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Is this true?

Is it true that liberal guys tend to get more attractive girls here in the Philippines?

I know there are some handsome right-wing military-type guys here, but maybe Filipinas like the softer, more romantic type.

What do you think? And does the average Filipina even care, or know the difference?

And yes, it's a bit of a troll post.. enjoy your Sunday, everyone.

Stay thirsty

NFCU just told me that to keep using our credit cards overseas, we have two options.

1) Log in every 30 days and submit a travel notice (very annoying)

2) Change the address on file to our PH address

The person I spoke with said there's no way to set a note for longer than 30 days.

Can anyone confirm this?

Need some advice

Should I just convert my savings to dollars? The peso's drop is really alarming.

Why do condos make a fuss about digital IDs?

Why does the front desk at my condo have a problem every time my visitors show a digital ID?
What can I do if the front desk turns away a visitor who came from far away and shows a digital ID?

I know I'm kind of going to stir up a hornet's nest, but I'm going to ask anyway. I've spent three summers in the Philippines and I'm moving there for good in mid-November. There are so many places to live that I don't know where to start. I do get disability, but I also do graphic work for a company in America. I'd love to live near the ocean because I love it, but the problem there is frequent power outages. I've spent a summer each in Dumaguete, Bacoor and Davao. I'd like suggestions from people who've actually lived there, not an AI voice on YouTube. Maybe I'm better off living near the ocean and buying a generator. Let me know some places, or even ideas. Tell me what you think.

'Buy One, Take One' is fake

In the Philippines, 'Buy One, Take One' is a scam.

I want to try living in the Philippines for a month

Hi hi! I'm a 24-year-old woman and I'd really like to find somewhere I can settle for a while.
Ideally near beaches, where I can go to the gym every day, walkable, safe, and maybe where I can buy groceries to cook at the apartment I'll be staying in.
I've heard about Panglao and Bantayan, but I'm not sure they're really the right areas.

What I want most:
-near a gym
-walkable, or Grab available (or other taxi companies)
-near a beach to relax
-safe for women

The area can be social or not, but I'd love to have some restaurants or bars around to enjoy now and then.

I'd appreciate any help, thank you!

A slightly tipsy thought: there are probably a lot of Filipinos (and people in other tropical countries) who have never felt the primal comfort of a campfire. I've seen plenty of leaf burning and trash burning, but I've never seen people hanging out around a fire.
I wonder how big the effect is on someone who has never felt it.

I put in some supporting data, but that's spam. To sum up the data:
Studies show that campfires give people a subconscious psychological and physiological sense of comfort.

Any expats here living full-time on a tourist visa?

Have you ever been blocked by immigration when re-entering, or heard of anyone who was?

By the way, I'm in this category myself. I travel a lot and use the PH as a base. I just checked my eGov app and this is my 9th entry this year lol.

60% Filipinos, 30% foreigners who live in the Philippines less than half the year or are in long-distance relationships and so on, 10% expats

I think it's time to rename this subreddit 'Filipinos with too much time on their hands playing pretend'.

When I was here earlier this year (April), I went through the whole photo submission thing for the background check on my waiver extension. To get another 29-day waiver extension this trip, do I have to go through the same photo hoops again?

Some of you got called out by that post, and it shows

That post dragging the scammed expats on here is basically a bunch of you getting a taste of your own medicine. It's making the rounds on social media and it's hilarious. I get that times are tough and scammers are everywhere, especially with the political climate, but if you were unpleasant to begin with, you can't go to Southeast Asia expecting honesty. Take a good look at who you are now, your intentions and your standards, and ask whether you'd even want yourself as a partner. If the ego is still there, think about how you'd feel seeing your daughter with someone who looks and acts like you.

To the expats who do have good, healthy relationships, congratulations. At least some people are happy!

A problem between foreigners in Manila

I met a French man around my condo who seemed fun. He'd spent over 30 years in the Philippines and was 60. I recently moved to the Philippines and I'm 40. By race I'm a Punjabi Pakistani born and raised in Oman, I've traveled and lived in several countries, and I work as a data scientist.

I used to joke around with this French man casually and offer him my seat, saying he's older.

Then one day he started getting offensive, and got offensive with me directly. I have very thick skin, so I put up with him because of his age, but I held my ground.

I'm not sure if this was racism, or if he was genuinely offended by a man 20 years younger than him.

I'd like to hear different perspectives on this.

Has anyone here lived and rented in an expensive country?

It feels like most of the foreigners I talk to here have never rented in their whole lives. They call everything expensive, even 500 dollars a month, or 600 to 700.

I'm baffled that they think that's shocking rent.

Do you all approach people directly, or use dating apps?

I met the most beautiful girlfriend I've ever had by approaching her. I feel like a lot of guys here don't have the confidence, or even the looks, to approach.

I emailed FBU.Manila@ssa.gov with the following question. We've received our son's CRBA and passport. I know they need the original CRBA, the passport, and my passport, but I'm trying to confirm whether the SS-5 is the right form and which address to send the documents/form to.

But that email address sends back an automatic reply saying they can't answer anything related to xxxx, including SSA.

Does anyone know which email address to actually use, and/or whether the SS-5 form is right and where to send it?

Why do so many foreigners here have no family?

Or why are they dating someone their granddaughter's or daughter's age?

A guide to indirect communication for Western expats in the Philippines

Coming from a Western country where people tend to speak fairly directly, it took me a while to adjust. I had to learn that what someone means isn't always exactly what they say.

Once I started paying more attention to the idea of indirect communication and to what was left unsaid, a lot of conversations started making much more sense.

Here's how I see indirect communication.

In the Philippines, a lot of people speak indirectly. A simple question can be a way to learn about you, test you, or ask for something without saying it outright.

That doesn't mean every question has a hidden motive. Just pay attention to what a question or statement reveals, or might imply.

“Where are you from?”
→ How much does he probably earn? Is he from a rich country?

“What do you do for work?”
→ How much does he probably earn?

“Where do you live?”
→ How much does he probably spend, and where?

“How much is your rent?”
→ How much can he afford each month?

“Do you live alone?”
→ Is he single? Does he have privacy? Can someone come over?

“How long are you staying?”
→ Is he a tourist, or someone settling down here?

“Do you have a girlfriend?”
→ Is he available?

“Have you been married before?”
→ Is he divorced? Lonely? Still supporting an ex?

“Do you have kids?”
→ Who is he already supporting? Where does his money go?

“Why did you come to the Philippines?”
→ What is he looking for? A cheaper life? A girlfriend? A wife? Did he just get divorced?

Be careful with this one. Some guys answer by revealing every weak spot they have.

“My divorce destroyed me.”

“I was lonely.”

“Women back home are all like this and that.”

“I want a traditional woman.”

Now someone you just met knows exactly what you want.

Compliments work the same way

“You're so handsome.”
→ How much does praise sway him? Is he easy to manipulate?

“You look so young.”
→ Does he like being flattered? Is he easy to manipulate?

“You're different from other foreigners.”
→ Does feeling special make him trust faster?

“You're such a good man.”
→ Does praise make him more willing to help?

“You're so generous.”
→ Will he keep spending?

The compliment may be sincere. That's not the point. Your reaction tells the other person what works on you.

Requests can be indirect too

“My phone broke.”
→ Will he offer to buy a new one?

“My mom is sick.”
→ Will he offer to help with medicine or hospital bills?

“My electric bill is due tomorrow.”
→ Will he offer money?

“I haven't eaten yet.”
→ Will he offer to buy food?

“My birthday is next week.”
→ Will he remember? Will he buy something?

“I really want that phone.”
→ Will he offer to buy it?

Nobody has to say “Give me money.”

Sometimes putting the problem in front of you is the request itself. That doesn't mean the problem is fake. Indirect communication isn't the same as lying.

“No” can be indirect too

“Next time.”
→ Usually means no.

“Maybe.”
→ Usually means probably not.

“We'll see.”
→ Don't take it as a yes.

“I'll try.”
→ Usually means I probably can't.

“It's okay.”
→ Usually means I'm upset but don't want to fight.

“Up to you.”
→ Usually means I have a preference and want you to guess it.

“It's a bit expensive.”
→ Usually means it's way too expensive.

Family talk can carry another message

“My family wants to meet you.”
→ How serious is he?

“My family likes you.”
→ He's becoming part of the family.

“Family is really important to me.”
→ If this gets serious, the family may become part of his life too, money included.

The main lesson is simple.

Listen for what people say or ask without saying it outright.

Ask yourself:

What did this question just tell them about me?

How much do they now think I earn, have or spend?

Are they asking for something without asking directly?

Are they saying no without saying no?

Are they testing how I react to praise, money, guilt or pressure?

You don't need to become paranoid. Sometimes a question is just a question. A compliment can be sincere. A sick parent can really be sick. Just learn to hear the message behind the words and weigh what the bigger picture might be.

Vietjet to Launch Clark–Ho Chi Minh Direct Flights on November 10 — 3 Flights a Week (Tue, Thu, Sat), One-way Fares Starting from $75

📌 Starting November 10 (Tuesday), Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet will launch direct flights connecting Clark International Airport and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, operating three times a week.
This marks Vietjet's first route operating out of Clark, allowing expats living in central and northern Luzon regions such as Angeles and Clark to fly directly to Vietnam without having to travel to Manila Airport.

■ What's Changing
· Route: Clark (CRK) ↔ Ho Chi Minh City, round trip 3 times a week (every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
· Outbound VJ1871: Departs Clark at 5:05 PM → Arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:35 PM (local time)
· Inbound VJ1870: Departs Ho Chi Minh City at 12:30 PM → Arrives in Clark at 4:05 PM
· Passengers can transfer to Vietjet domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City to destinations like Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Hue

■ Fares & Booking
· Promotional "Eco" fares start from $75 one-way (including taxes and fees). Applies to travel through March 31, 2027, excluding peak seasons, holidays, and blackout dates
· Promotional sales every Friday. Bookings available via the Vietjet website and app

■ Tips for Expats & Travelers
· If you live in the Angeles, Clark, or Subic areas, you can save travel time and avoid traffic congestion to Manila Airport. In particular, Manila is expected to have temporary holidays and traffic controls due to the ASEAN Summit from November 16 to 18.
· The $75 promotional fare does not apply during peak seasons and holidays. If you are traveling during the year-end and New Year holidays, be sure to check the actual total amount before payment.
· Be sure to check the latest entry requirements for Vietnam (such as visa-free stay periods for South Korean passports) with the Embassy of Vietnam or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Safe Travel website before departure.

■ Sources
BusinessMirror (8/26), BusinessWorld (8/27), SunStar (8/27), Clark International Airport Notice, Punto! Central Luzon, Context.ph (8/25–8/26)

■ Photos
· Vietjet Airbus airliner (BusinessWorld)

November 16–18 Metro Manila Temporary Holiday — ASEAN Summit, 5-Day Long Weekend if Combined with the Weekend

📌 On September 22, Malacanang Palace declared November 16 (Mon) to November 18 (Wed) as special non-working days in Metro Manila (NCR).
This is due to the 49th ASEAN Summit being held in Manila, and combining it with the weekend (Nov 14–15) creates a 5-day long weekend. This applies to both expats and office workers living in Metro Manila and travelers visiting Manila during this period.

■ What Changes
· Presidential Proclamation No. 1447 (signed September 17): November 16, 17, and 18 declared special non-working days in the NCR.
· Reason: To ease traffic congestion during the summit and ensure the security and safety of heads of state and delegates.
· Main venue is the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) in Pasay, with Coconut Palace and others also being used. President Marcos personally inspected the PICC on October 2.
· Related meetings will follow, including the ASEAN Maritime Forum on the 17th and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on the 18th.

■ Impact — Pay Rules (Department of Labor and Employment - DOLE)
· Employees who do not work: "No work, no pay" principle applies (unless company policy or a collective bargaining agreement is more favorable).
· Employees who work: 130% of the basic pay for the first 8 hours; overtime pay is hourly rate × 130% × 130%.
· If the day is a rest day and the employee works: 150% for the first 8 hours.
· Expats employing Filipino staff must factor this into their November payroll calculations.

■ Tips for Expats and Travelers
· The police, military, and MMDA are setting up a joint security plan, and traffic restrictions are expected around the PICC area in Pasay and along the routes of the leaders. Specific restricted areas have not been announced yet, so check MMDA announcements as the dates get closer.
· If you have travel plans through Manila Airport (NAIA) around the 15th, it is safer to leave earlier than usual.
· Handle government office and bank transactions (such as Bureau of Immigration paperwork) in advance, avoiding November 16–18. The holiday applies only to the NCR; other regions like Angeles, Clark, and Cebu will operate as usual.

■ Sources
Presidential Communications Office PCO·PIA (9/22), Philstar (9/23, 10/3), Inquirer (9/22), Manila Times (9/22, 10/1), Daily Tribune (9/23), Rolling Stone Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment - DOLE (10/1)

■ Photos
· President Marcos inspecting the PICC meeting venue on October 2 (Philstar)
· ASEAN leaders for the year the Philippines holds the chairmanship (Philstar file photo)