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3 expats I know have homes in Tiera Alta subdivision. The lots are bigger than most. The quality of build is better than most, and yet they still complain it is not up to western standards. The builder is Phil South and they have other subdivisions for the lower end market at places like Azumi subdivision and a few others. In my opinion they are as good as it gets for local, mass produced subdivision houses. There are a handful of western builders who do private contracts to build you a house but they are hard to find, expensive, and usually overbooked already if they are good.

My opinion of Camella is "low end builders" based on chats with others who have bought from them.

 

“This is just for the identification of every individual, of every Muslim. If we have the ID system, we will know who the residents are and who the visitors are in a place,” Aquino said, as cited by SunStar.

Hmm reminds me of

“This is just for the identification of every individual, of every Jew. If we have the ID system, we will know who the residents are and who the visitors are in a place,” Nazi leaders said.

 

Similar experience of disservice with Kia. They spent a week trying to find my problem. Recommended replacing the primary fuse box at the expense of P13,000 plus labor. Not the problem. They finally gave up. Turned out to be a fuel sensor. Grrrr.

But Nissan is just as bad. Six times in a row I've gone there, either to try to buy a part or to have a little service done. Last week I wanted to buy a replacement tail light assembly. Not in stock, of course. I left my contact number. Didn't hear from them. Went in to see if they had any news. "Oh, yes, Sir. The part is available from Nissan in Manila. P9,700!!" Two weeks prior I bought the exact same item for the other side of the car, in Manila, for P5,500. Just TRY to explain the price difference to me, you boogers.

Had them put in a louder horn. Wanted P3,700 pesos. What!!! The part was only P750 and labor couldn't possibly have been more than an hour. She offered a 50% discount if I turned in my old horn. Hell yes. But even at P1,850 I was ripped off.

Wanted to have two front wheel bearings replaced. Too busy just then. Left my contact number. Never heard from them. Did the job myself.

WAnted to buy wheel covers for my unit. "Oh, the parts person is on vacation and she's the only one who can look up the price."

A couple of other times they didn't have some pretty basic parts.

The place is totally WORTHLESS.

HVL, on the other hand, is one of the best small businesses in town. They serve you quickly. The staff are quite knowledgeable and friendly. They have thousands and thousands of parts on hand and will try hard to find it for you if they don't have it.

 

1) I get my Wife to buy at any Market where there are no price tags as I do not trust buying, this also includes paying for any Fares as she will not accept the; "But your Husband is as wide as two people that is why I want double fare" line...
2) I buy my water from a local water station who delivers and my understanding is it is the same water that we pump from the well behind the house, but it makes wifey happy to think I am drinking "Mineral Water"
3) I think the 13a Visa was my best move yet in this country to saving money and hassles!
4) Even I am disabled and use a crutch to walk I catch a Jeepney to and from town, use Tricycles around town and occasionally use the Bus is it is late and the Jeepneys are finished up for the night, I would love to buy a Car but I honestly believe I will save much more by using Public Transport
5) Meh... Luckily I am a Home/Family body so my only need to save is for medical emergency or the security of somewhere to call 'Home'
6) I WISH I COULD! I am paid once a month and only go to the city once a month to shop, so it would be nice if I could buy in bulk like in the west instead of buying (almost) everything in single serve sachets, THAT annoys me!
7) Finally the wifey is cutting down on meal sizes and putting the left over from one meal into the fridge for the next meal to save money instead of giving it away or feeding to the dog! I get very annoyed when she wants to buy something I do NOT NEED... I constantly argue that two pairs of shoes is PLENTY for a man I can only wear one pair at a time! I do NOT NEED another carry bag! I already have one that works just fine... I have around 50x T Shirts and likewise Shorts and do NOT NEED more! She likes to treat me but often I just do not need another to sit and gather dust... Many things we just plain do not need yet, all in good time WHEN we NEED is fine with me...

 

There is an American aid organization still working in Tacloban building schools. They learned that unless they came here and spent the money themselves it would never get done. They are 100% funded by American donations and give the 2o room schools to the locals when they are finished. The schools are super typhoon and flood proof so the LGU's are designating them as typhoon shelters. They come fully furnished and stocked with school supplies.

 

It will be a bloody, dirty fight for Duterte, police and military. He will have to sleep with one eye open for quite a while. He is president now and could start to coast but i believe his love of country and the people are the reasons he is taking on this huge task and putting his life on the line. I wish him all the best and hope his senators support him 100% in what he wants and has to do.

Martial law is not such a bad thing if implemented for the right reasons. lawful people have nothing to worry about, yes some might find a curfew inconvenient but its a small price to pay for eradicating corruption, crime and drugs.
When i was a kid in Montreal martial law was declared during the f.l.q. crisis, but it was life as usual for the average joe.

Right now the criminal element is worried. many have turned themselves in, stabbing each other in the back and killing their own. Perhaps Duterte is smarter than most people give him credit for.

On an interesting side note, The Philippine pension is making large pension adjustments to the retired people, many are surprised to find large unannounced deposit's appear in their bank accounts. My wife's father who has been retired for about 15 years heard the rumor from friends and checked his account a few days ago and found an extra P30,000. The corruption sucks, the poor suffer while politicians and bureaucrats line their pockets. I would bet big that is the fear of Duterte behind this pension adjustment...

Long live Duterte!!!

 

I enjoy waking up knowing i do not have to do anything i dont want to, My last 2 years at sea were a drag and its only the last few that i could be bothered looking at the ocean. so NO i do not miss working