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This is a heads up for newcomers to the Philippines as expats who have been here a while would or should already know this.
How to lose friends in the Philippines is simple LEND THEM MONEY because they will not pay it back and if you ask them to pay it back that's when YOU are becoming unreasonable, a strict foreigner, rich when they are poor and all the other things that are said.
Its happened to me twice both times with relations of my wife who were actually friends.
1st time was a female cousin, a hard working woman in her 50s no husband and one married daughter with a husband and they both have good jobs, the cousin had a motorbike crash and was in hospital about to get an operation, when the daughter found out the cost she instructed the mother be moved (with a broken leg) to a cheaper hospital, i said to my wife just lend her the money to get it done, all good the daughter thanked us and even asked for more money for another operation for her mother, i said ok, that was well over a year ago and only 30% of what we lent has been paid back and we don't seem to be so friendly anymore.
2nd time, you might think once bitten twice shy but this time was a completely different situation although it was again a female cousin (seems to be a trend here) this woman was married to an American and flew in from the US without him to throw her family here a lifeline by starting a business for them to run , at the time we had a car to sell and she wanted to buy it, i gave her a good price and she wanted to pay it over 12 months, 1st payment no problem then the trouble starts, when asked why the second payment is missing she reveals that the purchase is between her and 6 siblings and now their turn to pay, to cut a long story short the most of the money was paid with maybe a few thousand short after lots of phone calls and unfriending on facebook.
By the way when the woman went back to US the business failed and the car was broken.
But lesson learned and no matter what the sob story the ATM is permanently closed to everyone.

 

Imagine trying to learn English and it's expressions how hard it must be for foreigners.
Here's a few expressions.......
Ever wondered why Funerals starts with Fun!
If money doesn't grow on trees why call banks branches?
If a Vegetarians eat vegetables, what do Humanitrians eat?
How do you get off a Non-Stop flight!
Why are goods sent by ships called Cargo and those sent by truck called Shipment ?
How come Noses run and Feet smell?
A 100 years ago everyone travelled by horses 0nly the rich had cars,
today everyone has cars and only the rich own horses!.......Just a thought

 

Just had take out Supreme Pizza. Delicious but so big I could only eat 2 pieces. Added my own jalapeños

 

Obviously this is an opening!

Maayo Shipping resumed their trips between Cebu and Dumaguete by 8 March. Maayo Shipping reminded the passengers for Cebu bound from Negros Oriental, there will be no documents needed before boarding.
However, passengers/cargoes bound for for Negros, necessary documents are needed and must be presented to the Coast Guard Office in Liloan, Cebu.
First trips will start at 6am daily. Minimum health protocol is still a must. Source is (RoyBuzz/HEADZ UP! NegOr News)

 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02...ng-swab-testing-as-travel-requirement/844650/

Although these changes are not certain at the moment (and the article says would have to be approved by the IATF-MEID), the discussions around it by the DILG are a cause for concern IMO. These changes would involve scrapping tests for Covid-19 as a travel requirement around the country. This, the article says, has already happened in Cebu province - I am unclear if that had any approval from IATF-MEID but I know that Cebu has a rising number of cases and two mutations detected. It was stated that "the DoH said last year that testing should only be mandatory for persons exposed to or showing symptoms of Covid-19" - how they know either of these things for certain is beyond me.

It is also stated that "As long as the person is following the minimum health standards such as wearing face masks and face shield, maintaining physical distancing, and regular washing of hands, these would be enough compliance (they would have at least 95 percent less risk of transmission)".

Apart from Covid-19 tests, they were also looking at lifting other travel requirements such as a travel order and local health certificates.

Again, IMO and as I read it, people need even more to look at the personal protection of themselves and of their loved ones at a time when it seems there may be a big reduction in safety measures (if I read it correctly that wearing facemasks/shields AT THE TIME will be enough evidence for travel and takes no account of the fact that the person wearing that protection may be infected and not continue to wear the PPE at the destination), a very long time before substantial vaccinations and a strong (but understandable) desire to get the economy back to nearer normal. IMO this would lead to an explosion of the virus to every island and move the Philippines way up to the top region of world rankings for cases and deaths.

 

The new mooon cafe along the seafront is open now, we went yesterday and it was very busy so we had to wait to get in, the menu is the same and even some of the same staff from the closed Robinsons branch.
Food was good and there's the added bonus of a beautiful sea view

 

We went up Mount Talinis yesterday, drove mostly as far the track could go. Then hiked up the rest of the way, not to the summit but high enough. It was like half jungle with foot-paths that went in all directions that the locals use. Wife's friends come with us too and went to there relatives house. What a great view, I could see Dumaguete City and the sea. Cebu island in the distance. We couldn't see the peak of the volcano because of the mist.
First time I'v been that far up the mountain, great experience and to see how the mountain people live
Thought I would be stiff this morning due to the hiking but I feel great.
Must be the keto diet I'm on.

 

We got this at SM City Mall yesterday, they have quite a few Tesco items but they are mixed up with all the other stuff so you have to search for them.