Angeles City

[Hutsori]

I believe Israel is the first one on the scene with medical and aid. Israel was first in Haiti after the earthquake and first to Leyte after Yolanda.

At first Obama and the Pope said they would give US100 k each for Yolanda. Don't think America doesn't extract benefits for its aid around the world. It may not end up in your pocket or mine, just ask Dick Cheney who's pocket it ends up in?

OK, Yolanda was Friday, 8 Nov 2013 and the reports of the devastation started hitting the press on Saturday.

On November 9, U.S. Charg dAffaires, a.i., Brian L. Goldbeck declared a disaster in the Philippines due to the effects of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. In response, USAID authorized an initial drawdown of $10 million from the USAID/OFDA Response Fund to support immediate response efforts, including procuring, transporting, and distributing emergency relief commodities and improving access to sanitation facilities for typhoon-affected populations.

I know on 9 November a reconnaissance by JUSMAG-PHIL travelled to the affected area to do an assessment. This was the first done by any outside government. On 10 Nov ninety Marines arrived and US Hercules were conducting support missions on 11 Nov, which included delivering marines and aid workers. On the 12th several hundred members of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade were in the Philippines with Ospreys and more Hercules, and the Marines transported in a Japanese medical team in 14 Nov. By 13 Nov five US Navy ships were on station and conducting operations. The first UK aid flight arrived on the 13th. The USS George Washington and its fleet arrived in Leyte on 14 Nov, and this added another 21 helicopters to the relief effort. It had been in Hong Kong during the typhoon. The Israeli medical team arrived in Bogo, Cebu on 14 Nov and the hospital was functioning there on 15 Nov. The Australians also arrived in Cebu on 13 Nov and had a medical aid centre running in Tacloban on the 14th.

Seems to me the Yanks did a lot and were the first there.

Why do we give aid to the Middle East? Only to insure an oil supply.

84% of US petroleum imports (oil, natural gas, etc) come from outside the Persian Gulf. Canada is its number one supplier by a wide margin, which suggests to me Canada ought to be doing much more to foment instability in the Middle East. ;)

Only 1/4 of US petroleum consumption comes from abroad. Because oil is a global commodity, and the most vital one at that, a disruption in the supply will have a knock-on effect, for example disrupt Kuwaiti production and the price of Canadian (and US) oil spikes because those more dependent on Gulf oil will look to alternate suppliers to make up the shortfall. "Only to ensure an oil supply" fits nicely on a bumper sticker, but it really isn't indicative of a thoughtful analysis. Complex situations are multi-faceted, which is my bumper sticker response.

[Goatscrot]

Somebody calculated that the money that the US has spent in the Middle East is as if a gallon of gas costs something like $100. It is more complicated than mere oil supply. US foreign policy has been hijacked by the Israel lobby much as domestic policy is controlled by the gun lobby.

Spot on. And sad that this will continue.

[Member #4566]

Why do we give aid to the Middle East? Only to insure an oil supply.

Somebody calculated that the money that the US has spent in the Middle East is as if a gallon of gas costs something like $100. It is more complicated than mere oil supply. US foreign policy has been hijacked by the Israel lobby much as domestic policy is controlled by the gun lobby.

[AllTooHorny]

I believe Israel is the first one on the scene with medical and aid. Israel was first in Haiti after the earthquake and first to Leyte after Yolanda.

At first Obama and the Pope said they would give US100 k each for Yolanda. Don't think America doesn't extract benefits for its aid around the world. It may not end up in your pocket or mine, just ask Dick Cheney who's pocket it ends up in?

Why do we give aid to the Middle East? Only to insure an oil supply.

No, the Dominican Republic was the first to provide aid to Haiti after the earthquake.

[NapaSlapper]

Hi NS,

I seriously have no idea what you're talking about.

I personally have 2 Atlantis mamasans as friends (both on fb and f2 f), one of which I hung out with just a couple weeks ago.

She's been a mamasan in Atlantis for easily 7 years, so you obviously have your facts wrong this point.

Moreover, many times have I seen tropix, Crystal Palace and Club Asia (prior to being sold) place signs outside saying they are looking to hire mamasans.

I will also reiterate what I have said before. If the girl is drinks only (mens, virgin, not interested in you from the stage due to your apperance / race) - laser her and she will sign with her hand that she's only willing to have drinks. It's not optional, it's a club policy..

With due respect, you are giving out complete wrong advice, in fact so wrong that I am wondering what your angle is.

Only last night me and a group of friends were in Atlantis, I had joked with the manager that I had heard online that girls have to give hand signals if they are available for drinks only, he nearly spat his beer out laughing, his reply, that would make almost all the girls very unhappy indeed.

Will happily have a beer with you at Atlantis, introduce you to the owners / managers you can point out your friends that claim they are mamasuns and let management know of your claims that its their policy to have girls give hand signals.

Maybe then you will be kind enough to come back to this board and supply corrected information to the members, I await your pm, thanks.

[Member #4566]

This I do not get. Don't pick up a chick off the street that you can see right there and then, but feel free to pick one up off the internet?

I believe that the girls in AC can be more conniving than elsewhere in the PI. Yes, I would include the Net with street hustlers. Careful with age, with possessions, and false (r) ape claims. It only has to happen once. I am not being alarmist. I have personal and vicarious knowledge.

[Omega 3]

I believe that the Angelenos have been dealing with great numbers of foreigners for such a long period of time that they have developed extra sophistication in their efforts to exploit them. Be skeptical of all male Filipino entreaties of friendship. Never pick up a girl on the street. Fly below the radar. Don't get drunk. Don't get anybody angry.

Pompe,

Eminently sound advice. Having said that, of course as we all know, good folk can be found everywhere, including Angeles. We also are all aware, however, of the undercurrent of latent violence in the Philippines, due to many reasons, one of which perhaps is resentment stemming from the perceived "life is so unfair" situation wherein undeserving and unappreciative foreigners have so much, when the more deserving Filipino has so little. Plus, of course, the Latin / Malay / Filipino temperament overlay.

Crazy4 Thai, as I recall, we may have an Angeles Flying Club too (or at least the beginnings of one). Recall a couple of years ago, a guest took a header from an upper floor of Queens Hotel, and landed on the concrete pool deck. No suicide note, and never really determined whether or not he might have been "assisted".

Just had a flashback of Valeria asking Conan: "Do you want to live forever"? (ca 1982).

OM.

[Threadbare]

Heading to Angeles for 7 or 8 days late next week. Interested in possible one night diversion to Subic. Any thoughts. Is it worth going there to check it out. Or maybe is it just a smaller version of Angeles.

Thanks for any opinions.

You may find my recent post on Subic useful. I was there early February for 3 nights, good fun as there is a beach and floating bars to amuse you during the day, but it was pretty quiet when I was there. Easy to get there, Swaggy bus will collect you at your hotel in AC and drop you back when you want to return. Arrange through respective hotel reception. It leaves around 10 am every day, costs 500 ps each way and takes around 1 and a half hours door to door. Southern Cross bus can be arranged also, I think through Wild Orchid Resort. Enjoy.

[Mr Enternational]

Never pick up a girl on the street.

This I do not get. Don't pick up a chick off the street that you can see right there and then, but feel free to pick one up off the internet?

[BaboyDave]

Have to dispute your claims, why, because the doll house group does not employ mamasans, what they do have is waitresses, greeter girls and a foreign manager but absolutely no mamasuns.

All girls are interviewed and employed by the doll house group directly, they are not controlled by mamasuns.

As far as girls giving hand signals if available I have never seen this on my many visits over many years to the dhg bars.

Hi NS,

I seriously have no idea what you're talking about.

I personally have 2 Atlantis mamasans as friends (both on fb and f2 f), one of which I hung out with just a couple weeks ago.

She's been a mamasan in Atlantis for easily 7 years, so you obviously have your facts wrong this point.

Moreover, many times have I seen tropix, Crystal Palace and Club Asia (prior to being sold) place signs outside saying they are looking to hire mamasans.

I will also reiterate what I have said before. If the girl is drinks only (mens, virgin, not interested in you from the stage due to your apperance / race) - laser her and she will sign with her hand that she's only willing to have drinks. It's not optional, it's a club policy.

Once the girl sat down with you without stating this, she may still refuse if she realises you are very drunk, have horrible breath or an agressive attitude. If she wishes to refuse after sitting down, once you leave the bar, she will need to explain to her mamasan why she wouldn't go, and at some cases if her reason is not satisfying to her mama, or if she hasn't been otherwise barfined or what not, the mama may, at her own discretion, fine the girl for losing them both business.

I really can't say this is the case in all Angeles bars, but am positive it is this way in Atlantis.

Enjoy,

Dave.

[Member #4566]

As to Angeles specifically
GE.

I believe that the Angelenos have been dealing with great numbers of foreigners for such a long period of time that they have developed extra sophistication in their efforts to exploit them. Be skeptical of all male Filipino entreaties of friendship. Never pick up a girl on the street. Fly below the radar. Don't get drunk. Don't get anybody angry.

[ChicoBarca]

Well, the amusing part is that even though Brazil has a high crime rate and is on top of every stats published most crime are related to drug gangs and as well family violence. So as for a tourist it is not that dangerous, and I say not that dangerous because it is not without risk to go to certain areas. But I have been more than 20 times in Brazil and have never been in a situation where I have been even near to be mugged. And for the record I'm a night monger, but avoid certain spots in every city I visit.

Chico.

I always find it amusing that so many are in denial about the need to exercise great care in the Philippines. NapaSlapper is absoluitely correct. If one is still unconvinced by the facts, just ask impartial Filipinos! I do know that the Philippnes tourism businesses unsurprisingly also try and surpress news of criminal activity. Trying to argue equivalence between Thailand and Philippines is really a time wasting exercise. It is more meaningful to compare Thailand with Europe or US; and Philippines with contries like Cambodia, Brazil.

[D Cups]

Read the Subic forum, William. The answer is yes.

Heading to Angeles for 7 or 8 days late next week. Interested in possible one night diversion to Subic. Any thoughts. Is it worth going there to check it out. Or maybe is it just a smaller version of Angeles.

Thanks for any opinions.

.

[NapaSlapper]

I doubt that any third world countries that rely heavily on tourism would publish reliable statistics, and though I worked in Thailand it was a long time ago so my knowledge of the current situation is limited. In the Philippines, threats to personal safety are largely dependent on where you happen to be. The Greenbelt area of Manila, and BGC are as safe as similar upscale areas in the West. For tourists, Davao and IlioIlo are safe, with little risk of harm. Zamboanga, Marawi, and Jolo or unstable, unsafe, and risky. I'm only citing these cities to suggest that it's foolish to generalize about an entire country with any accuracy.

As to Angeles specifically, it's not as safe as Greenbelt in Makati or BGC in Taguig, but neither is it nearly as dangerous and some of the other cities I've citied. Yes, there are muggers and pickpockets, and yes, it's safer to take a car to Walking Street or along Fields than it is to walk. It's safer still to take a car and go with a buddy.

GE.

Would you say that the foreigners who were shot dead execution style in the back of the head in broad daylight one on perimeter road and one at norms exchange for very small gains make the streets of Angeles safe? Far from it IMHO.

Would foreigners wanting to visit the nearest beaches of Davao by taking a couple of minute boat ride and staying at a very exclusive resort full of armed guards only to be kidnapped and beheaded by terrorists safe?

http://globalnews.ca/news/2661185/ti...e-philippines/

As far as greenbelt in Makati the head office of my company is based there, my monthly wage bill for heavily armed security is in excess or 200,000 pesos, why do we and our pinoy workers feel we need security is because of the scum that roam the streets of Makati, I have offices in London where I conduct the same business and have zero security, I have offices in Bangkok / Pattaya and Phuket where I have zero security.

Not sure what type of 1st world cities some grew up in but they sure must be some dodgy cities to be compared to the very high crime rate all over the Phills.

[GoodEnough]

I always find it amusing that so many are in denial about the need to exercise great care in the Philippines. NapaSlapper is absoluitely correct. If one is still unconvinced by the facts, just ask impartial Filipinos! I do know that the Philippnes tourism businesses unsurprisingly also try and surpress news of criminal activity. Trying to argue equivalence between Thailand and Philippines is really a time wasting exercise. It is more meaningful to compare Thailand with Europe or US; and Philippines with contries like Cambodia, Brazil.

I doubt that any third world countries that rely heavily on tourism would publish reliable statistics, and though I worked in Thailand it was a long time ago so my knowledge of the current situation is limited. In the Philippines, threats to personal safety are largely dependent on where you happen to be. The Greenbelt area of Manila, and BGC are as safe as similar upscale areas in the West. For tourists, Davao and IlioIlo are safe, with little risk of harm. Zamboanga, Marawi, and Jolo or unstable, unsafe, and risky. I'm only citing these cities to suggest that it's foolish to generalize about an entire country with any accuracy.

As to Angeles specifically, it's not as safe as Greenbelt in Makati or BGC in Taguig, but neither is it nearly as dangerous and some of the other cities I've citied. Yes, there are muggers and pickpockets, and yes, it's safer to take a car to Walking Street or along Fields than it is to walk. It's safer still to take a car and go with a buddy.

GE.