Manila

[Goferring]

However, I have had filipina ask me for money to buy something that they have no intent on buying. ...

I'm not sure on the PI but in many Asian countries girls are happy to accept in kind gifts as there is very little stigma about products being used or second hand so they retain their value.

In the West, $1000 of jewelry is worth maybe $200 the moment it leaves the store. In many parts of Asia it can be returned to the store or on sold for as little as a 10% loss. Hence, the girls know they can return or on sell their gifts at near full price.

G.

[Goferring]

Wouldn't it be easier and smarter to just give them money and let them buy what they need instead of assuming they need rice and hauling it half way across the globe? ....

Also (for whatever she does need):

Its going to be cheaper in PI than RWML, and.

She will be able to get it cheaper than you.

Cheers.

G.

[Dg8787]

No. I am with you in that it does not make sense to drag gifts across the globe (when they can easily be purchased in-country). However, I have had filipina ask me for money to buy something that they have no intent on buying. The real intent is to purchase party accoutrements. A real tell in discovering her intent is to offer to buy it for her when she asks for money to buy something specific. If she balks, she's lying about why she needs it; a sure indicator she wants the money for an illicit purpose.

Case: Went to the grocery store with two of my regulars, picked up some groceries for the place, and had them delivered, including three 5 KG bags of rice. The next day the front desk rang: Sir, miss Jenny is here. Really, send her up. I thought she was coming back the following day. "Westy can I have p500 for rice? I can get 10 kg in the market". Sweetie we just bought you 2 kg of rice yesterday. "Its gone". Sweetie if you can carry them, take two of my 5 kg bags, the brand that you chose yesterday. My gift to your family. "What?" Take two of mine, I can have more delivered here. "Take the rice?" Yes. "No. Westy. Sh*t. I don't need a rice. I need money!" I will leave it to your imagination as to what she is going to do with the money should I hand it over. Certainly she will not buy rice with it. Drugs quickly come to mind, but it might be as harmless as a need for booze for her boyfie when he plays cards with his buddies tonight. It would have been better if she'd spent some more time with me to earn some cash, with no need to explain a need. But, asking and lying is quicker.

Never seen a pina's home piled to the ceiling with rice. Nor gifts piled in the corner (family will take and distribute or sell those).

FWIW. I have never been with a Pinay on drugs or addicted to drugs. Most need money as follows.

Rice.

Rent.

Electric.

Water.

Family.

Medicine.

Most have been shy to tell exactly their needs but when questioned about it they are forthcoming. When in town I will get texts "DG po, I need money for xxxxxx, I come boom boom you. What is time good to come? Up to you what you give me. ".

Some will show the bill openly. Keep in mind most live in legal "squatter" homes which do not have separate bills for electric or water. The main metered squatter will verbally pro-rate the bills to them.

The scams usually come in fake hospital bills or other large emergencies.

[WestCoast1]

So what you are saying is that she is going to sell the 500 peso bag of rice he brings her for 250 pesos so that she can get high? LOL.

No. I am with you in that it does not make sense to drag gifts across the globe (when they can easily be purchased in-country). However, I have had filipina ask me for money to buy something that they have no intent on buying. The real intent is to purchase party accoutrements. A real tell in discovering her intent is to offer to buy it for her when she asks for money to buy something specific. If she balks, she's lying about why she needs it; a sure indicator she wants the money for an illicit purpose.

Case: Went to the grocery store with two of my regulars, picked up some groceries for the place, and had them delivered, including three 5 KG bags of rice. The next day the front desk rang: Sir, miss Jenny is here. Really, send her up. I thought she was coming back the following day. "Westy can I have p500 for rice? I can get 10 kg in the market". Sweetie we just bought you 2 kg of rice yesterday. "Its gone". Sweetie if you can carry them, take two of my 5 kg bags, the brand that you chose yesterday. My gift to your family. "What?" Take two of mine, I can have more delivered here. "Take the rice?" Yes. "No. Westy. Sh*t. I don't need a rice. I need money!" I will leave it to your imagination as to what she is going to do with the money should I hand it over. Certainly she will not buy rice with it. Drugs quickly come to mind, but it might be as harmless as a need for booze for her boyfie when he plays cards with his buddies tonight. It would have been better if she'd spent some more time with me to earn some cash, with no need to explain a need. But, asking and lying is quicker.

Never seen a pina's home piled to the ceiling with rice. Nor gifts piled in the corner (family will take and distribute or sell those).

[Turgid]

Well the idea of "quarantine" is that you are not in contact with the local community. ...........

I'd rather continue banging fat hookers than be quarantined in a hotel in the Philippines for two weeks.

[Mr Enternational]

Or shabu. They might be short on shabu. Or Empi. Don't give me that shocked look; it wouldn't be the first time a pinay asked money for one purpose and then used it for another.

So what you are saying is that she is going to sell the 500 peso bag of rice he brings her for 250 pesos so that she can get high? LOL.

[WestCoast1]

Wouldn't it be easier and smarter to just give them money and let them buy what they need SNIP They may have rice piled to the ceiling already, but no electricity in the house.

Or shabu. They might be short on shabu. Or Empi. Don't give me that shocked look; it wouldn't be the first time a pinay asked money for one purpose and then used it for another.

[Bushes]

They announced a tighter quarantine. Have heard some travelers with problems with the labs that ran the tests.

As for quarantine, many don't follow. Some obviously coughing or sick could be suspected of deliberately being unsafe.

The UK has been a shining beacon of what to do in a quarantine if you are from an influential caste. Cummings drives 400 miles. Health minister goes to weekend country home. Johnson's dad hop scotches to Greece vacation property. The US and Brazilian presidents are not setting great examples either.

IMHO, one should stay in place as much as possible. No need to travel to release the blue head. Just do that closer to where one is staying in place. There is always game around. Just bring ear plugs and paper bag as necessary.

[Mr Enternational]

Take some rice to give away to girls, they need food.

Wouldn't it be easier and smarter to just give them money and let them buy what they need instead of assuming they need rice and hauling it half way across the globe? Reminds me of a poster in the Brazil thread that went to a chick's apartment and saw gifts from mongers piled in the corner. We assume this would be good for her when in actuality she can not use it or there is something much higher on her list of needs. They may have rice piled to the ceiling already, but no electricity in the house.

[Red Kilt]

Am told this morning by one of my Manila regulars, that the NCR has gone back to ECQ today. Not sure how that changes arrivals (who is allowed, and procedures).

Correct. Very strict provisions in NCR now.

I must now stay home as only those under 60 years and with a barangay pass can go to the supermarket.

All barber / coffee shops etc closed again. Ortigas Center is like a ghost town today.

No Grab or taxis running. No MRT or LRT for the next 14 days.

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/autos/news/here-s-what-motorists-and-commuters-need-to-know-about-ncr-s-return-to-mecq/ar-BB17u7af?ocid=msedgdhp


Airport taxis might take you directly to your choice of hotel but it's also possible you will have to wait for the official bus / van to take you.

Absolutely no visitors in your hotel. Quarantine means isolation. (I came through NAIA just 1 month ago so I am speaking from experience. Only 13 A visas were being admitted).

If Bamboo Pete doesn't have a 13A visa he probably will not be able to board the Aug 22 flight. SRRV holders are still being denied entry.

[WestCoast1]

This is the report, KG is referring to:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130846...again-enter-ph

I'm one of those who have a long term visa. I have a flight going to Manila on Aug 22.

Am told this morning by one of my Manila regulars, that the NCR has gone back to ECQ today. Not sure how that changes arrivals (who is allowed, and procedures).

[PilotPaul]

This is the report, KG is referring to:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130846...again-enter-ph

I'm one of those who have a long term visa. I have a flight going to Manila on Aug 22. Beside the doubt that the flight would go at all, there are many open questions:


But some thoughts and advises would be appreciated.

Well the idea of "quarantine" is that you are not in contact with the local community. Do the right thing and set an example of a traveller than can fly in and follow the rules. "breaking" the rules doesn't help anyone and you can then encourage others to abide and then keep you safe!

Get yourself the closest hotel to the arrival airport and followup testing. Then when you are cleared, then you can start thinking about girls. (Just don't think too much about they have more cases and infections than where you are now.).

From the Manila hotel list.

81. Richmonde Hotel, Eastwood.

Address: 17 Orchard Road Eastwood City Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

www.eastwoodrichmondehotel.com.ph

Sogos etc are going to be too small for a westerner.

For stringent.

75. Discovery Suites, Ortigas.

Address: 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

www.discoverysuites.com

76. Richmonde Hotel, Ortigas.

Address: 21 San Miguel Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

From the Pamapnaga list I would go for PARK INN BY RADISSON CLARK.

Unless you have to go there for work, I don't think you will be having much fun. Take some rice to give away to girls, they need food.

[Bushes]

This is the report, KG is referring to:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130846...again-enter-ph

I'm one of those who have a long term visa. I have a flight going to Manila on Aug 22. Beside the doubt that the flight would go at all, there are many open questions:

Quarantine Hotel location:

I'm an Angeles boy and I would rather go to a hotel near Angeles than staying in Manila. But I doubt that they let me. If so, how would I get there? Are there still offers for airport pick up service? Are taxis allowed to go long distance? I doubt they will allow me to use a public bus.

The list of Pampanga quarantine hotels is astonishing:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets..._KVG5tBws/edit#gid=2052317914.

None is in Angeles directly, the ones in Mabalacat are low quality hotels (even two are short time hotels) and the ones in Clark are all high priced.

Quarantine hotel Manila:.

They announced a tighter quarantine. Have heard some travelers with problems with the labs that ran the tests.

As for quarantine, many don't follow. Some obviously coughing or sick could be suspected of deliberately being unsafe.

[Bamboo Pete]

If you have an SRRV or other long term visa you will be able to re-enter after 1 Aug. However you will need to have prearranged covid test on arrival then quarantine hotel until test results are in. If negative you can go on yo0 ur way but if positive then you are subject to Philippine medical system. No new long term visas will be issued..

This is the report, KG is referring to:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130846...again-enter-ph

I'm one of those who have a long term visa. I have a flight going to Manila on Aug 22. Beside the doubt that the flight would go at all, there are many open questions:

Quarantine Hotel location:

I'm an Angeles boy and I would rather go to a hotel near Angeles than staying in Manila. But I doubt that they let me. If so, how would I get there? Are there still offers for airport pick up service? Are taxis allowed to go long distance? I doubt they will allow me to use a public bus.

The list of Pampanga quarantine hotels is astonishing:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets..._KVG5tBws/edit#gid=2052317914.

None is in Angeles directly, the ones in Mabalacat are low quality hotels (even two are short time hotels) and the ones in Clark are all high priced.

Quarantine hotel Manila:

In case I'm not allowed to leave Manila, I have to stay in a Manila quarantine hotel. There is quite a big selection:

https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2020...antine-manila/

Frankly, I don't have any clue, where I should stay. Maybe a hotel which is most convenient to reach a transportation after quarantine. Any recommendations?

Is Ermita still the place with most freelancers?

Visitors in quarantine hotel?:

Seems I won't be not allowed to leave the room, until test result is confirmed negative. And probably they don't allow visitors. Maybe the guard can be convinced with a tip?

And how will be the situation after test was negative? Are they allowing visitors to those who are healthy even they are a quarantine hotel. Or do I need to change the hotel?

I know, most questions can't be answered by now and maybe I will be the one who answer them after I arrived.

But some thoughts and advises would be appreciated.

[Turgid]

You are right. Covid is making me more active in my home town. I've been discovering interesting places and rates for things I didn't know were possible here.

In reality thought we all miss the overnight deep immersive experience of our Philippines trips rather than the pay by the hour experience available in the west.

Strangely enough I've been spending per month the same as an average trip abroad and having just about the same amount of sex. However, that should be no surprise as the average trip abroad includes airfare, hotel accommodation and eating out whereas at home I cook most of my meals. The difference though is the girls, I much more enjoy banging Asians, Latinas and Europeans than Americans.