General Info

[Pete The Beat]

Titmouse let me echo your thoughts and report. Last year i followed the same routine, meeting a lot of good looking girls in Filipina Heart and talking and viewing them via the webcam and Yahoo Messenger. same experience with me - lots hit you for money on the first chat, some take longer, say the second or third chat - but the request usually comes sooner or later.

When I travelled to Manila last December I had intentions of hooking up with a couple of them but found it was so easy at LA cafe and just generally picking up at the malls etc that it was easier not to get tied down to one girl cos I was only there for about 9 days.

What has happened since my return has been that I have continued in contact with several of them and when i return again this december i intend to try hooking up with the one girl for a few days, just to see how it goes.

All of my contacts on FH and now also on Cherry Blossoms give their cell no. readily so contact when I get back will be easy.

But you are spot on with your analysis of them having different pics and different names. My advice to all newcomers is take your time - don't go for the first girl who smiles at you - you can't miss out and the choice is staggering! really its only once you've experienced it that you really appreciate it. Good luck!

[Titmouse]

On the advice of someone from one of the boards I monitor, I joined Cherry Blossoms near the start of July. I regret I can’t remember who it was or on what board, but the poster’s idea was that he tended to join the board in the months before a visit to SE Asia in order to “qualify” some women to meet when he was there. I thought this sounded like a good way to meet some women who weren’t likely to be hanging around the bars, so I followed the advice. I’m hoping to make a trip to the Philippines in September. I thought readers might find my experiences interesting.

Cherry Blossoms (www.blossoms.com), for those who don’t know, is an e-mail self-introduction service focusing on the Philippines, Thailand and other countries to a much lesser extent. China is pretty well represented, too. Because of the way it works – members contact other members by email or to chat – it is apparently not covered by recent ‘mail-order bride’ legislation. There is no charge except for membership.

In the slightly more than four weeks since I joined, I have been contacted with no effort on my part by 2-6 women per day. In addition, I have contacted quite a few myself, identifying them either by using the site’s search utility or by scanning those who are chatting when I’m online. There are so many riches that it took me a week to begin to evolve a system. I have sent nearly 250 e-mails and received nearly 500. Many of the latter have been “smiles,” which are basically winks from a potentially interested female. I’ve sent a few of them myself but lately I’ve send a brief introductory email instead. I think it’s more likely to receive serious attention.

Now I should mention that I’m nearing 62 years old and about 30 pounds overweight. I’m not ugly, but the years are beginning to show on my face. If I were younger, thinner or better looking, I think I would be deluged with mail. As it is, there are plenty of younger women, especially Filipinas, who don’t seem to give a damn. (I think they really want to get out of there, or at least move up.)

I should also say that I have been pretty honest. My goal in going to the Philippines is not to find a bride but to scout out potential places for retirement. I say in my profile that I’m recovering from a bad relationship and not entirely sure I’m ready for another. That just makes some of them want to mother me.

What I’m trying to say is that I’m not trying to lay a line on the ones I’ve talked to. I’m a good writer and a pretty fair conversationalist, so I come off well, but I don’t lie (much) or pretend (much). If they ask if I’m talking to others, I tell them I am, although I don’t say how many. Frankly, it would be too complicated to maintain lies with so many women. The only way through the maze is to have a simple story and stick to it.

At this point, I wish I’d waited another month or even more before joining. I now have a group of six to twelve good prospects. While I don’t get into talking dirty with them, several had volunteered to be my “guide” when I come and three have been pretty clear what they mean. For example, here’s part of a chat from Sunday morning:

Her: yes ido anything 4 my love
Me: Oh really
Her: yes
Me: I may make you prove that
Her: yes
Me: So you like to make love?
Her: yes y not
Me: Good answer. Why not, indeed
Her: im reallly realy want make love wth u
Me: I'm thinking of things I'd like to do with you
Her: really
Her: love u
Me: You might even like it
Her: yes

Or this, from an email:

“One of my dreams is to see the whole part of my country, and to travel around the world. If you need a tour guide and a companion I am willingly go with you. Please…”

This is my most recent contact:

Me: But you'd guide me, right?
Her: yes
Her: open arms
Me: Just in case I couldn't figure out what to do with a pretty woman?
Her: lol
Me: I'm not THAT old
Her: ok
Her: u mean ur sexually active yet?
Her: excuse for that
Her: ok
Her: just asking.?
Me: There is no excuse for that
Me: except...
Her: ?
Me: Active
Her: o ic
Me: And you, my dear?
Me: Are you old enough?
Her: matured enough
Her: lol

My biggest problem at this point is how to schedule them all. In fact, I can’t. As the date gets closer, I’m going to have to drop a few. These are all in addition to my longtime friend in Angeles City whom I met more than two years ago. She’s pretty much in love with me. I would be in serious trouble if I went to the Philippines and didn’t visit her. I won’t quote her, since she’s not a CB girl, but there is no question what we’ll be doing when I go there.

Many of the women, by the way, prefer to shift out of CB and continue in Yahoo. While there is a webcam utility in CB, I haven’t tested it. Most of those who use webcams seem to prefer Yahoo. I bought one two weeks ago at the insistence of one of the girls and it has been a lot of fun. As a USB device, setup was a no-brainer and it has worked flawlessly. Being able to see the girls and watch their expressions adds a great deal to the experience. On more than one occasion it has also helped me spot that a girl was talking to at least two guys at the same time. I don’t do that and I don’t allow it.

The women who have contacted me can be categorized several ways. First, there are the obvious nos – women who are over 40, overweight, sometimes both. For the purposes of this trip, I’ve also ruled out women who are not in the Philippines, although I occasionally chat with two women from Thailand. I’ve been contacted by several very attractive Chinese women, some in Hong Kong but most from the mainland.

Some of the girls are scammers who want money. One has pictures of two different women in her profile (CB has room for three). In one bad stretch, three out of five new contacts hit me up for money in the first chat. My usual response is that I’m old but not stupid. Some are apologetic and keep talking. Others go away. Either way is fine with me. One girl claimed to be an orphan who lives in a church sanctuary and bathes in the restrooms. It might be true, but her picture is awfully pretty. It’s hard to believe she hasn’t found an alternate way to get money.

Another girl – the first quoted above – has persisted, politely but definitely wanting me to buy her a webcam for home. Since she’s also one of my “volunteers,” I may give in, but I’ll send her the webcam, not the money to buy one. She went to an Internet café (dressed up for me) and it’s the same girl as her Yahoo Messenger picture. She also moved the camera around to make sure I got a good look at her. {Late news: Yesterday she announced that she was relocating to Cebu. I’m glad I didn’t buy a camera for her sister’s computer.)

To reduce the correspondence workload, I’ve generally ignored anyone who doesn’t have a picture and anyone who sends me a “smile” instead of a letter. If they have a hot profile picture and there are no turn-offs in their self-description (“Want God-fearing man to support me and two children”), I sometimes violate my own rules. Some of them are so dang pretty.

Oddly enough, it’s the 18-year-old girls who most often say that age doesn’t matter. I always tell them that it actually does, but that I’m willing to trade a little of my experience for some of their youth. So far, I’m not seriously contemplating hooking up with any of the younger ones. My preferred age is around 25 -- old enough to have some experience. The last thing I want is a “vergen” as one girl described herself.

The hardest part is keeping it all straight. I save copies of both emails and chats, naming them with the girl’s first name, the date, and either “To” or “From.” This works pretty well except that some of the girls have several names and it can get confusing. For example, one girl is Marian but her Yahoo chat name is Marina plus a last name and on CB she has two other names. Sometimes, when I launch a chat, I have to scramble to remember who I’m talking with and what I know about them.

I’ll have an update before I leave. Things have already changed since I started writing this. And, of course, there will be lots more to say after I come back from my September trip. It could be a lot of fun or a real letdown. Since I’ll be traveling to parts of the Philippines that I haven’t seen, it will be interesting scenery even if the girls don’t live up to expectations. I’m pretty sure at least some of them will.

Titmouse

EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for directions for posting a link to a specific report.

[Surfer]

The surfing season is fast approaching and the place will soon be crawling with drunken Aussie surfers.

This is the "progress" that I had feared. As Indo got more crowded, more ozzie surfies startinmg coming to the PI (and Siargao in particular) and I am sure the Sari Club bombing and tsunami have only accelerated that. ):

[Spam Hog]

Whats the deal with this place?? I have never been there and the Mrs, wants me to go stay there with her.I would like some input on where to stay and what to do in Baguio.My feeling is she wants to keep me away from the bar gals so take the asshole "ME" to the hills.

I am gonna hit the area 4-5 days before she knows I am in town so I can let off some steam with the party gals in Makati.I will then move to another hotel the day before she gets into town.YES PLEASE REMEMBER THEY ALL TALK AND SHE WOULD SURELY FIND OUT I ARRIVED 4-5 DAYS EARLEY.

Also what about CEBU,what about the waterfront in this area.Is this a good choice or can you guys recommend a clean quiet place not to far off the beaten path.

THANKS, PLAY SAFE,

B.B...

Just a few suggestions for B.B. You refer to the "waterfront" and staying near there. I dont know if you mean the waterfront hotel (which is no where near the water) which is IMHO the best place in Cebu the Marriot not withstanding, or if you are asking about a hotel closer to the real waterfront.
I would suggest you disregard the later as the waterfront (wharf) area
in Cebu is a kind of lousy, you might find a short time hotel there but nothing like what you are looking for. I would suggest if you do not wish to stay at the waterfront hotel you look into Regal park business hotel which is DIRECTLY across from Ayala Mall, you can walk to it,not a bad place it runs about P1400 a night for a basic room probably higher for a delux. Also check out the Richmond hotel, prices a bit cheaper, both are within walking distance of Ayala Mall and everything is within a few block of Waterfront hotel and its casino Filipino.

Now if you are interested in Sarigao, you can take the overnight ferry from Cebu to Surigao city, from there you get a jet boat to Dapa Isl/ Sarigao this is the prime sufing area. No taxi's on the island so you have to hire a guy with a motorcycle, he can take you to the "resort" area. Most of these places (two years ago) were owned by foreigners and their local wives. I recall an aussie and an Englishman who had small places with cottages or A/C rooms, wasn't much like P1000 a night.

There was a more sumptious hotel nearby, owned by a Filipino congressman
and something like you'd find in Bohol, but the whole place is VERY isolated and very low key. The surfing season is fast approaching and the place will soon be crawling with drunken Aussie surfers.

Good luck


Spamhog

[Surfer]

BB: As it has been several years since I have been out there, I am not the best guy to ask about Hotels situation. Costs are VERY reasonable, you can count on that. But it is VERY difficult to get out there requiring a long trip on a banca from Surigao city. Maybe there is a flight by now to General Luna (there was an airstrip up island but no commercial flights)

Most the foreigners going out there are surfers, but the Frenchman who owns (or OWNED back then) Lajanosa is not just for surfers.

[Bill Buxton]

SURFER,

I have been told SIARGAO is great and also beautiful.What is the area sporting In the way of hotels?? What is the average price as you remember and Yes I need aircon.Clean air-con and quiet is what I want this trip me and the wife only no monkey business this trip.Arive Saturday depart for home Sept 28.
Thanks again,

B.B...

[Surfer]

IMHO Baguio is WAY overrated. The main appeal is the chance to escape the oppressive heat and humidity on the coast (and as the passageway to the awesome Halsema highway to Bontoc, Banaue etc.). Their season is more February-May ("hot" season) and it is VERY rainy in Northern Luzon during the other months.

Bohol has superlative SCUBADIVING, but not superlative beaches. Yes Boracay's World Famous White Beach (ranked #1 in the World by many travel magazines) is spectacular, but the PI has LOADS of good beaches. Very few are anywhere near Luzon however (#1 exception is Pagudpud in the VERY far far north of Illocos Norte). Palawan and Mindanao are both LOADED with fine beaches, but they are far from the World of neon lit gogo bars. I have been to several upscale beach resorts in El Nido and Dakak (Dipolog area). ShangriLa beach on Mactan is damn nice if you need to be close to gogo bars (they import the sand, as do Costabella, Maribago and some of the others!)

But great beach resorts also exist for those who do not spend like the Japanese (main customers at Dakak & El Nido), but they are less fancy.
Pururan on Catanduanes (Bicol region) and Lajaonsa (in the Siargao Islands off Surigao City) are two of my favorites. Great places to BRING a girl, not so great for FINDING one (though I did have a half Black, half Filipina (father was US solider) local girl come to my bungalow at night and provide great bb service several times. I will try and scan the pictures as it has been long enough I would not feel funny about posting them here.

[Bill Buxton]

Whats the deal with this place?? I have never been there and the Mrs, wants me to go stay there with her.I would like some input on where to stay and what to do in Baguio.My feeling is she wants to keep me away from the bar gals so take the asshole "ME" to the hills.

I am gonna hit the area 4-5 days before she knows I am in town so I can let off some steam with the party gals in Makati.I will then move to another hotel the day before she gets into town.YES PLEASE REMEMBER THEY ALL TALK AND SHE WOULD SURELY FIND OUT I ARRIVED 4-5 DAYS EARLEY.

Also what about CEBU,what about the waterfront in this area.Is this a good choice or can you guys recommend a clean quiet place not to far off the beaten path.

THANKS, PLAY SAFE,

B.B...

[Fastpiston]

Two hundred dollars a night is a little expensive but extra activities like jet skiing etc always cost more, in any resort anywhere. I've never seen a place that includes this stuff in the nightly rate.

I've often wondered why there is little tourism in PI and have reserved judgment because as yet, I haven't been to Boracay which supposedly has great beaches. Within 4 hours of NYC we have fabulous beaches in the Caribbean and truth be told, the beaches that I saw in Bohol (Alona and the other one by the Bohol Beach Resort) had sand that was difficult to walk on. It wasn't grainy as much as 'pebbly'. Balicansig island had sand that was very difficult to walk on because of the pebbles. Pearl Farm's beach was of the same subpar quality that I had seen in Bohol and Sabang, but I put it down to the PI. By now, I assume that the PI doesn't have the same quality of beaches that other places have and that is one of the reasons that there is less tourism there than other places.

Don

Agreed about beaches in Phils. A warning about Boracay beach, I lay on it for 30 minutes and was bitten to hell by sandflies. Had to take medication and had a miserable subsequent 7 days. My doc in Hong Kong even gave me antibiotics to prevent secondary infections...

[Dashing Don]

Two hundred dollars a night is a little expensive but extra activities like jet skiing etc always cost more, in any resort anywhere. I've never seen a place that includes this stuff in the nightly rate.

I've often wondered why there is little tourism in PI and have reserved judgment because as yet, I haven't been to Boracay which supposedly has great beaches. Within 4 hours of NYC we have fabulous beaches in the Caribbean and truth be told, the beaches that I saw in Bohol (Alona and the other one by the Bohol Beach Resort) had sand that was difficult to walk on. It wasn't grainy as much as 'pebbly'. Balicansig island had sand that was very difficult to walk on because of the pebbles. Pearl Farm's beach was of the same subpar quality that I had seen in Bohol and Sabang, but I put it down to the PI. By now, I assume that the PI doesn't have the same quality of beaches that other places have and that is one of the reasons that there is less tourism there than other places.

Don

[GoodEnough]

Mook, Pearl Farm near Davao is worth a visit. You get there by boat from downtown Davao. It has bungalows on stilts on a private beach. There is a central area with a bar and restaurant, pool etc. They also have diving.

There appeared to be a very limited number of cottages and the place was serene when I daytripped there a few years ago. The facilities are very very nice.

Its quiet and you'll have to bring someone. You will sleep, swim, eat, dive, and bang your girl 'al fresco' if you like, on the private beach. Very relaxing.

Don

The Pearl Farm is as Don described, and it would be an okay sort of place if the prices were not so ridiculous. The last time I checked. double rooms were going for almost $200 a night, and that skews the value:quality ratio to the negative. This is not a very well-equipped resort in the sense that there are no jet skis, or boats or any of the other amenities that you would normally associate with a resort hotel that charges these kinds of prices. The diving is operated by Wind and Wave, a private concession, and costs extra. Finally, the beach is just average. It's not very wide and not very long.

All in all, though it's a nice get away, it doesn't offer much in the way of value for money in my opinion.

:D

GE

[Dashing Don]

Mook, Pearl Farm near Davao is worth a visit. You get there by boat from downtown Davao. It has bungalows on stilts on a private beach. There is a central area with a bar and restaurant, pool etc. They also have diving.

There appeared to be a very limited number of cottages and the place was serene when I daytripped there a few years ago. The facilities are very very nice.

Its quiet and you'll have to bring someone. You will sleep, swim, eat, dive, and bang your girl 'al fresco' if you like, on the private beach. Very relaxing.

Don

[Spam Hog]

Everyone,

Where is it a good place to go in the PI with a companion? I want to go to a resort type place and just relax and explore the land. I was looking at Boracay but it seems it's too crowded and hyped up. Any suggestions and places to stay. Someone mentioned Pearl farms in Davao, bohol?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Mook

Mook:

I was in Boracay about two months past, I think I posted something about it in other areas thread mid June(?) Personally, I would avoid Boracay even with a companion, and I seriously suggest you bring a companion as mongering was at a bare bones minimum. To me it was expensive, even though off season. I stayed at the cocomangas resort which was sort of quiet but anything you want to do in the way of entertainment is expensive, my angel wanted to ride a jet ski so it was P3800 for a half hour.

I'm going to suggest three places all of which I have visited within the past six months. I also suggest you do bring your own squeeze as local talent is sparse and all the other horney lads around you are like starving wolves due to lack of available poon.

First i suggest you come to Cebu directly, easier to operate and safer. cleaner and cheaper than Manila. From here you can try Moalboal as CL suggests. Not bad, you can go to the north terminal bus station and work it out. Ask a taxi driver to take you to the "van pool" that C.L is talking about.

You have your choice by bus/van of Malapasqua or Bantayan island. Both about 3 hours by A/C bus and less than P100. I particularly recommend Malapasqua as it is VERY economical and quiet, few western tourists, very laid back and very friendly.(Get the Bust to Maya port then private banca tot he island). You can do most of the diving/scuba/fishing stuff one usually does anywhere else but cheaper. Small place you can hike around the island in about an hour (I did).

Second choice is Bohol, Jet boat 2 hrs from Cebu Wharf. Not the mad house Boracay is but a level or two below it. Check out a place called Flower Garden for a good rate, You can explore in land to chocolate hills and a few old churchs, also see the tarsier monkey along with a river boat ride but you have to hire a driver.

Third from Cebu check out tran asia or superferry for their special float to Camiguin island which is near CDO city. Great place, very freidnly people here and plenty to do if you want but laid bakc enough if you don't. U can climb a volcano or snokel the under water grave yard.

regards

Spam hog

[Spam Hog]

I'm planning to go to Cagayan de Oro, City. Which dentist do you recommend that is more qualified? How cheap is it comparing to american dentist? What would prices be in US dollars? (give any example) I needed my tooth to be repaired.

I thank you for any good helpful info! thanks!

Okay Bumbo, most dentists in the Pi operate at a fraction of what they do in the USA. Im talking like less than $20 to have your tooth pulled. Cleaning and filling are in the P300 to P500 range in Davao, probably the same in CDO city.

My sources tell me that there is a compitant (female) dentist right across the street from "oro-rama" shopping plaza. This is in Barangay Lapasan. Her office is wedged in between the BPI bank and some commercial buildings. She has a sign out front ("Teresa") is all the contact remembers, something like P200 for a cleaning so other services should be just as cheap. So firgure around $10 for what you need.

Good Luck

Spamhog

P.S. sorry I cant be more specific re address phone etc but that is how things are in the Phils, everybody knows the person, where they are but addresses are abstract.

[Cebu Steve]

Hey Billpsu - I was in Moalboal this past April.

Two options to get there are private van hire or local shared van (there are also busses, I don't have details on the bus service).

For private van - cost should be around P1600 to P2000. I paid P1800. Will take you and your guest and your luggage door to door (assuming you are heading there from a Cebu hotel). AC, comfortable, will stop for drinks and snacks if you want. If I can find the contact info for the van driver I used, I'll post it or pm it to you. Your hotel can probably recommend a van.

Shared van - from Cebu this is from one of the bus terminals. You can ask at your hotel which terminal you need to go to. Cost is P150 per person and does not include luggage. If you're just bringing duffle bag, probably no extra charge. Suitcase will be charged, up to the cost of a rider (as your suitecase may take up a seat, no space set aside for luggage). I was staying for nearly a week and my gf and I both had small suitcases plus 1 other bag, so cost me P450 for the 2 of us including our stuff for the return trip. Departure from Moalboal is at the corner of the 2 big main roads (I have no clue the names, but Moalboal is a pretty small place, anyone there can tell you where to get the van back to Cebu). Vans line up near the outdoor street market. Fun to travel the local way, but be aware that they really "pack 'em in". A van that would comfortably seat 8 or 9 people will have 12 to 15.

CS