Daniel L. Blackmon
Active memberAmerican expat in the Philippines
Forum
45 posts
Contacts
8
About me
American
Lives in Angeles City
Speaks English, [a little of the following: Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog], but I am starting to bone up on Spanish to speak fluently
Registration: 14 May 2010
Activity
Evolution of banking services in the Philippines by Cheryl
Hello everyone, With rapid technological advancements, banking services are digitizing at lightning speed. Expats are thus propelled into a new era of options and payment methods, disrupting the traditional banking services of local ...
From my experience here in the Philippines, banking services are subpar compared to the services of my United States financial services.I have had numerous local accounts here in the Philippines. They have all failed in one point or another at some ... Read More
Homeschooling in the Philippines by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Homeschooling your children as an expat in the Philippines will definitely come with its load of challenges. Here is a special call to parents who are already homeschooling their children or who plan on doing so to share any ...
What school did your son attend, where all the teachers are required to be certified in the Philippines? Where do you live now? I went to a private school also in the U.S. growing up and I was benefited immensely compared to public schools, but ... Read More
Homeschooling in the Philippines by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Homeschooling your children as an expat in the Philippines will definitely come with its load of challenges. Here is a special call to parents who are already homeschooling their children or who plan on doing so to share any ...
Sure any time...yes she has a long ways to go. Also they have online testing for placement of your child's specific subjects and you have the opportunity to alter/change the curriculum, if you feel it is too difficult or too easy. They have two ... Read More
Homeschooling in the Philippines by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Homeschooling your children as an expat in the Philippines will definitely come with its load of challenges. Here is a special call to parents who are already homeschooling their children or who plan on doing so to share any ...
Okay here is my two cents. I am currently homeschooling my eldest son in a U.S. curriculum program because he desires to finish school in the United States. Because he is a dual citizen, he can opt to follow the U.S. rules on homeschooling. He did ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to the Philippines? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in the Philippines, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do ...
No I would not. Read More
Traffic in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in the Philippines, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend ...
Which city or area do you live in in the Philippines, and how do you find the traffic? Angeles City, Pampanga How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Depends on the area of Pampanga, I have to run errands. But nothing is quick with ... Read More
Registering a birth in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Have you had to or are you going to register a birth in the Philippines? What was the experience like? Who is required to register the birth, and where? Can it be either the mother or father? What documents are usually ...
The NSO birth certificate usually takes about a month, but that would also depend on the LGU (local govt. unit). Make sure the birth certificate that the LGU gives you is in order. Do not allow them to give you a birth certificate with any errors, ... Read More
Registering a birth in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Have you had to or are you going to register a birth in the Philippines? What was the experience like? Who is required to register the birth, and where? Can it be either the mother or father? What documents are usually ...
A little more knowledge to add to the pot of ElGatoNegron. If anyone lives in the Subic, Angeles, or Cebu region and abhors making the trip to Manila, they can await the local visit of the American Citizen Services. I certified all three of my ... Read More
Registering a birth in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Have you had to or are you going to register a birth in the Philippines? What was the experience like? Who is required to register the birth, and where? Can it be either the mother or father? What documents are usually ...
Calif-Native post is right on track. I would add that many hospitals and local government unit(s) (LGU) are ignorant of the laws also. I had to go through a hectic process with one such hospital and the LGU, even involving the director of the Civil ... Read More
Do you speak Filipino? by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Filipino is essential for a successful integration in the Philippines. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Filipino? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a ...
I have been to countless nations in the world and I have been living in the Philippines for 13-yrs+. I have found that it is much easier to integrate in to the society and the culture of the nation, when one can speak the language a little or at the ... Read More
Studying in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Would you recommend studying abroad in the Philippines? Every year, 4 million young people from all over the world choose to study abroad for one semester or a full academic year. Would you encourage them to come and study in ...
All I have to say is that I do not recommend anyone being educated for higher learning here in the Philippines. There are some great institutions, but they are mostly located in Manila and there may be difficulties being taught relevant and ... Read More
Are you happy in the Philippines? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in the Philippines? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before ...
All of the above comments are quite true or near to the fact. Most Filipinos that I have met and experienced are comfortable...happy, I am not so sure. Poverty is a big issue. Jobs are scarce and the people are waiting for some family member abroad ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to the Philippines? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in the Philippines, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do ...
Yes, I would do it again to fulfill my higher calling. I could not deny my faith. However, I would not have married the person I am currently married to and I would not have been so trusting of people. People that I considered friends: lie and lie ... Read More
Moving to the Philippines with your family by Bhavna
Hello everybody, When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation. What are the considerations to take into account when moving to the Philippines with your family? What challenges have ...
Well stated...the information given by you has my sentiment of approval. Without my family, I could tolerate the Philippines, but I want the best for my children. So when I have completed my affairs I too will depart the Philippines. Read More
PLDT & what appears to be INTENTIONAL broadband choking activity by Calif-Native
This is both a "Mega vent" and what I hope to be a informational rant. It has been over a year since I have had PLDT 5-Mbps service (or being billed for it w/o receiving it). The first thing I want to try to do is put this rant in more ...
Thanks Calif-Native for the in-depth and informative post. As a former network engineer, it was quite enlightening to know that I was not the only one that experienced problems with PLDT and Smart. However, I have given up on both of them totally. I ... Read More