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I've been in Cebu for a year now. I travel a lot, and most months I've been away almost every week. When renewing my visa it's been easy to just tick 'tourist' and list the 6-8 places I've booked for the next 2 months. I can afford a retirement visa, but I'm reluctant to have $15k sitting there not invested, and the tourist visa here is very generous.

If I'm not traveling for a month or six weeks, what should I write on the visa extension form as my reason for being here?

Not all orange cats are like that, but they're always orange cats.

Girlfriend warns boyfriend not to reverse recklessly

Apex predator

Where and when do expats meet up in Baguio? Thanks

Filipino partners: how did you handle the language and family barrier?

I'm engaged to a Filipina, and in February we're going around the country together looking for a place to settle. I know the basics like "po" and "opo," but beyond that I freeze up. Each region seems to have its own dialect, too.

What helped most? Learning from your partner, taking classes, or just diving in?

I got tired of switching between a translator and a currency app, so I built a free tool that translates English into Tagalog, Bisaya, and six other Philippine languages. It also converts between those 8 languages, or back to English. Translation includes audio.

The app also shows the dollar-to-peso exchange rate in the same screen, refreshed every hour. No sign-up needed. I'll post the link in the comments in case it helps. But I'd most like to hear the real stories. What was the first big language mistake you made?

Janasburger. A menu I crave every once in a while.

It's easy to get to, right next to Eurotel. The most expensive item, the Special Burger, is 87 pesos. The other burgers are buy-one-get-one, but the Ping patty sauce has run out. The Special, though, comes with everything the shop has: bread, cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, egg, and patty. There are lots of customers too. When you order the Special, the people around you look at you with envy. In this moment, in this place, at this time, I feel like Mansour or Lee Jae-yong. The taste is ordinary, but it's the taste that draws me in.

It's also a burger with memories. I once bought burgers here for four people. Honestly, 87 pesos is about 2,000 won, so it's nothing special. But what was interesting was that when I asked all four, "What do you want? Pick something," all of them ordered the Special Burger.

Finally, I asked the person I bought it for last.

"Okay, I'll buy it for you. But I have one question. When someone offers to buy you something, why don't you ever make even a polite, token refusal? Do you think those polite formalities are unnecessary?? Isn't there anything like that in Filipino or American culture?? And there are medium and cheaper menu items too, but you chose the most expensive one without any hesitation (this part is important, it's the core of the answer I want) — don't you feel any embarrassment?? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"There is a culture of polite refusal. But I don't need it right now. If the offer comes, I'll refuse once. If the offer keeps coming, then I accept. But right now I need a burger, because I'm hungry. There's no reason to refuse out of politeness. And what's embarrassing? You said you'd buy it, and I chose this because I wanted it most."

...I asked the question knowing our cultures differ, but his answer made it seem like our very identities were different. Thinking about it later, I concluded that this question could only elicit an answer I couldn't understand. The mistake was mine, and I should have asked it differently.

And I've already prepared a different question, and I plan to try it next time. There is still so much for me to learn.

I'm trying to book a flight for two people from Cebu to Butuan. The options are PAL or Cebu Air. Cebu Air worked great for a different flight I bought, but I've literally tried booking with PAL 20 times with no luck. Logged in or not, same result.

It only lets me pick a seat for one person. The moment I select a seat for the second person, it just shows a spinning logo. It's really frustrating. I tried both Brave and Chrome.

What's the trick? Cebu Air worked fine, but I don't like the flight times.

EDIT: I found the fix. I had to use their phone app!

Our vet knew what the assignment was.

A question for home builders. I'm putting together plans for a house, and I was planning a media room with a 100-plus-inch screen, surround sound, theater seating and so on. But I can't find a single expat on YouTube or Facebook who has one. Is that just not done there? Thanks in advance!

Man, 24, arrested in drug sting operation in Dela Paz Norte, San Fernando — shabu worth 34,000 pesos

📌 At around 8:05 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, a 24-year-old man was arrested in a police buy-bust operation in Barangay Dela Paz Norte, San Fernando City, Pampanga. According to the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, about 5 grams of a substance suspected to be shabu (methamphetamine), valued at roughly 34,000 pesos, was seized on the spot.

■ Incident details
· The buy-bust operation took place at around 8:05 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, in Dela Paz Norte, San Fernando City.
· The seized item was about 5 grams of a suspected shabu substance, which the police estimated at roughly 34,000 pesos based on standard drug prices.

■ Investigation and current status
· The arrested man and the seized items have been turned over to the San Fernando City Police Station, where police are preparing paperwork and the charges to be filed with the court.
· Police Colonel Ricardo M. David, Provincial Director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, said drug enforcement will continue throughout the province and asked residents for their cooperation.

■ Notice for residents and travelers
· In the Philippines, possessing or dealing even small amounts of drugs is a criminal offense, and foreigners are not exempt.
· Do not keep or deliver items left by people you don't know.
· If you suspect drug dealing in your neighborhood, report it to the nearest police station.

■ Source
Pampanga Provincial Police Office (official Facebook page, 10/12)

■ Photo
· Pampanga Police Provincial Office photo of the buy-bust operation announcement (faces blurred) — Pampanga Police Provincial Office (official Facebook page)

Cagayan de Oro: Cargo truck kills family of 3, injures 2 — driver flees

📌 At around 7:55 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, in St. John Street of Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, a cargo truck struck a family, killing three people — a mother and her two sons — and injuring two others. The truck driver fled the scene, and police are pursuing him.

■ Incident details
· The three dead were a 72-year-old woman and her two sons (Philstar). Reports differ on the ages of the two sons — one Daily Tribune article reported that they were minors.
· According to the Daily Tribune, the mother was riding a motorcycle with her two sons when a tractor head (cargo tow truck) coming from the opposite direction zigzagged, crossed the center line, and collided head-on with them, then also struck several other vehicles in the opposite lane before stopping. Philstar only reported that the truck hit the victims' vehicle.
· The two other injured people are receiving treatment at a hospital.

■ Investigation and current status
· Police have identified the truck driver (a resident of Davao City) and launched a manhunt.
· Reports differ on how many people fled with him — Philstar and Daily Tribune reported one companion (an assistant), while another Daily Tribune article reported three passengers.
· According to the Daily Tribune, liquor bottles and an ice box were found inside the abandoned tractor head, raising suspicion that the driver's group had been drinking while driving.
· The victims' families appealed to the government to arrest the perpetrator and to help with transporting the bodies.

■ Notes for residents and travelers
· When riding a motorcycle on major roads at night, wear a helmet and bright clothing, and if you see a large vehicle swaying or crossing lanes, slow down and keep your distance.
· If you witness a hit-and-run, remember the vehicle's license plate number and the company name written on the body, and report it to the police (911).

■ Sources
Philstar (10/13), Daily Tribune (10/12, 10/13) (Details of the collision and the drinking suspicion were confirmed by only one source, the Daily Tribune)

Early-morning shooting in Batasan Hills, Quezon City — 3 dead including minors, 38-year-old suspect arrested

📌 At around 2 a.m. on Monday, October 12, a shooting took place on a street in Batasan Hills, Barangay Batasan Hills, Metro Manila's Quezon City, leaving three people dead, including minors. Police arrested a 38-year-old male suspect about an hour after the crime and are preparing murder charges.

■ What happened
· The scene is the corner where Senatorial Street and Batasan-San Mateo Road meet.
· According to Philstar, the victims were an 18-year-old Grade 12 student, a 19-year-old out-of-school youth, and a 16-year-old boy.
· Per police accounts reported by Philstar, the suspect, a member of Quezon City's ordinance enforcement unit (Task Force Disiplina), was drunk and scolded people who were out on the street during curfew hours. When they talked back, he took out a gun, chased those who ran, and fired at them.

■ Investigation and current status
· Police from Batasan Police Station 6 tracked him down quickly and arrested him about an hour later on Sinagtala Street in the same barangay. They recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the crime.
· Police are preparing murder charges to file with the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office and said the exact circumstances and motive are still under investigation.

■ Notes for residents and travelers
· Several cities in Metro Manila have curfew ordinances for minors, so if you have children, check your city's curfew hours.
· If you get into an argument with a drunk person in the early morning, do not retaliate. Move away from the situation and call the police (911).

■ Sources
Philstar (10/13), Daily Tribune (10/12, 10/13) (The suspect's affiliation and curfew-related details were confirmed by one source only: Philstar)

Fuel prices down for diesel by PHP 3.01 per liter, up for gasoline by PHP 1.56 and kerosene by PHP 1.77 starting October 13

📌 Starting Tuesday, October 13, pump prices in the Philippines went down for diesel and up for gasoline and kerosene. The Department of Energy (DOE), announcing on Monday, October 12, said the adjustments are a PHP 3.01 per liter decrease for diesel, and increases of PHP 1.56 for gasoline and PHP 1.77 for kerosene. Diesel fell again, following last week's cut.

■ What's changing
· Diesel: down PHP 3.01 per liter (Shell: PHP 3.00)
· Gasoline: up PHP 1.56 per liter (Shell: PHP 1.50)
· Kerosene: up PHP 1.77 per liter (Shell: PHP 1.70)
· Seaoil adjusted by the same amounts as the DOE announcement. According to Philstar, these prices apply from Tuesday, October 13 through Monday, October 19.

■ Why prices are going up and down
· The DOE cited the G7's plan to release diesel reserves as a factor pushing diesel prices down, and China's halt on petroleum product exports as a factor pushing gasoline and kerosene prices up.
· According to Philstar, on October 2 the G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil, mainly diesel. The DOE said this supply measure does not focus on gasoline and kerosene, so prices for those two fuels are expected to stay high.
· Last week (October 6), diesel fell PHP 1.30, gasoline rose PHP 1.93 (The Manila Times reported up to PHP 1.90), and kerosene rose PHP 3.30.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· Prices differ slightly by company and gas station, so check the price board before filling up.
· If you drive a diesel vehicle, this week's costs go down. But gasoline rose again after last week, so fuel costs are higher for motorcycles and gasoline cars.

■ Sources
CLTV36 News (official Facebook, 10/12), Philstar (10/12), The Manila Times (10/13)

■ Photos
· 1. Stock photo · A passenger car being refueled at a gas station — The Manila Times
· 2. Stock photo · A hand refueling with a pump nozzle — Philstar

This kind of opportunity comes around only once in a lifetime.

Ate a 600-calorie McGriddle and won a one-year fitness membership pass

Getting too absorbed in work

Hi, I'm moving to the Philippines next month - when and how do I apply for the alien ID card?
Thanks

LBH

I'd agree that many foreigners moving to the Philippines aren't particularly impressive, and there are a lot of washed-up old men among them. Still, it's a good thing for like-minded people to gather together. The Filipino people as a whole aren't exactly impressive right now, and I don't think they'll become impressive in the future either. As for the past... well, there's not much to brag about there either. It's a relief that LBH makes up less than 1% of the population. Let's see some decent behavior. That way, even a pot-bellied guy like Bob who gets a $1,500 monthly pension might barely get hurt by that label.

A question for US expats who shipped their household goods — that should narrow things down. We've got everything working except the LG dryer. An electrician/appliance guy is coming over (even he learned something with the washer). I have a few ideas about the fix. Any advice on getting it working?