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Philippines Information
This page contains practical information about your trip to the Philippines to see a Psychic Surgeon with a Group or Individual trip.
As Psychic Surgery is mainly practiced in the towns of Baguio or San Fernando, these are the places I will concentrate on.
The Philippines
- A large coastal country with 7,107 islands
- Three separate regions with Mindanao in the south, Visayas in the middle and Luzon in the north
- Manila is the capital (about 12 millions residents with suburb)
About 100 millions people inhabit the Philippines.
An increase in population of 45% occurred between 1990 and 2008 making the Philippines the twelfth most populated country in the world.
It is not unusual to see large families with a dozen children in the islands. These are often from poor parents, and few receive an education that leads to rewarding jobs.
Most Filipinos are gentle people. Young or old, male or female, will frequently smile at you in the streets.
Flying to the Philippines
You can fly to Manila (MNL) or to Clark (CRK) to visit us.
Click here for a list of airlines that fly to Clark.
Traveling from Manila to the Psychic Surgeon
During the week, the journey from Manila can take 7 to 9 hours depending on traffic. This is the reason why I only pick people up on Sundays.
Traveling with us in private transport on a Sunday is not so bad, it takes about 5 hours. Only 3.5 hours if you land at Clark International Airport.
Transport in the Philippines
 A Jeepney |
 A trike |
 Cheap transport |
Taxis are common in big cities.
Taxis in Manila unfortunately often refuse to set their meters, and request an inflated fixed price for the journey. This is not the case at Manila airport that is strictly regulated.
Jeepneys are frequent, and a cheap mean of transport. You must try them at least once on your trip.
Trikes are reasonably priced and they will take you anywhere locally.
I would not recommend going on a motorcycle as these can be overcrowded...
Buses and private cars are the only transport available between Manila and the healers. No operational airport is currently close to your destination.
Buses are often in the news in the Philippines as many of their drivers take too many risks overtaking in bends or on top of a hill. It is a dangerous mean of transport.
The Roads
Out of the 203,025 kilometers (126,154 miles) of roads in the Philippines, only around 20% of the total is properly paved.
Pollution
Pollution in the Philippines can be horrendous.
Many Jeepneys, buses and some cars spew a black smoke when accelerating.
Bad news for the lungs.
Internet
This is available in all the hotels we use on our trips. Many internet cafes may be found in towns.
Languages
An amazing 171 dialects are spoken in the Philippines. The main language is Tagalog.
English is spoken in all hotels and restaurants we use.
Religion
90% Christians with 80% Catholics and 10% Protestant
Mindanao in the south has a concentration of Muslims, and you may have seen negative News reports about this. We stay in the north, and there is no problem.
Health Care
Many doctors have trained in the USA.
It is easy to receive general medical care in the towns we visit.
Food
Vegetables, and fruits, are plenty in the Philippines.
My own diet forces me to eat healthily. If you come on one of my group trips, I will take you to a health food restaurant for lunch.
There is a huge choice of different sea food, chicken, beef and pork in most restaurants.
Weather
You can see Psychic Surgeons any time of the year in the Philippines. The less busy times are from June to mid-October.
If you don't like hot weather, come between the middle of October to the end of February. The surgeons are often very busy at that time so book early.
Temperatures are high between the end of March and the end of June.
Most catastrophes linked to bad weather occur in the south, or mid area of the Philippines. The furthest north tip of the island of Luzon is also often hit.
If you come between the end of June and September, I recommend that your bring an umbrella.
Money
Check this web page for up to date Customs, Currency & Airport tax regulation details.
The taking in, and out, of Philippine currency in excess of PhP10,000 is strictly prohibited.
Foreign currency in excess of US$10,000 carried by the traveler
must be declared at the Bureau of Customs Desk in the airport.
My information may be out of date so please make sure that you check this web page.
Traveler's' cheques are almost impossible to cash.
If you are coming to see psychic surgeon Laurence Cacteng, make sure you get some Euros prior to leaving your country. Laurence does not accept credit cards. He charges 70 Euros per treatment. Ten treatments are needed for a body clean up. More if you are having more than 10 treatments.
If you still owe money to Patrick, this should also be in Euros cash.
My advice is to bring Euros cash with you. Laurence will ask you for payment for 10 treatments on day 1, and so will Patrick. This way your money will be safe.
The local currency in the Philippines is the pesos (Php).
Credit cards are not accepted everywhere.
ATM machines where you can collect cash with a credit or debit cards are plenty.
Getting cash with a credit card in a bank can be difficult.
Accommodation
There are numerous good hotels in the Philippines. Here is a selection for Manila:
If you want me to pick you up, the hotel you must stay at is Lotus Garden.
Cost of Living
Hotel prices vary immensely depending on what you are looking for.
A meal will set you back between 300 and 500 pesos depending on your choice of foods.
Safety
Same rules as in any other country:
- Avoid going out at night unless you know the area is safe.
- Do not accept lifts from people you do not know.
- Do not flash your money around. Keep it hidden in a pocket or body bag.
- I would NOT recommend that you carry a bag with you when walking around.
- Avoid cheap hotels.
The hotels we use on our trips all have a safe where you can store passport, money and other valuables.
Emergency number in the Philippines: 911.
You may have heard stories about kidnapping and insecurity in the Philippines. All
happened in the southern island of Mindanao where groups of Muslim
operate. I have not heard of such incidents happening in Luzon where we
stay.
Electricity
Many islands only received electricity at the turn of this century.
Current is 220-240 Volts.
Plugs are similar to those used in the USA (see picture).
You can purchase plug adapters at most airports.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are not very active in Baguio. You can purchase a cream or spray from your local health food shop, prior to your departure, if mosquitoes tend to bother you. I do not recommend products with Deet in it as it is toxic.
Mosquito feeding time is mainly at sunset and sunrise.. They usually leave you alone during the day.
If you are unwell, do not delay.
Individual Trip - Travel whenever you want
Group Trip - Join one of my organized group trips
