Angeles City

[Dark Vader]

Exactly. It took me all of once to learn that lesson. The Philippines is no doubt a country where it is better to bring cash to exchange rather than using an ATM. The same thing happens when I am buying my ticket on Cebu Pacific online. If you choose to pay by the US $ option the rate of exchange that they use will screw you.

The Mastercard / Visa wholesale exchange rates are generally the most competitive rates that you (as a private citizen) are likely to be able to get. What screws it up is the loading / fees that may be applied by your card provider or the local bank. There are 3 types of fees:

• 1) An exchange rate loading applied by your card provider.
• 2) ATM withdrawal fees charged by your card provider.
• 3) Cash withdrawal fees charged by the ATM provider.

If you shop around you can generally find card providers that will not charge (1) and (2). (3) is harder to avoid but banks like Citibank on MacArthur do not charge withdrawal fees.

https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/

http://usa.visa.com/personal/card-be...calculator.jsp

[KEriksson]

KE: Only two posts. When your membership is fully-paid and you become a member here, please PM me (or other board regulars) and I have some good info for you regarding this.

If you had given me some polite answers instead if playing smartass maybe I would have stayed here.

[Econo Tech]

along the same thread, the last time one of my acquaintances was in town for his second visit, he was reporting that at one larger walking street bars, that 30 of the dancers had been reported to have hiv. amazing that rumors like this even get started here (especially from a new visitor) ... since that would indicate that the testing is indeed very comprehensive which it is not.

there are always a few cherry girls rep001tered about the bars... that would reduce the risk... almost to nothing.

munch.

if you know filipinos, when they have a fall out, one common way to seek revenge on the other is to accuse the other of having hiv.

heck even kris aquino went on tv to accuse her then ex of having given her std.

recently a friend accused her ex of being infected with hiv, mers ands a few std.

i knew better than to ask her which of these i will get from her, while i was snagging her brains off.

p.s, knowing a doctor, was told for the payment they get, health certification is limited to height, weight etc and a cursory inspection of the body.

does the city council pay for complete medical?

[Mr Enternational]

Hmmm, neither am I charged with fees for ATM transactions and I can speak for my bank only, but the exchange rates I usually get after a withdrawal, my goodness, I'm in tears every time. So from my experience I try to avoid it.

Exactly. It took me all of once to learn that lesson. The Philippines is no doubt a country where it is better to bring cash to exchange rather than using an ATM. The same thing happens when I am buying my ticket on Cebu Pacific online. If you choose to pay by the US $ option the rate of exchange that they use will screw you.

[Ekspat]

but I have found that the exchange rates that I get from my bank for ATM withdrawals in foreign currencies are very competitive and often better than money changer rates.Of course, I also have an account which does not charge me for foreign ATM transactions.

Hmmm, neither am I charged with fees for ATM transactions and I can speak for my bank only, but the exchange rates I usually get after a withdrawal, my goodness, I'm in tears every time. So from my experience I try to avoid it.

[Ekspat]

I want to invite Eks, too, if you are there then.

Too bad, I won't be around. Me now in Makati, going back to Malaysia early June. Then back in Makati 29th of June. Anyone free for a SMB in Burgos?

[Capt Munch]

interesting that only foreigners can give pinays hiv and not the outer way around.

wr.

i found that comment also interesting... even though any actual reported numbers here in the philippines still seem to indicate the new cases are predominantly a result of homosexual contact and drug users. (i am not quoting a reference specifically, but the newspapers generally report this somewhat monthly at approx. 80% falling in these two categories) maybe this is for everybody's peace of mind.

i had a conversation with a tourist here recently about basically this. he was asking about the "hygiene" checks that the girls undergo here in ac and was wondering how often they get tested for hiv / aids.

i did try to tell him that the weekly checks were very "basic" and to the best of my knowledge... any extensive checks happen... never?

i did suggest that hiv / aids testing is available (and where) ... so maybe he will be on a mission to provide some of the young ladies with testing. who knows?

along the same thread, the last time one of my acquaintances was in town for his second visit, he was reporting that at one larger walking street bars, that 30 of the dancers had been reported to have hiv. amazing that rumors like this even get started here (especially from a new visitor) ... since that would indicate that the testing is indeed very comprehensive which it is not.

there are always a few cherry girls rep001tered about the bars... that would reduce the risk... almost to nothing.

munch.

[Capt Munch]

Shouldn't be a problem. I have used the ATM's in front of ABC Hotel and near Jollybee at Checkpoint. Nothing to complain. The ATM's in SM mall work as well.

Nothing to worry! Only thing, probably your bank will give you a lousy exchange rate.

Enjoy!

Ekspat,

I know you are a veteran of Angeles. And have probably used the ATMs more than I have (which would be never).

Just a word of caution for the travelers coming here, there have been a couple of incidents of reported "skimming" devices here. This is not unique to the Philippines and the same caution should be used anywhere nowadays.

I don't use the ATM's here but I have noticed that more of the ATMs have the lighted blinking card slot which I think is supposed to help identify the there is NOT a skimmer in place.

This article from today.

2 Bulgarians held for ATM skimming.

By Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu (The Philippine Star).

Updated May 20,2014 - 12:00 am.

Camp Olivas, Pampanga, Philippines Police officers arrested two Bulgarian men for allegedly putting a skimming device in an automated teller machine (ATM) at a mall in Mexico, Pampanga.

Mladenov Emil Stoyanov, 22, and Karnev Lyuven Georgeiv, 28, were arrested after a bank client reported to the mall security guards that the ATM has two pin pads with a card skimmer, said Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, Police Regional Office 3 director.

Petrasanta said before the arrest, the suspects were seen loitering and watching the ATM booth.

The two were held by mall security guards until police officers arrived.

Investigators reportedly found in the suspects' possession three data cables that matched the ATM card skimmer, a screwdriver and a laptop computer with decoding software.

Petrasanta said they have coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) office in Clark Freeport to verify the status of the Bulgarians.

Link: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/...d-atm-skimming.

This was supposedly at the SM Mall in San Fernando. Though not here in Angeles City, it is the second report that I know of this year. Maybe the news reports that make the print are the ones where those pesky foreigners are responsible and there are actually more incidents than that.

[Capt Munch]

Meanwhile, if anyone spots any busty babes prior to my arrival I would really appreciate details. Thanks, guys!

DC,

Saw one yesterday. Prancing down Walking Street with the obvious assets you might like.

As you know, they are here. Just somewhat in the minority.

It will require quite a bit of research.

I couldn't tell by her clothes what bar she might have worked at (may have been a waitress), but an obvious veteran here.

Munch

[Capt Munch]

maybe if they truly wanted to stop all bar fining, they should close hygiene and stop issuing the girls licenses to work in the bar...wait that will stop the money.

sure. and if you wanted to believe in this perfect world. in the pi.

all those same city agencies that are responsible for issuing the "said" licenses would also somehow be responsible for checking the birth dates as required for the young ladies licenses.

and, there wouldn't be a problem for the bar owners having **** girls working in their bars.

right?

but then, the new raids are more about the girls being trafficked and less about the **** issue.

i was talking yesterday with a fellow that suggested that if you see a few filipinos in a bar buying girls lots of drinks and trying to get them to "go out" then it may be time to make a hasty departure from that venue. seemed like good advice!

munch

[Robbaf]

From the local news. Here in Angeles City (as of last night, April 20th, Valhalla apeared open and Gecko's did not).

He said that during the raid, the CIDG rescued dozens of women allegedly being trafficked and pimped for sexual services to foreign nationals were rescued and are under the care of police, while the Angeles City Prosecutor's Office found probable cause to indict for violation of are. A .9208 WE 4 you / Valhalla Resto Bar owners Rodnie E. Pilapil, Lerma M. Marbell and Matilde S. Cruz, and Gecko Cocktail Bar operators Fe Eleanor Germina and Jacklyn Sagun.

"We will hunt them down if necessary so they better wake up to the fact that there will be zero tolerance for human traffickers who will stand accountable for their criminal offending in court. Aside from that, the victims are again being placed in grave danger because of the very real risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS and HIV from these foreign nationals," stressed Bruno. (JTD).

Published in the Sun. Star Pampanga newspaper on May 21,2014.

Link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/l...>-rings-343920.

Maybe if they truly wanted to stop all bar fining, they should close hygiene and stop issuing the girls licenses to work in the bar...wait that will stop the money.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Care to kindly share the Bank and / cc? I have a Chase card that doesn't charge transaction fees. Not sure of the rest as I have never tried for fear of the unknown fees.

To DG8787.

I have a chase freedom visa they charge in ATM oversea they always charge me a transaction fee.

Fast eddie 48.

[Chris Long]

Hi Chris! I'll be in AC June 23 - 26 at Orchid Inn. Let me buy you some beer -- I have been wanting to thank you for all your great travel info. I want to invite Eks, too, if you are there then. Meanwhile, if anyone spots any busty babes prior to my arrival I would really appreciate details. Thanks, guys!

I should be there at that time I arrive in country May 30th and will be in Asia until August 11th. I'll PM you my number once I arrive in country.

Chris

[Chris Long]

Shouldn't be a problem. I have used the ATM's in front of ABC Hotel and near Jollybee at Checkpoint. Nothing to complain. The ATM's in SM mall work as well.

Nothing to worry! Only thing, probably your bank will give you a lousy exchange rate.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the information very helpful.

Chris

[Wicked Roger]

Aside from that, the victims are again being placed in grave danger because of the very real risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS and HIV from these foreign nationals," stressed Bruno. (JTD).

Published in the Sun. Star Pampanga newspaper on May 21,2014.

Link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/l...>-rings-343920.

Interesting that only foreigners can give pinays HIV and not the outer way around. Similarly he does not mention the use of condoms LOL.

And when I travelled to BKK a while back with 2 cuties they we told "only the westerners traffic girls so you must be careful" - while trying to get their contact details LOL.

Works one way only and is why it is more fun in the Philippines.