Hi, I currently live in Cebu and have been in a relationship with my Filipina for 21 months now. I already travelled to Cebu 3 times now to be with her, the last time being October this year.
I'm currently in Aldershot but only planning to be here for another week or 2 before I leave these wintry shores and start our new life together properly. I'm hoping to get plenty of advice, both before I go and after I get there so I hope you guys can help!!!
Hi John,your only down the road from me if your in the 'Shot,which part of Cebu you going?I am flying into Mactan next week en-route to mindanao.
Sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up, it's never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you never think you'll be up again. But life goes on.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the passion that she shows to the outside world.
Good advice ?
Yes.
Leave most of your assets safely in this country.
Each time I've gone there, we've based ourselves in Carcar as thats the area where her family come from, but been as far south on the island as Santander. Also, on both the last 2 trips, we went to Bohol and loved it there. If I don't end up living in Cebu, Bohol is my next choice....Originally Posted by Tawi2
Mindanao, eh? You're a braver man than me unless you're going to one of the safe areas like Davao. I've never been down to Mindanao and not sure I ever will want to take the risk.
Have you sent any balikbayan boxes over yet? Is there anyone in the Aldershot area you can recommend???
Funnily enough, I was planning to change my UK bank to HSBC and get them to set up a HSBC Philippines account for me. My intention is to leave most of my cash in the UK and just transfer over to the Philippines as and when we need it.Good advice ?
Yes.
Leave most of your assets safely in this country.
oops - sorry about the typo in the first post - I am not yet living in Cebu lol - but planning to be there permanently very soon! Sorry for any confusion
Very good plan with the HSBC accounts, once you link them you can do instant global transfers at 5 quid a pop.
I've just moved from Cebu, living not far from Carcar in Argao/Dalaguete.
One big piece of advice is be cautious of the expats. I know this may seem strange, but some people have different agendas for why they are in the Philippines.
There is another forum, specifically for people living in cebu, which can be very useful, but is also a website with a lot of negative and anti-filipino opinions and some very bad advice. Read it, but take it with a pinch of salt.
Go with the flow in the Philippines, don't compare it to home, and relax. Don't get angry and lose your temper, no matter how bad things get.
Wear trousers and a shirt when you goto the Bureau of Immigration to get visa extensions. Never let your visas expire, and never leave your passport with anyone else.
It's customary for the breadwinners or the wealther family members to support the poorer family members. Learn to give a 'little' occasionally, and don't be afraid to be known as a tight ass. When the medical bills for a lola or cousin come in, I tend to go with idea that i'll match whatever the average is that other people chip in, after they've chipped in (i.e. 2000 or 3000 on occasions). I do this all via my wife, so that I never have to talk to any of the family about money, and she can make the right decisions.
I found Living in the Philippines expensive at first, until I realised how to curb my costs. In essence you need to set yourself realistic budgets.
Let your wife explain some of the cultural differences to her family, such as that it's not normal for you to have lots of unexpected guests at dinner time or living with you for weeks on end.
Try hard to understand the culture, and read some books on it if you can. Don't always listen to what the local loudmouth in the bar says, or people like me on forums. The books written by psychologists tend to be quite good.
If you need any assistance setting up, friends of mine Paul and Elsa run www.cebuexpatservices.com , and can help with visas, motorbikes, houses and more. They have very low fees and are very very reliable, if you need help. Once you've found your feet, its easier. Just mention Ricky sent you.
Good luck, and I hope you enjoy the experience and new lifestyle.
thats the exact word does my husband utter when he decide to be with me 5 years agoI leave these wintry shores and start our new life together properly.after 2 years living in the Philippines he comes backhere in the UK with NOTHING
it wont last ..even if you consider putting to a business
so just be aware and be cautious i know you are jonboy 999wish you good luck in your both life
A place for everything, everything in its place.
If you want to make a million in the Phils....take two.
I would NEVER EVER sell my (only) property in the UK to finance a flight of fancy in the Philippines.
well said graham..and very trueIf you want to make a million in the Phils....take two.
I would NEVER EVER sell my (only) property in the UK to finance a flight of fancy in the Philippines.
A place for everything, everything in its place.
Hi there johnboy, I hope you will be so very happy. Wish I could join you, but not my time yet.
Please do take a re-read of post #7 from Ricky.
He's been there and done that and can give excellent up-to-date advice and tips.
I would also very strongly agree with the sentiments of Graham. Do not cut all financial ties with UK just yet. Keep you eye to the economic markets.
BTW, how will you finance you new life in Pinas?
No I don't mean to ask specifics, just want to prompt you to think about that. Life may appear to be cheap there but appearances can be deceptive.
Plenty of co-forumers can give really great advice to you in your life path. Please listen and you'll be happy as a pig in...........................the proverbial
Good luck mate.
thanks for the welcomes, everyone
I'd already joined the other forum that was mentioned, and I'm aware of Paul and Elsa - no doubt I'll be using them for a few bits and pieces
As far as my house here was concerned, it was a difficult situation - I owned half of it with my mother who owned the other half, but unfortunately she passed away this summer. My brother and sister wanted their cut and as I was losing my job, taking on a bigger mortgage to pay them off wasn't an option, so it had to be sold. I'm not silly enough to take all with me to the Philippines and, chances are I won't be buying any property in Cebu. Renting seems the sensible option to me until I know for sure that living there is going to work for us.
I've got my head screwed on and this is not just a "flight of fancy". I've already got the ideas for an internet based business to run there so that I have an income not based on local wages. I already know about the anti-dummy laws and the difficulties of working or running a business there, so I'm not planning to go there and spend a fortune setting up sari-saris or internet cafes, because I know they are a sure way to lose money.
Anyway, I'll be sure to stick around here and learn even more
I passed through carcar several times when taking the land-trip to Dumaguette,stopped off once to see the giant shoe,and taken the ferry across to negros on occassion from santander,looks like your in for a fun time,enjoy itwe've based ourselves in Carcar as thats the area where her family come from, but been as far south on the island as Santander.
Sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up, it's never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you never think you'll be up again. But life goes on.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the passion that she shows to the outside world.
So much to see at the Queen city of of the south. Hope u will enjoy your stay...u will be relaxed more on near the beaches away from city life...I live and worked in Cebu before, I enjoyed a lot!
Oh i miss Cebu! I am originally from Cebu City but funny enough I've never been to Carcar. I grew up in Cebu, moved with my family to New Zealand in 2002 and here I am, I just moved to London on my own last Oct. Good luck and enjoy the sun, beaches and food in Cebu!!
I definitely won't be living in the city!! I've been to the beach at Alcoy many times and its truly beautiful.....
I've always been so at peace with myself when I am in Cebu, and every time I returned to the rat race in England I missed the Philippines more and more. So, I made the decision to quit the rat race and just have a bit less cheese!!! Life is too short to spend it doing a job you hate and living in a country that's rapidly going down the pan. So, that's why I made the decision to go to Cebu to live and get married and stay there for the next few years at least. Perhaps, when the economy has recovered here and jobs are easier to get again, then maybe we will relocate back to the UK in the future. But, right now, my future for the foreseeable future is in the Philippines.
Carcar is definitely a growing place and although they call it a city, its no bigger than an average UK town. Every time I used to go up into Cebu City I used to feel really claustrophobic - it's just so busy up there, although I like the mall and terraces at Ayala. Carcar, on the other hand is much more relaxed and laid back. The people seem much more friendly in Carcar than they do up in the big city because I guess there is a lot less stress and hustle and bustle. And of course, the chicharon in Carcar is to-die-for......Oh i miss Cebu! I am originally from Cebu City but funny enough I've never been to Carcar. I grew up in Cebu, moved with my family to New Zealand in 2002 and here I am, I just moved to London on my own last Oct. Good luck and enjoy the sun, beaches and food in Cebu!!
I hope you like it in London - it's a great city with so much to see and do although, personally I could never live there. Country boy at heart I guess.
haha, strange to consider we travelled an hour to Carcar 'to the big city!'... The kids were excited for the jollibee.
compared to many other places in the south, yeah I guess it must seem big
it's just not too big, if you understand what I mean, and definitely not as mental as up in Cebu City
haha my wife loves the country style, I personally am more at home in Manila.
ohhhhh i really miss Cebu.. but next month i will go there to meet my fiance .. can't wait!!
I'm planning to be on the plane to Cebu in the first week in January if I can get everything finished up here
me, i will travel by fast craft on january 8...I'm planning to be on the plane to Cebu in the first week in January if I can get everything finished up here
ohh by the way, there's an event in cebu on january 12-15 celebrating "Sinulog Festival"...
yeah, I want to be there for Sinulog, and then on Jan 21st, its my fiancee's daughter's 4th birthday so I really want to be there for that!!!!
You all talking about Cebu and Carcar, i miss the place enough as it is without you all praising it. Must have passed through Carcar 20 times but never stopped there. I use it as a bench mark on my way to Argao.
One thing i have noticed is that everything it cheaper there but you still spend the same sort of money as you would here on a day to day basis over the course of a few weeks or month.
A lot of the family think you are loaded. I wonder what they would think of you if you were broke there?
Hi Rory,
Where were you staying in Argao? It's not a bad place, with Leylands.
As for spending money, whenever your on holiday you of course spend more money because you want to do things.
As for money amongst the family and sharing, its a very complex situation, that takes a bit of experience and time to understand. it's normally the westerner that has a big problem with adapting and sometimes is the cause of early break ups and family fights.
I've been to Argao a few times but only ever really stopped at that little wildlife place and visited Riverstone Castle once. Usually, we were just passing through on a trip to Alcoy and the gorgeous beaches there.
Hmmmm just finishing packing my balikbayan boxes, ready for them to be collected tomorrow, and then I'll be booking my flights very soon.
Got my flights booked - travelling with my favourite airline, Cathay Pacific and arriving in Cebu on Sunday 8th January. I heard recently it's possible to get my first visa extension upon arrival at Cebu airport by asking the immigration officer and then you get taken to one of the side offices and it's granted at the airport. Anyone got any experience of this as it would save me a trip to Mandaue in 2 weeks time????
Well I believe you can do that at NAIA now, so wouldn't be surprised.
RickyR is sure to know.
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