standupguy
2/3/2016 07:46 EST
Renewed my Visa today and my passport & bill got to the final checkpoint & teller exactly at noon. The final checker is a man that I observed being quite rude to foreigners if they arrived t his station next to the teller at Davao immigration. At noon her would turn his chair around and stop speaking mid sentence, so I was surprised he spoke to me. He told me I owed P2,930 So I have him 3. P1000 bills. Then he said "lunchtime come back at 1:00 pm. I asked for my passport and change, but he said "after lunch". When I returned at 1:00, he gave me my receipt and passport, but not the P70 in change he owed me. The teller told me to give him P30 & he would give me a P100. Then he said "No" take your P30. I did. Then he said give me your Passport. My wife jumped up saying NO! There was rapid fire visayan and the teller again told me to put P30 down and told the old goat checker to give me a P100 & this time he did. Everyone was staring at us. Next we went to NBI to get my clearance for our adoption. There were over 400 people waiting. We were 476. More forms finger printing payments, but the staff let me jump the line up since I am handicapped. More forms, about an hour wait, I got to the final window, a Devon fingerprinting and then a receipt that said HOLD. I have to go back in a month. Bureaucratic snakes and. Ladders. Someone also grabbed our take out Pizza. I was bewildered.
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chance2014
2/3/2016 14:05 EST
Its more fun in the Philippines? Good joke huh?
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chance2014
2/3/2016 14:06 EST
As we say 'they couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery'. Now ain't that the truth
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CAteacher
2/3/2016 15:17 EST
Chance, a lot depends on our expectations (culturally), temperament, and ability to flex with the culture in which we are guest. Too often I catch myself playing the role of 'Quality Control' officer than guest in a foreign culture. More than once I have found myself explaining to a stone faced store manager how a "proper" checkout line should function. You know how that worked out, don't you? ;-)
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chance2014
2/3/2016 19:57 EST
I don't bother trying to explain anything to anyone anymore its a waste of time. I bought an electric kettle From a reputable electrical store, 'what garaumtee does it have?' I said 'one year sir' said the salesman. One month later it stopped working so I took it back to the shop with receipt. If it stops within 7 days they will replace it, but one month it has to go for repair 3 weeks to repair it. Can i have my money bac no. Can I exchange it? No. Can I have a credit note? No. So it went for repair.5 weeks later got a call to collect it by this time I had bought a more expensive kettle. So I picked it up and used it a few times and same problem didn't work. Went back to the shop sole to the manager I got really angry, 'we can only send it for repair sir' forget it. Since then I have bought goods one year garauntee sir. No I say its seven days after that it will be repaired is that right? Yes sir. I give up. If something lasts more than 7 days its going to be stripped down by some genius who can repair any make and type of product that shop sells. He must have spent years of training from each individual manufacturer, learning about every product and model that the shop sells.
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LarryKar
2/4/2016 00:03 EST
Chance2014 thought you have lived here long enough to know that every Filipino male over the age of 10 is an expert at any type of repair. Fix your transmission, install house plumbing, Open Heart Surgery... Sure done that. Just ask them. LOL
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Allianz CareGet QuoteAllianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
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chance2014
2/4/2016 04:46 EST
I have seen things made and repaired with very basic tools matcheti is useful tool. After a typhoon a neighbours kitchen area was destroyed. With very basic tools scrap wood a whole new kitchen was built at a total cost of Zero pesos. But I know there is very little or no training given for builders, plumbers, electricians etc etc its a learn as you go culture
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standupguy
2/4/2016 07:36 EST
Larry - I don't agree with that. I hired one carpenter who stated he had 35 years of experience. Used putty to cover raw plywood instead of sanding it. The workmanship on our house by the "engineer" was very shoddy. The roof which "didn't leak" and "was new" was old sheets of metal roofing thrown over the wooden trusses sloping away from the fake gutters into a wall where they used vulca seal to try to make it water tight hoping the rain would spill off over the side walls. The pluming was OK if you didn't put any weight on the sink which came off the wall and pipes. The connecting pipe to the toilet tank was stretched so tight it leaked because they were too cheap to buy a longer one...it's too long a story..There is one super carpenter who is incredible on our street who is an Expert at everything. He has power tools, all the skills, cabinet maker, mason, 34 years old. Works for P500 a day with a helper. He is a rare species. Ever been to City Hardware. No Stock on basics just a sampling of bolts and washers.
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BertelBertelsen
2/4/2016 08:57 EST
he standaupguy. can i have his numbver? that sounds like a fair price for a workman
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minocqua
2/4/2016 09:43 EST
standup , the quality carpenter is 500p a day . should i assume , his helper is additional ?
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standupguy
2/4/2016 10:42 EST
minocqua. No that included the helper. However materials were extra. We wanted our large gate to open to the inside of our lot where the ground was a little higher. The gate concrete posts had to be partially demolished and re hinged wit new rebar, everything was plum & perfectly fit. It still opens a little to the outside, Then new mortar and cement rise at ground level to prevent dogs from entering. They worked for 12 hours. The custom is that we fed them and supplied ice water . P500.
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Allianz CareGet QuoteAllianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Allianz CareAllianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime. Get Quote
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standupguy
2/4/2016 10:50 EST
BB - I'll ask my wife to get it. He ha no English. His name is. R Q & and his wife is Endei. He's amazing. They live across the street. He has a regular job I think, but works weekends. Best carpenter construction worker I ever met anywhere. His house and yard are really nice. Ventilated roof.
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