Last week Bob Martin of Living in the Philippines fame wrote about taxi meters and how he got even with one cab driver who was trying to over charge him. His strategy was brilliant. Brilliant because he didn’t have to break the law to make his point. Actually he stuck to the letter of the law and his rights to prove his point.

Good going Bob keep these stories coming.

It’s common warning  to be careful of the taxi drivers in the Philippines. Most of the taxi drivers are good honest hardworking folks. But like everything there always bad seeds and when a bad seed tries to take advantage of the very man who’s responsible for oversight of, of all things, taxi drivers. One can’t help but chuckle.

The article below is for anyone who’s been taken ripped off by one of these bad seeds. Be sure to savor this moment…it doesn’t happen often.

Crooked cabbie mistakes LTO chief for ‘promdi’ passenger
Philstar.com
Philstar.com - Sunday, November 9

After mistaking the Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief for a promdi passenger and charging him P700 for a ride to Quezon City, a taxi driver at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) found himself in detention, without a license and his cab impounded.

The erring driver made the serious mistake of refusing to flag down the cab meter for his passenger, whom he did not realize was LTO head Alberto Suansing.

“The driver, who mistook me for a promdi (Filipino slang for someone ‘from the province’), refused to flag down his meter and told me that I have to pay P700 as fixed fare,” Suansing told The STAR.

“I just ignored him and told him to proceed to Quezon City,” he said.

Suansing said he took the airport taxi to verify reports of drivers ripping off passengers, especially from the provinces.

On the road, the driver kept asking him for the specific destination but Suansing merely told him to keep driving to East Avenue.

East Avenue is where the LTO head office is located. Sensing something was amiss, the driver asked Suansing who he was and insisted on knowing where they were going.

Upon reaching East Avenue, Suansing instructed him to enter the LTO compound. The now panic-stricken driver asked him again,“Sino ka ba? Bakit sa LTO tayo papasok? (Who are you? Why are we going into the LTO?)”

Suansing then told the bewildered driver: “I am the chief of the LTO. I am arresting you for taking advantage of a passenger.”

Suansing said he has confiscated the license of the erring driver and also impounded the taxicab. - Perseus Echeminada (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Be sure to share your experience with these rogue cabbies in the comments section.

Have a great day!

Fil-Am Forum Report Editor : I read Seth Godins blog daily. He inspires me with his out of the box Ideas and his stance on creativity in business. Today He’s posted  advice that many of us in the Fil-Am Community should keep in mind during the tough times we’re facing now and in the future.

Read it, forward it to those you care about then print it out for a daily reminder to stay clear of folks looking to separate you from your money.

Too good to be true (the overnight millionaire scam)

You probably don’t need to read this, but I bet you know people who do. Please feel free to repost or forward:

Times are tough, and many say they are going to be tougher. That makes some people more focused, it turns others desperate.

You may be tempted at some point to try to make a million dollars. To do it without a lot of effort or skill or risk. Using a system, some shortcut perhaps, or mortgaging something you already own.

There are countless infomercials and programs and systems that promise to help you do this. There are financial instruments and investments and documents you can sign that promise similar relief from financial stress.

Resist.

There are four ways to make a million dollars. Luck. Patient effort. Skill. Risk.

(Five if you count inheritance, and six if you count starting with two million dollars).

Conspicuously missing from this list are effortless 1-2-3 systems that involve buying an expensive book or series of tapes. Also missing are complicated tax shelters or other ‘proven’ systems. The harder someone tries to sell you this solution, the more certain you should be that it is a scam. If no skill or effort is required, then why doesn’t the promoter just hire a bunch of people at minimum wage and keep the profits?

There are literally a million ways to make a good living online, ten million ways to start and thrive with your own business offline. But all of these require effort, and none of them are likely to make you a million dollars.

Short version of my opinion: If someone offers to sell you the secret system, don’t buy it. If you need to invest in a system before you use it, walk away. If you are promised big returns with no risk and little effort, you know the person is lying to you. Every time.

Too good to be true (the overnight millionaire scam)

If you have ever taken an Internet marketing course or attended a seminar specifically for beginners, you have probably heard about the two different methodologies. Whenever the business model is based on content, and if you blog for money then the model is based on content, people are taught to either start as reporters, or if possible step up as experts.

I’ll be frank; you want to be the expert.

Reporters leverage the content of the experts and in most cases people start off as reporters because they haven’t established expertise. Experts enjoy the perks of preeminence, higher conversion rates because of perceived value, it’s easier to get publicity, people are more likely to seek you out rather than you having to seek others out, joint ventures come easier, etc… experts in most cases simply make more money and attract more attention.

Most Bloggers Are Reporters

The thing with expertise is that it requires something - experience. No person becomes an expert without doing things and learning. Bloggers usually start out without expertise and as a result begin their blogging journey by talking about everything going on in their niche (reporting) and by interviewing and talking about other experts (reporting again).

There’s nothing wrong with reporting of course and for many people it’s a necessity at first until you build up some expertise. Unfortunately the ratios are pretty skewed when it comes to reporters and experts - there are a lot more reporters than there are experts, hence reporters tend to struggle to gain attention and when they do, they often just enhance the reputation of the expert they are reporting on.

Don’t Replicate Your Teacher

If you have ever spent some time browsing products in the learn Internet marketing niche you will notice a pattern. Many people first study Internet marketing from a “guru” (for lack of a better term). The guru teaches how he or she is able to make money online, and very often the view that the student gleams is that in order to make money online you have to teach others how to make money online.

The end result of this process is a huge army of amateurs attempting to replicate what their teacher does in the same industry - the Internet marketing industry - not realizing that without expert status based on a proven record and all the perks that come with it, it’s next to impossible to succeed.

Even people, who enjoy marginal success, say for example growing an email list of 1,000 people, then go out and launch a product about how to grow an email list of 1,000 people. Now I have no problems with that, I think it’s fine to teach beginners and leverage whatever achievements you have, the problem is that people gravitate to the same niche - Internet marketing - and rarely have any key points of differentiation.

How many products out there do you know of that all claim to teach the same things - email marketing, SEO, pay per click, affiliate marketing, and all the sub-niches that fall under the category of Internet marketing. It’s a saturated market, yet when you see your teachers and other gurus making money teaching others how to make money (and let’s face it - making money as a subject is one of the most compelling) - your natural inclination is to follow in their footsteps.

If the key is to become an expert and you haven’t spent the last 5-10 years making money online, I suggest you look for another niche to establish expertise in.

Report on Your Process, Not Others

The secret to progress from reporter to expert is not to focus on other experts and instead report on your own journey. When you are learning how to do something and implementing things day by day, or studying other people’s work, you need to take your process and what you do as a result of what you learn, and use it as content for your blog.

It’s okay to talk about experts when you learn something from them, but always relate it to what you are doing. If you learn a technique from an expert it’s fine to state you learned it from them (and affiliate link to their product too!) but you should then take that technique, apply it to what you are doing and then report back YOUR results, not there’s. Frame things using your opinion - your stories - and don’t regurgitate what the expert said. The key is differentiation and personality, not replication.

Expertise comes from doing things most people don’t do and then talking about it. If you do this often enough you wake up one day as an expert, possibly without even realizing how it happened, simply because you were so good at reporting what you did.

You Are Already An Expert

Most people fail to become experts (or perceived as experts) because they don’t leverage what they already know. Every person who lives a life learns things as they go, takes action every day and knows something about something. The reason why they never become an expert is because they choose not to (which is fine for some, not everyone wants to be an expert), but if your goal is to blog your way to expertise and leave the world of reporting behind you have to start teaching and doing so by leveraging real experience.

Experience can come from what you do today and what you have done previously; you just need to take enough steps to demonstrate what you already know and what you are presently learning along your journey. I know so many people in my life, who are experts simply by virtue of the life they have lived, yet they are so insecure about what they know, they never commit their knowledge to words for fear of…well fear.

Blogs and the Web in general, are amazing resources when you leverage them as a communication tool to spread your expertise because of the sheer scope of people they can reach. If all you ever do is talk to people in person and share your experience using limited communication mediums, you haven’t much hope of becoming an expert. Take what you know and show other people through blogging, and you might be surprised how people change their perception of you in time.

Reporting Is A Stepping Stone

If your previous experience and expertise is from an area you want to leave behind or you are starting from “scratch”, then reporting is the path you must walk, at least for the short term.

Reporting is a lot of fun. Interviewing experts, talking about what other people are doing and just being part of a community is not a bad way to blog. In many cases people make a career of reporting (journalism is about just that), but if you truly want success and exponential results, at some point you will have to stand up and proclaim yourself as someone unusually good at something and then proceed to demonstrate it over and over again.

Have patience and focus on what you do to learn and then translate that experience into lessons for others, and remember, it’s okay to be a big fish in a small pond, that’s all most experts really are.

This article was by Yaro Starak, a professional blogger and my blog mentor. He is the leader of the Blog Mastermind mentoring program designed to teach bloggers how to earn a full time income blogging part time.

To get more information about Blog Mastermind click this link: www.BlogMastermind.com

The Title of the article in the link is “loveless marriage deal puts bride in hot water”

I think it’s a little bit more than that…

According to this article Mrs. Spiller, formerly Manniecar Senillo, married her husband for convenience and not for love.

Mrs. Spiller even admitted that she married for convenience, or did she? We all know how the press can slant an interview don’t we? The truth is we don’t know. We can only go with what’s been written in the article.

This does happen but I wonder if she was really so practical in her statement to the author.

What isn’t being pushed too hard in the article is how the family of the deceased Mr. Spiller is after his estate.

His life insurance, retirement etc…..

I find it sickening that a family can turn the death of a loved on into a prejudiced and racially motivated financial issue. They feel she doesn’t deserve it.

Why doesn’t she deserve it? This man, although he drank too much, made the decision to marry Ms. Senillo and he knew, as did the family, that his estate would become hers once he passed away.

Isn’t this part and parcel of being married? I agree it’s not what we look forward to in marriage but that’s life as married couple.

Spiller, 56, died of alcohol poisoning a month later. Although foul play was not suspected, the widow is now being accused by Spiller’s family of entering a marriage of convenience and may have her permanent resident status revoked and be sent back to her impoverished homeland.

Personally I think this is mean spirited and racially motivated since they didn’t approve of the marriage anyway.

She said she had become afraid of her husband, who turned into a different person after her arrival in Canada, “smoking and being drunk all the time.”

This isn’t the first time this has happened and won’t be the last. let it be a lesson for all Filipinas to know their husband well before marrying them. Actually this advice would serve both Filipinas and the men marrying them.

There’s simply no way you can know someone well enough in two weeks to marry them. Does that mean there aren’t successful marriages that stem from 2 week affairs? NO…I’m sure there’s plenty…I even know a few.

All I’m saying it is both man and woman need not rush into things.

“It is not like we married because we were in love. Marriage is something to improve life for my family. I liked him and felt I could rely on him. And I would take care of him as his wife,” said Senillo, whose family received monthly remittances from Spiller up until his death. He once wired them $40,000 to buy a new home in the Philippines.

I won’t question the comments about the marriage of convenience here but I do question the $40,000 that Mr. Spiller gave his wifes family for a house.$40,000 can build one magnificent home in the Philippines.I would love to see that house!

Let me sum up my feelings here.

$40,000 is to damn much to be sending overseas to a family you barely know. So many western men have no concept of money and what it can buy in the Philippines. When will they learn? Mr. Spiller was probably trying to buy his wifes affections like so many men who lose money in Fil-Am relationships.

However he knew what he was doing and did it willingly! The family should leave her alone!

Read the article here

What are your thoughts?

Folks I’m leaving this up to you.

When I was doing my research for my 5 month stay in the Philippines I didn’t have blogs. Well I wasn’t aware of them. I read forums only. Then the blogs came into play and I’ve found a few that I like and read often.

I don’t want to make a list of what I like only…I want to see what you guys like and why.

So this is what we’re going to do.

If you have a blog or blogs that you read about living in the Philippines, traveling to the Philippines, or expats in the Philippines.

Send me a comment about them…and tell me why you like that blog…how has it helped you…etc…

Don’t just give me a link without explanation I won’t approve it and that “vote” won’t count.

Be sure to  subscribe in the top right hand corner to see the updates. I’ll keep this going for about 2 weeks. Then I’ll post the results.

I look forward to see the Readers Choice of  Top 10 Philippine Travel Blogs

I, of course,I tried to disspell this myth.

During my 8 weeks there I was warned numerous times not to go here, be careful if I went there, because of the rebels might kidnap or hurt me. I think I’m a practical man so I listened to them. Why shouldn’t I?

I can’t remember which forum the erroneous comments were on but I do remember how frustrated I was with the foreigners contradictions to common sense.

This arrogance is what get’s foreign  men in stupid or dangerous situations.

So today, just for the record, I’ll post this link in hope of waking up just one of you who thinks otherwise.

5 People Killed in 2 day clashes in the Philippines.

If you’re an experienced travler in the Philippines why don’t you speak up with your ideas and advice to newbies.

Chris spells out exactly what I’ve been telling folks for a while now. I honestly feel that Chris was reading my mind, eavesdropping and looking over my shoulder during all my trips overseas.

He’s got ton’s more international travel experience than I do and he’s got the right mindset for international travel. Many of us should be so lucky.

13 Ways to Simplify International Travel…

I’m writing from my hotel balcony in Giza City, Egypt – just outside Cairo, and the site of the historic Pyramids. The sun is coming up right now, and the view is great. There’s only one problem:

Read about it in Zen Habits

If you like this you might also like…

Moving to the Philippines- 14 Steps To Making It A Reality

9 Simple Tips For a Stress Free Philippine Vacation

The follow up article will give you realistic steps for living in the Philippines. Then hopefully you’ll not make the same mistakes the gentleman in the last article made.

So you are thinking of moving to the Philippines? - Dr. Disk

I do not have hard statistics, but I would guess that many that make the move
to the Philippines abandon their idea and move back to their home country within a few years. There are many reasons, but I would guess the top 2 are: lack of income or funds, and not being able to adjust to the Philippine culture.

I have put together some of the important things to consider prior to making the move.

These may appear as common sense things to consider but in the excitement many people overlook the obvious.

1.  Are you ready to make the move?
•  Are loose ends all tended to and all potential problems solved prior to your move?
•  Do you have a firm grasp on what living in the Philippines entails?
•  Can you make the adjustments of living in the Philippines?
•  Remember, a vacation in the Philippines is NOT the same as living there.
•  Have you done your homework, and feel secure that you have all your important questions answered?
•  Do you have the complete support of your family that you will leave behind in your native country.
•  If you are having a difficult time living in your native country, don’t expect living in the Philippines to be any better.

2.  Have a clear cut reason why you want to live in the Philippines.
•  Saying “I want to retire in the Philippines” sounds great, but what does that really mean?
•  Once the primary reason is determined, all your decisions should support that reason.

3.  Have a plan, but don’t micro plan.
•  You know the old saying, “People don’t plan to fail…they fail to plan.”
•  Have an overall plan, a back-up plan, and finally an exit plan with a “threshold” that will tell you when to abandon your thoughts of living in the Philippines.
•  Do not get so involved in planning, that you have made decisions that cannot possibly be attained.
•  You must be flexible. Things can and do change, you must be able to take it in stride.

4. It can’t be emphasized enough, Homework, Homework, Homework do it before you go anywhere.
•  Read and research as much as you can. Take the time to learn. Be informed.
•  Stop and learn why things are done the way they are.
•  Don’t make decisions in haste.
•  Remember “You can read everything written, but until you experience it, you will not fully understand.”

5.  Income
•  To live in the Philippines it requires money, do NOT ever think otherwise.
•  Have a budget and be realistic. You will usually spend more than anticipated.
•  Where will your income be derived? A secure, predictable income is a must.
•  Have a large enough reserve for emergencies, and only use it for emergencies.

6.  Medical issues
•   If you do not have medical insurance, you must have adequate money to cover medical expenses.
•  Only the major cities have hospitals capable of handling extreme emergencies.
•  There is no such thing as 911 (emergency) in the out-laying areas.

7.  Family issues
•  If you have children, schooling is the #1 issue. Have this worked out prior to your move.
•  Usually a filipina wife that has lived overseas will have a harder time re-adjusting to Philippine living.

8.  Don’t start a business you know absolutely nothing about, and don’t pretend to be something you are not.
•  Unless your visa allows you to work, it is illegal for you to own and run a business.

•  If you are able to operate a business, don’t expect to make a living wage. If you plan to start a business, proceed slowly with your eyes wide open. Businesses are probably the number one reason for foreigners to lose most of their money.

9.  Leave your western mentality at the departure gate on your way over.
•  The Philippines is a different country with a different culture. Your way, may not be their way.
•   If you insist on “doing it your way”, you soon will become very frustrated and disillusioned.

10.  Don’t burn your bridges.
•  You may need support eventually. Make contacts and friends to have a support network.

11. Once you have made the move, set goals, and assess those goals every few months.
•  This can be therapeutic and prevent boredom. You must have a purpose for getting up each morning.

12. The Philippines is NOT the “Wild West”.
•  The laws of the universe still apply here. You will be quite conspicuous and under greater scrutiny.

13. Learn the language. Much can be gained by actually knowing what is going on.
•  When you get settled and have time, learn the language, it will be an education in itself.

14.  Finally, we all have common sense. Don’t leave home without it.
•  If you wouldn’t do something back home, then, please, don’t do it  in the Philippines.

I must credit  Bob Martin Of  Living in The Philippines Blog for providing many of the above tips and considerations. Bob’s blog should be a daily read for those considering moving or even those already living in the Philippines. He doesn’t hold back on “telling it like it is”, and every article
he writes is entertaining while being very informative.

I am sure every person that has made the move, successfully or not, has a story to tell. I invite you to share your experiences, good or bad, so that others may have a better insight on what it takes to move to the Philippines.

The only reason I approved your comments, unlike a few others that I wouldn’t approve, is I felt it was fairly well written compared to some of the other stuff I’ve seen from you.

So I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt. And approve the comment. I’m sure, knowing your past behavior it will come back to bite me in the ass.

What I won’t do is to give you and what your doing any more collaboration from the Fil-Am Forum Report than I already have. Meaning I won’t help you drive traffic to your blog to glorify something I don’t agree with. I won’t include your links…PERIOD.

Just like what you do Tim.

You include links to your many blogs ONLY. And you DO NOT….I repeat…YOU DO NOT ALLOW COMMENTS ON YOUR BLOGS!

How’s that for censorship? Why is that Tim?

Tim, I wonder, were you ever a decent guy? Ever in your life?

Whatever happened makes you attack someone who loved you, Mayen, and now you have nothing better to do that stalk folks on the Internet. And write all your blog articles about them. Seek help Tim.

Your writings about the time with Mayen exposed enough about you…and your stalking myself and others who write about you..just confirms what we believed in the first place.

If you wanted to prove yourself credible you could have done it minutes after I first wrote the post. But you chose not to…or maybe you were incapable of it. I simply don’t know.

From one man to another, Tim, get some help and let it go. I promise you will feel a great sense of relief.

If you’re a musician, as you claim, I would suggest getting back into your music. Because your writings certainly aren’t helping you any.

OR

Get some red ruby slippers, put them on, and click your heels 3 times while saying….There’s no place like home…there’s no place like home…there’s no place like home.

Good luck and god bless.

Don

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13. Ang Tierra Maria Estates UK Scam na Hospitals Scam Din sa Philippines by Kengkay
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