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Which global eSIM is good for traveling to the Philippines? Thanks!

4 family members buried in Pulangbato, Cebu landslide — 5-year-old child dead, 2 still being searched for

📌 On Friday, October 9, a landslide in Barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City buried four family members (ages 60, 38, 6, and 5) living in the same house under a pile of mud. As of that afternoon, the 5-year-old child passed away while receiving emergency treatment at a hospital, the 38-year-old mother was rescued and is in stable condition, and efforts to find the 60-year-old woman and the 6-year-old child are ongoing.

■ Incident Details
· Mud suddenly collapsed, trapping four family members inside the house.
· Cebu City stated around 3:30 PM that there was 1 death, 2 missing (1 adult, 1 child), and 1 rescued.
· Cebu City Council Disaster Management Committee Chairman and City Councilor Dave Tumulak said that rescuers have located the remaining two individuals, but continuous rain and shifting ground are making access difficult.

■ Investigation & Current Status
· The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 7 and Cebu City disaster personnel are continuing search and rescue operations.
· The city restricted access to the site to essential personnel only due to unstable ground and urged people to keep roads clear for ambulances.
· The scale of the damage may change as the search is ongoing.

■ Notice for Residents & Travelers
· The Mayor of Cebu City urged residents near landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant.
· When rain continues, avoid traveling to mountain villages and hillside accommodations in Cebu, and check local government evacuation notices.
· Do not go near the accident site so as not to hinder rescue operations.

■ Sources
GMA News (10/9), The Manila Times (10/9), SunStar (10/9)

Basilan Lamitan Military Convoy Ambushed Again — 1 Soldier Dead, 8 Injured Including 10-Year-Old Child

📌 On the evening of Thursday, October 8, an army convoy was ambushed by armed men along the national highway in Barangay Sabong, Lamitan City, Basilan province, Mindanao. One soldier was injured and died early the next morning, while 8 others, including a 10-year-old boy and his father in a trailing vehicle, were injured. This attack occurred just three days after the Tip-Itipo ambush in the same province on Monday, October 5.

■ Incident Details
· The attack took place past 6 PM, with reports varying between around 6:15 PM and 6:50 PM.
· Troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion and other units were transporting fellow soldiers back to their base in Tip-Itipo when they were shot at by gunmen hiding by the roadside.
· The gunmen also fired at a civilian multicab vehicle trailing behind, injuring the 10-year-old boy in the knee and his father in the arm.
· One injured soldier passed away at a military hospital in the early hours of Friday, October 9. The number of injured soldiers varies between 6 and 7 depending on the report.

■ Investigation & Current Status
· The military immediately returned fire, causing the gunmen to flee into the surrounding area under the cover of darkness.
· The military and police have set up checkpoints across Lamitan City and are conducting pursuit operations.
· The military believes the attack was carried out by the armed group led by Saddam Siddick, which is linked to drug trafficking and extortion, in retaliation for recent military operations, and is also investigating its connection to the October 5 attack.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· Attacks targeting the military have been occurring consecutively in western island regions of Mindanao such as Basilan, so it is advisable to avoid visiting.
· If you must travel there, check the travel advisory level for the area on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Safe Travel website before departure.
· Do not drive closely behind military vehicle convoys, and minimize traveling on national highways after sunset.

■ Sources
Philstar(10/9), GMA News(10/9), The Manila Times(10/9)

No stereotypes were harmed

Never give up, always rise again 💪

Udderly disappointing

Is there an expat group around BGC that goes out and does activities together? Yes, I'm a Filipino American who just moved to the Philippines.

12-hour layover at Manila airport (7am–7pm) — where can I get some sleep?

Given the timing, I don't really want to book two nights — what are my options?

Is there a day spa or something where I can get a massage and then just lie down and sleep for about 4 hours?

Or do I have to book a hotel for 2 nights (checking out around 4–5pm)?

Any hotels you've stayed at?

Hi everyone, I'd like to ask if there are any Filipinas here in a similar situation to mine. Has anyone gotten married in the US but never reported the marriage to the Philippines or updated their PSA marriage record?

I'm a Filipina who has been married to an American for 12 years, and I never registered our marriage in the Philippines. Honestly, I did it to protect myself. You really never know what the future holds. Things may be fine between us now, but what if someday things change or we fall out?

I lived in the US with my husband for eight years. Then, because the cost of living there was too high, we agreed that I would move back to the Philippines. Since my husband wouldn't let me work while I was there anyway, I was all the more willing to come home.

Honestly, the change was really hard for me. In the Philippines I was a workaholic and very independent. But in America I became isolated and financially dependent on my husband. I was unhappy because I felt I'd lost the freedom to work, earn my own money and help with expenses.

Now I'm back in the Philippines and I've already given up my green card. My husband plans to retire here eventually.

The real reason I never reported our marriage is fear, and what I went through emotionally during those years. Heaven forbid, but if we ever separated, I was afraid I wouldn't have the money to protect myself or pay for the legal process.

Some people may ask why I made that decision. But at the time, I felt I absolutely needed some kind of security and independence for myself.

I'm not asking to be judged. I just want to hear from other Filipinas who've been in the same situation, married abroad but never reported the marriage or updated their PSA records.

🔆Starlink owners only.🔆
How's the speed and connection on your Starlink?
Has anyone bought one at SM Megamall? Any lessons learned or tips would be much appreciated.

What's electricity costing per kW these days?

Last night I was talking with friends about electric bills. The three of us live in different condos within a couple of blocks of each other.

My electricity is 22 pesos per kW, and my friends pay 15 and 26.

I was surprised how big the difference is between units. I'm in Cebu City and just curious what everyone else pays.

A post on rant and ravePh just now about evicting squatters: the OP's situation is beyond absurd. I tried reposting it here, but the bot auto-removed it over nasty words in the title.

POV: you're a seal trainer getting a very bouncy hello

A moment from the tournament

So smooth he helped search for himself

I'm arriving in Cebu in a few weeks and plan to stay in Lapu-Lapu for 3–4 nights. It's my first time in the Philippines before I head on to Mindanao, so I'm hoping to rest up, eat well, get some spa time and maybe do a little shopping.

I really love high-floor balconies with stunning views, and I don't mind paying a bit more for the right place. My budget is about $150 a night.

The Airbnbs I had my eye on at Tambuli are all taken, so now I'm looking for good alternatives. Ideally I'd like a one-bedroom place with a kitchen, but the overall experience, great views, nice amenities and location matter more to me than a kitchen.

I'd also love restaurant recommendations. Where should I absolutely eat in Lapu-Lapu or Cebu?

The only place I'm definitely going so far is Spiaggia. I'm torn between staying there and the Mövenpick Hotel, and I also really like some of the suites at Costabella Tropical Hotel.

Normally I'm very focused on healthy living and do a carnivore/keto diet, but I'm planning to cheat completely on this trip. So the food had better be worth it!

One very important thing: almost everywhere I travel I order New England clam chowder, mac & cheese, or both. I'm on a quest to find the best in the world.

So hit me with your recommendations:
Places to stay with amazing views around $150 a night
Best resorts, hotels or one-bedroom places
Must-visit restaurants
Best New England clam chowder
Best mac & cheese
Best spas
Anything else I shouldn't miss while I'm there

Thanks in advance! I'd really love to hear from people who know the area well or have recently stayed or eaten there.

What's the most memorable, sweetest thing your girlfriend or wife has done for you? (No sexual or rude comments, please)

Anyone care to list theirs? Or maybe something you wish she'd do more often, or do again.

Exit Clearance – Manila

So here's my question: for those who've stayed in the Philippines for 2 to 3 years, what did you pay in total, not counting the 2x2 photos and copies? And how was your experience?

I haven't actually done an exit clearance yet, so I have no firsthand experience. But my 3-year mark is coming up soon.

What they expect and require may differ from office to office. The paperwork in the photos is from the immigration office on the 5th floor of Ayala Circuit Mall. I did my last eligible 2-month extension before I have to do a visa run.

Overall it was a decent experience.

I arrived in the Philippines in December 2023 and have to leave before the end of December, my 3-year mark.

I'd rather just show up early before my flight and do it at the 24-hour Manila airport immigration office, but I hear that's only available to foreigners who've been here 6 months to a year.

I did 2-month extensions my whole time here. Most were just receipt printouts, and some were receipt printouts plus stickers inside the passport. Four stickers fill one passport page. I went through 3 tourist visa ACR cards, each issued after the 6-month point every year and valid for a year.

I always pay the express fee for convenience. I don't want to make several trips to the immigration office to pick my passport back up.

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Manila and Talisay. Is there any kind of platform where I can rent a car or a motorcycle in Manila or Talisay?

Hi everyone, I arrived in Manila last week, thinking about retiring in the Philippines. I spent my first 5 months of retirement in Thailand, heard lots of good things about the Philippines, so I packed up and moved to Manila last week. I'm planning to base myself around BGC when I get back from a 10-day break in Boracay. I'm British, ex-military and ex-police, and it would be great to meet up with people for a coffee or a beer. Best wishes to everyone.
Richard.