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I always love to hear about new places and Esturya, though I do pass by many times, was not aware, there wa a resto. So visited the place last evening. Upon entering it already gives you the right atmosphere. The furniture is well chosen. Chairs are really comfortable to sit, no rocking tables that you have to ask for a piece of carton to make it steady, an aircon on the right temperature and not like in some places antartic cold. The lights also well chosen. So all the ingredients for a nice diner. The menu has enough choices of various pasta meals. The drinking list is more than outstanding. But what I still do not understand, if you invest so much in a place like this, why on earth is it so difficult that when two people go out for diner and make their orders, one almost has finished his meal while the other still waiting in spite of both staff in kitchen and resto know there's a couple dining. Last but not least, why did I have to wait more than 10 minutes before I got my change. When it finally comes I got a dozen or more 5 and 10 peso coins and a bunch of 20 peso banknotes as wrinkled as can be.
Even when my food was tasteful, not sure will give it another try.

 

Dear Sir, If you have any way to make it to Angeles City you can check in to Medical City Clark, They take FMP and do not require you to pay anything up front!!! We have some of the best Dr’s around, Most come from Manila! All you will need to bring is your FMP letter listing your Disabilities and your Mil ID of VA card. They will file everything for you!!!

If your wife comes with you she can stay with you in the hospital as a watcher! As for food the VFW here and the Foreign Leagon have people to help out! I am 100% to but I can do my best to help. You can get a room with a ref so your wife can keep food and snacks and the nurses station has a microwave that she can use.

If you decide to come here please let me know and I will pick you up from the Airport here at Clark or you can arrange through the medical city to be picked up! Their phone # is 045-300-8888. Also here is my number 906-345-2161 Cell #. If you can send me any of your info ahead of time I can go get you pre-checked in and have the Dr’s waiting for you! My email is jdtubbs@hotmail.com.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS AN OPTION FOR YOU! I HAVE PLENTY OF EXTRA SPACE IN MY HOME IF YOU NEED TO STAY AND RECOVER FOR A BIT, SORRY I DON’T HAVE AIRCON! BUT WE MAY BE ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE YOU MORE COMFORTABLE!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!
John Tubbs
Ret AFSOC

 

I live in Colorado for 30 years; when I moved to Dumaguete--I knew what I was getting into. For me, when you start comparing places--you will never be satisfied. The last time I check, there is no perfect place.

 

A few more observations about my friend's experience at Silliman. (And, btw, I read about Silliman before I came to Dumaguete, how it was about the 3rd best hospital in The Philippines and how Dumagute is planned to be a Centre for Care (I think it stated for 'end of life' and I feel they will be good at that )).

Just after admission TWO nurses arrived, one with a set of bathroom scales. They measured the patient's weight. They asked her about her height as they had no measuring device - I had a tape measure in my bag and measured her. They recorded both figures. Why it took two I have no idea. About 20 minutes later another two nurses arrived and asked "What is your weight and height?" They did not even have any bathroom scales. My first time to see a hospital 'function' here and I realised it was cr*p.

I think about 20 people entered the room to check something within the first few hours and no one seemed to know about any previous visits or recordings - I mentioned the value of a chart at the bottom of the bed but it fell on deaf ears.

The hospital lacked equipment but, even if that is understandable in a developing country, they could easily improve communication.

No medical staff used gloves at any time. We had taken in our own alcohol spray and hand-sanitiser (same thing basically) and used a careful hand hygiene routine for the watchers - better than the (lack of) routine used by medical staff! My friend was offered a sponge-bath at 5 am and the nurse-aid saw gloves my friend had brought in and used them. That was the one and only attempt to avoid cross-infection during a 3-day stay.

It has been stated often that time spent in hospitals here is excessive - I think it can also be dangerous. Better to get out asap and use a very good hygiene routine at home.

 

Hahahahaha yes that is the worst shithole I have ever lived in. Lot of crime. Drugs, murders, lots of stealing and liars like you wouldn't believe. and the people just throw their trash out no matter where they are. I lived there because my wifes family is there and she didn't want to go away from her mother. We came close to separating once because of it. I finally put my foot down and said "We either leave here now or consider me gone" I will never know what would have happened if she had wanted to stay. Now we are very happy and both love it here in Dumaguete.

 

A lot of issues on this thread. I have not lived here that long, but already have some observations. I came here, like many, for the warm weather, low cost of living and a people who almost always are friendly, nice and understand English (even if they don't speak it.) I was also hoping to be a help, or sorts, to the Philippines. I have been able to sponsor several young people in their quest to get a college education. Tuition is very low compared to the US, so through church and other charities I stepped up. I will continue that committment, but now wonder (based on many criteria, including personal observation) if a Filipino education is worth my investment. The young people certainly are worth any investment I can make. All people are "worth it" if the bottom line be told, but I am not Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. What I have I have earned from my own labor; I have never had employees.

But there have been several comments here about the far sub-standard (on a global basis) education that is offered in the Philippines. My first hint came many years ago when a good friend with a B.S. in Electronic Engineering from a prominent private university in Manila was unable to understand a basic D.C. circuit. I let it slide.

Then years later a person with a bachelor degree in nursing from Silliman was unable (twice) to pass a certification test to work in the US as a nurse after taking a rather expensive preparation course tailored just for that test.

Right now, I have a young man (28 years old) who returned to university to study business administration and is in his second year. I was stunned when he told me many of his classes at NORSU Dumaguete are rarely attended BY THE TEACHERS! Most days classes are cancelled. And in late November it was Founders' "Day" celebration for a week when nothing got done. They actually scheduled 5 full days of movies during what should have been classroom time in addition to dozens of other events which, I understand, were mandatory. He want to work overseas in his major area of study. It sounds like NORSU is totally letting him down as far as preparation is concerned. Tuition there for his second year was free, but I support all the nonsense projects that his teachers dream up as well as keep him clothed and fed since his family is unable to provide anything but a roof. (There are actually some "uniform requirements" at the college level in the Philippines.) So 1950s!

I have an expat friend who teaches part-time at one of the private universities in Dumaguete. He just shakes his head when I ask him about the experience. The students are not accustomed to be in a learning mode. Their elementary school and high school classroom experiences are (evidently as commented here) more about what would be extra-curricular and after-school activities in any other country, so when confronted with a Westerner teacher they can't cope with being asked to learn and study the course material.

Don't really know how I will proceed. I will see my current students through to graduation, but I don't feel there is any point in paying toward higher education here until a bachelor degree represents at least approximately the knowledge base for that degree throughout the world.