General Info

[AAA Hunter]

Hello gentlemen,

I didn't want to leave it at what I have observed in my years visiting the Philippines so here is a cut and past from doing some income research for the Philippines: Average Salary and Economy.

Average annual income in Philippines is around 248, 182 PHP (5, 800 USD) , according to 2011/2012 salary survey.

Philippines economy was in 2011 the 43rd largest on the world by its GDP. The largest industries in Philippines are electronics, outsourcing, automotive, mining and natural resources.

For example average salary of a CPA. Certified Public Accountant is around 360, 200 PHP. Operations Managers earn around 949, 000 PHP per year.

IT Average Salaries.

Employees in IT receive in average from around 450, 000 PHP to around 700, 000 PHP or more per year.

Zdnet Asia survey shows salaries from IT below. Survey is from year 2009 and salaries should be around 15. 20% higher in year 2012.

So if you are an IT tech you could be making $12, 000 to $15, 000 per year.Not sure if I trust the data from salarysurvey. Com. It's a survey of limited popuplation. If you read the website, the analysis was based on a limited set of 400+ respondent. There are 96 million Filipino and I don't think 400+ people's salary information is a good representation of the country.

I think the world banks' data is more reliable. http://data.worldbank.org/country/philippines. GNI for 2010 was US$2060. 26% of the filipinos live in poverty as of 2009 and with the recent unemployment data, I would think the poverty level would be higher.

[WestCoast1]

Try to demand the recently announced minimum wage out in the provinces. The actual normal daily wage a girl will get in most areas outside the largest cities is around 200. 250P per day for a 10. 12 hour shift. Typical Philippines law. Don't mean a thing.I know 2 internet cafe attendants in different mindanao provinces, all earn p50 / day for 12-hour shift (and are glad to have it). Don't mean a thing. Actually, the minimum wage is different for different parts of the country. But p50 doesn't hit the mark anywhere.

[Econo Tech]

Just to add another perspective to the discussion.

A university professor has a salary of about 30, 000 pesos per month.

GUnmarried GPs in Govt hospitals are paid 34, 000 and after "deductions" end up with 22, 000.

I am talking of GPs / Physicians who are MOs.

No wonder nobody want to work in Govt Hospital unless they are really attached to it. Or they have other interests. Like some govt hospitals quitely they run their own private consultation. Imagine working in an island, where air fare costs 6, 000 peso return, and well, food and lodging provided, but it is really a pittance to work on that kind of pay. Of course, if you take a ferry and risk your life, your travel cost will be much lesser. And take a few hours in the rough seas.

Upon going Private, I know a doctor who was drawing just over 1, 200, 000 peso per year, before tax. Her clinic was located in the mountain province City. If she had been in Manila, or some major metropolis, her guess was she would be drawing twice that, as her other former colleagues are drawing.

[Frenzy3]

is there something i'm missing here? i'm open to suggestions. these data suggest that income distribution is not much different between the u.s. and the philippines. in europe, based on numbers i've seen, the gulf between average citizens and the superrich is not so stark, but clearly there are superrich there too. in the philippines the lifestyle differences hit you in the face. families sleeping on cardboard on the streets of ermita, and the well-to-do driving nice cars, visiting their second homes in tagaytay, and living in gated communities. in the u.s. much of the wealth is hidden in wall street skyscrapers and collecting dust (metaphorically) in huge bank accounts. when the amounts of wealth are so vast, there are only so many cars and homes a person can buy. so the money sits idle—or flashing from one investment to the next via transactions controlled by computers. so the same distorted distribution of wealth is present in the u.s. as well, but just not so visible to the eye.great post, i keep telling people they are not poor here it just the peso is undervalued by 7 fold,

[Frenzy3]

Great analysis you guys! But at the end of the day, you would also have to factor in the cost of living in this country.From aust it is 10 fold cheaper to live here, I would pay 10 times more to live the same life back in aust

[Starchild2012]

the attached file contains a table i ripped off from a report on the social weather stations website. it's a reflection of income distribution in the philippines from 1961 to 2009. it shows that income distribution remained relatively constant over time, from before marcos' martial law, to the end of martial law, and since martial law—with the top 50% of families earning approximately 80% of all income.

also, a note about 'average' income in the philippines. the figure of 5, 800 pesos that mb cited is presumably an arithmetic mean. the mean is not a good measure for 'average' income because a few big rollers distort the figure upward. median income—the dividing line at which half of households earn more and half earn less—is a more realistic measure for average income. according to the sws table, median household income in the philippines was 135, 000 pesos in 2009. at mid year in 2009 the us$ to php conversion rate was 48. 0. so 2009 median household income was about us$2812.

i also did a quick web search for comparable numbers for the united states. i found some congressional budget office data for 2005 income. i didn't have time to look for more recent numbers. the data are broken down in quintiles (brackets of 20% of the population) , so i can't give an exact comparison against the philippines' top 50. nonetheless, the data show that the top 20% earned 55. 1% of usa income, the next 20% earned 19. 8 percent of income, and the middle 20% earned 13. 5. so the top 40% earned 74. 9% of income in the united states in 2005. and if we assume that income in the middle 20% is skewed upward, then the top 50% in the usa actually earned more than 80% of total income.

is there something i'm missing here? i'm open to suggestions. these data suggest that income distribution is not much different between the usa and the philippines. in europe, based on numbers i've seen, the gulf between average citizens and the superrich is not so stark, but clearly there are superrich there too. in the philippines the lifestyle differences hit you in the face. families sleeping on cardboard on the streets of ermita, and the well-to-do driving nice cars, visiting their second homes in tagaytay, and living in gated communities. in the usa much of the wealth is hidden in wall street skyscrapers and collecting dust (metaphorically) in huge bank accounts. when the amounts of wealth are so vast, there are only so many cars and homes a person can buy. so the money sits idle—or flashing from one investment to the next via transactions controlled by computers. so the same distorted distribution of wealth is present in the usa as well, but just not so visible to the eye.i agree. i really like this website with amazing facts that main stream media never publishes.

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/45-signs-that-america-will-soon-be-a-nation-with-a-very-tiny-elite-and-the-rest-of-us-will-be-poor

#1 increasingly, gains in income are becoming very highly concentrated at the top of the food chain in america. the following is how income gains in the united states were distributed during 2010.

-37 percent of all income gains went to the top 0. 01 percent of all income earners.

-56 percent of all income gains went to the rest of the top 1 percent.

-7 percent of all income gains went to the bottom 99 percent.

#2 back in the 70s, the top 1 percent earned about 8 percent of all income. today, they earn about 21 percent of all income.

#3 the wealthiest 1 percent of all americans own more wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined.

#4 according to forbes, the 400 wealthiest americans have more wealth than the bottom 150 million americans combined.

#5 the poorest 50 percent of all americans collectively own just 2. 5% of all the wealth in the united states.

#6 median household income in the united states is down 7. 8 percent since december 2007 after adjusting for inflation.

#7 the top 0. 01% of all americans make an average of $27, 342, 212. the bottom 90% make an average of $31, 244.

#8 according to the economic policy institute, between 1979 and 2007 income growth for the top 1 percent of all usa income earners was an astounding 390 percent. for the bottom 90 percent, income growth was only 5 percent over that same time period.

#9 according to one study, between 1969 and 2009 the median wages earned by american men between the ages of 30 and 50 dropped by 27 percent after you account for inflation.

#10 in 2010, 2.6 million more americans descended into poverty. that was the largest increase that we have seen since the usa government began keeping statistics on this back in 1959.

#11 according to the new york times, approximately 100 million americans are either living in poverty or in "the fretful zone just above it".

#12 according to heidi shierholz, an economist with the economic policy institute, about 53 percent of all income went to the middle class back in the 1970s, but today only about 46 percent of all income does.

#13 when you look at the ratio of employee compensation to gdp, it is now the lowest that is has been in about 50 years.

#14 in 1970, 65 percent of all americans lived in "middle class neighborhoods". by 2007, only 44 percent of all americans lived in "middle class neighborhoods".

#15 back in the year 2000, 11. 3% of all americans were living in poverty. today. 15. 1% of all americans are living in poverty.

#16 the poverty rate for children living in the united states increased to 22% in 2010.

#17 according to the usa census bureau. 6.7% of all americans are living in "extreme poverty", and that is the highest level that has ever been recorded before.

#18 according to the usa census bureau, the percentage of "very poor" rose in 300 out of the 360 largest metropolitan areas during 2010.

#19 back in 1950, more than 80 percent of all men in the united states had jobs. today, less than 65 percent of all men in the united states have jobs.

#20 the average duration of unemployment in the united states is nearly three times as long as it was back in the year 2000.

#21 in the united states today, there are 240 million working age people. only about 140 million of them are actually working.

#22 back in 2001, the ratio of wages to gdp was sitting at approximately 49 percent. today, it has fallen all the way down to about 44 percent.

#23 half of all american workers now earn $505 or less per week.

#24 back in 1980, less than 30% of all jobs in the united states were low income jobs. today, more than 40% of all jobs in the united states are low income jobs.

#25 in 2010, 19. 7% of all usa working adults had jobs that would not have been enough to push a family of four over the poverty line even if they had worked full-time hours for the entire year.

#26 electricity bills in the united states have risen faster than the overall rate of inflation for five years in a row.

#27 the average american household spent a staggering $4, 155 on gasoline during 2011.

#28 if inflation was measured the exact same way that it was measured back in 1980, the rate of inflation in the united states would be well over 10 percent.

#29 according to a recent report produced by pew charitable trusts, approximately one out of every three americans that grew up in a middle class household has slipped down the income ladder.

#30 total student loan debt in america has now passed the 1 trillion dollar mark, and about 270 billion dollars of those loans are at least 30 days delinquent. these debts are absolutely crushing young middle class families.

#31 today, approximately 25 million american adults are living with their parents.

#32 according to the census bureau. 49 percent of all americans live in a home that gets direct monetary benefits from the federal government. back in 1983, less than a third of all americans lived in a home that received direct monetary benefits from the federal government.

#33 between 1991 and 2007 the number of americans between the ages of 65 and 74 that filed for bankruptcy rose by a staggering 178 percent.

#34 one out of every six elderly americans now lives below the federal poverty line.

#35 the number of children living in poverty in the state of california has increased by 30 percent since 2007.

#36 according to the national center for children in poverty. 36. 4% of all children that live in philadelphia are living in poverty. 40. 1% of all children that live in atlanta are living in poverty. 52. 6% of all children that live in cleveland are living in poverty and 53. 6% of all children that live in detroit are living in poverty.

#37 in november 2008, 30. 8 million americans were on food stamps. today, more than 46 million americans are on food stamps.

#38 right now, one out of every four american children is on food stamps.

#39 it is being projected that approximately 50 percent of all usa children will be on food stamps at some point in their lives before they reach the age of 18.

#40 in 2010, 42 percent of all single mothers in the united states were on food stamps.

#41 back in 1965, only one out of every 50 americans was on medicaid. today, one out of every 6 americans is on medicaid, and things are about to get a whole lot worse. it is being projected that obamacare will add 16 million more americans to the medicaid rolls.

#42 medicare spending increased by 138 percent between 1999 and 2010.

#43 one out of every six americans is now enrolled in at least one government anti-poverty program.

#44 federal housing assistance increased by a whopping 42 percent between 2006 and 2010.

#45 the amount of money that the federal government gives directly to americans has increased by 32 percent since barack obama entered the white house.

[Soapy Smith]

I agree. I really like this website with amazing facts that main stream media never publishes.

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/45-signs-that-america-will-soon-be-a-nation-with-a-very-tiny-elite-and-the-rest-of-us-will-be-poorOne difference between the Philippines and the U.S. is that, as the SWS data show, income distribution (i.e., grossly distorted resources in the hands of a few) in the Philippines has been fairly stable for more than half a century. In the United States the disproportion has been growing steadily for the last 30 years.

[Golfinho]

From aust it is 10 fold cheaper to live here, I would pay 10 times more to live the same life back in austAustralian girls would still on first sight be able to size you up and get a read on what you are. 10 times more is not going to help you get what you can get in environment of 3rd world woman who don't realize where you are in the real world foodchain.

[Frenzy3]

I think you have no idea about the people here,

I also had multiple GF back in aust, your post show ignorance of people and culture, most locals are shocked that I can get 5 GF to live with me, the only reason it works here is there are 5 times more people so I can be more picky who I make GF, it has nothing to do with my wealth, my girls do not come from dirt poor families. The poor here are the same as any other poor people and I rather live with girls closer to my class.

Oh and had plenty of girls back in aust most had boyfriends who had no idea about people or their GF,

[Nightrider1]

I bought a Samsung GT-E2222 cell phone from the Samsung store in General Santos in Feb and wanted one that I could use both in USA and in Phil by changing to the appropriate SIM card. The nice lady at the store assured me this phone could be used in both countries. Well it did work fine in Phil but when I got back to USA and inserted my T-Mobile sim in it there was no service. The T mobile tech informed me it was locked and they were not allowed to touch it. I am planing another trip back to Phil in 4 weeks and will land in Cebu. Does anyone know any qualified place I could take this phone to get it unlocked in Cebu?

Thanks in advance

[Radical Guy]

I bought a Samsung GT-E2222 cell phone from the Samsung store in General Santos in Feb and wanted one that I could use both in USA and in Phil by changing to the appropriate SIM card. The nice lady at the store assured me this phone could be used in both countries. Well it did work fine in Phil but when I got back to USA and inserted my T-Mobile sim in it there was no service. The T mobile tech informed me it was locked and they were not allowed to touch it. I am planing another trip back to Phil in 4 weeks and will land in Cebu. Does anyone know any qualified place I could take this phone to get it unlocked in Cebu?

Thanks in advanceI have had tremendous luck unlocking a few cell phones using vendors on eBay. Do a search on ebay for "unlocking" and "Samsung," and maybe the model number to narrow it down. Last time, I paid like $10 and it worked like a charm.

RG

[Econo Tech]

. The nice lady at the store assured me this phone could be used in both countries. .,.And you believed her? Haha.

Sounds like a guy who bought a Roaming Enabled SIM in Singapore, and when put in the phone the roaming didn't work. Our friend hot-footed back to the phone shop and the "Nice" lady had sworn it "Will work when you land in Philippines." errrrrrr. Which part of "Romaning enabled SIM" Did she miss?

Oh, our friend called me and when I told him to tell the woman to return the money or make the SIM roam, she had stared and him and said "You didn't buy from this shop." and my friend had gone "oh, so you don't remember is it? Should I have broken your face for you to remember me?"

And that had done wonders. A second of silence and then "oh, yes sir, You were here yesterday." which my friend corrected loudly "No, I was here not less than an hour ago. And yesterday I was not even in Singapore." see? They were trying to save face by pulling another lie.

And then she had admitted that the SIM will roam, Once you get to Philippines, and enable roaming, and then get out of Philippines. Now, which part of the current SIM is not roaming did she refuse to admit?

Pinays, sales people, will never accept a mistake, they prefer to lie and then lie on and on.

Personally, me too had issues, when I confront, I am like "I don't know what this guy is talking about " for which I once loudly said "You know what you are talking about, but you don't want to admit it." and instantly she knew what I was talking of. Her having sold me the wrong pre-paid card.

Oh, BTW, don't call Pinay liars as liars. That is as worse as doubting their birth / doubting their father.

Survival 101. For Philippines.

===========================================

EDITOR's NOTE: This report was originally written in ALL CAPITAL LETTERING and thus was edited to normal case text. Writing in ALL CAPITAL LETTERING in the internet equivalent of shouting and is thus is prohibited on this forum.

In the future, please do not write reports in ALL CAPITAL LETTERING. Thanks!

[Col Law]

I took my g / f (Philippine) from Cebu. Bangkok, we arrived at immigration at 7 pm in Manila and did not get seen till 9pm the cut of point for off loading was 9 05 what a scare, I had to swear an affidavit that I would take care and look after her throughout the trip and bring her back to Philippines, this is not just for Thailand it was many destinations they where choosing people at random to go through a vetting process before giving an exit stamp to the person it was not perfunctory I witnessed 2 girls being refused leave to different destinations, so please give plenty of time if you are taking a girl out of the country.

[MauiDude]

I took my g / f (Philippine) from Cebu. Bangkok, we arrived at immigration at 7 pm in Manila and did not get seen till 9pm the cut of point for off loading was 9 05 what a scare, I had to swear an affidavit that I would take care and look after her throughout the trip and bring her back to Philippines, this is not just for Thailand it was many destinations they where choosing people at random to go through a vetting process before giving an exit stamp to the person it was not perfunctory I witnessed 2 girls being refused leave to different destinations, so please give plenty of time if you are taking a girl out of the country.There is a class that a filipina can take to get a stamp and ceritificate on her passport.

The information is on internet.

Its the office of filipinos overseas or something like that.

People I know are taking the class and then less problems with immigration.

Office of oversea filipinos?

[Gangles]

Gentlemen,

There is an excellent post on the Thread. Foreign Sex Workers in Thailand.

Posted by Expat1234, 31 May 2012, Post #128.

She covers antibiotics for STIs, bites, general sickness.

This is an essential colection of information for punters.

Gangles

[AAA Hunter]

I took my g / f (Philippine) from Cebu. Bangkok, we arrived at immigration at 7 pm in Manila and did not get seen till 9pm the cut of point for off loading was 9 05 what a scare, I had to swear an affidavit that I would take care and look after her throughout the trip and bring her back to Philippines, this is not just for Thailand it was many destinations they where choosing people at random to go through a vetting process before giving an exit stamp to the person it was not perfunctory I witnessed 2 girls being refused leave to different destinations, so please give plenty of time if you are taking a girl out of the country.Unless they are minor, overseas Filipino workers, on trial hold or government officials, they shouldn't be required to have an AOS. Not sure what the circumstances was with your girl. I had flown many girls to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan before and I never had any problems claiming them as my girlfriends. I did fly with a girl and her 5 year old to Disney Land in Hong Kong. As soon as I signed the AOS for the little girl, we were allowed to depart.

[Econo Tech]

unless they are minor, overseas filipino workers, on trial hold or government officials, they shouldn't be required to have an aos. not sure what the circumstances was with your girl. i had flown many girls to thailand, singapore, hong kong, and taiwan before and i never had any problems claiming them as my girlfriends. i did fly with a girl and her 5 year old to disney land in hong kong. as soon as i signed the aos for the little girl, we were allowed to depart.you are kidding right?

well, my friend's mom, in her late 60's, was stopped at naia and asked for a aos. well, no kidding. and a copy of her daughters residency in singapore was brushed aside. was offloaded. and the poor daughter, filipino style, went meekly to the phil embassy and got an aos and then the mother was allowed to fly a few day later.

oh, it wasn't the mother's first time out of the country. and well, did you know that aos costs money?

bi moves in mysterious ways. including a friend whose exit permit was deemed to be forged. and then, the bi fellow scrutinised her singapore employment pass and then seemed to trust the singapore ep than the poea exit permit.

stories about of genuine travellers forced to fork out money to get into the flight.

did somebody say corruption has ended in philippines? (pnoy's latest sona speech said so. i think.)

[Frenzy3]

Unless they are minor, overseas Filipino workers, on trial hold or government officials, they shouldn't be required to have an AOS. Not sure what the circumstances was with your girl. I had flown many girls to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan before and I never had any problems claiming them as my girlfriends. I did fly with a girl and her 5 year old to Disney Land in Hong Kong. As soon as I signed the AOS for the little girl, we were allowed to depart.Things change here, when was the last time you flew out with a girl, also how old do you look? How old was the girl.

[Col Law]

Unless they are minor, overseas Filipino workers, on trial hold or government officials, they shouldn't be required to have an AOS. Not sure what the circumstances was with your girl. I had flown many girls to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan before and I never had any problems claiming them as my girlfriends. I did fly with a girl and her 5 year old to Disney Land in Hong Kong. As soon as I signed the AOS for the little girl, we were allowed to depart.She is 23 years old with a job to return to had no idea that this was going to happen if I had I would have allowed a lot more time we are talking only last Sunday 3/6/2012 she had held her passport for 15 months

[AAA Hunter]

you are kidding right?

well, my friend's mom, in her late 60's, was stopped at naia and asked for a aos. well, no kidding. and a copy of her daughters residency in singapore was brushed aside. was offloaded. and the poor daughter, filipino style, went meekly to the phil embassy and got an aos and then the mother was allowed to fly a few day later.

oh, it wasn't the mother's first time out of the country. and well, did you know that aos costs money?

bi moves in mysterious ways. including a friend whose exit permit was deemed to be forged. and then, the bi fellow scrutinised her singapore employment pass and then seemed to trust the singapore ep than the poea exit permit.

stories about of genuine travellers forced to fork out money to get into the flight.

did somebody say corruption has ended in philippines? (pnoy's latest sona speech said so. i think.) sorry to hear about your negative experience. last time we traveled to hong kong with gf's baby girl was 2011. i travel to the philippines several times a year since the 80s. i have travelled with different girl friends to various countries and never had problems. sorry to hear that they thought your friends' exit permit was deemed to be forged. i can see why the bi fellow scrutinized her pass if they thought the document was forged. i agree with you that corruption runs rampant in the philippines. i have a collection of personal stories on corrupt officials.

[AAA Hunter]

She is 23 years old with a job to return to had no idea that this was going to happen if I had I would have allowed a lot more time we are talking only last Sunday 3/6/2012 she had held her passport for 15 monthsCol, you can check out this link on the Bureau of Immigration. http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=239&Itemid=80 It outlines the requirements, restrictions, exception, and affidivit. The form for my gf's daughter was directed towards supporting a minor. With that said, BI officers has a lot of power. As others have pointed out there is a lot of corruption in the Philippines. Check out this article about BI's request for AOS on disabled / disadvanted with official invitation from other countries http://asiancorrespondent.com/41174/deaf-filipino-illegally-refused-by-immigration-officers-in-manila-international-airport

[Wicked Roger]

I took my g / f (Philippine) from Cebu. Bangkok, we arrived at immigration at 7 pm in Manila and did not get seen till 9pm the cut of point for off loading was 9 05 what a scare, I had to swear an affidavit that I would take care and look after her throughout the trip and bring her back to Philippines, this is not just for Thailand it was many destinations they where choosing people at random to go through a vetting process before giving an exit stamp to the person it was not perfunctory I witnessed 2 girls being refused leave to different destinations, so please give plenty of time if you are taking a girl out of the country.This is never ending issue especially when others who alledgedly kill poeople can leave with no hassles even though there is no restricton in place but everyone knows who was looking for who. And newspapers proudly say no one should be denied by immigration unless there are clear legal issue as others have stated.

The situatiin is confusing as everyone claims a differnt understanding.

See this link (Jackson I trust this OK as not a competitor and I have linked this site before) http://www.harrythehorse.asia/?p=4930

Scroll down a short way and read. Clearly the right and left hands are working in a different way! Typical idiotic PI bureaucracy

The affadavit you mention CL is what Gangles has used (or has just in case)

Personally I have had no issues doing what you did (not for BKK) but am sure I will one day. It is said that BKK is easy as is HK and many fly to HK then transfer to SIN due the PI immigration being tough on girls going there even with partners. Again I have never experienced an issue either in Manila or Cebu. Friend of mine in SIN visited the PI embassy there to ask specifically the requirement for bringing his lady to visit him. Guess what. It said just a return ticket and some evidence of acommodation and disclaimed all knowledge of any letter from the boyfriend, pictures required showing them together, bank statements (all of which this girl was asked for in Manila. But not the dolcument others have mentioned below!)

The link is a good read on this subject

[Stroker Ace88]

I bought a Samsung GT-E2222 cell phone from the Samsung store in General Santos in Feb and wanted one that I could use both in USA and in Phil by changing to the appropriate SIM card. The nice lady at the store assured me this phone could be used in both countries. Well it did work fine in Phil but when I got back to USA and inserted my T-Mobile sim in it there was no service. The T mobile tech informed me it was locked and they were not allowed to touch it. I am planing another trip back to Phil in 4 weeks and will land in Cebu. Does anyone know any qualified place I could take this phone to get it unlocked in Cebu?

Thanks in advanceNR1,

In Cebu there are two places that will fix or unlock your phone that I can recommend.

One is a cell phone store called JUNREX located on the second level Ayala mall near Timezone arcade and Sbarro pizza. They are authorized sales-repair shop and they do a good job. You might have to leave your phone over night. FYI There are several JUNREX locations around Cebu but not all do repairs.

The second place is also in Ayala. It's on the fourth floor located inside a clothing bazar store. I had my nokia reformated at that store a few years ago. My cell was charging and got fried during a brownout. They did a good job and they were cheaper than JUNREX. Sorry I forget the name of the store. Just go to the fourth floor above McDo and ask where you can buy a cardload and they will direct you to the right place. Actually its just two small counters within the clothing bazar, one for cardloads and the other that sells phones and does repairs.

[Stroker Ace88]

There is a class that a filipina can take to get a stamp and ceritificate on her passport.

The information is on internet.

Its the office of filipinos overseas or something like that.

People I know are taking the class and then less problems with immigration.

Office of oversea filipinos?MD,

There are two main categories for filipinas-filipinos that wish to leave the Phillippines. One is mainly for OFW long-term contract workers, and one is mainly for short term travellers and those that will leave the Philippines on finace and spousal visas, immigrant visas, shorter term OFW visa, student visas.

The agency that deals mainly with OFW long-term contract workers is the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). It's run by the Republic of the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment. They require all OFW's to take there 4day Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).

The second agency is the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). They require all finace and spousal visa applicants to attend there guidance and counseling session to obtain there Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) and the CFO sticker. They can't leave the Philippines without the sticker. I think the session is one day long if I remember correct.

Also, some filipinas who are travelling alone to other destinations within SEA have been denied boarding and instructed to complete there GCC to obtain there CFO sticker. This is done to try and slow the flow of filipinas BI suspects are travelling for sexual purposes. It does NOT MATTER to BI or CFO if you know the filipina or not, if they suspect the filipina will travel outside the Philippines for the purposes of sex they can and will deny boarding to any filipina at any time even if they have the GCC and CFO sticker. As always YMMV.

[Member #4351]

Actually its just two small counters within the clothing bazar, one for cardloads and the other that sells phones and does repairs.Could that be The Maze, which is in front of McDonalds? Clothes booths and two CP shops there, first one with guys in charge and the second one with girls. I always buy my loads and CPs for the girls there.

[Econo Tech]

. As soon as I signed the AOS for the little girl, we were allowed to depart.Forgot to mention: for flights to 'job rich countries' (read: countries. Where Filipinos heading to can be harassed / milked / bullied) the AOS has to be issued by the embassy in the respective country and comes, pompously with a Red Ribbon, as proof of originality.

Well, Filipinos are known to make anything grandiose and then more to make is super official!

And somebody did tell me that such AOS, supposedly issued by the Embassy of Singapore, for example, can be purchased in Manila complete with the Red Ribbon! Welcome to Philippines.

From what I see, those primary target are those heading for jobs, to Singapore / Mid East, so they can be forced to engage an agency who can rip off a few months hard earned salary.


. This is done to try and slow the flow of filipinas BI suspects are travelling for sexual purposes. It does NOT MATTER to BI or CFO if you know the filipina or not, if they suspect the filipina will travel outside the Philippines for the purposes of sex they can and will deny boarding to any filipina at any time .My humble 2 cents says that the 'trafficking' ruse is only to extract money or force job seekers to engage one of the many employment agencies connected to the senators or congressmen or president's family.

Why do they assume that only girls heading to certain country are suspected of victims of trafficking? Why not all?

Well, do you know there are cases of such suggestions to people heading to Canada, heading back to Canada after their holiday? Explain that?

For tourists to Singapore, as long as they are on package tour, somebody has been taken care of.

For others, if they go through agencies, they are considered genuine. I. E as long as the candidate offers / commits upto 6 months salary and more for spurious charges. Including HIV test in one hour and all and more.

All others, for BI, are possible victims, including my fiance' who was asked to produce her bank statement and also leave letter. Until she threw tantrum and asked if BI is implying she is a prostitute, and if she being a med specialist has no respect and if BI sees her heading to Singapore to fxxk for money (her words.) considering she has her own assets, her own practice and own clinic and all. It is degrading to be treated like a working girl.

The BI guy had quoted an ancient law that states govt agents must bring along proof of leave and all. Till my fiance quipped that seems the Phil Govt is so terrified everybody will run away and never come back. And in effect it is communism / iron curtain at work.

No questions, she was allowed to depart. And ever since, when they never asked her for any AOS or whatever.

Same in Singapore, the Singapore govt looks at her passport, sees her and never has she been asked for even show money. Or even a return ticket. And at no time dd she even have to show my invite letter.

[Red Kilt]

One is a cell phone store called JUNREX located on the second level Ayala mall near Timezone arcade and Sbarro pizza. They are authorized sales-repair shop and they do a good job. You might have to leave your phone over night. FYI There are several JUNREX locations around Cebu but not all do repairs. .With due respect Stroker. Not a good idea.

Never ever leave a phone, especially a valuable authentic brand phone with a store that does "repair" work like this. There is a heap of advice everywhere about how phones will be switched; parts stolen and replaced by imitations etc etc if you take your eye off them for a few minutes. It only takes a few minutes to unlock a phone if the guy or gal knows what they are doing. They should NOT need to keep it any longer than a few minutes.

I am not being paranoid or distrustful. It is just a simple fact. It may never have happened to you BUT you might have been lucky or had a common phone of little value.

There are small kiosks, stall, shops etc everywhere that will unlock phones for you while you wait and watch. I have had several unlocked here in Manila in a tiangge near my condo, but that was before I realised it is easier to just buy a brand new cheap Nokia for 888 php and not have anybody mess around with phones that may or may not be under warranty.

[Frenzy3]

With due respect Stroker. Not a good idea.

Never ever leave a phone, especially a valuable authentic brand phone with a store that does "repair" work like this. There is a heap of advice everywhere about how phones will be switched; parts stolen and replaced by imitations etc etc if you take your eye off them for a few minutes. It only takes a few minutes to unlock a phone if the guy or gal knows what they are doing. They should NOT need to keep it any longer than a few minutes.

I am not being paranoid or distrustful. It is just a simple fact. It may never have happened to you BUT you might have been lucky or had a common phone of little value.

There are small kiosks, stall, shops etc everywhere that will unlock phones for you while you wait and watch. I have had several unlocked here in Manila in a tiangge near my condo, but that was before I realised it is easier to just buy a brand new cheap Nokia for 888 php and not have anybody mess around with phones that may or may not be under warranty.Sounds good advice in Manila, I think stroker advice in Cebu is ok I know the shops he is talking about and would trust them, some of the better stores do not unlock on site , they need to send to the place that will do it, maze is not carbon market, BTW junrex has moved to 3 floor, not near timezone any more,

[Soapy Smith]

And in effect it is communism / iron curtain at work.I can't quite see the connection to communism. Perhaps you can explain.

[Wicked Roger]

Could that be The Maze, which is in front of McDonalds? Clothes booths and two CP shops there, first one with guys in charge and the second one with girls. I always buy my loads and CPs for the girls there.It is David. And you can buy some very sexy clothes there for your cutie.

JUNREX is the one store I would recommend and I have visited and used it before so is 'safe' (as that can be in PI).

SM has some shops also but I tend to use that as it has replaced a phone forme (ie new) as it accepted the warranty.

[Econo Tech]

I can't quite see the connection to communism. Perhaps you can explain.Simple: the govt is so terrified that if people leave to countries where they could find a job / settle down, they may never come back.

So do everything to make it hard and tough for people, especially the middle-class. From even leaving the country.

Take Singapore, if Singapore wasn't tough, with the 200, 000 filipinos, each of them may have got out 5 family member each and overnight, Philippines may be short of a million or more people missing. And most of them. Educated / talented / experienced.

There are even lecturers, engineers, accountants and more, who ended up here, on dependent pass, flipping burger or working as call center agents / waiters / cashiers / sundry job workers. Can't blame 'them considering that here they make more than 1, 800 S$ vs almost half that back home for a better job.

As per last count, officially there was 190, 000 filipinos in Singapore, excluding those on dependant pass, or other forms of Long Term Pass. An a bright estimate says about 400, 000 are here registered as working and otherwise.

[Stroker Ace88]

Could that be The Maze, which is in front of McDonalds? Clothes booths and two CP shops there, first one with guys in charge and the second one with girls. I always buy my loads and CPs for the girls there.D33,

Yes it's The Maze. I drew a blank on the store name. Thanks. I too buy my card loads there from time to time.


Sounds good advice in Manila, I think stroker advice in Cebu is ok I know the shops he is talking about and would trust them, some of the better stores do not unlock on site , they need to send to the place that will do it, maze is not carbon market, BTW junrex has moved to 3 floor, not near timezone any more,F3,

I have bought cell phones from Junrex. Decent prices. I agree, Junrex is one of the better repair-retail cell places in Cebu. Thanks for the update on the new location.


It is David. And you can buy some very sexy clothes there for your cutie.

JUNREX is the one store I would recommend and I have visited and used it before so is 'safe' (as that can be in PI).

SM has some shops also but I tend to use that as it has replaced a phone forme (ie new) as it accepted the warranty.WR,

Agreed, Maze does have some sexy clothes with reasonable prices. Great to buy your babe a sexy dress and complete the look with a nice pair of shoes from SoFab all for around 2k.

[Stroker Ace88]

With due respect Stroker. Not a good idea.

Never ever leave a phone, especially a valuable authentic brand phone with a store that does "repair" work like this. There is a heap of advice everywhere about how phones will be switched; parts stolen and replaced by imitations etc etc if you take your eye off them for a few minutes. It only takes a few minutes to unlock a phone if the guy or gal knows what they are doing. They should NOT need to keep it any longer than a few minutes.

I am not being paranoid or distrustful. It is just a simple fact. It may never have happened to you BUT you might have been lucky or had a common phone of little value.

There are small kiosks, stall, shops etc everywhere that will unlock phones for you while you wait and watch. I have had several unlocked here in Manila in a tiangge near my condo, but that was before I realised it is easier to just buy a brand new cheap Nokia for 888 php and not have anybody mess around with phones that may or may not be under warranty.RK,

I agree with you. Leaving a valuable cell phone with a repair shop anywhere in the Philippines usually results in exactly what you describe. That's why I use a simple older Nokia I bought years ago at Junrex for use within the Philippines. If my older nokia (common phone of little value LOL) breaks or has to be repaired again I will sell it in Colon and buy a new one at Junrex for 888-1800p depending on the options as long as it's an original nokia and not a China phone.

[Soapy Smith]

Simple: the govt is so terrified that if people leave to countries where they could find a job / settle down, they may never come back.The conditions as you lay them out are an oppressive and controlling government and economy in a shambles. But those conditions have also existed under authoritarian dictatorships, such as under Marcos or Chiang Kai-shek and the KMT in Taiwan. Those regimes could hardly have been characterized as communism. Perhaps you're conceiving of similarities to present day North Korea; but the Philippines is a far cry from North Korea.

The history of the Philippines from early Spanish colonial times through the American colonial period and right up to the present has involved a system of governmental and land ownership institutions designed to extract benefits for a small group of elite families at the expense of the masses. That is not communism.

Philippine regimes under American colonial rule, during Marcos' regime, and under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo exerted substantial military resources to try to stamp out communist rebels known loosely as the New People's Army (and seen as a threat to the elite status quo) , especially in mountainous areas of Luzon, Samar, and Leyte. The NPA is hardly in control of the Philippines. It seems a bit odd to equate the government of the Philippines with communism.

[BionicMan]

Philippine regimes under American colonial rule, during Marcos' regime, and under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo exerted substantial military resources to try to stamp out communist rebels known loosely as the New People's Army (and seen as a threat to the elite status quo) , especially in mountainous areas of Luzon, Samar, and Leyte. The NPA is hardly in control of the Philippines. It seems a bit odd to equate the government of the Philippines with communism.There is people thinking a regime or dictatorialship belongs only to communism, so the equation is quite simple. All extremes are no good. A lot has also to do how a philosophy (such as communism, for sake of argument) is then made real or enforced. I would not say that the past soviet regime (cold war times) were a true expression of communism (people's power to summarize). Was merely a dictatorialship. Today's Putin regime is not much better. He issuing the same means that he used when he was at the helm of the KGB. The typical expression of the dictatorialship at that time. Fact is that they described themselves as communist to justify their actions. But I digress too much and I stop.

[GoodEnough]

Simple: the govt is so terrified that if people leave to countries where they could find a job / settle down, they may never come back.I think this is a fairly blatant misinterpretation of the government's point of view. The fact is that the government strongly supports the export of labor. It's the second largest source of foreign exchange that the country has, and accounts for double digits of the Philippine' GDP. The prior president called the OFWs "heros." Without the overseas workers this economy would implode more quickly than a deflating balloon, and the government, such as it is, is well aware of that fact.

This is a country that manufactures and exports nothing of value aside from fish, fruits and vegetables. It invents nothing, contributes nothing much to global trade, and year by year slips inexorably further toward the bottom of ASEAN economies.

The fact is that the government doesn't want the OFWs back. It wants them to continue to send remittances that support the rest of the country.

GE

[Red Kilt]

. <SNIP

The fact is that the government doesn't want the OFWs back. It wants them to continue to send remittances that support the rest of the country.

GEGE is correct.

What's more, they encourage qualified professionals to go off and work as OFWs too because they get higher salaries and so send back more remittances.

Never mind that this creates a "brain drain" with the exodus of the very people the community can least afford to lose.

[Big Johnson2]

I have been dating a very attractive Filipina that is what I'd consider crazy and hot tempered. She has been known to physically fight me, throw things at me, curse and just general difficult out of control behavior. A few minutes later think nothing happened. She also thinks of fighting is Forplay. I would think I had the only crazy one, but I have been reading on other websites men desribing very similar behavior from girls from Phil, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Is this common SE Asian behavior?

The second thing I've noticed is what I've seen called Narcissistic behavior. Everything is about them. Example is I could do 100 things for my GF and just try to get her to do one or two things. I asked her to teach her daughter English and even though my GF is fluent in Tagalog, Wari, and English, she's taught her nothing in 3 years. My GF has now graduated college, but lets her daughter stay ignorant. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I see Filipinas as not being able to grow in the least. I have other friends who have Filipina GFs and hear the same from them. Are they just lazy and inept.

I know there are some guys out there that live in SE Asia. Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?

[Frenzy3]

I have been dating a very attractive Filipina that is what I'd consider crazy and hot tempered. She has been known to physically fight me, throw things at me, curse and just general difficult out of control behavior. A few minutes later think nothing happened. She also thinks of fighting is Forplay. I would think I had the only crazy one, but I have been reading on other websites men desribing very similar behavior from girls from Phil, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Is this common SE Asian behavior?

The second thing I've noticed is what I've seen called Narcissistic behavior. Everything is about them. Example is I could do 100 things for my GF and just try to get her to do one or two things. I asked her to teach her daughter English and even though my GF is fluent in Tagalog, Wari, and English, she's taught her nothing in 3 years. My GF has now graduated college, but lets her daughter stay ignorant. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I see Filipinas as not being able to grow in the least. I have other friends who have Filipina GFs and hear the same from them. Are they just lazy and inept.

I know there are some guys out there that live in SE Asia. Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?I live with 5 pinay sound you are just the sort of guy who can not even look after one girl, it is you and the other guy that do not know how to look after a lady. Asian girls are still women show then respect, calling your GF lazy and inept shows that you have a lot to learn about women. As for meeting good girls you need to be good to meet good girls some thing I can tell from your posts you will never be able to do. Excuses, excuses, excuses yes blame her rather than looking at yourself.

You know she has a family , oh wait you do not understand that.

[Nolz7]

I have been dating a very attractive Filipina that is what I'd consider crazy and hot tempered. She has been known to physically fight me, throw things at me, curse and just general difficult out of control behavior. A few minutes later think nothing happened. She also thinks of fighting is Forplay. I would think I had the only crazy one, but I have been reading on other websites men desribing very similar behavior from girls from Phil, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Is this common SE Asian behavior?

The second thing I've noticed is what I've seen called Narcissistic behavior. Everything is about them. Example is I could do 100 things for my GF and just try to get her to do one or two things. I asked her to teach her daughter English and even though my GF is fluent in Tagalog, Wari, and English, she's taught her nothing in 3 years. My GF has now graduated college, but lets her daughter stay ignorant. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I see Filipinas as not being able to grow in the least. I have other friends who have Filipina GFs and hear the same from them. Are they just lazy and inept.

I know there are some guys out there that live in SE Asia. Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?Clearly your GF has some attitude. I would get rid of her and find someone else because in the long run you will end up at the losing end. It's nice to be with someone that you enjoy being with and won't harm you physically. I'm sure there are no shortage of submissive Filipinas.

[Slippery]

I live with 5 pinay sound you are just the sort of guy who can not even look after one girl, it is you and the other guy that do not know how to look after a lady. Asian girls are still women show then respect, calling your GF lazy and inept shows that you have a lot to learn about women. As for meeting good girls you need to be good to meet good girls some thing I can tell from your posts you will never be able to do. Excuses, excuses, excuses yes blame her rather than looking at yourself.

You know she has a family, oh wait you do not understand that.Maybe living with 5 girls is getting to you Frenzy as you have obviously been in a bad mood lately. How can you say such things? You don't even know this guy. Who made you the resident shrink?

[Frenzy3]

Maybe living with 5 girls is getting to you Frenzy as you have obviously been in a bad mood lately. How can you say such things? You don't even know this guy. Who made you the resident shrink?Not in a bad mood, just making sure people like you stick to the rules.

[Barney Rubber]

I have been dating a very attractive Filipina that is what I'd consider crazy and hot tempered. She has been known to physically fight me, throw things at me, curse and just general difficult out of control behavior. A few minutes later think nothing happened. She also thinks of fighting is Forplay. I would think I had the only crazy one, but I have been reading on other websites men desribing very similar behavior from girls from Phil, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Is this common SE Asian behavior?

The second thing I've noticed is what I've seen called Narcissistic behavior. Everything is about them. Example is I could do 100 things for my GF and just try to get her to do one or two things. I asked her to teach her daughter English and even though my GF is fluent in Tagalog, Wari, and English, she's taught her nothing in 3 years. My GF has now graduated college, but lets her daughter stay ignorant. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I see Filipinas as not being able to grow in the least. I have other friends who have Filipina GFs and hear the same from them. Are they just lazy and inept.

I know there are some guys out there that live in SE Asia. Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?I've lived with 2 Asians. One was no problem, just time for me to move on. No physical problems but she had low self esteem. i.e. I know I'm poor. I know not good enough for you. This was her own perception I don't care how much / little money a girl has. I try to look more for her sincerity and heart.

That said. Another one I lived with is just as you describe. Nothing was good enough. No matter what I did."I could have done more!" She was controlled by her Mother's and other GF's opinions. You're not going to be #1 in the relationship. And I know this. Legal blackmail started to become involved several times regarding money and even sex. I knew it was time to end when things became physical. From her end. I knew I couldn't defend myself physically as you really cannot hit a woman. As Frenzy said. You have to give them respect. They are poor. Yes, I supported family but there are a few bad ones out there and sometimes it's just not enough. I have to say she had a better life than 80 percent of her friends with Western Boyfriends. We traveled, ate well and lived well. But if she had a friend who did better than her. I. E. rented property bought by the caucasian or a nicer car. She wanted to know why her life was so bad?

Good Luck!

[Sammon]

I have been dating a very attractive Filipina that is what I'd consider crazy and hot tempered. She has been known to physically fight me, throw things at me, curse and just general difficult out of control behavior. A few minutes later think nothing happened. She also thinks of fighting is Forplay. I would think I had the only crazy one, but I have been reading on other websites men desribing very similar behavior from girls from Phil, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Is this common SE Asian behavior?

The second thing I've noticed is what I've seen called Narcissistic behavior. Everything is about them. Example is I could do 100 things for my GF and just try to get her to do one or two things. I asked her to teach her daughter English and even though my GF is fluent in Tagalog, Wari, and English, she's taught her nothing in 3 years. My GF has now graduated college, but lets her daughter stay ignorant. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I see Filipinas as not being able to grow in the least. I have other friends who have Filipina GFs and hear the same from them. Are they just lazy and inept.

I know there are some guys out there that live in SE Asia. Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?It happens here in USA too. It is called making up sex after a fight is the best now that all the frustrations in relationship is washed away for the moment.

I have had girlfriends slap me and fight with me for silly reasons. I believe it means they really love me.

Generally it is rare in Asia mainly because we are with them shorter time only. The steam does not build up to boiling point. Most of the fights with asian women is caused by texts from other girls or caught in a lie of where I have been and did what. Lovewise asian women think that if they really love, they expect the guy to behave in certain way only.

Point is it is not exclusive to asian women.

[Chocha Monger]

I have been dating a very attractive Filipina that is what I'd consider crazy and hot tempered. She has been known to physically fight me, throw things at me, curse and just general difficult out of control behavior. A few minutes later think nothing happened. She also thinks of fighting is Forplay. I would think I had the only crazy one, but I have been reading on other websites men desribing very similar behavior from girls from Phil, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Is this common SE Asian behavior?

The second thing I've noticed is what I've seen called Narcissistic behavior. Everything is about them. Example is I could do 100 things for my GF and just try to get her to do one or two things. I asked her to teach her daughter English and even though my GF is fluent in Tagalog, Wari, and English, she's taught her nothing in 3 years. My GF has now graduated college, but lets her daughter stay ignorant. Excuses, excuses, excuses. I see Filipinas as not being able to grow in the least. I have other friends who have Filipina GFs and hear the same from them. Are they just lazy and inept.

I know there are some guys out there that live in SE Asia. Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?Big Johnson2,

It's so sad to hear that you've become yet another Western fly caught in the Filipina spider's web. At least you are now becoming aware that your role is to serve as nourishment for her and her offspring. Maybe saying that they are all like that might be a bit too absolute and final. Perhaps saying that most are like that, certainly the ones willing to entertain a foreigner, would be a more reasonable point of view. Yet, in spite of her beating on you and being an ingrate, you remain in the relationship. Certainly, it can't be that one sided and you must be getting something out of it besides the beatings and henpecking. You seem to forgive all her transgressions as long as she then lets you fill her cavities with your semen.

[Brymor]

Please reply if you know something more about SE Asian girls than just fucking them. Are there some well adjusted Filipinas out there?I lived with a (much younger) Filipina for 7 years and I got to know her very wide circle of Filipina friends quite well. I know we all like to stereotype Filipina behaviour but IMHO Filipinas are like women any where else in the world. They all have different personalities and temperments, different thresholds of sensitivity and a range of behavioural traits from one end of the spectrum to the other.

The one thing I will say about them (generalizing of course) is that the vast majority I have met are hard working and conscientious about their work. They are often accused of lacking initiative and the ability to think for themselves, but I would personally not call them lazy at least the ones that I know.

What you have described is just as applicable to a Western woman as it is an Asian woman.

[X Man]

Now that is one of the more interesting analogies I've heard in a long time.


Big Johnson2,

It's so sad to hear that you've become yet another Western fly caught in the Filipina spider's web. At least you are now becoming aware that your role is to serve as nourishment for her and her offspring.

SNIP

[Danibbler]

I don't understand this. This model is a dual-sim. How can it be locked to a Phils network?

Anyways, as others have commented you should be able to unlock it if it is really locked and not some ploy by the T Mobile tech to get out of work.


I bought a Samsung GT-E2222 cell phone from the Samsung store in General Santos in Feb and wanted one that I could use both in USA and in Phil by changing to the appropriate SIM card. The nice lady at the store assured me this phone could be used in both countries. Well it did work fine in Phil but when I got back to USA and inserted my T-Mobile sim in it there was no service. The T mobile tech informed me it was locked and they were not allowed to touch it. I am planing another trip back to Phil in 4 weeks and will land in Cebu. Does anyone know any qualified place I could take this phone to get it unlocked in Cebu?

Thanks in advance

[Nightrider1]

I don't understand this. This model is a dual-sim. How can it be locked to a Phils network?

Anyways, as others have commented you should be able to unlock it if it is really locked and not some ploy by the T Mobile tech to get out of work.Well I tried both sim slots with a verizon simm and my T mobile and neither one worked in either slot, so what can I say. Yes your right I have gotten a lot of responses here about places I can take the phone to when I land in Cebu the end of this month so thanks to all that responded to my question. Only 3 weeks to go and I will be back in the land of the payat filipinas. No more big assed western woman to look at for a month, YEEEHEEE

[Econo Tech]

The fact is that the government doesn't want the OFWs back. It wants them to continue to send remittances that support the rest of the country.

GECorrection: they want them to go abroad, LEGALLY, I. E. Pay the dozen or more of spurious agencies and then being legally registered, remit to Pag Ibig, SSS, PRC, this, that and more and more. And that is to ensure they keep paying. Including exit permit and this and that which justifies the very existance of PEOA, and the various agencies (even NBI. For Clearence)

They hate unregistered OFW / self supporting OFWs and those who find jobs on their own or those who are smart to bypass the system. I. E. Those who cannot be leached and sucked dry.

Heck the Phil Embassy has sent a circular to employers in Singapore that it is illegal to recruit filipinos without an agency.

I read an article about a guy, who was going to UK for a monthly 5 figure GBP salary, and was refused his clearance since his contract didn't include the terms of repatriation of remains, in case of death. And the guy was pretty amused. Wondering how many times his bod can be repatriated just on his one month pay. But, heck, for POEA, no go, unless the contract is amended.

[Starchild2012]

Big Johnson2,

It's so sad to hear that you've become yet another Western fly caught in the Filipina spider's web. At least you are now becoming aware that your role is to serve as nourishment for her and her offspring. Maybe saying that they are all like that might be a bit too absolute and final. Perhaps saying that most are like that, certainly the ones willing to entertain a foreigner, would be a more reasonable point of view. Yet, in spite of her beating on you and being an ingrate, you remain in the relationship. Certainly, it can't be that one sided and you must be getting something out of it besides the beatings and henpecking. You seem to forgive all her transgressions as long as she then lets you fill her cavities with your semen.Haha. Funny. You make my day with your one liners. I agree. If it wasn't for Filipina women, where would I be. Filipina women complement mongers well. Not a disrespect to filipina women at all. I respect them more than any other women. They are friendly, easy going, simple, no hung ups with sex and you can break up with them easily after sex. They understand us mongers well.

Then why in the name of greatest god. Do people want to destroy this perfectly matched set up and want to be in a relationship with a filipina women. I always say. If you not a monger and not planning to sleep around, you shouldn't be here in the Philippines. PERIOD.

Mongers < Filipina Women < Perfect match made in heaven.

-

Most of the tourists are not really mongers. Some come here looking for love and the problems begins from there. I have dated 100s of women here in the PH and trust me. The problem is not them. ITS YOU. Your emotional baggage from back home is the cause. Just empty your mind and do the little john the talking and everything will be fine.

-

[Red Kilt]

Well I tried both sim slots with a verizon simm and my T mobile and neither one worked in either slot, so what can I say. Yes your right I have gotten a lot of responses here about places I can take the phone to when I land in Cebu the end of this month so thanks to all that responded to my question. .Of course T Mobile technicians are not permitted to unlock phones. I am surprised you assumed that they would.

It is the same for Globe or Smart phones purchased via their plans etc.

If you wish to unlock it you need to go to an independent technician. They are everywhere these days. Just look for "Jailbreak" in the plethora of signage in front of most shops or kiosks.

And remember; a competent techie can unlock it in a few minutes. Never fall for the trap when they say "We will have it done in 30 minutes Sir, you can go off shopping or have a cup of coffee and come back in 30 minutes".

Stay with them and watch your phone, or you will end up with parts of it replaced or even a phone switched.

If they cannot unlock it while you wait, take it somewhere else.

[Econo Tech]

This is a country that manufactures and exports nothing of value aside from fish, fruits and vegetables. It invents nothing, contributes nothing much to global trade, and year by year slips inexorably further toward the bottom of ASEAN economies.Pst: But Philippines Has Manny, Supsup, the inventor of Armalite, a descendant of the Tsar of Russia, the owner of container ports overseas, the Asia's First Airline, San Miguel.

Ah. Come on. Apart from girls, there is more stuff here. You got to open your eyes wide LOL.

Ever seen the video on youtube of Dumb Filipinos?

[Blackangst]

Of course T Mobile technicians are not permitted to unlock phones. I am surprised you assumed that they would.

It is the same for Globe or Smart phones purchased via their plans etc.

If you wish to unlock it you need to go to an independent technician. They are everywhere these days. Just look for "Jailbreak" in the plethora of signage in front of most shops or kiosks.

And remember; a competent techie can unlock it in a few minutes. Never fall for the trap when they say "We will have it done in 30 minutes Sir, you can go off shopping or have a cup of coffee and come back in 30 minutes".

Stay with them and watch your phone, or you will end up with parts of it replaced or even a phone switched.

If they cannot unlock it while you wait, take it somewhere else.I'm on Tmobile and I just called customer service and told them I'm going overseas and need unlock code. 30 minutes later I got an email with instructions and unlock code. Can't speak to other carriers but its generally not an issue with Tmobile.

[Red Kilt]

I'm on Tmobile and I just called customer service and told them I'm going overseas and need unlock code. 30 minutes later I got an email with instructions and unlock code. Can't speak to other carriers but its generally not an issue with Tmobile.That's interesting B A.

Globe would not give me any assistance to unlock an (old) phone that I have. I had to go to the nearby tiangge (market) to have it done (took 2 minutes all up).

However, your post reinforces my earlier point that when phone techies tell you they need your phone overnight or for an hour or more do not believe them.

Phones can be unlocked very easily, as Blackangst pointed out.

[Blackangst]

That's interesting B A.

Globe would not give me any assistance to unlock an (old) phone that I have. I had to go to the nearby tiangge (market) to have it done (took 2 minutes all up).

However, your post reinforces my earlier point that when phone techies tell you they need your phone overnight or for an hour or more do not believe them.

Phones can be unlocked very easily, as Blackangst pointed out.Agree. Don't leave your phone with anyone. Ideally your phone should be unlocked when you land. Mandatory "one of those things you do before you go" type things.

[WestCoast1]

That's interesting B A.

Globe would not give me any assistance to unlock an (old) phone that I have. I had to go to the nearby tiangge (market) to have it done (took 2 minutes all up).

However, your post reinforces my earlier point that when phone techies tell you they need your phone overnight or for an hour or more do not believe them.

Phones can be unlocked very easily, as Blackangst pointed out.The phones are locked by the manufacturer (say, Samsung) at the behest of the main purchasers (say, T-mobile). T-mobile and other service providers are the largest purchasers (resellers) of phones. Samsung locks the phone for T-mobile as part of their contract, so the phone can only be used on a T-mobile plan. Very proprietary.

I too recently contacted T-mobile for an unlock code, and they sent it on the email an hour later. The service provider (in this case T-mobile) does not keep the unlock code on hand. They are usually good about making you call to talk to a live representative (confirming your identity) , who is then going to tell you something like: "Keep in mind it may take up to 24 (or 48) hours to receive the unlock code." That's because T-mobile must contact the maker of the phone (Samsung in my case) , request it, and then send it to you.

The other way of unlocking is for a techie to get inside the phone and manipulate a chip with software. Just takes a few minutes, and no unlock code is needed. The stores that unlock them in the US have you sign a small contract. There's a thing in there that says,"I am the owner of this phone." Somehow it protects the shop from liability from the service providers (as physically unlocking a phone that does not belong to you could get you filed against). Most people think they own their phone, but most people are making payments on a 2-year service plan (in which case they are leasing-to-own, and don't own) , and when the plan is done most people upgrade phones to a new plan.

Regarding Globe being of no assistance, they are all like that, they are both unable to help you (you are not the original purchaser of the phone. Your service provider is, and only they can request an unlock code, unless your plan has expired and you own the phone now, in which case you can contact the manufacturer directly. Which is time-consuming) , and most companies in the phone business find it easier to just stay out of trying to unlock (or manipulate) other company's equipment.

[Starchild2012]

Just come to PH man. There are 100's if not 1000's of hack architects who would unlock any US phone and would take pride in unlocking more complicated phones from around the world and give you a smile back for free when returning the phone. Not all phone hackers cheat certainly not more than the corporate mafia that puts these restrictions in the first place.

Just in front of SM megamall in Manila. There is a smaller St francis mall. It has close to 100 small shops dealing only in mobile phones. Try out there for anyone who is coming with a locked phone

[Red Kilt]

Just in front of SM megamall in Manila. There is a smaller St francis mall. It has close to 100 small shops dealing only in mobile phones. Try out there for anyone who is coming with a locked phoneThat's the tiangge that I refer to in my posts SC. Not quite 100 small stalls but there are quite a few and the guys love showing how good they are too.

[Gangles]

CM, your statement about filipina women applies equally to western women.

Find a sucker guy who will marry her.

Have at least one kid. From then on, she rules the roost. If he does not hand over the cash, she goes for divorce, cleans him out through the divorce court, then spend the rest of her life raking in his money. At least until his kids are 18. By then, he is financially stuffed.

Compared to American and Australian women, filipins are amateurs at extracting money from their men.

G


Big Johnson2,

It's so sad to hear that you've become yet another Western fly caught in the Filipina spider's web. At least you are now becoming aware that your role is to serve as nourishment for her and her offspring. Maybe saying that they are all like that might be a bit too absolute and final. Perhaps saying that most are like that, certainly the ones willing to entertain a foreigner, would be a more reasonable point of view. Yet, in spite of her beating on you and being an ingrate, you remain in the relationship. Certainly, it can't be that one sided and you must be getting something out of it besides the beatings and henpecking. You seem to forgive all her transgressions as long as she then lets you fill her cavities with your semen.

[Slippery]

CM, your statement about filipina women applies equally to western women.

Find a sucker guy who will marry her.

Have at least one kid. From then on, she rules the roost. If he does not hand over the cash, she goes for divorce, cleans him out through the divorce court, then spend the rest of her life raking in his money. At least until his kids are 18. By then, he is financially stuffed.

Compared to American and Australian women, filipins are amateurs at extracting money from their men.

GYou didn't bring it to conclusion. What if they want to go to college? What if they want to go to college where its very very expensive. Then the poor bastard is still on the hook until the child reaches 23. At least that's the law in Illinois. Totally fucked.

[Starchild2012]

That's the tiangge that I refer to in my posts SC. Not quite 100 small stalls but there are quite a few and the guys love showing how good they are too.Hahaha. Yes. I had a date mixed me up with the location and I went to 2nd. 3rd and 4th flour of the mall to find her. It is much bigger than the entrance we use to go to mega mall. There are lots of shops on upper floors as well. The other mall which Filipino use is STAR MALL close to Mega mall. Just across the road. Lots of mobile phone repair shops, cheap shoes, clothes. Just about everything thats expensive in higher end malls.

If one plans to stay long term in PH. The price I found in these Filipino oriented malls are 1/5 of the price.

[Hatguy]

Made my first trip to the Philippines. Started in Manila where I stayed at la corona best western. Pretty good room with decent furnishings. Staff friendly.

First up was a 3 way with 2 fairly hot girls. No pics. Had 2 goes with both. One was more into it than the other. Seems to happen a lot with these.

Both came over when I was just walking in the door at Mbc. That place is very busy on Friday nights. Lots of choice! Anyway, I was pretty tired after that 1st round and didn't think I could but spotted a very sexy girl that turned out to be dynamite. She has the slightly floppy tits. And I couldn't resist her at all. She left very early in the morning.

Took the bus to Angeles from Swagman. Was pretty fast. Can't complain about their services. Stayed at Pacific breeze. No effing wifi! Only in the restaurant! Urgh!

Got two off blow row. All business girls. But I did get to fuck one then cum in the others mouth.

But the best was yet to come. A certain dia girl I talked to days before my trip met me on Fields. We had some food then back to the room where we had a long hard fuck until I came on her tits. She reaches over and grabs her phone and takes a pic of it dripping of! LOL. I stuffed a small amount in her bag. Wish I had more time with her!

When you go to use an atm here watch out who is nearby. I noticed one kid watching me closely. Told him to go away. Don't let your guard down!

I had a beer in most of the big bars. Just to see what they were like. Bar fined a cute 19 year old from somewhere I don't remember. She was a 9 for me. Great stuff.

I wanted to go see Subic but the buses turned out to be an issue so decided to stay one night. Wild orchid was a bit expensive but worth it. Met a Brit on the way. Had a good night out with him and due to us both wanting to try it we sorted out a 4 way with no male interaction. The girls were ok. Both from Barisero or whatever it is called. One was an absolute gem that fucked both me and him. The other was a problem from the start. She was making faces and was fucking demanding. In the end I told her to go away after we got back to the bar. She tried to pocket our cigarettes and I think it was her who stole my chocolates I brought for giving out at my discretion. I forget her name but she tried it on like no ones business! This is the kind I hate.

For me Subic is best destination. Cheap bar fines and low cost lady drinks. And girls are pretty much same quality as Angeles.

[Radical Guy]

CM, your statement about filipina women applies equally to western women.

Find a sucker guy who will marry her.

Have at least one kid. From then on, she rules the roost. If he does not hand over the cash, she goes for divorce, cleans him out through the divorce court, then spend the rest of her life raking in his money. At least until his kids are 18. By then, he is financially stuffed.

Compared to American and Australian women, filipins are amateurs at extracting money from their men.

GThat is one reason I became a divorce lawyer. Since the system seems here to stay, why not make some money from it? lol

RG

[Slippery]

That is one reason I became a divorce lawyer. Since the system seems here to stay, why not make some money from it? LOL.

RGNot a good thing to say in this forum. Some really sorry bastards will start beating you up.

Trust me, I'm a lawyer.

[X Man]

Hey, I need a lawyer, why don't the two of you send your names and contact info. Please do it on the public forum because I'm sure others here could use your services.

Ha, ha. I've met some good lawyers, met some really interesting lawyer-type people, and met one or two real arseholes. Not sure why anyone would want to give any personal info here on ISG, though. If you were my lawyer, I think I'd really reaccess your common sense. X.


Not a good thing to say in this forum. Some really sorry bastards will start beating you up.

Trust me, I'm a lawyer.

[D Cups]

It's even worse than that G and Slip. Even after the kids graduate many don't get a job and wind up living at home or returning to home to live with their parents. Some of them well into their 30s. To get married here is the kiss of death. No wonder there is so much international mongering. It is one of the few things we have to look forward to!


You didn't bring it to conclusion. What if they want to go to college? What if they want to go to college where its very very expensive. Then the poor bastard is still on the hook until the child reaches 23. At least that's the law in Illinois. Totally fucked.

[WestCoast1]

Lack of expectation. A series of events from my recent travels in phils provinces.

Internet in the province. So I choose a hotel based in part on its website saying they have free wifi in the rooms. Price was fine. At the end of my first day, my computer showed a strong wifi signal, but suddenly there was a disconnect from the internet. I informed the front desk that their internet might be down. The girl looked at the router and said the internet was fine, it must be something wrong with my laptop. My phone showed the same strong wifi signal, but could not browse. For shits-and-giggles I walked several floors of the hotel, getting a wifi signal, but no internet. I headed across town to a mall and stopped in a Figaro's coffee shop. The girl at the counter gave me the wifi password, and I had the same problem on my phone. I inform the clerk, who yells at another clerk, who says he will call PLDT. Walk down to Bo's coffee, same problem. Maybe it IS my hardware problem.

The next morning I head back to Figaro's for some java. Still a strong wifi signal, but no internet connection. The clerk is talking to a PLDT repair guy. The clerk says that the PLDT guy said that over half the city they serve has been without internet for more than 15 hours now. Confirming what I thought might be possible, I head back to the hotel and inform the counter girls. 'We will reset the wifi again. That will fix it. ' OMG. No, hun, you have no internet service at the moment from your service provider. Amazingly, without telling anyone what she is about to do, she pushes a button that resets all of their routers on every floor. Whoever MIGHT have been connected to the internet is now disconnected, and waiting for the routers to reset themselves (I have encountered this behavior multiple times at hotels: the sudden knee-jerk resetting of routers). I asked if any other customers had complained about not getting online. 'No sir. Nobody ever complain of it. Only you. ' Then she says, 'The internet is up now. Go to your room. ' I love being talked down to. I grabbed my phone and showed her the strong wifi signal, but no internet. 'Not. Sir its fine (please stop causing trouble, sir, we are Filipino Borg; please join the collective). ' Please ma'am, can you get online on your computer and show me that you can browse to yahoo dot com? 'No sir. We don't have internet at the desk. ' So, there's really no way you can tell me the internet is up and running? 'Yes sir. I can tell you. Its always working. ' Except when you reset all the routers at once, hun. 'We call PLDT when they open sir. ' Wait. Wait. They are not open 24 hours for tech support? 'No sir. We wait till 8am to call them. ' OMG, what happens if your service dies at 2am? 'Then sir we wait until 8 and call them. ' OMFG. I inform her that I just came from a coffee shop where PLDT was already onsite, and from all of the desk girls was the blank stare. Getting nowhere. I'll be a good boy, and go to my room now.

This is quite a damning indictment on what Filipinos are willing to put up with. Half the city is down for 15+ hours, and nobody speaks up about it. A few hours later the internet came back up, but was up / down for the rest of the day. Next morning, its down again for a few hours. I'm as wired to the internet as a teen girl is to Facebook. I head to a nearby hotel based on a friends recommendation. I walk the lobby and second floor, checking wifi signal and connectivity with my phone (no password). Strong it seems. So I make a reservation for the next three nights. I head back to my original hotel and tell them I'm checking out, and transferring. 'But sir you pay with credit card. Don't check out. ' WTF? I tell them to refund 3 nights, or pay me in cash for the 3 nights. Suddenly the 3 girls behind the counter are in apoplexy. 'Sir? But sir, your credit card! ' They call the manager. She says they cannot refund any credit card payments (they don't know how to do that, she tells me). I tell them not to worry about it, I will open a dispute with my bank when I get online. Which is what I did (the bank has already credited my account). Also she explained that they had phoned PLDT, and been told that there was an outage which was being repaired. Some vindication, anyway. I looked at here and said,"So, I was right. Your internet was down the whole time?" Boy, that drew an icey stare from all of them as I headed out with my bags.

When I got to the second hotel, their internet service was FINE.

Fastforward a few days. I'm in a different provincial town. Similar internet issue. Upon check-in at the lobby, I have a strong wifi signal on my phone, and internet runs OK. Once in the room, the wifi signal disappears. Step into the hallway, signal goes strong. Step into the room, signal goes to hell. The internet connectivity comes / goes. I ask for a different room, with a similar problem. I complain at the desk. 'Yes sir. We have wifi in the hotel everywhere. But its not in many of our rooms. We try but can't make it work. ' Can I have one of the rooms that has internet (as I'm the only guest staying in the hotel that night)? 'Yes sir. But you will have to take our smallest room. ' F*ck! The following day I tryke to a different hotel, one of the city's finest. Nice pool, free breakfast, advertised wifi throughout the hotel, rooms and lobby. I make a reservation for the following night. At the time, I didn't know a convention was coming into town the next day.

So the next day I check out of crappy-internet-hotel #1, and taxi to my new savior hotel. Walk into the lobby to see a bazillion Filipinos checking in for their convention. Bunches of them are sitting around the lobby using laptops. I wait in line to check in. When I get to the counter, my room is still being made up. 'Take a seat sir, if you can find one. ' I do so, and whip out my phone. Extremely weak wifi signal, and no internet connectivity. WTF, it's a conspiracy? I finally get my room key and get inside my room. My phone and computer show zero wifi signal. Step out in the hall and the signal jumps to life. Yes, yes, it's a conspiracy. Head back to lobby and complain. 'Oh yes sir. We give you different room. Try this new room. ' Head upstairs to new room, exact same issue: strong signal hallway, no signal in the room. Back down to the front desk, wait in line again, am told to sit and wait for yet another room.

Sitting and waiting, I notice many of the conventioneers have laptops, and most every laptop has one of those SmartBro thumb-drive thingy's. I ask a lady what it is, and she explains the technology to me. Ma'am, why not just use the hotel wifi? 'Haha. I stayed here before. There's no wifi in this hotel sir unless you are outside near the pool area. You will need your own internet access here if you want to use it inside your room sir. ' Really!

I wait in line again, to inform the clerk of what the lady told me. I was about to check out and find other digs. 'If you look on our website sir it says we have wifi. So we have internet. ' I showed her my phone's zero signal, and asked her why all those folk sitting in the lobby were using SmartBro's. She seemed quite keen on my looking at the hotel website, which claimed free wifi, therefore I must be crazy. She pulled up a web browser, entered the hotel's URL (I'm guessing her computer is LAN-wired) , and low and behold: it redirected to another site, one which claimed the hotel had not paid its website bill. Hahaha. Somewhat embarrassing. She called a manager over to look at it. Then she turned and said: 'See sir? We have internet here. ' I asked if their computer was on wifi. 'Yes sir. It works fine sir. ' The manager looked at me and said: 'No. Its connected with a cable. '

There you have it. Hundreds of big-wig conventioneers (vice-mayor's convention) were flying in to the city to check into a hotel that has no internet inside the rooms. Filipinos are smarter than to trust the website, and bring their SmartBro's. The issue herein? Nobody complains. Not one single person. They should be complaining in mass. I checked out.

Nicely, they refunded my credit card payment on the spot (unlike the first hotel I mentioned above, where they claimed they did not know how to do it) , and I headed back to the first hotel as it was less money. Wonderfully, when I got there, the wifi in my room was a bit stronger and I got up / running on the internet. Looks like I'm picking up a SmartBro soon.

[BionicMan]

Lack of expectation. A series of events from my recent travels in phils provinces.Internet in the province. Looks like I'm picking up a SmartBro soon.I know. I know. It is a tough life to be able to browse for ISG and porn! Just kidding.

[GoodEnough]

Thanks Westcoast for an excellent post. I was chuckling as I read it, as your experience with the Internet could be taken as a metaphor for service delivery in lots of other sectors as well. Filipinos are so used to wretched service that they appear to accept it as the norm. Last night, for example, while flying on PAL into Manila from Davao, we actually arrived at the airport in Manila more or less on time, and then waited in the plane for about 40 minutes because no gates were available. Given that PAL creates the schedule, and given that it knows how many gates it has, it seems logical to design logistics that take gate availability into account, but this is the Philippines and Western logic doesn't operate here.

PLDT owns the only Internet backbone in this country, so when it goes down, everyone-regardless of the carrier to whom the subscription is paid-goes down as well. Mediocrity is the hallmark of the country.

GE

[WestCoast1]

i know. i know. it is a tough life to be able to browse for isg and porn! just kidding.haha i tend to make my own porn.

thanks ge. i went to the mall today to check prices on a smartbro thingy. the sales guy seemed be be bragging when he said "speed sir is up to 768-k." i was nonplussed. being a regular subscriber of 25+mbps, this is peanuts, as is everything else regarding speed in phils. i asked if that 768 was constant."no sir. its a maximum ability." i asked him what would be a typical speed."sir maybe one fourth that. or even slower to one tenth sir." so, its really little more than dialup?"yes sir."

[Starchild2012]

haha i tend to make my own porn.

thanks ge. i went to the mall today to check prices on a smartbro thingy. the sales guy seemed be be bragging when he said "speed sir is up to 768-k." i was nonplussed. being a regular subscriber of 25+mbps, this is peanuts, as is everything else regarding speed in phils. i asked if that 768 was constant."no sir. its a maximum ability." i asked him what would be a typical speed."sir maybe one fourth that. or even slower to one tenth sir." so, its really little more than dialup?"yes sir."don't buy smartbro. globe has launched new 4g service in the ph, the first one to do so. well, in the ph you would be either first or second. as only two major mobile companies. ha.

http://tattoo.globe.com.ph/product/4g-flash

claims 7. 2 mbps max speed.

hey, i'm just the messenger, hope i don't get shot when the speed turns from 7. 2 mbps to 72 kbps. hehehe. good luck

[GoodEnough]

don't buy smartbro. globe has launched new 4g service in the ph, the first one to do so. well, in the ph you would be either first or second. as only two major mobile companies. ha.

http://tattoo.globe.com.ph/product/4g-flash

claims 7. 2 mbps max speed.

hey, i'm just the messenger, hope i don't get shot when the speed turns from 7. 2 mbps to 72 kbps. hehehe. good luckas with most services here, the so-called 4g is mainly hype. i've got a 4-g ipad and i've never once been able to get a 4g connection. in fact, most of the time, globe cannot even maintain a 3g signal. so maybe, for an hour or two a day, one square block in makati gets 4g. as to the rest, it's all nonsense.

ge

[Wicked Roger]

As with most services here, the so-called 4g is mainly hype. I've got a 4-g iPad and I've never once been able to get a 4g connection. In fact, most of the time, Globe cannot even maintain a 3g signal. So maybe, for an hour or two a day, one square block in Makati gets 4g. As to the rest, it's all nonsense.

GEI agree GE.

It is annoying for me making a call with my roaming mobile in 3G and you lose the connection not once but regularly during the call!

Globe I consider a better provider as Singtel is a partner and it is a good operator, but someone needs to invest heavily for 3G let alone 4G and I can't see this happening soon in the counrty. And which pinay can afford a smartphone that means he / she can receive all the benefits of 4G (unless a sugar daddy helps)

[Solley11]

Hey Guys, I'm a 52 yr. Old from Southern California, looking for a little advise on a two week SEA trip I am planning for late October.

Been to BKK twice (88, 98) and Phuket once (98). I Have never been to the Philippines or Pattaya. Ideally I love a beach to relax at during day and clubs to go out at night.

I'm thinking a week in the Phils' and a week in Thailand. After reading the RFF my tentative itineary is flying into Manila, skip Manila and drive straight to Angeles (poolside and bars). Staying 3 days in Angeles and drive to Subic for 3 days (beach and bars). Drive back to Manila from Subic and flying to BKK. I can split my last 7-8 days between Pattaya and BKK. Boracay or Puerto Galera, seems a hassle to get to. I may be wrong on that.

Is Subic too boring for 3 days? If so, is a week too long in Angeles even with a day trip or 2 thrown in, to Subic? Any tweaks to itinerary the vet's may suggest would be greatly appreciated. I have a few $$ saved up, so no need to go on the cheap this trip.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Stroker Ace88]

Lack of expectation. A series of events from my recent travels in phils provinces.

Internet in the province. [SNIP]WC,

Great post, lack of expectation indeed. It seems the only filipinos who will complain are OFW's or locals who have spent time outside the Philippines.

[Starchild2012]

As with most services here, the so-called 4g is mainly hype. I've got a 4-g iPad and I've never once been able to get a 4g connection. In fact, most of the time, Globe cannot even maintain a 3g signal. So maybe, for an hour or two a day, one square block in Makati gets 4g. As to the rest, it's all nonsense.

GEI already have the smartbro stick was considering buying globe 4g in Cebu as i read globe is better than PLDT. Now not untill I see some positive reviews. Thanks

[Fast Eddie 48]

Hey Guys, I'm a 52 yr. Old from Southern California, looking for a little advise on a two week SEA trip I am planning for late October.

Been to BKK twice (88, 98) and Phuket once (98). I Have never been to the Philippines or Pattaya. Ideally I love a beach to relax at during day and clubs to go out at night.

I'm thinking a week in the Phils' and a week in Thailand. After reading the RFF my tentative itineary is flying into Manila, skip Manila and drive straight to Angeles (poolside and bars). Staying 3 days in Angeles and drive to Subic for 3 days (beach and bars). Drive back to Manila from Subic and flying to BKK. I can split my last 7-8 days between Pattaya and BKK. Boracay or Puerto Galera, seems a hassle to get to. I may be wrong on that.

Is Subic too boring for 3 days? If so, is a week too long in Angeles even with a day trip or 2 thrown in, to Subic? Any tweaks to itinerary the vet's may suggest would be greatly appreciated. I have a few $$ saved up, so no need to go on the cheap this trip.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.To Solley,

I just got back to the US after one month in Asia with 10 day in PI 3 day Manila 2 day in Subic and 5 days in AC, I think 2 day in Subic is good enough more mongering option in AC beach in subic is not that nice and diving sucks better go to PG much nicer beach and is not hard to get to bus to Bantagas 2hr 30 min and boat one hr, you been to BKK twice and never been to Pattaya do you know what you missing.

Fast Eddie 48

[WestCoast1]

So the other day I try some online porn. I like porn (when I'm not making my own). So I hit a free porn site, and when the vid pops up online, another browser window opens, and its one of those cam sites. Right away a lady pops up (american) on video cam. She's nearly naked, with some dildos on the bed. She's chatting into the cam. There's some kind of counter in the bottom corner, with a running total of what men have contributed."Help me reach my goal of $300 to start the show!" The counter shows a whopping $12 so far. I'm not sure the cam website. The girl is pretty. I can see what guys are typing to her, and I can hear what she says aloud in reply. She's lively and takes her bra off. A few minutes later the counter jumps to $20."Thanks Bob" she says. After a few minutes of this, the cam switches to a different girl. She's a bit chubbier, has monster boobs straining a bra, and she has a naked skinny guy. Her counter shows $115 so far, and guys are drooling all over themselves and upping the money counter."You're so hot!" And,"OMG I can't believe your so fucking hot!" OMG on my end also. Guys are sending her $15-$40 a pop, upping that counter, and tripping over themselves to see her take that bra off. Shortly the cam switched again to a different girl, who was pretty, but her counter just sat at zero. Then another girl, and guys were drooling over her also.

OK enough of the description. This is my first forray into paying attention to one of those. I've had them pop up before, but I just closed them. Obviously there's a market for it. I'm just wondering, what makes a guy drool and fuss over one of these (many, many) cam girls? I think these guys sit at their computers and toss large dollars out the window, when they could be touching the real thing?

Other gents insights?

WC

[Red Kilt]

I already have the smartbro stick was considering buying globe 4g in Cebu as i read globe is better than PLDT. Now not untill I see some positive reviews. ThanksI had a chat yesterday with my friendly Globe techie because I was having a few glitches with my post-paid Globe connection (I spend between 3000 and 10000 per month on Globe accounts).

He reliably informed me that they are doing a bunch of upgrade roll-outs across the Philippines at present and that I should expect some periodic glitches from time to time (like getting a message"Sim Card cannot be recognised" or suddenly finding the message "No connection available). He told me when that happens to just turn off phone and start up again. It happened twice today and each time I did as advised and instant re-connection.

He is confident that the upgrade over the next few weeks across the country will give much better service through Globe.

I sniggered a bit but he told me to call him in a month and tell him if it is better or not.

So, FYI to those who are trying to decide what to do.

I will stick with Globe. Their USB Tattoo stick and post-paid service is much better than Smart.

[GoodEnough]

like rk, i've got sevreal post-aid accounts with globe, including tattoo, and, despite the dropped calls, slow speeds, and intermittent internet outages, i'll stick with them as well, if only because the alternative, smart, is so hopeless mismanaged at the consumer level and because at the very least, i can always get responses from globe. i am happy, if somewhat skeptical about the system-wide upgrades, and will be pleasantly shocked if 4g service is available anytime soon, as neither of the two major carriers seem capable of consistently maintaining 3g connections.

ge

[Member #4491]

. And will be pleasantly shocked if 4G service is available anytime soon.

GEI will have the Globe 4G modem / solution when I come and will report on it.

B.

[Member #4698]

Been to BKK twice (88, 98) and Phuket once (98). I Have never been to the Philippines or Pattaya. Ideally I love a beach to relax at during day and clubs to go out at night.

I'm thinking a week in the Phils' and a week in Thailand. After reading the RFF my tentative itineary is flying into Manila, skip Manila and drive straight to Angeles (poolside and bars). Staying 3 days in Angeles and drive to Subic for 3 days (beach and bars). Drive back to Manila from Subic and flying to BKK. I can split my last 7-8 days between Pattaya and BKK. Boracay or Puerto Galera, seems a hassle to get to. I may be wrong on that.

Is Subic too boring for 3 days? If so, is a week too long in Angeles even with a day trip or 2 thrown in, to Subic? Any tweaks to itinerary the vet's may suggest would be greatly appreciated. I have a few $$ saved up, so no need to go on the cheap this trip.There are many good options for your trip. Based on your preferences stated above, I conclude that AC, BKK, and Pattaya are definite musts. Therefore, with only two weeks to your itinerary, there is not much time left for a beach destination. Maybe 2 or 3 days tops.

Here are some alternatives: Subic has a respectable nightlife and bar scene, but the beach is not great (think relaxing by the pool side). In this respect it is like Pattaya. But Pattaya blows Subic away on the entertainment front. So if it were me, I would rather spend my additional time in Pattaya than spend a couple of days in Subic.

Puerto Galera area has some nice beaches (White Sand Beach) , but nightlife these days is questionable. I am basing this opinion on recent posts coming out of the forum. If you decide to go there, I think you will need to allocate at least one night in Manila. But, Manila might surprise you. It can be great for one or two nights.

Palawan has great beaches, but no nightlife. There are direct flights from AC (Air Asia) to Puerto Princessa and the spectacular Sabang Beach, Palawan is 90 minutes from the airport.

Koh Samui, the Thai beach alternative, has some very nice beaches and a limited but respectable nightlife. There are direct flights between Pattaya Airport and Koh Samui. I would recommend Koh Samui over Puerto Galera in light of recent events in PG.

So it is your call. Whatever you decide, I know you will have a great time. Also, keep in mind that there are direct flights between Clark (AC) and BKK.

[Member #4698]

'm just wondering, what makes a guy drool and fuss over one of these (many, many) cam girls? I think these guys sit at their computers and toss large dollars out the window, when they could be touching the real thing?

Other gents insights?

WCNo, I don't get the big tipping either. Everybody needs a little pornogrphy once in a while, but it is free on the internet. Who the fuck pays for it nowadays? I sometimes visit MFC.

http://www.myfreecams.com/#

And chat with a couple of cute Filipinas there. HotWoniSy & Sh0ckbabe are two of my favorite Filipina girls on the site. In the beginning, I gave each of them small tips totaling less than $10 each in order to get their attention and establish YM contact. Over a year or so, I have had many private Yahoo Messenger chats with both girls and they seemed genuinely interested in hooking up, but once in Manila, meetings with the girls always fell through at the last minute for one lame reason or another. I have given up on it.

I see guys throw $10, $20, even $50 at these two little porn queens all the time just to see them play with their pussy's or dance around naked. It is crazy and a little sad. For the same money they could have a real Filipina girl rock their world all night long. All they have to do is get out of their rooms and get on a plane to the PI.

The biggest star on MFC is an American girl, AspenRae. This broad is famous. She now has her own web site and has been featured on Howard Stern twice. When she comes on cam, she gathers 300 or more viewers. Guys throw serious money at her. $20's, $50, $100's. She must make thousands $$$ per day with her pleasing personality, showing off her sexy body & masturbating for her audience. I must admit, I like watching her too, although I have never tipped her. Check her out WestCoast. She is pretty amazing.

[Mc Don]

So the other day I try some online porn. I like porn (when I'm not making my own). So I hit a free porn site, and when the vid pops up online, another browser window opens, and its one of those cam sites. Right away a lady pops up (american) on video cam. She's nearly naked, with some dildos on the bed. She's chatting into the cam. There's some kind of counter in the bottom corner, with a running total of what men have contributed."Help me reach my goal of $300 to start the show!" The counter shows a whopping $12 so far. I'm not sure the cam website. The girl is pretty. I can see what guys are typing to her, and I can hear what she says aloud in reply. She's lively and takes her bra off. A few minutes later the counter jumps to $20."Thanks Bob" she says. After a few minutes of this, the cam switches to a different girl. She's a bit chubbier, has monster boobs straining a bra, and she has a naked skinny guy. Her counter shows $115 so far, and guys are drooling all over themselves and upping the money counter."You're so hot!" And,"OMG I can't believe your so fucking hot!" OMG on my end also. Guys are sending her $15-$40 a pop, upping that counter, and tripping over themselves to see her take that bra off. Shortly the cam switched again to a different girl, who was pretty, but her counter just sat at zero. Then another girl, and guys were drooling over her also.

OK enough of the description. This is my first forray into paying attention to one of those. I've had them pop up before, but I just closed them. Obviously there's a market for it. I'm just wondering, what makes a guy drool and fuss over one of these (many, many) cam girls? I think these guys sit at their computers and toss large dollars out the window, when they could be touching the real thing?

Other gents insights?

WCThere are lots of uninformed wankers out there. Even worse, the population of scared little arm chair computer wariors is seems to be on the rise. Life is what you make out of it, just don't let too many people know about it LOL

[Mackin]

Having been to Subic, Ac and Pattaya and Bangkok I will offer my advise. Remember you can fly from AC to Bangkok as this is very important. Depending on you flight time back to USA would determine the schedule. You want to spend time in Ac. Anywhere from 4 to 6 days. The 7th day you travel Ac to Bangkok. There is a 12:30PM flight to Bangkok arriving around 3; 30 PM if I remember correctly. Then either go directly to Pattaya or bangkopk. This is where the trip home comes in. Your flight will problbly lrave Bangkok arout 6 Am to 8 Am in the morning. If you leave at 6 Am like I do, I would go to Pattaya and then to Bangkok. Easier to catch a cab from BKK to the airport than take the 1 1/2 hour ride at 2 in the morning from Pattaya. For me 3 days in Pattaya is enough at one time. Not all will agree with this. I happen to like the big city as it has more to do so spend the last 4 days in Bangkok. Cost from Pattaya should be around 1200 Baht. Pm me if you want and I will give you more info. I will be in AC late October and headed to BKK after that.

[Starchild2012]

I had a chat yesterday with my friendly Globe techie because I was having a few glitches with my post-paid Globe connection (I spend between 3000 and 10000 per month on Globe accounts).

He reliably informed me that they are doing a bunch of upgrade roll-outs across the Philippines at present and that I should expect some periodic glitches from time to time (like getting a message"Sim Card cannot be recognised" or suddenly finding the message "No connection available). He told me when that happens to just turn off phone and start up again. It happened twice today and each time I did as advised and instant re-connection.

He is confident that the upgrade over the next few weeks across the country will give much better service through Globe.

I sniggered a bit but he told me to call him in a month and tell him if it is better or not.

So, FYI to those who are trying to decide what to do.

I will stick with Globe. Their USB Tattoo stick and post-paid service is much better than Smart.Thanks for the info. Will go with globe

[Starchild2012]

No, I don't get the big tipping either. Everybody needs a little pornogrphy once in a while, but it is free on the internet. Who the fuck pays for it nowadays? I sometimes visit MFC.

http://www.myfreecams.com/#

And chat with a couple of cute Filipinas there. HotWoniSy & Sh0ckbabe are two of my favorite Filipina girls on the site. In the beginning, I gave each of them small tips totaling less than $10 each in order to get their attention and establish YM contact. Over a year or so, I have had many private Yahoo Messenger chats with both girls and they seemed genuinely interested in hooking up, but once in Manila, meetings with the girls always fell through at the last minute for one lame reason or another. I have given up on it.

I see guys throw $10, $20, even $50 at these two little porn queens all the time just to see them play with their pussy's or dance around naked. It is crazy and a little sad. For the same money they could have a real Filipina girl rock their world all night long. All they have to do is get out of their rooms and get on a plane to the PI.

The biggest star on MFC is an American girl, AspenRae. This broad is famous. She now has her own web site and has been featured on Howard Stern twice. When she comes on cam, she gathers 300 or more viewers. Guys throw serious money at her. $20's, $50, $100's. She must make thousands $$$ per day with her pleasing personality, showing off her sexy body & masturbating for her audience. I must admit, I like watching her too, although I have never tipped her. Check her out WestCoast. She is pretty amazing.Hahaha. I just checked MFC and came here. Yes, some guys seriously throw money at the girls, Sitting at the comforts of home, one could check all available talent across the world. IMO, its the best cam site out there, where most girls do it for free anyways and it upto us to tip it or not. I like the one roxie from Thailand. She is amazing.

[Solley11]

Having been to Subic, Ac and Pattaya and Bangkok I will offer my advise. Remember you can fly from AC to Bangkok as this is very important. Depending on you flight time back to USA would determine the schedule. You want to spend time in Ac. Anywhere from 4 to 6 days. The 7th day you travel Ac to Bangkok. There is a 12:30PM flight to Bangkok arriving around 3; 30 PM if I remember correctly. Then either go directly to Pattaya or bangkopk. This is where the trip home comes in. Your flight will problbly lrave Bangkok arout 6 Am to 8 Am in the morning. If you leave at 6 Am like I do, I would go to Pattaya and then to Bangkok. Easier to catch a cab from BKK to the airport than take the 1 1/2 hour ride at 2 in the morning from Pattaya. For me 3 days in Pattaya is enough at one time. Not all will agree with this. I happen to like the big city as it has more to do so spend the last 4 days in Bangkok. Cost from Pattaya should be around 1200 Baht. Pm me if you want and I will give you more info. I will be in AC late October and headed to BKK after that.thanks for the taking the time with those tips Mackin and same to Eddie & Natty for their advise. I have one big trip a year in me and one wants to get it right. Leaving end of October, like to travel on hump months, just before or after high season. Hope I miss the rain. No wingman for only second time. First time was in Buenos Aires when I got stood up at 24th hour, and that went OK.

Booking, LAX to Manila – Manila to BKK – BKK to LAX. Saved up a lot of airline miles and using up 160K of them for 1st Class seats. 18. 5 hrs. Going and 17. 5 hrs. Coming home. Based on RFF and the tips, I think cutting PI down to 4 nights, and just sticking to Angeles City, skip on Subic and than have 10 nights in LOS, split between Pattaya / BKK. Nice to start off speaking English in PI while jet lagged. Would love to get down to Koh Samui, but I think that's too much jumping around, and Pattaya has been on the bucket list. So I knock out 2 places I have never been to including PI.

Spent a lot of time in Brazil in the 2000-2005 era when the dollar went really far. Shacked up from 2005 to 2010 and just hit Costa Rica a few times in the last couple of years. Time for SEA where I think you get the best bang for your buck.

Thinking ABC hotel in Angeles, Grand Millenium in BKK and? As to stay in Pattaya. Hope to have some nice stories / pics on return.

[Fast Eddie 48]

thanks for the taking the time with those tips Mackin and same to Eddie & Natty for their advise. I have one big trip a year in me and one wants to get it right. Leaving end of October, like to travel on hump months, just before or after high season. Hope I miss the rain. No wingman for only second time. First time was in Buenos Aires when I got stood up at 24th hour, and that went OK.

Booking, LAX to Manila – Manila to BKK – BKK to LAX. Saved up a lot of airline miles and using up 160K of them for 1st Class seats. 18. 5 hrs. Going and 17. 5 hrs. Coming home. Based on RFF and the tips, I think cutting PI down to 4 nights, and just sticking to Angeles City, skip on Subic and than have 10 nights in LOS, split between Pattaya / BKK. Nice to start off speaking English in PI while jet lagged. Would love to get down to Koh Samui, but I think that's too much jumping around, and Pattaya has been on the bucket list. So I knock out 2 places I have never been to including PI.

Spent a lot of time in Brazil in the 2000-2005 era when the dollar went really far. Shacked up from 2005 to 2010 and just hit Costa Rica a few times in the last couple of years. Time for SEA where I think you get the best bang for your buck.

Thinking ABC hotel in Angeles, Grand Millenium in BKK and? As to stay in Pattaya. Hope to have some nice stories / pics on return.To Solley.

I agree with macklin you should go to Bangkok first and go straight to Pattaya you already been to Bangkok so if you don't like Pattaya you can always spend more time in Bangkok, my last 10 trip to Thailand I spend more time in Pattaya only maybe 1-2 night in Bangkok because of the high cost, flying direct to AC from Bangkok is also a good choice because AC is not for everyone if and you can also go to Manila and spend more time there, I also go to Sao Paulo every yr for business know the high cost there it cost almost as much as Europe now the Real is too strong again the USD but the BHt is also strong so PI is still a good bargin 40 USD for all night GFE at AC cannot beat that.

Fast Eddie 48

[Mc Don]

thanks for the taking the time with those tips Mackin and same to Eddie & Natty for their advise. I have one big trip a year in me and one wants to get it right. Leaving end of October, like to travel on hump months, just before or after high season. Hope I miss the rain. No wingman for only second time. First time was in Buenos Aires when I got stood up at 24th hour, and that went OK.

Booking, LAX to Manila – Manila to BKK – BKK to LAX. Saved up a lot of airline miles and using up 160K of them for 1st Class seats. 18. 5 hrs. Going and 17. 5 hrs. Coming home. Based on RFF and the tips, I think cutting PI down to 4 nights, and just sticking to Angeles City, skip on Subic and than have 10 nights in LOS, split between Pattaya / BKK. Nice to start off speaking English in PI while jet lagged. Would love to get down to Koh Samui, but I think that's too much jumping around, and Pattaya has been on the bucket list. So I knock out 2 places I have never been to including PI.

Spent a lot of time in Brazil in the 2000-2005 era when the dollar went really far. Shacked up from 2005 to 2010 and just hit Costa Rica a few times in the last couple of years. Time for SEA where I think you get the best bang for your buck.

Thinking ABC hotel in Angeles, Grand Millenium in BKK and? As to stay in Pattaya. Hope to have some nice stories / pics on return.Like many others have writen I would say you should spend a day or two in manila. ABC is a good choice for AC, if you have the cash and want to party in style with few girls I recomend one of their party suites. Try it even if its for a day. Standard suite, building 2 for me is fine, its like a home away form home LOL.

I did the same thing you are thinking of few weeks ago. Couple of days in Manila, then Boracay (beach holiday. Gf experiance) then AC for couple of days, BKK for a day then Pattaya for 5 nights followed by one last night in BKK. Now when I think about it BKK was just waste of time. Yes the high end stuff is better in BKK (gents clubs + massage parlours) but overall Pattaya has so many options too at a fraction of the price in BKK and lot less time wasting and trafic then BKK.

If you like ABC then maybe you can look up The Penthouse hotel in Pattaya. You will find plenty of info on it and a tread in the Thailand forum. Some people love it some people hate it, its deffinitly a different kind of experiance

[WhatsUrName]

Thanks to McDon, Natty Bumpo, et al for the advice on AC and Pattaya. I recently booked my airline tickets to Manila for a total of 17 full days in-country, and haven't really done much planning beyond my flights to and from the US. I have not been to AC or Pattaya yet, but I think its high time that I go! I guess I am going to have to figure out how to divide my 17 days between Manila, AC, BKK, and Pattaya. I am getting kinda giddy with excitement! .


Like many others have writen I would say you should spend a day or two in manila. ABC is a good choice for AC, if you have the cash and want to party in style with few girls I recomend one of their party suites. Try it even if its for a day. Standard suite, building 2 for me is fine, its like a home away form home LOL.

I did the same thing you are thinking of few weeks ago. Couple of days in Manila, then Boracay (beach holiday. Gf experiance) then AC for couple of days, BKK for a day then Pattaya for 5 nights followed by one last night in BKK. Now when I think about it BKK was just waste of time. Yes the high end stuff is better in BKK (gents clubs + massage parlours) but overall Pattaya has so many options too at a fraction of the price in BKK and lot less time wasting and trafic then BKK.

If you like ABC then maybe you can look up The Penthouse hotel in Pattaya. You will find plenty of info on it and a tread in the Thailand forum. Some people love it some people hate it, its deffinitly a different kind of experianceFor Natty's post:

http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?2677-Bangkok-Reports&p=1299336&viewfull=1#post1299336


One more thing, this being your first trip, I would try the all major venues of a particular destination you choose. For example, in BKK hit at least 4 Go Go's, at least one oily massage parlor and at least one soapy and see which type of venue and girl works best for you. Ditto for Pattaya; hit at least 5 Walking Street Go Go's, visit some Soi 6 Bars, check out the LK Metro area, and take a walk down Beach Road. AC is pretty much a one horse town (like the wild west). There is basically only girly bars. A hundred or so. Some are large show places others are smaller more intimate places. Fields and Perimeter are the same street. Every bar on Fields is easy walking distance. Take a tuk tuk to the Perimeter bars. RTFF!

[Member #4351]

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.

[Slippery]

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.But only a small percentage of the graduates actually pass the licensing exam; something like 20% or less. Then there are the others that never get the funds together for review course and actual course fees. Their degrees however, do open opportunities for unrelated employment such as call centers where many unlicensed nurses work and many call centers pay higher than the actual employment the unlicensed nurses were trained for. Many see the nursing program as a ticket to the west, the land of milk and honey where the streets are paved with gold. Most though, stumble along the way and never get up.

[GoodEnough]

I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.The trend in nursing enrollmments is steadily downward, as knowledge of the long odds against eventual overseas work have percolated slowly through the student community. Likewise, CHED has closed more than a few nursing programs in questionnable degree mills since the latter consistently failed to produce graduates who passed the licensure examinations. The new "hot" ticket out of the Philippines appears to be HRM, which is drastically over-enrolled relative to the number of decent jobs available with overseas hotel chains. Another major hurdle for those aspiring to leave the country is the lack of English proficiency. Most aspiring nuurses cannot achieve the needed scores on the IELTS or the TOEFL, and the failure to do so precludes them from working in most English-speaking countries.

GE

[X Man]

Thanks for that D33. I have an old squeeze who went to Europe for a year but is now back in Cebu working mostly as a volunteer. I thought that was odd, but your post makes it easier to understand.


I just watched a news report on the BBC about Philippine nursing students. Now 200, 000 without a job and 80, 000 new graduates adding to that number. Lots of families sold land or buffalo to put the daughter through school as an investment which now won't pay off. USA has practically stopped giving visas and Europe isn't hiring due to economic downturn. Many are just volunteering in Philippine hospitals without pay.

[Econo Tech]

The new "hot" ticket out of the Philippines appears to be HRM, which is drastically over-enrolled relative to the number of decent jobs available with overseas hotel chains.HRM is on the way down, with depressed salaries, due to the Degree mills.

Atleast in Singapore, now you can place Pinoys with HRM Degree, for salaries less than 500 US$. The balance going to the placement agency and who-else is officially ripping the OFW off. And guess for what job?

Serving drinks, cleaning floors.

Oh, well, last week I was in a coffee shop and two pinays have replaced the Chinese aunty, and while the Chinese aunty serves like 600 cups of tea an hour these girls are like 60 an hour. And had a little chit chat. The two pinays are engaged as "Management Trainees" as part of their HRM course. And guess the salary? 600 US$ a month after all deduction. Which is a far cry from the minimum of 1, 800 S$ Stipulated by the Singapore Govt.

As somebody said, the 'remittance' culture is dooming Philippines and it is just a matter of time before the whole thing implodes.

First Nursing, then Call center, now HRM. Well.

I was amused when I saw the Philippine Govt begging the Czech Minister of something. To employ Filipinos, when the Czech republic itself has a high unemployment apart from a slowing population. It was like "you guys have nobody to beg for job, now you go an beg the poor cousins of Europe."

Oh, one proud thing to state for PNoy, when it comes to FIiipinos in Singapore is, that, now Professionals outnumber Maids in Singapore. It seems. Only if he knew the local tensions considering how much the Pinoys have depressed local wages by going cheaper and cheaper.

I know atleast one PNB Bank manager now working as a counter staff in Singapore. For a better salary than she got back home. And a Dow Jones Senior Analyst who was proud of is 'eighteen hundred dollar' pay. A job which no other country guys would accept for anything less than 6,000 $ or more.

[Red Kilt]

HRM is on the way down, with depressed salaries, due to the Degree mills.Nice thoughtful post E T. You made some good points, especially the one about pinoy OFWs pushing down wages by being prepared to work for peanuts.

HRM is still a very good option for those who can afford the high end training schools (those that advertise in the glossy magazines like "Appetite" and others) but the fees are way out of reach of anybody but the wealthiest filipinos. These schools teach advanced cooking skills at international level, and some celebrities have gained publicity when they graduated from them.

For the rest, who are in the degree mills in the local second-rate cheaper tertiary programs, it is low-end training that will equip a graduate to be a waiter, drink attendant or hotel room maid.

I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.
I am not joking.
Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.

[Econo Tech]

I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.

I am not joking.Then again, I did provide shelter to two girls, who were working in KL Sheraton as front desk staff, and came down for a visa run and had got royally screwed by a fellow Filipino having been parked in a expensive hotel till they realised they were broke within two days, once the bills were piled up.

Me goes to work and comes back home, damn, the two girls had really set the whole apartment like hotel. Rearranged the tables, sofas, heck, even my bedsheet were folded hotel style, and properly tucked in, and so was the toilet stuff and all. Somehow the two girls did all the heavy lifting, rearranging and all. And it was a minor miracle that the two women could work as a team.

Ah, yes, the HRM course does help if you get the girl in the right mood I guess. If not. Well, we all know what happens when a pinay goes mental.

[Wicked Roger]

Nice thoughtful post E T. You made some good points, especially the one about pinoy OFWs pushing down wages by being prepared to work for peanuts.

Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.ET. You comment about OFWs and salaries is applicable in the Middle East especially the UAE. What is worse, the employers know this and drive the salaries down as well knowing that another pinay will take the job. In a country with a high cost of living.

Also for nursing salaries are trending down in the Middle East for the same reason even though they have to pass another exam before they are qualified to work.

The sari sari issues is alwasy raised by girls I meet, all seem to think this is the way to progress or the Uday Uday business. Very few succeed as they don't have a clue about running a small business. The concept of startting from the botom seems to be accepted / understood but when there some don't like it!

Psychology for interpreting personalities is a good idea and is something we discussed yesterday RK. Although most would know that if they are cute, that we want to shag them. LOL

[D Cups]

Hi Red,

Cooking, making beds and folding napkins? Surely this is not the Filipino interpretation of HRM! Don't they teach recruitment, training or any of the other HR functions?

Relatedly, what do the crminology graduates do for work if they don't get into the police academies?

As for the nurses, sad stats indeed. I am still on the hunt for a busty young nurse but may have to change that to doctor given their watered down educational system. Assuming a pretty MD would be interested in a guy like me.


I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.

I am not joking.

Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.

[Sammon]

ET. You comment about OFWs and salaries is applicable in the Middle East especially the UAE. What is worse, the employers know this and drive the salaries down as well knowing that another pinay will take the job. In a country with a high cost of living.

Also for nursing salaries are trending down in the Middle East for the same reason even though they have to pass another exam before they are qualified to work.

The sari sari issues is alwasy raised by girls I meet, all seem to think this is the way to progress or the Uday Uday business. Very few succeed as they don't have a clue about running a small business. The concept of startting from the botom seems to be accepted / understood but when there some don't like it!

Psychology for interpreting personalities is a good idea and is something we discussed yesterday RK. Although most would know that if they are cute, that we want to shag them. LOLThis remind me of a situation. My GF from Leyte who is 22 years old was staying with me for a week in Manila. I told her there are many hiring places for jobs in middleeast. So we set off and I told her to go in by herself because I do not want girls there to get a wrong opinion on her. I waited in the nearby Internet cafe. She was asked to fill out application and was interviewed. Some guy from Saudi came looking for cleaners in hospital and hired her.

The agency did not explain her anything and kept her passport and told her she is hired and needs process of Medical tests, Phi government approval etc and told her she has to pony up 23, 000 pesos which includes agency fee.

They did not even tell her about salary, flight tickets, accomodation.

So I went with her to talk to agency head boss. I told her I am a friend of her father. I doubt if I fooled her?

Anyway she told me flight tickets and accomodation are provided for 2 year contract and salar is 10, 000 pesos. I balked at her saying 10, 000 pesos is not even enough to feed herself let alone sending money home.

So she went and talked to the saudi guy but he refused to pay more. Obviously they have enough girls ready to do the job at any salary.

Maybe once they get middleeast experience they can find better paying jobs.

[Wicked Roger]

The agency did not explain her anything and kept her passport and told her she is hired and needs process of Medical tests, Phi government approval etc and told her she has to pony up 23, 000 pesos which includes agency fee.

They did not even tell her about salary, flight tickets, accomodation.

Anyway she told me flight tickets and accomodation are provided for 2 year contract and salar is 10, 000 pesos. I balked at her saying 10, 000 pesos is not even enough to feed herself let alone sending money home.

So she went and talked to the saudi guy but he refused to pay more. Obviously they have enough girls ready to do the job at any salary.

Maybe once they get middleeast experience they can find better paying jobs.What you describe is all too typical and what is worse is that the pinoys at the agency know this. All they do is rip off and scam their fellow county men and then claim innocence when the girl complains (after she has found out she has a huge pay cut etc on arrival)

It is now illegal in Saudi to hold the passport (as stated by the Labour Minister in the press a few months ago)

Many of the recruits do not have any basic knowledge of their right and are easily exploited both by the agencies (who want the fee) and the employer. As you said, some (at this time African) will work for that or less.

I know of agents who don't charge a fee and I always recommend the girls see that company as then no false promises and broken dreams. And there is plenty of that when it comes to recruitment firms in PI and the Middle East

[Frenzy3]

There are cases of agents like this now getting charged, I not sure how long ago sammon experianced this but the last year this sort of agency have been making the news with the owners going to gaol.

[Econo Tech]

Hi Red,

Cooking, making beds and folding napkins? Surely this is not the Filipino interpretation of HRM! Don't they teach recruitment, training or any of the other HR functions?Ah. Errr. Hmm. HRM. Hotel Restaurant Management LOL. A Filipino term. Like the "under graduates" meaning those who never finished their basic degree.


Relatedly, what do the crminology graduates do for work if they don't get into the police academies?Oh, you should see the number of Criminal psychology or similar graduates, in Philippines. Well.


As for the nurses, sad stats indeed. I am still on the hunt for a busty young nurse but may have to change that to doctor given their watered down educational system. Assuming a pretty MD would be interested in a guy like me.Not too hard to do that my friend. Ask me. Haha. Maybe my strategy worked.


The agency did not explain her anything and kept her passport and told her she is hired and needs process of Medical tests, Phi government approval etc and told her she has to pony up 23, 000 pesos which includes agency fee.What you told is pretty common, and often enough Filipinos will never challenge "government orders" and that includes the order to pay up agency fee or you are a illegal worker / trafficked victim. Etc. Etc.

If not all, most of the agencies are owned or controlled by some senator or their relatives, and it is next to impossible to get a new agency license and get officially released work orders for recruitment. Well, even the scam is so big, all hospitals in Singapore have been instructed that if they bypass an agency and do direct hire, the candidate could be charged for violating law X, Y or Z. In other words, make them forego upto 6 months pay.


What you describe is all too typical and what is worse is that the pinoys at the agency know this. All they do is rip off and scam their fellow county men and then claim innocence when the girl complains (after she has found out she has a huge pay cut etc on arrival)That is not going to change. Almost it is legally sanctioned scamming. Forcing poor folks like maids to undergo medical for HIV + this and that, all results out in 2 hours flat, and well, the results are NOT accepted in the other end. So the people have to under another test. Another cost.

Like a case of a OFW who was found to have TB, even though she had paid 10, 000 peso for 'complete' medical in Manila, which declared her to be perfectly fit.

[Marconista]

D Cups.

I think HRM in this respect means Hotel and Restaurant Management.


Hi Red,

Cooking, making beds and folding napkins? Surely this is not the Filipino interpretation of HRM! Don't they teach recruitment, training or any of the other HR functions?

[GoodEnough]

I know the GM of one of Davao's larger and best known hotels reasonably well. He told me that most of the HRM graduates he interviews are "useless," as they spend four years learning how to fold napkins and make beds; skills, he said, that he could teach them in a week. He also told me that they arrive knowing nothing about management, administration, accountancy and utterly lacking in the skill sets that are required for real hotel management. Their career path, he told me, is to remain waitresses.

In most of the universities with which I'm familiar, HRM is just another link in the chain of endless tertiary-level rip-offs perpetrated on naive, young students who just don't now any better.

GE

[Frenzy3]

Hrm courses can cost 10k per month, for all the activities they do. Every time I meet a girl who says she is doing the course I get her number as I know she will need money. One of my gf switched from hrm to commerce which will help her get a job in the bank, I told her not no move in if she did Hrm. The others do IT and also doing real IT work so they have hands on experiance.

[Starchild2012]

If Filipino graduate has some command over English, he could easily get a 20, 000 PHP starting salary in any of the 700 call centers in the PH. India was once the call center capital of the world, which PH took it over couple of years back, I have worked in a call center in India, when industry was moving from west. When I came to the PH and met some of the folks from call center Industry, I thought India's call center days are over.

Filipino's have American culture, neutral accent and compared to India way better infrastructure. It was only a matter of time, now PH is number 1 and made some 12 billion dollars from call center and it would soon take over 250 billion dollar BPO business from India as well.

PH economy on the strength of BPO, call center OFW remittance is doing better than before, credit agencies upgraded their investment rating and peso is strengthening against dollar. Indians are gasping with their open mouth looking at all jobs being shifted to the PH and even Indian call center are setting up shop in the PH.

This is the headline recently.

Indian jobs off shored to Philippines?

http://news.in.msn.com/business/equitymaster/article.aspx?cp-documentid=250266823

How Philippines beat India at the outsourcing game.

http://www.firstpost.com/business/how-philippines-beat-india-at-the-outsourcing-game-364872.html

This call center story, even though won't do much to the poverty in the PH as a whole, but will surely lift economic performance of the country in the long term. Its no magic wand but if you are a graduate and willing to learn, its guaranteed you could get a job in the PH easily now a days.

Unfortunately, the girls we meet, whether we like it or not, seems to be bottom of the food chain. If a girl cannot find a job in a call center industry after graduation in the middle of the biggest boom the PH has ever seen. There is not much to talk about.

If we just get out of this date in asia stuff and meet women who are doing well. Its entirely different ball game. I think we are biased in the assessment, majority of women with at least a decent qualification do not have to look for job in the PH, it will come after you.

If you refer a friend to a call center in Convergys and Accenture in Makati, you will get 20, 000 pesos as a referral fee if the girls / guy is hired.

-

If you want to help your girl. Just put her in accent training classes for few months in manila or cebu. The course will cost less than 10, 000 peso and she will get a guaranteed job, if she is willing to do it.

College students find work in call centers.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/31747/college-students-find-work-in-call-centers

Quote from the link 'All of us have work—me, my father, mother and my elder sister, ' she said.

Even part time call center jobs are available, why would anyone want to do HRM, criminology, nursing etc. When. In few years. People will be dragged from the streets of manila and put up in call center. The industry is booming.

[GoodEnough]

according to a recent speech by a vice president of one of the larger call center companies here (concentrix) , within 5-6 years the total revenues countrywide from bpos will be higher than those assoociated with remittances. that's the good news. the bad news is that approximately 90% of all those taking the call center entrance exams fail as their english is simply not (no pun intended) good enough. the other barrier to call center employment is that it requires a minimum of two years of university. this may change with the introduction of the k-12 curriculum, but for now, it's a criterion to which strict attention is being paid.

ge

[Wicked Roger]

At a time when the country needs foreign investment, needs to create real jobs, build infrastructure, improve the education curiccula and institutions. And so on. The politicians, well Gloria Arroyo (GMA) , thinks this bill to let guys have paternity leave over and above the already permitted 4. Yes 4 times they can get paternity leave!

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/364963/arroyos-propose-paternity-leave-extension

I would have thought she she sponor a bill to limit this to 1 or maximum 2. But then as many don't have work this would not an incentive.

IMHO this is another example of the idiocy of the system and government. She could of course help the investment programme by returning some of her alleged ill gtoten gains but as Imelda is still rolling in it there is likely 2 hopes of that happening. Bob and none (and Bob is dead) LOL

[Questor55]

I know the GM of one of Davao's larger and best known hotels reasonably well. He told me that most of the HRM graduates he interviews are "useless," as they spend four years learning how to fold napkins and make beds; skills, he said, that he could teach them in a week. He also told me that they arrive knowing nothing about management, administration, accountancy and utterly lacking in the skill sets that are required for real hotel management. Their career path, he told me, is to remain waitresses.

In most of the universities with which I'm familiar, HRM is just another link in the chain of endless tertiary-level rip-offs perpetrated on naive, young students who just don't now any better.

GEYes GE, and it's even worse than you suggest. An extremely high percentage of 'graduates' in many fields NEVER get hired. (eg nursing, teaching, HRM, ad nausam). Many 'nurses' cannot afford, or fail the certification exams and end up volunteering (zero pay) or worse. Have to pay a 'fee' to even get taken on as volunteers.

[Wicked Roger]

Just so that we all know as I did not and in case others don't know. A new rule to further encourage tourists to PI.

All tourists on long haul international flights must show a return ticket or otherwise not allowed on the plane.

While this stupid rule has been in force for some airlines especially PI based ones (eg Cebu Pacific) and some in Asia, it has never in all my years been applied to long haul international flights. Until now. Was staggered to be asked by Emirates for a paper copy of the return ticket when it only uses e tickets.

The lady said was a new rule (last week) and airline had no idea why etc and thought it was stupid but unless she saw a paper copy she would not let me on the plane. And she said, it is an e ticket so we can't make a copy here at the airport! She saw the boking but said not good enough. Must see paper copy (maybe again we will be asked to show this at immgration? As not been asked this for a long time either)

I think Cathy and some other Asian based carriers have been asking this for a long time so not new in the region, but this stupidity seems to be spreading. Welcome to the Philppines (if you can get there)! LOL

[BionicMan]

Just so that we all know as I did not and in case others don't know. A new rule to further encourage tourists to PI.It happens often in many countries. I reached BKK from Europe with Emirates (return ticket) and from there I had a Thai ticket to China and back to BKK. Of course the two airlines did not share the itienerary in their systems. So for Thai my flight back to BKK did not show any "out of Thailand" trip afterwards. I had to show them the later BKK-Europe with Emirates to prove I was not planning to spend the rest of my life in Thailand (with no resident visa). Airlines are often fined (at least 5, 000$) and have the obligatin to bring back the passenger to where he boarded last to go there, if immigration authorities finds that the airline did not pay attention to documents, visa etc.
I agree, it is ridiculous of being asked for a paper copy of the electronic ticket! Airlines weere pleased to announce a 12 mil $ saving when e-tkts were introduced (much to their margins, not our benefit) as well as e-check-in. No tto mention, at their say, the green contribution to less paper etc. What in reality happened is that they simply trasnfer the burden to the passengers. Who are paying for the paper far more than what the airline pays, passengers who have to print a full page for just 1/3 of a page needed (and the rest full of coloured advertising!) for the boarding pass and so on. I always have with me the whole e-file of the ticket in the smart phone. I know it can be forged, but for f***sake: shows my name, my name is in the passport, the ticket is in their system...who else than me and how can I forge a fake return ticket in their system? Fact is that immigrations should access the airline systems through a database keyed on ticket numbers to cross check: nice an dbright idea, but a mission impossible.

[WestCoast1]

Just so that we all know as I did not and in case others don't know. A new rule to further encourage tourists to PI.

All tourists on long haul international flights must show a return ticket or otherwise not allowed on the plane.

While this stupid rule has been in force for some airlines especially PI based ones (eg Cebu Pacific) and some in Asia, it has never in all my years been applied to long haul international flights. Until now. Was staggered to be asked by Emirates for a paper copy of the return ticket when it only uses e tickets.

The lady said was a new rule (last week) and airline had no idea why etc and thought it was stupid but unless she saw a paper copy she would not let me on the plane. And she said, it is an e ticket so we can't make a copy here at the airport! She saw the boking but said not good enough. Must see paper copy (maybe again we will be asked to show this at immgration? As not been asked this for a long time either) This has been in effect for some time now in the States. I got hit with it recently by my long-haul west coast carrier, and a year ago by Korean airlines. In both cases, they wanted to see my full itinerary (printed) , even though it was right in front of them on their computer, when comparing with my passport. On the recent trip, at the counter, I had previously needed to write down a phone number. I had used the back of the itinerary to write the number while at home. I tore the lower half of the itinerary off to keep the phone number, and I put the top half in my carry-on. At the counter I handed the clerk my passport and itinerary (top half). He punched in my name, looked at the computer screen and itinerary, then asked where the rest of the itinerary was. I told him I used it for something else and threw it away (true)."Sorry sir. It says you must show the itinerary and your credit card here at the counter. I need to see your credit card also and the rest of the itinerary." Crrrrrrappp! By luck, I had an extra copy of the itinerary with my stuff that I forgot that I stuck in with my travel documents, and used that. I'm not sure how much of a the turd the guy was going to be about it, but there you have it. While processing my boarding pass, he said: "This might also have been a problem with immigration once you reach Philippines sir if you don't have the full itinerary." He seemed decent about it.

A year ago on Korean Airlines, while checking in on the US west coast, I was asked for the original credit card. Crap, I kept only my ATM and one Visa card in my wallet, the other CC's I had dumped in my car glove compartment. They were adamant that I show it. I had to leave the airport and taxi to the carport and retrieve it. Upon re-checkin, everything seemed fine, and the new clerk gave me this reminder about the itinerary: "Keep this paper. Don't lose this. Philippine Immigration has become quite insistent that you show a departing flight out of Philippines within 21 days sir."

The long-haul airlines seem to be doing Phils immigration's job for them.

[Jp Slicky]

I arrived at Cebu airport and was making my way to the Check in counter for a trip to Manila, not thru any security or anything and there was a security gate, they wanted to see my passport and the printout for the e-ticket. After some searching I found the printout, Whewww. Normally you just walk up to the counter or monitor and give those documents. Security was not even going to let me to check-in counters with out it? Where would I be if I could not find the printout for eticket?

[Econo Tech]

I think Cathy and some other Asian based carriers have been asking this for a long time so not new in the region, but this stupidity seems to be spreading. Welcome to the Philppines (if you can get there)! LOLThat law that carriers must ensure passengers must have valid return has been in force, for donkey years, it is just that the carriers are taking it more seriously as any pax with refused entry end up being hauled back at the carrier's cost back to where they took him / her.

[Starchild2012]

I think Cathy and some other Asian based carriers have been asking this for a long time so not new in the region, but this stupidity seems to be spreading. Welcome to the Philppines (if you can get there)! LOLHahaha. Yes. Cathay, Singapore, Thai airways all ask for return ticket, all Asian carriers do. The reason is third world citizens aka slaves are treated like throw away objects. If a visiting country denies visa, its the airline's duty to deport the passenger back to his home country. So if one does not have return ticket, they loose a lot of money.

Not sure, may be as Europe and American economies are going down as well, they believe most tourist are on a one way mode, never to come back. If its a trend in PH, I'm sure, slowly it would be for Thailand, China, Malaysia etc as well. These things to haress tourists get copied very fast by other countries.

[WestCoast1]

If it is such an issue that a paper itinerary be present at check-in, why not have the clerk hit the "prt-scr" key, print out a paper copy of the itinerary right there for the customer, and be done with the situation? They went paperless not to save on paper, but on the mailing costs. A printed sheet of paper on a $1400 ticket is meaningless. The whole purpose of paperless ticketing is not to have the customer print it, it is that, eventually, the customer shows up with only his passport to check in. We are a long way from that.

[FreebieFan]

my passport and itinerary (top half). He punched in my name, looked at the computer screen and itinerary, then asked where the rest of the itinerary was. I told him I used it for something else and threw it away (true)."Sorry sir. It says you must show the itinerary and your credit card here at the counter. I need to see your credit card also and the rest of the itinerary." Crrrrrrappp! By luck, I had an extra copy of the itinerary with my stuff that I forgot that I stuck in with my travel documents, and used that. I'm not sure how much of a the turd the guy was going to be about it, but there you have it. While processing my boarding pass, he said: "This might also have been a problem with immigration once you reach Philippines sir if you don't have the full itinerary." He seemed decent about it.

A year ago on Korean Airlines, while checking in on the US west coast, I was asked for the original credit card. Crap, I kept only my ATM and one Visa card in my wallet, the other CC's I had dumped in my car glove compartment. They were adamant that I show it. I had to leave the airport and taxi to the carport and retrieve it. Upon re-checkin, everything seemed fine, and the new clerk gave me this reminder about the itinerary: "Keep this paper. Don't lose this. Philippine Immigration has become quite insistent that you show a departing flight out of Philippines within 21 days sir."

The long-haul airlines seem to be doing Phils immigration's job for them.Wonder what happens with this need for paper, given that its quite normal for some "advanced carriers " to have provide an e- boarding pass without the need for any printed ticket, or eticket. Cathay runs an eboarding pass system, whereby you check in online, and the boarding pass is sent to you by email, no itinerary needed, no check in needed (if no bags) and only show boarding pass at immigration from your phone.

Can you imagine those infantile kids at Cebu Pacific trying to deal with that." No Sir, we need paper. We don't trust anything but paper. Yes Sir I know we are in 21st century but we need paper " LOL.

[Stroker Ace88]

I arrived at Cebu airport and was making my way to the Check in counter for a trip to Manila, not thru any security or anything and there was a security gate, they wanted to see my passport and the printout for the e-ticket. After some searching I found the printout,

Whewww.

Normally you just walk up to the counter or monitor and give those documents. Security was not even going to let me to check-in counters with out it? Where would I be if I could not find the printout for eticket?Nothing new. Every airport in the Philippines has a security check point including metal detectors before you are allowed to access the airline check-in desk. This has been standard OP for a long time and even smaller airports have this process in place. You need to present a vaild e-ticket copy or paper ticket issued by the airline-travel agent along with your passport to the guard. No ticket and-or no passport you are denied entry. You have to have your sh*t together and all documents ready when you fly in the Philippines.

If you arrived at MCIA without a ticket (or without e-ticket printout) and wanted to fly last minute most airlines have a small ticket office located outside the International terminal.

[Run Mann]

This is a rehash of a discussion on this board but it's quite easy to print the email confirmation of an airline ticket and carry it with you. As mentioned below airlines simply do not want to be fined by the host country and have to pay to transport destitute or desolate travelers out of any country should they be denied entry or if you travel on a one way ticket and don't have the funds to get yourself out of that country.

When returning from Manila, I'm always asked for the paper ticket just to enter the airport terminal but it's too easy as I always print my email confirmation of my airline tickets and hotel vouchers. Eliminating electronic tickets was a cost saving measure for the airline and their customers as many customers who lost or forgot their paper tickets at home had to pay outrageous replacement costs to replace those paper tickets. At least now no one has to pay to replace those tickets.

[Gangles]

RK, I understand your scepticism about the level of training in HRM courses in the Phils. But keep in mind that the Phils college entrant has had only 10 years in elementary and secondary school, compared with 12 year program in most western countries. So it is expected that they will undertake training at Tech Voc (TAFE) level in college.

It is in the post grad. Masteral level, that the student will get the better education to western standards.

My observation is that undergraduate degrees in the US are similar, and it is not till the student completes a masters that he / she is considered fully qualified. This is a very expensive way to get educated, but is OK in a rich country that can afford it. As the tertiary education system in your country, Australia, is progressively being dumbed down, it is going the same way. Today, a student graduating with a degree in nursing is now required to take post grad training in a hospital before they are employable.

Gangles.


Nice thoughtful post E T. You made some good points, especially the one about pinoy OFWs pushing down wages by being prepared to work for peanuts.

HRM is still a very good option for those who can afford the high end training schools (those that advertise in the glossy magazines like "Appetite" and others) but the fees are way out of reach of anybody but the wealthiest filipinos. These schools teach advanced cooking skills at international level, and some celebrities have gained publicity when they graduated from them.

For the rest, who are in the degree mills in the local second-rate cheaper tertiary programs, it is low-end training that will equip a graduate to be a waiter, drink attendant or hotel room maid.

I discussed an HRM student's curriculum with her recently and it was "setting tables", folding table napkins, correct way to serve different dishes, how to make beds, etc.

I am not joking.

Thankfully, some schools also include psychology and economics type programs so that students learn a framework for interpreting personalities and maybe some money management "skills" for when they open their own sari sari store because it is unlikely that they will get employment in any high end hotel unless they are prepared to start as a qualified room maid / boy.

[BionicMan]

This has been in effect for some time now in the States.

The long-haul airlines seem to be doing Phils immigration's job for them.That is the point that I highlighted below. And not only for Philippines. Lots of countries (those giving headaches to eneter them have a similar procedure. When you apply for visa in some countries you need to attach the airticket. That is why airlines become strict on checking papers.

That is why their systems often offer the option to print on the boarding pass "DOCS OK", ie a formal acknowledgement of the check-in agent (identified in the system too and in the baording pass) having gone through the procedure. As I said, airlines are realiable if immigration reject the entry to a passenger. I am aware of a very silly case that involved USA and Air France. The european passenger was a frequent traveller to USA, flying business class and with legitimate ticket. For reasons I am not going to detail here, but absolutelty weird, she wass rejected entry at JFK, Air France was charged with the fine and had to bring her back in the first flight to France. We are not talking about developing countries, dodgy passenger trying to enter as a tourist to stay for the rest of his life and using a debatable airline.

[Red Kilt]

I have never had this happen to me at all. I travel to Asia at least 5 times a year for work and I also have a home in China. I always fly China Southern, Korean, Delta, and / or Singapore Airlines. They have never asked me for an itinerary or credit card used for the purchase of flights. .Same for me V. I have special privileges too but things change quickly so for your next trip to the Phils don't assume it will be status quo.
Immigration in Manila has changed just over the past 2 weeks. I had to learn new procedures just 2 weeks ago when heading out.

[Wicked Roger]

I arrived at Cebu airport and was making my way to the Check in counter for a trip to Manila, not thru any security or anything and there was a security gate, they wanted to see my passport and the printout for the e-ticket. After some searching I found the printout,

Whewww.

Normally you just walk up to the counter or monitor and give those documents. Security was not even going to let me to check-in counters with out it? Where would I be if I could not find the printout for eticket?As SA says that is not new just a pain and when most of the world is e ticket PI goes backward. Am sure this is a way to create jobs. As I said this was to red flag the issue that this 'disease' is spreading and if Emirates take it seriously then IMHO it is getting worse and is a real 'turn off' for tourists.

Immigration in Manila has changed in that there is some renovation but it is the normal chaos, the 59 day visa costs 2700PHP and took 15 mins. Was amazed to see the guy write all the deatila in pen in a large book. OK not amazed juts saddened that once again a country with lots good tourist spots and; psoitives has no real investment in the basics, no computers to do this. Everyone nice and slow with no real urgency.

RK. You are special.

[Samchad]

Hi,

I am travelling to manila soon. I am wondering what a reasonable rate for short time service with a free lance lady would be? Is 2000 PHP easily found, or less?

Thanks for your help.

[WestCoast1]

Hi,

I am travelling to manila soon. I am wondering what a reasonable rate for short time service with a free lance lady would be? Is 2000 PHP easily found, or less?

Thanks for your help.Yes, if you stay out of barfine places (Burgos in Makati, EDSA / Firehouse in Malate / Ermita). G-point and MBC in Malate can easily 1500 for ST / two pops (specify before leaving the bar what you expect).2000-2500 gets LT.

[Samchad]

Yes, if you stay out of barfine places (Burgos in Makati, EDSA / Firehouse in Malate / Ermita). G-point and MBC in Malate can easily 1500 for ST / two pops (specify before leaving the bar what you expect).2000-2500 gets LT.Thanks for letting me know. I was checking Craigslist and I keep seeing 4000 pesos, which is like $95 USD. That is too much in my opinion. I think 1500-2000 p is reasonable. Is Craigslist a good place to find someone, or should I just go into a shopping mall food fair and some lady would come to me to pick me up quickly if she sees I am alone?

[WestCoast1]

Thanks for letting me know. I was checking Craigslist and I keep seeing 4000 pesos, which is like $95 USD. That is too much in my opinion. I think 1500-2000 p is reasonable. Is Craigslist a good place to find someone, or should I just go into a shopping mall food fair and some lady would come to me to pick me up quickly if she sees I am alone?I would not depend on CL. It is little different than dating sites: the girls can be hit/miss. Also, those inflated prices you see (4000+), some guys use CL exclusively, and are used to overpaying; the girls depend on that, and are used to getting it (spoiled).

The malls are hit / miss. Most malls in Manila are not filled with available girls, only a few. Robinson's Place in Malate, floor one, is a modest bet. Harrison's Plaza, floor 2, is a good bet (a mamasan will find you if you are white / alone).

G-Point and MBC in Malate are sure bets, the girls go there for one reason only. If she's in the bar (not an employee) , she's there just to get plucked for the night.

[X Man]

Smart is not so smart.

I usually buy a load card before departing the Philippines. On my subsequent arrival, I scratch, sniff, load and start texting while waiting for my baggage. By the time I'm in the taxi, the return texts start coming in.

Not this time. It took me a while to figure it all out, but SMart has changed their system. Do no follow the instruction on the load card. The card, even the ones they sell now say, key in 1510 and the PIN and then SEND. The new system is go to msg function, type in RELOAD (space) Pin and then send the msg to 1510. I never did figure out how to check my load. X

[Starchild2012]

Immigration Bureau to fine airlines for tourists without return tickets.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/266340/news/nation/immigration-bureau-to-fine-airlines-for-tourists-without-return-tickets

Airlines will be penalized with administrative fines by the Bureau of Immigration if they allow foreign tourists bound for the Philippines to board their planes without return tickets.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. Noted that it should be the responsibility of the airlines to make sure that all its passengers who are traveling as tourists have procured the necessary return tickets.

He noted that the requirement on return tickets for tourists is an international rule, practiced and implemented in almost all other countries in the world.

Furthermore, David said that those tourists with no return tickets will be prohibited from entering the country and sent back to their port of origin.

'This rule is meant to guarantee that a tourist will leave the host country before the lapse of his stay as a temporary visitor, ' David explained.

Likewise, BI spokesperson Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, explained that under Sec. 29 of the immigration act, aliens who arrived as tourists but do not have valid return or onward tickets shall be automatically excluded.

However, she added that Balikbayans, who are also considered tourists but are admitted for one year, are exempted from the rule in deference to the fact that they are former citizens of the Philippines. — DVM, GMA News.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/366978/bi-imposes-return-ticket-requirement

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday said it will slap fines on airlines bringing foreign tourists to the country without return tickets.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. Instructed the BI airport operations division to impose fine on any airline which allows a foreign visitor to board its aircraft without a return ticket before flying to the Philippines.

He said the requirement on return tickets for tourists is an international rule that is practice worldwide.

"This rule is meant to guarantee that a foreign visitor will leave the host country at the lapse of his stay," the BI chief said.

David stressed that it should be the responsibility of the airlines to see to it that all their passengers who are traveling as tourists have procured the necessary return tickets.

He said those who do not have return tickets will be excluded and sent back to their port of origin.

Lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson and intelligence chief, explained that under the immigration law aliens who arrived as tourists but do not have valid return or onward tickets shall be automatically excluded.

Mangrobang, however, stressed that balikbayans, who are also considered tourists but are admitted for one year, are exempted from the rule as a courtesy of being former Filipinos.

She stressed that although the exclusions have inconvenienced the excluded passengers, the bureau has no choice but to implement the law.

[Rick Rock]

What exactly is the deal with the Philippines and immigration? I mean many "rich"/developed countries in Asia are way more lax with this than the Philippines. As an American or Western European, you can show up in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan and be waved right through with a 90-day stamp without as much as a question, but then you get to the PI and they have questions for you, they want to see your return tickets, and you're limited to a 3 week stay!

It's just bizarre. Surely the PI relies more on tourism than the aforementioned places? And surely there is no real problem of "illegal immigration" into the PI. I mean, what would someone sneak in for? A shitty job that pays $150 a month? In Japan, Korea, etc, there are actually people trying to overstay and get jobs without authorization, but they still don't bother you at immigration.

So what really is all this about?

[Wicked Roger]

What exactly is the deal with the Philippines and immigration? I mean many "rich"/developed countries in Asia are way more lax with this than the Philippines. As an American or Western European, you can show up in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan and be waved right through with a 90-day stamp without as much as a question, but then you get to the PI and they have questions for you, they want to see your return tickets, and you're limited to a 3 week stay!

It's just bizarre. Surely the PI relies more on tourism than the aforementioned places? And surely there is no real problem of "illegal immigration" into the PI. I mean, what would someone sneak in for? A shitty job that pays $150 a month? In Japan, Korea, etc, there are actually people trying to overstay and get jobs without authorization, but they still don't bother you at immigration.

So what really is all this about?Lots of FRs on this RR already. I tend to agree with the practicalities of your comments. There is an e ticket system implemented to save airline billions yet we have to produce a paper copy if requested by immigration. The same that we have to show international airlines. However, PI to my humble knowledge, is the ONLY country I have visited (and I have visited many as some members here will know) that specifically enforces the rule.

Is a great advert for tourism as I said earlier coupled with the 21 day visa.

For me it is a pain to be asked and to show a paper copy when there is a booking online to be seen by the counter staff if they could be bothered. Some mongers did try showing the booking on a laptop but the officials wanted to see a paper copy so they went and prointed off what they showed on the screen. How stupid is that?

In this day of modern technology PI has a long way to go to catch up yet the President will likely say in his SONA that the economy grows (well yes for the rich but has limited or no impact on the poor and certainly no jobs or investment to note). Hapless and misguided with limited check on reality apart from trying (albeit very slowly) to deal with corruption. And likely GMA will get off on a technicality.

So this is a frustration but one we must bear if we want to visit. I said to someone the other day, Thailand must be easier than this etc and he agreed but if you like pinays these silly rules are here to stay!

[Red Kilt]

. And surely there is no real problem of "illegal immigration" into the PI. I mean, what would someone sneak in for? A shitty job that pays $150 a month? In Japan, Korea, etc, there are actually people trying to overstay and get jobs without authorization, but they still don't bother you at immigration.

So what really is all this about?There actually is a lot of "illegal immigration" here Rick.

I agree that the whole thing seems dysfunctional but, in defence of the PI, there are actually hundreds of overstaying foreigners in the Philippines who arrived on a tourist visa and have stayed and set up all manner of businesses here.

Sorry to say Starchild but your countrymen were targeted in a big bust in a city in Isabela in Northern Luzon earlier this year. Houses were raided and literally whole families were found with no visa, no work permits yet they were carrying on various forms of business.

The Korean community was likewise discovered to have established schools here with young korean students enrolled on fake student permits.

I think tourists are getting caught up in the cross-fire.

It's no big deal. Book your return ticket and bring a print-out when you book-in.

I complain about these things as much as anyone but I have learned, for my health and sanity, to do what is required up front and try to change it through other means. It ain't going to change soon so just grin, take a deep breath and bear it.

[Amjeck]

Is a great advert for tourism as I said earlier coupled with the 21 day visa.Hasn't this been extended to 30 days upon entry?

Also, if you obtain a tourist visa in advance, how long are you permitted to stay?

[Stroker Ace88]

lots of frs on this rr already. i tend to agree with the practicalities of your comments. there is an e ticket system implemented to save airline billions yet we have to produce a paper copy if requested by immigration. the same that we have to show international airlines. however, pi to my humble knowledge, is the only country i have visited (and i have visited many as some members here will know) that specifically enforces the rule.

is a great advert for tourism as i said earlier coupled with the 21 day visa. [snip]as previously announced, bi has plans to increase the standard 21 day tourist visa to 30 days. when that will happen i am not sure, just "sometime in 2012" was mentioned. and we all know that things move at lightning speed in the philippines when it comes to these things. 2012 could turn into 2015 before the paper pushers get around to it since it took them a decade (or three) to include the terminal fee in the ticket price.

it's more fun in the philippines di ba wr. lol.

[BionicMan]

Immigration Bureau to fine airlines for tourists without return tickets.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/266340/news/nation/immigration-bureau-to-fine-airlines-for-tourists-without-return-tickets

Airlines will be penalized with administrative fines by the Bureau of Immigration if they allow foreign tourists bound for the Philippines to board their planes without return tickets.Fines, just as I said before. The fact is that in an age of low cost and cheap tickets, this can be silly anyhow.

If I have plans to stay and I easily circumnavigate the law by buying a return ticket for a few tens and simply do not show up at my return flight? Of course I will loose that money, but. Maybe I don't care.

What about sea transportation?

[Econo Tech]

Fines, just as I said before. The fact is that in an age of low cost and cheap tickets, this can be silly anyhow.

If I have plans to stay and I easily circumnavigate the law by buying a return ticket for a few tens and simply do not show up at my return flight? Of course I will loose that money, but. Maybe I don't care.

What about sea transportation?And then this.

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1759&Itemid=78

In Singapore, the Phil Embassy posted an apology for asking returning former Kababayans for a return ticket, which is insulting considering they are former filipinos. But a veteran chimed in that a lot of 'them have committed various crimes in US / UK or elsewhere and took flight to Phil!

[Starchild2012]

Sorry to say Starchild but your countrymen were targeted in a big bust in a city in Isabela in Northern Luzon earlier this year. Houses were raided and literally whole families were found with no visa, no work permits yet they were carrying on various forms of business.Yes. There are lots of Indians in the PH and every other month, when raids takes place, Indians are caught with no papers, I know many are staying here illegally and leeching off with 5-6 loan shark business for decades and now they have come up with new ways to make money by illegal immigration from Indian villages to the PH. India is way way poorer and worse in terms of corruption than PH, if you think PH is bad. Multiply it by 100 and you will know how India is.

With population explosion and no hope in India, people are desperate to move out and they sell land, house in India to pay the fees to illegal recruiters who bring them to PH and put them in small small villages across PH. The problem is return tickets won't deter them from staying in the PH. Once they land in PH, its a mini paradise.

[Rick Rock]

I agree that the whole thing seems dysfunctional but, in defence of the PI, there are actually hundreds of overstaying foreigners in the Philippines who arrived on a tourist visa and have stayed and set up all manner of businesses here.Big deal. They are starting businesses. What a drain on the economy! LOL.

I'm sure tourism more than makes up for whatever is "lost" to "illegal businesses" (isn't that a joke anyhow? You're talking about a place with knee-deep corruption, no one even knows who to pay for what half the time, lands have multiple titles or no titles at all, etc.).

I'm still no sure what the real underlying cause of the all around extremism of immigration in the PI compared to other countries. Heck, I have less trouble getting into Europe or America than I do the PI!

[Red Kilt]

The President delivered the SONA today in Filipino language.

For those who wish to read it in English, and it is worth reading, check out the English version here.

http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/9069-the-state-of-the-nation-address

[Samchad]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.

[Econo Tech]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.What a great idea.

So how did it go for you?

[Red Kilt]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.Extraordinarily naive troll Sam.

Please try harder.

Could be some of the fiction writers might jump in and appease your lust for details.

This surely would not happen in the Phils (but I await any responses).

There are more shop assistants than customers and they all see guys trying to slip cp numbers to girls without going to such an extreme as trying to fuck a girl in the change room without anyone knowing. These girls queue for days to get an SM job; they will not throw it away like that for a measly 1500php.
They can earn that in a week (LOL and insert smiley here)

[FreebieFan]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.Nope, but once in Bangkok was with "Nook", and we went to the departrment store near BTS Patpong BTS station. She wanted to go swimming with me, so we went to buy her a swimsuit. She picked one out, and we both went to changing room for her to try it on.

Staff had no problem with this in that Thai " don't care what you do " style they have. Nook was very happy getting changed in front of me, and I was happy happy feeling her up and she tried on the swimsuit. Needless to say thats the one we bought, even if it did 15 minutes to make sure it was the right " fit ". Good times!

[FreebieFan]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.I think you also have no idea about the condition SM girls work in. Firstly they are on 5 month contracts so they don't enjoy the rights of full time workers. Secondly they are bodily searched on arrival at work and departure. Apparently the search is very invasive.

Thirdly, despite being paid low wages, and the searches, and having no eplmoyment rights, they have a huge long list of rules of compliance, re grooming, working on time, always smiling, etcetc.

The prospect of a 15 minute quickie is most definately at the bottom of their list of priorities. SM is not a friendly employer at all.

[Slippery]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.That's as stupid as the guy that wanted to walk around the college campus asking coeds if they needed tuition money. Can't wait to read the newspapers about the foreigner soliciting sex in those two situations. Great way to spend 10 years in a Philippines prison.

[BionicMan]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.I believe that to make things easier for you you go around with just a raincoat and nothing underneath, right? You can also try on top of an escalator, showing your merchandise and ask to the ladies passing by whether they want to sample the goods.

[Wicked Roger]

Has anyone any success picking up a lady working in the Men's dept in shoemart for example, first asking her if she will go in the change room with you to help advise you if the clothes look good, then you offer her 1500 php for you to fuck her in the change room? Any success? Hoping to hear some success stories.Rk.

Troll too gentle.

Fantasist, one hand typist and jerk.

Samchad your 45 posts amount to asking banal questions and have no real info except the odd hotel report that anyone can get from the web page

So go eleswhere and pollute another board with this mindless drivel as you have nothing to contribute based on what I have read.

Maybe you this in the porn you watch every night as an excuse for the real thing.

But go try it and ask the store manager if she would mind you doing but please remember post a meaningful FR afetr

[Mc Don]

I have had sex in SM Mall changing room in AC and also in greenbelt on a bench after closing time walked into the shopping mall from Hard Rock Cafe. Normally there is security guard but there was noone at the time so we continued further in. Both times it was with a GF not some random pick up.

Like RK said no chance in hell anyone would risk their job for something like this. I use to have a gf that worked in SM department store in Malate and she was not allowed to have her cell phone with her, she required a note for her supervisor to have lunch with me outside the mall during her break and would not take money from me at the mall (not for sex) from fear of being labelled a working girl.

[WestCoast1]

That's as stupid as the guy that wanted to walk around the college campus asking coeds if they needed tuition money.That, or the guy who posted recently in the Makati thread who, after waltzing thru the lobby with a SW, then later wanted to date the receptionist. Hahaha. No.

[Wicked Roger]

That, or the guy who posted recently in the Makati thread who, after waltzing thru the lobby with a SW, then later wanted to date the receptionist. Hahaha. No.Maybe it is the weather, or what is in the water. Who knows. But we do seems to have attracted a fair share of mindless idiots who total contribution amounts to nearly zero.

But at least gives me and others fun when offering advice.

Most of this 'members' probably have a deep and meaningful relationship with their member LOL as seems unlikely in the real world they could ever have a real life date let alone shag with a girl LOL.

Someone on the UAE forum mentioned about dating the receptionist and later I think posted about her losing her job. Clever guy.

Admittedly I am not adverse to daing hotel staff but I do change hotels first and am very discrete but I also realise the consequences for the girl so I make sure I am far from the original hotel I stay at. Sensible and not fantasist advice LOL

[Rick Rock]

Hey, at least one guy got some hand relief in the changing room. I don't know the full story, but the videos that prove it are online.

http://efukt.com/20924_Happy_Ending_WIN.html

I think he said something like he can't try the pants on because he has a hard on, he needs some help to relieve it!

[Red Kilt]

Hey, at least one guy got some hand relief in the changing room. I don't know the full story, but the videos that prove it are online.

http://efukt.com/20924_Happy_Ending_WIN.html

I think he said something like he can't try the pants on because he has a hard on, he needs some help to relieve it!Nobody doubts the stories from FF and others that you can do such antics in store changing rooms but that is NOT what Samchad was talking about.

The on-topic question was about fucking SM shop assistants in change cubicles.

The responses treated the silly question with the deserved level of derision.

[Bob Bowie]

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8195667/the-rodman-family-scottie-pippen-nba-retirees-explore-manila-trip-philippines

Found this article about old NBA players in Manila for the die hard Pinoy fans. The writer jumps around different subjects.

Including this quote " I've had the displeasure of sitting near men like Philander Rodman — crass, leathery sex-pats — on half-day bus and boat rides around the Philippines, and they make my skin crawl. They crow about their sexual prowess and boast that the only Tagalog terms they need to know are puwit, pek-pek, and pla-pla, which I can't define in this space, but let's say that they all refer to body parts you find below a woman's waist. They remain either blissfully oblivious or grotesquely calculating about the fact that they have venue-shopped their way into a country where enough women live in poverty desperate enough to make sleeping with these men a useful survival tactic. When they're white, they make me ashamed of my skin; when they're American, they make me ashamed of my country. They're repugnant."

The article also talks about Dennis Rodman's father, Philander (his real name) and his 29 children with 16 women.

At the end of the article I recognized the author who had been on the local Pinoy TV show a couple of years ago. I actual bought his book at the time, but it is still on the bottom of my Kindle list.

[Jambo]

[url]When they're white, they make me ashamed of my skin; when they're American, they make me ashamed of my country.Seems the young man has found a nitch as "American expert in a foreign land" and gone native on us. Trouble is its too hot to wear a hair shirt in the PI. But fucks like this can get the ear of US press.

I would certainly never brag about banging Philippine girls to a local. I guess I have to be careful what I say to clean-cut young westerners as well. Whenever someone asks why I want to live in the PI, I say "because its warm". (actually I would rather live in Malaysia, but that is another board)

[Soapy Smith]

Seems the young man has found a nitch as "American expert in a foreign land" and gone native on us. Trouble is its too hot to wear a hair shirt in the PI. But fucks like this can get the ear of US press.

I would certainly never brag about banging Philippine girls to a local. I guess I have to be careful what I say to clean-cut young westerners as well. Whenever someone asks why I want to live in the PI, I say "because its warm". (actually I would rather live in Malaysia, but that is another board) I believe the young man in question went native long ago and, unlike most of us, doesn't pay in the usual way to get laid. I knew him about six years ago when he was in the country courtesy of some state department program. He convinced them he wanted to write a book about Philippine basketball, they agreed to fund him to start research on the book, and he eventually did what he set out to do. Along the way he starred briefly in a Philippine soap opera. Long story that I won't explain, but it attracted a lot of attention from young Pinays. We ran into each other and chatted for a few minutes one day near one of the nicer neighborhoods of Quezon City. Off to our side was a little open-front bakery shop and two young cutie employees hanging out in the front. Suddenly they saw him and started squealing his name. He waved and smiled as though he knew them, and suddenly they seemed to become more important conversationalists than I was. He chatted them up with a lot of game.

From other occasions I know he also had succumbed to karaoke. He couldn't carry a tune in a paper bag, but he scored high points simply by hitting peak volume at all the right points in each song. He was struggling to learn Tagalog, but at least he was trying. So, as I summed up his situation, it was clear to me he was going native after only a few months in the country. So imagine a good-looking American in his mid-20s, blue eyes, reddish-blonde hair, about 6'2" or 6'3", who'd done time in a TV soap opera. Little question in my mind he was getting laid without much effort or expense. A young man in that situation can easily look down his nose at us geezers who have only our money to advance our cause with sweet young Pinays. And now he is shrewd enough to know how to play the pure-hearted young American for the benefit of mainstream Filipinos, even if he knows it means living a lie.

There is a silver lining to this story. Remember that there are worse things than watching out of shape has-been athletes trying to string out enough energy to put together two halves of a basketball game: trying to make a profession out of writing about such sad spectacles.

[BrainDrain]

HI,

I had a trip to Phils last year and certainly caught a little bit of yellow fever of the Pinay strain. I'm a little bit of a glutton so I need to get back soon. I thought I'd share an insight.

I know that when we are in Phils, the girls are unreliable but I sort of thought that when I was back on home soil things would be different if I found myself a willing Pinay here. Turns out the one I found was just as unorganised. She is here as a foreign student studying english. We'd arrange to meet at a motel, I'd pay for this and then all she had to do was catch a taxi from the CBD to the motel. About 2kms. That took her 65 minutes to catch a taxi and then the taxi driver dropped her off in the wrong place. A total disaster. But when she was in a closed room things were quite different. .

I am still getting used to her watching ABC kids TV while she gives me a headjob. She's 38 BTW.

So quite a beautiful person but still disorganised.

BD

[Samchad]

Hi,

Has anyone tried this spa? I read it is a good spa, but did not get any info on HJ, BJ, FS. I will be at Araneta Center this weekend and could stop over. There is also other spas there too. Any recommendations?

Thanks

[Red Kilt]

As from August 1, the 200 php terminal fee for Manila will now be included when you purchase the ticket.

If you bought ticket before Aug 1, you still need to pay for the terminal fee.

The MIAA is recommending that you bring a full copy of your e-ticket if you believe you have already paid the fees.

See.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/domestic-terminal-fee-to-come-with-airline-tickets--says-miaa.html

[Samchad]

Hi,

Has anyone tried this spa? I read it is a good spa, but did not get any info on HJ, BJ, FS. I will be at Araneta Center this weekend and could stop over. There is also other spas there too. Any recommendations?

ThanksI did not hear from anyone, so I went to Big Apple hoping for the best. I had the Balinese massage. PHP 499 + 100 for using massage oil for 1 hr. After the flip to my back and she was massaging my leg I asked about a hand job and she said that they did not do that. I indicated that I would give her an extra tip, but she still declined, so don't go to Big Apple unless you only want a massage.

[FreebieFan]

Comments about the RH Bill should be posted where exactly? Filipinas Opinions? Manila? General? I opted for General. Hope that this is right place, as I didn't see any directions on the way in.

Anyways, yesterday, small rally, whereby the good old men of the church want to tell the youth of the country how to behave with regards to sex. All part of the pre-match build up to the RH Bill vote before congress.

They state "Church officials said the availability of modern contraception methods would encourage premarital sex and erode morals.

In a message to the youth, Villegas reminded them that 'contraception makes sex cheap. '

There are many many replies that can be formed to their message, but for the sad old churchmen, I think they need to get out and about, or maybe go on the sites we use, because for sure, there are floods, swarm and other words indicating collective gatherings of girls with unwanted babies. Thousands of them. All due to a lack of contraception exacerbated by a lack of knowledge of what contracception is and what it does. And these sad old men, who advocate celibacy (except in their own case of course) , want to condemn the Philippines to generations more of unwanted kids. Sad!

[Member #4387]

HI,

I had a trip to Phils last year and certainly caught a little bit of yellow fever of the Pinay strain. I'm a little bit of a glutton so I need to get back soon. I thought I'd share an insight.

I know that when we are in Phils, the girls are unreliable but I sort of thought that when I was back on home soil things would be different if I found myself a willing Pinay here. Turns out the one I found was just as unorganised. She is here as a foreign student studying english. We'd arrange to meet at a motel, I'd pay for this and then all she had to do was catch a taxi from the CBD to the motel. About 2kms. That took her 65 minutes to catch a taxi and then the taxi driver dropped her off in the wrong place. A total disaster. But when she was in a closed room things were quite different. .

I am still getting used to her watching ABC kids TV while she gives me a headjob. She's 38 BTW.

So quite a beautiful person but still disorganised.

BDWell for me I can give you thumbs up for your post here regarding meeting Asian girl in your own country. I have one pinay GF myself in Norway. Actually I call her NoPin (norwegian / pinay) because she is mix (pinay mom and norsk dad). But travelling my fair share in the SEA countries except from Indonesia (does not count romatic holiday in Bali, hehe) /Malaysia I see most of these ladies as not very well organized like you. You should think beeing born half norwegian made you different (obviously her skin is quite pale and probably a bit taller than her fellow sisters) but no. She fits my asian profile of beeing lazy, not reading anything except some womens magazine, hopeless I practical issues. Well my GF does have one master from UNi so she must have read sth. But after I met her most of the time she lies on sofa wayching TV, messes up the dishwasher and so on. Thanks God she is horny. I guess her mothers genetics was stronger than from father side, hehe.

My worst example was from a Thaigirl I once had some sort of relationsship with. I called her OnandOff. She could just say "I take nap now". And within the second she slept like a baby. She could sleep like 20 hours a day simular to my cat. The only way to realy wake her was to slap my dick in her face screaming surprise surprise, hehe.

[Red Kilt]

Check out this link.

Very very funny.

"Philippines Bishops declare support for ejaculation"

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/46487/bishops-declare-support-for-ejaculation

They also don't like premarital sex, sex for pleasure, kinky sex, sex video sex, imaginary sex, phone sex, Internet sex, sex for hire, and same-sex sex.

WR - sorry but you will be going straight to hell

[Amjeck]

I'm going to be visiting the PI for 6 months and I wish to open a bank account. My plan is to travel to some remote places and I don't wish to carry large amounts of cash on me. Which banks have the most vast networks of branches? I'd also like to get an atm card if possible that I can use throughout the country. Is it possible to open an account with a cashiers check?

[Wicked Roger]

Check out this link.

Very very funny.

"Philippines Bishops declare support for ejaculation"

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/46487/bishops-declare-support-for-ejaculation

They also don't like premarital sex, sex for pleasure, kinky sex, sex video sex, imaginary sex, phone sex, Internet sex, sex for hire, and same-sex sex.

WR. Sorry but you will be going straight to hellLOL that was a funny read and if true, hell is where all should be if that means all the above are allowed and encouraged.

Just think sex with no pleasure. Maybe with the monger's missus LOL

[D Cups]

Let me see if I understand this: the Roman Catholic church wants us to jack off more often? This is hilarious!


Check out this link.

Very very funny.

"Philippines Bishops declare support for ejaculation"

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/46487/bishops-declare-support-for-ejaculation

They also don't like premarital sex, sex for pleasure, kinky sex, sex video sex, imaginary sex, phone sex, Internet sex, sex for hire, and same-sex sex.

WR. Sorry but you will be going straight to hell

[Mackin]

One of the great things is to mix religion and politics. Hahahaha. I can't believe some idiot said that there might not be enough people to work in the Phils if contresception is used. I guess the church feels better when they are poor and have no future. That way the chuch can say they are helping the poor just like in their bible. What a joke.

[MangoBob68]

One of the great things is to mix religion and politics. Hahahaha. I can't believe some idiot said that there might not be enough people to work in the Phils if contresception is used. I guess the church feels better when they are poor and have no future. That way the chuch can say they are helping the poor just like in their bible. What a joke.It is so surprising to me the power of the church in politics. Such as NO Divorce rule. So what happens to the poor catholic pinoy or pinay! They end up commiting a sin when they separate from their partner and go off living with a new partner. Starting another family. True. They have what is called annulment (which only the wealthy can afford). So how is that annulment is ok if divorce is not ok. (I think it was created so the rich and famous can remarry and remarry) All so crazy!

For those of you who do not want the girl thinking marriage. Find a nice young separated one who cannot marry. There are everywhere!

[BionicMan]

LOL that was a funny read and if true, hell is where all should be if that means all the above are allowed and encouraged.

Just think sex with no pleasure. Maybe with the monger's missus LOLAnd with the bishop's wife?

[Cunning Stunt]

Is anyone else getting sick of this atrocious wet weather that we have endured for days and days. It is disrupting my mongering schedule. I have heard that Roxas Boulevard and Taft are now fine, inland lakes with people sailing and windsurfing on them! The plank men with their temporary bridges must be minting it.

[FreebieFan]

I'm going to be visiting the PI for 6 months and I wish to open a bank account. My plan is to travel to some remote places and I don't wish to carry large amounts of cash on me. Which banks have the most vast networks of branches? I'd also like to get an atm card if possible that I can use throughout the country. Is it possible to open an account with a cashiers check?Welcome the world of intitials. Top of yourl ist should be BPI (bank phil islands) BNP, UCPB, ABC (allied bank) RCBC, BDO etcetc. All have good coverage but I think BPI works best and easiest. As for opening an acount, go into a branch and see what they want.

[Red Kilt]

I'm going to be visiting the PI for 6 months and I wish to open a bank account. My plan is to travel to some remote places and I don't wish to carry large amounts of cash on me. Which banks have the most vast networks of branches? I'd also like to get an atm card if possible that I can use throughout the country. Is it possible to open an account with a cashiers check?BPI has quite stringent rules to open an account.

One thing they might need is a proof of mailing address which means they need to see that you have a "permanent address", and you need to provide a receipt from Meralco or a phone company addressed to your residence.

I said "might" because many of the branches are actually "franchised" and so different branches will require different things.

Some banks require a minimum deposit too. And they may say "7 days to clear your cashier's check" too.

I know one visitor who was refused an account because he was only visiting as a tourist so he went to another branch of the same bank and was given an account.

Be prepared to wait a week or so to get your ATM card if your application is approved.

[Amjeck]

Be prepared to wait a week or so to get your ATM card if your application is approved.What about opening a po box to have the atm card mailed to then picking it up later in my travels?

[Red Kilt]

What about opening a po box to have the atm card mailed to then picking it up later in my travels?NEVER EVER have anything sent by Philippines mail.

Always use a courier service. Banks will not send ATM cards by regular mail any more.

I had many things go astray (even normal regular documents) sent by mail until I learned my lesson. If I need to send anything anywhere now I use LBC or JP Express or FedEX (depending on where I am and where I am sending it).

Most banks will insist that you personally pick up the card. Yet another quirky thing about the Phils.

[Soapy Smith]

Check out this link.

Very very funny.

"Philippines Bishops declare support for ejaculation"The first giveaway about this hoax is the nifty acronym: "CBCP, or the Censorious Bishops Collegium of the Philippines." Right.

But the highpoint for me was the satirist's self-deprecating conclusion:

"Meanwhile, Fr. Tomasito Torquemada, CBCP director of information, sternly announced that a news website reporter will face excommunication for 'blasphemy, heresy and spreading satirical interpretations' of church affairs.

'We're already reserving a bunk in Hell for him, very close to the boilers, ' Torquemada warned.

Manila's newsgathering circles are buzzing with speculation about the identity of the condemned reporter-CNN"

Actually, I applaud the Inquirer management for condoning such colorful and apropos satire.

But in the world of real Catholic leaders, one of them addressing the lambs at the EDSA Shrine protest had the gall to refer to the proposed legislation as "corruption." Now asshole, let's talk about real corruption: Corruption is when the CBCP repeatedly extended its blessing to the corrupt previous president, GMA. Corruption is also the name for centuries of Catholic clergy impregnating young God-fearing Filipinas and swearing them to silence lest they incur God's wrath. And corruption is the name for centuries of harvesting collections from poor Filipinos--for the purpose of building up wealth on earth for the Church--while promising redemption in a fictional hereafter for those who could least afford to be making these contributions. Does this sound a little like atheist cynicism? Nah.

[Paulr1950]

I'm going to be visiting the PI for 6 months and I wish to open a bank account. My plan is to travel to some remote places and I don't wish to carry large amounts of cash on me. Which banks have the most vast networks of branches? I'd also like to get an atm card if possible that I can use throughout the country. Is it possible to open an account with a cashiers check?I opened a bpi account in Cebu sm, only had 21 day visa no probs, picked up the card same day but at the other branch had to put 1000 pso in account, the only prob is they do not have debit cards yet only atm card

The metro bank near Robinson seems to be ok as well. This is in cebu, just walk bank to bank and ask is the best thing.

[Amjeck]

I opened a bpi account in cebu sm, only had 21 day visa no probs, picked up the card same day but at the other branch had to put 1000 pso in account, the only prob is they do not have debit cards yet only atm card

The metro bank near Robinson seems to be ok as well. This is in cebu, just walk bank to bank and ask is the best thingSo it seems like each branch has different criteria?

I plan to open this account in AC. Anybody have experience opening up an account there?

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my questions so far.

[Asian Rain]

Is anyone else getting sick of this atrocious wet weather that we have endured for days and days. It is disrupting my mongering schedule.RK has got it right in the other threads. I had an urgent mongering call on Sunday night and nearly got stranded in the road rivers of Malate. Learned that lesson and stayed home today. Don't have any high expectations that girls are going to trek in from Cavite for a shag. I had a 19yo student girl offer to come to Malate from Muntinlupa today. Told the sweet thing to stay home and stay dry. Even with the weather, it's still more fun in the Philippines. Enjoy, AsianRain

[X Man]

Think horny teenage boy 15. Think nun with a vow of celibacy.

She tells the class that sex before marriage is a sin and one would will go to hell. Then she tells the whopper,"Even thinking about sex before marriage is a sin and you will go to hell."

That's when it became crystal clear to the 15-yr-old virginal X, these religious nuts don't know what they are talking about.


Check out this link.

Very very funny.

"Philippines Bishops declare support for ejaculation"

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/46487/bishops-declare-support-for-ejaculation

They also don't like premarital sex, sex for pleasure, kinky sex, sex video sex, imaginary sex, phone sex, Internet sex, sex for hire, and same-sex sex.

WR. Sorry but you will be going straight to hell

[Wazoo]

In case you are interested in eye candy, take a look at the 30 candidates for Mutya Ng Pilipinas:

http://adventuresofabeautyqueen.com/2012/07/19/introducing-the-30-candidates-of-mutya-ng-pilipinas-2012/

#17 gets my vote!

[MrJamel]

Greetings all!

I know I'm probably in the wrong place for this so I apologize in advance if I am. Four of us are traveling to makati in September and we were looking to rent 2 two bedroom condos in the fort area. It averages to about $40 dollars per person each night. Has anyone here rented a condo? We are only staying for 5 or 6 nights. The place is pearl lettings.

Man, I've been on here for hours trying to figure out the lingo, the do's and don't's but its not going to fully make sense until I'm there. LOL also, I hear a lot about AC vs. Manila. Whats the distance I have to travel from makati to AC? By cab.

Thanks all.

[Slippery]

Greetings all!

I know I'm probably in the wrong place for this so I apologize in advance if I am. Four of us are traveling to makati in September and we were looking to rent 2 two bedroom condos in the fort area. It averages to about $40 dollars per person each night. Has anyone here rented a condo? We are only staying for 5 or 6 nights. The place is pearl lettings.

Man, I've been on here for hours trying to figure out the lingo, the do's and don't's but its not going to fully make sense until I'm there. LOL also, I hear a lot about AC vs. Manila. Whats the distance I have to travel from makati to AC? By cab.

Thanks all.I stay alot longer than 5-6 nights but for me, a condo is by far the best alternative of the two. Never dealt with Pearl's though. Make sure you get accurate reads on the electric meters upon checking in and out because Pearl's charges for electricity. Sure, a taxi can take you from Makati to AC but its going to cost you. If 4 guys are sharing the expense though, it will be next to nothing. Arrange for the taxi ahead of time.

[Red Kilt]

Sure, a taxi can take you from Makati to AC but its going to cost you. If 4 guys are sharing the expense though, it will be next to nothing. Arrange for the taxi ahead of time.I live here so I am not an authority on the rental issue other than to say that the hassles with renting an apartment for 5 or 6 days will be many (including advance deposits for electricity usage, phones, internet, rental bonds against damage and loss of contents etc and trying to get the advances back again).

However, regarding getting to AC:

Four guys will not easily fit into a regular Philippines cab, especially if one or two of you are not slim. Add in baggage and you will be a tight squeeze.

I suggest you decide which AC hotel you will stay at and arrange for the hotel van to fetch you, either from your accommodation in Manila or from airport.

Cost will be reasonable when split 4 ways.

Check the AC Hotel thread for advice on which places have vans for hire. My guess is that MOST of the bigger ones do.

[Amanut]

Greetings all!

I know I'm probably in the wrong place for this so I apologize in advance if I am. Four of us are traveling to makati in September and we were looking to rent 2 two bedroom condos in the fort area. It averages to about $40 dollars per person each night. Has anyone here rented a condo? We are only staying for 5 or 6 nights. The place is pearl lettings.

Thanks all.On the recommendation of another member, I stayed at 'Shaw Residenza' on Shaw Blvd on my last trip. A nice two bedroom place fully furnished with a safe in the room. I believe it was 60. 00 US a night with a 50. 00 damage deposit.

I went to Cebu for a week and just left my damage deposit with them. When I returned I stayed there again and had no problem getting my deposit back. The only problem is that they seem to only deal with US dollars so that can be a challenge getting pesos converted.

They wanted to know names of who was going to stay there with me, but of course I did not have names. The guards just tipped their hats every time I came or left with someone.

[Wicked Roger]

In case you are interested in eye candy, take a look at the 30 candidates for Mutya Ng Pilipinas:

http://adventuresofabeautyqueen.com/2012/07/19/introducing-the-30-candidates-of-mutya-ng-pilipinas-2012/

#17 gets my vote!#22 as I saw the heats for this at the Lewis Grand. Was great fun but lots of mothers watching and protecting their daughters- as thought hey would fall prey to ongers and dirty old me (shock!). She (#22) was cute but I felt there was better (well my eyes at least)

I think I would be a good judge at these types of shows. Would certainly ask more insightful questions LOL

[X Man]

I found a few on FB, but me thinks most of them set up the privacy blocking right away when entering these contests.


#22 as I saw the heats for this at the Lewis Grand. Was great fun but lots of mothers watching and protecting their daughters- as thought hey would fall prey to ongers and dirty old me (shock!). She (#22) was cute but I felt there was better (well my eyes at least)

I think I would be a good judge at these types of shows. Would certainly ask more insightful questions LOL

[Gangles]

I do not know if this is the correct thread for this enquiry.

I am trying to locate a place called the Touchdown Nightclub and Bar. It is located in the Phils, but I do not know where.

Has any monger come in contact with the place, or can give any info as to its location and / or entertainment value.

I believe that it is located near a coast, neat an airport, near a casino, and there are a couple of other night clubs or bars in the immediate vicinity.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Thanks in anticipation,

Gangles

[Gangles]

One thing that may cause problems is using a cashiers check to open your account.

I deposited a similar check from an Australian bank into a Phils bank account, and it took about one month for the check to clear and the funds to be available to me.

Also, consider whether you want a peso account, a US dollar account, or whatever is your currency.

There are advantages and disadvantages in al three options.

G


Welcome the world of intitials. Top of yourl ist should be BPI (bank phil islands) BNP, UCPB, ABC (allied bank) RCBC, BDO etcetc. All have good coverage but I think BPI works best and easiest. As for opening an acount, go into a branch and see what they want.

[FreebieFan]

Think horny teenage boy 15. Think nun with a vow of celibacy.

She tells the class that sex before marriage is a sin and one would will go to hell. Then she tells the whopper,"Even thinking about sex before marriage is a sin and you will go to hell."

That's when it became crystal clear to the 15-yr-old virginal X, these religious nuts don't know what they are talking about.Have a look where " go to hell " came from. Was an invention by the catholic church back in the 1500's, when they realised they were losing market share, and needed a wow factor to increase it. They invented hell and haven't updated their " if you don't do this " line in past few hundred years.

The other thing you might want to research is how much property the catholic church owns in Philippines. Oh, and the fact that they don't pay one single peso of tax on all their income from property or other revenue producing streams in Philippines. And they think they have the right to tell others how to behave.

[Capt Munch]

One thing that may cause problems is using a cashiers check to open your account.

I deposited a similar check from an Australian bank into a Phils bank account, and it took about one month for the check to clear and the funds to be available to me.

Also, consider whether you want a peso account, a US dollar account, or whatever is your currency.

There are advantages and disadvantages in al three options.

GMy account is at Bank of Commerce (BOC) and from the US. I did an International money transfer. Cost is now about $45 for same day transfer and through BOA it is supposed to be $10 per transaction for a next day transfer. On a previous trip, I asked at BOC and the funds should be immediately available (I believe) So far I have only put money into that account at BOC and have yet to withdraw anything. I hope its there. Maybe if I try to get the funds out. I will find out about the "disadvantages" that G refers to.

Originally Wachovia had some association with BOC but since Wells Fargo took over, that seems to have disappeared. Wells Fargo does allow transfers to MetroBank and Bank of Phils plus a couple of others, just not BOC and probbaly quite a few others.

Even online with BankOfAmerica, when you try to set up a Phils transfer, you get a warning message that Philippines is a "Slow to Pay" country. Those long term ex-pats that have accounts and deposit US checks into their Phils accounts have told me that the standard transaction time in the Philippines is 25 days!

Waiting a month for your money will only work for those that stay an extended amount of time. For my shorter stays I have always just taken over all the cash I have needed and not gone to overboard on the expenses and entertainment. As they always say "Cash is King".

As all have probably noticed. The PI immigration form does require declaration of any funds in excess of $ 10, 000 US dollars and I think also 10, 000 pisos upon entry. Some care should be taken when leaving the Philippines with a large bill roll as occasional stories crop up of issues with greedy officials / security. Though I have NOT had any issues personally.

If you are in Angeles City, there is one more option to cash a check for a fee and get quick funds. I would say PM me for details. And in a couple of weeks that should be an option. As I have finally sent off my "dues". In cash of course.

Munch

[Red Kilt]

. .

Even online with BankOfAmerica, when you try to set up a Phils transfer, you get a warning message that Philippines is a "Slow to Pay" country. Those long term ex-pats that have accounts and deposit US checks into their Phils accounts have told me that the standard transaction time in the Philippines is 25 days!

Waiting a month for your money will only work for those that stay an extended amount of time. .The transferred money actually "shows" in your balance but is not available until an extraordinary period of time.

I just deposited a 200, 000 php check from a bank in Nthn Luzon (pay out on a policy) into my bank in Manila and it has been 19 working days so far and still NOT CLEARED. I think it must be a racket for some individual (or the bank) to make 30 days worth of interest out of my money. Note the term "working days". That eliminates Saturday and Sunday.

In this day of electronic transfer, this is just plain ludicrous.

[BionicMan]

Checks need to be proofed at the source. Hence the long time, due also to international boundaries.

Wire transfers usually take a few hours to be available at the recipient end. Whenever possible have paymen done by e-trasfer bank to bank.

[Wicked Roger]

I think it must be a racket for some individual (or the bank) to make 30 days worth of interest out of my money. Note the term "working days". That eliminates Saturday and Sunday.

In this day of electronic transfer, this is just plain ludicrous.Correct RK, the bank gets a nice little earner.

With electronic methods my transfers arrive within 3 days normally as long as you remember the weekends etc

[WestCoast1]

One thing that may cause problems is using a cashiers check to open your account.

I deposited a similar check from an Australian bank into a Phils bank account, and it took about one month for the check to clear and the funds to be available to me.

Also, consider whether you want a peso account, a US dollar account, or whatever is your currency.

There are advantages and disadvantages in al three options.

GG: Your inbox is full. Tried to PM you.

[Soapy Smith]

This discussion is moved here from the Manila thread.

LukeSkywalker asked about what appear to be flooded crop lands along the Northeast coast of Luzon. I responded with this:

'One way you could sleuth this is to install Google Earth and then zoom to Manila. Then pull away, scroll to the East until you see the Pacific, bear down on the coast, and start scrolling North or South depending on your likely flight route. Most of the East coast from the latitude of Manila northward is pretty rugged terrain, with little flat land for farming. There are a few exceptions where rivers flow to the sea and leave alluvial silt deposits. '

Red Kilt replied to me:

'Ummm Skip I think you have erred a little in your prognostications.

From Manila latitude and northwards out to the east you have the Rice and Corn basket of the Philippines. All through Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Isabela and Cagayan these are the prime producing lands of Northern Luzon. I have around 10 hectares of my own ricefields farmed by my wife's family.

I am not sure what boundaries you are putting on your statement that "most of the East coast from the latitude of Manila northward is pretty rugged terrain, with little flat land for farming", but for me most of the eastern side of the Cordilleras as far north to Aparri and across to the Pacific is very much flat and fertile. '

I am responding here to RK:

I think 'for me' is the operational term in your reply. You have probably been in many of the areas you describe many times, and I have never been further north than Baguio. So your input is appreciated. But I would not say I was engaging in prognostication, which implies forecasting something about which I have no knowledge.

In fact I surveyed the area I was describing using topographic maps and Google Earth. I have posted a link to a topographic map below. You can raise the magnification of the map by clicking on it, and the scroll bar moves you to various parts of the country, including northern Luzon.

I wrote the following: 'Most of the East coast from the latitude of Manila northward is pretty rugged terrain, with little flat land for farming. There are a few exceptions where rivers flow to the sea and leave alluvial silt deposits. ' Google Earth and the topographic map confirm what I wrote.

The principal geographic feature of the east coast of Luzon, from Aurora province up through Isabella and Cagayan provinces is the Sierra Madre mountain range. The mountains are punctuated in a few places by rivers that flow, mostly from West to East and create narrow alluvial plains at the coast. Examples are at Baler, Dinalungan and Casiguran in Aurora province and Palanan, Divilican, and Maconanon in Isabella. But most of these are narrow swaths cutting through the main geographic feature, the mountains.

I agree that the northern provinces you name are a bread basket for Luzon, but the vast majority of cultivated land is inland. Both Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya are landlocked; neither touches the Pacific Ocean. And the principal agricultural areas of Isabella and Cagayan are along the Cagayan River watershed, which is to the West of the Sierra Madre mountains, not at the coast.

The surprising thing to me is that, with your extensive knowledge from living in the Philippines for nearly 15 years, you did not offer feedback to LukeSkywalker in the first place, rather than wait to nit-pick my posting.

http://www.vidiani.com/maps/maps_of_asia/maps_of_philippines/large_detailed_road_and_topographical_map_of_philippines.jpg

[LukeSkywalker]

Approaching Manila from the east side looking down at about 5000 ft, the East side of Luzon has vast cultivated land mass, at least afew thousands acres, that became submerged in salt water in Jan-Feb.

This problem does not concern me personally, but a serious problem for farmers in Luzon to keep losing their lands to the ocean.

I withdraw my inquiry re this problem. Please stop any discussions unrelated to the pinays and their sexual habits.

[Blackangst]

Have a look where " go to hell " came from. Was an invention by the catholic church back in the 1500's, when they realised they were losing market share, and needed a wow factor to increase it. They invented hell and haven't updated their " if you don't do this " line in past few hundred years.

The other thing you might want to research is how much property the catholic church owns in Philippines. Oh, and the fact that they don't pay one single peso of tax on all their income from property or other revenue producing streams in Philippines. And they think they have the right to tell others how to behave.I'm not aware of the church paying taxes in the US either. Just sayin'

[Slippery]

I was chatting what appeared to be a gorgeous young thing from Davao today. She says no cam. But she could use a cam at an internet cafe if she pays the "license fee." Aaahhhhaaaa! So what's the license fee cost in Davao for you to use a cam in an internet cafe? Ummmmm. 2,400 php but that doesn't include transportation to city hall. Or, you could just buy me a cam. Well, how much is that? Ummmmmmm about the same price. Got to give her credit because its one I never heard of before.

[Econo Tech]

I was chatting what appeared to be a gorgeous young thing from Davao today. She says no cam. But she could use a cam at an internet cafe if she pays the "license fee." Aaahhhhaaaa! So what's the license fee cost in Davao for you to use a cam in an internet cafe? Ummmmm. 2,400 php but that doesn't include transportation to city hall. Or, you could just buy me a cam. Well, how much is that? Ummmmmmm about the same price. Got to give her credit because its one I never heard of before.Not new. Haha. Heard even wilder ones like bank asking for a deposit (to be sent by Western Union) to receive money in the girl's bank account.

And another, who asked for money to notarise her authenticity (more convincing) so that she can collect money. How about it? Send me money so I can prepare to collect more money from you.

[FreebieFan]

I'm not aware of the church paying taxes in the US either. Just sayin'Wonder if they are related to FIFA (Football Federation, as guess what, they hold a world cup in a city ever few years, and the deal is that they won't pay tax on anything they earn from holding that competiition.

Who ever knew the Catholic church and FIFA had anything in common.

[Member #4387]

I have been reading this forum for some time now due to my upcomming trip the 22. 8.12. I will be in manila for mongering business only and I have to be effective (only 3 days for heading back to LOS) and don't want to waist to much time I. E waiting for taxi. I have a good view of prices for taxi but I have not been able to disclosure anywhere in this forum how much a taxi will set you off on a daily basis. Lets say I would rent a taxidriver for the hole day allways beeing available upon my request. That is convenient and hazzlefree when you drive from place to place, never have to wait for anything, just jump into your car. I have done this other places around the globe and I have gotten the taste for it.

How much would you guys think it would set me back in Manila to hire one driver for one day and most importantly night? Beeing a heavy sweater walking longer than from Boulevard Mansion to Manila Bay Cafe is not an option. Taxi with A / C is.

[WestCoast1]

How much would you guys think it would set me back in Manila to hire one driver for one day and most importantly night? Beeing a heavy sweater walking longer than from Boulevard Mansion to Manila Bay Cafe is not an option. Taxi with A / C is.The drivers rent the taxi's by the shift, either 8 or 12 hours. He will pay about 1200-1500 for a 12-hour shift. Add to that gasoline that you use, and his profit. I'd hazard a guess he's going to want 3000 for a 12-hour shift. Sooooo much cheaper to just get taxi's on the street. Doubt I've paid 1000 pesos total in a 24-hour period. Gents are my numbers off?

[Mc Don]

The drivers rent the taxi's by the shift, either 8 or 12 hours. He will pay about 1200-1500 for a 12-hour shift. Add to that gasoline that you use, and his profit. I'd hazard a guess he's going to want 3000 for a 12-hour shift. Sooooo much cheaper to just get taxi's on the street. Doubt I've paid 1000 pesos total in a 24-hour period. Gents are my numbers off?

Lordy, if you have 3 days only, get a room at one of the many hotels within walking distance of MBC / G-Point / Robinson's Place Mall in Malate, and you won't need a taxi for anything. Or, do the same in Makati, get a hotel along the Burgos street area and don't bother with taxi's.Your numbers are way off unless you did a circle between QC, Makati and Malate which is possible but unlikely in 24hours LOL.

Just plan your time better and no need to hire a car. Get a few phone numbers from taxi drivers in the area that you are ok with and you will be fine. Like WC said taking taxis is the way to go. If I stay in Makati and want to play in malate I would take taxi (around 200-250p one way) then a short time room near MBC (say another 300p) once I am done with ST then and decide to take a girl back to my hotel I just take a taxi again. Total cost for the entire day on taxi is around 500-700 peso and this is Makati. Malate trip. When I stay Makati only taxi expenses are less then 200p a day.

[Econo Tech]

The drivers rent the taxi's by the shift, either 8 or 12 hours. He will pay about 1200-1500 for a 12-hour shift. Add to that gasoline that you use, and his profit. I'd hazard a guess he's going to want 3000 for a 12-hour shift. Sooooo much cheaper to just get taxi's on the street. Doubt I've paid 1000 pesos total in a 24-hour period. Gents are my numbers off?

Lordy, if you have 3 days only, get a room at one of the many hotels within walking distance of MBC / G-Point / Robinson's Place Mall in Malate, and you won't need a taxi for anything. Or, do the same in Makati, get a hotel along the Burgos street area and don't bother with taxi's.And getting a driver to baby-sit you well, you know the saying "an idle mind is a devils' workshop"? One too many punter has found out the hard way. A waiting driver comes up with a plan to kill the golden egg laying goose. And with nothing much to do while waiting, the plan goes into overdrive

And why leave a witness who can implicate you or demand a bigger slice of the pie, if shit hits the roof?

Westcoast is right.

I once got a taxi. They call it "Charter". For 2, 000 peso for a night out, when I was with my friends. The worst night of my life, when we were in Nirvana, the driver decided to come over and join our table. And it was pretty nasty foot work to get him out of the door. And put him in his place. And remove him from the scene. Despite his insistance on 'keeping an eye on stuff' (as he put it.) and to add to our misery, the disco security too played along by sort of giving us more protection.

And Filipino style, he had also tried to take a 'cut' from the disco, for bringing in the guest, even though it was us who choose to go there in the first place.

Nowadays, if any of my local friends aren't driving, taxi it is. And if I land in MBC, I stick to my rule of NOT pickign any taxi queuing outside MBC. Grab one that is passing by. Those queing claim to be "chartered" and have a dozen "agents" demanding booking fee. Assholes.

[Jambo]

hire one driver for one day and most importantly night?Yeah I would not want one fucktard to know that much about my movements. Asking about if their A / C works before you get in the car is a good idea. I had to start doing that in San Diego recently. Drivers think they can get away with all kinds of little insults.

[Soapy Smith]

i withdraw my inquiry re this problem. please stop any discussions unrelated to the pinays and their sexual habits.ls, your point is well taken that the "eastcoast" discussion got out of hand, but please note this is not the "mongering in manila" thread. in the past month alone in this thread we have discussed: the catholic church and people's disaffection from it, rental properties, beauty pageants, the reproductive health bill currently before the philippines congress, philippine postal service, the weather, basketball in the philippines, working conditions for philippine retail workers, president aquino's state of the nation speech, illegal immigration to the philippines, and human resource management training in the philippines. your original question was not inappropriate, although it and the discussion that preceded it-about disasters in the philippines-probably belonged in this thread rather than the manila thread.

some guys in isg seem to be narrowly interested in getting to the old "in-out, in-out" with young pinays. knock yourself out. but others want to understand the pinays their sexing within the context of their lives, and that means seeing the culture of the philippines, the way people make a living, and day-to-day hardships (like crops getting ruined from flooding) as part of that context. one reality about the philippines is that many people live on the margins, and poor filipinos are accustomed to having personal tragedies overcome people in their families. by contrast to overly-confident westerners, they're often fatalistic about being able to change their lives, and they cope with this with lots of humor. interestingly, they score very high in cross-national studies of "happiness." so your account of sea water flooding fields at the eastcoast is part of the everyday context of life for average filipinos.
the beauty of having multiple threads in the board is that people can decide in advance where to find the ropes they need to know and the ropes they ought to skip. there's also a neat feature that lets you block any posts from people whose posts you want to skip. self-deprecating pun intended.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Your numbers are way off unless you did a circle between QC, Makati and Malate which is possible but unlikely in 24hours LOL.

Just plan your time better and no need to hire a car. Get a few phone numbers from taxi drivers in the area that you are ok with and you will be fine. Like WC said taking taxis is the way to go. If I stay in Makati and want to play in malate I would take taxi (around 200-250p one way) then a short time room near MBC (say another 300p) once I am done with ST then and decide to take a girl back to my hotel I just take a taxi again. Total cost for the entire day on taxi is around 500-700 peso and this is Makati. Malate trip. When I stay Makati only taxi expenses are less then 200p a day.To Mc don.

I agree you don't need to rent a taxi for the whole day there are taxi all over Manila you can get one any time, the only time you need to rent a taxi is in a remote area where taxi is not avalible all the time, the last time I rent a taxi all day in in a remote area in Java Indo for about 38 USD a day.

Fast Eddie 48

[Sammon]

Not new. Haha. Heard even wilder ones like bank asking for a deposit (to be sent by Western Union) to receive money in the girl's bank account.

And another, who asked for money to notarise her authenticity (more convincing) so that she can collect money. How about it? Send me money so I can prepare to collect more money from you.I had one who wanted help in completing her studies HRM. When asked how much per semester the reply was 30, 000 pesos per semester. I told her I used to support a girl who studied HRM for total 0f 8000 per semester including her room and board. She immediately said ok you send 30, 000 for the whole year.

I never send money before meeting. If I like her after meeting maybe I will help for studies or other things to keep her as my gf.

[WestCoast1]

I once got a taxi. They call it "Charter". For 2, 000 peso for a night out, when I was with my friends. The worst night of my life, when we were in Nirvana, the driver decided to come over and join our table. And it was pretty nasty foot work to get him out of the door. And put him in his place. And remove him from the scene. Despite his insistance on 'keeping an eye on stuff' (as he put it.) and to add to our misery, the disco security too played along by sort of giving us more protection.I'm going to jump back in. I was in a taxi in 2011 in Cebu city heading from Robinson's (Bo's across the street on Ramos) to downtown / Colon early, about 8am. The driver was young and friendly, traffic was light, the conversation was good (not used to that, I remember him well). He had a business card and offered long-term service. He wasn't pushy. I asked him how much for a 6-hour evening stint and he said 1500 without batting an eye. Just to attempt to dicker and lower his price, I said I might be able to use him for 1200, and he wouldn't budge. He said,"The customer sometimes wants me to drive him some hours no stoping. The fuel takes all my profit sir." I told him I would only need him to take my friends and me around to restaurants and bars, and just wait outside for us, not a lot of driving. He still wouldn't budge. I would imagine he's right. 6 hours of taxi rental in Manila costs the driver p750 for the taxi alone. From the remaining 750 must come his gas, and whats left is his profit (not much). Another time a wingman got a taxi for the evening (8 hours) in Manila for us. We went from Malate to Makati and back, to several different places. End of the evening I gave my wingman 1000 for myself to cover taxi. I'm sure we could have taxi'd together back / forth in separate taxi's to those places for about the same price, but given that we had a guy waiting for us to pull the car up each time we needed him (and go fetch) , it was nice. OTOH, you can taxi from Malate to Makati at night in lighter traffic for p170. Also, another taxi driver once took me all the way from Manila to Batangas for 1200 (he started at 2000, but when he mentioned having family in Batangas and needing to visit him, I reminded him the bus fare was 250 only and I could go that way, he dropped right down).

[Radical Guy]

I had one who wanted help in completing her studies HRM. When asked how much per semester the reply was 30, 000 pesos per semester. I told her I used to support a girl who studied HRM for total 0f 8000 per semester including her room and board. She immediately said ok you send 30, 000 for the whole year.Wow, I wish I could hire her to collect additional fees from my tightfisted clients! LOL.

RG

[LukeSkywalker]

it's true i would enjoy the companies of the young girls a lot more if i know more about their culture, ways of life etc. otherwise it would not be much different to buying a blown-up rubber doll. would be not much fun.

the problem of farm land flooded by sea water is very serious and must be harrowing for framers on the east side of luzon, but there is nothing mentioned as i was searching the internet for more info. if the ocean keeps taking on farm land, eventually there will be no land left to grow crop.

so nobody cares about this big problem. now i know life mist be very hard for the pinays, much harder then i had thought.

thanks for showing you care.


ls, your point is well taken that the "eastcoast" discussion got out of hand, but please note this is not the "mongering in manila" thread. in the past month alone in this thread we have discussed: the catholic church and people's disaffection from it, rental properties, beauty pageants, the reproductive health bill currently before the philippines congress, philippine postal service, the weather, basketball in the philippines, working conditions for philippine retail workers, president aquino's state of the nation speech, illegal immigration to the philippines, and human resource management training in the philippines. your original question was not inappropriate, although it and the discussion that preceded it-about disasters in the philippines-probably belonged in this thread rather than the manila thread.

some guys in isg seem to be narrowly interested in getting to the old "in-out, in-out" with young pinays. knock yourself out. but others want to understand the pinays their sexing within the context of their lives, and that means seeing the culture of the philippines, the way people make a living, and day-to-day hardships (like crops getting ruined from flooding) as part of that context. one reality about the philippines is that many people live on the margins, and poor filipinos are accustomed to having personal tragedies overcome people in their families. by contrast to overly-confident westerners, they're often fatalistic about being able to change their lives, and they cope with this with lots of humor. interestingly, they score very high in cross-national studies of "happiness." so your account of sea water flooding fields at the eastcoast is part of the everyday context of life for average filipinos.

the beauty of having multiple threads in the board is that people can decide in advance where to find the ropes they need to know and the ropes they ought to skip. there's also a neat feature that lets you block any posts from people whose posts you want to skip. self-deprecating pun intended.

[Amjeck]

One thing that may cause problems is using a cashiers check to open your account.

Also, consider whether you want a peso account, a US dollar account, or whatever is your currency.

There are advantages and disadvantages in al three options.

GCan't you open an account which includes both USD and pesos?

[Econo Tech]

Can't you open an account which includes both USD and pesos?NOT possible!

[Wicked Roger]

NOT possible!HSBC in the Philippnes allows you to open a pesos and USD account. Separate accounts but under one name

I know as I have

[Red Kilt]

HSBC in the Philippnes allows you to open a pesos and USD account. Separate accounts but under one name

I know as I haveI have a peso, USD and Aust Dollar account under my name with HSBC in Manila. 3 separate accounts all under one name because I am paid in all 3 different currencies depending on assignment.

Don't give out info that is wrong Econotech.

[Gangles]

I have quizzed more than a few taxi drivers as to how they operate.

A driver rents a taxi for 24 hours. The usual going price is 1200 pesos, but may be up or down a little depending on the condition of the vehicle.

Over a 24 hour shift, he will usually put about 800 pesos of gasoline in the tank. Total cost are 2, 000 pesos for 24 hours of operation. He will take a break of about 3 hours, while he sleeps in the cab, about 2 am. He hands the cab back at about 6 am. On average, his income from fares will be about 2300 pesos. So he could expect to make about 500 pesos in the 24 hour shift. Out of that, there is still enough money for him to screw one or two of his "girlfriends", usually SW. And the rest will go to the family.

So if you pay a driver 2, 000 pesos to drive you round Manila for 6 hours, then he is riding high; all of his expenses have been covered, and the remaining 18 hours of income are cream. If you pay him 2, 500 to take you from Manila airport to Angeles City, his fuel bill will be about 400 to 600 pesos, round trip. So again, he is making money for jam on these time consuming jobs.

He will sleep for the next day, that is he will hire a cab every second day.

Gangles

[Manta Ray]

I have a peso, USD and Aust Dollar account under my name with HSBC in Manila. 3 separate accounts all under one name because I am paid in all 3 different currencies depending on assignment.

Don't give out info that is wrong Econotech.I also can confirm that HSBC will give you Peso and Dollar accts under the same name. The Peso acct comes with an ATM / VISA card, and the Dollar acct comes with a Bank Card. It took me about 45 mins to open these accts and walk away with the cards.

Manta Ray

[Slippery]

Amjek was asking whether he can comingle dollars and pesos in one account. Impossible. He can however, have separate dollar and peso accounts in his name.

[FreebieFan]

I have a peso, USD and Aust Dollar account under my name with HSBC in Manila. 3 separate accounts all under one name because I am paid in all 3 different currencies depending on assignment.

Don't give out info that is wrong Econotech.Ako rin. Me too.

[Econo Tech]

I have a peso, USD and Aust Dollar account under my name with HSBC in Manila. 3 separate accounts all under one name because I am paid in all 3 different currencies depending on assignment.

Don't give out info that is wrong Econotech.Well, Slippery replied before me.

You can have under one name, but under ONE Account was the question. My answer stands. LOL

[Wicked Roger]

Another snippet you pass to the cuties of you like to watch them doing it. The last point could beg the question that if you don't do it then do you become bakla. LOL

http://ph.she.yahoo.com/weekend-top-10-myths-masturbation-110027827.html

[Red Kilt]

Well, Slippery replied before me.

You can have under one name, but under ONE Account was the question. My answer stands. LOLLOL we are really splitting hairs here mate.

How ever, on earth, could one have one account co-mingled with various currencies. I have tried and tried to imagine it, and my lateral thinking simply does not stretch that far.

In simple terms, and I suspect this is what Amjeck really wanted to know:

I have one account with HSBC.

When I log in to my account, my home page comes up with 3 separate sub-accounts listed there under my name along with the balance in my VISA card (which is issued as a link to my peso account).

Each sub-account has its own account number. Each number is very similar except for the last 3 digits which are consecutive. Each account also has its own ATM access card, although, of course, if ever I use any of the 3 cards to get cash, I always get pesos which is, I understand, a banking law fairly common in most countries, (although I do recall that for ATMs in Georgia (former Russian state) , there was a button that gave you the option of getting Georgian Lari or USD).

I can easily switch cash between any of these accounts if I desire. I use the peso account for all of my local transactions (because I live in Manila) , and so I can top it up from time to time with transferred funds from either the USD or AUD account, depending on the forex rate at the time.

Oh BTW - I can actually get the total balance of my cash assets at any one time by another e-transaction. This activity converts the value of all of my USD and AUD cash to pesos and adds it all together to give me a total peso value across all 3 accounts. Pretty useless to me but I guess the bank can use it to consider my total assets.

I hope that this clarifies the discussion for Amjeck and others.

[Samchad]

I finally made it to iSPA. One thing that they don't tell you is when they are open. I showed up one day at 11am, and it was closed. I waited till 12:30pm and had to leave. There was one lady sitting on a sofa in the foyer at 12:30pm but she said it was still closed. Next day attempt, I showed up at 1pm. They were open. I went for their Signature Massage. Regular PHP 1000, but I got it for 900. I know others said they got it for 800. I tried for the 800 but didn't work. Took a shower and laid waiting for my lady. I did ask for a lady that offers extra services. The lady, CEC, walks in. She is cute but hard to understand. Gives me not a bad back massage. Moves to the legs and plays with the balls as she massages my upper thighs. Nice. She then lightly massages me and lets her long black hair tickle my back and legs. Also nice. FLIP, then she starts massaging my chest and moves to my cock. I ask her for extra services. She didn't understand. I asked for a blow job, pointing to her mouth and my cock. She said, NOT ALLOWED. I tried a few times but couldn't convince her. I did get a hand job, but wanted much more. Gave her PHP 500 tip for the hand job.

[Gangles]

After every trip, I get a complete set of tests for STIs, because I never use a condom. Hate them.

This last trip was no different. I sexed 12 women in all. 6 regular women. 2 pros. 2 street girls. 1 semi-pro, and one beginner pro.

My tests for this trip all came up negative, same as every other. I think this brings the total number of women that I have sexed bareback to about 430 over my entire life time.

Just one more statistic for you to ponder over.

G

[Red Kilt]

I finally made it to iSPA. One thing that they don't tell you is when they are open. I showed up one day at 11am, and it was closed. I waited till 12:30pm and had to leave. There was one lady sitting on a sofa in the foyer at 12:30pm but she said it was still closed. Next day attempt, I showed up at 1pm. They were open. I went for their Signature Massage. Regular PHP 1000, but I got it for 900. I know others said they got it for 800. I tried for the 800 but didn't work. Took a shower and laid waiting for my lady. I did ask for a lady that offers extra services. The lady, CEC, walks in. She is cute but hard to understand. Gives me not a bad back massage. Moves to the legs and plays with the balls as she massages my upper thighs. Nice. She then lightly massages me and lets her long black hair tickle my back and legs. Also nice. FLIP, then she starts massaging my chest and moves to my cock. I ask her for extra services. She didn't understand. I asked for a blow job, pointing to her mouth and my cock. She said, NOT ALLOWED. I tried a few times but couldn't convince her. I did get a hand job, but wanted much more. Gave her PHP 500 tip for the hand job.That is standard service Sam (as I told you in an earlier post).

Now 900php daytime price and 500php was standard tip.

No extra services provided other than HJ.

They are not allowed to do that (a manager told me they cannot risk their licence).

One girl did slip me her CP number though but only after my 3rd visit.

She wanted to be sure I was serious to meet her outside.

I was. I did.

[Cunning Stunt]

My tests for this trip all came up negative, same as every other. I think this brings the total number of women that I have sexed bareback to about 430 over my entire life time.

Just one more statistic for you to ponder over.

GAre we meant to be impressed by your statistics? I would congratulate you but on what I'm not too sure. It rather like applauding the guy successfully playing Russian roulette knowing that the very next try he might blow his fucking brains out.

Have you read any good statistics lately on STD / HIV infection rates in developing countries?

[Wicked Roger]

Hi,

I am posting trying to get some help in developing an itinerary for a two week holiday in the Philippines. Actually my holiday is for a 4 week period, but two of those weeks I am hoping to spend in Thailand. I am coming to the Philippines for tourist things, as well as for the entertainment, but would like some idea on what cities would be recommended for me to see during a two week period.

Thank you for any help you can provide me in securing an itinerary.RTFF is the short reply.

You have 7 posts, in PI, Thailand and one in Kiev. All asking exactly the same question (methinks you cut and paste then just chose whatever thread you computer comes up with)

Many have said before me that if a newbie bothers to RTFF he would be well informed. Many will never reply to your FR as it is so banal, idiotic and lazy. But I am a helpful polite gentleman (so say a few LOL) so I am beinbg as nice as possible without breaking any forum rules. LOL

[WestCoast1]

Hi,

In the Philippines I am interested in seeing the cultural and tourist things, as well as enjoying the entertainment that is offered, but would like some idea on what cities would be recommended for me to visit during my two week holiday so I can secure an itinerary.

Thank you for any responses and suggestions you might be able to provide me.RTTF.

I tried to PM you, but you aren't a paid member yet. Pay up a membership. Spend an hour (or two) in each of these threads: Manila, Cebu, Angeles, General Info, Chat Rooms / Penpals. THEN, during your trip, post some relevant field reports (be descriptive).

[Wicked Roger]

Thank you for your kindness Wicked Roger. From reading your history it also makes me believe you think of yourself as some kind of God or something, as you are so into yourself. Love the way you were bashing some newer posters on the UAE threads as well. Continue on with your arrogancy as it is no problem for me.OK I will continue LOL.

Westcoast also said it. RTFF etc.

UAE is getting like India and it has plenty like you who are as 11Bravo classifies as "welfare dependant"

The arrogant reply to posts stagger me (and maybe others) as 8 FRs, not paid your $20 and yet you think you should be given everything. Please go and play in the India thread which seems to attract 'posters' like you. Totally lazy, no respect (as you shoud earn it) and hapless.

I doubt if you will get to the Philippines as you maybe in Kiev LOL or maybe we will see you pop up elsewhere and cut and paste the same FR.

Are you doing this to try and imress some friends from wherever you crawled out from? Maybe you want to show them that you are an expert on mongering places? Even though if you get here (which I doubt) you won't have a clue. LOL.

Want me to continue further or will you RTFF, pay your membership and then come to the country post FRs and pictures. Or will we get more of the same banal stuff?

UAE, India, China etc. Makes no difference what country, posters like you get the same equal treatment and respect as you have seen.

[Slippery]

RTTF.

I tried to PM you, but you aren't a paid member yet. Pay up a membership. Spend an hour (or two) in each of these threads: Manila, Cebu, Angeles, General Info, Chat Rooms / Penpals. THEN, during your trip, post some relevant field reports (be descriptive).That may be alot of money for guys with no initiative or social skills that expect to get women for $20. 00.

[Hatguy]

I think this guy is also over on the Thailand forum. Don't feed the trolls people.

[WestCoast1]

Thank you for your kindness Wicked Roger. From reading your history it also makes me believe you think of yourself as some kind of God or something, as you are so into yourself. SNIP.

Continue on with your arrogancy as it is no problem for me.Roger, knock it off. That's my job.

Thanks,

-the mgmt-

[Streetlooker]

If I go to the Philippines and bring some money is there a chance I get some sex?

[Econo Tech]

If I go to the Philippines and bring some money is there a chance I get some sex?Not possible.

But, with your palm you can do it anywhere, and save some money LOL.

And I am sure that question was in jest.

[Firebird]

If I go to the Philippines and bring some money is there a chance I get some sex?Are youat$% seriou with that question! Does the bear shit in the woods?

[Wicked Roger]

Roger, knock it off. That's my job.

Thanks,

-the mgmt-LOL WC. I am enjoying this, he is a troll and can't see how stupid he is. Now he wants to put together an itineray for tourist places so he is asking this on a mongers forum. And he said Kiev as well. Methinks he can't even find his way to a travel agent

Hatguy. I know you are right but sometimes I can't just help myself and he really is a sitting duck with his silly replies. Not paid his subscription, FRs of total useless value but is giving me countless moments of fun between things I enjoy doing in Pattaya (Can. That is in Thailand so you know LOL)

Canon. See a travel agent or when you arrive in Manila at NAIA ask the immigration official where you can best see the sex tourist sites of PI as am sure they will be ever so helpful. Save you bothering us with you banal questions and the officials will have a tourist guide to give you.

[WestCoast1]

To the others such as Mr. Arrogant, and the self appointed moderator of the forum, I have read quite a bit of information here on the Philippine and Thailand boards, but it has not helped me put together an itinerary, as I would like to visit different areas. SNIP.

Get off your high horses before you fall, and it will happen.There's no high horse here stud. We have paid-up players who post informative FR's before asking questions on the Phils threads, and then we have "everyone else." If you aren't too put off by us, please PM me and I'll give you some advice behind the scenes (the open board is for the players above) on places to visit. You can hit some of the other regular's in the PM also. Now that you are replying, please tell me you have paid a full membership and are just waiting for it to be approved so you can PM?


LOL WC. I am enjoying this, he is a troll and can't see how stupid he is. Now he wants to put together an itineray for tourist places so he is asking this on a mongers forum.Just one of many. Canon, its not as bad as it looks. Next week some other newb will make the same mistake. I would have written that to you in PM if you had PM.

[BionicMan]

After every trip, I get a complete set of tests for STIs, because I never use a condom. Hate them.

This last trip was no different. I sexed 12 women in all. 6 regular women. 2 pros. 2 street girls. 1 semi-pro, and one beginner pro.

My tests for this trip all came up negative, same as every other. I think this brings the total number of women that I have sexed bareback to about 430 over my entire life time.

Just one more statistic for you to ponder over.

GI don't want to be judgemental, but what if.

A) the next time you get tested and it is positive?

B) if there is 1 chance over 1000, what will you do when you reach 999th time? Stop BB, go condom for the 1000th and then go back to BB from 1001 onwards?

Statistics are not working this way.

There is people never having a car accident in 5 years and there is people crashing their car 5 times in the same period. It does not mean the first one crashed 2. 5 times.

[BionicMan]

Continue on with your arrogancy as it is no problem for me.And what is the next country? So we prevent people and giving sensitive information and that are not given yet in the Forum

[BionicMan]

, as this also eliminates me from having to research areas that I would not be traveling to.And why should other people do these researches for you? The time you spend in sending the same message mutliple times can be better spent in RTFF. Or is your time too valuable?

[BionicMan]

it has not helped me put together an itinerary, as I would like to visit different areas. As I also clearly stated, my holiday is a holiday that will allow me to see tourist related things, as well as enjoy the entertainment.Get off your high horses before you fall, and it will happen.Why don't you go to the nearst travel agency to set your tourist traveling? Somebody said before, this is a sex forum and stays as it is.

[Wicked Roger]

Just one of many. Canon, its not as bad as it looks. Next week some other newb will make the same mistake. I would have written that to you in PM if you had PM.WC. You are spoiling my fun LOL but then I will go back to my Pattaya fun instead LOL as Cebu is soon on the radar again. Tough life sometimes.

No PM facility. Just asks and disappears and yes anther newbie will do the same soon and not read the replies Canon and otehr before him has received. The king is dead long live the king! (sort of)

[BionicMan]

WC. You are spoiling my fun LOL but then I will go back to my Pattaya fun instead LOL as Cebu is soon on the radar again. Tough life sometimes.

No PM facility. Just asks and disappears and yes anther newbie will do the same soon and not read the replies Canon and otehr before him has received. The king is dead long live the king! (sort of) That is my point too, there are many comments to thee guys, nearly every page. The newbies don't even read the page as otherwise they'd see they put the same question that few posts below has already been answers with RTFF

[BrainDrain]

Woo. What happened to the forum. If these guys ask these questions on open forum. Just imagine what it is like for the ladies on dating sites.

No wonder they (the Pinay) are sceptical until people get face to face on the ground in Philippines.

I guess it works two ways. While the dickheads a. K. A. Trolls make it difficult in forums and chat messages, once we are on the ground in Cebu or Angeles the pinay are glad to see we are real and reward us accordingly.

Life's pleasures are not delivered to our doorsteps.

BD

[GoodEnough]

Not to insult anyone, as that has not been my intentions at all, but since this seems to be the way of life on this board, I also suggest you take a reading comprehension course, as I clearly stated my intentions were to visit tourist things, since it will be my first venture into Southeast Asia, AS WELL AS TO ENJOY THE ENTERTAINMENT / WOMEN. Hopefully by putting this part in capital letters you flamers with reading comprehension disorders will be able to understand, that my holiday is not just about visiting tourist areas, but a combination of enjoying the tourist type things, AS WELL as the beautiful girls.

I have read about the bars and so forth, and I know several of the tourist sites, but my point of my initial post was to see what cities would provide me with the better overall experience in experiencing both the cultural sites, and the girls, as I would like to visit multiple destinations, and not just be stuck per se in Manila or a Davao in the two week time frame I have set a side for the Philippines. An example would be would it be wise for me to visit Manila and spend some time in Boracay or Puerto Galero, or Palawan, or would I be better served going to Manila, Angeles City, and, or would it be best to spend a few days in Manila, and then go to Cebu or Davao, or that city called Baguio which I read is a mountainous area people go to excape the heat.In my view, the Philippines isn't exactly a tourist mecca, by which I mean that the types of things that attract many tourists are in short supply here. There are some reasonably old churchs from the Spanish occupation, and the ocassional old fort and there are some nice natural areas if you're into what's now called eco-tourism. But there's little here that you can't find in greater abundance, and often in a better state of preservation elsewhere. That said, the places you might find most interesting depend to a large extent on the types of things that interest you. If you can give us a better idea of that these are, then we could probably be of greater help.

GE

[Member #4698]

there are some nice natural areas if you're into what's now called eco-tourism. But there's little here that you can't find in greater abundance, and often in a better state of preservation elsewhere. GEI disagree a little with this. Some of the best scuba diving plus some of the best relatively undeveloped beaches left in the world are found in the PI. The natural PI really turns me on. It reminds me of Costa Rica in the 70's before all the investment and development came south. These days Thailand, Costa Rica, and many other seriously beautiful beach destinations have been pretty much plowed under. The first time I visited Phi Phi back in the '80's there were no hotels and no inhabitants. It was spectacular! But the loss of natural treasure has been going on for at least 60 to 75 years. I recently saw John Huston's "The Night of the Iguana" again on Turner Classic Movies. The film was shot in 1964 and boy does Mismaloya, the small town just south of Puerto Vallarta where Ava Gardner's hotel was located, looks great. You really can't find that pristine shit anywhere on the Pacific Central American coast anymore. Huston must have had a gas coming down to Mexico in those days.

I have been working my way north in Palawan on three succesive trips to the PI. The scenery just keeps getting better. I highly recommend Port Barton and San Vicente (Long Beach). After checking out the rest of northern Palawan, I think I might head up to Saud Beach, Pagudpud in the most northern part of Luzon. I hear the beaches up there are very good plus there are only a few rustic bungalow type resorts on the beach. It is all very laid back and natural. I know it is a long trek from AC and Subic. Maybe I will run into a very young Filipina version of Ava Gardner and settled down there like Richard Burton in Puerto Vallarta 1964. LOL.

Now the tie in to the previous conversation:


If you can give us a better idea of [what you are looking for] then we could probably be of greater help.Yes people come to the PI for a lot of different reasons, with different budgets, and different time constraints. How can we give you, a newbie, informed advice if we don't know what you are specifically looking for? Boracay, Subic, and Port Barton are all beaches, but that is about the only thing they have in common. Same same for AC, Makati, Malate, Cebu City, and Subic on Filipina trail. RTFF then tell us what you are looking for !

[FreebieFan]

I would be happy to pay my twenty dollars, as twenty dollars is nothing, but I was attempting to familiarize myself with the board and get a hang of things first, to see if it was going to be something that would be beneficial to me, but from what I have experienced from several of the members such as the arrogant self made moderator / internet forum police, rodger, it has turned me off, which is exactly what several of the forum bullies want to happen, as this only discourages new members, and keeps the board a playground intact for the likes of those who felt a need to flame me, and flame other new members on other parts of the forum.

With all this being said, much appreciate your attempts to help me Westcoast1, instead of just assuming things and flaming away.Recognise that there are many of us, who are present (and play) on various boards in various cities / locations. We regularly see the " I'm new here tell me what to do where to go " type questions. We all come to these boards to share info, tell our stories, etc. And we were all new, and did our homework first, which is why we came to these boards.

The smarter type guys are the new ones who come to a board and say " I've read about this price structure, is that still correct? Or Ivbe read aboyut this bar being hot, is it still recommended." Taking that route wil earn you far more responses.

[Econo Tech]

I have read about the bars and so forth, and I know several of the tourist sites, but my point of my initial post was to see what cities would provide me with the better overall .Have you heard of the saying "one Man's meat is another's poison?"

Well, there you go.

Personally I have had a lot of fun in Manila, and Peurto Galera, and for cheap. While AC was never awe inspiring. But then a lot of friends skip Manila and land in Clark, since, for them, it is AC or bust.

And a few have enough drama in AC and Manila, they swear by Cebu. Oh, by the way, Philippines isn't the best "touristy" destination. Despite all claims by the Dept of Tourism and all.

You get fleeced, near robbed or robbed, or constantly harassed, simply because the majority of the natives firmly believe that foreigners are rich and it is ok to relieve foreigners off their burden. I. E. The too much money you and me are carrying.

Then again, I had to find my sea legs and I know how to avoid such hassle and harassment. Which takes time. I remember my first visit. 12 years or so ago, when the Customs Lady wanted to charge me "Importation Tax" on a laptop I had. My mistake being it was wrapped nicely and the customs lady insisted that I was bringing it into Philippines to sell it. It was comical, when I said it is only worth 200 $ and she worked out a tax of 15 $ and I was like "you want me to round it up to 20 $ as I don't have change." should have seen her red face. Before she 'warned me' sternly and told me to inform customs upon departure that I am taking the old laptop back out of the country.

Natty Bumpo: as a diver, the nicer spots are freaking painful to reach, and I frown on spending half my money on flying there, or spending days in travel. Some monopoly the resort operators have. So much so, Bora is so over sold I don't want to be seen anywhere near Bora. In my last trip, I bumped into 6 people I have met in Singapore. And well, that was getting too crowded for me.

Canonade: Any forum on the internet requires something: the contributors spend time and effort to post, update and prune useless info: so before coming in guns blazing, you should show some humility. Which you have done so. Comparing to a few other forums, you got away easy. I visit a forum where a few guys from certain countries 'demand' information, and instead of replying, either there is absolute silence, or the person goes into the 'ignore' list pretty fast. Or totally useless replies pop up.

Have fun mate