General Info

[ImAGuy]

Apparently a lot of thirsty guys have been flooding into the Philippines recently. In the past six months, I have seen the quality of girls on the dating sites go down noticeably, and the price has almost doubled. 4 k / night seems standard now? One girl on PL asked for 15 k / night. Wouldn't budge. 7/10. LOL?

In other news, I did have my first (non-pro) threesome the other day. It's been constant threesomes since. (It's my second month in country.) One girl was previously a virgin, both 20 years old, 8/10 looks. But I'm spoiling them like crazy (you guys would call me a fool if you knew how much I've spent on girls per month since arriving here) and too nice to kick them out. It is fun having two live-in GFs. They get jealous though if I pay too much attention to the other. Question for you guys: when you're with a non-pro and you make her leave, what happens? She doesn't try coming back, or calling, or showing up at your doorstep? Never had slashed tires or something? Every girl I've been with so far has tried clinging on for dear life.

I'm renting a house, plan on living here for a while. It's nice because it lets me avoid the walk of shame (my car has tinted windows and the security guards just wave me through). But I'm worried about meeting a psycho someday.

[Toronto]

I forgot to mention that I communicate with the driver as soon as I know he's in the way. I text, and sometimes I call. So far, it's worked.

GE.

I used uber twice from the airport in Oct. And a text letting the driver know at which number column I will be waiting was sufficient. When I asked about the ban on airport pick up both told me that they were just "hanging out" waiting for a fare after dropping someone off.

[Ikksman]

Good points JBee.{S N I P}
There is a "local resident's rate" for virtually all hotels. I always use it when travelling within the Phils.{S N I P}

I don't know if it is still applicable, but there used to be at least 3 rates at many hotels (excluding corporate):

1. Local Residents rates.
2. Balikbayan rates.
3. Porigner rates.

Fortunately, it is a number of years since I was able to able use Balikbayan rates!

I think that overall, it is a sensible idea that directly benefits Filipinos, and certainly not a rip off.

Cheers

P.S. Sammon, your Chinese GF possibly went to the Divisoria markets near China Town. That place is incredibly cheap, even for locals.

[Red Kilt]

That's not a ripoff by the government, that's a good practice. Museums, landmarks and cultural sites are good educational opportunities for the locals. Keeping the price low helps to get the population more aware of their culture and heritage. On the other hand, such places are expensive to maintain. Since many tourists come solely to see these places, and since even the tourist price is usually reasonable, they are making best use of the attraction. If they raise the native price, no natives will visit. If they lower the tourist price, then the government has to pay to support it, meaning taxes which will probably fall on the tourists anyway.

Good points JBee.

It's worth noting that the local tourism industry relies heavily on locals travelling within the country and patronizing the hotels. It's surprising given the levels of poverty but even if it's only 2% of locals that travel then that is a lot of people in a population of 100M.
You can see the data on the DOT website. Regular travellers will notice how there are usually more locals at breakfast in most hotels than foreigners, except of course for the hard-core monger hotels in AC.

There is a "local resident's rate" for virtually all hotels. I always use it when travelling within the Phils.

You just need to show a local driver's licence as proof of residency. Possibly an electric bill or post-paid phone bill showing permanent address might also work.

Last trip to Cebu I received a 50% rate cut at Waterfront Hotel because I always ask for local resident's rate. I also get the same discount at Parklane too.

[Fastpiston]

That's not a ripoff by the government, that's a good practice. Museums, landmarks and cultural sites are good educational opportunities for the locals. Keeping the price low helps to get the population more aware of their culture and heritage. On the other hand, such places are expensive to maintain. Since many tourists come solely to see these places, and since even the tourist price is usually reasonable, they are making best use of the attraction. If they raise the native price, no natives will visit. If they lower the tourist price, then the government has to pay to support it, meaning taxes which will probably fall on the tourists anyway.

Sounds like an extension of hotels charging one price for foreigners and a lower price for locals.

[Fastpiston]

Just a tip for avoiding the NAIA taxi rip offs; take Uber. I know there's allegedly a ban on Uber drivers picking up at the airport, but it's largely ignored. My new tactic is to summon an Uber car as soon as I receive a cell signal on landing, and before the doors even open. In my recent experience it's never taken more than about 5 minutes for the Uber car to arrive at my location and the fees are quite reasonable. You can thus totally avoid the lines, the scam artists and the fear.

GE.

Came into terminal 2 after the APEC nonsense. Passport line stretched up stairs. Even after that, it still took another 30 minutes to get my check in bag. Economy bags arrived before business class of course. Best text driver you have arrived and to come to terminal driveway after another text saying you are ready for pickup at column number X. Usual inane management at the terminal. Really is in bottom 10 airports of the world. Of course, this assumes you will actually get your bag!

[JjBee62]

Some countries charge one fee for nationals and another fee for foreigners to visit a landmark or museum etc. IMHO it should be the same. Right there is a rip off by government no less.

That's not a ripoff by the government, that's a good practice. Museums, landmarks and cultural sites are good educational opportunities for the locals. Keeping the price low helps to get the population more aware of their culture and heritage. On the other hand, such places are expensive to maintain. Since many tourists come solely to see these places, and since even the tourist price is usually reasonable, they are making best use of the attraction. If they raise the native price, no natives will visit. If they lower the tourist price, then the government has to pay to support it, meaning taxes which will probably fall on the tourists anyway.

[Sammon]

A lot of Filipinos really think scamming a foreigner is OK as it is redistribution of wealth.

To tell the truth it is not only Phi but any tourist place. Good thing now is you have Internet and can find out beforehand what is cost for anything so that you cannot be ripped off. However at the end of the day you do end up paying more than locals.

Few years ago I took my Chinese GF shopping. She liked a outfit and I asked for the cost. They told me $30 US. My girl whispered in my year saying she can get it for under $15. We walked away. Next day she went alone and got it for about $13. After that I usually give money to the girl to go shopping alone.

Some countries charge one fee for nationals and another fee for foreigners to visit a landmark or museum etc. IMHO it should be the same. Right there is a rip off by government no less.

[GoodEnough]

GE.

I have done that upon arrival when I'm staying just not going to connect as some new Uber drivers are totally lost at NAIA LOL.

PC out.

I forgot to mention that I communicate with the driver as soon as I know he's in the way. I text, and sometimes I call. So far, it's worked.

GE.

[Pcpc1688]

Just a tip for avoiding the NAIA taxi rip offs; take Uber. I know there's allegedly a ban on Uber drivers picking up at the airport, but it's largely ignored. My new tactic is to summon an Uber car as soon as I receive a cell signal on landing, and before the doors even open. In my recent experience it's never taken more than about 5 minutes for the Uber car to arrive at my location and the fees are quite reasonable. You can thus totally avoid the lines, the scam artists and the fear.

GE.

GE.

I have done that upon arrival when I'm staying just not going to connect as some new Uber drivers are totally lost at NAIA LOL.

PC out.

[GoodEnough]

I was going back to states coming in from Cebu at the PAL terminal and had to go to T1. I got into a white metered cab where the driver had a rosary hanging off his rear view mirror and wanted $25 for the 5 min and. 5 ML ride. I laughed at him saying he can rip off the next tourist that comes in not me. He laughed and agreed that those rates were for foreigners. I said would Jesus want you to screw over your native brother?? I gave him 60 p with included tip which was worth it seeing I woulda missed my flight waiting on the free shuttle.

PC out.

Just a tip for avoiding the NAIA taxi rip offs; take Uber. I know there's allegedly a ban on Uber drivers picking up at the airport, but it's largely ignored. My new tactic is to summon an Uber car as soon as I receive a cell signal on landing, and before the doors even open. In my recent experience it's never taken more than about 5 minutes for the Uber car to arrive at my location and the fees are quite reasonable. You can thus totally avoid the lines, the scam artists and the fear.

GE.

[Socker]

A lot of Filipinos really think scamming a foreigner is OK as it is redistribution of wealth.

There are hundreds of cities in the world that allow their taxi companies to rip off the locals and tourist when ever they can.

Take a trip to Italy but keep a hand on your wallet 24/7 from all service types.

[Fastpiston]

I was going back to states coming in from Cebu at the PAL terminal and had to go to T1. I got into a white metered cab where the driver had a rosary hanging off his rear view mirror and wanted $25 for the 5 min and. 5 ML ride. I laughed at him saying he can rip off the next tourist that comes in not me. He laughed and agreed that those rates were for foreigners. I said would Jesus want you to screw over your native brother?? I gave him 60 p with included tip which was worth it seeing I woulda missed my flight waiting on the free shuttle.

PC out.

A lot of Filipinos really think scamming a foreigner is OK as it is redistribution of wealth.

[Mua Tur]

Once I arrived at NAIA 3 at 10.00 pm from Cebu being the late flight. I went to departure level to catch an incoming taxi for Pasay. And found long queue of riders for their taxi. I was in hurry to make my ride since my girl was waiting for me in my hotel lounge since from one hour. She arrived after a long ride from Laguna and was not interested to go back. It was annoying and what to do moment. Than the securities guided me to ride a taxi parked aside their post. I asked the driver does it in meter and he replied yes. Ok fine, and when the security pointed the phone numbers shown on the back door if there any complain against the taxi, the bell rang in my head. But I accepted the challenge, sine I had no choice. After some time I asked again the driver where is the meter!! Since there was no sign of meter in dash board, instead of that he shows some meters blinking numbers, what I have no idea. And I failed to understand what the old bug speaking out with his teeth less mouth. Soon I realized m going to be mugged and I need to have my initiative. Immediately I stopped the taxi and luckily the car stopped in front of a gas station. I decided to stand on my feet strong and the pain was I had only 500/1000 php bills in my wallet. I asked the driver to give me 400 php and showed him 500 php bills. I refused to hand over my bill first and finally one by one he handed 350 php. But I stand strong and at last reluctantly he handed to me my asking money and we exchanged the bills. I observed all along the bargain time gas station boys and boys with trike observing us. Might be they had a silent role as the catalyst to solve the issue in less effort, but was not enough to accept their request to have a trike for my destination in late night.

Finally I catch a running taxi for my destination and paid only 100 php more.

[Pcpc1688]

Correct. Hell, I was lucky. He said if he had stolen it, would have given a bad name to trike drivers, LOL. Sounded like a religious freak, so thank you Virgin Mary and whoever is backing you. Lucky, I was lucky (again). Guys, don't count on trike drivers being honest.

I was going back to states coming in from Cebu at the PAL terminal and had to go to T1. I got into a white metered cab where the driver had a rosary hanging off his rear view mirror and wanted $25 for the 5 min and. 5 ML ride. I laughed at him saying he can rip off the next tourist that comes in not me. He laughed and agreed that those rates were for foreigners. I said would Jesus want you to screw over your native brother?? I gave him 60 p with included tip which was worth it seeing I woulda missed my flight waiting on the free shuttle.

PC out.