General Info

[Dashing Don]

United Airlines will begin nonstop service from San Francisco to Manila, daily, from October 29.

Let's see how the collision between cutthroat American business competitiveness and the PAL monopoly plays out.

[WestCoast1]

From the Wise remit website, a list of online remittance services and their exchange rates compared to Wise, for a sample $1000 USD send to Phils pesos. WorldRemit had the best, Wise had one of the worst. Exchange rates are constantly in flux.

wise.com/us/compare/

[WestCoast1]

Some general info. Tourist numbers in Phils and comparisons. From Statistica.com.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/...rist-arrivals/

And such.

[Goferring]

My first posting to Manila was in 1997 for 3 months and, 27 years later, I am still here AND still working too.

However, my number 1 rule is to stay way below the radar and to carefully think through any activities that might be border-line questionable. In today's litigious environment, one false step or error of judgement can destroy a career.

There are exceptions but most expat contracts are now 2 or 3 years. The start up costs, especially relocating and schooling a whole family, mean that it's hard to justify shorter terms.

Yes, it's very common for those contracts to be rolled over several times. From the employers side a known performer is much less of a risk than a newbie. Surprisingly, many arrive and for what ever reason aren't suited and are back home at the first opportunity. Keeping your nose clean is definitely a required skill. Again, many arrive and go completely overboard and wonder why their contracts are not renewed.

Cheers. G.

[Red Kilt]

Not sure if your job or skillset allows but securing an overseas posting resembles a major lotto win. Hard to beat being paid to be in paradise.

My first posting to Manila was in 1997 for 3 months and, 27 years later, I am still here AND still working too.

However, my number 1 rule is to stay way below the radar and to carefully think through any activities that might be border-line questionable. In today's litigious environment, one false step or error of judgement can destroy a career.

[TooDirty]

I love living in Philippines, but if money were no option, I think I'the probably choose Thailand for a holiday, or to live full time if retiring and watching world go by.

I was thinking maybe take a Filipina to Thailand, just have to find an "adult" orphan from an orphanage with not many orphans. Don't want to support an entire orphanage. LOL Need a Filipina Orphan dating app.

[Goferring]

Agreed. If I was located anywhere in S. E. A. I would just stay put as many options are available. Out of boredom or maybe variety I may move around a bit occasionally but for the most part no. I do prefer Philippines for their English but other than that Asian girls are Asian girls. Anything beats the pussy hell hole of US, so any SEA destination would be great. Year or two I can retire and buy a one way ticket to a Asia location, after that it can go to $50000 a ticket and I won't give a shit.

Not sure if your job or skillset allows but securing an overseas posting resembles a major lotto win. Hard to beat being paid to be in paradise.

Don't forget the most important part of an expat posting: negotiating allowances due to the tremendous strain you will be put under 🤔.

HA is a Hardship Allowance due to the incredible difficulty of being locked in paradise.

CoLA is a Cost of Living Allowance to assist with $5 beers and $20 pussy.

Enjoy. G.

[Locamotive]

I'm in Singapore and can fly to AC anytime for $200 also. And even I am finding it hard to justify it when I can find Thai girls in their 20's giving 90 min 2 shots GFE for $100 in Singapore. Or even as little as $50 for a quick Geylang pump and dump. Over inflated hotel prices and 4000 P barfines with associated drama is feeling less and less attractive. Only added attraction is the omnipresent BBFS in the Philippines. ALthough my last Pattaya trip I got BBFS 75% of the time anyway.

Agreed. If I was located anywhere in S. E. A. I would just stay put as many options are available. Out of boredom or maybe variety I may move around a bit occasionally but for the most part no. I do prefer Philippines for their English but other than that Asian girls are Asian girls. Anything beats the pussy hell hole of US, so any SEA destination would be great. Year or two I can retire and buy a one way ticket to a Asia location, after that it can go to $50000 a ticket and I won't give a shit.

[GDreams]

I've been considering a trip (from Sydney) to Japan later this year, and looking at prices I see PAL is offering fares as low as US $600 return with stop overs in MNL.

I'd consider spending a couple of days in Manilla to sample some of the delights I read about here.

What is the general consensus about the service on PAL?

I travelled economy on Pal and its ok. Not much different to Qantas.

[WestCoast1]

I'm in Singapore and can fly to AC anytime for $200 also. And even I am finding it hard to justify it when I can find Thai girls in their 20's giving 90 min 2 shots GFE for $100 in Singapore. Or even as little as $50 for a quick Geylang pump and dump. Over inflated hotel prices and 4000 P barfines with associated drama is feeling less and less attractive. Only added attraction is the omnipresent BBFS in the Philippines. ALthough my last Pattaya trip I got BBFS 75% of the time anyway.

Haha we should start our own "Pattaya" thread here. It is what you make of it.

[Expat American]

You gals just deal with the Koreans and other guys in Asia until this calms down as their tickets are 200 bucks, lucky bastards. I too would be there all the time for that price. Sorry for the rant, it just sucks the airlines are doing this.

I'm in Singapore and can fly to AC anytime for $200 also. And even I am finding it hard to justify it when I can find Thai girls in their 20's giving 90 min 2 shots GFE for $100 in Singapore. Or even as little as $50 for a quick Geylang pump and dump. Over inflated hotel prices and 4000 P barfines with associated drama is feeling less and less attractive. Only added attraction is the omnipresent BBFS in the Philippines. ALthough my last Pattaya trip I got BBFS 75% of the time anyway.

[Muttley81]

Live in Philippines, just returned from two week break to Thailand where I spent one week in Bangkok and one week in Pattaya. From a gogo bar and massage shop perspective what is available in both Bangkok and Pattaya far exceeds number and quality of girls available in Burgos and Angeles. Majority of bars in both Bangkok and Pattaya offered some level of nudity in bars, with some providing fully naked girls on stage and walking around. Powers of negotiation in such bars was reduced. There are some great girls in Philippines bars, but you have to look a lot harder for them.

For dating regular girls Philippines wins out for me due to frequent availability of girls that speak English to higher degree. Would imagine conversations with majority of Thai women are a bit similar if you don't know language.

I love living in Philippines, but if money were no option, I think I'the probably choose Thailand for a holiday, or to live full time if retiring and watching world go by.

[AussieGaigin]

I've been considering a trip (from Sydney) to Japan later this year, and looking at prices I see PAL is offering fares as low as US $600 return with stop overs in MNL.

I'd consider spending a couple of days in Manilla to sample some of the delights I read about here.

What is the general consensus about the service on PAL?

[WestCoast1]

WTF! Really, jesus no wonder we don't have customers. You gals just deal with the Koreans and other guys in Asia until this calms down as their tickets are 200 bucks, lucky bastards. I too would be there all the time for that price. Sorry for the rant, it just sucks the airlines are doing this.

You've made the Pattaya case.

I hear you on the US domestic airfare issue. A few months ago while looking at prices, I found MNL / SFO for just under $800 OW (12 hours flying and 7,000 miles straight line, 11.4 cents per mile). A cheap flight from SFO to Chicago OW was $490 all in (4 hours flying and 1846 miles, 26.5 cents per mile). Domestic travel in the US is pricey. And in my opinion, on all such domestic aircraft, some of the crappiest and uncomfortable seats ever. OITNB, and these non-adjustable hard plastic seats are solidly in place on all airlines (you can pay to upgrade to seats with a better pitch -- more legroom -- but not to a seat that lays back or has more cushion).

https://www.airmilescalculator.com/ (Caution slow website).

[Locamotive]

Hardly surprising considering all the restrictions and red tape deterring travel.

And air fares are still high, with reduced services. Probably another 12 months before these stabilize.

Yes they are, very high especially from East Coast of US. Prior to the COVID lockdown tickets were 1000 or $1200 then ID add a better legroom seat and bump it to 14 to $1500,Not cheap but not too bad. Couple months ago it went to $1800 in the back crap seat but I needed to go. Now I thought I might go back next month $2000 and above! This is ridiculous. This is not inflation not in 2 years this is the airlines trying to rape people to make up for lost revenue. Not that I blame them as my flights were packed, all of them. What happened to the population is hurting after COVID as allot did not work and times are going to be tight. Looking at airports you would never know this. Then you add 50 bucks a night in a decent condo or hotel 14 days (my minimum) 700 to $800 plus taxes and your looking at 3 grand just to get there and have a bed. This is insane. The reason we go is lots of choices and cost of the ladies. This is not cost effective, I imagine but never tried you can get US hookers for 500 bucks maybe not Filipina quality, but still easier and allot less trouble. Bar girls are texting me that customer traffic is down, wonder why??Cost girls as its insane now, at least from US 100000 p just to get there. WTF! Really, jesus no wonder we don't have customers. You gals just deal with the Koreans and other guys in Asia until this calms down as their tickets are 200 bucks, lucky bastards. I too would be there all the time for that price. Sorry for the rant, it just sucks the airlines are doing this.