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My real estate agent wants a key to my place. I said no and she asked again, saying it's for emergencies. Is this normal?

It doesn't seem normal to me, but I haven't been in this country long. I can't tell whether this is weird or I'm just still adjusting to the culture.

Emojis aren't showing up in the post!!

ATS switch replacement in progress.. Grateful for my solar installer. I've bought from them 5 times (6 in December), and they've always been there for after-sales service.

They're based in Manila, but every time there's an issue they send their guys all the way up to us.

We've gotten so comfortable with each other that their guys stay at our house for longer jobs 😂

Earthquakes and infrastructure

Quick question for those living in BGC or Makati. Do you feel the buildings there are better built than the ones outside those areas?
I've lived here 3 years, and countless locals and realtors have told me it's all the same poor quality, just with a bow on top (nicer surroundings).
Still, I have to believe at least some buildings in those two areas have building dampers. I'm not an expert and don't claim to be, so let's not get all hostile in the comments, thanks

Hello! Is there anywhere in Manila to order a natural or vegan cake? Thank you.

Has anyone actually scored a cheap fare in Cebu Pacific's 'Piso Sale'?

They keep advertising these 'piso fare' sales where the 'base fare' is 10 pesos, but once you get through checkout the price is pretty much the same. I was just wondering if anyone has actually gotten a cheap fare from one of those sales.

Drugs worth 40 million pesos found hidden in 8 overseas parcels at NAIA mail center — Shabu, cocaine, ketamine, etc.

📌 On Friday, October 9, at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City, suspected shabu, cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, and marijuana hidden inside 8 parcels coming from abroad were intercepted. The estimated street value varies by report, at approximately 44.28 million pesos according to the PNP announcement and about 43.76 million pesos according to Philstar, and no arrests have been reported.

■ Incident Details
· The NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG) seized 8 overseas parcels at the mail processing facility on Domestic Road, Pasay City. Philstar reported that the parcels were in an abandoned state.
· Seized items: approx. 5.2kg of suspected shabu, 1,047g of marijuana (kush), 261g of cocaine, 1,001g of ketamine, and 482 pieces of ecstasy.
· According to Philstar, the parcels were sent from Mexico, Canada, India, the UK, Thailand, Malaysia, and Belgium, and were addressed to recipients in Cavite, Tarlac, and Laguna.

■ Investigation & Current Status
· The total street value differs depending on the report — 44,281,000 pesos per the PNP announcement, and approx. 43.76 million pesos per Philstar.
· According to Philstar, the operation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the PNP Aviation Security Group.

■ Notes for Residents & Travelers
· Do not accept overseas parcels asked to be received on behalf of strangers or people met online. Being listed as the recipient can make you a subject of investigation.
· If you receive a notice for a parcel arriving under your name and address that you did not order, do not accept it and check the sender first.

■ Sources
Pampanga Police Provincial Office (Official Facebook, PNP announcement, 10/11), Philstar (10/11)

Korean businessman robbed in Angeles Balibago accommodation — Police arrest 38-െന്ന് suspect the same night

📌 On October 10 (Sat) at around 5:55 AM, a 41-year-old Korean businessman was robbed inside his accommodation in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City. According to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), a 38-year-old male suspect was arrested in a manhunt operation at around 8:30 PM on the same day, and a handgun, a grenade, and the victim's mobile phone and bag were recovered.

■ Incident Details
· Police stated that a robbery-holdup incident targeting a 41-year-old Korean businessman took place on October 10 (Sat) at around 5:55 AM inside an accommodation on Batangas Street, Balibago.
· Right after the incident, police launched a hot pursuit and apprehended a 38-year-old man living in Barangay Amsic at around 8:30 PM the same day. The jurisdiction police station, the criminal and intelligence units, and forces from the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) participated in the joint operation.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· According to police announcements, a Glock 22 Gen 5 (.40 caliber) pistol loaded with a magazine containing 9 live rounds and a hand grenade were recovered from the suspect's sling bag.
· Two helmets (black and gray) believed to have been worn during the crime, clothing, and a black NMAX motorcycle believed to have been used for the getaway were also seized, and the victim's mobile phone and bag were found inside the motorcycle's storage compartment.
· The suspect is currently in police custody. The charges are at the police announcement stage and have not yet been ruled on by a court.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· Even inside your accommodation, do not immediately open the door for unexpected visitors in the early morning, and keep cash and valuables in a safe or store them separately.
· If you encounter an armed robber, do not resist, prioritize your safety, remember their appearance and motorcycle features, and immediately report to the police (911). In this case as well, police pursuit led to an arrest on the same day.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Office (Official Facebook, 10/11)

Spotted in Kansas City, Missouri 🤡

Pick your phobias

Oh no...

Can you convert your driver's license on a tourist visa? I was just told I can't. Is it just a matter of going to a different LTO, or is that really how it is? *I'm in Manila.

It turns out it was just that small office I went to. Thank you all for your kind help. I really appreciate it.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings

I'm going to be in the Philippines for 4 months. I'll be hopping around several islands and spending a month on Panay. Are there meetings, or how can I find them?

I'm flying out of Bicol International Airport in Legazpi. Until pretty recently the food options here were pretty meh, but they've gotten quite good. Posting a few pictures to help you plan next time :)

Hi everyone! 😊 We're planning to build a house, and I'd like to ask those of you who've built one. Out of the total construction cost, which usually takes more — labor or materials?

For example, for a simple single-storey house, roughly what percentage of the budget goes to labor and what percentage goes to materials?

I'd really appreciate any advice or personal experience you can share. Thank you! 🏠❤️

My friend is about to buy land through his Filipino wife for $400K. In cash.

Is this automatically as bad as it looks? She left her two kids in the US with him, so I don't think she's going to run off. But he's paying $400K to a private seller, and he's doing it at the bank so she doesn't get robbed.

He also thinks he's protected from losing the land by signing a lease. I've tried to talk him out of it, but he's sure it's fine.

Delivery Rider Arrested in Manila for Selling P300,000 Worth of Stolen Cameras Online — Police Issue Warning on Buying High-End Goods Online

📌 On Wednesday, October 7, a 22-year-old delivery rider was arrested in a police entrapment operation in Manila while trying to sell approximately 304,000 pesos worth of camera equipment suspected to have been stolen. According to an announcement by the Philippine National Police (PNP) posted on the official Facebook page of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, the rightful owner spotted the equipment listed online and reported it, leading to the arrest. The PNP has urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing high-value items online.

■ Incident Details
· The owner recognized their missing camera and lenses in an online sales listing and sought help from the police.
· Law enforcement arranged a transaction with the suspect, verified the serial numbers and identification details of the equipment at the scene, and made the arrest.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· The suspect has been charged with violating the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979 (Presidential Decree No. 1612), which penalizes the possession and sale of stolen goods, and legal proceedings are underway. The allegations are claims made by the police and will be determined in court.
· PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. cautioned the public to be careful when buying expensive items online.

■ Advice for Residents and Travelers
· High-end second-hand items such as cameras and mobile phones sold significantly below market value may be stolen goods. Always ask sellers for purchase receipts or warranty cards and check the serial numbers.
· If you have lost items, monitor online second-hand marketplaces. If you find them, do not meet the seller alone; notify the police instead. This case was also resolved through the owner's report and a police entrapment operation.

■ Source
Pampanga Police Provincial Office (Official Facebook, 10/11)

Meralco distribution rate hike approved for the first time in 15 years — from 1.35 to 1.48 pesos per kWh, implementation date undecided

📌 On Saturday, October 10, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced its decision to reset Meralco's distribution rates for the first time in 15 years, raising the average distribution rate from 1.35 pesos to 1.48 pesos per kWh, an increase of about 13 centavos (9.6%). While around 8 million Meralco customers could be affected, it has not yet been announced when the changes will take effect or how much household bills will increase.

■ What changes
· The ERC set Meralco's distribution revenue at about 342 billion pesos from July 2026 to June 2030, which is 36% lower than the 532 billion pesos requested by Meralco.
· Meralco applied for 2.34 pesos per kWh, but the ERC only approved 1.48 pesos.
· This decision applies only to the "distribution charge" for carrying electricity through power lines and substations. Generation and transmission charges, taxes, and other items are not included.
· This is the first time since 2011 that Meralco's distribution revenues and rates have undergone a complete review.
· ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan explained that capital expenditures lacking sufficient justification, excessive operating and bad debt costs were cut, and a lower return on capital than what Meralco proposed was applied.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· Check if Meralco is printed on your electricity bill. Areas served by other distribution companies are not subject to this decision.
· You will need to wait for further announcements from Meralco and the ERC regarding the implementation date and the specific increase for households. Monthly bills fluctuate separately based on generation charges and other factors, so do not calculate potential increases based solely on this rate hike.

■ Sources
Inquirer (10/11), Rappler (10/10)

Key Chinese figure behind illegal POGO hubs in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac arrested in Parañaque

📌 On Friday, October 9, in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City, Metro Manila, a Chinese national identified as playing a key role in operating two government-shut down illegal POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hubs was arrested. The two hubs are Lucky South 99 in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga, and an arrest warrant for human trafficking had been issued against this man.

■ Case Details
· The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and police apprehended the man at the K1 Center building in Tambo through a joint operation. According to the Manila Times, the participating police unit was the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
· The Philstar reported that the man was hiding in the building and was arrested at around 12:30 AM (confirmed by one source).
· According to the PAOCC, the man has been hiding his identity by using multiple aliases.
· The name of the Bamban hub varies by report (Philstar reports 'Zun Yuan Technology', Manila Times reports 'Baofu').

■ Investigation and Current Status
· He was arrested under an arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court, and his name is also listed on search warrants related to violations of illegal detention and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 10364). The charges will be determined in court.
· The PAOCC stated that he purchased real estate and fishing boats in places such as Jomalig Island, Quezon Province.
· According to the Philstar, he is currently detained at Camp Crame awaiting trial.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· Job postings promising high-paying 'online customer service' or overseas employment can be human trafficking channels for illegal gambling and scam hubs. Always verify the company's legitimacy and actual workplace first.
· If you discover a location suspected of being an illegal gambling or scam hub, report it to the police.

■ Sources
Philstar (10/11), The Manila Times (10/11)

Bulacan Calumpit shooting suspect arrested in Angeles Cutcut after 12 hours

📌 On the morning of Friday, October 9, the main suspect in a shooting that injured a 32-year-old man in Calumpit, Bulacan, was arrested at around 7:15 PM on the same day in Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City. According to the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, multiple police units launched a joint manhunt and captured him in less than 12 hours from the crime, while also securing a pistol believed to have been used in the crime and a getaway motorcycle.

■ Incident Details
· At around 8:25 AM on Friday, October 9, a 32-year-old man was shot and injured in Barangay Longos, Calumpit, Bulacan.
· The Calumpit Police Station immediately initiated a pursuit using the Joint Regional Tracking System (Kuyog System) of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), tracking the suspect's movement from Calumpit through Malolos City to Angeles City using CCTV footage and intelligence tips.

■ Investigation and Current Status
· At around 7:15 PM on the same day, the Calumpit Police Station, PRO3 Regional Intelligence Division, Bulacan Intelligence Unit, the police stations of Malolos, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Paombong, the Bulacan Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Angeles City Police Station Police Station 5 jointly arrested the main suspect in Cutcut.
· In the ensuing operation, a .45 caliber pistol believed to have been used in the crime and a motorcycle pointed to as the getaway vehicle were secured, and one more person was arrested for allegedly helping the suspect escape.
· The motive and charges to be filed were not disclosed in the announcement.

■ Notes for Residents and Travelers
· As in this case, suspects from incidents in other areas are sometimes apprehended in Angeles. If you see suspicious individuals or firearms in your neighborhood, please report them to the nearest police station or 911.
· If you witness an incident such as a shooting, do not approach the scene; move to a safe place and report it.

■ Source
Pampanga Police Provincial Office (Official Facebook, 10/10)