Sorry I didn't catch that one too. Yes, the 21 day thing is in fact accurate, but is fairly easy (and inexpensive) to get a visa extension. Even more so if you strategically throw a few pesos around to the folks in immigration.

"Fixers" are quite common in any government office in the Philippines. You don't have to look for them, they will usually find you if you look well to do. If you are prepared to spend a few hundred to a thousand (pesos) extra you can accomplish more in two hours than you will all day of going it alone. The fixing angle also provides the added security of having your documents hand carried, as opposed to handing them to someone and hoping they will not be "lost."

Be sure to dress nicely before going to immigration. They actually have a dress code, although a business suit might be overdress and impractical due to the climate.

It's a good thing that you are traveling with someone who is a veteran of Phils. It can be a mind numbing experience for a new comer and there are quite a few opportunistic locals who would be more than happy to take advantage of a foreigner.