FRENCH LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES

All year long I got e-mail from people asking me ‘‘where is the best place to stay in the Philippines’’? Baguio, San Fernando (la Union), Olongapo (Subic Bay), Manila, Tagaytay, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro, Davao? So many nice and different places to stay! They are retired foreigners settling all over the country, generally in the ‘’Asawa’’ (wife) family place, because it’s easier in so many aspects of the daily life. When people ask me ‘’Where is the best place to retire in the Philippines?’’, I usually answer ‘’come, visit and make your own opinion’’. Every city is different, and offers different benefits (and drawbacks too), so just do some research before making your decision. I can give you some information regarding some places but I lived before in Manila, Quezon City and Ternate. I don’t know about living in other places, I only visited. Every body is different, has different interests and desires vary from person to person. Maybe yo...

Closer trade relations between Taiwan and mainland China may lure 135 Taiwanese export companies in Philippine economic zones and free ports to move out, threatening local exports, tourism and the jobs of Filipino based in Taiwan. The Philippines could lose foreign direct investments from Taiwan as a result of a looming economic cooperation framework agreement between it and the China mainland. Taiwanese companies invested $6.51 million in so-called brick and mortar enterprises here that generated jobs for thousands of Filipino in 2008, before dropping by 80% to $1.34 million in 2009 last year amid the global economic slump. As of january, foreign direct investment from Taiwan posted a net inflow of $430,000. Fewer locators will result in fewer export.There was also a 14.7% drop in tourist arrivals from Taiwan last year, as Taiwanese tourists chose to travel to China, which has relaxed travel restrictions on them. Filipino workers in Taiwan may lose their jobs if more Taiwanese...

SIARGAO ISLANDS IN TOTAL BLACKOUT FOR OVER A WEEK. The second home of many foreign tourists, especially surfing buffs in the dark. For over a week now, the Siargao group of islands, the country top surfing destination, is still in total blackout, caused by a damage of its underwater power cable. The underwater power cable near Barangay Doña Helen in the island town of Soccoro was discover having damage last April 1. Divers from Davao have already been dispatched by Siarelco, the local electric company, in the area to determine the extent of the damage of the 9.32 kilometer underwater power line. Months of repair work may be needed to completely restore to normal levels the power supply to the islands. The situation may have a huge impact on tourist arrivals here. The island has become the second home of many foreign tourists, especially surfing buffs. The commission on elections in Caraga Region headquarters is worried about the possibility that the blackout may last until the...

Visitors from the European Community can officially use their National driving licence up to 90 days (if you intend to rent a car, a 1 year international driving licence is better). If you are staying more than 90 days in the country you need to obtain a Philippines driving licence. First pass a call to the main Land Transportation Office, LTO, to have the nearest local LTO. There are a number of these offices around the Country so you should find whichever is the most convenient for you. You will have to complete a short application form and will select the box for transferring to what they call a non professional driving licence Nº 2. Nº 1 is for motorcycle and Nº 3 is for professional (trucks, buses, taxis and passengers jeepneys) and stating your home address in the Philippines. The LTO are always very crowded because they handle so many different things, including vehicle registration (renewal every year) and licence renewal (every 3 years). Arrive early and prepare yourself to ...

Since its official declaration as a tourist spot in the 1990', Makilala has become known not just in the Philippines but in other parts of the world as well. The dry spell brought by the El Niño phenomenon has affected the primary tourist attraction of the small village: monkeys. Barangay New Israel is recognized by the Makilala local government unit as one of the local tourism destination in North Cotabato because of the numerous monkeys living harmoniously with the villagers. According to Darwin Paraiso, Concilman of Barangay New Israel, 100.000 visitors, including foreigners, have already been to the monkey sanctuary. Proof of this are the old log books filed in the visitors' stockroom. Monkeys are free to move from one place to another without fear of being killed by the villagers since the Barangay Council passed a resolution protecting these creatures. Paraiso said, ''these animals even play with us and our children and visitors who happen to visit our place'...

POWER PLANTS CRISIS ! Last week Ternate experienced three days of one hour brownout (local name for blackout). For several weeks there was rumors of shortage of power in the capital region due to ''El Niño'' phenomenon and officials were talking about rotating brownouts. But it became critical last week in Mindanao the second largest island of the country. An American Guy, living in Davao City wrote: ''These days, living in Mindanao is a bit tougher than it was just a few months ago. Frankly the island is on the verge of being powerless ... in other words, without electricity''. The main problem of Mindanao is that the island is more dependent on hydro generated power than the other islands of the country. Nevertheless nowadays the whole country is suffering from shortage power. Electricity situation in key Mindanao Cities last week: Davao City: Two hour rotating brownouts. Brownouts are not daily in every location, but are a few times per week in most...