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bigpearl

bigpearl

ViP

Australian expat in the Philippines

Forum posts

3645

About me

Australian

Lives in Bacnotan

Speaks english

Registration: 27 January 2018

Activity

bigpearl replied to a thread
3 hours ago
PalawOne

Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline by PalawOne

Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline22 February 2025 https://www.facebook.com/immigration.helpline.phπŸπŸπŸ’ 𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐄 π€π‹πˆπ„ππ’ ...

bigpearl

Regardless Cherry we may never know with many that drop off this site and most don't care here as it's a simple forum and sure we have lost many over the years with age or health issues and the beauty is our turn is coming, prepare well and enjoy ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
14 hours ago
PalawOne

Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline by PalawOne

Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline22 February 2025 https://www.facebook.com/immigration.helpline.phπŸπŸπŸ’ 𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐄 π€π‹πˆπ„ππ’ ...

bigpearl

LOL, as we get older we eventually fall off the perch and no way of telling an expat site that we are pushing up the daisies, who knows?Cheers, Steve. Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
5 days ago
bigpearl

Solar upgrade. by bigpearl

We just upgraded our stand alone system from 11.4 Kw of panels and 40 Kw of batteries to 16 Kw of panels and 60 Kw of batteries as I got sick of all the typhoons (6 in 2 months) and crap weather and having to switch back to mains power after 3 to 5 ...

bigpearl

Hi David.Original system PhP 1.42M and the upgrade PhP 480K.Our cash sits in an investment account in Oz and makes 5% and taxable, it made sense to put some into a stand alone solar system as my early estimates were a 15% return but reality now is a ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
6 days ago
Jonny2840

Wife sending all her money home not contributing expenses by Jonny2840

Hello my name is Jon. I live in Vancouver BC Canada. I recently married a filipina and we are working towards sponsorship for her here to get her pr. Before we got married we both agreed we would share expenses and costs for pr applications and ...

bigpearl

Cherryann01Live here and glad to hear you said no with that lady.If Budget is an issue then stay in a cheaper hotel or pension house, Air b n B etc. Simply don't get taken for a ride,,,,,, you have been there before and have a child, pants up and ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
6 days ago
Jonny2840

Wife sending all her money home not contributing expenses by Jonny2840

Hello my name is Jon. I live in Vancouver BC Canada. I recently married a filipina and we are working towards sponsorship for her here to get her pr. Before we got married we both agreed we would share expenses and costs for pr applications and ...

bigpearl

Not transparent Cherry. Walk away, you seem to find all the problems and persist, I never had asks from suitors thank God as they are red flags, been there with eyes wide open,,,,,,,, 14 years on and the same partner and we never looked back.Your ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
6 days ago
Jonny2840

Wife sending all her money home not contributing expenses by Jonny2840

Hello my name is Jon. I live in Vancouver BC Canada. I recently married a filipina and we are working towards sponsorship for her here to get her pr. Before we got married we both agreed we would share expenses and costs for pr applications and ...

bigpearl

Horror stories and a waffle on coming but as said we learnt to say no, works.Some 12/13 years ago when I first met Bens family it was a bit of a shock for me but was welcomed I suppose as the cash cow and we stayed with them for 5 weeks with ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
6 days ago
FindlayMacD

Credit Cards for senior citizens by FindlayMacD

I'd like to hear ex-pat members knowledge and advice on this subject. When I lived in the UK I had several credit cards, but then, for some reason, probably because they became aware that I now lived in the Philippines, my UK bank (Santander UK) ...

bigpearl

I hear you mugtech, retired at 59, lived of savings and investments very comfortably and let my super grow until I turned it into a pension fund when I was 64. I actually make more money now than when I was working myself to death and we can't spend ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
6 days ago
Jonny2840

Wife sending all her money home not contributing expenses by Jonny2840

Hello my name is Jon. I live in Vancouver BC Canada. I recently married a filipina and we are working towards sponsorship for her here to get her pr. Before we got married we both agreed we would share expenses and costs for pr applications and ...

bigpearl

Back on topic.The operative word is "NO" and works for us. Been through the giving process and all the hands out and asks.The promises to borrow and repay,,,,,,, and years on when questioned by my better half to family is greeted with a smile and ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
PalawOne

Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline by PalawOne

Immigration PH 24/7 Helpline22 February 2025 https://www.facebook.com/immigration.helpline.phπŸπŸπŸ’ 𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐄 π€π‹πˆπ„ππ’ ...

bigpearl

Two ways to look at this P1, whilst I have never had a problem with immi entering the country and all very cordial while my local immi office for visa renewal? The different security guards are somewhat social and a laugh now and again but once you ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
FindlayMacD

Credit Cards for senior citizens by FindlayMacD

I'd like to hear ex-pat members knowledge and advice on this subject. When I lived in the UK I had several credit cards, but then, for some reason, probably because they became aware that I now lived in the Philippines, my UK bank (Santander UK) ...

bigpearl

Not sure Findlay MacD.Age maybe who knows, far different operating requirements etc. About a year after we moved here I cancelled my Amex and Mastercard as we never used them, far less travel and purchases etc. Amex slugged us AU 150 per year and ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
Cheryl

Cost of living in the Philippines in 2025 by Cheryl

Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in the Philippines, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to the Philippines or ...

bigpearl

@Corsica SiaI would only offer my opinion to your figures having also lived in Manila for a year 12/14 years ago the rent @ 25K, the power bill @ 4 to 5K per month, food water and peripherals 20K per month, taxis, tricycles, jeepneys, MRT, PNR etc. ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
KenUSA

HOA Billing CondoCorp Horrors😱πŸ₯΅ by KenUSA

Does anyone have experience dealing with Condo CORP HOA Billing for condos in Bonifacio Global City, TAGUIG ❓ I have two condos there and even after paying 12 months in advance all my dues they keep sending me bills and penalties and ...

bigpearl

Interesting P1 and though not for me will suit many expats that like inner city living and inflated prices even with an over supply, as we all know the thinking here is a little different when it comes to property,,,, many things for that matter.As ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
KenUSA

HOA Billing CondoCorp Horrors😱πŸ₯΅ by KenUSA

Does anyone have experience dealing with Condo CORP HOA Billing for condos in Bonifacio Global City, TAGUIG ❓ I have two condos there and even after paying 12 months in advance all my dues they keep sending me bills and penalties and ...

bigpearl

One wonders the vacancy level in condo complexes mostly to my way of thinking purchased as an investment and then can't get a tenant because the owners are greedy and with so much choice are always negotiable, eventually they sit on the market with ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
Cheryl

How to adapt to the expat challenges of everyday life in the Philippines by Cheryl

Hello everyone, Adapting to everyday life as an expat in the Philippines can be both exciting and overwhelming: different habits, systems, and sometimes even unexpected surprises! Simple things like paying bills, using public transport, or even ...

bigpearl

Cheryl, you are more than correct and the operative word is adapt. Different countries and different strokes no matter where you land, here in PH. is not much different to my home country aside from culture and cuisine, one learns to be patient and ... Read More

bigpearl replied to a thread
last week
PalawOne

Bureau of Immigration bars 6 sex offenders from entering PH in January by PalawOne

BI bars 6 US sex offenders from entering PH in JanuaryBy: Ferdinand Patinio Philippine News Agency / Feb 14, 2025 https://globalnation.inquirer.net/264228/bi-bars-6-us-sex-offenders-from-entering-ph-in-januaryBI bars 6 US sex offenders from ...

bigpearl

For me? If anyone ever interfered with one of my kids it would be me in prison for obvious reasons.I am more than happy to see an international data base on sex offenders and should have been in play donkeys years ago. Trouble is the ones flying ... Read More