does anyone know if poker live is back also in the casinos? I keep receiving text messages and emails with casino promos.

I think there is couple of casinos with poker open in Manila... At least saw that pokerstars live is open.
Yea cod has started to send me tons of txts(way more than before covid)

Anywhere to play high stakes PLO?

Do the PLO games tend to run at one place more than others?

Are there any apps or websites that track live games (like PokerAtlas or Bravo here in the states)?

Pre covid there was a decent amount of high stakes PLO, 5/10 and 25/50. Phils is still closed now anyway.

Did these play at RW or private games?

They played at legit poker rooms but not RW.

Has anyone taken Tagalog lessons? I was planning a trip with sea land and air and Tagalog classes possibly and also getting a Driver's License.

Also looking to set up Itieary. I've been to the major areas like Boracay, Siarago, El Nido and all that. I wanted to check out the non tourist areas and hiking / diving and surfing like for example in la union.

Also considering renting a car vs. buying.

Any suggestions?

Not lessons, but I was learning a few words daily for my first month in da Phils back then. If I was to learn it anew, I would definitely find a teacher on one of the online platforms or even on a dating site with the profile that states that she has the appropriate educational background. Also : it definitely helps if you have somehow a base in Spanish, just saying. GL

Check out the area of kingfisher resort in northern Luzon. The drive from Manila through the mountainous interior of the island is really nice imo, especially with a rental car you can beat the **** out of.

You might also consider Davao, tons of hiking options near by. And some diving and surfing(MAti) also.. Though obv tourists have allready found these places, though most are just filipinos.

Thinking of leaving Manila and finding a beach town, or moving south out of the city near one of the golf courses an hour south of Manila. Are there any good options with lots of western food and good internet with decent cost of living? Don't need the night life stuff. Preferably not overrun with tourists, with less night life I'll probably be able to find that here. Thoughts anyone?

Subic area? Ocean, golf, little strip of girlie bars if one day you so desire and grumpy old white guys. Probably easy to find a western style house for rent for cheap.

Has anyone been here during the duration of Covid?

I talked to my attorney in Manila he said that the Retirement visa would no longer be available for 35 to 49 age range, you would need to wat until above 50 YO.

I have been here awhile. was thinking about taking a trip back to the U.S. Although I was advised to wait until the Travel Ban is over. Seems like a reasonable advice.

I feel like we can travel again by the end of the year. Let's see

Are there some upsides or opportunities here due to the Pandemic?

I was able to hire someone to do my cooking recently this guy was out of work from the Wholesome Table. Great foods!

There are a lot of talented people out of work at the moment.

I have been here in Davao whole time... It has been lot stirckier here than other places in Philippines... Even liquor ban has been almost one year allredy... Obv wishing now that i had gone back to my country... Though not so great anywhere.
MY problem is that im just tourist here and my 3years is coming up on september... So might have to go... Even though i dont think i can even get vaccinated by then(they just doing the priority groups here still and obv foreigners are bottom of the list).
Yup the retirement visa was suspended and i also heard that they now allowing it for 50+... but yea it is not option for me either.
No idea how they think about recovering this

1 year alcohol ban!

Wow, I'd be a master brewer of fruit wine by now.

No worries, this clown will sort it out...

I think now is a good time to leave for more stable countries where a significant percentage of the population isn't facing homelessness and starvation unless you plan to move to BGC. (I think they'll ensure safety there)

So far it seems the poor are helping out their fellow poor with scrap food but unless you're well integrated locally chances are much higher you'll have to deal with desperate locals turning predatory on the foreigner.

Wow I hope you're doing alright there. Are you able to do anything? You're not just trapped inside are you?

It's fine in BGC. Pubs and gyms are open and I had my 1st dose of Sinovac vaccine 2 weeks ago. It's a little bit slow, but not bad at all at this time.

I have been in AC the whole time, left Thailand because I assumed they would throw the tourists out.

None of the expats I talked to have the Retirement visa. IF things go back to normal, just go back home at least once every three years like everyone here is doing.

A neighbor just came back from Hawaii, 20 days quarantine, 4 days at his son's wedding, he recommends not going to the US at this time.

The benefits of being here are that finding a gf is even easy than it was before, hard to believe that was even possible.

Well obv lot have changed in one year and it is getting quite frustrating. At one point it was that you could go out to buy food every other day only. But luckily that was 'only' couple of months. Swimming pool was closed also couple of months but then it was opened again for few months... But now it is again been closed for almost one month... Perhaps the most annoying thing is that they just keep extending these ban, Like liquor ban is supposed to end end of this month again...But they will probably extended it again(as they have done many times allready)... Obv you can still get some beer if you willing to pay double price and the selection is very limited.

How did you manage to get vaccinated there? Obv different down here but just curious

Here in AC, I went to the SM to get vaccinated, I did not live in the corresponding Barangay that they were vaccinating so did not receive the jab. They told me to go to my Barangay Hall and fill out the survey which I did. They are supposed to call you when they have an appointment time for you. They gave you a choice of which vaccines you would be willing to accept.

All residents of BGC can get vaccinated at this time. They have a place over on high street where you can get an appointment.

My condo unit also reserved a day for all residents at our condo, 2 different days.

I'm also aware my friend in Bichol and also Pranaque were recently vaccinated. You should be able to get that done somewhat soon most likely if you would like.

Yes. I guess that's true. There are not as many foreigners here at this time. Is that why?

For me, I've been hiring a lot of help lately. Personal Assistant, Trainers, Chef, Nutritionist, and also looking to get a good deal on a condo.

The chef was a big break though so far. This has freed me up to be more effective with my goals.

I don't know if anyone is playing poker. I'm on GG Poker at the moment. I play 5 10 PLO and NO Limit just a few hours per week.