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Exit plans, an overreaction I think. Because you can't smoke in public; already a law, bars to close at midnight, how could we possibly survive. In the UK we had laws introduced to allow 24 hour drinking in bars and clubs, as the view was that people wouldn't rush their drinks before closing time. Unfortunately, the result was drinking at the same rate over a longer period. The explosion in assaults and criminality exploded, police were unable to cope and law abiding members of the public stayed away from bars and restaurants. For most of us here with families would welcome a more disciplined and safer environment. People are overreacting to what Duterte may or may not do. Just wait and see as I'm sure that he will have to moderate his views and statements. People I know whom have visited Davao, say that it is one of the safest and well organised cities in the Philippines, although I must admit that I have never been there.

 

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY ORVILLE... You have a great place, the best "jerk chicken, rice and bread on the Island" Your passion for serving the best you can is second to none. But.... your adoption of the school in Valencia and your desire to raise funds to help the children there (although admirable) is in some ways hurting your business. When regulars patronize your restaurant you come out as you always do, greet them, check on their meal and make sure all is to yours and their standards.
You also bring up the school and your passion to help them and ask for donations and that makes some people uncomfortable for a couple reasons. Many customers are on a fixed income and can't afford to donate and feel embarrassed and uncomfortable being asked. Others come for the food only (it's great) and actually don't care about a school in Valencia. They are there for the food, service and pleasant banter only.
I have been here a while (8 years) and am a very positive upbeat guy. If I can make a suggestion please. Make a flyer up and have it on display for all to see and take if they are so inclined. It can be included with the bill after some one eats and is ready to pay and leave. You work FB well, DI is also is a good medium for all to see whats going on in your time away from the restaurant.
To coin a phrase..separate church from state. Take care of business as you do as well as anyone I have ever met here and your personal goals and charities would be best served outside the walls of your restaurant.
I know I will get a new a%^hole ripped into me for this post, but if I have heard this from several people in the last couple weeks then many others have also. I apologize in advance if I hurt your feelings . Gerry

 

Building and selling property in and around Dumaguete has been my business for the last 12 years now. I am a Carpenter and Joiner owner builder from auss. I sold my house and everything I owned in Aust and invested here. And it paid off. As a investor in Philippines Immigration granted me a Quota visa as I am not married to a Filipina. I have built 4 properties each over 500 sqm buildings. I am now finishing the 5th construction a 950 sqm 2 story town houses in Piapi behind Marina Spacial. All the properties the land has been in a Filipino's name and the building in my name. This last project I am living in one of the townhouses as I complete the last unit. the units completed are all rented out.
Dumaguete has been good to me as a investor, I took a gamble and made it work.

 

Well I read through all of the posts here in this thread and was amused by many of them...

Now; I am disabled (Broken leg for 33 years) and live on an Australian Disability Pension.

I am not a Party Animal & prefer the quiet life at home with my Wife & Daughter. (No Bars - NO Sexpat activities etc... Yes some will call THAT BORING but I am Happy.)

I live in South Negros in the province (Maluay, Zamboanguita) 25KM's from Dumaguete in the bamboo, in a Nipa Hut, & pump water by hand (no running water here) wash Clothes by hand, shower from a pail etc & I have Electricity, Internet, Pay TV which I consider necessities & I am extremely HAPPY with my lot in life.

Now; my Monthly allowance I give myself for Bike Payment, Electricity, Internet, Pay TV, Grocery Shopping at Hypermart, Fresh Meat, Fresh Vegetables, a few Treats, occasional clothing (from Ukay Ukay) Travel expenses catching Jeepney or Tricycle to the City and Home etc is $600.00USD a Month and I do not feel that I am missing out on anything here. Yes I have money left over and that is for myself, my Wife & our 10 year old Daughter who also incurs expenses at School & whatnot's...

I do not pay Rent because I live with the Family here so factor that in depending on what you need. Many come here shitting their pants worried about Terrorists. Sorry I laugh my @ss off at them! Dumaguete is not Manila or Mindanao! (And MANY Expats are living there just fine also!) I have lived here for the past 3 years with out so much as a scare from any of the locals, no gated community, no high walls, no Guard on duty, anyone so sh*t scared should stay in their own country in my way of thinking, in fact I am more relaxed here than I was back in Australia!

I have seen places here for 4,000 pesos a month I would live in, mind you the 8,000 a month Unit was nicer. If you adapt, eat the local foods, do as the locals do, you will do just fine! You will be able to afford to eat out daily unless you go to most of the local expat hang outs and pay the long nose prices for food! If you come here & wish to live with a Western mind set then you are better off staying where you are. I mix with very few expats for reasons much the same as Wrye pointed out, most I have met are down right losers here and no doubt back home, but I have met a select few who I think are very nice people, I just wish I had a car so I could visit them a little more so I had some outside contact here.

I honestly believe you can do it on $860USD a month as long as you are not what they call 'maarte' here. (Artista/ up yourself/ live beyond your means/ think you are better/ nothing is too your standards etc...)

If you are prepared to try & fit in, adapt to the local culture & foods & learn to experience life here, then you will do just fine here. If you are full of yourself, like to live the high life, like to be a boozer or womaniser & like to p*ss your money away, then better to stay where you are. Many here do just fine on a low income by adapting and learning how to budget correctly.

 

I have read and heard more about people going to Zanzibar now than I ever heard about before the fatal event. Just goes to show there really is no such thing as bad publicity. For me, I'll continue to boycott it on the grounds that killing the customer whose purchases pay the salaries can never be justified and should not be rewarded with future profits.

 

Hello Sir, thank you very much for your nice comments. Filipinos usually like the chicken parmesan, egg plant parm and baked ziti and lasagna too, if they add a little sugar. Once we get ourselves resolved to the growth we have experienced we will soon be adding some Filipino dishes. Our first next additions will be Southern US type BBQ pork and baked beans, probably a chunky beef pot roast type pie, or pot roast. Then will come a few Filipino dishes that my wife makes very well. Thanks again and we look forward to hearing from you.

 

secret tip - I recommend Toledo City in the west of Cebu, if you are one of the more adventurous characters. city is not too big, some restaurants, a small mall, some not so impressive beaches nearby and most of all; an amazing bunch of young women looking for a foreigner. why? because there are no foreigners. why? this is a pristine rough place, if you like the real life in the philippines without any conveniences for the expats - some like that - adventures guaranteed :-)