|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Can I get a job in the Philippines and if so what types of jobs are available?
The chance of getting a job resembling anything with a USA salary is almost impossible. But then again I always advise
everyone to think positive. Such employment would be contracted from a developed country like the USA, Canada, or a European
country but please don't trust any agency which requires an advance payment promising to find you overseas employment. One
friend of mine got ripped off for $400. Be observant, listen to travelers you meet, act spontaneously and take advantage of
chance meetings; you never know when a job opportunity could open to you.
Other than English Teaching jobs available in N.E. Asia, namely, Japan, Korea and Taiwan operating small business(es)
is the ONLY answer to developing an income in the Philippines which compares to the States. The low cost of labor, less taxes
than in our home countries and far less regulations make it a small business paradise. My wife and I agreed to stay with Tourism
or Export so most of our customers would be foreigners ( lately we have thought about manufacturing or food production ).
You'll probably need from U$10,000 to U$50,000 capital to get started but I have friends who started with only U$5000 and
their business grew over the years. Good Luck
Where and how do I go about finding an English Teaching Job in Asia to help finance my travel dreams and an alternative
lifestyle in Asia?
One of the main problems with living a life of adventure and travel is supporting yourself without getting in a rut at
"home" and stuck in some job that drains the energy necessary for your adventures. One such answer to this problem
is English Teaching in Asia which I always considered a great "bridge" which allowed me to escape from some or
the more dismal choices of employment opps in the States. EASY HOURS and if you work for a college LOTS of TIME OFF and easier
to save than in the States. The best collection of website links I have found are below:
PLEASE SHARE ANY NEW ESL WEBSITE LINKS OR DIRECT HIRE ENGLISH INSTITUES WITH US SO I CAN ADD THEM TO THIS LIST TO HELP
OTHERS TO REALIZE THEIR WORLD TRAVEL DREAMS & REPORT ANY BAD OR OUT OF DATE LINKS SO I CAN DELETE THEM
MAY 21, 2006 UPDATE - 9 Language Translation of Explore Philippines'
Webpages Now Available Just click the icon below to the left;
One Stop Korea TESOL
Click to join lifeinthephilippines
FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions;
1. what would one have to do to enter your country ?
Most
foreigners get automatic 21 day tourist visas upon arrival in the Philippines and it's easy to stay as long as they want
with the easiest immigration policies in S.E. Asia
2.in what city is the closest us embassy
?-
Manila on Roxas Blvd near Rizal Park in Ermita down the street from our guesthouse style Townhouse Hotel
Manila.
3.are there any american franchises like Mcdonalds, pizza hut or kentucky fried
chicken there? if so which ones?
Almost every fasy food chain has an outlet in Manila as follows; McDonalds,
Wendy's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Shakey's Pizza. The Philippines also has its
own fast food franchises; Jollibee, French baker, Cindy's, Goldy Locks, Burger Shack, and Chow King.
4. can you buy pepsi, or coke products/ and foods like twinkies?
No Twinkies
but many pre-packaged snacks and all the soft drinks, coke, pepsi, sprite and flavored drinks like orange etc.
5.what types of schools are there, and are there schools lfor american children that move there ? are there
uniforms for your schools?
Almost all schools require school uniforms. The private Catholic schools are
often teaching higher level curriculum than American public schools in some states. These are generally not too expensive
like U$1000 / year. There are also expensive international schools like thew iNternational School, the British School ( and
the French have a small private school ) which range from U$12,000 to U$14,000/ year
6.
what sports are popular? Basketball, Boxing, chess
7. is american music popular?
Yes very much so; the Philippines is the music capital of Asia with the best music scene and the most muscicians
working abroad.
8. what kind of cars do you sell?
Almost all Japanese and Korean made cars and local assembled vehicles which can not be exported.
Teaching English and Living in Taiwan
Received the link above from a foreigner married
to a Filipina who have been teaching English and living in Taiwan, saving up enough money to build their house in
MoalBoal on the west coast of Cebu Island, one of the most popular scuba diving sites in the Philippines. After surfing around
this site it seems to be an excellent source of information.
9 ) How are
the roads and how big an area are they I also like to sail.
The roads
are terrible with many pot holes etc. and although I wouldn't recommend bringing a HD over because of the expense etc.
occasionally I've noticed custom made motorcycles with extension bars, 3 wheeelers ect which looked fun to ride.(and are
CHEAP to have made maybe less than U$2000 to$3000.
10 ) Is the sailing good there? The sailing and windsurfing
is GREAT and like cycles you're better off having a custom made sailing outrigger made by local carpenters. There's
fiberglass hull yachts available but they seem so expensive when compared to a boat with fiberglass over marine plywood would
cost you. U$10,000 would get you one hell of a boat but local sailing paraws cost only U$1000+ to buy or build.
11 ) I also think I would like to meet a
nice girl and settle down after a life long bachalor. Do Philippines mind marrying men who are 15 or 20 years older? Don't
think I could stand to live with a woman who is mature as I have never grown up.
Marriages with 15 to 30 years differences in age are not uncommon which is one of the BEST aspects of
life in the Philippines. I know what you mean about feeling young; I surprise our 15 year old daughter and her friends frequently
by the music I really like and my other attitudes.
12 ) You indicate there are many islands. How many and how big?
7107 Island but about 10
major islands, 2 or which, Luzon and Mindanao are the largest (c'mon do some resarch yourself about their sizes in sq.
miles ). The Palawan group lies away from the main chain of islands and includes 1000 islands with the LEAST population.
13 ) What is the general feeling
towards Americans. Are there any areas that seem to have a lot of retired or disabled GI's. In other words do they tend
to stick togethger or are they all just scttered about?
Filipinos are VERY PRO-AMERICAN with nearly everyone having a relative( maybe distant
) in the States ( 2 million Filipino Americans make them the largest group of Asian Americans ). I'd say the expats,
vets are scattered except of maybe Manila, Cebu and Angeles City where there are some associations and bars they frequent.
14 ) Is this a democracy? Do the people ave
the right to own firearms.Would you suggest I come for a month and get a feel for the place?
Yes it's a democracy. Filipinos are as gun crazy as Americans BUT it's not advisable for a foreigner
to have a gun ( a common scam is selling you one then the police come around and arrest you or take back the gun and a bribe
) UNLESS it he is GRANTED A GUN PERMIT from somebody in the military or Camp Crame in Manila etc.
15 ) Could you set me up either at your motel
or whatever you prefer. I'm like a duck out of water so any help you can give would be greatfuly appreciated ?
No problem but take me sailing when you have a boat.
16 ) What are typical airfares?
Our last 2 tickets on Northwest Airlines
cost U$680 and U$750 JFK -Manila RT good for 6 months; I think one month is too short and would advise you stay 59 days for
your first good look around. You'd be surprised how you SLOW DOWN at a typical FIlipino pace of life after you arrive,
maybe it's the tropical weather or getting laid so much , who knows? We bought our tickets from a Filipino Travel Agent
at http://gardenstatetravel.com by phone using a credit card and they mail you the ticket shortly after it's issued. Over a dozen
cities around the USA are included as departure points at this discounted airfare.
17 ) How much would it cost, about , you know for the basics, airfare
lodging, eating out, if lucky, dateing, sightseeig etc?
If you don't travel with a Filipina all the time but maybe for short trips etc maybe U$20
to U$40 / day is enough plus say 10 or more "ladies of the night" or date nights with local salesgirls add U$300
to U$500. So what's that 50 times 20 to 40 =1 to 2 grand + entertainment =U$1500 to U$2500 and add say U$200 for transport
on local flights, passenger ships and buses. Bring U$2000 to U$3000 and see how long it lasts you.
Many young backpacker travelers stay in rooms which average U$10, eat meals which average U$2 and drink a few
beers or get loaded everyday at U$4 to U$8 so many manage a 59 day stay for UNDER U$1500. Most domestic flights are UNDER
U$100 for 2 ways and buses and ships average 65 U$ cents / hour of your journey.
Expats live quality lifestyles on U$400 to U$800/month ( plus an amount to buy their lifestyle requirements like appliances,
TV, music system, furniture, car etc ). So I always advise our guests planning to relocate to TAKE IT SLOW, and LOOK AROUND
before jumping into a long term situation. After staying in the Philippines for 7 years developing our businesses I was REALLY
homesick and anxious to go back to the States so you might consider keeping a modest homebase in the States even after you
move away. Read the emails carefully and contact us anytime about more details.
The
best hospitals are in the larger cities but you can hire a FULLTIME REGISTERED NURSE for maybe U$200 / month or less; live-in
domestic helpers will cost U$30 to U$60 / month and a driver or all around maintenance man will cost U$100 to U$200 depending
on where you live. In short you can LIVE LIKE A KING.
What are the costs of living staying at
your place, theTownhouse Hotel near the Manila airports? Asked by one of our former guests from India?
Answer: Hi Abhi, 1000 rupees equals P1068 so the currency
is nearly the same. We rent rooms at our Guesthouse hotel near the Manila airports from P350 to P950 / day with one
day FREE for one week paid in ADVANCE; that's fairly average for low cost budget accomodation so that means you'll
pay from 2000 ( U$40 )up to 5500 rupees (U$110 ) for your rent. Meals average 50 to 150 rupees ( U$1 to U$3 ) so lets say
about 300 rupees / day ( U$6 ) and then airport transport etc. costs of 200 rupees for TWO ways to our place or up to 600
rupees farther from the airport like Makati or Ermita and airport departure tax is P550 ( U$11 ). San Miguel beer( from U$.40
cents to U$1 at a bar; we charge U$.50 cents)depending and Tanduay rum ( U$.80 cents / liter at a shop or U$.50+ cents for
a drink in a bar )and cigarettes ( U$.50 cents / pack or cheaper )are VERY CHEAP. Mass transit like jeepneys and buses cost
from P5 to P20 in Metro-Manila. Cinemas are P40 to P60 ( U$1 )
Average Rent U$40 to U$110 + airport transfers etc.
U$15 to U$25 +
Meals U$42 + local transport and entertainment U$30 to U$100 = a MINIMUM of U$127 up to U$275 for
7 days.
Here's a few hotels in Baguio you might try: Low
End: Hotel 45 -Tel. 442-6634 Room Rates P300, P400 with bath P500, P650 Benguet
Pine Tourist Inn: Tel. 442-7325, Room Rates: P300, P500, P800 including breakfast near Burnham park Mid-Range: The Burnham Hotel Tel. 442-2331 on Calderon St.Room Rates: P985 to P1100 The Baden Powell Inn located near the bus terminals with rooms in the back being more quiet away from the
street. Room Rates: P950 to P1350
How do I get to the Townhouse from Manila's North Harbor when I arrive by ship from the provinces?
Answer:
The taxis at north harbor are worse than the airport, all
asking P250 so if you're not too loaded down or traveling with a companion who could stay with your luggage WALK out to
the main north harbor street in front of Pier 16 turn right, walk straight ( about 3 blocks or 500 meters) then
turn left & right to the public street and get a taxi from there; it will cost P100 to P120 to our place but
if one of the taxis just outside will accept P150 then take it. Say
BACLARAN which is STRAIGHT AHEAD and down ROXAS Blvd about 16KM ( 9 miles ); when you pass Luneta Park you're almost half
way. Go ALL the way to NAIA Road ( Ninoy Aquino International Airport Road but everyone in Manila says NAH-E-AH )then take
a U-TURN onto the SERVICE ROAD going back the same way you came, stay to the right 300 meters turn RIGHT on Bayview Drive
( you will see a small sign Townhouse - Rooms For Rent ).
How do I meet Filipina women interested in marriage
and should I consider joining a group tour or penpal agency? In
recent years Lorna and I have met many happy married couples who have met each other as penpals or via internet chatrooms.
The longterm success of such marriages remains to be seen but the obvious joy of such unions as we have experienced during
their stay with us in Manila or Boracay seems very promising. As far as agencies or joining organized tours we'd have to advise
you not to choose this as your first option. Filipino style like old fashioned American style is to meet available Filipinas
by introduction by a family or friend similiar to "matchmaking". If you do choose to use an agency or middleman be sure to
use caution and maintain a healthy attitude of doubt and cynicism balanced by an open mind.
How do I meet Filipina Women for companionship and
not necessarily marriage?
Answer: . First a word of caution about organized tours promising introduction to
available single Filipinas.Almost all of these types
of tour groups are organized by foreigners who have lived in Asia many years like myself; there really is NO middle man, only
their sub-contracted contacts or associates who organize venues for the purpose of introducing Asian women and
foreign members OR show such groups of guys around the bars, nightclubs and massage parlors in Thailand or
Philippines. Should you or shouldn't
you join such groups? I guess ultimately it's up to the individual but my wife and I have been helping people from around
the world to travel on a budget as individuals.
It's really quite
simple to buy a ticket and guidebook and go explore by oneself and I'm always amazed that these guys have succeeded to
charge guys from U$ 500 to U$1000 / person more than what they would spend as an independent traveler.
One important detail about going out barhopping looking for
women; it's just not as much fun by yourself then if you go out with 3 or 4 old friends or guys you have fun being with on
such trips. For many years I have given anyone who stays at small hotel near the Manila airports or Boracay beachfront resort
all the information they need for such escapades, occasionally escorting those firstime in Asia travelers to the local bars
and speaking with the girls they choose so they don't get ripped off.
One of our regular
guests for the last 8 years, Carlos, 53 years old from Germany stays with us his whole 5 or 6 weeks holiday at our place;
he hangs out in the two nearby shopping malls and Baclaran Asian style open market and picks up the local sales girls or shoppers
by asking them if they'd like to have a snack, a coffee etc. I'm really amazed how well he does when he brings home these
good looking 19 to 25 year old, young women. He likes the ones with jobs so he can arrange dates with girls during different
working shifts so he can have more than one at a time. And Carlos is no Casanova, nor does he ever pay the girls, just dates
them by asking them out to dinner, the movies and maybe gives them small romantic, gifts .
The LA Cafe in Ermita
is one of the best places to pick up Filipina "freelancers". The nearby EDSA Entertainment Complex with 7 or 8 bars under
one roof with maybe 500 young dancers is a good place to look for a companion. Makati also has a bar district, although more
pricey. And the Field Ave.Bar district in Angeles City's Dau area about 1-1/2 hours north of Manila near the old Clark airbase
is probably the BEST place in the Philippines to go barhopping with maybe 80 bars and a few thousand dancers .
|
