General Info

[GoodEnough]

Most of the places and restaurants are requiring temperature checks and vaccination cards. Most vaccinated Filipinos have the cards with a QR code. QR code is download on their cellphones or in photos. Most places have a QR reader so no lines are backed up.I don't know your location in the country, but your generalization should not include Davao as I've never been asked for my vaccination cards, and most of the places I frequent no longer bother with temperature checks. There are no standardized vaccination cards in the country and each major locale seems to have developed its own version; some have QR codes and some do not. The QR readers that "most places" have, at least here in Davao, are for a specific app that is used for track and trace and contains no vaccine information. There is a VaxCertPH QR Code-based site that does have vaccination information, but I've never, not once, seen it required for entry into any establishment though I have it on my phone.

Please, when you make these sweeping generalizations, none of which apply to Davao, make sure you ground them in terms of location as obviously what you're saying isn't true everywhere in the country.

GE.

[Sammon]

I don't know your location in the country, but your generalization should not include Davao as I've never been asked for my vaccination cards, and most of the places I frequent no longer bother with temperature checks. There are no standardized vaccination cards in the country and each major locale seems to have developed its own version; some have QR codes and some do not. The QR readers that "most places" have, at least here in Davao, are for a specific app that is used for track and trace and contains no vaccine information. There is a VaxCertPH QR Code-based site that does have vaccination information, but I've never, not once, seen it required for entry into any establishment though I have it on my phone.

Please, when you make these sweeping generalizations, none of which apply to Davao, make sure you ground them in terms of location as obviously what you're saying isn't true everywhere in the country.

GE.In Philippines people and places make their own rules. If it is private business establishments I am sure they can. Problem is government does not specify clear guidelines like here in USA. Oh well, if one place does not want your money there will always be someone else.

Same with the girls.

[Dg8787]

Most of the places and restaurants are requiring temperature checks and vaccination cards. Most vaccinated Filipinos have the cards with a QR code. QR code is download on their cellphones or in photos. Most places have a QR reader so no lines are backed up.My experience is only limited to where I have visited so far and does not reflect elsewhere.

[Dashing Don]

I'll be back in the phils at the end of April and pursuant to that, I thought I'd check the requirements for entry even though I just went through that rigmarole recently.

And, lo and behold, on the Philippine airline website, it now says that an Antigen (rapid) test taken within 24 hours of your departure is acceptable, OR you can present the RT PCR test which can be taken within 48 hours, which was the only option until recently. This, if true, is a major improvement because the RT tests are expensive.

[WestCoast1]

My experience is only limited to where I have visited so far and does not reflect elsewhere.Some caveats. This info is only for the places that I visited in Manila, and during specific times (depending on ECQ or Alert Level strictness at the time). When the case / death rates went up, so does the Alert Level strictness. At certain times, all indoor restos (that were open, keep in mind many closed and have remained closed) would suddenly require the vax info. For myself and everyone in Manila, that has your name, Brgy, picture, vax dates (and brand), and your unique QR code. It was required to enter indoor restos (outdoor, or indoor / outdoor open-air places, seemed to be immune from that). Most places were fine just seeing it as you walked in the door, as long as the pic looked like the holder. Some places scanned the QR code, others didn't. Some places temp-checked, others didn't. Every indoor resto that was open during those times required at least viewing the vax info. The locals seemed to know when it was about to start, and stop, before I did. The guards at my building would often inform me that it was coming soon, and would inform me as a matter of courtesy.

You can easily screen capture your vax record, so you don't need to log in and pull it up each time. Or you can take a pic of your vax card if you have a paper copy. On only 1 occasion did I see anyone (a pinoy couple) have a paper vax card. I saw the lady's card as we were waiting in line to enter. It was like my electronic version, without her pic and QR code. The employee checking the vax info at the door made them produce separate ID (with pic) to prove that they were in fact the vaxxed individuals.

This would usually happen for a 2 (or 3) week period of higher ECQ or Alert Level, then drop back down a level and they would stop checking vax cards. Interestingly, you only had to show your vax record in Starbucks and Coffee Bean coffee shops at the counter when ordering food. Nobody was checking at the entrances. You could walk in, walk about the place, look at the foods in the counter, sit with a friend, do anything other than order. Nobody would check or ask about your vax status.

[Dg8787]

I'll be back in the phils at the end of April and pursuant to that, I thought I'd check the requirements for entry even though I just went through that rigmarole recently.

And, lo and behold, on the Philippine airline website, it now says that an Antigen (rapid) test taken within 24 hours of your departure is acceptable, OR you can present the RT PCR test which can be taken within 48 hours, which was the only option until recently. This, if true, is a major improvement because the RT tests are expensive.It was true when I arrived March 16th.

[Dashing Don]

Good news that the PI accepts rapid tests.

Some bad news for New York residents. As PAL cannot go through Russian airspace, Manila-bound flights from NY now stop in Vancouver and take 20 hours instead of 17. The return flight from MNL to JFK is unaffected. However the prices are still sky high. $1935 are / t! I decided to try Qatar airways which goes through Doha and takes 23 hours but was only $1355.

[AsianPursuits]

Good news that the PI accepts rapid tests.

Some bad news for New York residents. As PAL cannot go through Russian airspace, Manila-bound flights from NY now stop in Vancouver and take 20 hours instead of 17. The return flight from MNL to JFK is unaffected. However the prices are still sky high. $1935 are / t! I decided to try Qatar airways which goes through Doha and takes 23 hours but was only $1355.Qatar also had a flight direct Doha into Clark. Hmm, I wonder if they still do.

I also recall a hot bar girl that scored big time landing herself a Qatar pilot. Soon after I was ghosted and no way I was getting access to that tight pussy when she was flying business class for free on his flights. Hard to compete with that but I wonder if she's back on the bar scene in AC now.

[AsianPursuits]

Good news that the PI accepts rapid tests.

Some bad news for New York residents. As PAL cannot go through Russian airspace, Manila-bound flights from NY now stop in Vancouver and take 20 hours instead of 17. The return flight from MNL to JFK is unaffected. However the prices are still sky high. $1935 are / t! I decided to try Qatar airways which goes through Doha and takes 23 hours but was only $1355.Regarding Doha, I see that Qatar are still offering the direct flight into Clark. Might save you some traffic time if you are going to AC anyway.

[RandyMarsh3]

Regarding Doha, I see that Qatar are still offering the direct flight into Clark. Might save you some traffic time if you are going to AC anyway.Yeah I'm taking that flight from Qatar to DOH (Layover 5 hours) then onto CRK in 2 weeks. Heard Qatar isn't too shabby either; supposedly one of the best rated airlines out there.

[Dg8787]

Came to Boracay with a friend for a few days. Stayed in Henann Lagoon Resort, station 2 area. From walking around some on the beach I didn't see any girls available. Not sure where the hot spots are.

The hotel is very nice and a good value for the price.

Probably best to bring your own pussy here. Seen a few foreigners with their Pinay GF here.

[Big Kahuna]

Came to Boracay with a friend for a few days. Stayed in Henann Lagoon Resort, station 2 area. From walking around some on the beach I didn't see any girls available. Not sure where the hot spots are.

The hotel is very nice and a good value for the price.

Probably best to bring your own pussy here. Seen a few foreigners with their Pinay GF here.I concur.

To ensure an enjoyable trip bring your own tried and tested girl.

[Gen X Baer]

Came to Boracay with a friend for a few days. Stayed in Henann Lagoon Resort, station 2 area....
Probably best to bring your own pussy here. Seen a few foreigners with their Pinay GF here.Unfortunately yes. You actually need some skills to pick up the girls there. Could try tinder as that worked out well for me while stuck there.

[PedroMorales]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10676821/British-drugs-kingpin-faces-LIFE-Philippines-hell-hole-jail.html

This expat won't be posting for a while and his wife won't be doing short time any time soon. They are in prison, though it could be argued, the zoo might be a better place.

Amazing and sad what expat shit SE Asia draws to itself.

[AsianPursuits]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10676821/British-drugs-kingpin-faces-LIFE-Philippines-hell-hole-jail.html

This expat won't be posting for a while and his wife won't be doing short time any time soon. They are in prison, though it could be argued, the zoo might be a better place.
The "Wall and Abejo all dressed and out to dinner at a US diner in Makati, Manila" certainly looks familiar. Is that place still operating after covid?

[Member #4794]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10676821/British-drugs-kingpin-faces-LIFE-Philippines-hell-hole-jail.html

This expat won't be posting for a while and his wife won't be doing short time any time soon. They are in prison, though it could be argued, the zoo might be a better place.

Amazing and sad what expat shit SE Asia draws to itself.Your hate of expats getting real old, go post your hate of expats on tripadvisor.

[Goferring]

Your hate of expats getting real old, go post your hate of expats on tripadvisor.Be nice. Someone needs a hug 🤗 :


Like X Partan or whatever the dog's name is, you are an American simpleton.


You are most likely a moron.




I am not wasting my time arguing with you as you are not worth it.


Tell me something I don't know. Zelensky, a clown by profession.... And the list goes on.

[WestCoast1]

Be nice. Someone needs a hug 🤗 :

And the list goes on.PM has a real dislike of Americans. I can't say be*tch or kunt on the Board, but anyone here can call the French, Brits, or Americans stupid morons (or Nazi's -- see below). Repeatedly. Apparently xenophobia is allowed on the Board.

Interestingly he hasn't told us what country he is from.


To repeat: you are American and therefore stupid.


As you are American. You are most likely a moron. USA should get out of Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, New Mexico, California and that is for starters.


You are American, today's equivalent of a 1945 German Nazi. The moral high ground is not for oyu.

You are simply an American mercenary.

The emigration you speak of is part of the American exploitative way. The solution is to kick the USA out of Europe. Hopefully, Russia will soon move things up a few gears. Not a good time to be a Nazi in Mariupol.


Most of Asia, the Lev ant (which the US destroyed) and Africa (which the US rape) are watching, many wondering if Americans will be turned on the way Germans were after 1945.

American expansionism is being blocked in Ukraine. That is the first necessary but not sufficient condition. Western Europe is going to take a massive hit because of US / NATO meddling. "Putin" can only be blamed so long.

No time to squander wrestling with American and their Fox News / CNN / Coca cola injections.These are just from the Stupid Shit in Kiev thread. You can find more of his fear of America in the Colombian threads:


Many pretend mongers here married hookers. Don't knock it. Most of you, being American riff raff, will not have read Georges Simenon

[PedroMorales]

Pattaya has a large expat criminal "community". This becomes important to you if you venture into one of their bares, such as the one the Chelsea Head Hunters and their molls ran. The Philippines is, from my earlier post, obviously seen as a soft touch by violent criminals, British in this case. Such information is important and can save you significant hospital bills or your family, mega bucks to ship your body home.

I fail to see what my low opinion of American serial killers has to do with that. I try not to check this area too much as there are too many cum pics; I am having breakfast now and prefer not to think about sickos who need to share their cum pics.

The Stupid Shit threads are actually good, except for those infested with Americans. The Thai one is particularly good as it stays on focus.

[Dashing Don]

The "Wall and Abejo all dressed and out to dinner at a US diner in Makati, Manila" certainly looks familiar. Is that place still operating after covid?Its the Filling Station on Burgos. I ate there in February. It was good.

[WestCoast1]

Thanks to the Board member who passed this along. Youtube video done by pinay Jennifer Terri, on how to fill out the required Phils entry One Health form online.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzAA0BHhgVk

[PedroMorales]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10683415/Moment-Briton-facing-life-Manila-jail-attacked-revellers-wife-tried-drag-away.html

The Daily Mail has updated this story. The video is quite shocking in that this Union Jack expat was allowed get away with it. I peruse that paper online as it is free. When they have relevant stories on Phils or Pattaya, I post them. The main thing to me is safety as I know how to put my penis into women's orifices.

This story, to me, is very important. How did a London thug manage to run a criminal gang in Manila? I know Ossie gangsters had / have scenes going in the (distant) past but this guy just rolled in like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Why did the local gangsters allow him to get established? Why did they not just waste him?

There was an Ossie thug rolled up in Pattaya some recent years ago extorting hookers. I am not sure how he eventually got on but there were other ex pat gangsters who were all wiped out one night, Night of the Long Knives style.

I have never gone into those blow job bars in Patpong, one reason being I did not want to meet scum like this Jack Expat. I have met scum like this in both Angeles and Pattaya. They have their own networks. When I come across them, I like to retreat, m report and retaliate. It amazes me the bouncers in the video did not go in harder. Not my immediate problem as I like to avoid such situations but it is important to know what expat Jacks pollute the seas we swim in.

[Amadeuss]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10683415/Moment-Briton-facing-life-Manila-jail-attacked-revellers-wife-tried-drag-away.html

The Daily Mail has updated this story. The video is quite shocking in that this Union Jack expat was allowed get away with it. I peruse that paper online as it is free. When they have relevant stories on Phils or Pattaya, I post them. The main thing to me is safety as I know how to put my penis into women's orifices.

This story, to me, is very important. How did a London thug manage to run a criminal gang in Manila? I know Ossie gangsters had / have scenes going in the (distant) past but this guy just rolled in like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Why did the local gangsters allow him to get established? Why did they not just waste him?

There was an Ossie thug rolled up in Pattaya some recent years ago extorting hookers. I am not sure how he eventually got on but there were other ex pat gangsters who were all wiped out one night, Night of the Long Knives style.

I have never gone into those blow job bars in Patpong, one reason being I did not want to meet scum like this Jack Expat. I have met scum like this in both Angeles and Pattaya. They have their own networks. When I come across them, I like to retreat, m report and retaliate. It amazes me the bouncers in the video did not go in harder. Not my immediate problem as I like to avoid such situations but it is important to know what expat Jacks pollute the seas we swim in.And his lady is not really a beauty. But matching to a gangster:

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/04/09/56194241-10683415-image-m-33_1649062025680.jpg

[PedroMorales]

And his lady is not really a beauty. But matching to a gangster:

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/04/04/09/56194241-10683415-image-m-33_1649062025680.jpgShe is OK in a kind of Makati call girl way. That said, she and Scully's women stand as warnings these broken babes are dangerous. I can see how she thought she was made meeting this made guy. For me and Tom Hanks, it means Run Pedro, run.

[WestCoast1]

Some info for those who might be utilizing LAX for overseas travel, regarding the mandatory Phils inbound covid tests.

https://www.airport-technology.com/news/lax-pcr-covid-19-testing/

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in the US announced that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) added a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to its Covid-19 testing options.

Developed by Visby, the new test provides the results in less than an hour.

The PCR test, which costs $199, can be found at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and at ticket counters C01-C05 on the Upper/Departures Level.

In addition to PCR tests, there are other Covid-19 tests that are being offered for sale at several locations throughout the airport.

Depending on the location, these tests provide results in either three to five hours or within 24 hours.

Passengers can also get the $80 nasal-swab antigen tests at Terminal 6 and the results will be available in 30 to 60 minutes.

Additionally, the airport also offers $125 PCR tests at the Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminal 2 and provides results in less than 24 hours.

Another company also provides testing in Torrance (20-25 minutes south of LAX). They do fast turn-around RATs and also PCR tests (as little as 45 minutes for PCR, but pricey at $250, and about 12-hour results for $150). Additionally they have a mobile unit that will come to your place / hotel ($50-$150 extra travel fee):

https://www.completecovidtest.com/torrance-lax/

I find these prices are typical for needed fast-result tests. There are many pharmacies that test, but they tout 24-48 hour results. This is not fast enough for a country (ie Phils) that demands you get tested no more than 48 hours prior to your flight. As an example, if your flight is Saturday morning at 1 am, and your PCR test at the local pharmacy is on Thursday at 9 am, you might get your test results on Saturday at 8 or 9 am, several hours after your flight departed. You can not get the test done at the local pharmacy on Wednesday evening near the pharmacy's closing time of 7 pm, as that time is more than 48 hours prior to your flight departure time.

An alternative is to get a RAT within 24 hours prior to your flight.

If other gents from Aus or London have gotten their tests, it might be good for you to tell us the location (or website link) where you got yours.

[AsianPursuits]

If other gents from Aus or London have gotten their tests, it might be good for you to tell us the location (or website link) where you got yours.My plan is to use an airport service which offers "Express pre-departure COVID test results are returned within 90 minutes" for AUD79. https://www.histopath.com.au/locations/airport.

In my case I'll be doing the test at BNE international, then flying domestically to Sydney to board the international flight.

I'm currently unclear if I can complete the check in and pass through before the result comes through which I assume they will email.

As I am still a few weeks a way from departure and knowing the fluid arrangements of Ph rules I haven't narrowed down the fine points.

[WestCoast1]

My plan is to use an airport service which offers "Express pre-departure COVID test results are returned within 90 minutes" for AUD79. https://www.histopath.com.au/locations/airport.

In my case I'll be doing the test at BNE international, then flying domestically to Sydney to board the international flight.

I'm currently unclear if I can complete the check in and pass through before the result comes through which I assume they will email.You should be able to arrive at BNE, two hours earlier than you would normally arrive. That would give you enough time to get the results back?

[Muttley81]

She is OK in a kind of Makati call girl way. That said, she and Scully's women stand as warnings these broken babes are dangerous. I can see how she thought she was made meeting this made guy. For me and Tom Hanks, it means Run Pedro, run.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10690923/British-cocaine-baron-attacks-reveller-POOL-BALL-Manila-bar-weeks-arrest.html

Some further updates today with classics from the wife "Speaking from a prison facility, Abejo said: 'he's good to me. He doesn't hurt me. In the nightclub there was a man who pushed me. My husband was angry.

'My husband had an argument with him and that's how the fight started. I didn't know he had a gun. I didn't see that. '.

Asked about her husband's reign of terror attacking locals, she said: 'I don't know about that. I don't go to bars with him. I stay at home. We have one child together and Darren's good to me. '.

Can't see Secret Door being added to my list of must go places.

[AsianPursuits]

You should be able to arrive at BNE, two hours earlier than you would normally arrive. That would give you enough time to get the results back?Yep it won't be an issue. Testing is in International terminal but my departure will be in the Domestic terminal. Provided they send the results electronically I will be able to spend some of those 90 minutes transferring from Int to Dom terminal, drinking coffee and having breakfast. By the time I finish coffee #3 I'll be reading a txt with my results. Check in and then just 13 hours to MNL. Not the most time efficient routing but we all like our frequent flyer perks.

[Member #4794]

I have a question I really am unable to find a definitive answer on.

Is there in writing somewhere stating how much currency you can carry on domestic flights within the Philippines. I am well aware of the currency limits when entering and exiting the country.

I know that in the US you can carry as much cash as you want domestically. In searching some countries require proof of income. If you can carry up to 10 k USD into the philippines I would assume that you could carry that 10 k onto a domestic flight, I haven't found any law or anything concrete to back this up. And the php limit I did find just says into an airport. The domestic airport of course is an airport. Does anyone have any proof or statutes that specific a limit on domestic flights within the philippines? Everything I have found points to international flights. This could mean there is no limit domestically or that limit is observed in all airports but is not enforced in domestic terminals due to no customs. I have never seen any carriage warnings on currency on phils domestic tickets.

[RandMcNasty]

Just wondering what the thoughts are on this board about the both the safety and convenience (or lack thereof) of getting a rental car. While I'd probably plan on spending maybe half of my time (maybe 10 days) in AC, I'd like the freedom to get out, hit the country side, check out Banaue, head up Baguio and climb Mt. Pulag. And of course, try my hand at some of the country girls.

What roadside dangers could I expect, both from people and maybe crooked cops? Also, if I actually had a car in AC, how much of a pain in the ass is it going to be to simply have it and park there. (I'd also consider getting a rental in AC for when I choose to leave but it looks like most of the good options like National are in Manila).

Maybe this is all a terrible idea. So, coming to the experts!

[Goferring]

Just wondering what the thoughts are on this board about the both the safety and convenience (or lack thereof) of getting a rental car....

What roadside dangers could I expect, both from people and maybe crooked cops?

Maybe this is all a terrible idea. So, coming to the experts!How comfortable are you driving in chaotic traffic? Do you need a car every day? If that's ok, then it's doable and the risks are managable.

The biggest risk is that if (many would say when) there is an accident, and you are driving then it's going to be your fault, regardless of the circumstances. Without being melodratic, I've seen these go right up to a fatality. Do you have a plan to deal with these should they occur.

Cops and other civilians don't pose much of an issue if you don't give them a reason to.

Personally, for such a short time, I would hire car and driver. In the current circumstances, many would jump at a 10 or 20 day package at very reasonable cost. However, if frequent mobility to out of the way places is important to you, then it's not a terribly idea.

[AsianPursuits]

Is there in writing somewhere stating how much currency you can carry on domestic flights within the Philippines. I am well aware of the currency limits when entering and exiting the country.For entry / exit it is P10 K local currency. Seriously.

All travelers should keep the following in mind regarding Philippine customs regulations:


Firearms and pornography are forbidden
Certain items like alcohol and tobacco can be imported duty-free in small amounts only
Foreign currency of more than US$10,000 and local currency of more than P10,000 must be declared upon entry or exitI will usually carry P4 k which is the max amount I need for a transport NAIA AC. I always have this kept from a previous visit.

DO NOT exchange any currency and your home country. You will be repoorted.

I will swing by the ATM at NAIA arrivals and make a local currency withdrawal which gives a competitive rate. Failing that there are currency exchanges at NAIA.

[LoveItHere69]

Wisdom or Folly of a Rental Car..My guess is Folly.

I doubt you will have this problem but the groups of Koreans in expensive SUVs had problems. Trike drivers would cut in front of the Korean SUV when slowing at an intersection or stop light. Of course the sidecar would be facing the SUV thus limiting the trike driver getting hurt. This way the Filipino gets a new trike.

The mass traffic and horrible roads will not make for an enjoyable drive.

Finding a parking spot is an act of God in so many places.

[Gen X Baer]

Just wondering what the thoughts are on this board about the both the safety and convenience (or lack thereof) of getting a rental car.....Mt. Pulag. And of course, try my hand at some of the country!If you do this, be sure you have front, back, side cameras on the car. Saved a friend of mine from a car accident where the locals quickly pinned him as a foreigner to be at fault. However, he remained calm and when the police arrived along with his cell recording all the convo, replayed the events of accident and the people were quick to change their tune from burning him on the cross to displaying "empathy and compassion. " he also had a bat in the car in case things got out of hand.

[Soapy Smith]

For entry / exit it is P10 K local currency. Seriously.

All travelers should keep the following in mind regarding Philippine customs regulations:

I will usually carry P4 k which is the max amount I need for a transport NAIA AC. I always have this kept from a previous visit.

DO NOT exchange any currency and your home country. You will be repoorted.

I will swing by the ATM at NAIA arrivals and make a local currency withdrawal which gives a competitive rate. Failing that there are currency exchanges at NAIA.I find this advice confusing. First, P10 K is only $200 US. My recollection is similar to MontanaMonger: a limit of the equivalent of $10 K US for entering the country.

Second, your "Do Not exchange" statement is unclear. Do you mean don't exchange currency in your home country or from your home country? I have done both of these and nobody reported me. And what's the point of using a currency exchange at NAIA if you get reported for exchanging currency from your home country? In my experience the exchanges at the airport give a slightly better rate than from ATMs and with no transaction charge. Currency exchanges in the city give rates as good or better than exchanges at the airport.

Granted, I have not been in country in nearly three years, but I can't imagine these things have changed that dramatically. Have I missed something?

[WestCoast1]

For entry / exit it is P10 K local currency. Seriously. All travelers should keep the following in mind regarding Philippine customs regulations:

SNIP

I will usually carry P4 k which is the max amount I need for a transport NAIA AC. I always have this kept from a previous visit.Already MM said he was clear on the Phils entry / exit policy. The policy is $10 k US dollars (not P10 k -- pesos, which would be about $200 USD). MM's question was regarding domestic flights inside of Phils: Is there a maximum limit one can carry on a domestic flight (say, from NAIA to Butuan)?


DO NOT exchange any currency and your home country. Did not understand this. Did you mean 'in your home county'? I would agree, as the fees are too high.


You will be repoorted.Reported to whom? For what reason? If I exchange $200 USD at my bank in my country for P10,000, why would that be reported, and to whom (and why would I care)? Alternately, if I exchange P10,000 (brought home by me from Phils previously) at my bank for $200 USD, why would that be reported?


I will swing by the ATM at NAIA arrivals and make a local currency withdrawal which gives a competitive rate. Failing that there are currency exchanges at NAIA. Using an ATM in Phils to withdraw cash from your bank in another country would result in high fees. The ATM would give you pesos at a worse exchange rate than the money changer. In addition, there are ATM fees to be paid at the (usually p250 or such), and probably a $5 US dollar 'out of network' fee charged by your home country bank.

An example. Say today's exchange rate is p50 to 1 US dollar. The money changer is offering p49 per dollar. I hand the money changer $200 US dollars, and he hands me p9800 (200 x 49). I give up $200 and get p9800 (a p200 or $4 loss for using the money changer).

I go to a BDO ATM machine in NAIA. The machine demands a p250 fee ($5). I tell the machine I want p10000. The machine gives me p10000, but takes $208.33 from my US bank account (an exchange rate of p48 per $1 US dollar). In addition, my bank charges me a $5 US dollar fee for an overseas ATM use. I get p10000, and I give up $208.33 + $5 + $5 = $218.33. That's an $18 kick in the wallet.

Anyone correct my digits.

[Soapy Smith]

Personally, for such a short time, I would hire car and driver. In the current circumstances, many would jump at a 10 or 20 day package at very reasonable cost. However, if frequent mobility to out of the way places is important to you, then it's not a terribly idea.I agree. Furthermore, these guys drive for a living and know their way around. And they speak the language to ask for directions to places they don't know. Most are decent chaps and some of them can carry on an intelligent conversation in English.

[Pute Nut]

For entry / exit it is P10 K local currency. Seriously.This has been increased to 50 K PHP.

See BSP Circular No. 922.

[Goferring]

Anyone correct my digits.This is very bank and home country dependant.

For me, I have a bank issued 'Travel Debit Card' it has low / no fees and (importantly) wholesale FX rates.

I have no 1st hand knowledge but many Americans report their banks refund all international fees.

Web based peer to peer banks like Wise offer very good FX rates and fee structure.

I can remember in the early days, on my first couple of trips, when I used a standard MasterCard credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, the highest cost line item over the length of my holiday was bank fees. Now that was crazy.

Neither of us has priced in the risk of holding large sums of cash to be converted. Perhaps not a big deal for a 3 day business trip but certainly a consideration for a month or two of fun. Let's face it, some of the people we have in our rooms could be very tempted by several '000 dollars held in a hotel safe.

Enjoy, G.

[Amadeuss]

Anyone correct my digits.Consider the eventually higher cost to get foreign currency in cash as security insurance. It not refers to the Philippines only, but for global travelling.

If I loose say 4000 Peso and my credit card -- its pain but not not the world. I use the second card to get new cash and inform my bank about the card-loss.

If I loose 4000 $, my trip is fucked up.

And to your digits: mine are lower as my card not charges for cash advance and get a slightly better rate than the moneychanger offers. But yes, I need to pay the local fee at the ATM.

[WestCoast1]

This is very bank and home country dependant.

For me, I have a bank issued 'Travel Debit Card' it has low / no fees and (importantly) wholesale FX rates.

I have no 1st hand knowledge but many Americans report their banks refund all international fees.I am aware of one such bank. Charles Schwab, offers a debit card that has no ATM fees (well, you pay them, then they credit you the money back at the end of the billing cycle). In addition, Citi offers a Visa credit card (not debit) that offers no Foreign Transaction Fees (FTF's) on purchases (and careful, as with any CC, using it at an ATM will be considered a cash disbursement and hit you with a $10 US dollar fee). The typical FTF is 3% on all foreign purchases. If anyone else knows of such debit cards that rebate back all fees, or CC's that have no FTF's, please holler so the gents can get one. A bank loan officer once said to me: "We are not in the business of not making money on every transaction". I was looking on several major bank's CC's recently and they all have the standard 3% FTF.


Web based peer to peer banks like Wise offer very good FX rates and fee structure.Will look into it!


Neither of us has priced in the risk of holding large sums of cash to be converted. Perhaps not a big deal for a 3 day business trip but certainly a consideration for a month or two of fun. Let's face it, some of the people we have in our rooms could be very tempted by several '000 dollars held in a hotel safe.We have discussed before the lack of wisdom of traveling with large sums of cash. Lost, stolen, or taken by greedy government officials. Once its gone, its gone.

[Goferring]

Will look into it!

I've used Wise extensively for non mongering purposes, both to transfer cash and to pay for foreign purchases. FX rates are very good and fees are minimal. They can be extremely fast too. Its not uncommon for a transfer to SEA to be available in the recipient's account in an hour or two. The only issue I've had is that payments in the home currency to foreign accounts can get tricky eg paying USD into Philippines. There always needs to be some form of conversion, not just a transfer.

They do have a Debit card that offers very good fees and features. The only thing that stopped me was a daily max withdrawl of $200. However that was a while ago and it may have changed. Let me know if it has as their platform is very user friendly and keeps getting better.

Cheers. G.

[AsianPursuits]

The only issue I've had is that payments in the home currency to foreign accounts can get tricky eg paying USD into Philippines. There always needs to be some form of conversion, not just a transfer.I'm a WISE user also. When I'm sending USD remittances to Ph I do the conversion before sending it onto their Ph bank. So the local Ph bank should be receiving the remittance as P10,000 avoiding the arbitrary Ph conversion fees.


They do have a Debit card that offers very good fees and features. The only thing that stopped me was a daily max withdrawal of $200..I haven't struck their daily limit. The problem as I see it is they increase charges after $350 in a month. $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%. Ouch. I also find Australian banks apply a higher ATM fee also.

I do retain the WISE card for foreign purchases. Being able to obtain multiple card numbers and freeze cards online makes it great for online subscriptions.

For cash use though there are better options like ING.

[Dashing Don]

On Wednesday night, 4/6, the IATF officially allowed rapid antigen tests for entry to the Phils per Malacanang. Reported in Philippine Lifestyle News on April 8. The IATF also recommended that Alert Level One continue until June 30.

The article contained some good news for mongers from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mexico. Covid certificates from those countries will now be recognized for entry to the Phils.

[AsianPursuits]

On Wednesday night, 4/6, the IATF officially allowed rapid antigen tests for entry to the Phils per Malacanang. Reported in Philippine Lifestyle News on April 8..That's good news. Changes my pre-departure requirement to day before swinging by the local pharmacy where the Pharmacist will supervise and declare.

[Soapy Smith]

Neither of us has priced in the risk of holding large sums of cash to be converted. Perhaps not a big deal for a 3 day business trip but certainly a consideration for a month or two of fun. Let's face it, some of the people we have in our rooms could be very tempted by several '000 dollars held in a hotel safe. Enjoy, G.

Agreed, and the same holds for large sums of Philippine pesos. Hotel employees may well know how to defeat the hotel's own room safe.

I always carry a product called pac-safe. It's like a canvas ditty bag, about 10 inches by six inches, and the canvas is reinforced with a wire mesh in between two layers of canvas. Virtually impossible to cut through with a knife or scissors. It comes with a length of plastic-covered aviation cable that can be looped around plumbing pipes and locked. Neither hotel staff nor a misguided p4 p is likely to get at the cash or other valuables inside. It can also be used to keep condoms and other paraphernalia away from prying eyes. I paid about $40 for mine a dozen years ago, and it has long since paid for itself.

I carry only enough cash with me for the immediate needs of each foray away from the hotel or condo -- in a money "belt" worn over the shoulder under my shirt. I leave the balance of my cash, dollars or pesos, my passport, and other valuables in the pac-safe in my room, including the money I anticipate needing for a p4 p picked up in a bar or the mall.

[DzikaBomba]

Agreed, and the same holds for large sums of Philippine pesos. Hotel employees may well know how to defeat the hotel's own room safe.

I always carry a product called pac-safe. It's like a canvas ditty bag, about 10 inches by six inches, and the canvas is reinforced with a wire mesh in between two layers of canvas.Only fools hide their money and valuables in the room safe, as we don't know how else has the master key.

A pac safe is also not needed. I pack everything into refrigerator zip bags and hide it in the room, every room has some good places for hiding. Nobody will find it (unlike the pac safe, who will be found immediately).

I also hided things like that during Africa Trips and never had any problems.

[RandMcNasty]

If you do this, be sure you have front, back, side cameras on the car. Saved a friend of mine from a car accident where the locals quickly pinned him as a foreigner to be at fault. However, he remained calm and when the police arrived along with his cell recording all the convo, replayed the events of accident and the people were quick to change their tune from burning him on the cross to displaying "empathy and compassion. " he also had a bat in the car in case things got out of hand.As I suspected, the general consensus is that renting a car is a bad idea.

As inconvenient as it will be, I think on my next trip I will just try to use the buses to get around. Since I don't plan on making mongering the only thing I do, and I'd like to do some legit tourism and exploring, it would be nice to have the freedom of my own vehicle but the last thing I would want to deal with is getting involved in a scam where I could potentially have the police against me.

[MrHappyKat]

Planning my 1st trip:

First, huge thanks to all who post here. I've been lurking for some time as I contemplate my next extended trip (past trips to Argentina, Chile, and Dominican Republic) and wait out the worst of the pandemic headwinds. The collective wisdom and occasional humor have been amazing. I think I am about as prepared as I can be, until I get boots on the ground, of course, for an excellent time.

I'd appreciate some feedback on my preliminary plans. I'm looking to optimize for ST barfine sessions, then perhaps FL sessions, and since I have bad knees, minimal walking time to / from bars. I have decent budget available and I want to limit my 1st trip to the Manila and AC areas. Here's my current plan:

Flights: I will be flying business class because I can afford it. Non-stop from LAX to MNL. Prefer to arrive late afternoon to early evening.

COVID Stuff: Fully vaccinated and double boosted. It looks like I'll need the following to fly: One health card, recent PRC (or antigen?) test results, global entry card (already have TSA-Pre), travel medical insurance ($35 K or higher), and identify where I can get new tests in MNL before I fly home. Not sure if I also need "E-health Declaration" and "Case Investigation" - can anyone confirm?

Lodging: I'm thinking of staying 7-ish days in Makati, then 7-8 days in AC, then coming back to the Manila area for the rest of my stay. I'm budgeting about $50-$80 per night for hotel, and looking for girl-friendly and generally more upscale (or at least not shit-hole) locations near the local bars to minimize walking distances as much as practical.

Transport between cities: I'm looking at taking a bus for $5-$10 between Manila and AC. But I can pay more for a taxi if it's a more direct / safer / shorter trip.

Transportation in-city. As mentioned, I have bad knees and as a bigger guy, I'm not sure I'll fit in the trikes. So Grab seems like the way to go for short trips, maybe 4-8 per day depending on daily activities.

Daily routine: I'm getting older, so I'll probably only do a barfine or FL every other day, then recovering and maybe doing touristy crap (cover story) on the off days. Or if I meet a girl I really like, I can extend our session to the next day for additional funds.

Question on barfines in Manila vs AC: From what I have seen in past posts, a barfine in Manila or Makati gets the girl out of the bar, and then she expects an additional amount generally equal to the barfine for a complete experience. While a barfine in AC is "all-inclusive" with the expectation of a small tip (php 250-500) before she leaves. Is this correct? I've seen references to barfines in both areas between php 3 k and 4 k, with FL rates between php 2 K and 4 K. Should I plan on / budget for these rates by time I get there in July?

Packing: I'm an experienced traveler including travel in "poor" countries. But the tip about buying a pacsafe bag is a great idea. Thank you! I want to pack a 6-8 day supply of clothes, and use the hotel or local laundry service as needed. Shorts, light jeans, t-shits and polos, and a swim suit seems appropriate. Plus a baseball hat and sunscreen if I'll be outdoors for a while. Wil I need to bring my Verizon hotspot? Or is that just a waste of space / weight in my luggage?

Medical: I take daily meds, and will bring an ample supply, of course. If I lose my meds, do I need a prescription to refill them at a local pharmacy? And will a US-based prescription be accepted? Next, I am considering starting a PrEP regimen and will be asking my doctor about it. Should I be insisting on only drinking bottled water?

Sorry for the word-wall. I tend to over plan so I avoid surprises.

Anyone see any red flags or landmines in my plan?

Thanks for any and all feedback.

[Soapy Smith]

A pac safe is also not needed. I pack everything into refrigerator zip bags and hide it in the room, every room has some good places for hiding. Nobody will find it (unlike the pac safe, who will be found immediately).

I also hided things like that during Africa Trips and never had any problems.Or you might have been lucky. First time I took a p4p from LA Cafe about 15 years ago she told me I should be careful with my money. "Some of the girls will steal from you when you go in the CR. " She advised me to hide the money between the mattress and box springs. Great idea, but if she has thought of this hiding place, others have too. My guess is that every hiding place you can find in a hotel room, others can find it with not much effort. BTW, pacsafe is not a "who," it's a thing.

I don't care whether they find my pacsafe. I draw the aviation cable up tight enough so there's no place to get a bolt cutter on it, and I use a padlock designed so there's no way to get a bolt cutter on the shackle. In the states a lock like that costs about $12 at Walmart.

Plastic freezer bags are a novel idea. As to never having had any problems in Africa and elsewhere, you might want to look up the term "superstitious reinforcement." But plastic bags are clearly a cheap solution. You could save nearly $40 from the cost of my pacsafe.

[AsianPursuits]

COVID Stuff: Not sure if I also need "E-health Declaration" and "Case Investigation" - can anyone confirm?Don't spend any time on this until 2 weeks before your trip. The situation changes each week and the only situation you have to deal with is what is current in July.


Lodging: I'm thinking of staying 7-ish days in Makati, then 7-8 days in AC,
Pensinsular has good deals. 7-8 days in AC sounds too long unless you have other activity there.


Daily routine: I'm getting older, so I'll probably only do a barfine or FL every other day, then recovering and maybe doing touristy crap (cover story) on the off days. Or if I meet a girl I really like, I can extend our session to the next day for additional funds.What's your interest in so many different girls? How about just playing for a few days then find one good freelancer that will spend a few days with you. It's just a different part of your experience rather than always hunting. You will need a break.


Wil I need to bring my Verizon hotspot? Buy a local SIM at NAIA when you arrive.


Should I be insisting on only drinking bottled water?Absolutely.


Anyone see any red flags or landmines in my plan?Be prepared but not too restrictive in your plans. It's PH, it will go a stray. Keep your prepayments and pre-bookings to a minimum. Sure, lock in your LAX-MNL flights but keep your hotel and dates open. Maybe 2-3 days each in AC & MNL first then deicide of you will extend in either place.

[Soapy Smith]

Planning my 1st trip:

Thanks for any and all feedback.AP has given a lot of good advice. I will add a few things. Take your American prescriptions. I suspect most pharmacies will recognize them. On the other hand, I have often walked into pharmacies in Manila with a handwritten note containing the name of a medication, specifics about dosage, and noted "generic" and gotten antibiotics, Viagra, and others filled without a doctor's prescription. I recommend The Generics Pharmacy. Do a google search from home and you'll find them all over Manila and other Philippine cities. Best prices, few questions, fewer Filipinos looking over your shoulder. Philippine drug prices are much lower than in the states.

I'm not familiar with Verizon hotspot, but cell providers in the Philippines use GSM carriers. Verizon uses CDMA, a different type of carrier. AP says buy a cheap sim at the airport. Good advice, except that the local sims will not fit in a Verizon CDMA phone. In the states, T-Mobile, AT&T and a few others are GSM carriers. You may want to shop on Amazon for an inexpensive ($60 +/-) unlocked GSM phone. An unlocked phone lets you install your own sim that you purchase at NAIA airport. The two biggest providers, Smart and Globe, have booths near the money exchangers after you pass through immigration and customs. They will install the sim in your phone and sell you 300 ($6 US) or 500 pesos ($10 US) of load. 300 is enough to start with; you can buy additional load on the street when you need it. GSM phones can be used in many other countries, so the phone is not a throw-away.

The barfine and payment to the girl sounds right for the Padre Burgos area in Makati, but I don't believe paying the girl an extra amount equivalent to the barfine is correct for AC. Check out the AC thread for recent discussion about tips.

I think you'll find limited flight options nonstop LAX to NAIA, maybe only Philippine Airlines (PAL). I have flown with them twice SF to NAIA, and they arrived about 5 am. Service and food were decent. Previously PAL flew into Terminal Two, whereas most other international carriers go into Terminal 3. If you buy a PAL ticket, ascertain which terminal you arrive in; taxi and other directions may be different. On the bright side, not much traffic on Manila streets at 5 am, but you may have to wait in the hotel lobby to get checked in. Or stretch your legs on the local streets and inhale all the local odors and noises of Manila. LOL!

One last thought. If you plan seven days in Manila, you might want to purchase a Manila CitiAtlas from Amazon. A little paperback that covers all the streets in the metro area in great detail. In the past it was about $7. Now a new one is $48, and a used copy is $31. Talk about inflation! Or, you can explore via google maps and Google Earth from your computer.

[Locamotive]

Any ideas on getting from Manila to Subic, prefer car. I'm sure travel postings on Angeles but haven't seen anything since travel has resumed. One gentlemen awhile back said moving around required some problems, checkpoints etc, hope this is now not the case. Price range if anyone knows.

Thanks.

[Member #4794]

Only fools hide their money and valuables in the room safe, as we don't know how else has the master key.

A pac safe is also not needed. I pack everything into refrigerator zip bags and hide it in the room, every room has some good places for hiding. Nobody will find it (unlike the pac safe, who will be found immediately).

I also hided things like that during Africa Trips and never had any problems.Pac safe is needed and the type of crime that is stoped by the in room safe and the pac safe is not a robbery. Its not a fools errand to hide things in the room safe yes the hotel has a key and you could conceivably have a master key for the safe. The in the Philippine and else where youll run into rooms without safes especially in the province. If you can find a metal pole to attach the pac safe to stop what you would call "crimes of opportunity". People who wouldn't ordinarily steal when presented with a moral dilemma often times give into to temptation so offering yourself a measure of security does not protect against a robbery. Hidding your crap in ziplock bags will also not protect you from a robbery. If for whatever reason a philipina happenstances on a ziplock bag full of money you can be sure that is gone where as if she sees a locked up pac safe she is not going to try and break into it in plain sight. The purpose of such security devices is not to 100% protect the items from the would be criminal its about the time it will take to get to the valuables and having said valuable in plain sight also helps deter such crimes of opportunity. Hiding the money out of sight may very well do the opposite. If you are hiding stuff from the hotel staff and are that paranoid there is no hope for you. It is infact good practice when you bring back a bar fine to lock up your phone wallet and everything else you can't keep an eye on naked and place it in a pacsafe or in the room safe. Hiding bags all over the room like a hoe easter hunt is not the answer to basic monger safety.

If you see a hoe near the hotel safe area . move the hoe & if your hoe is carrying bolt cutters with her might want to reconsider.

[Member #4794]

Lodging: I'm thinking of staying 7-ish days in Makati, then 7-8 days in AC, then coming back to the Manila area for the rest of my stay. I'm budgeting about $50-$80 per night for hotel, and looking for girl-friendly and generally more upscale (or at least not shit-hole) locations near the local bars to minimize walking distances as much as practical.
If this is your first trip and during covid I would not goto makati first, hop into a taxi and head for AC first and make your way to manila later on AC is like training wheels for all of the Philippines. Food, women and everything else a monger needs is in AC.

Once you get your bearings you may consider a move to makati. But given that manila traffic is back and it is not nearly as fun as it was pre pandemic. AC is a better location to start with imo for the uninitiated.

[Mr Enternational]

Only fools hide their money and valuables in the room safe, as we don't know how else has the master key.You do not need a master key for a hotel safe. A fist or a magnet will do in most cases. I bought a Pac Safe years ago and have probably used it 2 or 3 times. I am not as paranoid as most people. Hotel safe is fine for my extra credit cards and passport. It seems that I do not carry as much cash as most when I travel. Instead I prefer to use my credit card and only pay cash by way of an ATM when I am paying a chick or buying something off the street.

[Goferring]

Any ideas on getting from Manila to Subic, prefer car. I'm sure travel postings on Angeles but haven't seen anything since travel has resumed. One gentlemen awhile back said moving around required some problems, checkpoints etc, hope this is now not the case. Price range if anyone knows.

Thanks.Not sure if you are aware but you drive straight past AC to get to Subic so the car options are exactly the same. From simplest / most expensive:

Hotel pick up - 5 k.

Airport taxi. Varies.

Private hire - 3 k.

If you really must, there were also a couple of seaplane and helicopter options. Not sure if they are still running though.

[MrHappyKat]

Planning my 1st trip:

First, huge thanks to all who post here. I've been lurking for some time as I contemplate my next extended trip (past trips to Argentina, Chile, and Dominican Republic) and wait out the worst of the pandemic headwinds. The collective wisdom and occasional humor have been amazing. I think I am about as prepared as I can be, until I get boots on the ground, of course, for an excellent time.

I'd appreciate some feedback on my preliminary plans. I'm looking to optimize for ST barfine sessions, then perhaps FL sessions, and since I have bad knees, minimal walking time to / from bars. I have decent budget available and I want to limit my 1st trip to the Manila and AC areas. Here's my current plan:

Flights: I will be flying business class because I can afford it. Non-stop from LAX to MNL. Prefer to arrive late afternoon to early evening.

COVID Stuff: Fully vaccinated and double boosted. It looks like I'll need the following to fly: One health card, recent PRC (or antigen?) test results, global entry card (already have TSA-Pre), travel medical insurance ($35 K or higher), and identify where I can get new tests in MNL before I fly home. Not sure if I also need "E-health Declaration" and "Case Investigation" - can anyone confirm?

Lodging: I'm thinking of staying 7-ish days in Makati, then 7-8 days in AC, then coming back to the Manila area for the rest of my stay. I'm budgeting about $50-$80 per night for hotel, and looking for girl-friendly and generally more upscale (or at least not shit-hole) locations near the local bars to minimize walking distances as much as practical.

Transport between cities: I'm looking at taking a bus for $5-$10 between Manila and AC. But I can pay more for a taxi if it's a more direct / safer / shorter trip.

Transportation in-city. As mentioned, I have bad knees and as a bigger guy, I'm not sure I'll fit in the trikes. So Grab seems like the way to go for short trips, maybe 4-8 per day depending on daily activities.

Daily routine: I'm getting older, so I'll probably only do a barfine or FL every other day, then recovering and maybe doing touristy crap (cover story) on the off days. Or if I meet a girl I really like, I can extend our session to the next day for additional funds.

Question on barfines in Manila vs AC: From what I have seen in past posts, a barfine in Manila or Makati gets the girl out of the bar, and then she expects an additional amount generally equal to the barfine for a complete experience. While a barfine in AC is "all-inclusive" with the expectation of a small tip (php 250-500) before she leaves. Is this correct? I've seen references to barfines in both areas between php 3 k and 4 k, with FL rates between php 2 K and 4 K. Should I plan on / budget for these rates by time I get there in July?

Packing: I'm an experienced traveler including travel in "poor" countries. But the tip about buying a pacsafe bag is a great idea. Thank you! I want to pack a 6-8 day supply of clothes, and use the hotel or local laundry service as needed. Shorts, light jeans, t-shits and polos, and a swim suit seems appropriate. Plus a baseball hat and sunscreen if I'll be outdoors for a while. Wil I need to bring my Verizon hotspot? Or is that just a waste of space / weight in my luggage?

Medical: I take daily meds, and will bring an ample supply, of course. If I lose my meds, do I need a prescription to refill them at a local pharmacy? And will a US-based prescription be accepted? Next, I am considering starting a PrEP regimen and will be asking my doctor about it. Should I be insisting on only drinking bottled water?

Sorry for the word-wall. I tend to over plan so I avoid surprises.

Anyone see any red flags or landmines in my plan?

Thanks for any and all feedback.Thanks to AsianPursuits, Soapy Smith, and MontanaMonger for your replies! Great feedback.

I will get a GSM phone and pacsafe this week. Looks like I will need to do more scutt work to research hotels in each city for price / guest policy / location / and quality before I drop any reservations. And I'll have at least one back up hotel in each area just in case. I have also been reviewing several YouTube vlogs about the scene. I agree with some of the feedback here that some of the vloggers are creepy, and that's saying something within a monger blog! But they do give me a decent idea of look and feel of the streets and street traffic. The PAL flight I'm looking at leaves LAX at 11 pm and lands in MNL around 9 pm. So I don't think I'll need to wait in the lobby for hours to check-in. When I flew to Buenos Aires a few years ago, landing at 7:00 am, I solved this by buying a extra day at the hotel for the day before I landed and telling the front desk I was going to do REALLY late check in. It was worth the extra spend.

I'll probably post an update as I get closer to my dates. And I'll post in the Travel Announcements Board in case anyone here wants to join me for suitable adult beverage.

[Goferring]

Looks like I will need to do more scutt work to research hotels in each city for price / guest policy / location / and quality before I drop any reservations. And I'll have at least one back up hotel in each area just in case.If your health issues are limiting your mobility, remember that there are hotels literally on Walking Street, P Burgos etc.

Reviews are great but remember that the whole Covid situation has changed everything. Being closed for several years has forced many previously good hotels to close completely, drastically reduce maintenance spend, or send qualified staff home.

You may find it better to only book a few nights on arrival. Then you can extend or move depending on how you find it. Its very easy to over plan a PI holiday and then find yourself locked into places or times that you may wish to change should you (dis) like a place. Enjoy. G.

[Soapy Smith]

I'll probably post an update as I get closer to my dates. And I'll post in the Travel Announcements Board in case anyone here wants to join me for suitable adult beverage.HK, here's a tip for using the reply with quote function. Usually, you don't need to leave all of the previous post intact. You can easily delete part of an earlier post. When you click on reply with quote you will see brackets at the beginning and end of the post. The first set of brackets usually says "Quote," then the poster's name, and a post number. Make sure you leave the brackets and all their contents. At the end of the copied post is another set of brackets and the word "Quote. " Make sure you leave these brackets and contents as well. Aside from retaining the brackets, you can delete as much or as little of the wording in the post as you want. Notice that in this reply I retained only your last line. Others will appreciate having you shorten your replies by deleting unneeded words.

[MrHappyKat]

You may find it better to only book a few nights on arrival. Then you can extend or move depending on how you find it. Its very easy to over plan a PI holiday and then find yourself locked into places or times that you may wish to change should you (dis) like a place. Enjoy. G.Soapy, sorry about the quote spam. Thanks for the tip.

Gofer. Thanks for the hotel advice as well. After decades of business travel, I've learned to try to NEVER go on the road without a confirmed hotel for every travel day. So booking a few days then extending or moving is against my nature. I'll have to push back my habits for this and to take your advice.

New question, please: I was reading a long string about money exchange on the AC board and it got me wondering when I should pay by card vs cash. Paying by card reduces the need to bring and exchange cash, and with a Travel Visa card from my primary bank I can avoid or reduce FX fees for most card transactions. I have enough cash to pay off the card bills the next month, so not worried about loading up interest charges. So here's what I'm thinking:

1. Cash for all mongering activities. Barfines, bar bills, ST / LT fees and tips, etc.

2. Cards for all non-mongering activities at "legit" merchants like hotel, restaurants, retail stores, etc. IF they accept cards and IF they have a legit credit card terminal (I used to be in that business so I can spot card scammers. Mostly).

3. Cash for street vendors, 7-11-ish stores, taxis / Grab.

Does this make sense, or should I just go with cash for all except perhaps hotels? By the way, I'm single, retired and no kids, so I'm not worried about PI transactions on my statements.

Thanks again.

[Goferring]

After decades of business travel, I've learned to try to NEVER go on the road without a confirmed hotel for every travel day. So booking a few days then extending or moving is against my nature. I'll have to push back my habits for this and to take your advice.

New question, please: I was reading a long string about money exchange on the AC board and it got me wondering when I should pay by card vs cash. I'd agree for business travel where you have a fixed itinerary and way points. However, for a new holiday destination, you don't know what you will enjoy or dislike. You may arrive somewhere and want to stay longer or arrive and want to leave the next day.

Typically I have my flights in and out of country booked and 3 days accommodation to let me relax and gets feel for the area.

The only times when spontaneous decisions have been an issue for me was during peak season (unlikely now) where rooms become scarce. Just remember that some of the booking sites will not allow you to make a new booking for tonight only for tomorrow night onwards even if rooms are available.

Your cash vs card matrix is pretty good. You are correct that you will go through more cash than an equivalent western holiday. One thing I would add is online payments. I pay for all my hotels online via Agoda and all domestic flights via the respective Airlines.

Enjoy. G.

[PedroMorales]

Does this make sense, or should I just go with cash for all except perhaps hotels? By the way, I'm single, retired and no kids, so I'm not worried about PI transactions on my statements.

Thanks again.I read alarm bells all over your post and not just because you don't mind racking up credit card and other bank charges. I work as follows: 1. Double to treble to what I might reasonably need in cash; + 2. Lots of cards to back it up. I tend work on on onion budgets: a. Spend little, be. Loosen up. See. Splah out. The. This is getting serious, abandon and cut shot the holiday if need be.

The really dangerous thing about your post is using plastic all over the place, in SE Asia. That would be total panic stations for me and I would not do it as I would expect to get scammed / skimmed, no matter what you or others might say.

There have also been posts about carrying very large amounts of money. I have carried tens of thousands of $$ but not to blow on hookers. I would be very careful of any of that going through domestic plane checks as I would not trust them to do a number on me.

You have people here and everywhere like to act the big guy. Ignore those losers. Play safe, hedge your bets.

It could be you are some obese American, not used to going down and dirty. In that case, plan accordingly. Fancy, over priced hotels and, even if paying them by plastic, cash is king.

[Mr Enternational]

After decades of business travel, I've learned to try to NEVER go on the road without a confirmed hotel for every travel day. So booking a few days then extending or moving is against my nature.That depends on where and when you are going. I know that I can pop up in Santo Domingo anytime and find a place to stay without a reservation. I also know that if I pop up in Santo Domingo at Christmas time thinking I am going to be able to get a rental car without a reservation (or even with one sometimes) I will be shit out of luck.

People giving advice on this forum have been around the block a time or two and give solid advice on places to stay. In Philippines it is very easy to book 1 or 2 days at a place then look for something better or extend once you have boots on the ground and get your bearings.

My first time in Manila people here told me to stay at City State in Ermita. To this day I still stay there sometimes. In Angeles I was told to stay in Central Park (before it was rebuilt) or Pacific Breeze. Those are also 2 places I still check out when looking for a place although now I am more knowledgeable of other places in the vicinity.

I tried to give my brother the same advice of where to stay his first time, but he decided to do his own thing. He ended up booking the entire time at a hotel across town far from everything, not knowing how bad Manila traffic is. Experience is the best teacher.

[AsianPursuits]

Soapy, sorry about the quote spam. Thanks for the tip.

Gofer. Thanks for the hotel advice as well. After decades of business travel, I've learned to try to NEVER go on the road without a confirmed hotel for every travel day. So booking a few days then extending or moving is against my nature. I'll have to push back my habits for this and to take your advice.

New question, please: I was reading a long string about money exchange on the AC board and it got me wondering when I should pay by card vs cash. Paying by card reduces the need to bring and exchange cash, and with a Travel Visa card from my primary bank I can avoid or reduce FX fees for most card transactions. I have enough cash to pay off the card bills the next month, so not worried about loading up interest charges. So here's what I'm thinking:

1. Cash for all mongering activities. Barfines, bar bills, ST / LT fees and tips, etc.

2. Cards for all non-mongering activities at "legit" merchants like hotel, restaurants, retail stores, etc. IF they accept cards and IF they have a legit credit card terminal (I used to be in that business so I can spot card scammers. Mostly)..I would agree Card for hotels and major bookings.

In restaurant's and retail stores you are still better to use cash. Tips can be better handled direct to staff. Also many stores have extra layers of security on card use which will slow you down.

Grab you can pre-pay credit every few days.

I am not a fan of "travel" cards which often have a 'loading' fee which you pay when you load your currencies. Plus there is still a foreign exchange margin when you more currency around plus there is usually a fee for inactivity such that the leach away any remaining credit.

'Travel' cards are a big bank old school service. These days they are replaced by a card such as Wise or in Australia we have Citibank Visa Debit, fee free overseas withdrawals and ING debit cards which rebate overseas fees.

[Beavis]

I guess it depends on what card you use but I have been using a Capital One credit card here for years. I use it for everything I can then go online and pay. In thousands of uses at several stores and Agoda I have never had any transaction that was overcharged or incorrect.


Soapy, sorry about the quote spam. Thanks for the tip.

Gofer. Thanks for the hotel advice as well. After decades of business travel, I've learned to try to NEVER go on the road without a confirmed hotel for every travel day. So booking a few days then extending or moving is against my nature. I'll have to push back my habits for this and to take your advice.

New question, please: I was reading a long string about money exchange on the AC board and it got me wondering when I should pay by card vs cash. Paying by card reduces the need to bring and exchange cash, and with a Travel Visa card from my primary bank I can avoid or reduce FX fees for most card transactions. I have enough cash to pay off the card bills the next month, so not worried about loading up interest charges. So here's what I'm thinking:

1. Cash for all mongering activities. Barfines, bar bills, ST / LT fees and tips, etc.

2. Cards for all non-mongering activities at "legit" merchants like hotel, restaurants, retail stores, etc. IF they accept cards and IF they have a legit credit card terminal (I used to be in that business so I can spot card scammers. Mostly).

3. Cash for street vendors, 7-11-ish stores, taxis / Grab.

Does this make sense, or should I just go with cash for all except perhaps hotels? By the way, I'm single, retired and no kids, so I'm not worried about PI transactions on my statements.

Thanks again.

[PedroMorales]

As most of you know, I detest both Americans and America. Imagine my surprise then when my bank contacted me to say someone was having fun with my credit card in the USA. The card is now cancelled and Pedro is being refunded.

Pedro, needless to say, was not at fault. It was, my bank says, a data breach on one of the online stores (or shops) I use; I just got more deliveries this morning. Though I know credit / debit card details are for sale on the dark web, I will never go there as I do not like snake pits.

My advice: ignore the "old hands", many of whom have a crooked hand in the game. In SE Asia, minimize your use of plastic and be very careful where you use plastic.

I seldom use ATMs even at home. I withdraw substantial cash amounts and do most shopping online.

If one practices care with see ash in SE Asia, one should be OK. Those expensive bags, so American, don't appeal to me either, Best to be under the radar.

Travel is stressful and it stretches our logistics as even our own houses do. Burglars know exactly where to look: main bedroom is target number 1. Even in your own house, you have to do the research. The same and more applies when you are in Scam Country.

[Dg8787]

Tests are done at 3rd level, Terminal 3 NAIA airport. There is a make shift shop set up in the huge vacant area. Easy to find. Just circle around to it.

Yesterday I scouted out the place around 2 pm and there were about 30 people waiting for their results.

Now at 10 am I am the only one here. After taking the sample you have to wait in the waiting area for 30 minutes. Easy process.

Received my printed results in 10 minutes.

P600 is the cost. As always in PH bring the exact amount.

Btw, the sky walkway to T3 (officially called Manila Runway Footbridge) is open again. The unmarked unsigned entrance/exit is behind Belmont Hotel and the side of McDonalds drive up window. If you dont have a lot of luggage to haul around then have your taxi drop you off here. You will bypass the long lines of cars and especially the outside long lines for the entrance security and scanner.

[Soapy Smith]

The Philippines has experienced its first major storm of 2022, Tropical Storm Megi, Philippine name Agaton. It hit over the past weekend but accurate reports on deaths and displacements are just now coming in. Already there are reports of about 150 dead and scores of others missing.

Worst of the carnage seems to be on Leyte Island, especially in Abuyog on the eastern coast and Baybay on the western coast. These two towns are almost back-to-back at a point where Leyte Island is only about 15 miles wide. I've been to Abuyog but not Baybay. Both towns experienced mudslides that wiped out small villages and flooding in several other villages. Rescuers have dug out many or most of the buried bodies.

Unlike Typhoon Rai, this storm packed lighter winds, but the real damage was from rainfall. At this latitude Leyte has a hilly, nearly mountainous topography that descends steeply down to water on both sides of the island. But Filipinos try to farm these hillsides with rice, corn, and especially coconut and banana palms. Unfortunately, palms have very shallow roots, and when the soil becomes saturated palm trees offer little protection against soil collapsing on the hill sides. A similar fate in 2006 caused a coconut palm mountainside in the village of Guinsaugon, in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte to collapse, burying the entire village of approximately 1200 people.

Although it's unclear how islands to the west, including Cebu and Negros, may have fared, there are reports of damage across the Western Visayas as well. Some of us should probably expect solicitations for money to repair homes and replace carabao and other losses from the storm. (Dg, you've been warned.) Sorry about the overload of news reports, which span several days from this week.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/14/asia/philippines-storm-megi-agaton-deaths-floods-evacuations-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/philippines-reports-21-dead-landslides-after-tropical-storm-megi-2022-04-11/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eKW-0Spm5Q

https://www.rappler.com/nation/death-toll-leyte-tropical-storm-agaton-april-14-2022/

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1583271/agaton-landslides-floods-death-toll-hits-148

[Beavis]

As most of you know, I detest both Americans and America. Imagine my surprise then when my bank contacted me to say someone was having fun with my credit card in the USA. The card is now cancelled and Pedro is being refunded.

Pedro, needless to say, was not at fault. It was, my bank says, a data breach on one of the online stores (or shops) I use; I just got more deliveries this morning. Though I know credit / debit card details are for sale on the dark web, I will never go there as I do not like snake pits.

My advice: ignore the "old hands", many of whom have a crooked hand in the game. In SE Asia, minimize your use of plastic and be very careful where you use plastic.

I seldom use ATMs even at home. I withdraw substantial cash amounts and do most shopping online.

If one practices care with see ash in SE Asia, one should be OK. Those expensive bags, so American, don't appeal to me either, Best to be under the radar.

Travel is stressful and it stretches our logistics as even our own houses do. Burglars know exactly where to look: main bedroom is target number 1. Even in your own house, you have to do the research. The same and more applies when you are in Scam Country.Well Pedro Morales (o cualquier nombre tienes) you detest a country with 310 million people ++ (because we don't know how many with names like yours?) and everybody that was born there. Do you have the superiority in status, class, and origin to have the expertise to totally degrade a large portion of the planet? Because, they don't a fit into your perfect world? You obviously are an internet bad ass. I must say I am very impressed.

[Wicked Roger]

The Philippines has experienced its first major storm of 2022, Tropical Storm Megi, Philippine name Agaton. It hit over the past weekend but accurate reports on deaths and displacements are just now coming in. Already there are reports of about 150 dead and scores of others missing.

Worst of the carnage seems to be on Leyte Island, especially in Abuyog on the eastern coast and Baybay on the western coast. These two towns are almost back-to-back at a point where Leyte Island is only about 15 miles wide. I've been to Abuyog but not Baybay. Both towns experienced mudslides that wiped out small villages and flooding in several other villages. Rescuers have dug out many or most of the buried bodies.

Although it's unclear how islands to the west, including Cebu and Negros, may have fared, there are reports of damage across the Western Visayas as well. Some of us should probably expect solicitations for money to repair homes and replace carabao and other losses from the storm. (Dg, you've been warned.) Sorry about the overload of news reports, which span several days from this week.Baybay was badly hit have v good contacts there (a kinky anal loving GILF / MILF plus others) and have seen the devastation. Been sent videos, picture. Some barangays wiped out, many houses just floated away, lots of dead people etc. Limited power, no running water (water via truck but the kinky GILF has to go collect and that needs large containers she said and takes hours).

So if you do get the message and want to help this is not a scam as Baybay and Abuyog are badly smashed up.

Cebu etc seems OK based if you look at Baybay, bad rain but nothing like the devastation of those 2 towns.

As power is on. Off and very disrupted sending cash can take time to collect.

My 2 cents based on first hand reports from very good people (who are also very naughty kinky and in needs!

[GoodEnough]

Well Pedro Morales (o cualquier nombre tienes) you detest a country with 310 million people ++ (because we don't know how many with names like yours?) and everybody that was born there. Do you have the superiority in status, class, and origin to have the expertise to totally degrade a large portion of the planet? Because, they don't a fit into your perfect world? You obviously are an internet bad ass. I must say I am very impressed.Thanks for responding to his even more asinine that usual post. Your rebuttal reminded me to put him on my "ignore" list, which I did promptly after reading your post. I had been meaning to do that for a while and somehow never got around to it.

GE.

[WestCoast1]

As most of you know, I detest both Americans and America.


Do you have the superiority in status, class, and origin to have the expertise to totally degrade a large portion of the planet? PM recognizes and is honest about his issue. Most xenophobes or racists are too embarrassed to admit their issue. Pedro, on the other hand, is belting it out like Whitney Houston.

[Beavis]

Thanks for responding to his even more asinine that usual post. Your rebuttal reminded me to put him on my "ignore" list, which I did promptly after reading your post. I had been meaning to do that for a while and somehow never got around to it.

GE.Obviously someone who has a small penis and no hair. Wow, what an objective Asshole. There are good and bad people from every race and every country yet this jerk off just hates The USA and all Americans. Well we can't hate where he is from because he will not expose his location, ethnicity, or anything else. I have been on this board for 21 years now. Jackson would have expunged this idiot in 3 posts.

[WestCoast1]

There are good and bad people from every race and every country yet this jerk off just hates The USA and all Americans. Well we can't hate where he is from because he will not expose his location, ethnicity, or anything else. I have been on this board for 21 years now. Jackson would have expunged this idiot in 3 posts.Have reported many of his posts to Admin. No response. While I advocated previously for PM saying what he likes (the free speech thingy), his xenophobic outbursts have caused me to use the Ignore List.


ackson would have expunged this idiot in 3 posts.The good-old / bad-old days is gone.

Who is at the helm?

[Soapy Smith]

Have reported many of his posts to Admin. No response. While I advocated previously for PM saying what he likes (the free speech thingy), his xenophobic outbursts have caused me to use the Ignore List.The xenophobia is tough to ignore. In the past I foolishly engaged him in conversations, including a silly discussion about the threats of serial killers hovering around sex worker establishments. I should have quit before I started. Oh well, water under the bridge.

I have never put him on ignore; I just mentally ignore the more ridiculous posts. Admittedly, some of his recent posts have included some interesting literary references. In other words, either he has read more widely than most ISG members, he has extracted just enough content out of Wikipedia to sound literate, or he is a skilled plagiarist.

As to his hatred for the US, I understand that many people around the world resent American interventions in other countries. Our record is mixed. Germany and Japan have a lot to be thankful for in American efforts to prop them up following WWII. But Chile under Pinochet and Iran under Shah Riza Palavi were not our proudest moments. But to put things in perspective, Putin makes our interventions, even the Philippines in 1900-1901, look like walks in the park.

I don't think we should hold our collective breath waiting for Jackson to kick him off the board. Despite some of my past frustrating dialogues with him, I just keep him in sort of a mental ignore standing. I just don't take him very seriously.

[Soapy Smith]

Baybay was badly hit have v good contacts there (a kinky anal loving GILF / MILF plus others) and have seen the devastation. Been sent videos, picture. Some barangays wiped out, many houses just floated away, lots of dead people etc. Limited power, no running water (water via truck but the kinky GILF has to go collect and that needs large containers she said and takes hours).

So if you do get the message and want to help this is not a scam as Baybay and Abuyog are badly smashed up.Agreed Rog. It looks real ugly. Thanks for filling in the pieces. Soapy.

[The Rose]

The xenophobia is tough to ignore.
But to put things in perspective, Putin makes our interventions, even the Philippines in 1900-1901, look like walks in the park.(1) Morales is not xenophobic which is a generalized fear, antipathy of anything foreign. Morales's fear & antipathy is focused and not generalized. He is not xenophobia; he is viscerally and irrationally anti-American. Maybe some real American (b) itch spurned him. God knows there are plenty of them.

(2) Two weeks after Commodore Dewey sailed into Manila bay and sank the Spanish fleet, the nascent Germany navy steamed in trying to take advantage of any American weakness to exploit so as to replace the US but then backed off having found none.

In the ensuing insurrection the Philippine resistance to the Americans was divided and fought among themselves for preeminence. The upshot is that the Americans prevented the PI from being taken over by either the Germans, English, and Japanese or all three.

Finally the Americans prevented chaos arising from internecine warfare among competing local factions and united a diverse group into one country using English as its lingua franca. Americans were imperialists but they intended to show the world how to be good imperialists.

Americans are criticized for not breaking up the power of the big Philippine families whose power still presides over the country. But place names like Clark, MacArthur, and Taft still endure as a testimony to the lasting affection that persists between the two countries. Recall that in California the largest Asian minority is Philippine.

So if Mr. Morales hates Americans, and it's a free country, his hatred must perforce extend to the Philippines.

[MrHappyKat]

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. I am now booked on PAL in July. I'm still trying to understand the geography and get a good idea of the "red zones" around Manila. I'm pretty sure AC is really just one red zone, so should be easier to figure out. It's all basically near Walking Street, yes?

Next, I'm looking at hotels in Manila and AC that are:

1. Guest friendly.

2. Next to or in areas with open bars and FL's and / or near known FL locations (like Robinsons Mall?

3. Not shitty (maybe $50-$90 per night).

I will start by reviewing past posts in all relevant boards, and listing any that might meet my needs.

But if any of you have recent info (like less than 30 days old) and can share, please, I'll be in your debt to the tune of 3-5 San Miguels if we get to meet. .

[Goferring]

I'm pretty sure AC is really just one red zone, so should be easier to figure out. It's all basically near Walking Street, yes?

Next, I'm looking at hotels in Manila and AC.....Yes, the AC scene is basically Walking street and it's extensions. Walking down Fields Ave away from McDonald's you have the Walking St Gogo's, the boom gate stopping vehicular traffic, smaller Gogo's and the popular foreigner drinking bars (lots of very rough street walkers in this area), a stretch of nothingness, then the Perimeter bars. You can walk in a straight line from the start of Walking St to the last if the Perimeter bars but it's a long walk. Trikes are also plentiful. Staying on or near Walking St also has you close to the Mall which has numerous eateries and sales girls keen for some overtime. Note that there isn't a Pattaya equivalent Beer Bar scene in AC.

Unfortunately Manila City is very spread out, with various red light areas some distance apart. Daytime traffic can be horrendous. At night, Makati has probably the best selection but Burgos is not cheap. I prefer to stay in a Greenbelt AirBnB as it's a short taxi ride to most hunting areas and there is a lot nearby to do during the day. Note that the malls in the area are quite high end so don't go propositioning every girl you see. Greenbelt malls and Glorietta are also recognisable landmarks for online girls to find if they are coming in to meet you.

Good luck. G.

[Soapy Smith]

(1) Morales is not xenophobic which is a generalized fear, antipathy of anything foreign. Morales's fear & antipathy is focused and not generalized. He is not xenophobia; he is viscerally and irrationally anti-American. Maybe some real American (b) itch spurned him. God knows there are plenty of them.

But place names like Clark, MacArthur, and Taft still endure as a testimony to the lasting affection that persists between the two countries. Recall that in California the largest Asian minority is Philippine.

So if Mr. Morales hates Americans, and it's a free country, his hatred must perforce extend to the Philippines.

You are correct about xenophobia, but I'm not convinced that Clark, Taft, and MacArthur are reflections of affection. There has long been an underlying resentment toward the US, and this was the dynamic that prompted some Filipinos to push the removal of American forces from Clark and Subic in the early 1990's. When Duterte proposed to cut off joint exercises with American forces, I think he was tapping into this resentment. It struck some observers as an effort to eliminate a sense of dependency on the US, particularly where armaments were concerned.

It's certainly possible that PM's hatred for Americans extends to Filipinos, but for his hatred to extend "perforce" seems to imply that he knows the historical connections you describe. That may be giving him too much credit.

[CPO59]

Can I get a Taxi at Clark Airport easily.

How much (aprox) to a hotel in Fields.

[Mogwai]

Transportation in-city. As mentioned, I have bad knees and as a bigger guy, I'm not sure I'll fit in the trikes. So Grab seems like the way to go for short trips, maybe 4-8 per day depending on daily activities. You will definitely not fit in the trikes, nor in the jeepneys. I'm not really a big guy, but I'm quite tall, and I have to fold myself to get in a trike. Jeepneys are easier to get in, but the roof is quite low and the ride is only a little bit less uncomfortable than a trike ride.

[Mogwai]

Next, I'm looking at hotels in Manila and AC that are:

1. Guest friendly.
2. Next to or in areas with open bars and FL's and / or near known FL locations (like Robinsons Mall?
3. Not shitty (maybe $50-$90 per night).
https://www.berjayahotel.com/makati might be an option for you. It's about 200-300 metres from the bars in P Burgos street. Girl friendly, nice rooms, good breakfast buffet, and most of the rooms are facing a quiet side street.

Another option are the condo's of 'Mosaic Tower by Funsho'. Google it like that. Further away from P Burgos, but very close to the Greenbelt mall, in nicer more Western like surroundings.

[Mogwai]

New question, please: I was reading a long string about money exchange on the AC board and it got me wondering when I should pay by card vs cash. Paying by card reduces the need to bring and exchange cash, and with a Travel Visa card from my primary bank I can avoid or reduce FX fees for most card transactions. I have enough cash to pay off the card bills the next month, so not worried about loading up interest charges. So here's what I'm thinking:

1. Cash for all mongering activities. Barfines, bar bills, ST / LT fees and tips, etc.
2. Cards for all non-mongering activities at "legit" merchants like hotel, restaurants, retail stores, etc. IF they accept cards and IF they have a legit credit card terminal (I used to be in that business so I can spot card scammers. Mostly).
3. Cash for street vendors, 7-11-ish stores, taxis / Grab.

Maybe it has already been mentioned, but please be aware that credit card surcharges are illegal in the Philippines. So if your hotel adds a surcharge, just say it's illegal and they will remove it from the bill immediately.
By the way, some hotels offer a 5 or 10% discount if you pay cash. Pre-covid anyway.

[Soapy Smith]

You will definitely not fit in the trikes, nor in the jeepneys. I'm not really a big guy, but I'm quite tall, and I have to fold myself to get in a trike. Jeepneys are easier to get in, but the roof is quite low and the ride is only a little bit less uncomfortable than a trike ride.M, you're probably right about trikes and jeepneys, but maybe he should try each once, just to say he did. The jeepney is the more challenging of the two, because there's a steeper learning curve: need to know where the route goes, need to know where to get off, and need to know bayad po and para po.

[GDreams]

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. I am now booked on PAL in July. I'm still trying to understand the geography and get a good idea of the "red zones" around Manila. I'm pretty sure AC is really just one red zone, so should be easier to figure out. It's all basically near Walking Street, yes?

Next, I'm looking at hotels in Manila and AC that are:

1. Guest friendly.

2. Next to or in areas with open bars and FL's and / or near known FL locations (like Robinsons Mall?

3. Not shitty (maybe $50-$90 per night).

I will start by reviewing past posts in all relevant boards, and listing any that might meet my needs..In Manila I prefer Malate. Then again I like Korean, Japanese and Chinese food of which there is and abundance. There are a lot of KTVs but I don't visit. Robinsons place is there and La Cafe but I get 95% of girls online. Never been in a gogo bar. Pricing of reasonable hotels is in your price range. Makati is not so fun to walk around, the malls are overly large and crowded and not very interesting.

[The Rose]

There has long been an underlying resentment toward the US, and this was the dynamic that prompted some Filipinos to push the removal of American forces from Clark and Subic in the early 1990's. When Duterte proposed to cut off joint exercises with American forces, I think he was tapping into this resentment.(1) Filipinos resented the Japanese not the Americans from the gitgo during WWII and aided GI's for example during the Death March of Bataan and beyond. Unusual for a colonial military to get that kind of support.

(2) The push for the removal of US bases was catalyzed by the puritanical Cardinal Sin who blamed the prostitution on Fields in Angeles and Magsaysay in Olongapo on the presence of the military bases and their horny 20 year old sailors and airman. I am a lot older than 20 and I am still horny. Muddle minded Catholic cleric. He should have gotten his cock sucked by one of those pros on Blow Road.

Interesting note: at one time the Pearl S. Buck foundation had an office in Angeles in the Diamond Subdivision neighborhood whose purpose it was to give assistance to the Philam children of unwed and abandoned mothers. By way of review for the untutored PM, Pearl Buck was the American Nobel Prize winner in literature whose parents were Chinese Christian missionaries. The last time I saw it open was maybe 1996.

(3) Du30's American resentments stemmed from his experience from being a husband to an American wife. Nobody can blame him there.

[Soapy Smith]

(1) Filipinos resented the Japanese not the Americans from the gitgo during WWII and aided GI's for example during the Death March of Bataan and beyond. I'd say Americans were the lesser of two evils--by a wide margin. It is also true that the US benefited substantially from Filipino guerillas, both in sharing intelligence and planning for the assault on Leyte and the later assault from Lingayen Gulf to Manila. The Huks, for example, a leftist group of rebels, sided with Americans in their efforts to retake Luzon. (The enemy of my enemy is my friend, but only in the short term.) After the war, however, the Huks were a continuous irritant to the Americans, even after the Philippines' 1946 independence. My recently deceased next door neighbor was stationed at Sangley Point Naval Station for several years after the end of the war. He has told me about the American military's ongoing need to protect infrastructure from attacks by the Huks. Technically, the Huks organized against the Japanese around 1942, but they were really part of an ongoing communist movement first focused against the Spanish, but then directing its wrath toward the Americans after the Philippine-American war.

We did not make many Filipino friends during the Philippine-American war. Emilio Aguinaldo, the nominal Philippine (dictatorial) head of state after the 1998 rebellion against Spain, travelled to French IndoChina to negotiate with Commodore Perry following the Spanish-American war. Translation was carried out by a British businessman and led Aguinaldo to believe that Perry was promising to support Philippine independence. Perry's fleet did sink a bunch of the Spanish fleet which had foolishly holed up in behind Cavite Arm, leaving themselves no exit route from Manila Bay. But whether or not Perry had promised to support Philippine independence, it was clear Perry did not follow through to do so. In fact, he secretly negotiated with the Spanish leader in Manila to stage a mock battle and allow the Spanish to escape relatively unscathed. Meanwhile, at the Treaty of Paris, the US agreed to buy the Philippines from Spain. Unfortunately, Filipinos were left out of the loop in negotiations for both the mock battle and the purchase of the Philippines. You can hardly blame Aguinaldo and other Filipinos for their reaction to what appeared to them as American deceit.

There were a number of chilling massacres during the Philippine-American war. One noteworthy one was the massacre of Balangiga in Eastern Samar. The story is told differently by Filipinos and Americans, with both sides attributing horrendous atrocities to the other side. In the process, in addition to a bunch of young Filipinos left dead, Americans stole three significant bells from a historic church in Balangiga and took one to an installation in Korea and the other two to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The US did not relinquish the bells until 2018, despite 117 years of appeals from the Philippines.

Did the US treat Filipinos better than the Spanish had under colonialism? Probably. The Americans expanded schooling to all Filipinos, and they opened hospitals, universities and other facilities to all Filipinos. They also built a civil service and employed Filipinos in its ranks, but for the most part not in positions of decision-making authority. The US tried, relatively unsuccessfully, to create a separation of church and state. But the US also attempted to squash labor organizing, and, therefore, various elements of civil society. One result was an expanding movement of communists, which persists to the present day. There was, for a number of years, a blurred line of organizing activity by Philippine Jesuits and communists. Some of those sentiments still simmer. One might also ask, as Filipinos sometimes do, why it took the US 45 years to grant independence to the Philippines.

As an American I have concluded that my country did better by Filipinos than did the Spanish. And there is no practical comparison to the Japanese. But I am cautious about romanticizing Filipinos' attitudes toward us. The extent of affection may decline somewhat when the source of sentiment is the lower levels of Philippine socio-economics. Poor Filipinas often express affection for us—but mostly for our money and the prospect of being transported to a wealthy Western country. Also, my sense of historical causation is that few events can be reduced to a single event or person, whether it's a Catholic Cardinal or Duterte's anger at a former wife.

[Beavis]

I'd say Americans were the lesser of two evils--by a wide margin. It is also true that the US benefited substantially from Filipino guerillas, both in sharing intelligence and planning for the assault on Leyte and the later assault from Lingayen Gulf to Manila. The Huks, for example, a leftist group of rebels, sided with Americans in their efforts to retake Luzon. (The enemy of my enemy is my friend, but only in the short term.) After the war, however, the Huks were a continuous irritant to the Americans, even after the Philippines' 1946 independence. My recently deceased next door neighbor was stationed at Sangley Point Naval Station for several years after the end of the war. He has told me about the American military's ongoing need to protect infrastructure from attacks by the Huks. Technically, the Huks organized against the Japanese around 1942, but they were really part of an ongoing communist movement first focused against the Spanish, but then directing its wrath toward the Americans after the Philippine-American war.

We did not make many Filipino friends during the Philippine-American war. Emilio Aguinaldo, the nominal Philippine (dictatorial) head of state after the 1998 rebellion against Spain, travelled to French IndoChina to negotiate with Commodore Perry following the Spanish-American war. Translation was carried out by a British businessman and led Aguinaldo to believe that Perry was promising to support Philippine independence. Perry's fleet did sink a bunch of the Spanish fleet which had foolishly holed up in behind Cavite Arm, leaving themselves no exit route from Manila Bay. But whether or not Perry had promised to support Philippine independence, it was clear Perry did not follow through to do so. In fact, he secretly negotiated with the Spanish leader in Manila to stage a mock battle and allow the Spanish to escape relatively unscathed. Meanwhile, at the Treaty of Paris, the US agreed to buy the Philippines from Spain. Unfortunately, Filipinos were left out of the loop in negotiations for both the mock battle and the purchase of the Philippines. You can hardly blame Aguinaldo and other Filipinos for their reaction to what appeared to them as American deceit.

There were a number of chilling massacres during the Philippine-American war. One noteworthy one was the massacre of Balangiga in Eastern Samar. The story is told differently by Filipinos and Americans, with both sides attributing horrendous atrocities to the other side. In the process, in addition to a bunch of young Filipinos left dead, Americans stole three significant bells from a historic church in Balangiga and took one to an installation in Korea and the other two to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The US did not relinquish the bells until 2018, despite 117 years of appeals from the Philippines.

Did the US treat Filipinos better than the Spanish had under colonialism? Probably. The Americans expanded schooling to all Filipinos, and they opened hospitals, universities and other facilities to all Filipinos. They also built a civil service and employed Filipinos in its ranks, but for the most part not in positions of decision-making authority. The US tried, relatively unsuccessfully, to create a separation of church and state. But the US also attempted to squash labor organizing, and, therefore, various elements of civil society. One result was an expanding movement of communists, which persists to the present day. There was, for a number of years, a blurred line of organizing activity by Philippine Jesuits and communists. Some of those sentiments still simmer. One might also ask, as Filipinos sometimes do, why it took the US 45 years to grant independence to the Philippines.

As an American I have concluded that my country did better by Filipinos than did the Spanish. And there is no practical comparison to the Japanese. But I am cautious about romanticizing Filipinos' attitudes toward us. The extent of affection may decline somewhat when the source of sentiment is the lower levels of Philippine socio-economics. Poor Filipinas often express affection for usbut mostly for our money and the prospect of being transported to a wealthy Western country. Also, my sense of historical causation is that few events can be reduced to a single event or person, whether it's a Catholic Cardinal or Duterte's anger at a former wife.And all of these actions were decided by about 1,000 or less idiots in Washington, the. See. Politicians poorly represent the entire population of any country. Plenty of good and bad people in any land.

[BroComplex]

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. I am now booked on PAL in July. I'm still trying to understand the geography and get a good idea of the "red zones" around Manila. I'm pretty sure AC is really just one red zone, so should be easier to figure out. It's all basically near Walking Street, yes?

Next, I'm looking at hotels in Manila and AC that are:

1. Guest friendly.

2. Next to or in areas with open bars and FL's and / or near known FL locations (like Robinsons Mall?

3. Not shitty (maybe $50-$90 per night).

I will start by reviewing past posts in all relevant boards, and listing any that might meet my needs.

But if any of you have recent info (like less than 30 days old) and can share, please, I'll be in your debt to the tune of 3-5 San Miguels if we get to meet. .Hello kat is this your first time going to the philippines? How long are you planning on staying and what is your game plan p4 p or dating or mix of both? Are you planning on going to the islands or other cities or is it just manila?

[J Janni]

Where's usually the cheapest place to fly from either Manilla or Cebu?

Hopefully cancellable and refundable. Planning a stay of longer than 30 days.

Tia.

[Dg8787]

Where's usually the cheapest place to fly from either Manilla or Cebu?

Hopefully cancellable and refundable. Planning a stay of longer than 30 days.

Tia.X why = Z.

Z = where?

[J Janni]

X why = Z.

Z = where?Cheers. Helpful.

I'll be entering on the 30 day visa on arrival. It's my understanding I need to show an onward ticket within that 30 day period, even though I'll be extending it.

[AsianPursuits]

Where's usually the cheapest place to fly from either Manilla or Cebu?

Hopefully cancellable and refundable. Planning a stay of longer than 30 days..I used to have a CRK. HKG flight as backup.

I am usually asked for this when checking in for my flight as it is the inbound airlines responsibility to ensure you meet the outbound flight info.

Many airlines are offering free date changes. Would you consider getting your return flight on your inbound ticket and then changing your return dates. One less complication.

[GDreams]

Cheers. Helpful.

I'll be entering on the 30 day visa on arrival. It's my understanding I need to show an onward ticket within that 30 day period, even though I'll be extending it.If you buy a refundable fare does the departure and destination matter?

[Nolz7]

Can I get a Taxi at Clark Airport easily.

How much (aprox) to a hotel in Fields.There is a company called blue taxi. Google it. 500 pesos to fields. 24/7.

[Breadman]

Cheers. Helpful.

I'll be entering on the 30 day visa on arrival. It's my understanding I need to show an onward ticket within that 30 day period, even though I'll be extending it.Yes you'll need a throwaway ticket from what I gather. The bigger question everyone is trying to find out is will you be able to extend that 30 day visa once your on the ground. I've talked to a visa agent who said the Manila IB isn't extending visas but the Angeles City IB is giving extensions. And from what I have read you need to apply for the visa extension within 7 days after landing. If anyone has firsthand knowledge of what's happening on the ground please report.

[MrHappyKat]

Hello kat is this your first time going to the philippines? How long are you planning on staying and what is your game plan p4 p or dating or mix of both? Are you planning on going to the islands or other cities or is it just manila?Hi BorComplex. It's all in my original post, but here you go:

I will be there for three weeks, split between Manila and AC.

I plan on a mix of FLs and bar girls, but will look at dating apps as I get closer to arrival in July.

Staying in the Manila and AC areas only. No other islands for this 1st time trip.

[GDreams]

Hi BorComplex.Is that a typo or throwing shade LOL!

[Dashing Don]

In preparation for my trip next week, I've been working the sites just as I have for umpteen years now. It requires effort and attention to detail. A monger diligently plying his trade using the tools available to him. There's a sense of history and inevitability to it. The classically educated among us will perhaps draw parallels with Alexander's campaign.

And, I'm happy to report that I've noticed that the online dating scene is heating up. Quick responses. Plans being made. An eagerness to meet. Its like old times and a complete turnaround from my February trip when everything was dead including the sites. One indicator I thought was telling was that several of the girls were very attentive to my preference that they should wear the lingerie that they showed in their profiles. Responses such as 'Don I'll wear the pink ones for you' are greatly appreciated and show a great attitude.

I think its going to be a great trip.

[AsianPursuits]

In preparation for my trip next week, I've been working the sites just as I have for umpteen years now. It requires effort and attention to detail. A monger diligently plying his trade using the tools available to him.In your planning, what is the flake-out / ghosting rate that you are planning on?

I recall previously I used to expect a turn-up rate of 1 in 3.

As well as dating sites prospects I'm also leaving some spare days for whatever happens. I usually find that over each week there will be some random girl that picks me up from a jeepney, outside a 7-11 or some other chance encounter and I have to leave space for one of those each few days. Now I am thinking about it, the 'chance' encounters in Ph are exciting and rarely happen to a 55+ year old in his home country.

[Goferring]

In your planning, what is the flake-out / ghosting rate that you are planning on?

I recall previously I used to expect a turn-up rate of 1 in 3.

Hitting the apps 2 weeks from arrival I've batted 0 for 100 before.


That's it, I'm soooo done putting in ground work on the online hookup sites!....


If I'm here now, at least 50% of those agreeing to meet actually show and of these I'd fuck about 75% (old photos, an extra 40 lbs, no chemistry etc).

If it's 10 pm and "come and suck my dick all night for 3 k" it's 100%. Actually I've had to back out from several girls heading over at the same time.

Enjoy. G.

[Transporter]

Anyone know if the bar scene is alive in puerto galera right now?

[Goferring]

Anyone know if the bar scene is alive in puerto galera right now?Sure. If you want to pay 7 k bar fines for girls that only want to give a quick ST. 😱.

[NewImage]

Sure. If you want to pay 7 k bar fines for girls that only want to give a quick ST. 😱.Once was good now overpriced and perf is crap.

Wouldn't bother going back and competing with weekend Korean millionairres. At least girls appreciate small dicks.

Girls there say they are laughing. Some guys even fall asleep drunk before they do the deed, wake up and give them a tip.

The girls have to work too hard for Westerners.

[Drbombay]

In preparation for my trip next week, I've been working the sites just as I have for umpteen years now. It requires effort and attention to detail. A monger diligently plying his trade using the tools available to him. There's a sense of history and inevitability to it. The classically educated among us will perhaps draw parallels with Alexander's campaign.

And, I'm happy to report that I've noticed that the online dating scene is heating up. Quick responses. Plans being made. An eagerness to meet. Its like old times and a complete turnaround from my February trip when everything was dead including the sites. One indicator I thought was telling was that several of the girls were very attentive to my preference that they should wear the lingerie that they showed in their profiles. Responses such as 'Don I'll wear the pink ones for you' are greatly appreciated and show a great attitude.

I think its going to be a great trip.I was there in Manila back in March and before I got there I tried my luck with Alua. More younger ones there and a few made efforts to meet up. Met up with one, and pretty soon it turned out to be "I needed to give more money since she was the only breadwinner of the family and she thought the condom had a leak and she needed to get checked to end the potential pregnancy so could I give another 6000 peso" crap fest that went on and on and this young chick was sobbing until I had to get her out since I was on company time down there and 5000 pesos pales in comparison to what I would lose if I went off old school on this chick. Got her out of my room and in a taxi and didn't follow up with her.

Then some kept saying they are coming and wound up pulling I can't make it at the last minute, etc. Keep in mind Alua is a more expensive site where you wind up paying per 10 characters they send you. So from that point I just went dark on that and counted that as a loss. Met one on Massage Republic who came through but didn't keep her on the team. There are a lot of outcall services on Telegram that I kept getting texts from. One that I had met from Tagged during the height of the pandemic did come through, actually had a good time and I had promised here a larger amount due to past dealings but once paid, I started getting the its my kids birthday coming up or my sick mother.

Best bet, just go to some of the GoGo clubs or to LA Cafe and pull you one from there and make a deal for your time there.

[Soapy Smith]

Girls there say they are laughing. Some guys even fall asleep drunk before they do the deed, wake up and give them a tip.I'm not surprised by this. Having been with Koreans doing the bar scene in Seoul I always sensed that much of the purpose was to show off arm candy to their friends.

[Goferring]

Once was good now overpriced and perf is crap.

I have many great memories of Sabang. I prefer to leave it at that, rather than return and try to force a good time.

[Goferring]

..... Keep in mind Alua is a more expensive site where you wind up paying per 10 characters they send you. ......

Best bet, just go to some of the GoGo clubs or to LA Cafe and pull you one from there and make a deal for your time there.What is the attraction of the so called high end sites (Alua, Seeking etc)? I read of guys spending serious coin just to go on a platonic dinner date or put up with primadonna attitudes.

Is it a search for prettier, more educated or English speaking girls? Or is it some sort of FinDom experience where the guys enjoy being subservient?

As the good DrB says, why do this when one can walk into any number of bars, KTVs or websites and have a hassle free experience?

If I ever want a laugh, I quite often have a read of the Seeking Forum here to read of many guys paying big bucks to develope a "relationship" with a hooker only to be treated like shit. I've never understood it.

Cheers. G.

[GuyReynolds]

Sorry for all the questions. But read thru much of the threads in each of the forums and did not see these questions fully answered or being brought up. Any help would be greatly appreciated as it'll be my first time there and will be a complete rookie. I've posted questions in other forums (where they belong) as I don't want to bog down this one in regards to hotels and things for other areas.

Is the new holy trifecta (Tinder, Pinalove, Bumble) the best bet? Is FilipinoCupid, TanTan, and OyOy still another good option? Should I bother going to a barangay for "company" or would that be too advanced for my first time here? LOL Is WhatsApp or LINE better here? Carry a paper copy of my passport and IDs with me instead of the actual things? A team of us are going in, all different shades LOL white, black, brown, and yellow. Was wondering how much luck each one would have, want to make sure we don't indirectly cockblock each other. All in our late 20's, early 30's. Are the condoms there "western" sized?

What bank ATMs are best for withdrawing money if your bank is in the US? Also, are the ATM fees bad? Read about ATM issues (cloning, skimming, ID theft, etc.). Is it possible to have the hotel give you a cash advance on your card or just bill it to your room? Some guys had mentioned driving back to the Airport just to pull more money, but not sure if its worth it if you can only pull $200 per day. Signed up for some SW groups on FB, but hard to understand the lingo and acronyms, are these pretty easy to use for getting girls over?

Should I bother with any massage parlors (need a minimum of BBBJ and max of FS)? Can you get PrEP OTC? Should I pack some nice looking clothes (I. E. Collared polo, jeans, nice shoes) or can I get into any establishment with shorts and a reg shirt? Not sure if some places have dress codes. Thanks Westie for your answers on my prior questions. I hope my short internship there will lighten the burden and assist you all in your strenuous vaxxing endeavors.

Pre-flight.

Will a PCR test be needed if I'm flying between cities in the Philippines (I. E. AC to Manila)? Medical insurance?

Arrival.

Transportation to hotel still available late at night? Sim card (bring own phone or best to buy one there?) I know someone had a cab driver on call they were willing to share. I couldn't find the post again, would it be possible to PM me the info? Also, will the money changers and cell phone companies be open after 10 pm at the airport in Manila? Regular Cabs rates this late?

Departure.

Where can I get a PCR test before departing in Manila? Will need it to return back to my country of origin.

[GDreams]

Sorry for all the questions. But read thru much of the threads in each of the forums and did not see these questions fully answered or being brought up. Any help would be greatly appreciated as it'll be my first time there and will be a complete rookie. I've posted questions in other forums (where they belong) as I don't want to bog down this one in regards to hotels and things for other areas.

Is the new holy trifecta (Tinder, Pinalove, Bumble) the best bet? Is FilipinoCupid, TanTan, and OyOy still another good option? Should I bother going to a barangay for "company" or would that be too advanced for my first time here? LOL Is WhatsApp or LINE better here? Carry a paper copy of my passport and IDs with me instead of the actual things? A team of us are going in, all different shades LOL white, black, brown, and yellow. Was wondering how much luck each one would have, want to make sure we don't indirectly cockblock each other. All in our late 20's, early 30's. Are the condoms there "western" sized?My preferences in order are PL DIA Tan Tan Tinder Wechat. I have scored with all but I haven't had feet on the ground for 2 years so try them all.

Load up Whatsapp, Viber, Line, Wechat, IMO, Instagram (with fake profile) and messenger (set up a fake profile). Also have a dummy email account that you can use incognito.

Cash exchange rates are good but shop around. ATM fees are high and most ATMs have a 10 K limit. I've never asked a hotel to change cash or advance on a card. Many businesses take credit cards.

I don't use condoms but the best bet is bring your own to ensure you have what suits you.

I haven't found massage shops to be good sources of anything but a massage. Only once offered a hand job. I usually have been in Makati or Malate and its not like Thailand with pretty girls spruiking, its more older ladies giving massages.

I dress smart casual if meeting a lady externally, crap casual when wandering around and crap casual when meeting in my room as the clothes come off in 2 minutes. Just pack some nice deodorant.

Heck the Philippines visa section of your local embassy for the latest requirements for travel.

See you own governments travel requirements for reentry.

[Mr Enternational]

I had promised here a larger amount due to past dealings but once paid, I started getting the its my kids birthday coming up or my sick mother.

Best bet, just go to some of the GoGo clubs or to LA Cafe and pull you one from there and make a deal for your time there.We tried to tell you when you called yourself buying gifts for chicks on tagged or whatever and sending money saying it is only $10 or $50. The more you give, the more they are going to want.

Nobody is looking at you better than us Kuripot Kelvins because you have a big heart. They are only looking at you as the bank they can depend on. Stop trying to play the big baller Daddy Morebucks. I guess you learned there is nothing to gain from it excpet more begging.

[GuyReynolds]

Do you guys bring your laptops or any other electronics? (besides obvious phones) Is it pretty safe and secure to leave your things in your room or in the Safe? I know not to leave it out when I have "company" or LTs haha primarily mean when I'm out and about hunting or touristing.

[AsianPursuits]

Do you guys bring your laptops or any other electronics? (besides obvious phones) Is it pretty safe and secure to leave your things in your room or in the Safe? I know not to leave it out when I have "company" or LTs haha primarily mean when I'm out and about hunting or touristing.I always have a full suite of electronics, phones, laptop, chargers, iPad etc.

Personally over ten years of travelling to PH I have not had anything stolen.

As an aside, I used to be annoyed with the "on-checkout" room check that the hotels do counting pillows and coffee bags or whatever. They have also found my forgotten things like phone chargers, tooth brush.

[AsianPursuits]

What are the thoughts about buying up some RATS and carrying them with me for girls that need to have covid tests before hotel entry?

Are RATs available to buy locally in Ph? My local Au price is about P250/ test.

[WestCoast1]

TetoxiCare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.

Unit 204 High Point Medical Hub, #241 Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City.

In addition, see pics. Numerous places offering Covid tests, complete with contact phone numbers, hours of operation, and locations.

[AsianPursuits]

In addition, see pics. Numerous places offering Covid tests, complete with contact phone numbers, hours of operation, and locations.Thanks for that. That lead to me to discover https://region6.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RM-No.-173-s.-2022-Advisory-on-the-Price-Cap-for-Covid-19-Testing-Kits-and-Services.pdf which identified the P350 price cap in individual RAT tests minimal price arbitrage of about P50/ test.

I still think I'll carry some for personal use if needed.

[Gen X Baer]

Thanks for that. That lead to me to discover https://region6.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RM-No.-173-s.-2022-Advisory-on-the-Price-Cap-for-Covid-19-Testing-Kits-and-Services.pdf which identified the P350 price cap in individual RAT tests minimal price arbitrage of about P50/ test.

I still think I'll carry some for personal use if needed.Bring some. It's one thing for the pricing to be set and another for the availability of actual product.

[AsianPursuits]

Bring some. It's one thing for the pricing to be set and another for the availability of actual product.Thanks for that. I will pack some. These days here they are supermarket items. Oh for the first world.

[MrHappyKat]

Ok, so Business Class airfare booked on PAL; got a decent price after the fuel price surge faded away. I'll start in Malate / Ermita, then take a bus to AC, then return to P Burgos for my final week. After researching over 50 hotels (yes, I am that anal, sadly) I've got these 3 on my radar:

Malate / Ermita: Sunny Bay Suites.

AC / Feilds: Orchard Inn Resort (not Wild Orchard).

P Burgos: Makati Palace Hotel.

All priced at $60-70/ night for decent room, which is well within my hotel budget. All are guest friendly, as far as I can tell, but are they really? All have the dates I want open and available for booking online.

Once I'm in each location, I'll enter hunter / gatherer mode and see how much fun I can have. Acquistion targets include Bar Fine girls, FL's, and I'll dabble with Apps as well once in-country.

Anyone see any red or yellow flags in my lodging selections?

Always appreciate your feedback and opinions.

I expect to generate at least one FR for each area.

Thanks for your help!

[WestCoast1]

Anyone see any red or yellow flags in my lodging selections?1) Pick up phone.

2) Don't Google.

3) Do dial each hotel's phone number and confirm: Are they open on your dates? What is there guest policy?

Then, 2 days prior to your flight, confirm by doing it again.

[Dg8787]

Ok, so Business Class airfare booked on PAL; got a decent price after the fuel price surge faded away. I'll start in Malate / Ermita, then take a bus to AC, then return to P Burgos for my final week. After researching over 50 hotels (yes, I am that anal, sadly) I've got these 3 on my radar:

Malate / Ermita: Sunny Bay Suites.

AC / Feilds: Orchard Inn Resort (not Wild Orchard).

P Burgos: Makati Palace Hotel.

All priced at $60-70/ night for decent room, which is well within my hotel budget. All are guest friendly, as far as I can tell, but are they really? All have the dates I want open and available for booking online.

Once I'm in each location, I'll enter hunter / gatherer mode and see how much fun I can have. Acquistion targets include Bar Fine girls, FL's, and I'll dabble with Apps as well once in-country.

Anyone see any red or yellow flags in my lodging selections?

Always appreciate your feedback and opinions.

I expect to generate at least one FR for each area.

Thanks for your help!Pack plenty of Vitamin V and Plan be pills.

Also bring or buy some hydrogen peroxide for cleaning blood spots on the bedding!

Most girls appreciate a new toothbrush and mouth wash. Buy some if your hotel doesn’t stock them. Also a comb or hairbrush. Nice shampoo and conditioner if they are staying LT. Most girls don’t have decent showers to shampoo and condition their hair.

[CodeName47]

Is the new holy trifecta (Tinder, Pinalove, Bumble) the best bet? Is FilipinoCupid, TanTan, and OyOy still another good option?.I have had good experiences with IndonesianCupid in the past. This time I managed to get atleast 5 good contacts in manila and cebu using Filipinocupid. My trip in Phili is 13-22 then Indonesia before heading back to home Melbourne through bali.

I clearly mention the below in the profle.

* I won't transfer money before meetup.

* I am not looking for marriage.

* Will share photos only in whatsapp due to privacy reasons.

I always ask them to read the profile before asking questions in whatsapp. So far it has helped removing lot of fuss and dramas.

Only the time will tell after the trip. Having said that I have only had good experiences with the above approach in Indonesia.

Good luck.

[Nolz7]

Ok, so Business Class airfare booked on PAL; got a decent price after the fuel price surge faded away. I'll start in Malate / Ermita, then take a bus to AC, then return to P Burgos for my final week. After researching over 50 hotels (yes, I am that anal, sadly) I've got these 3 on my radar:

Malate / Ermita: Sunny Bay Suites.

AC / Feilds: Orchard Inn Resort (not Wild Orchard).

P Burgos: Makati Palace Hotel.

All priced at $60-70/ night for decent room, which is well within my hotel budget. All are guest friendly, as far as I can tell, but are they really? All have the dates I want open and available for booking online.

Once I'm in each location, I'll enter hunter / gatherer mode and see how much fun I can have. Acquistion targets include Bar Fine girls, FL's, and I'll dabble with Apps as well once in-country.Be careful with this hotel because they will check for damages upon checkout. If they find anything a mess even if you were not the culprit, they will charge you arm and leg.

[WestCoast1]

Malate / Ermita: Sunny Bay Suites.

AC / Feilds: Orchard Inn Resort (not Wild Orchard).

P Burgos: Makati Palace Hotel.


Be careful with this hotel because they will check for damages upon checkout. If they find anything a mess even if you were not the culprit, they will charge you arm and leg.HK mentioned 3 places. NZ, which one are you referring to?

[Dg8787]

HK mentioned 3 places. NZ, which one are you referring to?All hotels inspect the rooms upon check out. A few times I had to pay for blood stained sheets, which I expected to.

[Biggus Dickus9]

I've been reviewing the threads and appreciate all the info. The info provided to MrHappyKat was particularly useful. I just have a couple of questions.

1) what is the estimated walking time from the ABC hotel to Walking Street? On the map it only seems about 5 blocks away.

2) Which one has the better pool area for daytime relaxing.

I'm leaning towards ABC, but I do like the proximity of the Central Park Towers.

Lastly, what is the easiest way from MNL to Angeles? I. Sure after the flight I'll be more interested in comfort and speed rather than cheapest option. I think I saw a cab as being quoted to be about 3,500 pesos. Is Grab about the same? I also saw where Genesis bus was mentioned. Do you pay for these in advance or is it pay when you show up and they pack the bus?

Thanks for the help. Looking forward to my 1st time there and a long needed break.

[MrHappyKat]

Be careful with this hotel because they will check for damages upon checkout. If they find anything a mess even if you were not the culprit, they will charge you arm and leg.I have called Sunny Bay and Makati Palace and verified their guest-friendly policy and my dates are open. No answer when I call Orchard Inn. Yet, so I may switch to a back up.

No matter the hotel, I will make a point of taking pics of the room from several angles at check-in and will report anything I see to the front desk. I'm not really worried about blood on the sheets. I have no plans to BF a virgin and, as a Kat, I'm not packing anything more likely to be found on a horse. LOL But what don't I know about that I should?

[Goferring]

But what don't I know about that I should?It's not something you need to be paranoid about.

I've seen many more hotels than I'd like to admit and have only been charged for one set of sheets that were indeed my / her fault. I've never come across a grand conspiracy to defraud guests. I've even caused minor damage and been able to just walk away.

I'd be far more concerned about ensuring the facilities met my tastes and intended use.

Enjoy. G.

[Nolz7]

HK mentioned 3 places. NZ, which one are you referring to?Sunny Bay Suites, I stayed there every time I was in Manila due to the proximity to LA Cafe. I time they found a hairline tear on the sofa which I am sure I was not the culprit as I did seat on it. I had to cough out 2 grand.

[WildInstincts]

I've been reviewing the threads and appreciate all the info. The info provided to MrHappyKat was particularly useful. I just have a couple of questions.

1) what is the estimated walking time from the ABC hotel to Walking Street? On the map it only seems about 5 blocks away.

2) Which one has the better pool area for daytime relaxing.

I'm leaning towards ABC, but I do like the proximity of the Central Park Towers.

Lastly, what is the easiest way from MNL to Angeles? I. Sure after the flight I'll be more interested in comfort and speed rather than cheapest option. I think I saw a cab as being quoted to be about 3,500 pesos. Is Grab about the same? I also saw where Genesis bus was mentioned. Do you pay for these in advance or is it pay when you show up and they pack the bus?

Thanks for the help. Looking forward to my 1st time there and a long needed break.In my opinion ABC is a better hotel if you don't mind paying a little more and the walking distance of about 10 minutes sprinted walk. The hotel also provides free drop off to walking street or you can just take a trike. Central Park is a decent option if you want to be closer to the walking street with no hassle.

Manila to AC, fastest and comfortable option is to take a cab, if you don't mind the fare. No need to wait for the bus. Genesis is a cheaper option but you may have to wait for the bus. You pay inside the bus.

[Pute Nut]

Genesis bus was mentioned. Do you pay for these in advance or is it pay when you show up and they pack the bus?
.NAIA Terminal 3, near Bay 1. No reservation needed, pay on the bus, 380 pesos. The conductor will place your baggage in the hold and ask where you're going. Your stop is SM Clark. Of couse, bring your smaller handcarry on the bus.

[Goferring]

Lastly, what is the easiest way from MNL to Angeles? I. Sure after the flight I'll be more interested in comfort and speed rather than cheapest option.By far the easiest way for a tired newbie, who isn't cost focussed, to get to AC is to tell your hotel to pick you up. Any decent hotel can arrange door to door transfers from NAIA for about an extra 1000 p surcharge.

All you need to do is watch out at arrivals for the guy with your name on a sign. All they need is your flight details. Costs are typically added to your room bill. Nothing is totally guaranteed but most hotels also try to weed out the totally insane drivers.

Enjoy. G.

[DzikaBomba]

No matter the hotel, I will make a point of taking pics of the room from several angles at check-in and will report anything I see to the front desk. I'm not really worried about blood on the sheets. I have no plans to BF a virgin and, as a Kat, I'm not packing anything more likely to be found on a horse. LOL But what don't I know about that I should?It seems that you are going to PH for the first time.

You don't need to fuck a virgin to get bloody sheets.

It is completely normal for Pinays getting their Menstruation suddenly.

And unexpected during your sessions.

Most likely you will also experience this, so be prepared.

[Goferring]

. Any decent hotel can arrange door to door transfers from NAIA for about an extra 1000 p surcharge..

Enjoy. G.Just for clarity, I meant that the hotel will charge about a 1000 p surcharge on top of what a self hire or taxi will charge not that the door to door fee will be 1000 p. Expect a bill in the 5 k range.

[DzikaBomba]

Look at this form 02:30 min:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMZGt0ejoI

They want to split the one health in registering 24 h before and again 4 to 1 hours before the departure.

It all seems to be some really unnecessary BS. But what should we expect from officials in the PH?

[MikeBen78]

To the fellows who have sampled the various destinations, if you were back in your early 30's and had the chance to retire on $2500 passive income per month, where would you choose? More specifically, I'm having the hardest time figuring out where the attitudes of the population are fun, welcoming and friendly to be around. Most recent reports make it sound like Thailand is no longer very friendly, so it seems Philippines and Indonesia are all that's left so I figured I'd ask here in case I'm missing something.

[MrHappyKat]

It seems that you are going to PH for the first time.

Well you are spot on, Sir!

Ok so I called all three hotels and heard what I wanted to hear. Now I am booked into all my desired hotels. I think.

Still waiting for email confirmation form Sunny Bay Suites, along with confirmation of my transfer from MNL Term 2 to the hotel. I know that will cost extra, but after a 14-hour flight it will be worth it to see a guy holding a sign with my name on it who will get me there efficiently.

I've scheduled appointments for m travel vaccinations and now I just follow the script, pack and fly.

Thanks to all for your suggestions, tips and sage advice.

[Transporter]

WC1.

Cannot reply mailbox full.

[WestCoast1]

WC1.

Cannot reply mailbox full.Its done.

WC.

[Goferring]

.....so it seems Philippines and Indonesia are all that's left so I figured I'd ask here in case I'm missing something.Add Cambodia and Vietnam to your research list. I could see $2500 disappearing quickly in Japan, Korea, Singapore and even Malaysia but there are ways of living cheaply everywhere.

Thailand, Indo and Vietnam have the best food.

Philippines is the most English only friendly.

Thailand has the best infrastructure and medical facilities.

Provincial Philippines is the most welcoming.

Philippines has the longest and easiest tourist visas.

Vietnam has the cheapest girls.

All except Philippines will need some local language skills esp in the provincial areas.

Prettiest girls?? YMMV.

Good luck. G.

[Cbea20]

This use to be part of the Mansion Group. Yes, it was pretty run-down by the time it was sold, and the name changed.


Sunny Bay Suites, I stayed there every time I was in Manila due to the proximity to LA Cafe. I time they found a hairline tear on the sofa which I am sure I was not the culprit as I did seat on it. I had to cough out 2 grand.

[AsianPursuits]

NAIA Terminal 3, near Bay 1. No reservation needed, pay on the bus, 380 pesos. The conductor will place your baggage in the hold and ask where you're going. Your stop is SM Clark. Of couse, bring your smaller handcarry on the bus.The genesis timetable says last bus 7 pm from NAIA to Clark. My scheduled arrival is 7 pm. From pre-pandemic days I remember they used to just wait anyways. Until about an hour after my flight arrived.

I'm assuming it's still the same, any intel on last departure?

[Dg8787]

The genesis timetable says last bus 7 pm from NAIA to Clark. My scheduled arrival is 7 pm. From pre-pandemic days I remember they used to just wait anyways. Until about an hour after my flight arrived.

I'm assuming it's still the same, any intel on last departure?Pre pandemic days my buses always left on time to the minute. Of course I did not take the last bus of the day either. The buses then were around the clock.

[Mahaba]

It's very confusing and sensless. What if you have a late connecting flight and are running to the gate and miss the second 1-hour check-in? Unless you can do it all on the first leg of the journey. Hopefully someone can report back on the experience.


Look at this form 02:30 min:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMZGt0ejoI

They want to split the one health in registering 24 h before and again 4 to 1 hours before the departure.

It all seems to be some really unnecessary BS. But what should we expect from officials in the PH?

[Transporter]

It's very confusing and sensless. What if you have a late connecting flight and are running to the gate and miss the second 1-hour check-in? Unless you can do it all on the first leg of the journey. Hopefully someone can report back on the experience.I've been through it, and its not all that bad. Its a bit confusing, and not all the time the upload is successful, may have to repeat many times. Even after I successfully completed all the steps I still was unable to pass at the airport and had to go through the "long" process. But the good news is the long process was very easy, and quite fast. There is a lot of staff and I just had to provide all the documents in person. Basically took an extra 3-5 minutes, so I didn't have any difficulty. My biggest concern is the departure process ATM.

[WestCoast1]

I've been through it, and its not all that bad. Its a bit confusing, and not all the time the upload is successful, may have to repeat many times. Even after I successfully completed all the steps I still was unable to pass at the airport and had to go through the "long" process. But the good news is the long process was very easy, and quite fast. There is a lot of staff and I just had to provide all the documents in person. Basically took an extra 3-5 minutes, so I didn't have any difficulty. My biggest concern is the departure process ATM.Its confusing. The new system starts May 4. Inbound foreigners will have to wait until 24 hours prior to their departure (previously 3 days) to register. Then the must log in again 12 hours prior to departure to complete another step. Then again 4 hours prior to departure to complete a final step.

[J Janni]

Its confusing. The new system starts May 4. Inbound foreigners will have to wait until 24 hours prior to their departure (previously 3 days) to register. Then the must log in again 12 hours prior to departure to complete another step. Then again 4 hours prior to departure to complete a final step.I don't know why I do this shit to myself.

I was the mongering test pilot for the Phuket sandbox scheme. It would now appear I'm going to end up doing the same for the new PI entry system.

Will report back when I start step 1 in 12 hours time.

[AsianPursuits]

Its confusing. The new system starts May 4. Inbound foreigners will have to wait until 24 hours prior to their departure (previously 3 days) to register. Then the must log in again 12 hours prior to departure to complete another step. Then again 4 hours prior to departure to complete a final step.I watched the video and it looks simple.

The step they missed is for mongers to pre-book themselves in for an STI screen upon returning home.

[Pute Nut]

Pre pandemic days my buses always left on time to the minute. Of course I did not take the last bus of the day either. The buses then were around the clock.My bus NAIA-CRK left 5-10 minutes BEFORE the scheduled time, as it was already full.

[J Janni]

I don't know why I do this shit to myself.

I was the mongering test pilot for the Phuket sandbox scheme. It would now appear I'm going to end up doing the same for the new PI entry system.

Will report back when I start step 1 in 12 hours time.So, I've completed the first part. Pretty confusing.

I'm fairly sure I need to book a night in a quarantine hotel, but before I got past the first page indicating my dates of travel, I had no idea of this.

Can anyone confirm?

[AsianPursuits]

So, I've completed the first part. Pretty confusing.

I'm fairly sure I need to book a night in a quarantine hotel, but before I got past the first page indicating my dates of travel, I had no idea of this.

Can anyone confirm?For fully vaccinated travellers, no longer any quarantine hotel requirement.

Philippines airlines ahs a good summary https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/arrivingintheph.

[WestCoast1]

I watched the video and it looks simple.

The step they missed is for mongers to pre-book themselves in for an STI screen upon returning home.What is an STI screen?

[WestCoast1]

So, I've completed the first part. Pretty confusing.

I'm fairly sure I need to book a night in a quarantine hotel, but before I got past the first page indicating my dates of travel, I had no idea of this.


I don't know why I do this shit to myself. I was the mongering test pilot for the Phuket sandbox scheme. It would now appear I'm going to end up doing the same for the new PI entry system. Will report back when I start step 1 in 12 hours time.There is a section in the registration process that asks what Quarantine hotel you have chosen (lengthy drop-down box with many hotels listed). As we are no longer required to quarantine, how does one answer that question.

For the gents who have come in since February's opening, how did you answer that question?

[J Janni]

There is a section in the registration process that asks what Quarantine hotel you have chosen (lengthy drop-down box with many hotels listed). As we are no longer required to quarantine, how does one answer that question.

For the gents who have come in since February's opening, how did you answer that question?Much better explained.

[CodeName47]

There is a section in the registration process that asks what Quarantine hotel you have chosen (lengthy drop-down box with many hotels listed). As we are no longer required to quarantine, how does one answer that question.

For the gents who have come in since February's opening, how did you answer that question?I am curious, and the form doesn't allow submissions before 24 hours (by day). Not sure how that works if the flight is around 00:01.

[J Janni]

The form allows submission within 24 hours of your day of arrival Philippines time.

Not that it's doing me any good.

I have the first and second part done, but both parts remain at awaiting validation. Ie, a human hasn't looked at either part.

I'm on my way to Heathrow shortly. If I can't check in, its8 Thailand for me.

[Pute Nut]

There is a section in the registration process that asks what Quarantine hotel you have chosen (lengthy drop-down box with many hotels listed). As we are no longer required to quarantine, how does one answer that question.

For the gents who have come in since February's opening, how did you answer that question?No such dropdown when I did mine two weeks ago. There was another dropdown, though, where you should select a PH laboratory if additional testing was going to be needed. I just selected "Philippine Airport Testing Laboratory" and later I saw their sign close to T4 (Domestic) while riding the shuttle T1 - T3, so I'd guess that's an OK choice, should the s-t hit the fan.

[Albert9989]

No such dropdown when I did mine two weeks ago. There was another dropdown, though, where you should select a PH laboratory if additional testing was going to be needed. I just selected "Philippine Airport Testing Laboratoy" and later saw their sign close to T4 (Domestic) whilst riding the shuttle T1 - T3, so I'd guess that's an OK choice, should the s-t hit the fan.But is that a mandatory process now to enter Phil?

Where did you found the link for this? Airway give it to you or visa process? Phil embassy?

[J Janni]

https://youtu.be/6QKl5fNqPMQ

Found an up to date guide. I'm at the point of having a barcode, but no QR code. Which the video assures me will allow me to fly, but not use the express lane at Manila and have to go through a manual verification there.

If nobody is actually going to check and verify my uploaded documents before I fly (I could have uploaded a picture of my dick for all they know at this point), what's the point of the whole thing other than some express lane of dubious benefit?

Be attempting to check in in about four hours for the first leg of my journey. I suspect the airlines won't just be accepting the barcode as the video guide claims. I imagine they will be wanting to check everything I have in place.

[Albert9989]

But when I look to the rules published here in France for entering to Philippines I only find these rules, no special application is mentioned. Surely I miss something here.

As of April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated foreign nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines for tourism or business travel under the following conditions:

Present a negative RT-PCR test result within 48 hours or an antigenic test within 24 hours prior to departure;.

Be in possession of an International Vaccination Certificate (ICV) issued by the WHO, a Philippine Vaccination Certificate (VaxCertPH), or an electronic vaccination certificate recognized by the Philippine authorities (the French national vaccination certificate is recognized by the Philippine authorities since December 29, 2021);.

Hold a passport valid for at least six months at the time of arrival;.

Have a return ticket to your country of origin or your next country of destination within 30 days of your arrival in the Philippines;.

Have travel insurance covering Covid-19 (minimum coverage of USD 35,000);.

Perform self-monitoring of symptoms until the 7th day after arrival. If symptoms appear during this period, the traveler is obliged to report to the local authorities (Barangay);.

Minors under 12 years of age are exempt from the vaccination requirement, and are subject to the same measures as their parent or guardian.

The following arrival measures apply to 9 (a) (Temporary Visitor's Visa) holders:

Present a negative RT-PCR test result performed less than 48 hours prior to departure;.

Have an International Vaccination Certificate (ICV) issued by the WHO, a Philippine Certificate of Vaccination (VaxCertPH), or an electronic vaccination certificate recognized by the Philippine authorities (the French national vaccination certificate is recognized by the Philippine authorities since December 29,2021);.

Perform self-monitoring of symptoms until the 7th day of their arrival. If symptoms appear during this period, the traveler is obliged to report to the local authorities (Barangay);.

Partially or unvaccinated travelers will be subject to quarantine in a facility or hotel approved by the Philippine authorities until the results of an RT-PCR test conducted on the fifth day, followed by quarantine at home until the 14th day after arrival (a reservation of accommodation for at least six days at a quarantine center or hotel approved by the authorities will be required);.

Non-vaccinated minors are subject to the same measures as their parent or guardian.

[Pute Nut]

But is that a mandatory process now to enter Phil?

Where did you found the link for this? Airway give it to you or visa process? Phil embassy?One Health Pass registration was (and is, with the changes discussed here) mandatory, yes.

The dropdown appeared within the online registration form. If your country is on the visa waiver list (many are) you do not need to involve the Phil Embassy in anything.

Just make sure you have all the requirements covered (and update your OHP as per current rules).

OHP official site: www.onehealthpass.com.ph

[Guinness1]

There is a short, 1 minute tutorial video on the One Health Pass website that explains the OHP registration process as of May 3rd, 2022.

Here is the link: https://onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/OHP/Registration/.

G1.

[J Janni]

One Health Pass registration was (and is, with the changes discussed here) mandatory, yes.

The dropdown appeared within the online registration form. If your country is on the visa waiver list (many are) you do not need to involve the Phil Embassy in anything.

Just make sure you have all the requirements covered (and update your OHP as per current rules).

OHP official site: www.onehealthpass.com.phI just had to have a 40 minute discussion with five check in agents of varying seniority over the new system.

And the only reason I'm in and waiting for the first leg of my flight is a screenshot I took on the train of a Bureau of Quarantine letter that appeared in the YouTube video I linked to earlier in the thread.

Give it a few days!

[WestCoast1]

I just had to have a 40 minute discussion with five check in agents of varying seniority over the new system.

And the only reason I'm in and waiting for the first leg of my flight is a screenshot I took on the train of a Bureau of Quarantine letter that appeared in the YouTube video I linked to earlier in the thread.

Give it a few days!JJ: Its a 14-minute video (and should be watched by newcomers). Can you narrow what you are talking about (the BOQ letter), by giving us the time in the video (ie, 6:20) where the screenshot would be? Or when you have time, upload your screenshot here?

https://youtu.be/6QKl5fNqPMQ

In other news, in an attempt to get info about incoming requirements, I wrote directly to the departments (BI, BOQ, and DOH) in email asking questions. Each replied, telling me to contact one of the others regarding this or that issue. When I did contact the correct department (as instructed, ie, BOQ), there was no reply to my question. I have been emailing once each 4-5 days for almost a month.

[WestCoast1]

The latest updates to entry policy. I went to the horse's mouth, the BOQ website, and looked at "Travel Requirements to the Philippines":

https://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/travel-requirements-to-the-philippines/

Unfortunately, its dated April 12 (3 weeks ago), and not up-to-date for their own new policy (May 4). See pic.

[AsianPursuits]

OHP site is now allowing 48 hours before arrival date.

As I will get a RAT in the day before I think I will still wait until I can complete the OHP in one submission.

It doesn't show if I can edit the submission to add the later RAT result.

[WestCoast1]

https://youtu.be/6QKl5fNqPMQ

These videos are from a Filipina named Jennifer Terri. She's great. She takes a direct shot at the BOQ for the recent kerfufle. The basic issue is this: The new OHP registration must be done within 24 hours of your arrival (not departure). That is not possible for passengers coming from the US (their flights might depart well before the 24-hour window starts). Error message from the OHP registration site, if trying to register before the prior 24-hour window before arrival:

"Thank you for indicating the date of your arrival. However, registration is only allowed within 24 hours prior your departure. Please come back and register within 24 hours before your actual arrival in Philippines".

Some strong word quotes from Jennifer below, and screen caps from the video:

"This video is not just addressed to travelers, to guide them, but also to government agencies responsible for this One Health Pass. You have some work to do, because of right now its complicated, its a mess". Ouch.

"Obviously whoever made this updates are not travelers. You're not thinking, you're not in the shoes of the travelers. You did not consider travelers coming from the US and Europe". Ouch.

[Albert9989]

Yes, thanks for details, sounds crazy.

I just copy here her conclusion, the most important being the confusion between departure and arrival in the wording but the real check is made on arrival. So access allowed only 24 h before arrival.

Good luck for long range travelers.

[CodeName47]

https://youtu.be/6QKl5fNqPMQ

These videos are from a Filipina named Jennifer Terri. She's great. She takes a direct shot at the BOQ for the recent kerfufle. The basic issue is this: The new OHP registration must be done within 24 hours of your arrival (not departure). That is not possible for passengers coming from the US (their flights might depart well before the 24-hour window starts). Error message from the OHP registration site, if trying to register before the prior 24-hour window before arrival:

"Thank you for indicating the date of your arrival. However, registration is only allowed within 24 hours prior your departure. Please come back and register within 24 hours before your actual arrival in Philippines".

Some strong word quotes from Jennifer below, and screen caps from the video:

"This video is not just addressed to travelers, to guide them, but also to government agencies responsible for this One Health Pass. You have some work to do, because of right now its complicated, its a mess". Ouch.

"Obviously whoever made this updates are not travelers. You're not thinking, you're not in the shoes of the travelers. You did not consider travelers coming from the US and Europe". Ouch.After managing offshore team for close to two years I can relate this. Unnecessary beauracratic inclusions. Hate those forms and the pre-departure tests.

[J Janni]

So, I'm in Cebu. Jetlagged to fuck. Have no idea how much sleep I've had since setting off Wednesday Am UK time.

Have a little treat I lined up down here on her way to my hotel currently. So far phils is living up to my fantasies.

Will reply to pms etc when I finally manage to get some sleep.

[J Janni]

Yes, thanks for details, sounds crazy.

I just copy here her conclusion, the most important being the confusion between departure and arrival in the wording but the real check is made on arrival. So access allowed only 24 h before arrival.

Good luck for long range travelers.The system doesn't seem to account for multi leg trips.

The old system generated a barcode when you initially applied, a qr code when you were clear to fly. The new system generates a barcode when you're clear to fly, a qr code when you're clear for the express lane.

Que the confusion when I had to argue at check in on the London Heathrow to muscat leg of my trip. Barcode, no qr code. And they haven't been told of the new system. Literally the boq letter (will try to attach, if I don't have to resize it) I screenshotted was the only thing to swing it.

The qr code for the express Lane was generated precisely on time. Four hours before the muscat manila leg of my journey.

[Biggus Dickus9]

I can seem to find any info on what happens if you test positive for Covid for your flight back to the USA Do you have to quarantine? For how long? And how bad are the quarantine facilities. Not to be negative, but would like to know what happens if this should occur.

[CodeName47]

The system doesn't seem to account for multi leg trips.

The old system generated a barcode when you initially applied, a qr code when you were clear to fly. The new system generates a barcode when you're clear to fly, a qr code when you're clear for the express lane.

Que the confusion when I had to argue at check in on the London Heathrow to muscat leg of my trip. Barcode, no qr code. And they haven't been told of the new system. Literally the boq letter (will try to attach, if I don't have to resize it) I screenshotted was the only thing to swing it.

The qr code for the express Lane was generated precisely on time. Four hours before the muscat manila leg of my journey.Thank you for the updates.

I would like to add my experience on this particular matter.

1) The registration opens 48 hours now. Not sure when they changed from 24 hours.

2) Upon registration with covid test results and Vaccination certificate (I have used the Australian medicare express app to generate an international certificate), received an e-mail with a barcode almost instantly.

3) I will attempt to complete the health declaration online around 24 hours mark. I am sure my departure time is considered from mel than Syd as it is a single itinerary ticket.

Will keep posted here about the airport experiences and some FRs.

[CodeName47]

Thank you for the updates.

I would like to add my experience on this particular matter.

1) The registration opens 48 hours now. Not sure when they changed from 24 hours.

2) Upon registration with covid test results and Vaccination certificate (I have used the Australian medicare express app to generate an international certificate), received an e-mail with a barcode almost instantly.

3) I will attempt to complete the health declaration online around 24 hours mark. I am sure my departure time is considered from mel than Syd as it is a single itinerary ticket.

Will keep posted here about the airport experiences and some FRs.Just an update. Within 24 hours window(prior to departure) I completed stage 2 and received the QR code. Actually, I felt this is easier than initially worried. If this reduces the workload and delays in the airport, I appreciate their work. Well done.

[WestCoast1]

Just an update. Within 24 hours window(prior to departure) I completed stage 2 and received the QR code. Actually, I felt this is easier than initially worried. If this reduces the workload and delays in the airport, I appreciate their work. Well done.Good reporting.

How was the issue of the Quarantine hotel handled, both in OHP website and at the outbound airport? A day or so prior to flight, airlines are sending this requirement (see pic). In one of Jennifer Terri's previous BOQ videos, when she was walking thru the OHP website, she said something like: "Don't worry about this (Q hotel) anymore. Just drop down the list and choose one (hotel), it doesn't matter". Now the airline is wanting proof of a Q hotel reservation.

[BionicMan]

I can seem to find any info on what happens if you test positive for Covid for your flight back to the USA Do you have to quarantine? For how long? And how bad are the quarantine facilities. Not to be negative, but would like to know what happens if this should occur.You won't be allowed on the flight, for sure.

[WestCoast1]

I can seem to find any info on what happens if you test positive for Covid for your flight back to the USA Do you have to quarantine? For how long? And how bad are the quarantine facilities. Not to be negative, but would like to know what happens if this should occur.Spitballing here, nothing more. If you test positive in Phils (at any time, not just when departing Phils), couple of possibilities:

1) They send you back to your condo to self-isolate, and test every few days, releasing you to return home when you've tested negative (or twice; or more times if your pinay is not happy with you).

2) They let you choose a Quarantine hotel (see pic), and you isolate there until testing negative.

https://onehealthpass.com.ph/quarantinehotels/

While that pic shows 3 hotels, there are more than 500 in that list if you scroll down.

3) They choose said Quarantine hotel for you.

4) They put you into one of their facilities until you test negative. These facilities are where they put their own folk who can't afford a hospital isolation. There is one on San Andreas St in Malate. You don't want to end up there.

Can't think of any other possibilities.

[Geneva Guy]

Spitballing here, nothing more. If you test positive in Phils (at any time, not just when departing Phils), couple of possibilities:

1) They send you back to your condo to self-isolate, and test every few days, releasing you to return home when you've tested negative (or twice; or more times if your pinay is not happy with you).

2) They let you choose a Quarantine hotel (see pic), and you isolate there until testing negative.

https://onehealthpass.com.ph/quarantinehotels/

While that pic shows 3 hotels, there are more than 500 in that list if you scroll down.

3) They choose said Quarantine hotel for you.

4) They put you into one of their facilities until you test negative. These facilities are where they put their own folk who can't afford a hospital isolation. There is one on San Andreas St in Malate. You don't want to end up there.

Can't think of any other possibilities.Westie.

I'm shocked you don't like option 4. Think of all those little filiipina asses you could tap in isolation with all of them.

GG.

[WestCoast1]

Now the airline is wanting proof of a Q hotel reservation.To keep matters confusing, airlines want proof that you have a quarantine hotel reserved. Yet the Phils BOQ's OHP webiste still pops up with this (see pic), stating that if you are vaccinated and have a negative PCR, you don't need to quarantine.

[Dg8787]

You won't be allowed on the flight, for sure.Does the testing site tell anyone if you are positive?

[WestCoast1]

Does the testing site tell anyone if you are positive?Just guessing that they are not allowed to do so, unless they are being paid by an employer or government agency specifically for said results (the same way companies or governments test employees for drugs -- an example would be airline employees). Persons testing covid-positive will simply have nothing to show in order to board their flight.

[AsianPursuits]

As a data point for the Philippines entry it was so easy and fast. Here are my tips.

Retain your boarding pass for arrival checking.

A) Do not start the OHP registration until you have scanned / PDF copies of both your vax cert and your PCR / RAT. As I was getting a RAT 16 hours before my first departure, that means I didn't start my actual OHP until 15 hours before.

B) You will need to know who you are, where you live, your birthdate and other pieces of info (like your flight) which some people have found challenging. Most won't.

C) You will need to know where you are going on your first day after arriving in Ph.

After completing those details I received the barcode which also now states it is acceptable for boarding the flight.

D) I was then able to answer the supplementary health questions which were straightforward.

When I check the next day and before board I had the QR code also.

In preparation for approaching the airline check-in I already know they will ask for four things. I had them printed and in my hand in this order.

A) OHP barcode or QR code. (I had the barcode printed).

B) Travel insurance.

C) Vax cert.

D) RAT result.

Check was completed easily.

On arrival in NAIA there was a signage directing people with barcodes down left alley, QR Codes to the right.

A) At the first desk I had to present QR code and boarding pass.

B) On to Immigration, standard questions.

C) On to baggage collection.

From aircraft door opening to taxi door was < 25 minutes.

[Goferring]

Can't think of any other possibilities.5/ pay someone 500 p to reset the test for you then get on the plane.

Don't tell me people think that never happens. 😱

Yes I've been in Asia far too long. 😁

Enjoy your flight. G.

[LoveEastAsia]

Hello,

I am fully vaccinated and from Europe. I was not aware that we can stay only 30 days in the Philippines at the moment and they don't process Visa anymore. Unfortunately, I took an airplane ticket of 1 month and a half. I have just read this "Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period stay of thirty (30) days or less provided they have valid roundtrip tickets or ticket for another country and passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of departure in the Philippines."

I phone the Philippines embassy and they told me that the airways that I will take to go to Philippines may not accept me because I will come back after more than 1 month. I thought I could extend my stay when I will be in manila? I can t cancel my ticket or change the date cause it is too expensive.

What can I do? Go out of the Philippines before 1 month and come back?

Thanks for your advice.

[Dg8787]

Hello,

I am fully vaccinated and from Europe. I was not aware that we can stay only 30 days in the Philippines at the moment and they don't process Visa anymore. Unfortunately, I took an airplane ticket of 1 month and a half. I have just read this "Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period stay of thirty (30) days or less provided they have valid roundtrip tickets or ticket for another country and passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of departure in the Philippines."

I phone the Philippines embassy and they told me that the airways that I will take to go to Philippines may not accept me because I will come back after more than 1 month. I thought I could extend my stay when I will be in manila? I can t cancel my ticket or change the date cause it is too expensive.

What can I do? Go out of the Philippines before 1 month and come back?

Thanks for your advice.If you go back some pages you would learn how to purchase a cheap or refundable exit ticket for within the 30 days to show on arrival.

After arrival and before the 30 days expire you would go and get an extension on your visa.

[Buko Max]

What can I do? Go out of the Philippines before 1 month and come back?.Shouldn't be a problem as I've done this very same thing a couple of times before. As long as you have a return ticket, that's all that matters to the airline agent. Of course you will need to show proof before you step onto the plane in your home country.

You are probably eligible for a VISA extension upon arrival. Just make sure to notify the lead officer BEFORE you get to the booths. Look for the office / desk to the left and that's where you will pay for the extension. If any questions are raised, tell them you will be taking a side trip but it should be no problem. As long as they get their money (upwards of 2500 php). All this will save you a trip to a BI office.

[Guinness1]

As a data point for the Philippines entry it was so easy and fast. Here are my tips.

Retain your boarding pass for arrival checking.

A) Do not start the OHP registration until you have scanned / PDF copies of both your vax cert and your PCR / RAT. As I was getting a RAT 16 hours before my first departure, that means I didn't start my actual OHP until 15 hours before.

B) You will need to know who you are, where you live, your birthdate and other pieces of info (like your flight) which some people have found challenging. Most won't.

C) You will need to know where you are going on your first day after arriving in Ph.

After completing those details I received the barcode which also now states it is acceptable for boarding the flight.

D) I was then able to answer the supplementary health questions which were straightforward.

When I check the next day and before board I had the QR code also..I'm flying into NAIA next week from San Francisco, CA. I have one question that I can't find seem to find an answer to on this forum: When you are uploading your proof of vax document on OHP, do they accept a (. Jpg) picture of your vax card (mine is a white 3 x5 inch card with a "CDC" logo in the upper right hand corner) or do they need something more official looking? Any feedback is appreciated.

G1.

[MrHappyKat]

Once again, huge thanks for the advice, guidance and past posts provided here by those who have gone before. I have my non-stop flight dates booked (business class, thank you), my hotels booked and confirmed with guest-friendly policies confirmed by email and phone call. And I've sucked down enough YouTube VLOGS to never want to see another Walking Street and P Burgos vid again! I also have a good idea of navigating pre-departure paperwork: OHP, getting negative test results 8 hours before, Travel Insurance, local sim card purchase, airport to hotel, and inter-city transport, and pre-exit test facilities. Whew!

Now it's the little stuff:

1. Laundy from my hotel (if offered) or some local shop?

2 Weather in late July / early Aug hot, rainy, both?

3. Scouting out best areas for finding open bars and FL hangouts in Malate, AC and P Burgos. I think I have this figured out.

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics.

6. Calculating how much US currency to use for paying hotels that offer a 20% cash discount, and for converting to pesos for sessions, bar drinks, shopping, and various crap.

It's a LOT of work to get to bang several dozen hotties. Worth it!

Anyway, thanks! I'll drop a post in the travel announcement board about a week before I fly.

[Goferring]

Now it's the little stuff:

1. Laundy from my hotel (if offered) or some local shop?

2 Weather in late July / early Aug hot, rainy, both?

3. Scouting out best areas for finding open bars and FL hangouts in Malate, AC and P Burgos. I think I have this figured out.

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics.

6. Calculating how much US currency to use for paying hotels that offer a 20% cash discount, and for converting to pesos for sessions, bar drinks, shopping, and various crap.

It's a LOT of work to get to bang several dozen hotties. Worth it!

Anyway, thanks! I'll drop a post in the travel announcement board about a week before I fly.I won't get a AirBnB unless it has at least a clothes washer. For Hotels, I outsource to the many laundry's in any tourist area. It's cheap even if you are unlikely to make the minimum weight charge. Note that YMMV as I walk a lot, go through several changes of clothes per day and travel very light.

All of the above. Just deal with whatever you are faced with. Weather is never guaranteed.

What's open is also changing daily. Again, deal with whatever you find.

My apps from most used: WhatsApp, Grab, FilCupid / PinaLove / Tinder, Google Maps and Translate. Airlines and Agoda as required.

I always get by with English only but there is always Google Translate of needed.

Waaaay too difficult for me. Just go to an ATM, take out 10 or 20 k, rinse and repeat when funds are low. Lots of arguements here about cash Vs card. Pick what works for you. Every 1000 p is $20 so scale accordingly.

Remember a bit of planning is good but be prepared to be flexible as plans may change and opportunities arise.

Enjoy. G.

[PedroMorales]

I won't get a AirBnB unless it has at least a clothes washer. For Hotels, I outsource to the many laundry's in any tourist area. It's cheap even if you are unlikely to make the minimum weight charge. Note that YMMV as I walk a lot, go through several changes of clothes per day and travel very light.

Enjoy. GI like to have a carry on bag only; don't wannna get done for any bullet in the bag scam. If you change clothes several times a day, but travel very light, just how many clothes do you take? I also suffer from the problem I hate hand washing but it is sometimes important when no other options exist, as in back packing. In fact, another rule of thumb of mine is to be e sure to spend at least as much on myself as I burn on hookers. Ways made a b line to Robinsons etc to stock up while there and dump the old clothes.

[Goferring]

If you change clothes several times a day, but travel very light, just how many clothes do you take? I can normally last about 3 or 4 days of casual clothes. Maybe a tad longer if I want to use absolutely everything I have but I generally avoid wearing long pants and shirts etc just to avoid a wash. It's pretty rare to not have anywhere that can provide a laundry service.

[JusRide]

Yes, they accept JPG. If I recall, I believe there is a size limitation on the upload (OHP) so just crop and resize it but enough so you can zoom in later should you need it (E. G, vax proof for a restaurant). Most places don't ask but some did.


I'm flying into NAIA next week from San Francisco, CA. I have one question that I can't find seem to find an answer to on this forum: When you are uploading your proof of vax document on OHP, do they accept a (. Jpg) picture of your vax card (mine is a white 3 x5 inch card with a "CDC" logo in the upper right hand corner) or do they need something more official looking? Any feedback is appreciated.

G1.

[JusRide]

Now it's the little stuff:

1. Laundy from my hotel (if offered) or some local shop?

2 Weather in late July / early Aug hot, rainy, both?

3. Scouting out best areas for finding open bars and FL hangouts in Malate, AC and P Burgos. I think I have this figured out.

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics..You should be able to find a laundry shop within walking distance. They charge by weight (kilo). Just be sure to ask what's the turn around time so you know when they'll be done and cost for a rush job if you need it. Some will drop off at the hotel lobby if you ask. It's one of the great things about traveling south east Asia. If I have a piece of clothes that wasn't been washed yet, I just pack it in a separate plastic bag and have it laundered upon arrival.

Avoid shopping in the malls. Anything name brand is more expensive abroad. I think it's the import tax. Take a trip to Green Hills mall in Manila (tons of bootleg stuff), Angeles in Pampanga and negotiate.

Go to the Taxi booth (middle island) and get in line. When I was there last month, it was a flat 400 php and they stopped using the meter from the airport. It was written on the paper the booth queue gave me so I knew the driver wasn't trying to scam me. Driver said it was due to gas price hikes. Avoid the solicitors offering you a taxi ride when exiting the airport (they will overcharge you).

If you are using a trike always ask / tell the cost before getting in for your destination.

I just started using SendWave to transfer money. Before I was using Transferwise. Some restaurants charge a Service Charge, so if you see that on the bill it is a built in tip.

Ask the girl if she is on her period (has blood) as many will still go out with you and leave your bed sheets / towels with some nice art work.

Happy hunting!

[AsianPursuits]

4. Setting up apps: grab, agoda, foodpanda, waze, xoom / remitly, PinayLove, Tinder, etc. Easy to do. I will wait until just before I fly.

5. Anyone have a good translator app for English / Tagalog? And a good learn Tagalog app? I know these are not critical, but I'd like to learn some basics.Grab you cannot fully register outside the country, you will need your local Ph mobile when you arrive.

For language download Nemo Tagalog. Pay the small fee to unlock the features. Proactive while you are driving around.

[WalkAboutBoyz]

I won't get a AirBnB unless it has at least a clothes washer. For Hotels, I outsource to the many laundry's in any tourist area. It's cheap even if you are unlikely to make the minimum weight charge. Note that YMMV as I walk a lot, go through several changes of clothes per day and travel very light.

All of the above. Just deal with whatever you are faced with. Weather is never guaranteed.

What's open is also changing daily. Again, deal with whatever you find.

My apps from most used: WhatsApp, Grab, FilCupid / PinaLove / Tinder, Google Maps and Translate. Airlines and Agoda as required.

I always get by with English only but there is always Google Translate of needed.

Waaaay too difficult for me. Just go to an ATM, take out 10 or 20 k, rinse and repeat when funds are low. Lots of arguements here about cash Vs card. Pick what works for you. Every 1000 p is $20 so scale accordingly..I'd be careful though about which ATM you chose. Last time I was there my buddy's account got hacked after using an ATM in Angeles.

[Goferring]

I'd be careful though about which ATM you chose. Last time I was there my buddy's account got hacked after using an ATM in Angeles.I only use real bank ATMs, not those pop up 3rd party units you find in clubs etc. I haven't had an issue yet.

Cheers. G.

[Sammon]

Grab you cannot fully register outside the country, you will need your local Ph mobile when you arrive.

For language download Nemo Tagalog. Pay the small fee to unlock the features. Proactive while you are driving around.If you have a international plan like I have from T Mobile and have grab app you can use it without problem. Long time ago I always had to get a unlocked phone and buy SIM cards from countries I visit. Load up minutes etc which was annoying. Now I get dial tone in any country and unlimited data. My phone works just like home in USA. Only thing is calls cost per minute. But I do not mind. My phone bill can be deducted from taxes anyway. With grab you need not deal with taxi mafia in Philippines.
As for ATM use Bank ATM at the Mall in Angeles just outside the bank. It is safe. When in Manila use China bank ATM. They can be found in the malls as well.

[AsianPursuits]

If you have a international plan like I have from T Mobile and have grab app you can use it without problem. Long time ago I always had to get a unlocked phone and buy SIM cards from countries I visit. Load up minutes etc which was annoying. Now I get dial tone in any country and unlimited data. My phone works just like home in USA. Only thing is calls cost per minute. But I do not mind. My phone bill can be deducted from taxes anyway. With grab you need not deal with taxi mafia in Philippines.
As for ATM use Bank ATM at the Mall in Angeles just outside the bank. It is safe. When in Manila use China bank ATM. They can be found in the malls as well.The unlimited roaming deals from our Australian providers is $5-$10/ day. Meaning my 14 day visit for data will be $140. Or I use a local Globe Sim card for 2 x Go90 7 day promotions cost me P180 = $5 total. With the $135 difference I can put that P5,000 to a great overnighter. Plus I have a local PH number which freelancers, drivers, hotels can contact me.

[MrHappyKat]

The unlimited roaming deals from our Australian providers is $5-$10/ day. Meaning my 14 day visit for data will be $140. Or I use a local Globe Sim card for 2 x Go90 7 day promotions cost me P180 = $5 total. With the $135 difference I can put that P5,000 to a great overnighter. Plus I have a local PH number which freelancers, drivers, hotels can contact me.Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

My situation:

I have an unlocked Verizon iPhone 13 pro. Verizon told me I can buy a SIM at the MNL airport and use it with my phone. Any local calls are charged to the account associated with the SIM. And calls made to / from the US (my home) will be handled / charged to my US Verizon account.

Somehow that seems too easy.

[DzikaBomba]

I wondered why nobody here is talking about the recent elections.

Marcos jr. Will be the new President and he is a lapdog of Mr. Xi.

Times will change for us.

We should enjoy the phills now. It will change soon.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2312026/philippines-marcos-wants-china-ties-to-shift-to-higher-gear

[AggieDad1]

Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

My situation:

I have an unlocked Verizon iPhone 13 pro. Verizon told me I can buy a SIM at the MNL airport and use it with my phone. Any local calls are charged to the account associated with the SIM. And calls made to / from the US (my home) will be handled / charged to my US Verizon account.

Somehow that seems too easy.The iPhone 13 has dual sim capability. It is like two phones in one. You will keep your Verizon number and get a new number for your new sim card. Yes, it is that easy. I have used dual sim card phones for years. The phone will not have two physical sim cards. One will be an e-sim card. You need to know if your Verizon account is on a physical sim card or an e-sim. That information will be valuable when getting your Manilia sim card. Lots of information out there on dual sim card information. Good Luck.

[Albert9989]

The iPhone 13 has dual sim capability. It is like two phones in one. You will keep your Verizon number and get a new number for your new sim card. Yes, it is that easy. I have used dual sim card phones for years. The phone will not have two physical sim cards. One will be an e-sim card. You need to know if your Verizon account is on a physical sim card or an e-sim. That information will be valuable when getting your Manilia sim card. Lots of information out there on dual sim card information. Good Luck.Many phones have real dual sim, mine, OnePlus, have two sim slots, so I can keep my national sim and add a local one.

But generally I prefer to remove the national one and keep only the locally brought one mainly to avoid any mistakes.

[AsianPursuits]

Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

Somehow that seems too easy.In my personal situation.

I put my Au phone to a separate phone which stays in my room.

I put the local sim into my main phone. I use the data for my usual apps like Whatsapp, which retain my Au number.

[Bushes]

Are you using an e Sim with Verizon? Check the menu, you should be able to software disable a SIM if using multiple SIMS. You can always test in the US with a cheap prepaid Sim or borrow a SIM from a willing friend.

Always check the SIM status if roaming, especially if you have multiple SIMS. I had cases in the past where my SIM selection would change randomly. Had a couple cases where I got charged for receiving SMS at exhorbitant rates in Europe.

As for calls and data, you need to set in your menu. Verizon might allow you to disable international roaming or calls but I don't recommend it.


Does putting a local SIM card into your regular phone change your phone number?

My situation:

I have an unlocked Verizon iPhone 13 pro. Verizon told me I can buy a SIM at the MNL airport and use it with my phone. Any local calls are charged to the account associated with the SIM. And calls made to / from the US (my home) will be handled / charged to my US Verizon account.

Somehow that seems too easy.

[Bushes]

I actually have / had multiple phones / numbers and would forward calls to my local phone / SIM. Better to leave your primary phone in the safe, especially if it is expensive one.

I am not sure if the good old days of easy travel will return. In the current climate, one of the reasons you could be nabbed or movement restricted is Covid. If you are far from your hotel and cannot get back if a lockdown / quarantine happens, it is better to have your good phone and SIMs with you. So far doesn't happen in Philippines.


In my personal situation.

I put my Au phone to a separate phone which stays in my room.

I put the local sim into my main phone. I use the data for my usual apps like Whatsapp, which retain my Au number.

[Gen X Baer]

Let's brace and see how this impacts PH.

[WestCoast1]

For those needing a swab test on the way out of Manila going back home:

https://www.facebook.com/rtpcrswabph/

[Barney Rubber]

Gentlemen: I'm not an avid poster here but appreciate all of the great reports! I'm trying to confirm some information my lady friend just sent me in Manila. I just received it Friday, May 27th here in the USA. Late afternoon! She said GMA. A Philippine TV station mentioned EFFECTIVE June 1st. NO MORE COVID TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINES.. IF.. IF.. YOU HAVE YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! Can someone confirm this? This isn't a joke. I just want to confirm any changes as I'm arriving in early June. I did just check. Website and no info there yet! I hope this is true and I hope this is helpful to others!

[AsianPursuits]

Gentlemen: I'm not an avid poster here but appreciate all of the great reports! I'm trying to confirm some information my lady friend just sent me in Manila. I just received it Friday, May 27th here in the USA. Late afternoon! She said GMA. A Philippine TV station mentioned EFFECTIVE June 1st. NO MORE COVID TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINES.. IF.. IF.. YOU HAVE YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! Can someone confirm this? This isn't a joke. I just want to confirm any changes as I'm arriving in early June. I did just check. Website and no info there yet! I hope this is true and I hope this is helpful to others!Circulating in numerous news sources. Or check this official site: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175295.

Good news.

[TripleX]

Gentlemen: I'm not an avid poster here but appreciate all of the great reports! I'm trying to confirm some information my lady friend just sent me in Manila. I just received it Friday, May 27th here in the USA. Late afternoon! She said GMA. A Philippine TV station mentioned EFFECTIVE June 1st. NO MORE COVID TEST REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PHILIPPINES.. IF.. IF.. YOU HAVE YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! Can someone confirm this? This isn't a joke. I just want to confirm any changes as I'm arriving in early June. I did just check. Website and no info there yet! I hope this is true and I hope this is helpful to others!https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/5/27/no-more-Covid-test-rule-fully-vaxxed-boosted.html

[WestCoast1]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/5/27/no-more-Covid-test-rule-fully-vaxxed-boosted.htmlGood news. And lifting the travel insurance requirement. From the article:

"Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) Inbound travelers no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry provided they are vaccinated and with a booster shot, according to new rules released by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The rule, which takes effect on May 30, covers people 18 years old and above, while minors 12 to 17 years old should have the primary vaccine series. Children below 12 are exempted provided they are with fully vaccinated and boosted parents/guardians.

The government also lifted the travel insurance requirement.

The Tourism department welcomed the move."

In addition, the Intramuros BI office (and all the others) have been on a reduced-capacity basis since the pandemic started. It has operated at greatly-reduced operational personnel, and went to appointment-only for all needs (visa extensions, OFW, and so on). Walk-ins were eliminated regardless of need. Normally the appointment schedule is full (red boxes on the calendar) or nearly full for 4 weeks ahead. Its easier to get one of those agencies to process your extension (the agents can walk in at any time, and have their own set of windows which are under-utilized) than get an appointment. When you use the online appointment calendar it looks like the picture, with red slots out for a month, often times showing FULL. But recently it changed, with lots of open (blue) slots. Also, the slots stop on the last day of this month, and don't continue into next month. That *might* be an indication that they are going to allow walk-ins again next month.

Also the worm turns quickly in Phils. When I first screen-captured that picture, each blue box for May 30 and 31, showed exactly 100 open slots. A few minutes later when I refreshed the page, they had changed to the number of slots you see here (183 to 196 slots).

+ 2 extra credit points to the BI for stopping the appointment-only system (if its happening).

-2 points for not announcing it in advance (if its happening).

To get an appointment: https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/.

[Albert9989]

Good news. And lifting the travel insurance requirement. From the article:
"Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) Inbound travelers no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry provided they are vaccinated and with a booster shot, according to new rules released by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The government also lifted the travel insurance requirement.

Good news.

But there is something I cannot find, its about what they call a full vaccination schema or this booster shot.

Is there any delay for this booster shot? One month old, two month, six month?

Example for me, I had 3 Pfizer in 2021, the last one which could be the booster one I guess, was in Dec 2021. So is that ok or should I take a fourth one and how long before the travel?

Can we arrive with a last injection six month old?

Unclear for me up to now.

[SpirouleGroom]

This is June 2022 almost and people are still inquiring about boosters.

Covid is dead in the water as they just stated in Davos. The window is shutting down fast. Too fast.

But monkey pox will save the year. PCR tests have been ordered from China. Pfizer and Moderna are about to release their stuff. Everything is ready to go.

Now, for those who got jabs three times last year and will get monkey pox shots, the borders are all yours! For a few weeks.


Good news.

But there is something I cannot find, its about what they call a full vaccination schema or this booster shot.

Is there any delay for this booster shot? One month old, two month, six month?

Example for me, I had 3 Pfizer in 2021, the last one which could be the booster one I guess, was in Dec 2021. So is that ok or should I take a fourth one and how long before the travel?

Can we arrive with a last injection six month old?

Unclear for me up to now.

[Barney Rubber]

You sound good to go, Albert! I'the get the 2nd booster if you have time but I think the requirement is only one booster!

To everyone else. I appreciate the responses from my first post regarding this matter! We can now all cancel travel insurance as well.. Just bought that a couple days ago. damn!


Good news.

But there is something I cannot find, its about what they call a full vaccination schema or this booster shot.

Is there any delay for this booster shot? One month old, two month, six month?

Example for me, I had 3 Pfizer in 2021, the last one which could be the booster one I guess, was in Dec 2021. So is that ok or should I take a fourth one and how long before the travel?

Can we arrive with a last injection six month old?

Unclear for me up to now.

[Nightrider1]

What about the one health pass? Are we still required to do that be / S does anyone know? It was required when I went there in March. I am planning on another trip in July.

[WestCoast1]

What about the one health pass? Are we still required to do that be / S does anyone know? It was required when I went there in March. I am planning on another trip in July.Until we hear otherwise, its probably still on. Please follow Jennifer Terri's updates on youtube.

[GDreams]

Until we hear otherwise, its probably still on. Please follow Jennifer Terri's updates on youtube.I looked up the Philippine Airlines website. The Pass is still required and they had already updated the removal of the PCR test.

Annoying as I could have arrived a day earlier if I had known. As for insurance I could cancel but it was not expensive so will keep it. I dint see anything about insurance on the P A website.

[PedroMorales]

What about the one health pass? Are we still required to do that be / S does anyone know? It was required when I went there in March. I am planning on another trip in July.Comrade: The advice to check Phillipines Airlines was a good start, but only a start. Check other airlines as well, especially those using the join sherpa system. That will tell you eg fly NYNY-Manila, change Narita, USA passport, (not) fully vaccinated: then these are the conditions.

Eg: there is a new change tomorrow, 30th, where proof of a negative pre departure Covid result is needed for vaccinated. If you want to be a dumpsky, relying on some youtube loser, go ahead.

You would be best checking several reputable airlines as they all outsource that stuff to firms like join sherpa.

[MrHappyKat]

My trip is scheduled for mid-July and I'm so ready!

A question about getting around within Manila and AC safely and reasonably priced: I am 6'1" tall and I'm a big guy. Over 300 lbs. From the dozens of YT Vlogs I've seen I'm fairly sure I will never fit in a trike. And with bad knees, I'm not really able to walk more than a few hundred yards at any one time. I know trikes are probably fairly safe and certainly cheap for short distances, say from Walking Street to my hotel or to Perimeter Rd. But it looks like I probably can't use them? Am I correct?

So that means my next best options seem to be:

Grab. I have the app, of course. I know its a bit more expensive than a trike, but I can handle 7-10 trips per day if they cost $5-6.

- Saw some recent posts that wait time for a Grab is getting longer. Over 20 minutes?

- Probably best for taking a girl back to my hotel?

- Probably best for getting to other local regions like Ermita to P. Burgos, Malate to Greenbelt?

Taxis. Seems like a bad option: more expensive, taxi mafias, scam drivers who "forget" to use the meter.

For longer rides. Jeepnys? Not sure they are safe from pickpockets, don't really know the routes, and not door to door, but very inexpensive.

Are there other options? Are my assumptions above accurate?

Thanks for any advice.

[Goferring]

I am 6'1" tall and I'm a big guy. Over 300 lbs. From the dozens of YT Vlogs I've seen I'm fairly sure I will never fit in a trike. And with bad knees, I'm not really able to walk more than a few hundred yards at any one time.If you stay on Burgos or Walking Street, you could cover all the major bars in a few hundred yards walk, esp if you stop for drink stops on the way. If you do find your self unable to continue, the bar or girl will happily find you transport. All you need to do is ask.

For travelling further away, I've never had issues with Grab not taxis but I will admit that was pre pandemic.

Enjoy. G.

P.S. You don't want to stay in your room the whole trip but it's very easy to have girls come to you if you aren't feeling well.

[Muttley81]

If you stay on Burgos or Walking Street, you could cover all the major bars in a few hundred yards walk, esp if you stop for drink stops on the way. If you do find your self unable to continue, the bar or girl will happily find you transport. All you need to do is ask.

For travelling further away, I've never had issues with Grab not taxis but I will admit that was pre pandemic.

Enjoy. G.

P.S. You don't want to stay in your room the whole trip but it's very easy to have girls come to you if you aren't feeling well.Just to add to these excellent points, Grab at present is a disaster, they've have done PR releases to apologise for demand exceeding supply. If you're travelling peak hours you simply may not be able to book at all. Been getting taxis myself or walking. Majority of taxis will ask where you are going before letting you in. Most have been on meter but some have asked for extra 50 PHP on top of meter fee. In grand scheme of things, and considering it's rainy season, things could be much worse.

Honestly speaking if you have problems with your knees you'll struggle to get in tricycle. I'm same height, you have to step in and almost fall backwards, getting out is trickier. Jeepny are also likely to be a struggle as they have limited height available, unless you're able to park yourself right next to door. Just a note also, tricycles are generally banned within Makati, so you may get one around Burgos area but they wouldn't for example take you into Salcedo to one of nice restaurants there.

If one of taxi drivers is decent always option to get his number and text him in advance of your journey.

[MrHappyKat]

Just to add to these excellent points, Grab at present is a disaster, they've have done PR releases to apologise for demand exceeding supply. If you're travelling peak hours you simply may not be able to book at all. Been getting taxis myself or walking. Majority of taxis will ask where you are going before letting you in. Most have been on meter but some have asked for extra 50 PHP on top of meter fee. In grand scheme of things, and considering it's rainy season, things could be much worse.

Honestly speaking if you have problems with your knees you'll struggle to get in tricycle. I'm same height, you have to step in and almost fall backwards, getting out is trickier. Jeepny are also likely to be a struggle as they have limited height available, unless you're able to park yourself right next to door. Just a note also, tricycles are generally banned within Makati, so you may get one around Burgos area but they wouldn't for example take you into Salcedo to one of nice restaurants there.

If one of taxi drivers is decent always option to get his number and text him in advance of your journey.Great advice from the guys who have been there! Love the idea of getting a Taxi drivers number. .

Are there any app for calling a Taxi in AC and / or near P. Burgos?

[WestCoast1]

Great advice from the guys who have been there! Love the idea of getting a Taxi drivers number. .

Are there any app for calling a Taxi in AC and / or near P. Burgos?Yes, the 'Grab' app (similar to Uber in the US).

[The Rose]

Most have been on meter but some have asked for extra 50 PHP on top of meter fee.That's a tourist scam. Don't buy into it. Before you get going in a taxi, always use your iPhone to take a picture of the driver, the car, and his license. Let him see you do this and do it with a smile. Send the pics to an email or something. That will discourage him from playing games with you. I always sit in the front seat because the view is better but you can also lighten the mood and personalize the conversation.

[DzikaBomba]

That's a tourist scam. Don't buy into it. Before you get going in a taxi, always use your iPhone to take a picture of the driver, the car, and his license. Let him see you do this and do it with a smile. Send the pics to an email or something. That will discourage him from playing games with you. I always sit in the front seat because the view is better but you can also lighten the mood and personalize the conversation.When I arrived last time in Cebu I had to fight with the Taxi mafia.

At The exit they All had lists which "official prices."

I said no way.

What Kind of tourist scam is that?

And believe me no one would take you with Meter. They Just leave you there.

I went to the other Terminal.

Again the same, no Meter. Only official lists quoting 700 p to my hotel!

No way.

I went up to the Street and took a taxi from the Street.

He also did not wanted to use meter, but was ok with 500 p.

Was it always that Bad in Cebu airport?

One of the most things I hate is these taxi mafia.

[Muttley81]

That's a tourist scam. Don't buy into it. Before you get going in a taxi, always use your iPhone to take a picture of the driver, the car, and his license. Let him see you do this and do it with a smile. Send the pics to an email or something. That will discourage him from playing games with you. I always sit in the front seat because the view is better but you can also lighten the mood and personalize the conversation.I live in the Philippines, you can do what you suggest, but you quickly learn living here just to go with it sometimes or forever be on verge of a heart attack from anger. "Welcome to the Philippines" as everyone says with a great deal of sarcasm.

I would personally deem a tourist scam to be not having the meter on at all or taking you wrong route. One of my friends got in a taxi on Burgos, asked to go to Greenbelt, but was so drunk he woke up in the taxi at the base of mountains beyond BGC! That's a scam!

While it's great to share advice this isn't something I'll be following. The times when an extra 50 has been requested were on public holidays or when it was raining heavily. With the situation with grabs at the moment, I'd prefer to pay 50 than not get a ride at all. If it was 500 or something then there'd be an issue worth arsing about with.

[Goferring]

Great advice from the guys who have been there! Love the idea of getting a Taxi drivers number. .

Are there any app for calling a Taxi in AC and / or near P. Burgos?One thing that I forgot to ask was how well do you handle stairs? Many clubs on Burgos are up or down a full flight of stairs whereas Walking street are mostly at street level.

Maybe something to consider?

[AsianPursuits]

So after 2 years of pandemic lockdown and then a three stint back in the RP this life back in my home country is kind of boring.

What positive tips do you guys have to settle back into home life? Or am I just going to be working towards my next trip?

[Dg8787]

Great advice from the guys who have been there! Love the idea of getting a Taxi drivers number. .

Are there any app for calling a Taxi in AC and / or near P. Burgos?In AC there are hundreds of newer Blue taxis. Of course they are painted all blue. They all use meters. Generally they are cheaper than trikes. You can flag them down on most major streets as they go by. Do not expect the hotel doormen to flag them down as the trike drivers get upset with them.

I believe there might be an app for the Blue Taxis. Or get the number of several Blue Taxi drivers.

The drivers pay a daily rental fee plus gasoline. Please treat them well. I like to see them knock out the trike mafia.

[Sammon]

In AC there are hundreds of newer Blue taxis. Of course they are painted all blue. They all use meters. Generally they are cheaper than trikes. You can flag them down on most major streets as they go by. Do not expect the hotel doormen to flag them down as the trike drivers get upset with them.

I believe there might be an app for the Blue Taxis. Or get the number of several Blue Taxi drivers.

The drivers pay a daily rental fee plus gasoline. Please treat them well. I like to see them knock out the trike mafia.I doubt anybody can knockout trike mafia. They are as much part of life in balibago for a long time. Locals use them as well for reasonable price. But for foreigners if you do not pre negotiate they charge high prices.

[Dg8787]

I doubt anybody can knockout trike mafia. They are as much part of life in balibago for a long time. Locals use them as well for reasonable price. But for foreigners if you do not pre negotiate they charge high prices.I am thankful for the readily available walking street trikes when I barfine a sweetie and want to get to the hotel quickly.

[Steve Nash]

I doubt anybody can knockout trike mafia. They are as much part of life in balibago for a long time. Locals use them as well for reasonable price. But for foreigners if you do not pre negotiate they charge high prices.

I never heard of taxi mafia, BUT I do agree about trike mafia (actually bike mafia), I seen them in the province, not sure if they belong to a gang, but they said they belong to a union, and most of the trikes are scared of them.

One time it took me a while to get a trike since most of them were charging alot and the other ones didn't want to go there because it has to go up in the mountain or maybe afraid of the bikers, so after 45 minutes of looking for a trike (there were not taxis in that city BTW) I found one with a reasonable price, so afew blocks after after we left (close to a 7 eleven) 3 motorbikes stop us and talk to the trike driver and then the driver said he can not take me anymore because only bikes are allow to go up that mountain, I got piss and yell at them, of course I did it because there were people around the 7 eleven and 20 meters away there was a plaza with guards and a police station two blocks away, so I ask them what union are you so I can ask if you are legit in the police station 2 blocks away, once they heard police station they change their tune and said, OK this time I let you go but next time you can only take motobikes from the union. I just laugh and said: Whatever!

Only in Philippines!

[Steve Nash]

So after 2 years of pandemic lockdown and then a three stint back in the RP this life back in my home country is kind of boring.

What positive tips do you guys have to settle back into home life? Or am I just going to be working towards my next trip?It depends what city you live, if is a big city, so many things to do there, depending of the city you are, there might be a Filipino community there, try to go to one of their clubs / bars and meet Filipinas there, even a Filipino business works, I like Filipinas in my city because they are easy to hook up, for some reason even thought they are in another country, they still are fond to foreigners and are easy to trust you, of course you have to have some game and don't date someone with a big age gap, you have to lie about your age of course, I'm early 40 (and I look early 30's) so I can easily hook up with someone 27 or more, they think I'm 32 so if they are 27 that's only 5 years gap, of course later on if I end up having an open relationship with them I will tell them my real age (15 years older) and they are OK with it since we already had sex and they like it.

[MrHappyKat]

One thing that I forgot to ask was how well do you handle stairs? Many clubs on Burgos are up or down a full flight of stairs whereas Walking street are mostly at street level.

Maybe something to consider?I can deal with stairs. Slowly. I generally need to put one foot up, then bring my next foot to the same step. Then wash, rinse, repeat. Same process for heading down. I think I'll be Ok on stairs.

[MrHappyKat]

In AC there are hundreds of newer Blue taxis. Of course they are painted all blue. They all use meters. Generally they are cheaper than trikes. You can flag them down on most major streets as they go by. Do not expect the hotel doormen to flag them down as the trike drivers get upset with them.

I believe there might be an app for the Blue Taxis. Or get the number of several Blue Taxi drivers.

The drivers pay a daily rental fee plus gasoline. Please treat them well. I like to see them knock out the trike mafia.Thanks! I searched my app sore and did not find an app. Yet. But I assume once see one I can save the phone number painted on the cars.

[WildInstincts]

Thanks! I searched my app sore and did not find an app. Yet. But I assume once see one I can save the phone number painted on the cars.You might want to try Grab. Last time when I was in AC, I could get taxis using Grab without any problems.

[The Rose]

I live in the Philippines, you can do what you suggest, but you quickly learn living here just to go with it sometimes or forever be on verge of a heart attack from anger. "Welcome to the Philippines" as everyone says with a great deal of sarcasm.That's not sarcasm. That's resignation. And it taint a matter of living in the PI. I have been coming here frequently for a long time and I have learned that folks like taxi drivers will nickel and dime and scam you to death if you let them. You can hardly blame them when you consider what they do and the incredibly long hours they put in.

This board is about giving advice to get laid and save money. My advice is that it is not a question about having a heart attack but rather about having the stomach to calmly and resolutely state your case and not be shaken down.

[WestCoast1]

You might want to try Grab. Last time when I was in AC, I could get taxis using Grab without any problems.Approximately when was that?

[WildInstincts]

Approximately when was that?Before the lockdown. Haven't visited since then. Booked a flight for the end of this month.

[WestCoast1]

Airbnb prices, from their map. First 4 pics are Makati. Last pic is Malate.

Pic 1 Gramercy area.

Pic 2 Burgos area.

Pic 3 Jazz Residence area (South Cemetary).

Pic 4 Greenbelt / Ayala area.

Pic 5 Robinsons / Birch Tower / Malate Bayview Mansion / Green Residence Taft area.

[Steve Nash]

Airbnb prices, from their map. First 4 pics are Makati. Last pic is Malate.

Pic 1 Gramercy area.

Pic 2 Burgos area.

Pic 3 Jazz Residence area (South Cemetary).

Pic 4 Greenbelt / Ayala area.

Pic 5 Robinsons / Birch Tower / Malate Bayview Mansion / Green Residence Taft area.I can see in the Gramercy map, Knightsbridge Residences ($1,079 USD), it cost about $1 K USD like I was telling Kiev Freak.

But the $3,302!

What is that, a penthouse?

Westy you have a map for Mall of Asia area?

If I ever decide to buy a condo in Manila in the future (which I doubt it), Mall of Asia area will be my place. Lots of memories in that area.

[FuriousGeorge]

This guy does interesting vlogs and just posted about his place in Gramercy. There's also a hot girl to look at. This is the type of place I'd look it if I retire / work abroad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow-s2zZZHzg

[WestCoast1]

Westy you have a map for Mall of Asia area?

If I ever decide to buy a condo in Manila in the future (which I doubt it), Mall of Asia area will be my place. Lots of memories in that area.Just visit airbnb.com, and enter "Pasay" into the location box, and enter your preferred dates of your vaycay. A map will appear of the Pasay area, and the available units. You can zoom in / out, and you can move the map to any nearby area (ie, Malate or Makati). Moving the map will cause a refresh, and the units available in that new area (and their prices) will appear like magic.

[Dg8787]

This guy does interesting vlogs and just posted about his place in Gramercy. There's also a hot girl to look at. This is the type of place I'd look it if I retire / work abroad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow-s2zZZHzgI like Pam.

[Albert9989]

This guy does interesting vlogs and just posted about his place in Gramercy. There's also a hot girl to look at. This is the type of place I'd look it if I retire / work abroad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow-s2zZZHzgPam is really nice.

But 8000 a month, where can we find such prices?

[WestCoast1]

Westy and his magic maps are back. Pasay area pics, for price range comparison. Pics should be self-explanatory. From MOA, to the airport, to Roxas and Taft streets. The dates chosen can change the prices, so YMMV depending your dates.

[FuriousGeorge]

Yes my friend, an astute observation. Pam is indeed likeable. Nice to hear from you. Let's socialize again in PH and meet some more Pams.


I like Pam.