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She gave it a try

Does anyone here get their SSA (US Social Security) benefits through American Bank and have problems? We haven't received our benefits, and I think it's because it has now merged with Prosperity Bank. My husband passed away last year, and I had no trouble getting survivor benefits until the merger. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Update: Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to reply. I called the bank, and they said there's no need to change the routing number because they kept all the American Bank records. I called Social Security customer service, and they said the check has already been sent but they don't know why it isn't showing in my account yet. I called using the Viber app, so it was free from the Philippines to the US.
Thanks again, and may both sides of your pillow always be cool.

Fiesta! Fiesta! Fiesta!

Whenever the flags go up, I know a fiesta is coming.

The fiestas I need to keep track of are:

The citywide fiesta on June 24.
In honor of St. John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista).
This is the 'water one.'

The barangay fiesta on March 19.
In honor of St. Joseph.

The fiesta at the Bundok property on December 13.
In honor of St. Lucy (Santa Lucia).

The San Fernando (P) fiesta on May 30.
In honor of St. Ferdinand III.

And that doesn't even include all the invitations we'll get from nephews, nieces, family... to other barangay fiestas.

Nor does it include the self-flagellation that happens in front of our house on Good Friday.

Heads up to anyone getting Starlink!
If you're going to use Starlink, you'd better stick with it and not use it as a backup. I assumed I could put it on standby and turn it back on when I needed it. Nope. They say my area got "congested," so there's a 30k fee. That's basically the price of the dish. On top of that, they told me that if I stopped paying for standby, I'd have to buy the dish again. Absolutely insane. They really want to punish people who use it as a backup. I thought being in a congested area would just keep you off the best plans, but no. So basically, if you cancel in a congested area, they want a fat 60k on top of the monthly fees. I had no idea, so I'm warning everyone now. They use words like "maybe" and "might," so I'm not even sure if they just pick who to rip off. Really disappointed in the company. I expected better.

Edit: I looked into it more, and it's based on demand. The fee can go as high as 1500 dollars. Don't get Starlink in Manila, period. You'll pay around 1000 dollars just to activate it, plus 65 a month.

To those who think this is a lie: it isn't, and I've replied to a few comments with what they tried to charge me. In the end the fee was dropped, because they weren't charging new customers in my area this fee. I don't know what happened, but I think the company's leadership here needs to go. The woman who first helped me admitted there was no surcharge, then tried to argue that I'd been on roam so the surcharge still applied. I wasn't on roam before standby. It shouldn't have happened, and apparently it will happen, so keep that in mind.

Someday... someday

Cebu Pacific 10.10 Sale — Book from October 8–11, base fares starting from 10 pesos (for travel from February to June 2027)

📌 Cebu Pacific is holding its '10.10 Sale' from October 8 (Thu) to 11 (Sun), offering one-way base fares starting from 10 pesos. The travel period is from February 1 to June 30, 2027. Since 10 pesos is the base fare excluding various fees and surcharges, the actual total payment will be higher.

■ What's changing
· Booking period: October 8–11, 2026
· Travel period: February 1 – June 30, 2027
· Fares: One-way base fares starting from 10 pesos — fees and surcharges excluded
· Scope: All Cebu Pacific routes (serving 35 domestic and 26 international destinations)
· Routes featured in the article: Palawan (Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron), Japan (Manila to Sapporo, Narita, Fukuoka, Nagoya), Vietnam (Manila to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang; Cebu to Ho Chi Minh City), etc. (verified by The Voice 1) — No mention of Korean routes

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· 10 pesos is only the base fare, so make sure to check the final amount including taxes, fuel surcharges, and fees on the payment screen.
· If you are planning domestic or short-haul international travel for the first half of next year (February to June), it is best to finalize your schedule by Sunday the 11th.

■ Source
The Voice Newsweekly (10/8), GMA News (10/8)

Frying pasta

Well. Looks like I've been scammed for the first time since coming to the Philippines.

I'm looking for a referral to a lawyer in the Bacolod City or Silay City area who can help me work through this.

Here's what happened.

I agreed to buy a motorcycle for ₱15,000 total: ₱7,000 down, with the remaining ₱8,000 to be paid a week later.

Since the motorcycle was in Kabankalan City, about two and a half hours away, I also agreed to cover the rental truck (₱2,500) plus another ₱1,000 for fuel and food.

The motorcycle was delivered as promised. But as soon as the seller left, the pressure started. He kept demanding another ₱3,000. In the end I gave in and sent the extra ₱3,000.

It's also worth mentioning that the seller told me he'd bought the engine separately and put the motorcycle together himself. I'll come back to that.

Right now I'm checking that the engine and frame numbers haven't been reported stolen. Looking back, I should have done that before handing over any money. That's on me.

The seller is now demanding full payment and says he won't hand over the OR/CR (registration papers), the Deed of Sale, or the Affidavit of Engine Swap until I pay the balance.

I'm not going to blame anyone until I've confirmed the facts and know my legal rights. That's why I'm looking for a lawyer.

If you know a reliable lawyer in the Bacolod City or Silay City area who handles motorcycle or vehicle transactions, fraud, or related civil or criminal cases, please send me their details.

And anyone buying a vehicle here, or anywhere, take this as a warning.

Check the paperwork. Check the frame number. Check the engine number. Check the ownership. Do your homework before handing over money.

Lesson learned.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Japanese noodle commercial from the 1980s

Not as easy as we thought!

I think he's going to be okay

Minor Eruption Lasting 5 Minutes at Taal Volcano Main Crater — 4,000m Ash Plume, Alert Level 1 Maintained, Ashfall Advisory for Parts of Batangas

📌 On the evening of Thursday, October 8, a minor phreatomagmatic eruption lasting about 5 minutes occurred at the main crater of Taal Volcano in Batangas, sending a plume of ash up to 4,000 meters high. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) maintained Alert Level 1 and advised that light ashfall could affect towns southwest of Taal Lake.

■ What Happened
· A 5-minute eruption occurred at the Taal Volcano main crater on the evening of Thursday, October 8, with an ash plume reaching 4,000 meters high.
· Alert Level 1 remains in effect.
· Areas expected to be affected by ashfall: Agoncillo, Lemery, San Nicolas, and Taal in Batangas province, along with neighboring areas.
· The mayor of Agoncillo directed the evacuation of residents on the night of the 8th, and residents relocated to the PAGCOR Multi-Purpose Center and relatives' homes (the number of evacuees was not reported).

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· When ashfall occurs, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth or mask (requested by PHIVOLCS).
· Ash can be harmful to people, animals, plants, and buildings, so clean up accumulated ash with care.
· If you have travel plans around Taal Lake, check the latest PHIVOLCS announcements before heading out.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/8, 10/9 — evacuation confirmed in one location), The Manila Times (10/8)

My partner and I are planning to retire in Bagiou. Right now he's already been in Bagiou for about two weeks, while I'm in Melbourne until December 21. Last night he told me he'd already bought a car. I was shocked.
So my question is..., is it illegal to buy a car without a Philippine or international license?
Because he only has an Australian license.

Can anyone recommend a lawyer in Makati who can help a foreigner set up a small business?

She realizes she's next

The grammar's correct now, but at what cost?

Hi everyone, does anyone know where I can get zopiclone 7.5 mg in Cebu?

I usually take Zopimed, and I think the local brands here are Amoban or Imovane.

If you know a pharmacy or doctor who can help, I'd really appreciate being pointed in the right direction. Thanks!

Two children swept away by rapids in Abacan River in Angeles rescued — City repeatedly warns against playing in river water

📌 On Thursday, October 8, the City of Angeles announced that city disaster management personnel rescued two children who were swept away by the strong currents of the Abacan River. The two children were taken to Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center for examination and treatment, and the city once again warned against swimming, bathing, fishing, and playing in the Abacan River.

■ Incident Details
· When two children were swept away by the rapids in the Abacan River, the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO) and the Angeles City Traffic Development Office (ACTDO) conducted a search and rescue operation to save the two children.
· The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) also assisted in the rescue.
· The children's ages, genders, and the exact time and location of the accident were not disclosed.

■ Current Status
· The two children are receiving examination and treatment at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC, formerly ONA), and their health condition has not been announced.
· The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is on standby to provide additional support.
· Mayor Carmelo 'Jon' Lazatin II expressed his gratitude to the agencies involved in the rescue.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· The City of Angeles prohibits swimming, bathing, fishing, and playing in the Abacan River. This is because water levels can rise suddenly and currents can become strong, and the river water is polluted and unsafe.
· After rain, river water can rise rapidly, so please watch children to ensure they do not go near the riverbank.

■ Sources
Angeles City Information Office (Official Facebook, 10/8), The Voice Newsweekly (10/8)

Things to do in the Philippines with little kids

My Filipina wife, our future child and I are planning to move to the Philippines next year. We'll rent a townhouse with a small patio and garden in Naga City, where her family lives.

Being from Europe, I always pictured that if I had a kid we'd go to the park, go to the mountains, play soccer together and so on..

But in the Philippines I see there are very few public parks, and the ones there are aren't very appealing, and public spaces are packed with cars.. so I'm wondering what you all do to spend time outdoors with your kids.

I guess going to the mall is the big thing there, but I'm looking for more outdoor activities

Dental work

Hi everyone, just looking for some advice. Can anyone recommend a dentist? I need one extraction and 10 cavity fillings under sedation.