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I'm retiring and moving to the Philippines. I'll keep my Fidelity brokerage account and IRA in the U.S., and I plan to appoint my brother as my agent under a Power of Attorney to help manage them.

I'm also thinking about having my Social Security (SSA) payments deposited directly into that brokerage account, since they'd earn over 3% interest if I keep them in the money market. And while I'm in the Philippines, I'd have the brokerage account write checks to me.

Has anyone tried this? What do you think of this approach?

Hello, everyone! I'm a foreigner in my late 30s, and I'm still looking for the best way to spend my free time here. What's your favorite activity in the Philippines? Whether it's diving, hiking, golf, a food tour, or something completely unexpected, I'd love to hear what keeps you busy and happy.

Angeles Police Raid in Pulungbulu — 3 Arrested for Illegal Firearm Possession and Gambling

📌 On the evening of Friday, October 16, police conducted a nationwide-style crackdown called "Oplan Galugad" around Jesus Street, Purok 4, Barangay Pulungbulu, Angeles City, Pampanga. According to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), one person was arrested for illegal firearm possession and two for illegal gambling, and suspected shabu was also seized.

■ What Happened
· A total of 97 personnel, including police officers and Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPAT), were deployed.
· At around 8 PM, a 25-year-old man was arrested for illegal firearm possession, and a .38 caliber revolver with two live rounds was confiscated.
· At around 8:50 PM, two men aged 44 and 26 were caught playing the coin-toss gambling game "cara y cruz." Suspected shabu (methamphetamine) weighing about 2g (standard street value: PHP 13,600) in two plastic bags and PHP 640 in bet money were also seized.
· Police also said that during this operation, a firearm was voluntarily surrendered and smuggled cigarettes were seized.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The two gambling suspects face charges under Presidential Decree No. 1602 (illegal gambling) and Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) for possession. The charges are based on the police announcement.
· This operation was carried out under the strengthened patrol directive of the Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO3) (JBM Patrol System).

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Angeles City police have recently conducted a series of nighttime crackdowns in various neighborhoods. If stopped at night, show your ID (such as a photocopy of your passport) and cooperate.
· For your safety, do not join or even watch street gambling games.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook page, 10/17)

■ Photos
· 1. Briefing in front of the Angeles City Police Office before the operation — Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook)
· 2. Police officers gathered in front of the police office for the operation — Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook)

A burrowing owl tilting its head contentedly on top of a car hood

Time

I'm staying at a client's house in Colorado right now. They have six chickens and a vegetable garden, and it got me thinking about how economical it would be to raise chickens in the Philippines.

Here in the US, eggs can cost up to $7 a dozen, so raising chickens could actually make money.

But in the Philippines, egg prices are roughly half that or less. Is chicken feed that much cheaper too?

Six chickens would probably produce around 30 eggs a week, but you still have feed, a coop, and upkeep costs.

I have a question for foreigners who raise chickens in the Philippines. Do you actually save money, or are you just producing very expensive eggs?

I'm curious how much it really costs per week to feed six chickens in the Philippines, compared to just buying eggs at the market.

Reaction when I asked Dr. Hakeem Olusey whether he smokes marijuana

Flamingo, who woke up and chose complete chaos

Nigerian Man, 46, Arrested in Balibago, Angeles for Suspected Ecstasy Tablets — 3,510 Pills

📌 At around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, October 16, a 46-year-old Nigerian national was arrested in a police buy-bust operation on 1st Street in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City. According to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), 3,510 tablets suspected to be ecstasy, with a standard street value of about 5,967,000 pesos, were seized.

■ Details of the Operation
· The operation was led by the Angeles City Police Station 4 (PS4), with the City Intelligence Unit (CIU), the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), and units under the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) of Central Luzon taking part.
· Police said the arrested man has been classified as a High-Value Individual (HVI).
· One genuine 1,000-peso bill used in the buy-bust and nine decoy bills (boodle money) were also recovered.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The suspect and the seized items have been turned over to the police, and documentation and charging procedures are underway.
· The seized substance is still at the "suspected ecstasy" stage, and the charges are based on the police announcement.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Balibago is an area packed with nightlife and accommodations. Do not accept pills or drinks from strangers at bars or clubs.
· In the Philippines, even possession of drugs carries heavy penalties. Foreigners are not exempt.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook page, 10/17)

Police Drama [OC]

Asking for advice here. It's about currency exchange: when coming from Australia to the Philippines, is it better to exchange Australian dollars to pesos in Australia and bring the cash, or should I just withdraw the maximum amount from an ATM a few times? I usually bring 50,000 pesos in cash at a time.

I use about half cash and half credit card.

The Philippines, summed up in a single photo

Will inflation change where people travel to in Southeast Asia?

My Note to Self

Electronic Notarization Goes Nationwide on October 19 — Also Recognized for Land and Corporate Documents

📌 Starting Monday, October 19, the Philippine Supreme Court will launch its electronic notarization (e-notarization) service nationwide. Earlier, on Tuesday, October 13, the Supreme Court signed two joint circulars with the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), allowing e-notarized documents to be used for land and corporate transactions.

■ What Changes
· The Land Registration Authority and Registers of Deeds nationwide will accept and process e-notarized documents such as deeds of sale and real estate mortgages. The LRA said the move is expected to speed up land transactions and improve identity verification.
· The Securities and Exchange Commission will accept and process e-notarized copies of registration, filing, and compliance documents through its own systems.
· The service is available through Supreme Court-accredited e-notarization providers: NotarizeIT (UNAWA), TWALA (Ohelio Inc.), and QLegal (Quanby Solutions Inc.).
· Documents notarized under the existing 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice remain valid.

■ What's Next
· The Supreme Court is consulting with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to make the service available to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), but no agreement has been reported yet.
· The Supreme Court says the system is meant to make legal processes easier for people who find it difficult to get notarization due to distance or travel, while keeping safeguards against fraud.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· Fees and required documents were not reported, so please check directly with an accredited provider before using the service.
· Before using any e-notarization service, confirm that the provider is Supreme Court-accredited to avoid falling victim to fake notarization.

■ Sources
The Manila Times (10/16), Daily Tribune (10/15)

■ Photos
· 1. Stock photo · Exterior of the Philippine Supreme Court building — Daily Tribune
· 2. Stock photo · Courtroom interior of the Philippine Supreme Court — The Manila Times

Is anyone home?

I'm looking for a hobby to take up after moving to the Philippines. Has anyone here tried metal detecting on the beach?