What does Olongapo compare to vis a vis Thailand ? Does it have Pattaya vibes or is that way off the mark ?   I want to stay near the water preferably.  ..read more

 Hello, there are flights to\from Camiguin from Manila and Cebu, for instance with CebGo.     Is it true that the maximum checked luggage is 15 kilograms?  Do you know the penalty for more than 15 kilograms, by kilogram?   Is the hand luggage weighed as well, or maybe even the passenger? (I had that on small planes to Palawan in 2008.)  Are these flights sometimes cancelled at short notice even if the weather is good?   Anything else that might flummox the foreign traveler on these flights?       One airline servicing C ..read more

1) As you know, at Bangkok airport, there is Super Rich and its exchange rate is good. Is there a similar place at the Manila Airport? Or should I just exchange only little at the airport and do most of the exchanging at an exchange place in town. By the way, getting pesos in Bangkok versus getting them at Manila airport, are the rates similar? If so, I might get some pesos in Bangkok. So that would save me time at the Manila Airport.    2) Do you know and recommend a hotel at or very near the Manila Airport? I might feel tired so I might opt to stay near the airport first night and ..read more

Thailand is reported to have 3.5 million immigrants living and or working in the country, or 5% of the population, while the Philippines is reported to only have 225K, or .2%. Thats literally 15 + times more immigrants (from various countries) in Thailand. So without going into my person life too much, I kinda feel like Thailand has become too westernized for my liking... Indo, Vietnam and Cambodia are also reporting very low immigation stats in comparison to Thailand. So I guess my question is: can you really notice a difference or does it not really reflect the statistics?    https ..read more

thanks ..read more

I am looking for a gated community in the PH where each villa has a  private pool or is very close or on the beach. Hate living in a city was thinking of Moalboal, Bohol etc. Either there are no options (or I am unable to find them) on the internet for rentals of such higher end pool villas in the Phils.   Thanks!     ..read more

Greetings,     Small IT business owner here in Thailand: I am thinking about running one in the Philippines too.   A visit there is planned of course, but I am already collecting valuable information and experience on the field.   If you have registered and are running a business in the Philippines, would you mind sharing your experience as a foreign business owner? Some questions that are coming to my mind are:   how easy/hard is the incorporation? how is the bureaucracy? how about taxes? Tax filling, corporate tax,... how about some fancy rules when hiring or firing ..read more

Hi all. A bit of info please. I've just been advised, due to flight time change, I'll have a 6 hour stopover in Manila. I've heard it's not a great airport. Is it worth exiting the transit lounge for a wander, look about, or better stay put in transit ? Any recent personal experiences ? Thanks ..read more

I am eu citizen, what are my options for tourist visit? I want to stay 6-7 months ..read more

Seems every Philippines YouTuber is hitting Duamegette   It's becoming the farang foreigner area of the Philippines   I guess my concern is the prices of rents etc will now go up as the influx of foreign pensioners migrate to the area    Yes I may consider this area for retirement but I was a little bit concerned at the "right wing" mentality of some American expats there that made comments about gay people etc and hold a church meeting every Friday at a cafe ..read more