Manila

[Econo Tech]

Longtime visitors or regular ones might consider opening an account with BdO, Metrobank etc. Deposits at the local branch are free, other branches will charge 50 Peso. A hotel address worked for me. You need to maintain a minimum balance of 2000 peso.

Those familiar with Manila would simply change an amount of money into peso at their preferred venue. Then proceed to the bank, deposit the pesos and from now on use the atms of that bank for free. The big banks are present in all provincial centers.

Dollar accounts can offer the same service. Deposit US $ and draw on the money in Peso through the ATMs.

The risk of theft is way higher than minor exchange rate differences. The RP ATM cards have the benefit that you dont need to worry if that specific ATM is hooked up to the same network as your foreign bank.

Did I mention the skirts of those BdO ladies? I better dont.

Didn't know banks accept hotels as addresses. Considering the amount I spend on the Cirrus/Maestro withdrawal, your suggestion seems better.

And the banks when I asked here (all Philippine Banks have branches in Singapore.) all insisted a load of documents, Philippines style. Maybe to drown me in paperwork.

Let me give it a shot during my next visit.

[Econo Tech]

I wouldn't think another thing about it mate.

Not all girls go out looking for punters because they need the money. Some of these girls have more than enough money and they just like being chased after and having sex.

If she is not a "prostie" then giving her money she doesn't need may well be more of an insult to her than NOT giving it to her.

Ok, before I get called for ranting, my 0.02 $ worth.

I have had enough Filipino/filipina friends, professionals, and middle class, who would not fuck for money, and if at all they need money, they will ask for say. "it's late. Can I get some cash for taxi" and it is only taxi fare. If you palm them 3, 000 peso, you will get back 2, 500 and keep just the amount for taxi fare.

So, my justification is simple. If she did expect money the first day, it would have been nice to give her some on the second day as well, considering the cost of living and earning capacity in Philippines, a few more thousand peso would have kept her off the street, as those girls who part time would prefer to not to be fucking and spend quality time with their friends and family.

Now. All that does not apply to full time *****s. I would take a chance and would assume that the girl in question is a 'part time' girl. And the other poster's comments just confirm it.

Well, as I mentioned, in a country where the average wage for mid level staff varies below 30,000 peso, a few thousand peso- which just equates to a few hundred $. Something I could easily afford for the GFE. And would not hurt my wallet.

Well, every person has their own opinion. Above is mine!

Whatsgoingon: hope I didn't offend you, but I guess you catch my drift! Nope, as long as you didn't ask her, or given her a few hundred pesos, and as long as she didn't obviously look at you with a disgusted look. Which is not the case as she spent another day with you. You are cool.

[Whatsgoingon]

I wouldn't think another thing about it mate.
Not all girls go out looking for punters because they need the money. Some of these girls have more than enough money and they just like being chased after and having sex.
If she is not a "prostie" then giving her money she doesn't need may well be more of an insult to her than NOT giving it to her.

Funny that you mention this. This girl was classy, had perfect english, looked nothing like a WG and wasn't attempting to find a punter - if I had been in any other country I would have assumed that we just had chemistry and thats why we went back to my hotel - because at the time that's what it felt like.

After she asked for taxi money on night 1 I then assumed that she was a part time WG and gave her money. I have of course thought both ways since - did I insult her? - I may have been wrong.

Anyway regardless or what she is/isnt, I am planning on a return trip soon and will make sure I give her some money to help her out with things.

Hope to see Manila again soon!

[Red Kilt]

maybe i sound like a sour grape, but while i like your justification that she felt she got paid a lot the previous day, in a country where most earns around 15000 peso for a month for mid level jobs (if she is working in that level), another few thousand peso will not only be making their whole month happy, but would also make them less likely to look for punters.
..........

i wouldn't think another thing about it mate.
not all girls go out looking for punters because they need the money. some of these girls have more than enough money and they just like being chased after and having sex.
if she is not a "prostie" then giving her money she doesn't need may well be more of an insult to her than not giving it to her.

[FreebieFan]

That is a VERY interesting post. Previously some guys said banks were reluctant to open bank accounts to guys not residing in the phils with the noticable exception of HSBC which requires you have always at least 100K pesos on your account. I don't want to "freeze" 2, 000 USD or 1600 euros in a phil bank.

1. If you open a BPI account through the manager you can arrange go to bank to collect your ATM.

2. Theres no issue with the P 90,000 balance. You oepn the account with it and then withdraw it. no one checks that you keep a P90,000 balance. If you really need the money, then redeem the cash, and send it your other non Philippines accounts by TT.

[Escort Fan]

Longtime visitors or regular ones might consider opening an account with BdO, Metrobank etc. Deposits at the local branch are free, other branches will charge 50 Peso. A hotel address worked for me. You need to maintain a minimum balance of 2000 peso.

Those familiar with Manila would simply change an amount of money into peso at their preferred venue. Then proceed to the bank, deposit the pesos and from now on use the atms of that bank for free. The big banks are present in all provincial centers.

Dollar accounts can offer the same service. Deposit US $ and draw on the money in Peso through the ATMs.

The risk of theft is way higher than minor exchange rate differences. The RP ATM cards have the benefit that you dont need to worry if that specific ATM is hooked up to the same network as your foreign bank.

Did I mention the skirts of those BdO ladies? I better dont.

That is a VERY interesting post. Previously some guys said banks were reluctant to open bank accounts to guys not residing in the phils with the noticable exception of HSBC which requires you have always at least 100K pesos on your account. I don't want to "freeze" 2, 000 USD or 1600 euros in a phil bank.

Hotel adress worked but. When they ship you the new atm card or the statements when you'll leave the hotel it will be returned to the bank as no longer live there. Isn't it going to be a problem?

Can you confirm that a european (or american) can open a bank account in any BdO in MNL with let's say 20 or 30K and get an ATM card?

All I need is an IBAN to cash in and an ATM card to cash out.

[Thaifun]

Longtime visitors or regular ones might consider opening an account with BdO, Metrobank etc. Deposits at the local branch are free, other branches will charge 50 Peso. A hotel address worked for me. You need to maintain a minimum balance of 2000 peso.

Those familiar with Manila would simply change an amount of money into peso at their preferred venue. Then proceed to the bank, deposit the pesos and from now on use the atms of that bank for free. The big banks are present in all provincial centers.

Dollar accounts can offer the same service. Deposit US $ and draw on the money in Peso through the ATMs.

The risk of theft is way higher than minor exchange rate differences. The RP ATM cards have the benefit that you dont need to worry if that specific ATM is hooked up to the same network as your foreign bank.

Did I mention the skirts of those BdO ladies? I better dont.

[Econo Tech]

no mate you didn't get it wrong. there are no consequences/
she sounds like she knows the score.

many of these girls do have scruples and don't want to be viewed in a bad light.
your 5000 php the night before was very generous and she was probably embarrassed about being seen as expecting another payment. if she had wanted and needed more cash she would have hung around until you got the message. by leaving the way she did makes it clear to me that she didn't expect anything.

maybe i sound like a sour grape, but while i like your justification that she felt she got paid a lot the previous day, in a country where most earns around 15000 peso for a month for mid level jobs (if she is working in that level), another few thousand peso will not only be making their whole month happy, but would also make them less likely to look for punters.

while i can never place a number, atleast a 1000 peso in the pocket would have made her take a taxi to work instead of jumping into an fx

anyway, that's all my own opinion. if the girl was so nice, i would have gladly done what i suggested.

cheers mate

[GoodEnough]

In the Philippines, like most SE Asia countries, cash is king. ATM's, cash advances and the like are rip-offs. Take clean high serial number hundred dollar bills and exchange at street money changers - you can negotiate the best rate. Get more p***y for your bucks.

I disagree. Having tried various alternatives over the 7 years or so that I've lived here, I concluded a while ago that ATMs are the easiest, safest, and usually the cheapest means of getting local money. Machines are ubiquitous and are rarely empty, and the amount charged by your bank or by local banks is partially offset by the lousy exchange rate offered by many bureaux de change. Plus, you will usually get a better rate from the ATMs than you will from the money changers. Carrying around a pile of $100 bills is just one more thing to worry about. I would advise that you keep two or three such bills tucked away as an emergency stash, and use your ATM for getting pesos. If you have an ATM/Visa debit card, so much the better, as you can use it for hotel expenses and usually in restaurants. Again, you'll get a better rate from Visa than from most currency exchange places.
GE

[Blackangst]

In the Philippines, like most SE Asia countries, cash is king. ATM's, cash advances and the like are rip-offs. Take clean high serial number hundred dollar bills and exchange at street money changers - you can negotiate the best rate. Get more p***y for your bucks.

Well, ATM's give pretty good rates.

And what does a high serial number have to do with anything?

[Red Kilt]

.....................
However good, point made about the possible consequences if I got it wrong - Next time will make sure I get to her handbag before she can leave.

No mate you didn't get it wrong. There are no consequences/
She sounds like she knows the score.
Many of these girls do have scruples and don't want to be viewed in a bad light.
Your 5000 php the night before was very generous and she was probably embarrassed about being seen as expecting another payment. If she had wanted and needed more cash she would have hung around until you got the message. By leaving the way she did makes it clear to me that she didn't expect anything.

[Whatsgoingon]

A curious thought .. wouldn't it have been better to slip some peso into her jeans/pant/hand bag?

After all, these girls need to make a living right?

Pardon my ignorance

Yes, I could have done but I gave her 5k the night before for her "taxi" - which I know was way way too much, was naked when she kissed me and she got to the door and opened it before I could have even grabbed any money. I would have ended up with an open door and naked man trying to get into the safe.

To be honest, after asking the night before for cab fare, I thought she would have done so again if she wanted.

I am also still not sure she was a wg, she spoke about her job earlier the day before and even took photos of me and her friends - none of which picked up any punters despite having significant attention - and e-mailed them to me this morning.

However good, point made about the possible consequences if I got it wrong - Next time will make sure I get to her handbag before she can leave.

[Globe Spinner]

This may sound like a dumb question. Having done very little traveling in recent years I do not have an ATM card (I just don't use it in the States). I am planning on traveling Manila/Cebu/Davao in Sep or Oct. Should I get a ATM card from my bank in advance of my trip or can I affordably use my credit card at ATM machines without excessive fees? I'm guessing that the fees may be pretty steep using credit card instead of ATM card? Is it worth wiring money to a bank with offices in Philippines just for a two week trip?

In the Philippines, like most SE Asia countries, cash is king. ATM's, cash advances and the like are rip-offs. Take clean high serial number hundred dollar bills and exchange at street money changers - you can negotiate the best rate. Get more p***y for your bucks.

[Key Master]

this may sound like a dumb question. having done very little traveling in recent years i do not have an atm card (i just don't use it in the states). i am planning on traveling manila/cebu/davao in sep or oct. should i get a atm card from my bank in advance of my trip or can i affordably use my credit card at atm machines without excessive fees? i'm guessing that the fees may be pretty steep using credit card instead of atm card? is it worth wiring money to a bank with offices in philippines just for a two week trip?

i think you'll get raped if you use a credit card, with all types of cash advance fees, and currency exchange fees most likely. you may get charged the atm fees when using an atm also, but i think smaller than the credit card. i never consider the credit card option. depending on how long you are there, you can always bring dollars to exchange, assuming you are american. bring nice $100 bills. lots of places in manila to exchange and also cebu maybe not so many as manila though, but they're there. i prefer to use atm and cash exchange, just have to be very careful about locking your cash up and keeping it safe. not all safes are safe.

[Key Master]

A curious thought .. wouldn't it have been better to slip some peso into her jeans/pant/hand bag?
After all, these girls need to make a living right?
Pardon my ignorance

That's what I would have done. Lot of weird stuff can happen potentially if not in my opinion.