General Info

[Kabul Guy]

....

This has always been my fear flying into MNL. Just one little thing can shut everything down indefinitely. Apparently Clark and Cebu and so on are already full with diverted flights and can't take more.

.....

This is not a little thing. It was a potential disaster and could have resulted in massive loss of life.

Shit happens, this happens all over the world and when it does no major airport can handle losing one of its major runways for a period of time without ripple effects throughout the entire system.

Other airports are not equipped to deal with passengers originally destined for a different country. There will be people on your flight that cannot be admitted and the easiest way for the airport to deal with it is to keep everyone in a quarantine situation. Since they are not equipped to deal with several hundred passangers in a situation where food and drink is normally available, you don't get much for a while.

[Mahku]

So apparently a Xiamen Airways flight skidded off the runway at midnight last night. Even some 13 hours later they haven't been able to move it. Therefore MNL's one and only runway that can handle widebody aircraft is shut down until they figure out a way to move the thing. I'm on a Philippine Airlines flight that was diverted to BKK. That might sound ok but the thing is they have trapped us in a gate area of the airport with no option to leave or even go out to the main departure area to order a drink or something. So far in 3+ hours they only gave us a small bottle of water and this small box of sweets and junk food.

This has always been my fear flying into MNL. Just one little thing can shut everything down indefinitely. Apparently Clark and Cebu and so on are already full with diverted flights and can't take more.

And what's really awesome is there seems to be no real plan in the works to improve things. Lots of talk about different plans but nothing's even close to starting construction. So it's going to be like this for years and years to come.

[Socker]

Concur. Hanging around WR might mean lots of late morning or early afternoon jaunts to his 'office', a coffee shop in Ayala. He might even toss a girl or two your way. If a man MUST die, having caffeine and poon thrown at him MIGHT be the way to go?

I too would like to show my appreciation for guys like WR (not many) but not where it doesn't belong, in the AC Forum. It belongs here, the General Forum.

Why am I one of the very few to know this? Who the fuck knows? Nevertheless here goes.

Cebu used to be in my rotation and before my first trip I had been PMing w / WR about the city. He was very giving of his time and insights. I never hooked up w / any of his friends mainly because I like the early 20 somethings and his friends are a little older. They are more fun of course (skilled) so there is a part of me that regrets my plan making but I am what I am. I like the road less traveled.

Regardless of that he is one hell of a dude. He gave me a lot of confidence in a new big city and he didn't have to, he's just a super nice guy. I'm glad he's getting his kudos and hope he has a long horny future. Cheers WR.

[Socker]

150 posts and they are all angry. . . . Someone needs a hug. 🤗.

Excellent response.

This issue of Turdy's is relevant though but not to the degree he spoke of it. It's not easy to post here if you've made a few mistakes, which I have clearly done. I've learned my lessons (from the mods) but I'm still on the bad boy list. Anyhow, that was a funny post, thanks.

[WestCoast1]

This might have been asked before: Why is the Link to Cebu thread under the User Blog?

[Goferring]

Maybe you have been a victim of these Philippine forums that delete posts for no reason,

The internet is a big place, you do not have to put up with mistreatment..

150 posts and they are all angry. . . . Someone needs a hug. 🤗.

[Bushes]

IMHO, that is normal for almost every country. There are some common minimum rules like passport valid for 9 months and such. Some places even require an invite to visit. The countries website will list the requirements. FWIW, HK is pretty open and relaxed.

She was questioned and I was asked to show prove of the hotel reservation and her return ticket. After 10 minutes she was released to go..

[TurdyCurdyOne]

Maybe you have been a victim of these Philippine forums that delete posts for no reason, delete accounts because you defend yourself against their paid members who flame or attack you unprovoked, or for your criticizing some business or friend they have a cozy relationship with.

This is so common online. There is only one word for it: Corruption The main Cebu forum is particularly bad in this regard. Usually what happens to these forums is that members soon learn to be afraid to post anything that might be the slightest bit controversial or to defend themselves against unwarranted attacks by paid members who are given special flaming privileges that make them immune to most verbal retaliation.

Most of the major Philippine forums are like this. And they are so afraid someone will sneak in and challenge them that they make it difficult to even create an account. Difficult for the ordinary user, but not for someone who knows anything about how these corrupt operates work. They refer to anyone they don't like who posts info they don't like as spammers. 90% of the time has nothing to do with the classical definition of spamming-promoting sites for commercial purposes. It's only they don't like your opinions or you challenge their opinions.

This post will probably also draw flames from those who are ready to defend corrupt sites that they have a special interest in.

The thing to do with such sites is block their advertising revenue by using adblockers (I have not done this for this site, since it is usually one of the more professionally run sites). Do not give them any good content. Only leech off what the other members are sending out. Bleed them dry.

Usually they will dry up until it's time to find another owner (sucker) to take over.

The internet is a big place, you do not have to put up with mistreatment..

[Wicked Roger]

The statements were more for show than anything else. A few paragraphs and that was it. I think this shows to the UN and other concerned countries that PH is working against sex trafficking.

I agree DG. Signed the same. Twice on one occasion as had 2 bisexual pinays with me to another Asian country. Plus as a back up had their parents sign an affidavit and once the immigration got a ta testy and I felt her jealousy was going to ruin the party I showed her that and it shut her up fast. But I still signed the statements.

Saw a Dutch guy be asked the same for his wife. That was hilarious as he took huge umbrage and caused a real stink in the passport area. More so as they had their kids with them and the passport all had same surname.

Very strange fellows the Philippines immigration people at times.

[Dg8787]

Thanks for sharing. Having to sign statements makes me more nervous. Enjoy the rain.

The statements were more for show than anything else. A few paragraphs and that was it. I think this shows to the UN and other concerned countries that PH is working against sex trafficking.

[Dg8787]

Landing in HKG and my Pinay was flagged in immigration. She was questioned and I was asked to show prove of the hotel reservation and her return ticket. After 10 minutes she was released to go.

I guess the first timers are a risk of over staying.

BTW, both Manila and Hong Kong immigration people were professional in their interviews and process.

[Bushes]

Thanks for sharing. Having to sign statements makes me more nervous. Enjoy the rain.

There was 2 statements that I signed to. Both stating that I was not using her for sex trafficking or selling sex. This was the main thrust of the interview.

[Dg8787]

Thanks to everyone's advice.

Flew out yesterday with Pinay to Hong Kong. At the immigration booth.

The officer apologize for the inconvenience but first timers are subject to an interview. At the interview desk they asked her the regular questions and had her fill out a form with questions regarding her travel and financial matters. They looked at her pictures to validate our prior relationship.

Then the officer ask me to come over for the interview. Regular questions to confirm her story. After that I was requested to fill out a form that I was taking care of her financial needs on the trip and will make sure she returns to PH. There was 2 statements that I signed to. Both stating that I was not using her for sex trafficking or selling sex. This was the main thrust of the interview. I believe she had to state the same.

After that the interview officer filled out the rest and stamped approval for travel and told her to go to booth 26. Problem was no one at booth 26! And no other booth would take her. Back to interview officer about no one at booth 26. Officer says only booth 26 can process her. Waited 5 minutes and new rotation of booth people come out. Finally someone takes booth 26 and rubber stamps her passport.

[Red Kilt]

I've never been to Australia but if you prefer Manila over Australia it must be really bad LOL.
Why is it so bad?

I didn't express a preference for one place over the other; I merely said I was glad to be back in the Philippines.

I am lucky to have a balanced life in that I am able to spend time working in a number of SE Asian countries for short, intermittent periods and also have my own comfortable place in Ortigas which is clean, relatively disciplined, well serviced with facilities and is organized.

Visiting Australia is always hectic, stressful and extremely expensive but also enjoyable.

[Soapy Smith]

I've never been to Australia but if you prefer Manila over Australia it must be really bad LOL.
Why is it so bad?

I've never been to Australia, but I confess I go though withdrawal each time I leave Manila for the states. The principal things I like about the Philippines are:

1. Slower pace of life, easier to take things less seriously; there's a lot less scurrying around and anxiety over things that are actually quite trivial;.

2. Filipinos' sense of humor. If Westy were to tease those Pinays over some of those inanities, they'd probably be the first to laugh. My experience is that Filipinos are as willing to laugh at themselves as at others;.

3. People, or at least middle aged women, singing along with the radio in the workplace (if radios are allowed);.

4. Acceptance of us long-in-the-tooth men with younger Pinays; the equivalent in the states would quickly start the tongues wagging;.

5. Cheaper prices for almost everything; and.

6. Great sex.

Obviously there is a downside to life in the Philippines, especially in Manila: traffic, pollution, screwed up or incompetent systems, and politics that block change and invariably protect a handful of rich families (perhaps only a matter of degree different than most other countries).