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look, i am not trying to pick a fight with anyone. we are all entitled to our opinions. with regard to covid it is so difficult because of the inadequacy and inconsistency of information regarding this disease. i will say i will be 78 in september, i spent my while life working in healthcare and retired as a registered nurse when i was 71. i have seen death in every form from trauma to chronic disease. i agree with Rye's position on this as best as i can tell. should we fight back against covid? yes of course we should. but we have to keep an overall perspective on this and all other threats. father time will claim us all and there is nothing to prevent that. if its not covid then it will be something else. its true that those of us who are older are closer to that outcome, most likely, than Rye, but his point of view should be argued on its merits (or lack thereof). for me it is a simple fact that the strength of the US is its economy. that is where the money comes from for defense against all invaders, human or viral. if we shut down and destroy our economy then where do the resources come from to fight the next battle? the US just spent three trillion dollars in the hopes that grandma will die next week and not this week. its insane!! the people who wear masks are not all going to heaven and those who don't are not all going to hell. there are many experts on both sides of that question and many experts who have changed sides. but i know that we will lose if we all dig foxholes and throw grenades at each other. only the next disease will win.

 

I would tend to agree, particularly as China would, in effect, be building the project for themselves. As soon as Dumaguete default on the loan it becomes wholly owned by the Chinese, as proven in many places, particularly Africa.

Regarding the manpower - China has what they call "bureau" which are pools of manpower that they call upon to provide the labour for particular infrastructure projects. These bureau are labelled by number (1 to 20) and each number represents a particular area of China that the bureau is located. e.g. The 14th bureau is based in Yunnan and their manpower is taken from that area. The Chinese will ship these bureau personnel anywhere in the world that they're required to build a particular project. This process works out cheaper for the Chinese as they pay these workers a minimal wage and, as most have families, it gets sent back to China anyway. They live in "camps" which provide food and accommodation, so very little input into the local economy.

The skill level of the personnel is highly suspicious. The bureau claim their personnel are skilled etc but I know, and have direct experience of, personnel who were picking rice in their locality but, on joining the bureau were told they were now electricians and sent to a project where there was a shortage of electricians. These people were directly responsible for dangerous shortcomings in the project and a liability for the project owners. Due to the low skill levels and corruption there have been many occurrences of failure causing loss of life (e.g. the use of sub-standard rebar causing a building to collapse).

The whole set-up, being state owned, only benefits the Chinese in both the short and longer terms. This does not bode well for Dumaguete city, only those that get to line their pockets at the city's expense.

 

she is with foster family in phoneix. It is just her a foster mom and dad I am in the states but I did not want to see her now she has made new friends in school I think she is happy for the most part I will visit her next year as I thought it was better for her to settle in

 

It is not about leaving land to your SO; it is about her having her own place, which is very important to her as well as a place to live the rest of her life and pass on to the kid. It should not be seen as an investment, I know I went into building a house with full knowledge I would never get my money back but again have no plan to ever be in a position that we would need to sell it and I paid cash for everything, we owe no money to anyone.

Not everyone has the "American dream", there are Filipinas that are quite happy living in their home country. We picked Tanjay to be close to her family, which goes against most things expats say but her family's support is worth it and yes, we do deal with folks needing "help" with things but my wife is sharp enough to prioritize what she decides to do. I personally have not lived in the US in over 20 years and foresee no reason I would move back. The thing to "leave behind" is a business/income source, money in the bank and a place to live.

The decision to build/buy a house in the PI is a difficult one, dropping 6 figures on a house in a 3rd world country does not sit well. You could rent a "decent" place for 30+ years in what you spent on a home. Plus upkeep... Then again you have a place that is to your specifications, my background is construction so I know I have a solid house. Everyone is different on their thoughts, I have no regrets we built.

As mentioned in an earlier post many folks are not comfortable spending money on something that will not be in their name. The way I see it, if you had a house in the US and got divorced most likely she'd get it so what is really the difference?

I look at things realistically and do not wear the rose colored glasses many folks seem to have; living in another country takes a lot of forethought and if you decide to spend your life with someone you need to have the right person that is truly a partner. The horror stories are there and I personally know folks that got royally screwed over. But there are success stories and happy folks, usually the ones that live a bit under the radar.

Just my opinion/experience so take it for what it is.

Shawn

 

I can tell you what the HOA did at the last place we rented. Even the home owner we were renting from refused to pay the 300 peso a month fee. So the President made up a large sign and set it next to the Guard house s when you are leaving it can be read. The sign was a list of all the home owners running down the left side and along the top was the months of the year. It listed for all to see who paid and who did not. Then they issued a windshield sticker for the cars and M/C's to the Home owners who paid. The guard would only open the gate for the residents who paid the fees. The others had to open the gate themselves. After 3 months the payments started coming in and people would even pay 3 to 6 months advance. Public shame is a very powerful tool.

 

3 Year Stroke Update.
I had a mini stroke about this time 3 years ago and a maxi stroke 3 weeks later. I post progress updates to inform others in case it happens to them.
Those of you who know me see me as a positive force, never giving up, doing everything I can to get better. I have an intrinsic characteristic to fight to get back to normal. Sound like a tough guy? No way. Most days I feel like screaming and shouting because of my handicap and limitations, but I don't. Many days I fight severe depression but then I pull my head out and realize how extremely lucky I am. I have an angel for a wife, a son who is my pride and joy, and a caring extended family to look after me. Although we don't have much now, the house and vehicles are paid for and our boy is in a good private school, and I can pay for my necessary medications. Those things keep the stress level way down.
So you see if you have a stroke and do not have a support system your life will simply be challenging and maybe overwhelming.
My right side (arm and leg) has paralysis and the muscles have shrunk. I walk with a person on my right in case my leg gives up or I lose my balance, which is probably my biggest problem. Still, I can walk the 1.8 kilometer round trip harbor to the tourist police office and I go to the gym 5 times a week. I can not drive and I can not write or sign my name. I have to use a finger print at the bank. It is embarrassing wobbling when I walk in the mall but it is what it is.
So friends, get your blood pressure and cholesterol level checked. Proper diet and exercise is up to you.
Having said all this, I am fortunate and life is good. Take care.

 

When Filipinos borrow money from relatives or family, the unspoken rule there is “pay when able” because there is nothing the locals hate more than collecting from family.

This is what I do so I don’t lose friends. When they come to me to ask for “a loan”, I tell them I would rather DONATE a small amount to their cause. DONATE so they don’t have to pay me anything back. It’s not going to be anywhere the amount they want, but they’re going to have to take it or leave it. Im not going to get stiffed with the bulk of their debt just because they think I’m an easy target. So just over to donate a small amount instead of giving them a loan. Makes for a smoother relationship.

 

Your best bet is DTI. I had bought a part for my car from a part store owned by a Chinese! It was an expensive part (17500 pesos). It was defective. I took it back to return. The part store said I had to have the original plastic wrap with it in the box to return. I complained to consumer affairs at DTI. they arranged a mediation and decision in 3 days. They ruled that I paid for the part, not the plastic or the box. They returned my money in full.

 

Shouldn't this be in the Humor section of the forum?