Maps of the Philippines
Be Prepared
If you have found this article helpful, have suggestions, advice or insights please "comment" below.
“I know that the Filipinos voted for me. Let’s not talk about those who did not vote for me. I served the country irrespective of each tribal division,” the President said.
Duterte will step down from office on June 30." PhilStar Global
Get Out Of Debt |
Russell H. Conwell |
Indian Sikh Punjabi |
Electric Car |
Lucky Lion E-Bike (Tri Cab) |
Here is a very good chart at Numbeo showing the costs of various items including costs of rent, electric, food, etc. in the Philippines (PH). Compare these to costs of living in the US.
In my experience I have found that, in the Philippines, a visit to a doctor in a clinic cost around P300 to P500. Overall. medical care in the Philippines costs about 10% the costs in the USA. Compare that to the "benefits" of a person who is "covered" by Medicare in the USA.
Now, when it comes to household electric bills, the cost is more than double our cost in Florida, USA (and that is comparing houses of the same size).
To repair an older car the cost will be far less than in the USA.
It costs a lot less to date ladies of the PH. Average cost of a date in the US. New York City has the highest cost of a dinner date.
Cost of dinner for two in Manila.
Riding in taxis in Manila cost far less than a taxicab ride in Clearwater, Florida, USA.
Use the currency converter at this blog to compare to your home currency.
Vegan Foods |
Subscribe, Like, Share and Ring That Bell |
Globe, Smart, PLDT |
My favorite Internet service provider is Globe. We live in an upscale residential subdivision not far from Metro Manila. In the past four years we have had only four problems when we had to go to the Globe office in the mall to get the issue resolved. Overall I will say Globe has provided great service.
We have a Globe package which includes a router which can be used for wired or WIFI connections. Included in the package is a landline desktop telephone.
Some other services you may want to check out are PLDT, Converge, Sky and Smart. None of these serve all areas in the Philippines.
Before you rent or buy property in the Philippines check which providers serve that area.
Best Cars in Philippines |
The only brands of cars to buy! |
Want a car that will last a long time and will not become a money pit? Then Honda and Toyota are the only cars to choose from! Those manufactured in Japan are best. Japanese workers are most diligent and maintain highest quality standards.
I am a big fan of Scotty Kilmer. After watching many hours of his YouTube channel videos, I am convinced that most other brands are "crap" compared to Honda and Toyota.
Scotty Kilmer was born on October 2, 1953, in Niagara Falls, New York. At age 14, he learned to be a mechanic from his grandfather, Elmer Kilmer, who was the chief mechanic at the Texaco gas station which Scotty's father owned. He studied at York University for his undergraduate degree and then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, receiving a master's degree in anthropology. He was in the process of working towards his Ph.D., but eventually quit, due to his dissatisfaction with the university tenure system. Kilmer would then go on to become a mechanic and move to Houston in 1980. Upon the suggestion of his wife, Kilmer wrote a book, Everyone's Guide to Buying a Used Car and Car Maintenance, originally published in 1994. Its release led Kilmer to be on the front page of the Houston Chronicle, which attracted the attention of the local CBS affiliate KHOU.
Before YouTube, Kilmer had a television show on KHOU titled Crank it Up with Scotty. In this series, he showed the audience how to diagnose minor automotive mechanical problems, offered opinions on vehicle engineering, and provided solutions to low-profile problems. In 2004, Crank It Up earned a Regional Emmy Award for "Outstanding Interactivity"; Kilmer subsequently received an Emmy for "Best Interactive Car Talk Host.." His YouTube channel is much the same, and he answers questions about car problems and the vehicle industry, and gives advice. Kilmer typically uses his customers' cars in his videos as a point of comparison or other demonstrations with various products he uses as a mechanic.
Word of warning, the local Toyota dealer attempts to make up for the lack of recommended services by asking if you want their “preventive service” for $200. When I asked what was included in such service they listed a bunch of silly things like filling the tires with nitrogen, and a protective coat on paint. Knowing a bit about cars I could find nothing on the list that was anything but a scam.
Love Toyota cars, Hate Toyota dealers."
Cheapest cars to maintain in the Philippines.
Children in Philippines do this also.
("Save Kids' Lives" by Luc Besson)
"Road conditions are poor throughout the country. Most roads, including major highways, are poorly maintained, and traffic is congested.
Many drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They are extremely reckless. They often drive at excessive speeds or way below the speed limit on highways. Accidents causing fatalities are common.
Driving conditions are hazardous at all times. During the rainy season, metro centres may become impassable due to flash floods.
Even minor road incidents can escalate quickly and lead to violent assaults.
If driving in the Philippines:
When driving in your car expect cars, trucks and motorcycles to pass you on the left OR right side. Expect pedestrians to run in front of you anytime and anyplace. In rural areas expect occasional Carabao (water buffalo) to wander into or be led across the street, even on the darkest sections of the road.
In urban areas expect people pushing food carts on or in the street. Very dangerous at night or in heavy rain when you can barely see them. Drive very slow! Clean your windshield inside and out if you will be driving in the rain.
There are very few sidewalks outside of cities like Metro Manila, Cebu City, Olongapo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and some most big cities. Citizens are forced, of necessity, to walk on the edges of roads for lack of paved walkways. For example, driving back to our house, from a shopping mall, on a four lane "highway," many people are walking "with traffic" on the edges of the road. Apparently, most have never heard they should wear white, light-colored or reflective clothes at night. In Metro Manila and nearby cities our average speed is only 8 miles per hour!
Read about our experience driving in the Philippines.