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Announcement: Embassy Holiday Notice (11.2)

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines will be closed on the following local public holiday.

Mon, 2 Nov 2026: All Saints' Day

Please refer to this notice for any necessary procedures, including passport, notarization, family relations registration, military service, and visa services.

Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines Announcements · Posted 2026-10-23 · Korea Open Government License Type 1 (Attribution)
https://ph.mofa.go.kr/ph-ko/brd/m_3640/view.do?seq=1346560

ACR-I (immigration) renewal
For anyone still wondering about the cost, here's mine: renewing my ACR-I (immigration) card for 5 years cost 3,188 pesos at the main immigration office, plus an extra 1,000 pesos for the express line.

GoTyme Digital Bank account opened successfully!!!

I tried several times to open a digital bank account at various places, but got no response, and when I contacted customer service they just said they would handle it. I gave up last year, but thankfully GoTyme worked out.

I heard I could deposit and withdraw at Robinsons, so I looked into it, and it's about 10,000 to 20,000 pesos...

Still, I'm happy just knowing I can earn 3% interest on a parking account.

I opened it because they said InstaPay had a few free transfers per month, but oh no... I found out it became fully free starting July 2026.

I'll just use it as a parking account.

Now I'm topping up my GCash with 20,000 to 30,000 at a time to save on fees, and it's nice that I don't have to do that anymore.

I went to BDO to get my debit card reissued since it expires next month, and it took 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Waiting in line took 30 minutes, processing took 30 minutes, and waiting for branch manager approval took another 30 minutes..

There have been times it took over 2 hours, so is this considered decent?

It's free, and it's good that you can start using the card right after changing the default PIN at the ATM.

Oh, and I once deposited several hundred thousand pesos at once and had to fill out a form confirming the source and purpose of the funds. Security Bank says there's no such requirement up to 1 million pesos, and BDO also doesn't seem to care much up to 300,000 pesos.

I just opened an account at Security Bank.

To open it, you have to keep a minimum deposit of either 10,000 or 25,000 pesos.

I heard that if you open the 25,000-peso account, they give you something like a checkbook. I looked it up, and apparently they also sign you up for insurance.

With the 500,000-peso account, you can get VIP treatment.

From now on, when I withdraw pesos from an ATM, I won't have to worry about going to another bank to deposit it. I can just put the money in right there on the spot.

InstaPay is also free now, so sending money is free too. Nice!

I'm turning 80 next year and will be traveling to the UK again soon. I'm currently looking into insurance, and as you get older, fixed-term visitor insurance keeps getting shorter. Right now, the maximum for senior travelers is 101 days, and the annual multi-trip plan is 31 days. However, the insurance company won't allow stacking that onto a 101-day term policy.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? The plan I was offered covers medical expenses and repatriation. Is there any plan that can be used to extend my stay in the Philippines? I have an ACR visa, and I'm seriously thinking about spending about a year there.

Mobile Phone Import Duties

I want to import a mobile phone, but I'm confused about the final cost of importing it, meaning the total cost including duties when it comes in.

I'm considering two phones. One costs about $550 and the other about $1,000. Apart from DHL Express fees, I'd like to find out how much duty will actually be charged when bringing a phone into the Philippines.

Lots of videos by a person called Van Boys keep showing up. What kind of person is he?

Hi everyone! Moving day is getting closer. I'm really looking forward to going to Dumaguete on November 5th! LOL! But I'm not looking forward to that dreadfully long flight!

I'm a bit anxious about going somewhere new where I don't know a single person. 🤣 I'm 38 years old, 188 cm (6'2"), 125 kg (275 lbs), a U.S. Navy veteran. I'm usually the shy person in the corner.

What should I expect the first week? Is anyone else in Dumaguete?

I'm also thinking about moving to Siquijor for a laid-back island life.

I'm looking for tips and advice on Dumaguete! LOL

Hi everyone, I know someone may have asked this before, but I'd like to learn what I need to know about buying a condo in the Philippines. I understand that foreigners cannot own land or a house and that the property has to be under a Filipino citizen's name. I stayed in a condo there and paid about 2,000 pesos per night, and I've heard that renting one as a Filipino costs around 16,000 to 20,000 pesos per month. So my question is: as a foreigner, can I buy a condo and rent it out to tourists on a short-term basis, or is it better to buy and rent it out long-term?

Thank you

Has anyone here traveled to Africa?

Most of the expats I've met complain about the Philippines, but I feel like they've only ever been to the Philippines and the US, lol. Once you've been to Africa, the Philippines starts to look like paradise.

For foreigners living in the Philippines, I have a question...
Generally, foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines. If a foreigner inherits land through a will or inheritance, what happens?

Do they have to sell it, or are there exceptions?

Has anyone experienced this situation or know how it works?

Philippine Angel's Burger-style, buy one get one.

You get two for the price of one. It's an event, so it's not every day.

Since it's an event, I tried one.

It's delicious. The drinks are also unlimited refills, thankfully. They even have Zero Coke.

I plan to eat ramen again while the event is on.

I took photos before eating, while I was blocking it from being eaten by accident.

Hello, I'm planning to visit the Philippines for 35 days, and I understand I'll need to extend my visa. Can I apply for the extension before arriving, or is it better to do it at the immigration office after I arrive? I'd also like to know the cost.

Went with a double... now a tampon (opened) too... Unfortunately, condoms still haven't gotten any cheaper.

I'm preparing to switch my salary direct deposit to a Philippine bank. Has anyone done this? I'd like to know what was needed, how long it took, and whether there were any delays.

Dirty Homes

Many people say Filipinos are super clean, but when you actually go into their homes, why are some of them like mini garbage dumps? It's so dirty that I'm scared to eat anything. *Not all of them, but I mean most of them*

Or is it just that they're lazy and nobody wants to clean?

Yesterday's Major News from the Philippines (10/22)

📌 Here are five important stories from the Philippines on October 22, gathered in one place. Click a headline to go to the full article.

1. Bomb Threat Note Found at OLFU Campus in San Fernando, Pampanga — About 4,000 Students Evacuated
On the morning of the 22nd, a bomb threat note was found in a restroom at the OLFU campus in San Fernando, Pampanga. About 4,000 students were evacuated and classes were suspended.

2. 25-Year-Old Barber Shot Dead in Tisa, Cebu City — Three Suspects Arrested Within Two Days
On the night of the 16th, a 25-year-old barber was shot dead in Tisa, Cebu City. Police arrested three suspects in Pardo in the early morning of the 18th.

3. Two Coast Guard Officers Killed in Ambush Shooting in Cotabato City — Police Chief Riding Along Unharmed
On the afternoon of the 22nd, a vehicle carrying Coast Guard personnel in Cotabato City came under gunfire from unidentified attackers. Two officers were killed, and the assailants fled on motorcycles.

4. Three Arrested in Drug Sting in San Fernando and Florida Blanca, Pampanga — Shabu Worth Over 88,000 Pesos Seized
The Pampanga Provincial Police Office announced that three people were arrested in drug stings in Kalulut, San Fernando, and Pabanlag, Florida Blanca, and that shabu worth over 88,000 pesos was seized.

5. Peso Closes at 63.361 per Dollar — Another Record Low Close
On the 21st, the peso closed at 63.361 per dollar, setting another record low close. It fell as far as 63.373 during trading.

DOJ warns small scam hubs could reappear — most recent raids involved Chinese nationals

📌 On October 22 (Thursday), Undersecretary Nicky Ty of the Department of Justice warned that even after the full ban on POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), scam hubs could re-emerge on a smaller scale. He said the recent crackdowns mostly uncovered small hubs no bigger than a single room, and that most of the people arrested or rescued were Chinese nationals.

■ Announcement
· Undersecretary Ty, who chairs the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), made these remarks after a series of raids and arrests (The Manila Times).
· He said the hubs now being found are mainly small, down to the size of a single room, rather than the large multi-building compounds of the past (The Manila Times).
· Previously, rescued individuals included nationals of Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, and African countries besides China; he said most are now Chinese.
· In early October, more than 230 scam hub workers were rescued in Zamboanga Sibugay (GMA News).

■ Current Status
· Undersecretary Ty said there have been cases of Chinese nationals who entered visa-free and overstayed being found at scam hubs, but the DOJ and IACAT are still gathering data and have not issued any recommendation on the visa-free policy.
· POGOs were banned by presidential order in July 2024, and the POGO ban law (RA 12312) criminalized related activities (The Manila Times).

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· Be sure to verify the legitimacy of any company offering high pay for "customer service" or online work, as such job offers may be recruitment for scam hubs.
· If you suspect confinement or forced labor nearby, report it to 911 or the police.

■ Sources
The Manila Times (10/22), GMA News (10/22)

■ Photo
· DOJ seal — The Manila Times

Man, 55, Arrested in Ninoy Aquino, Angeles for Violation of Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act

📌 The Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) announced on its official Facebook page on Thursday, October 22, that a 55-year-old male fugitive was arrested at an establishment on Commercial Road in Barangay Ninoy Aquino, Angeles City. The arrest took place at around 1:00 a.m., and the man had an arrest warrant issued for violation of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262).

■ Details of the Incident
· The warrant was served by the Information and Warrant Section of the 6th Precinct of the Angeles City Police Station.
· The suspect is a resident of Barangay Rosario, Pasig City, Metro Manila.
· The warrant was issued on May 19, 2026, by Branch 68 of the Binangonan Regional Trial Court in Rizal Province, with a recommended bail of PHP 72,000.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· According to police, the suspect is charged with violating Section 5 of RA 9262 and related provisions of the Family Courts Act (RA 8369), and will go through court proceedings.
· The Angeles City Police Station stated that it will continue to apprehend fugitives through warrant service.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· If you experience or witness domestic violence or violence against women or children, you may report it to the nearest police station or call 911.
· Fugitives with warrants issued in other areas are often caught in Angeles as well — if you see anyone suspicious, please notify the police.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Station (official Facebook page, 10/22)