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My goal is to stay alive long enough for my 12 yr old to go to college and to support my dear wife and him financially, as long as I can. Absolutely nothing else matters to me.

 

I did just that and it was a disaster.

The bank (OCBC) tried to persuade me to convert my GBP to SGP or USD (commissions for them I assume) - this was at the time the GBP was at about 58 pesos! I said I would wait but they insisted that the pound would crash further very soon. They were wrong.

They phoned me regularly for a chat but I guess were just trying to get me to convert my cash. Then they swapped my 'Advice Manager' to a lady with a very strong Chinese accent and I could not clearly understand what she was saying. I emailed them and asked if they could contact me via email as I had a difficulty in understanding the accent.

A while later I received a text to say all my money was being withdrawn and as as it was a substantial sum I was very alarmed. I phoned them at once to tell them it was a false withdrawal and discovered that it was because they were closing my account - and intended to send the money back to me by cheque (those things that they say they want to phase out!). I told them I was not living at the address currently and so they said they would send it to me in the Philippines and that it would be via normal post and not a courier. I had transferred the money originally by wire transfer and so asked them to send it back the same way - they refused (in fact they were extremely unpleasant all the time during this matter). I even faked an illness to get them to be more sympathetic but as they were Chinese they had no concept of that.

I then contacted the UK branch where I had signed documents to open the account but they said each country was a separate entity - however they said they would try to help. The money was then sent back to me via wire transfer. Phew!

Banks are interested only if we do with OUR money what THEY want us to do. Two months after this debacle the pound rose briefly to 74 pesos and at that time I would have done the conversion. :(

So my advice is to be very wary about opening accounts abroad and NEVER deal with the Chinese.

 

Well, obviously not knowing you're infected while you are is the worst (because of the danger to others).
That can hardly be avoided though as long as you are free of symptoms.
If you do know you're infected, either through a RAT (rapid antigen test) or a PCR test then the obvious thing to do is quarantine (with your entire household), even if you are symptom free or feeling just a bit under the weather.
Whether that represents a change of behaviour depends on the individual and his circumstances.
At the very least one should arrange for groceries to be delivered rather than a household member getting them.
As far as hesitancy to get a PCR test and face possible quarantine in a public facility is concerned, I very much share that hesitancy, so would much prefer to quarantine at home instead if the situation would warrant that.

 

Compared to a metro or just another LRT line, bicycle lanes are much cheaper and easier to realize.

In cebu city I’ve noticed quite a few bicycle lanes in some areas, in the better neighborhoods (it park) even separated with plastic barriers. Seemed to be well respected all in all.

 

JB, thank you for your kind words, and for adding more profound considerations.
One thing I will add, and I'm sure many others have experienced this: As I walked through my life, there have very few people, maybe a handful, that when we met, had such a significant, monumental, rare impact on me. Thankfully, my wife has been one of them. is it fate, destiny, I don't know or try to understand.

 

Having Checked with my bank PNB this morning, I am assured that Cora ( my wife) is clearly recorded as my beneficiary and after the sorting out it will be then become her Account or Everything Transferred to her own account that she holds with them, This is reciprocal for Her to me, I might add, that should we both go together ( not a Nice thought but) Our Daughter is recorded as the 2nd Beneficiary and it would all go to her

 

The US is on the path to national legalization, I think it will happen during Biden's administration. But, my answer to your question would be, wow, you really need to do a bit of studying about the realities of the country where you are living.

 

Had lunch at Casablanca today and asked Christine, the day time front of house manager and she says not that she has been told or is aware and is not aware of any rumour like this. I also asked one of the waitresses to ask the chef (who I have met and pretty sure is German) and the answer was no. Food was excellent as always and service was likewise. I know the owner has been in Austria for a long time but from my perspective, the staff, who all seem to have been there for a long time, maintain the high standards that you expect from this restaurant.

 

In what way is there an increase in racism here? Do you have any specific examples?

Can't say I have noticed it, unless one is/ looks Chinese. In my experience the locals are generally still as friendly and welcoming as ever.

 

Are you aware of human nature:

1. Partnerships with family or others can end in disputes (different ideas, different amount of the workload being carried out by each person)
2. Some smart looking guys are crooks and will fleece you. So know your partner very well. Many schemes sound great on paper but often fail in reality.
3. Not a good country to have partnerships with locals - you will be seen as having money and they will think they should have some of it! Not all - but most I think. Foreign wise men say here something like 'if you want to have 10 million pesos here in your bank account then come with 15 million.'
4. The people who look sound will be very cautious of dealing with you - they don't know you. It may be that the keenest to work with you might be the least suitable.