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The question that I can’t really answer

April 13, 2013 by 10 Comments
Davao City - My Home

Because I have become fairly well known through my various websites, I am asked a lot of questions.  People e-mail me with questions about living in the Philippines.  People send me questions through Facebook.  When people visit the Philippines, and have coffee with me, they always have questions for me.  It's a never ending thing. There is one question, though, which is probably the most frequently asked.  Surprisingly, that is also the question that I really cannot answer. Bob, where are you from in the States? Well, that's tough for me to answer. For most people, they remember back to their childhood.  The place where they … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Davao, Featured, My Thoughts, Travel Tagged With: , ,

I’m growing older… not up.

February 19, 2013 by 35 Comments
Margaritaville

Those words in the title come from a song of my favorite singer, Jimmy Buffet.  I find it true, though, for me. Tomorrow is my 51st Birthday.  Last year was the big bash for #50, this year is a more reserved laid back occasion.  That's what I want.  I rarely ever have birthday parties, last year was an exception, because 50 is a milestone of sorts.  This year, things are back to normal.  No party, nothing like that.  A sort of tradition for Feyma and I is that if it one of our birthdays, we go out to lunch together, then in the evening we spend it with family. Where will we go to lunch this year?  I am still trying to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Martin, Davao, Featured, Food, Live in the Philippines, My Thoughts Tagged With: , ,

Folks, there ain’t no money!

January 8, 2013 by 14 Comments
Hurricane Sandy

We are living in a time when the government has no money.  I am an American, so I am talking about the US Government.  I live in the Philippines, though, and the truth is that "the government having no money" could be said about most governments in the world these days.  There are a few governments that have plenty of money, China comes to mind as perhaps the leading example.  Germany has done well economically, and had money at least until it started bailing out Greece over and over again. Because of the economic hard times, people will have to learn to live with less.  Less commercial items, and also less government assistance.  So … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bob Martin, Featured, My Thoughts Tagged With: ,

How’d you spend your Christmas?

December 27, 2012 by
Christmas-Lechon-660x250

Everybody was busy but it was worth it! You can’t hardly see people who wern’t happy on Christmas Day! Even though they don’t have gifts as long as they have food served on their table that simply put a big smile on their faces. And of course who can’t remember to go to church on the eve of Christmas to attend mass. It is really a tradition here in the Philippines that we celebrate Christmas on the evening of 24th.  Old people and young children can go to bed early while the elder members are busy preparing food for Noche Buena.  For regular people (those who can afford to spend that much) lechon is always present on the table … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Thoughts, WowPhilippines Tagged With: ,

Your Passport Does Not Prove That You Are A Resident of the Philippines…

December 23, 2012 by
passport

Today we got a comment and question from Anna. This is what Anna had to say: hello .. i just want to know .. banks are also asking for the ACR I card when opening an account in the Philippines, but why they need to ask for the ACR I card if they already ask for the passport and we all know that the ACR I card’s information’s are also in the passport?..who set the rule for local banks until they ask for the ACR ?..hope you answer me .. thank you.. This is Bob’s reply: Hello anna – your passport does not prove that you are a resident of the Philippines, your ACR does. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Thoughts, Your Philippine Visa Tagged With: , , ,

Two More Days to Go

December 23, 2012 by
Kids Christmas Candy Box

Two more days to go and its Christmas. Time really flies so fast, it seems like thanksgiving was just last week. Here in the Philippines, when it’s Christmas, the Ninongs/Ninangs (Godfathers/Godmothers) would usually give presents to their inaanak (Godchildren). People are busy buying presents for their Monitos and Monitas. Even if it is already past 9, there’s still traffic because people here like to go to Midnight sale to buy gifts and other items. But for some people, they like to go at midnight sale because they have work during daytime while others prefer to go at night because its too hot in the morning. Most Malls here in … [Read more...]

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My father wants to apply for Dual Citizenship.

December 20, 2012 by
Passport1-300x199

We got a question from Gizel today, Here’s what Gizel had to say: My father is an American Citizen and he wanted to apply for Dual Citizenship here in the Philippines. What are the requirements and where is the processing? Thank you for an immediate response. Here’s what Bob had to say: Only people who are formerly Philippine Citizens can apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship. If your father was born an American Citizen, he does not qualify for Philippine Dual Citizenship. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Thoughts, Philippine Dual Citizenship

Question from Dave

December 20, 2012 by
usphil

Today we got a comment and question from Dave. This is what Dave had to say: Hi: My question is Im a permanent resident here in the Philippines and have had my ACR for 2 yrs now. My wife is Filipina and I have a child with her. Do I have more protection under Philippine law, like could they deport me for any reason? This is Bob’s reply: Hi Dave – Unfortunately, you can be deported from the Philippines if you do anything that is against the law, or against the policies on immigration. Good luck to you. Bob … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Thoughts, Your Philippine Visa Tagged With: , , ,

Foreign National is Required to Carry Their Passport at All Times

December 13, 2012 by
immigration

Today we got a comment and question from Chas. This is what Chas had to say: Hi John, I have always been under the impression that visitors under 59 days and Balikbayans are not compelled to carry their passports everywhere,a photocopy of the Passports ID page,with a copy of your current visa or visa waiver page is normally suffice for initial ID. ACR-I cards confuse many people,as the Permanent Resident ACR-I card and Tourist ACR-I card are 2 different animals.The Tourist ACR-I card is only valid for 1 yr.If you leave the country and return within the 1yr validity,the card is still valid up to its expiry date. regards,Chas. This is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Thoughts, Your Philippine Visa Tagged With: , , ,

Another Set of New Products

December 13, 2012 by
couple

If you are not aware yet, WowPhilippines added more products to our store that you might want to give as a gift/s to your loved one here in the Philippines. All the new products will be located under the Christmas Gifts – NEW! category. We have new set of jewelries, candies and chocolate that are very affordable. Everything will be put in the nice Christmas container, box or stockings. What are you waiting for? Make your list now before it’s too late and your gift too will be delivered in time for Christmas. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: My Thoughts, WowPhilippines Tagged With: ,