www.in-philippines.com
Constain Street
Fields Ave
Balibago
Angeles City
Pampanga
2009
Contact:
Telephone: 045 892 1160
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Great Music,
Great Girls
Pool table
Hours: 6pm – 3am
Formerly known as Butterfly Rock, re-opened in May 2015 as Yab-Yum.
Hilltop Sabang
San Juan
Morong
Bataan
Contact:
Telephone: 0946 307 7463
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
High School
506 Don Juico Avenue
Clarkview
Angeles City
Pampanga
2009
Contact:
Telephone: 045 624 0402
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Deli and imported food store
506 Don Juico Ave
Next to Bretto’s
Clarkview
Angeles City
Pampanga
2009
Contact:
Telephone:
Mobile: 0921 987 1465
Email:
Web:
Details:
Australian Restaurant, Bakery, and Deli / Bodega.
Sausage Rolls, Apple Pies etc.
Some say “The Best Pies in the Philippines.”.
At least the best in this area.
80 pesos Apple Pies
50 pesos Sausage Rolls
120 pesos Cornish Pasties
xx Lamingtons
360 pesos.
I ate one while taking the photo, so only 3 left there 😉
Can a Foreigner Buy Property / Real Estate in The Philippines ? Yes and No.
Real estate is “property consisting of land and the buildings on it”
Property is “Something that can be owned”. This could be a House, a House and Land package, a Condo, etc. A very wide description.
Under the Philippine Constitution only Filipino Citizens are allowed to PURCHASE land in the Philippines.
Condominium Act: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1966/ra_4726_1966.html
Philippine Constitution: “Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.” (Philippine Constitution Article XII, Section 7)
Under the pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution only Filipino citizens and corporations or partnerships at least 60% Philippine owned are entitled to acquire land in the Philippines. One exception to that rule is a purchase of not more than 40% interest in a condominium project by foreigners.
http://www.sec.gov.ph/investorinfo/opinions/ogc/cy%202008/08-27.pdf
Jose Abad Santos Ave
Berthaphil Clark Center
Clark Freeport
Angeles City
Pampanga
2023
Contact:
Telephone: 045 499 1373
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Even though Saint Paul is an American school, it is an international environment with students from more than 15 countries being a part of the community.
Our students have learned to cooperate and interact with those from different cultures, and we have a very healthy school environment in which young people from all backgrounds are welcome and accepted.
Our students use English as the common language and non-native English speakers are not permitted to use another language in the classroom. This creates unity and helps our students overcome communication challenges. With learning as the top priority of our organization, the cultural differences disappear and everyone is focused on a common goal. Students have a unique opportunity to make international friendships at a very young age.
Non Visa required nationals can stay for up to Thirty-six (36) months on eligible tourist visas before needing to leave the country again.
Visa required nationals can stay for up to Twenty-four (24) months on eligible tourist visas before needing to leave the country again.
The 24 or 36 month period is counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.
Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 issued on 23 December 2013.
Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.
The said periods shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.
Woodland Airpark
Sitio Talimundok
Sta. Maria Magalang
Magalang
Pampanga
2009
Contact:
Telephone: 045 802 2101
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Ultralight aircraft club. The ACFC is a non-profit flying club and flying school. Our aim is to promote ultralight flying (incl. light sport aircraft and microlights) in the Philippines.
You can fly an ultralight as our guest or become a member and learn how to fly. Already in your first lesson you will take the controls and fly an ultralight plane.
2nd Floor, Sarabia Co Torralba Bldg
CPG Avenue
Tagbilaran City
Bohol
6300
Contact:
Telephone: 038-235 6084
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Government Bureau of Immigration
ACR I-Card Issuance, Reissuance and Renewal
Alien Registration Program (ARP)
Annual Report
Boarding Formalities
Extension of Authorized Stay of Temporary Visitors
Special Student Permit (SSP)
Special Work Permit (SWP)
Sourced from: www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php/information/directory-of-transactions Updated as of 23 June 2015
Fields Ave
Margot
Angeles City
Pampanga
2009
Contact:
Telephone: n/a
Mobile:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Embroidery & Sportswear
From the 15th July 2015 foreign nationals with passports or official travel documents of less than six (6) months validity from date of arrival may be allowed entry into the Philippines.
Those that will be allowed entry must be Nationals from countries allowed entry to the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days under Executive Order No. 408.
The countries listed in the OPERATIONS ORDER NO. SBM-2015-026 are:
Angola
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Benin
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
Cyprus
Ecuador
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Kuwait
Laos
Mexico
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niger
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Portugal
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Spain
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
United States of America
Venezuela
This change is based on the embassy or consulate located in the Philippines being authorized to renew or extend the validity of their passport or official travel document
Filipino Citizens are allowed to enter Thailand without a Visa, and are allowed a 30 day Tourist stay if entering via international airport.
Entry via a land border checkpoint only allows a 15 days stay.
Philippine Immigration will need to be assured that you are a valid traveller for tourist reasons, and that you have sufficient funds to cover your trip.
Many people, younger females especially, will be interviewed under rules set down for anti human trafficking laws, and some may not be allowed to depart, if the Philippine Immigration Officials deem them to be at risk.
More: www.in-philippines.com/filipinos-offloaded-at-manila-cebu-clark-airports
Thai Immigration will want to see:
A passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure date.
A confirmed travel itinerary
Proof of accommodation and funds of at least THB 10,000 per person.
| Philippine Visitors to Thailand by year | |
| tba | 2015 |
| 304,813 | 2014 |
| 321,571 | 2013 |
| 289,566 | 2012 |
| 268,375 | 2011 |
| 246,430 | 2010 |
| 217,705 | 2009 |
| 221,506 | 2008 |
| 205,266 | 2007 |
| 198,443 | 2006 |
About two months ago I bought two boxes of Baygon Anti-Dengue Mosquito Mats, with 30 mats in each pack. As I was running out I picked up another two packs the other day. BUT, I made a shopping mistake; I saw what I wanted, what I had picked up before, but didn’t look at the item properly, or even check the price.
What I did know was that the box was the same size, the same colour and in the same place on the shelves.
When opening the pack however, I wondered why it was almost empty, while the last box had been full.
I hadn’t seen that the box only held 10 mats, not the 30 that I had assumed. It was MY mistake for not checking, but I also think that Baygon have placed these 10 mats in a large box, the same size as the 30 pack, on purpose to catch us when we are not thinking properly.
The pack of 10 cost 34.75 pesos per pack. So at that price, 30 mats would be 104.25 pesos
The 30 pack had a price of 74.75 pesos (I checked this later), not much more than 2 boxes of 10 at the above price.
This is the top of the same sized box that is full and holds 30 mats.
I’ve used a Baygon spray recently that only stunned a mosquito when I sprayed it head on, and it flew off 5 minutes later, so I am not going to say that something works when it doesn’t.
I have a desk in my living room where I work, and I was always getting mozzie bites on my ankles, 3 or 4 every night. I kept a fly spray handy, and was always using it, but still got bites every night.
I then tried the Baygon heater and mat.
Every night that I had it on, I was bite free. The days that I forgot to put it on, I did notice a bite, and immediately plugged it in. This kept my bites to a minimum.
I do believe 100% that these mats work, but maybe only for a small area. I think they quote 20 square metres.
Each Mat lasts for 8 hours, and I tend to use them from about 3pm and unplug it in the morning, about 18 hours later.
These units are claimed to use 5 Watts of electricity
At 8 hours use per day, this would therefore be 40 watts per day or 14,600 watts per year.
That is 14.6Kwh which, at a cost of 10 pesos per Kwh, would be 146 pesos per year in Electricity Costs
365 days use at 34.75 pesos per 10 mats works out at 1,269 peso for the year.
Total cost for ONE YEAR, with 8 hours use per day, is therefore about 1,400 to 1,500 pesos (125 pesos per month)
After being quoted a price for a shipment of one cubic metre, and being told that is 5 standard Balikbayan Boxes, I wondered what the size is for a standard Balikbayan Box.
The answers depend on where you buy them.
I have seen Large or Jumbo balikbayan box sized at: 24″ x 24″ x 18″, others say: Medium: 18″ x 18″ x 16″, Large: 24″ x 18″ x 18″ and Extra large: 24″ x 24″ x 18″.
1 cubic metre = 1,000,000 cubic centimetres or 61,023 cubic inches. (ci)
Balikbayan Boxes are sized in Inches, so the results are:
One 18″ x 16″ x 16″ box = 5,184 cubic inches
ELEVEN (18″ x 18″ x 16″) boxes to a cubic metre (57,024 ci)
One 20″ x 20″ x 20″ box = 8,000 cubic inches
SEVEN (20″ x 20″ x 20″) boxes to a cubic metre (56,000 ci)
One 24″ x 24″ x 24″ box = 13,824 cubic inches
FOUR (24″ x 24″ x 24″) boxes to a cubic metre (55,296 ci)
One 24″ x 24″ x 18″ box = 10,368 cubic inches
FIVE (24″ x 24″ x 18″) boxes to a cubic metre (51,840 ci)
One 24″ x 18″ x 18″ box = 7,776 cubic inches
SEVEN (24″ x 18″ x 18″) boxes to a cubic metre (54,432 ci)
This is the number of boxes per cubic metre rounded down, so that the 61,023 cubic inches does not get exceeded.
The answer to my question ended up as: The size for a standard Balikbayan Box, at that particular shipper, is: 24″ x 24″ x 18″, as they allowed FIVE boxes. OR, so I thought, but I got an email later saying it was actually 21″ x 21″ x 21″.
One 21″ x 21″ x 21″ box = 9,261 cubic inches
SIX (21″ x 21″ x 21″) boxes to a cubic metre (55,566 ci) even though they said FIVE in the email.
After all that above, I then found another two “standard” sizes.
Balikbayan Box – Large (23″ X 20″ X 17.5″) One Box = 8,050 cubic inches =
SEVEN (23″ X 20″ X 17.5″) boxes to a cubic metre (56,350 ci)
Balikbayan Box – Jumbo (25″ X 24″ X 17″) One Box = 10,200 cubic inches =
FIVE (25″ X 24″ X 17″) boxes to a cubic metre (51,000 ci)
Then I found a page on the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry that states 24″ x 24″ x 24″ is the standard size.
I think that the best option is to use SEVEN easy to find (20″ x 20″ x 20″) boxes, which gives a total of 56,000 cubic inches and fits in the price for 1 cubic metre. I saw these at Robinsons Supermarket for 100 pesos each.
I suppose that some people may not know what a Balikbayan Box is and what is allowed in it, so the answers are at: customs.gov.ph/balikbayan-boxes
Between May 2015 and August 2015 the price for 1 litre of Petrol in the Philippines has varied between a low of 43.4 pesos and a high of 46.7 pesos. This gives an average of about 45 pesos per litre.
The Philippine Department of Energy provide a website showing Retail Pump Prices in Metro Manila at:
www.doe.gov.ph/retail-pump-prices/retail-pump-prices-metro-manila
These show the Petrol prices at August 13, 2015 as:
Fuel Rating RON 91 Between 37.15 and 42.95 pesos per litre
Fuel Rating RON 95 Between 38.45 and 44.50
Fuel Rating RON 97 Between 40.35 and 45.25
Diesel Between 23.85 and 30.60
Petrol prices differ between Locations, as these examples on the same day show:
Cebu City 43.10 at Petron
Iloilo City 48.55 at Petron
Bacolod 48.66 at Petron
Some example Car prices at August 2015 are:
HYUNDAI i10
GRAND I10 1.0 E 5MT PHP 538,000
GRAND I10 1.0 E 4AT PHP 598,000
GRAND I10 1.2 L 4AT PHP 728,000
TOYOTA CAMRY
2.5 G A/T Php 1,511,000
2.5 S A/T Php 1,645,000
2.5 V A/T Php 1,745,000
3.5 V6 A/T Php 2,128,000
| Currency Conversion at August 2015 | ||
| PHP | 33php – AUD | 45php – USD |
| PHP 23.85 | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 |
| PHP 30.60 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.68 |
| PHP 37.15 | $ 1.13 | $ 0.83 |
| PHP 38.45 | $ 1.17 | $ 0.85 |
| PHP 40.35 | $ 1.22 | $ 0.90 |
| PHP 42.95 | $ 1.30 | $ 0.95 |
| PHP 43.40 | $ 1.32 | $ 0.96 |
| PHP 44.50 | $ 1.35 | $ 0.99 |
| PHP 45.00 | $ 1.36 | $ 1.00 |
| PHP 45.25 | $ 1.37 | $ 1.01 |
| PHP 46.70 | $ 1.42 | $ 1.04 |
| PHP 538,000 | $ 16,303 | $ 11,956 |
| PHP 598,000 | $ 18,121 | $ 13,289 |
| PHP 728,000 | $ 22,061 | $ 16,178 |
| PHP 1,511,000 | $ 45,788 | $ 33,578 |
| PHP 1,645,000 | $ 49,848 | $ 36,556 |
| PHP 1,745,000 | $ 52,879 | $ 38,778 |
| PHP 2,128,000 | $ 64,485 | $ 47,289 |
In Australia the Electricity bill is based on a Quarterly charge PLUS the amount of Electricity actually used.
In the Philippines the Electricity bill is based on the amount of Electricity actually used, no period charges.
Kwh = Kilowatt Hours. ie; In its simplest form this is the amount of electricity consumed in the period.
All cost conversions done in this article are based on the FX rate of 33 Pesos to one A$ (Aug 2015)
These are two actual bills in July 2015 for both countries
Australia Quarterly Bill (Including standing charges)
1871 Kwh used with total bill of A$540.02. This equals $0.2886 per Kwh (PHP 9.525)
Philippines Monthy Bill
306 Kwh used with total bill of PHP 2,657 (A$80.50). This equals 8.6830 per Kwh
The figures below show that the Unit cost of Electricity is higher in the Philippines
1 Khw is charged at 8.6830 in Pampanga, Philippines
1 Kwh is charged at $0.2537 (Peak Rate) [PHP 8.3721] in Queensland, Australia
However, this does not take into account any standing period charges
Ave Cost of Electricity Bill (per month)
The figures below show that Electricity costs over twice as much in Australia as it
PHP 2,657 Philippines (A$80.50) for two people
A$ 180.00 Australia (PHP 5,940) for four people
The figures above are based on two average electricity bills by people in each country with similar usage patterns.
10.20 Kwh Average KwH per day for 2 people in a 1 Bedroom 70sqm Condo, no Air Con in Pampanga, Philippines
20.34 Kwh Average KwH per day for 4 people in a 4 Bedroom 210sqm House, no Air Con in Queensland, Australia
Final Summation:
My House in Australia: 47.90
My Condo in Philippines: 42.85
The above information is based on an Australian living in the Philippines in a more western lifestyle.
Australians have more electrical appliances than an average Filipino, such as:
Fridge
Freezer
Hot Water Heaters
Washing Machine
Clothes Dryer
2 or 3 TV’s
PVR Recorder
DVD Player
Computers
Air Conditioning
Swimming Pool Pumps etc.
You can live on whatever amount of money you like in the Philippines.
That is the simple answer to a simple question.
An Average Filipino lives on a lot less than that, so YES, it CAN be done.
An Average Filipino House however is not the same as an Average Western style house.
See: Average Houses in the Philippines.
The average Filipino wage in 2012 was 19,583 pesos per month. That is USD 435 or A$593 per month.
See: Wages in the Philippines in the years 2009 and 2012
The average Filipino has a very small Electricity bill. No Fridge/Freezer, No Air Con, No Hot Water, etc., means not much Electricity used.
If you want to live like an Average Filipino, then there is no reason why you can’t.
But, if you want to live like a Westerner, living in a modern property, shopping at the normal shopping centres, eating western food, then you may need a higher budget.
Those Filipinos that live a good life in the Philippines earn substantially MORE than US$600 per month though.
I have spoken to a few who have incomes between 200,000 and 400,000 per month. (That’s between US$4,500 and US$9,000 per month) They have western style houses, good cars, maids and drivers etc., and regularly shop at the Philippine branches of Marks and Spencer, Prada, Louis Vuitton etc. I was surprised to see that there are 24 branches of Marks and Spencer throughout the major centres of the Philippines.
The average annual tax paid by the top 500 Individual taxpayers in 2013 was: PHP 13,604,666 according to the Philippines Tax Records.
The top rate of Personal Income Tax is 32% in the Philippines, so the Average Gross Salary, calculated from that average tax paid, would be about: PHP 42,514,581 which works out at about US$78,000 per month.
The breakdown for each group of 100 was:
| Estimated Annual Income for Top Tax payers in 2013 | ||
| PHP 92,989,965 | $ 2,066,444 | Est Average Annual Income for top 100 earners in 2013 |
| PHP 41,431,627 | $ 920,703 | Est Average Annual Income for 2nd Top 100 earners in 2013 |
| PHP 31,569,034 | $ 701,534 | Est Average Annual Income for 3rd Top 100 earners in 2013 |
| PHP 25,244,850 | $ 560,997 | Est Average Annual Income for 4th Top 100 earners in 2013 |
| PHP 21,337,428 | $ 474,165 | Est Average Annual Income for 5th Top 100 earners in 2013 |
| PHP 42,514,581 | $ 944,768 | Est Average Annual Income for ALL Top 500 earners in 2013 |
These figures have been estimated based on 32% tax rate, and are very rough estimations
YES, but you will be closer to the bottom level of Filipino spending , so a much lower Standard of Living when compared to the better off Filipinos
My Personal Experiences
When I first came to the Philippines, I had read that I could live well on $600 per month. I was also told that with $2,000 per month I could live like a King.
I do get by on US$1,500 (A$2,000) per month. But to live like I used to in Australia, I have calculated that I would need closer to US$3,000 (A$4,000) per month.
When I mention this to some others, they tell me to move to a province, get cheaper accommodation, stop eating in western style restaurants, etc., and live more like a local so that I can live better on less money.
The logic in that escapes me. I want to live a decent life, and understand I have to pay for that.
Most Filipinos also want to live a decent life, and would do anything to get a Visa out of their country, OR have a nice high income in the Philippines so they can live better.
Some websites quote the cost to rent a house in the Philippines as about 5,000 pesos per month for an average house.
This leads some foreigners to consider how cheap that is in comparison to their own country. However, is it a like for like comparison?
This is an actual advertised house in August 2015 for 5,000 pesos per month in Quezon City, a popular part of Metro Manila
I found a statement from a property sales website that gives an idea of what to expect from HIGH END property
I have seen many average houses in the Philippines, and found this photo at http://truthsector.net which shows what they refer to as an average house. (I have seen worse)
This one shows a one bedroom town house (Attached/Terraced/duplex), also for 5,000 per month
This one is quoted as a High End Philippines House by a Property Sales company
Food Court – Third Floor
Robinsons Place
Padre Faura St – Pedro Gil St – Adriatico Street
Ermita
Manila
Contact:
Tel:
Mob:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Eating Out
Food Court – Third Floor
Robinsons Place
Padre Faura St – Pedro Gil St – Adriatico Street
Ermita
Manila
Contact:
Tel:
Mob:
Email:
Web:
Details:
Eating Out
