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Any special things that I should take to the Phils with me, or
for her or the family that I'm going to stay with? I've already
got chocolate and some other things that I'm bringing for them,
but if anyone knows of something.. I'd be interested in hearing.

I'm leaving for the Philippines on Thursday, and I'll be staying
in Manila and then later in Leyte. I'm hoping that this coup attempt
doesn't throw everything out of wack.. I don't want to postpone this.

... in response to Any special things I should take?, posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

Hi JJ27,

I think everything was covered by the other posters already. But, here are a few of my ideas for gifts from a old post.

1. I see you already have the chocolate. You can never bring too much, as they will share it with family and friends. They love it and really appreciate it. I brought a variety of types. I don't think my wife (fiancee) had more than a piece or two left for herself. LOL

2. Women like Levi's jeans (probably men too), perfume, cremes, soaps and other toiletry items. With the exception of Levi's, these items don't have to be expensive. When buying clothing, remember that Filipinas are usually very small by US standards. I had to shop in the junior's section. I got a lot of strange looks from clerks, mothers and teenage daughters.

3. Inexpensive electronic watches make nice gifts. Music CD's are also enjoyed, as everyone loves to sing and music is heard everywhere. Even 2 year-olds know the English lyrics to the latest pop tunes.

4. For the men, I was able to find nice leatherman style multi-purpose tools at a reasonable price. Some come in sets with other knives, tools, and/or flashlights.

5. For my fiancee's niece, I brought a doll. Even the small neighbor boys enjoyed playing with it. LOL

6. Lots of squirt guns, as mentioned before by Jimbo, are a blast.

Most of all...have a GREAT time!

Dave H.

... in response to Chocolate and Yourself!, posted by Dave H on Jul 27, 2003


Some great ideas! Thanks :) I'm going shopping tomorrow
for some of these things.. before leaving on Thursday.

... in response to Any special things I should take?, posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

Imodiam tablets saved my butt the last time.  Take plenty with.  A role of Toilet paper also.  They don't put it out in the public places.  

An open mind.  This is a family oriented society.  You'll probably be escorted everywhere.  And when you want to go to dinner taking the whole family is common.  It's not to bad, food is cheap.  You could probably take 10 people out for a nice dinner for what the two of you'd spend here.

An open mind.  If the men start drinking with you like your one of there best buddies, watch out they may be leading up the family inquisition.  That's where mom, pop, grandma, grandpa, all the brothers, uncles and male cousins, ask what your intentions are.  It's kinda cool, the family is looking out for her.  I was surrounded by all the men asking me about my intentions.  The women were on the balcony watching and enjoying.  And everytime a new important family member arrived, all the questioning started over.

And try and enjoy, filipino hositality is fantastic.  If they accept you, you'll feal like one of the family real fast and have a great time.

Best of luck,

Dan and Mares

... in response to An open mind, posted by DanAndChed on Jul 27, 2003


I don't drink, so I don't have to worry about that. I
know that they are family-oriented, and I know her family
is very close just based on the conversations that we have.
She knows my true intentions, and I've spoken to many of
her cousins and nieces, but I'm preparing to talk to her
parents, and explain my intentions, and my plan in life.

... in response to An open mind, posted by DanAndChed on Jul 27, 2003

i Agree with cheap food comment, but at least anywhere i went, especially in Manila , you could not feed 10 people for the price of two,, Even mcdonalds was not cheap compared to the wages there, Here Mcdonalds for two might be 7 bucks, there its at least 5 bucks for two, so how do you figure 10 people for the price of 2.

... in response to Re: An open mind, posted by outwest77 on Jul 27, 2003

Do you take a date to McDonalds? A nice dinner for two here is $50 bucks.  I took my wife, her mother and two sisters for a nice Chinese dinner in Cebu and it cost $20.

Dan and Mares

... in response to Re: Re: An open mind, posted by DanAndChed on Jul 29, 2003

[This message has been edited by outwest77]

I am using Mcdonalds as an illustration of the price difference from the USA, and the phils, If Mcdonalds is
5 bucks in the phils and 9 bucks in the US, thats cheaper but not as cheap as i thought it would be , considering the wages in the phils,

   for 250 pesos my gf and I can eat a decent meal, at Greenwich etc for lunch or dinner, Thats not much to me, but, to a filipina sales girl making 200 pesos a day, its more than a days wages, Its the equivalent of a fast food meal for two costing 40 dollars in the US, thats what i mean about the cost of living food etc not being that cheap when you consider the wages.

    Yes i often go with My gf in the phils to fast food places , etc, but mostly in manila, and they are not that cheap, certainly not 5 times cheaper than the US
    What i consider a good deal is buying a roasted chicken whole from the street vendor, with a side of rice, i think the whole thing is 130 pesos or something, we can eat on that for days. Well maybe one day.

... in response to Re: An open mind, posted by outwest77 on Jul 27, 2003

When I was in Surigao City, I took a total of 13 people to dinner at the best restaurant in town. Everyone ordered what they wanted and a great dinner with drinks and beer came to right around $35.

I couldn't do that for two people at the best reastaurant in town here at home for 10 times that amount. The tip alone would be quite a bit more than $35 :-)

Ray

... in response to I agree with Dan, posted by Ray on Jul 28, 2003

Hey Ray,

OH! "At the best restaurant in town." I guess you didn't mean Greenwich Pizza, my favorite. LOL That is the price range that I found at nice restaurants in Butuan also. I don't think that I ever spent more than $4 for room service at my hotel for 3-4 people(breakfast was cheaper), with the tip. I had the executive suite with a refrigerator for less than $20 per night. I would have gotten the Presidential suite for a few dollars more, but I didn't want to get lost on the way back to my bed from the CR in the middle of the night. LOL Besides, I probably would have had half of the barangay over for a sleepover. =8oO

I took 20 people out dancing one night at one of the nicest clubs in town. A profesional association was having an exclusive party that night, but the manager let us in for $2 per person. With cover charge ($40), lots of drinks and hors'dourves, I spent just over $50.

Dave H.

... in response to I agree with Dan, posted by Ray on Jul 28, 2003

Perhaps manila prices are higher, well i know they are
Once we went to a secluded beach  restaurant , white beach near sabang, i was shocked how much lower the prices were than the normal tourist places
i guess the secret is, you cant go to places where tourists go, you have to go to places where filipinos go, diba

... in response to Re: I agree with Dan, posted by outwest77 on Jul 28, 2003

Manila is more expensive!  If you happen to take a taxi by yourself from the airport to the hotel, they charge New York cab rates.

Dan and Mares

... in response to Re: Re: I agree with Dan, posted by DanAndChed on Jul 29, 2003

The Taxi i usually take from the Airport i take from the UPSTAIRS where the arriving passengers disembark, that way you get the cheap city cabs.
   LOL the last trip me and my gf who met me at the airport got one cab on the downstairs , Airport Taxi sir, 300 pesos to ermita, LOL i said no thanks it should be 70 pesos, they also conveniently have NO METER, LOL i can handle those cab drivers as long as she is with me to tell them off in tagalog.

... in response to Any special things I should take?, posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

of all ages...bring lots of balloons...most especially the long kinds that you can twist into shapes. great ice breakers and neato in the provinces. But don't forget to bring a palm-size pump cuz those d@mn balloons are hard to inflate. :-P
p.s. bring your sense of adventure and go with the flow...ENJOY!!!

Ala Ketdi!

... in response to Any special things I should take?, posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

[This message has been edited by Ray]

Pepto Bismol chewable tablets. Take 2 tabs before meals and your guts will stand a much better chance of coming out of the trip without any serious problems.

Mosquito repellent and sun block.

Bring some small (pocket size) bottles of Tabasco sauce. When you go to someone's home and they serve you a big plate of dried squid or fish heads, you'll be glad you brought it :-)

Bring photocopies of your passport ID page. Clean out your wallet and leave anything that you won’t need at home (driver’s license, SS Card, credit cards, library card, etc.).

For a nice gift for dad, bring a bottle of good American whiskey (Jack Daniels Black?), or scotch (Johnny Walker Black?). Good chocolates for mom.

Any inexpensive American-made souvenirs are good for gifts. T-shirts or ball caps with your city name or pro team logos (especially basketball) are good.

Bring lots of American candies. Large bags of mixed candies are good for the kids and will rot their tiny little teeth out (LOL).

Bring lots of film and take tons of pictures. Stephen likes to see the photos :-)

Don't go crazy and spend too much on her family. Keep it simple, but thoughtful.

Drink only bottled water and don't eat the spaghetti at McDonald's!

Ray

... in response to Last minute tips..., posted by Ray on Jul 27, 2003

Some Johnson's Baby Powder will keep you from chaffing in a very strategic place.

Better have some over there in the hot muggy temperature.

Stephen

... in response to Last minute tips..., posted by Ray on Jul 27, 2003


Thanks for all of the tips! :)

I'll get some balloons today to take with me. Their are
alot of neighbor kids, young cousins, and nieces there.

I already got the Pepto Bismol tablets, mosquito repellent,
and sun block. I've asked her what she's having for dinner
many times to get an idea, and I haven't heard squid or
fish heads yet. I really don't think I could down a fish
head, so maybe I should bring something to help with it.

I've already got the photocopies of the passport, and I'll
make sure to clean out the wallet. Her dad has some medical
problems, so I don't think whiskey will be good for him.
I'm bringing lots of chocolates for the kids and family.

Are their certain items that you have to pay tax on when
bringing them into the country? I have perfume for her.
Also, is it a bad idea to wrap some gifts up? I'm guessing
that customs will probably end up unwrapping them for me.
I already bought a shirt for her, and a nice music CD.

I want to bring things for them, but at the same time..
I don't want to come off as if I'm trying to impress
them. I'm normally just a generous type of person.

I've got a bunch of film and I'll post some pictures
and give a report, when I return home in late August.

Also, I've got the I-129F forms for her to fill out one.
I did notice on the forms that under "Information about
you" it has Male and Female both already checked. Why
are these two spots already checked on the form? Also,
I need two 3/4 inch photos of us.. where is a good place
in Manila to have these taken? I'd like to get this done
before we leave for Leyte, so that I won't have to rush
it on the way back. Thanks for all of the tips everybody!

... in response to Re: Last minute tips..., posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

I guess you’re pretty well set. Sounds like you’re planning to get officially engaged :-)

You shouldn’t have to worry about customs taxes unless you bring any electronics stuff. I think an ounce of perfume is fine. If you don’t declare any commercial resale quantities, then you usually don’t need to worry. Personal gifts are usually no problem at all. It is very rare to have Philippine customs open your bags, but gift-wrapping isn’t really necessary anyway so I wouldn’t bother. It's much more likely that they would unwrap gifts here in the States for pre-boarding security checks.

The new fillable I-129F form on the BCIS site has both MALE & FEMALE checked off for some reason. You can fill in the form on line and print it out or you can print it blank and fill it in by hand. Before you print the form, click on the FEMALE and/or MALE boxes to un-check them. You won't have to complete the I-129F until you return anyway.

You can get immigration ADIT photos at any Florofoto store like Mita mentioned. There are a whole bunch of them all over Manila. Be sure to have her fill out and sign a Form G-325A and put her signature only on a blank set (sign all 4 pages). Have her do the letter of intent also for the I-129F.

Ray

... in response to Re: Last minute tips..., posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

I dont think there is a need to pay tax on those little things...
Leave the gifts unwrapped juz in case custom check it ...
Hmmmn...perfume for her that's nice .......

Are you sure that shirt fits her size???
juz kidding........(:

... in response to Re: Last minute tips..., posted by JJ27 on Jul 27, 2003

The rebels have returned to barracks and all is well again.  Only in the Philippines!  Life is so unpredictable back home - and exciting.
Your hosts will certainly appreciate your generosity.  I hope your fiancee has a CD player.  
The best place to go for the photos is Florofoto in Makati - right next to Rustan's department store in Glorietta Mall which the rebels booby-trapped for their short gig.  Last I heard on the news, they diffused all those bombs and traps ;o)

Mita

... in response to Re: Re: Last minute tips..., posted by Mita on Jul 27, 2003


I really do appreciate the help from everyone. I've never
taken a trip anywhere outside of the U.S. before, so all
of this is brand new to me. We plan to get engaged. She
has really impressed me in many ways.. she's made many
sacrifices for her family and for me. I'm pretty sure
that the T-shirt will fit her. I did search in the Juniors
section, but I had my mother with me.. so I didn't look
so out of place. :) My mother is the same height and build
so I think I've gotten the right size for her. She does
have a CD player at home.. I did ask about that to make
sure. I've got the chocolates.. mixed bags, and a box of
the more expensive chocolates for the parents. I bought
balloons, and I'm going to get some other things today.

I'll make sure that we get to the Folorfoto shop in
Makati before leaving for the province. I'll be leaving
early in the morning Thursday.. and I own some sites
online, so I'll post some pictures and a report for
all of those interested, in late August when I return.

Thanks again!

JJ

... in response to Thanks everyone!, posted by JJ27 on Jul 30, 2003

Hi JJ,

Enjoy yourself and advanced congratulations! I look forward to your trip report and photos!

Dave H.