Greetings fellow Forum members! I'm Mark, married to Mae and we live together with our 15 month-old son in Davao City. We used to live in Mandaue, Cebu but a couple of years ago and after a weekend visit, we decided we'd had enough of the pollution, grime, crime and corruption of the country's second city and moved. Davao is, in fact, the world's largest city in terms of land area and probably the best in the Philippines (although Coron, Palawan is a close contender), but then I'm ever so slightly biased. I'm a former PR man and journalist from the UK and do have a "day job" here connected with a rather high-profile court case in Cebu which involves a British national and his Filipina partner. I also administrate an Expat Forum similar to this - but don't worry, I won't be promoting it or poaching members! For those of you who've yet to venture to our shores, if you have any questions about life here, whether to get a Visa or not, current prices or whatever: ask away! Mark
Hi Mark, welcome to British Filipino.. I’ve been told Davao is the best place in the Philippines to visit, not been there myself yet though I might give it a go the next time I a in Mindanao. Oh, no need to worry about mentioning Filipino UK (I think that is the forum you hinted at).. We all know of it and most of us used to frequent it – some still do.
Hello Mark, and a warm welcome here to you. I'm heartened to learn your impressed with Davao City. That's where my wife and I intend to live once we finally make our move. We have so many friends and family also living there. One thing I'm thinking over right now is whether to secure a 13a visa here in UK or if it's better to wait until I'm actually settled in Philippines. If you have any opinion on that I would be interested. In the meantime hope you enjoy you time here.
Oh I can think of better places to visit but not to live, than Davao. It's actually Live in the Philippines Forum :hiding: ...
Well then you don't need me to sing its praises! And in fact, Davao is almost like a secret destination here as far as Expats are concerned, there are quite a few living here, mainly Americans, but one rarely sees them except in a supermarket (it's the black socks and sandals that give many of them away!). "Abreeza" is the newest of the malls wherein one will find a Debenhams (their first store here), a Marks & Spencer (also in Cebu and Manila) as well as a couple of other women's UK clothing chains. Unlike Manila and Cebu, however, there is no Rustans - the speciality supermarket chain that imports some foodstuffs aimed at western palates. The only British products available are McLelland cheeses (mainly Cheddars) and McVities (Digestives and Rich Tea) but only if they have stock! If you have the time, I would certainly advise you to apply for your 13(a) in the UK; although the requirements are a tad more onerous - medical certificate and chest X-Rays - the Visa you will get there will be a full permanent one. The alternative is to apply here but it's a two-stage process with a total cost of around PHP30,000. You will be issued a temporary 13(a) valid for one year and you need to apply for the permanent one in month 10. However you will still need to attend the BoI office shortly after arrival in order to apply (and pay for!) your ACR-I Card which will be valid for 5 years.
Hi Mark, How did you get here ? Welcome mate.( but no EU debates here, i am outgunned hopelessly, - just kidding. )
Mark, helo, shw mae? I'm very likely to be in Davao in December. Whilst she's visiting SM & Abreeza, I'll probably be in dire need of a San Mig. Jack's Ridge ? I'll buy the first round.
