General Info

[WestCoast1]

Gents, a great morning in Phils! Last night's honey did me proud in the rack this morning. She's in the kitchen in her panties. The rice is made, the coffee is flowing. She's got a couple of eggs cracked in the frying pan and she's whipping some pancake batter. All while my swimmers are zigging and zagging to and fro inside her. Few things beat the view of a nearly naked booby pina standing at arm's length from the hot frying pan with a spatula in her hand, trying to avoid the hot oil splatter from frying SSU eggs. We'll hit the grocery store after breakfast before the mall gets busy, then have round 2.

Please, please. Just because Covid appears to be past us, don't inject that into the local psyche here. The vaxxing continues.

Pic from the archives.

[AsianPursuits]

The way I see it, my time is valuable. If push comes to shove, I'll pay a premium to get fast service rather than wasting my time to save a couple of bucks on a meter taxi or Grab, within reason.

I use Cebu airport as a good airport for comparison. Coming out of Arrivals towards Taxi you are met int ihs order:

A) Fixed price city hotel transfers. These guys have clipboards naming each major hotel and a fixed price. Usually operate nicer vans.

B) Freelancer fixed price touts.

C) Yellow cab rank. More expensive rates and new cars.

D) Premium cabs, still expensive but larger vehicles.

E) White cabs. Cheap and cheerful. Aircon may or may not be working.

I remember one day seeing a young tourist couple getting into a Yellow cab while I was getting into a white one. They arrived to the same hotel 15 minutes after I checked in. Premium I snot always faster in Ph.

I always use white cabs from the rank in Cebu. They are told to use the meter by the airport dispatcher. I always tip them generously ie P100 on top of meter.

[Mua Tur]

There are taxi scams all the time. Irrespective of whether meter taxi or otherwise.

I completely agree with you.

Domestic airport I believe No. 4. Has two lines. One says meter taxi. Other one no sign. Waited in the meter taxi line to see lots of taxis did not stop at the meter line but went to the other side.

There are always some Taxi meter available, just need patience and a little effort. But in greater interest of Phil economy the Airport should be cleaned from all kind of scams. Neighbor countries of Phil we will not find that. Even BKK is full furnished with all kind of options. Very laid back for tourist.

So we foreigners will be duped one way or another.

It's always accepted if we pay a little more than usual. But we should know what's we paying and what for, not to be lied or scammed.

Cebu on the other hand if you get in line at the correct meter taxi line they were honest.

Cebu is much much better than NAIA. Here have two Taxi line like regular Taxi meter and another is PREMIER. It's on us what we choose.

Tips- although you are tired after a long flight and need to get to the hotel quickly search for correct meter taxi line. Just like us locals who are from other provinces get duped as well. Many asked me which one is the real meter taxi line.

I do not know why airport authority do not make better transportation service. That is an argument for another day.

God bless Philippine.

[Mua Tur]

MT: Timeframe might be useful here. January 18 of what year?

If pre-covid, this is a not-unusual scam at NAIA. Sad, but true.

January of 2022 was part of the gasoline price run-up, and taxi scams (overcharges, failure to run the meter on purpose, charging in advance) were quite prevalent as there was a shortage of drivers and taxis (many drivers stopped working, as the increased fuel prices in conjunction with the failure of the LTFRB to increase rates made the trade not profitable). There were lots of angry and scamming taxi drivers in the NCR thru about August of 2022.

Apology for late reply because I back to BKK again on 7th January.

Apology again to make mistake it is not January 18. IT IS December 18,2022. So It is after COVID. FUEL price inflammation may not apply these days. The bitter fact is, I always faced taxi scam at NAIA. I wish the authority will make sense on this issue to make PHILIPINE tourist friendly.

Thanks for reporting. Was your Cebu incident recent?

Yes it is recent. I spent 31st Dec'22 Night at Bacolod City. I back to Manila via Cebu on 4th January.

[Radical Guy]

There are taxi scams all the time. Irrespective of whether meter taxi or otherwise. Mostly depends on what kind of driver you get. My experience in October is 50-50. Almost all do not turn the meter on immediately. Need to be reminded. I generally pay little more than the meter. Lots of sob stories I hear from drivers hoping for extra money. Couple even offered girls.

Domestic airport I believe No. 4. Has two lines. One says meter taxi. Other one no sign. Waited in the meter taxi line to see lots of taxis did not stop at the meter line but went to the other side. Caught on and moved to the other side which moved fast. Driver said that was flat rate line. Who knows? When gave him 1000 note he did not want to give me the change. Usually to new coast hotel it is less than 400. Ultimately he agreed for 500.

So we foreigners will be duped one way or another.

Cebu on the other hand if you get in line at the correct meter taxi line they were honest.

Tips- although you are tired after a long flight and need to get to the hotel quickly search for correct meter taxi line. Just like us locals who are from other provinces get duped as well. Many asked me which one is the real meter taxi line.

I do not know why airport authority do not make better transportation service. That is an argument for another day.

The way I see it, my time is valuable. If push comes to shove, I'll pay a premium to get fast service rather than wasting my time to save a couple of bucks on a meter taxi or Grab, within reason. After all, here in the US, I pay a taxi almost 50 dollars each way for a ride to the airport.

[Sammon]

MT: Timeframe might be useful here. January 18 of what year?

If pre-covid, this is a not-unusual scam at NAIA. Sad, but true.

January of 2022 was part of the gasoline price run-up, and taxi scams (overcharges, failure to run the meter on purpose, charging in advance) were quite prevalent as there was a shortage of drivers and taxis (many drivers stopped working, as the increased fuel prices in conjunction with the failure of the LTFRB to increase rates made the trade not profitable). There were lots of angry and scamming taxi drivers in the NCR thru about August of 2022.

Thanks for reporting. Was your Cebu incident recent?

There are taxi scams all the time. Irrespective of whether meter taxi or otherwise. Mostly depends on what kind of driver you get. My experience in October is 50-50. Almost all do not turn the meter on immediately. Need to be reminded. I generally pay little more than the meter. Lots of sob stories I hear from drivers hoping for extra money. Couple even offered girls.

Domestic airport I believe No. 4. Has two lines. One says meter taxi. Other one no sign. Waited in the meter taxi line to see lots of taxis did not stop at the meter line but went to the other side. Caught on and moved to the other side which moved fast. Driver said that was flat rate line. Who knows? When gave him 1000 note he did not want to give me the change. Usually to new coast hotel it is less than 400. Ultimately he agreed for 500.

So we foreigners will be duped one way or another.

Cebu on the other hand if you get in line at the correct meter taxi line they were honest.

Tips- although you are tired after a long flight and need to get to the hotel quickly search for correct meter taxi line. Just like us locals who are from other provinces get duped as well. Many asked me which one is the real meter taxi line.

I do not know why airport authority do not make better transportation service. That is an argument for another day.

[WestCoast1]

NAIA taxi scam gone seriously outrageous.

Here is my last two experiences. I landed Manila on 18 January, 11.30 pm, from bkk at NAIA 2. My dating site girl was waiting for me. I found a guy roaming around her and trying to lead us to a taxi.

MT: Timeframe might be useful here. January 18 of what year?

If pre-covid, this is a not-unusual scam at NAIA. Sad, but true.

January of 2022 was part of the gasoline price run-up, and taxi scams (overcharges, failure to run the meter on purpose, charging in advance) were quite prevalent as there was a shortage of drivers and taxis (many drivers stopped working, as the increased fuel prices in conjunction with the failure of the LTFRB to increase rates made the trade not profitable). There were lots of angry and scamming taxi drivers in the NCR thru about August of 2022.

Thanks for reporting. Was your Cebu incident recent?

[Mua Tur]

NAIA taxi scam gone seriously outrageous.

Here is my last two experiences. I landed Manila on 18 January, 11.30 pm, from bkk at NAIA 2. My dating site girl was waiting for me. I found a guy roaming around her and trying to lead us to a taxi. I was already experienced about the taxi scam, I ignored him and try to fetch a running taxi other side of the road. I asked him if he can go by meter he nodded yes. We jump in but he parked the taxi in front of a counter and the same guy talked with my girl in Tagalog informing we have to pay 1200 peso for taft ave MRT station. OMG I Just jumped out from the taxi and rejected furiously. In the end we found a Meter Taxi and we paid 150 Peso for Kabayan Hotel.

The next one is I arrived at NAIA 3 from Cebu at 1. 15 am. Same as before my another girl was waiting for me. We went to regular taxi stand in a long que. Once we ride I asked the driver is it running on meter or not. He says yes and shown digital board and definitely it was not running meter. In the digital board it was displaying number of 500.01 and he mentioned it is the charge. Oh my my, I asked him to stop the car and we are not going with him. Finally after long bargain I paid 300 peso for same place where as I paid half of that before for the same place.

[Dg8787]

Did you just get owned by RampageMan or what. How 'about givin' him a big and 'diligence' due. Thank You.

No I did not. Why don't you give him the answer? Because you don't have the pertinent information to give some valid advice. A simple search shows an Indian passport holder is not entitled to VOA in PH. He does not state the country of his passport.

The worst thing is to provide bad information on bad information. Which could have him land in PH and being turned back.

ISG is riddled with bad advice based on limited or nonexistent input. Example. One poster said from all his experiences all PH girls have big pussies! That is meaningless unless he states his penis size! I have small penis but from my experiences I have found some pretty tight PH pussies.

My apologies if I can't provide any due diligence based on inadequate input. Then again that wouldn't be any proper due diligence.

[AsianPursuits]

Hi brother,

Yes we do have Visa free access to the Philippines if we have US visa. Just landed here this week, I travelled with US visa as well, absolutely no issues.

A good source of guidance is the Philippine Embassy.

FAQ 7: I am an Indian national, but I have a valid American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK (AJACSSUK) visa / residency. Can I enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism?

Indian nationals with valid AJACSSUK visas travelling for tourism or leisure may enter the Philippines visa-free for a maximum period of stay of fourteen (14) days. This is NOT applicable for business travellers. Business travelers are required to secure appropriate visas.

https://www.philippine-embassy.org.s...ign-nationals/

[WestCoast1]

A quick help from the experts here. Is Visa on arrival still applicable for Indians who have a valid US travel Visa? I see some discussions around this 6-7 months back and I am fairly confident. However, I still want to make sure I do my due diligence.

Hi brother, Yes we do have Visa free access to the Philippines if we have US visa. Just landed here this week, I travelled with US visa as well, absolutely no issues.

US travel visa means nothing for PH entry. What matters is the issuing Country of your passport. Due deligence would require you to search the proper sites with the proper information to obtain the necessary requirements.

Did you just get owned by RampageMan or what. How 'about givin' him a big and 'diligence' due. Thank You.

I am with DG on this. Is CD talking about getting into Phils VOA because he is an Indian passport holder who happens to have a valid US Travel visa? If so, RPM's response does not necessarily answer the OP's question. Its possible that RPM was allowed into Phils simply because he has a valid Indian passport; or alternately he was allowed in because he had a US travel visa. Its just not clear yet.

CD, do report back later your inbound entry status.

[Golfinho]

US travel visa means nothing for PH entry. What matters is the issuing Country of your passport. Due deligence would require you to search the proper sites with the proper information to obtain the necessary requirements.

You are welcome.

Did you just get owned by RampageMan or what. How 'about givin' him a big and 'diligence' due. Thank You.

[Dg8787]

Thanks all for your info and advice. I will plan on using Grab or local Taxi's (White in Manila? And Blue in AC?) as my go-to. But I'll try a trike early just to confirm it's a poor choice for me. LOL.

As to your location suggestions, I'm all over that: In Manila I'm staying one block from LA Cafe in Ermita, and when I return after a week in AC I'll be across the street from Filling Station (you guessed it-Makati Palace). In AC I'll be at ABC for 7 nights. It should be easy to get Grab's or Taxi's there and back.

Thanks!

I just found out if you email ABC Hotel for reservations they will give you a better rate than online booking sites including their own. [EMAIL]info@abchotelgroup.com

[RampageMan]

A quick help from the experts here. Is Visa on arrival still applicable for Indians who have a valid US travel Visa? I see some discussions around this 6-7 months back and I am fairly confident. However, I still want to make sure I do my due diligence.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Hi brother,

Yes we do have Visa free access to the Philippines if we have US visa. Just landed here this week, I travelled with US visa as well, absolutely no issues.

[WestCoast1]

WestCoast1 has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.

Damn that guy! I have to routinely talk to him about this.