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AsiaBill commented about Camp John Hay, On Sunday August 2nd, 2009 09:56:47 AM
Baguio is simply another elevated alternative to Tagaytay for Manilans and Central Luzon residents to escape the heat of the Filipino summer months from March thru May. I agree with most of what else you say about Baguio and I usually only pass through on my way to or from Sagada and Banaue.
We have prospered incredibly in U$ from buying real estate in prime locations since 79 up to the present with returns similiar to those buying California beach community real estate in the late 50s thru the late 60s. The Filipino population is exploding and has been for the past 20 years not so much different than the ever increasing popuation of California so where theres growth there is prime location real estate appreciation. And during downturns in the economic cycle prime location real estate suffers little or far less than half of other properties.
Our Manila location has gone up 800 in U$ land value and my wifes first Boracay property up 3000 ( U$1000 to U$30,000 ) from 79 to 89 and our 3rd property from 90 to 2006 up 1500 ( $100T to $1.5M ). Also on Caticlan near Boracay from $700 to U$10,000 from 89 to 2001 nearly 100 / year. There are many people who choose to be critical and hesitant about investing in the Philippines and many Filipinos who overprice their properties. THANK GOD for ALL of them leaving wise frugal, patient investors to prosper beyond their dreams.
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AsiaBill commented about What I Look for in a Friend, On Sunday August 2nd, 2009 10:12:27 AM
The Bar Fine term is outdated and supposedly shunned now so EWR ( early work release ) has replaced it and is a better explanation. Good for you for not drinking alchohol since your late 20s! I often find drunks boring with a tendency to repeat themselves and their stories but I really enjoy those who have lived their lives as a constant adventure and know many things from experiences. It seems many people are introverts which can open up to strangers only after having a few drinks.
Judging foreign expat men here in the Philippines and S.E. Asia needs to be done in comparison to their lives and lifestyles in their, often, VERY LONELY and expensive home countries. Everything is relative! Probably the majority have been divorced and previously married to housekeepers their ex-wives after the divorce keep the house leaving them to start all over again.
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AsiaBill commented about Working in Baguio Philippines on Internet, On Monday August 3rd, 2009 04:24:29 AM
I am constantly frustrated by our ISP in both Manila and Boracay but since our income is not so depended on such services I have adopted a laid back attitude like with Brown Outs or when the electricity reached low peaks and neither our desk top computer nor our 53 inch big screen Tv has enough power to function here at Casa Camilla Boracay.
One of our yearly guests from Switzerland, Theo, an Old Asia Hand based in Asia for most of his lifetime like myself who plays Poker professionally On-Line has his own small generator and hooked up directly with two ISP so should he be in a tournament if theres brown -out or one ISP DOWN then he can continue playing. He plays 3 AM to 9AM as this is a segment of time when less professional on-line poker players world -wide participate as he says thats when the housewives play. Maybe you ought to consider living on the beach between international travel adventures like Theo. He rents one of our new studio apartment units at U$3500 / year or U$10/day and knows if if likes to travel we offer a sub-let option of renting it out daily from P1500 to P2500 / night depending on the time of the year.
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AsiaBill commented about Cheap Hotels Baguio Philippines, On Monday August 3rd, 2009 04:47:45 AM
Funny Thread! Filipinos are an easy going people with few obligational necessities. You are SO RIGHT about Filipinas NOT willing to accept staying in a LOCAL accommodation at LOCAL but at the same time I advise guys that doing such is the BEST TEST on their Filipina penpal, chatmate or financee as to their intentions and expectations of their new Kano boyfriends financially.
Andy, You mentioned your stubborness to stay as American as you grew up and as when you left the States 11 years ago in another thread. I found that to be a bit weird or condescending towards the worlds great numer of cultures and people. I always felt exactly the opposite, that for short periods of time while visiting each country and culture I wanted to absorb and experience as much much native food, drink and daily habits as possible. Granted Im not so foolish nor naive to think I can GO NATIVE and BE ACCEPTED by the locals as one of them but even if its an ILLUSION I prefer to pursue such. Otherwise the way you explained your determination to stay AMERICAN makes me think of your travels to 80+ countries as similiar to visiting 80+ ZOOS with a variety of local plant and animal life.
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AsiaBill commented about Camp John Hay, On Monday August 3rd, 2009 10:19:54 PM
Sorry Chris and Andy, Have to disagree! It has alot to do with attitude, when 1 out of 10 people allow themselves to get depressed and out of a job often due to their excessive spending and consumer habits to some of us among the 9 out of 10 we see OPPORTUNITY. When major corporations go bankrupt for similiar bad expense, marketing and accounting decisons what remains creates opportunity for others in the the same market.
Three important details about investing in any type of real estate in the Philippines is
1 ) once its paid for the resident investor has access to all types of educated, skilled and uneducated unskilled cheap labor. Business owners in the G20 wealthier countries have tired of so many of their employees striking and demanding higher and higher pay, paying ever inflating health benefits and rising retirement incomes not to mention government intervention. It seems like nobody understands that the wealthy and those who provide jobs do NOT need to work nor bother with such headaches.
2 ) Once a real estate investor or small businessman establishes himself in a Filipino community the level of trust is incredible compared to the wealthier countries where agents and attorneymiddlement have firmly installed themselves between the BUYER and the SELLER. We have had Absolute Deeds of Sale signed and notarized and the land transferred to my wifes name BEFORE making full and final payment withOUT interest. That type of TRUST disappeared in the States from 50 to 100 years ago.
3 ) Here in the Philippines in the Spirit of Self-Determination Filipinos and foreigners can build their own house, depending on location, withOUT any interruption from local government. And most anywhere they can build their own structure withOUT an archetect, withOUT a contractor, withOUT a sub-contractor by simple hiring masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers etc directly on a daily salary basis. They can use the Tel yellow pages to call local building materials suppliers to canvas prices in ENGLISH and arrange delivery. For 20 years the cost of building in U$ hasnt gone up much, for ground floor structures with steel roofing U$100 / sqm and for 2nd , 3rd, 4th and 5th Floor structures built with steel rebar and concrete U$150 /sqm. NOW those are numbers which anybody can get EXCITED ABOUT when deciding to invest in the Philippines.
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