Now this is not the main reason for this article, but I want to explain a little history.

I had dreams of making an income from advertisements on the site. I soon found out, this is a difficult way to make an income online. Most readers of blogs come to read and do not even notice the ads. I then put the “Donate” button on the sidebar and then on the bottom of each post. Some readers have been kind and I do receive a donation at times, but this is not enough to support myself, my family or really cover the time and costs of this site.

I have mentioned my architectural experiences in articles and had a few who have inquired about me doing design, full construction documents for permitting and even managing construction. I have done a few designs and then never went further. I have wondered if my free designs were giving to someone else or not, I never made any money for my time.

I started this site mainly to journal my life as an American living in Davao, hence the name American in Davao.  At first, many of my articles and photos were about my family and my life. Over time, I have developed to write more about how life is here for a Foreigner in third world country.  I try to tell the truth and not “sugar coating” what observations or advice.  There are many wonderful parts to living here, but there are difficulties too. I have tried to assist people to understand how to conduct themselves here and how to be careful in different situations. Many times my wife Elena has assisted too.

Over time, I have had many comments or direct emails asking for advice, information or even assistance. I have helped visitors find accommodations, helped locate restaurants, doctors and shopping. I have had many emails from future Expats-to-be or from men with online girlfriends who were planning to move here and I have offered any assistance I can give.

Last month I was surprised when I received an email from an International Relocation Service. They had a client company sending a representative here to Davao to open a branch office. I was offered the position as a consultant to assist this person find acceptable accommodations such as a furnished house or apartment, obtaining a bank account, services and a list of restaurants, entertainment, attractions and activities.  I would be paid for expenses, mileage and an hourly rate for a preset number of hours.  The hourly rate was good even if I was in the states.

I accepted the offer and then started trying to locate high-end furnished rentals. This was no easy task. It is not like in the states with magazines and classifieds listing all the apartments and houses for rent. There are some websites that individual real estate agents have, but sometimes they do not have decent descriptions, places shown are already rented or the furnishings are not what would be desired. I felt it was my responsibility to visit as many as I could before this man arrived. I did not want to embarrass myself by bringing him to a location and discovering there was problems.

In addition, many real estate agents do not want to show a property to someone in my position with the fear I would steal the business and they would lose their commission. I did locate a few on my own and found some to be below the standard needed and one that was great. I also planned to show him a place that would be good for a temporary   residence until we could find something better.  To make this long story shorter, we found a place he liked and with my wife’s help, we negotiated a good price.

During this process, I received an email from a man planning to come here in the near future and asked, from reading my site, if I offer any services.  I told him I could offer myself and car for transportation around town, help him find accommodations and local attractions he might enjoy. I told him I would not help him find women or clubs where he can find women.

This man replied he was coming to meet his online girlfriend and offered to pay me to drive them to different attractions in the city. He stated he did not want to ride Jeepneys or has to worry about hiring drivers and/or taxis where language could present a problem.

Today I met a person who is somewhat new to the city. While we were talking about these services, he told me, if he had known about me before he moved here, he would have liked to have someone who could have assisted him finding an apartment, finding and purchasing furnishings and even getting services such as cable and internet. He said he would have had no problem paying me for my time assisting him.

Another friend I have made is planning to come visit his girlfriend he met online. Her birthday is soon and asked if my wife would assist him in buying her a present. He sent us the funds for the purchase. Elena was happy to assist. For this, he offered to take us to dinner once here and to bring both of us certain items we would like from the States.

Some people I have met through this site have offered remuneration, bringing me items from the states I might need, or just a nice dinner with my wife. All of these offers have been nice.  Even though I would like to earn a steady income, being able to assist fellow foreigners with needs, information or advice is something I am enjoying and will continue to do so. If there is a way to assist and earn, I am not against that either. From these few earnings and from the donations I have received it makes me feel it was the right thing to keep this site going and continue the time to write articles and answer comments.

It is also all my visitors to my site that shows me this site has a need and a worth.  Even though it is difficult to find items to write the three articles I try to publish every week, I will do so as long as I am able.

Thank you all for showing me my effort and work is appreciated.

With this site, and many readers, I have been asked to get information for some people, answer questions, locate items and also assist people either moving here or once here finding places to rent. I always do my best to help when asked.

About three months ago, one of the readers here contacted me. He was soon to arrive in Davao and asked if I know of a nice apartment to rent on a monthly basis for his stay. He was planning an extended vacation and felt if he could rent a place cheaper than a hotel, and had the ability to cook some of his own meals, he could remain here for a few months. The day he arrived, he emailed me, and then sent me a text. I told him of about the apartelle I posted about on June 30th. Click here to read.
I also offered to meet him at his hotel and drive him to see the accommodations. As soon as he viewed the apartment available, he said he would take it. I drove him back to his hotel where he checked out, brought his luggage down and I drove him back. He became a real friend that day and stayed here 2 ½ months until he needed to return home quickly because of an illness in his family.

Last Friday I was contacted again by an American who just arrived in Davao and with a similar request. This man is planning to live here in Davao but wanted to locate a place to rent, fully furnished with all the amenities including wifi or internet access. I directed him to the article I had posted, and again as in the past, I offered to pick him at his hotel and drive him to see the apartments. I met him at 10 am at a nearby coffee shop and we talked a little, then I drove him and his girlfriend to see the apartment. Just as with the previous person, he liked it right away and I drove him back to check out of his hotel and after we stopped for lunch, I brought him to move in. Just as the first person I met and showed the apartment, we sat for a few hours talking and soon realized we felt comfortable with each other to be friends.

With both these people, they asked to pay me something for my time and gasoline. I told them to give me what they felt they thought was applicable and I was treated fairly.

Also from my time here, and my associations with tradesman and architects, I have been asked for design assistance and to possibly help with getting a house built. Many times someone has needed a painter, electrician, carpenter, mason or other building or repair needs.

Recently a friend replaced an old hot water unit in his shower. The new unit drew more current than the old one and after about a minute of use, it blew the breaker. He asked me if I had an electrician. I contacted my best contact and two hours later, I brought my electrician to his house. The electrician went into the attic, checked the wiring and gave his recommendations, a part list of needs and his fee for labor. My friend agreed and within two hours, the job was done.

Earlier this week, another friend contacted me. He bought a new range with a lift cover and an exhaust fan unit. Unfortunately his kitchen cabinet was too low to even raise the glass cover. My friend wanted to have the cabinet bottom raised, the exhaust fan wired and a hole to the outside for the exhaust outlet. I contacted my carpenter and the next evening brought him to my friend’s house. They discussed the project and my friend also realized with the location of the range, he would have room to add an “L” extension to the lower cabinet between the range and the existing cabinet. My carpenter looked over the project, made a parts list and decided it would take four days with him and a helper. He gave my friend the labor fee and my friend agreed. The project started Wednesday and on Friday I visited the house, most of the work was done and the tile on the cabinet extension was complete. It matched so well, once painted, it would look original. Saturday I met with my friend in the evening and asked about the project. He told me it was done and he was completely satisfied with the work and will keep my friend in mind for future needs.

After we hired our domestic helper, Elena was asked by a few friends if she could get helpers for them. Elena called her sister-in-law and about a week later, she came to Davao with three girls for Elena’s friends.

I enjoy these situations. I get to help foreigners that need assistance and also get to help Filipinos whom I know with their businesses. If I make a commission, that is fine, but not my main objective. Maybe someday it will turn into a real business or someone will offer me a position or a way to earn some income because of our connections.

I receive emails often from readers about places to stay when visiting, planning an extended stay or actually moving to Davao.

This is a difficult question to answer. There are many places here in Davao. For Hotels there are many from high rated Hotels to small inexpensive ones.

If someone is planning to stay for a few days or just one or two weeks I would suggest a hotel and there are many sites that list the hotels and give discounts.

For someone planning to stay for one month to a few months, a hotel can get quite expensive.

Also if you planning to move here and need time to look for a house or apartment rental, you need time to learn the city and decide what part or area you prefer to live.

I do suggest if you’re looking to buy or build a home, taking the time to look around the different areas of subdivisions are even more important since you do not want to buy and then decide you prefer to live elsewhere.

One nice option here for monthly rates if you’re visiting, or just a decent place and price as you get your bearings is an Apartelle. An apartelle is a term for a small efficiency type of apartment. They come in different sizes and amenities.

As a way to help and advise some of the email queries I received I had visits a few of these places and I found one that I was impressed with. It is called Jun-Del Apartelle. It is in Bajada in the Rivera Village Subdivision. They have two buildings, one when you first enter the subdivision and one around the corner.

All of their units have cable TV, an aircon unit, a decent size CR (bathroom) with lavatory, flush toilets and a shower with a water heater unit, a refrigerator, queen size bed, built in wardrobe and a table with chairs. They also have wifi for internet access. Rooms are cleaned daily and bed linens changes every week.

They also have at both locations a small store to buy drinks, snacks and some canned items.

The location nearest the entry to the subdivision has nice and comfortable size rooms with all the items listed. Out front they have a nice area to sit, a TV and a pool table. There is also a community kitchen to use for cooking and an area to do your laundry with clothes lines to dry. They also have a covered roof deck to relax with an area for a massage therapist on call to come and relieve any tensions.

The other location has 2 size rooms with kitchens. The bigger accommodation has a Queen size bed, small couch that can be opened for an extra bed and phones. The kitchen comes with a rice cooker, electric burner to cook plus pots, pans, dishes, flatware and glasses.

There are also smaller units with a  single bed and kitchen.

It also has a nipa style gazebo to sit out at and parking inside the compound.

Both locations also have nighttime security. Laundry service is avaliable for a small fee. During heavy rains, at times, it is difficult to get a taxi. If this happens the owner will come pick you up with their vehicle.

Currently the rates per month are as follows:

Units without kitchens:                   12,000 Php
Larger Units with kitchen:
Ground Floor: 21,000 Php
Second and Third Floor: 18,000 Php
Small single bed units w/ kitchen 12,000Php

As you see from the photos both locations are bright and clean.

I have gotten to know the owners and if you need, I can contact them and check availability and make reservations for you. If you’re already in Davao, I would be happy to drive you there and make introductions to get you the best deal.

When checking in they need one month’s deposit and a months advance.

I guess first I need to explain how most houses are constructed here in the Philippines.
The exterior and interior walls are made from a 4 inch thick masonry block. They are made with a low quality concrete and are not used as a structural element. There are formed and poured concrete columns and beams for structure and then the 4 inch block is more of just a fill.

If you watch the construction, the mortar joints are very uneven and there sometimes not full and smooth.
After the wall is up they use a concrete plaster to cover the exterior and interior walls like a stucco finish. This is their way of covering all mistakes. Unfortunately over time the plaster cracks.

If you ever want to add electrical or plumbing, you need to chip out the wall and then re-concrete it closed.

Back to my frustration;

Here for clothesline we use a thick gage steel wire. To attach it in the past to the wall I got plastic expansion anchors that you drill a hole and the screw expands the anchor. Well over time the concrete crumbles under the weight of wet cloths and fell out. I next got Sleeve Anchors but 2 of them failed too. Today using a bigger anchor the wall kept crumbling. I had to break out more of the hole, mix some concrete to fill it solid and as soon as it sets I will then try again.

Think how easy it is in the States where you have studs and drywall. Any time you want to hang a picture, you just use the thin nail and a picture hook. Here you need to get some item to attach to concrete.

I have to accept it since I have no choice but in the future, if I am able to build a house, all interior walls will be metal studs with either concrete board or regular drywall.

I went to Junbac’s Car Wash on Mamay Road just off of Diversion road. I remember a few months ago seeing it built. If it is morning they even offer a free cup of coffee.
The whole car wash is covered with seats in the waiting area. They offer a newspaper to read while waiting too.

I was surprised when I first used one. I had thought it was a bunch of people with buckets of soapy water and rags. Not so. They have air compressors, power washers and foam soap machines and a lot of personel.

When you first drive in, someone takes out your floor mats and vacuums and even beats the dust out of them. Then they vacuum the whole inside of the car and even the inside of the trunk.

Then the car is hosed down and pre-washed. With a power washer they hose the car and even in the wheel wells. They rub their hands over all they spray to feel for any missed debris. They even open the doors and with an expert practiced aim spray the areas of the door and door frame that is not accessable until opened.
After the pre-wash they cover the car with a foam wash and the car is washed again.
Every area is washed, inspected and washed again. They also use wheel black on the tires to make them look new.

The whole process takes 30 minutes or longer depending on how dirty the car is.

The first time I was there I asked if they do full detailing inside and out and if they do waxing. They said no. I mentioned so far I have only known of one place downtown and gave them a flyer I had in the car.

The other week I went back to get my car washed and even met the owner. I told him about the flyer I had given their old manager and he told me he took my advice and now do waxing too.

I do not remember their prices for waxing but for a car wash it is only 50 pesos for a small economy size car, 60 for mid size and 70 for large. They also give discounts for taxis, jeepneys and motorcabs,