Best Posts

Seniors in the Philippines, 60 up, are automatic members of Philhealth. There is no need for you to sign them up. They get free health care as senior citizens of the Philippines, thanks to Duterte admin.
Bring them to Senior Citizens' office near Silliman Medical Center so they can get their IDs.

 

Well...I agree saying a country or a group of people are stupid is a not a good generalization. I also agree that you have to lower expectations when living in the Philippines. I do not agree that common sense or customer service is common in the Philippines.

I'll tag along with the pizza scenario; I wanted a pizza, no mushrooms...I find them nasty little things that remind me of slugs. Was told they could not do that...WTF? I'm asking for a pizza with a less ingredient, not asking to replace it with something else. Actually had to have the manager come out and agree to make the pizza without mushrooms. Customer service...no, plus the pizza sucked.

Growing up, I actually worked at 3 different pizza joints, 2 are chains and I guarantee the only thing we ever pre-made was sauce and cheese and that was only when we knew a rush would be coming on. Obviously that was many years ago, but making a pizza is not exactly rocket science. The size of many these places are not capable of making and storing all pre-made pizzas.

Stating that ordering food that is not made to what the customer would like being "rules or policy" would reinforce the lack of common sense when it comes to a basic business practice.

I tend to believe that most expats staying in the Philippines do go with the "flow" more often than not and recommendations of bad service & food or great service & food goes a long way. Obviously we are a small minority of folks that visit establishments but I try to hit up places with the wife that folks recommend and we have found some gems and customer service is big for both of us.

Unfortunately the vocal ones seem to not be happy about anything or the ones looking how rosy things are and defend everything; the rest of us are just chilling out.

Shawn

 

I've been twice, it's okay, once on a medical mission & once on bike tour, not bad. The pier/boulevard has a beautiful view of Basilan, cafe's/calanderias had certainly way more BBQ pork & cold beer than I expected. People are nice, at least at face value, never needed to find anything important (like bike parts etc). Ipil is not so welcoming, an Australian was kidnapped there a few years ago, but could have been his fault. Cotabato, likewise not so nice but survivable, I worked there a couple of times.

 

Good day PatO! And Semper Fi....I've been following your life in Dumaguete since you were a newbie....I read your adventures settling in..learned heaps about life in Dumagete/Negros..and kept with it thru your health issue....Pure respect mate....Not just for your own personal challenges....But your candid posts.....across - what is it?...A decade or maybe more...? I have been following this and other forums ( but this is my favourite by far)....And it is looking like we will be making the move to Bacolod fairly soon....I had some health issues myself but with the right treatments and doctors....It is looking up....I feel much better and my wife is of course eager to return to her homeland - originally from La Carlota. I think I have a decade or two in me to enjoy the amazing large lot we have in a secure Talisay subdivision....which would be wonderful...but also enable us to explore, Negros, the Philippines, and the world....courtesy of only being 3km from the 'new' Bacolod Airport. Bloody oath I will visit....You have been a stalwart, level-headed contributor and I salute you for not being too enthralled - but giving very honest and informative posts. Cheers....and Semper Fi......

Hang in their mate....I am looking forward to knocking on your front door and teaching you how to drink beer.....

 

Update: Chia’s hours Wednesday - Sunday 7am - 2pm.
For those who may need more information, they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

 

Ludwig's German Bakery - opposite Hypermart. They do rye, half rye and wholewheat bread and rolls.There is also a Ludwigs in Valencia but they are closing shortly, for a month's holiday.

 

my ex always wanted me to teach her to drive so she could do the driving for us and i told her; no way, i've seen u drive a shopping cart.

but as far as your question goes, i've been driving here for about 7 years, both 2 wheeled and 4 wheeled vehicles and i hardly know what's along the road cuz i keep my eyes on the road so i don't squish someone who trusts in god. so, if i was to make your island exploration trip, i'd take ceres so i could look out the window. likewise, i learn alot about businesses and business locations when i take a tryke in duma.