. I do hate the traffic as well. The infrastructure is okay for me. I do not miss the snow. I do not care for the heat and humidity. I do not care for the insects. I have to be very careful when l drive. BUT, l do like taking a jeepney in the province or a cab in the city. Let the cabbies get in the wrecks.
Excellent video. Again thank you for sharing such straight forward facts and opinions. Tuli, you are very wise for you youth. I really enjoy your channel. I see 10,000 subscribers soon.
Stay well and be blessed.
😎👍
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I got a stomach ache for the first few days too.
I hadn't eaten any local foods before hand.
I think it was stress and lack of fluids.
Took 3 days to clear up.
My situation was extremely stressful so I'm sure that's all it was . Adding the complete change in weather didn't help.
👍
I visited the Philippines 5 times, and my inlaws live in the province. I always get sick for about 12-18 hours, then I get feeling great again. I always have a problem that occurs more than just the usual stomach ache. I just know it's the way it is as a foreigner. :)
You provide better information than the Americans that emigrated to the Philippines. Bravo! Bravo! 👏 👏 👏 👏
Thanks for the information.
My daughter finally could visit her motherland with her fiance.
The very first day in the Province she caught very heavy amoebiasis. That happened to my baby son 30 years back. So I strongly suggest that you see a doctor if you feel something is terribly wrong. The heaviest case of stomach problems I ever had and that lasted for several days was not in the Philippines but in clean and proper Singapore.
In fact it stopped exactl at the moment I reached Indonesia.
The problem is when you are extremely thirsty in the deepest Province. The "clean" water they drink on a daily basis can cause a huge problem to us Westerners.
I’m from Canada but if I go to a different province I have to get use to the water and food which takes a couple of days so if ur not born there it takes times because soil and everything is different so just wait it out 🇨🇦👍
love your mag video's. I live in the province. And am 68 and the city life is not my cup of tea. I usually go to makati when I get tired of Province you mention BCG. where are some nice please to go to in BCG.You are wiser than your years.
yup buyer beware
As I local I find this video fair. Forewarned is for armed . It should give a foreigner a better experience because their expectation was managed. On food Italian food from Italy are available in BGC. American Italian food I am not so sure. I thought the Pizza hut and similar establishments are American Italian food but I guess they have adjusted it to suit the taste of the locals, like what McDonald's did.
Much Information here
we finally hit 5 bucks a gallon on gas. my friends in the big cities r paying 6.3 i cant wait to move to a place with an affordable lifestyle
Its best to have good probiotics (usually yakult unless your lactose intolerant you must not take it) when eating in filipino food it will help. I encounter a lot and is always prescribed with Erceflora (I think its prescribed by doctors).
You can buy Erceflora and other probiotics without prescription.
Another good video, Evan. BGC is way out of the possibility for a lot of expats. That kind of budget is only in their dreams. They are lucky if they can manage half of that. Thus they stick to the provinces, smaller towns and lesser cities. I like American pizza also and I'm going to need to build a pizza oven when I get there so I can make REAL pizza when I feel like pizza. And of course it can be used to bake bread and cook other things as well. I'm really leaning toward Iloilo as they seem to have everything the larger cities have but a little slower pace and more relaxed, I think. And it costs less so my money will go further, regardless of my budget.
Wood burning oven?
Can you pls make a video for digital nomads? Best city/town and service providers for internet and mobile phone, P.O. box, etc?
In Hawaii I'm already with the bugs, sore stomachs, the little scams and the infrastructure. I should just blend right in! LOL and also the poverty too I'm afraid.
Hey, nice content. I will try to go to the Philippines until next year, and even apply for a job there.
I wanted to know about the rental situation. How are the contracts? What’s the obligation? What’s common practices? Can you do a video on that? Salamat po.
I remember my grandma would bribe by bringing mcdo when she’s going to Manila regarding paperwork, those folks would then speed up the process
Philippines have millions of water station and cheap 5gal of alkaline h2o very2 affordable and R0 water too very cheap
Exactly water is very inexpensive here
@@TheSavvyExpat true u can drink like an elephant won't even touch 50p daily . Of course not d mineral water sold at d supermarket . Just from water station . Clean n hygiene
I have no problem with Filipino food . Anyway , can also resort to fast-food
True
Ice 🧊 in drinks and smoothies 🙀 I always ask for no ice 🧊 in Asia
As a foreigner money is the number 1 issue here, unlike the USA, people in the Philippines always ask you for money, loans in which they never repay, scammers are rampant, food is also a problem, food at the restaurants are not fresh, they mix old and fresh food.
Wow, those shots of the poverty and trash really shocked me. My heart goes out to those people.
I couldn't visit or live with the ridiculous noise of the roosters, barking dogs, and karaoke. Or the traffic congestion and air pollution.
But am I correct that there is basically non of that in upscale BGC? 🤞
@@jocelynjack Thanks for your reply. I am glad to hear BGC is the place I thought it was. 😃👍
@@jocelynjack I appreciate your candor, Jocelyn. I am going to live in BGC (I'm American) starting later this year. What if I meet a Filipina online, from Cebu, before I arrive... do you think if I visited her there in Cebu and we liked each other that she would move to up to BGC so we could date (if I supported her)?
@@jocelynjack I appreciate your candor, Jocelyn. Thank you. I am going to live in BGC (I am American) starting later this year. What if I met a girl online, from say Cebu, before I arrive in BGC... do you think if I visited her once I am in the Philippines, and we liked each other, that she would agree to move up to BCG so we could date (if I supported her)?
@@jocelynjack Thank you, thank you! I loved your reply. Full of great insight, and some humor too! 😆😂🤣. You rock! 😎. Your husband is a very lucky man. 👏
@@jocelynjack Thank you, thank you! I loved your reply. It was full of great insight and some humor too! 😆😂🤣 You rock! 😎. Your husband is a lucky guy. 👏
Can you order from Amazon or Ebay and will they deliver?
Amazon and eBay will display if the items are deliverable to the Philippines. Expensive though.
Is trash pick up an issue for expats? Back in the U.S. and other more developed countries it's a given that city, county and state governmnent have systems for refuge collection. Most of the videos we've seen, albeit outside of the top major cities, seem to reflect a significant amount of litter on streets and roadways thoughout the Philippines. How does the govenment address waste disposal?
How much should you bring in money for your first visit
None of these issues really affects/bothers me, except the littering. People have tried to scam me, although very rarely, but what my wife does is send me to a vendor and see how much I am charged. If she thinks it is reasonable we shall buy the goods. If she thinks I am being scammed we move on to the next one - who will get repeat custom if she thinks the price is fair.
Hi 👋! Awesome info my Friend. Im like you! But still living in the Bay Area. San Francisco. Im gonna retire in the Phillipines this year. I just became a U.S citizen on March 18th. The reason i became a Citizen is just in case i need to come back to the U.S i can. Can you make a video on how a Balikbayan can permanently stay in the Phillipines and what we need to do, besides staying for 36 months, leaving and coming right back.
Some of your observations regarding issues like WATER and FOOD are just a NORMAL thing for a foreigner who came to a NEW country, whether the country is a First world or Third world, when I came to Abu Dhabi, UAE, 20 years ago the FIRST issue that was my CONCERNED is water, and UNTIL now, TAP water in the UAE is not advisable for Human Consumption because it is coming from DESALINATION, some people say you can DRINK it but with a RISK, until today I am NOT drinking water from the TAP, I still buy my water from the grocery, and the Food issues, It takes me a year to ADJUST to eating Arabic, Pakistani and Indian food, well it just your PREFERENCE to eat foreign food or STICK to your own food, it depends on the person, but EATING foreign food is delicious, it WIDENS your perspective in life, and learned to APPRECIATE other culture. Regarding Government bureaucracy, it is also COMMON here in the UAE, but to mention that bureaucracy in the Philippines is a LITTLE bit hard is an understatement, even here in the UAE, our National ID, Visa renewal and Labor Renewal TAKES time, at least 3 weeks to a month, maybe because of the backlog because many EXPATS are also Renewing their papers, but COMPARING the Philippines to other countries, I think the Philippines is much BETTER score than Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia...about the NOISE, in the Middle East a lot of NOISE, SHOUTING, WHISTLING and talking LAUD is very common.
I stayed in Makati for a month about 3 years ago and found the local cuisine terrible tasting.
Not me getting stomach ache and fever when I was in the Philippines
Hello my special friend. Nice to see your video. I hope you have a blessed week my friend
How hard would it be to start a business in the philipines.
Don't start a business in the Philippines you're putting a bulls eye on your back, why do you want to open a business in the Philippines when people don't have money, it is a 3rd world poverty stricken country, and if you do open a business the local government, police chief will pay a visit and demand money, you got be more than stupid to put your money in jeopardy, I wouldn't do it.
Are there any sites you can recommend 6 month rent in bgc? Everything i see min is 1 year
Airbnb.
I can live with everything , the only concern is scams
Please update your videos because most of the things in it is not true anymore.
The annoying unnecessary red tape and paperwork when dealing with officials described is similar to our city and county Honolulu government . Such a pain in the ass and don’t care of wasting your time.
Admins. It's a country filled with admins. An everyday problem in the Philippines are admins
Pizza here has way to sweet of sauce and the crust is thick and doughy. Most has fake cheese and......🤬 Pineapple. Spaghetti is also a joke sweet sauce with hotdogs for meat 🤮
Another great video, if you did a deeper dive on private vs public health care that would be of great interest (at least to me :))
Just dont drink tap water. Tap water will give you the runs for sure.
I'd like to point out that The Philippines is NOT a 3rd world country. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd world categories explain what type of government a country has, and has very little to do with economics, or the financial prosperity (wealth) of a nation. Many people (especially younger Westerners) make this inaccurate comparison. 1st world countries have democratically elected government officials like the U.S. The Philippines, and many European countries. 2nd world countries are strictly Communist, such as China, the former Soviet Union, Venezuela, and Cuba. 3rd world countries are classified as "other". These nations are ruled by royalty or some sort of dictator. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Saudi Arabia is technically a 3rd world country, ruled by a king. Even though the Philippine Peso is worth .018 USD (less than 2 cents), it is definitely a 1st world country with an elected president.
Economically speaking, The Philippines is a "developing" nation. The GDP, the monetary exchange rate, natural resources, and domestic/international businesses have a heavy influence on infrastructure, medical care availability, etc. These things can be improved over time. Also, it doesn't matter what country you live in, or where you're from, there are always going to be wealthy areas, and places stricken with poverty, all within the same country.
On point,Philippines should be called developing country not a 3rd world country
I like that you speak of all the bad things. It’s crazy people as mentality with trash. Another hard thing is going on a road trip. There is literally no public parks to pull over. No rest stops just an open lot somewhere that has garbage everywhere.
And getting food on the road is terrible living close to a save more and cooking at home is the best. I’ve been to pizza places that have no pizza Mexican places that don’t serve Mexican food. The things you want on the menu are most likely not available shit I’ve even been to places that are out of rice. That’s literally all that’s on your menu.
But the motorbike trips are so much fun if you can find food. And Philipina’s obsession with having a gate on their home they can’t even pull off the highway fast as it takes them time to open the gate. Also, Filipinos are the best drivers in the world, but also the most terrible , they stomp on the brakes for absolutely no reason .trikes enter the highway without looking. Sure they are fine with the way. Things are but for you to have your barking dog bark for four hours straight is just irresponsible and low class. Oh, and also this CBGBD neighbourhood you’re talking about. There are literally no good neighbourhoods in manila. Just remember one in the Philippines, lower your expectations and you will be happy. It has a lot of special things but so much bullshit. Oh, and by the way as well a lot of the workers here are absolutely incompetent at their jobs. Pharmacies saying oh it’ll take two weeks to get this. I can find it across the street at your same pharmacy. I’ve bought in a motorcycle brand new cash and they don’t even top up the oil that one cost me a motorcycle and if you tell them, what you expect from their service or ask them if they agree with you most likely they don’t understand you they are just agreeing.
Use Lazada order what ever you want on the Internet you’ll get it. And iPhones are the same price they’re not more here they’re the same everywhere in the world.
You forgot to mention the squealing pigs (noise)!
Why does the Philippines have so many roosters?
Probably cockfighting. And some people just enjoy keeping a lot of them around, similar to having a collection.
cock fight some are addicted to it a form of gambling. very common in Ph that your neighbor would have a rooster. the rooster will wake you up in the Ph like your alarm clock 😅.
Cockfighting ,a form of gambling is legal here. More common in the province. I wish the gov't abolish it.It's animal cruelty.
Eewww...tha poverty is gross!!!! But I wonder why properties are literally
Million Dollar Listing! No wonder these are common sights in the Philippines! Really gross!!!
I don't know how familiar you are with the big three cities in the Philippines, Manila, Cebu, and Davao, but I would love to see a video walking through the process of an American coming to spend a month in the Philippines in one of those cities.
you would cover, in the video, finding an Airbnb and going over the advantages and disadvantages of its location versus the city, for example noise and traffic versus being too far away, and you would also explain how to get a trike or taxi or jeepney, and talk about the prices that we should expect to pay from specific spots to other specific spots.
for example, you would choose your theoretical Airbnb and then show how to leave the airport and hail a taxi or jeepney and take it to your Airbnb and what the cost should be.
then you could discuss where to find restaurant food versus Street vendors food, how to shop in the market, how to shop in the grocery store, the expected cost of getting a trike or jeepney or taxi from your Airbnb to the grocery store, and things of that nature.
basically, imagine yourself being a first-time traveler to the philippines, with no boots on the ground, no family, and no local contacts.
normally that type of person would be an easy mark for all the scams, so your video could show us how to do the day-to-day things that we would want to do and basically how much these things should cost so that we don't end up getting scammed.
literally putting together an instruction manual with a blow by blow, step by step, version of how to get through your first several days in the country would end up netting you a million views, because nobody's ever really done that before.
as a traveler who's going to be doing exactly what I described in about 6 months, I will be happy to work with you on the contents that you should cover, because it's all things that I'm going to want to know before I get there.
I would skip the street food entirely, unless you have a strong stomach and wouldn't mind having diarrhea for days. But here's my father's tip--only eat the ones that you see has been freshly cooked in clear, hot cooking oil (like a fresh first batch of turon/sweet banana egg roll or banana cue/banana skewers with caramelized sugar).
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Filipinos think we're rich just because we make more money. They just need a little bit of a culture shock and live in the u.s. for a few weeks to see how expensive things are here. Lol many economists are saying gas prices here will get up to $10/gallon soon
😢 I thought $5/gallon was already bad.
"By 2030 you will own nothing." Klaus Schwab.
@@LR-je7nn you forget to say "and will be happy"
@@lextor4712 Hi Lex,
That's the part I don't believe.
@@LR-je7nn Hard to imagine why...I have another one for you: "You will eat bugs and be happy"
You may just be getting scammed out of a $1, no big deal, but when this vendor does it, that vendor does it, the next one does it, and so on, that little $1 adds up to a whole lot of wasted money. Americans love to feel they are getting the best value for their money, if this vendor adds on the skin tax and ends up making their price even 10 cents higher than the next vendor, you're not going to go to the more expensive any more, you'll go to the cheaper one, is that $1 now REALLY worth losing out on the hundreds, thousands, millions of pesos that American would have spent there over the rest of their lives there. Americans will drive an hour just to go to a store where an item is cheaper, rather than going to a store they could have walked to, all the while they're spending more money because of the gas they used, but that's not important, they got their item a few dollars cheaper.
You don't speak for Americans. You may speak for people you know and yourself, but that's it.
@@johnclark7973 Why so defensive? You hangry? Maybe get a Snickers, and while eating it look up the words sarcasm and generalize. Generalizing is a way of using a blanket statement to include a wide area or large group that believe the statement, while excluding those that don't, those that know what generalizing is know that if it isn't what they think than it automatically excludes them from it and they can ignore it or give their own opinion. If you believe in getting the best value for your money, then yes the generalized statement includes you. Yes you can speak for more people than yourself and people you know with a generalized statement, anyone in the world that believes the statement, it is speaking for them too, they can still voice their own opinion if they don't agree with the full statement or want to add more to it, just as those being excluded from it can. It's not taking away their right to speak or be their own person. You obviously have your own voice and thoughts because you commented and could and should have voiced your own opinion on what's wrong or right with the statement, but you instead chose to write that.
since you have lived in the usa, you are familiar with the concept of Cheap Chinese Crap.
everybody knows to avoid it, because it is such low quality.
so I was amazed, upon moving to panama, that the cheap Chinese crap that's available in the USA is mid-level Chinese crap by third world country standards.
in places like Panama and in the philippines, there is even *cheaper* Chinese crap than the stuff available in the usa.
Cheap Communist Chinese Crap.
Thanks to American career criminal politicians.
dude, you've got a million videos about the same thing lololo when are you gonna copy the copycatters and start reading letters from others? hehe u say 3K for foreigners but other vloggers say 2K for manilla to live comfortably lol but i think they outside BGC. cheers. do a video about how they react to you and yr tagolog yo
ur leaving in a bubble
what are the upsides ? I'm here and honestly as a former well paid professional I haven't seen any upside !