Philippines
articles on culture, tourism, people and climate in the Philippines
How to get from Bacolod City to Iloilo City with a motorcycle
In Bacolod City, the RoRo departs from Banago Wharf. A port area in the north of the city, close to the North bus terminal from Ceres bus company. Be aware that before you can take a motorcycle of an island…
Travelling from Siquijor to Dumaguete with a Motorcycle
Before you can leave your region in the Philippines with your new registered motorcycle you need a signed authorisation from the Land Transportation Office. This paper comes with your registration and plate numbers. Without this letter of authorisation, you are…
Kagusuan Beach Siquijor, Philippines
The joy of living on Siquijor is that there are plenty of white beaches to visit. Even when the Habagat winds blow the endless stream of rubbish and plastic soup on the Filipino shores there is always the other side…
Philippines, cost of living
The cost of living in the month of June, as far as my lifestyle. As I have been emphasizing ever since I started occasionally sharing my cost of living: your cost of living depends on where you live in the…
Ancestral Houses on Siquijor Island, Philippines
For a while, I have been taking photos and video footage of ancestral houses in the Philippines. The patience of the owners has been great and their hospitality abundant. Proud as they are for being the owner of the house…
My Cost of Living in the Philippines
Time for another update on the cost of living in the Philippines. A question asked the most is: can I live in the Philippines for …. X- amount of money. And my answer is always the same: that depends on…
Building a banca in the Philippines
While cruising on my motorbike through the mountains I would have never thought of stumbling upon a banca (boat, native vessel) builder. But I did. A quiet man, building a boat, with some help of friends. He had a bet…
How to find Plus Size Clothes while living in the Philippines
When I moved to the Philippines and was preparing to move I realized I would be like a giant among all those tiny and petite Filipino’s. I would be able to oversee the crowds and I would feel big…..real big!…
About the Philippines: What is Ukay Ukay?
Somebody asked me a question about Ukay Ukay, what is Ukay Ukay and how did it come about? Nowadays I roam around freely in Ukay Ukay stores: second-hand clothing that you can find all over the Philippines. When I was…
Balut, that is a boiled duck egg with an embryo inside
My Filipino friend loves it: hanging out on the boulevard and eating Balut, and I think it is nasty. Whenever he finishes such an ‘egg’ I tease him by saying: there’s a feather stuck between your teeth. They are available…
Visa Extension in the Philippines: Cost breakdown
It was time for my visa extension and since there is no Bureau of Immigration on Siquijor, I went to Dumaguete. Once in the office, I learned that now I can do a six months visa extension in Dumaguete, no…
Temporary License Plates in the Philippines
October last year, after getting my driver’s license, I bought myself a Yamaha SZ150 motorbike. And ever since I have been waiting for the paperwork and license plates. The last week of February the call from the dealer came, my…
Visiting a Faith Healer on Siquijor Island
Siquijor is known for its healing powers. The Spanish already acknowledged that fact by building the largest convent in Asia in Lazi after noticing that every priest they send there was healed of all of his illnesses. And instead of…
Dentist visit in the Philippines
My molar broke, a huge chip in the back came off and the sharp edges reminded me every jaw movement that I should go see a dentist. No pain, but I had a root canal ages ago on that same…
How NOT to behave when applying for a Visa in the Philippines
During my stay in the Philippines, I’ve been in and out immigration offices on several occasions and every time I was impressed with the incredible patience of the immigration officers handling the numerous request from demanding visitors. Sometimes I felt…
