advice for the newbie

wow! don't think i want to play with you if you are going to be insulting. my reason for relocating is not for women, but medical. everywhere has it's good and not so good. this is strictly a fact finding trip to see if the philipines works for me.

 

Hi again Elcanuck. I for one and I am sure most others on this forum wish for you a great trip. No offence intended with my earlier post.
Best luck and take care.

 

Hi Elcanuck. I find that many of the people on this Forum are very critical of EVERYTHING, not just Filipinas. I have married a Filipina here and I am very happy. I also know many others that are happy here but it is mostly those that are unhappy that spend their time complaining and insulting but I am sure, by reading these threads, you can pick out what is good advice and what is not.

Sure, there are chances of getting scammed, but that exists in all third world countries; actually, in all countries. Keep your eyes and ears open, don't throw too much money around, test the waters by leaving some money lying around or giving her money to look after some menial purchases (to see if she is trustworthy), keep an eye on her cell phone (if she has cellphoneS, that is probably a red flag), treat her with respect and you will soon learn if she is good. As with most people, if you treat your Filipina friend well, there is a pretty good chance that she will treat you well in return. I have also travelled a lot and I believe that Filipinas can be the most caring and loving of all, if treated well.

At the very least, she should be able to make your trip more enjoyable. Let her negotiate hotels rates, pedicabs, excursion prices, etc and she might even save you money, not cost you extra. However, don't expect her to be very knowledgeable about the touristy things like resorts, good restaurants, places to visit, because she has probably never done any of that (if she does know all those things, there is a good chance that she has done them with another foreigner).

No risk, no gain! Good luck and welcome.

 

hello,

im just new here in dumaguete forum but i always been visits here every now and then because i learn a lots here for some issues,i was in dumaguete long time ago it was year 2000 so thats why i hope this year i can come back and see the wonders nature there..well as i read your forum here yes not all foreighners came in philippines for women but for thier health issues..but if i were you if you really want to be accessible in any places you want like first the hospital you should near within cebu city because mostly people in dumaguete will go in cebu for medical check up laboratory and many others..especially if you have problem with your eyes,its easy to visits in one of the hospital who are best doctors for the eyes,heart and any health matters.there are places in cebu you can stay within inside subdivision whos very quite and facing in beaches...anyway just a piece of advice..thank you

 

Talking about medical facilities, South Seas Medical City, a combination hospital, resort, and condominium project, had a ground breaking ceremony last December 19th, 2012 in Bantayan, Dumaguete. This has been designed for medical tourism and will include the current South Seas Resort. Whether it will ever see the light of day is another story but they have their building permit and have gone through most of the other obstacles.

Here is their website: South Sea Medical City

and here is an article from the Negros Chronicle:

"A P1-billion hospital resort is set to rise in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental next year.

It is an all systems go for the construction of the project, as officials laid down the capsule, December 19, bearing important documents of South Sea Medical City, the first in the country.

The laying of the time capsule was done in the location of the soon-to-be hospital South Sea Medical Center.

South Sea Medical City is a complex of buildings consisting of a 100-bed tertiary hospital, two condominium buildings for mixed use (ground and second floors for medical offices of medical practitioners, and the upper floors as condominium units for residences), and the South Sea Resort, which has been a landmark in Dumaguete for the last 40 years. The resort will be upgraded to a 200-room hotel overlooking the Southern Tanon seascape.

This will be a facility that will attract patients, both domestic and international, who will be seeking elective medical attention.
South Sea Medical City is a project of the Dumaguete Medical City Wellness Promotion composed of doctors and businessmen. Founder and Chairman of the Board is former Sen. JOHN “Sonny” Osmeña.

Dr. Grace Valdez, Licensing and Medical Consultant, said the project is a realization of a plan conceived several years ago, mainly to put not just a hospital but a wellness hub, in consonance with the thrust of the Philippine government on medical tourism.

Valdez said they were all the more inspired when an international institution composed of several business chambers identified Dumaguete as one of the top five retirement destinations in the country.

According to Valdez, Retirement and Healthcare Coalition International identified the top five places: Dumaguete, Cebu, Calabarzon, Subic/Clark and Manila.

“They recognized Dumaguete because this is a place of cost-friendly living where everyday is a wise expense of a getaway to get some well-deserved R&R.” Valdez said, quoting the texts in RHC’s website.

Engr. Arnold Antonio, Project Manager, said the construction of the hospital, clinics and condominiums will start simultaneously.

As early as now, there are already inquiries from Dumaguete residents and even from neighboring provinces on the condominium units.

Antonio said the project will provide employment to qualified local residents.

The hospital obtained its Permit to Construct Number 12631 from the Department of Health on November 13, 2012."

 

I saw an article on TV here on San Miguel de Allende Mexico. Apparently over 15,000 Americans retired there and are happy. Supposedly, good medical there and weather is suppose to be great. Still, for me it is still Mexico...
Retire Communities in Mexico, Retire in San Miguel de Allende, Gated Communities in Mexico

 

Elcanuk, good luck with your venture. If you're coming here to check things out, then you are not committed to anything, so just enjoy it. Just keep your Old Bill radar switched on, but the guy that never took a risk never did anything. If it all ends in tears then you won't have lost too much, and if it all works out then you will have hit your personal jackpot.

I am totally sure that Garbonzo did not intend to be insulting, particularly as he has been blissfully married to his Filipina for a long time.

If your reasons to come here include medical reasons, then once you get here you might have a rethink depending on what your condition is. If your medical condition is such that it is just a case of taking medication, and if it is readily available here, then no problem. If it is more complex, for instance respiratory or dialysis, then you might consider being much closer to Cebu or preferably Manila. Personally, I am ok with them dealing with what can be seen, i.e. broken bones, cuts, animal bites etc., but for anything internal I would rather go to St. Lukes in Manila. If it was life threatening, then I would want to get back to Europe to have it dealt with. Of course, if it's an emergency here, like a traffic accident or appendicitis, then you are in the lap of the gods. In such circumstances, just hope that you are conscious when you get to the hospital so that you can give assurances that you are able to pay for the treatment, or pray that there is someone with you who can give those guarantees, as the horse trading that takes place, particularly for transfusions and the purchase of the blood, has to be seen to be believed, which some of us here have witnessed with tragic consequences. Here, it tends to be cash before care, not the other way round.

The plan for the South Seas Medical facility looks good on paper, but looking at the plan, although it has a helipad I cannot see anything in the layout that shows operating theatres or a surgical unit. The home page of their website states that treatment will be in accordance with the patients illness and resources, which I take to mean that any long nose will pay top dollar. Maybe I am a little cynical, but I think I will be ashes in an urn before this building becomes a reality, if ever.

Come what may, Elcanuk, enjoy checking everything out, and have fun while you're doing it.

 

Thanks Broadside and my very sincere apologies to elcanuck.....just in case I didn't insult him enough to ever come back. Have been on some heavy duty back-pain medication recently....and slowly winding it down. It's about as effective as twenty SM's...and afraid I was a bit liberal with my opinions... I don't disagree with what I wrote......just shouldn't have said it. And yes, you are correct Broadside...extremely happily married for many many years to a lovely Filipina. Having dinner tomorrow night with some Aussie couples...and I know, again, when we leave, I'll be very very glad I didn't marry one...