Other Areas

[MasterBlaster]

Lucifer69,

The security blanket is not intended to stop regular people to come in and out of the city. It is intended to saturate the entire area with military personnel if a rebel platoon or kidnap gang happens to drop by for an unwelcome visit. It exists but you don't see it. I have a military intelligence buddy that told me all this. Dole Philippines in Polomolok maintain their own private army that ensures the security of the compound and its executives. The notorious Pentagon Kidnap Gang uses Polomolok as a hideout and some Abu Sayyaf elements are also present. This is due to the large Muslim population in that area. Many Dole executives and employees have died through the years but you just never heard about it. They only have tombstones as evidence. If you don't me believe read these news items:

http://www.pia.gov.ph/issues/2002/is020127.htm

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/591624/posts

http://www.worldreporter.org/news/anmviewer.asp?a=1044

http://www.pcij.org/imag/PublicEye/pentagon.html

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2002/12/23/cops.link.slain.bomber.to.milf.pentagon.html

You don't hear this kind of news in Davao City. You are just one lucky dude in my opinion. Don't give others a false sense of security just because of your lucky streak. The most secure place is just within the city limits. The surrounding beaches should be okay but definitely not Polomolok. Some far away roads have MNLF and MILF checkpoints and you couldn't distinguish this from the Philippine military until it's already too late. Be cautious.

MasterBlaster

[Lucifer69]

Ipulltrains,

General Santos is fine. I've been there many many times with no problems other than a nasty San Mig headache the next morning. Only a couple of places to go but they are generally fun, though you have to watch the bills fairly close as they can start padding if your not careful.

The best hotel in town is the East Asia. Runs about 1800 pesos a night. Best thing is it's close to a pretty good pool hall/bar called Cassados that is an excellent starting place. The waitresses all wear a nice little mini skirt type of uniform which is a nice touch. Food is okay. Can usually see a couple of foreigners who work in the area there. They usually know the other places to go.

Other hotels include Anchor, which runs around 720 a night. Decent enough rooms but close to a market so can get a little noisy in the mornings.

The T'Boli hotel is another one is pretty good location and is a littl e more discreet as the rooms all have their own entrance to the parking lot. No need to go through the lobby.

The Sydney hotel is okay also though I haven't stayed there for quite some time. I think the price was in the order of 1200 pesos.

There is a hotel run by an Englishman called Cambridge farms. He's a nice guy and his place is okay, but it's in a strange location. Quiet and out of the way and difficult to explain how to get to it. Taxi drivers should know it. Runs around 900 a night.

If you want to stay on the beach a decent place is the Tropicana hotel. Bungalow type rooms on a fairly decent beach. Rooms are around 800 I think. Only trouble is it's about 20 min out of town.

Regarding night life there's only a couple of places I frequently go to. One is called the Superstar. It's just off the main road, National Highway, close to another joint called Pier 8. It's supposed to be a little more upmarket, read more expensive here, than Pier 8. The quality of girls varies, but there have been some real good lookers there. Bar fines are ridiculously high, somewhere in the 3000 range which I refuse to pay. Better to try to work out a deal to meet the next day. Haven't been able to get them out after hours as I guess the mamasan has them on a tight leash.

Pier 8 operates slightly different. No bar fine but you have to wait till the bar closes to take the girl out. Somewhere around 02:00. If the girl likes you can usually get away with about 1000 pesos for them. Girls quality is generally only average, but they are usually good fun.

There is a massage joint though I can't remember the name of it. Pretty nasty rooms and showers and I wouldn't recommend it. Saw a new place that had just opened but don't know what it offers.

One other place with girls is Nightshift though it's mainly a karaoke joint and I've never really seen anything decent in there.

Regarding just regular places to go, there is a place called Mamagaya's that had a live band and decent enough food. Haven't seen too much opportunity there to meet girls though as they usually come in large groups or with their boyfriends/husbands.

A very good restaurant is called Rancho Grill. I'd say best in town.

All in all Gen San is okay for a short visit. Longer if you are into diving as they have some really good sites. See Cambridge farms for the dive shop. Don't worry about the security thing. I've been going there for the past 5 years and haven't had an inkling of any worries regarding the safety of the place. It's easy to get around, with wide streets and traffic that flows well. Some nice trips outside the city where you can see some neat things. The road past the airport gives some neat scenery that is not what you would expect from a tropical climate. Looks more Mediterranean. Along that road you can stop at the Fish Port and see some strange and interesting catches. Just get there early before it is all sold and shipped out.

A trip up past Polomolok to the Dole Pineapple plantations is pretty neat. Can pick up a bundle of 3 big pineapples for 30 Peso. That's about 60 cents US.

Contrary to what MasterBlaster said, it is not under a security blanket and you are free to wander around. Yes there are areas about an hours drive away that you don't really need to go to, but as far as the city and it's immediate surroundings, don't worry.

Have fun.

[hornypirate]

SABANG!

I just came back from 2 weeks in Sabang and 2 weeks in Phuket. I was doing the taste test. Phuket won. But Sabang is still worth going to and I will be back, oh yes. Sabang is a little village in a small bay with exelent diving in and out of your hotel room. There are 4 discos (go go bars) and lots of hunters (free lancers) For scuba diving go to South Sea Divers ask for Sky or Paul. They offer superb service and are cool to just hang out with. In fact their dive shop is stratigicaly placed so that if you hang out there for a while you will see the whole population of Sabang walk by. During the day working girls and everbody else just cruises around and they eventualy will walk by. A friend of mine wanted to take a banka (small outrigger boat) to White Beach and suggested it would be more fun if I brought a date. No problem, I went to the dive shop, 5 min. later two girls to my taste waled by. I offred them lunch at White Beach, they went home and put on their bikinies and 10 min, later we were on our way. Life in Sabang is easy.

On to facts. Bar fine is 300 pesos and the girls want 1k for all night. Hunters usually want 1k but it is always negotible. If you want a quiet hotel try Sabang Inn or Sabang village on the edge of the bay ( 4nim. walk to the action) I stayed in Red Coral Inn (1k nite), action outside the front door. I could flip a quarter into the ocean from my balcony. Next door is big apple. Ask for Rebeca (one of the few girls with tits) she is heaps for fun and a willing partner. Tell her Andrew said "Buang"! If you are hungery try Captain Greg's huge portions and sunday the Hash House Harriers meet there. I don't recomend staying there. All of the diners there watch the girls comming out of your room in the morning and the manager/owner , I forget his name he has a pronounces Aussi accent, is an asshole The other highlite of Sabang , besides the diving was riding trail bikes with Sky. It was real National Geographic. Nacked villagers, water buffalow and river crossings. Sorry about the spelling in a hurry.

Any body have questions email me at [Email Address deleted by Admin]

Fight the good fight for the brotherhood of the long sword

Andrew

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[MasterBlaster]

Ipulltrains,

I hope you know for sure that the person you are talking to is an absolute babe. General Santos City is generally peaceful but you got to take precaution to arrange your own transportation and your own accomodation until you are absolutely sure who you are talking to. That place has a history of kidnappings. I suggest you request that you meet the entire family from the airport or from your hotel first and get a feel if they are really genuine. That is just customary in Filipino culture so don't hesitate to ask. The risk factors in GenSan are higher than in Davao City since the province is within a high conflict area. Try not to go out of the city either coz a lot of the areas outside of GenSan are high risk zones. The military has a security blanket around the area and that ensures a level of safety. I suggest you don't monger while you are trying to meet a local woman since it is a small town and everybody talks. You'll be surprised how many eyes are looking at you, looking after the benefit of the local woman and that includes the hotel staff. You are also going to be the news of the town since very few foreigners go to GenSan. Go to Davao City if you want to monger. It will just be a 3 hour bus ride. Hope you enjoy your trip. Check out http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/ for more information about GenSan.

MasterBlaster

[IPullTrains]

Hey fellas,

Does anyone have any experience in General Santos City ? I have confirmed that there are flights from Manila but can't find much info . I met a total BABE from there and since I was going to Davao anyway I want to meet her. I think Americans are relatively safe in that area , unlike the Southwestern parts. I would really appreciate any light on the subject from hotels to restaurants to working girls and our hobby . About all I know is that Manny Paciou is from that city, lol.

Thanks,

Tom

[Fastpiston]

Maybe I have too much respect for the sea, but I feel those bankas quite inadequate for a safe crossing of the Batangas Straite. I understand the current there runs at 10km. / hr. so better not capsize. I also heard that crossings have not been uneventful in the past. When I go back to Manila, I always check the sea first. Last time there were no waves, just huge swells. Not relaxing!

[Joe Banana]

I had the same experience at Batangas as Joe 100. Two guys got in my taxi and told me that there were no ferries that day. Bullshit. Best way for Sabang is get the ferry straight there rather than go to PG. I saw a cutie on the ferry and should have jumped at her there and then as I never saw her without a punter the whole time I was there. Travel back to Manila is probably best avoided on a Sunday as the traffic was horrendous.

[Pinay Lover]

Lucifer,

Looks like you've been at CDO for a while.

Good report especially about Pyramid KTV.

PL

[Firedick]

Luc69,

Great post. Concise, informative.

FD

[Lucifer69]

For Cagayan you can check out some of the places in the Capistrano Street area. Most places have dancing girs.

1. Gion. One of the nicer places with some real good lookers and not too pressuring thought they will ask if you want a girl and then drinks are about 1 or two per hour depending on singles or doubles.

2. Ontic. Probably a few more girls than Gion, but quality maybe slightly less. Again not too pressuring if you put your foot down.

3. Thrives, upstairs. Not too many girsl but some real good looking ones. Very very expensive though and always pushing ladies drinks.

4. Mic 'n Mucs. Upstairs, some decent looking girls, uncomfortable chairs, ladies drinks expensive, bar fines exhorbitant.

5. Lexis Bar. Not a dance joint but have a good band and usually a few freelance or office girls looking for extra cash.

6. Homecourt. Only went in once. didn't seem like too many girls neither here nor there.

7. Pyramid KTV. They've moved from the Lim Ket Kai area and opened up near the new Macro. Used to have some real good lookers dancing in front then VIP rooms in the back. Expensive.

8. There are also numerous small, unairconditioned dance joints that often have diamonds in the rough, though the places are ususally hot, smoky and lacking any selection of beer. usually just pilsen and not always cold.

9. another place that often had quite young girls was called Txters 8 or something like that.

All in all there is plenty of tail to be had. Takes a bit of time to get the hang of the place. But once they know you generally they won't mess with you too much. Bar fines can vary from 1500 to 3500. The 3500 is from the higher class joints but if the girl likes you then you can just arrange to meet them after work, or the next afternoon.

Enjoy.

[Mecklenburg10]

I want go next month to the PH. Does anyone have some informations about Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Orientel? Where to find girls? I need somes adresses and advice!

Thanks a lot in advance!

[Joe100]

As part of my first trip to the pi, I and a friend visited Puerto Galera / Sabang, Mindoro.

For those who are visiting mindoro for the first time, a word about ferries. We got a taxi from Angeles to Batangas pier. On approaching Batangas pier, our taximan was more or less forced to stop and although I don' t understand Tagalog, i can read body language as good as the next man. I reckon they were trying to muscle in and get him to drive us to their dodgy banka boat. One of them proceeded to make himself at home in the front passenger seat when we told him in no uncertain terms to get the hell out of our taxi. Don't fall for this bullshit.

Same deal when we got to the pier - the porter was trying to get us to go with some dodgy banka deal.

The crossing takes a good 1hr.30min and if your not used to this sort of thing, it can be quite scary. In our case, our small ferry was taking quite a beating every couple of minutes.

We arrived in puerto galera and moved to sabang via trike. Note that the road between the two is a hilly mud track. Got beachfront accomodation for 800/night - probably the best accomodation we had whilst on the trip.

Now for the interesting part. There are about four 'bars' in Sabang - its a small place and you'll find them all within a few minutes. Bar fines are the same as angeles as far as i can see. Obviously the setup doesnt compare with angeles but theres enough talent around for one to have a good time. In edition, freelancers (many of home also work in the bars) work out of 'Eddies Place' and 'Big Apple' which are nice places to hang out at any time of the day or night (They're open 24 hours).

Theres also a normal disco in Sabang which fills with bar girls once the bars close at 2am.

[MasterBlaster]

GE,

Your optimism is admirable. More power to you.

MasterBlaster

[GoodEnough]

MasterBlaster:

Your cynicism is well-founded and what you say is true. Nonetheless, the economic situation in those areas is actually improving with major investments from overseas corporations. I think, or at least I hope, that as more employment gets created and more opportunities open up for local residents, the temptation to pick up arms will decrease. This is not utter naivete, and I have worked in war torn areas for years. The fact is though, that most people are sick of war, tired of denying their children educational opportunities due to armed conflict, and looking for an alternative. The Muslim area in Mindanao is one of the only truly democratic Muslim governments in the world, totally secular, with ample representation of women and operating from a reasonably transparent legal framework I'm not sure it's going to succeed ultimately, but people are really trying to secure the peace and to expand democratic institutions. It's cause for some optimism.

GE

[Pinay Lover]

Has anyone checked out some of the KTV Bars around the Libis or Cainta area? I hear some of the guys at work talking about places called Genie or Loveboat. Names don't sound familiar since I don't drive in those areas. Just wondering if its worth a look and if girls can be picked up from these kinds of establishments.