After one of our clients arrived here in February, 2004, he and I were talking about the cost of coming from the airport into Cebu City via taxi. The fare to his destination, should have run no more than around Php 150, if the driver had been using the meter. However, when this gentleman arrived, the driver of the taxi he boarded told him, "Flat rate Php 300, sir." He paid it without question, due it having in it set in his mind that it's only $6.00 USD (roughly calculating the figure in his head). Well, let me tell you something, that is a quick and easy way to spend every centavo here, that you have to your name. To get an even better perspective of what I'm talking about, take a look at It's only a dollar, after reading the brief information below:

I know some foreigners who retire here living on a $3,000 to $5,000 USD per month. But, most retires who live here are no where near that in a monthly retirement check. Okay, so maybe the "higher scale" fellows don't care about how much something may cost them, and are willing to pay that amount without saying a word. Fine, have at it. But, Filipinos are not going to have a drop of respect for them when they do that, ever. Of course, with that amount of income, maybe they just don't care. Not to mention, the ultimate amount it will cost us all, in the end.

Some fellows here, even a few millionaires I know, do follow the good advice though. Do note, this advice doesn't necessarily come from me. (I don't claim to be the world renowned know-it-all on information concerning the Philippines. Nor would I ever be so arrogant as to make such a statement with that in mind. However, I'm damned sure learning fast. That is a fact.)

Yes, I know Filipinos set the amount initially, and would be very happy to accept every centavo that you agreed to, plus a tip. However, it's up to you to be firm concerning what you are willing to pay for a service here, in many cases anyway. Taxis are one of those services. In the above case the guy should have told the taxi driver, "Metro na lang," but was ignorant of how to go about this.

Upon stating, "Metro na lang," you are telling the driver that you are only willing to pay only by meter, which is the way it should be. The driver is, most likely anyway, going to reply with, "The dispatcher sets the fee," or "Flat rate only." However, you have to be firm with people, in your negotiations. If they do not want to charge you by solely by the meter, get out and find another taxi that will. It's that simple. Just because you have recently arrived here with a handful of Pisos in your pocket, doesn't mean you have to give it all away, and certainly not in a foolish manner. So, do think about how you want to spend your money here.