Angeles City

[Goferring]

Hi folks. Thanks for the inputs on my earlier query on mid week action. I have booked a stay for a couple of days at the grand central hotel but am having some issues related to my booking thru a third party website. I am trying to reach the hotel on the number that I got during the booking but am unable to get thru. I have also done a search online for the contact number for this hotel but none of them seem to work. A long shot here. Reaching out to see if anyone here may have the correct hotel phone number to share. Don't want to end up arriving there only to find out they don't have a room for me. Thanks!

I'd be interested in how your stay goes. Its a great location but I don't know if the shutdown during Covid lead to renovation or getting run down??

Enjoy. G.

[Nona]

Hi folks. Thanks for the inputs on my earlier query on mid week action. I have booked a stay for a couple of days at the grand central hotel but am having some issues related to my booking thru a third party website. I am trying to reach the hotel on the number that I got during the booking but am unable to get thru. I have also done a search online for the contact number for this hotel but none of them seem to work. A long shot here. Reaching out to see if anyone here may have the correct hotel phone number to share. Don't want to end up arriving there only to find out they don't have a room for me. Thanks!

[Dg8787]

Although people get excited over that. 30 difference in the rate, it doesn't add up to much. For exchanging $200 US, you would get an extra 60 pesos or just a little over $1 US. Yes, it is always nice to get an extra dollar but I wouldn't jump for joy over it.

I wasn't jumping for joy but merely informing people. An inflated US $1. 00 certainly isn't worth much to us these days but passing it as a tip to the room attendant certainly does. After all a dollar saved is a dollar earned!

[ForkTruck]

Although people get excited over that. 30 difference in the rate, it doesn't add up to much. For exchanging $200 US, you would get an extra 60 pesos or just a little over $1 US. Yes, it is always nice to get an extra dollar but I wouldn't jump for joy over it.

After a 50 php trike ride to and again back you have lost money. I know people that will drive an extra 10 miles out of their way to save 2 cents on a gallon on gas. 10 gallons pumped is saving a total of 20 cents and they spent $10 dollars driving around, go figure.

FL.

[MoonShot]

A friend today, April 10 exchanged USD at Normas for 56.10. Heck of a good rate. Prime rate was 56.23. Other money exchangers were at 55.80.

Also noted Genesis 7 am bus from NAIA T3 to SM Clark took 90 minutes.

Although people get excited over that. 30 difference in the rate, it doesn't add up to much. For exchanging $200 US, you would get an extra 60 pesos or just a little over $1 US. Yes, it is always nice to get an extra dollar but I wouldn't jump for joy over it.

[Thampi62]

A friend today, April 10 exchanged USD at Normas for 56.10. Heck of a good rate. Prime rate was 56.23. Other money exchangers were at 55.80.

Also noted Genesis 7 am bus from NAIA T3 to SM Clark took 90 minutes.

Happy to hear the Genesis bus started to operate. And an early morning trip of of 90 minutes is amazing. And read it as it starts every hour.

[Transporter]

Last time, I checked them all. There are a series of money exchangers across MacArthur from Johnnys down to opposite McDonalds, then all the way up Fields, including the shops opposite Phillies etc. And Normas. Though on the second last of those visits Normas was best, I also got a good rate on one of the pawn shops opposite Phillies and one one of the shops opposite McDonalds / Phillies. Interestingly, a place directly oposite Johnnys had been best a year ago but this time, when I truthfully told them others had better rates, they told me to flk off.

Though Normas is popular with the hired hos, this time vans full of Koreans were pulling up to it, probably getting a good deal with kick backs.

P.

Her posted rates are the rates she uses for the general customers. If you are one of her regulars she will give you a better rate. Even if her daughter or someone else is working the window and she is doing something else, if she recognizes you, she will motion you to come in the back and take care of you.

[Dg8787]

Last time, I checked them all. There are a series of money exchangers across MacArthur from Johnnys down to opposite McDonalds, then all the way up Fields, including the shops opposite Phillies etc. And Normas. Though on the second last of those visits Normas was best, I also got a good rate on one of the pawn shops opposite Phillies and one one of the shops opposite McDonalds / Phillies. Interestingly, a place directly oposite Johnnys had been best a year ago but this time, when I truthfully told them others had better rates, they told me to flk off.

Though Normas is popular with the hired hos, this time vans full of Koreans were pulling up to it, probably getting a good deal with kick backs..

I didn't know that many girls went to Norma's. Norma's has fluctuated at times and has been lower than the others. Normally Norma's is. 2 pesos higher. Money exchange is a tough business. You don't want to get caught holding the wrong currency when it goes up or down.

[WestCoast1]

Also noted Genesis 7 am bus from NAIA T3 to SM Clark took 90 minutes.

Auto and foot traffic was light here the past few days. I think the Dept of Ed closed schools due to excess heat; Tuesday was Valor day (Veterans? And today is Eid'l Fitr holiday.

Back to normal tomorrow.

[Jarango]

A friend today, April 10 exchanged USD at Normas for 56.10. Heck of a good rate. Prime rate was 56.23. Other money exchangers were at 55.80.

Last time, I checked them all. There are a series of money exchangers across MacArthur from Johnnys down to opposite McDonalds, then all the way up Fields, including the shops opposite Phillies etc. And Normas. Though on the second last of those visits Normas was best, I also got a good rate on one of the pawn shops opposite Phillies and one one of the shops opposite McDonalds / Phillies. Interestingly, a place directly oposite Johnnys had been best a year ago but this time, when I truthfully told them others had better rates, they told me to flk off.

Though Normas is popular with the hired hos, this time vans full of Koreans were pulling up to it, probably getting a good deal with kick backs.

P.

[Dg8787]

A friend today, April 10 exchanged USD at Normas for 56.10. Heck of a good rate. Prime rate was 56.23. Other money exchangers were at 55.80.

Also noted Genesis 7 am bus from NAIA T3 to SM Clark took 90 minutes.

[GreenBud]

I can confirm that Camelot has reopened under a different name, which I forgot. I haven't been in there yet, but will report back.

I believe last year it was still Camelot.

Now there is a sign that says Zeus Bar. But the large sign that says Camelot on top is still there.

At 5 pm today, talent was marginal. But I like the remodel.

[WestCoast1]

I like to use words like "around", "about", "several", "few". My memory is not computer-like no more! And I like to be factually correct in my writings.

Same. Several of us have mentioned before, that for security reasons, its not a good idea to post FR's while still in town (and I recommend others do the same). Also I say things like "not mentioned here", regarding people or places or names, for the same reason. Example: "I went into a WS bar recently and spoke to a mama (names not mentioned here) about this situation. She told me such-and-such". Mentioning the name of the bar or the mama is a security risk. I realize that soon I will need to explain why to some rube in PM. I realize that not everyone is security-oriented "Westy, I go to AC so that I don't have to worry about this kinda bullsh*t". Check, and good for you.

Here's the backstory on Camelot. Several / many years ago, the bar was raided. There was an under-aged girl working there. The mamasan was arrested, and she spent many years in jail. The American owner skipped town. Camelot was closed for many years. Another low-life American skipped out on his bills. This is at least the 2nd American that got scared, and skipped town without paying his bills. At least the Koreans pay the bribe, and re-opened quickly.

Good history. I was there at the time, and I think I mentioned the raid in an FR back around 2016.

[GreenBud]

at least get your facts right before posting.

That is so funny coming from you!

Maybe making a recent visit will have you better informed, Camelot as well as other bars have closed down some time back.

Again you're wrong. How would you know if you've never been to Angeles.

Camelot was open around November and / or January for numerous nights. I believe it was open for both months. It was open yesterday on April 8. I believe it re-opened during 2023 (Wasn't it around January of 2023?). Some bars close on Mondays, some bars close on and off.

I like to use words like "around", "about", "several", "few". My memory is not computer-like no more! And I like to be factually correct in my writings.

Here's the backstory on Camelot. Several / many years ago, the bar was raided. There was an under-aged girl working there. The mamasan was arrested, and she spent many years in jail. The American owner skipped town. Camelot was closed for many years. Another low-life American skipped out on his bills. This is at least the 2nd American that got scared, and skipped town without paying his bills. At least the Koreans pay the bribe, and re-opened quickly.

But in defense of the Americans, the cost would have been large. Since the girl was under-aged, I'm guessing the bribe would have been huge. Also, the owner simply cannot terminate his permanent staff without cost. His permanent employees will be people like the doorman, bartenders, cashiers, and cooks. Waitresses (who are paid below minimum wage) and bargirls are normally not permanent employees. Permanent employees pay into SSS (the Philippine Social Security).

I heard of a bar owner that had to pay one of his permanent employee 50 K pesos because he fired him incorrectly. But on the other side, an employee cannot quit without notice. He has to give a 4 week notice; if he doesn't, the owner can sue him for economic damage.

[A Traveler]

Don't believe the NonSense on this forum. Barfines range from 4,000 to 5,000, (with one easily anvoided exception) and there are more pretty, young, slim girls than I can handle. Sure, some bars only have fuglies, but bars like Viking, Shooters, Geckos, and Avalon are well stocked with hotties. All the girls I bought drinks for barfined.

My biggest problems are who to boom boom next, girls I liked not wanting to repeat with me, and the high cost of drinks and barfines.