@AlbertaDonuts
Canadian looking for information about Philippines
Forum
146 posts
About me
Canadian
Lives in Unsure
Speaks English
Registration: 28 March 2019
Activity
Returning to Baguio and Ilocos Sur by mugtech
Arrived at JFK at 9PM on 11/17/24 to check in for a 12:50 AM flight on Korean Air to South Korea then Manila. Had to pay $6 to use a hand truck for our three checked bags and two carryons. Only other time we had to pay for said hand ...
@mugtech Thank you and all 75+ travelers for not having shoe bombs. LOL. this is a crazy world.Safe travels. Read More
Every Man Has a Story by Enzyte Bob
Mark Thornton the host of Every Man Has a Story has passed away. I'm not much into YouTube bloggers, I watched his YT channel several times. From what I gathered he had a stroke and past away in the hospital.So it brings me to these thoughts: Expats ...
Interesting Donald, I gather you are on the public system in Canada? We had private health care in Australia and when it was revealed that I had multiple hernias in the groin, 3 one side and 2 the other side was whacked into a private hospital ... Read More
Every Man Has a Story by Enzyte Bob
Mark Thornton the host of Every Man Has a Story has passed away. I'm not much into YouTube bloggers, I watched his YT channel several times. From what I gathered he had a stroke and past away in the hospital.So it brings me to these thoughts: Expats ...
An expat here had laparoscopic hernia surgery in Dumaguete for P120 k. Took 2 days from contacting the cotactimg the doc till surgery. Back in Canada I have been on a waitlist for the same procedure for 9 months. Likely will get the surgery in 6 ... Read More
Every Man Has a Story by Enzyte Bob
Mark Thornton the host of Every Man Has a Story has passed away. I'm not much into YouTube bloggers, I watched his YT channel several times. From what I gathered he had a stroke and past away in the hospital.So it brings me to these thoughts: Expats ...
Have you seen the video posted to Mark Thomas site by his wife and Greg of "Building the Philippines with Wilma and Greg? There is some good advice and a great example that Mark left for all of us.He had a folder with all the documents and ... Read More
Every Man Has a Story by Enzyte Bob
Mark Thornton the host of Every Man Has a Story has passed away. I'm not much into YouTube bloggers, I watched his YT channel several times. From what I gathered he had a stroke and past away in the hospital.So it brings me to these thoughts: Expats ...
@Jackson4Well said, I would add one thing. When my health gets so bad that I need Western healthcare to keep me alive, perhaps I don't want to be alive anymore and will just be grateful for the many years I have had including the later years living ... Read More
Using your own US Phone number? by chughes6302
Before arriving in Davao two weeks ago, I researched using my existing (at the time) US AT&T phone number. I believed all I needed to do was to "Port" the number to my new Philippine carrier (Smart) and I would be OK. Nothing but OK... Because I ...
@danfinn Everything you said rings true for Canada as well. 3 years ago financial institutions would not send MFA to non employment emails or VOIP numbers. Turns out that a lot of retirees don't have work email and can afford to travel. I guess ... Read More
Using your own US Phone number? by chughes6302
Before arriving in Davao two weeks ago, I researched using my existing (at the time) US AT&T phone number. I believed all I needed to do was to "Port" the number to my new Philippine carrier (Smart) and I would be OK. Nothing but OK... Because I ...
@danfinn I use VOIP, Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is great for receiving one time authorization numbers and for calling back to North America. It is not great for receiving calls. I don't recall the exact rate but it is approx .02 cents a ... Read More
Using your own US Phone number? by chughes6302
Before arriving in Davao two weeks ago, I researched using my existing (at the time) US AT&T phone number. I believed all I needed to do was to "Port" the number to my new Philippine carrier (Smart) and I would be OK. Nothing but OK... Because I ...
@Stoic Voyager I was not aware of the airplane mode, wifi calling hack you mention. So far my VOIP number is working and a fraction of the price for Google fi. I think I pay about $25 a year. My financial institutions have loosened the rules and ... Read More
Using your own US Phone number? by chughes6302
Before arriving in Davao two weeks ago, I researched using my existing (at the time) US AT&T phone number. I believed all I needed to do was to "Port" the number to my new Philippine carrier (Smart) and I would be OK. Nothing but OK... Because I ...
@Stoic VoyagerYou are correct, a few years ago my bank and other financial services would not send the code to my VOIP number or to the common email services such as Gmail. They would send it to my work email. When I retired I gave them the option ... Read More
Starlink Internet vs local internet by aklokow
Hi AllJust wanted to know if anyone is using Starlink? We decided to get Starlink when they had this special in the philippines of initail price to be 10K less until August. So we got our today, the monthly fee compare to our existing internet is ...
@Jackson4Thanks, your concerns regarding wifi being sniffed, that is one I share. I think you just made my decision. My one concern with hard wire is how long wires last in this environment, and or if someone cuts them vs integrity with wifi?I ... Read More
Starlink Internet vs local internet by aklokow
Hi AllJust wanted to know if anyone is using Starlink? We decided to get Starlink when they had this special in the philippines of initail price to be 10K less until August. So we got our today, the monthly fee compare to our existing internet is ...
@GoetzPhilCan you clarify, so a western Credit Card will not give you the same price? It needs to be a Philippines Credit Card? Well that sucks as credit cards run on the Visa, MC, etc systems that are international so I did not see a ... Read More
Backup generator suggestions? by Larry Fisher
Getting too often lately with the brownouts. And there's always the possibility of another Odette in the area knocking power out for a month or more. I am seriously considering a backup generator. But I have no clue what size to get. This is a weak ...
Hi Larry and group,I won't pretend to understand all the numbers when it comes to calculating watts, amps, etc. What is easy for me to calculate is how unreliable the grid is here between man made issues and mother nature. Solar and battery is not ... Read More
Apt and living in Valencia, Bukidnon Philippines 2024 by piattepye
Does anyone have any info on Valencia, Bukidnon on Mindanao, like Apartment rentals other than Air B&B and lifestyle as I am looking into a decent size city for shopping and possible fitness gym and of course restaurants and Cafes. I have lived ...
I agree, pros and cons every where. I checked many places in Visayas and have chosen the Dauin and Zamboanguita area. When you try different ones you will find what works for you. Siquijor is worth exploring as well. Read More
Apt and living in Valencia, Bukidnon Philippines 2024 by piattepye
Does anyone have any info on Valencia, Bukidnon on Mindanao, like Apartment rentals other than Air B&B and lifestyle as I am looking into a decent size city for shopping and possible fitness gym and of course restaurants and Cafes. I have lived ...
@piattepye Negros is safe but I would avoid most places in Mindanao except Davao and the few major tourist spots.What part of Bohol are you enjoying? I have visited there a couple times but mostly in Panglao diving. Since you are so close, come ... Read More
Apt and living in Valencia, Bukidnon Philippines 2024 by piattepye
Does anyone have any info on Valencia, Bukidnon on Mindanao, like Apartment rentals other than Air B&B and lifestyle as I am looking into a decent size city for shopping and possible fitness gym and of course restaurants and Cafes. I have lived ...
Before looking at long term rental, get a place for a few weeks... come and visit and look around. After that you will be better prepared to look for a long term rental in Duma, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, or Zamboguita. Pictures are not often ... Read More