Whilst living in the Philippines, my pension was payed normally in to my UK bank and I used my internet banking to transfer enough each month to fulfil my requirements into my Philippine bank, never had any problems at all, the charge to transfer was £5 each time. By using my Philippine bank card at the cash machines there were no charges at all at most of the banks including Robinsons. Another tip, where possible try and use cash most of the time and always ask for discounts, you'll be suprised how much you will save, never be afraid to barter because the staff in the stores think that if they give you a decent discount they think you will always come back to them!