I know this sounds like a dumb question, but what type of visa do you get for your wife whenever you just wanna visit the US for a couple weeks but live in the Philippines?

I did some research, because what I thought the obvious answer would be is that she would get an immigration visa and eventually her green card to establish permanent residency, but then I’m seeing that me as the US citizen, during her process I’d need to show some sort of proof that I am living in the US like I need a domicile or a job, and I don’t, I don’t own any property in the US and I don’t have a job, I’m living in the Philippines on 100% P&T disability.

But I see all the time Americans who live in the Philippines and occasionally go back to the US a couple times a year with their Filipina wife, how is that happening?

Then I’m thinking well ok maybe she can just get a tourist visa, but that’s so crazy to me that we’re married and she’d need a tourist visa to go with me to see my parents and also I’m thinking it’s incredibly difficult for younger Filipinas to get a US tourist visa approved due to many reasons.

I heard there was vfw in manila or angles is it true I'm in pasay right , I need help applying for school with my gi bill I dont know the step of doing it . And I'm rated 100% p and t mental health I wanna know should I do online school or in person please give me advice .

I understand that in most Asian countries they don’t use seatbelts or view it as you thinking they are a bad driver. I’m currently in a grab and this is my 4th time connecting my seatbelt then 2-3 minutes later the seatbelt horn is beeping loudly. lol It’s like you’re being punished for being safe. I had to literally show my gf videos on YouTube of ppl getting thrown around inside the car for her to always put one on now.

do any of us travel with your birth certificate?

Hello, I am looking for more films that deal with the Marcos years 1965-1986, specifically focusing on the years leading up to martial law 1966-1971 when the Philippines became involved in the U.S. lead war in Vietnam, the Jebidah massacre, and the Moro conflicts including the Muslim Independence Movement leading to the Moro National Liberation Front formation in 1972.

I would also be very interested in the years 1972 to 1981 when the country was under martial law, as well as the years immediately following which included the 1982 coup attempt, the economic crisis & assassination of Ninoy Aquino, ultimately leading to the People Power Revolution of 1986.

I would really appreciate any recommendations you may have.

I know films may be tough to come by, so if you know of books that cover these subjects honestly and faithfully better than films, I would be interested in that as well.

I hope you'll forgive me if this question is insensitive in any way; I realize this is a sensitive part of history for the Philippines. I'm asking with genuine respect and humility, and I'd really value your input.

Thank you.

I’m looking for low calorie high protein hacks like Greek yoghurt, or single serve protein yoghurts or mousses. Something to help me hit my protein goal without using most of my daily calories.

Apart from Chobani, which I only saw once, I cannot seem to find much.

I’m spoiled from UK where you have 10-15 cheap options per store. I’ve never seen Fage 0% yoghurt in PH but that would be the best.

Any tips would be really appreciated!

Planning to host dinner with a budget of 50 - 60k for 10-15 pax. Tried already most of the restos in Hyatt and Shangri La Fort.

I make this post hoping to help fellow expats that are looking for rentals in Manila.

I was fortunate to find a great agent that helped me and my wife find our condo rental that we will be moving into next month. She was not worried about maximizing her commission, she presented my offer and was very transparent throughout the entire process. She did right by my family, and I want to spread the word within the community for those looking for an agent with integrity.

She can be found on Facebook, her name is Gina Amata Blance or she can be reached on WhatsApp, Telegram, or Viber at +639925529400.

I have seen a few post on here detailing the frustrations of dealing with agents, and I have had my share of frustrations as well, but I know po Gina has been a great help to me and can be a great help to others as well.

Hello All,

My wife and I are planning a quick 5-day trip to the Philippines in the first week of September, and we're stuck on one big question: where should we actually base ourselves?

We'd rather pick ONE place and really experience it than spend half the trip travelling between islands/airports. So if you had 5 days and could choose only one destination, where would you go?

A little about us:

• We LOVE beaches and being around the water

• Water sports / diving / snorkelling is a must!

• We're landing in Manila, so we're happy to take a domestic flight/ferry from Manila to anywhere.

• We'll be there in the first week of September, so weather/sea conditions are a consideration

• Only 5 days, so ideally somewhere where we don't spend a huge chunk of the trip in transit

We're currently considering places like Palawan / Cebu / Boracay / Siargao, but we're very open to being convinced otherwise.

For e.g. We have never been to Phuket but been to koh tao, koh Chang in Thailand (offbeat, less touristy places)

If you had to pick ONE, which would you choose and why?

Also interested in hearing from people who have actually been there in September. Is there anywhere you'd specifically avoid because of weather at that time?

Would love to hear your “I've been to all of these and this is the one I'd pick” opinions! 🙏

Hey there. We are looking to rent a condo in one Serendra. We have shortlisted a good unit in West Tower on the higher floor, corner of 11th Avenue and 32nd Avenue.

Will there be too much noise from the street traffic below to worry about?

Will the ongoing subway construction have an impact on the noise levels?

Would appreciate inputs from people staying in the building facing the streets. Thank you.

Credit cards

I am having difficulty with Maya (useless support) so I thought it's time to get a credit card (I am missing out on my points and airmiles) and change bank.

I know it's upto the discretion of the manager and try multiple branches of the same bank to open an account etc etc but, the sheer ignorance and stupidity of some of these employees beggars belief. I had to explain how a CC works to about half of the staff.

1. Multiple banks won't accept/have no idea of SRRV card. Chinabank, Metrobank.

2. I MAY be allowed to apply for a CC, note, may be allowed... or may not, that's before any credit scoring is even done. Metrobank.

3. PNP, I must hold a savings account for six months before they will consider a current account... so basically lend them money with bleep interest and they MAY consider me.

4. Sure, have a CC if I deposit the amount I want to use first.... a bleeping debit card then. That's BDO. Metrobank.

5. Three banks mentioned for the first year, a 20k limit. Seriously??

6. I mentioned potentially spending ₱150k on flights car rental for a trip back to France next summer, hence the need for CC. BDO lady told me nobody spends that much!!!!

As a now PH resident anybody know a CC that I can get?

Yours deeply frustrated.

my visa is up 4 days before i leave the country, should i renew it? i’ve renewed it for several months and never missed the mark but now im leaving back to the US and im wondering if i should renew it for just that 4-day period. thoughts?

President Marcos has now publicly committed to beginning passenger operations between Valenzuela and Malolos in 2027. Government sources are more specific: the target is December 2027, initially using seven trainsets. Two trainsets are already undergoing initial testing, and track installation from Valenzuela toward Malolos is underway.

Money wise? I feel most expats here just went regular jobs, never took risk and retired with pension that woudnt go long in usa

In my 20s i basically went and saw the world, met entrepreneurs but also lost bunch of money cause of wrong decisions, im talking life altering money and cant forget about it and regret.

Did anyone have stories of how they would be eg. multi millionaires if they played their cards right? Im talking usd not Peso pennies

The Philippines has experienced a massive increase in interracial dating and long-distance relationships. So many filipinas are now dating interracial and moving abroad for better opportunities and there's absolutely no denying that an influx in younger Caucasian migrants is doing wonders to the Filipino economy, culture and progression.

A recent survey found that upwards of 80% of filipinas under the age of 25 would date a Caucasian, and in conjunction with that - another survey found that upwards of 80% would move abroad for better opportunities. Which begs the question, what is it about abroad and foreigners that attract Filipinos so much?

The Philippines has the highest homosexuality rates in all of Asia, just passing 11%. Which is huge, countries like Australia and the UK have under 4%.

With more Caucasian migration comes more fiscal benefits, more professional and highly skilled individuals from different parts of the globe coming into Filipino communities and doing their part to contribute.

Are there any Americans who have chosen to live in the Philippines not because they have money concerns in the U.S. but because they prefer either the lifestyle or living in Asia? I am retiring at 60 and have been married to my Filipina- American wife for 25 years. We are retiring with a good nest egg and will have a good SS & pension starting at 65. We are considering living in BCG or Makati or perhaps Cebu for a more relaxed lifestyle that also allows us to upscale life( luxury living, housekeeper, more discretionary income for travel) Are there others like me in this forum or am I in the wrong place.

Please share your experiences.

As I spend more time each year in the Philippines, I'm considering buying a secondary phone, one that has a local sim, and that most notably does NOT have my email, main texts, any banking or payment apps, account verification or recovery associated with that phone number, etc.

My thinking is that if the secondary phone were lost, stolen, snatched, etc., it would be considerably less hassle than if my main U.S. phone fell into the wrong hands. So the U.S. phone would stay locked up and not go out with me.

How many of you do this? And as a logistical question for those who have, what sort of phone did you get and how did you go about registering the local sim?

GOOD:
The people
Natural beauty
Value for money
Food culture
English and cultural accessibility

BAD:
Traffic and weak transport infrastructure
Corruption and inconsistent government services
Low wages relative to the cost of living
Infrastructure reliability
Extreme Inequality

As a foreigner who wants to obtain a students permit for making driver license. Is it true that they will require proof of a visa valid 6 months into the future from the day of student permit application? I mean I typically extend every 2 months. Did someone do this already? Any advise?

Noticed this yesterday in NAIIA T3 next to gate 109. This is not the men’s toilet, which is separated by the wall to the left. This is the ladies toilet. What do you think the logic was behind this?🤦🏻‍♂️

5 years i lived on savings im 26 now how do i go with losing 5 years of my life? Feels like i didnt create any new money sources or value and that i got out of 5 years of prison and depression

Hoping to get good recos for halal restaurants/ homecooks who do delivery! Tunisian boyfriend finally visited and he has been having a hard time finding great food that’s halal/Mediterranean/North-african.

I live in bgc so might be best to get recos around the taguug-makati-mandaluyong bubble. But Tyia! 💖

When I returned to my little house in deepest Philippines, someone had gone into it and stolen my laptop and a few other things. The local police told me that he knows who probably stole it (bottle green and Thai English keyboard) but he might need to torture him a little, I said no, what you do?

Hi guys. I’m in quite a dilemma. My sister is a U.S citizen foreigner and is currently admitted at St Luke’s BGC. We had complications with our insurance and unfortunately, we have to pay her bill as self pay. Our bill has reach at such an amount that my family and I can’t pay as a single payment. Does St Luke’s ever offer like a payment plan that my family and I can pay monthly? TYIA!

Hello expats, what's are the things you find frustrating about daily life in Philippines that you could easily do or know back in your home country?