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Yes indeed. This information is something to ingest and use to weigh your risk factors for sure. As to "why take the risk" that's up to each person's determination. Everyone should do what they can to mitigate the risks they take, in their interest and in the interest of their loved ones.

 

so, great subject! read all the posts and learn as always

my two cents. before the spanish the "philippines" was just 7000 islands with many languages and individual little cultures, probably one or more per island. (as it sort of still is today) settled by mostly malay area peoples. when the spanish arrived the muslim religeon was practiced in many places including manila and most population centers. the spanish drove them out. established catholicism which appealed to most filipinos whereas spanish language perhaps did not perhaps because no one language prevailed in the country.

i say that because the tribal culture still exists and many on negros can speak more english than their "national language" filipino (a supercharged version of tagalog) and/or tagalog proper. (yes, english is the second official language)

the spanish created the concept of a filipino nation and named it the Philippines. manila was the center and still is largely due to the economic power (70 percent of the nation) and site of government including the military and national police. the Philippines may claim and celebrate independence stemming from events of late 1800's but was still a spanish colony when the americans "won" the philippines in the spanish american war. the US granted independance rather quickly since it really never wanted and didn't really know what to do with the phils. that was to take place in the thirties but was delayed to 46 because of ww2.

the efforts to seek independence from the spanish spilled over with some turmoil against the americans so the relationship was somewhat awkward.

my opinion is that still today this is a tribal conglomeration more than a country with any real national history. it has existed under "home rule" less than 80 years (only three generations) which so far which makes it a newcomer on the world stage in terms of formal self governed countries.

i tend to see the functioning of the philippines much as i do the american indians which also have a full measure of internal disputes between tribes and even the bands within tribes.

which leads us where? i guess that it is hard to generalize about the philippine culture and you may have to adjust your thinking every time you get off the ferry? where is it headed compared to other asian nations? i can't get wrapped around that one

 

Yes I am on the mend, Thanks.
My experience at Holy Child has only been with the Eye Clinic and the dentist. All being good experiences.

I can not say enough about how good ACE is. It is of course a new hospital and it is very well staffed. I spent 5 days there and it cost about half of the cost of St. Luke's in Manila for the same amount of time.

 

I had an old friend several years ago that Silliman had given up on. He got an appointment with one of the cebu hospitals that had an arrangement to transport patients.

Silliman reluctlently discharged him and the local service mentioned above transported him to Santander to meetup with the cebu ambulance. The old friend is still an old friend fully recovered thanks to the cebu hospital that knew what to do. From my experience Silliman and Holy Child are good places to die if your sickness is out of the ordinary.

I'm frequently wrong....but seldom in doubt!

Shakey

 

i wrote a landmark guide, with my name, from a well known business, church, intersection, etc. and text it to the delivery team when they call or text me.
it helps to use odometer readings in 10ths (2/10km) from your landmarks.
also, if you can, use something like turn towards the mountain or sea rather turn left or right because you don't know what direction the courier is coming from.

lately, i've included a link to my location on google maps in a follow up text..

how to find your location link on google maps ?
- zoom in on your house, put your curser on it and right click
- click on ''what's here'' in the popup menu
- left click on the gps coordinates in the window that pops up in the bottom of your screen
- click on ''send to my phone'' or ''share'' in the left hand menu

i use MyPhoneExplorer in my computer to send the directions via my cell phone.
you can store your directions in the MPE notes and copy/paste them in the msg window.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fjsoft.myphoneexplorer.client&hl=en

fun stuff...

 

Only spend what you can afford to lose on a business. If your thinking its a way of making ends meet your odds are very low of success here. Whatever business is going to cost you for sometime before it *might* start turning a profit. If locals can copy it they will and do it cheaper especially as quality doesn't matter if its slightly cheaper for most. Don't start a business to cater to foreigners as your #1 customer because you'll be shooting yourself in your foot if not just chopping it off.

After that do some market research while also access what kind of business you want to start. Want to do a restaurant you need a good location and to offer something wanted but not already plentiful in availability but you also need to make sure you can aquire a solid supply chain of what you need. Prices need to be locally competitive and achievable at the locals wallet but you also need a decent cushion in price of cost to make vs sell price yet locals as they often underpay workers and skim on quality bigtime will screw you over every chance they get in competition.

Key though is YOU as a foreigner can't own a business and anyone who tells you otherwise you should ignore. You'll hear of exceptions and ways around things and most are bogus and that which isn't bogus could change at the drop of a hat. This means you need to have it in a Filipino's name (gf/wife) but can you really trust them not to screw you over especially if the relationship goes south? Further even IF you can manage foreign ownership you'll be under much heavier scrutiny which you won't really want on every detail.

Lastly I'll get into is workers. Its easy to find workers but hard as heck to find GOOD workers. Even GOOD workers will require you to watch over and micromanage them here as well so don't get the idea you'll start a business and get the ball rolling and then sit back while loads of cash arrive at your door. Soon as you take a step back from tight managing things will start going downhill.