Enjoying The Philippines In Cebu
“Do not excessively annoy and do not be easily annoyed.” Long before there was an Internet we had what we called Bulletin Board Systems or BBS. There were two major networks, FidoNet and Alternet. Fidonet had one rule and it is stated in the first sentence of this article.
I hear so many foreigners come to the Philippines and complain and then complain some more. They complain about the Philippines and they complain about other foreigners. This is a human trait and it is a hard thing to fight. I find myself doing it, rarely but I do fall into the trap just like everyone else I know. I know one person that I’ve never heard do that and he’s a Methodist minister that seems to have mastered Christianity better than anyone else I know. He would be the first to tell you he’s far from perfect. That old trite saying is true, “If you don’t have anything to say, say nothing at all.” At least it’s something to strive for. Being positive is contagious and will improve how others see you.
As of yesterday, February the 8th I have lived in the Philippines nine years. Even with life’s problems it has been the best nine years of my life. Jessie has been a big part of that and things are better between us. Though this morning, I was really stressed out because her kids need to be here and that’s just not possible due to financial constraints that I will go into later. Like I said, life has problems to conquer no matter where you are.
On the second of October 2015, I sent myself money from my USA bank account to the Philippines. Just like I have been doing for the last seven years. The last six, have been to my bank account. Everything appeared to be normal but there was one early warning sign. I usually get notices on my phone that the money has been received. I never got that notice. I did get an email and my Xoom account showed the money transferred within 30 seconds which is also routine. My trip to the bank though, it was anything but routine. I tried to withdraw the money from my account and only got a message “Your transaction could not be completed.” I’ve never seen that message before. I checked the balance, Jessie was with me and she let out a gasp. I had sent myself almost 70,000 pesos and my balance was zero. What is worse, I have only 400 peso or about $5 USD in my pocket left.
If you’re an American or probably from most other Western nations, you are probably not going to like the way bills are paid in the Philippines. In short, you pay your bills in person. Not only are they not usually paid via postal service, you get up and go to each utility company and the bank to pay your bills. There are indications that things are improving. Things do often get better here. When I first arrived here in 2008, you could not use a foreign credit card at most stores. Now, at the larger retailers and many smaller shops you can use them. Often with a 5 percent surcharge but you do often have the option.
Paying your bills electronically, either via your bank or the providers website is practically, if not totally, unheard of. Even when you order something online you have to go withdraw money from your account and deposit it in their account. Then contact the seller and give them the information so they can verify and process your order.
Anyone that follows me knows that I never really got over Jessie. It felt like we were meant to be together. One night, I realized that I’m getting sicker and sicker and I really need someone that can and is will to help me with running errands. I was not alone that night, Now Rusty and Jessie are together again and I plan to keep it that way. Preventing her from being bored may be a challenge.
That night, I sent Jessie a text and asked her if she wanted to try again. She too really needs me. She was getting ready to leave the country so she could support herself. At one point over the last year she got super skinny. She was not eating, trying to feed her boys. Common thing here in the Philippines. She was not super skinny when she got here and I was surprised. She explained she had joined “The Old Ladies” club in Tacloban and they drink lots of tuba. That’s also known as “Jungle Juice” it is wine made from coconuts. It is moonshine basically. I’ve had some, from her father and it was good stuff. You never know what you’re getting when you drink that. Like moonshine in the USA sometimes it’s not made under the best of conditions.
If you have heard of the term “Kano price,” then you probably know what it means. For those that do not know the meaning of this phrase it basically means the price that Filipinos charge foreigners. Many and probably most Filipinos will charge us more for things we want to purchase. This is a very real practice and you will, from time to time, pay the Kano price.
I often hear it referred to as racism. It has nothing to do with race. That is just you being full of yourself. You are white? So what, there are many of us here. Get over yourself, you are not that rare nor important. If you are Japanese, Chinese, Korean or Indian then you are the same race as namely, Asian. You too will be sometimes be charged the Kano price. I do not see it as racism. It is just business but when it is excessive, it is bad business and a good way to lose a customer.
I have been living in a Philippines hotel for the since May of 2008 which makes it 10 months at this time. In the Basic Expat Training manual, I do suggest that as an option. I always said that if I was single that is what I would do. That is exactly what I did. It has advantages and other than smaller size, I really do not see any disadvantageous over renting an apartment. In this article, I will go into some of these advantages in more detail and I will also talk of the problems I’ve run into.
Generally, you can get your medications from Pharmacies in the Philippines. However, some medications are not available here. Your doctor can usually help you find a substitute for most of those things. There may be a few items you just cannot get here. When that is the case, I order my medications from Canada or other foreign country and have those shipped her by Johnny Air Cargo.
There are some other details about pharmacies in the Philippines you might find interesting, sometimes troublesome and sometimes amusing. I probably have written about some of those on this website before but I am not certain.
I have been living in the Philippines for seven years now. As I begin to type this, seven years ago today I was on a jet somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. The next day, February 6th, I landed in Manila with a wide mixture of emotions. Fear and hope being the most predominant emotions. Fear of the unknown and hopes for a better life. Hopes for a good relationship with a pretty Filipina named Jessie. Being too excited to sleep the day before, the flight went by pretty fast for me because I slept through most of it. Two days in the air and at least 24 hours of it I spent sleeping over the Pacific Ocean. This American living in the Philippines for seven years actually lost track. I thought I had been here for only six years but I arrived in February of 2008 so I have completed seven years here. I am so happy I came.
The last year has been quite difficult. First came being alone with Jessie in the same house but still I was alone. Then came Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda that brought severe damage to Bogo City and significant damage to the home I lived in. Then followed that up with my most difficult time, and ending of my six year relationship with Jessie. That I loved her made no difference. I had to go. I was tired of being left alone. Not only did she want to go out with her friends, she did not want me there. When she was home, she was in another room.
November 25th, 2017
June 25th, 2017
May 24th, 2017
May 6th, 2017
March 12th, 2017
I grew up in filipino... – Jul 21, 10:57 AM
HeY RUSTY GREAT ARTICLE I... – Jun 14, 2:34 AM
Why is it cheaper in... – Jan 25, 8:21 PM
That's a consideration. I didn't... – Dec 02, 7:19 PM I don't qualify for permanent... – Dec 02, 7:18 PM I saw a lot of... – Dec 02, 7:17 PM Sometimes they are strict on... – Dec 02, 7:15 PM It's still cheaper here. This... – Dec 02, 7:14 PM No, you can't live like... – Dec 02, 7:12 PM
Wow is it really that... – Nov 29, 3:30 AM
Hello Rusty, it seem that... – Nov 26, 3:55 PM
Takes no more than 10... – Nov 26, 10:32 AM Rusty only had to extend... – Nov 26, 2:27 AM For the cost of Philippines... – Nov 26, 2:22 AM
Rusty, How about an article... – Nov 25, 8:25 PM
