Stephen Hall, a 68-year-old former record shop owner from Bolton, has been stranded in the Philippines for 18 months after motorcycle thieves stole a bag containing his passport, mobile phone, camera, reading glasses, gig ticket, bank card and money. He now survives on oatmeal and cheap bread, with only £20 to his name.
How the ordeal began
Hall first visited the Philippines over a year ago to attend a music gig. After the theft, he contacted the British consulate in Manila but missed his scheduled departure in January 2025 due to administrative issues. Although a new emergency passport was issued and a flight home via China and Qatar was arranged, Hall faced a £300 penalty for overstaying his visa. Instead of paying, he decided to challenge the fine and postpone his return, causing his emergency passport to expire again.
Appeal won but blacklisted
Despite winning his appeal against the fine, Hall says he has been “blacklisted” by Filipino officials who claim he should have left by December 2025. His formal complaint to the UK Foreign Office went unaddressed. He now lives in a hostel in Cebu, relying on free food samples from a mall and credit from hostel staff.
Living on porridge and bread
Hall told the Manchester Evening News: “I have a bowl of oatmeal in the morning and then buy a cheap loaf of bread when it's half price and a buy a boiled egg and make a sandwich. I have not had a full meal now for six months.” He described the situation as “surreal” and said he has only the equivalent of £20 in pesos left.
Desperate conditions
“The situation is really bad. There's a lot of rain here and a lot of rats and it's dirty. At least I have a roof over my head when it's raining. But I know it could get worse. I could be here until next December. I've already been stranded here for 18 months and I have no passport and no ticket back to England,” he added.
A game of snakes and ladders
Hall compared his plight to a game of snakes and ladders: “I get almost to the end and I hit a snake and go all the way back down to the beginning again.” He spends his days walking around, watching tennis, and visiting the mall hoping to meet someone who can help, such as a lawyer from England.
Appeal for help
“My only hope is meeting someone with a lot of money who will buy me a ticket home. I've got no money to afford to pay for another passport. I'm in a desperate situation,” he said. Hall expressed frustration that the UK government has not assisted him, noting that he has paid taxes and national insurance all his life.
Government response
A representative for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated: “We are supporting a British man in Manila, including providing advice and assistance with departure options, and are in contact with the local authorities.”
