Manila

[Ilongo_boy]

After 5 years of travelling to Manila for business, I've had my share of both bad and good experience with the cab drivers...mostly good. But the bad ones just want to make me shoot someone.

My last one was a good one, checking out...bell boy loaded the cab and meter was down when I got in, about 4 blocks away we had to turn back coz I forgot something. Not much small talk, got to the airport, he tells me to wait while he gets me a cart. First time ever!

He loaded up the bags on the cart, meter was 140 Pesos. I gave him 500 Pesos and said thank you for the great service.

[Warbucks]

I just read the posts about the cab drivers here in Manila and I have to put in my two cents. I've lived all over the world and the taxi drivers here are the absolutely the worse. I truly mean that. When I first got here, I didn't give a shit. For a short ride, I would give them 300-500 pesos. I was new, so I didn't know where anything was. They covered the meters, took me the long way, told me they didn't have change, charge me another 100pesos for a bag in the trunk. Since I don't drive, I have been taking cabs every day, about 4-5 times a day for the last year. I know where everything is. I have an internal clock that tells me how much the fare would cost around Manila.

These guys are bad. About half of them have fast meters. From Burgos to Greenbelt mall, it should be about 50-60 pesos, with traffic. When it gets around 100, you know they're messing with you. One guy said taxis never run on meter. That's bullshit. If they don't want to set the meter, I walk out. And if the meter is fast, I let them drop me off at the ministop on Burgos ( there is a police stand ) and we go and file a report. Only takes 5 minutes. Most of the time, they shit in their pants and just drop me off and drive off. I tell them, "I'm not a tourist and I've lived here for a year. I know the meters. Most of them say "Sorry, I don't have money", etc., etc. The irony is that they all have Jesus and the cross on their taxi cabs but they try to rip you off.

I had friends driven to remote places and robbed at gunpoint and knives. It's a very common story. Initially, for safety sake, I always accompanied my friends to the cab and took down their license number. ( I made sure they see me ) When they try to play their stupid games, I call LTFRB and file a complaint. When their license gets suspended, it's a 5000 pesos fine and a 6 month suspension. You made think I'm being petty but it's the principle that bothers me. If they just take me to my destination without saying "Too much traffic", "100 over meter", "500" or some other bullshit, I will tip them generously ( about a 100 over the fare ). But when they play their games, I will give them the EXACT change.

Its a third world country....

That being said my experiences have been that they are pretty decent guys except for the erratic driving and false advertisement "I have aircon sign" :)

[Amavida]

I just read the posts about the cab drivers here in Manila and I have to put in my two cents. I've lived all over the world and the taxi drivers here are the absolutely the worse. I truly mean that. When I first got here, I didn't give a shit. For a short ride, I would give them 300-500 pesos. I was new, so I didn't know where anything was. They covered the meters, took me the long way, told me they didn't have change, charge me another 100pesos for a bag in the trunk. Since I don't drive, I have been taking cabs every day, about 4-5 times a day for the last year. I know where everything is. I have an internal clock that tells me how much the fare would cost around Manila.

These guys are bad. About half of them have fast meters. From Burgos to Greenbelt mall, it should be about 50-60 pesos, with traffic. When it gets around 100, you know they're messing with you. One guy said taxis never run on meter. That's bullshit. If they don't want to set the meter, I walk out. And if the meter is fast, I let them drop me off at the ministop on Burgos ( there is a police stand ) and we go and file a report. Only takes 5 minutes. Most of the time, they shit in their pants and just drop me off and drive off. I tell them, "I'm not a tourist and I've lived here for a year. I know the meters. Most of them say "Sorry, I don't have money", etc., etc. The irony is that they all have Jesus and the cross on their taxi cabs but they try to rip you off.

I had friends driven to remote places and robbed at gunpoint and knives. It's a very common story. Initially, for safety sake, I always accompanied my friends to the cab and took down their license number. ( I made sure they see me ) When they try to play their stupid games, I call LTFRB and file a complaint. When their license gets suspended, it's a 5000 pesos fine and a 6 month suspension. You made think I'm being petty but it's the principle that bothers me. If they just take me to my destination without saying "Too much traffic", "100 over meter", "500" or some other bullshit, I will tip them generously ( about a 100 over the fare ). But when they play their games, I will give them the EXACT change.

My wife & family use cabs here on a daily basis. Your post is so far from our experience its unbelievable. You say you lived here for a year, man it must have been one miserable, miserable year if you spent your time screaming at cabbies over $1 difference in fares.. We are friendly & chatty with our cabbies & more often than not they leave it to us to nominate the fare at the end. I have many cards of trusted cabbies we have used many times. These guys are just a txt or call away to pick us up & take us happily like chauffeurs to most anywhere we want. Sure we get the odd dodgy one off the street but where in the world don't you.
I hope wherever you are now you are happy Jason.
AV
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The foregoing post is merely my personal opinion.
It is not intended to offend any person either living or dead.
It is for entertainment/discussion purposes only.
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[Notanocker]

Gamahucher and Robbaf, it is not worth having a long debate because you both have made intelligent contributions.

However may I point out that the new 70 peso flagfall yellow taxi service from Manila's airport international airport terminals 1 and 2 (I have not checked out from the domestic terminal) is a vast improvement on the higher priced, white 'coupon' taxis. I travelled to my Ermita hotel for P160: yes, on the return to the airport a standard metered taxi would do it for P130 on a good day with not too much traffic but let's not quibble over less than A$1!

The yellow taxi drivers even seem professional. As for metered taxis, I have not had a problem in my last three trips to Manila. Unless the meters are set a bit fast - as an outsider, that's harder to know.

Food? Yes, can be dodgy but try Mr Choi Kitchen at Robinsons Place Mall or the Hyatt Ermita's buffet dinner, the latter for about P1400 but you get free unlimited San Mig beer or soft drink. Superb food at both, and that's hardly an exhaustive list. Manila's food scene has vastly improved from 15 years ago, although Mayor Lim's ill-advised decision to shut down the successful Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard as usual was shortsighted and didn't help the development of an al fresco dining culture.

[Robbaf]

So there you have it. In Thailand the commercial sex scene is ubiquitous and actually a lot of fun, but its strictly commercial. In the Philippines, it's more amateurish, for the most part, and somehow more genuine (or at least it feels more genuine. GE

Very well said GE. Only one thing that I would add. My last trip to BKK (Mar 08) I met way to many girls in the bars and after talking to them, found out that they are LB's. So be careful.

Robb

[Robbaf]

$1000 Roundtrip airfare to Manila

$350 7 day hotel stay

$150 a day mongering

Complaining about $10 taxi rides Priceless:D

I have taken over 150 taxi's in the Philippines in the last year and I have had only one problem. One time a driver got lost and it cost me 150P. I always act like I know where I am going and I have the hotel flag down a metered taxi, or I walk away from LA Cafe and go to 7-11 and flag a cab there.

At the airport I have the hotel pick me up. It cost me 800P and they take care of my bags and deliver them to my room. They are always at the arrival gate with a sign and I don't have to wait. I go to the Philippines to have fun, if I can't afford it, I keep saving until I can and then I book my trip. I want to enjoy my time, not get upset because I feel like I am getting scammed.

30 days until wheels up:D
Just my 2 cents.

Robb

[JasonKramer]

I just read the posts about the cab drivers here in Manila and I have to put in my two cents. I've lived all over the world and the taxi drivers here are the absolutely the worse. I truly mean that. When I first got here, I didn't give a shit. For a short ride, I would give them 300-500 pesos. I was new, so I didn't know where anything was. They covered the meters, took me the long way, told me they didn't have change, charge me another 100pesos for a bag in the trunk. Since I don't drive, I have been taking cabs every day, about 4-5 times a day for the last year. I know where everything is. I have an internal clock that tells me how much the fare would cost around Manila.

These guys are bad. About half of them have fast meters. From Burgos to Greenbelt mall, it should be about 50-60 pesos, with traffic. When it gets around 100, you know they're messing with you. One guy said taxis never run on meter. That's bullshit. If they don't want to set the meter, I walk out. And if the meter is fast, I let them drop me off at the ministop on Burgos ( there is a police stand ) and we go and file a report. Only takes 5 minutes. Most of the time, they shit in their pants and just drop me off and drive off. I tell them, "I'm not a tourist and I've lived here for a year. I know the meters. Most of them say "Sorry, I don't have money", etc., etc. The irony is that they all have Jesus and the cross on their taxi cabs but they try to rip you off.

I had friends driven to remote places and robbed at gunpoint and knives. It's a very common story. Initially, for safety sake, I always accompanied my friends to the cab and took down their license number. ( I made sure they see me ) When they try to play their stupid games, I call LTFRB and file a complaint. When their license gets suspended, it's a 5000 pesos fine and a 6 month suspension. You made think I'm being petty but it's the principle that bothers me. If they just take me to my destination without saying "Too much traffic", "100 over meter", "500" or some other bullshit, I will tip them generously ( about a 100 over the fare ). But when they play their games, I will give them the EXACT change.

[Cunning Stunt]

Funny how the p4p roles of Manila and Bangkok seems to have reversed in the past twenty years. Anyone who remembers Ermita in its glorious pre-Lim heyday in the early eighties will remember that it was a lot of fun but of the raunchy, no holes barred variety whereas in Bangkok the girls were sweeter and less pushy and provided a better GFE. However this had its drawbacks as the sex was less exciting (how hard was it to get a decent BJ from an average Thai BG in those days. You had to visit the specialists at Patpongs Kangaroo Club for that).

These days any and every sexual perversion can be satisfied in Bangkok but its all hard, mechanised and highly comercialised (I am referring solely to the p4p scene) whereas its the girls in Manila that seem to provide the better GFE but often are not as skilled practitioners of their trade (but are always amenable to training). It all depends on what sort of experience you are after.

In other ways their is no contest. Thailand is tourist friendly with an extremely well developed tourism infrastructure. Travel in the LOS is a constant delight as is the hotels and particularly the food. And all at relatively cheap prices. As for poor old Manila and the Philippines what can be said what hasn't already, lets face it the place is a dysfunctional shit hole, but remember the girls. Ahh the girls.

[Pinay Payer]

Hi,

I will be heading to Manila in a few months and was wondering if there is anything like the tailor shops I have read of in Bangkok where a tailored suit could be made in a few days.

I have read the forums but can't find any mention of such any info would be a help.

Thanks in advance

[GoodEnough]

Forest, this is an endless debate with no correct answer, but I'll cite some of the more obvious differences and similarities. As to availability, there's not all that much difference, though Bangkok is more commercial, better organized and more in your face. However, the Philippines is more GFE (by a country mile), less nakedly mercantile and the girls are everywhere. You have more options for picking up freebies in the malls, the shopping centers and restaurants in Manila, but your not going to find the abundance of massage parlors here that you so there.

If you're interesting in a little more than pussy, that is, in things such as cultural richness and food, Bangkok wins hands down. It also wins in the "shopping" department and regarding general efficiency. The Philippines is a bit more off the wall and chaotic, that is, more anarchistic than Thailand.

In terms of English speaking skills, there's no contest. Most Filipinas speak at least some English and you will be able to communicate with them. Most Thai ladies that you will meet in the bars speak but a few words. The sex in Thailand is more cut and dried. You pay x, it buys you a certain amount of time, the girl leaves. In the Philippines, if you're reasonably courteous and the girl likes you, the arrangements become very fluid and she just might like hanging out with you and stay around as long as you want her to.

For a farang (foreigner) in Thailand as a short-term visitor, your chances of a freebie are about zero. In the Philippines, they're reasonably good. And even if you get into a P4P situation, if you go somewhere like the LA Cafe and avoid the bar fines and ladies drinks, you're just as likely to find out that what you pay is "up to you."

So there you have it. In Thailand the commercial sex scene is ubiquitous and actually a lot of fun, but its strictly commercial. In the Philippines, it's more amateurish, for the most part, and somehow more genuine (or at least it feels more genuine.

GE

[FreebieFan]

Its an eternal argument. same as Chelsea Man U or Ferrari Mclaren etc.

I had a friend who lives in Bangkok.. has more than he can handle there.. saw him in action two weeks in Manila and hes like an animal. Just has a liking for Filipinas.

I have a strong liking for Filipinas.. but 4 weeks ago I was like an animal in BKK.

Tell a cute gal in Manila you are going to BKK and she will ask if girls are sexy there.

Same thing in BKK.

In BKK its more readily available and in your face. Everything is for sale.

In Manila its a bit more discreet , and girls will love you more.

But as to choice... who knows.. both places excellent!

[Key Master]

In general, I am not worried about an extra $20-$50 for a girl, but I see no reason to pay New York City prices if I am not in New York. I really like the availability of "non" or "semi" pros. The availability of English speaking girls is important to me, as I like to communicate with my ladies. Most importantly, which place is easier to have fun on such a short amount of time?
F

I'm not going to compare Bangkok and Manila. Based on what you said above speaking english and non or semi pros, I think Manila is the way to go easily. I think both places can be a lot of fun in a short amount of time. If I was staying longer, I might side with Bangkok, but I like the women and how they treat you better in the PI.

[Member #4643]

I have recently read the last year's worth of reports on Bangkok and Manila. The reason is that I have the opportunity to visit one or the other for a 72 hour stay next October (I am quietly tacking on a stay in one of these two cities as part of a business trip elsewhere). As I am making my plane reservations now, I am requesting that one (or more) of my ISG colleagues compare the mongering situation in these two cities for a short holiday.

Of course, everyone has different priorities. Some guys want the most inexpensive girls and the cheapest hotels. Others want model types and luxury accomodations. In general, I am not worried about an extra $20-$50 for a girl, but I see no reason to pay New York City prices if I am not in New York. I really like the availability of "non" or "semi" pros. The availability of English speaking girls is important to me, as I like to communicate with my ladies. Most importantly, which place is easier to have fun on such a short amount of time?

I think a well-reasoned comparison of Bangkok vs. Manila would be of interest to a lot of guys, not just me, so I hope that someone who is an expert in Asian travel will humor me with a nice discussion of these two destinations! Many thanks, F

[HenryV]

Had a gal meet me at Cafe Havana, same thing happened to her. It was a meter deal, however, when she went to get out he tried to charge her 800 pesos. Luckily she had no luggage.

Being a feisty gal she immediately got out of the cab, took the guys license plate and suggested she call the police and have them settle the matter. The cabbie saw the wisdom on just settling the matter.

She came into the Cafe and said to me: "I don't believe it, I'm Filipino and they tried to rip me off."

Hi Igor,

Sorry to hear about your gf being ripped off at the airport. It just illustrates the point that it is not only tourists and foreigners that get ripped off by these sharks.

Unfortunately there appears to be a taxi cartel in operation at the airport and IMHO it is a national disgrace that tourists arriving in the Philippines get such poor first impression of the country. It used to be the same at the old Don Muang airport in Bangkok until the goverment cleaned up their act. Even the coupon taxi's are ridiculously overpriced. An even crazier scheme is that they actual charge admission to the arrival area for relatives/friends wishing to meet arriving passengers. Is there any other airport in the world what does that? I know of none. Its only 50 pesos or so but that is a lot for the average Filipino.

The only way to beat the taxi mafia only works if you travel light. This is to walk down the ramp 200 metres towards Sucat Road. Once you are beyond the security gate you can pick up an empty cab leaving departures who is usually only too pleased to have a fare and will use their meter. But is it worth the effort to save 5 bucks? Probably only if your highly principled, a backpacker or a Yorkshireman (like me).

[Huis Wijn]

Local people transfer from Arrivals to Departures at Terminal 2 (Philippine Air, Domestic and International). Just go up one level, and find an arriving taxi there, using the meter of course. My advice is to take a taxi ride to Coastal (pesos 70 to 100) for further bus connections. I do not have experience with the other NAIA terminals, but I can imagine it is worth wile trying there too. More in general I always go from Arrivals to Departures, e.g. on Bkk Suvarnabhumi airport and KL International Airport. Lower taxi fares guaranteed!