Philippines, Moving there in Speptember

[Wesley]

I am moving there in September, I am looking for an average Condo in Cebu, anyone have any thing you can tell me about the culture the cost the people the boys best places to go to meet Guys . How much is a flight to Pattaya from there? Does anyone know anyone that they know personally that can help me find a place get set up and possibly a Realtor there that rents condos on a month lease. I don't need to buy I have a Good home here.

Wesley

How much is a flight to Pattaya from there?

I don't think there are any non-stops from Cebu to Pattaya.

But try the budget carrier Cebu Pacific for cheap fares between Thailand the Philippines.

Even in its heyday during the 1970s and up to the fall of Marcos in the Philippines, everyone seemed to avoid Cebu. I am guessing you have to go for work or some other reason above and beyond any innate desirability you think the place possesses.

I have had four European friends murdered in the post-Marcos Philippines all of whom were long time residents of the country and old Asia hands on top of that. The only other country that can compare with regard to my loss of friends by homicide is Brazil.

The excellent blogger of "Gay Boy Thailand" not too long ago had thought of doing a "visa run" to the Philippines until a flood of posters, some huge number of them, warned him away with their personal tales of murder and mayhem.

That said, I find the Pinoy boys quite beautiful, but having no idea what your tastes run toward cannot advise in that regard.

Always remember that the Philippines is the most dangerous country in Asia according to those who are widely traveled. If you don't have the name of someone you can fully trust going into the country, I would be very circumspect in all my dealings and this should begin from the moment you land at the airport. Consider every step you make to be potentially fraught with peril.

Good Luck!

[Jetsam]

Manila is ok , just avoid the area of Tondo l was adviced by some philly online friends, and Wes if u get murdered in some other part of Manila don't blame me ok it's just what they told me.

Hi
As RawSugar said it not the best place to live, yes I have been to Cebu and I don't think I will be going back anytime soon,
Having said that there is some nice people there and i was lucky i met a nice guy who i think you would be able to trust.
Also there is 2 or 3 boy bars but they a hard to find and you would need somebody to show you where they are, most of the boy there are in fact not boys but real men types.
I was there for a week and I can tell you i had enough of it, so if you are going to live there all I can say is better you than me.

[anakot]

Keep us posted on developments. I hope there are others as interested but your posts on how it goes would be great.

Keep us posted on developments. I hope there are others as interested but your posts on how it goes would be great.

This is a great idea. Yes, by all means keep us informed of your experiences in Cebu.
Of course, the great imponderable is that we all have somewhat different tastes. An attention to detail would be appreciated.

[lonelywombat]

I am moving there in September, I am looking for an average Condo in Cebu, anyone have any thing you can tell me about the culture the cost the people the boys best places to go to meet Guys . How much is a flight to Pattaya from there? Does anyone know anyone that they know personally that can help me find a place get set up and possibly a Realtor there that rents condos on a month lease. I don't need to buy I have a Good home here.

Wesley

The best advice you can get is from the locals

www.guys4men.com (http://www.guys4men.com) is a gay video chat room with mainly pinoy boys, who are not shy. At busy times there are 3 chatrooms open each with 100 users. You need to register and once done, sign into XXX chat. Early mornings you get a lot of boys looking for fun.

There is a personal section where you should announce you are coming, your interests and what you are looking for. Put your country down as Philipines and your ETA.

[Wesley]

I managed somehow to survive Kyrgyzstan and they absolutely hated Americans, I am not to scared of getting killed as I am being lonely since I had a long time Bf in Kyrgyzstan who was quite a wonderful person. However, the government has made it almost impossible to work there as an American and it has become more and more unsafe the longer we stay in Iraq. Being Muslim it was never really open to Americans but, until recently they put up with us. So, on to another place to go and work. My hopes were to get a bit closer to Thailand so that more frequent trips could be made. My first months will be in Cebu, however, my plans are to set up business in Manila while I stay close to a friend in Cebu that has been there 15 years to get an idea of the culture the people and the boys. I will certainly keep you posted. Also, if the fights are correct a flight from Cebu to Manila is no more than a flight to Chaing Mai from Bkk. So, your information has been interesting and I hope to see you all soon. Surely part of my reason for setting up shop there was to get closer to Thailand for more frequent trips.

Wesley

[GWMinUS]

Just back from 5 weeks in the Philippines.
Spent a little more than a week in Cebu. My first trip there.
I love the Countryside Towns, so Cebu and Manila are TOO BIG for me.
If I where going to settle in the Phills I would go to Cagayan de Oro City.
It is a beautiful place. Peaceful, with lots of nice guys and good business opportunities.
(If you want to open a restaurant, I can set you up with a friend. ) :thumbright:

The advantage of Cebu is the ease of access to other Cities in Asia.
Cebu Pacific now flies direct to Bangkok and Hong Kong. Many other airlines now do the same.
Cebu does have some GAY Nightlife. Went to two Discos; PASEO - Mixed and NUMERO UNO - Very much for MEN.
Pinoys take some getting used to. Their Catholic background is a Millstone!!! But personally they are sweet and SEXY.
Best way to meet is on www.gays4men.com (http://www.gays4men.com) and www.gayromeo.com (http://www.gayromeo.com). More serious Guys post on www.dragoncastle.net (http://www.dragoncastle.net).
But my freinds tell me that site is rejecting new memberships from the Philippines.

SO...
Good and enjoy!! Let us know what a job there is like. Hope it is not one of the 5 Month Contracts!!!

[GWMinUS]

That is a PINOY!!
No problem asking for help...
But I find the guys on Dragoncastle to be much more serious.
So I Thank the Webmaster for his efforts!!!

I really did not say much about Cebu.
There are some beautiful areas. The Business Park at Ayala Center is very modern. Equal to anything in the US.
And if you go up the mountain there is a subdivision named Beverly Hills. BIG GATED houses.
In the UPTOWN area near Fuente Circle, there is the Crown Regency Hotel and Condos under construction. Looks very nice!!
And of course, the wonderful thing about the Philippines is English is the second language. So much easier to get to know the Guys there.

I love to visit!!! Just not in SUMMER...

[Wesley]

yes my Friend Tells4 me they are not afraid to ask for money, However, I found the Thai are not bashful about this either if they feel like they know you well enough.

However, if the dollar continues to plunge, we will all be as poor as they are. I think I should move to Europe or Back to the mother country of the Queen.

Wes

Wesley please keep us posted on your move. I also am thinking about this move as the visa situation in thailand is a pain as well as the owning restrictions. I am thinking more of Manila or Baguio as possible places to relocate. I have heard that the philippines is dangerous but thialand has also gotten more dangerous. You might try www.guys4men.com (http://www.guys4men.com) for contacts. Lost of guys on line from the philippines there.

[Wesley]

So far I have found it is relatively easy to own property, one year renewable visa's are available and if you are American or British you can get a tourist visa 59 days at a time forever I guess, you enter on a 27 day visa then renew that for 59 days over and over as long as you wish to stay. Since I am setting up business the first six months will be getting everything legal.

Like any country in Asia, it is corrupt and full of Bureaucracy and middle men to pay in order to get what you need. Once you find some one you trust its better they do the transactions. I am applying for a one year multiple entry visa. All I need is a cover letter from my business here signed by my vice president. I can't sign for myself or I can go and get a business there to extend an invitation in which it would be simpler to do. However, If I understand the culture correctly after reading several books, it may be best I am not obligated to anyone local. It , if the books are correct it reminds me much of Thailand and Kyrgyzstan in as much as they are corrupt can have one wife and several mistresses with no problem and being gay is not a problem as long as you are reasonably discreet about it. It all about keeping face sociably. The living arrangements are relatively cheap. An average apartment is about 500 a month with 2 to 3 bedrooms. You can get a condo and I intend to invest since when leaving and Kyrgyzstan I was able to make almost 800% profit on the two apartments I had purchased. however, I plan to rent for six months while I get everything legal. Seems DSL is available but telephone service is party line andworks when it wantsas well as the electric. Cell phones like all Asian countries work better than land lines and text messaging is the thing to do. best to buy a telephone here and get it unlocked there.

Boys are available but the culture can be a shock to usual American or British way of life, although it is or, can be very modern in the cities and the contact look great. So, between my contact there and some of you on the forum here I have acquired some understanding. Like most Asians keeping the family unit happy is paramount especially financially.

Finding a man I am told will not be a problem if you go slow you can find a quite nice one. I prefer relationships with open relationships or don't ask don;t tell. If I really do love the guy like in Kyrgyzstan I am monogamous unless I go to Thailand. There, all bets are off and he knows it and would go with me if I thought he could handle it. He is considering moving with me there. I am not sure until after all the business is done and I find a very private place to live. Although I am not in the closet I don't flaunt it in my business life any way. Since I am not sure how it will be received there its best to be discreet until I can arrange for a reason for a house boy or learn the culture better.

Wesley

DELETED

[Wesley]

sorry, I felt I may jeopardize my work if I leave to much information on an open forum. if interested I2 will send personally to you what I had written.

Wes

Good on you Wesley, you must derive a tremendous amount of satisfaction in being able to do what you do. Thank Buddha that street kids as well as the poor ones who are not much better off than them, have people like yourself doing for them what you do. You and others like you, are to be commended.


Choc Dee Wes,


George.

Wesley doesn't work for one of those much-reviled NGO's, does he?

[Wesley]

Are there no restrictions on foreigners owning land in the Philippines?

Not sure but it seems not especially if you own a company to hold such property for you and they are selling condos like hot cakes, judging from the mail I get from a real estate person there.

Wes

I meant land. There was the implication that the Philippines was more "open" to foreigners regarding land ownership, and I was curious. If shell companies are required, it sounds like pretty much the same game.

[Wesley]

I think you can own, providing if I read right the right people are paid off by middle men to save face, unusually one of their other mistresses. I open NGOs and companies as well. One generally holds property I do not wish to get tangled up in a closure or lost to the government if it closes.

Wes

Sounds like it's even messier (and riskier) than Thailand. Wonder where this "Philippines treats foreigners better than Thailand does" thing got started, then?

[Wesley]

its only messy if you let it get messy, if you take your time fill out all the paperwork have a decent lawyer or two you can pay the lawyer instead of the bribe, that is the way I do business personally. I don't mess with the such, I had as soon take an extra month pay a lawyer what I would in bribes and do it legally.

Wes

[cottmann]

its only messy if you let it get messy, if you take your time fill out all the paperwork have a decent lawyer or two you can pay the lawyer instead of the bribe, that is the way I do business personally. I don't mess with the such, I had as soon take an extra month pay a lawyer what I would in bribes and do it legally.

Wes

I lived in The Philippines in the early 1990s, and planned/plan to retire there, so I have gone into the whole issue of purchasing property there. A reputable lawyer would be unlikely to engage in law-breaking, whether you paid him or paid bribes (or goodwill money as it is known locally) - and using an unreputable lawyer would lay you open to possible charges of bribery and corruption as well as making you a likely blackmail target - or an assassination target if thing got nasty!

I think you will find that, as a general rule, only Filipino citizens and corporations where at least sixty percent of the capital is owned by Filipinos are entitled to acquire and own land in the Philippines. There are exceptions, but they would require you either to have bought the land more than 70 years ago or to have inherited it from a Filipino. About the only thing foreigners can buy is a condo when not more than forty percent of the condominium project is owned by foreigners; you can own a house so long as you don't own the land on which it is built (but you can lease the land). Of course, you could marry a Filipina - I don't think The Philippines allows same-sex marriages legally. If you set up a corporation, then you have to trust your partners - and who do you know well-enough in The Philippines to trust with a per centage of your company? Leasehold, rather than freehold, on the other hand is possible.

The only possible legal way to own land is to get a Special Resident Retiree's Visa through the Philippine Retirement Authority; essentially such visa holders are allowed to own up to 1,000 square meters of urban/residential land or one hectare of rural/agricultural) land, but the visa holders must place several tens of thousands of US$ in a dollar time deposit in a bank in the Philippines. You have to be over 35 to get this visa however, and able to invest $US50,000 in the time deposit or, if over 50, $US20,000 (or $10,000 if you also have a monthly pension of $Us800 - 1,000 depending on marital status). On the other hand, there are no 90-day visa trips, plus several other benefits.

[Wesley]

This is true for every country of a small nature I have found or been in, you can own the building but not the land, makes sense Bill Gates could come in and buy up the whole set of islands. I have discovered when buying buildings under this restriction it only limits your ability to use it the same as an owner with an occasional letter from the mayor or if you ant to use some of of fr a garden or the such or build an adjacent building for storage. So property you can own but the land does remain with the country and for good reasons. Kyrgyzstan was he same but I have no less then 10 buildings there on government land with no restrictions. Often some agreement does come in is and usually virtually no problems. It does depend on who you know, more than the money involved in a lot of cases. the right signature to from the right person settles a lot of issues, but some at the mercy of some indigenous person issues came no matter who signs it, if you piss some the neighbors off. Nevertheless, I have never lost a thing but was never able to but any thing personally and had to open a company of some sort to buy property that I was not at the Mercy of some indigenous person, if you are setting up a business any way It makes it much easier to buy and hole Property[perty but it does and remains the governments land and in my opinion for a good reason. But as I say, I have that to be true in every small country I have lived in. In ten years I may have had on dispute which was settled in The mayors office with no litigation.

Wesley

It is not usually the size of the country that is of relevance. It is the state of its economic development.

[Wesley]

This is true if its still in the form of some type of socialistic form of government, since all belongs to all and all are supposed to be the same. The truth is unless you are an asshole most people will work with you, but you always take the chance some one will be the asshole instead of the foreigner. I find that mostly it is foreigners who are the problem not the people there. Often you are a help to them, their economy and if a good neighbor nothing is rarely ever said or done. I would think there are exceptions to every rule. But the Filipinos people seem to be much kinder people than the Muslims I dealt with and as I said I had little of no problems if, I worked inside the law. However, I am dealing with what I could find in one book I ordered off Amazon, I am by far no expert in the Philippines. Kyrgyzstan, I would say I know as much more more than most foreigners. But things change from place to place. the Visa laws are much lax in Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines than Thailand. But it often has to do with where you are coming from. Who you know and why you are there.

Wesley