REPOST: A Naive Guide to Punting in Makati City, version 0.5
[b]a naive guide to punting in makati city, version 0.5[/b]
[i]this is a repost of an article i wrote october 2004, and it has not been updated since then (since i have not been to makati). it may well be out of date. the reason for posting here is by request of a fellow makati poster, who thought it belonged in the new faq thread.[/i]
[i]disclaimers:[/i] i am a newbie in makati, having visited twice for 7 days total. this posting is my notes from my own experiences and from reading the board (some quoted), and is intended to be a quick start for you. the postings on this board are the definitive source of information, use forum search to read more reports.
many report lower prices than i paid; ymmv. i don't have a lot of time to shop, i shop early, and i don't care if i get rock-bottom (price, i mean ;-)), i mainly care about a satisfying experience. pm corrections or comments to me and i may update this posting.
thanks to all that who posted useful reports and sent pms to me.
[b]suggestions:[/b][list][*]if the girl looks young ask to see an id to avoid an **** legal problem. (i don't know the minimum legal age.)
[*]if you plan to take her back to your hotel, put your valuables (laptop, passport, tickets, money, keys) in safe or out of sight before you go out. tip: short filipinas can’t see into high places, high closet shelves are good if the safe is too small for laptop.
[*]close minibars (expensive), consider buying alternatives in case she’s peckish.
[*]be safe: use a condom (duh?), examine and smell before daty/dfk.
[*]you can’t cross at the intersection of ayala ave and makati ave (fences). use crossover bridges and ped crossings with buttons for walk light, or go when locals go.
[*]online map: [url]http://www.onthemap.com.ph[/url]
[*]quick orientation: see attached map of makati mall area. get a better map free at your hotel.
[*][b]atms[/b] can be found in glorietta mall (and probably greenbelt mall). tip: it costs me $5 to my bank for international atm, so i get more than i think i need to save fees, and use excess to pay hotel bill, balance on credit card, to avoid converting back.
[*]quick conversion (u$a, oct 2004): double the peso price, subtract 10%, divide by 100, so pp2000 is about us$36. pp1 is about us$0.18 ([url]http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic[/url] for current rates).
[*]if you’re going to be there more than a few days, it’s worth getting a local sim for your mobile, about pp199 for the sim and pp500 for reloads. sms is a cheap way to communicate with girls once you have their number, they prefer it. “smart” and “globe” are two sim providers; “smart” is said to be easier to find. prices/info for smart here: [url]http://www.smart.com.ph/smart/catalog/sim+pack/[/url]
[*]“[i]pok pok[/i] girls” – local term for prostitutes[/list][b]conventions used in this report[/b][list][*]“untried” means by me. [*]floor numbers are usa style (ground floor = first floor, second floor is one flight up). [*]prices listed are philippine pesos.[/list][b]arrival and departure: philippines[/b]
you may require a visa to enter philippines. i was told that i needed one as an american doing business, but also that business less than 21 days does not require one, so check for yourself. taxi from airport to hotels around glorietta mall and greenbelt mall takes about 20-30 minutes in my experience. i called my hotel in advance and had them send a driver to meet me. otherwise be sure they use the meter, not flat rate, unless you know prices.
reserve pp550 or us$10 for the terminal (departure) fee.
[b]major hotels: glorietta/greenbelt malls[/b]
the hotels that businessmen may find themselves at are shangri-la or peninsula hotels (both near glorietta mall), or new world renaissance (greenbelt mall); all are high international quality. i liked shangri-la much more than peninsula, location especially. my experience with the first two was that they were both girl-friendly (have not stayed at nwr). there are many affordable alternative hotels but i have not used them; look for reports in this forum.
the hotels themselves offer a massage service for a price that seems small if you’re used to usa prices for therapeutic massage. unlike therapeutic masseuses in usa, extra services are almost certainly available. they may offer subtle hints (such as “advertantly” brushing your genitals with their fingers during the massage) or less subtle, such as offering you a happy ending. while this is not a cheap way of having fun, the massage is usually very good, and you can’t beat the convenience if you’re looking for extra services – when they leave, you can cruise off into a nice sleep.
you’ll find many nearby options to shop for ladies. the hotel may have a club or lobby with girls hanging around (e.g. second floor club @ shangri-la). the girls around the glorietta and greenbelt malls, in the outdoor cafes and in our around the clubs, are a convenient option. the ladies on some street corners (e.g. near peninsula hotel) look older and worn out, but unlike the mall girls they are very straightforward in what they offer and the price. there is also the expensive p. burgos bar street, and the middle-range edsa complex, and many other options in other parts of manila; take a taxi, not long except during rush hour.
[b]glorietta and greenbelt girls[/b]
[quote=anonymous]"the difference between a prostitute and a girlfriend is that the prostitute is less expensive."[/quote]in the evening, or even during the day, there are often girls around the glorietta and greenbelt malls, at tables in outdoor coffee shops (starbucks and gloria jeans) and clubs (havana café, or the club in shangri-la hotel) who will invite you with a stare and perhaps a smile. sometimes you will find friendly girls in the mall.
i would rate the ones i saw from 3-7. they range from professional service providers to girls looking for a boyfriend; in my four experiences they were professionals behaving as girls looking for a boyfriend. they come on with the usual eye contact, but the conversation is indirect in terms of price and services arrangements. the girlfriend may offer better gfe, and may expect bfe (gifts, shopping, loan, money for mother who needs medication etc).
the subject of money may not come up before you take them unless you ask, in which case they will reply with “up to you,” “from your heart,” “talk about that later,” or “let’s not talk about that here,” and avoid discussing it. since they are not presenting themselves as professional you may be led to defer the discussion to avoid insulting a potential girlfriend. after the deed has been done, you may hear some sad story about why they need money, and some of it might even be true. you give them what you want to give, and unless you gave them way too much they will ask for more. in my experience they expect 2000-2500 st to 3000 overnight, when i was shopping around 9pm. st is often a friendly and leisurely 2+ hours if you want it. some forum reports say you can bargain for as little as 1000 to 1500 st, especially later in the evening, but one lady told me 1500 would only get me a bj (pass).
i think they use the strategy of discussing money after the deed because it’s a buyers’ market, and negotiating price up front makes them a commodity – if you don’t like the price, you look for another girl. better for them to hook you first and discuss the price later.
i don’t like this game; i prefer to have things clear up front. one poster suggests that if they don’t negotiate a price with you before the act, you can pay them whatever you want. “up to you” on this point.
there are also some pimps walking around. why bother? what-you-see is generally better than what-you-got, and the pimp gets a fee from you. they are persistent, just tell them to leave you alone and deal with the ladies directly. if the ladies the pimps have were good, wouldn’t they be out showing themselves to get the best price and to get [u]all[/u] the money? also, note recent posting saying that going with a pimp can lead to a gambling scam.
[b]coffee shops / clubs around glorietta/greenbelt malls[/b]
[list][*]any [u]starbucks[/u] or [u]gloria jeans[/u], sitting at tables outside, alone or with another girl (ask the one you want, or take two, they're small!). watch for eye contact.
[*][u]shangri-la hotel, club on second floor[/u] - on a friday evening i found many girls here looking at me as i entered the bar. read my report from august 2003 to see just how naive steve can be.
[*][u]hard rock café[/u] - untried. in glorietta mall, third floor.
[*][u]dream bar[/u] - reported on forum, but nobody was there when i looked (9pm weekday). maybe it's better later or on weekends. near starbucks in glorietta mall.
[*][u]café havana[/u] or [u]havana café[/u] – ground floor, greenbelt 3, near starbucks. a club with live music, and ladies waiting to be picked up in the evening. i found some just outside, took one back to my hotel, she fit the usual gray area between professional and girlfriend discussed above. two reports mention that there are also ladyboys at havana.[/list][b]a short taxi ride from glorietta / greenbelt[/b]
[list][*][u]p. burgos street[/u] a quick taxi ride from makati cbd. you could walk it, but it’s hot, taxis are cheap, and you should save your energy for your entertainment. there are many clubs on this street, go-go and cabaret-style. i visited jools (bar fine 2000) and the one i liked (about an 8) could have been had for 1500 st plus bar fine, though her opening price was 3000. bar fines in other clubs ran 2000 to 3000 according to my doorman survey. [quote=firedick]p. burgos is the top of the line, the kind of places that guys on expense accounts go.[/quote][quote=golazo] burgos st. is a party haven, but as others have pointed out, the bars are pricey in comparison to edsa, la cafe or angeles. the girls are a bit more sophisticated in general and, maybe, a tad more quality in looks as a whole.[/quote]there are girls on the street, some of them are young and look very good. the makati forum has strong warnings against picking up street girls; disease or theft are said to be more likely; i have no experience here.
[*][u]palacio don pedro[/u] – untried. near p. burgos, don pedro st @ kayalan ave. ask for viewing room, 2000 (room) + 2000 (girl). [/list][b]nearby in manila[/b]
for the price of a longer taxi ride, you might get better prices, more variety, or a very classy experience (at air force one). during rush hour it can take an hour or more to get from glorietta/greenbelt to places in manila. in later evening and night it takes 15-30 minutes depending on the place. see also the more extensive reports in the manila thread. the sampling here is places i learned about in this forum; there’s a lot more in the manila forum. ermita is a neighborhood of manila.[list][*][u]la café, bar & grill,[/u] – untried. 1429 m.h.del pilar, ermita, manila; corner of salas street. [i]search tip:[/i] some postings spell it “l.a. cafe” and most use shortened form “la cafe” (without bar & grill). to say that opinions vary, or that la café is controversial, would put it mildly. many forum reports think highly of this place for price and quality; others say quality is not as good as others, one feels unsafe by appearance of the neighborhood, another assures us it is ok. in the quotes below, remember opinions vary; i’m trying to present a balanced range of opinion here. i suggest you skim a few pages in the manila thread, starting with juniour’s posting on 3-16-04, and make up your own mind. [quote=juniour] it’s a myth that all taxi drivers know where is the la café and how to find it, it is best to have clear directions given [in juniour’s] post[/quote][quote=goodenough]…for variety, i haven't found a place that beats la cafe.[/quote][quote=marc25]the girls stay overnight and 1500 is really appreciated.[/quote][*][u]jurassic park[/u] – untried, across the street from la café. [i]search tip:[/i] some posters may use “jurrasic park” instead of “jurassic park”, search for both. [quote=goodenough]the next time you're [at la café], take 15 minutes and check out the jurrasic park bar across the street. i had an excellent time. it's a different scene, but the dancers are cute and available. there's a bar fine, which you can avoid by making a date after the bar closes. there are few customers, some excellent women, and no hassles or pressure. ladies drinks are php350, but the ladies nurse them for a long time. there is no discussion by the way of fees for the ladies. i assume it's up to the client and the girls did not seem uptight about it. guys, check out this place when you get tired of burgos, edsa, and the other expensive joints.[/quote][*][u]amazonia[/u] – untried. [quote=goodenough] just up the street from la cafe. it's alot nicer, and it's new, so it has not yet had a chance to accumulate the grime and dirt characteristic of la.[/quote][quote=anzac]…a new club up the road from la and it gets some high quality freelancers. the music is pretty good and the place is very nice inside. watch out for the girl in the short skirt who will dance on your dick for 2 minutes and expect a 500 tip. all in all not a bad place to pick up, and all the waitresses wear hot uniforms and most are available for some after work nooky. i found that most girls are expecting 1500 pesos for an overnight stay at the moment, but there were a couple of girls who were happy to leave while i was still sleeping, without a cent (yes, my wallet was still there when i awoke.)[/quote][quote=member #2718] a block north of la cafe on the same street. it’s not quite as crowded as la and seems to have a better quality selection wise for your filipina companionship. your efforts will run anywhere from the cost of dinner and a hotel to around p3k depending on your negotiating skills and whither she is "in the business" or a coligeia on safari.[/quote][*][u]air force one[/u] – untried. flight 168 health spa, 888 ninoy aquino avenue, paraòaque city tel: 820 7249 / 820 7250 / 820 7244 / 512 9705 e-mail: [email]airforce1_ktv@hotmail.com[/email]. open 12pm-3am. located about ½ mile from casino philipino, cabs may not know it. for a really complete report, visit manila forum, article posted by juniour on 3-20-04. high class massage parlor, soapy girl experience, full service. [quote=juniour] this is a very upmarket massage parlour and karaoke lounge that is within a stones throw from the international airport and i would suggest after a long flight or before you depart you build in some time to stop here.[/quote][*][u]edsa complex[/u] – untried. along roxas blvd at ne corner of edsa, pasay city. long taxi ride during rush hour, 20 minutes in later evening. for a very complete report, see juniour’s posting in manila thread, 3-16-04. [quote=firedick]edsa complex is a cluster of gentlemens bars under one roof, on the north/east corner of edsa and roxas (runs along manila bay). try [it] for a little more "middle of the road" experience [compared to p. burgos] without having to go as low as street walkers. not a bad place for the first timer. [for taxi drivers] it is pronounced "ed sa". [/quote][quote=steven]action starts from 7pm until 4am [/quote] [quote=goodenough] …you can get one of the girls for about php2,000 inclusive of her time and the bar fine. there are so few foreigners hanging around the complex now, and so many girls, that you should have a wide selection from which to choose. however, i still don't like the aggression of the mama sans at edsa, and the price of the ladies drinks is ridiculous.[/quote]taxi drivers should know where it is, ask before you get in the cab. [/list][b]local guide[/b] – untried. this is presumably a fee-based option.[quote=gropapa] if you're new to the country and you are uncomfortable or are too busy to venture out alone, give my guide jay r a call 09174145416 - aside from the usual places we post about on this board jay r has other options depending on your needs.[/quote]
Brief Thoughts, Philippines vs Thailand
I've only been to Bankok twice (for less a bit less than a week), and to Cebu once (for 2 weeks). A few thoughts on my visits.
- Smiling and being friendly goes an awful long way in both countries, and costs you nothing. If you are a foul mouthed redneck, leave your foul mouth at home, you will have a much better time.
- It's usually very easy to spot young Americans because they are nearly always loud. I don't think anyone who is loud is going to get any respect in South East Asia. It helps alot to learn a little about local customs before visiting, this will help to minimise any 'loss of face'.
- When I'm over there, I forget about home (including home sports), I forget about work, and forget about any stress. I know if I'm relaxed, the pussy will follow easily.
- Food is better in Thailand, but it's not bad in the Philippines. I had some really strange breakfasts in Cebu, and enjoyed the difference.
- The Philippines is cheaper in all respects, but what the hell, Thailand is not expensive at all when compared to western countries.
- Never failed to have a GFE in either place, I think showing respect and being courteous ensured that this happened. Spending some time with the girl, chatting and raising a laugh will also help to ensure you get a GFE. If she is not really friendly and good spirited, move on and find another.
- Don't know much about the local guys in Cebu or BKK, but the ladies over there don't seem to get much DATY - they love this, and literally melt. I found Filipina pussy to be the softest, juciest and sweetest meat I've ever had.
- Never, ever, pick up anything off the street in Cebu, this will be a 'ladyboy' no matter how convincing they look.
- Tipping just about everyone at your hotel is a great investment. I never paid a 'joiner' fee anywhere, and never had any hassles or dirty looks either, and always got great service. No need to tip much, just $1 or so every couple of days.
- Dress well and be groomed, all the ladies are, so how can you have a good score if you look like a bag of shit? I always showered at least twice a day, and shaved twice per day. Always used a good deodorant, never, ever smelt of BO or had a prickly face.
Getting laundry done is cheap in the Philippines and Thailand, so there is no excuse to be a wrinkled slob.
- I usually travelled by taxi when hopping short distances, it's cheap and safer than other modes of transportation in both countries.
- Communication is alot easier in the Philippines, because English is spoken by everyone, to at least a small degree. I got the best results by speaking slowly, clearly and quietly. I tried to learn a bit of Thai, but struggled. I did learn a really useful amount of Cebuano, this was surprisingly easy and alot of fun.
- When I'm over there, my primary mission is to monger. To this end, I get up late (about 11:30am) and stay up late and enjoy the nightlife (till about 3:00am). By using this tactic, daytime activities meant nothing.
- It's much easier and less hassle to bring your own rubber from home. Bring lots. Don't drink the tap water, if you get sick, half of your potential mongering time will be wasted while you are spending low quality time with the toilet bowl.
- Take with you, or better still, buy over there a cheap used GSM mobile/cell phone from a pawnshop, then get a local prepaid SIM card. Absolutely essential for getting repeat scores or making new friends. Hell, it's a cheap phone if you lose it, it's only $50.
- I found it useful to find some ordinary bars just to drink and relax, play some pool maybe and just chat away from the bargirls. This was a bit harder in Cebu, but they are available.
Well, thats about my 2 cents worth......Please PM me for any questions or further details.