Hi From Minglanilla, Cebu

[mattwilkie]

Just dropping by to say hi! Frank dropped by my blog earlier today so I thought I would pop by to say hello..

I think we are working the opposite to most as the majority of people seem to be going UK bound where we are actually living in the Philippines. So far we are on year 3 of our marriage. My wife April stays in Minglanilla with our two children while I will travel to the UK now and again for contract work. Lived out here for a full year this year purely down to the recession issues (getting out before it happened). Although likely will be back in the UK for 2011 as I have a daughter there with my previous partner also a good time to restock the balikbayan boxes of equipment we need as well as fill up the bank..

[joebloggs]

welcome matt

[stevewool]

hi there matt, a nice read from the other site

[mattwilkie]

Thanks for the greets how is the sunny UK these days? heard of snow and recession which isn't good news when I may be back for the summer for 4 months

[raynaputi]

welcome to the forum matt

[alanmf1]

Hi Matt, welcome to the Forum

[Arthur Little]

Just dropping by to say hi!

Hello, Matt ... and

[fred]

Hey Matt!! It wasn't Frank...It was me... Fred!!
Glad to have you aboard ..Welcome to the forum..

[mattwilkie]

Hi Fred I am terrible with names.. although should have remembered yours as I don't know many Freds I am generally a faces person for remembering people so apologise for wrong name ;-)

[mattwilkie]

Hi Fred sorry for the mistake I am terrible with names :-/

[purple]

Hi there Matt and welcome to the forum.

Are you staying with your wife currently at Minglanilla? I live here in Camella Lawaan and goes to Naga where my parents are. My husband is with me right now for holiday and will be going back with him to cold UK.

Enjoy your stay here at the forum. Lots of nice people here.

[mattwilkie]

Hi Purple in Minglanilla at the moment been here since arriving back Dec 2009. Generally I try to do 4 months in the UK and the rest in the Philippines. Our setup now allows me to stay here permanently but I need to go back from time to time to see my daughter in the UK as well as add a few pounds for things from Machine Mart always short supply of good machinery and tools here.. I will probably be back in the UK March once I know if contracts are possible this year, if they are dry with the recession will stay in Cebu no rush to join a dole queue there :-/

[Terpe]

Hi mattwilkie, welcome to the forum
I looked at your blog after Fred put it up here. Very nice read.
There's going to be some impact changes in UK over the coming months.
VAT will increase Jan 4 (up to 20%)

[joebloggs]

VAT will increase Jan 4 (up to 20%)

vat increase on something costing £10 is what 20p more, something costing costing £500 will be £10 more. this doesnt bother me as much as the increases i've seen on food items over the last year , food items costing £1.20 going to £1.45 etc

[Terpe]

vat increase on something costing £10 is what 20p more, something costing costing £500 will be £10 more. this doesnt bother me as much as the increases i've seen on food items over the last year , food items costing £1.20 going to £1.45 etc

I know what you are saying Joe, as I have said the same to my wife when she wanted to go shopping on Boxing Day. But... VAT is paid on most items and services. Not just one or two items. Food, fuel, energy, communications, clothing etc.etc.
Another significant addition to the current inflation.
This all makes a difference to me anyway.

[Sim11UK]

vat increase on something costing £10 is what 20p more, something costing costing £500 will be £10 more. this doesnt bother me as much as the increases i've seen on food items over the last year , food items costing £1.20 going to £1.45 etc

I buy some wholesale products that used to cost 38p. During the recession, they've skyrocketted up to 52p each, with VAT now going up to 20%, there wont be any profit. It will have a terrible affect across the country.

[mickcant]

Hi Matt
Welcome to the forum.
Have been to Cebu but not for long enough to know it very well.
Mick.

[joebloggs]

sure it all counts, but the cheeky have increased many food items already by more than 10%-20% and come jan's vat increase they will cost even more

[mickcant]

sure it all counts, but the cheeky have increased many food items already by more than 10%-20% and come jan's vat increase they will cost even more

I noticed last week a jar of my favourite coffee had gone up by around 50p and that is one item only
Mick.

[macculumsean]

hey there . . . !!!
another newbie here , happy to find this forum . . .
would love to have some friends from here . . .

[Sim11UK]

Hi Matt
Had a look at your blog, after the link Fred left & am very interested in what you are doing. Will be going back for a read later. It's great to find info like that on the net.
Good luck! in all your ventures.

[mattwilkie]

Hi Matt
Had a look at your blog, after the link Fred left & am very interested in what you are doing. Will be going back for a read later. It's great to find info like that on the net.
Good luck! in all your ventures.

Hi Sim11UK the main part of the blog is over at tropicalpenpals.com/blog which goes back as far as late 2007 right up until today. The reason being is CebuExpat.com is going to be more toned down than the other one as i am just looking to use it more for direct information for people than a personal blog but with over 2000 articles in TP should be enough to keep you busy for a while ..lol

[Sim11UK]

Thanks for that...I did find Tropicalpenpals, but not got far into it. Will have a good look.

Happy New Year