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Where can I get an RFID sticker for my car near Olongapo without driving all the way to Angeles?

I'm thinking about leaving the UK and splitting my time between the Philippines and Thailand (probably going to Thailand about 3 times a year). I've heard that the Philippines has less hassle with immigration procedures and income issues, and that it's easier to settle there permanently.

What I'm wondering is this:

I've heard that you can stay up to 3 years without leaving after being given 30 days on arrival—how does that work??

And I've heard that, unlike Thailand, you don't have to pay tax on income earned overseas—is that right??

Also, if there's anything I need to report, what would that be??

I saw a flyer saying persimmons were 9,800 won for 2.5 kg today, so I rushed over and bought them. That's 20 of them. Less than 500 won each.

I rinsed 10 persimmons under running water, put them straight into the freezer, slept a short nap, and when I woke up they were frozen solid.

Yes!! After soaking them in water, the skin came off easily even with just a light touch, with the insides still frozen.

Eating them as they are, the intense sweetness and soft, chewy texture make a fantastic pairing.

Real ice hongsi is worth several times its price.

It tastes over 5,000 won's worth, not 500 won, to the point where I could give a $100,000 wine tasting review to a bottle of Oliver biscuits!

What a wonderful color. Like the blood of a pigeon, it brings to mind a premium ruby. It foreshadows a flavor that is anything but ordinary."

"First, flowers... Lavender, perhaps. In the image, several kinds of red flowers. And not just one or two, but a full flower field. A faint hint of tanned leather atmosphere. And mixed in is something similar to Japan's umeboshi. A pure, untainted scent of the primordial beginning. The taste of excellent fruit. The aroma of oak barrel aging, the earthy scent of terroir from fertile land. And herbs. A slight hint of tobacco. For what is barely a single sip of liquid, it's like an orchestra of 100 players! Countless flavors are intricately intertwined, yet none of them show off. A perfect balance where each element maintains its precision."

"But... where in this fermented grape liquid is the value of ten thousand times an ordinary wine sold for $10? Even if it's delicious, it's only 11 to 12 times better! Even the joy is only 14 to 15 times!"

So they say.

Hmm.

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

Gasoline seen dropping ₱4.00–₱4.20 per liter next week; diesel seen rising ₱0.20–₱0.40

📌 October 16 (Fri.) Oil industry players expect Philippine gasoline prices to fall by ₱4.00–₱4.20 per liter next week, while diesel prices are expected to rise by ₱0.20–₱0.40. These are still industry estimates, and the Department of Energy (DOE) is scheduled to announce the final adjustment amounts on Monday (the 19th).

■ What's changing
· Gasoline: expected to drop ₱4.00–₱4.20 per liter
· Diesel: expected to rise ₱0.20–₱0.40 per liter
· These estimates are based on four days of trading this week in Singapore's international oil product prices (MOPS), so they may change depending on the remaining trades.

■ Why prices are going up and down
· Gasoline: Leo Bellas, president of Jetti Petroleum, explained that prices fell because supply conditions in Asia have improved and refineries that finished maintenance have resumed operations.
· Diesel: Global inventories remain low, which pushed prices up, but expected additional supply from Russia and the G7's plan to release diesel reserves have limited the increase.
· Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz were cited as a factor pushing prices up.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· If you drive a gasoline vehicle, filling up after the adjustment takes effect could save you about ₱160–₱168 on a full 40-liter tank.
· If you drive a diesel vehicle, it's better to fill up this week, before prices rise.
· Check the DOE announcement on the 19th for the exact effective date and the adjustment amounts for each oil company.

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

■ Photo
· Stock photo · A person refueling a motorcycle — The Manila Times

North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) resettlement housing targeted for completion in Angeles and Mexico, Pampanga by 2027

📌 According to a October 16 report, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) inspected resettlement housing sites in Angeles City and the town of Mexico, Pampanga, for families who must relocate due to the NSCR construction. Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the National Housing Authority (NHA) and local governments are speeding up the work, and the housing can be completed by 2027.

■ What's Changing
· San Fernando View Residences in Mexico — a 4-story building, with 288 units initially allocated to families relocating due to the railway construction. Phases 1 and 2 (4 buildings) are targeted for completion in November 2026, and Phase 4 (6 buildings) in November 2027.
· Casa de Angeles in Angeles City — the first resettlement housing complex in Angeles City, with 615 units in 4-story buildings, targeted for completion in December 2027.
· The site inspection was led by Undersecretary IC Calaguas of the DOTr to check construction quality and progress. This follows President Marcos's directive to move relocated families to safe and livable places.

■ Local Government Position
· Mexico Mayor Rodencio Gonzales and Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin II expressed support for the resettlement project.
· The DOTr, NHA, and local governments agreed to continue coordinating to speed up construction and ensure timely move-ins.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· If your household is among those being relocated, check the move-in schedule and allocation process with the NHA and city/town offices.
· Construction vehicles are frequent around the railway construction zone and the resettlement housing sites, so it's wise to allow extra travel time.

■ Source
The Voice Newsweekly (10/16)

■ Photos
· NSCR resettlement housing site inspection — The Voice Newsweekly

Ombudsman files 3 graft charges against former Pampanga Rep. Gonzales over ₱611 million flood control projects

📌 On October 16 (Friday), the Office of the Ombudsman filed three counts of graft against former Pampanga Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. with the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court. He is accused of having prohibited financial interests in flood control projects worth over ₱611 million that his family's construction company won while he was in office.

■ Case Background
· The charges fall under Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from having direct or indirect financial interests in contracts they may participate in officially.
· The company in question is ADG Construction (A.D. Gonzales Jr. Construction), and the three contracts were awarded by the Region 3 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
· The projects are: flood mitigation facilities in San Fernando and Bacolor (over ₱252 million), flood control and slope protection works in Mexico town (over ₱94 million), and another flood management project in Mexico town (about ₱265 million).

■ Investigation and Current Status
· Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that although Gonzales claimed to have transferred his shares, the money kept flowing back to him, meaning there was no real divestment. According to anti-money laundering records, payments made to the company ended up in his personal account.
· Gonzales's side has reportedly claimed that the share payment went to his sister. The allegations will be resolved in court.
· The case began with an investigation by the Ombudsman's Field Investigation Office in July and August, and complaints from residents of Barangay Santo Cristo in Mexico town. The residents submitted photos showing erosion, collapse, and cracks in the concrete slope protection structures.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Pampanga has been placed under a state of calamity province-wide due to flooding this year, and controversy over poorly built flood control facilities continues, including the recent successive collapses of the Arayat dike earlier this month.
· If you are traveling through low-lying riverside areas in Mexico, Bacolor, or San Fernando during heavy rain, please check guidance from provincial and city disaster management authorities first.

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

■ Photos
· 1. Former Pampanga Rep. speaking in the House plenary hall — rappler.com
· 2. Former Pampanga Rep. delivering a speech at an event — Daily Tribune

Two men, both 35, arrested in Dau, Mabalacat in drug sting operation — shabu worth PHP 2.72 million

📌 At around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, two 35-year-old men were arrested in a police buy-bust operation in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Approximately 400 grams of suspected shabu (methamphetamine), worth about PHP 2.72 million, were seized.

■ Details of the Incident
· The Mabalacat City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) carried out the operation together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
· According to police, the target suspect appeared with one companion and was caught while selling shabu to an undercover officer.
· The two individuals were identified only by the aliases "Boy" and "Dondon."

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO3) said "Boy" had been classified as a high-value individual and had been under intelligence surveillance.
· Police are preparing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165). The two suspects and the seized items are being held at the Mabalacat City Police Station.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· Dau borders Clark and Angeles, and crackdowns have been ongoing, including an buy-bust operation in Dau on the 9th of this month that led to two arrests.
· Penalties for possessing or dealing in illegal drugs in the Philippines are extremely severe. Do not accept luggage or parcels from people you do not know.
· Suspected drug trafficking can be reported by calling the emergency hotline 911.

■ Sources
Inquirer (10/16), Daily Tribune (10/16)

■ Photos
· 1. Mabalacat police seizure and arrested suspects (faces blurred) — Daily Tribune
· 2. Location map of Mabalacat City, Pampanga — Inquirer

German Shepherd, Attacked by Doodle

Hello everyone!

Has anyone recently entered the Philippines with a passport that had less than six months of validity left?

I hold a French passport. It's valid for my entire stay (under 30 days), but it won't have six months remaining.

I read a post saying there may be exceptions to the six-month passport validity requirement.

Has anyone entered the Philippines smoothly in this situation, or run into problems with the airline or immigration?

I'd really like to hear real experiences, especially recent ones.

Thanks in advance!

All 30 of the first gift packages for children (1,000 pesos each) have been sold out!

We're now preparing the next 30!

Hello, this is my first time in this group. I'd like to be introduced to an honest, professional immigration attorney who can help with figuring out which visa my son should apply for to bring his Filipino wife to the United States. My son has been living in Manila for over a year (they have one child, and another is due soon), and he wants to bring his family to his home in Houston, Texas. He tried to follow the proper procedure, but he made a mistake, so now he has to start over from the beginning. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all. 🤗

Ongoing Intermittent Armed Clashes in the Mindanao Region of the Philippines and Terrorism Risk: Safety Notice for Korean Nationals

In the Mindanao region of the Philippines, there is a security concern due to intermittent armed clashes between government forces and groups such as the New People's Army (NPA).

Recently, clashes between terrorist groups such as the NPA and Philippine government forces have frequently occurred in various areas of Mindanao Island, including Cotabato, Surigao, and Agusan del Sur, posing risks when traveling to nearby areas.

Korean nationals who are residing in or planning to visit the area, including Korean residents, visitors, businesses operating in the area for business purposes, and other visitors, are urged to take extra care for their personal safety.

< Precautions >
1. Please refrain as much as possible from unnecessary visits to and travel within security-concern areas in Mindanao.

2. If you are subject to checks or controls by the Philippine police or military while traveling, please cooperate actively and carry identification documents and other necessary proof of identity.

3. In preparation for sudden incidents such as armed conflict or gunfire, please continuously check local media and announcements from the Philippine government regarding security.

* Areas in Mindanao outside Cagayan de Oro City (including Laguindingan Airport) and Davao City are Travel Advisory Level 3 (Departure Advisory) areas. In particular, Zamboanga, Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi are Level 4 (Travel Ban) areas, and visiting these without government permission may be punishable under the Passport Act.

In case of any special circumstances or other emergencies, please contact the numbers below.

Consular Call Center (24 hours): +82-2-3210-0404
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines: +63-917-817-5703
Korean Consulate in Cebu: +63-32-231-1516~9

Source: Overseas Safety Information, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines · Posted 2026-10-16 · KOGL Type 1 (Source Attribution Required)
https://ph.mofa.go.kr/ph-ko/brd/m_27094/view.do?seq=1346449

Hello everyone! I'm Wayne, and this is my wife, Sarah Bird. We're both originally from Los Angeles, but now we live in the countryside on the Big Island of Hawaii, and we're planning to spend the holidays in the Philippines!

We'll arrive on Christmas Eve to meet family in BGC and Baguio. Before we head north, we'll have some time around BGC during Christmas, and we'd love to meet good people and have a great time.

What do you all do at Christmas? Are there any holiday gatherings, community events, or chances to hang out and make new friends?

We're very friendly, fun, and into wellness, hiking, adventure, cultural events, family get-togethers, volunteer work, and exploring new places. Good food, good conversation, and good people are what we have in mind for the holidays!

If you're nearby and want to connect, please say hi. We'd really love to meet you!

Wayne & Sarah

These grasshoppers are evolving at an alarming rate, aren't they?

Watching others live out my dream for me is hard.

FBI, open the door

Hello everyone,

I'm heading to Cebu for about half the year starting in mid-November, along with my fiancé (I'm from Ontario, Canada). I'm looking for a good place to stay that's close to my fiancé's home in Cordova, but also near the sea.

My biggest concern is health insurance. Where can I find decent coverage at a reasonable price? Would anyone with experience be willing to share their recommendations? Also, are there places where my fiancé and I could meet other Canadians or foreigners?

Thank you, and take care, everyone.

Lonely & G.

Dee posted a video explaining why you should never buy land or a house in the Philippines, and it's worth a watch!

Search for this on YouTube:
I Watch Expats Lose Their Homes Every Day. Here is exactly how.

Bottom line, you basically can't buy land there, and the workarounds probably won't work either.

In the end, the house goes to your Filipino wife and her family.

But if that's okay with you, since the house is going to her family anyway, you might as well buy land and build one lol

Has anyone downgraded a 13A permanent residence visa to a tourist visa? I'm going back to the US for cancer surgery, and I want to come back in one year. It would be a big help if you could tell me how long this process takes.