General Information

[Red Kilt]

if you are using a "foreign"credit cad there is a service of 150 to 200 pesos per hit, Metro bank only charges P150, BDo more.

even if you open a bank account and get a local bank atm card you are gonna get charged, I get an 11 p[eso hit everytime I use a non BDo bank atm.
.........................

You cannot generalize about bank costs here as they have variable structures.

For example: I use HSBC (Philippines) for ALL my local transactions and I have NO charges at all on ANY transactions in any ATMs all over the Philippines and internationally too.

They gave me this option in return for me depositing my whole salary into one of my 3 accounts (PHP,AUD and USD)

So just ask a whole lot of questions about these charges with the other local banks. Some ATMs are "free" for some cards; others hit you with a fee.

[Mr Giggity Goo]

Great point and nice post. Sounds like you had a nice setup. One thing I learned quickly is to always pay for food with large bills. And other odds an end stuff throughout the day like bottled water etc. So for when i was in a girly bar or taxi. I always had lots of broken down money.. 20's 50's and 100's.. Just a thought for someone who might visit a first time.

Just one caution to add. I am always very careful with my cash and dont flash large wads. I had my main wad hidden, and had put a 500, 200, and several 100 piso notes in my front pocket to pay with. After i had selected my girl and I got the guy down to the PHP 500 figure i took out my small money, and faster than a cobra strike, the pimp reached over (he had got into the front seat of the taxi) and snatched the 500 and 200 Piso notes from my hand.

[Wicked Roger]

Just some basic hotel info for Sogo hunters

Was driving around today in a taxi and saw a large billboard proclaining that the Queensland Mansions has 3 hour rooms for 360 pesos and 5 hour rooms for 460 pesos.

Interesting for those who need to use a different place and not want to book the Sogo hotel. Not sure of quality but a mate did use it last year exactly for this purpose (as family in town) and he was fine....but his focus was on the cutie riding his todger for 2-3 hours :D

[Wicked Roger]

Met with Wicked Roger and later with FSlag at Ayala on Saturday night and had a good time talking shop. Sorry I had to juggle a few txt messages to take care of the girls. Look forward to catching up again soon, just PM me when you return.

SAce

Good to catch you as well, we all have the curse of the text where the girls reply so fast giving their dexterity on the key board. Was good to talk shop maybe catch you before I leave but we are likely to be both busy ;)

And again I prove the theory that the older guys are more qwapo and thinner then you younger men :D Well that's my theory and I will stick to it. My Cebu favourite has a good picture of the 3 of us but I wont post as dont want you guys to look bad in comparison :D

FSlag - good to see you also and I promsie I wont laugh at your next text message either LOL

Trust all is well and you are back safely and needing a rest as you were very greedy in pursuit of looking after my health :D...And thanks for teaching Cebu favourite a mantra regarding the Ipad :)

[Wicked Roger]

Well, now in Manila, a couple hours to my flight back to Japan. Its been a blast in Leyte/Cebu. This trip at least I managed to bring enough condoms to last the whole time (high-quality super-thin japanese plastic ones). I need to bring more chocolates next time though, the fancy japanese ones worked really well, just wished there were more of them.

Final tally, 12 nights, 13 girls (some more than 1 day, about half/half between DIA and bars, and bar girls were only once except for Miss H).

I expect I will be back in Visayas a lot sooner than the amount of time between my last two Philippines trips. Manila is dead to me now.

Good to meet you M and glad the condoms lasted...always a worry if you run out and need to buy the local brands. Chococlates a must and earn you brownie points IMHO. I always stock up on the way home in the Duty Free area so plenty ready for the next time. Given the price of decdent chocolate here it is not surprising that the girls we see really want some

Actully same for mangos....just been buying a small box mangos and this has really got me extra brownie points...I eat plenty as I like the fruit and I taste like a mango ;):)..thats what the girls tell me :D

[Col Law]

I was wondering if anybody has advice on low or no-fee ATMs in Cebu (for pulling funds via "Visa" debit cards) from overseas banks?

I used HSBC free for me as a customer, also noticed the rate was 1 spot higher let me have 20000 my UK allowance.

[Spam Hog]

Until last month BDO and everyone else (at least all that I tried were 150P - max withdrawal 10,000P ) ( I think Citibank is free for Citibank issued cards).

Now BDO is 200P fixed foreign withdrawal fee so is the most expensive. Obviously as teh fee is fixed it makes sense to take the max out each time and use other banks for a slightly lower fee

if you are using a "foreign"credit cad there is a service of 150 to 200 pesos per hit, Metro bank only charges P150, BDo more.

even if you open a bank account and get a local bank atm card you are gonna get charged, I get an 11 p[eso hit everytime I use a non BDo bank atm.

I would look into transfering money via xoom, it is only 4.99 US, that is almost as much as 200 pesos for up to $3000 USD and they will deliver direct from your account to any outlet and even Gaisano mall, there is a whole list of places where you can claim the money. I've been doing this the last year and saved a lot on international wire transfers.

xoom.com


Spam hog

[GregLondon]

I was wondering if anybody has advice on low or no-fee ATMs in Cebu (for pulling funds via "Visa" debit cards) from overseas banks?

I visited a "BDO" ATM, and they were charging 200 pesos as a fee. (And although the sign on the ATM said it had a maximum limit of 5000 pesos, I actually got 10,000 in one transaction.)

I'm hoping there is some kind of setup here for no-fee withdrawals (as in Thailand where the Aeon ATM's charge no fee. All the other ATMs in Thailand charge 150 baht per withdrawal.)

Until last month BDO and everyone else (at least all that I tried were 150P - max withdrawal 10,000P ) ( I think Citibank is free for Citibank issued cards).

Now BDO is 200P fixed foreign withdrawal fee so is the most expensive. Obviously as teh fee is fixed it makes sense to take the max out each time and use other banks for a slightly lower fee

[Mongrinastrlnd]

Well, now in Manila, a couple hours to my flight back to Japan. Its been a blast in Leyte/Cebu. This trip at least I managed to bring enough condoms to last the whole time (high-quality super-thin japanese plastic ones). I need to bring more chocolates next time though, the fancy japanese ones worked really well, just wished there were more of them.

Final tally, 12 nights, 13 girls (some more than 1 day, about half/half between DIA and bars, and bar girls were only once except for Miss H).

Final update on the Leyte girl. V-card was not cashed in but despite that went from zero experience (never even properly been kissed) to oral+greek in a week. And has promised it to me as soon as I returned.

You probably want to bash me a couple times for this girl. I'm breaking all the ground rules with her. Let her fall in love even before landing, and worse, I can't break it off with her.

I expect I will be back in Visayas a lot sooner than the amount of time between my last two Philippines trips. Manila is dead to me now.

[Mayntain]

Pekkakoo,

If you don't need a big luxury room and if you're happy with just a basic but clean, neat room and stay there for sleeping and playing only, I would suggest Apple Tree Suites.
When I've stayed there last year, I've payed 1,398 PhP for a "deluxe room" with a double bed (queen size) and a single bed (for my lugage). Unfortunately, there's no safe inside the room. Also no refrigerator, put if you pay a little amount they will put it inside the room for you. The rooms are small, but as I've mentioned before clean and neat, also the bathroom and there's a tv and aircon inside the room.
Breakfast is not included in the price, but this hotel has a roof top terrace where you can eat a breakfast for 200 to 400 PhP, depending if you're taking your breakfast alone or with your candy.
Reservation can be done just by e-mail. If you book a room in this hotel, just print the answer (reservation) that you will receive from this hotel. Of course Apple Tree Suites is girlfriendly and if I remember well there's free wi-fi.

http://www.appletreesuitescebu.com/index.html
22 J. Llorente St. Capitol Site Cebu City
info@appletreesuitescebu.com

Apple Tree Suites is located in a side street of Mango Avenue en Osmeña Boulevard. It's close to Robinson's Mall, just 5 minutes walking and some bars are located on the road behind Robinson's Mall
This hotel is also fairly new. It dates from May 2006. Although it's located in a side street, you might think it's not so safe to walk there when it's dark already. I never felt unsafe there and what's more, it's away from the busy main road which makes it more quiet at night.
A tip! Don't take Sampaguita Suites. The rooms are clean but dated and can be noisy to very noisy from passing traffic, especially the rooms located at the front side of this hotel.

I booked a week at the Appletree suites last yr,but could only take one night there. As you stated the rooms are small and lack a fridge and safe and also no large closet but some kind of cabinet. To small for my wardrobe!! Also im 6ft6 240lbs and that makes the room all the smaller. I beat it back to Diplomat Hotel for the remainder of my stay in Cebu City.

[GregLondon]

Yesterday I had my very first "contribution" to the city of Cebu CITCOM enforcers. I was in Colon with a girl and I was outside Metro Gaisano and I went to get in a taxi and some old woman with 380bags stepped infront of me and took the taxi, which happens so no big deal. I looked across the street and saw another taxi stop and the passenger was paying so I took my girl by the hand and hurried across the street. Only problem I was crossing against the green light and just up the street on the corner were 4 CITCOM traffic enforcers and one yelled at me and waved me over. Uggg, BUSTED!

The enforcer started to explain the infraction and I knew I was in the wrong as 300 locals watched my imported ass get the full and very public talk and I decided to play the dumb tourist. That did not work and he informed me the fine was 50P per person for a total of 100P. I talked to him and he seemed like a nice guy and I was relieved the fine was not much higher. Alot of the time they try to extort larger sums to help subsidize the small wages they get. I asked the enforcer to just kindly write his badge number on the ticket and he looked at me. He did so and then he decided to reduce the fine from 100P to 50P to "help me out". I payed the 50P and he presented me with what he called "a souvenir from your trip to the city of Cebu". 50P is just over one dollar so not alot of money but it was a valuable lesson.

I was in Colon to buy a bikini for the girl and we walked around some and shopped. Great prices in Colon. I must have bought 5 or 6 bikinis from there in the past 3 weeks and the most expensive one was a very sexy white bikini at 650P from Gaisano Metro which was the bikini my current girl picked and the cheapest one was only a simple cloth two-piece from Happy Mart which was 139P!

Also very fertile hunting ground for the 18-24yr old shop girls around Colon. Not alot of imported guys go to that part of the city and you will be red meat to the lions for some of those girls. Lots of looks and smiles and hellos. Just stay street smart, wallet and mobile in front pockets, no jewelry and do not flash cash as this area is rife with pickpockets and snatchers. Make sure the girl has her purse and mobile well secured as well but she should know that already.

Met with Wicked Roger and later with FSlag at Ayala on Saturday night and had a good time talking shop. Sorry I had to juggle a few txt messages to take care of the girls. Look forward to catching up again soon, just PM me when you return.

Stroker is quite correct that Colon has bargain shops. But he's also right that there is a VERY significant chance that you will get robbed (let's say 10%). For a well healed local eg a girl with a nice phone, the chance maybe 1% but a foreigner must imagine himself as wandering amongst a group of very poor people with a BIG $$$ sign floating over your head.

A friend of mine stayed in a hotel in the area and thought it was cool to get a room for 500P, then it didn't seem so cool/good deal when he had his wallet , all his credit cards and passport stolen.

Front pocket, no jewelry , little cash should be OK for the busy streets in the day time, in smaller streets and at night time you would still be vulnerable to knife stick ups.

[Stroker Ace88]

Yesterday I had my very first "contribution" to the city of Cebu CITCOM enforcers. I was in Colon with a girl and I was outside Metro Gaisano and I went to get in a taxi and some old woman with 380bags stepped infront of me and took the taxi, which happens so no big deal. I looked across the street and saw another taxi stop and the passenger was paying so I took my girl by the hand and hurried across the street. Only problem I was crossing against the green light and just up the street on the corner were 4 CITCOM traffic enforcers and one yelled at me and waved me over. Uggg, BUSTED!

The enforcer started to explain the infraction and I knew I was in the wrong as 300 locals watched my imported ass get the full and very public talk and I decided to play the dumb tourist. That did not work and he informed me the fine was 50P per person for a total of 100P. I talked to him and he seemed like a nice guy and I was relieved the fine was not much higher. Alot of the time they try to extort larger sums to help subsidize the small wages they get. I asked the enforcer to just kindly write his badge number on the ticket and he looked at me. He did so and then he decided to reduce the fine from 100P to 50P to "help me out". I payed the 50P and he presented me with what he called "a souvenir from your trip to the city of Cebu". 50P is just over one dollar so not alot of money but it was a valuable lesson.

I was in Colon to buy a bikini for the girl and we walked around some and shopped. Great prices in Colon. I must have bought 5 or 6 bikinis from there in the past 3 weeks and the most expensive one was a very sexy white bikini at 650P from Gaisano Metro which was the bikini my current girl picked and the cheapest one was only a simple cloth two-piece from Happy Mart which was 139P!

Also very fertile hunting ground for the 18-24yr old shop girls around Colon. Not alot of imported guys go to that part of the city and you will be red meat to the lions for some of those girls. Lots of looks and smiles and hellos. Just stay street smart, wallet and mobile in front pockets, no jewelry and do not flash cash as this area is rife with pickpockets and snatchers. Make sure the girl has her purse and mobile well secured as well but she should know that already.

Met with Wicked Roger and later with FSlag at Ayala on Saturday night and had a good time talking shop. Sorry I had to juggle a few txt messages to take care of the girls. Look forward to catching up again soon, just PM me when you return.

[Bella Oxmyx]

I was wondering if anybody has advice on low or no-fee ATMs in Cebu (for pulling funds via "Visa" debit cards) from overseas banks?

I visited a "BDO" ATM, and they were charging 200 pesos as a fee. (And although the sign on the ATM said it had a maximum limit of 5000 pesos, I actually got 10,000 in one transaction.)

I'm hoping there is some kind of setup here for no-fee withdrawals (as in Thailand where the Aeon ATM's charge no fee. All the other ATMs in Thailand charge 150 baht per withdrawal.)

[Redman69]

Great info Riverman. I will be there in 7 weeks for about two weeks. I wish I was at the point to be there 10 weeks.

I was wondering how the onsite DIA searching would play out. I am doing it now to have stuff to see when there. I am wondering how you dealt with maybe one of the girlfriends in the room when you were out meeting new DIA contacts. I like to sleep with the girlfriend types and get the morning sex.

Next did you bring up 3 somes with any of the girlfriends? If so how did that work out? Do girlfriends 1, 2, & 3 know about each other? I am trying to figure out how to play all that type of situations. Thanks for the great info to date.

[Riverman]

Just returned from a 7 week trip to Cebu City. Thanks to all of you old hands who have provided so much information. I had never been to the phils before, but your info made all my activities nice and easy. I really had a blast and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to the bottom of my scrotum :D

I wont go into to many detail already posted, but here are some of my thoughts and experiences.

I will say to any other newbies, just take the time to read thru the posts going back some time and you will know everything you need to know. Hotels, transport, where and how to get the girls, how much to pay, how to comport yourself. Its all there.

Don't bother asking obvious quesitons, the info is all on this board, if you take the time to read it. If you do, you will pick up info you didnt even know you needed.

I mainly used DIA as my source for girls and since i had so much time in Cebu, it was a very effective tool for me. The girls can and do flake out, so you always have the Go Go's, Casas, and Jonquera as back up. After you have been there a while, you will develop a very nice stable of girls. The malls are there, but are hightly hit or miss. But when you score one there, its can be quite nice.

I now have one serious gf, and 2 not so serious gf's. 2 are very hot 18 year olds, and one is a very hot 19 year old. My serious gf was a virgin before i came there, and quickly became the best fuck i have ever had. She is a dynamo is the sack. And the other 2 are very good as well. What do they put in the water there? I am going back at the end of the year for a 10 week stay, so its nice to have 3 hotties lined up that i can fuck whenever i want.

The Jonquera action worked just as previously reported. When u drive up in the taxi, the pimp guys will swarm you. be prepared for that. I picked up 2 girls form Jonqeura (not at same time). One was a great fuck, she had amazing pussy muscles and squeezed my dick like its never beens squeezed before. I've had that from Thai girls, but not Filipinas, so i wasnt expecting it. It made for a great orgasm. The other was a starfish. I just fucked her and left her. Both girls I took to Queensland short-time motel. I wont take a Jonquera girl back to my room, even with a room-safe.

Just one caution to add. I am always very careful with my cash and dont flash large wads. I had my main wad hidden, and had put a 500, 200, and several 100 piso notes in my front pocket to pay with. After i had selected my girl and I got the guy down to the PHP 500 figure i took out my small money, and faster than a cobra strike, the pimp reached over (he had got into the front seat of the taxi) and snatched the 500 and 200 Piso notes from my hand.

Shit! This asshole was fast!

Obviously, i should have had the 500P note seperate from the rest. I was careful, but not careful enouph. With a crowd of pimps around the car, i wast going to fight to get the 200p note back. Just be warned these charactors are capable of such a stunt and be prepared if you want to brave the Jonquerra. There are better venues for girls, but it was an interesting experience and very cheap.

I will post some of my other experienes at a later time. The real world intrudes, and i must pay attention to it. Thanks again to you all.