ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesTan don't burn?
I was planning to make a few visits to a tanning booth before my wife and I's trip back to the Philippines next month and it occurred to me does Kathlene need to get some sun also?

I burn pretty easy, so it just makes since for me to get a little tan before heading from winter in Kentucky to the Philippines, but I wonder if Kathlene needs to build up some resistance as well since she has been in the states for over a year now.

I am also bringing sunscreen, I just know the sun is a lot stronger in the Philippines than here in Kentucky.

Any comments?

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-12-19 12:31:00
PhilippinesBest Phone Cards to Call Philippines?
We use Startec, you can buy prepaid or a monthly bill for 17.9 cents a minute to a cell phone in the Philippines.

We have been using them for about six months now.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-12-19 18:51:00
PhilippinesFiling married status on income taxes
It did take several weeks to get the return back from the IRS, but you can send a copy of the return you file, no need to wait for the one from the IRS.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-01-07 13:16:00
PhilippinesFiling married status on income taxes
I filed using a w-7 when my wife was still in the Philippines, but there was a small snag. I could not get my refund until my wife got here because her name is on the refund check.

I had direct deposit, but my bank rejected it because my wife's name was not on the account and they could not add her until she had her SSN. But my bank may be a little ####### anyway. . . wink.gif
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2008-12-29 15:16:00
PhilippinesTravel Tax and US Green Card?
Thanks, that's what I thought, but just wanted to double check!

We live in western Kentucky, so I think it worked out pretty good us being gone during the recent ice storm, I don't know what Kathlene would have thought of all the damage and no power/heat for several days!

She comes home on the 22nd, so maybe they will have most everything cleaned up by then.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-02-06 15:45:00
PhilippinesTravel Tax and US Green Card?
I have been looking at the Philippine Tourism Authority site and it says my wife should be eligible for a exemption/reduced rate on her travel tax since she is US permanent resident.

Has anyone gotten this exemption? Kathlene has been living in the US for over a year and we just went back for a visit. I had to come home to go back to work, but Kathlene is staying another three weeks then coming home. I just want to be sure she brings enough money with her to the airport, but we also don't want to have a lot of extra pesos to have to sell back at a reduced rate either.

This is what the Tourism Authority site says about permanent residents of other countries:

Who can avail of a Travel Tax exemption/reduced rate and
What are the documents required?

(Presentation of passport required in all cases.)

Filipino permanent residents abroad whose stay in the Philippines is less than one (1) year.

Copies of the ID pages of passport and stamp of last arrival in RP
Proof of permanent residence in foreign country (e.g. US Green Card, Canadian form 1000, etc.)
_____

Also, is it an exemption or just a reduction in the tax? I know it isn't that much money, but if she doesn't have to pay it, we'd like to keep it!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-02-06 13:41:00
Philippinesbringing dried fish, canned meats back to US
That's what I thought, I don't want there to be any problems, Kathlene is already worried about coming back home alone as this is the first time she has left the country with her green card.

We have a small Phil/Asian store here and we are only a couple of hours away from a couple of big stores in Nashville, so you can find a lot of stuff already here.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-02-13 16:52:00
Philippinesbringing dried fish, canned meats back to US
My wife is coming home from her visit to the Philippines next week, I came home a couple of weeks ago (only had two weeks vacation) and from what I read on the customs forms they hand out, you cannot bring any fish (dried or otherwise) or canned meats back to the US.

Am I correct? Kathlene had a bunch of friends wanting her to bring all this stuff back and I don't want her to risk any problems coming back into the states.

Right now she isn't going to bring anything back to be safe.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-02-13 14:53:00
PhilippinesDoes it make sense to have a medical exam early?
Just keep this in mind when taking the medical early, they put my wife's expiration date six months from the date of the medical, NOT the interview.

(She had to reschedule her interview because of having to take the sputum test)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-02-23 17:08:00
Philippinesapply for passport before or after marriage takes place?
One thing, if she waits until after she is married, she will need to take the CFO seminar before they will let her get her passport. No big deal, they will give her a certificate so once she has her passport and visa, she can just go by and get the stamp.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-03-02 13:30:00
PhilippinesUnited States Portal Service
My wife is from outside of CDO so it took a couple of weeks even for Express mail to reach her. I found out that once the mail is taken off the plane in Manila, it is no longer under the USPS control.

So for any hope of guaranteed service use one of the global companies like DHL, UPS, or FedEx.

Even if you have a tracking number the last thing it will show is the package leaving the US.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-04-08 17:51:00
Philippinesneed help to find a job...
QUOTE (GARFIELDCUTE01 @ May 8 2009, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello guys.. anybody who can help me have a job??? any decent job will do... crying.gif crying.gif


City ? ? ? State ? ? ? Country ? ? ?


Details, details ! ! !
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-05-08 14:53:00
PhilippinesNeed Advice/ Help Please
Quick note, no cellphones will work in Japan except for ones made for Japan. So if she has a long layover, she will need to buy a calling card and find a payphone in the airport.

Also they have pay as you go internet computers so she could just get some yen and send you an email letting you know how her trip is going.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-05-18 11:30:00
PhilippinesVJ members who entered US already
My wife did get a letter asking her to go to the local health department. They did a TB test and another x-ray.

After that, no more problems, but no, no more sputum tests.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-06-09 14:23:00
PhilippinesXOOM.COM
Been using Xoom for a couple of years, after having to wait one time for the "processing" I have had no trouble at all and the money is ready in less than an hour using the value service.


(Your mileage may vary)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-06-29 13:23:00
PhilippinesTravel to the Phils
Last Febuary, (2009) they had change at Manila and even take American Dollars now!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-07-13 13:04:00
PhilippinesXOOM FREE Code for AUGUST 2009
Just tried it and it said "Coupon code not valid or has expired"
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-08-08 10:58:00
PhilippinesCalling ladies of Kentucky
What part of Kentucky do you live in? We live in Paducah (western Kentucky) and my wife is from outside Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-08-19 11:25:00
PhilippinesFlat rate phone service?
Where Kathlene's family lives there is NO LAND PHONES, so no internet service.

So unless wireless internet or satellite is reasonable, no Skype, Magic Jack, etc.

The only options I have found are the bag phone companies (flat rate for calls to and from a provided bag phone), or the dedicated cell phone if service is available there.


Edited by Dogwood_Poet, 24 August 2009 - 11:23 AM.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-08-24 11:23:00
PhilippinesFlat rate phone service?
I see all these ads for a 'low monthly rate to the Philippines' for unlimited calling. Has anyone used them?

I see some which gives the family in the Philippines a dedicated cell phone and you can call back and forth as much as you want.

There are no land lines to where Kathlene's family lives so that is the way we would have to go.

No land phone means no internet acess as well unless you get the wireless service from Smart and I don't think they reach there yet either.

Or should I just invest in phone company stock and let my wife drive up the profits?
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-08-19 18:06:00
PhilippinesWould you ride the ferry?
After all the recent events involving the ferries in the Philippines, would you ride one?

I had been thinking about taking the ferry from Manila to Cagayan de Oro the next time my wife and I travel home. I thought it could be fun and a way to see more of the country, but now my wife is a bit nervous about the idea of spending time on a ferry.

What do you think?



(Since this is a Philippines question, I thought I would put it in the local forum.)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-16 15:52:00
PhilippinesWater filter for family home?
I was wondering if there is a good water filter I could buy and send to my wife's family. (or have them buy there) They live out in the provinces and the water quality is not the best.

So I was wondering if there was a filter that would provide good-quality water from the local tap water? I thought it would be better for them to have pure water, plus it keep me from having to buy lots of bottled water when we go visit.

I don't really know the quality of the water where they live, but everyone has always told me to buy drinking water when I go.

Also, if we ever decide to build a place there are there any good water systems we could install?
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-21 13:06:00
PhilippinesIs it better to be a man or a woman?
QUOTE (rockhouse @ Sep 18 2009, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yep. And we can grow badass beards too.



blink.gif My grandmother had a pretty good moustache! blink.gif
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-18 10:33:00
PhilippinesPhilippine Satellite Internet Providers?
My wife is from Gitagum, just outside of Cagayan de Oro City.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-25 11:05:00
PhilippinesPhilippine Satellite Internet Providers?
I was thinking about trying to find a satellite internet service for my in-laws. Unless it is extremely expensive we could get them a computer and web-cam and save enough on international calling and texts to pay for the service.

There are no land lines near my in-laws home and the wireless internet some cell companies provide doesn't reach there either.

Plus if we could get them internet service, they could start a little internet cafe as well to make some extra! kicking.gif
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-24 18:17:00
PhilippinesLooking for Tourist Visa info
Basic flowchat for Tourist visa:

1. Send them the money
2. Fill out the forms
3. Wait for the denial letter.
4. If you are rich landowner or famous, skip step 3.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-29 12:00:00
Philippinesxoom coupon
Xoom set up this code for those who want to donate to the relief effort. I don't think the intention was to give everyone a free transfer.


Here is the text of the email I received:




Xoom is concerned about the situation in the Philippines and our hearts go out to everyone
impacted by Typhoon Ondoy. To help the Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts, we are offering
fee-free money transfers to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

You can donate to the relief efforts by visiting Xoom.com and entering the coupon code
“HELPONDOY” to make a fee-free money transfer donation to the Philippine National Red
Cross. This special coupon code is valid until Friday October 9, 2009.

How to Use Xoom to Help the Typhoon Ondoy Relief Efforts

Use the following steps to make a donation to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC):

Step 1 – Sign up for a Xoom.com account, or sign in to your existing Xoom.com account.
Step 2 – Select Bank Deposit as a disbursement option.
Step 3 – Enter the following Recipient Name and Bank Account details:

Recipient Name - Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)

Bank Account Details - The following Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) bank
account details will be needed at the time of the transaction. You can enter any one
of the following bank accounts to make their donation:

PNRC Peso Accounts:
• Banco de Oro – Peso Account: 453-0018647
• Bank of the Philippine Islands - Peso Account: 4991-0010-99
• Metrobank – Peso Account: 151-3-04163122-8
• Philippine National Bank – Peso Account: 3623-3680-0011

PNRC Dollar Accounts:
• Banco de Oro - Dollar Account: 453-0039482
• Bank of the Philippine Islands - Dollar Account: 8114-0030-94
• Metrobank - Dollar Account: 151-2-151002182
• Philippine National Bank - Dollar Account: 375-283500026

Enter Recipient Address and Phone Number:

Philippines National Red Cross
National Headquarters
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area
Manila 2803, Philippines
Phone Number: 632 527 0000

Step 4 - Enter the coupon code "HELPONDOY" at the bottom of the Payments page.

Please forward this email to your friends and family who would like to donate to the
relief efforts.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-29 12:14:00
PhilippinesDrop By
I would say any international airport should be able to handle a K-1 visa holder. The visa has already been processed and all they are checking for is the CFO seminar stamp and you paid your exit/terminal taxes.

I am not completely sure, but I am sure either the airport or the airline could verify this for them.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-12-02 14:15:00
PhilippinesFils in the blugrass state
Paducah, Ky here.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-11-27 14:14:00
PhilippinesWhy use TB SPUTUM test and not the TB Skin test?
Also there is a vaccination they used in the Philippines for TB that causes false positives on the skin test. So most Filipinos will show a positive with the skin test.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2009-09-17 11:26:00
PhilippinesNeed some HELP!
She may not have been able to call you if she was hoping to us a cellphone.

Japan has a different standard for cellphones so most (even worldphones) will not work there.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-02-04 12:27:00
PhilippinesWhich St Lukes does the Medical Exam?
One thing to think about, they may only make her visa valid until 6 months after the date of her medical, instead of from her interview date. My wife had to postpone her interview because of having to take a sputum test and her visa expired 6 months from her medical.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-02-15 14:56:00
PhilippinesNew ATM fee for foreign ATM cards?
The best I can figure they have charged the new fee the past two times they used the card. The only way I could tell was by adding 150 to the amount they actually withdrew and it comes out close to the current exchange rate.

I guess we need to look for another bank ATM or some other options.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-02-18 11:46:00
PhilippinesNew ATM fee for foreign ATM cards?
I just reviewed my account and it looks like they did add the 150 charge to the withdrawal. Either that or the dollar is down to 44.5 PHP. When I do the conversion using what they withdrew, it come out to close to 46 PHP when I add the new fee.

I guess we need to look for another bank ATM to use or go back to money transfer with Xoom or other company.

Edited by Dogwood_Poet, 15 February 2010 - 12:07 PM.

Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-02-15 12:06:00
PhilippinesNew ATM fee for foreign ATM cards?
My sister-in-law told my wife they saw on the ATM screen the last time they used our PayPal debit card that a new 150 peso fee for all out of country cards to use the bank ATM in Philippines starting Feb 15.


Has anyone else heard of this new fee?

If it is true I guess we will switch back to Xoom for transfers because it will be about the same cost now to send money.

Thanks!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-02-14 19:00:00
Philippinesneed help!
If you are already married and just having a church wedding in the Philippines for your family, you won't need any papers. Your US ceremony is recognized by the Philippine government so just have a nice church wedding and don't worry about the paperwork.

(you did say your WIFE and you were going back to the Philippines for a church wedding)
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-02-14 21:20:00
PhilippinesAbout adding me to my husband TAX
I submitted a regular copy of my wife's passport and they accepted it with the W-7 no problem. The only problem I had was I was unable to get my refund until my wife got here. The bank rejected the direct deposit since her name was not on my account at that time. Your bank may be OK, I think it depends on the bank's policies.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-03-10 17:11:00
Philippines2months staY outside in the u.s.a
If you are the mother of the child you are OK, since you are filapina, that makes your child both filapino and USC.
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-05-16 15:18:00
PhilippinesAnyone flying in June?

One stop in Japan for fuel where she'll never get off the plane then direct to Detroit.


Have her to be ready to have to leave the plane in Japan. We had to get off the plane, go thru security, and get right back on the plane :wacko: never have figured that one out, but I think that is SOP in Japan.

I guess they think you need to stretch your legs before the next portion of the journey!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-05-19 12:41:00
Philippinesany new xoom coupon
I must agree, we used to use Xoom for unexpected expenses, Dr visits, medicine, etc, so it was normally $20-30 at a time.

Now I am using my PayPal account with a debit card, not too bad even with the new 150PHP ATM fees.

I think the new rules make them less 'family friendly' for sure!
Dogwood_PoetMalePhilippines2010-05-05 15:16:00