Manila

[Sammon]

I had paid my hotel through hotels dot com. When we arrived at the hotel, they wanted a 1000 peso deposit. Not wanting to give away my cash, I told them to put it on my Amex. They said they only take Visa and MC.

Always wondering what happens if you do not pay a deposit, I decided to test the waters. I said so you are not going to allow me to stay here? The girl went to the back to talk to someone and came back and said if I got anything at the bar or restaurant then I would have to pay for it on the spot. I said okay and she gave us the key to our room.

It is common practice everywhere to take a deposit on credit card for incidentals. In Philippines they generally want cash deposit 1000 pesos per day. I guess they are afraid you will take their towels, sheets, pillows in addition to what's in the fridge and snacks They will give cash back on check out.

[Franga]

The girl went to the back to talk to someone and came back and said if I got anything at the bar or restaurant then I would have to pay for it on the spot. I said okay and she gave us the key to our room.

I think it is just a minibar deposit. Did your room have a minibar full of overpriced items?

[Mr Enternational]

I had paid my hotel through hotels dot com. When we arrived at the hotel, they wanted a 1000 peso deposit. Not wanting to give away my cash, I told them to put it on my Amex. They said they only take Visa and MC.

Always wondering what happens if you do not pay a deposit, I decided to test the waters. I said so you are not going to allow me to stay here? The girl went to the back to talk to someone and came back and said if I got anything at the bar or restaurant then I would have to pay for it on the spot. I said okay and she gave us the key to our room.

[Mr Enternational]

A few minutes ago me and my girlfriends were heading in. The Grab stopped at a traffic signal and to the right was two of those places I always see with Christmas lights around the door. I told her that I wanted to go to one of those places. She said I bet you do, assuming I already knew what it was. I said what is it. She did not want to tell me but I am persistant. She said it is called a beer house. You can go there and drink beer and pay women for sex. Why have I never seen those places discussed here? I see tons of them and have always just assumed they were regular local neighborhood bars.

[RpTraveller]

Gaston, are you sure you can receive private messages? I tried to send to you. Would appreciate the contact if you can send direct to me. Thanks.

True. Your PM is deactivated. Will be thankful if you can share the digits.

[Stargm]

Jenny is one of my got to girls for an evening relaxation.

She is 5'2" thin and quite pretty.

Face: 7/10.

Body: 7.5/10.

Attitude: 10/10.

Sex: 8/10.

WIR, yes whenever I am feeling too tired and need to get pampered a bit.

PM me for digits, for old experienced members only.

GC.

Gaston, are you sure you can receive private messages? I tried to send to you. Would appreciate the contact if you can send direct to me. Thanks.

[Gaston Castano]

Jenny is one of my got to girls for an evening relaxation.

She is 5'2" thin and quite pretty.

Face: 7/10.

Body: 7.5/10.

Attitude: 10/10.

Sex: 8/10.

WIR, yes whenever I am feeling too tired and need to get pampered a bit.

PM me for digits, for old experienced members only.

GC.

[Dg8787]

This is mine. Specifically a US G4 Play. Bottom end of G4 line. Had to look it up.

LTE (FDD): Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12,13, 17,25, 26.

LTE (TDD): Bands 41.

And.

CDMA: 800,1900 MHz.

GSM: 850,900, 1800,1900 MHz.

UMTS: 850,900, 1700/2100, 1800,1900, 2100 MHz.

I don't remember exactly but was confirmed on a forum work on at least one of the CMDA carriers Verizon, Sprint, Boast.

Can't go at that price then.

Moto G4 Play works real good in PH.

There isn't any CMDA carriers in PH.

[Bushes]

This is mine. Specifically a US G4 Play. Bottom end of G4 line. Had to look it up.

LTE (FDD): Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12,13, 17,25, 26.

LTE (TDD): Bands 41.

And.

CDMA: 800,1900 MHz.

GSM: 850,900, 1800,1900 MHz.

UMTS: 850,900, 1700/2100, 1800,1900, 2100 MHz.

I don't remember exactly but was confirmed on a forum work on at least one of the CMDA carriers Verizon, Sprint, Boast.

Can't go at that price then.

The US phones do not have the LTE bands for the Philippines. The international phones do have the proper LTE or 4 g bands for Philippines. But you do need to check the specs for it. I believe the LTE bands are B1, B3 and B5, which would cover the different carriers.

[Dg8787]

US phones are mostly one SIM as were the ones I got. Asian variants are usually dual SIM. The Asian variant was US $30+ more and did not come with a free USB QC 2.0 power bank. I love US sales! LOL! In fact, I buy many Asian manufactured electronics for US delivery because it can be 10 to30% cheaper than having an Asian or local delivery (even if I am within spitting distance of the factory). Go figure.

The US phones do not have the LTE bands for the Philippines. The international phones do have the proper LTE or 4 g bands for Philippines. But you do need to check the specs for it. I believe the LTE bands are B1, B3 and B5, which would cover the different carriers.

[Bushes]

I should mention that the power banks themselves were listed on Amazxn for USD30. So one could say each phone was less than USD70. (I don't remember for sure, but the package was either USD99 or USD89. You were limited to 2 so I had others order for me after I tested mine out) And this was a couple years back. For those looking, there are better budget world phones now on sale. But those QC power banks are great. The girls like them because it even charges regular phones up very quickly. The power banks I have now for personal use have PD and QC so they can also juice up iPhones fast. Just keep an eye out for US sales.

US phones are mostly one SIM as were the ones I got. Asian variants are usually dual SIM. The Asian variant was US $30+ more and did not come with a free USB QC 2.0 power bank. I love US sales! LOL! In fact, I buy many Asian manufactured electronics for US delivery because it can be 10 to30% cheaper than having an Asian or local delivery (even if I am within spitting distance of the factory). Go figure.

[Dg8787]

Another option is to buy a model or two back in the flagship line. I recently bought a pair of Samsung S8+ (dual sims) to replace a pair of S5's (one dual one single) and they were less that $500 on Amazon plus shipping. Both cost less than a new middle level S10+ is today and have all the features I need. (The two phones were about what I paid for the single sim S5 in Dubai back in 2014 when it was top of the line.)

Splurge another $30 on a classy looking case and you are set.

Usually the cell phones are less expensive in the states than in PH. PH adds the import tax on it (38%.

Moto brand is not available in PH. I just picked up a couple Moto G4 for my next trip. Contrary to what some people here may think the PH girls think Moto is a great brand. All that matters is what they think and my wallet.

I personally use a second hand iPhone 6. I hook it up to the iCloud and can get imessages from stateside. I get mostly LTE service through out PH with it. Last year I lost one to a pickpocketer in a AC jeepney. I picked up an unlocked used IP 6 for $200.

[Kabul Guy]

IMHO, I like dual SIM unless a good sale in the US (one SIM models). All my flagship phones are dual and it is really convenient. .....

Another option is to buy a model or two back in the flagship line. I recently bought a pair of Samsung S8+ (dual sims) to replace a pair of S5's (one dual one single) and they were less that $500 on Amazon plus shipping. Both cost less than a new middle level S10+ is today and have all the features I need. (The two phones were about what I paid for the single sim S5 in Dubai back in 2014 when it was top of the line.)

Splurge another $30 on a classy looking case and you are set.

[Member #4698]

IMHO, I like dual SIM unless a good sale in the US (one SIM models). All my flagship phones are dual and it is really convenient. You can now hide and have different users on the Androids (Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll). The Moto cameras are not that good. Hence the flagship phones.

I am actually going to get a China Mi phone to try. Half the price of a similar Samsung and probably half the cpu speed. But hey, I don't play games on my phones. And under USD100. You should give Fi a test. Speeds better than TM.

A dual sim phone makes a lot of sense. Samsung S8's & S9's manufactured for the Asian market are dual sim, but not the American models. You can buy an "international" unlocked brand new Samsung from Amazon, but it does not come with a warranty and the buyer should be aware of this before making the purchase. I think a better idea, if you are a frequent traveler, would be making the purchase from a licensed store in Thailand, Japan, HKG, or the PI for one of these dual sim card flagship phones and getting the warranty.

Good luck with the China Mi phone. Let us know how it works out.

[Bushes]

IMHO, I like dual SIM unless a good sale in the US (one SIM models). All my flagship phones are dual and it is really convenient. You can now hide and have different users on the Androids (Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll). The Moto cameras are not that good. Hence the flagship phones.

I am actually going to get a China Mi phone to try. Half the price of a similar Samsung and probably half the cpu speed. But hey, I don't play games on my phones. And under USD100. You should give Fi a test. Speeds better than TM.

My Moto G7 came last week. I bought a no contract / pay as you go plan with T Mobil for $3/ month so I could test the phone and set it up the way I want before my trip. The phone works great, battery is excellent, and software is running smoothly. It in now way looks or operates like a "budget" phone.