About Daganflyer

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Philippines: Space Available Flight Authorization for 100% disabled Veterans held up by the Senate Armed Services Committee:

The Senate Armed Services Committee is holding up the bill that would authorize 100% disabled veterans to use Space "A" Flights. Some of the members of this committee are VETERANS. Not every senator in the USA is part of this committee! You have to do a search to see which senators are in this committee. If you feel that 100% disabled veterans should have this then you need to write those Senators who are in the Armed Services Committee!

Philippines: USA VISA CO-SPONSOR:

Last year I put in for a Visa for my wife and had to fill out the zillion forms etc., with pictures and bank account information and despite the fact that I have pensions that total more than $6000.00 a month I was told I had to obtain a co-sponsor for her. This was last year. I sent the forms to my son who has problems with such things, he obtained a lawyer to assist with the paperwork and I still don't have a co-sponsor for my wife... all they required was a signature on the form, btw. Anyway, has anyone else had this? I just don't get it? Granted I am 64 yrs old but... Refugees don't need a co-sponsor and various others... Maybe someone knows something about this? Should we reapply? Can we ask for a waiver of for the co-sponsor thing?

Philippines: Freight forwaders:

I have used LBCShippingcart three times and am disappointed with them. It initially took them 4 weeks to acknowledge the receipt of the items I bought from Amazon and the latest took them 6 weeks. I think POBOX may be better but I have not tried them yet. I can't get anyone at home in the USA to send me a Balikbayan box so I am stuck trying to find a decent freight forwarder. Does anyone know of a decent freight forwarder that will notify me within 24 hrs of receipt of items; I don't mind a delay in shipping them afterwards but wish for them to at least acknowledge receipt. Anyone?

Philippines: University Student Seeks Insight From Expats:

Hi, I hope this reply isn't too late for you. Well I was brought to Subic by the USN in the 80's and traveled to Bagiuo and Manila at that time. I married a filipina who divorced me later on, we had two children who are grown now. Why did I decide to come to the Philippines at around this time? Because of health problems and the need for someone to assist me with taking my medicines, and insulin shots but also I needed someone to clean my home and cook (A wife). I am not wealthy and the cost of living assisted with this decision. I joined two dating sites filipinacupid and plentyoffish. Initially I was concerned about remarrying here as my ex and I married in Olongapo City but as it turns out, as a American, the law that I worried about did not apply. I was looking for a educated woman (college) who was close to my age. No one close to my age who was college educated was interested in me. As my membership was about to end a woman wrote me, she had a college education but she is half my age. This would be a great selling point to someone who wanted a young wife and who did not suffer from diabetes related ED. This was not a great selling point for me. Still we talked/chatted emailed... and over time, it took 4 yrs; I finally broke down and had to give it a chance. My Blood glucose levels by then were going towards the roof, sometimes up to 400 usually around 300 or more. I took a flight, as we left Japan two people came to be seated next to me who took a immediate dislike to me. I am a elderly American (I was around 62 yrs old at the time). I was threatened. They made complaints to the attendants. When we finally landed and I was about to get my luggage one of them made the threat of coming to find me... My 'friend' met me at the airport as I told her when I would arrive, so she was there when this happened. She is a PNP and despite the airport security initially leaning towards the other person, she turned things around for me. We left and flew to her city, where I had paid to have a room built for my comfort. Yes. I sent money for this, to someone who I suppose would be considered a stranger. We lived together for about four months when I asked her to marry me and before 6 months were up we were married. I live in a normal concrete brick, Filipino house with a tin roof. We have indoor plumbing and a English made water heater for the shower. I also had a water filter installed. I do not recall all your questions but I will do my best here. Well, I am able to live quite comfortably and eat Filipino food usually, which is mostly rice and vegetables. For breakfast I have eggs. Oh, and my diabetes is being managed quite well now. I have however; gained weight. My wife fears for me to walk alone, or to go to the local market alone, or to go to the malls alone... I don't know why. I have done both once and have had no bad experiences. Most everyone I talked to spoke or understood English and those who didn't, well, there was always someone around who would translate. There are several dialects in the Philippines Tagalog is known here but not usually spoken. I am stuck with English though. As to my accommodations, it is like living in my basement in the States. I have AC in my room where I spend all my time. I eat here, play video games and watch movies. I have to use a special internet service to get American movies from Amazon but Netflix is fine with me being in the Philippines it seems. There is also Iflix but it isn't as comprehensive. We are making plans to buy a lot and build a house where I can begin exercising and hopefully start a garden. I found a very good seed company on Facebook (Tupay (sp?)) I think is it's name. As to anything else, like gardening tools etc., there are hardware stores in the Malls that have these. Yes. There are things that they do not have and I am looking for a freight forwarder so I can take care of that. Other than that, my dear wife has managed to save quite a bit of the one pension check I receive and even to the point of being able to buy a lot and plan on building a house on it! The other pensions I receive one (Soc. Sec.) is paying the mortgage on my home in the USA where my adult handicapped son lives and even allows me to give him money from time to time to assist with his support. I am a veteran so my service connected disability (diabetes is one) is taken care of by the VAMC. However; (locally) ER visits, doctors visits etc are out of my own pocket. A three day visit to the ER cost around $3000.00 US dollars. It took the VA almost 3 yrs to refund a portion of that. Due to preconditions, I am not eligible for most health insurance but for my wife's employment one and that would not allow for too many ER visits... As to dental, we are looking for a decent dentist. The one I went to said that the fillings she would use were not as good as the ones I had, which need replacing btw... Food. Yeah I miss a few things. My wife is a wannnabe chef and she tries to cover that. Anything else? Well, other than living a sedentary lifestyle which is bad for me, for now; there is nothing else. Do I like it in the Philippines? To me, other than the cost of living which allows me to spend more, and for my wife to save more; it is just like anywhere else in the world! There are good people, bad people and people in between who are neither bad enough to be bad or good enough to be good, that is why they fit in between good and bad. Oh and children used to be more respectful, they are starting to act like the kids in the USA; and show no respect for their elders which is something I hope changes back to what I was used to when I was here! Are there scam artists here who prey on foreigners? Yes. Of course. And if you went on vacation from, Oh Cleveland Ohio to New Orleans LA you would find scam artists there who prey on tourists. It is the same. Wherever there are people, you will find the good the bad and the indifferent... So that is it. I hope this helps. Dave

Philippines: Expat Complainers:

Linda lots of air pollution here. Too many vehicles, I am in Manila for a brief time with my wife but we live in Bago city Negros Occidenal. Big cities are expensive. You should plan to visit first. You should find a friend who lives in the area you are planning to live in. A friend will save you money and some aggravation. It isn't the USA here plan on making adjustments. Though you could live on $1000 a month I am not certain you would be comfortable. Look up pension houses these are a inexpensive alternative to a hotel but be warned, they may not have AC. People here usually rent a bed in a house. Do not buy a condo till you actually have been here long enough to know you want to stay! Oh and check on healthcare when you get here. Almost forgot. Best wishes. DAA

Philippines: Places to shop online::

ayosdito dot com also Amazon, I bought two very small electric heaters and customs, postage etc. total cost was $70. When I found that Amazon could ship to the PI, I realized I would not have to worry about getting family to do that for me. Keep in mind restrictions apply, know the rules before you buy and send something that will be confiscated by customs and please do add any other sites you know of.

Philippines: visa's:

I wrote some people at the PI SSRV site and then at the Philippine Embassy. Cost was free, information was authoritative. Or you can pay a expert. I too am planning on going to the RPI for a extended stay and have run into the same brick wall, money. Plus other complications. Still when I want a accurate answer I always go to the most authoritative person.

Philippines: Firearms, Pistol, Air guns ????:

I wish to know how I can send a air gun to the Philippines without breaking the law or taking a risk? I know that there is a way, people do it, they sell all kinds of guns, firearms , air guns air soft guns there! So there must be some legal way to do this. Maybe it requires middlemen? Maybe I have to go through some hoops, I'm fine with that. My fiance' is a PNP (Philippine National Police woman) and I'd like to send her a pistol for private use, also a air gun (pistol) for target practice. But I can't find out how! I've gone through forums etc. I just don't know what to do. I tried looking up the appropriate customs and government website and PERSONS without success. Does anyone KNOW?

Philippines: MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS in the Philippines from the US Embassy:

I am lucky to know of someone who knows how to do USA income tax there. As to the foreign service test, thank you for posting; not for me though, retired and happily.

Philippines: Moving to Manila - Advice on Housing:

"adamcebu" when I was in PI in the 80's us Americans were blamed for things like that. I'd certainly not wish to stir up any excrement. I'd use a good set of earplugs, a AC has ambient noise or there are devices that have ambient noise. Or there are headphones designed to blank out annoying noises with 'white noise'. This suggestion is based on my own experiences where I could do nothing without someone witnessing it; yet I have had things done to me and no one ever sees it. If you are like me, then take my advice. Otherwise prepare to be caught.

Date Joined:

12/27/2012

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