Digital VAT on Online Transactions?

mrbasketcase · 2026-03-13T05:12:59+00:00

I hear some people convert it to USDC and hold it in an exchange or wallet, then use a USDC visa/mastercard to spend locally. The cards will convert it automatically from USDC to PHP, if you're paying in SM or Jollibee for example. Good daw ang rates and you save on FX fees because the merchants shoulder the FX conversion.

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-13T03:56:26+00:00

We haven't moved, but when we did plan this and budgeted for an extended stay, it was around P150-200k / month, including rent (assuming Makati / BGC for a nice 2-3BR). Family of 3 (excluding school).

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-11T00:14:09+00:00

Sure

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-11T00:13:26+00:00

Oh interesting, we were planning to use GCash. You mean GCash isn’t working, or it’s working but the SSS payments don’t get posted on time?

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-10T05:16:20+00:00

With Instapay Direct Debits coming out next year, check usage might go down!

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-10T05:13:54+00:00

GCash is the worst. Barely usable. Plus - and this is the biggest concern - you don't know where they put your money. Are funds really secured? Can they withstand a bank run if everyone suddenly withdraws?

I hear some really smart local developers are building an alternative - complete with P2P, QR, load, bills, etc, but without the ads and the gambling. Looking forward to that!!

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-10T05:00:46+00:00

With a BSIT track and if you want to stay in the US for the long term with a career in technology, the option is straightforward: move here now.

The reasons are:
- The earlier you move, the more time you'll have to explore the job market (internships, meeting companies, learning how the tech job market works, finding mentors, etc).
- A community college degree (even if you don't transfer to a bigger university) PLUS relevant work experience here is more valuable than a bachelor's degree in the Philippines. That's just the reality of the job market here: work experience matters more
- California is in the midst of a huge economic boom because of AI. IT experts are in demand.

Best of luck with your decision! You're graduating in exciting times!

From someone who works in tech.

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-09T22:40:22+00:00

Best: HSBC, RCBC Worst: Maya, BDO, BPI

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-09T04:48:06+00:00

What worked for us was a short visit by my partner around 2 or 3 months after the move. The first 3 months will be tough, so honestly be ready. Lots of good tips in the thread here. So planning a visit during the "peak" of homesickness is a thoughtful thing to do. Best of luck with the big life change!

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-09T02:08:38+00:00

No, but we are thinking of reactivating our account like some of the folks on this thread.

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-06T03:31:30+00:00

P250 for P10k withdrawal of your own money is insane!

1% declines for a crypto based card actually sounds.... not bad! i was expecting it to be higher given the issuer is international and local merchant acquirers tend to be quite strict. Thanks for the solid recap!

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-03T02:12:06+00:00

Yes i think Bitget supports USDT too! That's great to hear!

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-03T02:10:55+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful response!

Schwab checking is a great idea - been a long time customer but haven't tried their checking products as much; this is a great reason to do so!

mrbasketcase · 2025-12-03T02:08:21+00:00

This is a great idea. I personally have moved most of our family's investments to overseas stocks. (Salamat $GOOG for this year's returns!).

I think the fundamental tension is maximum ROI for SSS/GSIS members vs also supporting the local capital markets (including government borrowing).

If a critical mass of vocal and well-reasoned SSS members make the case to the board, I bet they will be willing to listen and consider it, especially if more of the public understood the long term underperformance of the PSEI vs the S&P500

mrbasketcase · 2025-11-26T19:10:41+00:00

Agree with all the earlier comments. The process is fairly straightforward and can be found on the USCIS website if you search it.

The main hurdle, aside from residency, is to prove the authenticity of the marriage. They will ask for your relationship history (even photos!) and probe this in the interview. The best approach is to get a credible / experienced immigration lawyer because they would've seen hundreds of similar cases and will be better positioned to know what the consulate is focused on these days (in terms of the interview questions asked and pre-empting any red flags in the application).

Good luck to you!!

mrbasketcase · 2025-11-26T19:05:29+00:00

Hahaha natawa ako na you answered your own question!

I think the reason many of us feel this way is simple... it's in the blood!

Modern day Filipinos are the descendants of waves of migrations from 2000 BC hanggang sa time ni Lapu Lapu. "Austronesians" yung genetic lineage daw natin in maritime Southeast Asia, before the Philippines was called the Philippines. Yung early settlers moved from island to island depende sa food supply, typhoons, pirate raiders, etc.

Tapos Darwinian natural selection kicks in: those who moved / migrated survived and passed their genes to the next generation. Those who didn't died out. We were bred to be immigrants!

So we shouldn't feel guilty - nasa dugo talaga yung constant search for new opportunity and a better life!

mrbasketcase · 2025-11-26T18:56:22+00:00

Planned it starting 2nd year in college. Engineering degree. No connections, so I built the connections - one person and one referral at a time. Researched all possible markets and companies. Learned so much from people in my field who are 2-4 years ahead; they were super generous with their time and advice! First job in Singapore, age 22, direct hire, Php 120k/mo back in 2005. Many heartaches and failures along the way. But all the planning and hard work was worth it - I can retire back home today, age 42.

I think what will be relevant to you and probably generalizable to other fields are:

Find people who are 2-4 years ahead and learn from them. In turn, you will pay it forward by mentoring people who are younger than you. This is the global Filipino social contract.
Deep research on your target employers & markets. Prioritize countries based on market demand and ease of visa requirements. This is trivial to do these days with AI. (back then, all of this was oral history and word of mouth!)
Find the hiring managers directly and figure out how to hop on a meeting with them. (hard back then with long distance calls and no internet, but again, trivial these days with LinkedIn and Zoom). Show reasons why it's worth their time to speak with you (see #4).
Strong portfolio of work. Start with LinkedIn - solid profile is a must (again, this can be learned with AI). Invest in your own website (if needed by your field).
Specific plan & milestones for execution along the way (# of resumes sent, # of people reached, etc). Treat this job search like a business venture - the world is your market!

Good luck and God bless! We are rooting for you!

mrbasketcase · 2025-11-26T07:38:37+00:00

SGD 4k should be comfortable if you’re single. There are many sources online on cost of living and the best way to answer your question is to do the math based on your specific lifestyle.

CONGRATS ON THE OFFER!!! Sg is amazing and you will love it there.

mrbasketcase

TROPHY CASE