My Philippine Life

Personal perspectives on retirement life in the Philippines

Category Archives: Banking, Immigration, Internet and other services

Banking, Immigration, Internet and other necessities

January 13, 2013
by GOIloilo
173 Comments

Philippine Retirement Visa: my experience with the SRRV

The Philippine government makes it quite easy to live permanently in the country. It has fewer restrictions than I have seen reported by other Southeast Asian countries. There are basically four ways that the foreigner can live in the Philippines. Continue reading →

October 29, 2012
by GOIloilo
11 Comments

Mail Forwarding Services for Retirees in the Philippines

If you’re planning to spend your retirement overseas you may want to hire a mailing service in your home country to receive you mail and forward it to you at your overseas home. There are a number of considerations. Continue reading →

July 23, 2012
by GOIloilo
0 comments

Cloud Storage Philippines – Google Drive

There are so many low cost cloud storage options available — but how well do they work in the Philippine context of very slow, high latency internet connections and restrictive “fair use” caps? Google Drive problems. Continue reading →

May 23, 2012
by GOIloilo
0 comments

Philippine Retirement Authority affiliated Export Bank closed by BSP

The Export and Industry Bank “ExportBank”, a nationwide Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) affiliate bank with fifty branches, was ordered closed by Philippine Central Bank in April, 2012 Continue reading →

April 29, 2012
by GOIloilo
7 Comments

Cost of college in the Philippines – our experience at Central Philippine University

The cost of a college education in the Philippines; tuition, fees, housing. Central Philippine University in Iloilo. Continue reading →

March 2, 2012
by GOIloilo
11 Comments

Shipping computers, cameras and other gadgets to the Philippines – Our experience with Johnny Air Cargo

Exasperated with the high cost of computers, cameras, tablet computers, e-readers and other electronic gadgets in the Philippines? Johnny Air Cargo (JAC) offers an interesting solution. Continue reading →

March 1, 2012
by GOIloilo
11 Comments

Netflix and other location-restricted web content in the Philippines (or anywhere outside of the USA)

A virtual private network connection (VPN) has become another one of those “new necessities” that a few years ago we had never heard of. Without VPN, we’d have no content for our Nook meaning we could not get the magazines and newspapers we enjoy and now no NetFlix movies and American sports broadcasts. Continue reading →

February 13, 2012
by GOIloilo
0 comments

St. Luke’s Extension Clinic, Ermita, Manila

St. Luke’s Extension Clinic, J. Bacobo Street, Ermita, Manila. For those of you who are seeking a visa to bring a Filipina wife or fiance to the U.S.A, I thought you’d like to see the building where physical and other exams are conducted on behalf of the U.S. Embassy. Continue reading →

December 11, 2011
by GOIloilo
32 Comments

Using a Nook or Kindle Fire in the Philippines

The Kindle Fire and Nook tablet computers have just been announced at o $199.00 and $250. But, will they be available in the Philippines and will they work in the Philippines? How about VPN or proxy server access? Continue reading →

September 4, 2011
by GOIloilo
6 Comments

Detailed Maps Available at Iloilo City NAMRIA Office

The Iloilo National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) offers a good assortment of detailed maps. Continue reading →

September 3, 2011
by GOIloilo
8 Comments

Health Insurance in the Philippines

Philippine Medical Insurance. We urge that you and your family members sign up for PhilHealth and make sure the annual fees are paid. Continue reading →

August 31, 2011
by GOIloilo
6 Comments

Iloilo Public Markets and Market Days

Philippine Public Markets — a chance for better, fresher foods, better prices and much more colorful, adventure-filled shopping. Continue reading →

August 18, 2011
by GOIloilo
5 Comments

Should retirees bring 110 volt appliances to the Philippines?

Moving to the Philippines? Should you bring your 110 volt appliances, tools, computers and other gear with you? Here are our suggestions. Continue reading →

August 18, 2011
by GOIloilo
8 Comments

Our Philippine house project – equipment shopping

Buying construction equipment in Iloilo for our house building project in Tigbauan, Iloilo – cement mixer, concrete vibrator. Continue reading →

August 14, 2011
by GOIloilo
20 Comments

Buying a laptop computer for the Philippines

Buying a laptop in the U.S. and bringing it to the Philippines. What about international warranties? Continue reading →

February 1, 2011
by GOIloilo
15 Comments

Mail Order Medications in the Philippines

Buying mail order drugs, medications and shipping them to the Philippines — our experience Continue reading →

September 3, 2009
by GOIloilo
11 Comments

Philippine Postal Service – be careful

The Philippine Postal Service PhilPost has a mixed record for service and security. Don’t send sensitive or valuable items via PhilPost. Continue reading →

October 11, 2008
by GOIloilo
5 Comments

I-360 Widow’s Visa to the USA for the Filipina Widow

When the foreigner living in the Philippines with his Filipina wife dies, what happens to the wife and kids? There is one too little known alternative for Filipina widows who were married to US Citizens the I-360 Widow/Widower immigrant visa. The widow or widower can self-apply to immigrate to the US after her husband’s death. Continue reading →

October 10, 2008
by GOIloilo
7 Comments

International Schools – Iloilo Alternatives

For the foreigner with children considering relocation to the Philippines, a key consideration is finding good schools for them. Here’s another alternative to consider. Continue reading →

October 1, 2008
by GOIloilo
7 Comments

Grocery/Food Price Inflation 2007-2011, Iloilo City, Philippines

We live in Iloilo City and keep quite close track of our food expenditures. We had read about soaring food price inflation in the Philippines so we decided to see how much our own food expenditures had risen. Continue reading →

September 30, 2008
by GOIloilo
4 Comments

International shipping from Iloilo City

We’ve had good luck with both of the big international shipping firms; DHL and FedEx. Here are the details and another option; Johnny Air Cargo Continue reading →

September 14, 2008
by GOIloilo
1 Comment

Recommended Iloilo City Real Estate Attorney

Recommended attorney in Iloilo City – real estate attorney, an attorney if you are arrested Continue reading →

August 29, 2008
by GOIloilo
26 Comments

Shipping your things to the Philippines, moving within the Philippines

Our good experiences with Fast Cargo, a Philippine inter-island shipping company. What to bring from the U.S. to the Philippines Continue reading →