How to Drive and Survive in Philippine Streets

If you have plans of staying in the Philippines for more than three months and you plan to go around the country driving a vehicle, you will have to get a driver’s license issued by the the Land Transportation Office (LTO) which is the government agency tasked to issue licenses to all drivers. Foreign driver's license can be used by those who stay in the country for shorter periods. There are LTO's located throughout the country.

If you are from the US, log on to the Embassy of the United States in Manila website for more information.

Someone who comes from Northfield, MN certainly knew how it is to drive and survive the streets of Manila. He had been here and saw for himself the traffic woes endured by Metro Manila residents. He says:

I have viewed the on-the-road struggles from the backseat of my taxi countless times on the way to the office. Taxi's cut off one another, slowly edging into the next lane if necessary, forcing their way in. Bigger vehicles don't edge, they simply move over - anything in their way will be crushed.

No one can blame him if he wouldn't want to come back here but it should be fun for first timers.

If you are a biker and have biked around the world, there is one place in the Philippines where you can enjoy biking in the city streets and be relatively safe. Marikina is a biker's haven - the city streets have bike lanes and there are public parks with designated bike lanes as well. Marikina City's residents are proud of their leadership and how their city has progressed throughout the years.

A word of warning: if you come from a country where drivers are disciplined and abide by traffic laws, you will be in for a surprise. An article on PhilNews complains about the lack of discipline of Filipino drivers. On the road, they seem to be twice as undisciplined as any drivers you can find anywhere in Asia or in the world. But they can also be your best friend. If your car happens to bog down in the middle of the street, most of them will be willing to assist you and even bring you to your destination if your car cannot make it.

How to Get Married in the Philippines

Romance novels have convinced many women that their wedding day will be something to remember forever. Of course they are right and they have all the reason in the world to preach it, and for many women to believe in too.

If you are planning your dream wedding, you know you are on the verge of embarking on an endless adventure that will bring the two of you to places you haven't known heretofore. And one important question you would be asking is what type of wedding both of you wants. If you are traditional you will be having it in a church, or perhaps you are more adventurous and have a beach wedding instead.

But for the ultimate destination wedding, why not try the Philippines? Here are some sites that can help you make this decision easier to make:

http://www.filipinoweb.com
- if you are a US citizen. Philippine laws on marriage require a citizen of a foreign country to obtain a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage, issued by the diplomatic or consular offices of his or her country, before being issued a marriage license in the Philippines.

http://www.livinginthephilippines.com
- for some tips on costing and budgeting based on the wedding of a Dutch national who chose to get married in the country.

http://www.bohol.ph
- if you need some useful and practical advice on how to get married in the country.

http://www.weddingsatwork.com
- this is a collection of Filipino wedding traditions and cultural practices. They even have a Barbie and Ken wedding page where the couple dressed up in Filipino wedding attire! Ken is seen wearing a Barong Tagalog while Barbie dons a Maria Clara wedding dress.

How to Start a Business in the Philippines

Here are several links where you will find information on how to do business in the Philippines.

http://www.gov.ph/- for businesses and NGO's
For business and NGO's - online services

http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph
Provides a general view of the Philippines' economic, social, political climate. It gives you important information about the country's assets and strategic positioning which any businessmen who plan to set up businesses in the country can profitably use.

http://www.livinginthephilippines.com
The Philippines has been the only English speaking country in Asia ever since international businesses came to establish their presence in the region. Its culture is known for hospitality, warm and friendly people. You can enjoy a high quality standard of living inexpensively.

http://www.doingbusiness.org
Starting a Business in Philippine - summarizes the procedures and costs associated with setting up a business in Philippines.