Friday, December 7, 2012

Religion Philippines

Religions In The Philippines


Manger Scene including Jesus the Christ
Nativity Scene


Religion in the Philippines


Watch spontaneous singing surprise shoppers at a shopping mall in USA.


Christians are bringing this type spontaneous display to malls and public gathering places all over the world.

In the Philippines I was surprised to see that church services are often conducted in shopping malls. Now that is what I call religious freedom. However, I have never seen a Protestant church service in a public area in a mall.


Catholic Church Service in Glorietta Mall in Makati, Manila

The Republic of the Philippines is predominantly a Catholic nation. 80% of the population are Catholics, 10% are Christians of other denominations (see a list of denominations in the Philippines) and between 5% and 10% are Muslims (most living in Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu Archipelago.)

See a random act of Christianity at another mall.

See a flash mob at a food court in a mall.


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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about Christians singing in malls. This page updated June 4, 2022.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Foods To Avoid Philippines

Avoid these foods and drinks in the Philippines
Foods not to eat in the Philippines


Foods to avoid in the Philippines.

Food not to eat.

You can get typhoid by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water in the Philippines. My sister in law got typhoid. She had a very high fever for a day or two. I insisted she be taken to a doctor. She recovered and the family installed a countertop water filter system.

See this article about don't eat these foods from china

There are many sidewalk vendors selling many types of Filipino food.  Have been cautioned to never eat street vendor foods. The only sidewalk vendor foods I have eaten are roasted peanuts and boiled corn cob on a stick. No problems with either. Filipino corn is very large, bright yellow and totally delicious. Reminds me of upstate New York corn. And, I do not drink any tap water. 

It was suggested that I take "Imodium" to settle my stomach if I ever got a touch of food poisoning. I used it on several occasions and it always worked in a matter of an hour or two. 



Generics

I just asked my wife if she could add to this article and she said, "Warn foreigners not to eat foods prepared at street side "canteens" because they do not keep their foods heated and there are usually flies all over the utensils in the kitchens. Don't buy breads and other items at local bakeries because they very possibly do not keep the kitchen counters and pans and utensils clean." It is not unusual to see flies inside the display counters at local bakeries, donut shops and other street side vendors.

 


  "Even today, the problem of food safety in the Philippines is largely blamed on a lack of enforcement. Tap water is not safe to drink, and food sold by street vendors is still classified as unsafe by the US Center for Disease Control." From an article dated July 11, 2015 at csmonitor.com about the incident where 1,300 school children were sickened eating a Filipino candy.

Canteens do sell packaged products like Filipino and U.S. brand name potato chips, cookies, sodas and much more. I have never gotten sick eating these items. Prices are much lower in the canteens than in convenience stores like 7-11 and Mini Stop.

If you are eating at a Filipino home, I advise precaution. Many dwellings do not have refrigerators. Often foods (are left out of the fridge, sitting on the table for hours, un-refrigerated (like fried chicken.) Apparently, Filipinos are immune to some germs. It will be best if the food is prepared fresh for you. Tell them you have a touchy stomach and need to be very careful about what you eat. I think they will understand. Most likely they have already thought about that.

I even took the precaution of not eating raw vegetables. I ate only cleaned and cooked vegetables.

In restaurants I have been able to eat some lettuce raw. However, once in a "Tokyo Tokyo" (at SM City Clark in Angeles City) and once in a Burger King (at Marquee Mall in Angeles City) I got a stomachache after eating sandwiches with lettuce in them.

There are many American restaurants in Angeles City, Cebu, Manila and in most larger cities in the Philippines.

If you will be staying for an extended length of time, or if you just want to take some food or snacks back to your hotel you may want to visit
grocery stores which sell American and European foods.


Lechon Kawali is like Roast Pork
Lechon Kawal fried pork (looks like roast pork)

In the Philippines it seems that almost everybody eats pork. Many dishes include pork as an ingredient. I once bought hotdogs at a supermarket which were labeled "chicken hot dogs." Upon reading the ingredients list I found that they also contained "pork."

If you do not want to eat pork be sure to ask restaurants if this or that has pork in it.

See this page about the dangers of eating pork; including video and information about deadly trichinosis and other parasites. See worms being removed from a 3 year old's stomach (Click on the link, YouTube would not allow this video to be shown here due to age restrictions.)

Years ago, I read a long article in the Saturday Evening Post. It explained how there is no guarantee that cooking pork will kill the trichinosis spores. And it also stated that trichinosis also masquerades as 50 different ailments. I just found this via Google Books, it tells about the masquerade. See what a brain surgeon found in a woman's brain (Click on the link, YouTube would not allow this video to be shown here due to age restrictions.)

If you have a weak stomach, you may not want to watch these.

Warning for readers in the USA: The "Cracker Barrel" Restaurants corn bread muffins are obviously made with pork fat! When eating we tasted pork. Obviously, they do not care that there are many people who eschew pork. Pork avoiding Christians, Muslims, Jews and vegetarians beware.

Food poisoning downs over 300 people who ate Pancit Palabok at a mall in the Philippines. Pork is an ingredient in Pancit Palabok.

Another food to avoid in the Philippines is Cassava.

Food poisoning kills 27 at Philippine school. 
Excerpt from this link:
"it (cassava) is poisonous without proper preparation. Eaten raw, the human digestive system will convert part of it into cyanide."

Due to the ongoing Fukushima nuclear disaster it is a good idea to avoid foods imported from Japan. In fact I won't eat any fish from the Pacific ocean.

We try to avoid foods and baby formula from China.

"Spiked food and drink

Some criminals have drugged and robbed tourists travelling alone after an invitation to visit a tourist attraction.

Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery." excerpt from travel.gc.ca

I just found out that we should tell people do not eat wheat crackers!


Check out my article about Is it safe to drink tap water in the Philippines?

CDC article and advice about Travelers Diarrhea.

Check this link: How to prevent food poisoning at home.


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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about foods to avoid or food not to eat in the Philippines. This page last updated March 8, 2024.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Filipina Ladies Philippines

Meet Filipina Ladies
Filipina Ladies

Filipina Young Ladies of the Philippines

Visit the Philippines to meet ladies. 


A good way to avoid being scammed is to come to the Philippines and meet young ladies in shopping malls, stores, churches and restaurants. Most Filipinas are approachable and easy to talk with. Most you meet will speak English; it is taught in schools all over the Philippines. There are rich young ladies and middle-class young ladies. But there are many more poor young ladies. Search online to find your potential Filipina matches. Many American men have done so and a lot of them have found and married some amazing ladies.


I honestly believe that no matter what age you are, what you look like or how much or how little money you have, you will be able to find Miss Right. There are about 300,000 Americans living in the Philippines full time, in cities all over the country. In Angeles City alone there are about 30,000 Americans. Some are single but many are married to beautiful and loving Filipinas. Americans can be seen walking, riding in trikes, eating in fast food restaurants, dining in fine restaurants and shopping in malls in the Philippines with their girlfriends, wives and many with their families. Especially in the SM Clark mall in Angeles City.

Take a break and spend a holiday in the Philippines. You may very well meet a lovely Filipina and fall in love. Or plan to go there to meet a few of your favorite Filipina chat mates, like I did. I wound up married to a Filipina. We married in the Philippines.


If your goal is marriage you are required to go meet with her in the Philippines. You cannot marry any foreigner and bring her to the USA unless you can document meeting her in her country. Keep copies of emails, photos of the two of you together and with her family (with time and date stamp), times and dates of meeting, brief diary of places you have been together, airline tickets if you travel in country with her. I have gone through the process and will write about it soon. It is complicated but we did it without an attorney and saved a lot of money. If you are employed, you will be limited by the length of your vacation. If you are retired, you can stay in the Philippines until you have both made the requisite visits to the US Embassy in Manila and the process is completed. It will be well worth it. Bring her back to the USA with you or rent an apartment, buy a condo, or buy a house with her and stay and live in the Philippines.

Warning, do some research to avoid being scammed


The "Christian Filipina" site has some advice about avoiding scammers and some sad stories about some who have been scammed (in the comments section). 

Another word of caution, never send money to anyone you meet online and have not met in person.
A respectable Filipina or Filipino will not ask for money online. Beware, there are always a few "bad apples." Some of the most effective scams are, requests for money to help pay medical expenses for self or a relative, financial help because "my purse was stolen" (or lost), "need help to pay my school tuition," and the list goes on.

Beware of scammers from other countries. There are scammers online from a lot of countries. Search "online dating scams." Read more about how scammers using Russia and African countries top the list of countries with the most scammers.

Here are some more articles about scammers.

Connecting Singles : Anti-Scam

Are you an older guy? Check out this advice.

An introduction to love or dating scams.

Before you leave this page be sure to check out some investigation firms:

Wymoo International -- See Wymoo videos.

Zele Investigations

Philippine PI

I have not checked out these firms, so use due diligence if you plan to hire one of them.

WARNING: There are a lot of transgender Filipinos! Beware, they look like young ladies, and sometimes they even appear to be the prettiest ladies around. Get proof!

Dating Filipina girls and Dating Filipina ladies


The best online site I have seen is Filipino Cupid. I believe this was previously called Filipina Heart. Many great search parameters. There you will be able to find Filipino ladies and men. I met my wife through Filipina Heart.

Some other web sites of note are "Filipina Match" and "Cebuanas."

If you are inclined to sex or hooking up it is advisable to take U.S. condoms with you because they are not available all over in the Philippines. But they may be available at major drug stores and 7-11 stores.


Watson's Drug stores



Map Mercury Drugs

Search the Web to find out about the "Underage Girl Scam" and the "bar check padding scam."



If you get in trouble in the Philippines check out my article about Attorneys in the Philippines.



Manners while riding in jeepneys.

Manners when riding in tricycles.


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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about meeting Filipina girls and ladies in the Philippines. This page last updated June 17, 2022.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Private Schools Philippines

Private K-12 Schools Philippines
Private schools in the Philippines.

Private schools in the Philippines


Private K-12 schools near Angeles City


One of these is Hillcrest Heights Institute in San Francisco, Magalang, Pampanga on the island of Luzon. It is a good example of a lower cost private K-12 school. Located about 40 km North of Manila. Tuition is very reasonable and the education students receive is very good. Classrooms are air conditioned. The school is conveniently located and students come from far and near. English is the official language used on campus. The school is non-denominational however it is primarily a Catholic school. They accept students of different religious backgrounds.

The official policy is that English will be the language used by all students while on campus. However, we discovered, for pre-kindergarten students that is almost impossible; most have been raised by families which speak mainly Tagalog or Kapampangan. We asked our daughter what the other kids said when she tried to talk to them and she said "sometimes English and sometimes bleh, bleh, bleh". She enjoyed the school. The teachers teach the classes in Tagalog. But, they teach English speaking children separately during the same class sessions. So, all in all, it was a good experience for our daughter.

The school is located in a rural area far from the more polluted areas. About 1/2 hour by car from Angeles City proper. Take Angeles-Magalang Road headed to Magalang and turn right at the Seaoil gas station, the school is on the left side of the road.

Many students go to and from school by tricycle or jeepney.
School bus service is available.

The cost of one year for pre-kindergarten was about $300 US or Pesos 12,190 (as of exchange rate Feb. 18, 2013). Included were 4 quarters of schooling, books and one uniform. Each additional uniform cost about $3.00 US or Pesos 122.

Some other private schools of note:


In 2011 the cost of a year of schooling at St. Paul American Christian School in the Clark Freeport Zone. At the time the cost would have been about $8,000 US or Pesos 325,087 for the four quarters.

Another highly regarded international school is Brent International School. See tuition and fee schedule for the Subic campus. Visit the site for the Manila branch. Visit the site for the Baguio branch.

Another private school I checked out was Westfield International School which is located on Friendship Highway in Angeles City. The annual cost there would have been $2,000 US or Pesos 81,271 and did not include uniforms or books (as of the year 2011).

See some International Schools in the Philippines.

To find other private K-12 schools do an online search for "private elementary schools in "name of city" you are interested in. I believe you will find several in most large cities. I have not been able to find a list of all private schools in the Philippines.

Find Protestant Christian schools in the Philippines and other countries This search is provided by Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

A list of Protestant and Catholic schools in the Philippines, including links to some.

An advantage of living in the Philippines is that your child is not 'held back'. A 2 year old child can enter pre-kindergarten and enter kindergarten at 3 and 1/2 at a private school and may very well excel. Even the youngest children may earn honors and graduate with honors. By comparison, because of state law in Florida, USA a child must be 5 years of age to be permitted to attend kindergarten! If a child has not attained the age of 5 by September 1 the child will be prevented or 'held back" from attending school. If the child's birthday is even only one day after the first day of September.

Because children are not arbitrarily 'held back' they are able to graduate high school and college a couple of years before their counterparts in the USA. Filipino students graduate high school at 16 and college at 20.

If you are interested in educating your children at home check out my article about Homeschooling in the Philippines.


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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about Private K-12 schools in the Philippines. This page last updated June 4, 2022.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Currency Converter Calculator - International Money Changer

International Money Changer Currency Converter
Currency Converter

International Currency Converter or Money Changer




Use the converter to discover international exchange rates.

Select the currency of your nation and select the currency you will be exchanging it for.

Exchange rates at the above link are believed to be accurate, but are not guaranteed.

Locations of Money Changers



In the Philippines there are "money changers" everywhere.

Some require you to fill out forms with a lot information about you.
Some require no information. I prefer the latter, it's a lot less hassle.

In or near most malls there will be money changer stores.

The rates you get at banks will usually be lower than rates from money changers in malls or in small shops on the street.

Ask at your hotel concierge or at information booths in malls, "Where is the nearest money changer?"

Check the rates online then compare to the rates offered by various money changers.

Map to Marquee Mall, Angeles City.
At Marquee Mall in Angeles City there are three money changers. One on ground level at the front of the mall with a outside door, one on the third floor and another inside of Metro Department Store. From time to time their rates differ. Usually the difference will be small but it may be worth the walk to check their rates before exchanging your money. The first two usually had the best rates.

On Fields Avenue in Angeles City there are a couple of money changer booths in store fronts at the sidewalk. Just ask, any security guard, by any business, where they are. If you use them just be aware of who is around you and hide your wallet as you put the money in it. Then keep your hand on it.

Don't be surprised if a beggar has been watching you the whole time and approaches you to ask for money. You may want to give them 5 or 10 pesos. Beware of pick pockets. I have changed money at those locations and also in malls and banks. The banks and malls are the most secure places to change money. But, even then, keep an eye out for who might be watching or following you (even in the malls) and evade them. And I have read stories about how bank employees or even security guards may use cell phones to tell partners on the outside to be on the lookout for you. Never carry large sums of cash. You may request a security guard to accompany you to your car.

Probably the best bank for foreigners is Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI).
I have had an account at Banco de Oro (BDO). The problem there is that they charge a fee to deposit money and another fee to withdraw money. Imagine that and the fact that you must stand in line for up to 45 minutes to make a transaction (that is the case at the branch in SM City Clark in Angeles City and at other branches).

There is a BPI bank at Marquee Mall close to the front entrance. There one may sit on a cushioned bench while waiting to see a teller or a bank officer. And there are no deposit or withdrawal fees.

Banks can change your currency or you may use one of the money changers in Marquee Mall. Just ask any security guard where the money changers are located. In 2012 there was a Western Union outside on the ground floor near the BPI bank and there was a money changer located on the 3rd floor.

Find a BPI branch near you by using this branch locator.

Interesting fact: SM malls house BDO and China Bank.
Ayala Malls house BPI and a couple of other banks.

Read more about money and banks in the Philippines.



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This article will be expanded. Please check back for more information about money changers or currency exchange in the Philippines. This page last updated July 18, 2022.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Notary Public Attorneys

Attorneys in the Philippines
Notary Publics Attorney Junald S. Dionaldo and Attorney Willie B. Rivera
Notary Publics in the Philippines


Notary Public in the Philippines


In Angeles City, Attorney Dionaldo prepared some documents for me and notarized them.
I was satisfied with his service.

Attorney Junald S. Dionaldo
Unit 6, 2nd Floor
#4384 Mendoza Bldg.
MacArthur Highway,
Balibago,
Angeles City

Email: junaldlaw at yahoo dot com
Cell Phone: 0906-4520976
Office: (045) 889-9218

Another attorney I visited in Angeles City was Willie B. Rivera. My first half hour consultation was free. Needless to say, that impressed me. He was, in fact, also a City Councilor (and may still be). Email: riveralawfirm at yahoo dot com. He had an office in the Clark Freeport Zone but has moved since then.

See my article about attorneys in the Philippines where you may find links to contact information for attorneys in other areas of the Philippines.

Notarial services at the Embassy of the United States in Manila.

Notary and Legal Services. Another Online Notary service.


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This article will be expanded. Please check back for more information about Notary Publics, Attorneys, Solicitors in the Philippines. This page last updated November 24, 2022.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Advertise your car FREE

Used Car For Sale Philippines
Secondhand Car for Sale in the Philippines

Advertise your car for free at this blog!

The car featured here is no longer available.
-------------------------------------------------------

FOR SALE

1986 Mitsubishi Lancer Box Type
This is what an old car can look like when you finish restoring it.

Not 100,000 pesos not 70,000 pesos not 60,000 pesos not 50,000 pesos not 40,000 pesos.

It is For Sale for 35,000 Pesos or best offer. We are moving away. I have receipts for parts and restoration work that I have done, and receipts from the former owner. I have 70,000 pesos in this car already. The owner before me had spent about 25,000 pesos on new parts.

Fuel efficient engine runs fine, no overheating on highway or even in city traffic, great gas mileage. Stick shift. Good tires, brakes, steering, windows and mechanisms, newer Motolite battery (about 5 months old), good electrical and lights. No smoke belching. Registered in 2011.

---------------------------------------------------

Read about an auto repair shop where you may get work done on your car.


You may advertise your vehicle FREE on this blog.

Three or more pictures of your car may be featured.

If you want your vehicle featured FREE at this blog, contact me. I will reply and plan your FREE ad. 

Or write a brief ad and submit it as a comment below in the "comments" section. Ask interested people to "reply" to your "comment" ad.

Read about buying a used or second hand car in the Philippines.

Read about driving in the Philippines.


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Please check back for more information about secondhand car for sale in the Philippines and advertising your car for free. This page last updated June 4, 2022.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Pedicabs in the Philippines.

Pedicabs in the Philippines

Riding in pedicabs in the Philippines

It is a fun thing to do. On a sunny day that is. On a rainy day it may very well be a bad experience.

In Chinatown in Manila, we rode in a pedicab. We did not ask the fare to go about 3 blocks. We were looking for a famous Chinese restaurant. It was raining and the street was flooded in places. At a deep spot the water rose to within about 4 inches of the top of the seat we were sitting on. What a mess. The operator indicated that the restaurant was near so we got out and asked the fare. "150 pesos" he answered. The ride was not worth more than about 25 pesos. We could have taken a taxi several miles for that price.

Pedicab in flooded street in Manila.
Pedicab in Manila on a rainy day. Like our experience.

My Filipino wife said, after arguing with him a little,  "just pay him, you never know what he might do. He might stab one of us." That wasn't our last pedicab ride but now we always ask the fare before getting in a pedicab.

In some areas they are the fastest way to get around. For example, in Divisoria, an area in Manila known for very good deals at very low prices. No other stores anywhere in the country compare. One may need to walk for several blocks to find the best deals on goods. Take a pedicab and relax while you ride between shops and vendors.

Check out riding in jeepneysriding in tricycles, riding in buses, and riding in taxis in the Philippines.

Read more about living in the Philippines.

Want to share your experiences riding in pedicabs with other readers? Please comment below.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back to read more about pedicabs in the Philippines. Last updated June 4, 2022.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Jet Lag To From Philippines

Jet Lag between USA and Philippines
Jet lag to and from the Philippines

Jet Lag between USA and the Philippines


I have read different methods to alleviate jet lag. I don't think any of them work. Or maybe I have just been too busy to follow the steps. For example, one method says to change your bedtime by an hour a day for 10 days or so. Going to bed one hour earlier each day. I tried it for several nights before my flight one time. Did not see an appreciable difference after arrival at my destination.


Flying from the Philippines to Florida, USA the plane arrives at about 7 p.m. in Tampa (or 7 a.m. the next day Philippine time). Upon arriving at my house, I stay up until about 3 p.m. I always get a bad case of jet lag that lasts for about a month. Within a few days by 1 p.m. in the afternoons I am ready to go to sleep. Once I parked the car at a buffet restaurant and was walking across the parking lot to the restaurant. My eyes were very heavy, and I thought I might actually fall asleep walking. I fought it and was able to eat then go home and straight to bed.

Traveling from Florida to Manila is different. I always arrive in Manila at about 9 or 10 p.m. (which is 9 or 10 a.m. Florida, USA time. Of course, I am not ready to go to sleep, so I want someone to talk with. That keeps others awake.

By 10 a.m. the next morning it is 10 p.m. Florida time and I am ready to go to bed. I sleep until about 5 p.m. and get up and eat "breakfast." This last for several weeks, though I try to fight it. Slowly but surely, I finally get adjusted to the new time zone.

I was living in the Philippines by continually extending my visa. So, within a couple of weeks after each arrival I was almost fully adjusted to the new time zone.

If you are coming to the Philippines from the USA, you will probably be hit by jet lag. Expect to sleep most of each day in your hotel. Then you will be ready to get up and go out for the evening.

Ten tips for fighting jet lag.

If you have a method of fighting jet lag that works for you, please share it with others. Add a comment below on this page.

Use this Jet Lag Calculator and get some more advice.

If you are flying to meet ladies of the Philippines consider that you may have jet leg when you arrive. The farther you travel to the Philippines the more you will be affected by jet lag. For example, if you are traveling from New York to Manila you can expect to sleep mostly during the daylight hours and be awake at night for up to 2 weeks. Remember, New York is halfway across the world from Manila.


There are many American fast food restaurants all over the Philippines.

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Please check back to read more about jet lag between the Philippines and other countries. Last updated June 7, 2022.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Buying Property Philippines

Houses and Condos for sale in the Philippines
Properties for sale in the Philippines

Buying Houses or Buying Condos in the Philippines

A foreigner may buy a condo in the Philippines but may not buy a house or land unless he is married to Filipino. There is no such thing as "Title Insurance" in the Philippines. I have asked real estate agents and representatives of developers. Personally, I cannot imagine buying property without property insurance.

I am a real estate broker in Florida, USA and lenders require property insurance for each property purchase they provide a loan for. As far as I know property insurance is available throughout the USA.

After reading the Wikipedia entry (at the link above) about government processes which can ensure clean title I now feel more secure about buying Philippine property. No one fully explained the procedure to me. The real estate agents tried to explain but something was lost while I tried to understand their imperfect English.

I discovered there may be insurance companies outside of the Philippines which may write property insurance for properties in the Philippines. But I think that most international property insurance written by U.S. title insurance companies is for commercial businesses.

Read this about the about title in the Philippines.

Read about a court decision that could have disastrous effect on millions of owners (Posted 02 April 2012 - 05:45 PM by Fred42).
Here is the article Fred42 referred to.

It is VERY important that you read these articles.

You may find properties for sale or for rent in the Philippines by visiting this link.

In my opinion it may be much safer to just rent a house or condo in the Philippines.

Do NOT buy or rent a residence near or downwind from pig farms in the Philippines. In fact, be as far away from pig farms and chicken farms as possible.

It would be wise to consult with an experienced Philippine real estate attorney before even looking for property. Protect yourself!


BPI Banks in the Philippines
Bank of the Philippine Islands

Both BPI and Banco de Oro (BDO) and other Philippine banks publish lists of bank owned real estate including houses, land and commercial properties. Pick up the lists at their branch offices. The lists feature properties which have been foreclosed.

Talking with a banker at Banco de Oro (BDO) we discovered that banks do not make loans for all properties. The house or property you like may be in an area where the bank or banks will not make a loan. I do not know the reason for this. Do your research and talk to a banker of a major bank; for example, BDO or Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) before even looking at properties. Check out their web sites.

We really liked one house we looked at in Poroc (not far from the Clark Freeport Zone.) We were told by the real estate lady that it was being sold by the young couple who were living in it with their young child. But, due to several contributing factors I did not make an offer on it. I found out there would be no property "title insurance." Another contributing factor was Mt. Pinatubo's proximity to the house. Mt. Pinatubo is still active, though only mildly at present. It was dormant for about 500 years before the last eruption, so it probably won't erupt again for hundreds of years.
If you are considering buying property you may want to consider how close is the nearest volcano and what are the chances of it erupting while you own the house or other property. I have been told that Mt. Pinatubo was considered an "extinct" volcano before its violent eruption on June 15, 1991.

Probably the most important factor was, that after talking for quite some time with the "sellers" and their real estate lady, the man disclosed that the house was actually owned by his aunt who was at that time confined in a hospital in Manila. Being a licensed real estate broker in the USA this raised a '"red flag." The aunt was quite old and that could present a major problem. If an owner is deemed incompetent, and it sounded like she was, a transaction can be reversed. In the USA a contract is not binding if it is revealed that a party to it was incompetent at the time of signing. So, those factors put an end to my interest in that house.

Always consult with a Philippine attorney who specializes in real estate before you begin your search. An attorney can give you basic advice that may save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Have personal experience buying, selling or renting in the Philippines? Share it with other readers by making a comment below.



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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back to read more about buying property or houses in the Philippines. Last updated June 17, 2022.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Colleges Philippines

College in the Philippines.
Attending and graduating from colleges in the Philippines.



Colleges in the Philippines


I attended 3 years of college in the USA and never entered the field I had majored in. Never graduated college.

But I have started several businesses and operated them for varying lengths of time; an installation business, an electronics store, a painting business for 15 years and then founded and operated a Florida real estate brokerage for over 17 years.

Most expensive and the cheapest colleges in the Philippines

Cheapest colleges in the USA

Free MIT college courses online! For example, "Entrepreneurship 101" offered free by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Watch the following YouTube videos.

See what some experts say about college in the United States of America.

 

The web site he refers to has been taken down but the ways to save money on college are invaluable.


College? Who needs it?!


John Stossel - College is a RIP OFF!

Peter Schiff -- Just skip college!

I think that college is more necessary in the Philippines and some other countries. But, in the USA there are many college graduates who owe a fortune in student loans but cannot find a job in their chosen fields.

A major difference between U.S. and Philippine colleges is cost of tuition.
For example, in the Philippines medical college cost about $1,500 US per year!
Find how much does medical school cost in USA?

An excerpt from About.com

 "In 2010, the median debt at graduation 

was $150,000 at public institutions, 


$180,000 at private, and $160,000 

combined."

According to a www.USNews.com "Eastern Carolina 

University's Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, 

N.C., tops the list of least expensive public medical 

schools for in-state students, with a total annual cost of 

$12,644. Brody's cost is less than half the in-state 

average among public medical schools, and less than a 

third the average among private medical schools."

Here's a list of over 40 educational websites where you 

The first two links are wrong. Alison free courses are 

found here. Coursera is found here.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back to read more about college in the Philippines and college in the USA. This article last updated June 4, 2022.