U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines.

U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines

Homepage of the US Embassy in Manila. Via the home page you can find information about the following subjects and more.

U.S. citizen services.

"The Consular Agency in Cebu City offers routine passport, citizenship and other services to Americans living in the central and southern Philippines.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu provides notarial services and special consular services for Americans citizens including assistance regarding deaths, arrests, and the welfare and whereabouts of American citizens in the Philippines.  Americans planning to marry in the Philippines may also execute an "Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" at the Consular Agency." 

Getting married in the Philippines.

"Any foreigner who wishes to marry in the Philippines is required by the Philippine Government to obtain from his/her Embassy a "Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage" before filing an application for a marriage license."

Consular agency in Cebu.

"The Consular Agency also accepts applications for passport renewal, replacement, additional pages, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA).  Applications are then sent to the American Embassy in Manila for adjudication.  American citizens can also register with the U.S. Embassy through the consular agency to receive updates and alerts."

Passports / Lost Passports

"Only emergency passports are available on a walk-in basis.  Please be aware that the rules for emergency passport issuance are strict, and a consular officer will determine if your situation meets the standard for an emergency.  If your situation is not considered an emergency, you will need to book an online appointment, and return to the embassy on that day.  Before coming to the embassy, please read all the instructions for the passport service you need." 

Continued security threats in the Southern Philippines.

Here you will find "Travel Cautions and Warnings" and the "Latest Messages to U.S. Citizens."

U.S. Visas for Filipinos.

Do you want to visit the United States of America? Check out the following video.

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Attorneys in Angeles City and elsewhere in the Philippines.

Visa, Passport and Immigration offices in the Philippines.

The Eurotel is a hotel near the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Scroll down this Philippine hotel page to read about the Eurotel. I walk from there to the embassy in about 15 minutes. Have patience at the front desk, the hotel is very busy. The Eurotel serves mainly Filipino food but features Western foods at a free breakfast buffet each morning; inquire as to breakfast hours. If you prefer American or Western foods, you can eat across the street at Robinson's Mall. There you may try the Fresh Baker, Sbarro's, Friday's, McDonald's and many other fast food restaurants.

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This post will be expanded. Check back for more information about the U.S Embassy, Manila, Philippines. Updated June 3, 2022.

Are Ferries Safe? in the Philippines

Ferry Boat Travel in the Philippines

Are Ferry Boats Safe in The Philippines?

Worse than the Titanic! Dona Paz burned and sank in December 1987.

I was living in Manila when the Princess of the Stars sank. Fortunately, none of my wife's friends or relatives were aboard. But many people lost their lives and many lost loved ones.

I know people who have sailed on ferry boats in the Philippines without incident. But I choose not to. Flying in the Philippines is the way we have traveled from island to island.

Before you decide to travel by ferry in the Philippines check out this list of maritime disasters in the Philippines.

In the Dona Paz video a survivor says, "I won't ride a ship again, even if it's free." After watching the video, you may decide to travel only by land and air in the Philippines.

Check out more about the Dona Paz tragedy at Wikipedia.

There are smaller boats which I would be happy to travel in. For example, small sail boats and catamarans which give rides to tourists in places like Boracay.

July 2, 2015. Hmm, maybe I will not ride in catamarans. See this story about a catamaran which capsized. Fifty-six souls perished when it capsized (at latest count.) See another story and video about the disaster.

Update Aug. 15, 2015, Another ferry engulfed in flames.

Update May 23, 2022, A Bangka on fire.

Some more advice

"Ferry accidents occur. Some vessels are poorly maintained and overcrowded. Accidents are more prevalent during the rainy season as storms can develop quickly. As a result, local authorities may suspend ferry services on short notice when a storm signal is raised, even if the weather is clear. You could get stranded at ports for several days.

If travelling by sea:

• use only a reliable company.
• don’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy.
• make sure you have access to a life jacket.
• plan for extra time, especially during the rainy season" (excerpt from travel.qc.ca).

Update June 19, 2023, from an article at The Manila Times titled

"PH ferry with up to 65 people onboard catches fire at sea, rescue underway."

"Sea accidents are common in the Philippines because of frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces."

Other forms of transportation in the Philippines are bicycle, motorcycle, airplane, bus, taxi, jeepney, train, tricycle and pedicab.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about traveling by ferry boats or other types of boats in the Philippines. This page updated June 19, 2023.

Starting A Business in the Philippines

Starting a Business in the Philippines

Starting a Business in the Philippines

College graduates in the Philippines often take jobs as department store clerks. Many high school and college graduates seek employment as Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs).

For many high school graduates and college graduates a good option is to start a business of their own. Even if you are not a graduate you can succeed in business if you gain the knowledge needed and plan to persevere.

There are many franchise opportunities. Some examples are Buko Juice and ice cream stands and stalls in grocery stores and malls. Be careful of franchise agreements; have them reviewed by a business attorney.

In the Philippines many homeowners operate small stores street side at their residences. These are called Sari Sari stores.

Foreigners are not permitted to own 100% of a business in the Philippines, they are limited to owning 40% of  the business. The other 60% must be Filipino owned.

Consult with an attorney in the Philippines about going into business.

Some of the best businesses to open might be:

Food Carts
Lunch Spot near a soon to open new school
Lugawan
Internet Cafe
Spa
Salon

And here is a New Idea.

Want a FREE business education? Check out "myownbusiness -how to start one, how to grow one."

See a list of over 40 free educational websites where you can get a free education.

See an article about the Economy of the Philippines.

Avoid making mistakes when starting a business!

Get a Website for your business!

Whether your business is very small or not you need a website.
See my offer of a free website.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back for more information about starting a business in the Philippines. This page last updated April 27, 2022.