1.What
is the weather like there most of the year?
The weather for most part of the year is generally pleasant. We
have only 2 seasons in the country. The dry and the wet season.
It rains everyday from the month of june,july, august, til mid-september.
It gets really hot during april, that is 40-45 C. And relatively
cool ca. 15 C from December, January, and February, when the ice
starts to melt from china and japan, it brings a cool refreshing
breeze.
2. When is the best time to visit?
Many tourists and Balik-bayan (returning residents) prefer to
come and visit during the months of December, January, and February.
It is not so hot compared to the other months of the year.
2.Is
there a danger to me living there being an American and being
close to Mindanao?
Not really, you are pretty much safe as
an american or caucasian in the northern and central philippines.
The problem zone or let's say, danger zone is down south in mindanao.
Cebu is a safe and peaceful harbor esp. where foreigners are concerned.
3. Can I live comfortable enough
on 1000 dollars a month there?
It really depends on what standard of living
you want to maintain. But a thousand dollars a month is more than
sufficient to have a comfortable lifestyle. Many filipino families
thrive even on 500 dollars a month or less. It really depends
on the individual and the type of lifestyle he/she wants to lead.
4.
Are foreigners allowed to buy properties in the Philippines?
Foreigners are allowed to buy properties
in the Philippines ,
for non-commercial purposes , provided, they are married
to
a native of the country. However, there are other alternatives
of owning land in the country such as a forming a local Corporation, or
a 99 Year Lease.
Please e-mail me, for further details.
We also have a special retirement program for foreigners,
wherein it is possible for foreigners to acquire land
and a permanent visa in the Philippines for a certain amount
of fee. Please "click" below for details:
"PHILIPPINE RETIREMENT
PROGRAM"
Please check your local Philippine embassy in your own corresponding
country for updates of this program.
Foreigners are allowed to own Condominiums.
About Camotes Island:
1.Is there electricity in camotes Island?
Yes.
2.
a. Is there water?
Yes, there is water. Sources of water is
a generator,
as well as deep spring wells and electric pump
.
Also the locals collect rain-water with big barrels attached to
their houses.
b. Is bottled water available?
Yes, bottled water is available.
3. Is there Telephone available in Camotes
Island?
Not all over the island. There are public
calling centers in most major towns. Cellulars pick up reception
but not in all parts of the island.
4. Is there an internet cafe in this island?
No, there is no internet cafe in the island.
The only way to hook up on the internet is through a cellular
or a local phone. The dial-up connection would most likely come
from cebu, which is charged as long distance. This would be a
very costly connection.
5. How about cable TV?
There are no cable TV's in the island nor
satellite. If you are lucky, your TV can pick up 2 or 3 local
channels from the neighboring islands. Popular recreations are
private videos or karaoke bars. people from the island love to
sing, dance, and play the guitar.
6. Is there a night life, or bars?
Not in this island, there are so-called
local village dances called "baile"
wherein the locals party outdoors and dance till the wee hours
of the morning.
The whole village and visitors are all welcome..
7.Are there roads
in this island, and what are the conditions of the road?
Yes, there are roads in this island.
The roads in town are in a good condition. But as you head towards
the countryside or sea, the roads are unfortunately in such a
sorry state that my father, who grew up in this island, claims
that the roads were in a better condition in his youth. I jokingly
called them, "mooncraters".
8.
Are they building cottages for rent?
There are simple cottages for rent with
very basic comforts. We do not have the chain of hotels and restaurants in the island similar to Cebu. There are
no hotels in the island except for some simple lodges with a few
clean rooms. the town also offer a tourist program called the
Homestay, wherein the locals offer a clean room. Naturally, this
is the best way of interacting with the people, and having a glimpse
of their daily lives.
Please visit Conni Island's Paradise.
9.What about school system , is there any
classes where they teaching in English, or is it all in tagalog
or local Cebuano???
The students start with local Cebuano, as they grow older English
and our national Language, Tagalog is integrated.
10. a)Am searching for detailed map of San
Francisco island especially the Esperanza area. Maybe you can
advise me where to find it.
b) Can you tell me if there is a website
that would tell me the distance
between Cebu international airport and other places within Cebu.As
I am
planning on traveling there in April 2003 specifically to Talisay
city. Any
help would be appreciated.
you could try the NAMRIA web site, It is http://www.namria.gov.ph/
11. Do they have banks in the island?
They have only one bank in the island, and it is situated in Poro.
No, they do not have ATM machines.
conni enjoying her private beach in esperanza,camotes
