Feed

Is it normal in the US to stop strangers and talk to them for 10–15 minutes?

It never happened to me in Europe, but here in the Philippines it happens a lot — people I don't know start talking to me, especially Americans. Since I had a baby it's basically every day. Is that a cultural thing, or does it only happen in the Philippines because they're more bored than usual here?

Why does the Philippines get boring so fast?

Manila was fun at first, bar hopping, but Davao isn't the place for me. It gets boring fast, and there's only one club

Everything closes at 10 PM

PAGASA Declares End of Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) — Rainy Season Over, Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) Expected in Late October

📌 On Monday, October 5, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the official end of this year's Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) season. This marks the end of the rainy season in the western parts of Luzon and Visayas, with the cool and dry Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) expected to begin in late October following a transition period.

■ What Changes
· This year's Habagat started on May 30 and ended in early October.
· PAGASA cited the strengthening of the East Asian high-pressure area, the southward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and a noticeable weakening of Southwest Monsoon winds and rains as the basis for the declaration, noting that this weather pattern will persist for the time being.
· The country is now in a transition period moving toward the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan). The onset of Amihan is reported to be in late October (The Manila Times) or by the end of this month (GMA News).

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· While monsoon rains in western Luzon and Visayas will decrease, the end of the rainy season does not mean the end of typhoons. PAGASA advised the public to continue monitoring weather updates.
· The Amihan season generally brings cooler and drier weather, so check the latest forecasts when planning your travel itineraries.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/5), The Manila Times (10/6)

Suspension of Electricity Disconnection for Non-Payment Extended Until December — Applicable Only to Households Using 200kWh or Less Per Month

📌 On Monday, October 5, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced that the policy suspending electricity disconnections for customers unable to pay their bills will be extended until December. However, this time, it applies only to households with a monthly electricity consumption of 200kWh or less, excluding commercial and industrial customers.

■ What's Changing
· Target: Households with a monthly consumption of 200kWh or less. Previously, the policy applied to all residential and non-residential customers nationwide.
· Period: Covers unpaid bills for November and December. The current policy ends in October.
· Deferred bills can be paid in installments over 3 months and will be added to subsequent billing statements.
· The ERC plans to issue a detailed advisory within October.

■ Background
· The disconnection suspension was first implemented in the wake of the Middle East crisis, extended until October, and this marks the second extension.
· ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan explained that the scope was narrowed because distribution utilities appealed that their financial conditions were strained due to payment delays from some commercial customers. The agency maintains its stance to protect low-income households as electricity rates continue to rise.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· Check your monthly consumption (kWh) on your billing statement. If it exceeds 200kWh, you will not be eligible for the suspension starting with your November bill.
· Check the ERC advisory to be released in October and announcements from distribution utilities such as Meralco for specific implementation details.

■ Sources
Philstar(10/6), The Manila Times(10/6), Inquirer(10/6)

October 6 Fuel Prices: Gasoline and Kerosene Up, Diesel Down — Gasoline up 1.90–1.93, Diesel down −1.30 pesos

📌 Starting 6:00 AM on Tuesday, October 6, fuel prices at Philippine gas stations increased for gasoline and kerosene, while decreasing for diesel. Major oil companies raised gasoline prices by 1.90 to 1.93 pesos per liter and kerosene by 3.30 pesos, while lowering diesel by 1.30 pesos.

■ What's Changing
· Shell: Gasoline +1.90, Kerosene +3.30, Diesel −1.30 pesos (per liter)
· Seaoil: Gasoline +1.93, Kerosene +3.30, Diesel −1.30 pesos
· Petron and Jetti increased gasoline by +1.90 pesos, Petrogazz by +1.93 pesos, while all lowered diesel by −1.30 pesos.
· Price adjustments set by the Department of Energy (DOE) are a maximum increase of 1.93 pesos for gasoline, a maximum increase of 3.30 pesos for kerosene, and a minimum decrease of 1.30 pesos for diesel.

■ Why It's Changing
· The DOE attributed the gasoline price hike to regional supply shortages, refinery operating conditions, and steady demand from major consuming countries. A decrease in gasoline exports by China during its National Day holiday (Golden Week) and reduced production in South Korea also had an impact.
· Diesel prices fell due to shifting supply and shipping conditions, but high freight rates mean price volatility remains high.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· If you drive a gasoline car or motorcycle, your refueling costs will go up this week; diesel vehicles will see a slight decrease.
· The gasoline price increase varies slightly between 1.90 and 1.93 pesos depending on the company, so check the price board before fueling up.
· Households using kerosene will face a significant increase of 3.30 pesos per liter.

■ Sources
The Manila Times (10/6), BusinessMirror (10/5) — Adjustment margins for Petron, Jetti, and Petrogazz verified through The Manila Times (1 outlet)

NAIA Customs intercepts 73kg of shabu hidden in industrial machinery from Mexico — worth 496.41 million pesos

📌 On Friday, October 2, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) NAIA district office inspected a shipment originating from Guadalajara, Mexico at a warehouse in Pasay City and discovered approximately 73kg of shabu (methamphetamine) hidden inside industrial machinery. Valued at an estimated street value of 496.41 million pesos, the seized goods were publicly presented by the Bureau of Customs on Monday, October 5.

■ Case Details
· The shipment arrived in the Philippines on Saturday, September 26.
· The declared item was a 'pelletizing machine,' and the drugs were concealed inside the tubular molds of the equipment.
· The confiscated amount totaled 73,002g, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The BOC worked jointly with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the confiscated items were turned over to PDEA. No arrests have been reported.
· Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno issued a warning against drug smuggling utilizing regular cargo, stating, "Even if smugglers change their routes, methods, and concealment techniques, our resolve remains the same."
· The Manila Times reported that this appears to be the largest single drug seizure ever recorded at NAIA.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Do not carry or accept luggage or packages from strangers on their behalf. Drug smuggling disguised as regular cargo is actively being detected.
· It is safest to decline requests to receive overseas shipments or courier packages under your own name.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/5), The Manila Times (10/6), Philstar (10/6)

How Austrian police handle lost and found

I'll go with the chicken

Discover credit card

Hi everyone. I'm planning to visit the Philippines next year. Has anyone used a Discover credit card there? All I have is a Discover credit card and a TD Bank debit card.

Any advice on payment options, where to get cash, and so on would be great.

Thanks

Swimming Pools

Is there a swimming pool where you live?

Our condo in the province has a really small pool that's basically just for kids. Not worth using.

Near our house there's a big pool in the middle of town… which I've been told is for students only. I've never seen anyone swimming in it… and it looks really nice.
I emailed the mayor asking if there's any way to use the pool… sent it six days ago… no reply yet.

There's a really great pool in Abucay, Bataan. Olympic-size and fed by a natural spring. Beautiful and refreshing.

The place is called Sibul Nature Spring Resort. See the pics.

Current active duty / reservists or US veterans, I need some information.

A few months ago the US Navy launched a special recruitment program across Asia, including the Philippines. It specifically targeted former US service members. I was in the Army National Guard and I'm now joining the US Navy Reserve. Our duty station is Guam, but my drill days will be done online here in the Philippines.

The job I'm going for is Intelligence Specialist, which requires access to sensitive material. Can anyone with dual citizenship and a US military background tell me whether I'll need to renounce my Filipino citizenship to get this MOS, or about any other things to watch out for when you hold dual citizenship and serve in the US armed forces?

Advice on buying a used car and registering it?

Is it worth going through all the hassle to get the car registered in my name or my wife's?

How big a risk is it to just never change the name on the CR (registration certificate)?

Isn't it a huge red flag if the seller's name isn't on the CR and it's a previous owner's instead?

Expat Sex Lives — A Quick Check-In

On here we always talk about the beaches, the mountains, the traffic, the cost of living in the Philippines and so on. So I wanted to ask the sub how expats' sex lives are going. I've never once seen anyone talk about that here. I'm not trolling or digging for juicy details — I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious.

Mods: if this post breaks the rules, please just delete it.

I think I went too far

Is there anywhere in Manila I can rent a car with insurance included

Do you think the high-speed rail from Manila to Angeles will ever be finished?

A foreigner mocked single moms

He was putting down single moms in front of me, while he himself is a single dad who doesn't pay child support. Be respectful to people

I have a loving girlfriend who taught me humility

What a twist

Detonating a World War II bomb that was found

A son who tried to blackmail his dad