Anyone to ask about living in the Philippines? - Page 70

I was wondering if anyone knows how difficult it will be for an american with a tourist visa to open up a bank account? any suggestions on what bank to go to?

I just opened an Allied bank account all I needed was a passport, 2 photos and a 1500 pisos deposit.

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We were planning on getting a few mobile wireless connections to travel with. Any suggestions of providers we should be sure and get? or providers not to bother with? Anyone know of a good place in Manila to go for mobile internet?

I use Smart bro and have recently got a Globe Tattoo. They both can be equally good and equally bad it is 100% location specific. You will be able to buy them in any Manila Mall of which there are thousands.

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01-11-2011 , 09:34 PM

#1727

youcheckibet

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 105

Quote:

Originally Posted by primesitemm

Ya the plan is to play the side events as well as the main. You?

dude im in canada working the life grind - u know who this is

If I rail your apt tourny, then ull probably win - SO I WONT

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01-12-2011 , 05:56 PM

#1728

alex23

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,962

Hey guys,

Who here don't I know that is living in Manila currently?

Alex

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01-12-2011 , 06:56 PM

#1729

zurswierding

newbie

Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 43

Thx PITom

Is there anyone who has used mobile internet to grind in more remote areas?

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01-13-2011 , 10:04 PM

#1730

PItom

banned

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 533

I love living in this country. Last night I paid 1500 pisos to play three games with Efran Reyes!! The man is a ****ing genius

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01-14-2011 , 04:14 AM

#1731

L4Freedom

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex23

Hey guys,

Who here don't I know that is living in Manila currently?

Alex

I'm living here back and forth between trips since Nov.

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01-14-2011 , 02:25 PM

#1732

MaybeYesMaybeNo

old hand

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,564

maybe it s been answered before, if so ignore my question. But how do a white young guy blend in somwhere like Angels city? Am I going to get offered some ubber "deal" at each street corner? Treated like a curiosity with $ in his pockets? Is the city dangerous at night?

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01-14-2011 , 03:44 PM

#1733

alex23

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,962

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaybeYesMaybeNo

You can't obviously, isn't that why you go there? As for being dangerous at night, tourists are the golden goose of that city so I'm sure a substantial effort is made to protect them but that said it still is a red light district of a third world country so it's best to be a little careful but not excessively worried.

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01-14-2011 , 04:48 PM

#1734

no122

enthusiast

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 54

Me and 2 of my friends are now in Cebu, Philippines. If someone would like to hangout out together this sunday or maybe later plese PM

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01-14-2011 , 07:33 PM

#1735

kojak37

enthusiast

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 75

Just read last ten pages of the thread, so i don't know if it's been up before, but... How do you take money in and out of the country? Maybe doesn't matter so much for you guys living here, but for others just coming in once in a while to play appt etc?

If i understood things right its illegal to take in or out more than 10k pesos? What happens if they catch you with more?

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01-14-2011 , 07:55 PM

#1736

alex23

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,962

Quote:

Originally Posted by kojak37

Firstly, that only matters if it's peso notes. I don't know what happens if you bring in more pesos. If you try to bring more pesos out (why would you no one will exchange them abroad anyway) they'll send you back to the fx counter so you can get raped by airport exchange rates and you'll have to get in the immigration and security lines again. GG trying to take out >10k pesos.

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01-15-2011 , 11:23 AM

#1737

fanapathy

Outside the Box

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,760

Ya just buy dollars at Edzen/etc (?) or trade pesos for online money from grinders/etc here. Should be plenty of 2p2ers here that wouldn't mind exchanging your excess php.

Be careful with people pushing you into promised "great rates" in Manila. There are tons of stories and some changers that appear legit are pro scammers. Count money in your own hand before leaving. They might try to count the money for you, slip it out or trick you into half your money by doing some magician-ish misdirecting jedi mind tricks

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01-15-2011 , 06:51 PM

#1738

kojak37

enthusiast

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 75

Thnx for your answers. Yeah, im here atm, in cebu for the apt thing. Guess i could try change the money before leaving, but it feels like such a hassle and waste doing it back and forth every time coming here.

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01-15-2011 , 11:16 PM

#1739

luckbox888

centurion

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 130

Quote:

Originally Posted by kojak37

Just smuggle it out as if there gonna check seriously worst comes to worst have a contact in the pines who can stay at the airport with you till you go through customs and if they catch you give the cash to him or book another flight and bank it over their not a big deal.

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01-15-2011 , 11:18 PM

#1740

luckbox888

centurion

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 130

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex23

Hey guys,

Who here don't I know that is living in Manila currently?

Alex

I live in macau but travel to manila regularly to play the live games do you ever play the bigger games that run?

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01-16-2011 , 12:09 AM

#1741

PItom

banned

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 533

Quote:

If you have no need to convert it just open up a Bank account or get a safety deposit box .

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01-17-2011 , 07:07 PM

#1742

checkminraise

enthusiast

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 68

Yo fanapathy, ima be back in Manila on Friday, pm me ur number. We should defo organise a 2+2 meetup this time!

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01-17-2011 , 10:19 PM

#1743

Paul B.

handsome

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,800

I recently found out about exchanging dollars to pesos via BPI accounts.

This morning:
The rate on XE.com was 44.57.
The rate on BPI's website was 44.38 on >$5k.
The rate at Sanry's Money Changer was 44.35.
Went to my BPI branch and they offered the preferred banking rate of 44.42.

Damn, could have saved myself hundreds of dollars in ATM fees, wire transfer fees, money changer vig and countless hours had I known about this earlier.

Oh well. Just an FYI for people in the future!

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01-18-2011 , 06:11 PM

#1744

zurswierding

newbie

Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 43

im guessing its not a problem to open up a bank acct with USD?

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01-19-2011 , 01:12 AM

#1745

zycon

centurion

Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 185

Hey. I`m sure this question has been covered in this thread; however, i do not have time right now to scroll through replies to find an answer.

What are the good card rooms in PI for 200NL (American $) and lower? I would play higher if the action was good.

I should be there in a few days.

TY.

Z

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01-19-2011 , 03:45 PM

#1746

alex23

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,962

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckbox888

I live in macau but travel to manila regularly to play the live games do you ever play the bigger games that run?

Nope, barely ever play live these days.

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01-19-2011 , 10:13 PM

#1747

L4Freedom

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by zurswierding

im guessing its not a problem to open up a bank acct with USD?

BPI requires a deposit of $500 cash to open a usd account. Apart from that it's not harder than open a pesos one.

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01-19-2011 , 10:43 PM

#1748

youcheckibet

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 105

Are there any communities of 2p2ers in Manila? A skype group? Interested in moving down there and moving into a condo/house with others.

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01-20-2011 , 06:21 PM

#1749

OnlyCash

newbie

Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 23

Hey guys im leaving Denmark 28. jan first i go to Macau for the chinese newyear and then i hit for Manila i booked a one bedroom apartment via www.pearlslettingagency.com in Ortigas if any 2+2 guys like to hook up ther for a game of pool just PM me i know the best place in the hole philippines to play onesite j billiard in Malate

Maybe somebody can tell me where the 100/200 and higher games running at the moment?

Ps Check out my youtube channel then you can see the place (Onesite J billard) www.youtube.com/user/onlycash

Last edited by OnlyCash; 01-20-2011 at 06:32 PM.