Manila Communication

Internet Service Providers (ISP's)

Philippine Internet Service Organization (PISO)-over 30 ISP members in organization www.piso.org.ph. There are over 100 ISP's now in the Philippines-this is a brief listing of some popular companies:

Destiny Internet www.mydestiny.net

Epic Net www.epic.net

Evolution Services www.evoserve.com

Impactnet Information Systems www.impactcentral.com

Mailstation Net www.mailstation.net

Mosaic Communications www.mozcom.com

Now Cable Internet www.now.com.ph

Pacific Internet www.pacific.net.ph

Philworld Online www.pworld.net.ph

Sequel.Net www.sequel.net

Sky Internet www.skyinet.net

SoHo-Connect www.iconn.com.ph

Virtual Asia www.vasia.com

Worldtel Philippines worldtelphil.com

World Touch Technology www.wtouch.net

ZPDee Cable Internet www.zpdee.net

Newspapers & Other Media
The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today.

 Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world.

There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM.

 

Delivery of Newspapers and Magazines
Generally, it's not recommended having magazines mailed from outside the Philippines as they tend get lost in the mail system. Locally ordered magazines and international newspapers, such as Time Magazine and International Herald Tribune, can be delivered to your home or office by messenger.

Manila Home Delivery Newspaper Titles
Websites of newspapers available for home delivery in Manila:

International Tribune www.iht.com

USA Today www.usatoday.com/feedback/buyasia.htm

Asian Wall Street Journal www.awsj.com then click "Asia" on WSJ home page. To subscribe to AWSJ info.wsj.com/awsj/subhome.html

Manila Bulletin www.mb.com.ph/frntpage.asp

Manila Times www.manilatimes.net

Philippine Star www.philstar.com

Philippine Inquirer www.inquirer.net

Online Philippine news organization www.abs-cbnnews.com/abs/home.nsf/fplookup/home

Post Office Box/Lock Box

Besides receiving mail at your residence and place of employment, you may reserve a post office box. There are boxes at the Makati Central Post Office in the CBD and also at Dasmarinas Village post office. There may be more locations. These boxes are also called "lock boxes". The fee in nominal, around P400 annually and you will be given a small key. We did this and it turned out to be very convenient as we changed houses several times and never had to revise our address to overseas friends and family. A lock box also gives you an additional measure of security, as you are not releasing your specific residence address.

Post Office Locations
Makati Central Post Office
Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel: 81-0150

Manila Main Post Office
Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Lawton, Manila
Tel: 527-0069

Ortigas Center Post Office
Emerald Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Tel: 635-2425

Pasay Central Post Office
Aurora Blvd., Pasay City
Tel: 831-8258

Quezon City Post Office
NIA Rd., Diliman, Quezon City
Tel: 926-3170 or 928-6420

San Juan Post Office
Pinaglabanan corner P. Guevarra St., San Juan

Village Post Offices
Some of the residential village, such as Dasmarinas, have Post Offices at the Village Association Building. They sell postage stamps, money transfers, and will mail small packages to both domestic and overseas addresses. This can be very convenient! The Forbes Post Office has recently closed due to lack of patronage. Also look for mail stations in malls if you are short on stamps etc.

Package Delivery - Customs Information
Some small packages or large mailing size envelopes are delivered directly to the house. However, more often than not, packages are held at the nearest large post office and you get a notification card stating from which post office and window to pick up your package. You must bring the card with you, or sign it and give your driver your id (a drivers license -never your passport) and cash to pick up the package. The inspectors will cut open and search the package before clearing the item. The Philippine Postal Corporation or Bureau of Customs charges range from P10 to P50 to clear your package. They are looking for dutiable items or contraband.

Family/Company Drivers

Many people utilize their drivers to deliver personal mail such as invitations within their area and businesses will often use couriers/messengers to deliver mail.

 

Corporate Pouch

Many companies offer their employees an overnight express mail package service on a periodic (weekly or monthly) basis. It is worth asking your employer if they would arrange mail via a clearinghouse company or mail forwarding service.

Messengers

Some companies, publications, schools and businesses utilize private delivery services. The messengers usually travel on a motorcycle. A signature is required by the one receiving the package or statement for their records

Express Delivery Options

- Federal Express www.fedex.com/ph There are numerous drop off centers at both FedEx's World Service Centers and FedEx Stations. Locations include those at Greenbelt, Park Square, and Campos Rueda in Makati City, centers in Pasig City, Quezon City as well as other centers all over Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. In Makati call Fedex at 632-887-2131 to 38. See the web site for a complete listing.

- DHL www.dhl.com/main_index.html From pull down menu, Philippines. This site also lists import guidelines into the Philippines- what is prohibited and size, weight, and value restrictions. Drop off center: World Center Building 6th floor 330 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City, Manila tel. 632-879-8888 monday thru friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm saturday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm holidays 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

- UPS www.ups.com/asia/ph/engindex.html or www.ups.com see region, Asia Pacific, Philippines. For general inquiry, to arrange for pick up or to order supplies call to: Metro Manila office 888 Dellbros Ave. Barrio Sto. Nino Paranaque Metro Manila, Philippines 1770 tel. 632-853-3333, 512-1355, 512-1350 open 24 hours. Drop off center: Makati City office 3rd floor The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave. Makati City 1200 tel. 632-886-5401 hours M-F 9:00 am to 6:00 pm sat 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

- United States Postal Service www.usps.com Priority Mail Global Guaranteed web site www.pmgg.usps.com. Shipping within 2 - 3 business days from the US to the Philippines. Ships to 200 countries world wide.