We Have Returned!
The other day, I re-read Bob’s column reporting that Live in the Philippines readers are moving to the Philippines. Bob was not expecting this migration, regardless of its size and scope. Like many of us who follow his columns, Bob views it as a good thing.
My wife Emy and I viewed it as a good thing, too. We thought it is such a good thing that we are participating in the “flood of humanity” to the Philippines. Our move, however, is more of a “MacArthur-like” return than just a simple “Gee, that’s a beautiful place” move. Do not get me wrong. Any reason to move could be a good reason in our eyes. We are returning to our friends and family after defeating the soul-sapping invader: uncertainty. While not being totally dispatched, retreat on all fronts is uncertainty’s order of the day. We are able to “land and move inland,” exclaiming that we have returned.
This PAL baggage handler “Ping”, an Ilocano, was one of the first to greet us at the Centennial Terminal’s baggage claim at NAIA. Every time we transit baggage claim, he is the handler who takes care of us. He knows that we will seek him out whenever we are there. He always makes sure that our bags clear customs and find their way to our Laoag flight. All transits are successful meetings and each with that, “Welcome back!” ever-present smile.
We took his picture on our last visit when we asked him to watch for our son who would be transiting baggage claim in two weeks time. We emailed his picture to our son with instructions to seek him out. When our son finally made his trip, he was surprised that “Ping” was calling him by name while eying the passengers from our son’s flight. He made sure our son’s baggage cleared customs and found their way to that Laoag flight – another successful transit!
Our porter (baggage handler) at Laoag International Airport is a cousin who, likewise, 
greeted us grandly and quickly had our bags in tow. While it is the northernmost international airport in the Philippines, it is small. So is the baggage claim area. I counted eight porters working our flight. The flight was nearly full, so there were about one hundred and thirty passengers. The porters really hustled – our flight’s baggage was deplaned, transported, and “out the door” in just over thirty minutes. Larger airports cannot match that! Though the airport has just installed a baggage carousel, it awaits power hook-up and certification. I wonder how the porters will handle working side-by-side the carousel.
It is about a half-hour ride from the airport to our home. That half-hour tried to fly by as we pass the all too familiar sites, but it seemed to drag on whenever we thought of our destination.
Home always looks good. Such a nice, tranquil place that is soothing in the shade. While the katulangs and our driver took care of the baggage, I found time to visit the nipa hut. What a wonderful place to sit and enjoy one’s surroundings. I just had to go in, sit down, and convince myself that we were actually here. We did it – we made the move (well, the traveling part any way).
When I had fully convinced myself that, yes, we were home; it was time for a 
personal ritual that I do not fail to perform whenever I come home. I visit Auntie Lydia’s “tiangi” or sari-sari store, across the highway from our house. This visit has a two-fold purpose: to greet Auntie, who has always been supportive and friendly, and to buy two cold bottles of San Miguel Beer. I always offer the first bottle to Auntie. She traditionally declines it.
There will be other San Miguel’s in my life, but those first two cold ones, ritually imbibed upon my return to Pasuquin, are always among the best.
Rituals completed, it is time to head to the house, help unpack, and get a little naptime. The house is new and is my part of a bargain. Emy once told me that the only way we could retire in the Philippines would be to build a new, American style house there. Well, I upheld my part!
The outside has the “island flair,” but the inside has quite a few western amenities. This, indeed, is Emy’s dream house and it makes her happy. I’m happy, too, that we both held up our parts of the bargain.
Like most houses in the Philippines, construction is never 100% complete. There are always little touches and personal tweaks that occur over the years. We had the house wired for both 220VAC and 110VAC, but we have yet to purchase and install a pole transformer that will provide such western magic. We will also purchase and install an outdoor chandelier at the front doorway. Finding just the right one is difficult. I am sure we will find more home improvements as time goes on. For now, however, it is time to enjoy being home.
Hi Paul, When we arrive after our Cathay Pacific flight that takes us straight on to Mactan Cebu Airport from the States, my husband’s childhood friend who is a baggage handler there, always seems to find us as if he knew we were coming. Finally getting to our house after grocery shopping, errands lunch etc. in the city, it’s a great feeling like we never left.
It sounds like you’re really happy in your familiar place. I hope that you have long happy life there.
(Off topic, I’d reccomend Cathay Pacific to anyone needing to get to Cebu because they offer what’s call “Cebu Bridge” that takes you right through to Cebu without having to transfer in Manila.)
Congradulations on getting home. It’s a long flight full of logistics from S.F., so I know it’s even more involved farther away. Hopefully everything will just fall in place for you, and you will continue to smile on……..i2f
Nice house Paul, how long did it take you to build this house and how big?? Husband and I are planning of building our house next year in Davao City(3hrs drive from Mati my hometown). Welcome back and enjoy Philippines.
Paul, glad you were able to return. We have a similar “friend” in customs at the transfer area of the old airport named “Willy”. My third trip here this guy recognized me right off. On another trip when our bags were delayed by LAX, but we had to advance onward to Dipolog, he gavwe me his cell number, and quaranteed to personally follow up with LAX if they failed to ship our luggage. Needless to say the bags arrived the next day with a note from Willy.
Hi Master Chief,
Nice house….so how much more $$$ did it cost to wire the house for 110???
How will you make usre that you don;t plug the toaster in the wrong outlet?? Stupid question but my friends say it is easy when you are sleepy or tired to make the mistake and… Phfft the smoke means you will be shopping for a new applicance!!!! I can hardly wait to see some pics of the interior.
Do you have land with it????Walled back yard???
Sorry for the house questions just curious as to expat choices in their living arrangements. I may incorporate some of the fab ideas at my house in Cabanatuan.
Hello Paul,
Great article, I love the look of the house too. Almost like some of the newer houses down here in South Florida.
I too am curious about the electricity you had put in, I am not too good about these things, so could you explain why you did this, and how does it work when they hook up the electricity to your house?? Is it because you brought a lot of your electrical appliances from the USA to be used there?
Is nice that you have your own little “7-11″ across the street too, that comes in handy..lol.
Take care my friend, and I look forward to the stories of getting settled into your new environment.
Danny
Paul: Would love to build like that on the beach property… The logistics of doing so in Abulug are truly mind-boggling. I’ve already reached the same conclusion that we’ll have to do it from Manila… I don’t thing the contractors in Tuguegarao can handle it. Congrats on a difficult fulfillment to your dream and welcome to our new neighbor (within 5 hours!)
Hi Paul,
Nice house Paul,,all i can say is enjoy your life there w/your family!!Me and my husband have plan to move to philippine too after i’ve give birth but pending coz of the job,maybe next year i wish..
Hi Paul, great article, and I love ice cold San Miguel too!
Maybe I should retire in Bangladesh to afford the convenience you guys enjoy in Philippines
By the way, I’m a little confused at how you are willing to pay for the installation of 110v in a country that uses 220v. I guess the 110 v appliances are also part of the deal?
Maligayang Pagdating!
Manny
Congratulations on your return to the Philippines and beautiful house!
Helpful hint: get a label maker and put a label near the end of the plug for all your 110v appliances. Also label the 110v outlets; this should help people plug appliances into the wrong outlets.
Maybe I should mention that, while the house is wired for 110/220 VAC, all outlets at present are at 220 VAC. IF we go ahead with the transformer, the separate lines will be switched over and the sockets changed.
(Personally, I’m fighting the 110 VAC thing – those transformers cost a lot and once 110 VAC is hooked up, there’s no true defense for the “poof” factor, as many readers have pointed out
)
Hi Paul, We use some small plug transformers for some appliances and stereo equipment shipped from the States, and that works out fine for us. Also, it’s true that over time though things will get replaced with 220 VAC and that will be all you’d need. Maybe your wife will come around to that eventually.
Paul
Is that bermuda lawn?
Very nice design on the house too
ps..did you have eave vents and also do you have an attic fan to blow the hot air out the gable vent some where?
This will save some electric
Looks like a beautiful house on a nice property setting Paul. May I ask what it is constructed of ? At times I have wondered what it would cost to have my small house ( 865 sq ft living space ) duplicated there from the original blueprints. I have learned however that a house of wood construction ( real wood, not todays particle board ) just would not hold up there in the Philippines.
There is a type of USA electrical plug and socket where one blade is vertical and the other is horizontal plus the ground pin. Equipping your 120 volt items with these type of plugs and using the appropriate socket on yout 120 volt distribution system might offer some protection against ” instant smoke ” for your 120 volt items. These plugs may be known as 25 amp plugs, we use them where I work as they once had a problem with regular type plugs ” dissapearing “.
I have often wanted to bring some USA things as gifts for friends there but I know it would only be a matter of time, even with a step down transformer, that the item would get plugged into a wall outlet and get blown out.
The plug and socket I mentioned above is known as ” NEMA 5-20 “. The standard type NEMA 5-15 ( standard type USA 2 paralell blade ) with ground pin will also fit into this plug as well as the older type 2 blade plug.
welcome home paul and emy ! and wow what a beautiful home ! when’s the pool going in and when are we invited ! hehe
Glad you maed it home ok. In late August I will be making the grand tour back to Davao… Jacksonville, Fl. to Houston, Tx. to Vancouver, BC. to Hong Kong to Manila to Davao… about 30+ hours flying and in airports.
hi paul
did you bring and install a tankless hot water heater?
maria
Very nice web site. And we are planning the a similar move to Cebu. We have nice property with nice view of the China sea. Your article seems to have everyone’s interest in the 220/110. And comforting to know that is can be wired, as I have a lot of audio gear and Ham gear that needs 110. Too expensive to replace for the 220 option. My main concern is electric costs and what you did for A/C. Will I be able to survive in the Phils (financially) with whole house A/C? Or just air con certain rooms? I’m thinking of one large outside unit (condenser unit…like we have in USA) and separate air handlers mounted high on the wall with individual thermostats. And ceiling fans everywhere. How are you surviving the heat index of 110 F??
Fred
Hi Fred – Welcome to LiP Web Magazine and thanks for your comments/inquiries.
The 220/110 wiring was put in while we built the house last year. You may or may not be able to wire existing structures, but here in the Phils, there’s always a way.
Our house has one wall mounted A/C unit in a single bedroom. Whenever the humidity gets to that “clammy” stage, we close up windows and turn it on. We move the cool air along throughout the house using portable fans. Works for us, but we may be adding another unit or two. Our location is such that we almost always have a good breeze coming through, plus the house is one of a very few that has insulation and reflective-style windows (lets light in but bounces heat back).
Our electricity costs vary right now, depending on different consumption scenarios we’re playing. Not having lived in the house during “rainy” season, we have to experiment with indoor environment. We belong to an electricity co-op, so costs are not a great factor in our budget. We pay attention not to go overboard, however.
Since Cebu is much different than Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte climate-wise (different seasons, different hear indices, etc.), you may want to try the forum in this web magazine (link at top of page) and inquire. There are readers who reside in Cebu who may be able to better answer your questions. (I think my response is to specific to this area.)
As to high heat indices, you’ll acclimate to where they are just barely tolerable!
Hello again my friends
I’m getting comfortable about moving knowing that there’s folks like Paul Thompson and our electrical toys and probably air conditioning. I’m gonna refuse to call these appliances “aircon” and “ref”.
Maybe someone here can answer the air conditioning system that has one “condenser unit” outside and several air handlers controlled by thermostats mounted on the wall in the rooms we desire air conditioning. We stayed at new apartment in Cebu and he had this type of system.
What is this type of air conditioning system called?
Paul, 8000P per month is not bad.
Writer Paul,
I have a lot of electronics, audio and Ham Radio gear and I can’t believe it’s cheaper to buy a Power company grade transformer to give 220 and 110? When there are many step-down transformers available. Here’s a link for these type of transformers.
http://www.voltage-converter-transformers.com/step-down-transformer.html
It seems like 2 or 3 15000 watt transformers would take care of the 110 volt need. I’m sure the transformer from the power company is top dollar. What are your thoughts? Small appliances would be better to be purchased in the Phils. Hard to find electronics are expensive in the Phils.
Fred
Thank you Paul,
for your informative reply. I thought that we would ship our belongings in a “container” (20 or 40 foot.) I read somewhere that you pack everything valuable up front and the lawn chairs or older furniture towards the back of the container and hope that customs doesn’t unload the entire “booty”. I have heard of custom duties of $3000USD for conatiners completely checked from front to back. I guess you have read my earlier post of my Ham radio gear and audio electronics that would typically be used in a broadcast service. I’ll have to look in other forums about possible customs duties and how electronics are assessed before considering moving to the Phils. I don’t plan to give up any of my hobbies to move there………….Fred
Hello again Paul,
This will be short. What price in PHP was the multi-voltage transformer? You menitoned new, fair, or refurbished. It would be nice to know what direction to take. Buy step-down transformers or buy a 220/110 pole pig for the house?
Fred
OK Paul, 3.00PHP/Watt = 10,000watts = 30,000PHP = $618.00 USD. (This is for my situation having much invested in audio and Ham radio utilizing 110 Volts. I would probably buy 2-3-4 of those at $400 a piece for backup, in case one becomes defective.)
After several years living in the Phils, I could slowly replace my electronics with 220 equipment. But I do not like the quality of electronics I am seeing available in the RP.
I can buy a step down transformer from the link I provided a few posts up, for half of that here in the USA.
Paul you mentioned that your house is wired for dual voltage. What was the price for the transformer from the power company to give you this dual voltage in your house? I believe you may have mentioned that there was only one location(?) in the house needing 110? If that’s the case then I understand what you are saying about a smaller unit. I thought your entire house had wiring for 220 and 110.
Thanks for taking the time to answer. This is possibly going to be the biggest step and change of lifestyle I have ever encountered. I think you know of all of the conveniences and things we take for granted here in the USA. EX: Things arriving by the postal system, not damaged, not stolen.
Fred
Hey Paul, I’m nailing thoughts down here for the big move. I’m looking for a contractor in Cebu. I wish there was a way to send a PM to folks who post. There was a “Queeniebee” who mentioned something about Cebu. I’m understanding that it’s better for the Filipina wife to manage the construction. Anyone reading this recommend contractors in CEBU??
What materials were used to construct your home? Concrete walls better than hollow block? A USA construction (stick built) will not survive the weather and storms. It seems we have to think opposite of what we do here in the USA……….Insulate…Insulate from the heat and humidity. I read you have energy effecient windows.
As for 110/220 wiring we’ll stick with the step-down transfromers. Too much voodoo and searching for stuff in Manila.
fred
Hi Queeniebee – Thanks for the kind wishes; hope you have a long and happy life in Cebu as well. Too bad the only way to get to Laoag “direct” is from China with a Chinese passport! But, I don’t mind seeing “Ping” whenever we cross paths in Manila.
Thanks Paul.
Paul: I considered flying up to Kaohsiung from there… Until I saw the Mandarin Airlines fare! WOW! The return ticket was almost as much as round trip to the States (Around 45,000 pesos)! Our accountant would have a stroke!
Thanks, John – Our travel was quite a circus this time around, only because Emy and I used up our frequent flier miles (only had to pay tax for our flights). We traveled from Dayton, OH (where our sons are) to Newark, NJ to LAX to Manila (direct) then to Laoag. All total time between leaving for Dayton airport and leaving Laoag airport was about 40 hours. Wheh! What people will do for frequent flier mileage redemption!
Everything is falling into place nicely, and I’ll chronicle some of it as we go along. Good & bad; I’d rather have it here than back in the USA!
Thank you, Vanessa – We started construction on 1/8/2008 and completed with house blessing on 12/8/2008. Of course, not all days were actual work days – our contractor had a few other projects going so on days that concrete was drying, he and his crew would be elsewhere. To, planning around that nice rounded number of “8″ had something to do with it!
I’d have to find the blueprints (saw them somewhere) to quote size, but it is a 3bedroom 2-1/2 bath elevated bungalow, single story with carport. The grand sala is large enough to fit that nipa hut within and have room around the sides!
It’s Emy’s dream house (and my dream to live in it!).
Hi Dave – Yes, as it is everywhere, it’s not what you know but who you know. We’ve transited that baggage claim center so often that a relationship couldn’t help but develop! As you’ve experienced, I’m sure, it helps to have someone “on the inside”!
Hi Tyleen – The price we paid wouldn’t reflect the true cost of the house as transportation of the materials figured prominently into prices. We obtained a lot of fixtures and thingies from Manila. Those we could talk into free shipping would agree until we told them the destination. The contractor would take his BIG truck there and haul it back (for a discounted shipping price, of course). We also had to install the fence around the entire perimeter and raise the level of the back yard with a considerable amount of fill dirt, all of which was rolled into the house’s cost figures.
Adding wiring for 110 didn’t cost much extra at all. When we were finalizing the blueprints, we’d mark up where we’d want 110. The contractor just set the 110 outlets next to existing 220 outlets and ran the wires through the same conduit. Additional cost only increased by amount of extra wire and outlets needed. The BIG expense will be the transformer once we locate it and install it.
Our backyard is half the size of the front, but is still a “work in process” as we try to decide what we can afford to do back there.
We have other farm land (rice, garlic, corn, etc.) but it’s not co-located.
Hi Danny – the 110 wiring was purely Emy’s desire for her dream house. We only brought a few 110 items (blender, mixer, other small this and thats) but may increase inventory as time goes on!
Here in this area, they use a single-wire 220VAC distribution to a house or other customer. Earthen ground is used as the return (the other wire). Transformer hook-up will be 220 hot line/ground line connected to the two terminals for the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary steps it down to 110VAC at its two terminals which will be connected to the 110 wiring.
With the dream house owner’s permission, I’ll try and do a little “house” article later on this year.
I’d bet he would – I know I would if I was your accountant, right before I started tightening all belts!
Hi Neighbor! We thought about building it on the beach either in Pagudpud or in Clavaria, but tropical storm damage would loom each year. Even though a house can withstand the winds and rains, it’s the sea’s storm surge that does most damage to seafront property.
That, and the logistical nightmare of getting the materials you want to areas you desire. One major variable in that equation is LUCK!
Signal #1 right now for TS JOLINA. Cagayan in Signal #2.
Hi kostas kai juvy – Thanks for the kind words. I’m sure you will make the move when the time is right. Our move was planned for a very long time, but worth the wait.
Hi Manny – No ice cold San Miguel in Bangladesh!
The 110 VAC wiring is Emy’s idea, not mine. She wanted to bring some small appliances from the USA (blender, toaster, mixer, etc.) and thought that we could also bring lamps, and other things that run on the lower voltage.
It’s her dream house – I just let her have the dream!
Hi Paul – For lamps, your US lamps will work fine here, just put 220v light bulbs in them, no problem!
Based on experience…. I will say that within 2 to 3 years all of your 110v US appliances will be friend already. People will invariably plug them into the wrong outlets.
I’ve been there and done that… seems to work that way every time.
I should say… help people plug appliances into the right outlet!
Thank you, Miss August – We tried a different approach: imported US outlets and fitted US appliances to mate with those along. Of course, there is this streak of ingenuity that runs throughout the islands. A label maker wouldn’t be a bad idea!
Hi Bob – We ended up not bringing any lamps, so that problem solved itself before it occurred.
All of the “stuff” I brought that needs AC power is compatable 110/220 stuff. Emy did end up bringing a mixer, a blender and a rice cooker (
) that are 110 VAC only.
I suggested that we wire the house for 220 VAC only, but my honey of a chief engineer said “no way – it’s my dream house.” Who says dreams don’t come true?
My bad – it should read: “to mate with those alone.” (It’s catchy
)
I rented for awhile a house in Olongapo that was wired 220/110, an inline fuse and a large box of spares solved that problem.
Hi Paul – My personal experience is that the first few years you live here, you will be happy to have 110V available to you. After that, though, you will decide (or your wife will!) that – “hey, we live in the Philippines, it’s 220 here, we need to forget about the 110V”.
It would be a lot cheaper to just replace the 110V stuff with 220V stuff and move on. Or, use small transformers on the 110v stuff until it ends up wearing out or going poof, then replace it with a local voltage item.
I know how your wife feels, though, I was there myself at one time. Now, though, I am so happy that we really don’t have any 110V stuff anymore!
I’m at that point already – only 220 VAC stuff, nuttin’ else!
But the boss . . . .
Thanks for the tips, Queeniebee – yes, we have a couple of plug-in transformers for the 110VAC stuff – one large one that can handle the mixer, blender and rice cooker all at once, and one small one for individual service.
Now, if I can only get the boss to agree that 220VAC is the way for us to go! I’m also going to try and find the fellows who will rewind motors for 220VAC and make the mixer and blender compatable. The rice cooker – oh well!
Hi erik – Yes, it’s a variation that grows well up here – called “carpetgrass” by locals but definitely from the bermuda family. Takes the heat quite well, so it’s not standard golf course turf.
Yes, the attic space is well-vented with eave vents. That, plus reflective windows keeps things cool when windows are closed. Fresh breeze does the trick when windows are open.
Hi Bob – Thanks for your kind words. The house is built from steel rebar reinforced concrete blocks. I “rode shotgun” on the block making to make sure the “cottage industry” producing them used the correct amount of concrete mix (and didn’t skimp).
You’re correct about most wood structures. The first few typhoons won’t hurt them, though. It’s after the termites and other wood eating critters finish with some of your house that damage from a storm occurs.
Yes, I have some NEMA 5-20A plugs ready for installation on 110VAC appliances & stuff – that’s the one with the neutral blade being turned 90 degrees – and NEMA 5-20R receptacles. I’m really dragging my feet regarding the “BIG” transformer, though, and relegate those appliances to smaller, portable step-down transformers.
Hi Tommy – Thanks! Well, courtesy of the rainy season, the whole back yard is a pool. Only about a cm or two deep (at the deep end) but a pool, none the less. Come on over!
Thanks Brspiritus – I commiserate with you on travel time. For us, it wasn’t the air time but the ground time that made the trip so very long. Our PAL flight from LAX to MNL went “non-stop” vs the usual stop in Guam for checks and fuel. That resulted in arriving three hours earlier than expected – and three more hours of sitting around waiting for a domestic flight.
Have a safe and happy trip.
Hi Maria – We put a tankless, on-demand water heater in the kitchen. For other hot water needs, we have a hot water tank.
I wanted to go “on-demand” for everywhere, but found that the size we’d need wouldn’t fit into a Balikbayan box and was too costly to ship. Prices in Manila plus shipping made it a sour deal as well, so we compromised.
Hello Master Chief, I just found your blog and enjoyed reading of your MacArthur-ish return. I live in Dinalupihan (Roosevelt) Bataan, up on a mountain, 10 years ago I built my wife her “Dream House” on 1000 slooped meters. 67 dumptrucks of fill and a wall that could be seen from space I achived level ground. Materials I brought here by ship, as I was sailing then with Military Sealift Command as a Merchant Seaman. Please don’t tell costoms how many bribes they missed. I left out the 110 wireing, yet understand why you went that way. The pictures of your Casa Grande are wonderful, and anyone would be pleased to reside there. I’m also eaten’ up with envy that you have a Sari-Sari that sells COLD SMB’s! OH! I’m Paul Thompson,SHCS,USN (ret), and I write for the RAO Subic WebSite in the Anybody’s Point of View section, a monthly series called “We Choose to Live Here”. It gets me a few cold SMB’s at the FRA. Once again, GREAT HOUSE!
Navy’s term for eve vents is called “Charlie Noble” or galley stack from British sailing ship’s, but I know you knew that Master Chief LOL
Hi Paul (or should I say Senior Chief?
) – Have passed through Dinalupihan on way to Olongopo to visit friends a couple of times these past few years. The asawa and I have some property in Marivelles, so we travel to Bataan once or twice to pay taxes, caretakers, etc.
Roger on Charlie Noble (galley stack). Remember that from “the happiest day of my life”! Also had plenty of “Georges” to train during my khaki years.
Will check out RAO Subic’s site – haven’t been there for quite a while. Thanks for the head’s up. +-)
MEMORY’S OF MARIVELLES: I was between ship’s years ago, and was here when they started building my house. To have electric hooked up and the meter installed My wife and I drove to Marivelles to attend an 6 hour course held by the electric company, to teach me the importance of paying one’s bill on time. I filed out the questionair which asked what my yearly pay was. When I filled in $130,000.00 I was sent home!In my purok I have the highest bill every month, arount P8,000.00. As I refuse to give up my toys. I hardwired in a Honda Gen (1100KW) for use during the many, many brownouts we have here on the mountain. (3-5 a week but never longer than 4-5 hours) I’ve never found out why, maybe a headcall? I know I’ll never find out.
Hi Paul – Same deal up here with power. Before getting hooked up, we had to “join” INEC – Ilocos Norte Electricity Cooperative. That meant the same long lecture on paying bills (they weren’t interested so much in punctuality as they were actual payment) and a few other responsibilities. Once we had membership cards, we could hook up and have a meter installed.
A generator is on my to-do list. So far, only three days of brown-outs: first two days were intermittent in late afternoons, third day was about eight hours. Figured that the high winds and rains we were having caused some problems somewhere, and they took Sunday time to fix it (overtime differential?).
Somehow, I think brown-outs are part of the fine services rendered by the co-op, and they may think we’d feel cheated if we didn’t get our fair share.
Hi Fred – I can’t say with certainty, but I believe that the issue of customs duties would come into play for transformers purchased outside of the Philippines and imported. (I was able to get some radio equipment into the country via a Balikbayan Box, but might have lost it all had they opened for inspection.) Those duties may prove to be too costly.
There are hardware shops, electrical supply shops and electronics stores here that sell various sizes of transformers and replacement power supplies, and will re-wind/re-configure 110VAC stuff for 220VAC if possible.
Also, the old standard “pole pigs” are around in any shape you desire to pay for, from pristine (top peso) to salvage (centavos on the peso). Trouble is finding the one you want.
For myself, I’d rather just be 220VAC all around. My problem is 220VAC distribution from the electric co-op: it’s single wire. Were it two-wire, I could use one wire & ground wire for 110VAC.
Only have three small kitchen applicances that are 110VAC and don’t expect to bring any others here (all are available for negotiable prices in the local markets).
Of course, all of this is from a single perspective in one rural area. I’m sure there are plenty of other perspectives out there.
How about it, anyone?
Hi Fred – Brand new, here in the far northwesten Luzon province of Ilocos Norte, brand new step-down transformers go for about PHP 3.00
per watt. Used/refurbished are a little cheaper. Depends if you buy from a store (fixed price) or a market (negotiable).
For some ancillary equipment that employ a small external power supply (e.g., ~12VDC), there are plenty 220VAC in ~12VDC out units for sale at fair prices.
Pole pigs are usually found around old U.S. military sites like Clark and Subic. Don’t have prices as I never checked any out. Salvagers go after them. Personally, I’d stay away from them – they would be 20+ years old and probably need reconditioning (at least transformer cooling fluid).
Hey Paul, I’m nailing thoughts down here for the big move. I’m looking for a contractor in Cebu. I wish there was a way to send a PM to folks who post. There was a “Queeniebee” who mentioned something about Cebu. I’m understanding that it’s better for the Filipina wife to manage the construction. Anyone reading this recommend contractors in CEBU??
What materials were used to construct your home? Concrete walls better than hollow block? A USA construction (stick built) will not survive the weather and storms. It seems we have to think opposite of what we do here in the USA……….Insulate…Insulate from the heat and humidity. I read you have energy effecient windows.
As for 110/220 wiring we’ll stick with the step-down transfromers. Too much voodoo and searching for stuff in Manila.
fred
OK Paul, 3.00PHP/Watt = 10,000watts = 30,000PHP = $618.00 USD. (This is for my situation having much invested in audio and Ham radio utilizing 110 Volts. I would probably buy 2-3-4 of those at $400 a piece for backup, in case one becomes defective.)
After several years living in the Phils, I could slowly replace my electronics with 220 equipment. But I do not like the quality of electronics I am seeing available in the RP.
I can buy a step down transformer from the link I provided a few posts up, for half of that here in the USA.
Paul you mentioned that your house is wired for dual voltage. What was the price for the transformer from the power company to give you this dual voltage in your house? I believe you may have mentioned that there was only one location(?) in the house needing 110? If that’s the case then I understand what you are saying about a smaller unit. I thought your entire house had wiring for 220 and 110.
Thanks for taking the time to answer. This is possibly going to be the biggest step and change of lifestyle I have ever encountered. I think you know of all of the conveniences and things we take for granted here in the USA. EX: Things arriving by the postal system, not damaged, not stolen.
Fred
Hi Fred – My wife took care of everything; I would have just gotten in the way, made noises every now and then, and an occasional heart palpitation when I’d watch some “foreign” aspect of the construction.
Our house is a combination of concrete and hollow blocks. All columns for the house (weight bearing or not) are steel rebar reinforced poured concrete. The walls between the columns rest on a concrete footing and are constructed of hollow blocks that are also reinforced by steel rebar. Plenty of rebar in the construction – so much so that an outdoor antenna is needed for any reception outside of the “local, just down the road” AM station. The structure has been through four tropical cyclones (3 typhoons, 1 Tropical Storm) and displays no sign of damage or effects of the storms anywhere.
Hi Fred – Yes, it’s a big change of lifestyle. Make sure you remain flexible in all things, and you’ll adjust just fine. btw, here you’ll have time to stop and smell the flowers!
Thanks for your endurance and patience, Paul. I’m taking notes, coz we don’t want this dream house to fall on our heads. The Air Conditioning is still a questionable item. There’s quite a lack of knowledge for a split system, inverter compressor, and window units.
It mostly seems like a fear of higher tech type A/C units available here in the USA and sold in the Phils under strange brand names.
The ole faithful “window banger’ is preffered coz when it breaks just yank it out and buy another.
Fred
Hi Fred – Most folks here will buy a unit a little larger than a window banger and mount it in the wall.
No one throws stuff out – it’s much, much cheaper to have it repaired! Unlike the USA, labor prices here are still low so you could have your unit repaired a couple of times for the amount you’d spend for another unit.
To tell you the truth, I shipped a lot of broken stuff over here via Balikbayan box. Had it all repaired and saved thousands of pesos rather than buying new. Things work as good as ever – you can always find someone who can fix whatever needs fixing!
Hi Paul
That’s good news about repairs. I’m in the USA rut where we pay for half the price of a new unit for any repairs. Probably on the same line of thinking, why most autos and multicabs are stick shift transmissions and not automatics. Not enough technicians to fix automatic transmissions. And the heat over there probably kills automatic transmissions. Not the same type of driving we have here in the USA.
I have been doing more reaing and I think the building will have to be a joint effort for me and my wife. She can gather contractors and prices and I will have to be quality control. Been hearing things about contractor tells unknowing Filipina wife that lamp cord wire will substitute for #10 or # 12 romex for house wiring and other tactics for plumbing substitutes. My wife would might understand about recessed lighting and big “CR” not a Filipino sized CR, but not the technical stuff.
We’ll have to have a test trial of living there for about 6 mos before making any final decisions
Thank you Paul
Fred
Hi Fred – That test trial is the best thing. You may see “silver linings” everywhere, or “dark clouds” – either way you’ll still be flexible enough to make adjustments.
Stick shifts over here are preferred mostly because an auto with an A/T can cost about P100,000 more to purchase and it won’t get the mileage (mpg or km/l) that one can get with a stick. There are plenty of cars with A/T around and plenty of technicians to keep them in tip-top shape, even our here in the province. Those with extra disposable cash own and drive them.
Try to get some referrals on contractors/engineers. Look at newly built houses in the area you’ll be building, inquire who was the contractor, then contact that contractor and see if you can get a “tour” of his recently built houses and any in the process of being built. That will give you an idea of his worth.
As to QC, don’t go too hard on things. While our house was being built, I noticed some practices I had never seen before or thought they might have been foolish or unneccessary. Long story short: I was wrong. Of course, I had a great contractor with his own hand-selected crew. He wanted to build a house that he could use as a show-piece for other potential employers.
Best of luck, Fred
OK Paul, I’m taking a lot of your advice here seriously ande it’s been good common sense thinking.
It will definitely be a different way of life and a different perspective how other people live in another part of the World.
I’ll have to break the USA habit of living. My main concerns will be very outgoing personality of the Filipino people, get togethers, food-fests, laughing, Karaoke, etc. We/ME here in the USA like it quiet. My wife could go to birthday parties every day.
Like you say, Paul, there will be silver-linnings and dark clouds
You have been very helpful. I am surprised that there were no other responses to our posts here.
Fred