WHERE DO YOU GET ALL YOUR INFORMATION FOR ALL YOUR VIDEOS?? AND DONT YOU GET TIRED OF SEARCHING FOR RU-vid CONTENT. WHY NOT J7ST LIVE YOUR LIFE OVER THERE?
I'm Living a great life here. Today traveling up to Cebu for a week then next month to Manila to visit friend. Thank you for your concern and comment Jammer
There's not much work for foreigners in the Philippines. I tried to look myself. English teaching jobs are taken by Filipinos, for example. Thus there are many foreign youtubers.
@timtarr. You may have worked in the steel industry, but your English is terrible. Are you a native speaker? And who would want to sit around and do nothing all day? Please put more thought into your posts and check your grammar.
I once lost my iphone in the Tricycle in the Philippines. Then with some locals we called the number, the guy picked up, and they talked to him and he brought back the phone. It fell out of my pocket and was at the spot where I was sitting. I gave the guy 500 pesos I was so happy.
Same here. I lost my phone while riding a tricycle to a store. I went inside and then realized I didn't have it. I ran outside, but of course the tricycle was already gone. I'm not sure how, but the tricycle driver brought back my phone a short time later. I was extremely grateful and gave him a big tip. I've kept my phone better secured ever since.
i always have two wallets carry one hide one. two id's with two different credit and debit cards. take pictures of everything. also most cards you can lock/unlock right on your phone. divide any cash so youre not carrying it all. I only drink from a sealed bottle of water.
@@lannyg I carry my Filipino drivers license and Philippines credit cards. Transactions online could only be approved by OTP. ATM withdrawals are 18 pesos. Many places also accept gcash or maya so little cash is needed and can be linked also to Philippine bank accounts. I encourage any foreignor to get an ACR card and open up a Philippine bank account.
@@wjebel Hotels are usually ok. The farther you get from the hotels the more chance you take. In my case it was a friend of my future wife that offered a soft drink with ice at her home. I thought this is Cebu so should be no problem. I was wrong. I was as sick as a dog all the way back to the states.🤮 I would stick with bottled water or Pepsi Cola from SM City or another supermarket.
I am 74 and was slightly drunk on walking street in Angeles City at 3 AM. My hotel was 6 blocks away. I automatically went to the trik corner to get a ride to my hotel. It wasn't worth the risk of walking in the couple of isolated blocks, with dark spots, to the hotel.
@@mauimixer6040 There's only a few financially we'll to do foreignors. The Chinese Corporations through Philippines Corporations own a good wealth concentration. Same with Korean entities. The American foreigners are entirely overrated to many Filipinas as well.
My first time in the Philippines in 1989 at the airport in Cebu (Mactan) when we got off the plane there were Army personnel with machine guns watching everyone. It was very unnerving. Cebu was ok though.
I do the same and write where you sign see I'd. I take pics of the and email myself and put in a folder. Same as with the passport I make multiple copies and only go out with the copies.
You are so right about the water and the icecubes. After a small sip during breakfast at a restaurant I realized the cubes had a weird tastes. I knew then to ask for no cubes. One drink with unfamiliar pathogens can ruin a weekend, or worse✌🏾
Think all your warnings are valid. Have been to the philippines several times and the ice and water warning is so very true. Remember its all private hospitals here.
Clark Airbase Phillipines 1984. Walked off base first liberty call. A group of about 9 kids ages 5 to 12 walked up to me asking for money, then grabbed my hands and tugged on my clothes until I finally broke free. I was a good overseas sailor, had all my money on my inside pocket of jeans and in my shoes. I get to the bar and pick up a girl. She says, "What time do you have to be back on base ?" I lift up my wrist to check the time, and all I had was a bare wrist ! Remember, they were just kids who probably needed that Citizen dive watch more than I did.
In Subic bay, Olongapo, 79, had an almost similar experience crossing the foot bridge to town as theypatted me down tryingtopick pocket me. Except , growing up in the projects of Philadelphia I was wiser than they thought and surprised the kids when I picked up on3 and threw him off the bridge! It was only about 8ft down and they would jump off regularly anyway chasing coins guys would toss off the ,and miss, to the girls holding baskets below . Well, they remembered me from that point onwards and didn't try again. Lol Once in awhile I would toss them bunch of change on paydays anyway. I don't recommend any doing what I did as because of my position and local friends (law enforcement)I had protection like immunity. 😊 Thanks for the flashbacks.
At the Santo Nino Church in Cebu City, a bunch of little street kids surrounded my wife and me. They were doing a lot of touching me, so I put my wallet in my hand and held it up out of reach. I’m 6’2” tall. I also saw the kids’ “handler” off to the side, staring at me. We already do a lot of what you suggest.
Im glad you mentioned the ice cubes. Any time i have said that guys look at me like iv got 2 heads 😂 But its actually true. Another thing, if you're buying from a water station..... make sure its uv filtered and dont buy bottled water from guys selling it on the street. "But its in a sealed bottle" No matter. They can reseal them 😅
Don't carry your credit/debit cards on you...Keep them locked up inside your residence...Only carry them if you are going to use them on a particular day...Leave the house with an amount of cash that you need for that day...Use ATM machines that are in safe places...Hotels...Bank Lobby...the Malls...Try to avoid using free standing ATM's that are out on "the street"...And never carry your passport unless you are going to use it that day...Then get it back to the house...Stay vigilant and don't let your guard down...
A trick I learned some years ago. I carry a credit card and cash around my upper thigh using elastic bandage (tubing grip) . The cash and card goes in a fold in the bandage together with my hotel key card. It's not easily visible and I carry maybe $30 in a cheap wallet.
It's good RU-vidrs are finally telling the other side of the story about the Philippines. It certainly is not all negative, but so many videos I've seen is how wonderful the Philippines are, and don't even mention what can go wrong. This is a very realistic video, and I hope more guys see this video before they make their first trip.
Just watched this video. I've been here in the Philippines NCR Now a solid (21) years. From the states also. With regards to the water, I have never experienced any sickness from drinking any of the water here. From day (1)until now over (20) years later, I've been drinking straight from the tap, ice cubes as well made from tap water. Upon provincial visits, never had any issues with drinking water but use precaution of the water source. Still I find your video very informative, well spoken and extremely helpful to other foreigners/expats who decide to travel/visit or even live here. The advices presented very good with the common or unexpected scenarios. Excellent advice. Good video
Mike the same beggars are always hanging around when you leave the Quest hotel and go to the mall or the 7/11 . They are little professional thieves. Cheers 🍻
I lived on top of Quest for 3 yrs.. yes they are called the Bajao they are beggars that can earn 30k+ a month if you give them bur they are not thieves.
They have a lot of scammers there. These people are ruthless, don't care, and will do anything to exploit you. So I would be really careful who you give your phone number to.
I met a Filipino girl online 2 weeks before my flight to the Philippines, she met me at the airport and said, let's go to my village in the province. I'll stay with her, because it will be cheaper, I won't have to pay for a hotel. On the very first day. Her cousins stole 300 euros from me.
The best advice site I have come across. Useful info in plain language. If you are in a public place and anyone touches or bumps you, they are probably frisking you. This is especially true with little kids because they will mob you and one or two will be patting you down /taking your wallet/watch, whatever, while you are distracted. You will not realize it - proven fact- because you bodily awareness is focused elsewhere.
I've been surrounded by heavily armed militant rebels here. Being extorted by corrupt cops was worse. I've seen an American shot in the back by an off duty Filipino cop over a 50 peso disagreement. Very little value is placed on human life in the Philippines.
You can delete just about anybody and all you need to do is pay about 50K pesos to the family and the problem goes away. You just have to know who to talk to when it happens.
@@Call_Me_Troy can you give me an article about this happening? Or is this not reported or even documented? I want to know how dangerous this country really is. Can you give some details like where it happened, the city, the barangay?
I also have a money belt tucked inside my shirt. Plus, a fanny pack in front of my belly. My small cash that I use is in a plastic (used to be for my face mask storage) that I put in my front pocket.
As a seasoned foreign traveler especially to Costa Rica and I've been to the Philippines since my wife is from there, A lot of the ideas and thoughts on your very good but just listen to this for a moment. wearing a money belt is an excellent idea to keep people from finding out they have money on your person. around your neck wear a small passport holder that you can also put some of your credit cards and money in. You can also take some money and put it below the sole inner soul of your shit if they're removable. consciously decide you're going to have some small bills in a pocket in the front so if you need to pay for tips or small transportation charges you can pull from that money. most of the time just use your credit card for pulling money out of an ATM but not going to the restaurant and using it there. dress casual but clean so you're not wearing really expensive flashy stuff. If the cab you get into has a meter make sure it's turned on and it works If not get out of the cab immediately. never use a wallet in a foreign country always keep your money in a little bag either around your waist in a money belt or around your neck.
Mike, Thanks for this reminder. As it relates to the water etc., it got me @ 25 years ago. I was so sick that all I ate for 2 days was Kit Kat(s), Saltine Crackers and Sprite. I had forgotten. It was bad. Also, I was stung in Batangas by a jelly fish. OUCH! I should be there in a week or 2 to visit.
I was in Okinawa in 1990 so I was 30 years old. I used to snorkel a lot and I always wore my inflatable life preserver. It’s the kind that they’re flat and airless unless you pull the handle, then the CO2 cartridge will inflate it. Don’t be stupid if you’re gonna be out in those beautiful waters. Always wear one of these things, especially if you’re older or a sub-par swimmer!
Here one that happened to me but I caught it in time before it got big. Went out to eat with friends at last minute and didn’t have any cash for the check so I used my credit card. I let the server take it and she went out of my sight. A few days later I signed into my online banking and was seeing small $1-2 charges on it. I called my bank and they said that’s how they see if it’s still active before they make big purchases.
Great advise. You are on point! I am often in Cebu City visiting my GF. You are giving great advise here and any foreigner should take heed. I work often with the PNP in various parts of the country. I love the Philippines but it is still a developing country.
Hi Mike. It was good for yyou to chat about these sensitive topics and the good and bad side of the Philippines. This is the kind of information all of us want to hear. Thank you
If you're trying to protect your 'little guy', you can find that protection in the Phillie Willie, but if you're trying to protect a 'big guy', I think you're out of luck. Better to bring Magnum's with you from the U.S. than to be surprised by a small raincoat that doesn't fit. For those who don't know what Magnum's are, you'll just have to do some research.
These are all great tips Mike. I'd add that one danger can be a lack of familiarity. I've been to places in the Philippines where I felt perfectly safe during the day but at night, were not well-lit. Electricity is expensive in the Philippines. There was nothing wrong with the area but it would be very easy to get lost in the area I'm thinking about and if your phone runs out of battery, you could be in for a serious challenge trying to get to where you need to go. I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I'm knocking on strangers doors in the middle of the night, in an area that I've never been, hoping someone is awake and can help me figure things out. Some dangers can come not from the people but from the fact that you don't know your way around the area like you know your hometown in the US/UK/Aus/Canada/etc.
@@mikesphilippineretirement Hey Mike, hope you're doing well this weekend. I'm doing ok, in Vietnam currently but not feeling it. I'm thinking about heading to the PH earlier than expected but not sure yet. I'll be sure to let you know if that lines up, the PH is a big more complex logistically.
I let my wife do all the talking when in the Philippines. She could get things done that I would never be able to get done. Had an argument with the hotel staff over reservations. I was going nowhere. My wife said something in Cebuano to the hotel manager and like magic no problem. 😊
I always get the girl to travel to meet me you have to remember its a stranger your meeting. What if the girl has a jealous ex boyfriend or worse has a boyfriend. I have 4 bank cards with me and i keep them all in different places i lock my cards with the bank app when im not using them just make sure to have more than 1 phone with the bank app in case all your cards are locked and your phone gets lost or make sure to keep 1 card unlocked.
Sorry, you failed to mention. YOU MUST HAVE PIN CODE access turned on on your phone and that even is not 100% because of wear patterns on your phone protector screen. Never EVER keep all you money and all your Credit/Debit cards in one single bundle. Take at least $500 USD and one or more plastic cars, wrap it tight, cover it with something like a sleeve or even thick piece of papers to obscure it's content and hide it somewhere in the lining of your luggage. Most thieves won't take your big bag of smelly clothes if the get access to your room. They will grab your backpack, camera bag and anything they can sneak out with. Divide your money into at least two piles and store separate. I really like the reminder about the PASSPORT ID card, I am ordering one next.
Great and important advice Mike! On my last trip, I did exactly like that. I was in Cebu and she was about 5 to 6 hours away by bus. I offered to pay for transportation expenses and she agreed. When I arrived in Cebu, her phone was dead or not connecting. She didn't arrive in Cebu on time. I had this sinking feeling, things are not going in the right direction. Next day she arrived and phone working. We spent 5 days together traveling to Moalboal, Oslob etc. She said she had to "load" her phone. Apparently in Philippines, people usually have to keep loading the phone to use it. My advice is in Philippines and other places be very patient have some cushion when booking schedule. I was lucky to have one extra day to spend in Cebu before going to other places. Otherwise all my Paid Hotel booking would have been messed up!
HI 👋 MIKE! Good informative video brother thanks 🙏 👍. Always be aware of your surroundings, money in front secure pocket, & don’t trust anyone you don’t know period👍. Respect one another & enjoy your time while in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Blessings 🙏🌼🌺🌸
Also you can get travel insurance. You can be airlifted out of the country on a private jet and sent to a medical treatment facility of your choice if you fall ill. It was not that expensive for the Philippines. Never needed it but it was nice to have.
Having grown up in Detroit, Michigan during the 1960s and 1970s, and being a Marine Corps Veteran - I learned street smarts long ago. Watch out for those "Too Good To Be True Deals, also!
Daddy always said if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Also told me that Jesus saves from all this mess. Let every man have his own wife and flee sexual immorality.
In general good advice Mike! Funny enough the city and country I have felt least safe in was Manhattan , NY, USA. I am 70, an experienced traveller with a Filipina fiancee and think your advice is sound!
Thanks so much for your insights about staying out of trouble not just for the Philippines. Going overseas for whatever reason is not enticing for me anymore. Luckily I live very happily and safely in one of the best countries and cities on the planet .🙏
Yeah, I have been in many places in the world and when the plane lands in the states I like the feeling that I am home. Despite the problems the USA is still a nice place to call home.😊
Province water beware of bottled water too if the only place in the province uses bore water for sure they don't filter it and bang your crook even though you have drunk bottled water. This happened to me on my last visit. The best thing to do is boil your water then in the fridge.
I saw those children selling the towels. The mother was there with what appeared to be a one year old. She sent the one year old across the street in front of a vehicle to ask for money.
The BDO (Banco De Oro Unibank) ATMs spit out P1k notes like there's no tomorrow. Sometimes it'll spit out a few P500 notes, but that's not often in my experience. I guess you could withdraw P500 notes one at a time, but you'd be there all day if you want to withdraw P5k 🤣
Mike all valid and very important points for all Expats to use learn and deploy whatever common sense in all you. Develop a heightened of awareness. Another big one to keep in mind and let be on your mind as you enjoy yourself is unless you are proficient in Tagalog, you will be at a distinct disadvantage. That means someone could be plotting your demise, while smiling in your face and being friendly and you may never catch on that they are planning some action against you. Yes these are in the minority very few Filipinos would do you harm but if you go down the wrong alley in the dark of night it may not end well. Filipinos are warm,welcoming, friendly and genuinely welcoming but due all that but to widespread poverty the motivation is there to get some of what you have the easy way by relieving you of what you have. Its a case of Have And the Have nots.
This is THE BEST education video I have seen yet for Middle Ages and over visitors to the Philippines. Well done!! I am a Canadian who has been to the Philippines seven times now. I have a lady friend who is a teacher in Mindoro. I visit regularly and stay at her place and we travel. She is well educated and I know her sexual history. Neither of us have anything in terms of STD’s. However I have to say that you give excellent advice to any new traveller. And also to Filipinos going back after many years being away. My ex wife and I went there in 1998. She nearly drowned, and got deathly sick from the water after. I was fine. Went swimming laps at the YMCA for a couple months before to build up muscle and was careful with water. (Being ex military helped) Education and preparation are the keys. Great video!!
Do your homework first before going to any country for best results. I did a lot of homework and still had some problems on my first trip to the Philippines.
GREAT VIDEO MIKE! I have visited El Salvador, Central America, (much worse than PH) for years, home of 1st wife, before i started going to Philippines (home of 2nd wife). You hit the nail right on the head about the ice problem. Also the street food is often cooked with tap water as well. Many of the sicknesses I have seen have come the water or by not covering a dish a cup or anything else they are eating from, flies are everywhere.Always ask yourself how was that cooked, were did the water come from and was it cooked at a boil for 10 minuets to kill any germs.
nice informative video. I am impressed with this important information you gave. If you bring a young lady to your castle for the evening, put all your valuables in your safe, if you have one, then enjoy your quest. It's just like the locks on a door, it keeps the honest people honest.
Hi Mike, I'd like to hear more about finding safe things to eat. What grocery store meats are safe and restaurant foods. With all the power outages how do you know who has a backup generator to keep the power on and the food cold and safe?
everything you say is right ....should be vigilant anywhere ...bigger city in u.s....same ...or anywhere ...over there ....i use 2 phones ..1 cheap one to carry in public with ..not much on it ...a better phone with important info on it ..kept in a safe palce like hotel safe ...small cash in one pocket bigger cash in different pocket ..nothing in back pocket
It’s little known that the origination of a lime with your bottled beer was to rub the citrus acids around the lip of the bottle including the juice from the rine to disinfect the area where your lips touch. It works. The liquid in the citrus rine is extracted commercially to make disinfectant cleaners.
Mike, you're the first vlogger I can recall mentioning STD's. With all the Passport Bros now touring SE Asia more for a good time than a wife (in addition to the usual SexPat group) I have been very curious about what the stats must be like in PH.... especially given the reluctance of Filipina's to want to use a condom. There's probably many more Vloggers mentioning it but I haven't seen em and I think it's good to put that issue more in the spotlight. Peace and Love, B Goat
Good info, especially the one about knowing your limits at the waterfalls. Also with kids, WALANG PERA and be street smart with and look them in the eye with that! Thanks for sharing Mike!
Nice posters as normal Mike! I agree on the water bottle of water is the best i've been drinking it all along but then again i am in the province. An hour away from any big city that's what you gotta do. Also gentlemen please check the meats when you go to the stores especially the smaller not the big chain or not but the smaller stores and all that. I got violently sick after eating some grond round from one of the local stores here in stuff and got put in a hospital for a couple of days with a mass of bacteria in the stomach and intestines! When i talk to the doctor about he said oh yeah that store has got that problem they've had failed inspections in the past i guess or something that's well known. Try to get a sniff of it too if you can you know how meat gets when it gets a little tangy i don't know how else to say it. Good luck
number one never never talk about money, form foreigner to the Filipino, you don't know them. had foreigner tell me that his girlfriend family is constantly asking for money. come to find out he bragged to the father of the girl friend that he was a millionaire.💸💸💸💸💸
Great advice my friend. I traveled to Cebu from London UK in 2010 to meet my future wife after meeting her online a few months before Luckily for me all worked well but also used my head and good instincts to stay safe but must admit that I was a lucky fellow. We prepared all the necessary documents to get a fiance visa and she traveled to London to get married and is now a British citizen. I am 75, she is 41, and we take care of ourselves and are happily married. Wish you all the best also.
Hey Mike, if you can’t use the tap water to brush your teeth then how can you dine at the Y after showering? Do hotels have treated water or do you use a water test kit? Showering, can you get the water in your face/eyes/mouth or not? Great info, Thanks!
Mike, a lot of good information here... On credit cards, I scratch off the expire date and cvv date on the back. It does not have to be there to use the card, you just need to know them. I have memorized all of my numbers, it's an easy way to help protect them. I have never had a card turned down... I used to carry 2 wallets also but have gotten out of that habit here in the states and not traveling hardly any. The water and ice deal are a guarantee, they will make you deadly sick. First time (2005) I came over there caught a bug from my brother-in-law filling up our water bottles. Learned the lesson quick. The last 2 times I have visited I had my doctor here in the states give me a prescription of antibiotics to bring with me for a just in case. My wife and I are planning on retiring there next year. Me being married to a wonderful Filipino for over 20 years I don't have to worry about some of your warnings anymore, chasing the tail... I'm excited about the move it, but very cautious also. Watching all of these videos to learn what I can. Thanks for the videos.
I drank coffee in Mexico local restaurants, but I thought about whether that was a good idea or not. I guess being a little paranoid is better than being a little careless in an unfamiliar place.
Great job on this important list Mike . Very thorough and helpful. I have visited Philippines 4 times and I got sick February in Baguio from either food prepared with tap water or ice made from tap , bug had me down for 4 days . Be careful with street foods prepared with water like loose corn , vendor lemonades and iced treats sold on the street .
Excellent information! All the points made were very good and the details, especially concerning the ice cubes from the water. Thank you from a future Expat.
@mikesphilippineretirement I'm doing great. Enjoying my retirement & working in my little home machine shop. Doing all the little projects I ve dreamed about making when I was working. Hope to visit the Philippines next year if possible. 🙂
Mike, Thank you for producing another helpful video! Q for you and/or other subs: I’m of course happy to pay for a girl in the province to come to Cebu (or a near city to her I’d like to visit) to meet rather than go to see her. In fact I don’t frankly even want to visit the province (I know many guys love it and good for them; just doesn’t interest me). I’ve heard, however, many times you send the girl her “travel” money and…she doesn’t show up. Just pockets the money in exchange for a text explaining how she’s suddenly ill, cat threw up, brother got into a motorcycle accident, etc. So what’s the workaround, if any? Just send the money and consider it a gamble? Tell her you’ll reimburse her bus ticket upon arrival? I don’t like the idea of sending a girl I haven’t met IRL money. Been there (stupidly); done that. Won’t do it again. Thanks in advance!
Do as much homework as you can first to avoid any surprises. I like these videos because they tell you the real picture. On my first trip to the Philippines in 1989 i got all my information from books that only told the good parts and not the bad parts. If you are looking for a wife It is a different culture, and it can be difficult at times to understand what is going on. Family is important. Study closely her parents. How do they conduct themselves? They may not speak English but that is not a problem as you can detect good vibes or bad vibes. If there are any red flags stop right, there because the apple don't fall too far from the tree. Chances are the daughter will become like them after a few years. Ask me how I know.
Well all the videos im watching are scaring the bejeezus out of me. Why would anyone want to retire in the Philippines? I was there for 3 weeks left after 1 week in Junez. Was in Cebu been there at least 10x. No matter 0:01 where you travel you have to be on your toes. Leave your money in the safe. Passport same thing. Carry only what you need. 1 credit card on you.
Great advice for first timers. I spent a month in Pampanga last year and heeded all of the advice you've given. I had a great time and trusted my street senses while there.
I never got sick from the tap water and street food in Manila all the province to Bicol. I walked down all the alleys in Manila nice people, only time had one kid try to make me pay for opening the cab door punched him out of the cab.
You got to be careful with ice. You can get sick. I got as sick as a dog from ice in a soft drink and that was in Cebu. I should have known better as I lived two years in Vietnam. If it is not in a sealed bottle forget it.
Some great tips, thanks for taking the trouble to make this video! As for food and water, I'd add two things: use your bottled water for brushing your teeth too! And don't buy food from places where they handle the food with bare hands (eg some street stalls). I know someone who went to hospital with dysentery from that. Bathroom practices are different to what we're used to in the West, they don't use toilet paper to wipe, and might be washing their hands in a bucket rather than under a running tap with plenty of soap. (Before anyone comments, this isn't a reflection on personal hygiene - all the Filipinos I've met are meticulous about it - but how can you tell if they washed their hands thoroughly enough to destroy some germ they're used to but you're not?).
I’m fit age 80 and did the 650 steps up and down El Pinion at Guatape. Get fit and loose your 40 pounds of being overweight. Try intermittent fasting. I’m enjoying adventures with one or the other ages 33 & 40. Both svelte, fit and vetted. We proved our health by getting blood tested for 7 types of HIV. I swim daily in some of the ten pools at Estadio Olympica complex, Medellin, Colombia. I’ve visited your WW II Japanese shrine above Valencia; other similar Japanese monuments in northern Luzon; and participated in medical mission to remote Ambaguio mountain village in Nueva Vizcaya province.
Even be careful when a bunch of friendly Little kids surround you patting you and asking just for a little change, Acting so friendly. You are being pick pocketed 😊. They are slick and start early there.
