PhilFAQS

Will There Be a Philippine Housing Boom?

One of the shortfalls of the Philippines from the viewpoint of foreign investors and retirees is the difficulty of owning property for an outsider. This issue has two main components:

A prohibition in the Constitution that prohibits foreign land ownership. (don’t look for this to change any time soon.
And archaic, sometimes even non-existent plans [...]

Good Chismis (Philippine Gossip)

I’ve mentioned Henry Sy(see) of SM fame a few times before in this column. The Inquirer had a little snippet of gossip that I sincerely hope is true:
MALL magnate Henry Sy Sr. is quietly going into power generation with a 150-megawatt geothermal plant in Pasil, Kalinga-Apayao, in partnership with an Australian group.
The Sy-Aussie venture [...]

Interview with Manny Paez — TravelPH.Com

There are not many of us who have been around the Philippine Living scene for any length of time and not heard of a balik bayan box. For those who haven’t, it’s a heavy cardboard carton filled with “goodies” usually used for shipping to the Philippines … literally “back to the country”. If [...]

Interview with Jeff Jenks — Travel is Fun

Recently I conducted an email interview with Jeff Jenks of Travel is Fun.  I’ve known Jeff from many of the on-line Philippines Groups and have used his services personally, so I can vouch for his competency.  I’m trying to get similar interviews with other agents well established in the Philippine air travel segment of the [...]

More Great Fares From Clark

It seems like the week for low price airlines. I’ve been following this company … JetStar … for some time. From a Philippine perspective they fly Manila (Clark) to Singapore. But they do so much more. They have extensive service from Singapore to Thailand and other Asian destinations and also to [...]

The Market Expands — At Least I Hope It Does

Finally, an affordable Business Class.
Fasten those seatbelts, because here comes a fresh approach to premium class travel. Oasis Hong Kong Airlines presents businessOasis – business class without the price sticker shock! Starting from just £470 one-way, tickets will be available from this fare, on every flight year round.
Non-stop flights at non-stop value. Simple and sweet. [...]

More on cFares — Expert Advice

A long-time travel agent and personal acquaintance gave me some feedback on my cFares post.  I’ll edit his comments a bit for anonymity and brevity and add a few of my own.
HI Dave,
Sounds interesting – give them your credit card for a $50 charge to see if they are correct, since only the Platinum level searches [...]

New Hope For Air Fares

My blogging acquaintance, Guy Kawasaki, is one of the original pioneers of Apple Computer.  Today Guy runs a venture capital firm, which means he gambles his own (and other people’s) money on great new startup companies with modern ideas.  How much he knows about the travel business is beyond me, but when his company funds [...]

Interim Trip Update

Well the big trip is now well underway.  Waiting in LA for our flight on Philippine Air Lines.  Our household goods are all turned in for shipment to our frineds at Manila Forwarders.  Great folks who really know what they are doing when it comes to getting you to the Philippines.
www.manilaforwarder.com

Cebu Pacific — A Great Way To Go

Cebu Pacific now flies to Kuala Lumpur
By Enrico Dee on News
Selamat Datang Malaysia! The Philippines’ leading low-cost airline will commence its Manila-Kuala Lumpur flight with a promo one simply can’t just resist: fly for only 1,499 pesos, one-way (taxes excluded). This is another good news for al travelers wishing to go to the wonderful city [...]

A Way To Live In The Philippines You May Have Not Thought Of

Many folks who drop by to read this site are retirees thinking of going to the Philippines for their “Golden Years” or younger people who are just tired of the rat race and wish they could go to the Philippines but have no way to support themselves.  Here’s something you may not have considered.  [...]

They Say You Can’t Do Business In The Phils — Don’t Tell Henry Sy

SM Prime to build 4 new malls next yrBy Zinnia B. Dela PeñaThe Philippine Star 10/09/2006SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s largest shopping mall developer and operator, has earmarked P7 billion next year for the construction of four new malls and the expansion of SM Fairview and SM Cebu. SM Prime president Hans Sy said [...]

The Move — Part Two

Not a lot to report today, but things are moving along well.  I’ve struck a deal with my son to buy our car … nice for both of us because of the situation we’re both in, so we can drive until moving day and then hand him the keys in return for cash.
Went to our [...]

Getting a Taxi in the Rain

Here’s a really useful list with phone numbers you can call when you need a Manila taxi.  Thanks to Enrico Dee for taking the time to put the list together.
http://www.byahilo.com/?p=506