General Info

[X Man]

Filipinos like to go out on Christmas day so forget about taking a taxi anywhere. Complete gridlock in Manila. I would suggest you get a hotel reservation. A lot of Philippine foreign workers come back to visit family, so hotels and flights will often fill up.

I think LA cafe will be open.

As for transport to AC, use Fly the Bus or the other service (forgot the name). There are more than the usual foreigners in town during that time but those bus runs generally don't get many locals on board. I would think most buses run on Christmas.

In Phil., I found that New Year seems to be a more family oriented holiday and that would be the day when bars would close and bargirls would head off to their hometowns. Christmas tends to be more party oriented and bars and bargirls know that this is a great time to make money.

X

I will be heading to the Philippines during the Christmas break. I will arrive in Manila at Noon on the 24th and be there until the morning of the 29th. I have some questions, please forgive me if they are stupid:

1. What is Manila like during the 24th and 25th when it comes to mongering? I've read that LA Cafe is open 24 hours a day, but even on December 25th? Also, how is the selection? I'm assuming it's not as good as it usually is.

2. I would like to leave Manila on the 26th and spend the weekend in Angeles. But I've read that is one of the worst times to travel by bus in the PI since everyone is going somewhere. Would there be seats available on the 26th? Or would it be better to go on the 25th? Do buses even run on Xmas day?

3. Do I need to make hotel reservations or can I just show up and find something in Manila? Same in Angeles. I don't need anything fancy, the Executive Plaza looks fine to me.

I guess what I'm asking is; what the hell should I do?? If I were going at any other time I would just follow the great advice on the forum, but going over Xmas, I'm honestly not sure what would be best. Should I line up some girls before I go, through the internet. I have no idea.

Any feedback is appreciated.

[Brown Rail]

I will be heading to the Philippines during the Christmas break. I will arrive in Manila at Noon on the 24th and be there until the morning of the 29th. I have some questions, please forgive me if they are stupid:

1. What is Manila like during the 24th and 25th when it comes to mongering? I've read that LA Cafe is open 24 hours a day, but even on December 25th? Also, how is the selection? I'm assuming it's not as good as it usually is.

2. I would like to leave Manila on the 26th and spend the weekend in Angeles. But I've read that is one of the worst times to travel by bus in the PI since everyone is going somewhere. Would there be seats available on the 26th? Or would it be better to go on the 25th? Do buses even run on Xmas day?

3. Do I need to make hotel reservations or can I just show up and find something in Manila? Same in Angeles. I don't need anything fancy, the Executive Plaza looks fine to me.

I guess what I'm asking is; what the hell should I do?? If I were going at any other time I would just follow the great advice on the forum, but going over Xmas, I'm honestly not sure what would be best. Should I line up some girls before I go, through the internet. I have no idea.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Will give you as much feed back as I can. My experiance is that the days leading up to Christmas are pure hell. Traffic will be the worst of the year and everyone's mind is elsewhere. But sometime on the 24th everyone in Manila leaves for the provinces. On the 25th you could play foodball on EDSA. Ghost town.

The hotels can still be busy with forigners so I would book ahead.

For the days after Christmas and before New Year, it is also ligher than normal traffic. Hotels are particulaly full over new year's eve.

As for LA Cafe, I have never seen it empty but you can assume many of the girls will go to their families in the provinces. But also as many are local, they still want spending money and need to eat.

Can't help you with the buses but can guess that if the buses run on the 25th, you will be the only one one them. I can't imagin that they would be crowded on the 26th either. Most likely they will stay in the provinces for the weekend.

[Brown Rail]

I will be heading to the Philippines during the Christmas break. I will arrive in Manila at Noon on the 24th and be there until the morning of the 29th. I have some questions, please forgive me if they are stupid:

1. What is Manila like during the 24th and 25th when it comes to mongering? I've read that LA Cafe is open 24 hours a day, but even on December 25th? Also, how is the selection? I'm assuming it's not as good as it usually is.

2. I would like to leave Manila on the 26th and spend the weekend in Angeles. But I've read that is one of the worst times to travel by bus in the PI since everyone is going somewhere. Would there be seats available on the 26th? Or would it be better to go on the 25th? Do buses even run on Xmas day?

3. Do I need to make hotel reservations or can I just show up and find something in Manila? Same in Angeles. I don't need anything fancy, the Executive Plaza looks fine to me.

I guess what I'm asking is; what the hell should I do?? If I were going at any other time I would just follow the great advice on the forum, but going over Xmas, I'm honestly not sure what would be best. Should I line up some girls before I go, through the internet. I have no idea.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Will give you as much feed back as I can. My experiance is that the days leading up to Christmas are pure hell. Traffic will be the worst of the year and everyone's mind is elsewhere. But sometime on the 24th everyone in Manila leaves for the provinces. On the 25th you could play foodball on EDSA. Ghost town.

The hotels can still be busy with forigners so I would book ahead.

[Ezinho]

I will be heading to the Philippines during the Christmas break. I will arrive in Manila at Noon on the 24th and be there until the morning of the 29th. I have some questions, please forgive me if they are stupid:

1. What is Manila like during the 24th and 25th when it comes to mongering? I've read that LA Cafe is open 24 hours a day, but even on December 25th? Also, how is the selection? I'm assuming it's not as good as it usually is.

2. I would like to leave Manila on the 26th and spend the weekend in Angeles. But I've read that is one of the worst times to travel by bus in the PI since everyone is going somewhere. Would there be seats available on the 26th? Or would it be better to go on the 25th? Do buses even run on Xmas day?

3. Do I need to make hotel reservations or can I just show up and find something in Manila? Same in Angeles. I don't need anything fancy, the Executive Plaza looks fine to me.

I guess what I'm asking is; what the hell should I do?? If I were going at any other time I would just follow the great advice on the forum, but going over Xmas, I'm honestly not sure what would be best. Should I line up some girls before I go, through the internet. I have no idea.

Any feedback is appreciated.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Whilst we might hate that PAL and many other airlines don't give miles for what are normal booked flights, but considered discounted, let me have a morning gripe about Cathay. Off subject I know but just seen DJIA performance last night and lost lots more money so I need a whinge.

Have over 500, 000 miles on Cathay. But can I use them. Naaaahhh. Called them yesterday asking them what dates were available in December for HK London redemption. Answer. No dates free Sir.

Ok. Lets try January. Yeah. We got one date Jan 15th departing. And returning. Hmm we have Jan 16th free Sir. Umm what if I want to spend more than 12 hours in London Misss. Well sir no free dates for redemption seats till February!

Yeah we all have loyalty to airlines when accruing but when yuo try redeeming. Another story.

Ok. Whinge over. Happy days Guys!

(Oh and Cathay is tight with redemption but as its part of One World I can redeem Cathay miles on British Airways who have seats for most dates available! )

Freebie,

Yes cathay only have 8 % of their seat each flight for mileage booking ,so if that flight is alway book you need to book 1-2 month ahead of time ,most airline is cutting back on flight high fuel cost is the cause for that .

Fast eddie 48

[FreebieFan]

Whilst we might hate that PAL and many other airlines don't give miles for what are normal booked flights, but considered discounted, let me have a morning gripe about Cathay. Off subject I know but just seen DJIA performance last night and lost lots more money so I need a whinge.

Have over 500, 000 miles on Cathay. But can I use them. Naaaahhh. Called them yesterday asking them what dates were available in December for HK London redemption. Answer. No dates free Sir.

Ok. Lets try January. Yeah. We got one date Jan 15th departing. And returning. Hmm we have Jan 16th free Sir. Umm what if I want to spend more than 12 hours in London Misss. Well sir no free dates for redemption seats till February!

Yeah we all have loyalty to airlines when accruing but when yuo try redeeming. Another story.

Ok. Whinge over. Happy days Guys!

(Oh and Cathay is tight with redemption but as its part of One World I can redeem Cathay miles on British Airways who have seats for most dates available! )

[HornyGeorge]

Mileage accrual is just one of MANY. Singapore and Asiana (and cathay) will often give 70% of actual mileage on discounted fares BUT YOU MUST CHECK FIRST! PAL's HUGE advantage is if you are immediately connecting to a domestic flight on PAL because it leaves from the same terminal. But now that Cebu Pacific flights are all going out of Terminal 3, that PAL advantage is no longer so big. There is also a new domestic airline I JUST learned about from Manila Star last week called www.zestair. Ph Be nice if they were more credit card friendly, like Asian Spirit, but have not yet tried to use their services.

Immigration is NOT always faster at Centennial (PAL) terminal; arrive at 430 am (Sf and LA and YVR flights all arrive around same time) and you may get an unwelcome surprise. It IS always faster at Clark (Angeles) and Cebu which are both MUCH better arrival points than NAIA (Manila).

[Redfield10]

Yep. I recently booked on their web site. (well, since the web site rejects almost all US credit cards now I had to fax them my credit card, ID, etc. But they gave me the web site rate) and asked if my FF miles were registered and they told me I didn't get any with this "discounted" flight.

I have a hunc they are "all" discoutned now.

BTW, it's been a nightmare dealing with PAL for me. I am having to re-book my flight at a later time because my Dad is very I'll right now. But they are almost no help at all. You can't understand the agent. They have no idea how to put my dilemma in context. They can only answer very concrete questions and usually those are wrong.

I called four different agents and got four different answers regarding refunds, rebooking, time periods to rebook, etc. I've never encountered such horrible service from an airline before, ever. Two hung up on me when they got so frustrated trying to answer my questions that they couldn't handle.

And I'm not a difficult guy to get along with on the phone. But they have no idea how to measure a situation, put themselves in your place, and then give you some understandable options for resolving the issues.

Fyi. For those of you who fly PAL. When I returned from my last trip I checked my frequent flyer miles, nothing posted. I emailed Mabuhay and inquired, and was informed that because I had purchased a "discount" ticket from my travel agent, I would not receive any miles for my HNL-MNL-HON trip! Never happened before. Chose PAL over other airlines because of their own airport (thru immigration in 2 min.) and generous frequent flier program. Anyway, have emailed back to them and still in negotiations.

Anybody else notice this?

[Bnlee2]

Fyi. For those of you who fly PAL. When I returned from my last trip I checked my frequent flyer miles, nothing posted. I emailed Mabuhay and inquired, and was informed that because I had purchased a "discount" ticket from my travel agent, I would not receive any miles for my HNL-MNL-HON trip! Never happened before. Chose PAL over other airlines because of their own airport (thru immigration in 2 min.) and generous frequent flier program. Anyway, have emailed back to them and still in negotiations.

Anybody else notice this?

If you buy the low cost web fare for singapore airline, you do not get miles on your travel on certain routes. Many airlines are beginning to do this. I still fly singapore airline due to their great service and beautiful stewardess. A price you just gotta pay sometimes. Chock it up to business expenses. United Airlines gives miles on all flights, they do have some big momma on those flights. If you are in to super bbw. Then that is your airline. It is amazing that some of these momma actually fit through the aisle.

Just my pov.

[Manfest]

Fyi. For those of you who fly PAL. When I returned from my last trip I checked my frequent flyer miles, nothing posted. I emailed Mabuhay and inquired, and was informed that because I had purchased a "discount" ticket from my travel agent, I would not receive any miles for my HNL-MNL-HON trip! Never happened before. Chose PAL over other airlines because of their own airport (thru immigration in 2 min.) and generous frequent flier program. Anyway, have emailed back to them and still in negotiations.

Anybody else notice this?

Yes, this is fairly common. In fact, many major airlines also have discounted fares during certain times during the year and do not give FF miles. China airlines has something that doesn't give miles or let you pick the seat (usually get middle seat) for cheaper price. This applies even if you buy directly from the airline sometimes. If the price is reasonable, then worth asking before purchasing. Singapore is famous for cutting prices during low season, but not giving miles.

[Mr Hawaii]

Fyi. For those of you who fly PAL. When I returned from my last trip I checked my frequent flyer miles, nothing posted. I emailed Mabuhay and inquired, and was informed that because I had purchased a "discount" ticket from my travel agent, I would not receive any miles for my HNL-MNL-HON trip! Never happened before. Chose PAL over other airlines because of their own airport (thru immigration in 2 min.) and generous frequent flier program. Anyway, have emailed back to them and still in negotiations.

Anybody else notice this?

[Soapy Smith]

If I book by Nov. 6 and fly between Jan. 12 and March 15th, I can do it at a similar rate to what I"m getting now. I think there's a $150 rebooking charge. Anyway, what's the weather like the end of Feb. and through the month of March...as I'm thinking about the timeframe now.

As Fin says, March is the beginning of the hot season, although the beginning of March is not so hot as later. Mid-January and into early February has about the mildest weather that the Phils offer. If you can swing it, that would be the best time of all to travel. But be sure to book lodging well in advance. There are some holidays that bring families from the provinces into the cities and fill up the hotels.

[Finrod]

Hi folks,

I was scheduled to fly to Manila for 16 days beginning next Thursday. However, my father is ill and I most likely will not be able to go. I will decide in the next few days. I want to ask your opinions about other times to go.

Since I bought on the PAL Web site, they won't let me cancel (maybe it was a special fare.... not sure). However, they will let me rebook for $150.

After talking to four different agents and having most of them say something different (man, was this difficult), I think what I heard was this. If I book by Nov. 6 and fly between Jan. 12 and March 15th, I can do it at a similar rate to what I"m getting now. I think there's a $150 rebooking charge.

Anyway, what's the weather like the end of Feb. and through the month of March...as I'm thinking about the timeframe now. Is it a good or acceptable time to go? If not, why not? Also, are there other times later in the year that are good times to go in terms of weather, etc? I think I have to use my ticket by August.

Thanks for the input, folks.

Red

This is the hot season. Lots of sunlight and few clouds. Bring sunblock and wear a hat to keep the sun off your head. But you may as well go because the next season up is the rainy season which typically starts in June and goes into September and sometimes October. I didn't mind the rainy season, that is the low season so better pricing on hotels and resorts is often available. Bring your (big) umbrella and don't expect to see much sun then.

[Redfield10]

Hi folks,

I was scheduled to fly to Manila for 16 days beginning next Thursday. However, my father is ill and I most likely will not be able to go. I will decide in the next few days. I want to ask your opinions about other times to go.

Since I bought on the PAL Web site, they won't let me cancel (maybe it was a special fare.... not sure). However, they will let me rebook for $150.

After talking to four different agents and having most of them say something different (man, was this difficult), I think what I heard was this. If I book by Nov. 6 and fly between Jan. 12 and March 15th, I can do it at a similar rate to what I"m getting now. I think there's a $150 rebooking charge.

Anyway, what's the weather like the end of Feb. and through the month of March...as I'm thinking about the timeframe now. Is it a good or acceptable time to go? If not, why not? Also, are there other times later in the year that are good times to go in terms of weather, etc? I think I have to use my ticket by August.

Thanks for the input, folks.

Red

[FreebieFan]

Damn!

I was hoping you would have a good source in PI to tell me about. Maybe I should just make a side trip to one of your source locations on my way to PI the next time. I have a girl that I have been with before, that just can't get enough. She told me to get plenty of rest before my next visit, because she doesn't plan on letting me rest much while I'm there. I've lasted 3 hours straight with her before. But I'm not sure how I will perform with multiple sessions in quick succession. I want to have a backup plan, just in case things go soft. :)

HW

Hi Hairy,

Well I sed to buy from a Guardian or Watsons in the old Greenbelt, but then I had a proper prescription. And had to sign your name and show ID.

Wish I knew a source in PI. But Iv'e learnt to always take my own. Condoms and erectile "help" with me.

One of the joys of having had prostate removed is that I can fuck for hours. Theres an obvious down side of that too!