This is a relatively new bar in town, less than a year old. In its previous iteration it was named T-Rose and from what I’ve been told was a pretty raunchy girly bar. No more, this is a straight-up neighborhood pub-style place now. The two owners, an Aussie and a Yank, are long-term local expats and I’d say a majority of the customers are their personal friends. One or both are always on hand to greet and welcome you to their bar, and there is just a comfortable “at home” vibe when you are their guest.
I always enjoy my time here. Usually, the laughs come easy. This actually happened (again) last night. I get a message from the 23-year-old and the following conversation ensued:
Her: Hi Me: Hello Her: What are you doing? Me. Drinking beer. Her: Where? Me: It doesn't matter. Her: Why? Me. I don't know.
Okay, so I’m easily amused. Bottom line is that It Doesn’t Matter is a well-run bar that treats you more like a friend than a customer. That’s what makes it one of my favorites.
Here are the rankings thus far:
- It Doesn’t Matter
- Alley Cats
- Blue Butterfly
- Out Back Billabong
- Dynamite Dick’s
- Hideaway
- Rosies
- Queen Victoria
- MacArthur’s
- Redz Pub
- Whiskey Girl
Again with the foreign ownership that shouldn’t be possible. Creative paperwork behind the scenes, I gather. These guys never get any hassles from immigration?
Anyway, It Doesn’t Matter looks to be a nice hangout.
Well, perhaps I should have said leaseholder instead of owner. I honestly don’t know the rules on starting a business, but the usual workaround is to put it in the name of a Filipino, usually a spouse. As for immigration, I know you can’t work on a tourist visa but I’m guessing that is not their status. They probably have a marriage visa or retirement visa.
Have you thought about getting a retirement visa? Sounds as if that would save you some hassle every 90 or so days.
My intention when I moved here was to go that route. Made a trip to Manila to apply directly with the Philippine Retirement Authority. Submitted my paperwork and they kept finding new hoops for me to jump through. On day 2, they told me my U.S. government pension statement issued by OPM and on government letterhead, would have to be apostilled at the US Embassy. That would mean making another appointment and another trip to Manila. I never went back.
I can renew the tourist visa every 60 days at the local immigration office. Costs about $60 each time. I have to leave the country every three years and then the clock resets. So it is pretty easy. I’ll still probably do the retirement visa at some point, but I’ll use a “fixer” to do all the leg work.
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